Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 1-11-23

Vol. 20 No. 1 • January 11, 2023 

midriversnewsmagazine.com 

SSM Health Outpatient Center 

Regional Workforce-Technical 

Training Center 

BUSINESS BOOM 

Construction continues across county 

PLUS: Mature Focus ■ First Look at Who's Running in April ■ Health & Wellness

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STAR PARKER 

January 11, 2023 

MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE 

I OPINION I 3 

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS 

George Santos, 

a Child of Woke America 

By now, just about everyone has heard 

about the massive campaign of lies that 

Republican George Santos fabricated 

that just got him elected to a congressional 

seat from New York. 

In his various appearances and interviews 

to explain himself, the lack of 

shame he seems to feel is almost as 

uncanny as the lies themselves. 

Sadly, Santos is a child and product of 

the troubling and, yes, dangerous state of 

affairs in our nation today. 

A friend sent me a short cartoon version 

of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, 

“The Emperor’s New Clothes.” 

The shyster weavers convince the vain 

emperor that there really are clothes when 

in fact there is nothing. They convince 

him that only fools and those unqualified 

in their work can’t see the fabric. 

The only thing on anyone’s mind is 

what others think of them. There is no 

truth, only appearances. 

Until one naive and unindoctrinated 

child steps forward and tells the truth 

that the emperor is naked. 

It’s what happens when people become 

unmoored and lose a sense that there 

is something called reality, something 

bigger than themselves, of which they 

are a part. 

A vital part of a child’s development 

is learning they are not the center of the 

world. That there are others, and they 

must be aware of the line where they end 

and others and the world outside begin. 

In traditional cultures, there are rites of 

passage where children formally become 

adults and assume the responsibilities of 

adults. 

But today, in our nation, where a sense 

of objective right and wrong has widely 

disappeared, there are no rites of passage, 

and many remain perpetually children. 

They insist the world is the way they 

want it to be rather than appreciating that 

there is a greater reality to which all must 

submit. 

We see it culturally, economically and 

fiscally. 

I write all the time about the mind-boggling 

debt being accumulated on the backs 

of American citizens. Fiscal responsibility 

is realism. It means the numbers must 

add up and debts are not incurred without 

clear ways to pay for them. 

One analyst from the Institute for 

Policy Innovation calculates our national 

debt amounts to almost $600,000 per 

every American man, woman and child. 

This includes not just federal obligations 

on the order of some $30 trillion, but 

also debts built into Social Security and 

Medicare from an insufficient tax base to 

meet the obligations that must be met in 

upcoming years. 

Yet what did this Congress do before 

ending its term? Pass another $1.7 trillion 

in spending. 

The piper will be paid, and this is 

called reality. 

On the cultural front, the U.S. Supreme 

Court, and now the U.S. Congress, has, 

based on politics and whim, redefined 

the eternal institution called marriage. 

Is it any surprise, shortly after deciding 

you don’t need a man and a woman to 

constitute marriage, that now even who 

is a man and who is a woman is matter of 

personal whim? 

So, George Santos is the man of our 

time. Why should he feel the need to 

submit to any “reality” more than what is 

happening in our culture at large? 

What did Santos fabricate any more 

than the “1619 Project” fabricated what 

American history is about? 

Santos shows little shame because 

shame comes with appreciation that 

there are truths – right and wrong. 

There is no shame in a culture where 

we make everything up. 

Fortunately, there are many Americans 

who have not become detached from 

reality and see what is happening. But, 

still, many are afraid to say the emperor 

is naked. 

But how long can widespread detachment 

from reality continue? 

Meanwhile, an unrepentant liar, 

George Santos, a child of woke America, 

will be sworn into the sacred duty as a 

member of the U.S. Congress. 

• • • 

Star Parker is president of the Center 

for Urban Renewal and Education and 

host of the weekly television show “Cure 

America with Star Parker.” 

© 2023 Creators.com 

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6 I OPINION I 

EDITORIAL 

Did we win? 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin 

finally awoke on Wednesday. A breathing 

tube stopped him from speaking. He took a 

notepad from his bedside nurse and wrote 

simply, “Did we win?” 

Ah, what a beautiful anecdote. What a 

needed moment of light in a dark, dark story. 

Did we win? A line only the poets could 

have written. 

Is it true, did it really happen like that? 

Who cares? It’s beautiful and we desperately 

needed it. 

We needed it because we needed to turn 

our eyes away from the horrific violence of 

professional football. For a moment, at least. 

Turn our eyes away because the reality is 

we are turning our eyes toward football in 

record numbers. We watch Miami Dolphins 

quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stand, stumble, 

wobble and then walk. Then, we tune in the 

next week to see if he will play. It seemed 

everyone you spoke to on Tuesday had been 

watching the Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals 

game on Monday night when Damar 

Hamlin took a blow to the chest, got up, 

then fell back to the ground. Football is 

violent. We hate the violence, and we watch 

because of the violence. 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

Regarding Star Parker 

To the Editor: 

In reading Parker’s Dec. 14 editorial 

titled “Kevin McCarthy, a Republican 

leader for complex times,” her only rationale 

for McCarthy’s assuming the speaker 

position is stated in her final sentence. She 

believes he is qualified because he is “a 

fellow Californian” and she has known 

him “for many years.” 

No mention is made of what those “complex 

times” are and what is required from any 

leader to address them. Even the most casual 

observer can see there is deep division within 

the GOP House. Moderate Republicans are 

holding to traditional conservative values 

while MAGA folks are holding to extreme 

views; many of which are ungrounded in 

reality or fact. This is compounded by the 

fact that McCarthy, if elected as speaker, will 

be dealing with a slim GOP majority. To date, 

McCarthy has not demonstrated the strength 

or character required of the position. His vacillation 

regarding the importance of understanding 

the causes of the Jan. 6 Capital 

attack and holding the perpetrators accountable 

calls into question whether he possesses 

key leadership traits: accountability, decisiveness, 

honesty, integrity and selflessness. 

That is not to mention that a speaker should 

honor his or her oath of office to support and 



We needed it because we needed to turn 

our eyes away from the violent speculation 

on social media. At a time when absolutely 

nothing was certain regarding Hamlin’s 

injury, opposing sides took to Twitter with 

predictable certainty. Some declared that the 

injury had everything to do with the COVID 

vaccine. Some declared it had nothing to do 

with the COVID vaccine. Both were wrong. 

Not a single person on planet Earth at the 

time had any concrete knowledge of what 

led to Hamlin’s collapse. Not a single person 

on planet Earth knew if or how the vaccine 

factored in. Not his doctors, not his teammates, 

not the NFL, not a single person on 

planet Earth. Planet Twitter, however, was 

a completely different story. Nobody knew 

anything, and everybody was certain. 

This is how a devastating injury to a sixthround 

draft pick became last week’s mirror 

held up to our society. In the background, the 

Republican party showcased their absolute 

inability to act like a majority party, allowing 

20 members to lead 200 around by the 

nose. Job numbers showed that employers 

continued hiring in December while news 

reports showed that the technology sector 

had completed or planned twice as many 

defend the Constitution as is expected of all 

federal employees. 

Further, Parker touts that the GOP’s 

“inroads in diversity helps take race and 

gender off the table” and the upcoming 2023 

GOP Congress “will be the most diverse 

ever.” While that may be true, it is a sad 

commentary and demonstrates unrealistic 

thinking. Blacks represent 13.6% of the U.S. 

population, while the GOP Congress of five 

Blacks will represent only 1.8% of the GOP 

Congress. Hispanics represent 18.9% of the 

U.S. population, while the GOP Congress 

of 11 Hispanics will represent only 4.1% of 

the GOP Congress. Finally, women represent 

50.5% of the U.S. population, while the GOP 

Congress of 42 women will represent only 

15.5% of the GOP Congress. While continuing 

to work on diversity, Dems are more 

representative with 21.6 % Blacks, 13.8% 

Hispanics and 39.8% women. If the GOP 

were deeply committed to being more inclusive 

and acted on that commitment, barriers 

might fall, divisiveness subside and tribalism 

wane. And Congress might just be more 

effective at negotiating effective policy for 

all Americans in a bipartisan manner. 

Christine Eldarrat 

• • • 

To the Editor: 

In the Dec. 14 issue Star Parker argues 

layoffs in 2022 as they did during the height 

of the pandemic. We are quickly becoming 

the Contradictory States of America. 

Yet from the darkness, light. Did we win? 

Hamlin asked. 

“Yes, Damar, you won at the game of life,” 

his doctor claims to have responded. 

A beautiful anecdote. Is it true? Did it 

really happen like that? Who cares? One 

wonders if we can learn to step down from 

our stumps of unjustified certainty and 

reunite around a better story. Can we see 

that the extremes of our political parties 

are good and necessary to keep the center 

honest, while also seeing they are not the 

ones who should govern? Can we admire 

the awesome athleticism of professional 

football while acknowledging the awesome 

power of its violence, learning on the fly 

how to mitigate the latter without diminishing 

the former? 

We believe we can, we are hopeful. As we 

enter a new year, we are renewed. At some 

point the loudest voices in the room become 

the din of background noise. The best ideas 

are victorious, the worst actors are booed off 

the stage. 

We have not won yet, Damar. But we will. 

for the leadership of Kevin McCarthy 

with one sentence of her op-ed piece. She 

makes two outrageous assertions: 

First: that the 12 Republican senators 

who stepped across the aisle to support 

the right to same-sex marriage were somehow 

less Republican than their peers. She 

claimed their vote was to “codify into law 

same-sex marriage.” 

The law did no such thing. It protected the 

right of same sex couples to have their marriages 

legally protected in states without that 

right in its laws. States still have the option 

of not authorizing same sex marriage within 

their boundaries. Apparently bi-partisan support 

for laws that protect the rights of some 

minorities is not a value she endorses. 

Second: Ms. Parker declares that Kevin 

McCarthy has “the leadership skills for our 

times.” How can she attribute leadership 

to a man who rebuked Donald Trump for 

his inaction during the Jan. 6 insurrection, 

then made the journey to Mar-a-Lago to 

retract his moral stand? 

How this translates as “leadership” is 

beyond me. 

William Tucker 

ON THE COVER: Construction of the MEMC 

LLC expansion in O’Fallon (large image) as of 

late December. 

(All photos provided) 

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8 I NEWS I 





J O I NUS 

F I R S TFRIDAY | FEB 3 | 5-8PM 

F O U N D R Y A R T C E N T R E . O R G 

Cottleville Mayor Bob Ronkoski recognized resident Antonio Garcia in December 

for the youth’s quick action in calling 911 on Nov. 16 when his grandmother 

was pulled down by their dog in the driveway, injuring herself. 

NEWS 

BRIEFS 

O’FALLON 

Funding West Terra 

Lane improvements 

Realigning West Terra Lane to mitigate 

congestion at its intersection with Bryan 

Road while also providing for future connection 

points for the Deer Creek Extension 

and any future I-70/Bryan Road 

Interchange upgrades is on the city of 

O’Fallon’s “to-do list.” 

To accomplish this goal, the city is proposing 

the use of county funds for 80% of 

the design costs. 

The limits of the proposed West Terra 

Lane realignment project would extend 

from the intersection of West Terra Lane 

and North Central Drive to a tie-in point 

approximately 2,750 linear feet (about 

a half-mile) to the west. As part of the 

design phase, additional traffic data at the 

intersection of West Terra Lane and Bryan 

Road would be gathered and studied to 

determine the optimal configuration. 

Design phase total cost would be 

$1,800,000. 

The city of O’Fallon had submitted an 

application and was awarded funding from 

the St. Charles County Road Board for 

fiscal year 2023. The funding agreement 

would allow for the city to obtain 80% 

reimbursement of the design costs up to a 

maximum of $1,440,000. 

The Road Board is funded by county 

transportation tax revenue. 

The county would fund $1,440,000 and 

the city would fund $360,000, covering the 

required $1,800,000. 

At its Dec. 15 meeting, the O’Fallon 

City Council gave a first reading to Bill 

No. 7514, which would authorize entering 

into an agreement with the county for 

funding assistance. If normal process and 

timing are followed, the bill would receive 

a second reading and vote for passage at 

the next council meeting on Jan. 12. 

The 2023 city budget includes $360,000 

to support this city’s portion of the design 

phase. According to the Road Board application, 

design phase completion is planned 

for September 2024, and construction 

phase cost is estimated at $12 million. 

That additional funding would need to be 

addressed in 2024 or 2025. 

Controversial 

developments canceled 

Two surprise and significant announcements 

were made at the O’Fallon City 

Council meeting on Dec. 15 regarding 

the cancellation of two large rental unit 

developments. 

Council member Dr. Jim Ottomeyer 

(Ward 4) read a letter from Ed Schultz, 

developer for the previously approved 

Fairways at Turtle Creek, a 128-unit rental 

complex that was to be on 14.65 acres on 

the south side of Mexico Road. The site 

is currently a golf driving range and is 

directly across from Fort Zumwalt West 

High and adjacent to a single-family home 

subdivision. The development, which was 

to include a clubhouse and pool, had met 

with community opposition. 

In his letter, Schultz said the project is 

no longer viable and is canceled. Reasons 

include continuing labor shortages, continuing 

construction material shortages, 

high costs and a continued rise in interest 

rates. 

Instead of the Fairways development, 

Schultz said he now will explore other 

options for entertainment possibilities at 

and around the existing driving range and 

mini-golf course. 

The Fairways development had gone 

through three years of iterations at the 

Planning and Zoning Commission and City 

Council, and finally was approved on a 6-5 

vote, with Mayor Bill Hennessy breaking 

the council 5-5 tie, on April 23, 2020. After 

subsequent approvals of other pieces of the 

project, in April 2022 the development’s 

site plan and permit were given an extension 

until Feb. 23, 2023, to allow time for 

conditions to improve. They did not. 

