Historical February–March 2012 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Happy 2012!
I hope that your new year is off to a good start.
As I have been gathering stories for the column this issue, it seems there truly are some very bright and talented young people who are growing up in Skinker DeBaliviere.
As regular readers and residents know, Wintermarkt is a wonderful event put on by the West End Arts Council. Artists, including many neighborhood children, sell their goods at the event.
They do not sell food, though, because that would compete with the Arts Council’s baked goods and barbecue food booth and fundraising efforts. Given those rules, two young entrepreneurs in the neighborhood came up with a different twist. Anton Gudiswitz of the 6100 block of Washington, and Karl Lodholtz of the 5700 block of DeGiverville, decided to take orders for doughnuts which would be delivered to buyers on Christmas morning.
The boys handed out flyers with order forms at Wintermarkt and soon got many customers. Later, on Christmas Eve, the boys and Anton’s mom, Ligaya Figueras, along with Anton’s cousin Alex, made the dough and let it rise. That night, Anton and his mother cut it into doughtnut shapes and let it rise again.
They woke before 4:00 a.m. on Christmas morning to fry and season them and then delivered them to all of their very happy customers! Karl and Anton are planning to do this again next year and welcome your business. Anne Leathers, daughter of Ellen Leathers and John Dahl, of the 6100 block of McPherson returned home on Christmas Eve following a semester in London. Ellen and John were thrilled to have Anne home for the holidays! Artists have resided in Skinker DeBaliviere for as long as I can remember. And now we have another neighborhood artist among us. Meta Stephens of Parkview, who attends school at St. Roch, was a runner up in Mayor Slay’s holiday card contest in December. Congratulations, Meta, the daughter of Mike and Ann Stephens. Lily Webster, of the 6300 block of Waterman, is a junior at Nerinx High School and is a national finalist in the International German Olympics!
In November, Lily competed with German students from all over the country.
The competition is sponsored by the Goethe Institute and the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).
She has advanced to the exclusive 2nd round (the U.S.A. Finals) to be held in Chicago, February 2-3, 2012.
The two-day competition includes oral and written assignments, after which two American participants will be chosen to represent the United States at the international finals in Frankfurt, Germany, July 1-14, 2012.
The winners of round two receive round-trip travel to Germany and all accommodation expenses.
We wish Lily the best of luck! Lily is the daughter of Albert Webster and Kristina Stierholz of Parkview. Speaking of Albert Webster, our thoughts are with him as he recovers from a broken leg that resulted from a fall on a ladder. Albert has had to undergo two surgeries and some rehabilitation but has had a very positive attitude.
We are hoping that Albert has a speedy and full recovery and look forward to see him walking his dog Hunter around the neighborhood when he is all better. Congratulations are in order to the new Executive Committee of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Longtime resident Alice Stanley (who has served on the SDCC board and executive committee in the past) is taking over as President. Karin Hagaman is the new Vice President. Deborah Cooper will serve as Secretary, and Shelly Conley of Pulaski Bank is taking over as Treasurer.
We are so fortunate to have a strong neighborhood community council office and wonderful people like this willing to give of their time to serve on the board of directors and executive committee.
If you are interested in getting more involved and volunteering, contact the SDCC office at 314-862-5122. One of the things that is always a bit difficult about this column is when I have to report on deaths of residents.
However, I also appreciate the fact that it is so important to recognize the lives of these special people and so we must also acknowledge their passing.
On Tuesday, November 29th, 2011, James “Jim” Irwin, of the 6100 block of McPherson passed away at the age of 75.
He was surrounded by his family.
He leaves behind his wife Ruth, and daughters Debbie and Kathy.
He was also father to the late James “Jimmie” Irwin.
A memorial service was held at Bethel Lutheran Church in University City.
Another long time Skinker DeBaliviere resident, Sam Green, who still had very strong ties to the neighborhood passed away on Monday, January 2, 2012. Sam and wife Lucille “Lu” Schoemehl Green were married for 39 years and lived with their children for many years on the 6100 block of Westminster. Sam served as President of the 28th Ward Democrats and was active in Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood. Sam worked as a Housing Analyst for the Community Development Administration of St. Louis and was proud that he was helping to “build neighborhoods.” He had also worked for the Collector of Revenue. Sam was surrounded by 35 loved ones when he died. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the Irwin and Green families. And as we say goodbye to these old neighbors, it is with a happy heart that we welcome some new neighbors. Congratulations go out to two new sets of parents in the neighborhood. Ethan Henry Hunter was born on November 8, 2011 weighing in at 7 lbs 15 oz and 19.5” long. Not surprisingly, the proud parents, Jen and Kurt Hunter of the 6100 block of Kingsbury, report that they are absolutely crazy about him! Asher Samuel Bien-Willner arrived early enough to enjoy the Cardinals World Series excitement. Asher weighed in at 6 lbs 13 ozs and was born on October 16th, 2011.
He is the first child of Gabe & Lenee Bien-Willner of the 6100 block of McPherson.
I imagine it will be just a short time before we are reporting on the accomplishments of both Ethan and Asher, our newest residents, here in the News of Neighbors column! Welcome to the neighborhood boys! Congratulations also to Marj and Brad Weir of the 6100 block of Westminster, whose daughter Lynn and her husband John Wagner welcomed a second child and first son, Joseph Bradley Wagner, in January. Be sure to check out (and ‘like’) the Skinker DeBaliviere page on facebook!
The SDCC office has a facebook page that shares updates and announcements about neighborhood events, meetings and activities, as well as information about other things happening in and around the St. Louis area.
There is also a facebook page for people who grew up in Skinker DeBaliviere. Be sure to ‘Like’ them on facebook and stay connected with your neighbors and your neighborhood! Do you have news to share?
Please send your submissions via email with the subject line News of Neighbors to rachelb@sdtimes.org or drop off a note to the attention of Rachel Boxdorfer at the Skinker DeBaliviere office. Be sure to mark it, “News of Neighbors,”
Original photograph caption
Asher Samuel Bien-Willner. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2012.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source Kristina Stierholz retained rather than inferred identity merge; source doughtnut typo and unfinished closing quote retained.
Original source: SD_Times2012_02.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
