Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 4-3-24

Vol. 21 No. 7 • April 3, 2024 

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STAR PARKER 

Recapturing our lost 

and disillusioned youth 

Our nation’s Declaration of Independence 

begins with the famous statement that “all 

men ... are endowed by their Creator with 

certain unalienable Rights, that among these 

are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

But according to the latest Gallup World 

Happiness Report, Americans’ success in the 

“pursuit of happiness” is diminishing. 

For the first time since the annual report 

was first compiled in 2012, the United States 

is not among the top 20 happiest countries in 

the world. 

In this latest 2024 report, the United States 

ranks 23 in the world, down from number 15 

in 2023. 

A large factor influencing the drop in happiness 

in the United States is particularly bad 

results among young Americans. For those 

age 30 and below, the United States ranks 62 

in the world. This compared to those age 60 

and above, for whom the United States ranks 

number 10. 

What’s going on with our youth? 

A recent Wall Street Journal article about 

so-called Gen Z, those born between 1997 

and 2012, identifies members of Gen Z who 

are 18 and up as “America’s Most Disillusioned 

Voters.” 

The headline continues, “Young adults are 

now more skeptical of government and pessimistic 

about the future than any other living 

generation before them.” 

Per Wall Street Journal polling reported 

in the article, “More than three-quarters of 

voters under 30 think the country is moving 

in the wrong direction – a greater share than 

any other age group. Nearly one-third of 

voters under 30 have an unfavorable view 

of both Biden and Trump, a higher number 

than all older voters. Sixty-three percent of 

young voters think neither party adequately 

represents them.” 

In the 18-25 age group, 28% say they have 

“hardly any confidence” in the Supreme 

Court, 34% in Congress, 37% in the executive 

branch and 52% in the press. 

A young USA Today columnist named 

Sara Pequeno shared her views about what’s 

going on and why. 

The explanations she ticks off are a generation 

coming of age during the COVID 

pandemic, an explosion of the worst inflation 

in years and, she adds, the impact of 

the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. 

Wade, which she calls “the loss of a right 

that our parents had – the right to an abortion 

nationwide.” 

She cites Gallup showing that 89% of 

those 18-29 years old support legal abortion 

under any or certain circumstances. 

We’re talking here about our nation’s future, 

and this dismal picture should trouble us all. 

Let me suggest a different perspective on 

this problem. 

This youngest generation is also coming of 

age during a time of unprecedented expansion 

of government, meaning an unprecedented 

incursion into the individual freedom 

of every American. 

The federal government is now taking onequarter 

of the American economy. 

Federal debt, equal to our entire GDP, is 

projected by the Congressional Budget 

Office to keep growing. This is all on the 

shoulders of these young Americans. 

Regarding the impact of the COVID pandemic, 

a new study published by the Committee 

to Unleash Prosperity, authored by 

scholars from the Hoover Institution, Johns 

Hopkins University, the University of Chicago 

and the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, 

shows the costs of the shutdowns in the 

way of added deaths, massive economic costs 

and damage caused by school shutdowns 

overwhelm any benefits that were gained. 

Regarding abortion, we must note that 

these young Americans are growing up in an 

environment of the collapse of the American 

family, traditional marriage and birth rates. 

Let’s be aware, as we enter the season of 

Easter for Christians and Passover for Jews, 

that the growth of government tracks the 

diminishing of faith. 

To go back to the Declaration of Independence, 

the rights the founders noted 

were sourced in our Creator. The founders 

who signed the Declaration did so “with a 

firm reliance on the protection of Divine 

Providence.” 

This was meant to be a free nation under 

God. As we destroy these conditions, we are 

losing our young people. 

• • • 

Star Parker is president of the Center for 

Urban Renewal and Education and host of 

the weekly television show “Cure America 

with Star Parker.” To find out more about 

Star Parker and read features by other 

Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, 

visit the Creators Syndicate website at 

www.creators.com. 

© 2024 Creators.com 

Read more on midriversnewsmagazine.com 

April 3, 2024 

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@MIDRIVERS_NEWS 


EDITORIAL 

Betting against sports gambling 

The planet’s most famous basketball 

player will make betting picks for the 

planet’s biggest sports betting app starting 

this football season. LeBron James says 

to bet big with DraftKings. Pete Rose and 

Joe Jackson shake their heads. 

A short time after James’ deal with Draft- 

Kings was announced, NBA player (and 

Mizzou alumni) Jontay Porter came under 

investigation for alleged suspicious betting 

activity. The NFL suspended ten players 

for betting last season, the first in which 

they fielded the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. 

Earth’s wealthiest baseball player, global 

sensation Shohei Ohtani, is caught up in a 

dubious betting scandal involving his longtime 

interpreter and an illegal bookmaker. 

ESPN, the self-proclaimed “global 

leader” in sports journalism, now has its 

own branded sports betting app. Journalistic 

integrity, meet economic necessity. 

We can blame the Supreme Court. In 

2018 the court overturned the Professional 

and Amateur Sports Protection 

Act. PASPA had effectively outlawed 

sports betting except in a few states. The 

Supreme Court, citing the 10th Amendment 

to the U.S. Constitution, said that 

the federal government should stay out of 

the state’s business. 

The states, by and large, decided that 

their business was sports betting (Missouri, 

so far has not allowed this). In the 

six years since the ruling, sportsbooks 

have brought in some $300 billion in 

wagers and paid out some $2 billion in 

taxes to the states. Social responsibility, 

meet political expediency. 

We are now a nation of gamblers. Historically, 

that has worked out pretty well 

for us. Back in the day, it meant we were 

gambling on this new form of government 

in this new land. 

It meant that we were betting we’d find 

gold out west, or betting that this whole 

internet thing might really take off. Being 

a nation of gamblers meant that we were 

taking a risk that resulted in tangible benefit 

and public good. 

That is not what we are talking about 

anymore. In professional casino gambling 

and sports betting, the house always wins. 

There is no public good. The best you can 

say about a casino is that it creates jobs 

and tax dollars. You can’t say the same 

thing for a sports betting app. It’s just an 

app. It’s an ATM for the gambling industry. 

It sucks in your money and spits it out 

to a corporate boardroom. 

In the meantime, it threatens the integrity 

of every single sport. In the days 

of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, 

sports wagering was largely limited to 

who wins and who loses. Information 

moved very slowly, so to maintain their 

advantage, the bookmaker had to set the 

odds and hope for the best. Nowadays, 

you can bet on almost anything during 

a sporting event and the bookmaker can 

update the odds (and maintain the advantage) 

in real-time. 

The scandal currently surrounding 

Jontay Porter involves what are called 

“prop bets,” or proposition bets. These 

bets allow gamblers to make wagers on 

increasingly specific outcomes, such as 

how many points a player might score. In 

the case of Porter, a contingent of large 

bets were placed on his performance 

coming in under where the odds makers 

had placed it. Porter played poorly. The 

gamblers beat the house. The incident is 

being investigated. 

In the long run, the house always wins. 

We bet that the fans will ultimately be the 

big losers in the new marriage between 

the gambling and sports industries. 

Founder 

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The crowd at St. Peters city hall said “welcome home” to Vietnam veterans in a ceremony honoring and recognizing them 

for their service at a recent Board of Aldermen meeting. Alderman Gregg Sartorius, aldermanic liaison to the Veterans 

Memorial Commission, read a resolution recognizing Vietnam Veterans Day through 2024-2025. John Gonzales, the 

Veterans Memorial Commission chairman, shared a few words on behalf of Vietnam veterans. Mayor Pagano concluded 

the recognition, thanking the veterans as a veteran himself with grateful words and a military salute. (Photo courtesy of Terri Violet) 

NEWS 

BRIEFS 

ST. PETERS 

Vietnam veterans 

honored by city 

Vietnam veterans were invited to St. 

Peters’ March 14 Board of Aldermen meeting 

to be honored for Welcome Home Vietnam 

Veterans Day. St. Peters established 

March 30 as a local day of recognition for 

the veterans who did not receive public 

support when they returned home nearly 

50 years ago. 

Alderman Gregg Sartorius (Ward 2) led 

the ceremony; he noted the sacrifices soldiers 

make and questioned why Vietnam 

veterans were not honored the same as soldiers 

from other wars. 

“All veterans deserve proper recognition 

and support regardless of what time 

they had served in our military to protect 

our freedoms that we too often take for 

granted,” Sartorius said. 

Chairman of the Veterans War Commission 

John Gonzales then gave a speech 

describing his service as a marine in the 

Vietnam War and that of the men with him. 

He remembered the over 58,000 soldiers 

who died in the war. 

Gonzales commended his Veteran brothers 

for answering the call despite the uncertainty. 

He called them heroes. 

“What makes a hero is when they overcome 

the fear and do it anyway,” Gonzales 

said. “It was difficult, it was tough. Could 

it happen again? Of course.” 

Gonzales recounted the importance of 

military service. 

“We must respond to defend our freedom,” 

Gonzales said. “It’s not easy. It’s not 

free. We must do it.” 

He recalled the pain and indignities of 

war, and urged people to thank veterans 

for their sacrifices. Gonzales looked at the 

soldiers in the room around him and stated, 

“They took time out of their lives. They can 

never get that time back.” 

“But they did it, and I’m proud of them. 

Damn, I’m proud of them,” Gonzales said. 

Alderman oppose proposed 

Missouri legislation 

The St. Peters Board of Aldermen passed 

a resolution opposing proposed Missouri 

legislation that bans the use of automated 

license plate reader systems (ALPRs). 

During the March 14 board work session, 

city officials stated that Missouri Senate 

bills 1334 and 1377, identical items currently 

under consideration, if implemented 

would prevent law enforcement from using 

modern technology to pursue alleged criminals. 

“I’ve been told that this is affecting the 

Flock camera,” said Mayor Len Pagano. 

Pagano noted that local law enforcement 

is highly in favor of continuing to 

utilize this technology due to its use during 

Amber Alerts. 

The bills would prohibit “state agencies 

and political subdivisions from purchasing, 

installing, or using automated license 

plate reader systems and from accessing 

or using captured license plate data from 

vehicles located on public highways.” 

While both, SB1334 and SB1377 have 

exemptions for ALPRs that are affixed to 

vehicles occupied by police officers, Flock 

cameras are stationary security systems 

that automatically track and record license 

plate and vehicle data on a regular basis. 

Police officers utilize these cameras to 

pull up vehicle information during Amber 

Alerts and other criminal investigations. 

Without a full exemption for law 

enforcement purposes, St. Peters officials 

noted that they cannot support SB1334 or 

SB1377 and the resolution opposing these 

bills passed unanimously. 

Twilight Market to return 

Plans to continue the St. Peters Twilight 

Market into 2024 were approved during 

the March 14 St. Peters Board of Aldermen 

meeting after a debate concerning attendance 

numbers, community involvement 

and the city’s financial involvement. 

