Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 8-7-24

Vol. 21 No. 15 • August 7, 2024 

midriversnewsmagazine.com 

TEAM USA 

St. Charles goalie at 

Paris Olympic Games 

PLUS: FHSD Policies Held for Review ■ Back to School ■ Mature Focus

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STAR PARKER 

George Washington foresaw 

today’s irresponsible, immoral 

leadership in Washington 

In President Joe Biden’s announcement 

on social media of his decision to not run 

for reelection, he ticked off the many wonderful 

achievements during his three and a 

half years in the nation’s highest office. 

But if things are so great, as Biden seems 

to think, why are Americans so dispirited? 

Biden’s personal polling is horrible. 

General polling shows an American public 

in a sour state of mind. 

Per Gallup of a few weeks ago, only 41% 

say they are “extremely proud” to be an 

American, compared to 70% 20 years ago. 

In Biden’s own Democratic Party, only 

34% say they are “extremely proud” to be 

an American. 

America’s first president, George Washington, 

was urged to run again after serving 

two terms. He declined, motivated by 

the ideals of America’s founding that the 

nation would be about individual freedom 

informed by moral ideals, and not 

by government and politics. Washington 

feared the politicization of the nation, that 

it would become everything that Joe Biden 

now represents. 

Washington expressed this concern in 

his farewell address in 1796, saying that 

“unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert 

the power of the people and to usurp 

for themselves the reins of government.” 

This, of course, is exactly what has happened. 

We know that Biden did not quit voluntarily. 

His overriding motivation, clearly, 

has been the retention of power and glory. 

He is leaving only because he has been 

pushed out by party leaders and major 

donors. 

What are the chances that a major corporation 

would leave in control a chief executive 

officer in Biden’s physical state? The 

answer, of course, is zero. 

Further, as Republican Vice President 

nominee J.D. Vance has pointed out, “If 

Joe Biden doesn’t have the cognitive function 

to run for re-election, then he certainly 

doesn’t have the cognitive function to 

remain as commander-in-chief.” 

Worse, it’s not just about Biden. Those 

who pushed him out the door did so not 

because of their concern that he is not fit to 

govern. Their concern was the polls show 

he can’t win. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that in 

October 2021, Biden went to Capitol Hill 

to lobby congressional Democrats to pass 

the trillion-dollar infrastructure legislation. 

Per the Journal, “According to Democrats 

in the room,” Biden spoke for 30 minutes 

“disjointedly and failed to make a concrete 

ask of lawmakers.” 

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) noted, per 

the Journal, “It was the first time I remember 

people pretty jarred by what they had 

seen.” 

That was three years ago. 

Clearly it has been well known for a 

considerable amount of time, by a considerable 

number of individuals in the 

president’s party, that the man sitting in 

the most powerful office in the world is not 

capable of doing his job. 

George Washington’s concerns two and 

a quarter centuries ago were well founded. 

A powerful political class has arisen in 

Washington, which exists to further its own 

interests at the expense of the welfare of 

our nation’s citizens. This, of course, follows 

the dramatic expansion of government. 

The federal government now takes 

some 25% of GDP, compared to little over 

14% in 1950. 

My own first exposure to Joe Biden came 

in 1991 when, as chairman of the Senate 

Judiciary Committee, he presided over the 

confirmation hearings of now Supreme 

Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. 

The circus that Biden permitted, allowing 

airing in the hearing room, with live 

national press coverage, of unsubstantiated 

pornographic allegations of one woman, 

Anita Hill, to besmirch the character of 

a man of who would become one of the 

nation’s great and most articulate defenders 

of our constitution, is beyond reproach. 

Biden’s behavior was then as is Biden’s 

behavior now, motivated by calculations, 

first and foremost, of personal political 

interests. 

Let’s hope and pray that, somehow, 

America finds its way back to the ideals of 

the founders and George Washington. 

• • • 

Star Parker is president of the Center for 

Urban Renewal and Education and host of 

the weekly television show “Cure America 

with Star Parker.” 

© 2024 Creators.com 

Read more on midriversnewsmagazine.com 

August 7, 2024 

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6 I OPINION I 





EDITORIAL 

Hometown heroes 

A beautiful thing about sports is how it 

can elevate anyone to an icon, regardless 

of their background or origin, when they 

play for the home team. Mark McGuire was 

born in California. Adam Wainright is from 

Georgia. Yadier Molina, Puerto Rico. But 

during their time playing for the Cardinals, 

the logos on their chest overruled the “born” 

detail on their Wikipedia page. 

You see the same effect at the Olympic 

Games, just on a much grander scale. 

Everyone is a hometown hero. Simone 

Biles may be a resident of Texas, but that 

hasn’t stopped her from capturing the support 

and holding the hopes of the whole 

country. She’s our premier gymnast. 

Michael Phelps was from Baltimore, but 

that didn’t hinder him in becoming a household 

name in hometowns across America. He 

was, and remains, the consummate American 

Olympian. 

Of course, the impact of some athletes 

hits even closer to home. A number of locals 

have earned a place competing at the Paris 

Olympics – many of whom should be familiar 

to longtime readers. These are people 

who have appeared in local news throughout 

the years, from their time in high school 

sports to collegiate accomplishments. 

Former Francis Howell Viking Patrick 

Schulte is a starting goalie on the U.S. 

Olympic men’s soccer team, a key position 

for Team USA in its first return to Olympic 

soccer fields since 2008. 

Runner Emily Sisson, Parkway Central 

grad, is competing in the Games for the 

second time. Chaminade’s Jayson Tatum is 

on Team USA’s men’s basketball team, and 

Incarnate Word grad Napheesa Collier is 

making headlines as a second-time Olympic 

competitor on the U.S. women’s basketball 

roster. Ballwin native Tyler Downs is 

competing in the synchronized springboard. 

John Burroughs graduate Brandon Miller is 

running the 800-meter, and DeAnna Price 

from Moscow Mills is aiming for her first 

Olympic medal in the hammer throw. These 

are athletes our sports reporters have followed 

in their careers, reporting on injuries, 

triumphs, setbacks and championships. It 

feels remarkably good to root for these 

athletes, especially those in sports like 

track and field, who have no NBA or MLS 

equivalent to return to, and are hitting the 

culmination of their athletic journey. 

However, America gets behind all its athletes, 

whether they grew up in Ohio, California, 

or right down the street. 

There’s a large degree of national pride 

in watching our teams win at the Games. 

As the torch was lit at the start of the 2024 

Paris Games, the U.S. owned 2,655 Summer 

Olympics medals, with 1,070 of those being 

gold. Go USA. 

But the really great phenomenon is, 

when we step onto the world stage, that 

feeling of community expands. It grows 

from St. Louis to encompass the whole 

country. The U.S. is the hometown. That 

fits with the spirit of the Games. They 

are about solidarity, putting aside differences 

and the spirit of healthy competition. 

We’re all Team USA when the Games are 

on. We’re all rooting for the same athletes 

while recognizing the sportsmanship and 

skill of their competitors. 

It’s a shame that, come Aug. 11 when the 

Olympics wrap up, the U.S. will go back to 

the same bitter infighting, grandstanding and 

bickering that’s been plaguing our country 

for the last 20 years. Small differences will 

start to divide us again, and party lines will 

force us to ignore the commonalities that 

make our country great. 

As November rolls around, try to remember 

that we’re all Americans first and we 

can be unified if we try. 

ON THE COVER: Francis Howell graduate Patrick Schulte makes a pass during an under 23 game between Japan and USMNT at Children’s 

Mercy Park on June 11 in Kansas City, Kansas. 

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Soccer/Andrea Vilchez) 

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COTTLEVILLE 

Old Town parking analysis 

receives update 

Parking concerns in the city of Cottleville 

have been ongoing as the Old Town 

area experiences business growth and an 

increase in visitor traffic. The issues were 

discussed at a citizen-led meeting in May, 

where resident complaints were collected 

and brought before the mayor and Board 

of Aldermen. 

More recently, Cottleville released a 

parking analysis update and posted it to 

the city website and Facebook page on 

July 8. 

“City staff is still in the process of completing 

a high-level analysis of the entire 

parking situation in the Old Town area 

of Cottleville by actively gathering data, 

assessing current parking infrastructure 

and exploring potential opportunities to 

add more parking and/or provide alternative 

solutions,” the update states. 

The update highlighted the traffic information 

that has been collected so far, along 

with what the city plans to do next. 

The city stated there are currently 11 

commercial buildings with no off-street or 

private parking in the Old Town area. There 

are 1,201 parking spaces, consisting of 382 

private spaces and 819 public spaces. 

“Per the city zoning code and based upon 

occupied building square footage and business 

use in the Old Town study area, 917 

parking spaces would be required,” the 

update states. “The difference between the 

total public/private parking spaces available 

versus the city’s code parking requirements 

is 284 extra parking spaces.” 

The analysis also took walking distance 

into account, stating Old Town is 

designed to be a “walkable” experience 

that is expected to enhance small business 

patronage, rather than quick convenience 

shopping. The update states staff is working 

on identifying possible locations to 

develop new parking opportunities and 

are brainstorming other ideas to serve the 

parking needs of residents, visitors and 

businesses. 

City Administrator Michael Padella said 

Cottleville is “definitely supportive of 

identifying those solutions that will help 

add parking spaces and/or help visitors 

find existing parking spaces while safely 

navigating the streets of Old Town.” 

The key, he said, will be to identify locations 

where parking can be added where it 

is most needed. 

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Tracy speaks 

at a Metro Air Support event on July 31. 

(Photo by Arti Jain) 

Padella recognized the challenges presented 

due to a lack of “extra space,” but 

added, “We are confident that by working 

together we can find solutions that will 

benefit the entire community.” 

DARDENNE PRAIRIE 

City to host town hall meeting 

to over transparency concerns 

Dardenne Prairie has scheduled a town 

hall meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at city 

hall to address resident concerns over 

transparency issues. In recent months, 

multiple residents and Board of Aldermen 

members have acknowledged a need to 

bridge the gap between city officials and 

their constituents. 

The board discussed creating a monthly 

report after receiving criticism over 

repeated communication issues early in the 

spring. The proposed report would summarize 

city business and events in a readerfriendly 

document that could be posted to 

the website and circulated throughout the 

area. However, this idea has not yet been 

implemented. 

By May, residents again spoke on the 

need for better communications due to 

continued audio/visual issues in-house 

and on the city’s YouTube videos of public 

meetings. 

At the May 15 Board of Alderman meeting, 

board member Ryan Wilson (Ward 1) 

discussed a call to bring leadership and 

residents together by proposing a town hall 

meeting. 

The town hall meeting opens at 5:30 p.m. 

on Aug. 13, and will include a State of the 

City presentation, followed by an open 

Q&A forum. 

City Administrator James W. Knowles 

III has requested residents submit their 

questions beforehand to give staff time to 

research answers. Questions can be sent to 

jknowles@dardenneprairie.org. 

O’FALLON 

CID approved for Mexico 

Road property 

At its July 25 meeting, the O’Fallon City 

Council approved a bill establishing the 

1421 Mexico Road Community Improvement 

District (CID) for the entire property, 

all of the businesses eventually housed 

within it and its parking lot. Rosalita’s 

Cantina Mexico Road Real Estate LLC 

had filed the application. The CID will be a 

separate political subdivision governed by 

a five-member board of directors. The bill 

was approved 9-0, with Council member 

Deana Smith (Ward 1) was absent/excused. 

In 2023 the former 55,000 square-foot 

Shop ’n Save/Schnucks at 1421 Mexico 

Loop Road was sold to McGowan Brothers 

real estate developers, with plans to 

bring a Rosalita’s Tex-Mex restaurant to 

the location. Construction is expected to 

begin on the project soon. 

SINC Thermal relocates 

to O’Fallon 

SINC Thermal, a manufacturer of 

industrial melting furnaces and ovens, 

announced on July 23 it has relocated its 

sales, administrative and manufacturing 

operations to a 15,000-square-foot facility 

located at 1464 Hoff Industrial Drive 

in O’Fallon. The company is investing $4 

million in new equipment and creating 25 

new jobs. The consolidated facility allows 

the company, founded in the St. Louis 

metro, to bring its operations under one 

roof in St. Charles County. 

“We’ve seen explosive growth over the 

past few years, which initiated an extensive 

search for a new location,” Joe Slattery, 

president and COO of SINC Thermal, said 

in a release. “Our new, consolidated facility 

in O’Fallon will allow us to successfully 

address the current needs of our customers 

and position us for future growth.”





I NEWS I 9 

SINC Thermal previously housed operations 

in two Missouri counties, but recent 

growth led to a need for a consolidated 

facility that would enhance efficiency and 

allow for additional expansion. 

Patrick McKeehan, economic development 

director for the city of O’Fallon, said 

investments from companies such as SINC 

Thermal are good for the city. 

“It continues to reinforce the belief that 

O’Fallon is a great place for advanced 

manufacturing places like SINC Thermal,” 

McKeehan said. 

SINC Thermal’s expertise is in melting, 

holding and molten metal distribution. 

They are a partner of Gillespie & Powers, 

supplying furnaces and processing equipment 

to the aluminum recycling and cast 

house industry. 

“Our state continues to stand out as a 

prime location for leading manufacturers 

to invest, grow and create jobs,” said 

Governor Mike Parson in a release. “It’s 

exciting to see yet another Missouri-made 

business like SINC Thermal thriving in the 

St. Louis region. We look forward to the 

company’s continued success in O’Fallon 

as it expands and strengthens the area’s 

vibrant manufacturing sector.” 

ST. PETERS 

$6 million approved for 

industrial development project 

St. Peters city officials passed a bill at the 

July 25 Board of Alderman meeting authorizing 

the funding, planning and other necessary 

actions to improve Lot 5 of the Premier 370 

Business Park Plat 5 utilizing $6 million in 

taxable industrial revenue bonds. 

The lot spans 36.5 acres and hosts a 

487,000-square-foot facility. 

The bill notes that this “is desirable for 

the improvement of the economic welfare 

and development of the city,” and that 

using the bonds for this project is “necessary 

and desirable.” 

Approval of the plans, bond authorization 

and additional authority were 

approved along with limited bond obligations 

for the city. 

A sales/use tax exemption is included 

in the project plans for building materials 

which may affect sales tax revenue for the 

St. Charles R-6 School District, St. Charles 

Community College, St. Charles County, 

the city of St. Peters, the St. Charles County 

Ambulance District, Central County Fire 

and Rescue and the St. Charles County Dispatch 

and Alarm. However, the plan does 

not authorize tax abatements or exemptions 

of real or personal property taxes. 

