CrossRoads: Jan. 2013

CROSSROADS JANUARY 20132

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Tree Recycling / Eagle Days

Foundation Problems from Drought

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2013contents

Community NewsShelly SchneiderRay RockwellSteve BryanRebecca BrockmannVicki Seagraves

PublisherEditor

PhotographerMovie Critic

Creative Design

VOL 10 | NO 1

3JANUARY 2013 CROSSROADS

JANuARy

spotlight

lifestyle

entertainment

around town

Safe from your New Television4

6

9

Wrestling with the Human Brainby Shelly A. Schneider

by Steve Bryan

13

16

Jane Lynch has the Voice of Authority

photos by Ray Rockwell

courtesy of Family Features

photo op

food

A year in Review - 2012

14 Non-Conforming Confomistsby Joe Morice

10

12

11

18

19

Community Calendar

Western St. Charles Co. Chamber News

New year’s Resolutions

MDC Seeks Recycled Christmas Trees / Christmas after Christmas

Family is Prepared / Social Dance Classes

Great Game Day Eats

7

8

National Blood Donor Month15

Protect Home from Winter’s Chill17

SPOTLIGHT


The Tipping Point: Keeping Children Safe from Your New Television

Did you purchase or receive a new flat screen television for Christ-mas? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents of young children to anchor and stabilize their televisions, furniture, and appliances to prevent tip-over related incidents. In a quest to reach a toy, TV or game remote, or other desired item, young children are using dressers and tables as climbing devices and the results are tragic.A new CPSC data re-

port issued on Decem-ber 13, 2012 shows that 349 consumers (84 per-cent of them were chil-dren younger than age 9) were killed between 2000 and 2011, when TVs, furniture or ap-pliances toppled over onto them. Last year (2011) had the highest one-year number of fatalities reported. The 41 recorded fatalities is an increase from 31 in 2010 and 27 in 2009. This total also may increase in future years as additional fatalities are reported.“We know that low-cost anchoring devices are effective in pre-

venting tip-over incidents,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “I urge parents to anchor their TVs, furniture and appliances and protect their children. It takes just a few minutes to do and it can save lives.”

CPSC estimates that more than 43,000 consumers are injured each year in tip-over incidents. More than 25,000 (59 percent) of those injuries are to children under the age of 18. Falling furniture accounts for more than half (52 percent) of the injury reports. Falling televisions have proven to be more deadly, as they are asso-

ciated with more than half (62 percent) of re-ported fatalities.Small children are

no match for a falling dresser, wall unit or 50- to 100-pound televi-sion. Children involved in these tip-over in-cidents often sustain severe head and other injuries to the body as a result of being crushed by the prod-uct or trapped under its weight. In 57 per-cent of the reported fa-talities and 39 percent of injuries, the victim was struck in the head by the falling item.

Some reports indicate that as families purchase or transition to flat screen televisions, their older and often heavier televisions are moved into bedrooms and other rooms in the house, without the proper stand or anchoring device accompanying them. Many of the reported fatalities occurred in bedrooms, living rooms and family rooms with 40 percent occurring in bedrooms and 19 per-cent occurring in living rooms or family rooms.

www.paws-relax.com

Information courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

www.advancebeautywentzville.com www.thefitnessfuzion.com


SPOTLIGHT

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Unanchored televisions placed on dressers, bureaus and tables not intended to be used as a TV stand have been associated with many tip-over incidents involving both the TV and the furniture. Flat screen and older, bulkier cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions should be placed on stands appropriate for the size and weight of the product. Once in place, an anti-tip or stabilizing device should be installed to help prevent tip overs.To help prevent tip-over tragedies, CPSC recommends the fol-

lowing safety measures in homes where children live or visit:• Anchor furniture to the wall or the floor. • Place TVs on sturdy, low bases, or anchor the furniture and the

TV on top the base, and push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible. • Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract

children off of TV stands or furniture. • Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children. • Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed

with anti-tip brackets. • Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not

been followed. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged

with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer prod-ucts under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and prop-erty damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. For more information about the CPSC, visit www.cpsc.gov.

www.stcharlesconventioncenter.comwww.lwcs.us

Board of Education Filing InstructionsThe Wentzville School District Board of Education will have two

open seats in the April 2, 2013 election. Filing is open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Qualified applicants must file in person during business hours at the Wentzville School District’s Central Office, One Campus Drive, Wentzville, Mo. Business hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. through January 14, and 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on January 15, 2013. There will be no filing on days when school is not in session due

to inclement weather, with the exception of the last day. A lottery system for ballot order placement for first and last day filings will be utilized. The names of candidates filing on the first day will be listed in ascending order of the numbers drawn and ahead of the names of candidates filing on a later date. The names of candi-

dates filing on the last day will be listed in descending order after the names of all candidates who have previously filed on an earlier date. School board members serve a three-year term. Qualifications

for a Board of Education candidate are: must be at least 24 years of age; a United States citizen; a resident taxpayer of the Wentzville School District; not serving a sentence or period of probation for a felony or crime or have pled guilty or been convicted of election law violations; not registered or required to be registered as a sex offender; and have resided in Missouri for a minimum of one year preceding the election. For more information, please contact Nancy Sickler at

636.327.3800, ext. 20323.

