Historical Summer 2008 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The first of the centennial celebrations in the neighborhood began with a wet but wonderful Mother’s Day House tour. Kudos go out to everyone who worked on the tour and opened their homes up for those who braved the weather. Special thanks to Venita Lake and Arline Webb for chairing the tour. Celebrations continued on May 31st with the McPherson block party (held for the 6100 and 6000 blocks). Children enjoyed a visit from a fire truck, played in kiddy pools, volleyball games, and there were even three bands that played while everyone enjoyed good food.
The weather held off until the end, but the party was successful enough that neighbors lingered with the final band even as the rain fell! And speaking of that final band, yes, that was Dick Hereford, from the 6100 block of McPherson on the drums!
An awesome time was had by all. Congratulations to Joe Edwards on his recent honor for “his community building and creation of inclusive cultural places” at the 63rd Brotherhood Sisterhood Awards Dinner of the National Conference for Community and Justice of Metropolitan St. Louis.
The organization works to fight bias, bigotry and racism and to promote understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures. Their training programs help build inclusion into the daily operation of institutions throughout our region. Get well wishes to long-time neighbor Juan Chavez of the 6000 block of Washington. Juan and Kiki have been residents of the neighborhood for many years.
On the good news side, their son Juan William Chavez was one of three winners of the “Great Rivers Biennial” and was exhibited at the prestigious Contemporary Art Museum in Grand Center recently. Born in Lima, Peru, before the Chavez family returned to St. Louis, he graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute, then spent time after graduation in Peru, and now has an art studio called Boots Contemporary Art Space on Cherokee Street. And another creative neighbor resides on the 6000 block of Westminster. New mom Katie Gordon was one of just a dozen winners in the Arts in Transit “Poetry in Motion” contest for 2008.
The poems will be displayed on the Metro trains for the next several months. Peter Schmit just completed his 12th year as a volunteer at St. Roch School, teaching Algebra to 8th grade students.
This reporter was unable to confirm through his wife Mary whether Peter will continue, but as a St. Roch parent, I certainly hope he will! Our neighborhood population continues to grow with some gorgeous new additions! It’s double trouble with two girls born on April 12th to Len and Susanne Knese of the 6100 block of Kingsbury. Both Isabella Lucia and Chloe Marie weighed in at 5 lbs 11 oz and were 19 ½” long! Andy and Sarah Gelle, new residents on the 6100 block of McPherson welcomed their son Duff Greenwood on May 19th. Proud big brother is Calvin. Duff was spotted enjoying stroller rides at the McPherson block party! And recently in town and making his St. Louis debut was Henry Michael Klucznik who was born on April 3rd to Molly and Brian Klucznik of Chicago. Molly is one of the Fleeners and grew up in Parkview and Henry is cousin to the four McGroarty boys of the 6100 block of McPherson.
There is no doubt that grandma, Mary Fleener, of Parkview is thrilled to have her own basketball team of grandchildren! Enrique and Melissa Von Rohr were blessed with their second child, Gabriel David on May 25th. Proud big sister Isabela will surely be eager to help out!
The next time you see Gene and Delores Hoefel of the 6100 block of McPherson, be sure to ask about their April trip to Cuba.
The Hoefels traveled for a week with a group of students from Washington University and had a wonderful and enlightening journey.
On the same block, we say goodbye for a while to Michelle, Jeff, and Sienna Pike who will be traveling to Maine and Virginia while Jeff is on sabbatical from Washington University.
We wish them the best in the coming year and look forward to their return. Congratulations to Lana Stein on her recent retirement from full-time professoring at UMSL.
Her colleagues honored her at two recent celebrations. Look for Lana’s commentary in the brand-new St. Louis Beacon online newspaper: http://www. stlbeacon.org Do you have some news to share?
Please send your items to Rachel Boxdorfer at rboxdorf@ cbgundaker.com with the subject line “News of Neighbors”. Thank you!
Original photograph caption
Gabriel David Von Rohr being held by big sister Isabela.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2008.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2008_06.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