The impact of the sale/use tax exemption 

was calculated in the project plans 

and estimated that $445,761 in revenue 

will be foregone. Approximately $2,400 in 

local St. Peters sales tax is expected to be 

exempted, along with $16,560 in sales tax 

for St. Charles County and $101,400 for 

the state of Missouri. 

The project is scheduled to be finished 

by the end of 2025 and was passed by all 

present at the meeting, with one board 

member absent. 

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Mercy’s plan for a new Wentzville medical 

campus received approval from the Missouri 

Facilities Review Committee on July 

29. According to a press release, the $650 

million project will break ground in the 

coming months, with construction anticipated 

to take approximately four years. 

Following announcement of the project 

in April, Mercy hosted community roundtable 

discussions in St. Charles, Lincoln 

and Warren counties to learn about the 

healthcare needs of area residents. 

“We’ve appreciated listening to residents’ 

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and we shared with them what Mercy will 

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release. “With the state’s approval, we look 

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The 425,000-square-foot hospital will 

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10 I NEWS I 

By JESSICA MARIE BAUMGARTNER 



A new multi-million dollar city park and 

entertainment complex is being developed 

in the city of Lake Saint Louis, just off 

Technology Drive in the multi-acre area 

south of BC’s Kitchen by The Meadows 

shopping center. A groundbreaking for the 

development, to be called Mothership Live, 

was held on July 25, with a large number 

of people in attendance. 

Developer Jeff Parrish said Mothership 

Live will include everything from pickleball, 

mini-golf, a playground and splash pad 

to a new ice skating rink, arcade, escape 

rooms, concert venue and restaurants. 

“You can celebrate with the family, the 

whole family,” he said, adding once 

the development is finished it will offer 

“something for everyone.” 

“I’ve developed a lot of projects; I’ve 

never had a city (that’s) so wonderful to 

work with,” Parrish said. 

Cohen Equities donated one acre of 

land to the city of Lake Saint Louis for 

the Mothership Live ice rink, pickleball 

courts, splash pad and playground. The 

playground will be finished during the 

first phase of construction and is slated to 

open in 2025. Then, the second phase is 

expected to add a twostory 

indoor recreational 

complex. 

The development is 

the result of a public-private 

partnership with the 

city, Parrish and Cohen 

Equities. It has gone 

through several planning 

phases throughout 

the past three years, but 

Meir Cohen of Cohen 

Equities explained the 

idea for this complex 

was ten years in the 

making. 

“Vision takes time,” Cohen said. 

Mothership Live is estimated to draw 

between 400,000 and 500,000 annual 

visitors, according to Cohen, which should 

support local business owners neighboring 

the site at The Meadows. 

With Parrish’s development plans and 

the city’s involvement, Cohen explained 

that together the three parties’ combined 

efforts created “a triangle of everybody 

putting in an effort to see the city succeed 

and is happy.” 

Lake Saint Louis Mayor Jason Law said 

during the groundbreaking that Mothership 

Live makes him “extremely happy.” 

“It couldn’t be better for the region and 

the western St. Charles area and it’s going 

to be a pure family fun place to be,” Law 

said. “It’s going to be just a lot of fun. It’s a 

great project and a good project for the city.” 

When questioned about the economic 

impact and competing attractions in other 

area municipalities, Scott J. Drachnik, 

president and CEO of the Economic Development 

Council of St. Charles County, 

said, “This new recreation and entertainment 

addition to The Meadows is going to 

help take this popular shopping complex to 



Lake Saint Louis breaks ground on new multi-million dollar 

entertainment complex 

The groundbreaking for the new entertainment complex was held July 25, just south of BC’s Kitchen in 

the Meadows. Among those present were asset manager of The Meadows, Teddy Chattah, developer Jeff 

Parrish and Lake Saint Louis Mayor Jason Law. 

(Photo by Jessica Marie Baumgartner) 

the next level and make it an even bigger 

destination in Lake Saint Louis and St. 

Charles County.” 

“As a result, it will become an even bigger 

generator of retail sales tax to help support 

things like public safety, roads, parks and 

more,” Drachnik said. “We agree with 

Lake Saint Louis city officials and other 

stakeholders in the community that there 

is tremendous demand for mixed-used 

destination developments in St. Charles 

County that includes amenities for shopping, 

dining, working and both indoor and 

outdoor recreation.” 

Committee to review proposed FHSD policies on human sexuality, electioneering 

By ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON 

A number of high-visibility policy proposals 

before the Francis Howell School 

District (FHSD) Board of Education have 

been put on hold until a district policy 

committee has a chance to discuss them 

further and consider community input. 

Topics in those proposed policies include 

prohibiting discussions on gender identity 

and sexual orientation between teachers 

and students, political campaigning on 

school grounds and adoption of new curriculum 

without board approval. 

District residents had expected the policies 

to be on the agenda for second reading 

and possibly a vote at the July 18 board 

meeting. But Board Vice President Randy 

Cook – who sponsored the policies on 

electioneering and new curriculum – said 

those measures had been put on hold at 

least untill the board’s Aug. 15 meeting, 

so that the issues could be discussed by 

an internal policy committee made up of 

district stakeholders including teachers, 

administrators, staff, union members and 

board members. The committee reviews 

board policies and regulations and makes 

recommendations for updates and revisions. 

The policies were introduced at the June 

20 meeting and triggered several disputes 

among the board as well as concern from 

public commenters. Those discussions 

were preceded by a rally of protesters in 

opposition to the policies, organized in 

part by progressive political action group 

(PAC) Francis Howell Forward. 

Francis Howell Families, a conservative 

PAC, put out an email prior to that 

meeting stating: “Overall these proposed 

changes put in place official policy that 

will elevate education over advocacy, raise 

academic standards, increase transparency 

and strengthen parental rights.” 

Board President Adam Bertrand introduced 

the policy prohibiting district 

employees from discussing gender identity, 

encouraging students to pursue gender 

reassignment surgery or encouraging students 

to adopt a gender identity or sexual 

orientation, but did not respond to a request 

to comment before press time. 

Board member Steven Blair said he is 

“opposed not just to the content” of the proposals, 

but the process of how they were 

introduced. He said both “represents an 

overreach.” 

“When you present seven policies and 

regulations on the same day, it does not 

create the best atmosphere for discussion, 

debate and improvement…whether 

it was intentional or unintentional, bringing 

seven policies at the same time floods 

the system and reduces the possibility for 

focused attention,” Blair said. 

Cook said he and Bertrand introduced 

the human sexuality, electioneering and 

board approval of curriculum policies “to 

address community concerns.” 

He said the board had received numerous 

complaints, via email and public 

comments at board meetings, about these 

issues. 

“We don’t want staff and students being 

distracted by things that are not academic 

in nature,” he said. 

Cook went on to say campaigning outside 

school entrances on days other than 

election days has been a particular aggravation 

for parents, who said they want to 

get to conferences or sporting events without 

being “harassed” at the front entrance 

of their schools. 

“We have had several complaints throughout 

the last 18 months about people campaigning 

outside schools during parent/ 

teacher conferences and when parents are 

just trying to get their kids to their sporting 

events,” Cook said. 

Another proposal up for discussion by 

the committee includes final exams and 

the district’s policy that defines how much 

they are worth to a student’s overall grade. 

The percentage had been changed from 20 

to 10 percent during the COVID Pandemic. 

The board is considering returning to the 

20 percent requirement. 

Blair said that while the policies could 

be up for a second reading and a vote as 

early as the Aug. 15 board meeting, he is 

not at all sure that will happen. 

“They still need so much discussion 

and there are some legal concerns,” Blair 

said, adding the electioneering proposal 

presents “massive concerns about the First 

Amendment.” 

“What happens if someone wears a 

Harris hat or a Trump shirt?” Blair said. 

“What happens if you don’t define election- 

See FHSD, page 26





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12 I NEWS I 



CUP for Caledonia Flats mixed-use building denied 



By JOHN TREMMEL 

At its July 25 meeting, the O’Fallon 

City Council defeated a bill by a vote of 

three “yes” and six “no,” denying a conditional 

use permit (CUP) for a building that 

would have been named Caledonia Flats 

at 711 Rush Way in the Streets of Caledonia 

development. The CUP would have 

allowed residential dwellings in a nonresidential 

structure in C2-zoned property. 

Council members Ron Epps (Ward 1), 

Tom Herweck (Ward 2) and Linda Ragsdale 

(Ward 5) voted for the bill. 

Council members Lisa Thompson (Ward 

2), Nathan Bibb (Ward 3), Steve Koskela 

(Ward 3), Jeff Kuehn (Ward 4), Dr. Jim 

Ottomeyer (Ward 4) and Debbie Cook 

(Ward 5) voted against the bill. Council 

member Deana Smith (Ward 1) was 

absent/excused. 

The O’Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission 

(P&Z) had unanimously approved 

the site plan and forwarded a recommendation 

of approval to the council. 

During citizen comments prior to the 

vote, a representative from Caledonia Real 

Estate LLC had asked for the bill to be 

tabled until the next council meeting (Aug. 

8) to give the developer two weeks to 

(Source: City of O’Fallon) 

(John Tremmel photo) 

A rendering for the Caledonia Cambria Hotel (left) and the current Barron Swim School (right), which would have been the neighboring 

properties to the Caledonia Flats mixed-use building. 

create a list of potential businesses or business 

types for the commercial first floor of 

the proposed five-story building. 

When the agenda item for this bill was 

introduced, Mayor Bill Hennessy asked if 

the bill should be tabled as the applicant 

had requested. Bibb moved to vote on the 

bill rather than table it, and Koskela seconded. 

The Streets of Caledonia development 

is located in O’Fallon Ward 3. The 

bill was then defeated 3-6. 

The undeveloped 2.5-acre site is located 

next to the existing Barron Swim School 

and across the street from where the 

recently-approved Caledonia Cambria 

Hotel will be built. 

Caledonia Flats was to be a five-story 

mixed-use building, with 15,200 square 

feet of retail space for lease on the first 

floor, with the four floors above containing 

apartments. The plan included two twobedroom 

and 22 one-bedroom apartments 

per floor, for a grand total of 96 apartments. 

The owner-operator of Caledonia Flats 

would have been the same as the recently 

approved Cambria Hotel. The commercial 

on the first floor was to serve the residents, 

hotel guests and visitors to Missouri Rush 

Sports Park. 

This building was to be 65 feet tall, 

higher than the previous maximum of 50 

feet for C2 zoning. However, a bill was 

approved at the June 27 council meeting 

modifying that height restriction to allow 

up to six stories under certain conditions. 

The city staff’s fiscal assessment tool 

had indicated an annual net benefit to the 

city of $981,199 and a 40-year net benefit 

of $39.2 million.





I NEWS I 13 

O’Fallon-based MEMC to receive federal CHIPS Act funding 

By JOHN TREMMEL 

The Biden-Harris administration 

announced preliminary terms with Global- 

Wafers Co. Ltd. to significantly increase 

production of silicon wafers in the U.S. on 

July 17, a move that will directly impact 

GlobalWafers subsidiary MEMC LLC in 

O’Fallon. 

The release said the CHIPS and Science 

Act investment would “establish the first 

domestic source of 300-millimeter silicon 

wafers for advanced chips and expand 

production of silicon-on-insulator wafers, 

strengthening the domestic supply chain 

for key semiconductor components.” 

Silicon wafers are critical components 

in the semiconductor ecosystem as they 

are a foundational input used in all chips. 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 

there are five leading companies, 

including GlobalWafers, that currently 

hold over 80% of the global 300mm 

silicon wafer manufacturing market and 

approximately 90% of silicon wafers are 

sourced from East Asia today. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce and 

GlobalWafers America LLC and MEMC, 

subsidiaries of GlobalWafers signed a 

non-binding preliminary memorandum of 

terms “to provide up to $400 million in 

proposed direct funding under CHIPS to 

help onshore critical semiconductor wafer 

production and advance U.S. technology 

leadership.” 

MEMC at 501 Pearl Drive in O’Fallon 

will receive a portion of the $400 million 

grant to establish a new facility to produce 

300-millimeter silicon-on-insulator wafers. 

GlobalWafers America will receive a portion 

of the $400 million grant to build and 

expand facilities in Sherman, Texas. 

As of press time, the split of the $400 

million grant between the O’Fallon and 

Texas facilities had not been announced. 

This keeps MEMC of O’Fallon in the 

forefront of the worldwide technology 

race. This also will create about 500 new 

construction jobs and 130 new permanent, 

high-paying jobs at the facility, all while 

bringing manufacturing jobs back to the 

U.S. 

“Anytime you can get 130 high-tech jobs 

in a cutting-edge part of technology in a 

much-needed globally demanded product, 

that’s a great thing for your community,” 

Scott Drachnik, President and CEO of the 

St. Charles County Economic Development 

Council, said in a press release. “It’s 

good for our county, for the metro area and 

for the rest of the country.” 

In 2022, MEMC kicked-off its capital 

investment of $300 million to add 60,000 

square feet to their facility in order to 

manufacture 300-millimeter silicon wafers. 

That created 87 new permanent, high-paying 

jobs. 

“The recent announcement by the U.S. 

Department of Commerce is a significant 

boost for MEMC and the city of O’Fallon,” 

O’Fallon Economic Development Director 

Patrick McKeehan said. “The $400 million 

funding through the CHIPS and Science 

Act will help GlobalWafers ramp up 

its domestic production of silicon wafers, 

which are crucial in the manufacturing of 

microchips.” 

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14 I NEWS I 





Habitat for Humanity launches new housing development project in Wentzville 

By RISA CIDONI 

A construction kickoff and ribbon cutting was held on July 27 for Haven Pointe, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County’s 46-home, 

$8 million residential neighborhood in Wentzville. Pictured are Michelle Woods, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles 

County (center), who is surrounded by Habitat staff, board members and volunteers. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity St. Charles County) 

On July 27, Habitat for Humanity of 

St. Charles County held the construction 

kickoff and groundbreaking for a new residential 

neighborhood in Wentzville. The 

proposed neighborhood, Haven Pointe, is 

the largest among Habitat for Humanity’s 

developments in the St. Charles area. 

Project will feature a 46-home subdivision 

with a mix of ranch-style homes and 

two-story structures, and will include a 

two-car garage, full basement and covered 

porch for each unit. Development is 

expected to take seven to 10 years to complete, 

costing $8 million in expenses. 

“Haven Pointe is the most ambitious project 

yet undertaken by Habitat for Humanity 

of St. Charles County in our 27-year 

history of building homes for families and 

individuals in our service area,” Executive 

Director Michelle Woods said in a press 

release. 