St. Peters Director of Planning, Community 

and Economic Development Julie 

Powers addressed city officials, noting 

that 2023 was the first year for the Twilight 

Market and featured 73 vendors. 

She explained that it was originally conceived 

to be a farmer’s market, however it 

evolved into an open air market hosted on 

select Saturday afternoons and featuring 

vendors and music. 

The owner of Whistlestop 301 was noted 

for her involvement in organizing last 

year’s months-long event and partnering 

with the 311 Winehouse to allow music 

acts to perform in the space between the 

two businesses. Created to draw residents 

and visitors to the Old Town area, the city 

helped promote the event and paid for 

restroom facilities and music acts. This 

amounted to $2,240 for the facilities, with 

a $4,000 allotment for music acts. 

Looking into 2024, the Twilight Market 

is expected to be held on the second Saturday 

of every month from April through 

November. Due to inflation and the potential 

for increased foot traffic, the proposed 

agreement increased the cost for restroom 

facilities to a maximum of $4,856 and kept 

the cost for music acts at $4,000. 

Powers noted that no estimated attendance 

numbers or business increases were 

recorded in 2023 as the event was still 

being established. This gave some on the 

board pause. 

“I have real reservations about continuing 

to spend money without some sort of 

metric as to whether or not this is meeting 

the goals,” Alderman Dave Kuppler (Ward 

3) said. 

Kuppler suggested obtaining estimates 

and individual business sales reports from 

the 2024 event. Further discussion also 

proposed involving more businesses and 

community members in the planning process. 

Alderman Patrick Barclay (Ward 4) 

questioned spending taxpayer dollars on 

music. He explained that the city moved 

to end providing utility envelopes last year 

to save approximately the same amount of 

money that would be spent on music for 

the Twilight Market music acts. 

“I feel like this is a subsidy to a private





I NEWS I 9 

(business) that we’ve never done before,” 

Barclay said. 

Alderman John Reitmeyer (Ward 1) disagreed, 

and said he wholly supported adding 

whatever additional funding was deemed 

necessary to make the market a success. 

“If it costs a little more money, so be it,” 

Reitmeyer said. 

Alderman Joyce Townsend (Ward 1) 

motioned to continue the agreement for 

another year to be revised after the 2024 

event has been quantified. The motion was 

passed 6-2, securing city funding for this 

year’s Twilight Market event. 

County works towards 

bolstering radio 

communications 

First responders and other emergency 

communications users rely on radio 

signals to stay connected. If their radio 

units lose connection because of radio 

frequency errors or “drift,” emergency 

services would be unable to fully provide 

what is needed when it is needed, and also 

would create an unsafe situation for first 

responders. 

At its March 25 meeting, the St. Charles 

County Council unanimously approved a 

$266,000 contract with Locus Diagnostics 

LLC of Melbourne, Florida, to obtain and 

install their DiagnostX system to help prevent 

lost radio connections and maintain 

operational readiness. 

DiagnostX is a radio alignment monitoring 

system that identifies emergency communications 

radio units in the field that are 

in danger of failing to communicate with 

the system due to frequency error or frequency 

drift. Servers will be strategically 

placed at tower sites throughout the county 

to capture all the radio units deployed in St. 

Charles County. 

The system will provide recommendations 

for proactively servicing identified 

units before they fail. Without this system 

there is a risk of the radios losing communication 

while in use every day. 

Project implementation and first-year 

warranty will cost $200,000. Yearly maintenance 

for years two through six will be 

$13,200 for a total cost of $266,000. 

County materials indicate that DiagnostX 

is sold nationally to state, local and 

federal agencies on a federal General Services 

Administration (GSA) schedule. This 

will be a Cooperative Contract Purchase 

utilizing the GSA Contract. 

ST. CHARLES COUNTY 

Project costs increase 

for roadwork 

At its March 25 meeting, the St. Charles 

County Council introduced two bills that 

would revise agreements with St. Peters 

and Dardenne Prairie. If typical process 

and timing are followed, the bills will 

receive votes for passage at the next council 

meeting on April 8. 

Bill No. 5280 would amend an agreement 

with St. Peters for Spencer Road 

reconstruction and improvements 

from Willott Road to Thoele Road and 

Springwood Drive. The original agreement 

amount was $434,128. The revised 

amount would be $1,434,128 (a $1 million 

or 230% increase), due to the increase in 

actual project cost. 

Bill No. 5281 would amend an agreement 

with Dardenne Prairie for Stump 

Road reconstruction and improvements 

from Hwy. N to Feise Road. The original 

agreement amount was $1,092,523.20. 

The revised amount would be $1,400.000 

(a $307,476.80 or 28% increase), due to 

the increase in actual project cost. 

Asked why the increases are needed, 

Amanda Brauer, St. Charles County managing 

director for roads and traffic, said, 

“Spencer is due to construction inflation. 

County funding is increasing considerably 

because we were initially only contributing 

16% to supplement federal funds. Unfortunately, 

federal funds cannot be increased 

for inflation, so we are now funding a larger 

percentage of the total cost. That total project 

cost should be shown as a revision in the 

contract attached to the ordinance.” 

“Stump Road is primarily due to a water 

line relocation cost,” Brauer said. “Again, 

the numbers are only showing the increase 

in county funding and total project increase 

is shown in the contract attached to the 

bill.” 

The County Road Board has recommended 

that the council approve both of 

these changes for county contribution, and 

the amounts are accounted for within the 

2024-2026 Transportation Improvement 

Program (TIP). 

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Cottleville officials, citizens, seek solutions after St. Patrick’s Day incident 

By JESSICA MARIE BAUMGARTNER 

Cottleville officials and residents have 

expressed shock regarding events surrounding 

a series of private St. Patrick’s 

Day celebrations that took place in the 

area on Saturday, March 16. Allegations of 

property damage and other displays were 

overshadowed by a 36-year-old mother 

of two being hit by a car in the evening, 

placing her in critical condition at a local 

hospital. 

Cottleville Mayor Bob Ronkoski opened 

the city’s March 20 Board of Aldermen 

meeting by stating, “The thoughts and 

prayers of everyone in the city, of this board 

and everyone in the city of Cottleville are 

with Lindsay Jaco and her family.” 

Around 10 p.m. on March 16, Cottleville 

officers were notified of a possible accident 

on the bridge at Hwy. N. Upon arrival, officers 

located Jaco on the shoulder of Hwy. 

N, with injuries to her head. According 

to the Cottleville Police Department, witnesses 

said Jaco was struck from behind by 

a vehicle. The driver, a 59-year-old female, 

was taken into custody. 

At the March 20 meeting, Ronkoski 

addressed a lack of lighting on the bridge 

where the Jaco was struck and explained 

that plans to increase illumination had been 

discussed before the incident. Ronkoski 

told residents that the city is exploring 

various suggestions made by residents 

on social media. From shuttles and taxi 

services to running an anti-drunk driving 

campaign, city officials have made solutions 

for future events a top priority. 

Prior to the meeting, a Cottleville Facebook 

forum was inundated with posts and 

comments regarding the St. Patrick’s Day 

events. Claims of public urination in the 

streets, rumors of property damage and 

suggestions on how to prevent similar situations 

the future were shared. 

Although some of the speakers at the 

meeting also referenced property damage 

done, Ronkoski said, “We have not 

received one report.” 

He encouraged anyone with property 

damage to contact the police so the city 

could assess the impact of the day’s events. 

Cottleville Police Chief Dave McCune 

said that nearly all Cottleville police officers 

were working that day, but were overwhelmed 

by the turnout. 

“I never anticipated having such a large 

crowd because we had so much stuff going 

on around us,” McCune said. 

He reminded residents that officers were 

directing traffic for six to seven hours. 

“We were as prepared as we could be,” 

McCune said. 

This was the first time in 14 years that 

the event has caused issues, according to 

McCune. In previous years, just three or 

four arrests were made during St. Patrick’s 

Day events in Cottleville. Recalling the 

recent March 16 celebration, he stated that 

the day was “chaotic.” 

“Our officers made several arrests,” 

McCune said. 

“I take this kind of thing personal,” he 

added. “We’re all pulling for Lindsay to 

make a full recovery.” 

Multiple residents and business owners 

attended the March 20 meeting to offer 

solutions. A general sentiment of compassion 

for Jaco and wish to prevent other 

accidents was shared. 

Carmen Mannino, owner of Mannino’s 

Market, described how event visitors 

ignored signs directing them away from 

private business parking lots and that some 

of them got out of hand due to apparent 

public drunkenness. 

“I do think the policemen did all they 

could do,” Mannino said. 

Business owner Stephen Savage offered 

his expertise in large-scale restaurant ownership 

and event planning to help the city 

better prepare for large crowds in the future. 

He described the difficulties of crowd control 

but also said, “There are resources out 

there to assist with these types of events.” 

McCune and city officials told Mid 

Rivers Newsmagazine that roughly 20,000 

people attended the Cottleville St. Patrick’s 

Day celebrations. 

The community responded to the news 

immediately. A Go Fund Me campaign 

was created to help support Jaco through 

the healing process and had already raised 

nearly $19,000 at press time. 

House bill could provide relief, support to Missouri Alzheimer’s patients 

By ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON 

Margie Smith, a 75-year-old St. Charles 

woman, cared for her husband of 57 years 

until his death on Jan. 31. Leo Smith, 79, 

suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s 

diseases. Outside support, or a lack thereof, 

was one of the biggest challenges 

she faced. 

“People don’t know what to 

do. They don’t know where 

to go,” Margie said. “They 

don’t have any answers for 

anything. You start with the 

doctors. There are fifty doctors 

telling you fifty different 

things. When you’re starting 

out with it, you feel like you 

don’t have anybody at all. 

People need help. When you 

have someone that needs your 

help 24 hours a day, you need 

help.” 

The only people Margie did 

have were her kids. 

“They would come on 

Thursdays, so I could go to 

the grocery store,” she said. 

“It was hard on my kids. They 

gave up their lives to help 

me.” 

Efforts in the Missouri 

legislature are aiming to provide 

help to people like Margie; House 

Bill 2071, if passed, would put a person 

in charge of providing support to people 

living with dementia in the state. 

HB 2071 establishes the position of 

a dementia services coordinator within 

the Missouri Department of Health and 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Services (DHSS). According to 

the bill, the position would be responsible 

for “coordinating information resources 

affecting Missourians living with dementia 

and their caregivers, streamlining state 

government services, identifying duplicated 

services, identifying grant opportunities, 

promoting awareness 

and education of dementia 

and collecting data concerning 

the impact of dementia in 

Missouri.” 

Former two-time St. 

Charles Mayor Sally Faith 

said HB 2071 is just the 

beginning. 

