Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-13-23

Vol. 20 No. 24 • December 13, 2023 

midriversnewsmagazine.com 

The Joy of Giving 

Local charity plays ‘Santa’ 

with help from community 

PLUS: First Business Comes To Riverpointe ■ Child Care Tax Incentives Proposed ■ Soda Museum Opens

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STAR PARKER 

Our ticking ethnic 

time bomb 

The new projections for the U.S. population 

from the U.S. Census Bureau show 

dramatic ongoing changes in the ethnic 

makeup of the nation. 

In 2022, the percentage of the U.S., per 

the report, that was non-Hispanic white 

was 59%. In 1980, the U.S. population was 

80% white. 

The report projects the percentage of the 

nation that is white continuing to shrink, 

dropping to 45% by 2060, 37 years from now. 

Aside from concluding that, over time, 

the American population will be increasingly 

culturally diverse and colorful, there 

are profound political implications to this 

ongoing ethnic shift. 

The Republican vote is disproportionately 

white. The Democratic vote is disproportionately 

not white. An ongoing 

shift of the population toward non-white 

demographics means that, assuming no 

change in voting behavior of these various 

groups, electing Republicans will become 

harder and harder. 

Consider that in 1980, when Ronald 

Reagan was elected president, 88% of 

voters were white. Reagan captured 56% 

of the white vote, and Jimmy Carter got 

36% (there was a third party candidate in 

that election, John Anderson, who got 8%). 

In the last presidential election in 2020, 

67% of voters were white. 

Donald Trump captured 58% of the 

white vote, and President Joe Biden 41%. 

Biden won majorities in all other ethnic 

categories: Black, Hispanic, Asian, other. 

If the electorate in 2020 was 88% white, 

as it was in 1980 when Reagan was elected, 

it is most reasonable to assume that Trump 

would now be serving his second term. 

It is also reasonable to assume that the 

ongoing shrinking of the white vote was 

one relevant factor in Trump’s loss in 2020. 

When he won in 2016, flipping five battleground 

states by razor-thin margins, the 

white vote nationally totaled 70%. This 

dropped 3 percentage points in 2020 to 67%. 

It’s clear that if Republicans, and those 

who care about the Republican agenda, 

want a future, they are going to have to pick 

up more support among non-white Americans. 

Is this possible? 

One core factor separating Democrats 

and Republicans is belief in government. 

In a recent Gallup poll, 64% of Democrats, 

compared to 20% of Republicans, 

expressed “a great deal or a fair amount of 

trust” in the federal government to solve 

domestic problems. 

We may conclude that non-white 

Americans, compared to white Americans, 

choose more rather than less government 

to solve their problems. 

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation 

recently compiled comparative household 

median income data for the nation. 

In 2022, median national household 

income was $74,580. 

Median white household income was 

$81,060. Median Hispanic household 

income was $62,800. Median Black household 

income was $52,860. Lagging income 

is clearly a major problem in America’s 

communities of color. 

Hoover Institution economist John 

Cochrane calls “sclerotic growth ... America’s 

overriding economic problem” and 

points out that it’s economic growth that 

drives income. 

The U.S. economy grew at an average 

rate of 3.5% annually from 1950 to 2000, 

per Cochrane. If it grew over those 50 

years at 2% per year, around where it has 

been for the last 15 years, income would 

have been 54% lower. 

What causes “sclerotic growth”? Too 

much government. 

We need major reeducation in the nation’s 

communities of color that big government 

is not their friend. 

The federal government is now sucking up 

25% of the U.S. economy. The Congressional 

Budget Office now projects average growth 

over the next 30 years at 1.6% per year. 

Not a pretty picture, and lower-income 

Americans will suffer the most. 

The title of one of my books is “Uncle 

Sam’s Plantation: How Big Government 

Enslaves America’s Poor and What We 

Can Do About It.” 

The Civil Rights Movement was a fight 

for freedom. Unfortunately, too many 

Black Americans have used their freedom 

to choose the government plantation. 

Now this is a challenge not just for 

Blacks but for the whole nation. 

• • • 

Star Parker is president of the Center 

for Urban Renewal and Education and 

host of the weekly television show “Cure 

America with Star Parker.” 

© 2023 Creators.com 

Read more on midriversnewsmagazine.com 

December 13, 2023 

MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE 

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I OPINION I 3 

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6 I OPINION I 

EDITORIAL 

We believe 

It’s become our tradition at this time of 

year to share one of the most iconic editorials 

ever written. It appeared for the first time in 

1897 when Laura Virginia O’Hanlon sent the 

following letter to The [New York] Sun: 

Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. 

Some of my little friends say there 

is no Santa Claus. 

Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, 

it’s so.” 

Please tell me the truth; is there a 

Santa Claus? 

Virginia O’Hanlon, 115 West 95th 

Street 

The reply to Virginia’s letter was penned by 

Francis Pharcellus Church, one of The Sun’s 

editors who had been a correspondent during 

the Civil War. 

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They 

have been affected by the skepticism of a 

skeptical age. They do not believe except they 

see. They think that nothing can be which is 

not comprehensible by their little minds. All 

minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or 

children’s, are little. In this great universe of 

ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, 

as compared with the boundless world 

about him, as measured by the intelligence 

capable of grasping the whole of truth and 

knowledge. 

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He 

exists as certainly as love and generosity 



and devotion exist, and you know that they 

abound and give to your life its highest 

beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be 

the world if there were no Santa Claus. It 

would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. 

There would be no childlike faith then, 

no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this 

existence. We should have no enjoyment, 

except in sense and sight. The eternal light 

with which childhood fills the world would 

be extinguished. 

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might 

as well not believe in fairies! You might 

get your papa to hire men to watch in all 

the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch 

Santa Claus, but even if they did not see 

Santa Claus coming down, what would that 

prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that 

is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The 

most real things in the world are those that 

neither children nor men can see. Did you 

ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of 

course not, but that’s no proof that they are 

not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine 

all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable 

in the world. 

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see 

what makes the noise inside, but there is a 

veil covering the unseen world which not the 

strongest man, nor even the united strength 

of all the strongest men that ever lived, could 

tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, 

romance, can push aside that curtain and 

view and picture the supernal beauty and 

glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in 

all this world there is nothing else real and 

abiding. 

No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and 

he lives forever. A thousand years from now, 

Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years 

from now, he will continue to make glad the 

heart of childhood. 

• • • 

We also want to wish you a very happy 

holiday season and remind you that, for the 

next few weeks, Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 

will be on a year-end break – in print, that 

is. The physical copy of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 

will be back in your mailboxes 

and available at select local businesses, 

including Schnucks and Dierbergs markets 

on Jan. 10. 

We are privileged to be able to bring you 

local news, sports, stories of student achievement, 

health capsules and so much more in 

a free newsmagazine. Our ability to provide 

this service is a direct result of our advertising 

support. We are so very grateful to each 

and every business who chooses Mid Rivers 

Newsmagazine as a partner in reaching you 

– and we are grateful to you for supporting 

these vital local businesses. 

We look forward to bringing you more 

news you can use in 2023, including our 

popular Business Profiles issue on Jan. 24. 

Of course, news never takes a break, so we 

encourage you to check in frequently at midriversnewsmagazine.com. 

Wishing each of you a very Happy New 

Year! 

@MIDRIVERS_NEWS 


Founder 

Publisher Emeritus 

Publisher 

Managing Editor 

Associate Editor 

Staff Writer 

Features Editor 

Business Manager 

Graphic Designer 

Graphic Designer 

Graphic Layout 

Advertising Account Executives 

Nancy Anderson 

Vicky Czapla 

Ellen Hartbeck 

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Reporters 

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Tracey Bruce 

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Donna Deck 

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Emily Rothermich 

Linda Joyce 

Joe Ritter 

Sheila Roberts 

Robin S. Jefferson 

DeAnne LeBlanc 

John Tremmel 

LETTERS TO 

THE EDITOR 

Celebrating sustainability 

To the Editor: 

After reading the piece on the new 

hydrogen hub in Wentzville, I am thrilled 

to share my excitement about the recent 

inauguration of BayoTech’s new operation 

so close to my home. The ribbon-cutting 

ceremony on Nov. 2 at Ranken Technical 

College marked a pivotal moment in our 

community’s journey toward sustainability. 

Living just one mile down the road 

from this new operation, I could not be 

more excited to see such a substantial and 

positive change in my community. This hub 

exemplifies BayoTech’s commitment to 

making hydrogen more accessible for consumers 

eager to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Wentzville now stands at the forefront 

of a nationwide movement towards cleaner 

and more sustainable energy practices. 

BayoTech’s collaboration with Ranken 

Technical College not only brings cuttingedge 

technology to our doorstep but also 

offers educational and skill development 

opportunities within our community. The 

hub is not just an infrastructure project; it 

symbolizes our commitment to environmental 

responsibility and a cleaner energy future. 

Thank you for providing a platform to 

celebrate this significant achievement. 

Jordyn Ederer 

Regarding Chanukah 

I’m writing regarding the article “Chanukah” 

published Nov. 29. The title alone suggests 

that the reader is going to be informed 

of upcoming Chanukah celebrations. 

I was disappointed when I realized the 

article had little to do with that, but rather 

Rabbi Landa was not so subtly speaking 

about the Israeli war against Palestinians. 

Landa evoked feelings of fear toward Jews 

by calling people anti-Semetic and anyone 

against them as terrorists. He created a 

mentality of “them against us.” 

Today, islamophobia and anti-semitism 

are on the rise. We need to make sure we’re 

not “othering” each other. We are moved 

by our Jewish brothers and sisters, choosing 

to say, “When we said never again, we 

meant never again for anybody.” 

The only way we can do that is to not 

let people in power; whether it be media, 

government, even rabbis sow seeds of fear. 

Isn’t a rabbi’s duty to promote unity 

and quell fear? Calling people terrorists 

does the opposite. History shows when we 

“other” people, it creates retaliation and in 

this case, Arabs are being terrorized and 

killed in America. 

Landa talks about the menorah representing 

“triumph of freedom over oppression, 

light over darkness …” This is exactly 

what the people of Gaza desire; freedom 

over oppression and light to prevail over 

75 years of darkness. 

Christmas is canceled in Bethlehem. 

The Christian Palestinians are mourning 

and taking a stand for the civilians being 

slaughtered. We often ask “What would 

Jesus do?” We know our Lord is weeping 

over what is happening. We take our cue 

from Jesus, who lived under occupation 

and fought back with peace and love. My 

hope is that all Jews celebrating Chanakuh, 

remember their people’s struggle and take 

a moment to show compassion and love 

toward thy neighbor. 

Natalie Awwad 

754 Spirit 40 Park Drive 

Chesterfield, MO 63005 

(636) 591-0010 

midriversnewsmagazine.com 

Please send 

Comments, Letters and Press Releases to: 

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8 I NEWS I 



Home for the Holidays 

Law Matters 

So, the holidays 

are upon us 

once again. It 

seems the older 

we get, the 

faster the years 

go by. My 

father-in-law 

used to say life 

is like a roll of toilet paper - the nearer 

you get to the end, the faster it goes. 

He had some wisdom there. 

And with the holidays come family 

and friends. We just got back from 

Thanksgiving on the beach. We like 

to walk along the shore listening to 

the rhythm of the waves and looking 

at all the colors of the water as the sun 

reflects off them from a million 

different angles. I like watching the 

horizon ignite in a blaze of color at 

sunrise and sunset. We missed a 

couple of this year because a storm 

blew in, but it was still beautiful. 

All-in-all, a great Thanksgiving and 

Christmas is shaping up nicely too. 

And this year my brother-in-law, 

his wife, and one of their sons came all 

the way from Alaska to see their 

newborn grandson who lives in 

Georgia with his mom and dad. We 

all got a chance to hold a 

two-month-old baby. 

But I realize that not everyone's 

holidays are joyful. For some it is a 

time to grieve over loved ones who are 

no longer with us. I am truly sorry for 

you. 

For others, it can be difficult for 

other reasons. Over the years, families 

have gotten complicated with divorces 

and remarriages. Splitting time between 

two sets of parents and four 

sets of grandparents. And even when 

we don't have the logistical 

challenges, tensions can run high in 

families over ancient insults and 

almost forgotten affronts. We get a 

lot of exercise carrying around our 

grievances. 

Perhaps I'm looking back with 

rose-colored glasses, but things 

seemed a lot easier when I was 

younger. Things seem a lot more 

complicated now. 

And that brings me to my point. 

A good estate plan is where the kids 

are still talking to one another and 

celebrating holidays together - or at 

least catching up. I've had children so 

alienated from one another that they 

couldn't even be in the same room to 

close a pay-on-death bank account 

with quite a bit of money in it. 

We can't fix everything, but I 

think we can plan our estates to 

minimize frictions between kids if 

possible. And then we just hope for 

the best. 

Give me a call if you want to talk. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Everyone’s experience 

with estate planning is 

unique and you don’t 

always know what to 

expect. Fred has gathered 

some of the most 

interesting examples he 

knows into an entertaining 

and educational book. 

You Can’t Take It With You is available 

to order online at www.law-matters.net 

Fred L. Vilbig is an attorney with over 30 

years of experience in the areas of wills 

and trusts, small businesses, and real 

estate. This column is for informational 

purposes only. Nothing herein should be 

treated as legal advice or as creating an 

attorney-client relationship. The choice 

of a lawyer is an important decision 

and should not be based solely upon 

advertisements. 

(636) 537-7884 | fvilbig@lawmatters.llc | www.lawmatters.llc 

NEWS 

BRIEFS 

DARDENNE PRAIRIE 

2024 city budget approved 

The Dardenne Prairie 2024 city budget 

was approved at the Dec. 6 Board of Aldermen 

meeting. Discussions regarding the 

budget ranged over multiple meetings and 

included inflation, revenue, and city needs. 