As a nonprofit housing organization, 

Habitat for Humanity offers low-income 

individuals and families unable to support 

their housing necessities with an opportunity 

for homeownership. 

The first home built in the Wentzville 

project will mark Habitat for Humanity’s 

100th affordable home in St. Charles 

County. 

“Approximately 23,000 local families are 

struggling to be able to afford safe, healthy 

places to live,” said Jacquie Vick, director 

of development. “Habitat’s mission 

is to change these numbers, one family 

at a time, by building affordable housing 

for families who may not qualify through 

traditional lending institutions. Incomes 

are not keeping pace with the rising cost of 

housing in our community.” 

Homeowner applicants must meet standard 

requirements, such as a consistent 

flow of income and residency or work in 

the St. Charles area, before being offered 

the opportunity to build their affordable 

Habitat for Humanity home. 

After acceptance, individuals and families 

work alongside the Habitat for Humanity 

St. Charles construction team through 

an agreement to provide “sweat equity” for 

the building of their affordable, sustainable 

new homes. Individuals must provide 300 

hours of time and couples must provide 

450 hours of time into building their home 

and other Habitat projects. Homeowners 

are also taken through a financial literacy 

and education program to learn the skills 

of paying their affordable mortgage. 

“Habitat for Humanity extends a hand to 

hardworking families that have few other 

options,” Vick said. “We offer the homeownership 

opportunity and families have 

to work really hard on their homes to make 

their dreams a reality.” 

The choice to build in Wentzville, a 

booming region for residential development, 

stemmed from the availability of 

land to support Habitat for Humanity’s 

goals. 

“There was land available in the Wentzville 

area that that we were able to acquire, 

See HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, page 26 

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Fort Zumwalt West’s technology students solve problems 

I SCHOOLS I 15 

By BETHANY COAD 

For the second year in a row, the Fort 

Zumwalt West chapter of the Technology 

Students Association (TSA) earned the Outstanding 

School Award at state competition 

held in April; an award that is only given 

to the school that has the highest combined 

score average. 

TSA is a national non-profit comprised 

of high school and middle school students 

engaged in aspects of Science, Technology, 

Engineering and Math (STEM) with over 

5 million members participating through 

competitions, intracurricular activities, 

leadership opportunities and community 

service. This program is molded to enhance 

personal development, leadership and 

career opportunities. It helps accelerate 

student achievement and supports teachers 

by providing engaging opportunities to 

develop their chosen skills. 

Fort Zumwalt West TSA sponsor Steven 

Fink has been teaching industrial education 

since 2015, specializing first in woodworking 

and recently moving over to share his 

knowledge in metals. Fink oversees the 

student-led club as members put time into 

their respective categories such as woodworking, 

metalworking, drafting, robotics, 

graphic design and other various STEMrelated 

activities. 

“My whole goal is not just to help students 

explore different fields, but teach them to 

know the design aspect of whatever task or 

career they choose to pursue,” Fink said. 

This approach encourages young TSA 

students to think more fully about the projects 

they choose to complete and gain a 

greater knowledge of how things work and 

the preparations necessary to produce a successful 

product. 

Meeting several times a week after school, 

TSA members join Fink to imagine possibilities, 

ask questions and work on projects 

that are too time-consuming to complete 

within the school day. 

Fink believes the open-ended and openminded 

approach allows for the students to 

choose projects that will keep their interest, 

challenge them and give room for advanced 

design should the creator wish. 

“The biggest challenge is for those new 

to the program,” Fink said. “Students often 

come expecting to be told what to do and 

are used to a more directed classroom 

experience. This class teaches them to push 

through for themselves and come up with 

solutions to problems.” 

Rising senior Savannah Dugger, who 

brought home a Best in Woodworking 

award with her finished project in the April 

competition, is no stranger to overcoming 

these types of problems. 

Dugger was making a cedar hot tub, but 

encountered a challenge during the process. 

“She ran into a design flaw when attaching 

the top, which led (her) to remake and 

reconfigure parts to make it work,” Fink 

said. “Working through problem-solving, 

and creating adaptations instead of just 

starting over encourages creativity. I try not 

to do things for the students, but instead to 

lead them to solutions.” 

Students like Dugger put in the work and 

effort and are able to look back and see a 

linear advancement from something they 

took from start to finish. To 

see students grow and be 

challenged, go off to college 

or trade school, and 

come back and tell them 

about it, to Fink is the 

greatest reward. 

“TSA is for everybody,” 

Fink said. “My philosophy 

is that there is a place for 

everyone. Do what you 

love and find your niche.” 

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Savannah Dugger sits in the completed cedar hot tub with 

her Best in Woodworking award. 

(Source: Fort Zumwalt School District) 

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By BETHANY COAD 

Rita Boss, Castlio Elementary’s kitchen 

manager, hung up her apron for the last time 

at the close of the 2023-24 school year after 

43 years of service providing nourishment 

and a positive atmosphere for generations of 

students and team members. 

Boss entered her long-lasting job as “lunch 

lady” when her youngest son was entering 

kindergarten. 

“He’s soon to be 50,” Boss said, laughing. 

She’s been married 54 years to her husband 

Gus; the Boss’ have two married sons, 

and two grandkids. 

Boss, who her began her career as a substitute 

teacher in the Francis Howell School 

District, remembered when Castlio opened 

its doors in 1981. She took the job as a young 

mom. 

“It was the perfect job,” Boss said. “You 

are off when your kids are off, like summers 

and holidays and can drop them off and pick 

them up.” 

Starting off small, Castlio only served 

around 100 kids a day with food delivered 

ready-made from Hollenbeck Middle. 

“I guess you would call it DoorDash,” Boss 

said, adding back then she only worked 

around four hours a day. As the school grew 

its number of students, Boss oversaw the 

growth of Castlio’s kitchen. Facilities were 

improved to allow for serving breakfast, the 

addition of various food bars and the addition 

of more options for lunch entrees. 

The kitchen team was evolving too as 

more employees were needed, more food 

safety training was required and more nutrition 

guidelines needed to be fulfilled. 

“I began working eight hours a day and 

feeding over 500,” Boss said. 

With that many students coming through 

and eating from the kitchen, Boss relied on 

the kitchen team she managed. For the past 

19 years, Sodexo Food Service has provided 

the support system for Francis Howell. 

“Marilyn Colvin is the General Manager, 

Karin Mann, John Kannady and Carl Ventimiglia 

are managers and have been great 

people to work for,” Boss said. “They are 

always accommodating their employees and 

will even put on an apron when needed.” 

When Boss found herself short-handed, 

a call to Sodexo would result in immediate 

backup, and within Castlio, similar help was 

readily at hand. 

“Mr. (Tim) Scholle, my principal, always 

checked in to see if I needed anything, even 

putting on an apron along with Officer James 

(Logsdon). Kids loved it when they served,” 

Boss said. 

Success for Boss came from getting to 

know her customers. Students who were her 



Beloved ‘lunch lady’ leaves 

behind a legacy 

Castlio Principal Tim Scholle wears a 

hairnet in honor of the retirement of “Lunch 

Lady” Rita Boss. 

(Courtesy of Francis Howell School District) 

neighbors as well as lunch recipients, students 

who grew up and had their own kids 

and students who grew up and came back 

full-circle as educators to teach at Castlio. 

“You know you have been there a while 

when you are feeding kids of kids you have 

served years prior,” Boss said. “The kids, 

they are such a riot. They make your day 

with a smile, a story about their sports, their 

pets, their vacations and more often than not, 

tell you too much and you gotta tell them to 

‘move on.’” 

When the COVID pandemic hit and the 

entire way of lunch shifted, Boss took it in 

stride, learning new protocols when school 

opened for session again, tackling masking, 

cleaning and even shorter-staffed crews. 

“It was tough, and tough for the kids, but 

we did it,” Boss said. 

On May 24, her last scheduled day, Boss 

was trying to take off her slip-resistant shoes 

and slip out the door without fuss, when she 

was summoned to the commons for a surprise 

send off. 

“There was my family and the entire Castlio 

staff, and everyone had donned a hairnet,” 

Boss recalled, adding that she wondered if 

they knew how ridiculous they looked, and if 

that is what she looked like everyday. 

“They didn’t tell me I looked that bad,” she 

said, laughing. “I did tell the staff at Castlio 

if they see me pull up in August to send me 

home, as a habit of 43 years is hard to break, 

but now every day is a snow day.” 

Castlio Principal Tim Scholle said that, 

“Rita is leaving a legacy after 43 years of 

service to the Castlio and Francis Howell 

community.” 

Boss plans to come back for a few weeks 

in the fall to train the new manager. She also 

plans to spend time with her Alabama grandchildren, 

Tyler and Gracie. 

Lunch is still happening, too. 

“I love meeting up with my friends, many 

of them past lunch ladies,” Boss said, quickly 

clarifying, “You know, going out to lunch – 

not making lunch.”



How to foster quality family 

time during the school year 

By ARTI JAIN 

For many families, the return of the 

school year can lead to less time spent 

together. However, just because students are 

busy with academics and extracurriculars 

doesn’t mean that family time has to suffer. 

Instead, learning how to work around busy 

schedules can be paramount for cultivating 

proper, impactful family time. 

While it can be hard to make time, family 

activities are crucial for development, said 

Jamesell Kee, a local high school guidance 

counselor. 

“Mentally, who we are and how we 

develop to be is based on family time,” Kee 

said. “How we perceive the adults in our 

lives, older siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents 

– that’s the example for behavior 

and how to treat people.” 

(Adobe Stock photo) 

Recent high school graduate Ashley said 

she highly values her family time, with 

evenings being specifically for her family. 

“Every night we have a family dinner, 

and it’s set aside time. We spend time 

together and just converse and have an 

actual conversation,” Ashley said. “Then, 

after dinner, we often watch shows together, 

play games.” 

Kee said sibling relationships are especially 

important to foster. 

“Personally, I am a big, big believer in 

the sibling relationship and that it should be 

cultivated,” Kee said. “Obviously, depending 

on the dynamic, depending on gender, 

depending on the interest, some siblings 

will be closer or not as close. But at the end 

of the day, siblings are the ones most likely 

to stick by you as you get older.” 

That’s not to say that there won’t be 

disagreements along the way. Area high 

school junior Emily said she recently had 

arguments over the car she and her sister 

share. She said that these disagreements 

were out of the ordinary, as the two had 

previously been very close. 

“I think part of it was because once she 

went out on her own, I went out on my 

own,” Emily said. “We were no longer 

really dependent on each other.” 

To maintain a close sibling bond, Kee 

recommends that siblings intentionally 

spend time getting to know each other as 

they age and change. 

“As students get older, and especially 

when they hit that 16-year-old phase where 

they get their license, get a little bit of 

freedom, I think that friends become their 

social setting,” Kee said. He advises, “If 

you do have common things that you do, 

whether it be performance, whether it be 

athletics, work together. Get better at your 

craft together. Share your interests, even if 

those interests aren’t the same.” 

Emily said she tries her best to balance 

family and friend time by intentionally 

scheduling time with her family. 

“I have designated time … which is pretty 

much every Sunday night,” Emily said. 

However, Ashley said having a schedule 

for family time that is too rigorous and 

inflexible may have an adverse effect. 

“If it feels like it’s something you’re 

having to do, it’s going to be so much less 

enjoyable,” Ashley said. “So, there are 

nights where I’ll just be like, ‘No, I’ve had 

enough. I don’t want to do this tonight.’ 

And that’s never been an issue.” 

Along with planned activities, Kee said 

spontaneity is crucial for a good family 

relationship. 

“As with most things, relationships 

need to be organic in order to truly flourish,” 

Kee said. “I think that a key thing 

here is taking a genuine interest in what 

other people in the family have going on. 

It’s more than just surface-level, ‘How is 

your day at school?’ It’s deep conversations. 

It’s taking time to do what others 

want to do, even not in your interest 

wheelhouse.” 

In addition, Emily said flexibility is paramount 

in her family dynamic. 

“If you want to build your relationship, 

you can definitely do the things you want to 

do, but you can’t just do them all the time,” 

Emily said. “You have to make it work. My 

sister and my parents don’t necessarily like 

tennis, but they play it with me because 

they know it’s something I want to do. In 

exchange, I really hate hikes but I do that 

for them.” 

This type of communication is essential 

in fostering a strong family bond. 

“Ask questions, listen and if it’s not what 

you think or what you expect to hear or what 

you believe, still take into account that, that 

is that person’s perspective,” Kee said. 



I BACK TO SCHOOL I 17

18 I BACK TO SCHOOL I 

STAY IN THE LOOP 

View exclusive stories and 

content on our website. 





Back-to-school rush: Stores gear 

up for last-minute shopping frenzy 

By LAURA BROWN 

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While pencils, notebooks and 

folders dominate back to school 

shopping lists, don’t forget the first 

day of school outfit. Sean C. Phillips, 

a senior marketing director for CBL 

Properties that owns West County 

Center and Mid Rivers Mall, among 

other shopping centers, said stores 

are gearing up for one of their busiest 

times of the year: back to school 

shopping. As the last weekend 

before school starts is right around 

the corner, parents are doing a lastminute 

dash to ensure their students 

are prepared for the first day of 

school. The urgency of the moment 

can lead some families to ponder, “What 

do we still need for Monday?” 

“Usually this time of year everyone is 

out shopping for that first day of school 

outfit,” Phillips said. “Students like 

to make sure they have the right outfit 

for their school picture and seeing the 

friends they haven’t seen in a while.” 

Other popular items bought this time 

of the year from the mall include backpacks, 

shoes and school uniforms. 

“That’s what people are buying the 

week before school,” Phillips said. 

Phillips went on to say that for Gen Z 

sustainability is a trend shaping back-toschool 

shopping habits. 

“They are looking for eco-friendly fabrics 

like denim made from water bottles 

and recycled materials made into shoes, 

for example,” Phillips said. 

He said Gen Z also prefers in-person 

shopping versus ordering items online. 

“We’ve seen an increase in traffic in 



sales as this new Gen Z brings the mall 

back from several years ago when online 

shopping was the big thing,” Phillips 

said. “Now we see people like shopping 

in stores. I think that started in 2021 

when people couldn’t shop in person. 

They don’t want to just be on their computer. 

They want to try things on and feel 

the fabric and materials.” 

Popular clothing for students this fall 

are fashion concert tees and graphic tees, 

especially with bands that are considered 

retro Phillips said. Popular character tees 

are the thing for younger kids. As far as 

denim goes, there are, of course, trends 

to follow. 

“The trend for denim in general seems 

to be a lot of wide and flared leg denim 

for women,” Phillips said. 

Another fashion trend, according to 

Phillips, is monochromatic dressing, 

where outfits consist of matching tops 

and bottoms in the same color or print. 

