Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 6-5-24

Vol. 21 No. 11 • June 5, 2024
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STAR PARKER
Biden’s democracy
smokescreen
President Joe Biden makes no speech
without mentioning the importance of
democracy in our nation.
We would like to believe this comes from
deep ideals about human liberty lodged
within our president.
But more accurate is that Biden, a politician
all his adult life, is defined by just that
– politics. No word, no act emanates from
our president that does not emerge from
some political calculation.
In the case of the ongoing reminders
about the importance of democracy, the subliminal
message Biden wishes to convey is
to always remind of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault
on the Capitol and to brand Donald Trump
as an anti-democratic autocrat.
But let’s go beyond this and examine
Biden’s premise about democracy itself.
In Biden’s latest speech on Memorial
Day, he said, “Our democracy is more than
just a system of government. It is the very
soul of America.”
Hanging on a wall in my offices in
Washington, D.C., is a picture of Booker
T. Washington, with his quote saying, “A
lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t
become right, and evil doesn’t become
good just because it is accepted by the
majority.”
An important reminder from Booker
T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee University,
is that there is good and evil in
this world, and they are transmitted to us
through the Bible and our faith.
Democracy can only be the means
through which a nation accepts or does not
accept these eternal truths. But democracy
does not invent them. We should recall,
again, the words of President George
Washington in his farewell speech in 1796.
“Of all the dispositions and habits
which lead to political prosperity, religion
and morality are indispensable supports.
...Whatever may be conceded to the
influence of refined education on minds
of peculiar structure, reason and experience
both forbid us to expect that national
morality can prevail in exclusion of religious
principle.”
In the 1850s, Sen. Stephen Douglas of
Illinois proposed to use democracy to solve
the problem of whether slavery would be
permitted in new states entering the union.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act provided that
new states would determine by the vote
whether it would be a slave state.
Abraham Lincoln rejected this proposition.
Per Lincoln, “Judge Douglas interrupted
me to say that the principle of the Nebraska
bill was very old, that it originated when
God made man and placed good and evil
before him, allowing him to choose for
himself, being responsible for the choice
he should make.”
“The facts of this proposition are not true
as stated,” said Lincoln. “God did not place
good and evil before man, telling him to
make his choice. On the contrary, he did
tell him that there was one tree, of the fruit
of which he should not eat, upon pain of
certain death.”
What really interests Biden is growing
government to advance his left-wing
agenda, thereby diminishing individual
freedom.
In 1950, shortly after World War II, federal
government spending accounted for
14.1% of GDP.
Per the Congressional Budget Office, in
2024 federal government spending will
consume 23.1% of GDP; in 2034, 24.1%;
in 2044, 25.7%; and in 2054, 27.3%.
Social Security trustees now project
bankruptcy of the system by 2033. Revenues
will fall short by 21%. Why doesn’t
Biden support letting every American
choose to opt-out and instead invest in their
own private retirement account?
Why doesn’t Biden support the right
of parents to send their child to whatever
K-12 school they choose?
The only place where Biden wants
more choice is to hide behind his religion
and give women the right to destroy their
unborn child until the final moments of her
pregnancy.
The founders of our country conceived
of a nation rooted in core truths, which, by
limiting government, would enable individual
liberty.
They would not recognize our politicized
nation today under Joe Biden.
• • •
Star Parker is president of the Center for
Urban Renewal and Education and host of
the weekly television show “Cure America
with Star Parker.”
© 2024 Creators.com
Read more on midriversnewsmagazine.com
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I OPINION I 3
TREE SERVICE
Tom Hoff
MW-5578A
EPA Region 7
Iowa, Kansas,
Missouri, Nebraska
and Nine Tribal Nations
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11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
PUBLIC NOTICE
Sixth Five-Year Review Started
Findett Corp. Superfund Site
St. Charles, St. Charles County, Missouri
June 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has started the Sixth Five-
Year Review for the Findett Corp. Superfund Site. Five-Year Reviews are required by the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA),
commonly known as Superfund, when hazardous substances remain on-site above levels
that permit unrestricted use and unlimited exposure.
Five-Year Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the site remedy to determine
whether it remains protective of human health and the environment. This Five-Year
Review Report is anticipated to be complete by July 2025.
Site project information is available to the public at web repositories. To view cleanup
documents, please visit EPA’s Site Profile page at:
www.epa.gov/superfund/findettcorp (see Site Documents & Data).
If you do not have internet access, you can view these documents online at this location:
Kathryn Linnemann Branch Public Library, 2323 Elm Street, St. Charles, MO 63301;
636-946-6294.
EPA will hold a Public Meeting on Thursday, June 27, from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic
Church, 221 1st Capitol Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301.
EPA will provide information on the Five-Year Review for Operable Units 1-3. A Technical
Presentation will begin at 7 p.m., and then EPA will facilitate a Question-and-Answer
session until 8 p.m. Additional information can be found on the Site Profile page at the
link listed above (under Announcements and Key Topics).
If you have questions about the site or upcoming meeting, please contact Jessica Evans,
EPA community involvement coordinator, at evans.jessica@epa.gov or 314-296-8182.

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An Estate Tax Primer
Mid Rivers Magazine Brand Image.pdf 1 5/24/24 11:07 AM June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 5
Law Matters
I typically
tell stories in
this column to
make a point or
to explain
something
about estate
planning or
probate. Not
today. Although estate taxes really
don't affect many people now, there
are some changes on the horizon
regarding them that might make
them a greater concern for more
people. So, as exciting as it sounds,
this is a primer on estate taxes.
First, Missouri does not have an
estate tax now. They used to have
one that basically piggybacked on
the federal estate tax, but they
terminated that several years ago.
Regarding the federal estate tax,
it used to hit numerous people when
you included a house, retirement
accounts, life insurance, and a
business. However, in recent years
the exemption amount has increased
so much that most people don't
have to worry about it. For instance,
in 2017, the exemption amount (the
amount of an estate exempt from
federal estate tax) increased to
$11.2 million, and that amount is
increased for inflation. This year the
exemption is $13.61 million. So,
this year the 1st $13.61 million of
an estate is exempt from federal
estate taxes.
That is about to change, unless
Congress gets their act together -
but don't hold your breath. The
exemption amount is going to be cut
back to the pre-2017 amounts. The
number increases with inflation, so
we don't know what the actual
number is going to be yet, but it
will be in the $6-7M range we
believe. What that means is that
anything in a person's estate over
the exemption amount will be
taxed at 40%. So, if you are subject
to the tax, it can take a pretty big
bite.
But how do you know if you are
subject to the estate tax? You need
to calculate what your estate is
worth from the IRS perspective,
and that isn't always clear. Your
retirement accounts are the value
of the assets held in the account.
Regarding life insurance, you need
to look at the stated death benefit
is. Real estate is a little more
problematic. You need to get a
realistic fair market value. If you
own a business, you need to talk to
your accountant.
And there are very few deductions
available.
If you think that you might have
an issue here, let's talk.
Everyone’s experience
with estate planning is
unique and you don’t
always know what to
expect. Fred has gathered
some of the most
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and educational book.
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to order online at www.law-matters.net
Fred L. Vilbig is an attorney with over 30
years of experience in the areas of wills
and trusts, small businesses, and real
estate. This column is for informational
purposes only. Nothing herein should be
treated as legal advice or as creating an
attorney-client relationship. The choice
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advertisements.
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6 I OPINION I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERS_NEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
EDITORIAL
Birds finally land on the bat
Don’t look now, but the St. Louis Cardinals
are suddenly becoming a fun baseball
team to watch again. As of this writing
(Friday, May 31) the Redbirds have won
12 of their last 15 games to return to a perfectly
respectable .500 record.
A .500 suggests average is predictable,
boring. You win one then you lose one.
Not our hometown team. They went 1-9
to start May, then 12-3 to end May. They
lost their first four series, and won their
last five.
Boi-oi-oi-oi-oing. The whiplash Redbirds.
How have they managed to turn the
season around? The old people are awesome.
OK, OK, “old people” as defined in
baseball terms. Paul Goldschmidt (36
years young) suddenly turned golden
again. He is 19 for 63 over the last 15
games, with five homers. Kyle Gibson
(also 36 years young) had nearly as many
strikeouts (23) as he did hits allowed (25)
in May. Lance Lynn (37) allowed just one
earned run over his last two May starts.
Matt Carpenter (38) basically didn’t play
until the idle of the month but has had a
number of key hits the last two weeks. It
is probably no coincidence that his return
from injury and the team’s return to form
overlap.
Oh, by the way, the young people are
awesome, too. Masyn Winn (ripe old 22)
enjoyed an 18-game hit streak. Nolan
Gorman (24) leads the team with 10
home runs and 25 RBIs. Ivan Herrera (23)
stepped in for injured Willson Contreras
and has performed admirably both at and
behind the plate. Lars Nootbaar (26), Alec
Burleson (25) and Brendan Donovan (27)
feel like seasoned veterans making their
expected contributions.
Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves
here. Through May 30 the Cardinals had
hit 48 home runs. The Yankees flipped
that particular number and walloped an
eye-popping 84 home runs. The Redbirds
rank 17th in batting average and 22nd in
slugging percentage. They rank 19th in
overall earned run average but sit tied for
second with 20 games saved and just five
missed opportunities. In short, pitching
has been better than expected and hitting
has been worse than expected.
That being said, the Birds found the
ON THE COVER: Deer Run Branch, St. Charles City-County Library (Aly Doty photo)
bats over the last 15 games, averaging
more than five runs per game. In the last
15 days, the Cards rank third in the majors
with a .460 team slugging percentage and
have belted 20 home runs.
Does all of this mean the Redbirds are
suddenly world-beaters? No, but the team
is miles and miles ahead of where they
were just a few short weeks ago. Baseball
is a long season, and this season is only
one-third over. The Cardinals have ended
that first third just a couple games out of
first in the National League Central division,
and that’s not nothing.
Can we get Tommy Edman and Contreras
back to health? Can Nolan Arenado
regain his form and contribute consistently?
Did Andre Pallante just become
the fifth starter we have been looking
for? The answers to those questions might
not be what separates the Cardinals from,
say, the Dodgers and Braves, but it could
very well be what separates us from the
Brewers and the Padres and other midtier
teams. That makes those questions
infinitely more interesting than they were
15 days ago, and it makes the Cardinals a
super fun team to watch again.
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8 I NEWS I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
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Participants watch a demonstration of drone
technology at the SCCAD headquarters. (SCCAD photo)
NEWS
BRIEFS
DARDENNE PRAIRIE
Three-way stop sign approved
after residents raise concerns
The Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen
has approved a new three-way stop
after residents raised concerns about traffic
conditions in a local neighborhood.
The sign is targeted for the intersection
of Pierside Drive and Harborside Drive
for drivers approaching from the northeast,
northwest and southwest.
During the May 1 board work session,
multiple residents came forward to draw
awareness to traffic dangers presented by
the intersection, pointing to how the lack
of signage offered no direction to drivers
encountering each other in the area.
“We’re really just concerned about the
safety of our children,” one resident noted.
“There’s just nothing there.”
Amanda Barnes attended the work session
with her daughter, and told the board,
“There are a lot of concerns in the neighborhood.”
Barnes noted how mailboxes have been
hit, property damaged and cited speeding
dangers as a continued risk for residents.
Another resident attending said the “dangerous”
intersection was the first thing
they noticed when moving into the area six
years ago.
Mayor John Gotway acknowledged the
concerns raised, but also cautioned that
adding a stop sign doesn’t always alleviate
the problem as some drivers will roll
through stop signs.
The matter returned before the board at
its May 15 meeting.
“It’s definitely needed,” Alderman Mark
Johnson (Ward 3) said. “I don’t know why
one wasn’t put there in the first place.”
The bill to implement a permanent
three-way stop at the intersection passed
unanimously.
Residents repeat concerns
on city hall audio issues
Residents repeated concerns over transparency
and technical issues at the May 15
Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen meeting.
Issues with the microphones in the board
chambers, which impacts public comments,
presentations and the audience’s
ability to hear city officials have been a
reoccurring problem. In addition, concerns
about audio/visual problems on the You-
Tube recordings of board meetings have
also been pointed out.
As City Administrator James W. Knowles
III spoke on a separate topic regarding traffic
on Stump Road, one of the residents in
attendance called out and asked him to speak
louder. Others then noted that no one in the
audience could hear him. Knowles noted that
the microphone only has so much range and
advised residents to reach out to him directly.
Alderman Laura Gittemeier (Ward 1)
addressed the situation, and said, “It seems
like audio is a continuing problem which
makes us look incompetent.”
Another resident brought up the problems
with the YouTube sound feed. Others agreed
that when unable to attend meetings, the
recordings are unreliable due to sound issues
and cuts in recent recordings. Knowles said
he believes he knows the cause of one of
these recent issues with the recordings, suspecting
that different versions of video conference
software have odd interactions with
the audio-recording equipment, and said the
problem would be looked into further.
Alderman Mike Costlow (Ward 2)
offered to work with Knowles to handle
the situation, and committed to connect
with the city administrator before the next
board meeting to work on the issue.
“I know that we’ve talked about getting
this fixed for a while now,” Costlow said.
O’FALLON
Bryan Road bridge over
I-70 to close for 10 weeks
On May 13, the Missouri Department of
Transportation (MoDOT) announced plans
to close the Bryan Road bridge over Interstate
70 in both directions starting mid-
June for bridge rehabilitation. This work
is part of an I-70 rehabilitation program
for 12 bridges in St. Charles County. The
Bryan Road bridge is the only one being
closed completely.
Starting June 17, Bryan Road over I-70
will be closed, and is tentatively scheduled
to reopen about Aug. 15. The I-70 ramps
will remain open. Bryan Road traffic will
be detoured to I-70 to make a u-turn at
either Lake St. Louis Boulevard or Hwy.
K. I-70 lanes at the Bryan Road bridge will
also be closed during off-peak times for
bridge painting.
ON THE ROAD
City to use deferred Project
HOME funds in 2024
O’Fallon’s Project HOME, which helps
low-income homeowners who need home
repairs and provides special assistance
to low-income residents with disabilities,
came under discussion at a City Council
workshop on May 23.
O’Fallon Public Assistance Specialist
Alexis Jaegers discussed the program and
sought council consent to proceed with two
special initiatives, which the council provided.
Project HOME has been active in
O’Fallon since 2004, and in addition to its
primary mission, funds from the program
are also used to address emergency repairs,
code violations and accessibility needs.
Jaegers explained that the program is
funded by an annual golf tournament,
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I NEWS I 9
with proceeds averaging about $20,000
each year. Since its inception, more than
$500,000 has been raised and of that
amount. About $362,000 has been spent
on projects, leaving a “deferred revenue
account” with a balance of $138,000.
To be a good steward of the funds and
support the mission of the program, Jaegers
proposed to use up to $30,000 of the
funds for radon gas testing and mitigation.
Jaegers said the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development has
issued new regulations requiring the
testing and mitigation of radon for all
Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) assisted properties, and mitigation
for properties found to be unsafe. To
comply, up to $30,000 of Project HOME
funds would be allocated for radon testing
and mitigation of all properties participating
in CDBG 2024 Home Repair
programs.
Jaegers also proposed the city use up to
$50,000 of the deferred revenue funds for
grants to non-profit organizations that assist
the city’s population in need. She said the
grant would be structured like the city’s
2022 Non-Profit Resiliency Grant, but with
a focus on organizations engaging in home
repair projects for low-to-moderate-income
residents. A panel of city staff would review
grant applications for completeness and eligibility
and select the best applicants.
The 2024 Project HOME Golf Tournament
is being presented by SAK Construction
on Friday, Sept. 13 at The Links at
Dardenne in O’Fallon.
For more information, visit ofallon.
mo.us/project-home.
ST. PETERS
First of five distribution
facilities built
The first of five planned distribution
facilities is completed at NorthPoint
Development’s $129 million Lakeside
Logistics Center in St. Peters. Contegra
Construction built the 490,000-square-foot
distribution center at the 190-acre site.
Close to the intersection of Route 370 and
Interstate 70, the facility is just 15 minutes
from St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Located at 16000 Spencer Road, the facility
is constructed of tilt-up concrete panels
with a 36-foot clear height and features space
that can be subdivided for up to four tenants,
according to a press release. The single-load
facility is served by 51 dock doors and seven
drive-in doors, all on one side of the building.
Four office spaces are available along
the walls opposite the dock doors and a
2,000-square-foot office space is located in
one corner of the facility. The building has
parking space for 490 cars and 134 trailers.
The master plan for the Lakeside Logistics
Center is to host up to five buildings
totaling 1.6 million square feet of space,
the release states.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY
Ambulance District
trains first responders in
emergency drone use
Missouri first responders were invited
to participate in a drone mapping class on
May 6-7 at the St. Charles County Ambulance
District (SCCAD) headquarters.
The class was a first in the area and gave
first responders hands-on training on how
to utilize drone aircraft during emergency
situations. They learned how to include
modern drone technology when combating
natural disasters, accident reconstruction,
SWAT situations and more.
National instructors offered Missouri firefighters,
police officers, EMS and other emergency
agencies the opportunity to attend.
SCCAD Director of Technology John
Yeast noted that 25 first responders from
agencies across the region and state participated.
They received classroom-based sessions
to enhance technical photogrammetry
skills – techniques needed to properly fly
the drones and collect the necessary images
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needed to construct 2D and 3D models.
Then, they were able to use interactive
modes to apply what they learned in realworld
situations. Although the equipment
and software for drone mapping is costly,
proper training equips first responders
with the added tools they need to tackle
modern problems with updated efficiency.
“Our county team now has the basic skill
sets needed to work towards providing
these types of high-definition imagery for
specialty types of calls that agencies may
need,” Yeast said.
See NEWS BRIEFS, page 13
DEMENTIA CARE
RESPITE CARE
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SERVICES

