By Julie Loika, Director of Outreach
Friedens Peace UCC – New Melle 

The holiday season seems an appropriate time to say “THANK YOU” to all the community partners, volunteers and area seniors who made the first year of the Abraham & Sarah Feast & Festivities program such a huge success. During 2018 the community hosted four themed parties for area seniors age 75 or older.  Each party provided lots of laughs, unique entertainment, good food and great conversations. We’re looking forward to more fun in 2019!

Practice for the Community Choir for the New Melle Country Christmas event will be Sunday, Nov. 18th at 4 p.m. at Friedens United Church of Christ in New Melle. 

Become a Master Gardener--learn by doing and by sharing the love of gardening. Training is the first step. Trainees receive 45 hours of intense training on plant growth, soils, pest management, native plants and other topics.

Our Lady’s Inn (OLI) held their annual Luncheon for Life Sept. 20 at Defiance Ridge Vineyards. The event featured a delicious lunch, an amazing silent auction, raffles and lots of fun. Each year, Our Lady’s Inn recognizes an Inn-credible partner who has helped support their mission.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, Carla Brakensiek, owner of Catala Facial Retreat and Boutique in New Melle hosted a Fall Fashion Show at her shop. Six local ladies modeled 3-4 outfits each during both the noon and 3 o’clock shows.

St. Charles County Parks volunteer does it again! Colonel Robert Pecoraro will receive the 2018 Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer Award from the National Association of Interpretation (NAI) at the group's National Conference this month. Pecoraro recevied the NAI's regional interpretative volunteer award last year along wtih fellow parks volunteer Colonel Barney Combs. 

Source: Tamra Reall

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Little hearts might skip a beat when Mom whispers, “Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

Once rare in American homes, bedbugs have been on the rise over the last decade. Holiday travel gives these bloodsuckers an opportunity to hitch a ride, but University of Missouri Extension horticulturist and entomologist Tamra Reall says you can ditch the itch with a few precautions.

Mark your calendar now for a book signing Dec. 14th at Stone Ledge Antiques in Augusta, 5500 Locust Street, from 7-10 p.m. - during the Augusta Candlelight Walk. Ann Hazelwood of St. Charles will be signing “Lily Girl’s Christmas Quilt”, the second in a “Quilts in Wine Country” series. In the first book, “For the Love of Quilts” we met Lily Rosenthal, inpired in part by Carrie Mae Wilson who previously owned the antique store that is now Stone Ledge Antiques.

The community of Augusta is hosting their first Christmas Holiday House Tour this year. The tour will be held on Saturday, December 8, from 3-6 p.m.  Five beautiful homes will be on display, all decorated and ready for Christmas! This is a self-guided tour that begins at the Visitors Center, 5577 Walnut Street, and ends with free wine tasting from Noboleis Winery and Montelle Winery at the Historic Harmonie Verein.  The cost is $10 per person in advance, online; and $12 the day of the tour. Children 12 and under are free.

‘Tis the season to visit a St. Charles County Park for family fun and an extra dose of holiday cheer! Enjoy the FREE holiday toy train display at the Heritage Museum near St. Charles, take a festive Christmas Candlelight Walk at The Historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance and search for Santa’s elves along the trails at Indian Camp Creek Park near Wentzville! Join the parks department for this exciting lineup of holiday events and happenings in the park:

11/20    Community  Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Friedens UCC in New Melle, 7  p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. Everyone welcome. Pastors from Friedens, St. John’s UCC, Immaculate Heart of Mary, New Melle Baptist and Shiloh United Methodist will participate. Please join us. Refreshments after.