During the Nov. 15 work session, City 

Administrator James W. Knowles III noted, 

“We’re still budgeting pretty conservatively 

from last year.” He described the substantial 

gains the city has made from investments, 

including a $150,000 boost from the county 

pothole investment fund. While this added 

to the city’s financial security, Knowles 

described how inflation has impacted funds 

and leveled out those gains. 

“We’re kind of holding to the same 

budget,” he said. 

Knowles also described how the city 

has shifted to executing more services inhouse 

to save money. 

The potential for expanding the city 

police budget was also discussed. Knowles 

explained that if it is determined to be in 

the best interest of Dardenne Prairie to hire 

another officer, that will add more costs for 

the added pay rate. Adding another officer 

may require the city to purchase another 

patrol car. 

In addition, Knowles noted that the city 

budget increases sales tax by half a percent. 

The capital improvement tax also is 

being raised by a half percent. He warned 

that the highest rate increases are due to 

rising insurance costs. This includes a 10% 

increase estimate for health care costs and 

an increased rate for dental benefits. 

Furthermore, the city staff is slated to 

receive a 1% pay increase. Knowles said 

this will offer the city a more competitive 

pay angle so they do not lose staff members 

to other cities. It will also help the city 

keep up with inflation. 

Knowles said the city budgeted more 

than they spent for 2023 and the budget was 

more accurate than it has been in the past. 

“We feel pretty confident in these numbers,” 

he said. 

During the Nov. 15 board meeting, funding 

for sign replacements, road projects 

and stormwater capital improvements was 

discussed. After reviewing the information, 

alderman Mike Costlow (Ward 2) stated, 

“My reading of this is we’re in good economic 

shape.” 

The discussion continued at the Dec. 

6 work session, at which, Costlow suggested 

allocating an additional $50,000 for 

signage to direct people toward the Town 

Square shopping center from the highway. 

“We need to increase traffic through 

there,” he said. 

The board agreed that signage would 

drive more people to the area and increase 

revenue. Alderman Mark Johnson (Ward 3) 

suggested adding a billboard as well, but 

Costlow argued that people tend to ignore 

billboards. The conversation that ensued 

centered around ensuring that people driving 

by on the highway are made aware 

of the businesses operating in the Town 

Square area. Knowles stated that he planned 

to address this in January and that it is a 

concept that will be further addressed. 

Alderman Dave Wandling (Ward 1) also 

expressed concerns regarding landscaping 

upkeep in Towns Square to ensure the area 

remains presentable. He noted that the city 

is responsible for maintaining handicapped 

ramps and sidewalks and that more maintenance 

needs to be done, especially if the 

city plans to encourage people to shop in 

the area. The board agreed. This is expected 

to be further addressed in the new year. 

Ultimately, the 2024 city budget was 

unanimously adopted by the board. 

O’FALLON 



Three lawsuits against 

city continue, one ends 

Former O’Fallon Police Department 

employees Brian Hilke, Ed Smith and 

Lisa Salisbury each filed employment discrimination 

lawsuits in 2021. Hilke’s jury 

trial has been pushed out to June 7, 2024. 

Salisbury’s jury trial has been pushed out 

to Dec. 16, 2024. 

Smith’s jury trial has not yet been scheduled. 

His attorney, John Lynch, said, “The 

case still is dragging through discovery 

and myriad motions.” 

He accused O’Fallon of “being 

O’Fallon.” 

Former City Council member Katie 

Gatewood (Ward 5) had filed a lawsuit 

in federal court in 2021 just prior to her 

being impeached and removed from office. 

After losing an appeal in the Eighth Circuit 

Court of Appeals in June, 2023, Gatewood 

and her attorney, David Roland, had said 

they were considering whether or not to 

appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

On Nov. 21, Roland said, “Alas, we 

opted not to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to 

review the case. It’s done.” 

That definitively ends Gatewood’s 

nearly three years of legal challenges at 

the City Council (2021) and federal level 

(2021, 2022 and 2023). 

Asked for comments about these cases, 

the city’s spokesperson said, “The city will 

maintain its position of not providing com-





I NEWS I 9 

mentary regarding personnel matters or 

litigation.” 

ST. CHARLES COUNTY 

Council to vote on 2024 

budget Dec. 18 

St. Charles County government currently 

proposes $561,494,489 in total 

expenditures for 2024. 

At its Dec. 4 meeting, the County Council 

introduced a bill (No. 5247) that would 

approve and appropriate the county’s 2024 

budget. Passage of the budget is required 

by year-end; the council’s last regularly 

scheduled meeting is Dec. 18. 

After revisions, the proposed budget now 

includes total expenditures (including capital 

outlay) of $561,494,489, with anticipated 

total revenues of $383,633,080, and 

total anticipated funding of $652,614,278. 

2024 budget. 

• Bill No. 5245 to authorize appointment 

of certain St. Charles County employees as 

team members of the Missouri Region C 

Incident Support Team. 

• Bill No. 5246 to approve the Transportation 

Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2024- 

2026 and corresponding intergovernmental 

agreements. Requested by the county’s 

roads and traffic director and sponsored 

by the council as a whole, this bill has a 

TIP list of 97 projects for 2024, totaling 

about $120 million, including projects 

for Dardenne Prairie, Lake Saint Louis, 

New Melle, O’Fallon, St. Charles City, St. 

Freezing weather is here! 

Peters, Wentzville and unincorporated St. 

Charles County. 

Background material from Brauer indicates 

the proposed 2024 TIP includes 55 

ongoing previously approved projects with 

funds rolling forward to 2024. The rollover 

is anticipated to be about $72 million, 

resulting from delays caused by right-ofway 

acquisition, lack of staff and inflation 

impacts. 

Brauer also expects to see about $13 

million in federal and state reimbursement 

in 2024 for roads and traffic, and county 

highway projects. 

The County Road Board has recommended 

19 new projects for the TIP 

with three-year total county funding of 

about $20.7 million. The road board also 

approved four project amendments, due to 

construction cost inflation, adding funds 

totaling about $5 million, to cover overrun 

costs from actual construction bids and 

consultant fees. 

The contract for the Route 370 Interchange 

Ramp at Salt River Road project 

will be terminated, due to the lack of funding 

available for a higher estimated project 

cost caused by the impact of inflation. That 

termination results in $4,347,906 in county 

funds to be used for other projects. 

County to vote Dec. 18 on road 

projects, police grant funds 

Because of the year-end holidays and 

rules that require a 10-day window on proposed 

legislation before a final authorizing 

vote can be taken, legislation anticipating a 

second reading and vote by the St. Charles 

County Council on Dec. 4 has been held 

until Dec. 18. 

On Dec. 4, county council chair Terry 

Hollander (District 5), explained those 

rules in regard to: 

• Bill No. 5244 to authorize county police 

use of grant funds for child sexual assault 

investigation services. Requested by Police 

Chief Kurt Frisz and sponsored by council 

member Terry Hollander (District 5), the 

bill would allow acceptance of grant funds 

for the police department’s child sexual 

assault investigation services. 

The Missouri Department of Social Services 

would provide an $83,877 grant to 

the County Police Department, funded by 

the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for 

the 12 months from August 2023 to August 

2024. 

The grant funding is to “assist law 

enforcement agencies financially, with 

the investigations of child sexual assaults.” 

The funding also would be used to train 

child abuse investigators in the latest 

investigative techniques and courtroom 

testimony, and to purchase equipment for 

crime scene investigators to effectively 

document and secure evidence related to 

the investigation of child sexual assault 

cases. 

For context, in the 12 months from 

October 2019 through September 2020, St. 

Charles County reported 39 cases of child 

sexual abuse plus 40 cases of child physical 

abuse. 

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10 I NEWS I 





Riverpointe progress continues with Chicken N Pickle opening 

By JOHN TREMMEL 

On Dec. 12, Chicken N Pickle opened 

in the Riverpointe development along the 

Missouri River. 

The so-called “eatertainment” complex 

encompasses 2.5 acres of riverfront property 

and has 11 indoor and outdoor pickleball 

courts on 76,850 square feet within its 

fenced boundary. 

In a press statement announcing its opening, 

CEO Brad Clarke noted, “At Chicken 

N Pickle, we invented the idea of combining 

high-quality food, craft cocktails and 

the ever-growing sport of pickleball. Now 

we’re bringing our concept to the St. Louis 

area, where we know pickleball is wildly 

popular.” 

On Dec. 6 at the annual holiday party 

sponsored by the Economic Development 

Council of St. Charles County, the mere 

mention of Chicken N Pickle brought loud 

applause and cheers of support. Maybe 

that enthusiasm was driven by pickleball. 

Maybe it was in response to the 150 new 

jobs that Chicken N Pickle is expected to 

create. Or maybe it was simply excitement 

that Riverpointe now has its first business 

after more than a decade of planning. 

While the plan for Riverpointe is multifaceted, 

the section that abuts the Streets of 

St. Charles is where Chicken N Pickle has 

opened. That portion of the project runs 

parallel to the Katy Trail and is across a 

Missouri River channel from the Bangert 

Island nature preserve, which has been an 

area of concern. Locals who use Bangert 

Island for biking and hiking have sought, 

throughout the project, to keep the island 

in a natural state. 

Dan Mann, engineering director for the 

city of St. Charles, recently explained the 

progress and status of continuing work to 

Chicken N Pickle view from South Main Street 

(John Tremmel photo) 

protect and preserve Bangert Island and 

improve access as work on the Riverpointe 

development continues. 

Current access to Bangert Island is a temporary, 

rough dirt path that runs from the 

Katy Trail to the western side of the island, 

facing where Riverpointe’s planned lake 

feature eventually will be built. To cross 

the wettest and muddiest portion at the low 

point of the path, cyclists and hikers ride or 

walk across a 4-foot by 12-foot metal grate. 

Mann’s comments should come as 

solace and a victory to community members 

who sought to protect the island. 

“Bangert Island will remain accessible 

only by biking or hiking the many miles 

of trails on the island. In fact, the island’s 

covenants prevent public access to any 

motorized vehicles, and the trail system 

will remain in its natural state,” he said. 

Mann noted that the access point, however, 

will be improved. 

“The Riverpointe developer, CRG, still is 

in the early stages of designing a permanent 

bridge from the west bank of the Missouri 

River to the island,” Mann said. “The 

recently approved regulating plan includes 

CRG’s current vision for the bridge.” 

Regarding plans and timing for removing 

all the foliage and tree residue in the 

new slough channel for the lake feature, 

Mann said, “The city expects to have all 

permits in hand in early 2024 for the lake 

component. Our goal is to work with CRG 

to complete a review of the design for the 

lake and begin construction in 2024.” 

In the latest plans, the lake feature 

appears to have softer banks and wetlandstyle 

plants and grasses. 

“As you would expect on a development 

of this size, the concept has morphed over 

time for the better,” Mann said. “Dating 

back to 2011, the original concept was 

restoring the side channel chute that once 

existed. At the time the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers thought that this side channel 

chute would provide ecological benefit to 

aquatic species. 

“In the years (following), the theory of 

that science changed and so has our concept. 

In 2021, the city had planned a deep 

lake and retaining wall. After getting more 

feedback from the U.S. Army Corps and 

CRG’s landscape architect Lamar Johnson 

Collaborative, everyone agreed that the 

lake and wetland hybrid concept made 

more sense ecologically and economically. 

“The city is really excited for what this 

brings to the Bangert Island Park.” 

Mann noted that CRG’s plans have 

some “really incredible boardwalks and 

overlooks that really highlight the lake and 

natural features.” 

“The lake will have kayaks and paddleboards 

available, all within a few feet of 

the Katy Trail,” he said. “This sort of marriage 

between high-density development 

and outdoor recreation is unrivaled in the 

Midwest. The 2023 permit submittal is 

for a concept that will really fold in nicely 

with the development and the park.” 

As for Riverpointe’s next significant 

steps, Mann said, “The opening of Chicken 

N Pickle on Dec. 12 is a huge step for the 

overall area, and really validates the effort 

put into making this development successful. 

But CRG and the city aren’t slowing down 

and want to build on the excitement that this 

first tenant will bring to the development. 

“The coming year will be an exciting time 

for CRG and the city. We have heard that 

some really exciting users are interested in 

the remaining lots fronting on South Main 

Street and look forward to that next step of 

development.” 

Legislators plan to re-introduce child care tax incentives next session 

By LAURA SAGGAR 

A bipartisan group of state legislators, 

along with business leaders from across the 

state, met on Dec. 5 in St. Peters for a child 

care issue forum hosted by the Missouri 

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the St. 

Charles Regional Chamber of Commerce 

and Greater St. Louis, Inc. The goal of the 

forum was to address what those organizations 

say is a child care crisis across the 

state of Missouri. State Rep. Brenda Shields 

(R-District 011) introduced a Child Care 

Tax Credit Legislative Package in the last 

General Assembly session, but the bill (HB 

1488) was filibustered by Sen. Bill Eigel 

(R-District 23). Shields, and a group of 

bipartisan legislators, plan to introduce the 

bill again in 2024 and hope to get it passed 

in the Spring. 

According to the Missouri Chamber, the 

Missouri economy misses out on an estimated 

$1.35 billion annually, including a 

$280 million annual loss in tax revenue, due 

to child care issues. The Missouri Chamber 

also reported that 80% of Missouri business 

leaders say issues with child care are hurting 

their ability to recruit and retain workers. 