By SHELLy A. SCHNEIDER


LIFESTyLE

6

Christopher will soon turn 20. Hurray! He’s that much closer to becoming a fully functional adult. I heard once that the part of the human brain that considers consequences (the frontal lobe), does not fully develop until age 25. I did a little research and confirmed that very fact.

Evidently the frontal lobe is not fully con-nected until the mid-20s. The frontal lobe is the

part of the brain that that asks, “Is this a good idea? What is the consequence of this action?” The teens have a frontal lobe…but they access it more slowly than adults. Teens don’t have the myelin that adults have. That is the fat-ty coating, or white matter that connects the nerve cells in the frontal lobe with the rest of the brain. Myelin allows the nerve signals to flow freely.

Developmentally, teens and early 20-somethings are not at the place where they are con-cerned about (or even thinking of) the consequences of their behavior.

“Thanks for the lesson in neurological science, Shelly, but why tell us about it now?” If your children are older, you’re hopefully laughing to yourself and fondly remembering all the bad choices your children made as teenagers (or early 20-some-things). If you are like me, then your family is currently entrenched in the reality that is the teenage brain. If you have younger children, then just consider this free information that you can shove into the back of your brain. Actually, it goes to your cerebrum I think

(see how much I learned while researching the human brain?)

“Oh,” you’re saying to yourself. “One of Shelly’s children made an unfortunate choice and we get to reap the benefits.”

Exactly! Long story short, one of our

boys decided it would be fun to “wrestle” in the front yard with some friends. Christopher, who is apparently more competitive than I gave him credit for – but

selectively competitive – went into “win at all cost” mode. The cost? A trip to the emergency room when his hands, feet and nose went numb.

Two CT scans (neck and chest), three tubes of blood drawn, and who knows how many hundreds or thousands of dollars later, Christopher was released. And yes, we later had a discussion about what that choice cost in terms of lost work hours for me and for him, and in terms of ac-tual money.

I was able to find many bless-ings that emerged from the whole day/evening. First, Chris-

topher is physically fine. Mentally, I won’t be convinced until he hits 25 and I see some evidence that the frontal lobe has fully devel-oped. Second, I think this was a good lesson for Christopher and his buddies. If they’re smart, they’ll remember how scared they were when this occurred, and they won’t repeat that choice of activity. Oh, wait, that still goes back to the whole undeveloped frontal lobe thing. I just pray Christopher didn’t damage his cerebrum that day…that controls long-term memory don’t ya know?

His buddy that made the unfortunate choice to “wrestle” Chris-topher that day (I keep putting that word in quotations, because in actual wrestling, choke holds are illegal), was scared out of his mind. He tried to take full responsibility for the incident and apologized at least 52 times in six hours. This is what I told him:

“The part of the brain that thinks about things like consequence doesn’t fully develop until you’re 25. You both made bad choices today, but the good news is you’re normal!”

I know it’s not that comforting to parents, but I figure sometimes our children go through just such experiences so if and when their children attempt such activities, they’ll have a true story to back up the words, “Because I said so.”

Wrestling with the Human Brain


AROuND TOWN

Eagle DaysThe cold January days are the perfect time to head outside and experience some of the most

magnificent creatures on our planet – Bald Eagles. Clarksville Eagle Days will be held January 26-27. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Apple Shed in Clarksville, along Highway 79. The World Bird Sanctuary will offer a live eagle program every hour on the hour. These programs

cover both the Bald and the Golden Eagle, and allow the audience to ask questions and take great photos. There will also be a video, “Where Eagles Soar,” hands-on exhibits and displays, and activi-ties for children at Riverfront Park. The Clarksville Lock and Dam No. 24 is a great location to spot Bald Eagles, because the lock and dam keeps the water free of ice, enabling the eagles to find fish during the cold weather. Spotting scopes will be set up for visitors. There will be a bonfire main-tained by the Corps of Engineers. Bundle up, as temperatures will likely be frigid.The Clarksville Heritage Center, located on a hilltop above Locks and Dams #24, is open and pro-

vides tourist and eagle information, spotting scopes and binoculars, and a gift shop.Remember to bring winter outdoor clothing, blankets for the Live Eagle Programs (the Apple

Shed is cold!), cameras and binoculars, and spending money for food and souvenirs.The event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the city of Clarksville,

and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information call 573.242.3132 or e-mail [email protected].

