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Saturday, June 09, 2007
Tax Abatement Sought For Vacant Land Described As Blighted
Library District and the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance Indicate Law Suits If Council Approves Abatement
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
The owner of Trinity Products, Robert Griggs appeared before the St. Charles City Council Tuesday evening requesting 10-year tax abatement on a 46-acre tract of land he owns on Truman Boulevard and the Norfolk and Southern railroad line.
Trinity Steel has built a factory on the property that rolls steel into tubing. He has moved his business from O’Fallon, Missouri to this location because of the railroad access. Trinity currently has 50 employees and expect that number to rise to 85 with jobs paying from $15 to $20 an hour. He also intends to add a commercial strip shopping center to the property and additional warehousing.
Griggs, of Trinity Steel, bought the ground and now it's turning out to be more expensive than he thought so he apparently wants the city taxpayers to bail him out.
This ground was not considered blighted when he purchased it. Griggs said he looked at many locations to purchase and decided on this tract because of the railroad access. The access had value to him and now he is saying after just two years the acreage went from valuable to blighted.
Some in attendance at the meeting told the First Capitol News they believed this would be nothing short of a give away to Trinity. They asked why should the city bail out Griggs’s Company for construction costs when his new factory is already operational? The owner of Trinity told the council he expects his company sales are going to triple to $75 million over the next few years.
If approved by the city council, the abatement would take taxes that would go to other taxing districts such as the county library and the county and city. During the public hearing Griggs said Trinity had an agreement to pay the taxing districts 40 percent of what they could have received in taxes for the first five years increasing that amount to 50 percent for the last 10 years.
Speaking in opposition to the tax abatement was John Thoelke representing the St. Charles County Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, Dan Burkemper, executive director for the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance and two representatives from the St. Charles County Library District, Kim Harding and Carl Sandstedt.
Both Sandstedt of the County Library District and Burkemper of the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance indicated their organizations were considering filing suit if the St. Charles City Council approved the abatement.
On a motion by Councilman Jerry Reese, in whose ward the property is located, the council voted to have the legislation for approval of the abatement drawn up and placed on the next City Council agenda.
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
The owner of Trinity Products, Robert Griggs appeared before the St. Charles City Council Tuesday evening requesting 10-year tax abatement on a 46-acre tract of land he owns on Truman Boulevard and the Norfolk and Southern railroad line.
Trinity Steel has built a factory on the property that rolls steel into tubing. He has moved his business from O’Fallon, Missouri to this location because of the railroad access. Trinity currently has 50 employees and expect that number to rise to 85 with jobs paying from $15 to $20 an hour. He also intends to add a commercial strip shopping center to the property and additional warehousing.
Griggs, of Trinity Steel, bought the ground and now it's turning out to be more expensive than he thought so he apparently wants the city taxpayers to bail him out.
This ground was not considered blighted when he purchased it. Griggs said he looked at many locations to purchase and decided on this tract because of the railroad access. The access had value to him and now he is saying after just two years the acreage went from valuable to blighted.
Some in attendance at the meeting told the First Capitol News they believed this would be nothing short of a give away to Trinity. They asked why should the city bail out Griggs’s Company for construction costs when his new factory is already operational? The owner of Trinity told the council he expects his company sales are going to triple to $75 million over the next few years.
If approved by the city council, the abatement would take taxes that would go to other taxing districts such as the county library and the county and city. During the public hearing Griggs said Trinity had an agreement to pay the taxing districts 40 percent of what they could have received in taxes for the first five years increasing that amount to 50 percent for the last 10 years.
Speaking in opposition to the tax abatement was John Thoelke representing the St. Charles County Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, Dan Burkemper, executive director for the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance and two representatives from the St. Charles County Library District, Kim Harding and Carl Sandstedt.
Both Sandstedt of the County Library District and Burkemper of the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance indicated their organizations were considering filing suit if the St. Charles City Council approved the abatement.
On a motion by Councilman Jerry Reese, in whose ward the property is located, the council voted to have the legislation for approval of the abatement drawn up and placed on the next City Council agenda.
Borromeo Cub Pack 351 Wins National Award
Cub Pack 351 St. Charles Borromeo of the Boy Scouts of America won the Gold Medallion for Region 9, which is made up of the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa at the Cathedral Basilica. The scouts attend school at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and St. Charles Borromeo. They also received a proclamation from St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlman. Ehlman also told the scouts he had once belonged to the cub pack and Boy Scout troop.
This national award recognized the outstanding utilization by Pack 351 as an arm of Youth Ministry under the auspices of the National Catholic Committee on scouting to deepen the Catholic faith of youth. Pack 351 primarily serves the students of St. Charles Borromeo parish school and the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Chris Keesey was the Cub Master when the Cub Pack won the award and Pat Smyers is the current cub master.
Some of the ways the pack has served the parish are: serving monthly as greeters at mass, assist elderly unload their grocery donations for the “Meal-A-Month” program, cleaning up both school grounds three times, working at booths for parish fundraisers, donating time and goods for both dinner auctions and other activities and service projects with the parish and community.
This is the first time in the archdiocese of St. Louis that a troop and a pack have been awarded the Gold Medallion from the entire region.
Bob Baronovic is the Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 351 at St. Charles Borromeo.
This national award recognized the outstanding utilization by Pack 351 as an arm of Youth Ministry under the auspices of the National Catholic Committee on scouting to deepen the Catholic faith of youth. Pack 351 primarily serves the students of St. Charles Borromeo parish school and the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Chris Keesey was the Cub Master when the Cub Pack won the award and Pat Smyers is the current cub master.
Some of the ways the pack has served the parish are: serving monthly as greeters at mass, assist elderly unload their grocery donations for the “Meal-A-Month” program, cleaning up both school grounds three times, working at booths for parish fundraisers, donating time and goods for both dinner auctions and other activities and service projects with the parish and community.
This is the first time in the archdiocese of St. Louis that a troop and a pack have been awarded the Gold Medallion from the entire region.
Bob Baronovic is the Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 351 at St. Charles Borromeo.
Ridgecrest Baptist Church Groundbreaking Celebration June 10th
Ridgecrest Baptist Church Groundbreaking Celebration June 10th
Motorcycle Show, Classic Car Display
On June 10th at 2:00 pm, ridgecrest Baptist Church invites the community to the dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for their new 30,000 square foot Church/Family Life Center at 1731 Zumbehl Road.
The groundbreaking celebration will include food, a motorcycle and classic car display, information about the church and its future building phases. There will also be games and amusement blow-up equipment for the kids.
According to Rich Hood the event coordinator; “This is primarily a celebration party for our new neighbors thrown by the people of Ridgecrest. We Are the hosts, and the surrounding neighborhoods are the invited guests.”
In May of 2002, a master plan created by the architectural firm of Aedis, Inc., was presented to the congregation for the construction of their new facility on Zumbehl Road. Soon after, the plans for Phase 1 of construction were drawn and approved at a projected cost of over $4.5 million. In April of 2003, the church selected Wachter Inc., as the general contractor for Phase 1 construction. Actual construction is projected to begin some time in June of this year with completion projected for the summer of 2008.
Ridgecrest Baptist Church has been established in their present location on the corner of First Capitol Drive and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway for over 50 years. Their pastor, Dr. Patrick Campbell, has served the congregation for over 33 years.
Motorcycle Show, Classic Car Display
On June 10th at 2:00 pm, ridgecrest Baptist Church invites the community to the dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for their new 30,000 square foot Church/Family Life Center at 1731 Zumbehl Road.
The groundbreaking celebration will include food, a motorcycle and classic car display, information about the church and its future building phases. There will also be games and amusement blow-up equipment for the kids.
According to Rich Hood the event coordinator; “This is primarily a celebration party for our new neighbors thrown by the people of Ridgecrest. We Are the hosts, and the surrounding neighborhoods are the invited guests.”
In May of 2002, a master plan created by the architectural firm of Aedis, Inc., was presented to the congregation for the construction of their new facility on Zumbehl Road. Soon after, the plans for Phase 1 of construction were drawn and approved at a projected cost of over $4.5 million. In April of 2003, the church selected Wachter Inc., as the general contractor for Phase 1 construction. Actual construction is projected to begin some time in June of this year with completion projected for the summer of 2008.
Ridgecrest Baptist Church has been established in their present location on the corner of First Capitol Drive and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway for over 50 years. Their pastor, Dr. Patrick Campbell, has served the congregation for over 33 years.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor,
I hope that all the people who voted in “The Best City Government That Money Can Buy” are now happy. But just remember that if you don’t bow down to the queen that you will be in trouble; just look at our police chief to see that.
I thought after the November election that people had enough of the czar system and a rubber stamp congress but I guess not. It seems that $50/$60,000 dollars worth of negative mailings will buy an election.
So now we will have a city that will be run by special interests and big developers along with cronies. I expect that all city committees will be run by out-of-towners (people who don’t live in the city). I only hope people will watch what is happening here, as not they want to stop the freedom of the city residents to read about what is going on in this city. Some groups of people only want to do things in the dark of night and only in closed rooms.
Wake Up People.
Walter Dietz
First Capitol News,
Enclosed is check for $35.
Hope you can continue to keep the people informed on our local politics and hope people will see.
Do you think the post office will smear all of your mailings like the attached front page of your last edition I received?
Thank you for letting us know of some of the things that are going on in our area.
Yours truly,
Laverne Mund
Dear Tony,
We want to offer our most grateful thanks to the First Capitol News for your generous donation of two ads for our 2000 Trivia Night. While this event does help raise funds to support our mission to serve people with disabilities, it does much more than that… when our friends and the public see individuals such as you and your business supporting Willows Way, they recognize the value and importance of our mission in this community, as well as your generous support of this valuable mission. I believe this provides all attending the event a sense of pride in their community, our partnership in this event, and in the good work we do in our community.