Following Ottomeyer, council member 

Ron Connell (Ward 5) said he had heard 

from the developer of the Water Tower 

Point Apartments that the project also had 

been canceled. 

The planned apartments were to be on 

15.18 acres to the west of the intersection 

of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Thornbury 

Crossing Drive. There were to be 204 

apartment units in six buildings, plus a 

clubhouse and pool. The developer cited 

the same reasons as Schultz as reasons for 

the cancellation. 

City approves 2023 budget 

By votes of 10-0 at its meeting on Dec. 

15, the O’Fallon City Council approved 

Bill No. 7501 for the city’s 2023 budget 

and Bill No. 7502 for the city’s capital 

improvement plan (CIP) for 2023-2028. 

Both bills were sponsored by Mayor Bill 

Hennessy. 

According to a background memo from 

Finance Director Vicki Boschert, the 

budget consists of 17 different funds with 

anticipated revenues of $126,217,830 and 

planned expenditures of $128,877,348 

(including transfers). The budget reflects 

goals identified in the city’s Strategic 

Plan. It includes 483 full-time positions at 

the beginning of the year, and five newly 

authorized positions, for a year-end total of 

488 authorized full-time positions. 

Included in the 2023 CIP anticipated 

needs are street and road improvements; 

sewer and water projects; recreation facilities, 

including the Renaud Spirit Center 

and environmental services among others. 

The total anticipated CIP is $123,070,866. 

The CIP is for planning purposes and 

does not constitute an adopted budget. 

The purpose of the CIP is to systematically 

plan, schedule and finance capital 

projects to ensure cost-effectiveness and 

conformance with established policies. 

The plan also provides a basis for funding 

future capital projects based on available 

resources. 

Rezoning approved to 

allow business expansion 

Elevate Outdoor, LLC, had applied for 

rezoning of property at 1080 and 1112 

Bryan Road from C-1/Restricted Business 

District and unincorporated, to C-3 

Highway Commercial District. The company 

wants to use the undeveloped portion 

of the property for an expansion of 

its business. 

At its meeting on Dec. 15, the O’Fallon 

City Council voted 10-0 to approve Bill 

No. 7496 authorizing the rezoning of the 

entire property. Ward 5 council members 

Debbie Cook and Ron Connell sponsored 

the bill. 

The 7.07-acre property includes 1.3 

acres that were zoned C-1 and 5.77 acres 

without city zoning. O’Fallon had annexed 

the 5.77-acre parcel in 2020 but did not 

zone it at that time. 

The landscape contractor, who owns





I NEWS I 9 

both parcels, had begun improving the 

site while the land still was part of unincorporated 

St. Charles County. O’Fallon 

annexed the land while the site was under 

construction. 

The owner then proposed to expand its 

outdoor storage area onto the parcel zoned 

C-1 and undeveloped. However, C-1 

zoning does not allow a landscape contractor 

business, so the owner had requested 

both properties be rezoned to C-3. 

Hidden Meadows single-family residential 

and Harpers Doggie Day Care are to 

the north of the property. Hillside and Hillman 

Mobile Home Parks are to the south. 

Turtle Creek Golf Course is to the east. 

Bryan Road and undeveloped commercial 

property are to the west. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission 

had recommended approval of this rezoning, 

with no conditions specified. 

received two Distinction Awards in the 

Environmental and Promotional categories. 

What started out as a simple conversation 

between coworkers turned into an 

award-winning success. The city of St. 

Peters’ Earth Centre staff knew that its 

nationally certified biosolids compost was 

the industry’s gold standard. What their 

product lacked was brand identity. 

The city’s communications department 

worked to develop the GOLD GROW 

brand with a logo and the tagline: the gold 

standard in biosolids compost. The goal 

was to increase awareness and sales of 

Earth Centre’s biosolids compost to local 

residents by utilizing the website, email 

newsletters, print, social media, outdoor 

signage and video. According to the city, 

this project saw amazing results with a 

26% increase in compost sales in 2021. 

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 

to honor excellence in local, regional 

video and showcase the best work created 

for all screens. The bronze Telly Award 

received by the city’s video team honors 

excellence in video and television. This 

video that claimed the prize told the story 

of Ed Echelmeyer, who at 97 years old 

entered his first art show at the Cultural 

Arts Centre with works that celebrated his 

Freezing weather is here! 

late wife. (Editor’s Note: Echelmeyer was 

also featured in an article in Mid Rivers 

Newsmagazine that can be accessed at 

midriversnewsmagazine.com; search 

“Echelmeyer.”) 

The award-winning video can be viewed 

on SPTVnow.net, also by searching “Echelmeyer.” 

“The city of St. Peters has so many great 

services and programs, and our communications 

team does a great job telling our 

community about all that we have,” Mayor 

Len Pagano said. “It makes me happy to 

see their hard work acknowledged by other 

professionals in their field.” 

ST. PETERS 

City administrator retires 

After serving as St. Peters city administrator 

since 2016, Russ Batzel will officially 

retire on Jan. 20, completing a nearly 

28-year career with the city. 

Batzel will be succeeded by Bill Malach, 

who was appointed to the position by 

Mayor Len Pagano and the Board of Aldermen 

in January 2022. Malach currently 

serves as assistant to the city administrator. 

In his memo to the mayor and board, 

Batzel said, “I have been blessed to work 

with so many great people over the 27-plus 

years that I have been employed by the 

city including elected officials, city staff 

and residents. I have enjoyed the professional 

challenges addressing the needs of 

our ever-growing city, always striving to 

provide best-in-class services with prudent 

and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.” 

After serving in numerous engineering 

roles with the city, Batzel became the city 

administrator in July 2016. He is only the 

fourth person to serve in that role for St. 

Peters. 

Communications team 

earns high praise 

The city of St. Peters’ communication 

department recently won three Communicator 

Awards for their work promoting 

GOLD GROW biosolids compost and a 

Telly Award for an SPTVnow.net video 

about a special Cultural Art Centre exhibit. 

This was the first time in 12 years that 

the department won an Award of Excellence 

from the Communicator Awards, an 

international awards program recognizing 

excellence, effectiveness and innovation 

across all areas of communication. The 

Award of Excellence was presented for 

Campaign Branding. The department also 

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10 I NEWS I 





Business Boom: development fuels St. Charles County growth 

A rendering of the new SSM Health Outpatient Center under construction in O’Fallon 

(Source: SSM Health) 

A rendering of the SCC Regional Workforce-Technical Training Center 

(Source: St. Charles Community College) 

BY LAURA SAGGAR 

St. Charles County saw 6.6 million 

square feet of major development projects 

in 2022, breaking the record set in 2021 

of 4.8 million square feet, a 35% increase, 

according to a commercial construction 

update released by the Economic Development 

Council (EDC) of St. Charles County 

in December. Major is defined as 20,000 

square feet or larger. 

On the EDC’s list are: 

• The Lakeside Logistics Center, which 

has broken ground in St. Peters’ Premier 

370 Business Park. 

• Commerce Park West, located on Technology 

Drive and Weldon Spring Road in 

Dardenne Prairie. 

• SSM Health Outpatient Center, which 

has broken ground at Interstate 64 and 

Caledonia Parkway. 

• MEMC, an O’Fallon-based silicon 

wafer manufacturer that is constructing a 

60,000-square-foot expansion of its existing 

facility at 501 Pearl Drive. 

• SCC Regional Workforce-Technical 

Training Center, a project of St. Charles 

Community College to be located on its 

new campus in western St. Charles County. 

• Francis Howell North High, currently 

being constructed by S.M.Wilson & Co. 

All of the projects on the EDC’s list, 49 

in total, were initiated, began construction 

or were completed in 2022. 

Scott Drachnik, EDC president/CEO, 

said all of this development is exciting 

because it is widespread throughout the 

county. He noted that said nearly 70% of 

the projects will be complete by the end of 

2023. The majority of the projects on the 

EDC’s list are in the manufacturing and 

logistics business sector. 

According to the EDC, St. Charles 

County is the fastest growing county in the 

state of Missouri, and it doesn’t look like 

it’s slowing down any time soon. Growth 

is integral to St. Charles County, Drachnik 

said, even if some longtime residents of 

the region worry that new development is 

too much, too soon. 

“I’m always surprised when people are 

upset about growth in St. Charles County,” 

Drachnik said. “If you’ve been here lately, 

being upset about growth here is like being 

upset in Las Vegas that there’s gambling 

going on. It’s part of our DNA. This is part 

of the modern day history of St. Charles 

County.” 

But growth post-pandemic did not come 

without challenges, he said. 

“Last year builders were wondering if 

they could get the materials to build their 

building,” Drachnik said. “Now it’s an 

issue of, ‘Can we get the financing and can 

we afford it?’” 

Population growth will help employers 

find local residents to work at the new 

businesses, but Drachnik said numbers still 

show that for some big employers up to 

50% of their employees are coming from 

east or west of St. Charles County to work. 

Below are some highlights of the projects 

going on in the region: 

The Lakeside Logistics Center: Five 

buildings totaling 1.6 million square 

feet are to be constructed by NorthPoint 

Development at 16000 Spencer Road in St. 

Peters. The logistics center will occupy a 

190-acre site in Premier 370 Business Park, 

an 850-acre business community located 

at Route 370 near Interstate 70. North- 

See DEVELOPMENT, page 14 

Task force offers recommendations in Alzheimer’s State Plan 

By ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON 

According to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe there 

is much to be done in addressing the ongoing 

crisis of Alzheimer’s disease but Missouri 

took an important step forward with 

its Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force. 

In submitting the task force’s Report and 

Recommendations to Gov. Mike Parson 

and members of the state legislature, 

Kehoe, its chair, wrote, “I am under no illusion 

this report contains all the answers to 

this complex issue. On the contrary, I am 

certain it does not.” 

However, he noted that the report does 

represent the combined efforts of a broad 

spectrum of Missourians with expertise 

relating to Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related 

diseases ranging from clinical to 

personal. 

The task force, in conjunction with the 

Alzheimer’s Association, has spent the last 

few months asking people all across Missouri 

what can be done about Alzheimer’s 

in the state. The town hall gatherings and 

task force meetings grew out of an ongoing 

effort by Missouri policymakers and advocates 

for those who suffer from dementia 

to implement new policies. 

Every state in America has some type of 

task force or plan in reference to Alzheimer’s 

disease. However, it’s been 12 years 

since Missouri updated its plan. Initially, 

the Missouri General Assembly established 

the task force through passage of 

HB 272 in 2009. After collecting public 

input regarding community frustrations, 

concerns and advice on dealing with the 

disease, the task force presented its first 

state plan in November 2010. 

“Alzheimer’s and dementia-related 

diseases either touch, or will touch, the 

lives of almost every Missourian,” Kehoe 

wrote. “These diseases pose very unique 

challenges for physicians, caregivers, first 

responders and others. Missouri, like other 

states, is trying to understand how it can 

adopt and implement policies and procedures 

to facilitate faster diagnoses, increase 

access to care, assist family members and 

care providers, and support innovative 

research and treatment.” 

He said that while the task force 

“cannot cover every perspective,” he is 

confident that it brings a broad mix of 

“professional and individual expertise on 

the topic,” and asked the governor and 

legislature to “consider this report for 

what it is: part of an on-going effort to 

facilitate diagnosis, treatment and care 

for individuals with Alzheimer’s and 

dementia-related diseases. 

Over the last few months, the task force 

gathered and disseminated a “tremendous 

amount of information into a series of 

recommendations for consideration,” he 

wrote. Kehoe said the recommendations 

represent the main objectives that the task 

force believes the state should consider as 

it determines the “priority use of limited 

resources” in the upcoming legislative session. 

The face of Alzheimer’s 

The 21-member task force is made up of 

individuals from the healthcare industry, 

nonprofit groups, state agencies, lawmakers, 

a researcher, the spouse of an Alzheimer’s 

sufferer and an Alzheimer’s patient. 

Former two-time St. Charles Mayor Sally 

Faith is that patient. A former St. Charles 

County Council member (District 5), she 

also has served in the Missouri House of 

Representatives (District 15). Recently, 

she published her first book: “I’m Losing 

My Memory. I’m Not Losing My Mind: A 

Frank Perspective about Living with Early 

Dementia.” 

Faith said she recommended having a 

three-digit statewide number that individu- 

See ALZHEIMER’S, page 31





I NEWS I 11 

O’Fallon proposes Diehr Road extension, improvements 

By JOHN TREMMEL 

In August 2021, the city of O’Fallon 

approved annexation and rezoning of 

272 acres of land near the intersection of 

Hopewell Road and Route N, to become 

the Harvest at Hopewell subdivision. The 

development includes 896 residential lots, 

containing multi-family townhouse buildings 

and single-family homes with two 

and three-car garages. Homes will be built 

in phases by Consort Homes, Fischer & 

Frichtel and McBride Homes. 

In the fourth quarter 2022, the developer 

requested the city’s assistance to extend 

Diehr Road about a half-mile into the 

Harvest development to allow for further 

extension of Diehr Road by others. 

The city submitted an application and 

was awarded funding from St. Charles 

County Road Board for fiscal year 2023, 

for the city to obtain a 55% reimbursement 

of the construction costs up to a maximum 

reimbursement amount of $1,292,942.20 

for a Diehr Road Extension Project. 

According to the city, the remainder of 

cost for the project is to be covered entirely 

by the developer of Harvest at Hopewell. 

With the developer responsible for the necessary 

funding for this project, there would 

(Adobe Stock photo) 

be no fiscal impact to the city of O’Fallon 

for this project. 