10 I NEWS I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Library board tables plan that would close
three facilities, lay off 38 employees
By ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON
A plan to close libraries and lay off staff
in the St. Charles City-County Library
District was tabled for 30 days at a May
17 Board of Trustees special meeting.
Members of board, as well as patrons who
attended the meeting, felt they needed
more time to consider the proposal.
District CEO Jason Kuhl presented
the proposal at the near-five-hour-long
meeting, during which he covered what
he said are not only the district’s financial
woes but the changing landscape of
how people consume information from a
modern library.
If the proposal were accepted, the
McClay and Kisker Road branches in
St. Charles and the Deer Run branch in
O’Fallon would be singled out for shutdown.
Under the proposal, 38 non-professional
employees could be laid off, and 25
vacancies would not be filled.
Kuhl told some 200 attendees on May
17, including those staged in an overflow
room, that the plan would change the current
structure of 11 locations – currently
open an average of 59.4 hours per week –
to eight locations open an average of 75.7
hours per week. All locations would be
open seven days a week. He said the plan
would allow for a savings of $1.5 million
in operating costs.
“In the end…we would be a library that
would still be here,” Kuhl said. “We would
have a financially sustainable future. And
staff would be compensated.”
Kuhl said district employees are underpaid,
citing a review done last year that
determined they were paid 18.7% below
market rates in the St. Louis metropolitan
area.
Deer Run Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
(Aly Doty photo)
The library’s board voted to take 30 days
to decide on the plan, which some said they
knew very little about before the special
meeting was called two days before.
“This is so big and so large of a change,
and I’m trying to figure out what the benefit
of you making this proposal to us and
making us vote on it tonight as opposed
to having hearings,” trustee William Clark
Hardin IV said to Kuhl after his presentation.
“I’m trying to figure out what the advantage
is of doing such a big plan basically without
any input from the people who work in the
library and the taxpayers…as opposed to
really listening to people.”
As a “lifelong fiscal conservative,” Hardin
said he would “probably agree” on much of
the content of the proposal, but felt he was
blindsided.
In response, board President Staci Alvarez
said, “We set it (the special meeting)
because all of the trustees were available to
be in person and we wanted to have a dedicated
meeting for just this topic.”
Trustee Richard Gartner said, to be fair,
the board had “given (Kuhl) a job
to do,” regarding finding a way
to bring employee salaries up to
standard.
Trustee Matthew Seeds, who
made the motion to delay the vote
on the proposal, said he was not
supportive of the plan, that the
district “should have gotten taxpayer
input.”
Seeds made several suggestions
to generate revenue, including
membership plans to the library,
where patrons might pay more
for on-demand items such as the
library’s e-books and streaming
platforms.
“When we are getting absolutely hammered
by the publishers, we have to do
something,” Seeds said.
Regarding the challenges behind the
financial hurdles of the library district, Kuhl
said patrons’ demand for digital materials
has skyrocketed. In June 2015, the library
was spending nothing on Hoopla, a streaming
library service that lets patrons instantly
borrow e-books, audiobooks, comics,
music, movies and TV. Today, the district
pays between $50,000 and $60,000 per
month. Kuhl added that physical copies
of books cost the district about $20 each,
while e-books cost $75. And even then, the
district is only leasing them. They have to
pay again every 24 months.
Calling the circumstances a “pivotal juncture,
a dynamic moment,” Kuhl said, “Our
circulation is going up, but our physical
item circulation continues to go down. This
is a moment of change in society, and it’s
one we have to take a hard look at. This is
O’Fallon City Council approves Post Family Subdivision
By JOHN TREMMEL
At its May 9 meeting, the O’Fallon City
Council approved two bills covering voluntary
annexation, rezoning and an area plan
for the proposed and controversial 311-home
Post Family Subdivision along Hwy. N.
The Post Family Subdivision will be
across the road from the 896-home Harvest
at Hopewell subdivision already under
construction in western O’Fallon. This will
result in 1,207 total new homes along the
two-lane Hwy. N.
The council voted 6-2 to approve both
bills, even though the Planning & Zoning
Commission (P&Z) had voted 12-0 to send
recommendations of denial to the council.
Council members Ron Epps (Ward 1)
and Debbie Cook (Ward 5) voted against
the bills. Deana Smith (Ward 1) and Linda
Ragsdale (Ward 5) were absent/excused.
The first bill approved a petition for
voluntary annexation of 103.73 acres at
1065 East Hwy. N. The land is currently in
unincorporated St. Charles County, zoned
agricultural.
The second bill approved rezoning that
property to R-1/Planned Unit Development
(PUD) and approved an area plan for a
311-lot subdivision with various lot widths,
the smallest being 42 feet. The bill had 37
required conditions listed for approval.
In two P&Z meetings, two prior council
meetings and the May 9 meeting, an
average of eight nearby residents spoke in
opposition to the development because of
concerns about the traffic study, traffic on
Hwy. N, the impact on neighboring subdivisions
(such as Dove Meadows), the turn
into the Post development from Hwy. N
and other worries.
One resident speaker on May 9 handed
the council a petition signed by 93 homeowners
in Dove Meadows which was in
opposition to the new subdivision.
No residents spoke in favor of the new
subdivision.
Prior to the votes, Cook said she was
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Resident response
While the St. Charles City-County
Library District Board of Trustees voiced
a range of opinions on the recently presented
plan to close three libraries and
lay off 38 district employees, there was
an apparent, two-fold consensus from
the 200-plus people who attended a special
board meeting on May 17.
The citizens of the county love their
libraries. And they want some say in
what happens to them.
District CEO Jason Kuhl told the
board and library patrons that his proposal
for the district’s future strategic
direction would ensure the sustainable
operations of the district in the long
term and offer fair pay to its employees.
However, attendees at the May 17
meeting felt the taxpayers and library
patrons should have been involved in
those plans.
Patron Amie Robertson told Kuhl
and the board that while patrons realized
all of the problems facing the
district couldn’t necessarily be solved,
“the consensus was that they wanted to
be asked for their ideas.”
“There are a lot of things that need to
be explored before we lay off people
and close libraries,” Robertson said.
“Could it be that the library has too
many consultants or are trying to keep
up with the Urban Library Council or
competing with cities like Austin, Palo
Alto, Toronto and New York? Letting
us know that you’re closing libraries
on three days’ notice is appalling.”
Lisa Kramer asked the board to listen
to the patrons and to “show us the other
options.” She also suggested starting a
library foundation to raise money for
the district. One attendee at the meeting
said his wife was writing a check out
See LIBRARY, page 35 See RESPONSE, page 35
opposed to the subdivision at this time
because of the projected $366,000 annual
cost and the overload on existing city infrastructure,
including police, street maintenance
crews and snow removal crews.
(A city fiscal analysis had shown that
O’Fallon would lose about $366,000 per
year, $12.6 million over 40 years, because
city infrastructure costs would exceed tax
revenues.)
Council members Nathan Bibb (Ward 3)
and Dr. Jim Ottomeyer (Ward 4) said they
supported the new subdivision, because
growth is natural at that western O’Fallon
location, and residential growth will attract
more businesses.

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I 11
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New hotel coming to Streets of Caledonia
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 13
By JOHN TREMMEL
The Streets of Caledonia multi-use development
at Route DD and Interstate 64 continues
to grow.
On May 23, the O’Fallon City Council
approved three bills authorizing the construction
of a 102-room upscale Cambria
Hotel, with a golf simulator, fast food restaurant,
Italian restaurant and bar, on 3.35
vacant acres at 210 and 220 Rush Way in
the Streets of Caledonia. The contract purchaser
is Joseph Caradonna Caledonia Real
Estate LLC in Clawson, Michigan.
The property has soccer fields adjacent
to the south, Caledonia Center common
ground to the east, a recently approved
dental building to the west and a vacant
property to the north.
The council voted 9-0 to approve three
bills, with council member Lisa Thompson
(Ward 2) absent/excused. One bill rezones
the land from C2/General Business District
to C3/Highway Commercial District, the
second grants a conditional use permit (CUP)
to allow the hotel and the third grants a CUP
to Five Iron Golf to allow indoor recreation,
the golf simulator facility, on the property.
The applicant’s supporting documentation
says the hotel will include a business
center, meeting rooms, an indoor heated
pool and a fitness center. Hotel guests and
community members will be able to enjoy
the golf simulator, two full-service restaurants,
bars (one on the first floor and one on
the top floor) and a fast-food restaurant that
also serves as the hotel bodega. Meeting
rooms will also be available for local residents
to lease for events.
The fast-food restaurant will operate
seven days per week between 11 a.m. and 8
p.m. and will not serve liquor.
Documents for Five Iron Golf state the
business started with one location in New
York on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District
– the origin of the name. Since then, it has
expanded nationwide across ten major U.S.
cities with over 20 locations, with international
franchise locations in Singapore and
India.
For casual golfers, Five Iron provides
access to play, practice and party. For the
serious golfer, it provides Trackman simulators,
access to teaching
professionals, practice
time, leagues, club
storage and showers.
Food and beverages
are available, including
adult beverages.
Hours of operation
will be 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday-Friday, and 8
a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday.
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Cambria Hotel rendering from the northwest (Courtesy of city of O’Fallon)
NEWS BRIEFS, from page 9
When discussing the goals of this program,
he stated that the first responders
who participated can now utilize near-realtime
imagery when deployed on calls.
In addition, he said expanding drone mapping
technology to include more complex
nighttime skills is a long-term goal that can
be met once first responders in the area are
familiar with the basic training techniques.
Yeast has successfully utilized thermalcapable
drone technology with his team
during recent disasters.
When a December 2021 tornado touched
down, such technology was used to locate
patients and survey terrain. In January 2022,
Yeast and his team were able to search a
small aircraft crash with drone mapping
technology, and SCCAD used it again last
year to rescue individuals trapped on highangle
bluffs on the Katy Trail.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Call today to schedule a visit
and take a virtual tour:
636-229-1311
or go to npseniorliving.com
Visit our rental office at 6020 Weldon Spring Pkwy.
Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care
400 Siedentop Road, Weldon Spring, MO