As a result of your support of our event, we had a very successful Trivia Night, raising funds to be used to provide additional support services to members of our Willows Way community. We could not do this without your generosity, and we want to express our sincere appreciation.
Thank you for your kind and continued generous support of Willows Way! We hope 007 will be a prosperous year for you and your business!
Sincerely
Linn Porzuczek
Community Relations
Willow Way
PS Thanks to your ads we sold out the event and you helped make it a greater success. Thanks so much.
WHOSE IS TO BLAME?
During the May meeting of the Saint Charles School Board the 2007-2008 financial projections were reported with mixed results. On one hand, thanks to the new tax revenues, the district will be receiving an additional 2.4 million dollars/year. The bad news is that spending is going up almost the same amount, spending it all on the teachers they claim. That’s interesting because when the voters approved the 2.4 million Tax levy transfer in 2006 the board claimed that was all going to the teachers too.
Wait a second; what happened to all that money the board supposedly saved the district by refinancing, reorganizing, and kicking the teacher’s kids out? What did they do with all those millions? Are they going to try to convince us they spent all of that money on the teachers again?
When will the Saint Charles School Board quit pointing the finger of blame at the teachers and acknowledge they are the ones ultimately responsible? When will they finally admit their accountability? Perhaps once they complete training on their fancy new BoardDoc computers the Saint Charles School Board will finally figure out where the taxpayer’s money is really being wasted.
Jim DuMontelle
Tony,
Even tho we don’t vote liberal anything, we do feel we need an opposing view to the Yorkies.
Your agenda should be local politics (not national) and a middle of the road position vs playing politics will serve you best. We resent the outside influences and persons stealing tax dollars and our town. Keep finding answers and printing them.
A. Womack
Dear Editor,
In your May 19, newspaper, our former Ward 9 Councilman Joe Koester wrote an article concerning monies set aside for project’s to benefit his ward. It stated Mr. Koester planned to build a retaining wall at James Dr. and Droste Rd.
Mr. Koester and I had discussed this dangerous entrance and exit to Droste Rd. off James De. He said he would see if he could no anything with this situation.
Now it is my understanding the City of St. Charles may take back the money for some of the wards.
I have lived on James Dr. for 38 years, and I’d be safe to say for at least 30 years I have called the city or the street department every spring and summer. We’ve had an on-going problem here for many years.
Last year, at the suggestion of a city employee, I called code enforcement. I explained that we have a severe problem of getting out on Droste Rd. without driving into the street to check on-coming traffic. We have vines, weeds, and other trash that obscures our view. This created a dangerous situation.
His answer to me was, “Well I have lived around that area for 30 years and it’s always been that way.” Duh! I just told him I had been calling about this for t least 30 years. I tried to explain that 30 years ago you could have shot a cannon down Droste Rd., and likely wouldn’t have hit a thing. However, today you must play dodge and dart just to get your vehicle onto Droste Rd.
He stated that it would cost a half million dollars to fix the problem, so it wouldn’t be done. He said they would make sure the area is kept free of weeds, vines, and trash. I thought well, now they will at least keep it cut and cleaned up. Right now this area needs to be cleaned, but if I have to call him every time, then it won’t change a thing, as that is what I’ve been doing for years. We need a permanent solution.
Please St. Charles city, do something about our problem. We are not asking for a solid gold wall, just a small retainer wall to help us get onto Droste Rd. safely.
Peggy Hooker
A Ward 9 resident
PS I enjoy your newspaper, have enclosed my years subscription.
Dear Editor,
Another aspect of the direct manipulation of the police department you may want to check into, is that certain areas that heavily supported her opponent (namely New Town) in the recent election no longer seem to get much in the way of police patrolling through. Police are too busy to head out to those areas unless somebody is physically hurt. In fact, I believe New Town is hiring a security guard to patrol their area. And something else I heard third hand, so I don’t know if it is true or not, is that New Town Blvd was supposed to be widened or fixed in 2008/2009 and it is now rolled back to 2010 at the earliest.
Ciao
Randy
I hope that all the people who voted in “The Best City Government That Money Can Buy” are now happy. But just remember that if you don’t bow down to the queen that you will be in trouble; just look at our police chief to see that.
I thought after the November election that people had enough of the czar system and a rubber stamp congress but I guess not. It seems that $50/$60,000 dollars worth of negative mailings will buy an election.
So now we will have a city that will be run by special interests and big developers along with cronies. I expect that all city committees will be run by out-of-towners (people who don’t live in the city). I only hope people will watch what is happening here, as not they want to stop the freedom of the city residents to read about what is going on in this city. Some groups of people only want to do things in the dark of night and only in closed rooms.
Wake Up People.
Walter Dietz
First Capitol News,
Enclosed is check for $35.
Hope you can continue to keep the people informed on our local politics and hope people will see.
Do you think the post office will smear all of your mailings like the attached front page of your last edition I received?
Thank you for letting us know of some of the things that are going on in our area.
Yours truly,
Laverne Mund
Dear Tony,
We want to offer our most grateful thanks to the First Capitol News for your generous donation of two ads for our 2000 Trivia Night. While this event does help raise funds to support our mission to serve people with disabilities, it does much more than that… when our friends and the public see individuals such as you and your business supporting Willows Way, they recognize the value and importance of our mission in this community, as well as your generous support of this valuable mission. I believe this provides all attending the event a sense of pride in their community, our partnership in this event, and in the good work we do in our community.
As a result of your support of our event, we had a very successful Trivia Night, raising funds to be used to provide additional support services to members of our Willows Way community. We could not do this without your generosity, and we want to express our sincere appreciation.
Thank you for your kind and continued generous support of Willows Way! We hope 007 will be a prosperous year for you and your business!
Sincerely
Linn Porzuczek
Community Relations
Willow Way
PS Thanks to your ads we sold out the event and you helped make it a greater success. Thanks so much.
WHOSE IS TO BLAME?
During the May meeting of the Saint Charles School Board the 2007-2008 financial projections were reported with mixed results. On one hand, thanks to the new tax revenues, the district will be receiving an additional 2.4 million dollars/year. The bad news is that spending is going up almost the same amount, spending it all on the teachers they claim. That’s interesting because when the voters approved the 2.4 million Tax levy transfer in 2006 the board claimed that was all going to the teachers too.
Wait a second; what happened to all that money the board supposedly saved the district by refinancing, reorganizing, and kicking the teacher’s kids out? What did they do with all those millions? Are they going to try to convince us they spent all of that money on the teachers again?
When will the Saint Charles School Board quit pointing the finger of blame at the teachers and acknowledge they are the ones ultimately responsible? When will they finally admit their accountability? Perhaps once they complete training on their fancy new BoardDoc computers the Saint Charles School Board will finally figure out where the taxpayer’s money is really being wasted.
Jim DuMontelle
Tony,
Even tho we don’t vote liberal anything, we do feel we need an opposing view to the Yorkies.
Your agenda should be local politics (not national) and a middle of the road position vs playing politics will serve you best. We resent the outside influences and persons stealing tax dollars and our town. Keep finding answers and printing them.
A. Womack
Dear Editor,
In your May 19, newspaper, our former Ward 9 Councilman Joe Koester wrote an article concerning monies set aside for project’s to benefit his ward. It stated Mr. Koester planned to build a retaining wall at James Dr. and Droste Rd.
Mr. Koester and I had discussed this dangerous entrance and exit to Droste Rd. off James De. He said he would see if he could no anything with this situation.
Now it is my understanding the City of St. Charles may take back the money for some of the wards.
I have lived on James Dr. for 38 years, and I’d be safe to say for at least 30 years I have called the city or the street department every spring and summer. We’ve had an on-going problem here for many years.
Last year, at the suggestion of a city employee, I called code enforcement. I explained that we have a severe problem of getting out on Droste Rd. without driving into the street to check on-coming traffic. We have vines, weeds, and other trash that obscures our view. This created a dangerous situation.
His answer to me was, “Well I have lived around that area for 30 years and it’s always been that way.” Duh! I just told him I had been calling about this for t least 30 years. I tried to explain that 30 years ago you could have shot a cannon down Droste Rd., and likely wouldn’t have hit a thing. However, today you must play dodge and dart just to get your vehicle onto Droste Rd.
He stated that it would cost a half million dollars to fix the problem, so it wouldn’t be done. He said they would make sure the area is kept free of weeds, vines, and trash. I thought well, now they will at least keep it cut and cleaned up. Right now this area needs to be cleaned, but if I have to call him every time, then it won’t change a thing, as that is what I’ve been doing for years. We need a permanent solution.
Please St. Charles city, do something about our problem. We are not asking for a solid gold wall, just a small retainer wall to help us get onto Droste Rd. safely.
Peggy Hooker
A Ward 9 resident
PS I enjoy your newspaper, have enclosed my years subscription.
Dear Editor,
Another aspect of the direct manipulation of the police department you may want to check into, is that certain areas that heavily supported her opponent (namely New Town) in the recent election no longer seem to get much in the way of police patrolling through. Police are too busy to head out to those areas unless somebody is physically hurt. In fact, I believe New Town is hiring a security guard to patrol their area. And something else I heard third hand, so I don’t know if it is true or not, is that New Town Blvd was supposed to be widened or fixed in 2008/2009 and it is now rolled back to 2010 at the earliest.
Ciao
Randy
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler
Rivers Out Of Time
Names Of State’s Two Major Rivers
Got Lost In The Translation
Forget the seemingly endless debate over how to pronounce the name of our state. No one got it right anyway.