O’Fallon Communications Director 

Tony Michalka confirmed that the developer 

has been cooperative in working with 

the city and county to provide “a significant 

amount of right-of-way along Hopewell 

Road for our separate project to reconstruct 

that roadway. 

“There will be a strong pedestrian and 

bike component associated with both projects,” 

he said. 

According to a background document, 

the extension project would include new 

roadway to the west of Hopewell Road 

for approximately 2,600 linear feet (about 

a half-mile). The roadway would consist 

of two 16-foot lanes with an island in the 

center, along with a 5-foot sidewalk along 

one side and a 10-foot shared-use path on 

the other. 

Stormwater improvements would be 

made as part of the project. There also 

would be a new 8-inch water main installed. 

The roadway would act as a minor collector 

on the county wide roadway system 

and provide for future connectivity to 

additional developments to the west of 

Hopewell Road and eventually all the way 

to Route Z. The project also would aid in 

the connection of the walkable/bikeable 

thoroughfare in the area. 

Included is the design of the roadway, 

water quality and flood control, any traffic 

studies needed for the project, environmental 

studies, clearances for future right 

of way, geotechnical analysis, and survey. 

At its Dec. 15 meeting, the council gave 

a first reading to Bill No. 7516, which 

would authorize an agreement between St. 

Charles County and O’Fallon for the use of 

Road Board funds for the construction of 

the Diehr Road Extension Project. 

The council also gave a first reading to 

Bill No. 7517, which would authorize an 

agreement with the county to use Road 

Board funds for the design phase of the 

Diehr Road improvements. 

According to a background memo from 

the city’s engineering director, Wade 

Montgomery, proposed improvements 

include the reconstruction of Diehr Road 

between Hwy. DD and Hopewell Road, 

which include design measures to improve 

both safety and traffic flow of this corridor. 

The intent is to provide a widened roadway 

section with turn lane capabilities along 

with bike and pedestrian infrastructure to 

provide the proper connectivity. 

Montgomery’s memo says the city submitted 

and was awarded funding from the 

Road Board for fiscal years 2023-2025. The 

funds will be utilized for the design phase 

of the project. Future funding agreements 

will be pursued in subsequent years for the 

rights-of-way/easement and construction 

phases of the designed improvements. 

Total design cost of the project is anticipated 

to be $632,000. The budget will be 

split 80-20% between the county and city. 

The city’s responsibility will be $126,400, 

with the 2023 city budget including this 

amount. 

If normal process and timing are followed, 

both bills will receive a second 

reading and vote for passage at the next 

council meeting on Jan. 12 

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12 I NEWS I 



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By JOHN TREMMEL 

At the O’Fallon City Council Workshop 

on Dec. 15, Shawn Singer, O’Fallon’s 

senior plant engineer, summarized the 

results of an engineering study performed 

on the city’s water system by HDR Engineers. 

The study included an outline of 

the highest priority capital items needed. 

Singer explained that the result of the 

study was an updated Water Treatment 

Plant (WTP) and Distribution System 

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The 

council had adopted the previous WTP 

and CIP in 2018. 

Singer explained that the update was 

to identify and address water system 

improvements needed to continue reliable 

service to the area for the next 20 

years. The report, he said, provides a clear 

understanding of the capital improvements 

needed now for the system. While 

it provides a strategic outlook for 20 

years, he recommended that the plan be 

reviewed and updated approximately 

every five years to keep up with changing 

conditions, technologies and priorities. 

The study evaluated and considered 

many factors, including population 

growth and water demand projections, 

distribution system evaluation, raw water 

supply evaluation, water treatment plant 

evaluation, and existing pipe assessment 

and evaluation of replacement. 

As guidelines, the study estimates needing 

at least 7% more water in 5 years 

(2027) and 15% more water in 10 years 

(2032). In addition to replacing aging 



O’Fallon outlines, approves 

water system plans 

infrastructure, capacity overall must 

increase. 

According to the study’s executive summary, 

“The city maintains and operates 

their own water treatment plant and distribution 

system. This system consists of 

five alluvial wells that supply raw water to 

a reverse osmosis membrane water treatment 

plant with a rated capacity of 6 million 

gallons per day, four additional deep 

wells, multiple storage tanks and pump 

stations, along with about 170 miles of 

distribution lines.” 

(An alluvial well is a well drilled and 

completed in an alluvial aquifer or an 

alluvial flood plain deposit, such as near a 

river. Most such wells are shallow 

with water levels that tend 

to fluctuate with rainfall conditions. 

Alluvial well means a 

well that is supplied or charged 

by surface water.) 

The plan recommends $21 

million in capital improvements 

over the next five years. 

Of those, the top priorities 

costing $6,844,000 for 2023 

include: 

• Reverse osmosis: Install 

new third skid 

• Plate settlers/settling basins 

• Filter improvements 

• High service pump station 

• Chemical systems 

• General building improvements 

• Install new well at WTP site 

• Reverse osmosis: Replace 

(FIle photo) existing membranes/equipment 

on one skid 

• Sites 3, 4 and 6: Addition of ammonia 

feed system 

Funding for those capital improvements 

will come from bonds. 

Given recent developments and challenges 

to the water supply for the city 

of St. Charles, O’Fallon’s water system 

plans were of great interest to the city 

council. 

Council member Ron Connell (Ward 5) 

asked if the O’Fallon water system will 

have any problems helping the city of St. 

Paul with water supply to replace what 

St. Paul cannot draw from its contaminated 

well. O’Fallon Public Works Director 

Steve Bender said there will not be a 

problem. Asked about the risk of O’Fallon 

wells being contaminated, Bender said 

that was very low, because O’Fallon has 

up-to-date treatment methods that are 

better than in surrounding areas. 

The council approved adopting the 

2022 WTP and CIP on a vote of 10-0.



On the Ballot: April 4 Election candidates 

CANDIDATES 

Candidate filing for the April 4 Municipal 

Election closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 

27, with the following candidates registered 

(incumbents are identified with an asterisk): 

Fort Zumwalt School Board – Three 

open positions: Arnie C. AC “Arn” Dienoff, 

Gregg Steven Sartorius, Marc Pratte, 

Erica Powers,* Michael A. Smith, Matt 

Graham and Kathryn Byrd. 

Francis Howell School Board – Three 

open positions: Doug Zeigemeier,* 

Andrew Flett, Amy Easterling, Jane Puszkar, 

Mark Ponder, Ron Harmon, Audrey 

Treece, Patrick Lane* and Harry Harris. 

Wentzville School District – Three 

open positions: John Kaelin, Jen Olson, 

David Lewis, Renee Henke, Brad Welsh 

and David A. Biesenthal. 

Cottleville – Aldermanic candidates 

Ward 1: Emilie Colombatto and Pamela 

Gardner; aldermanic candidates Ward 2: 

Stephen Thompson* and John Gnau. 

Dardenne Prairie – Aldermanic candidates 

Ward 1: Kasey Reilly,* Laura Gittemeier, 

and Tim Jones; aldermanic candidate 

Ward 2: Mike Costlow;* and aldermanic 

candidate Ward 3: Keith Widaman. 

Canine Officer Griz retires 

During the presiding 

officer’s report at the 

O’Fallon City Council 

meeting on Dec. 15, 

Mayor Bill Hennessy 

acknowledged the imminent 

retirement of O’Fallon 

Police K9 Officer Griz. 

The council also 

unanimously passed a 

resolution transferring the 

canine’s care and custody 

to police Sgt. Dominic 

Misuraca. 

K9 Officer Griz 

In a background memo, 

Chief Frank Mininni explained that Griz 

has served the police department and the 

residents of O’Fallon for over five years. 

At age 7 1/2 years, the K-9 officer is at the 

end of the normal expected working years 

for a German Shepard. Mininni said Griz 

has been partnered with Misuraca and 

the two have formed a unique bond and 

O’Fallon – Council candidates Ward 1: 

Jim Moran, Ron Epps, Chris Hunt - withdrawn, 

Kevin Wattelet and Arnie C. AC 

“Arn” Dienoff; council candidates Ward 2: 

James McCoy and Lisa Thompson; council 

candidate Ward 3: Nathan Bibb; council 

candidate Ward 4: Jeff Kuehn; and council 

candidates Ward 5: LaTonya Thomas and 

Linda Ragsdale. 

Lake Saint Louis – Council candidate 

Ward 1: Jacalyn L. Schauer; council candidate 

Ward 2: Tom Mispagel; and council 

candidate Ward 3: Chris Hinkle. 

St. Charles – The city of St. Charles’ 

filing period for city council candidates 

and for municipal judge for the April election 

is open from Jan. 10-17. 

The primary election for the office of 

mayor is on Feb. 7. Primary mayoral candidates: 

Dan Borgmeyer,* Venetia Powell 

and Tom Besselman. The top two candidates 

from the Feb. primary will move on 

to the April election. 

St. Peters – Aldermanic candidate Ward 

1: Joyce A. Townsend;* aldermanic candidate 

Ward 2: Judy Bateman;* aldermanic 

candidate Ward 3: David “Dave” Kuppler 

and aldermanic candidate Ward 4: Nicholas 

(Nick) Trupiano. 

Weldon Spring – Mayor candidate Don 

Licklider;* aldermanic candidates Ward 1: 

Tom Yeager* and Emily Swift-Wise; aldermanic 

candidate Ward 2: Janet Kolb;* and 

aldermanic candidate Ward 3: Gerry Baker* 

relationship. 

Misuraca noted that he 

and Griz had won officer 

of the month for successful 

tracking of a suspect, and 

Griz had participated in 

police dog trials in 2019, 

in which the unit placed 

second overall. 

Griz is a Malinois/ 

German Shepard mix 

weighing 70 pounds, whose 

primary language is German. 

He has served as a patrol/ 

narcotics dog and his duties 

have included tracking, apprehensions, 

handler protection, area searches, building 

searches and article searches. He was 

born in the country of Belarus and joined 

the O’Fallon Police Department in 2017, 

where he was partnered with Misuraca. In 

his off time, Griz enjoys playing fetch and 

belly rubs. 

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I NEWS I 13 

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14 I NEWS I 





DEVELOPMENT, from page 10 

Point broke ground on the first building 

in December. The company’s projected 

investment in the Lakeside project is $129 

million. It anticipates the creation of over 

950 direct and indirect jobs. 

Commerce Park West: This office 

park consists of two buildings, each with 

more than 100,000 square feet of office 

space (209,800 square feet in total), with 

245 parking spots. Additional spots can be 

added if needed, according to developer 

Sansone Group. The buildings are zoned 

light industrial and are being presented 

for logistics or light manufacturing uses. 

Office space and the distribution center for 

Cat5Commerce will anchor the $20-million 

development. Cat5Commerce, formerly 

of Chesterfield, is an ecommerce 

retailer of tactical gear for law enforcement, 

military and critical infrastructure, 

according to the company’s website. 

SSM Health Outpatient Center: 

In December SSM broke ground on a 

two-story, 66,000-square-foot ambulatory 

center at 301 Caledonia Parkway in 

O’Fallon. Caledonia Parkway links Interstate 

64 South Outer Road with Hwy. DD. 

The new facility is expected to open in 

2024. Services will include imaging, adult 

Francis Howell North High in December 2022 

and pediatric urgent care services, laboratory 

services, and a retail pharmacy. The 

center is expected to add 125 jobs. 

MEMC LLC: This manufacturer 

of semiconductors is constructing a 

60,000-square-foot expansion to its existing 

431,000-square-foot property at 501 

Pearl Drive in O’Fallon. The silicon wafers 

produced there are key materials for semiconductors 

across a range of applications 

including 5G smartphones, wireless connectivity, 

automotive radar, and aerospace. 

In December 2021, the company requested 

and received assistance from the city of 

O’Fallon in the issuance of industrial 

development revenue bonds not to exceed 

(Source: S.M Wilson & Co.) 

a principal amount of $300 million. The 

company expects the expansion to create 

87 new jobs. 

SCC Regional Workforce-Technical 

Training Center: This 40,000-square-foot 

building is in its final design stage and will 

be the first building located on St. Charles 

Community College’s new campus in 

western St. Charles County, near the 

David Hoekel I-70 Interchange in Wentzville. 

Funded by the Proposition Community 

College bond program and grants 

received from the state, the Regional 

Workforce Innovation Center will be the 

premier education and technical training 

center within the college’s service area and 

the Greater St. Louis Region. Focusing 

on innovative programming to meet the 

current and future needs of business and 

industry, the center will include a variety 

of skilled trades, such as welding, heating/ 

air conditioning and plumbing, as well as 

innovative technology focused on sustainable 

energy, robotics and more. 

Francis Howell North High: This 

project to replace the existing high 

school with a brand new building on the 

same campus is well underway with an 

expected completion date prior to the 

2023/2024 school year. The project is 

being funded by Proposition S, a $244 

million, no-tax-rate-increase bond issue 

approved by district voters in June 2020. 

The initial cost estimate of the project 

was $86 million; however, post-pandemic 

that cost increased to $164.7 million. The 

increase was approved by the Francis 

Howell Board of Education in December 

2021. At that time, Amy Berg, president 

of builder S.M. Wilson & Co., pointed to 

all-time highs on material costs and labor 

shortages as reasons for the cost increase. 

“On average, materials are up 30% in the 

last 12 months,” Berg said in 2021. “Certain 

materials are up as much as 400%. 

Supply chain volatility has created labor 

and schedule inefficiencies. Transportation 

and freight costs are up 200%-plus.” 

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I SCHOOLS I 15 

WE’RE HIRING 

636-928-1040 

Francis Howell North High student members of SHIELD with baseball 

cards they give to younger district students 

(Source: FHSD) 

BULLETIN 

BOARD 

Sharing a SHIELD of success 

Henderson Elementary students were 

visited by 11 Francis Howell North High 

students in the SHIELD program. Each 

high school student was assigned a letter 

in the acronym SHIELD to represent and 

talk about with the elementary students: 

Sportsmanship, Honesty, Integrity, Excellence, 

Leadership and Determination. 