WWW.SOMETHINGPRINTED.COMPhotos by Barry Gaston

Christmas Tree Recycling ProgramThe city of Lake Saint Louis will accept Christmas trees during daylight hours from

December 26 – January 17. City officials remind residents to remove the tree stand, decorations, and plastic bag or tree cover before bringing their Christmas trees to Founders Park, 7 Freymuth Road, Lake Saint Louis, Mo. 63367.

PLEASE NOTE: Boulevard Park and Hawk Ridge Park are NOT drop sites, and nothing should be dropped at those locations.

Non-foil gift boxes, wrapping paper and Christmas tree lights may be recycled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Recycle Works West, 2110 E. Pitman Ave. in Wentzville, or at Recycle Works Central, 60 Triad South Dr. in St. Peters. For more information about St. Charles County recycling programs, call 636.949.1800 or visit www.scchealth.org/es.

8 CROSSROADS JANUARY 2013

AROuND TOWN

Homeowners Should Check for Foundation Problems Caused by Drought

This year’s unprecedented drought created problems for many Missouri homeowners, says Michael E. Goldschmidt, University of Missouri Extension specialist in housing and environmental design.Homeowners should be alert to changes in the foundation, walls

and ceilings and act quickly to avoid serious damage and costly re-pairs in the future, Gold-schmidt said.Missouri’s clay soil,

known for expand-ing and contracting as moisture increases or decreases, make homes particularly susceptible to foundation shifts and cracking, he said. Older home foundations of stone or concrete gener-ally were built without rebar reinforcements, making them more prone to damage when mois-ture is sapped from the soil during a drought.“When we went through this unprecedented

drought, the soil moved,” he said. As a result of shifting and cracking, the foundation of the home may pull away from the soil. Basements, crawl spaces and slabs may all be affected.Goldschmidt urges homeowners to inspect all

sides of their homes for gaps between the founda-tion and the ground before soil freezes or spring rains hit.Homeowners may see cracks in their drywall and molding, or find

doors and windows hard to open as a result of shifting. Nails may

even pop out, and homeowners may hear noises as the house shifts. Visible signs of damage on the inside of a home generally are indica-tors of bigger problems in the foundation.Goldschmidt said small cracks can often be repaired by water-

proofing the inside foundation with a special coating available at home-improvement stores and lumberyards. The se-verity of the crack can be viewed from the outside by digging down about one foot at the estimated point of cracking. He urges homeowners to dig with cau-tion, as settling may increase as a result of the soil disruption.If the crack is substantial, Goldschmidt urges home-

owners to contact a basement and foundation repair professional immediately. Many companies will give free estimates, and timely repairs can slow or halt the progression of foundation problems.

If foundation damage isn’t repaired quickly, a minor problem can turn into a ma-jor one, with repairs costing as much as $15,000 - 20,000 for an average home. “It is better to have an ex-

pert look at it before try-ing to do repairs yourself,” Goldschmidt said.In Missouri, torrential

rains are typical in spring. If homeowners do not act

now, heavy rains will put pressure on the foundation and cause basements to swell and bulge. Signs of damage include water in the basement and sticky doors and windows.

www.MeadowlandsEstates.com

www.ymcastlouis.org

By Linda Geist – Senior Information Specialist – University of Missouri

ENTERTAINMENT

BY STEVE BRYAN

JANUARY 2013 CROSSROADS

“Glee” Actress Jane Lynch has the Voice of Authority

9

Actress Jane Lynch is no stranger to playing authority figures. Now in her fourth season as Coach Sue Sylvester on “Glee,” Lynch provides the voice of the Head Elf in “Elfbot,” an inter-active Christmas e-book that can be played on the Nook or the iPad Nook app. “People used to project authority on me, which used to baf-

fle me because I never felt it inside. I usually end up playing the boss of something,” Lynch explained during a telephone interview. “The only place I didn’t play the boss was [the Starz comedy series] ‘Party Down’ in which I got to play more of a passive character. That was such a relief.” “Elfbot” shows what happens after Santa (voice of Mark

Hamill) builds a team of robots to help make toys. In-stead of building gifts, one of the robots wants to become a toy and live with a family. “I think this is my first holiday project. We’re hoping this sto-

ry becomes as traditional as ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rein-deer.’ It’s kind of a Pinocchio-in reverse story,” Lynch said. “I think it is a modern, technological take on the Christmas story. We’re hoping that it will be something where people open up their audio books every Christmas Eve and read it to their children.” Lynch also said she has done radio and television voiceovers for

a handful of years. She was no stranger to the microphone when voicing the Head Elf.