The Enigmatic Missouri
French explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673, were the first Europeans to describe the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. They recorded for posterity the original Native American name for the Missouri River: pekitan8i. No, the “8” is not a typo. Early French explorers and missionaries used that symbol to hold the place of a sound they lacked a means to write in their own language. It was alternately substituted for an “oo” as in the word boot, a more enigmatic ou sound or even a w.
Marquette and Jolliet had been among a tribe of Illinois Indians prior to their own “discovery” of the Missouri and this was the likely source of the name they gave it in their journal and Marquette’s map that he drew in the winter of 1673 and 1674 following their expedition. It seems that pekitan8i (also written pekintanoui) meant muddy water, which is exactly what you observe as the swifter muddy waters of the Missouri mix with the less turbid waters of the Mississippi.
So how sure are we that Marquette and Jolliet got the translation right? Fortunately for scholars there are other sources for this name. A Kaskaskian to French Dictionary in manuscript form, survived nearly intact the ravages of time and gnawing of a few mice. It was likely compiled by Jesuit Father Jacques Gravier with the help of other Jesuits as the work is in at least two hands. Father Gravier taught and preached to the Kaskaskians from 1689 to 1706. The 580 page manuscript was rediscovered and painstakingly edited by Carl Masthay and published in 2002.
The Kaskaskians were part of the Illinois confederation, a group of Native Americans who shared a common language base. During this time they alternatively inhabited a missionary at Cahokia, one near the River Des Peres and finally a village near the renamed Kaskaskian River in Illinois. They came to live in these areas with the Jesuits after having been displaced from homelands farther north.
Pekitan8i is listed in this dictionary as meaning “muddy it flows”. Which raises the question, why didn’t the original name as recorded on Marquette’s map stick?
From 1673 till at least 1712 it did. A letter from another Jesuit Father, Gabriel Marest, written in the village of the Kaskaskians on November 9, 1712 mentions two names.
“Seven leagues below the mouth of the Illinois river is found a large river called the Missouri – or more commonly Pekitanoui – that is to say “muddy water”…and is very serviceable to the French who travel in that country.”
I only had access to a translation of his letter in a late 19th Century edition of The Jesuit Relation And Allied Documents – Travels And Explorations Of The Jesuit Missionaries In New France 1610 – 1791. Therefore, I don’t know how Father Marest spelled the word Missouri, but this is the earliest record I found for the word Missouri being applied to the river and not the tribe.
So where did the name Missouri come from and what does it mean?
On Marquette’s original 1673 map, he placed the location of a village of Indians living upstream somewhere along the Pekitanoui and he wrote their name as 8miss8ri and also wrote Oumessourita. On a 1681 map the name is rendered Oumissouri.
Oumissouri is in the Kaskaskian dictionary as miss8ri and its translation (in French of course) is listed as canot or piroque…a canoe or dugout wooden canoe. Missing from the Kaskaskian dictionary entry, however is the first syllable recorded in the name by Marquette which may have modified the word to refer to the tribe and not just the dugouts themselves.
The confusion of having two names for the same river may have begun with French Explorer Pierrre-Charles Le Sueur in 1702. His map simply labeled it as the River des Missouris.
By 1718, famed Royal French cartographer Guillaume de L’Isle was using both names to refer to the river. He drew beautifully detailed maps based on information given to him by various expeditions and explorers and was no-doubt faced with the fact that the same river had been given different names by different explorers.
He chose to reflect both names. Further upstream on his map, it reads “le Missouri ou R. de Pekitanoui” and downstream, perhaps to add clarity that it was all the same river, he wrote “le Missouri R.”
That additional labeling is what I believe lead to the loss of the name Pekitanoui altogether. De L’Isle’s work was often copied or at least referred to by other mapmakers. It would be easy to think the reference closer to the confluence was the main name of the river. Other maps of the period leave off the name Pekitanoui altogether and simply labels it “R. des Missouris” or Riviere des le Missouris. By 1733 Popple, a British mapmaker, had anglicized the French to simply the Missouri’s River. Later mapmakers dropped the possessive form. Aaron Arrowsmith, one of the foremost mapmakers of his day, simply listed the River Missouri on a 1795 map.
Of course this all began with how the Kaskaskians or Illinois Indians referred to the tribe that lived upstream on the Pekitanoui. It wasn’t what the Oumissouri (Missouri) Indians called their tribe. Their name for themselves is Niutachi.
Which brings us to Etienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont. In 1713 he wrote Exact Description of Louisiana, of Its Harbors, Lands and Rivers, and Names of the Indian Tribes That Occupy It, and the Commerce and Advantages to Be Derived Therefrom for the Establishment of a Colony. (talk about your long titles). Bourgmont was fleeing from French authorities for desertion from Fort Detroit when he came to the lower Missouri. Here he married a Native American woman and supposedly spent a great deal of time with the Missouri Indians.
His relationship with the Indians and literary skills helped get him out of hot water and, instead of arresting Bourgmont, he was given a medal by French authorities and, with his son and a Native American Chief, returned to France. In 1723 he returned to North America to establish Fort Orleans near the mouth of the Grand River and the Missouri (near New Brunswick). The fort was positioned there to be near the Missouri and Osage Indian villages and to outreach to other Indian nations for trade and geo-political influence.
The mystery for me is why in his “Exact Description of Louisiana” Bourgmont fails to point out the correct tribal name as Niutachi for the Missouri Indians. In that work, Bourgmont provides only a few surface details of the Missouri Indians he supposedly spent “so much” time with. It appears to me to be a possible case of colonial resume padding.
While the original Indian name of Pekitanoui may have faded from use, we still popularly use the adjective “muddy” when referring to the Missouri River. Perhaps St. Charles could be among the first to help promote greater awareness of the Native American name of the Missouri River – Pekitanoui, in the naming of one of its planned riverfront attractions, trails, overlooks or nature center.
The Mighty Mississippi
The Mississippi River has also seen its share of cartographic name changes. Pierre Marquette in 1673 recorded the name as “Mitchisipi”. The Kaskaskian dictionary lists the name as Missisipi8i when referring to the big river.
In the Illinois Kaskaskian dialect, it appears to be a compound word. Sipi8i is listed as meaning in its French translation riviere (river). Pierrre-Charles Le Sueur’s 1702 map, which I mentioned earlier, also records the name Maramec-Sipi for the Maramec River.
Sipi8nissi is listed in the Kaskaskian dictionary as meaning petite river. Mitcha is one of the forms for large, grand or big. There seemed little doubt among early explorers, missionaries and settlers that the correct meaning was big, large or grand river. As Marquette himself added the words “ou grande” after the name, I prefer the translation grand river…with all due deference to the Rio Grande of course.
Which of course makes saying Mississippi River redundant as you have already said the word river in the Illinois tongue. Otherwise you are saying river twice.
The Mitchisipi spelling of Marquette evolved to the form Mississipi pretty early on. In 1699, Father Julien Binneteau of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) writes about the Mississipi or “great river”. Almost all of the early mapmakers used the term Mississipi.
By now, alert readers may be questioning my spelling abilities. But I am purposefully ignoring spell-check as Mississipi was the correct spelling for over 100 years! But by the 1800s, the spelling had evolved into its modern Mississippi form. How the extra “P” got in the Mississippi (stop laughing) is an ongoing investigation. Aaron Arrowsmith, whom I mentioned as one of the foremost mapmakers of his day, on his 1795 map of North America still used one p.
The earliest map I have found so far with the double p is a map in the Journal of Andrew Ellicott of Philadelphia in 1803. Nicolas King of Paris also used the double p on a map dated 1806. But an 1809 map of New Orleans still used the one p variation. By the publication of the Lewis & Clark Expedition map in 1814, the two p variation of Mississippi had stuck.
I mentioned that almost all maps of the era used the name Mississippi. There is a 1758 map in Le Page du Pratz’s Historie de la Louisiane. On this interesting map the Mississippi is marked as being the Fleuve St. Louis. Perhaps there was an effort to rename the river that never caught on. But I have to wonder if Auguste Chouteau or Pierre Laclede had access to this map prior to founding the City of St. Louis in 1763?
Names Of State’s Two Major Rivers
Got Lost In The Translation
Forget the seemingly endless debate over how to pronounce the name of our state. No one got it right anyway.
The Enigmatic Missouri
French explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673, were the first Europeans to describe the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. They recorded for posterity the original Native American name for the Missouri River: pekitan8i. No, the “8” is not a typo. Early French explorers and missionaries used that symbol to hold the place of a sound they lacked a means to write in their own language. It was alternately substituted for an “oo” as in the word boot, a more enigmatic ou sound or even a w.
Marquette and Jolliet had been among a tribe of Illinois Indians prior to their own “discovery” of the Missouri and this was the likely source of the name they gave it in their journal and Marquette’s map that he drew in the winter of 1673 and 1674 following their expedition. It seems that pekitan8i (also written pekintanoui) meant muddy water, which is exactly what you observe as the swifter muddy waters of the Missouri mix with the less turbid waters of the Mississippi.
So how sure are we that Marquette and Jolliet got the translation right? Fortunately for scholars there are other sources for this name. A Kaskaskian to French Dictionary in manuscript form, survived nearly intact the ravages of time and gnawing of a few mice. It was likely compiled by Jesuit Father Jacques Gravier with the help of other Jesuits as the work is in at least two hands. Father Gravier taught and preached to the Kaskaskians from 1689 to 1706. The 580 page manuscript was rediscovered and painstakingly edited by Carl Masthay and published in 2002.