The 11 student-athletes had their own 

personalized “baseball cards” to pass out. 

These cards highlight the activities they 

are involved in, their assigned SHIELD 

letter and how they utilize it every day to 

make their school community stronger. 

One of the goals of the Francis 

Howell North SHIELD 

program is to establish a strong 

connection and help build 

excitement in the younger 

students to become Knights. 

Throughout the year, the high 

school students will continue 

to visit with the elementary students 

about the importance of 

attendance at school, positive 

behavior, getting involved, hard 

work and more. 

• • • 

Christian High’s National Junior Honor 

Students held a holiday bake sale just 

before Christmas vacation and raised $526 

for Alleluia Baskets. The local nonprofit 

will use the donation to help fill Easter baskets 

for children whose families receive 

services from the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 

Karen House, Sts. Joachim and Ann 

Care Center and other area support agencies. 

Teen Talent Competition 

The deadline to register for the 13th 

Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition 

has been extended to Jan. 31. Selected participants 

will have the chance to perform 

before a live audience on The Fabulous 

Fox Theatre stage and compete for an 

$8,000 college scholarship. 

See BULLETIN BOARD, page 16 

Returns with only 1 W2 $125 

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Jewelry 

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Get Paid Cash FOR GOLD, SILVER, DIAMONDS, 

COSTUME JEWELRY, WATCHES & COINS 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 • 11 am to 4 pm 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 • 11 am to 4 pm 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 • 11 am to 4 pm 

We also buy antiques, artwork, 

paintings, swords, china, crystal 

and other collectibles & rarities. 

west county mall 

LOWER LEVEL NEAR JCPENNEY 

Holiday helpers 

The Becky-David Elementary 

Student Council organized a 

food drive just prior to winter 

break which brought in more 

than 2,500 food, personal care 

and household items for the 

OASIS Food Pantry. 

Becky David Elementary students with holiday 

donations 

(Source: FHSD) 

If you would prefer 

a private or in-home 

appointment, 

call 314-691-2888

16 I SCHOOLS I 





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Lutheran High girls varsity basketball team captured the St. Dominic Christmas Tournament 

title again. 

(Source: LHS) 

BULLETIN BOARD, from page 15 

There are no fees to participate. The 

competition is underwritten by the Fox 

Performing Arts Charitable Foundation. 

Teens can compete in a talent category of 

their choice, singing, dancing, acting, or 

do something eccentric. All talent is welcome. 

The competition is open to high school 

students who live within 50 miles in any 

direction of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. 

Students must be enrolled in grades 9, 10, 

11 or 12 during the 2022-2023 academic 

year to participate. Performers under the 

age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to 

submit a registratiown form on their behalf. 

Interested performers can complete a registration 

form online at foxpacf.org. The preliminary 

round of the competition will take 

place at Kirkwood High on Feb. 4 and 5. 

Scholarship deadline 

approaching 

The March 1 deadline is approaching for 

the Missouri Gaming Association’s 27th 

annual Project 21 scholarship competition. 

One $2,500 first-prize scholarship and 

three $1,500 second-prize scholarships 

will be awarded. The scholarship application 

and guidelines are available for download 

at missouricasinos.org. The Missouri 

Gaming Association is the statewide 

professional association of the Missouri 

casino industry. 

The Project 21 scholarship program 

encourages students to learn and educate 

their peers on the illegality, dangers and 

consequences of underage gambling. Students 

must write and publish an original 

essay or article in the school newspaper, 

or create a poster or video. Entries must 

be published or displayed at the student’s 

high school for at least one full week by 

Feb. 15. 

Entries will be judged for originality, 

content, style and educational value. The 

article, poster, or video must focus on 

the issues and ramifications of underage 

gambling. 

Back-to-back champs 

The Lutheran High girls varsity basketball 

team captured the St. Dominic Christmas 

Tournament title for the second year 

in a row. With their 45-30 victory over the 

host team, the girls once again brought the 

championship trophy back to Lutheran 

High. Freshman Kyrii Franklin, junior 

Ally Auringer and senior Megan Aulbert 

earned All-Tournament Team honors. 

Honored for sportsmanship 

The Interscholastic Association of 

Football Officials (IAFO) awarded the St. 

Dominic Crusaders with the 2022 AAA 

IAFO Sportsmanship Award. This award 

is voted on by the league officials, IAFO 

Board and leadership team. The varsity 

football team is coached by Blake Markway 

assisted by Scott Fulton, Jim Schottmueller, 

Gary Earnest, Bob Leonard, Zach 

Hanebrink and Jim Rowlett. 

The St. Dominic varsity football team was 

recently honored for sportsmanship. 

(Source: St. Dominic High)





I SCHOOLS I 17 

Upcycling Lutheran High senior is cheese wax sculpting wiz 

By BETHANY COAD 

Meet David Nissing: senior at Lutheran 

High St. Charles, artist, and cheese connoisseur. 

Perhaps the reference to cheese is a 

little out of the ordinary, but for Nissing, it’s 

of utmost importance. As an upcycled food 

waste organic sculptor, his creations are currently 

on display in the lobby of Lutheran 

High. Artwork is often displayed at the 

school, so what is it that sets Nissing apart? 

Cheese. Specifically, Babybel cheese. 

Nissing’s love for that particular brand 

of cheese goes back to his third grade 

classroom when a friend of his discovered 

that if he squeezed the wax of a Babybel 

tightly in his fist, the heat from his palm 

would make the wax malleable and stick 

together in a nice tight wad. At first, Nissing 

and his friends were most interested in 

wax balls that could be thrown at walls or 

ceilings and remain stuck for a long time. 

Babybel cheese wax figures by Nissing. 

Nissing said his teachers, 

at the time of his creative 

discovery, were less than 

thrilled and wax was banned 

from the classroom, delaying 

his immersion of cheese 

wax art. 

But now he’s back with a 

higher level of creativity. 

“As I continued to eat more 

cheese and fiddle with the 

remaining wax, I moved David Nissing 

from simple shapes to more 

detailed forms,” Nissing said. “Pretty soon, 

I was entertaining myself by making a 

little imaginary creature, animal, or curiously 

shaped person every day.” 

Upcycling is the reuse of discarded 

objects or materials to create a product 

of higher quality or value than the original. 

Upcycling in artwork through various 

mediums is a tangible way to help 

reduce waste. 

“I’ve always thought it 

was cool to reuse things that 

would otherwise be trashed. 

Not only are these cheap 

alternatives to buying art 

materials, but it’s especially 

cool to see something interesting 

or meaningful created 

out of everyday garbage,” 

Nissing commented. 

Being of an artistic bent, 

Nissing’s interests have 

varied throughout his formal education. 

He enjoyed art classes through elementary 

and middle school, but sided with music 

throughout his high school years. Regardless 

of not having much higher formal 

training in art the last few years, he has 

continued to pursue it in his free time 

through sketching, caricatures, building 

scale model tanks, and, of course, using 

(Source: Lutheran High School) 

cheese wax as a sculpting medium. 

His current teachers have been much 

more receptive to his use of cheese wax 

than his third grade teacher was. In fact, 

Nissing credits their encouragement to him 

continuing to stretch the boundaries of upcycling 

art and seeing where his sculpting 

would take him. 

“There have been several teachers and 

classmates who have really encouraged 

me and helped me to pursue this,” Nissing 

said. “Without their interest I likely would 

not have continued and put as much detail 

in the work.” 

In fact, their interest inspired a rumor 

that his cheese wax sculptures would be 

going on a world tour, and although Nissing 

denies the validity of that claim, his 

fame as a sculptor is bound to continue. 

An entire nativity scene was brought to 

life by his cheese consumption throughout 

the season of advent, and his collection of 

creative little figures continues to grow. 

Nissing sees his future in a profession 

where he can use creativity on a daily basis, 

and wants to continue to explore other 

upcycled food refuse and recycled materials 

for future projects. “Any material 

can be used to serve a secondary purpose 

beyond its functional, disposable intention,” 

he commented, “It just takes a little 

creativity.” 

It also seems to take an abundance of 

cheese. Babybel cheese. 

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754 Spirit 40 Park Drive • Chesterfield, MO 63005

18 I HEALTH & WELLNESS I 

Sound Health 

Laryngology 

Welcomes 

Dr. Joseph Bradley 



As a laryngologist, Dr. Bradley focuses on treating diseases, 

disorders and injuries of the larynx, more commonly known 

as the voice box, which can affect your voice, swallowing 

and upper airway. 

He also provides comprehensive ear, nose and throat 

services for both adults and children as a board-certified 

otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. 

For an appointment with Dr. Bradley, call 314-722-4545. 

Sound Health Laryngology 


O’Fallon, MO 63368 

www.soundhealthservices.com 

Business 

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The key to a healthy new year is 

rewiring your brain to form new habits 

By LISA RUSSELL 

While resolving to change a behavior 

that we know isn’t good for us – like smoking 

or eating too much junk food – is easy, 

actually doing so can be incredibly hard. 

The same goes for establishing new behaviors 

like choosing healthy food, losing 

weight or making more time for exercise 

or meditation. 

The difficulty lies in one key fact, 

proven over and over by research: habits 

are automatic, learned behaviors that have 

become hard-wired in our brains through 

repetition. They can be healthy habits, like 

brushing your teeth after meals or taking 

a daily walk; or not-so-healthy ones, like 

eating a pint of ice cream when you feel 

stressed. In fact, studies have shown that 

more than 40% of the actions most people 

do on a daily basis are out of habit. 

To make new behaviors take hold, or 

to leave behind those you don’t feel good 

about, you must actually rewire your brain. 

Theoretically, that process begins with 

taking a single action, which will eventually 

become a new hard-wired neural pathway 

if the action is repeated often enough. 

However, behavioral scientists say, it’s 

also important to realize that habits don’t 

just form out of nowhere. They are automatic 

responses to cues we constantly 

receive from certain environments, feelings 

or people. 

To change a habit, then, you also must 

be aware of its three key characteristics: 

What cue triggers the action in your brain? 

What the action is? What reward you get 

after performing the action? 

For example, a stressful day at work or 

an argument with your spouse triggers your 

need to polish off that pint of ice cream 

after dinner, causing you to feel immediately 

rewarded by the sweet treat and then 

less stressed (at least temporarily). 

So how long does forming a new habit 

take? Research has shown the process can 

take anywhere from about three weeks to a 

little over eight months, depending on your 

personality type and level of commitment 

to making a change. 

According to James Garrett, a brain 

scientist and founder of a company called 

Brain by Design, it’s critical to be consistent 

in your efforts for at least the first 66 

days when trying to establish a new positive 

habit. That advice makes sense in light 

of the fact that every year, statistics show 

that more than 80% of those who have 

made a New Year’s resolution give up on it 

within the first two months. 

Garrett and others also advise that it’s 

(Source: Adobe Stock) 

important not to try to take on more than 

your brain can handle when forming a 

new habit. In other words, deciding to lose 

weight, stop drinking and see friends more 

often all at once is probably not doable. 

Along with consistency, making one 

behavior change at a time increases your 

chances of success. 

These tips from the American Heart 

Association can help. 

Bust common habit-building myths. 

Research shows positive emotions make 

habits stick, so set your intentions on 

something you enjoy. Another misconception 

is “big results require big changes,” 

which may lead to overly ambitious habits. 

However, the simpler the routine is, the 

more likely it is to become a habit. 

Work with your “brain loops.” Your 

brain creates “loops” for habits made up of 

three things: a cue, a routine and a reward. 

Each time the loop is repeated, it becomes 

more routine and may become automatic. 

Knowing this, you can design cues for 

developing new, healthy habits, such as 

setting walking shoes by the bed to start a 

walking habit. The routine is putting on the 

shoes and walking around the block, and 

the reward is the pleasant sensations and 

brighter mood from a morning stroll. 

Create cues that work for you. Most 

successful health habits begin with a cue. 

The more consistent the cue, the more 

likely it is to trigger the habit. Hacking 

your brain’s reminder system can help you 

remember your cue. Place a sticky note 

where you’ll see it often, keep a water 

bottle on your desk, refrigerate fresh veggies 

at eye level. 

Build a routine that supports your 

goals. Small habits done consistently can 

add up to big results. To create a new 

healthy habit, think through the steps that 

could lead to your desired outcome. Ask 

yourself whether you want to do it, if it’s 

easy and if it’s high impact. Find more 

ideas at heart.org/habits.

Congratulations! 

Logan University is proud 

to share that 

Dr. Allison Harvey 

was named Pediatric 

Chiropractor of the Year 

by the American 

Chiropractic Association 

Council on Pediatric 

Chiropractic. This award 

honors the best and 

brightest who have 

demonstrated 

exceptional leadership 

and achievement in the 

field of pediatric 

chiropractic. 

Dr. Harvey is a senior clinician in the Montgomery Health Center at 

Logan University where she cares for pediatric patients, guides students 

interested in pediatrics through their clinical rotation and serves as an 

associate professor for Logan’s Master’s in Integrative Pediatrics. 

1851 Schoettler Road, Chesterfield, MO · 636-227-2100 · loganhealthcenters.com

20 I HEALTH I 



The Care You Need, Close to Home. 

5511 Winghaven Blvd., Suite 100 

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636-695-2500 | stlukes-stl.com/urgent-care 

Even the smallest amount of alcohol is potentially harmful to 

developing babies, scientists have reported. 


HEALTH 

CAPSULES 


No amount of alcohol 

is safe during pregnancy 

Even what most would consider a tiny 

amount of alcohol, when consumed by 

expectant mothers, can cause potential 

harm to their developing babies’ brains, 

Austrian researchers recently found. 