“My best friend in the whole world is Jeannie Elias. We’ve been really great friends for a long time and she directed the voices on [‘Elfbot’],” Lynch said when asked about joining the project. “I went to her house, and in between cups of coffee and gossiping, we went into her booth, which is her closet. I closed the door and sat in a lit-tle, dark closet and recorded it. Everybody who is in the voiceover business these days has studios in their homes. They call them stu-dios, but a little soundproof closet is what Jeannie has.” Though Lynch, Hamill, and Jim Cummings recorded their voice

tracks separately, the actress said she has known her “Elfbot” co-stars for about 20 years. “We all have the same agent. When you are in voiceover, you go

to your agent’s office every morning and read copy from there. I sat in the lobby with these guys for a handful of years, so we all know each other very well. When we got together to do it, it was really thrilling even though we did it in different studios,” she said. When asked about the best way to make voiceover a career, the

actress said she doesn’t think there’s a set way to go about it. “I learned through the School of Hard Knocks that you say ‘Yes’ to

everything. It’s all about relationships. I got to do ‘Elfbot’ because of Jeannie and Roger Rose and Mark Hamill and Jim Cummings. I know these guys,” she explained. Lynch went on to say you really just have to show up for every-

thing and do your best. “I’ve been in things that aren’t very good. You wouldn’t think

they would see the light of day. I would show up and bring my own wardrobe, my own makeup, and I would do my absolute best. You just never know. I would do the work for the sake of doing the work. Then you accidentally meet Christopher Guest or meet Ryan Murphy and before you know it, you are working with them,” she said.

Photo By Jarett Wieselman

Photo courtesy of barnesandnoble.com

CommuNITYC A L E N D A R

JANUARY 2013

To see your organization’s event listed here, please contact us.

E-mail: [email protected]: 636.379.1632Mail: 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366

CrossRoads MagazineAROuND TOWN


January 2013Lake Saint Louis Art ClassesThe Lake Saint Louis Parks & Recreation department is proud to offer four separate classes instructed by award winning artist Marie Donato - www.mariedonato.com. Choose from Pastel Painting, Drawing, Wa-tercolor or Open Studio. The next set of lessons will begin in January 2013. Class-es will meet at the Lake Saint Louis Civic Center for two hours each week for 6 total weeks. Cost per session is $82 and supplies are purchased separately (a supply list for each class available). For more informa-tion and to register, call 636.561.4620 or visit www.lakesaintlouis.com; look under the parks and recreation section.

Each FridayStar GazingThe St. Charles County Parks Depart-ment is once again teaming up with the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri (ASEM) to offer educational stargazing programs every Friday night at Broem-melsiek Park (1615 Schwede Rd., off High-way DD, 63385) throughout the 2013 year. Weather permitting, beginning at dusk, join members of ASEM and discover differ-ent constellations and stars through com-

plex telescopes at the unique Astronomy Viewing Area on park grounds. For more information about stargazing opportuni-ties at Broemmelsiek Park, visit www.ase-monline.org.

January 6Christmas after Christmas BingoThe Wentzville American Legion Auxiliary will host the event. Attendance prizes in-clude a 40” flat screen TV, fun baskets and restaurant and gas gift cards. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and Bingo begins at 2 p.m. American Legion Post #323 is located at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd (formerly Old Busi-ness 61).

January 7Flex & Strength Adult Yoga Join our instructor as she incorporates poses and stretches from yoga and Pilates. All skill levels welcome. Classes meet for six weeks on Mondays and Thursdays (12 total classes.) Note: Please bring your own mat to class. For more information and to register, visit www.lakesaintlouis.com; look under the parks and recreation section.

January 72013 Youth Baseball/Softball Registra-

tion For boys and girls, ages 5 to 15. Please visit the parks and recreation section at www.lakesaintlouis.com for age-specific league details and registration information.

January 26Fete de GlaceWatch professional ice carvers bring the art to life in a competition using chain saws, power grinders, sanders, cold chisels, hand saws and irons. The Festival of Ice will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. along North Main Street in historic St. Charles. This competition is judged and juried by the crowd.