The Kaskaskians were part of the Illinois confederation, a group of Native Americans who shared a common language base. During this time they alternatively inhabited a missionary at Cahokia, one near the River Des Peres and finally a village near the renamed Kaskaskian River in Illinois. They came to live in these areas with the Jesuits after having been displaced from homelands farther north.
Pekitan8i is listed in this dictionary as meaning “muddy it flows”. Which raises the question, why didn’t the original name as recorded on Marquette’s map stick?
From 1673 till at least 1712 it did. A letter from another Jesuit Father, Gabriel Marest, written in the village of the Kaskaskians on November 9, 1712 mentions two names.
“Seven leagues below the mouth of the Illinois river is found a large river called the Missouri – or more commonly Pekitanoui – that is to say “muddy water”…and is very serviceable to the French who travel in that country.”
I only had access to a translation of his letter in a late 19th Century edition of The Jesuit Relation And Allied Documents – Travels And Explorations Of The Jesuit Missionaries In New France 1610 – 1791. Therefore, I don’t know how Father Marest spelled the word Missouri, but this is the earliest record I found for the word Missouri being applied to the river and not the tribe.
So where did the name Missouri come from and what does it mean?
On Marquette’s original 1673 map, he placed the location of a village of Indians living upstream somewhere along the Pekitanoui and he wrote their name as 8miss8ri and also wrote Oumessourita. On a 1681 map the name is rendered Oumissouri.
Oumissouri is in the Kaskaskian dictionary as miss8ri and its translation (in French of course) is listed as canot or piroque…a canoe or dugout wooden canoe. Missing from the Kaskaskian dictionary entry, however is the first syllable recorded in the name by Marquette which may have modified the word to refer to the tribe and not just the dugouts themselves.
The confusion of having two names for the same river may have begun with French Explorer Pierrre-Charles Le Sueur in 1702. His map simply labeled it as the River des Missouris.
By 1718, famed Royal French cartographer Guillaume de L’Isle was using both names to refer to the river. He drew beautifully detailed maps based on information given to him by various expeditions and explorers and was no-doubt faced with the fact that the same river had been given different names by different explorers.
He chose to reflect both names. Further upstream on his map, it reads “le Missouri ou R. de Pekitanoui” and downstream, perhaps to add clarity that it was all the same river, he wrote “le Missouri R.”
That additional labeling is what I believe lead to the loss of the name Pekitanoui altogether. De L’Isle’s work was often copied or at least referred to by other mapmakers. It would be easy to think the reference closer to the confluence was the main name of the river. Other maps of the period leave off the name Pekitanoui altogether and simply labels it “R. des Missouris” or Riviere des le Missouris. By 1733 Popple, a British mapmaker, had anglicized the French to simply the Missouri’s River. Later mapmakers dropped the possessive form. Aaron Arrowsmith, one of the foremost mapmakers of his day, simply listed the River Missouri on a 1795 map.
Of course this all began with how the Kaskaskians or Illinois Indians referred to the tribe that lived upstream on the Pekitanoui. It wasn’t what the Oumissouri (Missouri) Indians called their tribe. Their name for themselves is Niutachi.
Which brings us to Etienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont. In 1713 he wrote Exact Description of Louisiana, of Its Harbors, Lands and Rivers, and Names of the Indian Tribes That Occupy It, and the Commerce and Advantages to Be Derived Therefrom for the Establishment of a Colony. (talk about your long titles). Bourgmont was fleeing from French authorities for desertion from Fort Detroit when he came to the lower Missouri. Here he married a Native American woman and supposedly spent a great deal of time with the Missouri Indians.
His relationship with the Indians and literary skills helped get him out of hot water and, instead of arresting Bourgmont, he was given a medal by French authorities and, with his son and a Native American Chief, returned to France. In 1723 he returned to North America to establish Fort Orleans near the mouth of the Grand River and the Missouri (near New Brunswick). The fort was positioned there to be near the Missouri and Osage Indian villages and to outreach to other Indian nations for trade and geo-political influence.
The mystery for me is why in his “Exact Description of Louisiana” Bourgmont fails to point out the correct tribal name as Niutachi for the Missouri Indians. In that work, Bourgmont provides only a few surface details of the Missouri Indians he supposedly spent “so much” time with. It appears to me to be a possible case of colonial resume padding.
While the original Indian name of Pekitanoui may have faded from use, we still popularly use the adjective “muddy” when referring to the Missouri River. Perhaps St. Charles could be among the first to help promote greater awareness of the Native American name of the Missouri River – Pekitanoui, in the naming of one of its planned riverfront attractions, trails, overlooks or nature center.
The Mighty Mississippi
The Mississippi River has also seen its share of cartographic name changes. Pierre Marquette in 1673 recorded the name as “Mitchisipi”. The Kaskaskian dictionary lists the name as Missisipi8i when referring to the big river.
In the Illinois Kaskaskian dialect, it appears to be a compound word. Sipi8i is listed as meaning in its French translation riviere (river). Pierrre-Charles Le Sueur’s 1702 map, which I mentioned earlier, also records the name Maramec-Sipi for the Maramec River.
Sipi8nissi is listed in the Kaskaskian dictionary as meaning petite river. Mitcha is one of the forms for large, grand or big. There seemed little doubt among early explorers, missionaries and settlers that the correct meaning was big, large or grand river. As Marquette himself added the words “ou grande” after the name, I prefer the translation grand river…with all due deference to the Rio Grande of course.
Which of course makes saying Mississippi River redundant as you have already said the word river in the Illinois tongue. Otherwise you are saying river twice.
The Mitchisipi spelling of Marquette evolved to the form Mississipi pretty early on. In 1699, Father Julien Binneteau of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) writes about the Mississipi or “great river”. Almost all of the early mapmakers used the term Mississipi.
By now, alert readers may be questioning my spelling abilities. But I am purposefully ignoring spell-check as Mississipi was the correct spelling for over 100 years! But by the 1800s, the spelling had evolved into its modern Mississippi form. How the extra “P” got in the Mississippi (stop laughing) is an ongoing investigation. Aaron Arrowsmith, whom I mentioned as one of the foremost mapmakers of his day, on his 1795 map of North America still used one p.
The earliest map I have found so far with the double p is a map in the Journal of Andrew Ellicott of Philadelphia in 1803. Nicolas King of Paris also used the double p on a map dated 1806. But an 1809 map of New Orleans still used the one p variation. By the publication of the Lewis & Clark Expedition map in 1814, the two p variation of Mississippi had stuck.
I mentioned that almost all maps of the era used the name Mississippi. There is a 1758 map in Le Page du Pratz’s Historie de la Louisiane. On this interesting map the Mississippi is marked as being the Fleuve St. Louis. Perhaps there was an effort to rename the river that never caught on. But I have to wonder if Auguste Chouteau or Pierre Laclede had access to this map prior to founding the City of St. Louis in 1763?
GUEST EDITORIAL
GUEST EDITORIAL
There goes the neighborhood…unless we stand up for our kids
The St. Charles School board puts me in mind of my daughter's computer game, Roller Coaster Tycoon.
I approved of it because, to win, players must balance a budget while building a theme park. They even have to tidy up after customers who get sick on the roller coasters.
But my daughter got bored with just raking in the cash. She created elaborate roller coasters that went so fast, the cars shot off the tracks and crashed, killing all the passengers. You could even hear the screams as they went to their digital deaths.
"It's just a game, Mom," she'd say. "They aren't real people."
That's how the school board must feel about district families. In the most anti-family move, ever – and turning a deaf ear to the screams – admin and the board concocted a financial crisis and spun enrollment figures to Chicken Little extremes, then closed two schools and got rid of good teachers. Word is, even though the district is rolling in money, the administration building – the old Harris School – is to be sold.
To what purpose, if the district doesn't need the money?
It can't be for the kids. The board is callously packing youngsters onto buses for longer rides to, in the case of Coverdell, crowded classrooms. Test scores are going down, for sure.
Again, to what purpose?
Well, where some folks see lousy test scores, other folks see opportunity - to privatize our schools, perhaps. Think that's crazy? Check out these websites:
www.texscience.org/reform.php
www.showmeinstitute.org/
www.rethinkingschools.org/special_reports/voucher_report/v_seed184.shtml
In the meantime, we've got a chance to speak out. Please rally at the June 14 meeting of the school board (rally at 7 p.m., meeting at 7:30 p.m.) and call a halt to the so-called "reorganization," which looks for all the world like a corporate liquidation. The meeting will be held in the administration building, 1065 Country Club Road, St. Charles 63303. For more information phone admin staff at 443-4000.
And please ask your City Council representative and Mayor York to deny work permits for Benton School.
Because, since the board's facts and figures were misleading, and their agenda unexplained, the public hearings that were held were fraudulent.
Here's a question for the board: Mr. Hahn, why would you want to effect a hostile takeover and move into Benton School, which is surrounded by families who will – if you're unlucky enough to prevail – despise you for lying, for kicking children out of their own school, and for paving over the playground, not to mention lowering property values all around and gutting this unique historic building for the sake of an elevator. A very, very expensive elevator.
For those of us glad of an opportunity to hone our resentment, you, Karen Perrone and Linda Schulte will be a lot more visible when your seats are up for election next spring.
It's entirely your choice.
Sincerely,
Peggy Whetzel
1017 North Third Street
St. Charles,
Missouri 63301
There goes the neighborhood…unless we stand up for our kids
The St. Charles School board puts me in mind of my daughter's computer game, Roller Coaster Tycoon.
I approved of it because, to win, players must balance a budget while building a theme park. They even have to tidy up after customers who get sick on the roller coasters.
