Historical April 1991 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Whenever the St. Louis Public Library Kiosk needs a volunteer to make a poster, give out flyers, lead the children in singing, or tell stories on the lawn or at the Christmas parties, we turn to Rose Flynn.
She grew up Rose Rehagen in Florissant. Missouri, of German and Irish parentage.
After two years at Hazelwood High School, Rose transferred to North County Technical High where she studied art with an emphasis on graphic design.
After graduation she moved to Chicago and worked as a graphic designer.
With two years of experience in Chicago, Rose returned to St. Louis, again finding a job in graphic design, and meeting her husband, James Flynn, who has a degree in forest management and is a forester with the city of Clayton.
They share a mutual love of the outdoors.
The Flynns purchased a home in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood that the realtors referred to as a “handyman’s special.” Through the years, as daughter Meg and son Daniel arrived, the Flynns have worked to create an attractive home with beautiful woodwork that showcases their Navajo rugs.
With children and home have also come the animals, including the late Floyd, a lovable pit bull who lived with the family for eleven years; Louisa and Abby, the two cats; three rabbits; Rex, the iguana, and assorted guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, and a tarantula. Two years ago Rose attended her first monthly meeting sponsored by the Seventh District Police Public Affairs Department. Before long she was not only bringing refreshments but was elected the Assistant Chairman of Public Affairs.
She frequently chaired those monthly meetings and from that experience now believes one very important thing. “The police cannot solve neighborhood crime alone,” she says. “The people themselves need to work together to accomplish that.” Besides her interest in graphics which has led her to take additional art courses at Forest Park Community College. Rose has been singing in the St. Roch’s choir for two years.
She won rave reviews for her solo at Christmas of a song called the Christ Child Lullaby.
She has also taken part in neighborhood plays with her daughter Meg.
When Meg was asked about her mother, she said that she is so full of energy and interests in life that it is hard to explain. Meg herself has begun volunteering at the Kiosk on Saturdays running errands and straightening up. Five years ago, Rose began the “Kiosk Stories on the Lawn” with readings of old favorites such as Uncle Remus. Since then, she has appeared at the Kiosk for all programs with storytelling. Currently, as a teacher at St. Roch’s Preschool, stories continue to play an important part of her life.
The Kiosk is grateful to her and happy to announce that “Stories on the Lawn” will resume in May and June.
Original photograph caption
Rose Flynn. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1991.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1991_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
