Notable Neighbors

Age Doesn’t Stop Marianist Brother From Making Difference

Brother Leo Slay is one of 20 Ageless-Remarkable Saint Louisans.

The founder of the Metro Food Service Co-op in Kirkwood is among a group of 20 older adults to be recognized at the St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors System's ninth annual Ageless – Remarkable Saint Louisans gala. Brother Leo Slay, 80, of Warson Woods, continues to direct the co-op and works with local food banks to provide food to those in need. For the past 40 years, Slay has served as food service director for the Marianist Schools. During his career, Slay has traveled to Armed Service bases and ships worldwide, where he evaluated food service operations and helped to raise the quality of the food served to men and women in uniform. Slay and his peers will be honored Nov. 6 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. Thank you to …

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Bath Time: Dog Wash Raises Money for Mission Trip

Whether they liked it or not, a couple of dozen dogs got a free bath, thanks to youth at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood.

A bath and a treat were in store Saturday for four-legged visitors to Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood. Several dozen dogs were escorted through the "dog wash" -- whether they liked it or not. Organizer Sabine McDowell said some of the dogs liked their baths more than others. But it was all for a good cause -- donations were accepted for the church youth group's annual summer mission trip. Youth group members washed about 30 dogs Saturday, then towel dried them and sent them off with a treat bag. It was the second year in a row for the dog wash. McDowell said the event last year raised about $500 to help fund a trip to Minnesota, where the youth helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

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Children's Choir Sings to Packed Dome

Although most members of the Kirkwood Children’s Chorale don't remember 9/11, it didn't stop the singers from delivering a heartfelt performance to thousands on the event's 10-year anniversary.

As the Kirkwood Children’s Chorale (KCC) filed onto Rams field at halftime this past Sunday to sing “God Bless America," it seemed to take on a whole new meaning with it being the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. “Although most of the 65 singers were too young to remember 9/11, they know that the very best in people came out after 9/11," KCC instructor Jordan Black said. "Americans banded together to make our country safe again." Last year, KCC sang the National Anthem at a Rams game and it was the only choir asked to do so. Black keeps a busy schedule sharing his love of music with young people. Aside from being an instructor for the KCC, he also teaches at River Bend and McKelvey elementary schools in the Parkway School District.  “For some…

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Antona Brent Smith

11:57 am on Friday, September 16, 2011

KCC is a wonderful choir for young singers to have a taste of professional performance! My two daughters love their relationship with Mimi Steele, Founder, and all their choir directors, teachers, and lasting friendships!   more ›

Whiz Kid

Whiz Kid: Kirkwood Teen Inspires Marikle Foundation

Marik Lingo fought leukemia and received the miracle of a new heart. Today she's behind a foundation that raises thousands of dollars to help the families of other sick kids.

Today Marik Lingo is a healthy, active eighth grader helping to raise money for the families of sick children. But just a few years ago she was in a fight for her own life. The Kirkwood teen was just 7 years old when her appendix ruptured a few days after Christmas. An emergency for anyone, but for Marik, now 13, it meant the start of many months spent in and out of the hospital. That’s because doctors discovered Marik had leukemia. Once Marik started chemotherapy, her parents, Mark and Carrie Lingo, thought she would soon be getting well again. But after her final round of chemotherapy, doctors found that her heart was in jeopardy. “That was her last round – we (thought we) were done,” Carrie Lingo remembered. “The type of chemotherapy …

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Prayer Ceremony Unites Faiths

Faizan Syed, Kirkwood resident and director of the Council on American Islamic Relations - St. Louis, gathered Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders to pray in honor of 9/11 victims.

As thousands lined up in front of Busch Stadium and the Edward Jones Dome for Cardinals and Rams games Sunday, a group of about 50 people held a prayer under the arch in honor of the victims of 9/11.  The event was organized by Kirkwood resident Faizan Syed, who is the executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations - St. Louis, an organization that promortes the understanding of Islam in America. The interfaith rally took place under the arch ground and hosted leaders from different religions who each held a prayer and a moment of silence for the 911 victims. "We come here together as a way to show our unity as a people and a society," Syed said at the event.

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Diversity Awareness Goal of Kirkwood Event

U.S. Rep and rabbi to speak at Kirkwood High School as part of symposium.

The Kirkwood Human Rights Commission hopes that its "Symposium on Diversity" will improve long‐term community building. The event will be held Oct. 22 at Kirkwood High School and includes a keynote presentation from U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City who is chairman of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus. Cleaver recently has spoken in the national press about President Barack Obama's response to black unemployment rates. Mayor Art McDonnell and Kirkwood Human Rights Commission Chair Darnel Frost will give the welcoming remarks and Rabbi Susan Talve will give the introductory remarks of the symposium. Talve spoke to the St. Louis Jewish Light Wednesday about dialogue relating to human rights issues in Israel and Palestine. The panel …

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Notable Neighbors

Lifeline to Peru: Des Peres Doctor on a Mission

This week, Patch introduces you to a doctor who has traveled numerous times to Peru to train doctors and deliver donated medical supplies to the poor.

A Des Peres doctor has been high in the Andes and deep in the Amazon rainforest on a mission to bring medical care to the poor in Peru. Dr. James Petersen, who specializes in gastroenterology, has traveled to Peru with the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS) six times in the last 12 years. “It gives me a better appreciation for life and what’s important in life,” Petersen said. “It’s all about human contact. Some people are poor as can be and are a lot happier than people I know with lots of money.” PAMS was founded in 1973 to bring medical resources to underserved populations in Peru. Since then, the organization has sent more than 100 medical and educational missions to that South American nation. Doctors, nurses, dentists and other…

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri Encourages Be There Partnerships

Big Brother or Big Sister and professional program staff ensures the Little is surrounded by the people who care about them the most.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri’s relationship model, known as 4:1+1, engages the most significant adults in a Little’s life—parent, teacher, Big Brother or Big Sister and professional program staff to ensure the Little is surrounded by the people who care about them the most. Each adult has an important relationship and a distinct role that offers Littles encouragement and support. This wouldn’t be possible without their “Sixth Membersm” on the team—the donor! We’ll Be There is the agency’s promise to Little Brothers and Little Sisters. Bigs in conjunction with the agency do not commit to “fix” challenges Littles encounter in life, but they do commit to “be there”—for encouragement and support. Big Brothers and Big Sisters …

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