1. family and parenting
2. children

Go
Play!
A Guide to Local Parks
Channing Tatum Gets Serious
Pressure Cooker Recipes
Interior Design Strategies
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www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com
WWW.SOMETHINGPRINTED.COM
www.ActOnDentistry.com
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CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
MARCH
around town
4
2013
contents
Mothers, Playtime & Development
Take the Kids: Pop Culture Festival at
America’s Center
What Does St. Louis Eat?
Local Author’s Memoir: Cry Purple
Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Us All
Flush Your Transmission
entertainment
8
VOL 10 | NO 3
by Brian Guerrero
food
Published monthly with direct mail circulation to
Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis, plus newsstands
in Troy.
9
always an adventure 10
Community News
Shannon Cothran
Ray Rockwell
Steve Bryan
Rebecca Brockmann
Vicki Seagraves
For advertising information, please contact us at:
design tips 12
Follow-Through: Easier Said than Done
Top 10 Tips to Freshen Home Décor
By Claire Bloemke
spotlight 14
Go Play
business 16
Western St. Charles County Chamber of
Commerce News
Community News
By Tony Matthews
When Retiring Together Doesn’t Make Sense
By Jason Alderman
www.mycnews.com
photo op 18
No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form
without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Crossroads is a trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc.
Any published use of Crossroads implying affiliation is
strictly prohibited.
I Don’t Like Dogs (but I have two)
by Shelly A. Schneider
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr.
O’Fallon, MO 63366
Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632
Copyright 2013 Huneke Publications, Inc.
Great Food Fast: Bob Warden’s Ultimate Pressure
Cooker Recipes
by Avalanche
mom’s life 11
Publisher
Editor
Photographer
Movie Critic
Creative Design
The Three-Time Tatum/Soderbergh Collaboration
community calendar 19
Ray Rockwell captured the Quilts of Valor of Eastern
Missouri at their latest meeting
March
MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS
3
AROUND TOWN
Mothers, Playtime
and Development
Researchers long have evaluated the roles parents play in
children’s development. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that mothers’ directiveness,
the extent to which they try to control the content and
pace of young children’s play, varies based on the children’s ages and the mothers’ ethnicities. In addition, the
study found that the more directive the mothers were
during play, the less engaged children were with them
and the more negative emotion the children displayed
toward their mothers.
“Children flourish when they have opportunities to
make choices about what they do, particularly in play situations,” said Jean Ispa, lead author of the study and professor of human development and family studies at MU.
“Mothers who are highly directive do not allow that kind
of choice. In our study, the children were playing with
some toys, and the very directive mothers were making
the decisions about how to play, what to play and how
quickly to play.”
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CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
For example, during
play with her child,
a highly directive
mother might make
her toddler put the
plastic cow in the
toy barn through
the barn’s door instead of through its
window. If a child is
playing with a pretend kitchen set, the
mom might not let
the child touch the
fake burners on the
stove. Mothers often
think they are helping their children by
correcting them, but
they are limiting the
children’s creativity and possibly making their children enjoy being with them less, Ispa said.
When mothers were highly directive during playtime, children
expressed less positive regard for their moms and more negative
feelings toward them, Ispa said. The researchers also evaluated
how affectionate the mothers were to their children and found
that higher levels of warmth reduced the negative effects of directiveness.
To benefit their children’s development, mothers should show
affection to their children while supporting their play and being
careful to limit the extent to which they dictate exactly how their
children should play, Ispa said.
“We know that children, regardless of culture, need to feel loved,”
said Ispa. “Children take in the meaning of what their mothers are
trying to do, so if a mom is being very directive and is generally a
very warm person, I think the child feels, ‘My mom is doing this
because she cares about me, and she’s trying to do the best for
me.’ If that warmth is missing, then the child might feel, ‘My mom
is trying to control me, and I don’t like it.’”
Editor’s Note: The study, “Patterns of Maternal Directiveness by
Ethnicity among Early Head Start Research Participants,” was published in Parenting: Science and Practice. Ispa is co-chair of the
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, which is
part of the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences. Ispa’s
co-authors included Duane Rudy, an associate professor of human
development and family studies at MU, and researchers from Arizona State University, the University of California at Los Angeles,
the University of Connecticut, the University of Maryland and the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
AROUND TOWN
Take the Kids:
Pop Culture Festival at America’s Center
Wizard World, Inc. (PK.WIZD) today announced the addition of the inaugural Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con to its
2013 schedule of pop culture conventions, March 22-24 at America’s Center.
Popular Wizard World celebrity guests Stan Lee, Dean Cain, Billy Dee Williams, WWE® Superstar Randy Orton® and
James Marsters and Ernie Hudson are among the celebrity roster headliners. They will be joined by a
top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the second event on Wizard World’s expanded 2013 calendar.
Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi,
pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con show hours are Friday, March 22, 3-8 p.m.;
Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 and up, kids under
10 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
For more on the 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, visit www.wizardworld.com/home-stlouis.html.