February 8Father & Daughter Sweetheart Dance Come and enjoy a night full of fun, excite-ment and dancing, complete with dinner and sundae bar, music provided by a live DJ, and a complementary photograph. This event, held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. is designed for dads with daughters 3 to 10 years old. Please visit the parks and rec-reation section at www.lakesaintlouis.com for more information and to register.

www.ofallonnutrition.comwww.ofallonnutrition.comwww.ofallonnutrition.comwww.ofallonnutrition.comwww.toastmasters.org/findaclub


AROuND TOWN

making your New Year’s Resolution Stick

It can be daunting when your list of New Year’s Resolutions is as long as your holiday shopping list. In addition to the post-holiday slump, not being able to keep your resolutions by February, March or even late January may increase your anxiety. When your holiday decorations are packed up and stored away, the frustration of an unused gym membership or other reminders of failed resolutions can make the later winter months feel hopeless.However, it is important to remember that the New

Year isn’t meant to serve as a catalyst for sweeping char-acter changes. It is a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive life-style changes. “Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year,

instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” said psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”By making your resolu-

tions realistic, there is a greater chance that you will keep them through-out the year, incorporat-ing healthy behavior into your everyday life. APA offers these tips when thinking about a News Year’s resolution:

Start small — Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punish-ment.

Change one behavior at a time — Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time. Thus, replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.

Talk about it— Share your experiences with family and friends.

Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a workout class at your gym or a group of coworkers quitting smok-ing. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with

makes your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.

Don’t beat yourself up — Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor mis-steps when reaching your goals are completely nor-mal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.

Ask for support — Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and ability to man-age stress caused by your resolution. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists are uniquely trained to under-stand the connection between the mind and body. They can offer strategies as to how to

adjust your goals so that they are attainable, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviors and address emotional issues.

Information courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

www.wholsalefloorinusa.com

AROuND TOWNWesteRN st. ChARles CoUNtY ChAmbeR of CommeRCe“Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie”BY toNY mAthEws


Chamber Hosts Two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

State of the City Addresses – Western St. Charles County Chamber January 2013membership meeting

Chamber to Hold Celebration Ball

Tony Mathews, President/CEOWestern St. Charles County

Chamber of Commerce

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies for Jin Jung Kwan Hapkido-USA and Home Assist. Jin Jung Kwan Hapkido-USA is located at 600

West Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information please call 636.3275425, or visit www.hapkido-usa.com.

Home Assist is located at 16 Hawk Ridge Dr., Lake St. Louis, MO 63367. For more informa-tion please call 636.695.5801, or visit www.homeassist.us. To see a video and find out more informa-

tion about these ribbon cuttings, please visit www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com and click on the chamber’s video page.

Representatives of each business, the West-ern St. Charles County Chamber of Com-merce, and each city helped cut the ceremo-nial ribbon. For more information, please contact the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914 or visit us online at www.westernstcharlescoun-tychamber.com.

The city of Wentzville, the City of Dardenne Prairie and the City of Lake St. Louis will address the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce membership in the annual State of the Cities presen-tation. Each city will discuss topics such as economic and residen-tial growth, public works and other pertinent topics. The luncheon will be held at Morning Star Church on Thursday,

January 10, 2013. Morning Star Church is located at 1600 Feise Road, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63385. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. The cost of the luncheon is $15

for those who make reservations on the chamber website (www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com), by email ([email protected]), or by calling the chamber office (636.327.6914). The cost of the luncheon is $17 for those who do not make advanced reservations. For more information please contact the Western St. Charles

County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914 or visit at www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

The Western St. Charles County Cham-ber of Commerce will bestow its annual awards at its Celebration Ball to be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Bear Creek Golf Club, 158 Bear Creek Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385. The Celebration Ball is open to the public and will include the awards ceremony, dinner and en-tertainment. Award winners will be an-

nounced Thursday, January 10. Tickets to the Celebration Ball are $45, which includes the cer-

emony, dinner, an open bar and entertainment. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914.For more information, please contact the Western St. Charles

County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914 or visit www.west-ernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Photo OpPHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

A Year in Review - 2012

Local events throughout 2012, with photos

by CrossRoads Photographer Ray Rockwell

Father / Daughter Sweetheart Dance

Concert in the Park

O’Fallon’s Farmers’ & Artists’ Market

Lincoln County Fair

Polar Plunge 19th Annual Mayoral Prayer Breakfast

Wentzville Turkey Trot

Pinwheels for Prevention

Spring has Sprung

JANUARY 2013 CROSSROADS 13

Wentzville Christmas Walk

Cardinals Winter Warm-up

LSL Lowe’s Donates to the Wentzville Fire Protection District

LIFESTyLES


Do you remember the old witticism, “If you remember the 60s you weren’t part of them”? It referred to the era of young people we re-ferred to as “hippies” or “non-conformists“. You remember them They were the younger generation that deplored the so-called, “estab-lishment” and dropped out, so to speak. They were usually college students, many of whom

resented the draft and believed the war in Vietnam was a political sham. They grew long hair, wore strange clothes, and we the drug world began in earnest. Many parents were horrified. I dubbed them NCCs...short for non-conforming con-

formists. Many in my generation were on the fence in one

respect or another. By the time Vietnam escalat-ed into a sizable police action (war), the military preferred slightly younger people than myself. A non-conforming conformist college student