Kara Corches, vice president of governmental 

affairs for the Missouri Chamber, moderated 

the forum where Shields, Sen. Brian 

Williams (D-District 14) and Alex Tuttle, 

legislative budget director for Gov. Mike 

Parson, each presented their reasons for supporting 

the tax credit legislation. 

“The statistics tell the story,” Corches 

said. “This isn’t just a women’s issue or a 

parent’s issue. Child care is an economic 

issue that impacts the entire community.” 

Corches shared that in 2022 she paid 

more than $21,000 to send her 3-year-old 

to a child care facility for the year. Shields 

noted that if there is not enough of a supply 

for child care, the price will keep going 

up. She said that she believes if businesses 

invest in quality child care, the government 

will follow. Her Child Care Tax Credit package 

includes three ways to qualify for tax 

credits that would support child care facilities, 

employers and working parents. 

Taxpayers can receive a 70% tax credit 

after making a donation to support a child 

care center; businesses can receive a 30% 

tax credit for donating to a child care facility 

or investing in child care services; and 

child care providers can receive a 30% tax 

credit for investing in their own facilities. 

Each program is capped at $200,000 for 

taxpayers and $20 million for the program. 

The child care contribution tax credit 

applies to direct contributions/donations 

to child care providers. The employer-pro- 

See TAX INCENTIVES, page 17





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12 I NEWS I 

By CATHY LENNY 



Champions in Action was the 

theme for 35th annual Excellence in 

Community Development Awards 

presented by Progress 64 West. The 

awards program honors individuals 

and organizations that have made 

extraordinary efforts to improve the 

region. 

First up was Chesterfield City 

Administrator Mike Geisel. 

“He’s been a champion in action in 

every step taken for the city of Chesterfield,” 

announced emcee Marc 

Cox, host of the Marc Cox Show 

on 97.1 FM Talk radio. “He’s been 

there since its incorporation in 1988. 

Through the years, Mike has championed, 

managed and protected the 

city and its citizens’ best interests.” 

Geisel started out as an assistant city 

engineer. Then, he became the city’s director 

of public works, director of public service, 

and finally its city administrator. 

“His fingerprints are on just about everything 

the city of Chesterfield has ever 

done,” Cox said. 

Next up was Stuart Duncan, executive 

director of Chesterfield Sports Association, 

a 97,000-square-foot sports complex that 

features nine basketball courts, which convert 

to 18 volleyball courts – and can host 

tournaments of every level and size for a 

range of sports that include gymnastics, 

martial arts and more. Located on the western 

edge of Chesterfield Valley, Cox noted 

that the center is bringing a lot of people to 

the greater St. Louis area. 

“Stuart had the vision to build a worldclass 

recreational facility that’s become 

an asset to the St. Louis region by helping 

to increase access to and participation in 

recreational activities, improve health and 

wellness in young athletes, and promote 

economic development in the area,” 

Cox said. 

Located in St. Charles County, 

Boone Center Inc. (BCI) also received 

an Excellence in Community Development 

award for helping people with 

intellectual and developmental disabilities 

find meaningful employment. 

“For over 60 years they’ve been 

working on this,” Cox said of BCI. 

“They meet people where they are 

today, where they can be tomorrow 

and (in) all of their journeys in 

between.” 

As of early December, BCI had 217 

people employed through its organizational 

employment program, BCI 

Packaging, which offers contract 

packaging and light manufacturing 

to companies around the world. In 

November, jobs completed by the packaging 

team received a 99.6% quality rating. 

Additionally, in 2023, BCI’s competitive 

employment program celebrated 30 successful 

placements and recent graduates of 

its Skills Center earned an average starting 

wage of $17.50. 

A nonprofit, BCI’s efforts are made possible 

by corporate and community donors. 

The result is a more diverse, inclusive community 

that gives everyone the chance to 

know the satisfaction that comes from a 

job well done. 

Speaking of jobs well done, that’s exactly 

what happens each November when The 

Brass Rail Steakhouse serves up its community 

Thanksgiving dinner. 

“Since 2013, the restaurant has served 

thousands of area residents with a complete 

Thanksgiving meal delivered straight 

to their doors,” Cox said in announcing 

the restaurant’s award. “Under the leadership 

of restaurant owners Ryan and April 

Hammer, an army of volunteers help 

deliver food across a 60-mile radius (from 

the restaurant’s O’Fallon location).” 

To make those meals possible, The Brass 

Rail also relies on the generosity of community 

partners, giving witness to the positive 

things that can happen when businesses 

and community members come together to 

solve problems and affect change. 

Perhaps no one knows that better than 

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient 

Doris Fiddmont Frazier. 

“Doris is rightfully considered one of 

St. Louis’ most loved, well respected and 

cherished citizens,” said Progress 64 West 

President Debbie Shaw-Franke. “Doris’ 

evangelism, community activism and 

musical education have offered her opportunities 

to participate in historic moments, 

hold distinguished positions and receive 

many recognitions.” 

Noting that Frasier is a “nationally and 

globally applauded singer,” Shaw-Franke 

commented that she “ walks in the sunshine 

and never in the shadow, as heartfully 

sung on one of her albums.” 

Frazier is a community leader who has 

worked with legislators at all levels 

of government. In the early days of 

western growth in St. Louis County, 

she worked for then-St. Louis County 

Executive Maurice Stewart. Frazier 

knew all about western St. Louis 

County, having lived there for most of 

her life. 

She and her late husband, Clifford, 

raised their six children in Westland 

Acres, in the northeast area of Wildwood 

near Chesterfield. Historically 

an African-American community, 

Westland Acres was founded by William 

West, a freedman who was one 

of the area’s first settlers and Clifford 

Frazier’s great-grandfather. West purchased 

about 133 acres of land in 1879. 

History is important to Frazier, who 

played an instrumental role in the 



Annual Progress 64 West luncheon honors ‘champions in action’ 

The Progress 64 West 2023 award winners (from left) are The Brass Rail owner April Hammer, Chesterfield 

Sports Association Executive Director Stuart Duncan, Chesterfield City Administrator Mike Geisel and 

Troy Compardo, CEO of Boone Center Inc., with Progress 64 West president Debbie Shaw Franke (far 

left) and executive director Rachel Treppler (far right). 

(Rob Shirley Photography) 

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Doris Fiddmont 

Frazier with Progress 64 West President Debbie 

Shaw-Franke and broadcaster/emcee Marc Cox. 

county’s recent acquisition of a oneroom 

schoolhouse, African Schoolhouse 

#4, that has been rebuilt in the 

Historic Village at Faust Park. 

More recently she advocated 

for St. Louis County adopting the 

state-passed real estate tax freeze for 

senior citizens. 

Whether helping to establish Circle 

of Concern, getting a distinguished 

citizen award from the American 

Cancer Society, or volunteering as a 

human rights commissioner for the 

city of Chesterfield, Shaw-Franke 

said no challenge has ever been too 

big for Frazier. 

In honor of her 92nd birthday, both 

St. Louis County and Wildwood 

named May 6 as Doris Fiddmont 

Frazier Day. 

Shaw-Franke, daughter of the late Tom 

Shaw, who helped found Progress 64 West, 

noted that Frazier was at the first luncheon 

meeting for Progress 64 West, along with 

“her husband and best friend, Cliff Frazier 

Sr., who was instrumental in launching the 

organization.” 

In her acceptance speech, Fraiser said 

she has always been interested in progress. 

“We can all acknowledge we’ve made 

some progress here,” she said. “But there’s 

one thing where we’ve not made much 

progress and that’s my community, Westland 

Acres.” 

Today, except for a few acres, the land 

that once belonged to William West is 

still owned by his heirs, including Frazier. 

Since the incorporation of Wildwood 

in 1995, the community is shared by two 

cities: Wildwood and Chesterfield. It was 

designated as a Wildwood Historic District 

in 2005. 

Although the surrounding areas have 

been developed, Westland Acres is still 

without amenities such as water, gas or 

sewage, and no entrance from any of the 

surrounding community subdivisions, Frazier 

said. 

“So the question remains: Why haven’t 

we been able to accomplish this? I hope to 

finally see my community become a beautiful, 

thriving community.” 

Ever the activist, Frazier used the opportunity 

to speak directly to community leaders. 

“Can you and will you help me achieve 

one of the greatest desires of my lifetime?” 

she asked. 

Other speakers at the banquet included 

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann 

and keynote speaker Michael Staenberg, 

president of the Staenberg Group. 

The awards ceremony also included the 

presentation of The Progress 64 Entrepreneurial 

Scholarships.

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14 I NEWS I 

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Bryan Road in O’Fallon begins at West 

Terra Lane, just north of I-70, to its south 

terminus at Route 364 South Outer Road, 

where it becomes Winghaven Boulevard. 

Traveling on Bryan Road south, a driver 

currently must cross intersections with 

traffic lights at I-70 (two separate entry/ 

exit ramps with their own signals), Veterans 

Memorial Parkway, Mexico Road, 

Great Warrior Drive/Norwood Hills Drive, 

Feise Road, Route 364 (two separate entry/ 

exit ramps with their own signals), and 

finally the intersection with Route 364 

South Outer Road/Town Square Avenue. 

All of those intersections are extremely 

congested already during morning and 

evening rush hours. The intersections at the 

Route 364 South Outer Road/Town Square 

Avenue, Feise Road and the new North 

Bryan Commercial development between 

Veterans Memorial and White Magnolia are 

going to be even busier as new commercial 

and apartment developments are built. 

In early fall 2023, O’Fallon retained a 

consultant to prepare a methodology and 

assumptions report, gather data, build traffic 

models and develop a memorandum 

detailing the results of the study. 

“The study indicated strong consideration 

should be given to improving traffic 

operations at the Byran Road and I-70 

interchange as well as between Route 364 

and Feise Road,” City Communications 

Director Tony Michalka said. “However, 

these intersections are not owned or maintained 

by O’Fallon and were not studied 

for future improvements. The study recommended 

future intersection improvements 



Study looks at road needs in O’Fallon 


At its Dec. 4 meeting, the St. Charles 

County Council introduced a bill (No. 5248) 

that would authorize a memorandum of 

understanding (MOU) with the Family Court 

of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court covering 

the proper care and custody of juveniles 

under age 18, who are certified to stand trial 

as adults. The bill was requested by Daniel 

Keen, director of corrections. 

Keen’s background memo to the council 

explains that the MOU will establish a cooperative 

plan to include information sharing, 

immediate and ongoing caseworker meetings 

with the juveniles and training on security 

procedures, among other items. 

According to a county spokesperson, 

“There had been verbal agreements before, 

but this is important enough for ensuring 

juvenile safety that Keen suggested getting 

it all in writing.” 

The proposed MOU outlines specific 

to intersections owned and maintained 

entirely or in part by O’Fallon.” 

Suggestions from the study include: 

• Veterans Memorial Parkway: Provide 

protected-only dual left turn lanes for side 

street eastbound and westbound movements. 

(Protected-only left turn phasing is 

considered when the left-turning vehicles 

have limited sight visibility to adequately 

see gaps in opposing traffic or when there 

are multiple lanes turning.) 

• Justice Center Drive: Provide northbound 

right and southbound left turn lanes 

for future east-leg approaches. 

• Mexico Road: Provide protected-only 

dual southbound left turn lanes. 

• Cora Marie Drive: Provide traffic signal 

and include northbound left and southbound 

right turn lanes for future west leg 

approach (Cora Marie Drive). 

• Feise Road: Provide protected-only dual 

left turn lanes for side street eastbound and 

westbound movements. 

“The Bryan Road intersections at I-70, 

Route 364, and South Outer Road 364 are 

MoDOT-controlled,” Michalka clarified. 

“The city is not currently working with 

MoDOT at those locations.” 

He also cautioned, “This is just a study; 

it’s not a plan. It gives us information that 

we can utilize in the future to help look 

at the future of Bryan Road when future 

developments occur. 

“The city currently is involved in studying 

potential improvements to the intersection 

at Bryan Road and West Terra Lane. 

The engineering department is involved in 

that process.” 

Details on the Terra Lane realignment 

can be found at terralanerealignment.com. 

County looks to codify care, custody of certified juveniles 

processes and procedures for custody of 

juveniles to be tried as adults, including 

the length of time within which the police 

department filing the allegations must 

assume custody of the juvenile from the 

court; the booking process, including the 

scheduling of pre-trial services and a bond 

hearing; and the transfer the juvenile back 

to the court. The timeliness of assigning a 

caseworker to the juvenile and meetings 

between the caseworker and juvenile are 

also defined in the MOU. 

While the certified juvenile is being held in 

detention, the MOU specifies that the Family 

Court must provide healthcare and pharmaceutical 

services in the same manner as noncertified 

juveniles in the court’s custody. Also 

defined are procedures for obtaining medical 

care at a hospital or medical facility for the 

certified juvenile while in custody. 

Protections for the certified juvenile from 

the county jail’s adult population are also 

defined in the MOU.





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16 I NEWS I 

By SUZANNE CORBETT 



Tom Smith Jr., a native of St. Charles, 

craves soda. In fact, he has a love affair with 

carbonated drinks, especially Coke and anything 

Coca-Cola puts its name on. That love 

drove Smith to begin collecting all things 

Coke when he was 10 years old. 

After collecting for nearly 40 years, he 

had amassed a collection of soda memorabilia 

and vending equipment that rivals the 

Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta. 

“Since I was about 15, it’s always been 

my dream to open a museum,” Smith said. 

On Nov. 30, his dream became reality. 

Smith’s Soda Museum and Arcade has 

bubbled up at 126 N. Main St. in historic 

Saint Charles. Admission is $20 per person, 

free for ages 5 and younger. 

The museum is housed in the old J.C. 