14 I NEWS I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
CD SPECIAL
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Fees could reduce earnings on the account.
Serving the St. Charles Community
By JOHN TREMMEL
The city of O’Fallon has been working
for years with Great Rivers Greenway, St.
Charles County and neighboring cities to
increase connections to the Dardenne Greenway.
The trail winds along Dardenne Creek
in St. Charles County, and links together
hundreds of acres of parks as well as
neighborhoods, communities, businesses
and schools.
At its May 23 meeting, the O’Fallon
City Council unanimously approved a bill
authorizing an agreement with the Missouri
Highways and Transportation Commission
to use Transportation Alternatives
Program funding through East-West Gateway,
for a project to connect O’Fallon’s
Sports Park on south Hwy. K to Bluebird
Meadow Park and the Dardenne Greenway.
The project documents list improvements
like trail connectivity through a
1.5-mile portion of the Dardenne Greenway
from Bluebird Meadow Park to
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Dardenne Greenway connections
continue to grow in O’Fallon
Sports Park/Hwy. K, and a new minimum
12-foot-wide shared-use path that will connect
Bluebird Meadow Park to Sports Park.
Also planned is an upgrade of the existing
8-food-wide path in Sports Park to 12 feet, a
bike repair kiosk, landscaping, signage and
other amenities to create an inviting trailhead
in Sports Park, two pedestrian bridges and a
vehicular and pedestrian bridge structure for
connectivity within the park and addressing
storm water and creek bank concerns.
This is the first phase in the effort to
complete the Dardenne Greenway connection
through the area. Sections of the
path along Hwy. K will be set up for a
future extension to the east under Hwy. K
at Schote Creek and potentially provide a
path on the Hwy. K bridge over Dardenne
Creek. This future connection would then
extend over to the path system that is
planned, or already built in Cottleville.
Staff material indicates total project cost
is estimated at $2,698,740. The agreement
See GREENWAY, page 19
New senior living complex slated for
2024 completion in St. Peters
By JESSICA MARIE BAUMGARTNER
The senior living real estate boom is
continuing in St. Peters. A new 161-unit
apartment complex named Viva Bene,
geared at active residents ages 55 and older,
is scheduled to be completed this fall.
The $37.8 million project is being built
at 101 Viva Bene Circle, located north of
Interstate 70 just west of Route 370. The
four-story development features one- and
two-bedroom apartment options with a
variety of floor plans and amenities.
Viva Bene, located near Interstate 70 and Route 370,
under construction.
(Photo courtesy of Steve Houston, Compass Communications LLC)
In addition to offering the usual features
like a pool and fitness center, Viva Bene
will also feature a yoga and fitness space
for wellness activities, as well as business
spaces. The outdoor common ground will
provide green spaces, which will include
pickleball courts and bocce ball courts.
According to the Viva Bene website,
the property is geared toward providing
social opportunities within the community
and encouraging overall wellness with a
healthy active lifestyle. Management is
in charge of hosting mixers, group yoga
events and other gatherings
to keep residents connected
through a variety of interests.
Indianapolis-based real
estate developer Avenue is
working with Midas Construction
to complete the project,
and Greystar is managing the
property.
Midas is a St. Louis-based
company best known for building
high-rise hotels like the AC
Hotel in the Central West End
and the Residence Inn in Clayton,
as well as luxury apartment complexes
like the MILA apartments
in Ellisville and The Prairie
apartments in Dardenne Prairie.

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June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 15
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM.
(But the first and second
were pretty great, too.)
For the third year running, The Landing of O’Fallon has been named
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Call 636-791-4625 to schedule your tour today and discover a
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TheLandingOfOFallon.com
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16 I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
By KATE UPTERGROVE
Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go
home again – and if the cast and crew of
the upcoming STAGES season is any indication,
going home can be tremendously
rewarding.
The cast and crew of Steel Magnolias,
Disney’s Newsies and Ragtime consist
largely of local talent and St. Louisans
returning home.
Artistic Director Gayle Seay told an
audience gathered for the theater’s annual
“Page to Stage” event in May that “there
haven’t been this many locals in a season
in well over 10 years.”
It’s a fact of which she is especially
proud. Seay’s not the only one who sees St.
Louis as a hotbed of local talent.
“People are missing the boat if they think
New York is the only place to be a theater
artist,” said Paige Price, who will direct
five St. Louis women in Steel Magnolias,
which runs through June 30.
Local actor John Flack agreed.
“For a city of its size, St. Louis is very,
very rich in the performing arts, the visual
arts, music and dance,” he said.
Flack, who graduated from Parkway
West High, began his career in 1988 as a
member of the Imaginary Theater Company,
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’
touring company for young audiences.
This season he’ll perform in Disney’s
Newsies as Snyder, the proprietor of a
place called The Refuge. He estimates
that he has been in 70 to 75 productions
at STAGES since his first show there in
1991. He also has performed at The Black
Rep, The Muny and The New Jewish
Theatre, among other venues. His career
gives credence to Price’s belief that “you
don’t lose anything by staying home and
doing what you love.”
“You can be in your community
with your family and
all (your) support systems …
arts are needed everywhere,”
Price said.
Steel Magnolias
Abigail Isom, who portrays
Annelle in Steel Magnolias,
made her professional debut
in 2006, portraying Tootie
in a STAGES’ production of
Meet Me in St. Louis.
Her last STAGES production
was 10 years
ago when she played
Violet in State Fair at
age 13.
“I live in New York
City now,” Isom said,
“but I’m always so
happy when I’m able
to come back home
and perform. It feels
so nice to be back at
the place where I got my start. My parents
worked for STAGES for 30 years. This theatrical
village raised me.”
Her co-stars in Steel Magnolias, Zoe
Vonder Haar (Ouiser) and Kari Ely (Clairee),
were also her castmates in Meet Me in St.
Louis in 2006. Though she said she hasn’t
worked with St. Louisans Jilanne Klaus
(Truvy) and Amy Loui (M’Lynn) before,
or Taylor Quick (Shelby), the only non-St.
Louisan in the all-woman cast, their talent
did not surprise her.
“Every time I come back I’m just amazed
by the talent and the importance of the arts
in St. Louis,” Isom said.
Taking place solely in Truvy’s beauty
parlor, the play covers three years in the lives
of six southern
women.
Central to the
story is Shelby’s
battles Abigail Isom
with Type 1
diabetes and her mother, M’Lynn. Around
that core narrative are tales of friendship and
family.
“Every woman in it has her own big personality,”
Isom said. “But I think what’s
really special about Annelle is that she’s a
woman figuring out who she is. She’s so
affected by the women around her … it’s a
beautiful arc from start to finish.”
“And,” Isom added, “it’s like I get to play
four characters in one!”
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St. Louis artists set to shine in STAGES season focused on ‘family’
Lisa Ramey
John Flack
Deidre Goodwin
The cast and creative team for Steel Magnolias features (front row, from left) actor Zoe Vonder Haar, director Paige Price and STAGES
artistic director Gayle Seay, (back row) actor Jilanne Klaus, standby Lari White, actor Amy Lovi, actor Kari Ely, actor Taylor Quick, actor
Abigail Isom and standby Meme Wolf
Each of this season’s productions have a common thread.
“At the end of the day, all of them are about
your chosen family.” – Gayle Seay
Disney’s Newsies
The New York City newsboys’ strike
of 1899 sets the scene for Disney’s
Newsies, which runs July 26-Aug. 25.
It’s a big, bold musical that won Alan
Menken and Jack Feldman Tony Awards
for Best Original Score.
“The music is some of the most uplifting
and fun in the entire Disney canon,”
Seay said.
It’s also custom-made for dance numbers
with “swagger,” according to director
Steve Bebout.
“I think the newsies had swagger and I
was interested in seeing what that swagger
felt like,” Bebout said in an interview taped
for Page to Stage. “I think audiences are
going to see … technical, proficient, athletic
dancers … but with the guts of who they are
being tied to the streets on which they live –
less West Side Story and more TikTok.”
Bringing that swagger to life will be choreographer
Lindsay Lancaster and a cast
that includes many students from STAGES
Academy.
“The newsies strike, especially in a lot of
the lyrics, tries to be about all the kids in
New York,” Bebout explained. “We think
having younger kids in our show will help
us illuminate that part of the story.”
Also shining a light on turn-of-the-century
New York is Flack’s character and The
Refuge.
“The Refuge is a pretty horrible, filthy
orphanage where a lot of these newsies, the
homeless kids in New York, were housed,”
Flack said. He describes his character as
crooked, sinister and fun to play.
“What’s fun for me, especially playing
a kind of wicked character, is figuring out
what makes this guy tick, what makes him
behave in the way he does,” Flack said.
“It’s fun because you get to act out these
really bad impulses but you don’t have to
pay any of the consequences.”
He’s also looking forward to watching
his young colleagues work.
“This is a dance-heavy show and I am not
a dancer,” Flack said, “but I love watching
all of these enormously talented young
dancers just really kicking it.”
Flack pointed to STAGES Academy as a
great training ground for local kids, and not
just those students who end up pursuing a
career in the performing arts.
See STAGES, page 39

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FLAG DAY
FLAG DAY
In Honor
of our Banner
It was on June 14, 1777, nearly a year
after the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, that the Continental
Congress passed an act establishing an
official flag for the United States. The
resolution outlined the flag’s design
with 13 horizontal stripes alternating
red and white and 13 white stars on a
blue background. Then, it gave those
stars a significant designation as “a new
constellation.”
According to tradition, the new flag
was first raised in June of 1777 by the
Continental Army at the Middlebrook
encampment commanded by Gen.
George Washington in Bridgewater
Township, New Jersey.
Today, the flag consists of 13 horizontal
stripes, seven red alternating with six
white. The stripes represent the original
13 colonies and the stars represent the 50
states.
Although the colors of the flag were not
given a specific meaning at its origin, the
colors in the Great Seal of the United
States did have specific meanings as
Charles Thompson, secretary of the
Continental Congress, explained. “The
colors of the pales (the horizontal stripes)
are those used in the flag of the United
States of America: White signifies purity
and innocence; Red, hardiness and
valour; and Blue ... signifies vigilance,
perseverance and justice.”
Through the years, the flag has been
called Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes and
the Star Spangled Banner. It has inspired
songs including our National Anthem,
as well as poetry and prose including the
Pledge of Allegiance.
President Harry S. Truman officially
declared June 14 as Flag Day in 1949.
This nation will remain the land of
the free because of the bravery
of our veterans!
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God bless the men and women
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The American flag represents
freedom & liberty & serves as
a symbol of our nation’s greatness.
Freedom can’t be canceled.
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freedomprinciplemo@protonmail.com
Our flag is a source of pride for us,
and we will always defend its honor.
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Our flag symbolizes liberty, courage,
and the enduring spirit of the
American people.
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Paid for by Friends for Mike Elam, Mike Sommer Treasurer
The flag is an expression of the unity
of all – We are all Americans.
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One Nation Under God:
Celebrate our unity and freedom
with the American flag.
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Paid for by Citizens for Baker, Tim Davis Treasurer
DISTRICT 63 - WENTZVILLE | LAKE ST. LOUIS
Saluting our flag, the symbol
of freedom and all of the values
that we hold sacred.
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We offer special savings to
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HAUSMAN
“When we honor our flag, we honor
what we stand for as a Nation.”
– Ronald Reagan
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Paid for by Hausman for Missouri, Molly Dempsey Treasurer

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FLAG DAY
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 19
St. Peters resident receives
Outstanding Citizenship Award
To our flag – which represents all of
us and all the values we hold sacred.
(636) 230-1990
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Honoring our nation’s symbol
of freedom, liberty and justice.
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Paid for by Plocher for Missouri, John Boyd Treasurer
St. Charles County
Pachyderm Club
God bless our country and all who
have served to protect our freedom!
Facebook:
@St.CharlesCountyPachydermClub
Peter Pfeifer
for Congress
Candidate for MO 2nd District
I pledge allegiance to the flag, and
to the Republic for which it stands ...
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Paid for by Pfeifer For Congress
Flag Day is a day dedicated
to pay tribute to the US Flag.
It’s a symbol of our freedoms
that we should not take for granted.
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Forever grateful for patriots
serving our nation!
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From left: Alderman Patrick Barclay, Keira Colby, Kristina Colby, Alyssa Colby, Chad Colby,
grandmother Judy and Alderman Nick Trupiano.
By JESSICA MARIE BAUMGARTNER
A St. Peters resident and Miss Missouri
Ambassador from the Princess of
America organization was recognized at
the Apr. 25 St. Peters Board of Aldermen
meeting.
Alyssa Colby was nominated for the
city’s Outstanding Citizenship Award by
her best friend, Kamryn Humphrey, who
noted Colby’s extensive charity work.
Colby is known for volunteering at Five
Acres Animal Shelter, the St. Louis Area
Foodbank, Greenwood Cemetery of STL,
her church youth group and summer camp
and Loaves & Fishes for St. Louis.
In February of 2023, Colby organized
a charity drive that raised $1,000 and
over $500 worth of supplies for Loaves
& Fishes. The following July, she held
a clothing drive that took in 17 laundry
baskets worth of clothing for families in
need.
Alderman Nick Trupiano (Ward 4)
presented Colby with the award, which
honored her “extraordinary efforts” to aid
others within the community.
“You’ve supported so many worthy charities
through your volunteer work and benefit
drives,” the award reads. “Your kind
acts made a difference in countless lives
and inspire us to be better people.”
Trupiano likewise praised Colby’s
actions.
“I’m so proud to have you as my neighbor,”
he said.
Upon receiving the award, Colby said
she has always “loved volunteering.”
“I like being outside, and I like helping
others and not being stuck to my phone,”
Colby said.
Colby described a desire to help others
and how that drives her to do extra good in
the world around her. In an interview, she
noted that her fundraising has meant a lot
to her.
“Watching my community come together
and help support the less fortunate is a feeling
I will not ever forget, putting all of our
struggles aside to come together and help
those who need it most, and watching my
friends, family, neighbors and community
members get involved was a great experience,”
Colby said.
To continue her pursuit of helping others,
Colby is hosting another Loaves & Fishes
fundraiser from June 1-20. Participants
can drop off much-needed personal care
items or donate at Mascots Bar and Grill of
St. Peters and Shamrocks Pub and Grill of
St. Peters during this period.
On June 20, the fundraiser will end with
a musical bingo event at Mascots Bar &
Grill of St. Peters, starting at 7:00 p.m.
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To my fellow veterans and patriotic
Americans, thank you for respecting
and flying our flag.
Facebook:
Terri Violet for State Representative
Paid for by Violet for Missouri, Cynthia Priesmeyer Treasurer
GREENWAY, from page 14
approved on May 23 provides $900,000 in
federal funding for construction items that
are eligible for federal reimbursement. As
the project is a coordinated effort between
O’Fallon, Great Rivers Greenway and St.
Charles County’s Transportation and Parks
departments, city staff anticipate that each
stakeholder will be providing additional
funds to support this effort. O’Fallon staff
will be administering the project in coordination
with the various agencies
In a related matter, the County Parks
Department has been developing a
Dardenne Creek Blueway system throughout
St. Charles County for the past few
years. This provides recreational access
to streams, creeks and rivers for canoeing,
kayaking and other multi-modal transportation
opportunities.
During an O’Fallon council workshop
on May 23, county parks representatives
presented plans for the blueway development
and future improvements throughout
O’Fallon. These include blueway improvements
along the Dardenne Creek Greenway
in the area of Sports Park and Hwy. K.