“That was the goal. We got 

there. We got a (bill) number. 

We are moving forward in 

helping people find help for 

Alzheimer’s and dementia,” 

Faith said. 

Faith served on the 

21-member Missouri 

Alzheimer’s State Plan Task 

Force, which submitted a 

report and recommendations 

regarding dementia-related 

diseases in Missouri to Governor 

Mike Parson and members 

of the state legislature at 

the close of 2022. 

The members of the task 

force included representation from state 

government composed of the lieutenant 

governor; the state departments; the Missouri 

Veterans Commission; the House of 

Representatives and State Senate; caregivers 

and professionals; and an Alzheimer’s 

patient. 

Faith is the patient. A former member of 

the St. Charles County Council (District 5), 

she has also served in the Missouri House 

of Representatives (District 15). Two 

years ago, Faith wrote her first book, “I’m 

Losing My Memory. I’m Not Losing My 

Mind: A Frank Perspective about Living 

with Early Dementia,” and she is working 

on a second book now. 

The task force, in conjunction with the 

Alzheimer’s Association, spent months 

asking people across Missouri what can be 

done to address dementia in the state. 

Faith said the new position that would 

be created by HB 2071 is the first step in 

addressing some of the state-wide needs 

the task force discovered in its research – 

namely that people living with dementia 

and their loved ones need additional help. 

Robin, an assisted living nurse manager 

in St. Charles County who wished to 

withhold her last name, said a dementia 

services coordinator would greatly benefit 

patients and their families. 

See ALZHEIMER’S, page 12





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12 I NEWS I MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE 



Post Family development struggles with O’Fallon P&Z approval 

By JOHN TREMMEL 

A developer has encountered challenges 

in obtaining approval for a proposed large 

new subdivision on 100-plus acres that, if 

built and annexed, would become part of 

O’Fallon at its western boundary. 

History and future possibilities make 

the proposed Post Family subdivision 

both sensitive and significant. 

After being tabled at two O’Fallon 

Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) 

meetings, then challenged with numerous 

conditions from city staff, the Post Family 

proposal was recently tabled a third time, 

to be considered again on April 4. 

The Post Family Limited Partnership 

owns 103.73 acres at 1065 East Hwy. N 

in unincorporated St. Charles County, 

just west of the intersection of Hopewell 

Road and Hwy. N, directly across Hwy. 

N from the under-construction, 896-unit 

Harvest at Hopewell subdivision in western 

O’Fallon. The Post property currently 

contains a single-family residence plus 

several outbuildings and is used as farmland. 

Developer DCM Land, LLC is a potential 

purchaser of the Post property desiring 

to build the new subdivision. 

In December 2023, on behalf of DCM, 

the Sterling Company applied to O’Fallon 

P&Z for approval to rezone the property 

from Unincorporated to R-1/Planned Unit 

Development (PUD) and for approval of 

an area plan for a “Villages at Post Farms” 

subdivision. Sterling is an engineering 

and surveying firm. 

The application included an annexation 

agreement for the property owner to apply 

for voluntary annexation into the city of 

O’Fallon. 

The P&Z report says the applicant proposes 

constructing 311 residential units 

(down from an original 328). All units are 

to be detached single-family homes with 

a variety of lot widths, some as narrow as 

42 feet. 

Because of traffic concerns, the applicant 

proposes a right-in, right-out entrance 

from Hwy. N with temporary full access. 

They also propose connections to both 

Knowledge Drive and Spirit Drive to the 

east and would provide street stubs to the 

north and the west. 

P&Z meeting materials included a 

Dec. 15, 2023, letter from Brian Jessup 

from Streets of Caledonia Commercial at 

Route DD and I-64. His letter to the city is 

in support of the proposed Villages at Post 

Farm project. 

“The commercial area at Streets of 

Caledonia needs additional residential 

development along Hwy. DD, Hwy. N 

and other area roadways,” Jessup said. 

“With much of this area unavailable for 

development with (because of) Busch 

Wildlife and city and county parks, we 

really need additional housing in the 

remaining areas.” 

Jessup said he believes residents along 

Hwy. N “will find their way” to the Streets 

of Caledonia commercial area using Sommers 

Road and the future Lake St. Louis 

Blvd. as they get on and off US40/I-64 at 

Hwy. DD, instead of Hwy. N. He said the 

proposed location for the Villages at Post 

Farm is only 3.8 miles from the Streets of 

Caledonia commercial area. 

Previously at the P&Z meetings on Jan. 

4 and Feb. 1 the rezoning and area plan 

application was tabled. 

At its March 7 meeting, P&Z conducted 

a public hearing that included the applicant’s 

detailed presentation, comments 

from citizens, plus commissioners’ questions 

and comments. 

Drew Weber from the Hamilton Weber 

LLC law firm represented the developer 

by addressing the P&Z commission, highlighting 

the updated development plan, 

covering several issues and answering 

questions from the commissioners. 

In the P&Z report used for the meeting, 

city staff had recommended denial of 

the rezoning and area plan. Staff findings 

stated that PUDs are intended to allow 

flexibility in developing large properties 

that would otherwise be difficult 

to develop due to topography or other 

physical or environmental challenges 

that would make it difficult to meet the 

requirements of the underlying zoning 

district. 

“Staff do not believe this property has 

any topographical, physical or environmental 

challenges that would make this 

property difficult to develop under the 

normal zoning code,” the report states. 

The findings also state that the O’Fallon 

Comprehensive Plan calls for a focus on 

infill development, as opposed to annexation 

and expanding the city boundary, and 

state that a similar development could be 

achieved under standard R-3 zoning. Staff 

said if P&Z does choose to forward a recommendation 

of approval to the O’Fallon 

City Council, there are 52 conditions to 

be considered. 

Weber, on behalf of the developer, said 

they have been working with city staff 

to resolve those issues and answer questions. 

He said he believes the number of 

conditions is large, but so is the development, 

and many of the condition items 

are minor. He said the developer believes 

many of them already have been resolved. 

P&Z chairperson Carolyn Thomas said 

in response the developer’s opinion “is 

not what counts,” but rather the staff’s 

opinion that matters. 

“Whether or not in their (city staff) 

opinion they’ve been addressed, because 

we rely on their professional opinion,” 

Thomas said. 

After 46 minutes of discussion, Mayer 

Bill Hennessy said 52 conditions still are 

too many. He suggested, and the P&Z 

commission agreed, that they should not 

yet vote on any recommendation to the 

city council. 

Prior to the vote, Hennessy said the 

intent of tabling until April 4 is to give 

the applicant more time to work with 

city staff to get the number of conditions 

significantly reduced from the current 52, 

then come back to P&Z with a smaller 

number prior to conducting a vote. 

ALZHEIMER’S, from page 10 

“It would help people who don’t have 

any resources,” said Robin. “Some families 

don’t have any resources, or if there 

are resources, they don’t know how to find 

out about them. I have worked with a lot 

of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in 

my 18 years doing this job. A lot of times, 

families are in denial. They don’t want to 

believe their loved one has dementia. They 

need help.” 

Every state in America has some type of 

task force or plan in reference to Alzheimer’s 

disease, but it has been 12 years since 

last Missouri updated its plan. Missouri 

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said 

Missouri, through the task force’s efforts, 

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 the task force’s 

recommendations are being used to help 

the legislature prioritize the use of limited 

resources. 

The fiscal note by the Oversight Division 

of the Committee on Legislative Research 

outlines the pay of the senior program 

specialist as $61,959 annually. Additionally, 

there is a request to employ one fulltime 

administrative support assistant at an 

annual salary of $33,914. 

According to the bill, the duties of the 

dementia services coordinator would: 

• Use dementia-related data to improve 

public health outcomes. 

• Establish and maintain relationships 

with other agencies to meet the needs of 

affected populations. 

• Support dementia-specific staff training 

across state agencies. 

• Recommend strategies to improve coordination 

of dementia-related services. 

• Collect and monitor data concerning the 

impact of dementia in Missouri. 

“This position will help establish a crucial 

part of the process of helping people 

living with dementia in Missouri,” said 

Representative Travis Wilson (R), Missouri 

District 106, who co-sponsored the 

Former Saint Charles Mayor Sally Faith and 

her cat, Uno. (Photo by Robin Seaton Jefferson) 

bill. “It will allow people the ability to 

reach out to someone to inquire about what 

resources are available to them, and it will 

establish a more efficient help for those in 

dire need of care by allowing resources to 

be better organized.” 

Wilson said the bill has been read twice. 

It has been referred to the Health and 

Mental Health Policy Committee. From 

there it will be scheduled for public hearing 

and then go to the floor for debate 

before eventually being voted upon. 

According to Faith, the work of implementing 

the recommendations of the task 

force is currently underway and ongoing, 

as state agencies, nonprofit groups and 

other partners collaborate together about 

the needs of Missouri. Members of the task 

force and other stakeholders are active participants 

in Aging with Dignity: Missouri’s 

Master Plan on Aging. 

For more information or questions about 

the Alzheimer’s state plan, email MOAlz- 

StatePlan@health.mo.gov

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By BETHANY COAD 

Once a year, a group of the area’s highest 

achievers in the field of Science, Technology, 

Engineering and Math (STEM) are 

brought together for a breakfast of honor 

and awards. Friday, March 8, marked the 

15th year of this event, which is organized 

by the Economic Development Council 

(EDC) of St. Charles County. Held at the 

Water’s Edge Banquet Center in St. Peters, 

the St. Charles County STEM Awards 

Breakfast recognized one student from 

each of the county’s public and private high 

schools who had demonstrated outstanding 

performance in STEM-related pursuits. 

Sarah Johnson, a senior at Christian 

High and one of the students recognized, 

has loved science classes and has excelled 

in math and sciences since middle school. 

“I took a computer programming elective 

in eighth grade and one of the projects 

included making your own website using 

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and 

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS),” Johnson 

said. “It was a pretty cool experience to 

code and see the final result of my work.” 

Johnson has been a part of the STEM 

mentors program at Christian throughout 

her high school career. The mentors, 

including Johnson, prepare and present 

STEM-related workshops to younger students 

while offering a unique opportunity 

for them to learn alongside each other in 

technological fields. 

“My involvement in STEM mentors and 

role as a co-leader this past year is a large 

factor in my being chosen for this award,” 

Johnson said. “I was not expecting to be 

chosen, but was excited to be part of this 

unique experience with the EDC.” 

The banquet began with a buffet breakfast, 

and afterward introductions a panel of professionals 

spoke on their respective fields. 

“I especially enjoyed hearing from Dr. 

(Kristy) Haggett, the vice president of medical 

affairs and chief medical officer at SSM 

Health St. Joseph Hospitals in St. Charles 

and Wentzville,” Johnson said. “Afterward, 

student honorees were called up and recognized. 