But my daughter got bored with just raking in the cash. She created elaborate roller coasters that went so fast, the cars shot off the tracks and crashed, killing all the passengers. You could even hear the screams as they went to their digital deaths.
"It's just a game, Mom," she'd say. "They aren't real people."
That's how the school board must feel about district families. In the most anti-family move, ever – and turning a deaf ear to the screams – admin and the board concocted a financial crisis and spun enrollment figures to Chicken Little extremes, then closed two schools and got rid of good teachers. Word is, even though the district is rolling in money, the administration building – the old Harris School – is to be sold.
To what purpose, if the district doesn't need the money?
It can't be for the kids. The board is callously packing youngsters onto buses for longer rides to, in the case of Coverdell, crowded classrooms. Test scores are going down, for sure.
Again, to what purpose?
Well, where some folks see lousy test scores, other folks see opportunity - to privatize our schools, perhaps. Think that's crazy? Check out these websites:
www.texscience.org/reform.php
www.showmeinstitute.org/
www.rethinkingschools.org/special_reports/voucher_report/v_seed184.shtml
In the meantime, we've got a chance to speak out. Please rally at the June 14 meeting of the school board (rally at 7 p.m., meeting at 7:30 p.m.) and call a halt to the so-called "reorganization," which looks for all the world like a corporate liquidation. The meeting will be held in the administration building, 1065 Country Club Road, St. Charles 63303. For more information phone admin staff at 443-4000.
And please ask your City Council representative and Mayor York to deny work permits for Benton School.
Because, since the board's facts and figures were misleading, and their agenda unexplained, the public hearings that were held were fraudulent.
Here's a question for the board: Mr. Hahn, why would you want to effect a hostile takeover and move into Benton School, which is surrounded by families who will – if you're unlucky enough to prevail – despise you for lying, for kicking children out of their own school, and for paving over the playground, not to mention lowering property values all around and gutting this unique historic building for the sake of an elevator. A very, very expensive elevator.
For those of us glad of an opportunity to hone our resentment, you, Karen Perrone and Linda Schulte will be a lot more visible when your seats are up for election next spring.
It's entirely your choice.
Sincerely,
Peggy Whetzel
1017 North Third Street
St. Charles,
Missouri 63301
CASE IN POINT by Joe Koester
“Money is the most egalitarian force in society. It confers power on whoever holds it.”
Roger Starr
I had to laugh when I read in the St. Peters’ paper that Bob Hoepfner switched sides because he didn’t like me more than York.
Okay, I wasn’t the only person he disliked; however, it was a little surprising to have him mention me. I rarely had anything to do with Mr. Hoepfner from the very beginning. I thought about what must have made him dislike me so much. If anything, it was I who should have sour feelings towards him....but I don’t. Again, it takes too much effort to hold grudges. Think about it – it was for Battling Bob that we voted to make the changes in seating. It was also after he told us that the mayor was okay with the move! It turned out she wasn’t. What was presented as a change to reflect the county council seating with departments sitting together (administration with administration and legislative with legislative) was soon turned into a personal matter which I had no part in. This was a remnant of conflicts that preceded several of us on council.
Coming from a family of law enforcement, I was really distressed to find myself at odds with the Police Department. I found this out by being targeted by a full-page advertisement which attacked several council members. I am convinced that Councilman Hoepfner (who was on ‘our’ side at the time) making constant negative attacks on the police didn’t help, as far as I was concerned. After all, I supported the police by voting to keep our own SWAT team and by demanding that health insurance coverage include spouses because we had given our word that in our goal to save money for the City we wouldn’t cut coverage. It was, in fact, Mr. Hoepfner who fought hardest to take away such benefits claiming that they were unrealistic in today’s world. I always thought it was odd to hear a union member stand solidly against benefits that provide insurance for working families.
Certainly, Mr. Hoepfner was an advocate for reducing utility taxes for seniors. It was the will of the entire council to do so and it was my goal to focus limited tax rebate dollars to those who most needed the refund. My hope was that by setting an income level of a reasonable amount would help make certain that utility tax breaks weren’t gobbled up by those wishing to lower their utility bills on their 4,000 square foot home while seniors living in small houses or apartments reaped nothing because they applied too late and all the money allotted was already used up! This was a particular sore spot for me too when my opponent’s literature deliberately contorted my attempts at passing fair legislation making it appear in his literature that my efforts were working against seniors when I was really working for the most vulnerable seniors in our community. By the way, it is easy to fight for rebates if you aren’t the one who has to figure out what other services the City will cut to pay for them. That leads me back to my buddy, Bob...
I know that Bob was angry with me because I opposed changing the zoning along West Clay which would have allowed a car dealership to encroach upon Olde Towne Estates. Bob was pushing hard for the business and I was pushing hard for the residents. Our opposition was not anti anyone, it was about protecting property values. Today, the location has seen a beautiful development begin that has retained the old-growth trees as well as kept the proper zoning. I was happy to work together with the developer, John Rice, who is a real asset to Saint Charles and someone the community can trust and believe when he says he wants to do right by his town. Again, I digress....
So, if Mr. Hoepfner doesn’t like me, I can only guess that it was because of such reasons since we had limited business together. My feelings towards him outside of city hall are not negative. Cheryl Primm is a friend of his and mine, if she likes him, I guess I like him too. I just had to chuckle when I read that I played a part in his switching sides....
I never figured that one out; after one of the major components of a “side” has moved – does either side really exist anymore? I didn’t think so – I voted for what I believed was right – which meant I voted along with the majority of the council most of the time. It was rare that real conflicts were battled out but a large share of those conflicts had to do with fights and history that I had no part of. Sadly, when you go to city hall to work for a better town, you have to contend with factions of all sorts. So much of what happens or doesn’t happen in local government is based upon who you know rather than what’s best for our community. Had I not opposed county residents hooking into our sewage without annexing into our town (i.e. opposed the wrong developer) then I would not have been targeted to get removed from office. We all know that in the end, money buys elections and until we change the process we have the best democracy money can buy. Take care Bob and try to let it go...
Roger Starr
I had to laugh when I read in the St. Peters’ paper that Bob Hoepfner switched sides because he didn’t like me more than York.
Okay, I wasn’t the only person he disliked; however, it was a little surprising to have him mention me. I rarely had anything to do with Mr. Hoepfner from the very beginning. I thought about what must have made him dislike me so much. If anything, it was I who should have sour feelings towards him....but I don’t. Again, it takes too much effort to hold grudges. Think about it – it was for Battling Bob that we voted to make the changes in seating. It was also after he told us that the mayor was okay with the move! It turned out she wasn’t. What was presented as a change to reflect the county council seating with departments sitting together (administration with administration and legislative with legislative) was soon turned into a personal matter which I had no part in. This was a remnant of conflicts that preceded several of us on council.
Coming from a family of law enforcement, I was really distressed to find myself at odds with the Police Department. I found this out by being targeted by a full-page advertisement which attacked several council members. I am convinced that Councilman Hoepfner (who was on ‘our’ side at the time) making constant negative attacks on the police didn’t help, as far as I was concerned. After all, I supported the police by voting to keep our own SWAT team and by demanding that health insurance coverage include spouses because we had given our word that in our goal to save money for the City we wouldn’t cut coverage. It was, in fact, Mr. Hoepfner who fought hardest to take away such benefits claiming that they were unrealistic in today’s world. I always thought it was odd to hear a union member stand solidly against benefits that provide insurance for working families.
Certainly, Mr. Hoepfner was an advocate for reducing utility taxes for seniors. It was the will of the entire council to do so and it was my goal to focus limited tax rebate dollars to those who most needed the refund. My hope was that by setting an income level of a reasonable amount would help make certain that utility tax breaks weren’t gobbled up by those wishing to lower their utility bills on their 4,000 square foot home while seniors living in small houses or apartments reaped nothing because they applied too late and all the money allotted was already used up! This was a particular sore spot for me too when my opponent’s literature deliberately contorted my attempts at passing fair legislation making it appear in his literature that my efforts were working against seniors when I was really working for the most vulnerable seniors in our community. By the way, it is easy to fight for rebates if you aren’t the one who has to figure out what other services the City will cut to pay for them. That leads me back to my buddy, Bob...
I know that Bob was angry with me because I opposed changing the zoning along West Clay which would have allowed a car dealership to encroach upon Olde Towne Estates. Bob was pushing hard for the business and I was pushing hard for the residents. Our opposition was not anti anyone, it was about protecting property values. Today, the location has seen a beautiful development begin that has retained the old-growth trees as well as kept the proper zoning. I was happy to work together with the developer, John Rice, who is a real asset to Saint Charles and someone the community can trust and believe when he says he wants to do right by his town. Again, I digress....
So, if Mr. Hoepfner doesn’t like me, I can only guess that it was because of such reasons since we had limited business together. My feelings towards him outside of city hall are not negative. Cheryl Primm is a friend of his and mine, if she likes him, I guess I like him too. I just had to chuckle when I read that I played a part in his switching sides....
I never figured that one out; after one of the major components of a “side” has moved – does either side really exist anymore? I didn’t think so – I voted for what I believed was right – which meant I voted along with the majority of the council most of the time. It was rare that real conflicts were battled out but a large share of those conflicts had to do with fights and history that I had no part of. Sadly, when you go to city hall to work for a better town, you have to contend with factions of all sorts. So much of what happens or doesn’t happen in local government is based upon who you know rather than what’s best for our community. Had I not opposed county residents hooking into our sewage without annexing into our town (i.e. opposed the wrong developer) then I would not have been targeted to get removed from office. We all know that in the end, money buys elections and until we change the process we have the best democracy money can buy. Take care Bob and try to let it go...