20 I SCHOOLS I
June 5, 2024
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Fort Zumwalt students develop STEM initiatives for Project Lead the Way
By BETHANY COAD
For the fourth consecutive year, all
four Fort Zumwalt high schools have
been recognized as Project Lead the Way
Distinguished Schools, a recognition that
honors the schools for their commitment to
increasing student access, engagement and
achievement in the program.
Project Lead the Way is a national curriculum
that offers students hands-on
learning in specific science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) fields such
as biomedical science and computer science.
In addition to participating in specialized
training, students have the opportunity
to earn college credit while experiencing
various careers up close within each strand.
Continuing to grow rapidly in Missouri
with over 1,100 programs offered during
the 2023-24 school year, Project Lead the
Way students graduate better prepared for
college challenges and much more likely
to major in STEM fields, according to the
Project Lead the Way website.
Fort Zumwalt North biomedical
teacher Steve Schlarman and engineering
teacher Alec Gerke joined
with students from Steve Loutzenhiser’s
Fort Zumwalt East engineering
class at the St. Louis University
Research Showcase in late April. Students
collaborated and created projects
to present to university faculty
and regional industry leaders.
The projects that were presented
were creative, diverse and innovative.
One team from Fort Zumwalt
East designed an app to help drivers
respond quicker to emergency
vehicles on the road, explaining that
many cars are so well insulated that
response times to hearing sirens have
greatly declined.
Students from Fort Zumwalt North
connected their experiences to their various
projects and future careers. A hopeful
future nurse practitioner, inspired to better
Project Lead the Way students at Fort Zumwalt
North and East work on selected projects.
(Courtesy of Fort Zumwalt School District)
understand a family member’s diagnosis,
researched the impact of certain treatments
to minimize fatty tissue developments in
the liver. Modifying the high school microscope
with colored film over the lens, and
adding a fluorescent light to shine on the
slides, she created the function of a fluorescent
microscope.
A childhood cancer survivor planning
a career as an oncologist candidly noted
in his report that his research on lesstoxic
but equally effective chemotherapies
“was hindered by the limits of high
school equipment.”
Whether their projects face challenges
or not, the Project Lead the Way students
are tackling problems as they come, and
the event demonstrated the innovative
and driven minds of students and teachers
alike.
“This event gives our high schoolers
an opportunity to present their passions
at the college level to a large audience,”
Schlarman commented. “The research
these students have put in. The experiments
they’ve done. And the prototypes
they’ve developed. These students are
self-accomplished experts, and this event
celebrates it.”
Howell bus driver wins recognition, speaks on long career
By BETHANY COAD
Heath Beatty is a seasoned Francis
Howell School District bus driver with
29 years under his belt and a number of
awards that pay tribute to his dedication to
the students he transports to school.
On April 27 at Francis Howell Central,
Beatty was one of 22 area bus drivers
attending the St. Louis Regional Safety
Competition. The competition’s goal is to
provide resources and support to school
transportation professionals.
This year’s competition was not Beatty’s
first rodeo.
“I started doing this bus competition in
2017,” Beatty said. “This is my first time
taking home a trophy for first place, but
this is the fourth time I’ve placed in the
competition.”
Taking first in the competition requires
displaying competence and professionalism
on several fronts. Knowledge of the
vehicle comes first. Drivers must identify
several predetermined defects on a school
bus, both inside and out, which must be
found within a five-minute inspection.
This is followed by a 25-question written
test that covers items from the Commercial
Drivers License (CDL) manual, the
Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles
manual and first aid procedures.
And of course, there’s a road test.
On the driving course, Beatty was taken
through protocols as pickup, drop-offs,
railroad crossings, parallel parking, backing
up and depth perception. The diminishing
clearance test is one of the most
challenging, with Beatty driving his bus
through a narrowing window that squeezes
down to only an inch on either side. Not
a problem for Beatty, who is a natural
behind the wheel.
“To me, driving is easy,” he said. “Just
basically, the mirrors are your best friends.
They won’t lie.”
Beatty has a long history with the Francis
Howell district. He grew up in St. Peters
and attended Central Elementary, Fairmount
and Hollenbeck before graduating
in 1991 from Francis Howell High. With a
goal of going into education, Beatty worked
as a substitute shortly after graduation.
While riding the bus as a monitor, Beatty
connected with the driver and in the course
of their conversation, the bus driver tuition
reimbursement program perk came up.
Sold on the idea, Beatty began training.
While working as a bus driver, he finished
up his degree in middle school education.
By that time, though, he had fallen in love
with driving, and he just didn’t stop.
“I take my driving very seriously,” Beatty
said. “I want to do my best to present the
school district in a positive way. I don’t
want to draw attention to myself or any
negative attention. The safety of my kids
is my number one priority.”
Beatty said he often gets comments and
questions on the challenge of managing a
bus full of middle schoolers.
His response is simple.
“I think working with the kids is awesome,”
Beatty said. “We talk, joke and
enjoy it. Middle schoolers can be tough,
but we get along great. Kids can be a challenge,
but for the most part, they are just
really good kids.”
Kids often remember their bus drivers,
and Beatty is no different when recalling
his own chauffeurs from his school days.
“When I first started driving, one of the
monitors was my old kindergarten bus
driver,” Beatty recollected. “Then when I
went to take my CDL, my tester was my
fourth-grade bus driver. And now, kids will
come up to me when I’m out and about and
say ‘you used to be my bus driver.’
“The kids will tell me, ‘You’re the best
bus driver!’ I don’t do anything special; I
just keep them safe,” he added. “Building
relationships with the kids – they like that.”

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June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I SPORTS I 21
Fort Zumwalt South’s Mesplay earns all-state golf honors, Bulldogs team does well at state
By WARREN MAYES
Fort Zumwalt South senior golfer Zach
Mesplay knew he was getting close to
putting it all together this season for the
Bulldogs.
Coach Andrew Delehaunty, who just
completed his 18th season as the head
coach at his alma mater, believed what
Mesplay was telling him.
“While he didn’t flash low numbers
early in the year, he kept telling me he
wasn’t far off,” Delehaunty said. “He just
needed to tweak some things and he’d be
able to go lower.”
Indeed, Mesplay did tweak some things.
Mesplay shot 4-under-par 67 at the
Golf Club of Wentzville to earn medalist
honors in the Class 4 District 2 meet. That
result sent Mesplay to the state meet at
Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau.
It was the second consecutive spring Mesplay
qualified for state.
never changed. He made a bogey and then
made some great par-saving putts on the
front. On the back he was just on cruise
control, lots of easy pars. He was still
2-under on No. 17 when he almost hit his
drive in the woods.
“Before hitting his second shot his
nose starting bleeding and this lasted
for almost 10 minutes. It was so bad he
couldn’t stand over the ball without it just
running out of him. We had to call a rules
official so that he didn’t get assessed a
penalty for slow play. Finally, it stopped,
he then hit a wedge to 10 feet and made
the birdie. Then birdied the par 5 18th to
get to 4 under. It was a wild ending to a
great round for him.”
It also was the first district team championship
for the Bulldogs since 2000.
“Breaking the streak wasn’t ever a
focus,” Delehaunty said. “It was just to
get better as the year went on.”
Two juniors helped the Bulldogs score
well at districts. Alexander Bresler tied
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for sixth with a 74. Alec Wilson tied for
11th with a 76.
“We did not have great team scores
early in the season. They weren’t terrible
but they weren’t state qualifying scores,”
Delehaunty said. “But as the season went
on we kept getting better and scores were
pushing lower. I thought we had an outside
chance at second place to qualify as
a team. I never thought we would win it,
See GOLF, page 22
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Fort Zumwalt South senior Zach Mesplay
wears his state medal. He finished 12th in
the Class 4 golf tournament. (Photo provided)
“Districts was a pretty cool win,” Mesplay
said. “I really had no expectations
coming into it but I knew I was playing
pretty good coming off solid ball-striking
in the conference tournament.
“I knew If I was putting well, I would
put up a solid number and I did which was
pretty cool especially when it is at that
tournament and when you don’t know if it
will be your last high school round or not.”
His three-shot triumph over Ladue’s
Grant Bautista also helped Fort Zumwalt
South shoot a team score of 305, good for
a five-shot win over Ladue’s 310 total.
According to Delehaunty, that made
Mesplay just the third district champion
for Fort Zumwalt South. Steve Bundt won
district in 2000 and Kyle Brunner was the
medalist in 2008.
“He got off to a great start,” Delehaunty
said. “But I really liked that his demeanor
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22 I
June 5, 2024
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GOLF, from page 21
especially with a 305. All the boys played
just about to their peak that day.”
Mesplay said he and his fellow Bulldogs
were happy for Delehaunty.
“It was nice to break that streak and it
was the first time we won districts with
Delehaunty as the head coach so to do it
for him was pretty cool,” Mesplay said.
Mesplay set a goal of returning to the
state meet this spring.
Delehaunty was happy with Mesplay’s
performance at the conference meet.
“I knew Zach was playing well, but I
didn’t know how well. He tends to just
put his (head) down and keep grinding
when he’s playing good,” Delehaunty
said. “I don’t ask the boys their score
a whole lot during the round. I’d rather
have them keep their focus on the next
shot. I knew he had a couple bogeys or
something but I also knew he mixed in
some birdies. But I was thrilled for him
when I found out he tied Steinmetz, who
is also a very good player.”
Mesplay “really looked up” to Joey
Friedel, a Bulldog who graduated two
years ago after finishing third at state and
now plays at Missouri S&T. Delehaunty
said Friedel was a good role model for
Mesplay.
“He worked hard to improve,” Delehaunty
said about Mesplay.
His hard work paid off. At state, Mesplay
produced rounds of 76 and 78 for a
154. That was good for 12th place. That
result also meant all-state honors for Mesplay.
“State was solid. I played well the first
day. I just made a few little mistakes but
that’s golf,” Mesplay said. “It’s going to
happen, so you just got to brush it off and
move on, which I carried the solid golf to
the second day, I just told myself that if I
keep my head down and keep playing the
way I have been and I will be in a good
spot.
“I was happy to be named All-State. I
had that goal at the beginning of the year
and I accomplished it so that was pretty
sweet.”
The team finished fifth with just four
players instead of five. The Bulldogs shot
a team total of 663. There were 11 teams
competing at state this time.
“I try to tell the boys not to worry about
score too much. If you just focus on your
shot at hand and keep a strong attitude
all day the score will take care of itself,”
Delehaunty said. “But after missing out
on a state plaque last year, I know the
unspoken goal was to get into the top four
teams this year. We missed that by five
shots.
“I think all the boys know they could’ve
found a way to save those five shots over
the two days. That being said, I think it’s
the highest finish in school history and
I’m really proud of them for that.”
When these nerves begin to die
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The treatment that is provided
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Optimist Club Of St. Charles awards scholarships
From left: Club President Paul Hauser, Chase Nagel, Ian Wiley, Julia Steele, Grace
Kunimann, Adam Ruffing and Event Chairman Mike Ebert.
(Photo courtesy of Optimists Club of St. Charles)
The Optimist Club of St. Charles
awarded scholarships to five local high
school seniors at the organization’s
annual awards ceremony on May 14.
This year’s awardees are: Grace Kunimann
(Lutheran High School), Chase
Nagel (St. Charles High School), Adam
Ruffing (Orchard Farm High School),
Julia Steele (St. Charles West High
School ) and Ian Wiley (St. Charles West
High School). The awardees and their
parents were guests at the regular Optimist
Club meeting.
Event Chairman Mike Ebert introduced
each student, shared their high
school and community accomplishments,
their plans for college and the students’
intended field of study.
Club President Paul Hauser expressed
his appreciation for the efforts of the
students, parents and the educational
programs offered by the St. Charles
School District, the Orchard Farm District,
Duchesne High and Lutheran High.