What Does
St. Louis
Eat?
Food provides basic nourishment but it can also spark
memories, inspire creativity and
bring people together. As part of
its Foodology: Dig In! year-long series
of exhibits, events and programs, the Garden
wants to
ensure real St. Louis food stories are highlighted. Through submissions from the public the Garden will attempt to answer a number of
questions about St. Louisans and the foods they eat and drink. What
are we eating and why? What food traditions have been passed down
for generations? What’s on your dinner tables and school lunch trays?
What cultural cuisines are you serving and eating? What foods are
growing in our gardens and neighborhoods?
Given the diversity of food stories in St. Louis, the Garden is issuing
a call for submissions as part of this project. Individuals can share
their food stories through photos, videos and essays. Entries can be
emailed to [email protected]. For general information, visit
www.mobot.org or call 314.577.5100.
www.ofallonnutrition.com
Payne
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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS
5
AROUND TOWN
Local Author’s Memoir
Cry Purple, by Christine McDonald, is the story of the author’s long journey from nearly 2
decades of homelessness, of street-corner prostitution in Kansas City, MO, drug addiction,
and many stints in jail to her present life of total blindness, motherhood, and happiness.
The first two-thirds of the book tell the grim story of her youthful unhappiness, how
and when she got into prostitution and drug addiction, the violence that she and some
of her fellow prostitutes suffered, and how the drugs eventually reduced her to an almost
animal-like state. It was only when she hit rock bottom that she finally found the will to
seek help and change her ways.
However, after getting clean and then engaged, she had numerous other difficulties and
sorrows ahead of her: losing her sight from a disease and having to have both her eyeballs
removed, having a special needs daughter that she had to give up for adoption because
of her inability to care for her, watching her relationship with her children’s father dissolve,
and even losing the only really good job she ever had.
She currently lives in the St. Charles area with her young son, Ricky; she practices an
open adoption relationship with her daughter’s adoptive parents and is seeking new employment. She doing motivational speaking and all she can to advocate for the blind and
for those who have survived or are still living lives like her former one. Now she has told
her dramatic story in a book.
Cry Purple is available in both e-book and print from Amazon and other online sellers.
Christine’s hope is to raise enough money from book sales for permanent housing for
herself and her son. For more details, please see her website: www.crypurple.com
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6
CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
AROUND TOWN
Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Us All
It is believed that as many as five million Americans suffer from
Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of the top ten leading causes of
death in our country. Typically presenting
after a person turns 60 years of age, the
disease impacts brain function and affects
daily activities by disrupting areas that
control thought, memory, behavior and
language.
Scientists have not determined the cause
of Alzheimer’s, so a cure and treatment to stop its progression are
not established. However, medical professionals have developed
ways to slow the worsening of dementia and improve the quality
of life for both patients
and their caregivers. The ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION offers
suggestive drug and non-drug treatments that can help with both
cognitive and behavioral changes common to those suffering
from the disease.
Although the exact cause has not been determined, there is
research available that identifies several
risk factors that increase the chances for
development of the disease. The most
common risk factors—age, family history
and genetics — cannot be influenced, but
studies have shown that there are things
you can do. Minimizing head trauma is
beneficial, as a link between serious head injuries and the development of Alzheimer’s has been found. In addition, establishing
healthy behaviors, eating nutritious diets and minimizing heart
disease have been found to be beneficial to brain health throughout your life.
For more information or to become involved in Alzheimer’s disease programs in St. Charles County, please call 314.432.3422.
Flush Your Transmission
Courtesy Len’s Auto Repair, St. Peters
Nearly nine out of ten transmission failures are due to overheating and fluid contamination according to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association. Just like the oil in your car’s engine,
automatic transmission fluid (ATF) suffers from heat, friction and
electrochemical degradation. Once this process starts, your transmission’s vital parts begin to clog with sludge and varnish deposits.
Unlike your car’s engine where all the oil can be drained out, most
of the transmission fluid doesn’t drain into the transmission pan.
Instead it stays in the torque converter, valve body and transmission
cooler lines making a complete fluid drain impossible. In fact, the
typical transmission service only replaces 25% of the contaminated
fluid, leaving behind 75% contaminated fluid to mix with the ATF.
According to automatic transmission fluid manufacturers, the addition of new fluid to contaminated fluid can actually cause sludge
and varnish deposits to clog filters and restrict the flow of transmission fluid. This can result in a serious malfunction, or even complete failure of an automatic transmission.
If your car’s transmission is showing any signs of contaminated
transmission fluid, slippage, rough or hard shifting, this service is the
first thing you should try before it becomes necessary to perform
major repair work or even the need for a new transmission.
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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS
7
ENTERTAINMENT
By Brian GuerRero
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a
current resident of New York City with extensive experience in
front of and behind the camera for film and television.