The View From The Cheap Seats by Jerry Hafferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
It was typical of the Army. We trained as a company sized unit …in Massachusetts …in the winter …to deploy to Vietnam.
When our training was completed and all slots were filled, the company moved out by ship from Boston Navy Yard. That is, all except five of us who were to stay temporarily. We were to be sure our company areas passed inspection and were turned back to the base property officer. We were the advanced party to Vietnam. Our job was to fly to Vietnam and secure an area as a base camp and make everything ready for the rest arriving by ship. We got on a plane in 60-degree weather and got off in 105 degree, 150% humidity weather. When the plane’s door opened, it felt like someone kicked me in the chest. I couldn’t breathe.
There were five of us. One Lieutenant named Autrey; two Staff Sergeants, Castleberry and Wojokowski; and two Spec 4s, Peters and me. You can guess who did all the work. We flew from Boston to San Francisco where we were to go to Travis AFB for our flight to Vietnam.
As we walked out of the San Fran airport in our jungle fatigues with our M-16s slung over our shoulders, we were easy targets for the anti-war protesters and they converged on us. We were spit on, called some of the foulest names imaginable and branded “Baby Killers”. Lt. Autrey had given us strict orders to not do anything and keep our mouths shut. It was hard to do, but we did.
I expected that from the west coast whackos. A young Cindy Sheehan might have been one of them. I think I recognize some of them now as Democratic Representatives from California.
It is good that the veterans of this also unpopular war are better treated. I missed the parade at St. Peters on Veterans Day. I wanted to be there, but business kept me away. I’m glad my fellow Vietnam vets were honored. We came home, returned to our jobs and our families and asked for nothing, but it feels good to know someone cares about our service.
If we could only stop the politicians in Washington from undermining our troops and micro managing the war, this conflict could end differently from Vietnam. Our soldiers won in Vietnam, but our politicians raised the white flag of surrender. Our present troops deserve better.
They won’t get it from this Congress.
.
That’s the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
It was typical of the Army. We trained as a company sized unit …in Massachusetts …in the winter …to deploy to Vietnam.
When our training was completed and all slots were filled, the company moved out by ship from Boston Navy Yard. That is, all except five of us who were to stay temporarily. We were to be sure our company areas passed inspection and were turned back to the base property officer. We were the advanced party to Vietnam. Our job was to fly to Vietnam and secure an area as a base camp and make everything ready for the rest arriving by ship. We got on a plane in 60-degree weather and got off in 105 degree, 150% humidity weather. When the plane’s door opened, it felt like someone kicked me in the chest. I couldn’t breathe.
There were five of us. One Lieutenant named Autrey; two Staff Sergeants, Castleberry and Wojokowski; and two Spec 4s, Peters and me. You can guess who did all the work. We flew from Boston to San Francisco where we were to go to Travis AFB for our flight to Vietnam.
As we walked out of the San Fran airport in our jungle fatigues with our M-16s slung over our shoulders, we were easy targets for the anti-war protesters and they converged on us. We were spit on, called some of the foulest names imaginable and branded “Baby Killers”. Lt. Autrey had given us strict orders to not do anything and keep our mouths shut. It was hard to do, but we did.
I expected that from the west coast whackos. A young Cindy Sheehan might have been one of them. I think I recognize some of them now as Democratic Representatives from California.
It is good that the veterans of this also unpopular war are better treated. I missed the parade at St. Peters on Veterans Day. I wanted to be there, but business kept me away. I’m glad my fellow Vietnam vets were honored. We came home, returned to our jobs and our families and asked for nothing, but it feels good to know someone cares about our service.
If we could only stop the politicians in Washington from undermining our troops and micro managing the war, this conflict could end differently from Vietnam. Our soldiers won in Vietnam, but our politicians raised the white flag of surrender. Our present troops deserve better.
They won’t get it from this Congress.
.
That’s the view from the cheap seats.
Comments & Commentary by Charles Hill
Recently I read an article written by a well meaning but perhaps delusional member of our great city. Archie Scott still believes that our historic district is much more than a regional draw. Every study done says Main Street is a regional draw. Most of the shop owners know it’s a regional draw, so why does Archie think differently. Well, in my opinion his belief comes from a deep love of what he has helped create and that love has in his mind inflated the importance of St. Charles to others in the world. Another reason is Archie wants to construct a visitor’s center at the Mary’s Rent site at Boones Lick and South Fifth St. Now this isn’t a bad idea except for one fact, you and I will once again foot the bill for another tourist attraction that will be empty more than full.
I am very proud of St. Charles and our history. We are truly a regional draw and we should embrace that fact. Archie would have us all believe that people will actually plan a vacation to St. Charles. To that I say good luck finding enough people who will. The truth is the most historically significant event in our history failed to draw anywhere close to the anticipated crowds. I am speaking of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial that was the brainstorm of Steve Powell (former head of the CVB) and Venetia McEntire. That was a flop and we should learn from it. It demonstrates that we know our history, we are proud of it, but most people really don’t care about what Archie believes to be a draw for vacationers.
This city has stood by and supported the failed belief that we are a major tourist attraction. The promise of throngs of conventioneers purchasing goods and services has not happened with our building of the convention center. I took a walk down Main Street for a month asking people where they were from. None were staying at the Embassy Suites or in town for a convention.
What we have is something visitors can see in a day, enjoy our historic area and go home. Why can’t we be satisfied with what we are and embrace it? Once those in charge figure that out, the city and the residents will get what we deserve for our money. We will get a strategic marketing plan that markets those most likely to visit and make more than one trip in a year.
Archie needs to sit back and be proud with what he and many have built and know that they are bringing joy to those who come. Archie needs to understand that just about every city has a historic area and they all believe theirs is the best. We need to know that our future can’t be based off of one person’s never-ending need to spend tax dollars on a vision that is rose colored.
I am very proud of St. Charles and our history. We are truly a regional draw and we should embrace that fact. Archie would have us all believe that people will actually plan a vacation to St. Charles. To that I say good luck finding enough people who will. The truth is the most historically significant event in our history failed to draw anywhere close to the anticipated crowds. I am speaking of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial that was the brainstorm of Steve Powell (former head of the CVB) and Venetia McEntire. That was a flop and we should learn from it. It demonstrates that we know our history, we are proud of it, but most people really don’t care about what Archie believes to be a draw for vacationers.
This city has stood by and supported the failed belief that we are a major tourist attraction. The promise of throngs of conventioneers purchasing goods and services has not happened with our building of the convention center. I took a walk down Main Street for a month asking people where they were from. None were staying at the Embassy Suites or in town for a convention.
What we have is something visitors can see in a day, enjoy our historic area and go home. Why can’t we be satisfied with what we are and embrace it? Once those in charge figure that out, the city and the residents will get what we deserve for our money. We will get a strategic marketing plan that markets those most likely to visit and make more than one trip in a year.
Archie needs to sit back and be proud with what he and many have built and know that they are bringing joy to those who come. Archie needs to understand that just about every city has a historic area and they all believe theirs is the best. We need to know that our future can’t be based off of one person’s never-ending need to spend tax dollars on a vision that is rose colored.
Little Shop could have meant Little Shipment of Horrors
Little Shop could have meant
Little Shipment of Horrors
By Sue Riddler
The opening line of Little Shop of Horrors talks about a September day when unsuspected perils face the main characters of the play. Little did I know how self-fulfilling that prophecy would be!
Last September, as members of Flood Stage Productions were making final arrangements for this season, I was asked if I would go on a road trip to pick up the puppet “Audrey II”. Sure, I thought. How big can a puppet be? And with the image of Oscar the Grouch firmly in my mind, I agreed to go. And drive.
Now, there is a little background to this proposal. Ever since I stunned the Missouri State Trooper who administered the parallel parking test by making a perfect 3-point parking maneuver with a 1978 Ford LTD wagon, I have enjoyed surprising people with a woman competently behind the wheel of a large vehicle.
I was happy to get behind the wheel of a 10-foot box truck from Mary Rents in order to move tents, tables and chairs for the Civil War Living History Weekend. I have cheerfully done the same to move scenery and props for Flood Stage, winding down alleys, between buildings and overhangs… including efficiently and safely moving in reverse.
But as the details of this particular move started to come in, it became evident that this task was growing… literally.
The artist with an approved version of Audrey II was in Springfield. Thankfully, the city in Illinois. Nothing against the Lake, but a two-hour drive was far more appealing than four or five.
Then came the news that Audrey II was really four puppets. Hmm, I thought. That was probably too big for the Jeep. I have enough trouble getting four teenagers in there, so four Oscars seemed to push my view of spacial displacement.
No problem, I’ll just drive a truck.
By Christmas, we knew that the puppets would be in a crate. But in May, that crate had dimensions: 5 feet tall, 6 feet wide and 7 feet deep. And it weighed 900 pounds. Yep. Nine Hundred Pounds. Oscar the Grouch, even four of him, never added up to that much weight as far as I know.
I was going to learn a lot on this trip. First, when you are picking up a crate from a facility with a dock, your truck has to have a bed 48” from the ground. Second, if you are delivering to a site that does not have a dock, you need a lift gate. Third, if you need a truck with a 48” bed and a lift gate, you will be renting a truck that is 24 feet long and 13 feet tall. Fourth, after about a dozen phone calls someone might tell you that in the St. Louis area, there is only one place that rents those.
It dawned on me during the Memorial Day Holiday, that this time the surprised look for finding a woman driver in a 24-foot long, 13-foot tall, diesel powered box truck might actually come from me!
So that Tuesday, I drew a deep breath, and climbed aboard.