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June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Weathering the storm: Experts weigh in on exteriors
I DÉCOR & LIFESTYLES I 23
By KATE UPTERGROVE
As storms rumbled through the metro
area in late May, many local homeowners
cringed at the sound of hail hitting their
roofs, wondering what damage would be
done. How well a roof fairs during high
winds and hail storms depends on many
factors, including the age of the roof, the
type of the single and the quality of the roof
installation.
“Before last year, most shingles didn’t
have a class rating but today most shingle
manufacturers have transitioned to class 3
or class 4 shingles,” explained Mike Grossman,
chief operating officer of West County
Roofing & Construction. “A class 3 shingle
can withstand impact from a hailstone of up
to 1.75 inches. Class 4 means it can withstand
up to a 2-inch hailstone.”
Severe thunderstorms, as officially
defined by the National Weather Service
(NWS), are storms capable of producing
hail that is an inch or larger or wind gusts
over 58 mph. Hail this size can damage
property such as plants, roofs and vehicles,
the NWS reports, and some severe thunderstorms
can produce hail larger than softballs.
Unfortunately, area residents have experienced
both this spring. That’s keeping local
roofing companies busy and bringing storm
chasers into the area.
“Right after a storm, it feels like there’s
this urgency or rush,” said Stefan Sigurdson,
CEO of Allen Roofing & Siding. “But
homeowners actually have time to wait a
few weeks to do business with a company
that is local, trusted and knows what they
are doing with your best interests in mind.
Companies that have been longtime members
of the community have a vested interest
in getting the job done properly and in
building relationships with their customers.
“Storm chasers are really just after the
sale. Because of that there’s often a lack
of care. We see bad installations, or maybe
they’re ignoring some of the manufacturer’s
suggestions or specifications.”
A lack of attention to those details may
be the exact reason why a homeowner finds
themselves in need of a new roof or roofing
repairs sooner rather than later.
Typically, an average asphalt, architectural
shingle roof with normal wear and tear
and normal hail, not catastrophic hail, will
last between 13 and 15 years.
But as Grossman noted, “lately we’ve
been getting bigger hailstorms more frequently.”
Like Sigurdson, he cited improper
installation as a common reason for roof
(Adobe Stock photo)
failure and said it’s not always things homeowners
can see.
Sigurdson suggests homeowners work
with a local, trusted company that provides
both free inspections and a detailed estimate
if damage is found and the cost to fix it.
In between inspections, Grossman said
homeowners should watch out for icedamming
situations in which snow and ice
buildup in the winter. They should also look
for areas where a valley, or a trough, is created
by intersecting roof sections. Homeowners
want to make sure to have leaves or
debris cleared from those areas so that water
can flow freely off the roof.
Signs of water penetration is also the most
obvious sign of damage for siding.
Siding should be a once-and-done proposition;
but if the installation is not done
correctly, moisture can get into the home
and cause serious damage. Then, the only
recourse a homeowner has is to redo the
entire project.
As with installing a roof, Grossman said,
paying attention to the small details can
make all the difference when installing
siding.
“Siding and roofs also have to be installed
when conditions are right. You can’t install
them when it’s too hot or too cold and companies
that do are doing a disservice to the
homeowner.”
Because Missouri does not require licensing
for roofing, siding or window companies,
buyers really do need to beware.
Sigurdson suggests that homebuyers
spend time with the company they choose
to install those critical exterior components.
“Look at where they are located,” he
advised. Do they have an established presence?
Have they been in business for a
while? Ask how many people are employed
by the company. Ask for referrals?
“You want to be able to have confidence
that the job will be done right and if something
goes wrong that the company you
choose will have the resources to correct it
to your satisfaction.”
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24 I DÉCOR & LIFESTYLES I
June 5, 2024
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Central to this design trend’s popularity
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do on other homes. Some companies, like
his, offer free evening demos at customers’
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AS LOW AS
$187/MONTH *
“Most manufacturers warranty their
lights for 10-15 years and if they weaken
to 30% before the warranty is up, they will
replace them,” Telge said.
Exterior lights can illuminate the exterior
of a home to add dramatic highlights to
its architecture, extend living areas to the
deck, patio or seating in the yard and can
offer light for special events.
“The question is what do you want to do
with the light,” Telge said.
Recessed lighting can be run in the
home’s soffit, providing a soft overhead
glow; spotlights can illuminate statuary,
boulders, trees or fountains; pathways and
steps can be lit both for safety and ambience;
and for those who like the soft magic
of moonlight, that’s also available.
Telge said those who want to add lighting
to the exterior of their home but are
having trouble deciding how they want
it put together or envisioning the result
should take an evening drive to look at
other homes that have lighting they like.
The beauty of lightscaping is that it can
be elegant and sophisticated, or fun and
whimsical, or even a combination of both.
Lightscaping in the front of the home can
be radically different from the lighting features
used in the rear of the home. Most
companies also have portfolios of photographs
showing work they’ve done or can
(Adobe Stock photo)
according to the time of sunset and sunrise,
Telge said.
“Lights in different areas of the house and
landscape also can be turned off and on in
zones,” he said. “They can focus on a water
feature, on a hot tub area, or on the trees to
make your own night environment.”
One of Telge’s favorite projects was one
that included underwater lights and some
set behind a waterfall that sent shimmering
light to nearby evergreens.
“It takes an eye to know what is going
to be lit and what is not,” Telge said. “You
don’t want to walk out the front door and
be hit in the face with a spotlight.”
There is also holiday lighting that can be
installed permanently and shine with the
holiday spirit, no matter what holiday. Lights
can blink a cheery red and green, patriotic
red, white and blue, Cardinal red for the next
pennant race or whatever program the homeowner
chooses for them to do.
Aesthetics aside, there’s another good
reason to light your house and grounds –
improving safety and security. Exterior
lighting can illuminate well trod steps
and pathways, discourage trespassers and
criminals and offer light where you need it
most on driveways and doorways.
As Telge pointed out, the basic building
blocks for any lightscaping project should
include safety, security and beauty.

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OVER
YEARS
1972
By TRACEY BRUCE
Eclectic design, according to the dictionary,
is one that “derives ideas, style or taste
from a broad and diverse range of sources.”
However, when it comes to interior design,
some of us are eclectic without meaning to
be. Our homes are filled with a hodge-podge
of furniture, pictures, lamps and accessories
of all kinds, accumulated over time.
Design, style and taste are the only things
that are missing.
Pulling a variety of styles and ideas
together to make a beautiful, yet eclectic
room is possible but doing so takes some
ingenuity, spark and yes, a plan.
Furniture, accessories, art, lighting, floor
coverings, wall coverings, window dressings,
et cetera might be drawn from different
sources, eras, ideas, textures, colors
or styles but the key is that they all work
well together. For example, mid-century
modern accent tables might share a space
with traditional armchairs. Art prints from
the Renaissance could be paired with
abstract art. An exciting contemporary
chandelier could take center stage in a
room filled with antiques. Or sleek, modern
kitchen furnishings could be set on a rustic
wood floor.
In eclectic design, the possibilities are
endless, but not all results are desirable.
Some might think that eclectic means
“anything goes,” but there is a method to
the madness, with tried and true elements
that hold it all together.
Choose a cohesive color
One of the most important elements in a
room with disparate furnishings is choosing
something that ties it all together. Often
that cohesion is found in color.
Different styles of furnishings can work
together if their colors are coordinated
or complement each other. Bringing in
accents of a predominant color can bring
(Adobe Stock photo)
wholeness and peace to a room, even one
that challenges the norm.
Color can also say, “I am an anomaly”
and still pull it off. Say, for example, the
room begins with a mid-century modern
purple sofa, a bright grape hue. You can
temper that hue with deep or soft green on
the walls, green pillows on the sofa and
accents of purple in the draperies. Add
plants and wicker accessories, a play of
traditional and abstract art and you have
a room that gives off a naturally soothing
vibe. Or play it up big and have variations
of that bright purple hue sing loudly from
the rug, draperies and artwork. This room
has an energy that cannot be denied.
Put collections on display
Another tried and true element of style
is repeating an image or theme. Eclectic
style provides a great opportunity to show
off a favorite collection or a gallery with a
common theme. Choose prints in a variety
of artistic styles but with some commonality
and you’ve got a look that’s eclectic
but approachable. Using different styles of
frames will help to keep the gallery relaxed.
When displaying a beloved collection,
having a design map can be helpful. Rather
than clumping everything together, try
strategically placing items throughout the
space. Love clocks? Picture this: an antique
grandfather clock, a perpetual motion clock,
a schoolhouse clock, a cuckoo clock melding
stylishly in a room held together by a
common color scheme and complementary
design features – furniture, drapes and
artwork that come together as the perfect
supporting cast, allowing the time pieces
to take center stage. As long as the passing
of time doesn’t frighten you and the clocks
don’t chime altogether, this room could be
pure delight.
When done well, eclectic design is fun,
interesting, creative, beautiful and, in all
the best ways, uniquely you!

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I DÉCOR & LIFESTYLES I 27
SPRING SAVINGS
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VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: MON-FRI 9AM - 6PM • SAT 10AM - 4PM
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STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday: 7AM - 5PM • Saturday: 8AM-4PM • Closed Sunday

28 I HEALTH I
June 5, 2024
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A recent CDC report found that accidental drownings have increased
significantly since the COVID pandemic, when many families lacked
access to pools and swimming instruction.
(Adobe Stock photo)
HEALTH
CAPSULES
By LISA RUSSELL
Drowning deaths on the rise
As Americans begin to flock to pools and
beaches this summer, a new CDC Vital
Signs report is cause for concern.
It shows that, after declining for decades,
accidental drowning deaths have been
rising in the U.S. since the COVID-19
pandemic began. More than 4,500 Americans
died annually due to drowning from
2020–2022, over 500 more each year compared
to 2019.
While drowning was already the nation’s
leading cause of death for 1- to 4-year-olds,
drownings among children in this high-risk
group increased by 30% in 2021 and 2022.
Adults 65 and older and Black people of
all ages were the two other population subgroups
which have experienced the largest
recent increases in drownings.
The report’s findings included several
other alarming statistics as well. More
than 15% of adults overall – about 40 million
people – said they do not know how
to swim, and nearly 55% have never taken
a swimming lesson. Among Black adults
in particular, more than a third reported
not knowing how to swim, and 63% have
never taken a lesson.
The agency could not provide definitive
reasons for the increases, but speculated that
pandemic-related disruptions to pool access
and swimming instruction are behind them.
According to Chief Medical Officer Dr.
Debra Houry, the CDC is funding programs
at the Red Cross and YMCA to help lower
the costs of swimming lessons – which it
found was a barrier for many families – and
make swimming lessons more accessible to
those who need them.
The report also concluded that there are
several steps every family should take to
prevent drowning accidents:
• Young children should learn basic
swimming and water safety skills beginning
as early as possible. Even after learning
to swim, children still require close and
constant supervision in and around water
and must never be left alone.
• Pools should be fully enclosed and separated
from homes using fencing at least
four feet high, with self-closing and selflatching
gates.
• Life jackets should always be worn
while boating, by people of all ages and
swimming abilities.
• No one should drink alcohol before or
during swimming, boating or other water
activities, including supervising children.
• Parents and other family members
should learn CPR skills, which can save a
life in the time it takes for paramedics to
arrive during an emergency.
Skin problems can be
stigmatizing for kids
If your adolescent or teenage child has
ever struggled with a skin problem like
acne, you know these conditions can be
upsetting for them to say the least. These
negative feelings can actually be the beginning
of longer-term mental health issues,
according to a new Northwestern Medicine
study … the first of its kind measuring
the psychosocial impacts of skin diseases
on children and teens.
Nearly three-fourths of kids over age
8 in the study with chronic skin issues
including acne, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia
areata (hair loss) and vitiligo (pigment
loss) said they feel stigmatized by their
peers because of their condition and are
sometimes bullied and teased, primarily
at school. These children often suffer
from depression, anxiety and impaired
relationships with their classmates and
peers.
Chronic skin diseases in young people are
extremely common. More than 90% of teens
have acne, eczema affects more than 10% of
school-aged kids and 1% have psoriasis.
At the same time, kids who participated
in the study tended to rate the severity of
their skin problems as worse than others
do – including the pediatricians and dermatologists
who are treating them.
“These chronic skin conditions can be
tremendously life-altering, including shaping
psychosocial development,” said corresponding
author Dr. Amy Paller, a pediatric
dermatologist and chair of dermatology at
Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
“Stigma, which is when something
false and negative is attached to an individual,
can have a profound effect on children’s and
teens’ mental health.
Doctors need to ask children and their
parents about the impact of these diseases
on their mental health and well-being, and
not just note their visible clinical aspects,
she added.
The study was published in JAMA Dermatology.
Frequent anger can raise
heart attack, stroke risks
If you often find yourself getting angry,
it’s important to your future heart health to
find effective ways to calm down quickly,
say researchers from Columbia University.
Their recent experimental study showed
that even short bursts of anger – if they
happen frequently – can increase your risk
of developing heart disease by constricting
the vascular system over and over, eventually
causing long-term injury. Experiencing
other strong emotions, such as anxiety
or sadness, doesn’t seem to cause the same
effects, their research found.
“If you’re a person who gets angry all
the time, you’re having chronic injuries to
your blood vessels. It’s these chronic injuries
over time that may eventually cause
irreversible effects on vascular health and
eventually increase your heart disease risk,”
said Daichi Shimbo, M.D., a cardiologist at
Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
The experiment involved 280 healthy
adults with no known high blood pressure,
heart disease or diabetes who were 26 on
average. They were randomly assigned
to one of four groups, and given a task to
elicit either anger, anxiety, sadness or a
neutral emotional state (the control group)
for about 10 minutes. Changes in their
blood vessels were measured before and
after each of these tasks.
Surprisingly, the ability of participants’
blood vessels to return to their normal
dilated state after the task was significantly
reduced among those in the anger group
compared to those in the sadness, anxiety
or control groups. This vessel impairment
was still present up to 40 minutes later.
The study shows that managing anger is
important even though the reasons why that
emotion in particular harms blood vessels
are still unclear, Shimbo said. He added
that helpful strategies to control your anger
can include exercise, yoga, deep breathing
and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
The study was published in the Journal of
the American Heart Association.