The Three-Time
Tatum/Soderbergh Collaboration
One is in the middle of a soaring career while the other (as rumor
has it) may retire soon. Yet, at the recent center of it all, both men
have now collaborated on three films the last three Steven Soderbergh-directed films in a row) that have been released in a span of
just over 12 months.
The three Soderbergh films, Haywire (released 01/20/2012), Magic
Mike (released 06/29/2012) and the very recent Side Effects (released
02/08/2013) have all been much given approval by the majority of
the top film critics and the
public—at least from the
ones that saw these films.
Channing Tatum, a
much-debated actor in
his generation, is the kind
of performer who continues to defy expectations
from both his loyal fans
and his harshest critics.
One of the best ways for
any commonly criticized
actor to prove his detractors wrong is by being able
to pair up with an Oscar
Winning Director, and in
Tatum’s case, his man is
Mr. Soderbergh. Perhaps
it was 21 Jump Street (not
directed by Soderbergh),
an unexpectedly wellreceived re-make that Channing Tatum in Side Effects Photo Courtesy Open Road Films
opened just after Haywire,
that really ignited high respect for Channing as a gifted actor, who
can also turn in a very funny comedic performance, let alone hold
his own comedic talents opposite Jonah Hill. Then Sodergergh’s
Magic Mike furthered his acceptance as a major Hollywood player.
With those two films alone, 2012 can be considered as the rise of
Channing Tatum.
Steven Soderbergh became the first director in almost 60 years
to be nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Director in the
same year: Traffic (for which he won the Oscar) and Erin Brochovich
in 2001. Both films were huge box-office successes and were both Oscar Nominated for Best Picture. But he’s been around making strong
films since the late 80’s beginning with the bold Sex, Lies and Videotape back in 1988. Yes, even he has had his share of films that missed
the mark. But, checking his track record, he’s the kind of high-profile
8 CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
filmmaker who doesn’t focus on making blockbusters, but merely on
making films with subjects that peak whatever his current interest is.
He’s the kind of complex filmmaker that never makes the same film
twice, that is if don’t count the hugely successful blockbuster hits of
the Ocean’s Trilogy.
Now, before you can say Scorsese/De Niro or Scorsese/Di Caprio,
the commonly underestimated Magic Mike is the only film of the
three-Soderbergh flicks that Channing is the lead in. However, his
performances in Haywire and Side Effects were
strong key supporting
roles, and he definitely
was more than ready for
the task to be a strong
link in both projects. Possibly the current greatest
asset about Channing
Tatum is his extremely
wise choice (or his agent’s
choice) of roles that play
to his strengths, including
insanely difficult dance
moves that would make
most A-list movie actors
jealous. Because of that,
he’s got more big projects with other major artists coming up. Besides
the G.I. Joe sequel (which
was delayed nearly a year
for—get
this—adding
more scenes of Channing because of test audience responses), he’s
the star in an upcoming thriller called White House Down directed
by Roland Emmerich (of Independence Day and The Patriot) with a
high profile supporting cast including Jamie Foxx (as the President
of the United States), Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, James Woods,
Richard Jenkins and many others.
So far, Mr. Tatum is a star making all the right moves. Will he continue to succeed? I say, right now, his chances are looking very good.
And is Steven Soderbergh really going to retire from making films
and commit time to painting and other endeavors? It’s unclear at
this point, but it would be quite a loss in the film world if he does.
In the meantime, as we can embrace the previous works that both of
these artist have already accomplished; let’s keep our eyes peeled for
both of these artists and see where, and how, they end up next.
FOOD
Great Food Fast: Bob Warden’s
Ultimate Pressure Cooker Recipes
Great Food Fast contains a dazzling assortment of easy and affordable pressure cooker recipes that are certain to impress at any occasion, from a weeknight family dinner to a lively Super Bowl party.
This book is a true kitchen staple with a multitude of helpful hints
that ease and inspire, making pressure cooking a fearless endeavor.
The greatest advantage of pressure cooking is the ability to quickly
produce a variety of succulent dishes that taste as if they took hours
to complete. In the past, pressure cookers carried the stigma of being a dangerous and burdensome kitchen tool. However, thanks to
the modern development of the pressure cooker, these instruments
have become safe and easy to use for cooks at any level of culinary
skill. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Great Food Fast provides more than 120 recipes certain to please
every palate. With Super Bowl anticipation heating up, football fans
will not want to miss out on the hearty Game Day Sausage Dip.
Family favorites are in ample supply, including Perfected Pot Roast,
Meatloaf, and Sweet Onion Teriyaki Chicken. For those watching their waistlines in the new year, Warden introduces a range of
healthy temptations, like the sweet and savory Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa or the White Chicken Chili.
Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄8 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces processed cheese (like Velveeta)
Serves 6
Directions:
Add elbow macaroni, chicken stock, water, butter, Parmesan cheese, salt and white pepper to
the pressure cooker. Securely lock the pressure
cooker’s lid and set for 6 minutes on high. Perform
a quick release to release the cooker’s pressure.