He said this has been a prominent fashion 

trend throughout spring and summer. 

And, of course, athletic shoes remain 

a back-to-school staple, with brands like 

Nike, Adidas, Hoka and On running shoes 

being particularly popular. The new pair 

of shoes for the first day of school is a 

cherished tradition, with many students 

keen to showcase their fresh kicks. 

As temperatures get cooler Phillips 

said back to school shopping continues 

into the fall as growing students need 

warmer clothes in bigger sizes from the 

previous year. 

“After Labor Day we see more traffic in 

shopping for the fall and transition merchandise 

like jeans and jackets,” Phillips 

said. “Everyone is refreshing their 

kids clothes, coming back for pants and 

things they need as the temperatures get 

cooler.”



Developing entrepreneurial 

skills can lead to success 

Training for a particular field can and 

should begin in high school. That’s the 

thought catalyst behind Francis Howell’s 

Business Work Program and the St. Charles 

County CAPS program that benefits students 

across multiple local districts. CAPS 

stands for Center for Advanced Professional 

Studies and is an internship program that 

immerses students in professional environments. 

CAPS participants are challenged by 

real world problems, use industry standard 

tools and are mentored by employers, while 

receiving high school and college credit. 

According to research from Junior 

Achievement (JA), 61% of teens would 

rather start their own businesses than have 

traditional jobs. To be successful in that 

endeavor, JA suggests students: 

Tap into their network. Students should 

identify people within their circle who can 

serve as a mentor or mentors as they plan 

their future. 

Participate in leadership events. Leaders 

put their skills into action. Students 

can begin practicing leadership skills by 

participating in events like the JA National 

Summit, which allows student teams to demonstrate 

their business acumen, creativity 

and entrepreneurial thinking in a competitive 

environment. In the Company of the Year 

Competition, students launch and operate 

real business enterprises under the guidance 

of dedicated local businesses, and conceptualize 

and market a product or service that 

addresses unmet consumer needs. 

Acquiring these real world skills can also 

help students earn money for college through 

the P64 Entrepreneurial Scholarships, 

administered by the YouthBridge Community 

Foundation in conjunction with local 

civic organization Progress 64 West. As part 

of the application process, which opened last 

month and closes in October, students must 

submit an executive summary of a business 

plan. A tutorial link at progress64west.org 

offers all the details on this opportunity. 

Understand the industry. This might 

mean monitoring news stories, subscribing 

to industry-centric publications and joining 

professional organizations as a student 

ambassador. Look beyond the classroom. 

Joining or starting a club can help students 

sharpen their focus on areas in which they 

have a special interest. To explore more ideas 

to support their business goals, students can 

check out ja.org. 



I BACK TO SCHOOL I 19 

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Francis Howell graduate Schulte plays on Team USA in 2024 Olympics 

By WARREN MAYES 

The U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team 

was in the Olympic soccer tournament 

for the first time since 2008 and a Francis 

Howell graduate from St. Charles earned a 

spot on the 18-man team roster. 

Patrick Schulte, a 6-foot-3, 174-pound 

netminder, was one of two goalies on the 

U.S. team to play in Paris. 

“It’s a dream come true to be able to represent 

the United States in the Olympics,” 

Schulte said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed 

of since I was little, and to have this opportunity 

is something I’ll cherish forever.” 

The 23-year-old Schulte most recently 

played at the USMNT U-23 June training 

camp, where he started as goalkeeper in the 

June 11 friendly matchup against Japan. 

Schulte, the MLS Columbus Crew goalkeeper, 

joins Jeff Hartwig (1996 Olympics, 

pole vault) and Sammie Henson (2000 

Olympics, wrestling) as the only Francis 

Howell alums to compete and represent the 

U.S. in the Olympics. 

Schulte started playing for the U.S. internationally 

with a call-up to the U-18 team 

training camp in 2019. Call-ups to national 

team camps continued throughout Schulte’s 

career amidst college soccer with Saint 

Louis University (SLU), being drafted by 

the Crew in 2022 and winning the MLS 

NEXT Pro Cup inaugural title. 

Now, he’s an Olympian. Naturally, his 

parents Kathy and Tim are proud of him. 

“It’s a great feeling,” Tim said. “That was 

one of his dreams. He was a determined 

young man and he made it happen.” 

Like father, like son. Tim played goalie at 

Quincy University. 

“He’s a little bit better than I was,” Tim 

deadpanned. “He came across playing it on 

his own. I have knowledge of the position, 

and it’s all worked out.” 

Schulte acknowledged his father “was a 

big influence” when he was a youngster. 

“I always played soccer when I was 

younger,” Schulte said. “I played in the field. 

I wasn’t a goalie until I was 11 or 12. I was 

OK. I also played baseball and basketball. It 

(soccer) wasn’t my favorite of the three. I 

made the move to goalie and just fell in love 

with the sport. The rest is kind of history.” 

Not being rushed to be a netminder turned 

out to be the right call. 

“He (Tim) tried to keep me away from 

being the goalie,” Schulte said. “He told 

me when I was old enough to be a goalie. I 

leaned on him.” 

Kurt Jacob, Schulte’s Vikings basketball 

coach, was also thrilled to see his former 

guard make the Olympic team. 

“I know how special it is for him to represent 

the United States and the sport of 

soccer,” Jacob said. “I’m happy for the U.S. 

Olympic team because it has the best goalie, 

teammate and athlete they can have. He’s a 

special athlete and person for sure.” 

Schulte didn’t play soccer at Francis 

Howell but was on the varsity basketball 

team for three years. He helped lead the 

Vikings to their only Final Four appearance 

in 2019 in Class 5. 

“He’s like a coach’s dream,” Jacob said. “I 

know that’s a cliche. He’s the type of kid 

who was ultra-competitive. You can’t teach 

that to kids. You either have that or you 

don’t. He was that way naturally. 

“He rubbed off on everyone else in the 

program. He made the players around him 

better. He was that way in games and practice 

and in the offseason and in meetings.” 

Schulte liked playing basketball for the 

Vikings and worked it into his schedule 

Patrick Schulte of the United States U23 at Children’s Mercy Park on June 11 in Kansas 

City, Kansas. 

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Soccer/Bill Barrett) 

Schulte 

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Soccer) 

alongside time spent with the St. Louis 

Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. His club team 

played all year round. There was one month 

off in the summer and one in the winter. 

“I was fortunate to play basketball. It was 

all meant to be,” Schulte said. “I knew I 

could play basketball. I was friends with 

Kurt Jacob. He was open to working with 

me and my soccer team schedule.” 

He made the most of his high school 

experience playing basketball. 

“A lot of great things happened during my 

senior year,” Schulte said. “Going to the 

Final Four with that team and doing it for 

the school and the community was great. I 

still talk and text with those guys. We’re all 

friends.” 

Schulte was among the area leaders in 

assists and steals that season. He also was a 

three-time All-Academic selection at Francis 

Howell. 

Such athletes don’t come along often, 

Jacob said. 

“Ask any coach who had him and it was 

easy to predict he’d be successful,” Jacob 

said. “He was like a coach on the floor. 

“You just know he’s going to make it, and 

he has. He’s doing everything we thought 

we would.” 

After high school, Schulte went to SLU. 

Kevin Kalish became the head coach. 

Schulte had played for Kalish at Scott 

Gallagher and knew him well. 

His first two years with the Billikens 

“weren’t the best, but the last year, we made 

good strides.” 

“My junior year was a good one,” Schulte 

said. 

That season, SLU enjoyed an undefeated 

season before falling in the quarterfinal 

round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Then, he became a professional. Schulte 

was the 12th player selected in the 2022 

Major League Soccer SuperDraft, by 

Columbus. 

“I was fortunate to get selected for that. I 

had a contract going into the draft,” Schulte 

said. “I knew there was a list of teams that 

needed a goalkeeper. I had an idea about the 

teams. I knew Columbus was one of them.” 

He likes his new home. 

“I’m grateful I was chosen by Columbus. 

It’s a great city,” Schulte said. “It reminds 

me very much of St. Louis with a St. 

Charles feel to it in the suburbs. They’ve 

treated me well. 

“The talent here and organization is tops. 

That makes it a whole satisfying experience.” 

He quickly rose to prominence, helping 

Crew II to the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro championship. 

Schulte started 15 games for Crew 2 in 

his rookie season, playing 1,350 minutes 

and allowing only 15 goals. Among goalkeepers 

who played in more than half their 

team’s matches, he had a goals-against 

average of 1.0 and a win percentage of 66.7 

percent – the best in the league. Schulte’s 10 

wins were tied for the most in MLS NEXT 

Pro, and his seven clean sheets were second 

in the league. 

On Oct. 8, 2022, Schulte helped Crew 

2 to a 4-1 victory over St Louis CITY2 in 

the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup. For his 

efforts, Schulte was named the first-ever 

MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year 

and selected to the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. 

Schulte then became the starter in goal for 

the Crew in 2023. He made his MLS debut 

in the season opener on Feb. 25, 2023. He 

would go on to appear in 31 regular season 

matches, recording 90 saves for six shutouts. 

Schulte found out he would be going 

to the Olympics from Wilfried Nancy, his 

coach at Columbus. 

“Coach texted me and asked if he could 

give me a call,” Schulte said. “I didn’t know 

what it was. My parents were visiting, and I 

asked them to step out of the room. 

“I felt if it was bad news, I would have 

found out earlier. I was anticipating making 

the team, but you never know. I’m honestly 

super excited to make the team. Getting that 

call was exciting and something I’ll never 

forget. It put a smile on my face. Getting to 

represent your country is amazing.” 

Team USA has never won a medal in 

Olympic play. 

“Obviously, we want to win gold,” Schulte 

said, heading into Olympic play. “Our goal 

is to write history and be the first team to 

medal in the Olympics.” 

That would rank with winning the MLS 

Cup, Schulte said. 

“I’m sure it will be right up there with 

it (MLS Cup), definitely would be a lot 

be a lot better when we bring home gold,” 

Schulte said. “I know having an Olympic 

medal is something that I’ll never forget. 

And just being on that podium and with the 

group of guys would obviously be unreal.”





I MATURE FOCUS I 21 

News & Notes 

By LISA RUSSELL 

Seeing the importance 

of eye exams 

Every August, National Eye Exam 

Month serves as a reminder about the 

importance of regular vision checkups 

for people of all ages. For those 

over 50 in particular, the American 

Optometric Association highly recommends 

annual checkups because 

eye problems become more common 

– and potentially more serious – as we age. 

Despite that fact, many older adults 

routinely skip eye exams. A 2023 AARP 

survey found that, although over twothirds 

of older Americans said maintaining 

good vision is extremely important to 

their quality of life, just over half of men 

(54%) had gotten an eye exam in the past 

year. Women were somewhat more likely 

to have done so at 62%. 

In addition to normal aging-related issues 

like presbyopia (problems seeing things 

close up) and difficulties with night driving, 

the most common eye conditions older 

adults should be on the lookout for include: 

• Cataracts: Eye doctors can detect early 

cataracts and advise you on how to reduce 

glare and other symptoms of mild cataracts. 

Well over half of over-55 adults will 

eventually develop cataracts, and surgery 

to remove them is one of the most routine 

outpatient surgeries performed in the U.S. 

• Dry eye syndrome: This common, often 

chronic problem occurs in older adults whose 

eyes produce too few or poor-quality tears, 

impacting the front surface of the eye and 

impairing vision. Treating dry eyes can 

increase comfort and improve your ability to 

do necessary tasks like reading and driving. 

• Age-related macular degeneration 

(AMD): This eye disease affects the 

macula (the center of the light-sensitive 

retina at the back of the eye) and causes 

central vision loss, which affects the ability 

to see fine detail and colors. Although 

AMD has no cure, treatments can slow its 

progress and prevent serious vision loss. 

• Glaucoma: Characterized by damage 

to the optic nerve, this disease results in 

loss of peripheral vision. If left untreated, 

glaucoma can lead to total blindness. 

• Retinal detachment: This tearing or 

separation of the retina from the underlying 

tissue most often occurs spontaneously. 

Other causes include trauma to the eye or 

head, advanced diabetes and inflammatory 

eye disorders. A detached retina is an emergency; 

without prompt medical attention, it 

National Eye Exam Month is an annual reminder 

about the importance of eye exams, which are 

especially important for seniors. (Adobe Stock photo) 

can cause permanent vision loss. 

• Diabetic retinopathy: This condition 

occurs in people with diabetes as the result 

of progressive damage to the tiny blood 

vessels that supply the retina. Early detection 

and treatment can prevent or delay 

blindness in 90% of cases. 

Another reason eye exams are important 

is that they can also pick up significant 

health problems not related to vision. They 

can detect signs of serious diseases and 

conditions including high blood pressure, 

autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease and 

even certain kinds of cancer. 

Physical impacts of 

financial stress 

Although inflation rates in the U.S. have 

decreased significantly over the past year, 

the prices consumers pay for many daily 

essentials remain historically high … and 

the resulting financial stress is harming the 

health and well-being of many older adults, 

a new University of Michigan poll shows. 

In the nationally representative survey 

of Americans over 50, women and those 

ages 50 to 64 were more likely than men 

or people over 65 to report feeling “a lot 

of stress” related to their personal finances. 

Both men and women who rated their 

physical or mental health as fair or poor 

reported the highest financial stress levels. 

Overall, just over half said they had cut 

back their everyday spending over the 

past year, including for items like groceries, 

recreational activities and social outings. 

These numbers rose to more than 

two-thirds of those in fair or poor health. 

The poll’s leaders noted that spending 

less money in these critical areas could 

have direct impacts on health as well – for 

example, if it forces people to buy lessnutritious 

food or have fewer social interactions 

with family and friends. 

A significant 16% of all adults 50 and 

See MATURE FOCUS, page 22 

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22 I MATURE FOCUS I 





Mature Focus 

Our special section featuring issues, 

events, products and services of 

interest to our 50-plus readers. 

COMING AGAIN September 4th 

We’re redefining senior living 

with independence at the forefront. 

Senior living at Clarendale of St. Peters is anything but traditional. 

Why? We encourage and celebrate the independence of 

residents instead of focusing solely on their limitations. All are 

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Discover an integrated environment between independent living 

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10 DuBray Drive | St. Peters, MO 63376 em ClarendaleOfStPetersLIFE@ClarendaleOfStPeters.com 

MATURE FOCUS, from page 21 

over in the survey said they’ve had trouble 

in the past year paying for health-related 

costs, or have delayed or avoided getting 

healthcare because it was too expensive. 