They conducted a small MRI study of 

24 developing babies which revealed that 

drinking any amount during pregnancy 

can change fetal brain structure and delay 

brain development. The babies were 

between 22 and 36 weeks’ gestation at the 

time the MRI exams were conducted, and 

their exposure to alcohol was determined 

via anonymous surveys of the mothers. 

Even though 17 of 24 mothers in the 

study drank alcohol very infrequently – 

with average consumption of less than one 

drink per week – the MRI exams were able 

to detect significant brain changes in their 

children. 

In those with any alcohol exposure, the 

fetal total maturation score (fTMS) was 

significantly lower than in an age-matched 

control group, and a brain region called 

the right superior temporal sulcus (STS), 

which is involved in social cognition, 

audiovisual integration and language perception, 

was shallower. Changes were also 

seen in the temporal brain region, which 

is primarily linked to processing auditory 

information and the encoding of memory. 

It’s well-established that regular drinking 

during pregnancy can lead to a group 

of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum 

disorders. Babies born with these disorders 

could develop learning disabilities, behavioral 

problems or speech and language 

delays. 

However, many expectant mothers 

may not be aware of the effects of small 

amounts of alcohol consumed less often, 

said lead author Patric Kienast, M.D., of 

the Medical University of Vienna. 

“As we show in our study, even low 

levels of alcohol consumption can lead to 

structural changes in brain development 

and delayed brain maturation,” Kienast 

said, concluding, “Pregnant women should 

strictly avoid alcohol consumption.” 

The study results were presented last 

November at the Radiological Society of 

North America’s annual meeting. 

Scientists say certain foods 

boost gut ‘microbiome’ 

It’s becoming clear that the trillions of 

bacteria that inhabit the intestinal tract play 

a key role in human health, in many ways. 

These microorganisms, known collectively 

as the gut microbiome, are involved in 

functions critical to overall wellness; and 

imbalances among them have been implicated 

in health problems ranging from 

inflammatory bowel diseases to autoimmune 

disorders, and from mental health 

issues to certain cancers. 

Because the makeup of those gut bacteria 

is directly influenced by what we 

eat, scientists are constantly searching for 

ways to enhance the microbiome through 

diet. In two separate studies, Penn State 

researchers recently found that simply 

adding either an ounce of peanuts or about 

a teaspoon of herbs and spices to your 

daily intake can quickly change the gut’s 

bacterial balance for the better. 

In the first study, they compared the 

effects of snacking on 28 grams (approximately 

an ounce) of peanuts per day, vs. a 

higher carbohydrate snack of crackers and 

cheese. At the end of six weeks, participants 

who ate the peanut snack had more 

abundant gut bacteria called Ruminococcaceae, 

which have been linked to healthy 

liver and immune functions. 

They got similar results in a second study, 

which measured the impact of adding 

a variety of herbs and spices to the diets 

of adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. 

They looked at three different daily 

amounts – 1/8 teaspoon, just over 3/4 teaspoon, 

and about 1 1/2 teaspoon – of herb 

and spice blends such as cinnamon, ginger, 

cumin, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, basil 

and thyme. After just four weeks, participants 

showed an increase in diversity of 

their gut bacteria along with increased 

Ruminococcaceae levels, especially at the 

medium and high doses. 

According to the study’s leaders, these 

results may suggest an easy way for Americans 

to improve their health, although 

future research is needed to determine how 

the microbiome’s makeup actually prevents 

disease. 

“It’s such a simple thing that people can 

do,” said lead author Penny M. Kris-Etherton 

of Penn State. “The average American 

diet is far from ideal, so I think everyone 

could benefit by adding herbs and spices… 

It’s also a way of decreasing sodium in 

your diet (while) flavoring foods in a way 

that makes them palatable and, in fact, 

delicious.” 

The peanut study was published in the 

journal Clinical Nutrition, while the herbs 

and spices study appeared in The Journal 

of Nutrition. 

Artificial sweetener may raise 

anxiety – for generations 

New research from the University of 

Florida has linked aspartame, a common 

artificial sweetener, to anxiety behaviors 

in mice. And in an unexpected finding, not 

only did scientists clearly observe anxiety 

in male mice that consumed aspartame 

during their experiment, but in two generations 

of their offspring born after the 

experiment ended. 

Aspartame is sold by itself under the 

brand names NutraSweet and Equal, and 

is also used in nearly 5,000 different packaged 

products ranging from sugar-free 

soda and reduced-calorie fruit juices to 

light yogurt, ice cream, salad dressings 

and more. Approved by the U.S. Food and 

Drug Administration as a sweetener in 

1981, the odorless white powder is about 

200 times sweeter than sugar. 

The Florida study involved giving mice 

drinking water that contained aspartame at 

approximately 15% of the FDA-approved 

maximum daily intake. The mice received 

the equivalent of six to eight 8-ounce cans 

of diet soda per day, every day for 12 

weeks. After this period, they and their offspring 

were observed for four years. 

According to the scientists, the mice displayed 

clear anxiety behaviors which were 

seen in a variety of maze tests, across multiple 

generations descended from the males 

exposed to aspartame. 

“It was such a robust anxiety-like trait 

that I don’t think any of us were anticipat-





I HEALTH I 21 

Aspartame, the zero-calorie sweetener used in diet soda and thousands of other food 

and beverage products, recently was shown to cause significant anxiety in mice that 

consumed it, as well as two generations of their offspring. 


ing we would see,” study leader Sara Jones 

said. “It was completely unexpected… 

Usually you see subtle changes. What this 

study is showing is we need to look back 

at environmental factors, because what we 

see today is not only what’s happening 

today, but what happened two generations 

ago and maybe even longer.” 

Jones said future research will attempt 

to identify the molecular factors behind 

the transmission of aspartame’s effects 

from generation to generation. The study 

was published in the Proceedings of the 

National Academy of Sciences. 

On the calendar 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital sponsors 

a Babysitting 101 virtual class on 

Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Feb. 2 

from 6-8:30 p.m. This interactive class, 

offered virtually through Teams Meeting, 

is a great introduction to the basics of 

babysitting and is recommended for ages 

10 and above. Topics include the business 

of babysitting, child development and 

behavior, basic child care, expecting the 

unexpected, and choosing age-appropriate 

games and activities. A workbook, first-aid 

kit, babysitter skills assessment and backpack 

will be delivered to each participant’s 

home prior to class. A list of needed supplies 

and the online link will be provided 

in the confirmation email. The cost is $25 

per child. Please note that the child is the 

registrant; parents may sit in on the class 

at no additional cost. Register online at 

classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital offers a virtual 

information session, Transform Your 

Life, Restore Your Health with MyNew- 

Self Bariatrics, on Thursday, Jan. 19 

from 6-6:30 p.m. Tired of struggling with 

obesity-related health conditions like high 

blood pressure, sleep apnea or diabetes? 

Join a St. Luke’s bariatric surgeon for this 

free informational seminar to learn more 

about options to help you achieve and 

maintain a healthy weight. Register to 

attend at stlukes-stl.com; for more information, 

call (314) 966-9639. 

• • • 

BJC offers a virtual Bariatric Surgery 

information session on Monday, Jan. 23 

from 5:30-6:30 p.m., live via Zoom. Join 

a Washington University bariatric physician 

to learn about several surgical treatment 

options for weight loss available 

at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Barnes- 

Jewish West County Hospital. There is no 

cost to participate. To register for a session 

or learn more, call (314) 542-9378 

or visit BarnesJewishWestCounty.org/ 

Medical-Services/Bariatrics/Bariatric- 

Surgery-Information-Sessions. 

• • • 

BJC presents a Family and Friends 

CPR virtual course on Tuesday, Jan. 24 

from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This virtual class, 

offered via Teams Meeting, uses the 

American Heart Association curriculum 

to teach hands-on CPR skills including 

adult hands-only CPR; infant/child CPR 

with breaths; introduction to adult/child 

AED use; and relief of choking in an 

adult, child or infant. Each participating 

household will receive a CPR kit prior 

to the course date with infant and adultsize 

mannequins, class materials and a 

DVD for ongoing reference and practice 

(course does not include certification 

upon completion). The cost is $50. Registration 

for a seat in this class is for two 

people; enter the name of the person participating 

with you in the Partner/Other 

field during checkout. Register online by 

visiting classes-events.bjc.org. 

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News & Notes 


Bursting into 2023 

If you’re already having trouble keeping 

that resolution to exercise more 

often… how does three to four minutes a 

day sound? Australian scientists recently 

reported that just a few one-minute bursts 

of fairly intense daily activity can slash the 

risk of premature death – particularly from 

cardiovascular disease – nearly in half. 

They say their study is the first to accurately 

measure the health benefits of “vigorous 

intermittent lifestyle physical activity,” 

or VILPA for short. It’s defined as very 

short periods of vigorous activity (up to 

one to two minutes) people get during the 

course of a day, and includes doing things 

like running to catch something before it 

falls, hurrying while doing errands, playing 

high-energy games with the kids or grandkids, 

and certain household chores. 

Researchers from the University of 

Sydney used data provided by 25,000 participants 

in the UK Biobank, who wore 

activity trackers every day for seven years. 

They were classified as “non-exercisers” 

who did not go the gym or play sports 

regularly, so any physical activities they 

recorded were part of everyday living. 

The data showed that just three to four 

one-minute periods of VILPA every day 

was associated with up to 40% reduction in 

both all-cause and cancer-related mortality, 

and up to a 49% reduction in death related 

to cardiovascular disease. 

“Our study shows similar benefits to 

high-intensity interval training can be 

achieved through increasing the intensity 

of incidental activities done as part of daily 

living, and the more the better,” said lead 

author Emmanuel Stamatakis, a professor 

at the university’s Charles Perkins Centre. 

“Upping the intensity of daily activities 

requires no time commitment, no preparation, 

no club memberships, no special 

skills. It simply involves stepping up the 

pace while walking or doing the housework 

with a bit more energy.” 

The study found that 89% of the participants 

did at least some VILPA every day. 

The greatest health gains were measured 

among those who recorded about four or 

five sessions per day, compared to those 

who had none. More VILPA sessions were 

also related to the best outcomes over time; 

for example, more than 10 sessions were 

linked to a 65% reduced risk of all-cause 

mortality compared to none. 

The research was published in Nature 

Medicine. 

Short bursts of activity done throughout 

the day can cut the risk of cardiovascular 

disease and premature death nearly in half. 


Skipping care due to cost 

Among older adults who are not yet eligible 

for Medicare, just over one-fifth have 

not gone to the emergency room when they 

thought it was necessary due to concerns 

about the cost, according to newly reported 

survey results. 

The National Poll on Healthy Aging asked 

a random sample of older adults to think 

back on the previous two years, including 

the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Four out of five said they were concerned 

about the cost of emergency care, and 18% 

said they were not confident they could 

afford an ER visit. Even among those who 

had not experienced a medical emergency 

during this time, worries about what such a 

visit might cost them were high. 

In all, 22% of survey participants who 

may have needed emergency room care 

said they didn’t go because of concerns 

about how high the bill might be. People in 

their 50s and early 60s, women, those with 

household incomes under $30,000, people 

with mental health issues and those who 

lacked health insurance were most likely to 

say they’d avoided getting emergency care 

because of cost concerns. 

According to the study’s lead author, 

Rachel Solnick, M.D., M.Sc., these missed 

opportunities for care often translate into 

worse health outcomes for patients. 

“As an emergency physician, I have 

seen patients come to the emergency room 

having postponed their care. They often 

come in sicker than they would have been 

had they received care sooner … That scenario 

is what I find most alarming in this 

survey’s findings,” Solnick said. 

Even after passage of the federal No 

Surprises Act, which became effective





I MATURE FOCUS I 23 

last January and seeks to reduce “surprise” 

medical bills for emergency care received 

from out-of-network providers, a person 

with private insurance might owe hundreds 

of dollars in co-pays or deductibles 

for an emergency visit, the authors noted. 

That’s especially true for people with highdeductible 

health plans, which cover a 

growing number of Americans. 

The national poll is based at the University 

of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy 

and Innovation. The most recent findings 

build on the poll report published earlier and 

are based on responses from a nationally representative 

group of more than 2,000 adults 

between the ages of 50 and 80. 

Long-term shingles risk 

If you’re over 50, you’ve no doubt heard 

that getting vaccinated against shingles is 

an effective way to prevent this common 

– and often incredibly painful – recurrence 

of the virus that causes chickenpox. 

Nearly everyone has been exposed to 

this virus, called herpes zoster, and statistics 

show that one of every three adults 

will develop shingles at some point, with 

a growing number of cases anticipated as 

the population ages. It causes a blistering 

rash on the head or body, and often leaves 

behind burning nerve pain that can persist 

for weeks or even months afterward. 

But while shingles itself is difficult 

enough to endure, it can also lead to a 

higher long-term risk of a major cardiovascular 

event like a heart attack or stroke, 

according to researchers at Brigham 

and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts. 

Their recent study of 200,000 older adults 

showed that risk is nearly 30% higher … 

and can last for as long as 12 years after a 

bout with shingles. 

The study followed three large groups 

of men and women with no previous heart 

disease or stroke. The team surveyed them 

periodically about their shingles, stroke 

and coronary heart disease histories and 

compared their responses with medical 

records, following them for up to 16 years. 

While much of the study took place 

before shingles vaccines became widely 

available, it stands to reason that vaccination 

status may influence the association 

between shingles and long-term risk of a 

major cardiovascular event, its authors said. 

The results were published in the Journal 

of the American Heart Association. 

