Wentzville Students Win Fire Hydrant Scholarships

The hydrants, decorated with the theme "National Monuments," were judged by Wentzville city employees.

Q: So when is a fire hydrant more than just a 150 pound piece of metal? A: When it’s a scholarship application, of course! The Water Division of the Wentzville Public Works Department has awarded $4,000 worth of scholarships to three students in the Wentzville School District. Dana Engelhardt, a senior at Holt High School received a $2,000 scholarship for her entry, and Alex Braun and Kathleen Haarmann—both seniors at Timberland High School—tied for first place and will each receive a scholarship worth $1,000 for their artistic fire hydrants. This is the 16th year for the contest, held annually in conjunction with National Water Week. Each year Wentzville students are asked to creatively interpret a theme with their painted hydrants. This …

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25th Annual Laumeier Art Fair Offers 150 Artists, Live Music, Tasty Treats

The fair features fine art and fine craft, including basket weaver Helen Springer, and live performances by Erin Bode, Farshid Etniko and more.

Artists in a variety of styles from visual to vocal highlight the 25th annual Laumeier Art Fair today through Sunday at Laumeier Sculpture Park in Sunset Hills. The fair, which also offers a packed lineup of musical entertainers including vocalist Erin Bode and the group Farshid Etniko, has become a tradition to many area people. “It’s fantastic,” said Marie Oberkirsch, special events manager at Laumeier. “I was just reviewing one of our old binders from 1989, and it was just so much fun to see how the event has really grown. Just from my own experience, I know that there are a lot of families now who come out to celebrate Mother’s Day with us. And it’s not just mothers and daughters, but now we’ve got granddaughters coming out as well.” …

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Share Memories of Sendak's 'Where the Wild Things Are'

Sendak has died at age 83. Tell us your memories of reading his books—especially "Where the Wild Things Are."

My two children are well above the age when they'd sit still for their mother and father reading a book to them. It won't be that many years before they have their own children. They'll be doing the reading. And I have no doubt that Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" will be among the books they crack open and recite. On Tuesday, we learned that the author of perhaps one of the most famous children's books of all time had died at the age of 83. The New York Times' report said the author had died from complications after a recent stroke. Writers have lauded Sendak's worth, but in particular his ability to craft children's stories out of what might have been considered "untraditional" — monsters "roaring their terrible roars" and "…

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May the Fourth Be With You: Share 'Star Wars' Memories

Today is Star Wars Day, and your trusty editors talk about what a galaxy far, far away means to them. Share your best 'Star Wars' memories.

May the Fourth be with you! It might not be an official holiday, but for millions of Star Wars fans, it is a chance to reflect on the mythology that has grown so close to our heart. We wanted to share our memories and reflections on Star Wars, and maybe inspire you to do the same. Leave us a comment below, or click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button to share an image of a Star Wars costume, toy, midnight release or anything else. No picture is too nerdy. (But pictures do need to conform to Patch's terms of use policy.) Here's are some memories from your trusty editors from around St. Louis Patchland, and be sure to click through the photos of an original 1977 Star Wars press kit! The newsroom was all abuzz back in 1977 when press …

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Jason Wescoat

8:10 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012

I'm so ashamed, Sarah, so ashamed...   more ›

First Due Fire Museum is Packed With Information, Memorabilia

The museum, located in the St. Louis Mills, features vast collections of gear, plus displays explaining the world of firefighting, a tribute to the Sept. 11 first responders, and more.

When it comes to hot exhibits sure to get visitors fired up, the First Due Fire Museum at the St. Louis Mills in Hazelwood is sizzling. The museum was founded on May 10, 2004, by firefighters Eric Kiehl, Chester Jones and Steve Arnold as a way to promote fire safety education. “The goal for the museum was education,” Kiehl said. “Letting the public know what firefighters are all about – the type of work that we do, the type of equipment that we use, the gear that we wear – mainly it was an educational thing.” But there was another reason the three decided to open a museum packed with a fascinating collection of fire-fighting memorabilia. “Because we had so much stuff,” Kiehl said, laughing. So much stuff indeed. The 2400-square-foot museum…

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One Tank Trips

Alternative Rock Band Stranger's Almanac Plays 'A Little Bit of Everything'

The band's gig starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and covers songs by Radiohead, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt and more.

WAcoustic rock/current alternative group Stranger’s Almanac takes pride in being an atypical bar band. “Last time (we played) we got a lot of compliments on our particular song selection,” said band leader Chris Brokaw. “Like, ‘Wow, you guys do a really interesting version of that song,’ or ‘Wow, I love that song. I’ve never heard a band play that out.' That’s kind of what we’re going for.” Stranger’s Almanac features Brokaw on guitar and vocals, drummer, percussionist and backup vocalist Aaron Brokaw (Chris’s brother), Josh White playing guitar, mandolin and harmonica and adding vocals, vocalist Becky Kerley, and Mandy Brokaw, Chris’s wife, on bass. The band will start at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Dog Prairie Tavern in O’Fallon, and they are …

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Luck, Be a Lady: 'Guys and Dolls' at Timberland

Timberland presents the Broadway classic this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Timberland High School Theatre Department presents the classic musical Guys and Dolls in the Carl E. Reininger Theatre on April 19, 20, and 21. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. “Guys and Dolls” follows the antics of Nathan Detroit (Alex Braun), who is trying to find a place for his floating crap game, while also trying to avoid the New York City police. All the hot gamblers are in town, and they're depending on Nathan to set up this week's game—the only problem is, he needs $1,000 to rent a place. Throw in Sargeant Sarah (Madi Bell), who's short on sinners at the mission she runs; Sky Masterson (Bobby Killoren), who accepts Nathan's $1,000 bet that he can't get Sarah to go with him to Havana; Miss Adelaide (…

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Missouri Tartan Day Festivities Display Scottish-American Culture

The three-day event at Frontier Park in St. Charles includes music, dance, athletic contests, food and more.

Scottish-American culture and character will be on display through lively music and dance, unique athletic contests, fascinating storytelling and more during the 12th annual Missouri Tartan Day Festivities today through Sunday at Frontier Park in St. Charles. “It’s just a fantastic weekend,” said Tartan Day Chairman Vickie Struckmann. “Just come down and wander.” Tartan Day started as an observance of the April 6, 1320, Declaration of Arbroath, when Scots gained independence from English rule. “I look forward to this every year because it’s a wonderful thing to celebrate freedom and liberty and the connection between Scotland and the U.S. independence,” said native Scot Ken MacSwan, a member of the musical duo Duddy Breeks. With good …

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