Penny Department Store on North Main 

Street – a vintage building that dates to 1896, 

just 10 years after Coca-Cola hit the market. 

Its three levels total 17,500 square feet. The 

main floor mezzanine and top floor house 

the soda memorabilia while the basement is 

an arcade filled with dozens of classic video 

games, pinball machines, bowling machines 

and air hockey. It’s a large space, but it’s still 

not large enough to display Smith’s entire 

collection, which numbers in the tens of 

thousands. 

“This is only about a third of the collection, 

which began with one item I got when I was 

10 – a 1937 serving tray that has a bathing 

beauty in a yellow swimsuit running down 

the beach,” Smith said, explaining how he 

fell in love with the artwork Coca-Cola used 

in its marketing. As a result, he developed 

an appreciation for all things associated 

with the company and that includes items 

that predate the signature Coke brand. 

“John Pemberton’s first elixir was French 

Wine Coca. It was the predecessor of Coca- 

Cola.” 

That’s one of the bottles Smith has in his 

collection. 

Pemberton replaced the wine in French 

Wine Coca with carbonated water and the 

rest, as they say, is history. Pemberton’s 

French Wine Coca is displayed at the beginning 

of Smith’s Coca-Cola timeline, which 

was to illustrate the 100-year history of 

Coke, but Smith ran out of room when he 

hit the 1950s. 

Since 1886, Smith said, no other soda 

company has produced more stuff than 

Coca-Cola. Through the years, Smith added 

other soft drink materials to the collection. 

But when you walk into the museum, 

there’s no question – Coke is Smith’s favorite 

brand. 

“The Coke timeline starts at 1897 with a 

metal sign,” he said. “There are only two 

of these signs that are known to exist. One 

is here, and the other is in the Coca-Cola 

Museum in Atlanta.” 

The timeline includes almost every serving 

tray the company produced, beginning 

with a 1901 tray and including a 1950s tray 

featuring Santa Claus. The Coca-Cola Santa 

was drawn by Haddon Sundlom back in the 

1920s. It became a wildly popular advertising 

campaign still in use today. The iconic 

Coca-Cola Santa and related holiday advertisements 

are featured in the museum’s 

window display this December. 

Syrup barrels, bottles and a rare display 

rack featuring the first-ever 

six-pack carrier are also 

on display in the museum. 

Other unusual pieces include 

promotional items, such as 

a scooter made for the St. 

Louis’ Western Coca-Cola 

bottling company as an 

incentive for customers. 

“Bottlers were given latitude 

to do pretty much what 

they wanted to do with the 

logo. Western Coca-Cola 

Bottlers here in St. Louis 

came up with toy scooters. 

All you had to do was to save 

24 crowns (bottle caps) to get 

one,” Smith said. “Not to be 

outdone by Coke, Vess Soda made a version 

of a scooter for its Whistle orange soda with 

a cap trade-in. I have both scooters displayed 

together, side by side.” 

Smith’s collection also includes rows 

and rows of vending machines, coolers and 

picnic hampers. The earliest is a 1910 selfvending 

cooler – a lidded barrel with Coca- 

Cola painted on it. Other vending machines 

in Smith’s collection date from the turn of 

the century to 1970, including both wet and 

dry machines. Wet vending machines were 

filled with ice water or had ice water circulating 

in them to keep the soda cold. 

The most ironic vending machines were 

Coke’s red, mid-century modern wonders 

that were operated by dropping a dime in 

the slot and twisting the lever for an eightounce 

Coca-Cola to drop down to the door. 

Smith’s goal is to have one of these machines 

up and running for museum guests to vend 

themselves a soda. 

Vending machines also document 

the price of soft drinks, 

which started at a nickel and 

then raised to a dime. The 

reason, Smith said, was that 

soda companies were having 

trouble getting the bottles back. 

As he explained, they increased 

the price from a nickel to a 

dime and offered the customer 

a return on the bottle from a 

penny to 2 cents. Eventually, 

companies went to disposable 

bottles made from thin glass 

and then cans. The first cans 

had to be opened with a can 

opener that was attached to the 

machine. 

Over the years, Smith 

expanded his collection to 

include all sodas. From major 

brands such as Pepsi, Dr. 

Pepper and Royal Crown to 



HAVE A COKE AND A SMILE 

New Soda Museum and Arcade opens in Historic Saint Charles 

Inside the Soda Museum and Arcade in Historic Saint Charles 

(Suzanne Corbett photo) 

Tom Smith Jr., owner of the Soda Museum and Arcade in 

Historic Saint Charles 

(Suzanne Corbett photo) 

regional and local brands such as Smile, Big 

Boy and IBC Root Beer. 

Root beer has been given its own niche in 

the museum – Root Beer Corner. Of course, 

the display spills out from its corner with its 

own unique collection of memorabilia. 

“There are so many small regional soda 

bottlers. There were literally thousands of 

sodas,” Smith said. “We have as many of 

those as we can fit into the building.” 

Two unexpected exhibits are the Copycat 

exhibit and the Fake Coke memorabilia display. 

Copycat items are from companies that 

sold items too close to the Coke brand, such 

as KoKe and My Cocka, which Coca-Cola 

sued out of business. Fake Coke items have 

been a big business for decades. Smith 

wanted to show the difference between the 

imposters and the genuine artifacts by displaying 

them side-by-side. 

“Some of these items were reproductions 

made by Coke as commemorative items. 

Others were made by deceiving people … 

trying to make a lot of money on a fake.” 

In addition to more memorabilia, the 

second level houses an event space with a 

turn-of-the-century bar. It’s a great space for 

parties of fewer than 60 guests. 

The arcade in the basement is included in 

the price of admission and can be played as 

much as you like. The basement also features 

a bar where you can purchase a cold 

drink from a list of over 50 different sodas. 

Of course, Coke is the house specialty. 

Smith wants guests to have a full sensory 

experience – see the exhibits, play the 

games, taste the soda – and remember the 

joy of days gone by. 

“A lot of people remember putting a dime 

or quarter into a machine, cranking the 

handle and pulling out a soda. It’s something 

that brings back memories,” Smith 

said. “And bringing back memories is our 

goal.”



TAX INCENTIVES, from page 10 

vided child care assistance tax credit 

applies to programs through employers 

like, for example, dependent care 

spending account cafeteria plans, providing 

an on-site child care facility 

or contracting with community child 

care providers. The child care providers 

tax credit applies to child care 

facilities where they can receive a tax 

credit on capital improvements to their 

facility and allowing them to keep the 

employee payroll tax withholdings. 

“We are asking businesses to put their 

money where they mouth is,” Shields 

said. 

The bill has bipartisan support across 

the state. Williams said he and his wife 

pay almost $2,000 a month for child care 

for one child. 

“We are losing $280 million in revenue 

because parents are deciding to leave their 

profession to be a stay home mom or dad,” 

Williams said. “In my house, mom has a job 

and career she loves and deserves to have. 

How does it affect the state? If people have 

to choose between family and a job, they 

will choose family.” 

Williams also highlighted the importance 

of paying child care providers higher 

wages, which is what they could use their 

tax credit for. Corches said the average pay 

Child Care Issue Forum on Dec. 5. 

for child care providers in Missouri is $11 

an hour. 

Shields hopes to keep constituents and 

legislators focused on this issue in order to 

get the package passed in the spring. Tuttle 

expressed Parson’s support of increasing 

access to quality child care. 

Sam Meyer is a father three and works in 

human resources at Component Bar Products 

in O’Fallon. He said he attended the 

forum to find out more about the tax credits 

and how it might affect him and his employees. 

Meyer’s oldest child is 7 and is in 

school every day. His younger children 

are ages 5 and 1. His wife is a nurse 

practitioner and works full-time. Working 

out their child care schedule took 

some planning. One set of grandparents 

watches the younger children on 

Tuesdays, the other set watches them 

on Thursdays. The 5-year-old goes to 

preschool on Monday, Wednesday and 

Friday. The 1-year-old goes to a child 

care facility on Mondays and Fridays. 

“My wife negotiated to be off of work 

on Wednesdays so she could take care 

of the children that day,” Meyer said. 

“She does morning drop off, I do the 

pick up. We are fortunate to have our 

parents help us. I’m not sure what we 

would do if they couldn’t.” 

Meyer said they spend around $600 

a month on child care. He said he 

liked the tax credit incentives. He has a lot 

of younger employees, some are expecting 

babies in the new year and he’s looking for 

ways to help them. 

“We are very flexible for the employees 

at work,” Meyer said. “For me, if one of 

our kids gets sick, I’m usually the one to 

stay home.” 

Shields hopes to keep the momentum 

going into the next legislative session. 

“I believe Missouri will be ahead of every 

other state if we get this passed,” she said. 



I NEWS I 17 

from 

Here for St. Charles today and in the future. 

At SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital we’re investing in the health and well-being of 

our vibrant St. Charles community. 

For more than a century we’ve focused on providing expert patient care offering 

advanced and convenient services including: 

• Board-certified cardiology and vascular services with the busiest cardiac catheterization 

lab in the region and level 2 (Time Critical Diagnosis) STEMI center 

• Awarded the Patient Safety Excellence Award (2023, 2022) as being one of the top in the 

nation for providing excellence in patient safety 

• Robotic-assisted surgery with innovative da Vinci Xi robot technology to help with decreased 

length of stay, smaller incisions, decreased pain, and increased quality of life 

• Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission 

• Critical Care Excellence Award (2023, 2022, 2021) 

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital has 329 beds, almost 2,000 employees, and treated more than 140,000 

St. Charles community members in 2022. We’re proud to serve you and your family for years to come. 

Visit ssmhealth.com/CommunityStrong to learn more, 

view provider profiles, and schedule now. 

©2023 SSM Health. 

All rights reserved. 

SJSC-STL-23-1852168 8/23

18 I SCHOOLS I 

By BETHANY COAD 

High school students face stressors 

every day that can have a direct effect on 

their mental health. That’s why, on Nov. 17, 

Lutheran High St. Charles held its second 

annual Mental Health Matters Day. 

Students had the opportunity to sign up 

for sessions designed to strengthen their 

mental health and decrease stigmas around 

mental health topics. Those topics included 

drug education, sleep, exercise, journaling, 

mindfulness, art, grounding, and anxiety 

and stress management. 

Seventeen presenters included outside 

professionals and current staff members. 

Senior Grace Kuhlman said the experience 

was fulfilling and educational. As student 

body president, she was encouraged to 

see the majority of students participating. 

“I saw lots of students actively engaging 

with the presenters and asking them questions 

to better understand what the presenter 

was talking about and how to apply 

that to their daily lives,” Kuhlman said. “I 

attended sessions such as sleep, drug education, 

and faith and mental health. Two 

of my sessions were led by teachers at the 

school, which was a nice connection to 

see my teachers caring about me and my 

mental health.” 

National Honor Society President Charlie 

Masa, a senior, said the sessions were 

relevant and helpful. 

“The activities I participated in were a 

boxing/dancing session, a faith-orientated 

session, and a sleep session,” Masa said. 

“In each session, we were taught how to 

cope with mental health with different 



activities.” 

“My favorite part of the event was how 

much variety there was,” Kuhlman said. 

“We could choose from about 15 sessions, 

and each and every one was super helpful. 

“I think events like this are important 

because they encourage students to tackle 

the issue of mental health head-on. Rather 

than just hearing about mental health, we are 

now given the opportunity to put these practices 

into our daily lives, which is so helpful.” 

The students also were taught to be more 

aware of how others might be struggling. 

“I was challenged by realizing how much 

I can do to help others and their mental 

health,” Kuhlman said. “I had always 

thought that mental health was a personal 

struggle, but Mental Health Matters Day 

helped me realize that when people are 

struggling with their mental health, the 

support of other people is so crucial.” 

Masa shared that when he was a sophomore, 

a fellow student took his own life. 

He believes that was a wake-up call to the 

entire school and a pivot point in seriously 

addressing the issues. 

“I think events like this are important 

because they bring awareness to the severe 

problem of mental health and how it can 

be put aside most of the time,” Masa said. 

“If there were more events like this, then 

people would pay more attention to mental 

health and do things to ‘heal’ and help it.” 

While events like Mental Health Matters 

Day are a step in the right direction, Massa 

and Kuhlman feel even more changes are 

needed going forward. 

“One of the main changes I would love to 

see is mental health becoming a less stigmatized 

topic. I hope there is a larger emphasis 

on how mental health is not a disease, and 

is instead something that you need to care 

for, just like any physical body part,” Kuhlman 

said thoughtfully. “Another big change 

would be events that actually help with students’ 

mental health. I feel like, too often, 



Lutheran High students conduct second annual Mental Health Matters Day 

Lutheran High students participate in the school’s second annual Mental Health Matters Day. 

(Source: Lutheran High St. Charles) 

events that are put on for mental health have 

the opposite effect, with many students 

skipping them altogether.” 

Masa feels the most change is needed 

within the day-to-day life of the students. 

“Some things that I think could help 

would be breaks in classes, more events 

like this, or just days off, with teachers 

checking in on their students,” he said. 

Being available to someone who is 

struggling is so important, Masa said. 

“I would (tell them) I am here for them 

and that if there is anything I can do please 

let me know,” Masa said. “The world is a 

better place with you in it, whether you 

think so or not. God has a plan for you and 

is with you every step of the way.” 

Kuhlmann said she would encourage the 

person to “stay strong and not keep their 

struggle inward.” 

“Bottling up your emotions is maybe the 

worst thing you can do. You need to let 

them out,” Kuhlman said. 

Fort Zumwalt students go all in to help those in need during holidays 

By BETHANY COAD 

During the weeks leading 

up to Thanksgiving, schools 

around the area were lobbying 

for donations of a holiday 

staple – frozen turkeys. 