I knew grew his hair long and burned his draft card. He said he was going to Canada. His fa-ther, an army veteran, threatened him with se-vere bodily harm. Out of spite he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. His name is among those on “The Wall” in Washington D.C. When I was a teenager, I tried to be an NCC. I grew side-

burns and combed my locks into what was called a “duck’s butt.” This was a flat-top hairdo with long sides slicked rearwards to meet each other with the aid of Brylcreem. ‘A little dab’ll do ya’…or a big dab. My hair reflected moonlight. Then my father saw it. He made me realize that conforming to my

peer group wasn’t non-conforming. Conforming to his was OK, though. Later, the barber repaired my angry father’s scissors dam-age with clippers and a knowing grin. These days, NCCs bring new inspiration to their groups. They

have tattoos and baggy pants that sit below the gluteus maximus (thankfully, they wear undies), jewelry spiked through various parts of their anatomy, strange hairdos with one side purple and the other side bare or spiked hair that looks like tiny Christmas trees and so on. I doubt Brylcreem could make hair stand up like that. Maybe they use axle grease. While being more bizarre than my generation, they’re still NCCs.

Peer groups still clutter the teenage world more than ever. From gang colors to goofy hairdos, it’s still, “Look at me, I’m different.” But not really.

I’m not scorning NCCs, however. If everybody was the same, what a boring world this would be.

The recent Palestine/Israel conflict was another form of NCCs battling another over religious differ-

ences. To me, it seemed more about the lust for power by leaders with naive, adolescent views of war. It reminded me of the street gangs here at home. Usually, they’re boys with weapons fighting other boys with weapons over slights, real or imagined. The Palestinians in Gaza ob-

tain newer versions of weapons every few years and can’t wait to use them. Like street gangs, the

ones with the best or most weapons win; but ulti-mately, the people who are killed and maimed do not.

It makes bragging rights a bit hard for their families. Vietnam’s conflict eventually passed on to another of history’s

wars fought and suffered by young heroes, non-conforming or oth-erwise. Some of us wondered why all the fuss about a small coun-try that wasn’t a real military threat. Since then, it’s been overshad-owed by new wars with even deadlier weapons. We also have new youngsters to use them or die trying. Will there

be a new wall with names for their friends and families to look for? It seems appropriate. Conformism or non-conformism won’t mat-ter. Remembering them will.

Non-Conforming Conformists By JoE MoRICE


AROuND TOWN

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time when the Ameri-can Red Cross recognizes and thanks the millions of dedicated blood and platelet donors across the United States for helping to ensure a stable blood supply for patients in need both locally and across the country.“Every day in our country, approximately 44,000 units of blood are

needed in hospitals to help treat trauma victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies and patients receiving treatment for cancer and other diseases,” said Scott Caswell, CEO of the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. “As the new year begins, it is the perfect time to honor donors for their com-mitment to saving lives through the simple act of giving blood and platelets throughout the year.”The Red Cross thanks all those who roll up a sleeve each year to

help save lives because the stability of the nation’s blood supply re-lies on the generosity of volunteer blood and platelet donors. Janu-ary can be a challenging month for blood and platelet donations because of inclement weather and seasonal illnesses, yet the need for blood and platelets continues. It is important for eligible donors to make and keep appointments to help patients in need. All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate blood supply.

Donors with type O negative, O positive, A negative or B negative blood are especially encouraged to give.

How to Donate BloodSimply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcross-

blood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identifica-tion are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red CrossThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional

support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their fami-lies. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Jan. 3 from 3-7 p.m. at Elmer H. Brand Masonic Lodge, 602 Meyer Road in

Wentzville, Mo.

Jan. 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Olive Garden, 1280 W. Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville, Mo.

Jan. 16 from 4-8 p.m. at Daniel Boone Elementary School, 201 W. Highway D in

Wentzville, Mo.

American Red Cross Celebrates National Blood Donor month by Thanking Dedicated Donors

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Blood and platelet donors honored for helping ensure a stable blood supply

FOOD

Great Game Day Eats


(Family Features) No matter what the score is, give game day fans something to cheer about with great food, and plenty of it.These simple, delicious recipes from Johnsonville are easy for you

to make, which means you can sit back and enjoy the game with everybody else. For more flavorful recipe ideas to make your game day party a

winner, visit www.johnsonville.com.