Stir in shredded Cheddar cheese and processed
cheese until both cheeses are melted and creamy.
Let sit 5 minutes to thicken before serving.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice
with Broccoli Florets Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 1⁄3 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed well
- 2 1⁄2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
- 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup milk
- 1 1⁄2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed
Directions:
With the cooker’s lid off, heat oil on high until
sizzling. Add the chicken and onion, and sauté
16
CROSSROADS FEBRUARY 2013
until chicken is lightly browned and onion
is translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add rice, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and
garlic powder, securely lock the pressure
cooker’s lid, and set for 5 minutes on high.
Perform a quick release to release the cooker’s pressure. With the cooker’s lid off, set
to HIGH or “brown.” Whisk together flour
and milk, add to the cooker, and simmer
for 2 minutes. Stir in Cheddar cheese and
broccoli florets, and let simmer for 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and broccoli
is warmed throughout. Serve immediately.
Idea: Try topping the finished dish with
crumbled crackers or toasted almonds for
the full casserole experience!
MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS
9
ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE
I Don’t Like Dogs
By Avalanche
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis
area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys
motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife
and dogs.
(but I have two)
I don’t like dogs. They bark, they stink,
they shed, they poop on the lawn - and
sometimes on the rug. I don’t like them. Of
course, I have two…
A few years ago, I was at home most of
the time, going through a prolonged rehab
of a nasty injury. The days were filled with
surgeries, therapies and other less than
pleasant medical adventures. My neighbor
to the south had a dog - a big, healthy German Shepard with remarkably strong lungs
- that would bark nonstop, sometimes for
hours on end, while its owners were gone.
The endless noise was not appreciated, especially on the bad days. For lack of a better method, I would occasionally go over
and feed the yowling mutt a biscuit to get
it to shut up. (I still don’t know why those
dog biscuits were in our house; after all, we
didn’t have any dogs.) I soon began whistling when delivering the biscuit. After a few
days of this, I could whistle from my house
and the dog would be quiet, even with no
biscuit, at least for a little while.
In accordance with the Law of Unintended
Consequences, my whistling soon brought a
different dog into my yard. This one, a black
and white Newfoundland, belonged to my
neighbor on the north. Never penned up,
it would come over when I whistled, and
sit down next to my garage, away from the
house, whereupon we would stare at each
other with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. At least he was quiet. One day during a
routine biscuit-bribery mission to the neighbor’s Shepard, I gave the Newfoundland a
biscuit as well, for reasons which are still not
clear to me. Of course, after this foolish action on my part, the Newfie came right over
every time I whistled. He’d sit next to the garage, and soon became quite accustomed to
receiving treats for his silent presence.
As our mutual suspicion waned, he began
gradually parking himself closer and closer
to the house, and eventually ended up on
my front porch most days while his owner
was at work.
I wrote a letter to the owners of the howling Shepard explaining the noise and asking
for their assistance. They were very apologetic, and promptly put a bark collar on the
Shepard, curing the noise problem.
However, there was now a dog residing on
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CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
my front porch most of the time. My wife
seemed to enjoy the mutt. Even I had to
concede that he was a good companion, especially in between difficult rehab sessions.
I told my wife that the Newfie (named
D’Artagnon) could stay outside on the
porch, but under no circumstances were we
going to let this big, dirty, shedding beast
come in the house. Such an animal should
stay outside.
That arrangement lasted for a few weeks,
except I began noticing muddy paw prints
on the kitchen floor. After a tense discussion with my wife (which I lost), it was
agreed that D’Artagnon could come in the
kitchen, staying only on the tile floor, but
was not allowed anywhere else in the house.
Over the next few weeks, the dog successfully conspired with my wife to move this
demarcation line into the living room, then
the bedroom.
The final barrier was the couch. It was
the only piece of furniture in the house for
which we had actually paid money. The dog
was not to get on the couch, no exceptions.
One day I was “dog-sitting” D’Artagnon
while his owner was out of town. I walked
into the living room, only to find D’Artagnon
sitting on the couch with a look that said,
“Face it buddy, you lost.”
How right he was. But eventually I discovered that a big dumb mutt curled up next to
you on the couch has as much (if not more)
therapeutic value than anything one can
obtain at the pharmacy.
These days, we have a dog door installed
in our front door, which allows any of several neighborhood dogs to come in and
visit whenever it suits them. And we have
two dogs of our own. We are most favored
hosts (servants?) to the neighborhood canine population.
As for me, I don’t spend much time on
the couch anymore. And D’Artagnon is getting pretty old and mostly stays on his own
porch. So, my dogs and I go over and sit next
to him. He seems to enjoy our visits more
than trips to the vet.
MOM’S LIFE
By Shelly A. Schneider
Shelly Schneider has spent the majority of her life
trying to find a painless way of removing her foot
from her mouth. She’s matured a little, thanks to her
husband, Jim and their three children: Christopher,
Michael and Samantha. She is an award-winning
columnist and alter ego to Sarcastic Woman.