It was also pretty cool to meet and 

chat with city officials like Mayor Dan 

Borgmeyer and Alderman Melissa Reimer.” 

Introduced by Wentzville Superintendent 

Dr. Danielle Tormala, each student in attendance 

was recognized for their achievements. 

The EDC has long prioritized STEM 

education as a key public policy initiative. 

Over the years, the organization has 

collaborated with local school districts, 

business leaders and civic figures to create 

over 100 robotics teams and launch STEM 

summer camps. 

“The workforce of the future is a STEM 

workforce,” EDC President Scott J. Drachnik 

said. “By highlighting the upcoming 

generation of STEM leaders and equipping 

local educators with STEM materials, 

we’re showing the world that St. Charles 

County is a hub for innovation.” 

It is not much of a stretch to believe such 

a statement when students like Johnson are 

committed to learning to deal with challenging 

concepts and work with an everchanging 

world of technology. Although 

Johnson is undecided on what career to 

pursue, due to STEM training and opportunities, 

the options are not limited. 

“I am considering exercise science, nursing, 

neurology or a psychology-related 

field,” Johnson said. 

Encouraging other students to pursue 

STEM, Johnson said to look for opportunities 

at their schools, such as the mentoring 

program that was so pivotal in her STEM 

journey. “Explore your options and identify 

your like or dislike of certain subjects,” 

she said. “Factor that into your pursuit of a 

future career.” 

The experience Johnson had at the St. 

Charles County STEM Awards Breakfast 

was unforgettable. 

“I’d like to thank the EDC for this opportunity 

to hear from leaders in my local government 

and from accomplished STEM 

professionals about the real work they 

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By WARREN MAYES 

Named to a prestigious honor, Lutheran 

St. Charles junior Jordan Speiser wanted to 

pass the credit around for the accomplishment. 

Speiser recently was named the 2023-24 

Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player 

of the Year. She credited her ability to play 

and grades, but recognized her support 

structure as a key reason for the success. 

“I couldn’t have done this without my 

teammates and coach (Erin Luttschwager),” 

Speiser said. “They all push me to 

be better every day. 

“I am super grateful and blessed to be 

able to be named the Player of the Year 

and I wouldn’t be able to accomplish any 

of these accolades without my Lord and 

Savior and the unconditional support of 

my mom, dad and whole family.” 

The award – which celebrates the 

nation’s top high school athletes for excellence 

on the court, in the classroom and in 

the community – distinguishes Speiser as 

Missouri’s best high school girls basketball 

player for this season. 

Justin Wilmes, the head coach of St. 

Dominic High, is a believer. 

“Jordan is a guard who can do it all,” said 

Wilmes. “She has range from anywhere on 

the court, is strong enough to (sit in the) 

post and be physical down low and makes 

passes that most girls can’t see or make.” 

On the court, the 6-foot-1 Speiser helped 

lead the Cougars to a 26-5 record and a 

Final Four appearance. 

Last season, she played a huge role in 

Lutheran St. Charles win the Class 5 state 

championship. The Cougars defeated Carl 

Junction 44-39 in the game played at Missouri 

State. She missed the first month of 

the season with injuries. 

“I started my season off with a foot injury 

and came back to help my team get to and 

win the championship,” Speiser said. “I 

think that my performance was solid and 

very helpful for the team.” 

Speiser showed her talent when she 

returned to play, Luttschwager said. 

“When she came back in January, she 

was determined to help her team win a 

championship,” Luttschwager said. “We 

were not able to make it out of districts her 

freshman year and that really motivated 

her.” 

She finished her sophomore season averaging 

16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. 

She improved on those figures this 

season. Speiser averaged 22.9 points, 9.6 

rebounds, 2.63 assists and 1.8 steals to 

help the Cougars pursue a second-straight 

state title. 



Lutheran St. Charles’ Speiser named top 

basketball player in state by Gatorade 

Lutheran St. Charles junior Jordan Speiser 

brings the ball up the court. The 6-foot-1 

guard helped lead the Cougars to a 26-5 

record and a second place finish in the 

Class 5 state tournament. (Photo provided) 

But another championship did not 

happen. Speiser scored 15 points and 

pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, but 

it wasn’t enough. 

“I think I played well in this year’s championship 

game and I feel I played tough 

and through adversity against a very good 

John Burroughs team,” Speiser said. 

The Cougars suffered a 57-41 loss to 

John Burroughs in the title game at Mizzou 

Arena. 

“The result of the last game was heartbreaking 

and extremely hard to get over 

but it definitely motivates me and I hope 

my teammates as well,” Speiser said. 

“Because I want to be back and win my last 

one.” 

Speiser learned she was the recipient 

of the Gatorade Player of the Year award 

before the state championship game was 

played in Columbia. 

“It was the morning of our state championship 

game and we had just got done with 

practice that morning,” Speiser said. “I 

learned of this achievement by all the congratulations 

from many college coaches 

texting me and congratulating me that I 

had won so I went to my coach and asked 

if it was true. She checked to see and when 

she said yes we both sort of jumped and 

she gave me a big hug and told me congratulations.” 

Speiser can do anything on the court. 

She can really shoot the ball, but also 

brings versatility. 

“I think when it comes to my game, a 

See SPEISER, page 31



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Get your kids in the game with camps that 

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Getting kids off the couch these days can 

be challenging, but scheduling time for children 

to run, jump, swim, tumble or catch, 

pass and kick a ball can set them on the road 

to good health, skill, confidence, camaraderie 

and joy that could last their entire lives. 

A summer at sports camp could just be your 

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passion. 

And some programs give them a little 

taste of everything. Check out summer 

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martial arts a couple of times a week. The 

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Physical benefits include improved bone 

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Being involved in sports from an early 

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(Adobe Stock photo) 

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that can lead to greater academic achievement 

and leadership. 

Not every child is going to be an athlete, 

of course, but that isn’t necessarily the motivation. 

Ultimately, the goal is better health, 

social engagement and character development. 

Sports, games or other recreation 

that are based more on physical activity 

and enjoyment rather than competition, can 

be good choices for children who are not 

competitively driven. The fact is, physical 

fitness can be achieved through all kinds of 

sports. 

In fact, because of the long-term benefits 

associated with participation in sports, 

the Department of Health developed The 

National Youth Sports Strategy which 

works to encourage the expansion of youth 

sports to all children so that everyone has 

the opportunity to participate. 

Looking at the big picture, youth who 

participate in sports are more likely to enjoy 

athletic endeavors lifelong. Adolescents 

who play sports are eight times more likely 

to be physically active at age 24, than those 

who did not play sports, and 73% of adults 

who participate in sports were actively 

involved in sports as children. 

So, press the large “X” on the Xbox and 

find a camp your child will both enjoy and 

benefit from, now and in the future.





I CAMPS I 19 

SPARTAN 

SUMMER 

CAMPS 

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Register at desmet.org/SpartanSummer 

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you need to enter the growing field of geospatial 

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20 I HEALTH I 





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New research offers promising advances toward solving the puzzle of 

autism, which now impacts one in every 36 children. (Adobe Stock photo) 

HEALTH 

CAPSULES 

By LISA RUSSELL 

AUTISM UPDATE: 

New research focuses on early detection, 

‘hidden’ literacy 

This week kicks off World Autism 

Month in the U.S. and around the globe. 

Perhaps now more than ever, the race is 

on to find more effective ways to diagnose 

this neurological and developmental disorder 

earlier, and to help the one in every 36 

children dealing with some form of autism 

live as fully as possible. 

Two recently published studies, both from 

American university researchers, may help 

to advance the world’s knowledge around 

autism in both of these critical areas. 

Eye movement test may simplify diagnosis 

Scientists at UC San Francisco may have 

discovered a new way to test for more 

severe forms of autism simply by measuring 

how children’s eyes move when they turn 

their heads. It could help to diagnose kids 

earlier and faster, by requiring them to put 

on a special helmet and sit in a rotating chair. 

While studying genetic links to autism 

in both mice and humans, the researchers 

discovered that children with a certain 

gene variant called SCN2A – which is 

associated with severe autism – also have 

an unusual form of a brain reflex called the 

vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which stabilizes 

the gaze while the head is moving. 

They found that children with autism are 

hypersensitive to this motion, and that 

sensitivity can easily be measured with a 

simple eye-tracking device. 

In early mouse studies, they also tested 

whether this abnormal reflex could be 

reversed in young mice using gene editing 

technology. They were able to return 

the eye reflexes of 3-day-old mice with the 

SCN2A genetic variant to normal … which 

could potentially lead to future therapies to 

get the developing brain back on track in 

children with autism, they said. 

Although it’s too early to know whether 

this approach could someday be used to 

directly treat autism, they said the eye 

reflex text could clear the way to more 

expedient autism diagnoses for children, 

saving their families the long diagnostic 

journeys they typically experience today. 

Nonspeaking doesn’t mean noncommunicative 

About a third of people with autism are 

unable to communicate using speech, so 

it’s often assumed that they can’t understand 

written words either. But this is not 

the case, say scientists from the University 

of Virginia. Their new study suggests that 

many nonspeaking individuals can recognize 

letters, words and sentences, raising 

the possibility that they could learn to 

express themselves through writing. 

The study, published in the journal 

Autism, reported that five times more 

nonspeaking autistic teenagers and adults 

demonstrated knowledge of written language 

conventions than would be expected 

from previous estimates of their abilities. 

The finding has important implications 

for the millions of autistic people around 

the world who have little or no speech and 

who are often assumed to be incapable of 

acquiring more advanced literacy skills. 

“Our study shows that nonspeaking 

autistic people’s capacity for language, 

for learning, and for literacy has been 

seriously underestimated,” said Vikram 

Jaswal, a professor of psychology and the 

study’s lead author. “Learning to express 

themselves through writing would open up 

educational, employment and social opportunities 

that nonspeaking autistic people 

have historically not been given access to.” 

On the calendar 

BJC offers a Bariatric Surgery Information 

Session on Monday, April 15 

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

a Washington University bariatric physician 

to learn more about surgical treatment 

options available at Barnes-Jewish Hospital 

and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital 

for patients who meet certain criteria. 

To register, visit classes-events.bjc.org; to 

learn more about BJC’s bariatric surgery 

criteria for patients, call (314) 454-7224 

and press Option 1. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital offers Let’s Cook!! 