Every year, the Fort Zumwalt 

School District partners 

with the St. Louis nonprofit 

No Hunger Holiday to provide 

Thanksgiving meals to families 

in the community. Providing 

nearly 4,000 turkeys and fixings, 

the organization helps families 

in seven counties including St. 

Charles, St. Louis, Warren, Montgomery, 

Lincoln, Pike and Franklin. In its 33rd 

year, the organization has seen a drastic 

increase in need due to the pandemic and 

struggling economy. The students jumped 

Frozen turkeys were gathered at various Fort Zumwalt schools 

for the No Hunger Holiday. (Source: Fort Zumwalt School District) 

in to help. 

Fort Zumwalt West junior Aseel Ayesh 

helped make fliers to distribute before the 

drive and collected turkeys that day. 

“It’s such a blessing to live with a roof 

over your head, food on your table 

and be surrounded by family on 

the holidays,” Ayesh said. “The 

primary purpose of No Hunger 

Holiday is to help the less fortunate 

enjoy the same opportunity.” 

The students assembled meals 

alongside volunteers in the 

Knights of Columbus building in 

Cottleville. 

“It’s really important to work 

as a team whenever you’re doing 

something big because it makes 

everything so much easier and 

runs smoother if everyone does 

their part,” Ayesh said. 

“I have learned you can make a difference 

for people with barely doing anything,” 

Fort Zumwalt West senior Haley Singsaas 

said. “Participating and volunteering 

isn’t that hard, and it is fun to see everyone 

come together. Our schools all had a 

blast.” Singsaas has also helped with the 

Pancakes with Santa event at Rock Creek 

Elementary and Pheasant Point Elementary’s 

Trunk or Treat. 

Ayesh has some advice for students looking 

to gain skills, build resumes and have 

fun. 

“Volunteering is a great way to make 

an impact on your community, and if you 

have the time I strongly recommend doing 

it at least once,” Ayesh said. “As you give 

your time to help others, you also learn 

how to be a leader, properly manage your 

time and be a team player. It can be a great 

opportunity to grow your social skills as 

well. It’s also not just about what you get, 

but what you can give others. After all, 

who doesn’t love helping people? Volunteering 

doesn’t have to be a chore! You can 

have fun and help out at the same time.”

20 I 





The Joy of Giving: Local charity plays ‘Santa’ with help from community 

By LAURA SAGGAR 

This holiday season more than 100 local 

children with special needs will get to open 

an adaptive toy thanks to The Arya Foundation, 

a Chesterfield-based non profit that 

assists families and caregivers of children 

with disabilities in the greater St. Louis 

and St. Charles County area. Through this 

end-of-year program, families of children 

with disabilities are invited to apply for an 

adaptive toy up to $250 in value. This year 

the foundation broke their record, awarding 

116 gifts to area children. That’s not all 

The Arya Foundation does to help children 

with special needs in the community. 

Named for their daughter who was born 

with disabilities, Arya, the foundation was 

created in her memory in 2014 by her 

mom, Sunanda Dhananjay; dad, Dhananjay 

Kokate; and brother, AJ Kokate. AJ 

was 9 years old when his sister was born 

on Valentine’s Day in 2004. Arya died five 

years later in 2009. While AJ was young 

at the time, he said he remembers the support 

from the community that helped their 

family tremendously. 

“In the time she was around, there was 

so much support from the community that 

we got from the various organizations and 

we wanted to, in memory of her, give back 

to the community,” AJ said. “And after 

understanding a lot of the struggles and 

hardships that families who have kids with 

a disability go through, we want to help 

alleviate that in a way.” 

AJ knows firsthand that leaving the house 

with a child in a wheelchair is not a simple, 

or inexpensive, task. Adaptive equipment 

for children with special needs is expensive 

and not always covered by health 

Arya Kokate 

insurance. The Arya Foundation grants 

up to $1,000 per child per year toward 

the purchase of adaptive equipment. This 

includes communication devices, ramps, 

customized wheelchairs and glasses, just 

to name a few. The cost of adaptive equipment 

adds up. Hearing aids can cost more 

than $1,000; an adjustable hospital bed is 

estimated to cost $850; Tomato glasses, a 

brand of flexible, durable eyeglasses, cost 

more than $400; a cranial molding helmet 

costs more than $1,000; a bathroom lift 

system is nearly $800. Dustin Taber, Arya’s 

director of networking, said they awarded 

45 pieces of equipment in 2023 and they 

hope they can give more next year. 

“Add the word ‘adaptable’ to anything 

and the price goes up,” Taber said. “It’s 

expensive enough to raise a child without 

special needs. We want to help children 

have as normal of a childhood as possible.” 

In order to qualify for assistance, families 

must be referred to the foundation by 

a social worker or physician, and provide 

a statement from the child’s physician 

regarding the necessity of the item, along 

with a completed application through 

thearyafoundation.org. Applicants can 

expect to receive a response within 30 days. 

The item will either be ordered and shipped 

to them, or they will receive a check made 

payable to the provider. 

Another mission of the foundation is to 

bring awareness to the community about 

the different resources available to those 

who have a family member with a disability. 

One way they provide those resources is by 

hosting a Disabilities Awareness Convention 

from noon-4 p.m. on March 24, 2024, 

at the DoubleTree Hotel located at 16625 

Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield. 

Admission to attend is free and everyone 

is invited. The convention features exhibits, 

workshops and presentations in an effort to 

educate participants on the latest opportunities, 

best practices and legislation in the 

community. AJ said the convention is one 

of the largest in the Midwest for people 

with disabilities. 

The foundation is still accepting vendors 

for the convention. This is the third year 

for the convention, but the first time it has 

been held since 2020 due to the COVID-19 

pandemic. 

Exciting news for 2024 is the launch 

of The Arya Foundation’s TAF House 

online store that will feature jewelry made 

by Arya Foundation kids and volunteers. 

The online store is set to go live on Jan. 1. 

Jewelry sales serve as a fundraiser for the 

foundation and previously had only been 

available at various craft fairs held around 

the area. Michelle Todd, director of philanthropy 

for the foundation, said the jewelry 

is so popular that people ask her where they 

can buy it all the time. 

“All of our jewelry is handcrafted by kids 

with special needs and adult volunteers,” 

AJ said. “Everyone really enjoys coming 

together in a group and making it together. 

It also helps with fine motor skill improvement. 

At the Parkway Central craft fair we 

were selling a piece of jewelry every three 

minutes. The TAF House gives kids the 

chance to be creative. They even design 

the box the jewelry is packaged in. Just 

like the jewelry, every (box) is their unique 

design.” 

AJ is hoping to boost the foundation’s 

presence online in order to reach more 

families and caregivers. There are several 

ways the community can help. 

“Join our events to learn about us,” AJ 

said. “Share our content. We love donations 

and volunteers. The more people who 

know about us the better because we’d 

love to help as many people as possible.” 

The Arya Foundation can be followed on 

social media at thearyafoundation on Facebook, 

and @aryafoundation on Instagram. 

A newsletter is available at thearyafoundation.org. 

AJ also suggests that volunteers 

are always needed. All of the board members 

are volunteers. 

Over 90% of donations go directly to 

purchasing equipment for kids. 

The foundation’s website sums up The 

Arya Foundation’s mission best: 

“We are more than an organization: 

we are the hopes and dreams of children 

everywhere in promoting a brighter future. 

It’s about making a positive difference and 

building happier moments. Most importantly, 

it’s about ‘turning challenges into 

opportunities.’” 

Group of local women keep busy 

crafting gifts – with love in every stitch 

By KATE UPTERGROVE 

If you enter Joann Fabrics in St. Peters 

on almost any Monday or Thursday afternoon 

and follow the sound of laughter, 

you’ll find a group of 18 to 20 women 

sitting in the store’s classroom, happily 

chatting and crocheting. At first glance, the 

Let’s Crochet & Knit group might seem 

like simply a social gathering, but according 

to Nancy Young, co-leader of a local 

Alzheimer’s support group, the women are 

actually “angels at work.” 

“About 20 caring women spend about 

three hours almost every Monday and 

Thursday crocheting, or knitting, fidget 

sleeves and mats and lap afghans for 

Alzheimer’s patients along with items, such 

as lovey blankets and slap bracelets, to be 

placed in Alleluia Baskets for distribution 

in April,” Nancy said. “They use their own 

materials or some that have been donated, 

and they don’t worry about recognition or 

praise. They are simply glad that others 

can smile because of their handmade gifts.” 

Yvonne Solt leads the group and credits 

her husband with getting the ball rolling. 

“He said, ‘Yvonne, you’re at home too 

much crocheting. You need to get out 

more.’ And I said, ‘OK, I’ll get out and 

start a crochet group.’ Lo and behold, here 

we are today,” she said. 

Members of the Let’s Crochet & Knit at Joann Fabrics in St. Peters. 

That was in 2013. The group gathered at 

various locations and even met on Zoom 

during the pandemic before finding the 

room at Joann Fabrics. 

“We’re their best customers,” Yvonne 

chuckled, “because we have to walk 

through the yarn department to get to the 

meeting room.” 

Most of the women say they learned 

how to crochet in their youth. That goes 

See CRAFTING, page 22

22 I 





CRAFTING, from page 20 

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for Dorothy; her story is similar to many 

of the women in the room – a mother, aunt 

or grandmother taught them early on; then 

after life settled down, when their children 

had grown or in their retirement, they 

picked up the craft again. Dorothy said the 

camaraderie is what attracted her to the 

group. 

“It’s relaxing,” she said. 

Yvonne added from across the table. “It’s 

fun to hang out with a lot of ladies.” 

Among other things, the group makes 

cowls for individuals with Alzheimer’s. 

“We found out that as the disease progresses, 

the individuals get cold, so that’s 

why we started making the lap afghans, or 

lapghans, and the cowls,” Yvonne said. 

For Marlis, those projects are personal. 

“I concentrate a lot on the Alzheimer’s 

patients because my mother had the disease. 

She was in a home, and I saw the 

people. They just sat there are watched 

TV, so I try to make things (like the fidget 

sleeves) to keep them busy. 

With her friend Sharon, Marlis also 

makes “lovey blankets” for the Alleluia 

Baskets. 

“I always make stuff for the babies,” 

Sharon said. “Because they don’t have 

anybody to represent them. My heart is 

always for the children.” 

The items (loveys, slap bracelets and 

dolls or animals) are given to children who 

would not get an Easter basket. Working 

with Alleluia Baskets was the brainchild of 

Jean. 

“Before we were really focused on the 

winter for Christmas, and this gave us 

something we could do year-round,” Jean 

said. 

As they sit and work, these cheerful 

ladies talk and laugh. Yvonne said they 

used to meet in their local library, but they 

were too loud. 

“The funny thing was, we could not hear 

Sharon shows off a work in progress 

Yvonne Solt models a slap bracelet. 

ourselves but everyone in the library could 

hear us,” she said. 

The room erupts in laughter. There’s a 

lot of laughter with this group, a lot of collaboration 

and a lot of memories. 

When Barbara picks up her crochet hook 

or knitting needles she is reminded of her 

Italian grandmother, who didn’t speak 

English but who, through her mother, 

taught Barbara to crochet. It’s not surprising 

that her works are infused with love. 

Retired teacher Kathy, who most recently 

worked at Hollenbeck Middle, said she 

and her friend, Kim, learned to crochet at 

age 9 at the St. Peters Fire Station as part 

of a Girl Scouts meeting. Now, they are 

crocheting together again. 

“When you retire, you need a plan,” she 

said. Part of her plan is to help others. “It’s 

joyful! The recipients are very grateful.” 

Pat, who was working on a beautiful 

blue and green baby blanket, said most 

of her creations go to Youth in Need. She 

said she likes to be able to give the young 

moms something handmade. 

“One of the blankets that I made was featured 

in their newsletter, and this little guy 

was holding it up and his smile was just 

huge. My heart was so happy! Maybe he 

didn’t have a grandma or an aunt to make 

one for him, and I provided that so it was 

just an awesome experience” she said. “It’s 

a joy to know that these kids are getting 

something handmade and loving it.” 

“When we first took the location to Youth 

in Need in Troy, they were just overwhelmed 

with the things that we made,” 

Yvonne said. “And they were shocked 

that people were making these things and 

giving them to people they didn’t know. A 

lot of those mothers do not have the support 

of mothers, grandmothers like we had 

in our families – the people who crocheted 

and sewed and knitted things for us. So 

that brought a lot of emotion and tears that 

someone was able to make something and 

donate it to help them.” 

If you have yarn you don’t need, Yvonne 

said the group loves donations. To learn 

more, email quietcountry@charter.net.

2023 

Holiday Gift Guide 

Give a gift from The Hill and get one too 

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dining experience from Favazza’s Restaurant on The Hill? 

Getting one of your own. For every purchase of $100 in gift 

cards, the givers will get a $30 gift certificate of their own. 

Generations of St. Louis families who have made Favazza’s 

the place for their finest celebrations can’t be wrong. Now 

celebrating its 45th year, Favazza’s will fill your plate with 

the finest steaks, pasta, salads, seafood and more. 

Great gifts for kids of all ages 

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For hours of fun and opportunities for learning, 

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recipient but also the child’s parents and some truly 

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Butterfly House in Chesterfield, the Myseum in Town 

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24 I HEALTH I 





After the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, millions will be left 

feeling SAD, a common type of seasonal depression. (Adobe Stock photo) 

HEALTH 

CAPSULES 

By LISA RUSSELL 

Winter brings SAD for millions 

of Americans 

In addition to feelings of anxiety and sadness 

that some people experience around 

the holidays, many also find themselves 

coping with a type of recurring depression 

known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or 

SAD, during the winter months. Statistics 

from the National Institutes of Health 

show that about 5% of American adults 

experience SAD in a given year. It is more 

common among women than men, and 

typically begins in young adulthood. 