“We have known for years that when 

people cut back on needed health spending 

because of competing demands on 

their finances, there can be negative health 

effects…for instance, they are often less 

likely to receive appropriate care for a 

chronic condition such as diabetes,” said 

poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D. 

Launched in 2017, the National Poll on 

Healthy Aging seeks to learn more about 

aging in America. 

The stress of caring for a spouse with 

dementia or Alzheimer’s takes a toll on 

caregivers down to the cellular level, 

according to a recent study. 


Cellular effects of caregiving 

Family caregivers often deal with huge 

amounts of stress on a daily basis. When 

one spouse takes on the caregiver role for 

a partner who has dementia or Alzheimer’s 

disease, that stress can become overwhelming. 

Researchers from Rice University 

have found this intense stress can have 

negative impacts on caregivers’ health at 

the most basic level: in their cells. 

This study is one of the first to examine 

how stress affects cellular health and, 

in turn, the physical and mental health of 

spousal dementia caregivers. 

“We’ve discovered that chronic stress 

impacts not only immune function but also 

the health of individual cells, suggesting a 

deeper, more intricate relationship between 

our mental state and physical well-being,” 

said Chris Fagundes, Ph.D., one of the 

study’s authors. 

Fagundes and his team specifically looked 

at the link between cellular mitochondria, 

known as the “powerhouse” of cells, and 

caregivers’ mental and physical health. 

Energy produced by these mitochondria is 

necessary for people to engage in vital daily 

activities such as walking, shopping and 

driving. One way to gauge a person’s cellular 

health is to determine how much energy 

is left over after these activities. 

Comparing cellular health to a car’s fuel 

efficiency, Fagundes said, “The more energy 

or fuel you have left over after a drive is an 

indicator of how good your mileage is…or 

how good things are working.” 

Like a car losing fuel efficiency over 

time, it’s normal for cells to have less leftover 

energy as a person ages. But chronically 

stressful situations like caregiving 

also sap that leftover energy, he explained. 

The team found that caregivers with less 

leftover cellular energy were less able to 

engage in physical activities such as walking 

and carrying groceries. These caregivers 

also experienced fewer positive emotions, 

such as feelings of happiness or excitement. 

Over time, lower levels of cellular 

energy are linked to higher inflammation, 

which can lead to a wide variety of mental 

and physical health problems – including 

an eventual diagnosis of dementia or 

Alzheimer’s in the stressed-out caregivers 

themselves, Fagundes said. 

Tracking treatments 

For older adults with two common heart 

conditions, wearing an activity tracker like 

a Fitbit or Apple Watch could help measure 

the effectiveness of medicines used to treat 

them, say European medical researchers. 

A team from the University of Birmingham 

in the U.K. used wrist-worn activity 

trackers to continuously monitor the heart 

rates of people with diagnoses of either 

atrial fibrillation or heart failure. These 

patients, whose average age was 76, were 

taking one of two different medications as 

part of a clinical trial. 

After 20 weeks, they found that the two 

drugs had similar effects on heart rate, 

even after accounting for differences in 

physical activity. Just as importantly, they 

found that the data they got via the activity 

trackers was equivalent to standard tests 

used in hospitals and doctors’ offices. 

“People across the world are increasingly 

using wearable devices in their daily lives to 

help monitor their activity and health status. 

This study shows the potential to use this new 

technology to assess the response to treat- 

People receiving treatment for certain 

heart conditions may be able to monitor 

their effectiveness from home using fitness 

trackers. 

(Adobe Stock photo)





I MATURE FOCUS I 23 

ment and make a positive contribution to the 

routine care of patients,” said Dipak Kitecha, 

a professor of cardiology at the university. 

Kitecha noted that heart conditions are 

expected to double in prevalence over the 

next few decades, creating a huge burden 

on patients as well as healthcare providers. 

He called the study, which was published in 

Nature Medicine, an “exciting showcase” for 

how commercially available devices can be 

used in patient care without increasing costs. 

On the calendar 

BJC Missouri Baptist Hospital offers 

Today’s Grandparents classes on Wednesday, 

Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 26 from 

6-8:30 p.m. at the Missouri Baptist Medical 

Center Clinical Learning Institute, 3005 

N. Ballas Road. This hands-on class offers 

updates on current trends in infant care and 

feeding, and provides tips on local and longdistance 

grandparenting. The course fee is 

$20 per person (each person attending must 

register separately). Registration is available 

online at classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Louis Oasis presents a virtual course, 

What Am I Going to Do with All This 

Stuff? on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 1-3 p.m., 

online via Zoom. Downsizing a lifetime’s 

worth of possessions can be tough. Get the 

tools you need to look at the art, antiques, furniture, 

decorative accessories and jewelry in 

your home to help you determine their value. 

The course fee is $17. To register and learn 

more about Oasis membership, visit st-louis. 

oasiseverywhere.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Coffee and 

Conversations on Wednesday, Aug. 21 

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

Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive, in 

Building A, Conference Room 3. Join us 

monthly for a free cup of joe and a conversation 

with St. Luke’s health professionals 

about health and wellness topics. This 

month’s topic is Your Wishes, Your Way: 

The Importance of Advance Directives. Get 

the facts about living wills and advance 

directives. Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital sponsors Let’s 

Cook! Plant-Based Proteins on Thursday, 

Aug. 29 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at The Pointe 

at Ballwin Commons, 1 Ballwin Commons 

Circle in Meeting Room B. Research 

shows that replacing some animal-based 

protein with plant-based protein sources 

may help decrease the risk of developing 

chronic health problems like heart disease, 

diabetes and some cancers. Join a St. 

Luke’s dietitian for a live cooking demonstration 

and sample a delicious chickpea 

salad that’s packed with protein, fiber and 

flavor. Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

BJC Missouri Baptist Hospital hosts a 

Stroke Support Group in-person meeting 

on Thursday, Sept. 12 from noon-2 

p.m. in the hospital’s Clinical Learning 

Institute, 3015 N. Ballas Road in St. 

Louis, in Room 416. Stroke survivors 

and caregivers are invited to join the 

support community. Stroke coordinators 

from Missouri Baptist will encourage the 

sharing of personal experiences and connecting 

with others as part of the recovery 

process. Participants will be provided tips 

for success in daily life, rehabilitation 

resources and healthy lifestyle changes 

to help prevent future strokes. Light 

refreshments and snacks will be provided. 

There is no cost to participate. Register at 

classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Living a 

Healthy Life with Chronic Pain on Fridays, 

Sept. 20-Oct. 25, online via Zoom. 

This six-week course is an evidence-based 

program that helps individuals better 

manage their chronic pain symptoms by 

learning important self-management skills. 

Topics include action planning, healthy 

eating, communicating with your healthcare 

team and more. This program is 

free thanks to support from the Eastern 

Regional Arthritis Center. Participants 

receive a free Living a Healthy Life with 

Chronic Pain resource book and Moving 

Easy Program Exercise CD after enrollment. 

To register, visit stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital offers a Bone Builders 

class on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 5:30-7 p.m. 

in Building A, Conference Room 3 of the 

Desloge Outpatient Center 121 St. Luke’s 

Center Drive in Chesterfield. According to 

the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 60% 

of adults age 50 or older are at risk of breaking 

a bone due to osteoporosis. Do you know 

your risk? Join this free class to learn more 

about exercise, nutrition and medication for 

bone health and osteoporosis prevention. 

The class is facilitated by a physical therapist, 

a dietitian and a pharmacist. Register at 

stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Good Sleep 

is a Possible Dream: Steps to Sounder 

Sleep on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6:30-8 

p.m. in Building A of the Desloge Outpatient 

Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in 

Chesterfield. Are you one of approximately 

60 million Americans who have a chronic 

sleep issue? Good sleep is essential for 

optimal health. Adequate sleep helps our 

mood and focus, reduces the risk for diabetes 

and heart disease, reduces stress and 

more. Learn more about sleep and strategies 

for sleeping better at this free class. 

Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

Active Lifestyle? 

This is your place. 

Mom hasn’t slowed down since she arrived. 

Before mom arrived, she was set on finding a new 

home that allowed her to thrive every day and stay 

busy as usual. Since she moved in, the community 

has not only empowered her to try new hobbies, 

classes, and cuisine, but to also sit back, relax, and 

enjoy the good life. 

Call 636-229-3106 today to schedule 

your private tour. 

INDEPENDENT LIVING • VILLA LIVING 

363 Jungermann Road | St. Peters, MO 63376 

stpeters.watermarkcommunities.com 

2405-SPL-8019A

24 I HEALTH I 





SCORE BIG ON SAFETY. 

GET A BACK TO SCHOOL SPORTS PHYSICAL TODAY! 

AGES 10+ 

St. Luke’s Urgent Care - 0'Fallon 

5511 WingHaven Blvd. Suite 100, O’Fallon, MO 63368 

stlukes-stl.com/urgent-care 314-205-6200 

LEARN MORE 

10-0089 

6/2024 

Millions of people who take a daily vitamin to promote better health 

may be wasting their time and money, a recent long-term study found. 


HEALTH 

CAPSULES 

By LISA RUSSELL 

Is ‘one a day’ not 

worth the effort? 

Millions of people rely on a daily multivitamin 

to keep them healthy, supposedly 

by filling in the nutritional gaps in their 

diets. However, a new long-term study 

suggests that when health is measured in 

terms of living longer, multivitamins may 

be a waste of both effort and money. 

Led by the National Cancer Institute, 

the study followed three large groups of 

Americans totaling nearly 400,000 men 

and women. All were generally healthy 

when the study began, with no history of 

chronic diseases or cancer. 

After 20 years of follow-up, the data 

showed that people who took daily multivitamins 

had no lower overall risk of dying than 

people who never took multivitamins – in 

fact, those who took vitamins regularly actually 

had a 4% higher mortality risk. There 

were also virtually no differences between the 

groups in terms of deaths from cancer, heart 

disease or stroke. This held true regardless 

of the participants’ diet quality, geographic 

location, ethnicity, race or education level. 

The NCI team noted that these new 

findings echo several other recent studies 

which found no benefit of multivitamin use 

for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, 

cancer or overall mortality. 

The researchers added that multivitamin 

use may benefit people with pre-existing 

health conditions, such as known nutritional 

deficiencies. The potential impact 

of regular multivitamin use on other health 

conditions associated with aging merits 

more study, they said. 

Recent study links 

cannabis use, COVID severity 

Scientists at Washington University in 

St. Louis have concluded that smoking 

cannabis – no matter how infrequently – is 

related to a greater risk of severe illness 

from COVID-19. 

Their recent study found that people 

who reported using any form of cannabis 

at least once during the year before they 

got the virus were significantly more likely 

to need hospitalization and intensive care 

than those who never used cannabis. This 

increased risk was similar to that seen 

among cigarette smokers. 

Using data from more than 72,000 Missouri 

and Illinois residents seen at BJC 

hospitals between February of 2020 and 

January of 2022, they determined that 

patients who had used any cannabis were 

80% more likely to be hospitalized and 27% 

more likely to be admitted to the ICU than 

those who did not. By comparison, cigarette 

smokers with COVID were 72% more likely 

to be hospitalized and 22% more likely to 

end up in the ICU during the same period. 

“There’s this sense among the public that 

cannabis is safe to use, that it’s not as bad 

for your health as smoking or drinking, that 

it may even be good for you,” said senior 

author Li-Shiun Chen, M.D., D.Sc. “What 

we found is that cannabis use is not harmless 

in the context of COVID-19. People 

who reported “yes” to current cannabis 

use, at any frequency, were more likely to 

require hospitalization and intensive care 

than those who did not use cannabis.” 

The relationship between cannabis 

use and death from COVID-19 was less 

clear in the study, though. While cigarette 

smokers were more likely to die from the 

virus than non-smokers, the same was not 

true of cannabis users – meaning more 

research is needed to determine why, the 

scientists said. 

Taylor Swift helps fans with 

body image issues, study finds 

Whether or not you enjoy her music, 

Taylor Swift has become an entertainment 

icon all over the world. Because of her 

immense popularity, she also defines the 

term “influencer.” 

Swift’s influence extends to her fans’ attitudes 

about healthy body image, according 

to a recent analysis from the University of 

Vermont. The outspoken way she has dealt 

with her own past problems with negative 

body image and disordered eating have 

positively impacted her fans’ feelings and 

attitudes about these issues, according to 

the study’s leaders. 

“Our findings suggest that fans who felt 

highly connected to Swift were influenced to 

positively change their behaviors or attitudes 

around eating or their body image because 

of Swift’s disclosures and messages in her 

music. Fans seemed to take inspiration from 

the fact that Swift had recovered from disordered 

eating and subsequently appeared to 

be thriving,” said Associate Professor Lizzy 

Area hospitals earn national, regional recognitions 

BJC HealthCare has again received 

numerous accolades for clinical excellence 

– a total of 86, to be exact – from U.S. 

News & World Report, including national 

recognitions for Barnes-Jewish Hospital 

in 11 out of 14 specialty areas analyzed 

by the publication. Barnes-Jewish and 

its physician partners at Washington 

University School of Medicine are also 

once again ranked No. 1 in the metro St. 

Louis area and No. 1 in Missouri in its 

2024-2025 report. 

BJC Missouri Baptist Medical Center 

is tied for No. 2 in both the metro area and 

the state with Mercy Hospital St. Louis, 

while St. Luke’s Hospital is ranked at No. 

4 in the St. Louis region. Mercy Hospital 

South is ranked No. 5 in the area. 

Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s national 

rankings for excellence in specialty care 

include cancer; cardiology, heart & vascular 

surgery; diabetes & endocrinology; 

ear, nose & throat; gastroenterology & 

gastrointestinal surgery; geriatrics; neurology 

& neurosurgery; obstetrics & 

gynecology; orthopedics; pulmonology 

& lung surgery; and urology. 

Missouri Baptist Medical Center is 

recognized as high-performing in four 

major specialties: gastroenterology 

& gastrointestinal surgery, geriatrics, 

neurology & neurosurgery and urology. 

Mercy is recognized for its high 

performance in the former two areas, 

along with pulmonology & lung surgery 

and urology. 

St. Luke’s Hospital achieved high 

performance ratings in 13 specific procedures 

and conditions. 

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital 

is ranked high-performing in four procedures 

and conditions.





I HEALTH I 25 

Taylor Swift’s cultural influence has helped 

her fans around the world deal with 

disordered eating and body image issues, 

according to a new social media analysis. 


Pope, Ph.D., a study co-author. 

The new study, published in the journal 

Social Science & Medicine, analyzed 

social media posts on the TikTok and Reddit 

platforms about Swift related to these issues. 