Herbs and Spices on Tuesday, April 23 from 

4-5 p.m. in the St. Luke’s Cardiac Rehab 

Kitchen, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in 

Chesterfield. Join a St. Luke’s dietician for a 

free, live cooking demonstration and sample 

some fresh herbs along with a delicious 

chicken dish prepared with whole grains and 

cherry tomatoes. Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

A St. Luke’s Nutrition Class is on 

Wednesday, April 24 from 2-3 p.m. at 

Schnucks Eatwell Market, 220 THF Blvd. in 

Chesterfield. A St. Luke’s Hospital dietitian 

will discuss how to find and make healthier 

choices at the grocery store, how to read a 

food label and nutrition recommendations 

for optimal health. The registration cost is 

$5; all participants will receive wellness 

resources, samples and a $10 Schnucks gift 

card. Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Make 

Peace with Food: Basics of Mindful 

Eating on Wednesday, April 24 from 6:30- 

7:30 p.m. at the Desloge Outpatient Center, 

121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in Chesterfield, 

in classroom 3 of Building A. Join us for 

a free in-person class to learn the basics 

about how to eat mindfully and move closer 

to feeling at peace in your relationship with 

food. Sign up to attend at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Mom & Baby 

Expo on Thursday, April 25 from 5-8 p.m. at 

the hospital’s Institute for Health Education, 

232 S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield, in 

the North Medical Building. Join us for this 

event designed to help parents in pregnancy 

planning through the transition to parenthood. 

The free event also features vendor booths, 

tours of St. Luke’s Birth Care Suites, light 

refreshments and attendance prizes. Register 

at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital offers 

a Helmet Check event on Saturday, May 4 

from 9:30 a.m.-noon at Parkway Early Childhood 

Center, 14605 Clayton Road in Ballwin. 

Children may bring their own helmets to 

this check, where a trained professional will 

ensure that it is an approved helmet and fit 

it correctly. Appointments can be scheduled 

at 10-minute intervals. Helmets will be available 

for purchase for $10 each. Register for 

this free event at classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Good Sleep 

is a Possible Dream! Steps to sounder 

sleep on Thursday, May 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. 

at the Desloge Outpatient Center, 121 St. 

Luke’s Center Drive, in classroom 3 of 

Building A. Are you one of the 60 million 

Americans who have a chronic sleep issue? 

Attend this free class to learn more about 

sleep and strategies you can use to sleep 

better. Register at stlukes-stl.com.



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22 I MATURE FOCUS I 





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News & Notes 

By LISA RUSSELL 

Ageism and appearance 

Helping older adults look younger has 

become a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. 

From products like hair colors, teeth whiteners 

and skin care creams to procedures 

including Botox injections, hair transplants, 

wrinkle fillers and facelifts, just over a 

third of Americans over 50 have invested 

time and money into looking more youthful, 

according to a survey by University of 

Michigan researchers. 

Working with social scientists from the 

University of Oklahoma, they recently took 

a deeper dive into how appearance impacts 

older adults’ perceptions about aging and 

ageism, as well as how their feelings about 

how they look affect both their physical 

and mental health. 

Overall, 59% of the adults between ages 

50 and 80 who participated in the study said 

they believe they look younger than most 

others their age. Just 6% said they look 

older than their same-age peers, and the 

remainder said they look about the same. 

Women, people with higher incomes and 

those with more education were slightly 

more likely to rate their appearance as 

more youthful. 

In addition to comparing their appearance 

to others, the poll asked older adults about 

both positive and negative experiences 

related to aging and ageism. Examples 

of positive ones included being asked for 

advice and wisdom, while negative aspects 

included having others assume they had 

difficulty seeing, hearing, remembering or 

using technology because of their age. 

Those who rated themselves as youngerlooking 

than other people their age were 

more likely to score higher on the scale of 

positive age-related experiences, and lower 

on the scale of negative experiences of 

ageism. Those who said they had invested 

time or money in looking younger were also 

more likely to score higher on the positive 

scale, especially if they were married or had 

a partner. But the latter group also scored 

higher on the negative ageism experiences 

scale, although not as high as people who 

said they looked older than others their age. 

Those who had more positive and fewer 

negative experiences related to ageism were 

also more likely to rate both their physical 

and mental health as good or very good. On 

the other hand, the higher someone’s score 

on the negative ageism experiences scale, 

the more likely they were to rate their physical 

and/or mental health as fair or poor. 

Taking steps to look younger may also have 

a positive impact on seniors’ experiences 

of ageism, a recent study found. 

(Adobe Stock photo) 

“Taken together, these findings suggest a 

complex and nuanced relationship between 

how older adults feel about their age-related 

appearance and the experiences they have, 

both positive and negative, related to their 

age,” said first author Julie Ober Allen, 

Ph.D., adding “Feelings and experiences of 

ageism, which are rooted in our society’s 

emphasis on youthfulness and bias against 

aging, appear to indirectly have a relationship 

with health, both mental and physical.” 

Microplastics in arteries 

Tiny particles called microplastics, produced 

by the breakdown of plastic waste 

in the environment, are now seemingly 

present everywhere, from the oceans to the 

atmosphere to our food and water supplies. 

Recently, medical researchers based in Italy 

discovered microplastics in another disturbing 

location: inside the arteries of patients 

diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. 

Their new study, recently published in 

the New England Journal of Medicine, 

involved about 300 Italians who underwent 

a type of surgery called carotid endarterectomy, 

which is done to remove the buildup 

of fatty plaques detected in the carotid 

arteries. Over time, these plaques can accumulate 

and block blood vessels, leading to 

heart attacks or strokes. 

Researchers analyzed the plaque 

extracted during these procedures, and 

were surprised to find that nearly 60% of 

the patients had microplastic particles 

embedded within their arterial plaque. 

Most often, it was identified as polyethylene, 

the plastic used in shopping bags, 

bottles and packaging materials. 

While the study’s authors cautioned that 

the study doesn’t prove the plastic pieces 

definitively caused a greater risk of problems, 

it did point to a link between microplastics 

and cardiovascular complications. 

Over the three years following their surgeries, 

patients in the study whose arterial 

plaques contained microplastics experi-





I MATURE FOCUS I 23 

enced a 4.5 times greater risk of major 

complications including heart attacks, 

strokes or death compared to those with 

plastic-free plaques. 

On the calendar 

BJC Missouri Baptist Medical Center 

sponsors Healthy Living for Your Brain 

and Body on Monday, April 8 from 10:30- 

11:30 a.m. at McClay Branch Library, 2760 

McClay Road in St. Charles. Attendees at 

this in-person class with learn about research 

in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, 

cognitive activity and social engagement. 

The free program is presented by St. Louis 

Oasis. Register at classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Be Powerful 

– Know Your Heart on Wednesday, April 

10 from 6-7 p.m. at the St. Luke’s Hospital 

Institute for Health Education Auditorium, 

232 S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. 

Join this free session to discuss the steps to 

better heart health and have your questions 

answered by St. Luke’s physicians. Register 

at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Coffee and 

Conversations on Wednesday, April 17 

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

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

Building A, Conference Room 3. Join us 

monthly for a cup of joe and conversation 

with St. Luke’s health professionals about 

health and wellness topics. This month’s 

topic is Grief Support. The program is free. 

Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital offers a Bone Builders 

class on Tuesday, April 23 from 5:30-7 

p.m. in Desloge Outpatient Building A, 121 

St. Luke’s Center Drive in Chesterfield, 

Conference Room 3. Join us for this free 

class to learn more about exercise, nutrition 

and medication for bone health and 

osteoporosis prevention. The class is facilitated 

by a physical therapist, a dietitian and 

a pharmacist. Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital offers an Empowered 

Caregiver Series designed to help 

families living with dementia, beginning 

on Tuesday, May 7 from 6-7 p.m. presented 

online via Zoom. The three-part series will 

also include sessions on May 14 and May 

21. In partnership with the Alzheimer’s 

Association, St. Luke’s experts will discuss 

how caregivers can navigate the responsibilities 

of caring for someone with dementia 

while also caring for their own well-being. 

This free class is intended for family and 

friends caring for a loved with memory loss; 

it is not appropriate for people living with 

memory loss or paid professionals or caregivers. 

Register at stlukes-stl.com. 

Mature Focus 

Our special section featuring issues, 

events, products and services of 

interest to our 50-plus readers. 

COMING AGAIN May 1 

A Place to Call Home 

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Cottleville Smiles has been serving 

the residents of the St. Charles area for 

more than 40 years. In 2021, Dr. Tanner 

Brown D.M.D. took over the practice 

with a vision of changing the way 

people experience dentistry, and now, 

Cottleville Smiles has a new location at 

475 Miralago Shore Drive, across from 

St. Charles Community College in the 

former Dinner Bell restaurant. 

Cottleville Smiles began seeing 

patients in their new office April 1. 

Dr. Tanner said the new office offers 

the opportunity for the practice to grow. 

“We wanted the office to better reflect 

the care we give,” he said. “We designed 

the building to feel warm and inviting 

as you enter, then slowly transition to a 

more modern high-end feel as you head 

towards the rooms. We are excited to 

share the new office with our existing 

and new patients. We get to provide the 

latest advancements in dentistry with the 

same personal touch we have grown to 

be known for.” 

“I’m really thankful and excited to put 

our own touch on it and to grow our community,” 

Dr. Tanner said. “We have a 

really good thing going, and we just want 

to share it with more people.” 

In his own words, he shares why that 

Rendering of Cottleville Smiles’ new office. 

(Cottleville Smiles photos) 

vision of dentistry is so important to 

him. “At Cottleville Smiles, our mission 

began with my personal journey. 

Inspired by the memory of my 

beloved sister and her courageous battle 

with cancer, I am deeply driven to provide 

exceptional care to others with love and 

compassion. This heartfelt commitment 

shapes the core values of our company, 

fostering a work family that embraces fun, 

pours out compassion, and creates enduring 

friendships. We firmly believe that such 

an uplifting atmosphere directly translates 

into transformative care for our patients that 

goes beyond dentistry. 



Cottleville Smiles opens the doors of a new office 

“We understand that everyone faces 

hardships, whether in their personal 

lives or when seeking dental care. That 

is why we are passionately dedicated to 

creating a warm and inviting environment 

where every individual is heard 

and supported. Our goal is to not only 

address your dental needs but to also 

uplift your spirits and leave you feeling 

better about yourself 

than when you arrived. 

By combining our heartfelt 

approach with the 

latest advancements in 

technology, we strive 

to provide the highest 

level of comfort, predictability, 

and outstanding 

dental outcomes. 

“At Cottleville Smiles, 

we have witnessed the profound impact 

of a smile. It radiates confidence, inner joy, 

and the power to spread happiness to those 

around you. We are committed to helping 

you achieve a smile that reflects your true 

happiness, enabling you to make a positive 

difference in the lives of others. 

“Together, we are more than a dental practice 

– we are a community built on trust, 

compassion, and shared smiles. We value 

your trust and are honored to help guide you 

Dr. Tanner Brown D.M.D. 

I BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I 25 

with your dental care. At Cottleville Smiles, 

we are here to support you, listen to you, and 

partner with you on your smile journey. Let 

us empower you to embrace your best smile 

and discover the joy and confidence it brings 

to your life and the lives of those you touch.” 

New technology has also helped to make 

dentistry more convenient by reducing the 

number of appointments needed and detecting 

problems sooner. 

“Dentistry has changed more in the last 10 

years than it had in the 100 years prior to that,” 

Dr. Tanner explained. “All the advancements 

coming into our space are exciting! No more 

goopy impressions, crowns can be completed 

in a single day, artificial intelligence 

helps detect problems before they become 

painful and so much more. 

“It can be a lot to keep up with but we will 

stay on the cutting edge. I want to ensure we 

are giving the best comprehensive and conservative 

care available to our community.” 

The new office is just one more way Cottleville 

Smiles is working to do just that. 

Cottleville Smiles 

475 Miralago Shore Dr. • Cottleville 

(636) 928-4090 

www.Cottlevillesmiles.com 

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26 I BUSINESS I 

BUSINESS 

BRIEFS 





PLACES 

Custom golf club fitter Club Champion 

opened a new fitting studio at 6412 

Ronald Reagan Drive in Lake St. Louis. 

This is Club Champion’s second location 

in Missouri. They fit, sell and build 

custom golf clubs using brands like Callaway, 

TaylorMade, PING and more. The 

new studio features three indoor hitting 

bays with TrackMan launch monitors for 

analyzing performance, a SAM PuttLab 

system to find the perfect putter and a 

build shop for repairing and assembling 

golf clubs by hand. The 2,700 square foot 

space includes a demo matrix to display 

the head and shaft options that make up 

their 65,000 hittable combinations. For 

more information visit clubchampion. 

com or call (636) 280-5969. 

• • • 

Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries 

announced its expansion into the St. Louis 

market with the grand opening of its distribution 

facility in St. Peters. The St. Charles 

Blue Bell Creameries has officially expanded to Missouri with the opening of its new distribution center in St. Peters. 

(St. Charles EDC photo) 

Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted 

the ribbon cutting where guests were 

treated to ice cream samples featuring the 

new flavor, Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream, 

and were able to tour their state-of-the-art 

distribution facility. For more information, 

visit bluebell.com. 

• • • 

F&M Bank and Trust Company 

opened a new loan production office at 

2315 Technology Drive in the Shoppes 

at Winghaven Center in O’Fallon. Scott 

Ripple leads the office as vice president 

and loan officer. For more information 

about F&M Bank and Trust Company visit 

bankfm.com or call (636) 614-4646. 

PEOPLE 

Charlie Downs, founder and owner of 

Sugarfire Smokehouse has been named 

Missouri’s 2024 Small Business Person of 

the Year by the U.S. Small Business Association. 

Downs was recognized among 

the National Small Business Week 2024 

Award Winners, composed of business 

owners, lending partners and advocates 

who embody the grit and determination 

that power our nation’s economy and 

ensure disaster-impacted communities can 

recover. Downs will be recognized during 

the National Small Business Week Award 

Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., where, 

one of the winners will be announced as 

the 2024 National Small Business Person 

of the Year. Downs co-founded the awardwinning 

barbeque franchise in 2014 with 

his wife Carolyn Downs and business partner 

Mike Johnson. 

From investing 

to advising. 

We’re here 

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When you walk into your local Schwab branch, you can count on 

getting the help you need to work towards your goals—from investing 

to retirement planning. Give us a call at (636) 486-8094 for a 

professional assessment of where you are now and where to go next. 

Andrew Weltz 

Jonathan Randolph 

O’Fallon Independent Branch 

4579 Highway K 

636-486-8094 

schwab.com/ofallon 

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) All rights reserved. 

Member SIPC. SCH2716-2 (1020-0ZJ5) (10/20)





Allen Roofing & Siding still growing after 52 years 

For 52 years, Allen Roofing 

& Siding has been 

serving homeowners and 

homebuilders in the St. 

Louis area. Lee Allen began 

the company in 1972 and 

built it into one of the largest 

roofing and siding companies 

in the metropolitan area. 

Two years ago, Stefan Sigurdson 

purchased the business. 

He said following in 

Allen’s footsteps has been a 

privilege and he feels fortunate 

to take the helm of a business so 

well established and successful. 

“I also have a fantastic team of people 

to work with, and now, we need to find 

new ways to grow,” Sigurdson said. 

The team has longevity, he said. And 

that means experience. 

“We have three or four people that 

have been here longer than 40 years 

and at least another ten people who 

have been here longer than 20 years,” 

he said. “The average tenure is about 

20 years. That speaks a lot about the 

company’s integrity and culture.” 

The same could be said about the 

company’s connections and reputation, 

he said. 

“We’re fortunate to have a lot of good 

relationships throughout the community. 

We have lifelong customers and people 

who come back to us for various needs 

whether that’s roofs, siding or gutters. And 

we’re fortunate to have a lot of good relationships 

with residential home builders 

too,” Sigurdson said. The business does 

about half its business with home builders 

and half with residential homeowners. 

Now that spring is here and with it, spring 

weather with its winds and storms, damaged 

roofs and siding repairs are coming 

to the forefront. 

“We provide free inspections,” Sigurdson 

said. “It’s always good to get your 

roof inspected after a storm, so calling up 

a local neighborhood roofing 

company like Allen Roofing 

is a good idea, and any time 

you’d like to have your roof 

inspected, we are happy to do 

that for free,” Sigurdson said. 

“We do a full assessment. 

We take pictures and look for 

common problem areas and 

make sure the roof is in good 

working condition. It’s good to 

do that every once in a while 

even if there hasn’t been a 

storm. Age and extreme temperature 

changes can put exterior roofing 

materials under a lot of stress. Having someone 

inspect your roof is a good idea,” he said. 

Signs of a damaged roof include missing 

shingles, cracks, broken shingles, curling 

shingles and signs of leakage. 

“Our staff are qualified and experienced 

in working with insurance companies too,” 

he said. “We do offer financing as well.” 

Allen Roofing puts their customers first 

when repairing or replacing a roof. Employees 

are trained. They have the equipment 

to make the process go smoothly. They do 

quality inspections throughout the process 

and at the job’s end and perhaps most 

importantly, communicate with their customers 

from the beginning and all along 

(Allen Roofing photo) 

I BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I 27 

the way. 

Allen Roofing & Siding also installs 

both vinyl and Hardie cement board siding. 

Hardie cement board is a premium product 

that has more of a natural wood look. 

“They are great options for siding,” Sigurdson 

said. “What it comes down to it’s 

just a customer’s preference.” 

“We also have a wonderful building on 

Old State Road, and we have a beautiful 

showroom that not all our competitors offer, 

so if someone likes to come in and look at 

samples or look at different products and 

colors we have a full showroom here.” 

Sigurdson is looking ahead to the future. 

“The plan is really to continue to earn 

the trust of our community and to build 

and grow our team so we can handle more 

business,” he said. 

He and his wife, Mary, are from the St. 

Louis area and have a son, Parker, 10 and 

daughter, Nicolette, 5 years old. 

Allen Roofing and Siding also has two 

other locations, one in Caseyville, Illinois 

and St. Peters. 

Allen Roofing & Siding 

525 Old State Road • Ellisville 

www.aroofing.net • (636) 242-5604 

WE’RE HIRING 

636-928-1040 

Returns with 

only 1 W2 

$150 

WE’RE OPEN & FILING! 

Sederburg & Associates 

Income Tax Services 

3023 N. St. Peters Pkwy. 


2434 Highway K 

O’Fallon, MO 63368 

Look-Back’s 

Complimentary! 

Amended Returns 

Start at 

$150 

Serving St. Charles County since 1966 

809 E. Pearce Blvd. 

Wentzville, MO 63385 

(636) 928-1040 • www.taxteam1040.com 

5.25 

% 

APY* 

12 Month CD 

5.30 

6 Month CD 

www.mwrbank.com • 636-937-5351 

*CD Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of March 20, 2024 and is subject to 

change. CD Interest compounded quarterly. $1,000 min to open account and obtain 

APY, penalties may apply for early withdrawals. Fees, such as penalties, may reduce 

earnings. QwickRate and National CD Rateline customers are not eligible for this offer. 

MEMBER FDIC, EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 

% 

APY*

28 I EVENTS I 

BE INFORMED, MEET ELECTED OFFICIALS 

April 5 | State Rep Richard West, 

Initiative Petition Reform 

April 12 | Judge Dennis Chassaniol, 

Treatment Court 

April 19 I Sen Mary Elizabeth Coleman, 

CD3 Congressional Candidate 

April 26 I Judge Erin Burlison, 

Proposed Family Law Legislation 

MEETING LOCATION: 

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

FRIDAY LUNCH MEETINGS AT NOON 

FOLLOW US 

NOW 

OFFERING 

DOOR DASH 

SERVICE! 

St. Charles County 

Pachyderm Club 

@St.CharlesCountyPachydermClub 

Ask about our new lunch specials! 

$2 OFF 

$20 OR MORE 

Not valid with any other coupon or discount. 

Limit 1 coupon per customer per visit. 

Must present ad. Expires 4/30/24 

ASK ABOUT OUR MILITARY DISCOUNT 

6149 MIDRIVERS MALL DR. 

ST. PETERS, MO 63304 

TUES-SUN 7A-2P | CLOSED MON 

636-244-2587 

6663 Edwardsville Crossing Dr. | Edwardsville, IL 

618-307-9966 

4519 N. Illinois St. | Swansea, IL 

618-416-4633 

9983 Manchester Road | St. Louis, MO 

314-858-9091 

7289 Watson Road | Shrewsbury, MO 

314-769-9775 

Family Owned and Operated. 



LOCAL 

EVENTS 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Everything is a Remix Art Exhibition 

opening reception is from 6-9 p.m. on 

Friday, April 5 at Gallery Row Fine Art, 

501B N. Kingshighway in St. Charles. Free 

and open to the public: music and refreshments 

provided. Come explore ways that 

artists currently use source material, from 

AI tools to cutting up magazines. Artists 

from 10 states are represented in this exhibit. 

For details, visit galleryrow.com. 

• • • 

The Choral Arts Singers Spring Concert 

“A Season of Shadow, A Season of Light” is 

at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 at Living Lord 

Lutheran Church, 500 Cedar Circle Drive in 

Lake Saint Louis and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 

April 14 at the Chapel of Assumption Catholic 

Parish, 403 N. Main St. in O’Fallon. Concerts 

are free, donations are appreciated. For 

details, visit concertarts.org. 

• • • 

History in Harmony is from 1-4 p.m. on 

Sundays, April 21 and 28; May 19 and 26 

and June 23 and 30 at 230 S. Main Street 

in St. Charles. Discover the sound of Main 

St. as a rotating line-up of guest musicians 

provide the soundtrack for a stroll through 

the historic district. Free event. For details, 

visit discoverstcharles.com. 