Researchers haven’t completely pinned 

down the causes of SAD, but say that it’s 

related to reduced winter production of the 

brain chemical serotonin, which helps regulate 

mood. A deficiency in vitamin D, the 

“sunshine vitamin,” may also contribute. 

Symptoms of SAD can be distressing 

and overwhelming, and can interfere with 

daily functioning. According to the NIH, 

some of its primary signs can include: 

• Persistent sad or “empty” mood most of 

the day for at least 2 weeks 

• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism; 

irritability or restlessness; and guilt or 

worthlessness 

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies 

and activities 

• Decreased energy, fatigue and oversleeping 

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering 

things or making decisions 

• Physical aches or pains that don’t have 

a clear cause. 

Those who are plagued by SAD should 

know that there are effective treatments. 

They include light therapy, talk therapy, 

Flu season off to ‘traditional’ start 

Although the 2023 flu season began 

slowly across the U.S., cases are now 

ramping up in what may turn out to be 

a more “traditional” season like those 

Americans were accustomed to prior 

to COVID-19, according to a recent 

announcement from the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. 

The CDC’s most recently published 

weekly influenza report, FluView, 

showed that 4.9% of people tested for flu 

were infected with the virus as of mid- 

November, with positive tests trending 

upward each week. This figure is well 

below what will be seen at the peak of 

flu activity, when the percentage of positive 

tests may reach 25%; and the pace at 

antidepressant medications and vitamin D 

supplements, which may be used alone or 

in combination to help people feel better. 

If you or someone you know is struggling 

with SAD, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

at 988 can provide immediate help. The 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration also offers an online 

locator tool for local support resources, 

available at findtreatment.gov. 

which those positive tests are increasing 

suggests the country is heading in that 

direction, CDC officials said. 

Flu hospitalizations have also been on 

the rise nationally, with the CDC estimating 

that, as of mid-November, there have 

been about 8,000 hospitalizations and 

490 deaths from flu. 

In Missouri as of the same period, 

Department of Health and Senior Services 

statistics showed flu activity in the 

state is low so far as well, with just over 

2,700 documented cases and a “belowbaseline” 

number of flu-related emergency 

room visits reported compared to 

last year. St. Louis County also reported 

a low number of cases to date, noting that 

COVID vaccination during 

pregnancy reduces newborns’ 

health risks, study shows 

The question of whether or not to get a 

COVID vaccine has become a controversial 

one for many. But for newborns whose 

mothers receive one or more vaccine doses 

during pregnancy, these vaccines appear to 

have benefits, according to a recent large 

study published in JAMA Pediatrics. 

The study found that infants born to women 

who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine 

during pregnancy had slightly lower risks of 

severe health outcomes, neonatal death, and 

neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission 

than those who were not vaccinated. 

It included more than 140,000 infants in 

Ontario, Canada who were born between 

May 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022. 

Of that group, close to 86,000 (60%) 

were exposed to one or more COVID vaccinations 

during their mother’s pregnancy. 

Specifically, compared to infants whose 

mothers were not vaccinated, those 

exposed to the vaccine had slightly lower 

risks of severe health outcomes (7.3% 

versus 8.3%); neonatal death (0.09% versus 

0.16%); and NICU admission (11.4% 

versus 13.1%). There was no relationship 

found between maternal vaccination 

during pregnancy and neonatal readmission 

to hospital within the first six months. 

“Many women feel nervous about receiving 

vaccines during pregnancy, but our 

study will hopefully provide some reassurance 

on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine 

during pregnancy for newborns and young 

infants,” said lead author Sarah Jorgensen, 

a pharmacist and Ph.D. candidate at the 

University of Toronto. 

“Our results were consistent across the 

number of doses someone received during 

pregnancy, the trimester in which they 

were vaccinated, and the vaccine product 

they received, which gives us more 

confidence that there is no increase in the 

adverse newborn and infant outcomes we 

assessed,” Jorgensen said. 

Cannabis could harbor illnesscausing 

fungi, mycotoxins 

Cannabis use, whether it’s for recreational 

or medical purposes, could make 

cases were beginning to rise in advance 

of the holiday season. 

The number of Americans who have 

been vaccinated so far in 2023 is trailing 

last year’s rates by a few percentage 

points. The CDC estimates that about 

35% of adults have gotten a flu shot to 

date. Among children ages 6 months to 

17 years, about 33% have been vaccinated, 

also down slightly from this time last year. 

The dominant virus identified so far in 

2023 is influenza A H1N1, although there 

is some influenza B circulating as well. 

These viruses seem to be well-matched to 

this year’s flu shot, and there is still time 

to get a vaccine before the season gets 

into full swing, according to the CDC.





I HEALTH I 25 

A lack of regulations governing cannabis 

growing operations means some products 

could be contaminated with potentially 

toxic fungi, according to a group of 

university researchers. (Adobe Stock photo) 

some people sick due to harmful substances 

that contaminate the plants. 

That’s according to a group of U.S. and 

Canadian university professors who coauthored 

an article recently published in 

Frontiers in Microbiology. They examined 

data, previous studies, and U.S. and international 

rules related to the growing of 

cannabis and hemp, all of which they say 

points to a need for more regulation of this 

exploding industry to protect consumers. 

“Hemp and cannabis are new crops, and 

we are in the early stages of understanding 

relationships with their pathogens. 

Several pathogens produce mycotoxins, 

compounds that negatively impact human 

health and are regulated in other crops,” 

they said in the article. Due to the combination 

of rapidly widening legalization 

and a lack of comprehensive oversight of 

where and how the plants themselves are 

grown and harvested, research gaps exist 

into the human health risks of these toxins 

in cannabis and hemp crops. 

Studies reviewed by the authors show 

some fungi present on the plants may produce 

mycotoxins that can cause infection on 

lung and skin tissues. These infections were 

most common when cannabis is smoked, 

and less common in edibles. They also found 

that people with medical conditions, such as 

cancer patients, people with type 1 diabetes, 

and those with HIV who use cannabis may 

be particularly susceptible to infection. 

Social media may drive some 

kids to quit sports, study finds 

Body image issues caused by comparing 

themselves to “ideals” they see on social 

media may be among the reasons young athletes 

decide to stop participating in sports, 

according to a recent study presented at 

the 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics 

(AAP) National Conference & Exhibition. 

Previous research has found that 70% of 

children quit sports by the time they reach 

their mid- teens, and that girls do so at 

twice the rate of boys. This study, which 

surveyed 70 current or past athletes under 

age 18, was aimed at finding out why. 

Reasons the teens gave for abandoning 

sports were coaching issues, poor body 

image comparisons from social media, and 

the competitive pressures of the sport. 

Many respondents said they quit because 

they felt inferior to performance or appearance 

expectations of athletes that they see in 

social media. Those who were less confident 

in their athletic abilities ranked themselves 

as “less fit” than they perceived an athlete 

should be. Girls were especially prone to 

quitting due to competitive pressures. 

“Youth sports participation sets up children 

for a lifetime of healthy habits. Kids who 

participate in youth sports have improved 

cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength 

Feeling unable to measure up to social 

media “ideals” around body image and 

performance is among the issues causing 

young athletes to quit playing sports, a 

recent study found. (Adobe Stock photo) 

and endurance, and a healthy weight,” said 

lead study author Cassidy M. Foley Davelaar, 

D.O., of Nemours Children’s Health. 

“Coaches and parents need to know that 

their words and actions can influence kids’ 

participation in sports. By being mindful to 

not place any importance on looking a certain 

way, adults can encourage a more supportive, 

inclusive and welcome sports environment 

among children of all abilities.” Foley Davelaar 

said. “We hope these findings will reveal 

the drivers of sports attrition so that adults 

can create a sports environment that brings 

joy and participation back to the game.” 

On the calendar 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Coffee and 

Conversations on Wednesday, Dec. 20 

from 10-11 a.m. at the Desloge Outpatient 

Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in 

Chesterfield, in Building A. Join us monthly 

for a cup of joe and conversation with St. 

Luke’s health professionals about health and 

wellness. This month’s topic is Mindfulness 

and Spiritual Health; learn how practicing 

mindfulness can relieve stress, and find new 

ways to take care of your spiritual health 

with a mindfulness-trained St. Luke’s chaplain. 

Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

BJC offers Head to Toe online orientation 

sessions on Monday, Jan. 1 and Tuesday, 

Jan.9 from 6-7:30 p.m., live via Teams 

Meeting. At this orientation, families will 

learn about St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s 

family-focused weight management 

program called Head to Toe. The program 

helps children and their parents learn to 

make healthier lifestyle choices, set goals 

and get regular exercise, which makes a 

positive impact on a child’s self-esteem. 

The Program is designed for kids between 

the ages of 8 and 17. Orientation sessions 

are free of charge. Families interested 

in enrolling in the 17-week Head to Toe 

program following a session may register 

online at classes-events.bjc.org or by calling 

the Contact Center at (314) 747-1005. 

• • • 

Mercy St. Louis offers a Sitter Skills 

course on Friday, January 5 from 6-9 p.m. 

at the hospital, 615 S. New Ballas Road, 

in Classroom #2 on the 7th floor. Children 

ages 11 to 13 will learn about infant care, 

child development, interactive play, safety, 

handling emergency situations and marketing 

babysitting services. Children should 

bring a doll or stuffed animal to class to 

learn how to change diapers. The cost is 

$30 per child. Register online by visiting 

mercy.net/practice/mercy-hospital-st-louis 

and clicking on Classes, Seminars and 

Events, then Skills Classes for Kids. 

• • • 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital sponsors 

a Babysitting 101 virtual class on 

Tuesday, January 16 from 6-8:30 p.m., live 

via Teams Meeting. This interactive class is 

a great introduction to the basics of babysitting 

and is recommended for ages 10 and 

above. Topics include the business of babysitting, 

child development and behavior, 

basic child care, expecting the unexpected, 

and choosing age-appropriate games and 

activities. A workbook, first-aid kit, babysitter 

skills assessment and backpack are 

included in the cost of $25 per child. Please 

note that the child is the registrant; parents 

may sit in on the class at no additional cost. 

Register online at bjc.org/babysitting-class. 

• • • 

BJC presents a Family and Friends 

CPR virtual course on Wednesday, 

January 17 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., live 

via Teams Meeting. This class uses the 

American Heart Association curriculum 

to teach hands-on CPR skills including 

adult hands-only CPR; infant/child CPR 

with breaths; introduction to adult/child 

AED use; and relief of choking in an 

adult, child or infant. This class is ideal 

for new parents, grandparents, babysitters 

(ages 10-15 if accompanied by an adult) 

and others interested in learning how to 

save a life. This course does not include 

certification upon completion. The cost is 

$50. Registration for a seat in this class 

is for two people; enter the name of the 

person participating with you in the Partner/Other 

field during checkout. Register 

online by visiting bjc.org/cpr-class. 

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26 I BUSINESS I 





The Sound Spa celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 8 with a 

ribbon cutting hosted by the Cottleville-Weldon Spring Chamber of 

Commerce. Located at 1231 Jungermann Road in St. Peters, the 

company offers sound therapy to help regulate the nervous system. 

For more information visit thesoundspa.com. 

BUSINESS 

BRIEFS 

PLACES 

Storm Guard of SW St. Louis is celebrating 

10 years in business as an expert 

in roof repair, roof replacement, siding, 

windows and gutter services for residential 

and commercial properties in St. 

Louis, St. Charles, and surrounding areas. 

Founded by Kevin and Denise Brauer, 

over the past 10 years, Storm Guard has 

solidified its position as a premier provider 

of roofing and exterior services. It’s 

a family business where both of their sons, 

Mitch and Trevor, and Kevin’s brother, 

Scott work. They are active members of 

several chamber of commerce groups in 

order to give back to the community. For 

more information visit stormguardrc.com/ 

mo/st-louis-southwest. 

• • • 

Integrate Construction Partners has 

transformed an office building located 

at 20 Hawk Ridge Circle in Lake Saint 

Louis, into a larger, temporary location 

for growing private school Lafayette 

Academy. The project was completed in 

time to start the 2023-24 school year. The 

16,800-square-foot building will serve as 

the school’s temporary campus until land 

can be purchased for a permanent school 

to be built. The project also included construction 

of an outside storm shelter per 

IBC code to ensure the safety of the students 

and staff during inclement weather. 

• • • 

Autumn & Blues Boutique celebrated 

its two-year-anniversary with a rebrand 

and ribbon cutting at their storefront 

located at 890 Knaust Road in Cottleville. 

The ribbon cutting was hosted by the Cottleville 

Weldon-Spring Chamber of Commerce. 

Owner Ashley McVey thanked 

everyone for joining her to celebrate the 

milestone and continued support. Autumn 

& Blues is a collective boutique offering 

clothing, gifts, art, and coffee. Visit 

autumnandbluesboutique.com for more 

information. 

• • • 

Powers Insurance & Risk Management 

was recently named as one of the 

Midwest’s “2023 Best Agency to Work 

For” by Insurance Journal. The is the company’s 

third consecutive year receiving 

this honor. The winning agencies scored 

high for overall employee benefits including 

competitive salaries, training, education 

and work-life balance. The companies 

are headquartered at 6825 Clayton Avenue. 

For more information call (314) 725-1414 

or visit powersinsurance.com. 

