Vicissitudes

Historical May 1979 report or notice. Original dates, prices, programs and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

Spring is, appropriately enough, the time of new beginnings, and it is true in many ways for us this spring in SkinkerDeBaliviere. We have new neighbors, new babies, new marriages beginning. We also have new leadership, and we want to take this opportunity to welcome warmly the newly selected Executive Director of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, Mr. Richmond Coburn. Mr. Coburn comes to us from nearby University City, and we feel sure he will be a welcome addition to our neighborhood’s ongoing efforts in reviving the city (and if we can’t revive it, no one can!). Stop by the Council office and introduce yourself!

We are proud to announce the arrival of a new baby on Washington. Carol and Jim Menzinthin now have a baby daughter to join their two year old twins, Tom and Eric. Lisa Marie was born on February 8, 1979, to busy Carol and Jim, who also have their house on the House Tour this year. Energy abounds in the Merizinthin household, no doubt about it! Congratulations.

The Schoemehls of McPherson have a new grandson, Jason, born in March to Mike and Margie Schoemehl. Congratulations to all the Schoemehls.

A new beginning for long-time neighbor Sandy Rothchild; formerly of the 5900 block of Waterman, and now owner of a home on Washington in Parkview. We wish newly married Sandy and his wife Sue the best of luck in their new home and new life together.

Another sort of change is in store for Paul and Marty Metzler, of the 6100 block of Westminster. Paul is taking on a new job in pastoral counseling, but far from us, in Syracuse, New York, near his childhood home in NY state. We will miss them both, and wish them well in their new home. We hope whoever buys the Metzler house will appreciate the loving work that went into it; we hope they will be the same kind of fine neighbors the Metzlers have been.

We are always happy to note the accomplishments of the children of our neighbors. This month, we have heard (literally) Tony Bell, son of George and Anna Bell of the 5700 block of DeGiverville, who is now announcing on the radio station at UMSL. We look forward to hearing great things from this young man.

A young man who is certainly going places is Bert Bender, son of Dr. and Mrs. Albert E. Bender, of the 6100 block of Kingsbury. Bert was installed as a member of the St. Louis University Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma of Missouri, on Monday, April 2, 1979, at ceremonies and a dinner in Busch Memorial Center. Bert is a senior at St. Louis University, with a major in Urban Affairs. He was educated in the public grade schools in Pittsburgh, Pa., and St. Louis City and was graduated from St. Louis University High School. Congratulations to Bert and to his parents Rick and Joan Bender!

Congratulations are also due Dan Schesch of the 6000 block of McPherson on his election to the St. Louis Board of Education. We hope he’s as happy to be there as he was to get there, and we look forward to the contributions he can undoubtedly make.

All of us certainly wish the best for our friend and neighbor Mary Boyts, of the 6100 block of McPherson. Mary is planning a June wedding at St. Roch’s for her and her fiance Peter Schmidt. We are sorry to announce that the wedding means ‘that Mary will be moving to Doniphan, Mo., where Pete directs a wilderness survival program for delinquent boys. It sounds like an interesting life, and we hope ‘they will come to visit often. Congratulations and our warmest wishes to one of our long-time neighbors and a real booster of this neighborhood.

Originally published in The Paper, May 1979.

Read this article in the original newspaper issue.

Archival transcription note: Printed Menzinthin surname differs from house-tour profile’s Metzenthin; original readings retained for editor.

Original source: SD_Times1979_05.pdf, printed page(s) 8; PDF page(s) 8.