BENEFITS 

The St. Charles Optimist Club Spaghetti 

Dinner is from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Friday, 

April 5 at Memorial Hall in Blanchette 

Park, 1900 Randolph in St. Charles. Spaghetti 

with meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, 

soda, coffee and dessert. $12 for adults and 

children ages 5 and under free. Dine in or 

carry-out. All proceeds benefit the youth of 

St. Charles. For tickets, call (314) 807-5022 

or visit, scoptimists.weebly.com. 

• • • 

St. Dominic High Barnes & Noble 

Book Fair is from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, 

April 6 at Barnes & Noble, 320 Mid 

Rivers Center Drive in St. Peters. A percentage 

of all purchases made in-store or 

online will be used to purchase books for 

the Learning Commons Library and to fulfill 

teacher wishlists at St. Dominic High in 

O’Fallon. For details, call (636) 240-8303. 

• • • 

Spring Craft Fair is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

on Saturday, April 6 at Fort Zumwalt East 

High, 600 First Executive Ave. in St. Peters. 

Concessions will be available. Free event. 

Proceeds benefit the class of 2024 grad night. 

For details, email fzecraftshow@gmail.com. 

• • • 

Mix and Mingle - It’s a Party Period is 

from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at The 

Quarry Wine Garden, 3960 Hwy. Z in New 

Melle. Feminine hygiene and care product 

donation or $5 for admission per adult benefitting 

schools in need in St. Charles County. 

For details, visit womenoflbb.com. 

• • • 

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles Birthday 

Bash is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, 

April 13 at 1 Club Way in St. Peters, featuring 

an afternoon of activities like bounce 

houses, garden planting and more. Lunch 

will be provided along with popcorn, cotton 

candy and birthday cupcakes. Free event. For 

details, visit https://www.bgcstc.org/events. 

• • • 

Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles 

County Trivia Night is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, 

April 13 at the Larry Elms Training 

Center, 755 Parr Road in Wentzville. This 

year’s theme of “Time Travelers, Time 

Capsule” requests that attendees donate one 

item, artifact, photograph or document that 

represents current popular culture. Water, 

soda and beer will be available. Outside 

food and beverages are allowed, but glass 

is prohibited. Bring extra cash for 50/50 

drawing, mulligan purchases, basket raffles 

and more. 21 and older only. Tickets start at 

$25. Tables, tickets and sponsorships may 

be purchased at hfhtrivia.org. 

• • • 

Ribbon of Hope Celebration is from 11 

a.m.- 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at Barnes 

Jewish St. Peters Hospital, 10 Hospital 

Drive in St. Peters. This is a free, familyfriendly 

event celebrating life and bringing 

hope to the community affected by cancer. 

For details, visit bjcstcharlescounty.org. 

• • • 

The 2024 Soldier’s Christmas Card 

Project is from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 

28 at the MU Extension in St. Charles, 260 

Brown Road in St. Peters. Write Christmas 

cards to soldiers overseas. Cards will be 

shipped inside care packages during Christmas 

2024 by H.E.R.O.E.S. Care. For details, 

visit extension.missouri.edu/programs. 

• • • 

Bunco Bash is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, 

April 28 at the Pezold Banquet Center, 5701 

Hwy. N in St. Charles. Ticket includes 

appetizers, snacks, desserts, soda, tea and 

coffee, plus one complimentary adult drink 

ticket. $25 per person. For details, email 

ladiesauxbunco@gmail.com. 

FAMILY & KIDS 

Kids Workshop - Celebrate Earth Day 

with Mixed Media is from 11 a.m.-12:30 

p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at The Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in St. Charles. 

By repurposing discarded materials, students 

will embrace the spirit of “reduce, reuse, and 



recycle” by turning trash into masterpieces. 

For ages 5-12. The cost is $35 and includes 

all of the supplies needed for the workshop. 

For details, visit foundryartcentre.org. 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

The Wentzville Veteran’s Coffee group 

meets at 9 a.m. every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 

at the Wentzville Senior Center, 500 

Great Oaks Blvd. Join for some comradery 

and coffee. For details, visit wentzvillemo. 

gov. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Pachyderm Club 

meets at noon every Friday at B. Hall’s 

Family Grill, 3782 Monticello Plaza Drive 

in O’Fallon. Be informed and meet elected 

officials. No meetings on holiday weekends. 

For details, visit sccpachyderms.org. 

• • • 

Taste of the County is from 5-7 p.m. on 

Thursday, April 4 at Dardenne Prairie City 

Hall Park, 2032 Hanley Road. Try samples 

from local restaurants, eateries and wineries. 

Tickets are $20 per person (ages 12 and up) 

for unlimited food and drinks. Kids 10 and 

under are free. Purchase tickets by calling 

the WSCC Chamber office at (636) 327- 

6914 or go to gowscc.com/product/taste-ofthe-county-ticket. 

• • • 

Mission: Clean Stream is from 9-11:30 

a.m. on Saturday, April 6 at the Public Works 

Facility, 2871 Elm Point Industrial Drive in 

St. Charles. Volunteers must check in at the 

facility. Volunteers can register as a family, 

individual or organization. Gloves and trash 

bags provided. For more details, email kierstyn.lorince@stcharlescitymo.gov. 

• • • 

“Daycation” Bus Tour-Irish in St. Louis 

is from 9:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m. on Friday, April 

19. Meet in the west parking lot at City Hall, 

One St. Peters Centre Blvd. Enjoy a day with 

St. Louis Archdiocesan in the heart of the 

Irish neighborhood of Dogtown and enjoy 

lunch at McGurk’s. The cost is $134. Register 

online at stpetersmo.net/Rec-Connect. 

• • • 

Clean Streams Day is from 8 a.m.-noon 

on Saturday, April 20 at 370 Lakeside 

Park (Corporate Pavilion), 1000 Lakeside 

Park Drive in St. Peters. Participants will 

clean Spencer Creek and the tributaries to 

Dardenne Creek. You can choose the creek 

segment you’d like to clean. The event is 

free, but pre-registration is required at stpetersmo.net/cleanstream. 

• • • 

Rail District Festival is from 2-8 p.m. 

on Saturday, April 27 in Civic Park, 308 

Civic Park Drive in O’Fallon. There will 

be family activities, live music, inflatables, 

food trucks, food vendors, a beer garden, 

train rides, a baby crawl race and more. 

Free event. For details, visit ofallon.mo.us.



By KATE UPTERGROVE 

For 50 years, Jack Massa has wanted one 

thing above all else for his family of restaurants. 

“I want people to come back again and 

again,” Jack said. “I want them to enjoy 

good food, good times and the people who 

work for us. 

“We have great cooks. Everybody says 

that, but ours really are. And our managers 

and restaurant staff are just the best. That’s 

why even new customers become regulars 

and keep coming back.” 

Jack was working as an engineer for 

McDonnell-Douglas in 1974 when he and 

his brother, Bill, decided to turn their past 

restaurant experience and Jack’s cooking 

skills into a new enterprise, affectionately 

known as “the old place” in Bridgeton. 

“We decided to open for dinner and said 

when we got the hang of things, we’d open 

for lunch. We’re still just open for dinner,” 

Jack said, laughing. 

But don’t think for a single minute that 

Jack and Bill, who passed away in December 

2020, didn’t know what to do as restauranteurs. 

They just traded longer hours at 

one location for more hours at more locations. 

Currently, Massa’s has four locations: 

Ballwin and Bridgeton in St. Louis County 

and New Town and Winghaven in St. 

Charles County. Each place has its own personality 

and slightly varied menus. 

“New Town is also the only location with 

Sunday hours,” Jack said. “Of course, every 

location offers fair prices, generous drink 

pours and the best cannelloni in town.” 

Keeping prices reasonable so customers 

can come back frequently is important to 

Jack. As for those drinks, he has a word 

of advice for customers: Make sure you 

have a ride home and watch the ads in 

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. 

“I really haven’t decided how 

we’re going to celebrate our 50th,” 

Jack admitted, “but when I do, I’ll 

put it in my Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 

ad. Maybe I’ll offer a second 

drink on Bill! The main thing is 

that I hope people will come in and 

celebrate with us, share their stories 

and enjoy their favorite meals.” 

Jack said his current favorite 

entrée is Cajun Tortellini. 

“It’s so good! We did a lot of taste 

testing to find just the right blend 

of cajun seasonings, which we get 

from McCarthy Spice & Blends. 

They’re a St. Louis company and 

just the best. The same goes for our tortellini. 

We get it from Louisa Foods, which is 

another St. Louis company that thinks like 

we do that freshness matters. But we make 

our own cannelloni,” Jack said. “A company 

tried to sell us cannelloni 

once, and their own 

employee said, ‘Don’t 

bother. Massa’s makes 

the best cannelloni in St. 

Louis.’ And we do.” 



Celebrating 50 years of good food and good times – it’s Massa’s, of course! 

Massa’s of course! • massasofcourse.com 

Winghaven • 3072 WingHaven Blvd. 

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday-Saturday 

New Town • 3761 New Town Blvd. 

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Tuesday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 

Ballwin • 15310 Manchester Road and Bridgeton • 4120 N. Lindbergh Road 

Hours: 4-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 4-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 

Erio’s 

Ristorante 

Since 1971 

Fresh Fish Daily • Certified Angus Beef 

Veal • Pasta • Hand-tossed Pizza 

951 Jungermann Rd • St. Peters 

928-0112 

The Best In Italian Cuisine 

Special Daily Features 

Chilean Sea Bass 

Sicilian Chops • Chicken Spedini 

Deep Fried Lobster Tails 

Includes Salad & Side Dish 

$ 

12 Tuesdays 

Large 1-Topping Pizza 

Carry Out Only • Limit 3 Pizzas 

Open Monday - Thursday 4 - 9 pm 

Friday and Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm 

Closed Sunday 

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 

Ask about Catering! 

Jack Massa 

I 29 

The only steak served 

at Massa’s is tenderloin. 

Perhaps the most popular 

way to enjoy it is as Pepe Medallions 

paired with a rich pepper cream sauce. 

“But if you’re in the mood for chicken,” 

Jack said, “we’re noted for our Chicken 

Bianco, which is a lightly breaded chicken 

breast served in a white wine and mushroom 

sauce. We make our sauces fresh 

every day with the really good stuff like 

heavy cream and parmesan cheese that we 

grate in-house.” 

Of course, Massa’s makes its signature 

dressings in-house. 

“Everything we do,” Jack said “is because 

we want our customers to keep coming back 

and having a good time with us.” 

P 

50th Anniversary 

FRESH SEAFOOD SPECIALS 

THROUGH LENT! 