“Given the growing number of Americans 

at risk for this painful and often disabling 

disease and the availability of an 

effective vaccine, shingles vaccination 

could provide a valuable opportunity to 

reduce the burden of shingles and reduce 

See MATURE FOCUS, page 24 

Hear what you’ve 

been missing! 

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and a variety of hearing solutions in a welcoming and professional 

environment. Whether you’re looking to restore your hearing or 

simply protect it, our hearing center provides everything you need 

to achieve your hearing health goals. 

We work with all major insurance companies and will contact your 

carrier to see if your plan has a hearing aid benefi t. 

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(formerly Hearing Health Care) 

5 other locations in St. Louis and Illinois to serve you!

24 I MATURE FOCUS I 





Our Senior Lifestyle 

Has People Talking 

“I’m a Clarendale ambassador because I 

met a resident on my first tour who became 

my best friend. I wanted to make others 

feel welcome too. It’s a very friendly place 

— even for pets. My dog Buddy is like the 

community mascot.” 

—Lorreine, Independent Living Reside 

SEE WHAT ELSE THEY’RE SAYING! 

Watch the video at ClarendaleOfStPeters.com 

or call 636-242-6096 to schedule an experience. 

web ClarendaleOfStPeters.com | 10 DuBray Drive | St. Peters, MO 63376 

12-22 

MATURE FOCUS, from page 23 

the risk of subsequent cardiovascular complications,” 

said Sharon Curhan, M.D., an 

epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s 

and a study leader. 

According to 2019 data from the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention, 

just over 26% of Americans over age 50 

reported having received a shingles vaccine. 

The current approved vaccine, called 

Shingrix, is given in two doses spaced about 

three months apart, and has proven effective 

in preventing shingles for 10 years or more. 

Lifesaving screenings 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force 

currently recommends annual lung cancer 

screening for adults between the ages of 

50 and 80 who are either current or former 

smokers. These low-dose CT screenings 

are available to those with at least a 20 

“pack-year” smoking history who are either 

current smokers or who have quit within 

the past 15 years. 

This recommendation is an important 

one, a recent long-term study reveals. It 

gathered decades of data from more than 

87,000 current or former smokers internationally, 

and showed that regular screenings 

have saved the lives of people all over 

the world, 

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine 

at Mount Sinai in New York have been 

part of this effort since it began, helping to 

launch the International Early Lung Cancer 

Action Program (I-ELCAP) in 1992. By 

2006, it had reported a 10-year survival rate 

of 80% for the patients whose cancer was 

identified by CT screening. The new study 

looked at 20-year survival rates … and discovered 

that after two decades, the same 

high percentage of patients remained alive. 

“While screening doesn’t prevent cancers 

from occurring, it is an important tool in 

identifying lung cancers in their early stage 

when they can be surgically removed,” 

People over 50 who get shingles may be 

at higher risk of heart disease or stroke for 

more than a decade afterward, according 

to a recent study. (Source: Adobe Stock) 

said the study’s lead author, Claudia Henschke, 

Ph.D., M.D., a professor of radiology 

and ELCAP director. “Ultimately, 

anyone interested in being screened needs 

to know that if they are unfortunate enough 

to develop lung cancer, that it can be cured 

if found early.” 

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of 

cancer death in the U.S. According to the 

American Lung Association, the average lung 

cancer five-year survival rate is 18.6 percent. 

Only 16 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed 

at an early stage, and for this reason 

more than half of people with lung cancer die 

within one year of being diagnosed. 

Watching for heart failure 

Smartwatches and fitness trackers have 

become important accessories for many 

adults. Far beyond simply telling time, 

they help us monitor daily steps, sleep, 

exercise routines, heart rate, communications 

and more. According to Statista, 40% 

of American adults between the ages of 35 

and 54 owned a smartwatch in 2021, while 

just under 20% of 55-plus adults did. 

Newer smartwatch models may have 

another important capability of interest 

to older adults in particular, Mayo Clinic 

scientists have reported … they can accurately 

detect heart failure. A recent study 

led by the scientists, published in Nature 

Medicine, reported that ECG recordings 

from smartwatches can detect a certain 

type of heart failure with the same degree 

of accuracy as a 12-lead ECG taken in a 

physician’s office. 

Heart failure is common in older Americans, 

affecting about 9% of those over 

age 60. When the heart cannot effectively 

pump blood throughout the body, symptoms 

of heart failure, or left-ventricular 

dysfunction, can include shortness of 

breath, nausea, chest pain, rapid heart rate 

and leg swelling, among others. 

Finding the condition early is important, 

because numerous treatments are available 

to improve a patient’s quality of life and 

decrease the risk of death once it’s diagnosed. 

For this study, the Mayo Clinic Center 

for Digital Health created an app which 

more than 2,400 participants used to 

securely upload Apple smartwatch ECGs 

to their electronic health records. They 

were 53 years old on average, and just over 

half were women. Between August 2021 

and February 2022, they sent more than 

125,000 separate ECG recordings, which 

clinicians could view. 

Among participants who had an echocardiogram 

to detect left-ventricular dysfunction 

within 30 days of logging a smartwatch 

ECG, the app was able to detect the problem 

more than 80% of the time. 

“Currently, we diagnose ventricular dysfunction 

– a weak heart pump – through an 

echocardiogram, CT scan or an MRI, but



Heart readings from smartwatches may be an 

effective way to monitor older adults for heart 

failure on a massive scale, say Mayo Clinic 

researchers. 


these are expensive, time consuming and 

at times inaccessible. The ability to diagnose 

a weak heart pump remotely, from an 

ECG that a person records using a consumer 

device… allows a timely identification of 

this potentially life-threatening disease at 

massive scale,” said Paul Friedman, M.D., 

chair of the Department of Cardiovascular 

Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. His team presented 

their results last year during the Heart 

Rhythm 2022 conference in San Francisco. 

On the calendar 

St. Louis Oasis presents a virtual class, 

Aging in Place While Aging with Grace, 

on Monday, Jan. 16 from 1-3 p.m., live 

via Zoom. Learn from BJC Home Health 

instructors about modifications you can 

make within your home to achieve healthier, 

safer and easier living while promoting 

aging in place. The course is free. 

Register by visiting st-louis.oasisnet.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents a free 

community program, Happy Feet, on 

Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 10-11 a.m. at the 

Chesterfield Community Center, 237 

Chesterfield Mall (second floor near 

Macy’s). Join a board-certified podiatrist 

to learn more about taking care of your 

feet throughout your life. Learn simple 

stretches and exercises to support your 

joints and muscles along with ways to 

care for your feet; all abilities are welcome. 

Register to attend online at stlukes-stl.com, 

email olderadults@chesterfield.mo.us, or 

call (636) 812-9500. 

• • • 

BJC sponsors a Stroke Support virtual 

class on Monday, Feb. 6 from 1-2 p.m. 

at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, 6 

Jungermann Circle in St. Peters. Class is 

also presented virtually via Teams Meeting. 

Whether you are a stroke survivor or taking 

care of a loved one, we invite you to join 

our online monthly support community. 

There is no cost to participate. Register to 

attend at classes-events.bjc.org. 



I MATURE FOCUS I 25 

A WHOLE 

new notion 

living. 

IN 

CHESTERFIELD 

The Artisan at Cedarhurst 

is coming soon, offering 

independent living with upscale 

apartment homes, abundant social 

opportunities and Crafted by 

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Fulfillment. Meaning. Exploration. Breeze Park provides 

abundant opportunities to engage meaningfully. 

Our residents enjoy exceptional amenities and support 

to age well and with a sense of purpose. See the 

Breeze Park difference – schedule a tour today! 

Call 636.242.8944 to learn more about moving 

to Breeze Park! 

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Weldon Spring, MO 63304 

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26 I BUSINESS I 





Genesis of St. Charles Dealership has broken ground next door to St. Charles 

Nissan at 5601 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. in St. Peters 

(Photo Provided) 

BUSINESS 

BRIEFS 

PLACES 

The Maher Family celebrated the expansion 

of the St. Charles Automotive brand 

at the groundbreaking for the new Genesis 

of St. Charles Dealership, located next 

door to St. Charles Nissan at 5601 Veterans 

Memorial Pkwy. in St. Peters this past 

November. Joining The Maher Family and 

representatives from St. Charles Automotive 

were St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano and 

Aldermen Terri Violet and Gregg Sartorius. 

Others in attendance include staff members 

from the Economic Development office 

with the city of St. Peters and representatives 

with the St. Charles Regional Chamber. 

The 11,000-plus square foot building 

will be the first Genesis dealer in Missouri. 

Until the new facility is completed in the 

third quarter of 2023, customers can test 

drive and purchase one of the five Genesis 

models located inside the St. Charles 

Hyundai showroom located at 5701 Veterans 

Memorial Pkwy. in St. Peters. 

• • • 

Doster Ullom & Boyle, LLC, announces 

its new name: Doster Nations Ullom 

& Boyle, LLC. The name change adds 

member John Nations, who joined the firm 

in June 2022, to the firm name. Members 

Mike Doster and John Boyle expressed 

that adding Nations’s experience, expertise 

and devotion to public service has already 

been a transformative development in the 

growth of the firm. Doster Nations Ullom 

& Boyle, LLC will continue to provide 

business, real estate and estate planning. 

• • • 

BB Couture celebrated its grand opening 

with a ribbon cutting performed by 

the Cottleville-Weldon Spring Chamber 

in December. BB Couture opened its new 

store at 21 Meadows Circle Drive Suite 

214 in Lake Saint Louis. Members of the 

Cottleville Weldon-Spring Chamber of 

Commerce, members of Little Black Book 

and other community leaders were in attendance. 

BB Couture is an upscale prom and 

gala dress boutique featuring gowns priced 

under $500. 

PEOPLE 

Longtime St. Louis newscaster Larry 

Conners returns to St. Louis radio with 

“The Larry Conners USA Daily Report” on 

St. Louis’ locally owned new conservative 

talk station, NewsTalkSTL. “The Larry 

Conners USA Daily Report,” hosted by 

Conners, debuted on 101.9 and 94.1 NewsTalkSTL 

(K270BW, KNBS, KLJY-HD3). 

The show airs weekdays at 6 p.m. and 

focuses on subjects that trouble our nation 

and families. Two other programs featuring 

Connors, The Conners Commentary will 

air at 12:03 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and Larry 

Conners USA will be broadcast live on the 

NewsTalksSTL Rumble channel weekdays 

from noon-2 p.m. and rebroadcast on 101.9 

and 94.1 FM from 1-3 a.m. 

• • • 

Professional tarot card reader Sylvia 

Plath and former writing and humanities 

professor Julia Gordon-Bramer are hosting 

a new show called “Mystic Fix” on 

NewsTalk STL beginning on Feb. 4. The 

show explores living and understanding 

spirituality, the occult, and the paranormal. 

“Mystic Fix” will be broadcast Saturdays 

at 8 p.m. on 101.9 FM and 94.1 FM, and 

available for podcast and videocast worldwide. 

“Mystic Fix” offers advice and spiritual 

tools for modern living. Each show 

will feature guests and authors engaging in 

lively conversation on the show’s weekly 

themes, ranging from crystals to Qabalah, 

yoga to yetis and chakras to tarot card reading 

featuring lively discussion, interviews 

with authors and practitioners and a call-in 

segment for listeners to offer comments, ask 

questions or get free on-air readings.





Local man turns grain silos into classrooms for the forgotten girls of Kenya 

I 27 

By DEANNE LEBLANC 

When George Hutchings was 18, he 

found himself soaking wet and freezing 

cold in a water-filled ditch on a hill in Vietnam. 

His company was being overrun by 

the enemy and, he had stayed hidden in the 

hole all night, trying to survive. By morning, 

his Charlie company got some muchneeded 

reinforcements. 

“Delta company came in and saved us, or 

we would have all been killed,” Hutchings 

said. “I took my boot off and was wringing 

my socks out, trying to put on a dry sock. I 

wanted to take care of my feet because we 

knew that if you lost your feet, you lost the 

whole soldier.” 

That’s about the time he got an order to 

go to the bottom of the hill on water detail. 

“I was cussing about it while I was struggling 

to get my sock and boot back on 

when my friend, Cpl. Bice said he would 

go for me. I told him he didn’t have to, I 

was just complaining because there are 

some things that Marines just have to cuss 

about. Marines are very good at cussing, 

you know,” Hutchings said. 

But before Hutchings could get his boot 

back on, Bice took his squad and went in 

Hutchings’s place. 

“As soon as Cpl. Bice got outside the line 

of perimeter, he was hit in the chest with a 

rocket,” Hutchings explained. 

Bice didn’t come home from Vietnam, 

but Hutchings did. It was at that moment 

that Hutchings felt called to a divine mission. 

“God was speaking to me through my circumstances,” 

Hutchings said, “that Christ 

had died in my place just as Cpl. Bice 

had died in my place. I didn’t know how 

to make sense of it, but I knew there was 

an unseen hand watching over me. My life 

was spared to do good work in this world. 

Ever since I became a man of faith, I’ve 

Students at the Juanita School for Girl 

been living on the promise that God spared 

me so that I could help others and that is 

what I’ve tried to do.” 

In the late 90s, Hutchings met John 

Kihumba, a student at Missouri Baptist 

University who was from Kenya. They 

struck up a friendship. Hutchings helped 

him get enrolled in school, get a job and 

an apartment and adjust to American life. 

Hutchings noticed that John used most of 

the money given to him to mail used shoes 

back home. John explained that because 

his family in Kenya didn’t have shoes, and 

since he was in America, they expected 

him to help. Hutchings tried to encourage 

him to use the money for himself, but John 

kept collecting shoes and sending them to 

his family. 