Gyro Brat Hoagie Yield: 6 servings

Cajun Chicken Sausage Jambalaya Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

Sauce- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream- 1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped- 2 cloves garlic, minced- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped - 1/4 teaspoon salt- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper, optional

Hoagie- 1 package (19 ounces) Johnsonville Original Bratwurst- 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread- 1 small onion, thinly sliced- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced

Ingredients:- 1 large onion, chopped- 1 medium green pepper, chopped- 2 ribs celery, chopped- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced (optional)- 2 tablespoons olive oil- 1 package (12 ounces) Johnsonville Cajun Style Chicken Sausage links, sliced- 2 cloves garlic, minced- 1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, diced- 1/2 cup water- 1 tablespoon tomato paste- 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning- 1/2 lb. frozen cooked medium shrimp, thawed and tails removed- 2 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Grill brats according to package directions. When cool enough to handle, cut into 1/4-inch bias slices.

Slice French bread lengthwise and transfer to a baking sheet. Ar-range brat slices on bread bottom. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or until bread is lightly browned.

Remove from oven. Top with the sauce, onion and tomato. Cut hoagie and serve.

Directions:In a large saucepan, sauté onion, pepper, celery and jalapeño pep-pers in oil until crisp-tender. Add sausage and garlic; sauté 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Add tomatoes, water, tomato paste and seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.Stir in shrimp and rice; heat through.

AROuND TOWN


Protect Your Home from Winter’s Chill

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(Family Features) When the temperatures drop, the last thing you need is for your heating or plumbing system to act up. Some basic maintenance can help to ensure your home plumbing and heating systems are functioning prop-erly.A regular main-

tenance schedule helps protect you against system or appliance failures that leave you with a crisis requiring ur-gent — and poten-tially very costly — solutions.To help protect

your home dur-ing the cold winter months, American Home Shield, one of the nation’s leading providers of home warranty services, shares some tips for making sure your heating unit and plumbing system are in good condition to handle extreme temperatures.Heating Maintenance:• Check filters every month.• Make sure floor vents are not blocked to

ensure clear air flow.• Visually inspect exhaust vent for rust,

damage or deterioration. • Be familiar with the manufacturer’s main-

tenance recommendations for your specific unit. This information is typically available online and in your owner’s guide.Plumbing maintenance:• Only flush toilet paper down a toilet.• Maintain water softener according to

manufacturer’s recommendations.• Water filters and icemaker filters should

be changed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Avoid using your garbage disposal if you’re on a septic system.• Drain sediment from water heater tank

according to manufacturer’s recommenda-tions.• If you aren’t fa-

miliar, locate your master valve so you can quickly turn your home’s water off if a line breaks. In most homes, the valve is locat-ed near the water heater, the clothes washer, or where the water service line enters your home.• Check the hose

bibs to clothes washers to ensure they are tightly connected to mini-mize leaks and overuse of the sys-tem. Takin these steps

can help keep your home systems in

good working order throughout the winter. But not everyone has the time or skills to do the maintenance required. A professional preventative maintenance

program can be a time- and money-saver

for homeowners. Quality service providers perform a thorough check of your home’s systems and appliances to help ensure they are operating efficiently.To learn more about preventive mainte-

nance recommendations for your home’s systems and appliances, visit www.ahspm.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

AROuND TOWN


mDC Seeks Recycled Christmas Treesto Benefit Fish and AnglersThe winter months bring many changes in weather conditions,

and consequently in driving conditions. Busy highways and less than ideal road conditions are a deadly combination. The Wentzville Fire Protection District offers the following safety tips for area residents:• Drivers should use caution when driving during snow storms

and sub-zero weather. Road conditions can change in a matter of minutes. • Always drive the speed limit. It is better to be a few minutes

late than not to get to your destination at all. • Everyone should have a winter car safety kit in the car. This

should contain: a small shovel, ice melt or road salt, blankets, drinking water, a flashlight with extra batteries and road flares. Many times vehicles are off the roadway and may not be seen for a couple of days, so having a cellular phone could be your link to getting help.Winter weather means changes for our homes, too. • Many homeowners use space heaters to warm parts of their

homes. Use extreme care with these heaters. Always make sure

space heaters are off before you leave the house or go to bed. • Make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detec-

tor. Carbon monoxide is a gas that cannot be seen, tasted or smelled. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by appliances that are fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood. CO is produced if these appliances are not installed, maintained or vented properly. The fire district recommends that you install at least one CO detec-tor in your home near the sleeping areas. Some symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, but without the fever. Symp-toms include: dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue and irregular breathing. Call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance from the fire de-partment and ambulance district.•To assist the firefighters and other emergency services in find-

ing your residence, please make sure your home or business address is clearly visible from the street or road. The fire dis-trict recommends the address numbers be at least three inches in height and be in a color that contrasts with the color of the building. •Help keep your neighborhood safe during the winter months by keeping the snow away from all fire hydrants.For more information and other fire safety tips, please con-

tact the Wentzville Fire Protection District at 636.327.6239. The Wentzville Fire District covers 88 square miles of western St. Charles County and includes the cities of Wentzville, Foristell, Flint Hill, and Josephville as well as large portions of Lake Saint Louis, Dardenne Prairie and O’Fallon.