First Drink FREE 

I can't believe Bill and I started 50 years ago this month! Please have a drink on 

BILL, your first one "of course." Oh, this is limited to the house liquors and wine 

only and must be in April of 2024! And you have to give this ad to your server! 

(Wow, this is even cheaper than our price in 1974!) I think! lol 

Unless of course Bill was your server! 

3072 Winghaven Blvd. 

Lakeside Shoppes Plaza 

636-561-5202 

3761 New Town Blvd. 

Right at the Hwy. 370 

636-925-2961 

DINING 

636.591.0010 

Log on to AmisPizza.com for Full Menu! 

LUNCH EXPRESS 

Large Slice of Cheese Pizza & Salad 

$7.45 

11AM-4PM 

$4.00 OFF 

Any Large Pizza 

or Pasta Dinner 

Sunday - Thursday. 

Dine in or Carryout. Not valid with 

any other offer. Expires 4/30/24. 

& PIZZERIA 

www.AmisPizza.com 

Pizza, Pasta, Steaks Seafood, Salad 

Pizza, Pasta, Steaks, Seafood, Salad 

Carryout Delivery • Catering 

Carryout & Delivery • Catering 

Now Available Ordering Online 

3728 Monticello Plaza • 636-329-8787 

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

Large One 

Topping Pizza, 

any appetizer, large 

combination salad 

$8.95 OFF 



any other offer. Expires 4/30/24. 

$5 OFF 

W/ ANY PURCHASE 

$25.00 

OR MORE 

CARRYOUT 



any other offer. Expires 4/30/24.

30 I 





MID RIVERS HOME PAGES 

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Gable Vent Fans • Recessed Lighting 

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• Tree Trimming • Stump Grinding • Bobcat Work 

• Concrete Work • Storm Damage Clean Up 

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All Work Guaranteed! 

Call Today for a FREE ESTIMATE! 

636-373-1387 

Military & Senior 

Discounts Available! 

Tree Removal 

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or 

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Any other Service 

TREE SERVICE 

Any tree removal estimated value of 

$999 or more. Must Mention ad the 

same time as estimate. Not valid 

with other discounts. Exp: 4/30/24 

• 1 Room Or Entire Basement 

• FREE Design Service 

• Finish What You Started 

• As Low As $15 sq. ft. 

• Professional Painters, Drywall 

Hangers & Tapers 

Call Rich on cell 314.713.1388 

DECK STAINING 

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• NO Spraying or Rolling Mess! 

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• Fully Insured • References 

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BY BRUSH ONLY 

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43 Years! 

SCHEDULE NOW FOR EARLY SPRING RUSH!!! 

Call Now! 

POWER WASHING 

Removal of Mold & Dirt from Siding Gutters Whitened 

Also Available: Window & Gutter Cleaning 

636.244.0461 

JetStreamCleaningServices.com Serving the area since 2003 

Need Help? 

ROOF DAMAGE EXPERTS 

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FREE INSPECTIONS 

ROOFING • GUTTERS 

TUCKPOINTING • PAINTING 

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AND HOME REPAIRS





I 31 

SPEISER, from page 16 

lot of people see me as a shooter and it is 

definitely what takes my game to the next 

level,” Speiser said. “But I am also able to 

take people off the dribble as well as be big 

in the paint and able to guard many positions 

causing problems.” 

Luttschwager agreed. 

“Jordan can do so many things on a basketball 

court. She is well known for her 

scoring ability and deep 3-point range,” 

Luttschwager said. “She has one of the 

quickest releases you’ll ever see. However, 

she is also a tremendous passer and 

can make one-handed passes (right or left) 

from anywhere on the court. Some of them 

you have to see to believe.” 

Speiser has volunteered locally as a 

math tutor and youth basketball trainer and 

has donated her time to multiple community 

service initiatives through her church 

youth group, all while maintaining a 3.54 

GPA in the classroom. 

“I get the satisfaction of feeling like I 

have helped others become better in their 

day-to-day lives from doing these acts of 

service,’ Speiser said. “I feel like our job 

as humans is to serve others and help 

others succeed in their lives too and so I 

feel as if it’s just helping others become 

better and feel accomplished in their 

lives as well. I do it anytime at school 

or at 3D basketball academy training 

kids there. 

“I am really big in my faith and go 

to church every Sunday. Anytime I am 

able to help serve in the church and 

help out I do.” 

Colleges are taking notice of Speiser. 

She is being heavily recruited. 

Her top 11 schools are Arkansas, 

North Carolina, Kansas State, Notre 

Dame, Texas Christian University, 

Iowa, Ohio State, Utah, Virginia Tech, 

Oklahoma and Minnesota. 

“Jordan has several Division 1 scholarship 

offers,” Luttschwager said. “We 

have college coaches at our games and 

practices throughout the year. She is a 

5-star recruit.” 

Currently, Speiser holds the school 

records for most points scored in a 

season (688), free throw percentage in a 

season (83.2%), most 30-point field goals 

in a season (116) and most career 3-point 

Lutheran St. Charles junior Jordan Speiser recently 

was named the 2023-24 Gatorade Missouri Girls 

Basketball Player of the Year. 

(Photo provided) 

field goals (284). 

She has scored 1,727 points in three 

years with the Cougars. That ranks second 

in school history. 

“The record is 2,102 points,” Luttschwager 

said. “Fun fact: That record 

is held by me.” 

Speiser knows it, too. 

“I want to surpass 2,000 points (and) 

break my coach’s scoring record,” 

Speiser said. 

She has two other goals for her senior 

season. Speiser wants to win another 

state championship and repeat as the 

Gatorade Player of the Year. 

“We are very happy to have Jordan 

for one more year,” Luttschwager said. 

“She has accomplished a lot in her 

first three seasons, but she is not done 

yet. You are not going to find a player 

that works harder than Jordan. To her, 

everything is a competition. Every drill, 

she wants to have a goal and win the 

drill. As soon as practice ends, she goes 

right to another workout. She is constantly 

putting in extra time conditioning 

as well as skill work. 

“Jordan loves her teammates and gets 

just as excited about their success. She 

shows a lot of emotion on the court when 

they knock down big shots or make a great 

defensive play.” 

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 

AUCTIONS 

Steward Self Storage 

101 N. Service Rd. 


Notice is hereby given that the 

contents of the following unit 

will be sold in compliance with 

Missouri state law via online 

auction at: 

www.storageauctions.com 

for non-payment of past rent. 

All items in the units below will 

be released for sale. Auction date 

is on or after April 15th, 2024 

at 10:00 a.m. 

10x16 Outside Non-Climate – 

This unit may contain toolbox, 

auto parts, bikes, tools, power 

tools, HVAC equipment, 

construction supplies, landscaping 

equipment, dressers, nightstands, 

patio furniture, décor, plastic bags 

totes, miscellaneous boxes, 

suitcases, laundry baskets, 

cleaning supplies, bookbags, toys 

and miscellaneous items 

BUY AND SELL 

WE BUY & CONSIGN 

Fine Jewelry 

Fine Art & Antiques 

Luxury Handbags & Couture 

Decorative Arts, 

Memorabilia & Collectibles 

314.942.1132 

info@hallmarkauctions.com 

Current Online Auction at 

hallmarkauctions.com 

COLLECTIBLES 

WANTED TO BUY 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 

Baseball Cards, Sports Cards, 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 

Private Collector: 

314-302-1785 

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 

DECKS 

Deck Staining 

Brushed & Rolled Only 

No money up front/Warranty 

Free Estimates 

Insured/A+BBB 

EverythingDecks.net 

(636) 337-7733 

ELECTRICAL 

ERIC'S ELECTRIC 

Licensed, Bonded and Insured: 

Service upgrades, fans, can lights, 

switches, outlets, basements, 

code violations fixed, we do it 

all. Emergency calls & back-up 

generators. No job too small. 

Competitively priced. 

Free Estimates. 

Just call 636-262-5840 

GARAGE DOORS 

DSI/Door Solutions, Inc. 

Garage Doors, Electric Openers. 

Fast Repairs. All makes & models. 

Same day service. Free Estimates. 

Custom Wood and Steel Doors. 

BBB Member • Angie's List 

Call 314-550-4071 

www.dsi-stl.com 

HAULING 

J & J HAULING 

WE HAUL IT ALL 

Service 7 days. Debris, furniture, 

appliances, household trash, yard 

debris, railroad ties, fencing, decks. 

Garage & Basement Clean-up 

Neat, courteous, affordable rates. 

Call: 636-379-8062 or 

email: jandjhaul@aol.com 

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 

FENCES 

Wood | Aluminum | Vinyl | Composite 

NEW INSTALL – REPAIRS – STAINING 

Unmatched Quality | Competitive Prices | Residential or Commercial 

WWW.WESTERNFENCES.COM | 636.215.1730 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

Mizzou Crew LLC (Since 2004) 

We can’t do everything, 

but we CAN do a lot! 

Landscaping, Demolition, 

Flooring, Light Construction, 

Furniture Assembly, Fencing, 

Deck Repair, Rough Carpentry. 

Call/text Jeff 314-520-5222 or 

email mizzoucrewstl@gmail.com 

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 

LANDSCAPING 

Best Landscaping Values in Town! 

-Mizzou Crew- 

Mulch, Shrub Trimming, 

Yard Cleanups, Power Washing, 

Moles, Small Walls & Paver Patios. 

Hauling Services, Demolition, 

Handyman Services 

& Rough Carpentry 

Call/Text Jeff 

314-520-5222 

or www.MizzouCrew.com 

LANDSCAPING 

-General Landscaping & Repair- 

Planting of shrubs, mulch, topsoil 

and stone walls repaired & 

installed. 

Specializing in Water Issue 

Erosion Control. 

Call or Text 

636-358-8800 

PAINTING 

DEFINO’S 

PAINTING SERVICES 

EST. 2006 

Interior & Exterior Painting 

Deck Staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

definospainting.com 

314-707-3094 

PET SERVICES 

Yucko’s 

Your Poop Scoop ‘n Service 

FREE Estimates 

314-291-7667 

www.yuckos.com 

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 

TREE SERVICES 

Complete Tree Service for 

Residential & Commercial 

Tree Pruning & Removal 

Plant Health Care Program 

Deadwooding • Stump Grinding 

Deep Root Fertilization 

Cabling & Storm Clean Up 

ISA Certified Arborists 

Doug Beckmann MW-5255A 

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

Free Estimates • Fully Insured 

314-426-2911 

meyertreecare.com 

WEDDING SERVICES 

ANYTIME ANYWHERE 

- CEREMONIES - 

• Marriage Ceremonies 

• Vow Renewals 

• Baptisms 

• Pastoral Visits 

• Graveside Visits 

Full Service Ministry 

(314) 703-7456

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 4-3-24

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