Swift’s transparency about how she was 

able to confront and overcome them helped 

to decrease stigma around eating disorders 

among her fans, the researchers say. This is 

important because other research has shown 

that stigma-related shame tends to make 

those suffering from eating disorders reluctant 

to reach out for help. 

In their analysis of thousands of online 

comments, researchers identified several 

positive themes, the biggest being that fans 

saw Swift as a role model for eating disorder 

recovery, using Swift’s story or her music 

to inspire their own recoveries. For example, 

one user wrote, “Proud of her ... and myself 

because she taught me I’m perfect just the 

way I am,” according to the study. 

“Taylor Swift can do more to change 

attitudes with a few sentences than we can 

do in our entire careers,” said Pope. “So, 

it’s important to study people that have that 

kind of impact.” 

On the calendar 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Ageless 

Insights: Colorectal Cancer Trends 

Across Generations on Tuesday, Aug. 13 

from 6-7 p.m. in the St. Luke’s Institute 

for Health Education Auditorium, 222 S. 

Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. Colorectal 

cancer is still most frequently diagnosed 

in older adults, but the disease is also on the 

rise in those in their 20’s and 30’s. Those of 

all ages are invited to this free educational 

event featuring a Q&A with St. Luke’s 

gastroenterologist Dr. David Lotsoff. All 

who attend will receive a complimentary 

stool-based FIT screening test. Register at 


• • • 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital 

offers a Helmet Check event on Friday, 

Aug. 16 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Ladue Early 

Childhood Center, 10980 Ladue Road in 

St. Louis. Children may bring their own 

helmets to this check, where a trained professional 

will ensure that it is an approved 

helmet and fit it correctly. Appointments 

can be scheduled at 10-minute intervals. 

Helmets will be available for purchase for 

$10 each. Register for this free event at 

classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital 

offers a Bariatric Surgery Information 

Session on Monday, Aug. 19 from 5:30- 

6:30 p.m., live via Zoom. Join a Washington 

University bariatric physician to learn 

more about surgical treatment options 

available at BJC for patients who meet 

certain criteria. To register, visit classesevents.bjc.org. 

• • • 

Be Still to Chill: Basics of Meditation 

is on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

at the St. Luke’s Hospital Desloge Outpatient 

Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive 

in Chesterfield, in Classroom 3 of Building 

A. Attend this free program to learn the 

basics of meditation and many tips to support 

your practice from a St. Luke’s expert. 

Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital and Schnucks offer a 

nutrition class on Monday, Aug. 26 from 

2-3 p.m. at Schnucks Kehrs Mill, 2511 Kehrs 

Mill Road in Ballwin. A St. Luke’s dietitian 

will discuss how to find and make healthier 

choices at the grocery store; how to read a 

food label; and nutrition recommendations 

for optimal health. Participants will also 

receive wellness resources, samples and a 

$10 Schnucks gift card. The cost is $5 per 

person. Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Conversations 

for Women on Thursday, Sept. 5 

from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Desloge Outpatient 

Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive 

in Chesterfield, in Building A. Join a free 

informal presentations with women’s 

health specialists on topics of importance to 

women. Meetings will plenty of time for Q 

& A. This month’s topic is Look Out Below. 

Join OB/GYN Dr. Matthew Bialko and 

Angie Sellers, physical therapist. Register at 


• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital offers Make Peace 

with Food: Basics of Mindful Eating 

on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from noon-1 p.m. at 

Desloge Outpatient Center Building A, 121 

St. Luke’s Center Drive in Chesterfield, in 

Conference Room 3. Join a free in-person 

class to learn the basics about mindful 

eating and move closer to feeling more at 

peace in your relationship with food. Register 

at stlukes-stl.com. 

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM. 

(But the first and second 

were pretty great, too.) 

For the third year running, The Landing of O’Fallon has been named 

Best Assisted Living and Memory Care by U.S. News & World Report. 

Call 636-791-4625 to schedule your tour today and discover a 

senior living experience that exceeds every expectation – year 

after year after year. 

1000 Landing Circle | St. Charles, MO 63304 

636-791-4625 

TheLandingOfOFallon.com

26 I 





us on 

facebook.com/midriversnewsmagazine 

FREEDOM FROM CHRONIC 

PAIN: JOIN US FOR AN 

INFORMATIONAL SESSION 

TO LEARN HOW 

BY: DR. BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS 

GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST 

If you've been living with chronic 

pain off and on for years, it's 

tempting to brush it off as a "normal" 

part of aging. You may think that 

because everyone your age seems 

to be living with some level of pain 

that it's something you will have to 

learn to live with. 

You may not know when it was that 

you started to have pain every day, 

but now it's starting to limit what 

you're able to do. Maybe now you 

even have pain that lasts from the 

time you wake up to the time you go 

to bed, with no pain-free moments. 

If this is happening to you, you're 

not alone. We hear these types of 

things all the time. In fact, Chronic 

Pain is one of the most common 

problems we see at HouseFit. 

And when it comes to managing 

your chronic pain, everyone we see 

wants to know... "Will I Ever Be Able 

To Make The Pain Go Away?" 

Most people have already gone the 

route of trying all the "traditional" 

pain management options including: 

pain medication, injections, surgery, 

acupuncture, chiropractic, and 

massage therapy without achieving 

the result they are looking for. If 

you're one of the many people who 

these options have not worked for, 

you're not alone. The reason these 

option don’t always work is they are 

not addressing the root of the 

problem, which is chronic 

inflammation. 

Fortunately, there are newer 

treatment options available for 

managing chronic pain. These 

alternatives are much more 

effective because they directly 

attack inflammation and trigger 

your body’s own natural healing 

power to repair damaged tissues 

and decrease pain. Join us for an 

informational session on our new 

Regenerative Therapy Services. 

Attend this talk to learn: 

What really causes pain in the 

first place. 

Common treatment options for 

pain. 

Why traditional pain 

treatments often fail. 

Cutting edge technology no 

available for pain. 

What to expect from EMTT 

and Shockwave. 

Who will benefit from these 

treatments. 

When: August 16th at 2:30 pm 

Where: 3809 Lemay Ferry Rd, 

63125 

*Attend in-person or join us online 

from your home. Call us at (314) 

939-1377 to register. Limited to 

the first 20 people to register. 

HouseFit 

3809 Lemay Ferry Rd. 

Saint Louis, MO 63125 

(314) 939-1377 

info@housefitstl.com 

www.housefitstl.com 

FHSD, from page 10 

eering properly? It is so incredibly vague; 

it could limit people with a MAGA hat on 

at a football game, or even conversations 

could come into question.” 

Blair said in its current form, the proposal 

on gender and sexual orientation, 

could create a chilling effect and infringe 

on First Amendment rights. According to 

the Foundation for Individual Rights and 

Expression, the chilling effect is a phenomenon, 

which usually occurs when a 

law is too broad or too vague, where individuals 

or groups refrain from engaging in 

expression for fear of running afoul of a 

law or regulation. 

Blair said he’s concerned that a teacher 

would not be able to say anything supportive 

of a student “who shares their LGBTQ 

identity.” 

“If a student tells a teacher, that teacher 

may want to say you’re accepted no matter 

what,” Blair said. “The policy would prevent 

the teacher from speaking about the 

topic with that student. It would create 

such concern that a teacher wouldn’t speak 

at all. Like the Good Samaritan Laws – 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, from page 14 

and it was a great opportunity for us to 

build and meet that need in that area,” Vick 

said. “It’s important to remember that 

the need is great and doesn’t end with St. 

Charles; there is need in all areas.” 

While members of the Wentzville community 

have supported the residential 

neighborhood, some have concerns of a 

decrease in the region’s home value due 

to the new development. However, Habitat 

for Humanity details eventual pricepoints 

around $300,000 for the new homes. 

“We are always building so that the 

asthetics of our homes are going to match 

what is already in that neighborhood,” 

Vick said. 

Vick added that Habitat for Humanity’s 

efforts can often be misread by the community 

members, citing the organization’s 

people are afraid they will get sued, so they 

don’t help at all.” 

As for the human sexuality proposal, 

Blair said it “is based on a parent’s concern 

that their child is being told it’s okay to be 

LGBTQ, while the parent does not believe 

it’s okay.” 

“They are concerned that a teacher’s 

support might give them a nudge that the 

parent doesn’t want,” Blair said. “It’s the 

idea that sexuality is something you can be 

persuaded to choose. If it is, it can be part 

of an agenda. In reality, some students are 

gay and it’s not because anyone persuaded 

them to be so.” 

Blair said he wanted to dispel the misconception 

that “teachers are promoting 

this woke, Marxist agenda” and that these 

types of conversations are happening at the 

expense of teaching time. 

“There is a common misconception that 

teachers are sacrificing teaching time for 

math and science in order to talk about 

LGBTQ,” Blair said. “That is not the case. 

Teachers want the ability to support the 

student in front of them and not let politics 

give a reason why they can’t.” 

intent as a foundation for families to build 

from. 

“There’s a misnomer that Habitat is 

building and giving homes away,” Vick 

said. “We’re not giving homes away; the 

individuals who will occupy these homes 

will pay a mortgage just like anyone 

else who purchases a home in that area. 

These are individuals who are just like 

anyone else, working and impacting the 

economy. We give a hand up, not a handout.” 

The completion of the Wentzville project 

is expected to bring strength to the emerging 

community of the region. 

“Homeownership builds strong communities,” 

Vick said. “Established residents 

can expect to see homes of extremely high 

quality occupied by homeowners who are 

eager to become an integral part of the 

Wentzville community.” 

Five families were selected this year by Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County to be 

the first homeowner partners in the new Haven Pointe neighborhood in Wentzville. 

(Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity St. Charles County)





I BUSINESS I 27 

BUSINESS 

BRIEFS 

PLACES 

Len’s Auto Repair, which has been 

family owned and operated since 1974, is 

celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Specializing 

in computer diagnostics, Len’s Auto 

Repair has three locations: 909 N. Main 

St. in O’Fallon; 5585 Hwy. N in Cottleville; 

and its original location at 8701 

Lackland Road in Overland. Founded by 

Leonard and Shirley Mertz, the company 

is co-owned and operated today by sons 

Jon, Greg and Kim Mertz. The O’Fallon 

location has six service bays to meet customers’ 

needs. The Cottleville location has 

12 bays. To learn more or schedule a service 

appointment, visit lensauto.net or call 

(636) 441-2330. 

• • • 

April Moxley, owner of April’s on 

Main, celebrated the home decor store’s 

10-year anniversary with a St. Charles 

Regional Chamber ribbon-cutting on July 

29. The store is located at 222 N. Main 

Len’s Auto Repair, founded 50 years ago by Leonard and Shirley 

Mertz is now run by their sons (from left) Jon, Greg and Kim Mertz. 

(Photo provided) 

Street in Saint Charle and features home 

decorations, women’s accessories, silk 

floral arrangements and seasonal decorating 

items. For more information, visit 

aprilsonmain.com. 

• • • 

The Willows Luxury Villas held a 

ribbon cutting in conjunction with the 

O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and 

Industries on Aug. 1. The senior living 

community at 307 Willow Manor Drive 

in O’Fallon offers three-bedroom villas 

and apartments and is pet-friendly. Learn 

more at thewillowsofallon.com. 

• • • 

Mr. Pita Mediterranean Grill officially 

opened at 1120 Technology Drive 

with a ribbon-cutting sponsored by the 

O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and 

Industries on July 25. The restaurant features 

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean 

cuisine, including a large selection of 

vegetarian options. 

AWARDS 

Tom Keller and Laura Eads, owners of 

three Kiddie Academy of St. Louis locations 

– O’Fallon, Des Peres and Chesterfield 

– have been recognized by Kiddie 

Academy Educational Child Care as Franchisees 

of the Year. The award recognizes 

Keller’s and Eads’ character and commitment 

to the communities in which their 

franchises are located. To learn more about 

their operations, visit kiddieacademy.com/ 

academies and search by location. 

• • • 

Anders Technology, an advisory service 

line of Anders and member of the Chesterfield 

Regional Chamber of Commerce, 

was named to Accounting Today’s VAR 

100 list for 2024. The ranking recognizes 

the country’s leading value-added resellers 

in the accounting space by revenue. This 

is the second year in a row that Anders 

Technology earned a spot on the list. The 

company also recently announced an 

expansion of its technology services. 

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5773 Westwood Drive | St. Charles 

(636) 926-9989 | www.besedaflooring.com 

HOURS: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Free In Home Estimates!

28 I EVENTS I 

BE INFORMED, MEET ELECTED OFFICIALS 

August 2 | John Tompkins – 

Update on RNC Convention 

August 9 | Les Eggemeyer – Veterans’ affairs 

August 16 I Denise Childress – 

Update on recent Supreme Court Decisions 

August 23 I Katy McKinney – 

Update on LaFayette Academy 

August 30 | NO MEETING – 

Labor Day Weekend 

MEETING LOCATION: 

B. Hall’s Family Grill | 3782 Monticello Plaza Dr I O’Fallon 63304 

FRIDAY LUNCH MEETINGS AT NOON 

FOLLOW US 

St. Charles County 

Pachyderm Club 

@St.CharlesCountyPachydermClub 



LOCAL 

EVENTS 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Call For Art is at the Crossroads Arts 

Council Gallery, 310 West Pearce Blvd. 

in Wentzville. All mediums are welcome 

for the September art gallery. Details 

and applications are online at crossroadsartscouncil.org. 

• • • 

Art Clinic is from 2-5 p.m. on Fridays 

at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre, One 

Saint Peters Centre Blvd. Registration is 

not required. Bring supplies and a current 

project or start something new. Professional 

artist Jerry Thomas will give handson 

guidance and instruction. Cost is $12 

per session. Register at (314) 878-3048 or 

at stpetersmo.net, search “art clinic.” 

• • • 

Shakespeare in the Park presents “The 

Tempest” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 

20 at 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters. Food 

trucks and the Thirsty Gator open at 6 p.m. 

Bring seating but leave pets at home. In 

case of inclement weather, the event will 

be at the Spencer Library, 427 Spencer 

Road. Free event. 

• • • 

The Missouri Ink Tattoo Exhibition 

is on display through Saturday, Aug. 24 

at The Foundry, 520 N. Main Center in 

St. Charles. A Tattoo Arts and Crafts Fair 

is featured from 2-9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 

23 and from noon-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 

24. Features demonstrations, artist talks, 

food trucks, music and more. Details at 

foundryartcentre.org. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Youth Orchestra 

auditions are Aug. 23-25 at Grace Baptist 

Church Fellowship Hall, 3601 Ehlmann 

Road in St. Charles. All strings, woodwinds, 

brass and percussion levels are invited to 

audition. Visit sccyo.org/auditions to apply 

or contact sccyomusic@gmail.com. 