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On the calendar
St. Luke’s Hospital presents Mind
the Mind: Let’s Listen, Talk and Heal
Together on Thursday, June 6 from 6:30-
7:30 p.m. in St. Luke’s Desloge Professional
Building A, 121 St. Luke’s Center
Drive in Chesterfield, in Classroom
3. Attend this free presentation where
we will discuss common mental health
conditions and their definitions, how to
identify possible disorders, and strategies
to support mental well-being. Register at
stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
St. Luke’s Hospital presents Conversations
for Women: The Power of
Positive Touch on Tuesday, June 11 from
6:30-7:30 p.m. in the St. Luke’s Desloge
Outpatient Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center
Drive in Chesterfield, in Building A. Dr.
Cypress Garrett will review the symptoms
of touch deprivation, which include
increased anxiety, aggression, depression,
fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Register at
stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
offers a free Bariatric Surgery Information
Session on Monday, June 17 from
5:30-6:30 p.m., live via Zoom. Join a
Washington University bariatric physician
to learn more about surgical treatment
options available at BJC for patients
who meet certain criteria. To register, visit
classes-events.bjc.org.
• • •
BJC presents a Family and Friends CPR
virtual course on Wednesday, June 19 from
6:30-8:30 p.m., live via Teams Meeting.
This class uses the American Heart Association
curriculum to teach hands-on CPR
skills (course does not include certification
upon completion). The cost is $50. Registration
for a seat in this class is for two people.
Register online by visiting bjc.org/cpr-class.
• • •
Be Still to Chill: Basics of Meditation
is on Wednesday, June 19 from 10-11 a.m.
at St. Luke’s Hospital’s Desloge Outpatient
Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in
Chesterfield, in Classroom 3 of Building A.
Attend this free program to learn the basics
of meditation and many tips to support your
practice. Register at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital presents
Babysitting 101 on Saturday, June
22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the SLCH Specialty
Care Center West County, 13001
N. Outer Forty Road in Town & Country.
This interactive, in-person class is a great
introduction to the basics of babysitting
and is recommended for children age 10
and older. The class may also meet badge
requirements for Scouting. The cost is $25
per child. Register at stlukes-stl.com.
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
We can help you
spend less and
save more
The health care
community
banks here
Health Care Family
HealthCareFamilyCreditUnion.org
(636) 449-3305
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I HEALTH I 29
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AT LOGAN UNIVERSITY
Performances | Fundraisers
Business Conferences
Receptions | Outdoor Concerts
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30 I MATURE FOCUS I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERS_NEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
News & Notes
By LISA RUSSELL
us on
facebook.com/midriversnewsmagazine
We’re redefining senior living
with independence at the forefront.
Senior living at Clarendale of St. Peters is anything but traditional.
Why? We encourage and celebrate the independence of
residents instead of focusing solely on their limitations. All are
welcome to be themselves and make the most out of life.
Discover an integrated environment between independent
living and assisted living, where residents share amenities, lifeenriching
experiences, and many laughs. It’s the perfect balance
of freedom and support.
To learn more or schedule a visit, call 636-242-6096
or visit ClarendaleOfStPeters.com.
INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE
10 DuBray Drive | St. Peters, MO 63376 em ClarendaleOfStPetersLIFE@ClarendaleOfStPeters.com
Fans won’t ‘cut it’ in high heat
With long stretches of hot summer days
on the horizon, helping older loved ones
stay cool is again an important topic. Heat
exposure can worsen underlying health
conditions like heart, lung and kidney disease,
and can lead to conditions like dehydration
and heatstroke.
In addition to its many other health benefits,
At the same time, many older people regular olive oil consumption may reduce
resist cranking up the air conditioning the risk of death due to dementia.
during heat waves, either because they
fear the resulting higher electric bills
or because the increased air flow makes
them uncomfortable. Instead, many rely
(Adobe Stock photo)
alone is not going to cut it,” he said.
The study was recently published in The
Lancet Planetary Health.
heavily on fans to cool themselves and
their homes.
But fans are not enough once the ambient
temperature climbs above 90 degrees
Fahrenheit, according to human physiology
researchers from the University of
Ottawa in Canada.
They recently conducted an extensive
study using specialized human heat balance
models to estimate core body temperature
under a wide range of conditions, in people
of varying ages. Their most important finding
was that fans don’t do enough to lower
that temperature in high heat, especially for
older adults.
“Fans do improve sweat evaporation, but
this effect is not strong enough to significantly
lower your body’s internal temperature
when it’s already really hot. In older
adults, who may have a reduced ability
to sweat, fans provide even less cooling
benefits,” explained study leader Robert
Meade, Ph.D.
According to Meade, fans still have an
important role to play in the summer since
they can be effective for cooling at lower
The many benefits of olive oil
Including olive oil in your diet appears to
be great advice for people of all ages. More
and more scientific studies point to olive
oil as risk-reducer for health problems
ranging from cancer and cardiovascular
disease to diabetes.
Recently, another large, long-term study
suggested an additional benefit of consuming
olive oil, for older adults in particular.
Regular consumption may lower your risk
of death related to dementia.
Researchers used information from
more than 92,000 healthcare professionals
in the U.S. who participated in the Nurses’
Health Study and the Health Professionals
Follow-Up Study, which tracked their
health outcomes for 28 years. The group
was about two-thirds female (65%) and 56
years old on average.
They found that people who consumed
more than 7 grams (about half a tablespoon)
of olive oil daily had nearly a 30%
lower mortality risk from dementia than
temperatures, meaning air conditioners those who consumed less. This generally
don’t have to kick on quite as often.
“However, when it gets really hot, a fan
held true regardless of their overall diet quality
or what specific foods they ate otherwise.
Often called “liquid gold”
because of its many health benefits,
olive oil is one of the mainstays
of the Mediterranean diet, a
consistent frontrunner on the list
of the world’s healthiest eating
plans. Another key fact about this
study, published in JAMA Network
Open, was that it included
only Americans, with no participants
from European countries as
with prior research.
Fans are not sufficient to keep older adults safe from
heat-related illnesses during the summer months, a
new analysis shows.
(Adobe Stock photo)
Embracing urgent care
Although urgent care cen-

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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I MATURE FOCUS I 31
ters are a comparatively new way to get
medical care, older adults and seniors have
easily embraced them, according to new
findings from the National Poll on Healthy
Aging.
Over the past two years, 60% of 50- to
80-year-olds have visited an urgent care
clinic or similar alternative care facility, and
about a quarter have done so more than once,
the poll found. Many of those who went to
urgent care said it was to avoid going to the
emergency room (44%) or to get an immediate
vaccine, test or exam (35%).
At the same time, most poll respondents
aren’t using urgent care clinics as their main
source of healthcare. Those who also have
primary care physicians said they prefer the
quality of care and sense of connection they
receive from their regular providers.
The poll’s leaders said that given the
growing nationwide shortage of primary
care providers, it’s important to understand
how older people with greater medical
needs are using these facilities to fill in the
gaps.
“Access to timely and convenient care
was critical for older adults during the pandemic,
and our research shows alternative
care options will continue to be in demand
for the long-term,” said Susan Reinhard of
the AARP Public Policy Institute, a poll
co-sponsor. “Policymakers and clinicians
must ensure that patients receive high quality
care at sites like urgent care clinics that
is well-coordinated with their usual health
care provider.”
Child-to-grandparent
pneumonia transmission
Getting a vaccination for pneumococcal
pneumonia is recommended for everyone
beginning at age 65. That’s because pneumonia
can be particularly serious – even deadly
– for older adults.
In a recent study, researchers at Yale
University looked into potential causes of
pneumonia infections, both within households
and in the community. Their findings
point to a common source of these
infections in Americans over age 60: their
young grandchildren or other youngsters
they may be around frequently.
Pneumococcal bacteria, the most frequent
cause of infectious pneumonia, often are
present in the respiratory tracts of healthy
people without causing illness. According to
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimates, between 5% and 10% of adults
without children may be asymptomatic carriers
of these bacteria, compared to 20-60%
of school-age children. Pneumococcal conjugate
vaccines (PCV) have been included
on the U.S. vaccination schedule for kids
since 2000, and have reduced childhood
infection rates by over 90%.
The Yale study involved about 100 couples
over 60 who volunteered to donate
saliva samples and answer detailed questions
about their social behaviors and
health during the winter months of 2020-21
and 2021-22. The results showed that the
rate of pneumococcal bacteria “carriage”
was six times higher in older adults who
had contact with young children daily or
every few days, compared to those who
had no contact with kids. The rate of household
transmission between the couples was
comparatively low.
“Our study found no clear evidence of
adult-to-adult transmission even though
there were households in which an individual
was positive for pneumococcus
across numerous sampling moments,” said
Anne Wyllie, Ph.D., of the Yale School
for Public Health. “Instead, we found that
transmission was highest among older
adults who had frequent contact with
young children. This suggests that the
main benefit of adult pneumococcal vaccination
is to directly protect older adults
who are exposed to children… who may
still carry and transmit some vaccine-type
pneumococcal strains.”
The research was recently presented at
the 2024 European Congress of Clinical
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
See MATURE FOCUS, page 32
Melissa Q. Leavy
Owner/Attorney
ZOOM
Meetings
Available
For Your
Convenience
PRACTICE AREAS:
• Trusts, Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Long-term Care Planning
• Medicaid, Veterans Administration,
and other government benefits
• Special Needs Planning
• Probate and Trust Administration
• Guardianships and
Conservatorships
A caring approach to legal planning,
representation and advocacy for
older and disabled persons.
220 Salt Lick Road • St. Peters
(In the “Legal Center” Building)
636-333-9160 or 83-ELDERLAW
info@yourelderlawyers.com • yourelderlawyers.com
Active Lifestyle?
This is your place.
Mom hasn’t slowed down since she arrived.
Before mom arrived, she was set on finding a new
home that allowed her to thrive every day and stay
busy as usual. Since she moved in, the community
has not only empowered her to try new hobbies,
classes, and cuisine, but to also sit back, relax, and
enjoy the good life.
Call 636-229-3106 today to schedule
your private tour.
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32 I MATURE FOCUS I
June 5, 2024
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MATURE FOCUS, from page 31
A better way to ‘grade’
prostate cancer
National Cancer Institute statistics currently
show that about 13% of American men
will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at
some point during their lifetimes. However,
more than a third of them will have a slowgrowing
or “indolent” form of the disease
which is unlikely to progress or cause harm.
To date, there has been no simple way
for these men and their doctors to reliably
determine whether their cancer is indolent
or an aggressive form requiring more
extensive treatment.
Scientists at the University of Michigan’s
Rogel Cancer Center have recently
developed a new urinalysis test that
addresses this problem. Called MyProstateScore2.0
(MPS2), it looks at 18 different
genes linked to “high-grade,” or
more aggressive, prostate cancer. Their
research shows it can successfully identify
cancers which are more likely to
grow and spread.
The new test builds on a similar firstgeneration
version the same team developed
a decade ago, which has been used in conjunction
with prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
testing and other genetic markers to help separate
aggressive from slow-growing cancers.
“There was still an unmet need with the
(original) MyProstateScore test and other
commercial tests currently available. They
were detecting prostate cancer, but in general
they were not doing as good a job in detecting
high-grade or clinically significant prostate
cancer. The impetus for this new test is
to address this unmet need,” said co-senior
author Arul M. Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D.
In a study, the MPS2 test was shown to
be better at identifying cancers classified
as Grade Group 2 (GG2) or higher. More
importantly, it was nearly 100% correct at
ruling out GG1 cancer, the lowest grade of
prostate cancer with an indolent course. “If
you’re negative on this test, it’s almost certain
that you don’t have aggressive prostate
cancer,” Chinnaiyan said.
In addition, results showed that MPS2
was more effective than previous tests at
helping patients avoid unnecessary biopsies,
he added.
Results of the recent tests were published
in JAMA Oncology.
Young children are a likely source of pneumonia transmission to older adults in many
cases, according to a recent Yale University study.
(Adobe Stock photo)
Early arthritis predictor
What if there was a simple test that could
spot osteoarthritis years before you had a
single joint pain? A blood test developed
by Duke University medical researchers
may soon make it possible to do just that,
allowing physicians to slow or even stop
arthritis progression.
In a recent study published in Science
Advances, the test successfully predicted
knee osteoarthritis at least eight years
before signs of the disease appeared on
x-rays, according to the Duke Health scientists.
They say that while their earlier
research was able to forecast arthritis progression,
the new test detects very early
signs of its initial development.
“Currently, you’ve got to have an abnormal
x-ray to show clear evidence of knee
osteoarthritis, and by the time it shows up
on x-ray, your disease has been progressing
for some time,” said senior author Virginia
Byers Kraus, M.D., Ph.D. “What our
blood test demonstrates is that it’s possible
to detect this disease much earlier than our
current diagnostics permit.”
Osteoarthritis is an enormous health and
financial burden on older adults, impacting
an estimated 35 million people in the
U.S. alone. While there is currently no cure,
identifying it earlier could give rise to new
therapies to slow its progression.
On the calendar
St. Luke’s Hospital presents Sweat4YourBrain:
Healthy Living for Your
Brain and Body on Wednesday, June 12
from 6-7 p.m. at the St. Luke’s Institute
for Health Education, 222 S. Woods Mill
Road, in the North Medical Building. The
free session will also be streamed live via
Zoom. Learn about research in the areas
of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive
activity and social engagement, and how
to incorporate hands-on tools and tips into
a plan for healthy aging. In-person attendees
will also sample a healthy recipe and
will be entered into a drawing to win a
prize basket donated by Eatwell Market by
Schnucks. Register at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
St. Luke’s physician Dr. Sara Hawatmeh
presents Smart Health: Integrating
Technology for Enhanced Wellness on
Thursday, June 13 from 6-7 p.m. at the St.
Luke’s Hospital Desloge Outpatient Center-
Building A, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in
Chesterfield, in Classroom 3. Learn how
wearables and digital tools can help you
manage our health and wellness. The presentation
is free. Register at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
BJC Missouri Baptist Hospital hosts
a Stroke Support Group in-person
meeting on Thursday, June 13 from
noon-2 p.m. in the hospital’s Clinical
Learning Institute, 3015 N. Ballas Road
in St. Louis, in Room 416. Whether you
are a stroke survivor or taking care of a
loved one, we invite you to join our support
community. Light refreshments and
snacks will be provided. There is no cost
to participate. Registration is required by
visiting classes-events.bjc.org.
• • •
St. Luke’s Hospital offers a monthly
walking group, Stepping Up with St.
Luke’s. The group meets on Thursdays,
June 13, July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12, from
9-10 a.m. at the St. Luke’s Walking Trail,
232 S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield.
Each monthly meetup will feature a different
health education topic presented by St.
Luke’s clinicians, followed by a 30-minute
walk. All sessions are free. Registration is
available online at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
St. Luke’s Hospital presents Coffee and
Conversations on Wednesday, June 19 from
10-11 a.m. at the Desloge Outpatient Center,
121 St. Luke’s Center Drive, in Building A,
Conference Room 3. Join us monthly for a
free cup of joe and a conversation with St.
Luke’s health professionals about health
and wellness topics. This month’s topic is
Be Still to Chill: the Basics of Meditation.
Register at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
BJC Missouri Baptist Hospital offers
Today’s Grandparents classes on
Wednesdays, June 19 and July 10, from
6-8:30 p.m. at the Missouri Baptist Medical
Center Clinical Learning Institute, 3005
N. Ballas Road. The course fee is $20 per
person (each person attending must register
separately). Registration is available
online at classes-events.bjc.org.
• • •
St. Luke’s Hospital presents a Bone
Builders Workshop on Tuesday, June 25
from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Desloge Outpatient
Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive in Chesterfield,
in Conference Room 3 of Building
A. Join us for this free class to learn more
about exercise, nutrition and medications
for bone health and osteoporosis prevention.
Register at stlukes-stl.com.
• • •
St. Louis Oasis presents a Better
Choices, Better Health – Diabetes Virtual
Class on Wednesdays, June 26-Aug.
7, from 1-3:30 p.m. online via Zoom. This
workshop helps those living with diabetes
to manage nutrition, family support and
other daily challenges. The free sessions
are sponsored by BJC Missouri Baptist
Hospital. Registration is required and is
available at classes-events.bjc.org.
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June 5, 2024
34 I BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Take steps toward career success at St. Charles Community College
Did you know that St. Charles
Community College (SCC) is
the choice of 1 in 5 St. Charles
County high school graduates?
It’s true. But it’s not just 18- to
21-year-olds on campus. As the
need for workforce development
and career training continues to
increase so do SCC’s offerings.
Today, those offerings include
associate degree programs in
Mechatronics Engineering Technology
and Interdisciplinary Technologies
and certificate programs in
Plumbing and Pipefitting; Hydraulics
and Pneumatics; Electrical and Electronic
Systems; Facilities Maintenance
Systems; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration; and Robotics
and Automation Systems.
“No matter what path a student is
trying to take, SCC can be the next step
in their journey,” said Betsy Schneider,
CFRE, chief of staff and executive
director of the St. Charles Community
College Foundation. In August 2020,
voters approved Proposition Community
College, which among other things
helped to fund, the Regional Workforce
Innovation Center. When it opens
in Wentzville in fall 2025, it will offer
SCC’s Regional Workforce Innovation Center is slated to open
in fall 2025.
(Source: SCC)
training in technology, advanced manufacturing,
robotics, sustainable energy, healthcare
and more.
“Cybersecurity, coding, web development,
and all of the IT fields are in demand
right now,” Schneider said. “We want to
make sure the job market is there and that
students are able to get jobs in their desired
fields at prevailing wages.”
Students in the Mechatronics Engineering
and Geographical Information Systems
degree programs will gain training in
advanced manufacturing and automation
systems, precision agriculture, industrial
maintenance, and logistics. Those who
choose the Interdisciplinary Technology
degree program will be able to mix and
match certificates in facilities maintenance,
NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN!
electrical electronics, robotics
automation, cyber security
crossover, data analytics,
HVAC-R, hydraulics and pneumatics,
computer aided drafting,
mechanical design and
drafting, and basic welding.
Or students can choose to start
with a six-week certificate program
that can get them quickly
into the workforce. “Then, students
can come back and get
stackable credentials as needed
to advance their careers,” Schneider said.
One way SCC is helping to advance
careers today is with its LPN to RN Bridge
Program. The one-year program awards
25 credits for prior learning from the student’s
licensed practical nurse education
toward an Associate Degree in Nursing.
The updated program is designed to credit
and honor the education and experience of
a working LPN who want to become a registered
nurse (RN).
“In our nursing and allied health services,
we offer everything from certified nursing
assistant to medical assisting to becoming
a registered nurse. Demand in the nursing
field is so high right now and we have a
consistently high pass rate in our nursing
program,” Schneider said.
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All of the nursing and allied health programs
are housed on the college’s Dardenne
Creek Campus, as is SCC’s Field to Table
Institute, which was completed in 2020.
“Our agricultural students plant the
fields and our culinary students use what’s
grown,” Schneider said. “Prior to the development
of SCC’s agricultural program the
closest agricultural program was at Mizzou
– and there’s definitely a demand in this
community.”
While the goal is for every student to be
successful and career-ready, campus life
at SCC isn’t all work and no fun. Though
sometimes they do go hand-in-hand.
“We just started e-sports at SCC,” Schneider
said. “We just filed the paperwork with
the National Junior College Athletic Association
(NJCAA) but the room is set up and
it’s all ready to go.”
Students who have a passion for e-sports
might be interested in knowing that game
design and animation are among the more
than 100 pathways, degrees and certificates
offered at SCC. Learn more at stchas.edu.
St. Charles Community College
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive • Cottleville
(636) 922-8000 • stchas.edu
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June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 35
LIBRARY, from page 10
our 50th anniversary. It’s been an amazing
50 years, but we need to look forward to the
next 50 years.”
As far as charging fees to generate revenue,
Kuhl said the district can’t legally sell
a product that they license from a third party.
“We can’t resell it,” he said. Kuhl added
he worried about people who might be
excluded from access because they couldn’t
pay the fees.
“This is really about how the library operates
based upon the changing ways that
our public are using the library, and the
changing ways people are consuming information,”
Kuhl said. “So, it’s really about
mapping out the future of the library and
what is the most responsible use of those
resources as stewards of tax dollars.”
Kuhl referred to St. Charles County
as a “low tax environment,” adding that
voters have repeatedly opposed property
tax increases – the district’s main source
of revenue – and that the Hancock Amendment
of 1980 specifically limits the amount
of tax revenue the district can hope to collect.
That change to the Missouri Constitution
was one of the first state tax limitation
amendments passed in the United States,
and continues to be a hedge against new
tax increases as any significant tax increase
must win voter adoption.
“We have to work within that environment
and at the same time have a sustainable
future so we can be here for the next 50
RESPONSE, from page 10
for $1,000 that night to help the library, and
another man asked why none of the administrative
staff would be laid off in the proposed
plan, instead of the “people in the trenches.”
Still others said they would be willing to pay
for some of the services that are now offered
at no cost to cover the shortages Kuhl said the
district is facing as a result of the rising costs
of e-books and streaming platforms.
“I think this board has severely underestimated
this community and the way this
community is willing to fight for the library,”
Devin Walters said. “Why couldn’t we cut
some of the digital resources that (are) costing
us so much?”
But Kuhl said earlier in the meeting that
district patrons are increasingly choosing
digital over physical materials, and that the
library is struggling more every day to pay
for them.
“This is something we absolutely have
to adapt to,” Kuhl said. “In the 100-plus
years libraries have been around, the focus
has always been on the moving of materials
around. That’s why we have the buildings,
why they’re laid out the way they are.
The library, since its inception, has focused
years,” he said.
Kuhl’s proposal would also centralize services
districtwide, including management
of programs, events and telephone calls. He
wants to invest in locations that have the
capacity to deliver those services, which is
why, he said, renovations have been underway
at the Middendorf-Kredell, Spencer
Road and Kathryn Linnemann branches.
At the board’s regular meeting on May 21,
Alvarez provided a brief update on the situation,
stating the board had continued receiving
feedback from library patrons.
“We are reading that feedback, we are
taking it very seriously,” Alvarez said. “I
personally plan to answer questions that I
receive directly, so please if you have any
questions or comments continue to send
those in to us as we work through this.”
Alvarez said over the coming weeks
the district will work to identify options
and alternatives and take time to listen to
patrons and district staff. Listening sessions
are being set up, Alvarez said, and more
information will be sent out about those sessions
in the coming days. While the decision
was postponed for 30 days, Alvarez said the
district would “take as long as necessary” to
make the right choice.
“I don’t want anyone to feel like once we
hit that 30-day mark, we’re going to revive
the same proposal and immediately take
action on it,” Alvarez said. “It is my intention
that we take the time that we need to do
what’s necessary in the best interest of this
district.”
always on the ordering, cataloging, housing
and handling of physical materials, and
we’re seeing that is changing. It’s probably
the most profound change in library service
in the history of libraries.”
He said times are changing quickly, and
that the library is no longer a building of
physical materials.
“The library is not a building. It’s a service,
not a destination,” Kuhl said. “And you can
take advantage of those services from home,
school or bookmobile visits. It’s more about
combining your physical facilities with
your digital services with your outreach
with your mobile series and be one library
instead of siloed services.”
Several patrons disagreed, saying the destination
– the physical place – was exactly
what was so important about the library.
One 17-year-old said she was more worried
about taking away the safe space that
the library offers than anything else.
“The library is a place some young people
can go to be safe and study away from the
toxicity of a bad home environment,” Lily
Shaw said, adding that closing libraries is
tantamount to “contributing to the devastating
mental health crisis” the country is facing
following the 2020 COVID pandemic.
The benefits of exercise have been
well established for people living with
Parkinson's Disease (PD). What's
been found is that not all exercises
are created equal.
People with Parkinson's have
symptoms that affect movement.
One of the most common is rigidity.
When someone has rigidity, they
will have extreme stiffness in one or
more areas of their body. This
makes it difficult for them to achieve
fluid, natural looking movements.
Another symptom affecting people
with Parkinson's is bradykinesia, or
slowness of movement. This can
impact trying to start a motion as
well as carry out a movement.
People with Parkinson's often
experience lack of coordination with
their movements. This can result in
poor balance, falls and difficulty
carrying out daily tasks.
Another area that suffers with
Parkinson's disease is the
automaticity of certain tasks. This
means it takes someone with
Parkinson's more concentration to
perform simple tasks that the rest of
us do on "autopilot".
Exercises specifically designed to
target these problem areas have
been very successful in improving
PD symptoms. This makes it crucial
to find someone who is trained in
Parkinson's specific exercises.
It's common that people have
symptoms for several years before
getting an actual diagnosis. So even
BREAKING THE
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
CYCLE: FREE PARKINSON'S
TALK
BY: DR. BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS
GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST
If you are newly diagnosed, you've
probably been experiencing some
of these symptoms for several
months to years. That's why it's
never too early or too late to start
exercising.
Want to learn more about the best
exercise options for people living
with PD? Then register to attend
our “Parkinson's and Exercise”
Talk at HouseFit. During this FREE
Community Talk we will cover:
Why you shouldn't accept
losing your independence with
PD.
How intense exercise helps you
slow the progression.
How exercise can improve your
balance and even prevent falls.
Why everyone with PD needs
to be seen by a Physical
Therapist.
Why PWR!Moves are a great
option for anyone with PD.
When: Fri, June 14th at 2:30 pm
Where: 3809 Lemay Ferry Rd,
63125
*Attend in-person or join us online
from your home. Space is limited.
Call (314) 939-1377 to register.
3809 Lemay Ferry Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63125
(314) 939-1377
info@housefitstl.com
HouseFit www.housefitstl.com