As I heard Dr. Laura say on the radio years
ago, “Kids are born selfish. It’s the parents’
job to teach them how
to be responsible and
giving.”
As I always say, “Easier
said than done.”
My mom has it down
to a science. She’s was an
elementary school teacher for 35 years, so maybe
that has something to do
with her ability to remain
calm, cool and collected
at all times. A few years
back my mom temporarily exchanged hot and
sticky weather in Florida
for hot and sticky weather in Illinois. During her
visit, the little neighbor
boy decided to go gallivanting in the empty
lot next to our house. It had rained cats
and dogs the night before, so the lot was
the perfect arena for mud wrestling. Poor
Bobby checked his brains at the door on
this particular day, and within minutes had
lost a rather expensive sandal in the depths
of the mud.
It must have been the last straw, because
Bobby’s dad marched the 6-year-old back
into the ring to find the missing sandal. He
vowed Bobby would spend the night camping on the empty lot if the missing sandal
could not be found.
My mom just shook her head and made
that clicking sound with her tongue. It’s a
sound only mothers can make. “He should
never have done that,” said the all-knowing
teacher, mother and grandmother. It’s the
whole “Don’t Threaten What You Can’t Uphold” rule in every parent’s handbook.
What? You didn’t receive your all-knowing handbook when your first kid was born?
That’s okay; neither did I.
I should’ve paid more attention on that
muddy, rainy day. Bobby never found his
Follow-Through,
Easier Said than Done
sandal, and after about 90 minutes, Dad
gave in and let Bobby in the house.
Two weeks later I came
face-to-face with the
evil monster that had
chewed up Mr. Next
Door Neighbor Dad.
Yup. Jim and I made a
threat we really didn’t
want to have to enforce.
A carnival had come
to town, and for some
idiotic reason, we told
our kids about it beforehand. Here’s the first lesson. Never, ever, ever tell
your kids anything ahead
of time. Going out for
pizza? Don’t tell the kids
until you walk into the
restaurant. Taking kids to
see Grandma and Granddad for the weekend? Zip
it, buddy. Thinking of wowing the wee ones
with the promise of toddler roller coasters
and bumper cars? DON’T DO IT!
Kids can’t handle it. Christopher, in particular, pushed the envelope to new levels.
I swear there’s a small computer chip in his
brain that kicks in and repeats over and
over, “Let’s see how bad you can be and still
get to go to the carnival.”
After a couple hours of horrendous behavior, I reached the point of no return.
“Christopher, the next time
you choose not to listen, you’ll be sitting
at Grandma’s while Mommy takes Michael
and Samantha to the carnival.”
It took all of five minutes for Christopher
to return to horrendous behavior mode. I
mumbled to myself and looked at my husband. We both knew it was time to stand
our ground. I had made the threat. It was
the wrong threat to make, but I couldn’t
turn back now. He bawled, he screamed, he
pleaded and begged.
“I’ll be good! I promise,” he cried.
It took every ounce of strength, but I
stuck to my word. Christopher missed the
carnival and was good as gold for the next
couple of hours. His angelic behavior was
enough to make my stomach ache with
guilt and regret.
“At least he’s learned his lesson,” I whispered to Jim after dinner that evening.
The next morning, of course, my little
Dennis the Menace was at it again, pushing
buttons and trying the patience of everyone around him. This time, however, I was
prepared. My threats were realistic, and the
sentence was delivered swiftly.
Parenting, I learned that weekend, is an
on-going learning experience. You won’t
get it right after just one try, and there is no
handbook. All we can do is keep plugging
away, making mistakes and learning from
them. One day, however, I hope I can make
it look as easy as my mom did.
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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 11
DESIGN TIPS
By Claire Bloemke
Top 10 Tips to Freshen
Home Décor
1. Get rid of clutter.
It’s true what they say: less is more. (More appealing that
is!) Too much stuff, even when well-organized, will simply
appear as clutter. Remove all those knick-knacks and collectibles and just display a few at a time.
2. Use area rugs to divide a large room and create smaller
defined groupings.
This works especially well if you have an open floor plan
where the dining and living areas are one large space. Area
rugs create boundaries that can make one large room feel
like two.
3. Use neutrals.
Keep your walls and large-ticket furniture items a neutral
color and use accessories to create your color scheme. If
you enjoy redecorating every year or so, all you need to do
is change out your accessories.
4. Let art be your inspiration.
Find a painting that you love and use it as your focal point.
Pull colors from the painting for your room’s color scheme.
(You can do the same with a pillow or a rug, just find one
thing that you love and go from there).
5. Use layers of lighting.
An overhead light will provide general room lighting, while
accent lighting can change the mood of a room and create
a more intimate environment.
6. Arrange furniture in small conversational groupings.
Even in a small room, the addition of a couple of upholstered chairs with an accent table, arranged in a corner, can
look warm and inviting.