The Wentzville American Legion Auxiliary has announced “Christmas after Christmas” Bingo event on January 6, 2013. At-tendance prizes include 39” flat screen TV, Megellan GPS, 3 crock pot buffet server, Miche Purse, more fun baskets and gift cards for restaurants, car washes and grocery stores. Bingo sessions offer a $3600 Bingo payout, Speedball, Progres-

sive Game in January is $1075, Race Horse Derby as well as other events, separate floors for smoking/non smoking patrons, food and beverage are available. American Legion Post #323 is located at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd (formerly Old Business 61). Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with Bingo beginning at 2 p.m.Our proceeds are used for programs for our veteran and to teach

Americanism to our children and young adults.

Christmas after Christmas Bingo Giveaway Announced byAmerican Legion Auxiliary


AROuND TOWN

www.pcrc-stl.com

www.vatterott.edu

Make a lifetime investment in fun and wellness through dance. St. Charles Community College is hosting social dance classes Jan. 13, 2013-March 7, 2013.The classes will be in the College Center dance studio on the SCC

campus, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. The dance stu-dio has a floating wood dance floor, mirrors, air conditioning and plenty of space.Class instructors, Landwehr and Mayer, are former professional

champion dancers with more than 25 years experience in dance competition and instruction.Dance instruction is available in various dance forms, includ-

ing foxtrot, waltz, rumba, swing, jitterbug, tango, line dance and nightclub dance for all skill levels, ages 14 and up. There will be eight weeks of classes at $48 per person.The following eight-week social dance classes are available:Sundays, January 13-March 3• Ballroom I (Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, East Coast Swing): 12:55-

1:55 p.m.• Ballroom III – Mamba I: 4:10-5:10 p.m.• Imperial Swing Basic I: 2-3 p.m.• Jitterbug Swing I and II: 3:05-4:05 p.m.Mondays, January 14-March 11:• Ballroom I (Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, East

Coast Swing): 6:55-7:55 p.m.• Ballroom II (Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Rum-

ba, East Coast Swing): 5:50-6:50 p.m.• Ballroom III – Cha Cha II: 8-9 p.m.• Line Dance (variety), no partner required:

9:05-10:05 p.m.Tuesdays, January 15-March 5• Ballroom III – Bolero I: 8-9 p.m.• Imperial Swing Basic I: 6:55-7:55 p.m.

• Imperial Swing Basic II: 9:05-10:05 p.m.Wednesdays, January 16-March 6• Ballroom I (Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, East Coast Swing): 6:55-7:55

p.m.• Ballroom II (Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, East Coast Swing):

9:05-10:05 p.m.• Ballroom III – Waltz II: 5:50-6:50 p.m.• West Cost Swing I and II: 8-9 p.m.Thursdays, January 17-March 7• Imperial Swing Basic I: 6:55-7:55 p.m.• Imperial Swing Basic II: 8-9 p.m.• Imperial Swing Basic III (Lindy): 9:05-10:05 p.m.Social dance classes are offered through the Continuing Educa-

tion Department of the SCC Division of Corporate and Commu-nity Development. Register online at www.stchas.edu/learnforlife, or call 636.922.8233. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu/dance.

Winter weather can be hard on all of us. It can be especially dif-ficult on our pets, which rely on us for their wellbeing. To help keep your entire family safe and warm, the American Red Cross has safety reminders for both you and your pets.Pet Safety • If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather.

Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water. • If the animals are outside, make sure their access to food and

water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.The following tips on winter pet safety are provided by the Hu-

mane Society of the United States:

• If pets cannot come indoors, make sure they are protected by a dry, draft-free enclosure large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in the pet’s body heat. Raise the floor a few inches off the ground and cover it with cedar shavings or straw. Turn the enclosure away from the wind and cover the doorway with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.• Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate

a pet’s paws. Wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth.• Antifreeze is a deadly poison. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze

out of reach.

make Sure Your Entire Family isPrepared for Winter Weather

Social Dance Classes Begin January 13 at SCC

Presorted Std US Postage

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CrossRoads: Jan. 2013