After a few years, John took Hutchings 

to a downtown warehouse where he had 

collected over 30,000 pairs of shoes. He 

pleaded with Hutchings to help him ship 

them to Kenya. Hutchings put a plane 

ticket on his credit card and went to Kenya 

in 1997 to deliver the shoes. It was on that 

life-changing trip that his heart was stirred 

by the Kenyan people. He said he knew 

with a renewed fervor that this was why 

his life was spared – to help those in need. 

Hutchings continued to collect shoes for 

the next 14 years, becoming known in the 

St. Louis region, and beyond, as George 

“The Shoeman” Hutchings. During that 

time, he collected over 4 million pounds 

of used shoes, sold them on the used shoe 

market in Haiti and used the funds to drill 

over 300 water wells in Kenya, greatly 

improving the health and livelihoods of 

many villages in Kenya. 

Several years ago, at one of his shoe 

drives, Hutchings was approached by a 

couple from Kenya, whom he came to 

know as Juanita and Patrick. The couple 

had taught there and wanted to help with 

his mission. They also had a “far-fetched” 

idea to start a girls’ boarding 

school there, Hutchings 

said. 

“I was busy collecting 

shoes and had no idea 

how to start a school, but 

this couple showed up 

volunteering for me. They 

worked so hard every 

week and continued saying 

that they were there to help 

start a school,” Hutchings 

said. 

In Kenya, there is no 

school for girls past the 

eighth grade, as Kenya’s 

government doesn’t invest 

in high school, so any 

high schools that exist are 

(Photo provided) costly private institutions. 

George Hutchings in front of a school silo 

Without a high school education, most of 

Kenya’s teen girls are sold into marriage 

to provide funds for their families, enter 

prostitution, find menial labor jobs, turn 

to drugs or alcohol, or commit suicide, 

Hutchings said. 

After three years, Juanita’s mother 

donated 10 acres of land near East Thika, 

Kenya. Now, they had land for the school, 

they just needed a building, electricity and 

water. The pieces started falling into place 

after receiving two large donations. 

To run electricity to the remote field 

cost $20,000. That cost was taken care 

of by a Ballwin resident who was personally 

impacted by the stories of desperate 

Kenyan girls fighting for basic needs. After 

Hutchings’ first trip to Kenya, a St. Louis 

woman who had been paying for his shoe 

project work trips heard about the school 

and was moved to donate $400,000 toward 

the cause. 

When it came time to name the school, 

Hutchings wanted to name it after Juanita 

because he said, “It was her idea in the first 

place.” But Juanita wasn’t her name. 

Due to some hearing impairment with 

which Hutchings suffers, he heard her name 

pronounced as “Juanita,” but her name was 

actually “Jacinda.” However, after learning 

the meaning of the name Juanita – Spanish 

for “God’s gift,” Hutchings thought the 

name fit perfectly for the school. 

They broke ground in 2018, and when 

the school opened in 2020, 16 students 

were enrolled. Today, there are 87 students, 

with 60 more arriving this month. 

Most of the girls that come to the school 

grow up in a mud hut with no electricity or 

running water. They sleep on a dirt floor. 

When they come to the Juanita School for 

Girls (juanitaschoolkenya.org), they get 

to sleep on a mattress, use a toilet and get 

(Photo provided) 

showers for the first time. They also get 

an education that would have been impossible 

before Hutchings, his volunteers and 

donors intervened. 

“They love the showers so much, the 

teachers have to keep them on a timer 

because they don’t want to get out,” Hutchings 

said. 

Now, armed with the idea to use grain 

silos as classroom space, Hutchings said 

the Juanita School can grow into a multifunctional 

school that will educate thousands 

of girls. 

The silo pieces are manufactured in the 

states and shipped to Kenya where a volunteer 

trains the girls to assemble them. 

Donated goats enable the students to make 

cheese and butter and learn a sustainable 

trade. They also learn to garden and harvest 

what they grow. 

The school’s current goal is to graduate 

students who will be eligible for scholarships 

at a Kenyan university or prepare 

them for a trade that will give them an 

independent and sustainable livelihood. 

“God breathed this into existence. It was 

not something that human beings could 

conjure up,” Hutchings said. “When I 

visited schools in Kenya, the eighth-grade 

graduates looked at me and with their 

eyes, they asked me, ‘Are you going to 

help us, or walk on by?’ When given the 

opportunity through Jacinda, I knew I had 

to help. Educate a girl, she teaches the 

family; educate a family, you educate a 

village. So when you rescue one girl, you 

really are changing the whole world. Some 

men leave tombstones, but I hope I will 

leave a vibrant, thriving school in a remote 

place. These girls have given me a reason 

for taking up space and using oxygen in 

God’s good world, so I hope to continue 

this work for as long as I’m here.”

28 I EVENTS I 

LOCAL 

EVENTS 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

The Shape of Community Rotating 

Sculpture Series is a city-wide temporary 

sculpture exhibition featuring 

large-scale works of art, loaned by artists 

for an 18-month period in prominent 

areas throughout O’Fallon. For locations, 

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

Download the Otocast app and take a 

guided tour. 

• • • 

‘90s Nite is at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 

at The Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main 

Center in St. Charles. Relive the raddest 

decade and celebrate a night full of favorite 

things from the ‘90s. All ages welcome. 

Free event. Reserve tickets at eventbrite. 

com and search “90s nite.” 

• • • 

First Fridays are from 5-8 p.m. on the 

first Friday of each month at the Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in St. 

Charles. Visitors will be able to spend time 

in the galleries, meet resident studio artists 



An ice carver uses a tool to shape a wolf howling at the moon at the 

Fete de Glace. 

(Source: discoverstcharles.com) 

and enjoy a wide array of art programming 

and entertainment. There will be free 

activities in addition to paid workshops 

hosted by local business owners. Feb. 

3: Heart Mart with Frenchtown Tattoo 

Company. March 3: Regional High School 

Student Exhibition. For details, visit 

foundryartcentre.org/first-fridays. 

• • • 

This year’s annual Fete de Glace, or 

ice carving festival, is from 9:30 a.m.- 

3:30 p.m. on Saturday Jan. 28 on historic 

North Main Street in St. Charles. The 

whole family can watch as ice carvers 

fill two blocks of North Main Street with 

their works of art. Artists bring the craft of 

ice carving to life with chainsaws, chisels, 

grinders and knives, as well as hot irons 

and cold spray. Each artist starts with a 

single block of ice weighing 260 pounds 

and dissects it and reassembles it into 

wondrous sparkling creations. There are 

outdoor fire pits, restaurants serving breakfast 

or lunch and shops to wander in to help 

you stay warm. Plan to stay for a few hours 

so you can watch the sculptures develop 

from a block of ice. 

• • • 

St. Charles Community College Center 

Stage Theatre presents “The Lily and the 



Mantis” at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 9 and 

at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 

10 and March 11 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, 

March 12 at the Shook Fine Arts Building, 

4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Charles. 

For high school ages and up. Tickets are 

$12 each and available at stchastickets.com. 

• • • 

Spring Dance is from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 

on Friday, March 31 at the St. Peters Cultural 

Arts Centre, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd., 

featuring a live DJ by Juke Box Productions. 

Individuals, couples, and groups are 

invited. Tickets are $7 per person at the 

door. Show a St. Peters Resident Card or 

a Cultural Arts Centre membership and 

receive $1 off admission. For details, visit 

stpetersmo.net/calendar-details. 

• • • 

“Despair to Hope” by the St. Louis 

Chamber Chorus is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 

April 16 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 

115 S. Sixth St. in St. Charles. Tickets start 

at $30. For subscriptions and tickets, visit 

chamberchorus.org, email info@chamberchorus.org 

or call (636) 458-4343. 

BENEFITS 

Frostbite Barbecue is from 11 a.m.-3 

p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at St. John’s 

UCC, 945 Wolfrum Road in Weldon 

DINING 

LOVE 

636.591.0010 

Be informed & meet elected officials 

January 6 | Judge Daniel Pelikan 

January 13 | Mike Sommer, CPA 

Jan. 20 | Attorney General Andrew Bailey 

Jan. 27 | Tony Lupo, MO Fed of Pachyderms 

Feb. 3 | Francis Howell Families - 

School Board Candidates 

Feb. 10 | WSD Families - 

Wentzville School Board Candidates 

FRIDAY LUNCH MEETINGS AT NOON 

Mattingly’s 

6245 Ronald Reagan Dr. | Lake St. Louis 

St. Charles County 

Pachyderm Club 

www.sccpachyderms.org 

Buy 1 Bundtlet, 

Get 1 Free 

Valid at: 

St. Peters 

6123 Mid Rivers Mall Blvd. 

St. Peters, MO 63376 

(314) 492-2325 

Expires 02/28/2023. Limit one (1) coupon per 

guest. Coupon must be presented at time of 

purchase. Valid only at the Nothing Bundt Cakes 

bakery(ies) listed. Valid only on baked goods; 

not valid on retail items. Must be claimed in 

bakery during normal business hours. Not valid 

for online orders. Not valid with any other offer. 

Discounts applied before tax. Coupon may not 

be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet 

distribution strictly prohibited. No cash value. 

For 

Bakery 

BEER 

EAT 

CHILI 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 | 11:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | FOUNDRY ART CENTRE 

THE CITY OF ST. CHARLES IS PUTTING ON A CHILI AND BEER FESTIVAL! 

Join us for a delicious day of cold beer, warm chili and live music. You 

can buy either a tasting ticket, or just an admission ticket to enjoy the 

event. The tasting ticket will allow you to get a sample from each vendor 

to determine who has your favorite! 

For details or to purchase tickets, visit bowlsandbrews.eventbrite.com.





I EVENTS I 29 

Spring. Dinners are $12-13 and include a 

meat and two sides. For a full menu, visit 

stjohnsweldonspring.com. Call orders in 

to (636) 926-8995 or email, at office@ 

stjohnsweldonspring.com. 

• • • 

St. Charles Historical Society 

Luncheon is from noon-2 p.m. on 

Saturday, Jan. 28 at the All Occasion 

Banquet Center, 111 Compass Point Drive 

in St. Charles. Vicki and James Erwin will 

present, “Steamboat Disasters of the Lower 

Mississippi River.” Cost is $23. Advanced 

registration is required. For tickets, visit 

scchs.org, call (636) 946-9828 or email, 

contact@scchs.org. 

• • • 

Trivia Night Fundraiser for Tri- 

County Citizen and Advisory Board is at 

6:45 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at American 

Legion - (doors open at 6 p.m.) Post 312, 

2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles. $20 

per person/$160 per table, maximum of 8. 

Alcohol and soda must be purchased at the 

cash bar. Bottled water is provided, guests 

can bring their own snacks. For details, 

call (314) 477-5096. 

• • • 

Harry Potter Trivia Night is from 7-9 

p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17 at the Krekel Civic 

Center, 305 Civic Park Drive in St. Charles. 

Ages 21 and up. Cost is $85. Register by 

Feb. 13 at ofallon.mo.us. 

• • • 

Choral Society of St. Charles County 

Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 

p.m.) on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Dardenne Presbyterian 

Church, 7400 S. Outer Road 364. 

Cost is $20 per player, $160 for table of 8. 

For details, visit choralsocietyofscc.org or 

email julielynch@choralsocietyofscc.org. 

• • • 

Family Night Out/Trivia is at 7 p.m. 

(doors open ay 6:30 p.m.) on Friday, 

March 3 at Memorial Hall in Blanchette 

Park, 1900 W. Randolph St. in St. Charles. 

Children ages 4-10 can go upstairs for 

games, snacks and crafts while parents 

play trivia downstairs. Trivia guests may 

bring food and drink. Fee is $160 for a 

table of 8, $20 per child for childcare. To 

register, visit stcharlesparks.com, search 

“family trivia.” 

FAMILY & KIDS 

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

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

weekly at the Spencer Road Branch 

Library, 427 Spencer Road in St. Peters. 

Stories, songs and activities intended for 

children ages 6 and younger. Free. Register 

at attend.mylibrary.org/events. 

• • • 

Nerf Wars is from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, 

Jan. 13 at the Renaud Center, 2650 Tri 

Sports Circle in O’Fallon. For ages 4-14. 

$16 for residents, $18 for non-residents. 

Register at ofallon.mo.us. 

• • • 

Rock Painting is from noon-2 p.m. on 

Sunday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 

Broemmelsiek Park, 1795 Hwy DD in 

Defiance. Adults and children, ages 6 and 

up will paint rocks, also known as kindness 

stones to keep or hide outside for others 

to find. Cost is $2. To register, visit sccmo. 

org/232/Parks-Recreation. 

• • • 

Father-Daughter Dance “Boots and 

Bows” is from 6:30-9 p.m. on Saturday, 

Jan. 28 at the St. Peters Cultural Arts 

Centre, St. Peters Centre Blvd. For girls, 

ages 3-13. Tickets are $14 per person. A 

professional photographer will be available 

to take pictures for an additional 

cost. Register in person at the Rec-Plex, 

by phone at (636) 939-2386, ext. 1400, or 

online at stpetersmo.net. 

• • • 

DJ Skate is from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, 

Feb. 3 at the Rec-Plex North Ice Rink in 

St. Peters. Each month will feature a fun 

theme. Members are free, the public pays 

daily admission. No registration required. 

For details, visit stpetersmo.net/rec-plexevents. 

• • • 

Daddy Daughter Dance is from 6-8 

p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at O’Day Park 

in O’Fallon, featuring music, dinner and 

dancing. Ages 2-12. Cost per couple is $50 

for residents, $56 for non-residents. To 

register, visit ofallon.mo.us. 

• • • 

Valentine’s Hunt for Kisses is at 10 

a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Rau Garden in 

Blanchette Park in St. Charles. Every child 

will go on a nature scavenger hunt through 

the garden and park area. Complete the 

scavenger hunt to receive chocolate kisses 

and a goodie bag. Crafts and a visit with 

Cupid included. $10 per person. Register 

at stcharlesparks.com/programs. 