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12
CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
DESIGN TIPS
7. Mix and match patterns.
Stripes are the most forgiving patterns. You can throw
them in with anything, plaids, florals, geometric shapes,
chevrons, etc. Integrating a mixture of noncompeting patterns and textures will instantly give your room a designer
look.
8. Use different textures and finishes.
Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to match finishes: a
monochromatic room can appear washed out and boring.
Combining different finishes and textures helps add depth
to a space and achieves a much more visually stimulating
décor.
9. Hang mirrors to make a room feel larger and bring in
additional light.
Just make sure that the mirrors reflect a windowed wall,
accent lighting or another part of the room. Mirrored furniture paired with table lamps are the newest fad and can
have the same affect.
10. Add plants.
Green plants add the finishing touch to any room while
also enhancing a person’s cognitive performance. Just make
sure the room has adequate natural lighting.
Claire Bloemke is a noted interior design consultant with
Phillips Furniture, which also owns and operates seven Ashley Furniture HomeStores in the Greater St. Louis area and
in Columbia, Missouri. She helps customers determine what
furniture style and shape, from sofas and sectionals to beds
and rugs, will best fit their home or office. Claire graduated
in 2011 from the University of Central Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in interior design.
Living Word
1/12
www.lwcs.us
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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS
13
SPOTLIGHT
Go Play
Our area is full of fabulous parks where your family can spend
many hours having fun together in the great outdoors.
St. Charles Jaycee Park
2805 Elm Street, St. Charles
The new Discovery Playground located off Elm Street in the city
of St. Charles won top honors for the creative use of Rosetta Hardscapes Outcropping stone walls at the site which help make the
playground accessible to all children. The walls, supplied by Kirchner Block & Brick, Inc., were constructed by local St. Charles County
companies Landesign LLC and the Rosch Company LLC. Looks fun
for all ages.
park goers appreciate the open boat ramp that provides access to
the Mississippi River and its many recreational options. Two boat
ramps that access the Mississippi River; a fishing dock; natural wetlands; forested areas; and Weber Lake. For information on the closing of the boat ramp due to high water, please call 636.949.7475.
Indian Camp Creek Park
2679 Dietrich Rd, Foristell
This park features a unique nature-themed eco-playground and ten
miles of multi-use trail (trails open to hiking, biking, and equestrian
day-use). Additional development has added youth group camping facilities, a restored silo that serves as an observation tower, an
interpretive site to honor the region’s history, and a fishing lake.
Klondike Park
4600 Hwy 94 South, Augusta
St. Charles Jaycee Park, 2805 Elm Street, St. Charles
Broemmelsiek Park
1615 Schwede Rd, Wentzville
Named for the family of Jack Broemmelsiek,
who lived on the property for more than 30 years and dedicated
their lives to promoting conservation activities, Broemmelsiek Park
boasts an abundant oak hickory forest and has a long agricultural
history in St. Charles County.
The park has an Off-Leash Dog Area (with a small water features
where dogs may swim), more than seven miles of multi-use trail
(open to hiking, bicycling, and equestrian use), picnic shelters available for rental, the County’s first public Astronomy Viewing Area,
and fishing lakes. Broemmelsiek Park has between 4 and 4.5 miles
of trail.
Hideaway Harbor Park
1550 Hideaway Harbor Dr, Portage des Sioux
Located just west of Portage des Sioux, this 50-acre park contains
historic and natural features, as well as spectacular views across the
Mississippi River toward the Great River Road. Birders also delight in
close-up views of the wildlife, including the Bald Eagles that roost in
and around the park each winter. When the weather turns warmer,
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CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
Located just off the Katy Trail, the 250-acre park is a popular destination for outdoor recreationalists, families, and youth activity
groups. Natural and paved trails wind through tree-lined hillsides
to offer a challenging ride or hike and spectacular views of wildlife,
native plants, and the surrounding Missouri River Valley.
An indoor conference center that may be rented for weddings,
business meetings, and other group functions; three picnic shelters,
camper cabins and tent camping sites; a fishing lake; a boat ramp
for access to the Missouri River; and about 5 miles of paved or natural trail.
Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area
1704 S. River Rd, St. Charles
An island in the Missouri River just south of the Blanchette Bridge,
guests may enter the 160-acre park from the Katy Trail entrance
along Old South River Road in St. Charles and then cross a slough
that connects Bangert Island to the mainland. A typical wooded
Missouri River island, the land features cottonwood, sycamore,
box elder, silver maple, and black willow trees. In addition to birdwatching, hiking, bicycling, and photography, park guests may also
fish along the banks of the Missouri River that flows below the park
- although state fishing regulations apply and hunting is prohibited.
For information on the status of Bangert Island, guests may call
636.949.7475.