• • • 

The Mosaics Fine Art Festival is from 

4-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13; from 10 a.m.-8 

p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 and from 11 

a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15 on North 

Main St. in Historic Saint Charles. This 

free event features art for sale, a Children’s 

Village area with hands-on art experiences, 

and more. Details at stcharlesmosaics.org. 

BENEFITS 

The Support Our Troops Supply Drive 



is through Sept. 11 at the O’Fallon Municipal 

Centre, 100 N. Main St.; the Renaud 

Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle; and the 

O’Fallon Justice Center, 1019 Bryan Road. 

Personal care items and snacks are needed. 

Care packages will be assembled from 9-11 

a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Volunteers are 

needed. Details at ofallon.mo.us/volunteer. 

• • • 

The Un-Forgettable Ride is at 10:30 

a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Flint Hill 

Knights of Columbus Hall, 2061 Grothe 

Road in Wentzville. Registration begins 

at 9 a.m. and is $35 per bike, jeep, or car 

and $15 per passenger. The price includes 

a BBQ dinner. Stops include Babylon Bar, 

Mustang Sallys in Troy, Main Street Bar 

in Old Monroe, Dog Prairie Tavern in St. 

Paul and DaBears in Flint Hill. The afterparty 

with DJ Big T will be from 3:30-6:30 

p.m. Details at ufr4alz.com or call (314) 

398-6900. 

• • • 

Art From the Heart is at 5:30 p.m. on 

Thursday, Sept. 19 at Mungenast Lexus 

of St. Louis, 13700 Manchester Road in 

Manchester. Features 60 art pieces donated 

by childhood cancer patients and their siblings, 

an open bar, photo booth, bites from 

local restaurants and more. Tickets are $50 

per person at friendsofkids.org or by calling 

(314) 275-7440. 

NOW 

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6149 MIDRIVERS MALL DR. 

ST. PETERS, MO 63304 

TUES-SUN 7A-2P | CLOSED MON 


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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 

Special Daily Features 

Chilean Sea Bass 

Sicilian Chops • Chicken Spedini 

Deep Fried Lobster Tails 

Includes Salad & Side Dish 

PVISIT US ON 

P 

Log on to AmisPizza.com for Full Menu! 

LUNCH EXPRESS 

Large Slice of Cheese 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 8/31/24. 

Pizza, Pasta, Steaks Seafood, Salad 

Open Monday - Thursday 4 - 9 pm 

Friday and Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm 

Closed Sunday 

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 

Ask about Catering! 

Large One 

Topping Pizza, 

any appetizer, large 

combination salad 

$8.95 OFF 




$5 OFF 

W/ ANY PURCHASE 

$25.00 

OR MORE 

CARRYOUT 




ONLY $13.99 

MIXED DOZEN 

$ 

5 OFF 

Total Check of $ 25 or more 

Not valid on delivery or with any other offers. 

Must present coupon. Expires 9/18/24 

St. Ann 

3586 Adie Rd. 

St. Ann, MO 63074 

(314) 770-9977 

Donuts 

Hand 

Made 

Daily! 

4 FREE 

DONUTS 

with purchase of a 

Dozen Mixed Donuts 

Not valid on delivery or with any other offers. 

Must present coupon. Expires 9/18/24 

DRIVE 

THRU 

O’Fallon 

9951 Winghaven Blvd. 

O’Fallon, MO 63368 

(636) 552-9933 

Hours: Mon 5:30am-3pm • Tues-Fri 5:30am-8pm 

Sat 6am-8pm • Sun 6am-4pm 

CARRYOUT • DINE-IN • DELIVERY 

WWW.SWEETSPOTSTL.COM





I EVENTS I 29 

• • • 

Anthony Gamma Memorial 5K Run is 

at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 370 Lakeside 

Park n St. Peters. Proceeds support 

area Scouting scholarships and programs. 

Cost is $35 before Aug. 31 at runsignup. 

com or stlbsa.org. 

CONCERTS & FESTIVALS 

Food Trucks and Music is at 5-8 p.m. 

on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Blanchette Park, 

1900 W. Randolph St. in St. Charles. Some 

trucks may be cash only. Bring seating but 

not glass, alcohol or pets. Details at discoverstcharles.com/event/food-truck-event. 

• • • 

Beale Street Concert Series is from 6-8 

p.m. on the second Wednesday through 

October in The Streets of St. Charles. Next 

up Retro Nerds on Aug. 14. Bring seating 

but not coolers, outside food or drink. 

Details at discoverstcharles.com. 

• • • 

Festival of the Little Hills is from 4-10 

p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16; from 9 a.m.-10 

p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 and from 9 

a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18 on Historic 

South Main Street and in Frontier Park in 

St. Charles. Over 300 arts and crafts vendors, 

music and more. Pets are allowed in 

Frontier Park during festival hours. Details 

at festivalofthelittlehills.com. 

• • • 

St. Peters’ Sunset Concert Series 

continues at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 

with BagLunch Blues and The Salamander 

Slide (Blues) at 370 Lakeside Park. Bring 

seating. Food and drink available. Details 

at stpetersmo.net/sunset. 

• • • 

Dardenne Prairie Summer Concert 

continues at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 

with Dr. Zhivegas at City Hall Park, 2032 

Hanley Road. Bring seating. Concessions 

are available. Details at dardenneprairie.org. 

• • • 

The fourth annual St. Charles Jewish 

Festival is from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on 

Sunday, Aug. 25 at the Lewis & Clark Boat 

House parking lot. The festival features 

food, music, a massive bubble party, cultural 

crafts, a petting zoo, inflatables and a 

traditional Israeli market known as a shuk. 

Admission is free but tickets, available at 

jewishstcharles.org, are required for planning. 

• • • 

New Town Concert Series features 

Haulin’ Oats at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 

31 in the New Town Amphitheater, 3312 

Rue Royale in St. Charles. Food and drink 

available. Bring seating. Details at discoverstcharles.com/events. 

• • • 

Hot Summer Nights continues at 6 p.m. 

on Saturday, Sept. 14 with Twisted Road. 

Concert takes place between Morgan and 

Decatur streets in Frenchtown St. Charles. 

Food and drink available. Bring seating. 

Details at stcharlescitymo.gov. 

• • • 

Prairie Day is from noon-9:30 p.m. on 

Saturday, Sept. 28 at City Hall Park, 2032 

Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Local 

merchants, children’s inflatables, face 

painting, a rock climbing wall, food trucks, 

music and fireworks. The Well Hungarians 

perform at 6:30 p.m.with fireworks at 9:30 

p.m. Details at dardenneprairie.org. 

Who, What, 

When, Where, 

Why and How – 

that’s what we want to know. 

Send your event details to 

events@newsmagazinenetwork.com 

and score free publicity. 

Event notices for print publication 

are due at least six weeks out from 

the date of the event. Events with 

advance registration should be 

submitted six weeks out from that 

deadline. 

All events will be listed online and 

in print when sent in with enough 

advance notice. 

FAMILY & KIDS 

Petting Zoo and Pony Rides are from 

9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Holy 

Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Veterans 

Memorial Parkway in O’Fallon. All children 

will be given a small book about Jesus. 

• • • 

The Assumption Back-to-School Open 

House and Parish Feast Day Celebration 

is at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 

Assumption Parish, 403 N. Main St. in 

O’Fallon. Free hotdogs and chips, a bounce 

house and a bubble van. Drinks and Kona 

Ice treats available for purchase. 

• • • 

Summer Sendoff is from 1-4 p.m. on 

Sunday, Aug. 11 at the Adventure Playground 

in O’Day Park in O’Fallon. Hot 

dogs from Pappy’s Well-Dressed Frank 

and treats from Lulu’s Shaved Ice & 

Creamery, plus activities courtesy of the 

Renaud Center. Event admission and parking 

are free. Details at ofallon.mo.us. 

See EVENTS, page 30 

ENJOY DELICIOUS FOOD & DRINKS 

ON MAIN STREET IN HISTORIC ST. CHARLES 

• Patio Dining 

• Live Music 

• Open 7 Days a Week 

SUN-TUES | 11am-3 pm 

WED&THURS | 11am-8pm 

FRI&SAT | 11am-9pm 

• Follow Us 

@MagpiesStCharles 

@magpiesonmain 

903 S. MAIN STREET | MAGPIESONMAIN.COM | 636-947-3883 

Wow August is Here! 

Month of my birthday, anniversary, and 

the end of the primary election ads on TV! 

Please come join us for a free drink and celebrate! 

(Rail Drinks Only, expires 9/1/24, 

yes - you can use this for a non-alcoholic drink) 

LIVE MUSIC 

EVERY FRIDAY 

& SATURDAY 

5:30PM-8:30PM 

3072 Winghaven Blvd. 

Lakeside Shoppes Plaza 

636-561-5202 

3761 New Town Blvd. 

Right at the Hwy. 370 

636-925-2961 

ST. LOUIS STYLE 

With a Twist! 

Come in and enjoy great food 

and great service in a 

family-friendly atmosphere! 

And stock your freezer! 

Our oven-ready pizzas are the perfect 

weeknight meal for back-to-school 

that everyone is sure to love! 

Order Online for Delivery 

1224 Hwy K O’Fallon, MO 63366 | 636-980-1212 

@ Monical’s Pizza of O’Fallon, MO | Follow Us for Specials!

30 I 





EVENTS, from page 29 

• • • 

A Stop The Bleed course is from 

6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 

the O’Fallon Justice Center, 1019 Bryan 

Road. Law enforcement instructors will 

teach students basic life-saving skills to 

stop massive bleeding in this free class. To 

register, visit ofallon.mo.us/pd. 

• • • 

The Kiwanis Club of Cottleville, Play 

Ball! Classic is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on 

Saturday, Sept. 7 at Weldon Spring City 

Park, 5401 Independence Road. Learn 

from local experts, improve fielding, pitching, 

and batting skills and participate in a 

home run derby. Enjoy hotdogs, win prizes 

and get a close-up view of first responder 

vehicles. For ages 7 to 14. Free event. Register 

by Aug. 21 at k19287.site.kiwanis.org. 

Parent or guardian permission is required. 

• • • 

Drive-In Movie: “Ghostbusters: 

Frozen Empire” is from 7:30-9:30 p.m. 

on Friday, Sept. 13 at the Renaud Center, 

2650 Tri Sports Circle in O’Fallon. Register 

by Sept. 6 at ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec. 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

Boone Country Garden Club Flower 

Show is from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, 

Aug. 9 at the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive 

Center, 7295 Hwy. 94 in St. Charles. 

Free event. 

• • • 

Weldon Springs Women’s Connection 

Luncheon is from noon-1:30 p.m. on 

Thursday, Aug. 15 at Whitmoor Country 

Club, 1100 Whitmoor Drive in Weldon 

Spring. Gayle Haas will be re-enacting the 

story of Corrie Ten Boom. Cost is $22 at 

the door. For reservations, call (314) 680- 

6060. 

• • • 

O’Fallon Electronics & Appliance 

Recycling event is from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. 

on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the southwest 

corner of T.R. Hughes Boulevard and Tom 

Ginnever Avenue. For a list of accepted 

items, visit ofallon.mo.us/electronics-recycling 

or call (636) 272-0477. 

• • • 

Dash for Donuts is at 8 a.m. on Saturday, 

Sept. 7 at 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters. 

This 7K/5K course will be held on paved 

trails. Halfway through the course, dashers 

will get donuts from Donut King. Pets are 

not allowed. To register, visit stpetersmo.net. 

• • • 

Pool Paws Dog Swim is from 9:30 a.m.- 

12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Alligator’s 

Creek Aquatic Center, 403 Civic 

Park Drive in O’Fallon. All dogs must 

be accompanied by an adult, ages 18 and 

older. Must bring written proof of vaccinations. 

Register at ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec. 

• • • 

A Patriot Day Ceremony and 1-mile 

Remembrance Walk is at 8:30 a.m. on 

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the O’Fallon 

Municipal Centre, 100 N. Main St. Details 

at ofallon.mo.us. 

• • • 

POW-MIA Remembrance Day candle-light 

ceremony is at 7 p.m. on Friday, 

Sept. 20 at the Veterans Memorial Walk, 

800 Belleau Creek Road in O’Fallon. 

Details at ofallon.mo.us. 

MID RIVERS HOME PAGES 

POWER WASHING 

Removal of Mold & Dirt from Siding Gutters Whitened 

Also Available: Window & Gutter Cleaning 

Call Now! 

636.244.0461 

JetStreamCleaningServices.com Serving the area since 2003 

DECK STAINING 

NEAT • ON TIME • AFFORDABLE 

• NO Spraying or Rolling Mess! 

• NO Money Down! 

• Fully Insured • References 

NOW ACCEPTING: 

BRUSH ONLY 

BY BRUSH ONLY 

314-852-5467 

www.deckstainingbybrushonly.com 

43 Years! 

PRESSURE TREADED, CEDAR AND HARDWOODS 

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 

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: 8/31/24 

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 

• 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 

30+ YEARS 

EXPERIENCE 

County House Washing 

& Painting 

A+ 

RATED 

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR 

PAINTING SPECIALIST 

PAINTING • STAINING • POWERWASHING 

Mike Lynch 636.394.0013 

WWW.COUNTYHOUSEWASHING.COM 

ROOFING 

TUCKPOINTING 

GUTTERS • LEAFGARD 

314-968-7848 

stlroofing.com 

When you want it 

done right... 

Check our 

ads first. 

MID RIVERS 

H O M E P A G E S 

636.591.0010





I 31 

NEWS BRIEFS, from page 9 

approved the certificate of need request,” St. 

Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann 

said in the release. “Once constructed, this 

new hospital campus will address critical 

health care needs for our growing population 

in St. Charles County by ensuring our 

neighbors can access high-quality medical 

care closer to home.” 

ST. CHARLES COUNTY 

Metro Air Support 

commemorates 20 

years of service 

Metro Air Support, an air support police 

unit made up of command and pilots from 

the St. Louis County, St. Louis Metropolitan 

and St. Charles County police 

departments, held an event on July 30 to 

commemorate its 20th anniversary at the 

Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield. 

Chief Robert Tracy, of the St. Louis Metropolitan 

Police Department, said that he 

appreciated Metro Air Support’s work. 

“In the 18 months that I’ve been here, the 

pilots have helped us make apprehensions, 

look for people that were lost, made sure 

that we recovered guns, car jackings, made 

sure that we brought people to justice,” 

Tracy said. “If it wasn’t for them giving us 

that support above us and making sure that 

we knew they were there, we wouldn’t be 

able to get our job done.” 