• • • 

Nurf Warz is from 10-11:30 a.m. on 

Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Rec-Plex North 

Gym 5200 Mexico Road in St. Peters. Participants 

must bring their own gun. Soft tip 

darts and safety glasses will be provided. 

Play will happen from 10-11 a.m. Pizza 

and drinks will be served from 11-11:30 

a.m. Cost is $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers. 

For ages 5-12 years. To register, 

visit stpetersmo.net. 

• • • 

Mario Kart Tournament is from 1-3 

p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the St. Peters 

Rec-Plex Gaming Lounge, 5200 Mexico 

Road. For ages 5-12. Cost is $8 for mem- 

See LOCAL EVENTS, page 30 

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30 I 





LOCAL EVENTS, from page 29 

bers, $10 for non-members. Register at 

stpetersmo.net. 

• • • 

Winter Festival on Ice is from 2:45- 

4:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the St. 

Peters Rec-Plex North Ice Rink, featuring 

ice golf, sled racing, a 1-mile skating race 

and more. Hot chocolate and crafts will be 

in the lobby. Cost is $10 for members, $15 

for non-members. Pre-register at stpetersmo.net/rec-plex-events. 

• • • 

Maple Sugar Festival is from 11 a.m.-3 

p.m. on Saturday, March 4 at the Historic 

Daniel Boone Home in Defiance. Learn 

historic and modern tree-tapping methods 

and taste sweet treats from the trees. Free 

program. Open to all ages. Dress for the 

weather. For details, call (636) 798-2005. 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

Veterans Coffee is from 9-10:30 a.m. on 

the second and fourth Wednesday of every 

month at the Wentzville Senior Center, 

500 Great Oaks Blvd. Veterans from all 

branches of service are invited. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Pachyderm Club 

meets at noon every Friday at Mattingly’s, 

6245 Ronald Reagan Drive in Lake Saint 

Louis. Be informed and meet elected officials. 

No meetings on holiday weekends. 

For details, visit sccpachyderms.org. 

• • • 

The Cavesprings Toastmasters Club 

offers in-person and online meetings from 

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

Ambulance District, 2000 Salt River Road 

in St. Peters. Improve public speaking 

and communication skills by gaining 

confidence when speaking in front of 

others. RSVP to cavespringstoastmasters@ 

gmail.com. 

• • • 

Date Night at the Heritage Museum is 

at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20 at the Heritage 

Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing in St. 

Charles. Includes a candlelit table, music, 

games and s’mores to prepare over a campfire. 

Bring dinner, drinks, blanket and a 

flashlight. For ages 18 and up. Cost is $5 

per person. Pre-registration is required at 

sccmo.org. 

• • • 

St. Charles Dance Club is from 7-10 

p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Dardenne 

Prairie Hall, 2199 Post Road. Dance the 

night away to the music of DJ, Jim Brown. 

Free dance lessons from 6:15-7 p.m. Bring 

drinks and snacks. For details, email rasalater@gmail.com. 

• • • 

Sweetheart Bingo and Lunch is from 

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 

at the Renaud Center, 2650 Tri Sports 

Save the date for Bowls & Brews 

The city of St. Charles is hosting a 

chili and beer festival called Bowls 

& Brews from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on 

Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Foundry Art 

Centre at 520 N. Main Center in St. 

Charles. 

Guests can sample some of the 

best beer and chili from breweries 

and restaurants in the area and vote 

on their favorite. The top winner in 

each category will receive a $500 

prize. The event also features live 

music throughout the day. 

General admission to the event is $15 

per person. Sampling tickets are available 

for $30 each and include samples 

Circle in O’Fallon. Registration includes 

at least five games of Bingo with prizes 

and lunch. $18 for residents, $21 for 

non-residents. To register, visit ofallon. 

mo.us/parks&rec. 

• • • 

The Saint Louis Experience is from 

10:15 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 

meeting at the Krekel Civic Center, 305 

Civic Park Drive in St. Charles. Includes a 

tour of the Busch brewery, lunch, a visit to 

the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial 

and a trip to the top of the Arch. Cost is 

(Adobe Stock photo) 

from beer and chili vendors. Additional 

food and beverage will be available for 

purchase from vendors. To purchase 

tickets, visit stcharlescitymo.gov. 

$120 for residents, $130 for non-residents 

and includes deluxe motor coach transportation, 

admissions, lunch and gratuities. To 

register, visit offallon.mo.us/parks&rec. 

• • • 

The Wedding Expo at O’Day is from 

10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 

O’Day Lodge, 1100 O’Day Park Drive in 

O’Fallon. Brides and grooms are invited to 

chat with wedding planners, florists, DJs, 

rental companies, caterers, photographers 

and more. Free event. For details, visit 

ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec. 

MID RIVERS HOME PAGES 

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PREP YOUR HOME FOR 

WINTER WEATHER





I 31 

ALZHEIMER’S, from page 10 

als could call to access resources about 

dementia and Alzheimer’s. While that 

particular recommendation did not make it 

into the report, having a state dementia services 

coordinator within the public health 

division of the Department of Health and 

Senior Services (DHSS) did. 

“We are asking for one person to communicate 

with all of the people on the task 

force,” Faith explained. “This is an amazing 

step forward that the leadership of this 

state has taken.” 

According to the Alzheimer’s Impact 

Movement (AIM), the advocacy arm of the 

Alzheimer’s Association: 

• There are over 120,000 people living 

with Alzheimer’s in Missouri, 17% of 

which are in hospice with a primary diagnosis 

of dementia. 

• Some 194,000 Missourians are providing 

unpaid care to sufferers of dementia. 

• Medicaid spent $973 million to care for 

people living with Alzheimer’s disease in 

Missouri in 2020. 

• There are currently 91 geriatricians in 

Missouri, yet at least a 211% increase in 

their number will be needed to meet the 

demand for them by 2050. 

• There are currently just over 74,000 

home health and personal care aids in Missouri; 

that number will need to increase by 

31% by 2028. 

Jerry Dowell is a task force member 

who, with the Alzheimer’s Association 

Greater Missouri Chapter and AIM, works 

in Missouri with advocates and legislators 

to implement policies that help those with 

Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers. 

He noted that some of the association’s 

policy priorities in Missouri include 

serving the growing number of family 

caregivers by asking legislators to maintain 

funding of $450,000 in the DHSS to continue 

Missouri’s state-funded Alzheimer’s 

Respite Care Program for families caring 

for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s at 

home. 

The association also supports maintaining 

funding for the Structured Family Caregiver 

Waiver – approved by the Centers for 

Medicare & Medicaid Services in February 

of 2020 – that allows up to 300 Missouri 

HealthNet (Medicaid) beneficiaries, 

including those living with Alzheimer’s 

or other dementia, to live in their choice 

of home setting with the caregiver of their 

choice. This initiative supports family 

caregivers by providing reimbursement for 

daily caregiving tasks. 

According to the association, age is 

the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s 

Disease, as an estimated 6.5 million 

Americans age 65-plus were living with 

the disease in 2022. Two-thirds of that 

population are women. Older Hispanics 

are about 1.5 times as likely to suffer 

with dementia and older black Americans 

about twice as likely. Some 73% 

of Americans age 75-plus live with 

Alzheimer’s. 

Challenges & recommendations 

The five most common issues identified 

by individuals who attended the task 

force’s community forums are: 

• Limited public knowledge about 

Alzheimer’s and other dementias. 

• A greater need for respite services and 

resources for caregivers. 

• Financial coverage of respite services 

and long-term care options. 

• Difficulty receiving a diagnosis, especially 

in rural areas. 

• Limited knowledge within the health 

care system of the resources and how to 

provide care for people with Alzheimer’s 

or other dementias. 

The recommendations outlined in the 

task force’s 2023 report are: 

• Expand access to resources to reduce 

stigma and increase early detection and 

diagnosis of dementia. 

• Increase funding for Alzheimer’s 

respite grants in the state budget. 

• Ensure state Medicaid programs provide 

appropriate coverage for approved 

drug and clinical treatments for persons 

living with dementia. 

• Improve residential and home and community-based 

service provider licensure 

requirements for dementia care through 

culturally appropriate evidence and acuitybased 

models. 

• Increase dementia competency of 

health care providers, first responders and 

caregivers to deliver person-centered care 

through dementia-specific and culturally 

competent training. 

• Accelerate workforce development in 

dementia care professions. 

• Create a statewide crisis response 

system that supports the unique behavioral 

needs of persons living with dementia. 

• Establish and fund a full-time state 

agency position to coordinate the state’s 

response to dementia. 

Visit health.mo.gov/seniors/alzh-task-force 

for more information on the recommendations. 

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 

CLEANING SERVICES 

SPOTLESS CLEANING 

SERVICES 

for your home or business. 

Specializing in everyday cleaning 

of homes, rentals, move outs & 

home buying, etc. 

Family owned & operated 

Call today (636) 777-9319 

to schedule your cleaning 

or a FREE ESTIMATE. 

Email: spotless.dina@gmail.com 

COLLECTIBLES 

WANTED TO BUY 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 

Baseball Cards, Sports Cards, 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 

Private Collector: 

314-302-1785 

BRIDGE CLASSES 

LEARN BRIDGE IN A DAY!!! 

Learn the fun & exciting game of bridge with 

minimal commitment of time and money 

and make new friends. 

Sunday, Feb 26th, 9am-4pm w/lunch break 

For details Call/Email Jay: 314-495-6093 

Email-jay@jsbridgepad.com 

Where: 10423 St. Charles Rock Rd-63074 

American Contract Bridge League 

HEY CARDINAL FANS 

-ITEMS FOR SALE 

St. Louis Cardinal 

Bobbleheads, Rings, 

Purses, Etc. 

Call for pricing & pictures 

314-703-7456 

ELECTRICAL 

ERIC'S ELECTRIC 

Licensed, Bonded and Insured: 

Service upgrades, fans, can lights, 

switches, outlets, basements, 

code violations fixed, we do it 

all. Emergency calls & back-up 

generators. No job too small. 

Competitively priced. 

Free Estimates. 

Just call 636-262-5840 

FOR SALE 

Aquarimum 

120 gallon with custom 

wood base cabinet. 

Glass top with lights. 

UG filter. $275 

314-280-9232 

GARAGE DOORS 

DSI/Door Solutions, Inc. 

Garage Doors, Electric Openers. 

Fast Repairs. All makes & models. 

Same day service. Free Estimates. 

Custom Wood and Steel Doors. 

BBB Member • Angie's List 

Call 314-550-4071 

www.dsi-stl.com 

HAULING 

J & J HAULING 

WE HAUL IT ALL 

Service 7 days. Debris, furniture, 

appliances, household trash, 

yard debris, railroad ties, fencing, 

decks. Garage & Basement Clean-up 

Neat, courteous, affordable rates. 

Call: 636-379-8062 or 

email: jandjhaul@aol.com 

HELP WANTED 

Rockwood School District 

Hiring For Position of: 

Food Service 

Our Child Nutrition Assistants 

work school days only 

Part time or Full time, 

No experience needed. 

Starting Pay $13 Hourly. 

Seven Paid Holidays, 

Retirement through PEERS, 

Perfect Attendance Days 

Manager positions available 

with full benefits. 

www.rsdmo.org 

or call 636-733-3253 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

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 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

REMODEL & REPAIR 

Rotted wood, Painting, Tile, 

Drywall, Floors, Electrical, 

Carpentry, Plumbing, 

Power Washing. Insured. 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Tom Streckfuss 314-910-7458 

sbacontractingllc@gmail.com 

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 

Best Landscaping Values 

in Town! 

Mizzou Crew Mulch, 

Shrub Trimming, 

Yard Cleanups, 

Power Washing, 

Moles, Small Walls 

& Paver Patios. 

Hauling, Demolition, 

Handyman Services 

& Rough Carpentry 

Call/Text Jeff 

314-520-5222 

or www.MizzouCrew.com 

PAINTING 

Interior and 

exterior painting 

Deck staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

Dickspainting.com 

314-707-3094 

PLUMBING 

ANYTHING IN PLUMBING 

Good Prices! Basement 

bathrooms, small repairs & 

code violations repaired. Fast 

Service. Certified, licensed 

plumber - MBC Plumbing 

- Call or text anytime: 

314-409-5051 

REAL ESTATE 

I BUY HOMES 

ALL CASH - AS-IS 

I have been buying and selling 

for over 30 years. 

$ $ 

No obligation. 

No commission. 

No fixing up. 

It doesn’t cost to find out 

how much you can get. 

Must ask for 

Lyndon Anderson 

314-496-5822 

Berkshire Hathaway 

Select Prop. 

Office: 636-394-2424 

WATERPROOFING 

TOP NOTCH 

WATERPROOFING & 

FOUNDATION REPAIR LLC 

Cracks, sub-pump systems, structural 

& concrete repairs. Exterior 

drainage correction. Serving 

Missouri for 15 years. 

Finally, a contractor 

who is honest & 

leaves the job site clean. 

Lifetime Warranties. 

Free Estimate 636-281-6982 

WEDDING SERVICES 

ANYTIME ANYWHERE 

- CEREMONIES - 

• Marriage Ceremonies 

• Vow Renewals 

• Baptisms 

• Pastoral Visits 

• Graveside Visits 

Full Service Ministry 

(314) 703-7456 

To place a Classified ad, 

go to midriversnewsmagazine.com 

or call 636.591.0010 ext. 21

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right with checking 

that pays you 

Scan to 

learn more 

*$1 share deposit required. Must qualify for membership. Federally insured by NCUA. APY=Annual Percentage Yield. APYs accurate as of 10/01/2022. Rates may change after account is 

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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 1-11-23

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