Quail Ridge Park
5501 Quail Ridge Pkwy, Wentzville
Quail Ridge Park is 250 acres of rolling pastures,
wooded hillsides, and rich bottomland near Peruque Creek. Winding trails throughout the park provide visitors with a first-hand
opportunity to view songbirds, deer, turkey, and other wildlife in
SPOTLIGHT
Free(ish) Outdoor
Family Fun
Fly Kites
Drugstore kites can be purchased for less then $5 a piece
if you’re lucky or you can google “make a kite” and spend
Saturday making the kites you’ll fly on Sunday.
Blow Bubbles
their natural environments. Quail Ridge has between 4 and 4.5 miles
of trail.
The park features an indoor Lodge that may be rented for weddings, parties, and other large-group activities; large-group and individual picnic shelters; playgrounds; walking/bicycle trails; a threeacre lake; and an 18-hole disc golf course; a small fishing pond; and
an Off-Leash Dog Area. The park also serves as home to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame Museum, featuring
several courts open for public use.
Youth Activity Park
7801 Hwy N, Dardenne Prairie
Designed to provide a safe place for area youth to enjoy an assortment of alternative recreational opportunities, the 25-acre Youth
Activity Park offers something for everyone to enjoy. The crown
jewel of the YAP is the 33,000-square foot skate park, the largest in
the state! Crafted of concrete, the facility offers challenges for every
skill level with bowls, ramps, trick rails, and much more.
Missouri’s largest skate park; an indoor recreation facility; a sand
volleyball court; half-court basketball; indoor rock climbing walls,
open play fields, a table-tennis table, and a video-game electronics
nook. There is an admission cost to use this park.
Cuivre River State Park
678 State Route 147, Troy
Cuivre River State Park is a bit of the Ozarks outside of the Ozarks
– a nature lovers paradise just a short drive from St. Louis that is
vibrant with colors three seasons of the year. The park’s renowned
trails take visitors through prairies and forests of oaks and hickories.
The park’s three natural areas feature sinkhole ponds and woodlands that would be more at home in southern Missouri. The park
has hiking and equestrian trails, modern campsites, group camps,
picnic areas and a lake so everyone can enjoy one of Missouri’s most
rugged and beautiful jewels.
Even big kids love bubbles (even if they pretend they
don’t). Pack a hula hoop and a kiddie pool and the possibilities are almost limitless. Check out this site for inspiration: www.groundwater.org/kc/activity9.html
Play Ball
A few bottles of water, a swipe of sunscreen and a ball and
you’re all set! Add a few cones for make-shift goals and
your family is minutes away from a fun couple of hours.
Dodgeball, football, soccer, whiffle ball, bocce, croquet,
even Frisbees count.
Take a Hike
You may not be trekking up mountainsides, but many of
St. Charles County parks have easy level hiking trails, perfect for a family walk. Don’t forget the trail mix.
Field Day Games
Invite the neighbors and play egg-on-a-spoon, 3-legged
races, pass-the-orange-with-only-your-chin and any other field day games you remember from your childhood.
Have a Picnic
Pack grandma’s best fried chicken or just grab a pizza and
a 2-litre. Eat anything on a blanket in a park and you’re
having a picnic. Enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and the
clean kitchen just waiting for you to come home.
Water Fight
Pack the trunk full of jugs of water, balloons, and squirt
guns, and have at it. Bring towels.
MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 15
BUSINESS
Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce
“Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie”
By tony mathews
Western St. Charles County Chamber
to Offer Four Scholarships
Tony Mathews, President/CEO
Western St. Charles County
Chamber of Commerce
The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is offering four scholarships for local high school seniors
to use towards furthering their education. “The chamber’s 600 members are very supportive of helping our local
students succeed in their career goals,” said Tony Mathews, President/CEO of the Western St. Charles County of
Commerce. “Our selection committee is hoping to receive many applications this year.”
The chamber will be awarding four $750 scholarships. To be eligible students must live in Wentzville, Lake St.
Louis, or Dardenne Prairie or be the child of a Chamber Member.
Students can download an application from the chamber website, www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.
Applications are due by Friday, April 5, 2013 to the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box
11, Wentzville, MO 63385.
Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce
Donates $2,000 to Operation Food Search
The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce was able
to donate $2,000 to Operation Food Search after their successful
Pay It Forward Holiday Raffle. With each raffle ticket sold the chamber donated a portion to help Operation Food Search in their effort
to feed local children and families.
“After touring their amazing facility and seeing all the good work
that Operation Food Search does for the community, I was able to
help shop with them for the food to be used to help local fami-
lies,” said Tony Mathews, President/CEO of the Western St. Charles
County Chamber of Commerce. “On behalf of the Chamber I thank
Operation Food Search for all that they do and hope that we can
help more in the future.”
The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce covers
Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis and Wentzville. They are comprised
of 600 local businesses and organizations.
Western St. Charles County Chamber of
Commerce Award Winners
The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce bestowed
its annual awards at their Celebration Ball held on February 2.
The following businesses and individuals were chosen to receive
awards from the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce: The Above and Beyond Award for Exceptional Customer
Service was given to Firestone Complete Auto Care in Lake St. Louis.