I was pleasantly surprised to find automatic transmission (it’s been a while since I drove a stickshift, and that was on the column). Director Lori Gibson had courageously agreed to join me for this educational journey, so the company was good. Once we got used to the bounciness of the ride, and the different sounds of the engine, we were able to relax and talk during the trip.
I proudly and confidently merged, changed lanes, exited, and otherwise motored up I-55 and onto the lot of the storage company where Audrey II was waiting.
Dock 13. Of course. This means backing up. “Fine,” I thought. “I haven’t tried that yet, so this could be fun.” And just to make it interesting, Dock 13 is next to a retaining wall. I gritted my teeth into a smile… I didn’t want Lori to know I was nervous. I carefully and quite successfully put that truck right up to the dock. I was so proud of myself! Then a man from the facility leaned out the door and said “You need to move that over to the left about 6 inches!”
Is he kidding? Doesn’t he know that 30 seconds ago was the first time I had ever moved this truck in reverse? Obviously, this man had seen women truck drivers before, and he was not surprised. In fact, he had expectations.
So I gingerly moved the truck forward a bit and began a slow turn in reverse. The guy knew just where to stand so I could see his arm motions to guide the turn. I kept thinking as he waved me to “c’mon back” about a dozen times that I was going to hit the dock. And I did. And I was supposed to. (told you it was a learning experience). Docks have these bumpers so that when you have a 48” high bed, you can get thisclose to the warehouse floor.
In no time, 900 pounds of crated Audrey II was loaded and strapped into the truck. Inside my head, I was jumping and dancing for joy over my latest vehicular triumph. Homer Simpson’s cheering could not have been louder. Eat your heart out, Oscar the Grouch.
Then came suggestions on how to remove this behemoth without the benefit of a dock. It got very quiet around me, inside and out. Whether we unloaded from the 7 foot side of the box or the 6 foot side, one thing was clear… that 42 inch lift gate was not going to be enough help.
Conversation back to St. Charles was decidedly different than the chit-chat we experienced going to Springfield. How many men would be on hand to unload? What else could we work out? We’ve never moved a 900 pound crate before, much less in a controlled fall with a liftgate four feet from the ground.
So once at the High School, with all of our help assembled, measurements were taken, prayers were said, breath was held, and a plan was hatched.
It took all hands on deck to successfully unload the mighty Audrey II. We employed skills developed by the Egyptians in their building of pyramids, tactics used by the Romans in motivating the workers, and celebrated like Indians around a bonfire as the crate finally touched ground.
Suddenly, driving the truck was not nearly as impressive or satisfying as seeing these wonderful people work so hard.
It will do your heart good to know that no Audrey’s or actors were harmed in the creation of this production. But Audrey still has to go home…
Little Shipment of Horrors
By Sue Riddler
The opening line of Little Shop of Horrors talks about a September day when unsuspected perils face the main characters of the play. Little did I know how self-fulfilling that prophecy would be!
Last September, as members of Flood Stage Productions were making final arrangements for this season, I was asked if I would go on a road trip to pick up the puppet “Audrey II”. Sure, I thought. How big can a puppet be? And with the image of Oscar the Grouch firmly in my mind, I agreed to go. And drive.
Now, there is a little background to this proposal. Ever since I stunned the Missouri State Trooper who administered the parallel parking test by making a perfect 3-point parking maneuver with a 1978 Ford LTD wagon, I have enjoyed surprising people with a woman competently behind the wheel of a large vehicle.
I was happy to get behind the wheel of a 10-foot box truck from Mary Rents in order to move tents, tables and chairs for the Civil War Living History Weekend. I have cheerfully done the same to move scenery and props for Flood Stage, winding down alleys, between buildings and overhangs… including efficiently and safely moving in reverse.
But as the details of this particular move started to come in, it became evident that this task was growing… literally.
The artist with an approved version of Audrey II was in Springfield. Thankfully, the city in Illinois. Nothing against the Lake, but a two-hour drive was far more appealing than four or five.
Then came the news that Audrey II was really four puppets. Hmm, I thought. That was probably too big for the Jeep. I have enough trouble getting four teenagers in there, so four Oscars seemed to push my view of spacial displacement.
No problem, I’ll just drive a truck.
By Christmas, we knew that the puppets would be in a crate. But in May, that crate had dimensions: 5 feet tall, 6 feet wide and 7 feet deep. And it weighed 900 pounds. Yep. Nine Hundred Pounds. Oscar the Grouch, even four of him, never added up to that much weight as far as I know.
I was going to learn a lot on this trip. First, when you are picking up a crate from a facility with a dock, your truck has to have a bed 48” from the ground. Second, if you are delivering to a site that does not have a dock, you need a lift gate. Third, if you need a truck with a 48” bed and a lift gate, you will be renting a truck that is 24 feet long and 13 feet tall. Fourth, after about a dozen phone calls someone might tell you that in the St. Louis area, there is only one place that rents those.
It dawned on me during the Memorial Day Holiday, that this time the surprised look for finding a woman driver in a 24-foot long, 13-foot tall, diesel powered box truck might actually come from me!
So that Tuesday, I drew a deep breath, and climbed aboard.
I was pleasantly surprised to find automatic transmission (it’s been a while since I drove a stickshift, and that was on the column). Director Lori Gibson had courageously agreed to join me for this educational journey, so the company was good. Once we got used to the bounciness of the ride, and the different sounds of the engine, we were able to relax and talk during the trip.
I proudly and confidently merged, changed lanes, exited, and otherwise motored up I-55 and onto the lot of the storage company where Audrey II was waiting.
Dock 13. Of course. This means backing up. “Fine,” I thought. “I haven’t tried that yet, so this could be fun.” And just to make it interesting, Dock 13 is next to a retaining wall. I gritted my teeth into a smile… I didn’t want Lori to know I was nervous. I carefully and quite successfully put that truck right up to the dock. I was so proud of myself! Then a man from the facility leaned out the door and said “You need to move that over to the left about 6 inches!”
Is he kidding? Doesn’t he know that 30 seconds ago was the first time I had ever moved this truck in reverse? Obviously, this man had seen women truck drivers before, and he was not surprised. In fact, he had expectations.
So I gingerly moved the truck forward a bit and began a slow turn in reverse. The guy knew just where to stand so I could see his arm motions to guide the turn. I kept thinking as he waved me to “c’mon back” about a dozen times that I was going to hit the dock. And I did. And I was supposed to. (told you it was a learning experience). Docks have these bumpers so that when you have a 48” high bed, you can get thisclose to the warehouse floor.
In no time, 900 pounds of crated Audrey II was loaded and strapped into the truck. Inside my head, I was jumping and dancing for joy over my latest vehicular triumph. Homer Simpson’s cheering could not have been louder. Eat your heart out, Oscar the Grouch.
Then came suggestions on how to remove this behemoth without the benefit of a dock. It got very quiet around me, inside and out. Whether we unloaded from the 7 foot side of the box or the 6 foot side, one thing was clear… that 42 inch lift gate was not going to be enough help.
Conversation back to St. Charles was decidedly different than the chit-chat we experienced going to Springfield. How many men would be on hand to unload? What else could we work out? We’ve never moved a 900 pound crate before, much less in a controlled fall with a liftgate four feet from the ground.
So once at the High School, with all of our help assembled, measurements were taken, prayers were said, breath was held, and a plan was hatched.
It took all hands on deck to successfully unload the mighty Audrey II. We employed skills developed by the Egyptians in their building of pyramids, tactics used by the Romans in motivating the workers, and celebrated like Indians around a bonfire as the crate finally touched ground.
Suddenly, driving the truck was not nearly as impressive or satisfying as seeing these wonderful people work so hard.
It will do your heart good to know that no Audrey’s or actors were harmed in the creation of this production. But Audrey still has to go home…
Flood Stage Presents: Little Shop of Horrors
Flood Stage Presents:
Little Shop of Horrors
The musical story of a boy and his blood-thirsty plant from outerspace is the latest quality production from Flood Stage Productions. In the full-production tradition that brought Grease and Footloose to the community stage, Flood Stage Productions proudly presents Little Shop of Horrors.
Little Shop of Horrors is a campy, toe-tapping, high-stepping musical following the adventures of Seymour and his would-be girlfriend, Audrey, as they learn more about a mysterious plant that has turned business around for Mr. Mushnik and his Skid Row Florist Shop.
The premise is set by the opening line: “On the 21st Day in the Month of September in an early year of a decade not too long before our own, the human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence. And this terrifying enemy surfaced—- as such enemies often do—- in the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places…”
As with other Flood Stage productions, this is a show with full scenery and costumes, live music and high quality performances. Set Designer Tom Kopp and Costume Designer Courtney Gibson, along with their crews, have filled the stage with color and excitement… the perfect compliment to the energy and talent brought by the cast.
The show kicks off with its signature high-power theme song and the energy grows for the next two hours. From “Suddenly Seymour” to “Feed Me”, it’s a show that’s out of this world!
Little Shop of Horrors opens Friday, June 8, running Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. The following week, shows are Thursday, June 14, Friday, June 15 and Saturday June 16. Shows Thursday through Saturday are at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm on the stage of St. Charles High School. Reservations can be made on the Reservation Line at 636-578-8301. Leave your name, phone number, number of seats and date of performance. Tickets will be waiting at the door, and you will receive a confirmation call. Tickets are $15 each and $12 for seniors and students.
The Little Shop of Horrors cast includes: Jeff Saunders as Seymour, Eeyan Richardson as the voice of Audrey II, Courtney Gibson as Audrey, Jim Stegemoeller as Mr. Mushnik, Julie La Beau & Virginya Gray & Beth Scheiding as the Ronettes. Also starring: Tom Kopp as dentist Orin Scrivello, Chris Porcelli as a featured Skid Row Bum and Bob Veatch operates Audrey II. Bone Daddy and the Blues Shakers provides the driving beat and live music for Little Shop of Horrors.