36 I EVENTS I
BE INFORMED, MEET ELECTED OFFICIALS
June 7 | Mary Dempsey,
Recorder of Deeds-Property Fraud Alert
Deanna Self, St. Representative #64 candidate
June 14 | Gwendolyn Goeke,
Assoc. Circuit Judge Div. 13 candidate
June 21 I Justin Hicks, St. Rep. #108 -
US Rep. District 3 candidate
June 28 I Shane Schoeller -
Secretary of State candidate
MEETING LOCATION:
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June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
LOCAL
EVENTS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
First Fridays are from 5-8 p.m. on the
first Friday of every month at the Foundry
Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in St.
Charles. Visitors can spend time in the galleries,
meet resident studio artists, engage
with the community and enjoy an array of
art programming, entertainment and special
events. Local business owners will host free
activities and paid workshops. For details,
visit foundryartcentre.org/first-fridays.
​• • •
Hit the Bricks History Tours are on
most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 230
S. Main Street in St. Charles. Join history
tour guides as they “Hit the Bricks” through
St. Charles’ 250-plus years of history. Tours
are $7 per person. Children (under 10) are
free. To book a tour, visit discoverstcharles.
com/things-to-do/main-street/hit-the-bricks.
• • •
St. Charles Riverwalk Market is from
7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday mornings
through November 30 at the Foundry Art
Centre Parking Lot, 520 N. Main Center in St.
Charles, featuring fresh produce and crafts
from local vendors, live music and more. For
details, visit stcharlescitymo.gov/1132/The-
St-Charles-Riverwalk-Market.
​• • •
St. Charles Flea and Artisan Market is
from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the second Saturday
of every month through December at Saint
Charles City Hall (upper level of parking
garage), 200 N. Second Street in St. Charles.
This is an open-air market with a variety of
vendors including antiques, artwork, crafts
and food. For details, visit stcharlesflea.com.
​• • •
Matilda Jr. is at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 7,
and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, June
8 at Wentzville Christian Church, 1507 Hwy.
Z in Wentzville. Area youth will bring Matilda’s
story to the stage at the end of their week
of drama camp. Admission is free and all
performances are open to the public. Doors
open 30 minutes before the start of each performance.
For details, visit wentzvillecc.org.
​• • •
Block Party is from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
on Saturday, June 15 at the Foundry Art
Centre, 520 N. Main Center in St. Charles.
This free event features interactive art projects
for all ages, food trucks, beer booths,
live music, and steamroller printing. For
details, visit foundryartcentre.org.
​• • •
Jan Groenemann Art Exhibition Opening
and Book Signing is from 1-5 p.m. on
Sunday, June 16 at the Lillian Yahn Art Gallery,
3028 Winghaven Blvd. in O’Fallon.
Join Jan for art, books music, food and sharing
her creative process for her new works
from “A Thousand Ways to Kiss the Earth.”
The show will be on display through June.
For details, visit stcharlesart.org.
BENEFITS
Pack the Pool - Food Collection is
from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, June 7 and
Saturday, June 8 at Sts. Joachim & Ann
Care Service, 4116 McClay Road in St.
Charles, with a celebratory swim party at
7:30 p.m. on June 7 at Wapelhorst Pool,
1875 Muegge Road. Community members
are invited to make a difference by dropping
off food donations of family-friendly,
non-perishable items. For tickets and a list
of needed items, visit jacares.org/events.
​• • •
Weldon Springs Women’s Connection
Luncheon is from noon-1:30 p.m. on
Thursday, June 20 at Whitmoor Country
Club, 1100 Whitmoor Drive in Weldon
Spring. The cost is $22 at the door. For
reservations contact (314) 680-6060 or
mary_stremlau3@hotmail.com.
​• • •
The Kaufman Fund Golf Tournament
is on Monday, July 22 at the Whitmoor
Country Club, 1100 Whitmoor Drive in
Weldon Spring. Early bird ticket pricing is
available for single golfers and foursomes.
Entries are $325 and include a complimentary
dinner guest. Register for golfing or
make a dinner reservation online at one.
bidpal.net/tkfgolf2024/ticketing.
CONCERTS/FESTIVALS
O’Fallon Jammin’ Concert Series is
from 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesdays through
Aug. 6 at the Civic Park Bandstand, 403
Civic Park Drive in O’Fallon. Admission
and parking are free. Food trucks and concessions
will be available. Bring chairs or
blankets for lawn seating. For the full concert
calendar, visit ofallon.mo.us/jammin.
​• • •
Beale Street Concert Series is from 6-8
p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of the month
every month through October in the Streets
of St. Charles, 1520 S 5th Street. Food and
beverages are provided by the restaurants
on the Streets of St. Charles. Bring a lawn
chair. No coolers, no outside food or drink.
Free event. To see a complete schedule and
band lineup, visit discoverstcharles.com.
​• • •
St. Peters’ Sunset Concert Series is
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
nights through September at 370 Lakeside
Park in St. Peters. Free event. For a full concert
schedule, visit stpetersmo.net/sunset.
​• • •
Hot Summer Nights is from 6-10 p.m.
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MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
on the second Saturday of the month
through September on Second Street
between Morgan Street and Decatur Street
in Frenchtown. Food trucks, local breweries
and live music. Food service begins at
6 p.m. and live music starts at 7 p.m. For
details, visit stcharlescitymo.gov.
​• • •
Twilight Market is from 3-7 p.m. on
the 2nd Saturday of every month through
November at 301 Main Street in St. Peters,
featuring artists, makers, vendors, musicians,
food and drink. Free event. For
details, visit stpetersmo.net.
​• • •
Food Truck Frenzy is from 5:30-8:30
p.m. on Friday, June 7 at Sports Park, 3589
Hwy. K in O’Fallon, featuring a variety
of popular local food trucks in a familyfriendly
park setting. Bring a blanket or
chair. Enjoy music from the DJ, dancing or
bouncing on the inflatable obstacle course.
Admission and parking is free. For details,
visit ofallon.mo.us/foodtruck-frenzy.
​• • •
Strawberry Festival and Jam Contest
is from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8 at
the Saint Charles Riverwalk Market at
the Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main
Center. All entries must be made from
scratch without using a freezer or sugarfree
ingredients. Local city officials will
evaluate entries based on taste, texture and
creativity. There will be vendors selling
a variety of strawberry-inspired products,
child-friendly activities and live music.
For details, visit stcharlescitymo.gov/1132/
The-St-Charles-Riverwalk-Market.
​• • •
A Food Truck Event, 500 S. Riverside
Drive, is from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, June
11 in St. Charles. Some trucks may be cash
only. Bring seating but leave alcoholic
beverages, glass and pets at home. For
details, visit discoverstcharles.com/event/
food-truck-event.
​• • •
Cottleville Twilight Tuesdays are at 6
p.m. at Legacy Park, 5490 Fifth St. June
18 - Butch Wax & The Hollywoods; July 9
- Wildfire; July 23 - No Diggity; Aug. 6 - Up
All Night; Aug. 20 - Dr. Zhivegas; Sept. 10 -
Funky Butt Brass Band.
​• • •
Dardenne Prairie Summer Concerts are
from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Fridays at City Hall
Park, 2032 Hanley Road. Bring lawn chairs
and blankets. Concessions will be available
for purchase. June 21 - Joe Dirt and the Dirty
Boys Band. July 19 - Trixie Delight. Aug. 16
- Dr. Zhivegas. For details, visit dardenneprairie.org/parks_and_recreation/events.
​• • •
St. Peters’ Sunset Saturday is at 4:30
p.m. (doors open at 3 p.m.) on Saturday,
June 22 at 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters,
featuring Butch Wax & The Hollywoods,