The chamber awarded three You Made it Happen Awards to businesses or individuals who positively affected their communities: Michelle Vladova with Noah’s Ark Academy, The Meadows at Lake St.
Louis, and Pamela Walsh. The Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award
was given to Kathleen Saunders with Christian Environmental Services. The Chamber Business of the Year was given to Twin Oaks at
Heritage Pointe. The Tony Award for service to the chamber was
given to Michael and Marilyn Watkins with Watkins Law Firm.
Chairman of the Board of the chamber Jon Parmentier and
Michael and Marilyn Watkins with Watkins Law Firm
Chairman of the Board of the chamber Jon Parmentier
and Michelle Vladova with Noah’s Ark Academy
For more on any of this information or the chamber in general, please call the
chamber office at 636.485.3123 or visit the website www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.
16
CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
BUSINESS
When Retiring Together
Doesn’t Make Sense
By Jason Alderman
director of Visa’s financial education programs
Back when people from my parents’ generation were first
planning their lives together, most married couples looked forward to working hard for a few decades, buying a house, raising
a family and then retiring together while they still had enough
money and energy to travel and pursue favorite hobbies.
Some couples do manage to pull this off and thrive; but for
many others, any of a host of obstacles can block their ability
to retire at the same time. For example:
• Thanks to periods of unemployment, home-value decline or
401(k) account loss suffered during the Great Recession, many
couples simply don’t have enough money to retire together
comfortably.
• If there’s a significant age difference, one spouse may not
have accumulated enough Social Security credits to qualify for
a benefit by the time the other is ready to retire.
• Women often worry that the couple hasn’t saved enough since they’re statistically likely
to survive their spouses – often for a decade or more.
• One spouse must continue working to supply employer-provided medical coverage until
both reach Medicare eligibility age (65 in most cases).
• One spouse is just hitting his or her stride, career-wise, and isn’t ready to slow down.
Among couples who have managed to save enough to retire together, when it comes time
to pull the trigger many realize they haven’t fully agreed on where or how to retire; or they
discover that their wishes have diverged over the years. This can put tremendous strain on a
marriage if you’re not willing to compromise and talk things through.
Long before you actually retire, ask yourselves:
• Should we downsize to a smaller dwelling or even move to a retirement community?
• Sell the house, buy a trailer and live like nomads for a few years?
• Move to a warmer climate or to be nearer our grandchildren?
• Move to a state with lower taxes or cost of living?
• Start a small side business to keep money rolling in?
• Are we finished supporting our children financially?
Even before asking those tough questions, you already should have begun estimating your
retirement income needs. Social Security has a helpful online Retirement Estimator that can
help (www.ssa.gov/estimator). After you’ve explored various retirement scenarios, consider
hiring a financial planner to help work out an investment and savings game plan, or to at
least review the one you’ve devised.
Along with the financial impact retirement will have on your marriage, keep in mind that
this may be the first time that you’ve been together, day in and day out. Many people are
so consumed by their jobs that they haven’t taken time to develop outside interests and
hobbies. Well before retirement, you and your spouse should start exploring activities and
networks of friends you can enjoy, both together and independently. Consider things like
volunteer work, hobbies, athletic activities or even part-time employment if you miss the
workplace interaction and need the money.
And finally, if your plan is to have one spouse continue working for a while, try living on
only that one salary for a few months before retiring as an experiment. This will give you an
inkling of how well you’ll do financially and whether you might both need to keep working
to amass more savings.
Editor’s Note: To Follow Jason Alderman on
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.
www.gibsonprinting.com
MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 17
Quilts of Valor
stern Missouri work on
The members of Quilts of Valor Ea
the KC hall on Hwy N in
quilts for soldiers and veterans at
Cottleville on Tuesday, February 5.
18
CROSSROADS MARCH 2013
Photo Op
PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
MARCH
To see your
organization’s
event listed here,
please email
[email protected]
Planning and Zoning
Meeting
6 to 8 pm at City Hall, 310 W.
Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville
Info: [email protected]
H.O.P.P. Night Teens’
Night Out
7-9 pm at Progress Park Center,
968 Meyer Road in Wentzville
Info: [email protected]
Coffee Talk with
Mayor Guccione
Easter
EGGstravaganza
12:30 to 2 pm City Hall, 310 W
Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville
8 to 10 am at Rotary Park, 2577
W. Meyer in Foristell
Call Vi Skillman at 636.327.5101
for more information.
Info: [email protected]
Annual
Spring Sing
Ninth Grade Center, 80 Elm
Tree Rd, Moscow Mills
noon, 3 pm and 6 pm
performances by TBHS & TMS
Choirs and Show Choirs
Community Easter
Egg Hunt
9 am at Clont’s Field in Troy
Info: [email protected]
Info: [email protected]
MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 19
Presorted Std
US Postage
PAID
2139-A Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366
St. Louis, MO
Permit 2828
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www.byerlyrv.com
www.pbtc.net/about.html