• • • 

Northside Family Dentistry celebrated 

its grand opening with a ribbon 

cutting hosted by the O’Fallon Chamber 

of Commerce and Industry on Dec. 7. 

The practice is located at 472 Hwy. P in 

O’Fallon and specializes in family and 

cosmetic dentistry and they treat patients 

of all ages. For more information visit 

northsideofallondentist.com. 

• • • 

The O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry hosted a ribbon cutting for 

7 Brew Coffee on Dec. 5 at its newest 

location at 3600 Monticello Plaza Drive 

in O’Fallon. 

• • • 

Planted Foods Express is now open 

at 8626 Veterans Memorial Parkway in 

O’Fallon. Founded by Orlando Adams, 

Planted Foods is a restaurant that serves 

plant based dishes. Visit plantedfoodsexpress.com 

for more information.


MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE I BUSINESS BRIEFS I 27 

MRV Banks – We’re from here. We live here. And we love it here. 



MRV Banks is dedicated to serving 

consumers and small businesses 

throughout Missouri. Our owners 

and investors are all local, too. We’re 

from here. We live here. And we love 

it here. That’s why every decision we 

make is made with our communities 

in mind. We believe in supporting 

local economies, organizations and 

businesses so we can create a better 

place to live. 

Our St. Charles branch is staffed 

with knowledgeable, friendly local 

employees. We take pride in providing 

the best products and services for our 

customers while supporting the communities 

in which we work and live. 

We also take pride in our personal 

approach to banking and helping our 

clients make the best financial decisions 

possible. Our team of knowledgeable 

employees provides industry 

expertise and personalized attention to 

help each one of our customers make 

the most of our money. We greet every 

customer with a smile and work hard 

to make banking easy to understand. 

We work hard to help some of the 

hardest workers. Local businesses 

bring economic and social benefits to 

our communities. We make financing 

The St. Charles branch staff are from left, Market President Garrett Watson, Personal 

Banker Shawna Pridgeon, Portfolio Manager Patrick O’Connor, Banking Center Manager 

Maureen Nelson. 

(Photo provided) 

simple and easy to understand for business 

owners so they can focus on their 

companies. We offer a comprehensive 

product line and personalized services to 

help business owners thrive. 

Running a local business is challenging 

enough without having to deal with a 

big bank that operates on a national level, 

with no real understanding of small-town 

businesses. At MRV Banks, all our business 

customers are small and local, just 

like us. You are the heart of our business, 

and we treat you with the importance you 

deserve. 

As one of the state’s fastest growing 

banks, we’ve seen firsthand that our commitment 

to our customers and communities 

resonates throughout the region. CB 

Resource, Inc. a risk management firm, 

has ranked MRV Banks first on its CB 

Top Ten list of community banks with 

similar assets. The firm identifies the top 

ten percent of community banks throughout 

the nation and provides industry 

insights to promote and enhance overall 

performance. 

When you bank locally, your money 

stays here and benefits your own community. 

Big banks send their profits out 

of town. We invest ours to support local 

economies, organizations, and businesses 

so we can create a better place to work 

and live. Now is the perfect time to organize 

your financial life and start planning 

for your needs. MRV is here to help. Stop 

by our St. Charles branch or contact us to 

learn more. 

We’re from here. And we love living 

here. That’s why every decision we make 

is made in the best of our communities 

and our customers. 

MRV Banks 

1700 O’Fallon Road • St Charles 

mrvbanks.com • (636) 638-2585 

Lobby Hours/Drive Up Hours 

Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 

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754 Spirit 40 Park Drive • Chesterfield, MO 63005

28 I EVENTS I 





Saint Charles Christmas Traditions continues on historic Main Street 

on weekends through Dec. 23. 

spend your holidays with us 

discoverstcharles.com 

LOCAL 

EVENTS 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

St. Charles Flea and Artisan Market is 

from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on the second Saturday of 

the month through December at the City Hall 

parking garage, 200 N. Second St. in Saint 

Charles. Details at stcharlesflea.com. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Youth Orchestra 

will be accepting video auditions for new 

students through the month of December. All 

levels of string, wind, brass and percussion 

are invited to apply. Rehearsals will begin 

Jan. 6. For details, contact sccyomusic@ 

gmail.com or visit sccyo.org. 

• • • 

Zack Smithey’s “Waves + Texture” Art 

Exhibit is through Dec. 23 at the Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center (in the East 

Gallery) in St. Charles. For details, visit 

foundryartcentre.org. 

• • • 

Artists sought for 2024-2025 sculpture 

series, “The Shape of Community,” a citywide, 

temporary sculpture exhibition, featuring 

large-scale works of art in prominent areas 

throughout O’Fallon loaned by artists for an 

18-month period. Submissions are open until 

Feb. 6. To submit artwork for consideration, 

visit ofallon.mo.us/shape-of-community. 

• • • 

Wag: An Exhibition for Dogs is Jan. 5 

through March 23 at the Foundry Art Centre, 

520 N. Main Center in St. Charles. The 

opening reception is from 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 5. 

Wag is an interactive art exhibition curated 

and designed specifically for our furry 

best friends. Featured artists include Greta 

Coalier, Justin King, Steve Jones and Laura 

Lloyd. For details, visit foundryartcentre.org/ 

wag-an-exhibition-for-dogs. 

BENEFITS 

Winter Blood Drive is from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

on Friday, Jan. 12 at the O’Fallon Municipal 

Centre, 100 North Main Street. Make an 

appointment at ofallon.mo.us or call (636) 

379-5417. 

• • • 

The Immaculate Conception of Dardenne 

Mens Knights Of Columbus hosts a Knight 

At The Mouse Races at 7 p.m. (doors open 

at 6 p.m.) on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2199 Post 

Road in Dardenne Prairie. Tickets $20 and 

include snacks, beer and setups. 

FAMILY & KIDS 

Family Story Time is at 9:30 a.m. 

and 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays 

weekly at the Spencer Road Branch 

Library, 427 Spencer Road in St. Peters. 

Stories, songs and activities intended for 

children ages 6 and younger. Free event. 

Register at attend.mylibrary.org/events. 

• • • 

Family Fridays are from 2-4 p.m. on 

the second Friday of every month at the 

Heritage Park Museum, 1630 Heritage 

Landing in St. Peters. Each session has 

games and crafts, storytime, or hands-on 

displays. Free event. Details at stccparks. 

org. 

• • • 

Art Start is at 10 a.m. every Tuesday 

at The Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main 

Center in St. Charles. Children create



small art projects that pair with a story. 

Free event. For ages 2-5 with a caregiver. 

For details, visit foundryartcentre.org. 

• • • 

The Winter Wonderland Father- 

Daughter Dance is from 6:30-9 p.m. on 

Saturday, Jan. 27 at the St. Peters Cultural 

Arts Centre, One St. Peters Centre 

Blvd. Open to girls aged 3 to 15 and their 

dads, uncles, etc. A professional photographer 

will be available to take pictures 

for an additional cost. Tickets are $14 per 

person. Advance registration is required 

at stpetersmo.net/rec-connect. Print your 

registration form and bring it with you 

for admission to the dance. For questions, 

call (636) 477-6600 ext. 1624 or by email 

at culturalarts@stpetersmo.net. 

• • • 

A Valentine’s Hunt for Kisses is at 10 

a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Rau Garden 

in Blanchette Park, 1900 W. Randolph 

Street in St. Charles. Every child will go 

on a nature scavenger hunt through the 

garden and park area. Complete the scavenger 

hunt to receive chocolate kisses 

and a goodie bag. Crafts and a visit with 

Cupid included. $15 per person. Register 

at stcharlesparks.com/programs. 

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS 

Saint Charles Christmas Traditions 

continues on historic Main Street on weekends 

through Dec. 23. For a complete 

schedule of activities, visit discoverstcharles.com/events/christmas-traditions. 

• • • 

Children may write Santa a letter using 

the provided template at wentzvillemo.gov. 

Drop off your letter at one of the special mailboxes 

at Progress Park Recreation Center, 

around downtown historic Wentzville, or at 

the Kolb Building during Santa Saturdays. 

Mailboxes will be up in late November. 

• • • 

Santa Claus Visits are from 11 a.m.-7. 

p.m., Monday-Thursday through Dec. 24 

at Mid Rivers Mall in St. Peters. Visits are 

always free and photo packages are available 

for purchase. Visit shopmidriversmall. 

com for details. 

• • • 

Holiday Bazaar Art Show is on display 

through Dec. 24 at the St. Peters Cultural 

Arts Centre, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. Original 

art is available for purchase and can be 

picked up Dec. 21-23. 

• • • 

Holiday Night Lights is from 5:30-9:30 

p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 30 at Rotary 

Park, 2577 W. Meyer Road in Wentzville. 

Enjoy a one-mile light display that features 

large illuminated commercial scenes 

and tunnels of twinkling lights. The cost is 

$10 per vehicle with up to six passengers, 

plus $1 per additional passenger. Display 

is closed Dec. 25. On Saturdays, visit with 

Santa. For details, visit wentzvillemo.gov. 

• • • 

Tractor-pulled Sleigh Rides through 

Rotary Park are on Mondays and Wednesdays 

through Dec. 28 in Wentzville to tour 

the Holiday Night Lights. Hot chocolate 

and cookies included. Maximum of 25 

people, including lap children. Rides are 

scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Registration is required. To register, call 

(636) 332-9236 or visit wentzvillemo.gov. 

• • • 

Celebration of Lights is from 6-9 p.m. 

nightly through Saturday, Dec. 30 at Fort 

Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Lane in O’Fallon. 

This festive one-mile route of holiday light 

displays was designed and funded by local 

organizations, churches and businesses. 

Drive-through tickets are $14 per vehicle 

and must be purchased in advance at ofallon. 

mo.us/COL, or by calling (636) 474-2732. 

• • • 

The Snowball Blizzard Blitz is from 

6-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15 at the Renaud 

Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle in O’Fallon. 

Participants will have a blast with snowball 

fights and winter games. Must preregister 

by Dec. 6. Cost is $15 for residents 

and $18 for non-residents. For ages 5-12. 

For details, visit ofallon.mo.us. 

See EVENTS, page 30 

Chilean Sea Bass 

Sicilian Chops • Chicken Spedini 

Deep Fried Lobster Tails 

Includes Salad & Side Dish 

Open Monday - Thursday 4 - 9 pm 

Friday and Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm 

Closed Sunday 

MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR 

CHRISTMAS EVE & NEW YEAR’S EVE 



Log on to AmisPizza.com for Full Menu! 

LUNCH EXPRESS 

Large Slice of Pizza & Salad 

$7.45 

11AM-4PM 

$4.00 OFF 

Any Large Pizza 

or Pasta Dinner 

Sunday - Thursday. 

Dine in or Carryout. Not valid with 

any other offer. Expires 1/15/24. 

& PIZZERIA 

www.AmisPizza.com 

Pizza, Pasta, Steaks Seafood, Salad 

Pizza, Pasta, Steaks, Seafood, Salad 

Carryout Delivery • Catering 

Carryout & Delivery • Catering 

Now Available Ordering Online 

3728 Monticello Plaza • 636-329-8787 

9824 Manchester Rd. Rock Hill • 314-963-1822 

I EVENTS I 29 

AUTHENTIC ARGENTINE CUISINE 

• Serving Argentinean Wines and Beers 

• Using traditional family recipes made with 

imported spices and dough from Argentina 

SPECIAL OFFER 

Buy 1 or 2 dozen 

empanadas, 

get 10% OFF! 

Buy 3 dozen or more 

empanadas, 

get 15% OFF! 

*Mention Mid Rivers Newsmagazine & get a free dessert!* 

HOURS: Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 8pm 

Friday & Saturday: 11am - 9:00 pm | Sunday - Monday: Closed 

www.tangoargentinafood.com | (636) 757-3076 | 2418 B West Clay | St. Charles 63301 

NOW 

OPEN 

BREAKFAST, LUNCH 

AND DINNER! 

Breakfast Sandwiches • Omelets 

Biscuits & Gravy • Donuts & Pastries 

Sandwiches & Salads • Wings 

Kids Menu • Espresso & Smoothies 

O’Fallon 

9951 Winghaven Blvd. 

O’Fallon, MO 63368 

(636) 552-9933 

DRIVE 

THRU 

Large One 

Topping Pizza, 

any appetizer, large 

combination salad 

$8.95 OFF 




$5 OFF 

W/ ANY PURCHASE 

$25.00 

OR MORE 

CARRYOUT 




Donuts Hand-Made 

DAILY! 

St. Ann 

3586 Adie Rd. 

St. Ann, MO 63074 

(314) 770-9977 

4 FREE 

DONUTS 

with purchase of a 

Dozen Mixed Donuts 

Not valid on delivery or with any other offers. 

Must present coupon. Expires 1/15/24 

$ 

5 OFF 

Total Check of $ 25 or more 

Not valid on delivery or with any other offers. 

Must present coupon. Expires 1/15/24 

Try our Donut Burger! Mon 5:30am-3pm • Tues-Fri 5:30am-8pm • Sat 6am-8pm • Sun 6am-4pm 

CARRYOUT • DINE-IN • DELIVERY @TheSweetSpotCafe WWW.SWEETSPOTSTL.COM

30 I EVENTS I 





Business 

Prof iles 

COMING AGAIN 

1.24.24 

Call 636.591.0010 to reserve your space today! 

EVENTS, from page 29 

• • • 

The St. Charles County Youth Orchestra’s 

Winter Concert is at 2 p.m. on 

Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Missouri Baptist 

University Pillsbury Chapel, 1 College Park 

Drive in Creve Coeur. Come hear ensembles 

perform seasonal favorites, including 

“Polar Express” and “Ode to Joy.” Cost is $9 

for an adult ticket and $5 for kids. Tickets 

are on sale at sccyotickets.org. 