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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I EVENTS I 37
The Charles Glenn Group and fireworks.
For details, visit stpetersmo.net/sunset.
​• • •
New Town Concert Series is from 7-10
p.m. on weeknights and weekends through
September at the New Town Amphitheater,
3312 Rue Royale in St. Charles, featuring
“Ticket to the Beatles” on Saturday, June
22. Businesses are open for food, drinks,
ice cream, snow cones, pizza and sweets,
or you can bring your own snacks. Bring
a blanket and lawn chairs. Free event. For
details, visit discoverstcharles.com/events.
​• • •
Celebrating America’s Music is at 3 p.m.
on Sunday, June 23 at Dardenne Presbyterian
Church, 7400 South Outer 364. The
concert is presented by the Chancel Choir
and instrumentalists of Dardenne Presbyterian
Church with guests from the JH Smith
Community Choir, the Choral Arts Singers,
and musicians from the community. Free
event. For details, call (636) 561-4347.
​• • •
History in Harmony is from 1-4 p.m. on
June 23 and 30 on Main Street, 230 South
Main Street in St. Charles. A rotating lineup
of guest musicians stroll through the
historic district.
​• • •
Heritage and Freedom Fest is from
4-10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3; from noon-
10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4; from 4-11 p.m.
on Friday, July 5 and from 4-10 p.m. on
Saturday, July 6 at the Ozzie Smith Sports
Park in O’Fallon, featuring Bret Michaels,
Mitchell Tenpenny, a carnival, fireworks
and more. Parade on July 4. Free event. For
details, visit heritageandfreedomfest.com.
​• • •
Weldon Spring Independence Celebration
is from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Thursday,
July 4 at Weldon Spring City Park,
5401 Independence Road. All are welcome
to enjoy an evening of food trucks, inflatables,
a bubble party and fireworks. Sometimes
a Fantasy performs from 6:30-9 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. For details, visit
weldonspring.org/parks-recreation.
​• • •
Riverfest is from noon-10 p.m. on
Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 at
Frontier Park, 500 S. Riverside Drive in St.
Charles, featuring live music, food, drinks,
children’s activities, a carnival and a fireworks
display on both evenings. Also part
of Riverfest is the Fourth of July parade
at 10 a.m. on July 4. For details, visit
stcharlescitymo.gov/1037/riverfest.
FAMILY & KIDS
After School Art Club is from 5-6 p.m.
weekly on Thursdays at the Foundry Art
See EVENTS, page 38
St. Louis Pen Show • JUNE 20-23
Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet • St. Louis, MO
Modern & Vintage Pens • Notebooks • Paper • Ink
Accessories • Ehemera • Cursive Handwriting • Auction & Much More!
Journaling Meetups and 20+ Classes
Friday, June 21 • 11am-6pm
Saturday, June 22 • 9am - 5pm
Sunday, June 23 • 10am - 3pm
Everyone Welcome!
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Since 2014

38 I
June 5, 2024
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
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EVENTS, from page 37
Centre, 520 N. Main Center in St. Charles.
This drop-in weekly art club is for ages
7-11 and costs $10 per week. To register,
visit foundryartcentre.org/kids-workshops.
​• • •
Family Fridays are from 2-4 p.m. on the
second Friday of every month at the Heritage
Park Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing
in St. Peters. Each session has games and
crafts, storytime and hands-on displays.
Free event. Details at stccparks.org.
​• • •
Second Saturdays are from 1-3 p.m.
monthly at The Foundry Art Centre, 520
N. Main Center in Saint Charles. Features a
tour of current exhibitions and hands-on art
activities. Free event, all ages are welcome.
For details, visit foundryartcentre.org.
​• • •
Art Start is at 10 a.m. every Tuesday
at The Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main
Center in Saint Charles. Children create
small art projects that pair with a story.
Free event. For ages 2-5 with a caregiver.
Details at foundryartcentre.org.
​• • •
Dive-In Movie is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday,
June 21 at Alligator’s Creek, 403 Civic
Park Drive in O’Fallon. Featured movie -
“Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken.” Doors
open at 7:30 p.m., movie starts at 7:45 p.m.
Cost is $12 for residents and $15 for nonresidents.
Pre-registration required at ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec.
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.
​• • •
Friday Night Public Stargazing begins
at sunset or 7 p.m. on clear Friday nights
at the Broemmelsiek Park Astronomy Site,
1593 Schwede Road in Wentzville. Join
the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
at the astronomy viewing area for
free educational programs for the entire
family. Discover the planets, stars, constellations,
nebulas and galaxies through
the largest public-viewing telescope in
Missouri and other complex scopes. Viewing
begins at sunset and can last into the
night. Advanced registration is requested
for groups of 10 or more. Free event. For
details, visit asemonline.org or email outreach@asemonline.org.
​• • •
Historic Heald Home and Zumwalt’s
Fort Tours are open from noon-3 p.m.
on the second and fourth Sunday of each
month through September 29 at Fort
Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Drive West in
O’Fallon. Admission is $5 per person to
see both attractions; children 10 and under
are free. For private and group tours of 10
or more, call (636) 379-5574. For details,
visit ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec.
​• • •
World Bird Sanctuary is at 6 p.m. on
Thursday, June 13 at the City Hall Park
Amphitheater, 2032 Hanley Road in
Dardenne Prairie. Free event, held rain or
shine. No pets are permitted.
​• • •
Health Seminar is from 6-7 p.m. on
Wednesday, June 26 at St. Joseph Hospital,
300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Dr.
Kevin Enger, a board-certified urologist at
SSM Health Medical Group, will discuss
the symptoms and treatment options for
bladder and bowel control issues. Free
event. To register online, visit tinyurl.com/
DrEnger or call (636) 669-3080.
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Any tree removal estimated value of
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same time as estimate. Not valid
with other discounts. Exp: 6/30/24

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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 39
STAGES, from page 16
“What I think is really terrific about
STAGES Academy and The Muny Kids and
COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is that the
skills these kids are learning – putting on a
production, rehearsing and working together
for a goal, and getting up in front of other
people – are 100% applicable to any walk
of life,” Flack said. “Those skills serve the
students well no matter what they go into in
later life.”
Ragtime
Ragtime, running Sept. 20-Oct. 20, is a
powerful story of three distinct groups of
people represented by a Harlem musician, an
upper-class family and a Jewish immigrant.
“I think it is one of the best-written musicals
of all time,” director Deidre Goodwin
said. “It’s so vast but so clear. The writers
and lyricists were able to tell so many small
stories that build into one that is relevant,
unfortunately, today.
“It’s a show I would never grow tired of
being a part of or just watching another
production of – it’s just that strong.”
This will be the second time Goodwin,
a Lafayette High graduate, has directed
Ragtime. She and choreographer Michelle
Potterf also teamed up for an August 2023
production at Music Theatre Wichita.
“I think as an audience member you
walk away thinking that there are different
people in this world (and) that
if I just open my eyes, my ears and let
people teach me, let people let me into
their world, then I will come away a better
person. I will learn lessons that I need to
learn and maybe I can help others learn
lessons that they need to learn,” Goodwin
said. “The world that I long for is where
we can be our individual self, our ‘us’ and
be proud of that – our heritage, our culture,
our family, whatever that family looks
like and still be able to work together with
someone who’s not like you.”
Goodwin said she has always loved theater
but didn’t know it could be a career
until college.
“I did end up being in choir at Lafayette
High and the first year I was on flags (color
guard). Then I made Lafayette Escadrille,”
she said. “I also did Bye Bye Birdie in
the ensemble but I wasn’t taking theater
classes. I wasn’t taking dance classes.”
In fact, she didn’t start taking dance
classes until she enrolled at Missouri State
University. That’s where she met Potterf,
who grew up in Kansas City.
While Goodwin sees high value in
STAGES Academy and similar opportunities,
she hopes her story will inspire lateblooming
performers.
“The thing that was good for me was that
I, naively, was not intimidated by being
bad,” Goodwin said. “Everyone was better
than me, way better. But it didn’t discourage
me, it made me think, ‘Oh, that’s what
I’m working toward.’”
Ragtime cast member Lisa Ramey has
her own story of persistence paying off.
In 2019, she was on Season 16 of The
Voice. It was John Legend’s first year and
she landed on his team. In true St. Louis
fashion, the pair quickly discovered their
“one-degree of separation” through Variety
St. Louis. In 2018, Legend was the
featured performer at the charity’s blacktie
gala. Years before, while she was in
high school, Ramey worked as a volunteer
vocal coach for Variety’s Children’s
Chorus under the direction of Nance St.
James.
“I got to prep them for a performance at
the White House,” Ramey said of her time
with the Variety Chorus. “It was a really
great experience.”
Before The Voice was The Muny. In 1997,
Ramey, then age 9, was cast as a jitterbug in
The Wizard of Oz under the direction of choreographer
Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter
of legendary composer Duke Ellington.
“I had no idea how cool my summer gig
was going to be,” Ramey said of her first
Muny experience.
She continued to perform on The Muny
stage for 11 consecutive seasons. Eventually,
she decided to give up theater and
focus on writing and recording her own
music. Check out lisarameymusic.com for
local shows. But she said Seay and Goodwin
can be very persuasive.
“Honestly, only Gayle Seay could get me
back on stage,” Ramey said.
She explained that Seay had asked her
to help with auditions. Then, Seay and
Goodwin suggested she perform “Till We
Reach That Day,” the soulful solo sung by
“Sarah’s friend” in Ragtime.
“I love the song, so I sang from my soul
and left it all on the floor,” Ramey said.
Without meaning to audition, Ramey
won the role.
“It’s like a really nice coming home to be
a part of Ragtime,” she admitted. “It’s one
of the greatest musicals of all time and has
such an important message.”
To learn more about the productions,
visit stagesstlouis.org.
MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM
AUCTIONS
Steward Self Storage
101 N. Service Rd.
St. Peters, MO 63376
Notice is hereby given that the
contents of the following unit
will be sold in compliance with
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
June 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
10X16 Outside Non-Climate –
This unit may contain tools,
microwaves, freezers/fridge,
HVAC equipment, landscaping
equipment, mattresses, shelving,
dressers/armoire, lamps, plastic
containers, misc. boxes, cleaning
supplies, and misc. items.
COLLECTIBLES
WANTED TO BUY
• SPORTS MEMORABILIA •
Baseball Cards, Sports Cards,
Cardinals Souvenirs and
Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only.
Private Collector:
314-302-1785
DECKS
Deck Staining
Brushed & Rolled Only
No money up front/Warranty
Free Estimates
Insured/A+BBB
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(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
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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
AFFORDABLE CARPENTRY
Kitchen Remodeling, Wainscoting,
Cabinets, Crown Molding, Trim,
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Free estimates!
Anything inside & out!
Call Joe 636-699-8316
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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"Don't Worry Get Happy"
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repair kitchen & bath, plumbing,
electrical, carpentry. 24HR
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636-541-9432
REMODEL & REPAIR
Rotted wood, Painting, Tile,
Drywall, Floors, Electrical,
Carpentry, Plumbing,
Power Washing. Insured.
FREE ESTIMATES
Tom Streckfuss 314-910-7458
sbacontractingllc@gmail.com
LANDSCAPING
-THE YARD GUY-
General Yard Work
Landscape Planting
Weed Control & Pulling
Bush Trimming & Tear Out
We Fix Water Erosion Issues,
Sagging Stone Walls & Patios
Call or Text
636-358-8800
PAINTING
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PAINTING SERVICES
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PET SERVICES
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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
WEDDING SERVICES
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
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Teresa Hessel MW-5754A • Brad Meyer MW-5286A
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is looking for qualified Sales Executives.
Sales Executive Job Requirements
• Ability to multi task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Generating advertising revenue from existing and new clients.
• Strong communication and closing skills.
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