In 2023, Metro Air Support took nearly 

1,000 flights and clocked just over 1,800 

hours flown. 

“I appreciate the bravery 

of the men that are going 

up and doing this for us 

and working together 

in this region,” Tracy 

said. “I’ve been 

in different places, 

I’ve worked in other 

jurisdictions, but certainly 

the cooperation 

all around is second-tonone 

in this region.” 

Despite the force’s mutijurisdictionality, 

Metro Air Support 

pilot Brent Fincher said the unit has a 

fierce sense of community. 

“Those bonds are kind of hard to break 

– when they’re teaching you how to stay 

alive in a helicopter, how to fly it, all 

Metro Air Support personnel prepare to launch a helicopter. 

(Photo by Arti Jain) 

new things that you probably 

didn’t know (when you) came here,” 

Fincher said. “The bond between us is 

really strong. We all hang out after work 

and spend time together, we all know each 

other’s family.” 

One story of success, Fincher said, was 

when he and a co-pilot found a missing 

person late at night in the woods. 

“It’s fun getting the cars, and getting bad 

guys and stuff, but those are the important 

ones,” Fincher said about the search-andrescue 

missions. “Where someone is seriously 

in trouble, they really need us, they 

need to be found. (It’s) potentially to save 

a life.” 

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 

AUCTIONS 

Steward Self Storage 

101 N. Service Rd. 

St. Peters, MO 63376 

Notice is hereby given that the 

contents of the following unit 

will be sold in compliance with 

Missouristate law via online 

auction at: 

www.storageauctions.com 

for non-payment of past rent. 

All items in the units below 

will be released for sale. 

Auction date is on or after 

August 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. 

12x5 Outside Non-Climate – 

This unit contains a bike, tools, 

swivel chairs, couche, plastic 

bags, plastic containers, misc. 

boxers, clothing, laundry basket, 

purses, baby furniture, toys, 

misc. items, car jack 


This unit contains tools, 

construction supplies, misc. 

items 

10x14 Outside Non-Climate - 

This unit contains a bike, 

dresser, baby furniture, toys, 

misc. items, fishing pole. 


This unit contains tools, 

landscaping equipment, plastic 

bags, plastic containers, 

misc. boxes, clothing, exercise 

equipment, laundry basket, 

purses, misc, items, fishing pole, 

car jack 

COLLECTIBLES 

WANTED TO BUY 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 

Baseball Cards, Sports Cards, 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 

Private Collector: 

314-302-1785 

DECKS 

Deck Staining 

Brushed & Rolled Only 

No money up front/Warranty 

Free Estimates 

Insured/A+BBB 

EverythingDecks.net 

(636) 337-7733 

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 

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: 636-515-6611 

Email: jandjhaul@aol.com 

HELP WANTED 

HELP WANTED 

We are looking for qualified 

Sales Executives. 

Interested candidates, 

please email resumes to: 

info@newsmagazinenetwork.com 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

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 

REMODEL & REPAIR 

Rotted wood, Painting, Tile, 

Drywall, Floors, Electrical, 

Carpentry, Plumbing, 

Power Washing. Insured. 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Tom Streckfuss 314-910-7458 

sbacontractingllc@gmail.com 

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 

LANDSCAPING 

THE YARD GUY 

Flower Bed Maintenance 

WE PULL WEEDS 

Call or Text 

636-358-8800 

PAINTING 

DEFINO’S 

PAINTING SERVICES 

EST. 2006 

Interior & Exterior Painting 

Deck Staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

definospainting.com 

314-707-3094 

M I D R I V E R S C L A S S I F I E D S • 6 3 6 . 5 9 1 . 0 0 1 0 • C L A S S I F I E D S @ N E W S M A G A Z I N E N E T W O R K . C O M 

AUCTION 

ELECTRICAL 

HELP WANTED 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

PLUMBING 

Steward Self Storage 

ERIC'S ELECTRIC 

Rockwood School District Rockwood School District 

GVM Plumbing 

101 N. Service Rd. 

Licensed, Bonded and Insured: Hiring For Position of: 

Hiring For Position of: Kitchen Remodeling, Wainscoting, Can’t beat my prices! 

St. Peters, MO 63376 Service upgrades, fans, can lights, 

CUSTODIAN 

Food Service 

Cabinets, Crown Molding, Trim, Repair • Remodel • Instal 

switches, outlets, basements, 

- 40 hrs/week 

Our Child Nutrition A sistants 

Notice is hereby given tha the 

Framing, Basement Finishing, Great Water Heater Instal Rates! 

code violations fixed, we do it 

work school days only Custom Decks, Doors, Windows. 

contents of the fo lowing unit wi l a l. Emergency ca ls & back-up 

- 12 months/year 

Par time or Fu l time, 

Licensed • Responsive • Reliable 

Free estimates! 

be sold in compliance with generators. No job too smal. 

- Competitive Salary 

No experience needed. 

(636) 288-7002 

Anything inside & out! 

Mi souri state law via online 

Competitively priced. 

Fu l Benefit Package includes: Starting Pay $13 Hourly. 

Ca l Joe 636-699-8316 

Free Estimates. Just ca l 

REAL ESTATE 

auction at: 

- Retiremen through the Public Seven Paid Holidays, 

636-262-5840 

Educational Employee Retirement Retiremen through PEERS, 

www.storageauctions.com for 

System (PEERS) of Missouri 

Perfect A tendance Days 

non-payment of past rent. 

GARAGE DOORS 

- Paid Medical, Dental 

Manager positions available 

A l items in the units below 

DSI/Door Solutions, Inc. 

& Vision Insurance 

with fu l benefits. 

wi l be released for sale. Garage Doors, Electric Openers. 

www.rsdmo.org 

- Flexible Spending Accounts 

Auction date is on or after Fast Repairs. A l makes & models. 

or ca l 636-733-3253 

I have been buying and se ling 

- Life Insurance 

December 12th, 2022 

Same day service. Free Estimates. 

for over 30 years. 

- Long-Term Disability 

Custom Wood and Steel Doors. 

Rockwood School District 

at 10:00 a.m. 

BBB Member • Angie's List 

- Employee Assistance Program Hiring For Position of: 


Ca l 314-550-4071 

- Sick Leave Compensation 

Mowing & Landscaping 

LANDSCAPING 

This unit may contain boxes, bean 

www.dsi-stl.com 

- Vacation Compensation 

Technician in 

bag chair, drawers, silk florals, 

- 12 Paid Holidays 

Grounds Department 

Sod • Top Soil 

and a walker 

HAULING 

Apply at: 

- 40 hrs/week 

Landscaping •Planting Bush 


h tps: /rockwood.ted.peopleadmin.com/ 



Trimming • Maintenance • 

This unit may contain 

Mulch •Yard Clean Up 

Service 7 days. Debris, furniture, 

hire/index 

Yard Fertilization Winterizing 

misce laneous boxes, totes, bags 

Fu l Benefit Package includes: 

Stonewall Flower Beds 

appliances, household trash, 

or ca l (636) 733-3270 

Lyndon Anderson 

and a dirt devil vacuum 

- Retiremen through the Public & Repairs • Firepits & Patios 

6x5 Outside Non-Climate – yard debris, railroad ties, fencing, 

EEOC 

Educational Employee Retirement 

Fencing & Repairs 

This unit may contain guitar, tools, 

decks. Garage & Basement Clean-up 


Concrete Flat Work 

Neat, courteous, a fordable rates. 

ba tery, totes, wet vac and 1 bag 

- Paid Medical, Dental French Dains • Erosion Control 



Repairs 

steward@absolutemgmt.com 

Hiring For Positions of: 


Ca l 636-358-8800 

-Plumbing Maintenance 

CLEANING SERVICES 

HELP WANTED 


Technician- 

WATERPROOFING 


PAINTING 

SPOTLESS CLEANING 


- 40 hrs/week 

- Employee Assistance Program 

SERVICES 

Hiring For Position of: 


for your home or busine s. 

HVAC Maintenance Technician 

- Sick Leave Compensation 


- 40 hrs/week 


Cracks, sub-pump systems, structural 

& concrete repairs. Exterior 

Specializing in everyday cleaning 




of homes, rentals, move outs & 

- Retiremen through the Public 


Apply at: 

drainage co rection. Serving 

home buying, etc. 


Educational Employee 

h tps: /rockwood.ted. 

Missouri for 15 years. 

Family owned & operated - Retirement through the Public 

Retirement 

peopleadmin.com/hire/index 

Fina ly, a contractor 

Ca l today (636) 777-9319 Educational Employee Retirement System (PEERS) of Missouri 

or ca l (636) 733-3270 

who is honest & 

to schedule your cleaning 



EEOC 

leaves the job site clean. 

or a FREE ESTIMATE. 



Lifetime Wa ranties. 

Email: spotle s.dina@gmail.com 


- Flexible Spending Accounts HOME IMPROVEMENT 




HAPPY HANDYMAN SERVICE 

WEDDING SERVICES 

COLLECTIBLES 



"Don't Wo ry Get Happy" 

PLUMBING 



ANYTIME ANYWHERE 

WANTED TO BUY 

Complete home remodel/ • ANYTHING IN PLUMBING • 

- Sick Leave Compensation - Sick Leave Compensation 

- CEREMONIES - 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 


- Vacation Compensation repair kitchen & bath, plumbing, 

Good Prices! Basement 

•Marriage Ceremonies 

Baseba l Cards, Sports Cards, 



electrical, carpentry. 24HR bathrooms, sma l repairs & code 

Vow Renewals 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Apply at: 

Apply at: 

Emergency Service. Commercial 

violations repaired. Fast Service. 

Baptisms • Pastoral Visits 


Certified, licensed plumber - 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 


and Residential. Discount for 


Graveside Visits 


Private Co lector: 

or ca l (636) 733-3270 

Seniors/Veterans. 

Fu l Service Ministry 

or ca l (636) 733-3270 

anytime: 

314-302-1785 

EEOC 

636-541-9432 

(314) 703-7456 

EEOC 

314-409-5051 

J & J HAULING 

WE HAUL IT ALL 

Ca l: 636-379-8062 or 

email: jandjhaul@aol.com 

AFFORDABLE CARPENTRY 

REMODEL & REPAIR 

Ro ted wood, Painting, Tile, 

Drywa l, Floors, Electrical, 

Carpentry, Plumbing, 

Power Washing. Insured. 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Tom Streckfu s 314-910-7458 

sbacontracting lc@gmail.com 

I BUY HOMES 

ALL CASH - AS-IS 

Dickspainting.com 

$ $ 

Interior and 

exterior painting 

Deck staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

314-707-3094 

No obligation. 

No commission. 

No fixing up. 

It doesn’t cos to find out 

how much you can get. 

Must ask for 

314-496-5822 

Berkshire Hathaway 

Select Prop. 

Office: 636-394-2424 

MBC Plumbing - Ca l or text 

TOP NOTCH 

WATERPROOFING & 

FOUNDATION REPAIR LLC 

PLUMBING 

ANYTHING IN PLUMBING 

Good Prices! Basement 

bathrooms, small repairs & code 

violations repaired. Fast Service. 

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Open First Rate Checking 

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Account & Earn 3.51% APY * 

on balances up to $25,000 


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Open a First Rate Checking 

Account Earn 3.51% APY * 

Account & Earn 3.51% APY * 



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• Refunds on ATM withdrawal fees, nationwide 

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*$1 share deposit required. Must qualify for membership. Federally insured by NCUA. APY=Annual Percentage Yield. APYs accurate as of 8/1/2023. Rates may change after account is 

opened. To qualify for the 3.51% APY, you must perform the following each calendar month (statement cycle): (1) Have a minimum of 25 debit card purchases post to the account; (2) have at 

1 share least *$1 deposit share one direct deposit required. deposit required. Must or one qualify Must ACH qualify for debit/credit membership. for membership. post to Federally the Federally account; insured insured and (3) by by receive NCUA. NCUA. your APY=Annual monthly statement Percentage Percentage electronically. Yield. Yield. APYs APYs If accurate qualifications accurate as of as are 8/1/2023. of met 8/1/2023. each Rates calendar Rates may change may month change (statement after account after cycle): account is (1) is 

pened. balances opened. To qualify To up qualify for to the $25,000 for 3.51% the receive 3.51% APY, APY, you of must you 3.51%; must perform and perform (2) the balances the following following over each each $25,000 calendar earn 0.10% month dividend (statement rate cycle): on the (1) portion (1) Have Have of a the minimum a minimum balance of over 25 of debit 25 $25,000. debit card card purchases If qualifications purchases post are to post the not account; to met, the all account; (2) balances have (2) at have at 

ast 1 share one earn least direct deposit 0.10% one deposit direct required. APY. deposit or Domestic one Must or ACH one ATM qualify debit/credit ACH fees for debit/credit incurred membership. post using post to the debit to Federally the account; card account; during insured and and calendar (3) (3) by receive NCUA. month your APY=Annual (statement monthly cycle) statement Percentage will be electronically. reimbursed Yield. APYs If up qualifications If to accurate $25.00 and as are of credited are met 8/1/2023. met each to each account calendar Rates calendar may month the change last month (statement day (statement after cycle): account (1) cycle): is (1) 

alances pened. of balances To up monthly qualify to $25,000 up statement for to the $25,000 receive 3.51% cycle. receive APY, See of APY firstcommunity.com you 3.51%; of must 3.51%; and perform and (2) (2) for the balances full following disclosure. over over each $25,000 calendar earn month 0.10% dividend (statement rate cycle): on the portion (1) Have of of the a the minimum balance over of over 25 $25,000. debit $25,000. card If qualifications purchases If qualifications are post not are to met, the not all account; met, balances all (2) balances have at 

arn ast 0.10% one earn direct APY. 0.10% deposit Domestic APY. or Domestic one ATM ACH fees ATM debit/credit incurred fees incurred using post using debit to the debit card account; card during and calendar (3) receive month your (statement monthly cycle) statement will be be electronically. reimbursed up If up to qualifications $25.00 to $25.00 and and credited are credited met to each account to account calendar on the on last month the day last (statement day cycle): (1) 

f alances monthly of up monthly statement to $25,000 statement cycle. receive cycle. See APY See of firstcommunity.com 3.51%; and (2) for balances full for full disclosure. over $25,000 earn 0.10% dividend rate on the portion of the balance over $25,000. If qualifications are not met, all balances 

arn 0.10% APY. Domestic ATM fees incurred using debit card during calendar month (statement cycle) will be reimbursed up to $25.00 and credited to account on the last day 

f monthly statement cycle. See firstcommunity.com for full disclosure.

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 8-7-24

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