• • • 

Wentzville United Women in Faith 

holds its Christmas Cookie and Candy 

Sale from 9 a.m.-noon on Sat. Dec. 16 at 

Wentzville UMC, 725 Wall St. Shop handmade 

crafts and holiday decor as well. All 

proceeds go toward projects benefitting 

women, children and youth. 

• • • 

Winter Wonderland on Ice Show is at 

5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 and at 2 p.m. 

on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the St. Peters Rec- 

Plex, 5200 Mexico Road. Tickets are on 

sale on Nov. 27 at the Rec-Plex front desk. 

For details, visit stpetersmo.net. 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

The Cavesprings Toastmasters Club 

offers in-person and online meetings 

from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. Wednesdays at the St. 

Charles Ambulance District, 2000 Salt 

River Road in St. Peters. Improve public 

speaking and communication skills by 

gaining confidence when speaking in 

front of others. RSVP to cavespringstoastmasters@gmail.com. 

• • • 

St. Peters Lions Club meets on the 

first and third Tuesday of the month at 

The Lions Club House, 9 Park St. in St. 

Peters. Being a Lion is about leading 

by example, building relationships and 

improving the world through kindness. 

For details, email lionsclubstpetersmo@ 

gmail.com. 

• • • 

Cottleville/Weldon Spring Rotary 

Club meets at noon on Wednesdays at 

Bemo’s, 5373 Hwy. N. Details at cwsrotary. 

org. RSVP to Toddrasche01@gmail.com. 

• • • 

Citizens for Smart Growth in St. 

Charles County hosts an evening of 

dinner, wine and live entertainment by 

Michael Shaerer. The evening begins at 

6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 at Defiance 

Ridge Vineyards. Tickets are available 

at defianceridgevineyards.com, search 

“Smart Growth.” 

MID RIVERS HOME PAGES 

• Landscaping 

• Tree Removal 

• Yard Prep 

• Fertilize 

Landscapes, Fences 

& More L.L.C. 

Storm 

Damage 

Specialist 

(314) 795-8219 

Mark Grannemann 

Serving the St. Charles, St. Louis & Surrounding Counties 

• Tree Trimming • Stump Grinding • Bobcat Work 

• Concrete Work • Storm Damage Clean Up 

Fully Insured! 

All Work Guaranteed! 

Call Today for a FREE ESTIMATE! 

636-373-1387 

Military & Senior 

Discounts Available! 

Tree Removal 

$100 OFF 

or 

10% OFF 

Any other Service 

TREE SERVICE 

Any tree removal estimated value of 

$999 or more. Must Mention ad the 

same time as estimate. Not valid 

with other discounts. Exp: 1/31/24 

TOP GUNN FAMILY 

CONSTRUCTION INC. 

Build and Repair Decks & Fences, 

All Painting, Wallpaper Removal, 

Powerwash/Stain Decks, Finish Basements, 

Remodeling, Kitchens, Baths 

Senior Discounts • Military Discounts 

First responders must show ID 

Call Today • 636-466-3956 

GunnFamilyConstruction@gmail.com 

THE FAN MAN 

INSTAllATIoN ProFESSIoNAlS 

Ceiling Fans • Wholehouse Fans 

Gable Vent Fans • Recessed Lighting 

Specializing in installation for two story homes 

with no wiring on first floor. 

When Handyman Quality Just Won't Do. 

(314) 510-6400 

• 1 Room Or Entire Basement 

• FREE Design Service 

• Finish What You Started 

• As Low As $15 sq. ft. 

• Professional Painters, Drywall 

Hangers & Tapers 

Call Rich on cell 314.713.1388 

INTERIOR 

PAINTING 

BONDED & INSURED 

CHRIS HERMANN 

636.697.8090 

30+ YEARS 

EXPERIENCE 

A+ 

RATED 

County House Washing 

& Painting 

Power Washing • Painting • Staining 

INTERIORS • EXTERIORS • CONCRETE 

CEDAR HOMES • DECKS & FENCES 

Mike Lynch 636.394.0013 

WWW.COUNTYHOUSEWASHING.COM 

Our Home Page professionals will help you 

PREP YOUR HOME FOR 

WINTER WEATHER



‘Tis the season for making memories, sharing stories 



I 31 

By KATE UPTERGROVE 

“She was cool, like she did tai chi 

with a sword.” 

That is one of the ways that Jason 

James Carter remembered his grandmother, 

Eleanor Rosalynn Carter, 

who served as America’s First Lady 

from 1977 to 1981. 

Rosalynn died on Nov. 19 at the 

age of 96. She and President Jimmy 

Carter were married for 77 years. 

Together, they traveled the world, 

climbed mountains, built homes, 

changed lives, promoted peace, 

exuded faith and championed a better 

life for people marginalized by poverty, 

mental health conditions and disease. 

Jason is the board chair of The Carter 

Center, a nonprofit founded in 1982 to 

“wage peace, fight disease and build hope.” 

As such, he knows all about the historic 

momments in his grandmother’s magnificent 

life but at her memorial service 

he noted, “she was my grandmother first 

– and she was like everyone else’s grandmother 

in a lot of ways.” 

He recalled getting birthday cards with 

$20 bills in them, how her recipes often 

had a favorite ingredient (mayonnaise) in 

them and how she was “so down-to-Earth.” 

He recalled a trip when Rosalynn and 

the family was seated in the back of a commercial 

airplane. As the plane took off he 

said Rosalynn “took out this Tupperware 

of pimiento cheese and this loaf of bread 

and she just started making sandwiches.” 

“She gave them to all of us grandkids 

and then she started giving them to other 

people on the plane,” he said. “People were 

just sitting there like, ‘Rosalynn Carter just 

made me this sandwich!’ You know? They 

couldn’t believe it. But she loved people.” 

What is your grandmother or grandfather 

like? What are 

your favorite stories 

of her or him? The 

holidays are the 

perfect time to celebrate 

family and 

capturing in writing, 

or on camera, all 

the things you love 

about your family 

– its members, traditions, 

foods and, of 

course, its funniest 

stories. 

This is an activity 

(Adobe Stock photo) 

that everyone, all 

ages, can participate 

in – and for kids the results can make 

excellent gifts for older family members. 

Here are some ideas to get you started. 

Create a “Why I love you” list. This is 

as easy as making a list of all the things 

that come to mind when you think of that 

person you honor and love. Imagine how 

delighted a grandparent, favorite aunt, 

uncle, or a parent would be to receive a list 

of all the reasons why a child loves them. 

Record your favorite story. Every family 

has stories. But do record them? You should. 

Recording favorite memories and stories 

is simple with smartphones – whether you 

choose to make audio recordings or videos. 

It’s fun to ask family members to share their 

memory of a particular event and see what 

each person remembers. Sometimes memories 

are wildly and hilariously different. 

Ask questions – a lot of questions – and 

record or write down the answers. The 

genealogy site FamilySearch offers plenty 

of questions from which to choose. In fact, 

its #52Stories Project webpage offers 52 

weeks of questions spanning goals and 

achievements, travel and vacations, holidays 

and traditions and so much more. Plus, 

those resources are free downloads. What 

could be simpler? Check them out at familysearch.org/en/blog/52stories-printables. 

Take photos and put them in a book but 

also include stories, captions and notes 

about the who, why, when and what of 

those images. While a photo is worth a 

thousand words, the words provide context 

for future generations. 

Make a map or family tree to see where 

your family lives or has lived and how all 

those spread out family members are connected. 

Need more inspiration? Visit storycorps. 

org and listen to other families and communities 

share their memories. 

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 

COLLECTIBLES 

WANTED TO BUY 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 

Baseball Cards, Sports Cards, 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 

Private Collector: 

314-302-1785 

WANTED TO BUY 

VINYL RECORD ALBUMS 

Buying quality collections of 

Rock, Jazz, Blues and More! 

No collection to large or small 

Private Collector: JP 

Call or Text 636-342-1616 or 

Email: Jp.vinyl57@gmail.com 

EDUCATION 

Traveling Fossil & Rock 

Presentations with a Biblical 

Perspective. Suitable for all grade 

levels. FREE Fossils for everyone. 

Can the Bible timeline 

be tested and trusted? Yes! 

The Rock’s Cry Out Ministry 

Contact Bill Barnes 314-608-2928 

ELECTRICAL 

ERIC'S ELECTRIC 

Licensed, Bonded and Insured: 

Service upgrades, fans, can lights, 

switches, outlets, basements, 

code violations fixed, we do it 

all. Emergency calls & back-up 

generators. No job too small. 

Competitively priced. 

Free Estimates. 

Just call 636-262-5840 

FOR SALE 

4 Piece Blow Mold Nativity Set 

$125 Firm 

Call 314 -703-7456 

Ballwin Area 

FOR SALE 

Jeff Gordon #24 AM/FM 

Built Tough Worksite Radio 

Model JG328 

A beautiful radio 

Like new - Sound is amazing 

Only $75 

Call 314 -703-7456 

Ballwin Area 

Solid Oak Rolltop Desk 

with Light 

40 years old. - Purchased new 

Original owner - Beautiful 

Condition 

Firm $550 

Call 314 -703-7456 

Ballwin Area 

Husky 5000-Watt Gasoline 

Powered Generator with Briggs 

& Stratton Engine 

features 6250-watt peak 

Call 314 -703-7456 

Ballwin Area 

GARAGE DOORS 

DSI/Door Solutions, Inc. 

Garage Doors, Electric Openers. 

Fast Repairs. All makes & models. 

Same day service. Free Estimates. 

Custom Wood and Steel Doors. 

BBB Member • Angie's List 

Call 314-550-4071 

www.dsi-stl.com 

HAULING 

J & J HAULING 

WE HAUL IT ALL 

Service 7 days. Debris, furniture, 

appliances, household trash, yard 

debris, railroad ties, fencing, decks. 

Garage & Basement Clean-up 

Neat, courteous, affordable rates. 

Call: 636-379-8062 or 

email: jandjhaul@aol.com 

HELP WANTED 

Love to cook but don’t want to 

work nights and weekends? 

Nourish Food Solutions is hiring! 

• Help create and serve scratchmade 

meals to private schools 

• Join a FUN team with a passion 

for serving with excellence 

• Leave work at work! 

M-F 7am-3pm. 

Full and Part-time available. 

Paid training, all holidays and 

summers off. Must be able to lift 

50lbs and work on your feet. 

Professional kitchen experience 

a plus but not required. 

Start at $15/hour. 

Email 

Merry@nourishfoodsolutions.com 

and let’s chat! 

Rockwood School District 

Hiring For Position of: 

Food Service 

Our Child Nutrition Assistants 

work school days only 

Part time or Full time, 

No experience needed. 

Starting Pay $14 Hourly. 

Seven Paid Holidays, 

Retirement through PEERS, 

Perfect Attendance Days 

Manager positions available 

with full benefits. 

www.rsdmo.org 

or call 636-733-3253 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

AFFORDABLE CARPENTRY 

Kitchen Remodeling, Wainscoting, 

Cabinets, Crown Molding, Trim, 

Framing, Basement Finishing, 

Custom Decks, Doors, Windows. 

Free estimates! 

Anything inside & out! 

Call Joe 636-699-8316 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

REMODEL & REPAIR 

Rotted wood, Painting, Tile, 

Drywall, Floors, Electrical, 

Carpentry, Plumbing, 

Power Washing. Insured. 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Tom Streckfuss 314-910-7458 

sbacontractingllc@gmail.com 

HAPPY HANDYMAN SERVICE 

"Don't Worry Get Happy" 

Complete home remodel/ 

repair kitchen & bath, plumbing, 

electrical, carpentry. 24HR 

Emergency Service. Commercial 

and Residential. Discount for 

Seniors/Veterans. 

636-541-9432 

Mizzou Crew LLC (Since 2004) 

We can’t do everything, 

but we CAN do a lot! 

Landscaping, Demolition, 

Flooring, Light Construction, 

Furniture Assembly, Fencing, 

Deck Repair, Rough Carpentry. 

Call/text Jeff 314-520-5222 or 

email mizzoucrewstl@gmail.com 

PAINTING 

PAINTING 

Interior and 

exterior painting 

Deck staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

Dickspainting.com 

314-707-3094 

PLUMBING 

ANYTHING IN PLUMBING 

Good Prices! Basement 

bathrooms, small repairs & 

code violations repaired. Fast 

Service. Certified, licensed 

plumber - MBC Plumbing 

- Call or text anytime: 

314-409-5051 

GVM Plumbing 

Can’t beat my prices! 

Repair • Remodel • Install 

Great Water Heater Install Rates! 

Licensed • Responsive • Reliable 

(636) 288-7002 

TREE SERVICES 

Complete Tree Service for 

Residential & Commercial 

Tree Pruning & Removal 

Plant Health Care Program 

Deadwooding • Stump Grinding 

Deep Root Fertilization 

Cabling & Storm Clean Up 

ISA Certified Arborists 

Doug Beckmann MW-5255A 

Teresa Hessel MW-5754A • Brad Meyer MW-5286A 

Free Estimates • Fully Insured 

314-426-2911 

meyertreecare.com 

WEDDING SERVICES 

ANYTIME ANYWHERE 

- CEREMONIES - 

Marriage Ceremonies • Vow Renewals 

Baptisms • Pastoral & Graveside Visits 

Full Service Ministry 

(314) 703-7456 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

Don’t forget ... Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 

will be on a year-end break in print. 

Catch up on all your local news online 

at www.midriversnewsmagazine.com

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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-13-23

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