Community Interest

On Friday, June 7th, Katie Thwing was crowned the 71st New Melle Festival Queen. She and six other candidates participated in this year's pageant. Katie is the daughter of Richele and Tim Thwing and will receive a $750 scholarship.

On Saturday, June 8, the New Melle Festival Parade made its way through the streets of New Melle. The parade's Grand Marshal this year was Stan Wisdom, the Commander of the New Melle VFW Post.

Plans are underway for the Friends of the Library SUMMER BOOK FAIR from August 2 - 4, 2024, at the Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles.

By Jenna Murphy

On May 17, 2024, the New Melle Queen candidates hosted the 10th Annual Kickin' It For Cancer Kickball Tournament at New Melle Sports and Rec. Twelve teams participated, and the winning team was Balls Deeper, with team captain Danielle Elrod.

Submitted by Ellen Knoernschild

Rationing began in early 1942 with tires and sugar, expanding to food items and gasoline in December 1942. The Japanese had cut off the supplies of rubber from Java, so what rubber there was was needed for tires for the military. Shoes were added to the list if they had rubber soles. The manufacture of tennis shoes was not allowed.

By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation

You may have heard a lot about cicadas lately. In fact, you may even be hearing a lot of cicadas right now. Some people say they’re ugly, gross, and annoying. They call their sounds loud, irritating, and bizarre. They get frustrated to find the bugs covering their trees, deck posts, and fences. Their dogs throw up from eating too many of them. What a traumatic experience!

by Campbell Vansell St. Charles City-County Library

Adults love to tell you about how much fun they had in high school: how popular they were, the trouble they got into, their first loves. As a teenager myself, I know this can sometimes make you feel like you’re missing out. This is the age when people expect you to know what you want to do with the rest of your life, but the truth is we barely have any experience, so how should we know?

By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation

Believe it or not, chiggers really do have some good qualities. The adults never bother us. They don’t carry diseases. They don’t even suck blood. And they really don’t stick around for more than a few days.

For over 20 years, The Personal Gifting Co. has curated high-quality, artisan gifts for individuals and organizations, spreading joy around the world. This uplifting gifting company was founded by St. Louis native Lisa Paden, known as “The Gifting Coach,” in 2002.

The Marthasville Heritage Celebration took place on Saturday, April 27, to commemorate the 225th anniversary of Daniel Boone's arrival in the area and the 200th anniversary of Gottfried Duden's arrival.

The Boone Country 4-H Club helped promote the 4-H clover at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Defiance on Saturday, March 16th. 4-Hers were decked out in their 4-H gear and green apparel to celebrate and spread the word about the club and organization. Members rode the float and walked the route, passing out candy, stickers, and beads to attendees.

By Ellen Knoernschild

When Leonard Harold sold lots in the Town of Augusta in the 1830s and 1840s, he set aside one block for a church and school. The school built there was used for almost 100 years. It had two rooms. As there were too many children for the building, half of the children went to school from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the rest from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Naturally, there was lots of homework. There were six grades in the 2 classrooms.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus held its annual “Night at the Races” on February 24th and is pleased to announce that the event was a smashing success, raising nearly $20,000. The funds raised will allow the Knights to continue their support of charitable causes throughout the New Melle-Wentzville area.

Financial advisors at Edward Jones believe in partnering for positive impact to improve the well-being of their clients and colleagues and to better their communities and society. Ben Waggoner, CFP®, a financial advisor in New Melle, has embodied that philosophy and is celebrating his 25th anniversary with the firm and his clients.

 

By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation

One of the most recognized and popular cartoon characters of all time came from nature. Generations of children (and adults) have grown up hearing the famous and raucous laugh of Woody Woodpecker on both movie and television screens. Birders and nature enthusiasts will recognize a hint of a real bird in that zany sound . . . a pileated woodpecker! And as April progresses, we’ll be hearing Woody’s real-life cousins in forests, woods, and even in parks and suburban neighborhoods.

On Saturday, March 30th, the New Melle Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 29th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at New Melle Sports and Rec.

Defiance celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a parade and festival on Saturday, March 16. It was a beautiful day for March, and it was the biggest parade and crowd the festival has drawn since it started just a few years ago.

On Thursday, March 14, members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Melle, the New Melle Chamber of Commerce, and the community celebrated a ribbon cutting to showcase a wonderful transformation of the Church Office.

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the Boone Country Connection toured the New Melle Fire Protection District’s new Station #1 under construction at the corner of Foristell Rd and Hwy Z. Chief Dan Case and Donna Oney of the NMFPD guided us through the new facility.

On Saturday, February 10, 2024, the New Melle Fire Protection District held its Annual Awards Banquet at Defiance Ridge Vineyards. Chief Dan Casey began the 2023 Banquet by expressing his gratitude to the retired firefighters, the Board and Auxiliary members, spouses, and families of NMFPD.

Submitted by Citizens for Smart Grown in St. Charles County

As of February 25, 2024, Lombardo Homes and the City of O'Fallon have entered into informal discussions on the Tall Tree Farm Development.

Lombardo's Proposal & Development design plans are unclear and have not been presented formally to the O'Fallon Planning and Zoning or the City at this time.

In 2024, Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10. DST means that clocks will “spring” forward one hour, signaling the arrival of spring. DST will end on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

The Augusta Elementary PTO would like to thank all the parents, families, friends, teachers, and area businesses for supporting the 11th Annual Dinner Auction and Raffles Fundraiser this year.