The production is Directed by Lori Gibson, with Musical Director Karla Curry and Lighting Designer Stephanie Robinson.
Little Shop of Horrors
The musical story of a boy and his blood-thirsty plant from outerspace is the latest quality production from Flood Stage Productions. In the full-production tradition that brought Grease and Footloose to the community stage, Flood Stage Productions proudly presents Little Shop of Horrors.
Little Shop of Horrors is a campy, toe-tapping, high-stepping musical following the adventures of Seymour and his would-be girlfriend, Audrey, as they learn more about a mysterious plant that has turned business around for Mr. Mushnik and his Skid Row Florist Shop.
The premise is set by the opening line: “On the 21st Day in the Month of September in an early year of a decade not too long before our own, the human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence. And this terrifying enemy surfaced—- as such enemies often do—- in the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places…”
As with other Flood Stage productions, this is a show with full scenery and costumes, live music and high quality performances. Set Designer Tom Kopp and Costume Designer Courtney Gibson, along with their crews, have filled the stage with color and excitement… the perfect compliment to the energy and talent brought by the cast.
The show kicks off with its signature high-power theme song and the energy grows for the next two hours. From “Suddenly Seymour” to “Feed Me”, it’s a show that’s out of this world!
Little Shop of Horrors opens Friday, June 8, running Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. The following week, shows are Thursday, June 14, Friday, June 15 and Saturday June 16. Shows Thursday through Saturday are at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm on the stage of St. Charles High School. Reservations can be made on the Reservation Line at 636-578-8301. Leave your name, phone number, number of seats and date of performance. Tickets will be waiting at the door, and you will receive a confirmation call. Tickets are $15 each and $12 for seniors and students.
The Little Shop of Horrors cast includes: Jeff Saunders as Seymour, Eeyan Richardson as the voice of Audrey II, Courtney Gibson as Audrey, Jim Stegemoeller as Mr. Mushnik, Julie La Beau & Virginya Gray & Beth Scheiding as the Ronettes. Also starring: Tom Kopp as dentist Orin Scrivello, Chris Porcelli as a featured Skid Row Bum and Bob Veatch operates Audrey II. Bone Daddy and the Blues Shakers provides the driving beat and live music for Little Shop of Horrors.
The production is Directed by Lori Gibson, with Musical Director Karla Curry and Lighting Designer Stephanie Robinson.
First Capitol News Sports - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
I remember the last time we took a major family vacation. All five of us flew to San Diego and stayed on a beachfront condo. We went to the world famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World and of course Lego Land in Carlsbad, California. Of every thing we did while in San Diego, the moment that stuck in my mind had nothing to do with tourist type jaunts. No, it had to do with a little, old blue-haired lady. As the five of us were walking down the beach, out of nowhere this lady came. She was on us before we knew it, and she looked directly into my eyes and said, “Once they have you out numbered, you’re in trouble.” Of course she was referring to Maggie, Joe and Dee (3) versus Lynn and I (2). At the time I somewhat knew what she meant, but for the most part simply thought she was making small talk. As time went on I realized she was in fact sent from heaven, to warn us of an impending hell!
For some reason Lynn and I can get through the soccer, basketball and football season without many conflicts. Such is not the case with baseball and softball. Frankly, the months of April, May and June are a giant pain in the butt. There have been no less than three occasions where Lynn and I have had to be at three places at the same time. For whatever unexplainable reason all three kids’ games all start at 6 p.m. at points all over Saint Charles County. Sure, I’m a teacher and have summers off, but in Jennings that doesn’t start until next Monday. All I can say is thank God for special friends; without them I could never make it happen – and for once I do mean ME. Sure, those of you who are personally familiar with Family McMurran know Lynn is the family manager. Problem is, the family manager doesn’t get off work until anywhere between 5 and 5:30. It takes everything the family manager has to make it to the games by the first pitch. No, the scheduling of transportation falls upon yours truly. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a single parent – it’s hard enough with two of us. The little old blue haired lady was 100% accurate. “Once they have you outnumbered you’re in trouble.”
The older I become the better life. Just to update everyone, Joe is now 9 (going into the 4th grade) and Dee is 7 (2nd grade look out!). Last evening the three of us went to the Cardinal game versus the Reds. When Lynn and I first started taking the kids to Cardinal games we would end in “Kiddy Land,” or whatever they called it, by the 4th inning or so. From there you couldn’t see the game, it stunk from all the kids having their shoes off, and few people were drinking beer and screaming. How things have changed.
Last evening Joe, Dee and myself sat in our seats minutes before the first pitch, and stayed until the very end. Of course it was the game that was won in the bottom of the ninth with a pitch hit home run. My sons have grown to the point they ask some pretty good questions about baseball. I can proudly say I sat through nine full innings of baseball with a single cold adult beverage. Ah yes, life is in fact good.
My sons have grown into such baseball fans we have decided to start an annual family tradition. Starting this June 29, Joe, Dee and I will travel to a different city each summer to see the Cardinals play baseball. Little did we know when we planned this year’s trip the Reds would be in last place. The good side of it is we were able to purchase seats directly behind home plate – something impossible in St. Louis. We will leave on Friday morning, watch Friday and Saturday night’s game, and return to St. Charles via Indianapolis as we visit my nephew.
As I grow older I continue to enjoy Cardinal baseball – maybe more than ever. It’s as if I am returning to my childhood every time I enter the stadium, it makes me feel like I’m 10 years old again. Then I look and see I’m with my two sons – and I say “thank you” to the Creator of the Universe.
Only six weeks left until the O’Fallon Junior Renegades have their annual summer football camp. Joe will move up to the 9 year-old team while Dee will coached by yours truly in the 7 year-old division.
Rumors have it Coach Soderburg has been offered an assistant coaching position at Michigan. If they are true I wish him all the luck in the world. If MSHSAA rules haven’t changed, Kramer will be allowed to complete his senior year at West. That is a good thing. The bad news is, the rest of the family will move north. So much for Duchesne’s power house team in 6 years.
For some reason Lynn and I can get through the soccer, basketball and football season without many conflicts. Such is not the case with baseball and softball. Frankly, the months of April, May and June are a giant pain in the butt. There have been no less than three occasions where Lynn and I have had to be at three places at the same time. For whatever unexplainable reason all three kids’ games all start at 6 p.m. at points all over Saint Charles County. Sure, I’m a teacher and have summers off, but in Jennings that doesn’t start until next Monday. All I can say is thank God for special friends; without them I could never make it happen – and for once I do mean ME. Sure, those of you who are personally familiar with Family McMurran know Lynn is the family manager. Problem is, the family manager doesn’t get off work until anywhere between 5 and 5:30. It takes everything the family manager has to make it to the games by the first pitch. No, the scheduling of transportation falls upon yours truly. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a single parent – it’s hard enough with two of us. The little old blue haired lady was 100% accurate. “Once they have you outnumbered you’re in trouble.”
The older I become the better life. Just to update everyone, Joe is now 9 (going into the 4th grade) and Dee is 7 (2nd grade look out!). Last evening the three of us went to the Cardinal game versus the Reds. When Lynn and I first started taking the kids to Cardinal games we would end in “Kiddy Land,” or whatever they called it, by the 4th inning or so. From there you couldn’t see the game, it stunk from all the kids having their shoes off, and few people were drinking beer and screaming. How things have changed.
Last evening Joe, Dee and myself sat in our seats minutes before the first pitch, and stayed until the very end. Of course it was the game that was won in the bottom of the ninth with a pitch hit home run. My sons have grown to the point they ask some pretty good questions about baseball. I can proudly say I sat through nine full innings of baseball with a single cold adult beverage. Ah yes, life is in fact good.
My sons have grown into such baseball fans we have decided to start an annual family tradition. Starting this June 29, Joe, Dee and I will travel to a different city each summer to see the Cardinals play baseball. Little did we know when we planned this year’s trip the Reds would be in last place. The good side of it is we were able to purchase seats directly behind home plate – something impossible in St. Louis. We will leave on Friday morning, watch Friday and Saturday night’s game, and return to St. Charles via Indianapolis as we visit my nephew.
As I grow older I continue to enjoy Cardinal baseball – maybe more than ever. It’s as if I am returning to my childhood every time I enter the stadium, it makes me feel like I’m 10 years old again. Then I look and see I’m with my two sons – and I say “thank you” to the Creator of the Universe.
Only six weeks left until the O’Fallon Junior Renegades have their annual summer football camp. Joe will move up to the 9 year-old team while Dee will coached by yours truly in the 7 year-old division.
Rumors have it Coach Soderburg has been offered an assistant coaching position at Michigan. If they are true I wish him all the luck in the world. If MSHSAA rules haven’t changed, Kramer will be allowed to complete his senior year at West. That is a good thing. The bad news is, the rest of the family will move north. So much for Duchesne’s power house team in 6 years.
Ameristar Donates $10,000 To Community College Foundation
Ameristar Donates $10,000 To Community College Foundation
Ameristar Casino manager Jim Franke (center) presented a $10,000 donation to the St. Charles Community College Foundation on Wednesday, May 23. The donation was accepted by the president of the SCC Foundation, Ted Dettmer (left), and SCC president Dr. John McGuire (right).
Ameristar Casino manager Jim Franke (center) presented a $10,000 donation to the St. Charles Community College Foundation on Wednesday, May 23. The donation was accepted by the president of the SCC Foundation, Ted Dettmer (left), and SCC president Dr. John McGuire (right).
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