News Of Neighbors

Historical February–March 2018 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

Happy New Year!

The weather has certainly taken a turn and at this writing is downright frigid and yet by weekend, should feel like spring! I’m personally ready for spring.

While we are dealing with the crazy St. Louis weather, let’s see what some of our neighbors have been up to.

We are going to begin with some of our younger neighbors because it is always exciting to hear what they are up to! Zachary Voss of the 6100 block of McPherson went to Tokyo for a semester abroad through Webster University.

While in Tokyo he lived in a dorm with other Webster students and students from around the world.

He immersed himself in the culture by taking Japanese language classes and making friends with the locals.

He especially enjoyed the food. Zachary visited several art and history museums including the Cup Noodle Museum.

He found Tokyo itself to be crowded and lively. Weekends were spent visiting parks, mountains (including Mount Fuji) and beaches. Zachary is the son of Tim and Pattie Voss of the 6100 block of McPherson and is majoring in psychology and minoring in Japanese. Emil Banaszak, son of Katrina Stierholz and Mark Banaszak of the 6100 block of McPherson, is in the midst of a service year with AmeriCorps.

He is working with the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

His first project was disaster relief for the hurricane victims on St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, he is working in Jackson, Wyoming.

His squad is helping build low-income housing.

He follows in his brother’s footsteps. Theo Banaszak spent a year in AmeriCorps with CityYear Denver, where he served Denver Public Schools.

We often take time in this column to say goodbye to neighbors who are moving away or to welcome new neighbors.

In this case, as in many in our unique neighborhood, we can do both! Kristina Stierholz and Albert Webster have taken quick advantage of becoming empty-nesters this past fall and have moved from the 6200 block of Waterman to a smaller house on Pershing in Parkview. Along with their dog Louie, they love having a front door right on the Pershing “triangle park”. Kristina continues to work at the Federal Reserve Bank and Albert continues with “Live from Here” (the new title for public radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion”). Where are their children? Eric has started his college career at Valparaiso University, Lilly is pursuing a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota, Karl owns his home and makes most of the donuts at the Schnucks on Clayton Road.

The Webster/Stierholtz family is not alone in making a move within the neighborhood. Many families have done so over the years, some more than once!

A few families that come to mind having done similar moves in the neighborhood (moving a few blocks or less) including (and this is not inclusive of everyone, I know I am missing many); the Hogans, the Stierholtz/Banaszak family (Kristina’s sister), Beth Bender, Boxdorfers, Tiedes, Schneiders, Kneses, Gills, Bartons, Friesens, the Raters, and the McGroartys.

With a little more thought and reaching back in years, this could be a very long list.

I think it says a lot about our wonderful neighborhood. Wouldn’t you agree? Sadly, I need to report that our neighbor Joseph Hugo Davenport Sr. passed away on December 22, 2017. Joseph lived on the 5900 block of DeGiverville with his wife of forty years, Sheryl Ann (as he affectionately called her).

We offer our condolences to Sheryl and their sons Joseph Jr. and Stephen, his grandchildren and their entire family.

We also extend our sincere sympathies to the Bowe and Hutchinson families on the death of Shaun Kelton Hutchinson, 35, who died Friday, December 15, 2017.

He is survived by: his mother, Angela; his father Gerard; his brothers Alex and James; his grandfather Samuel Hutchinson, Jr. (Laurna Godwin Hutchinson), his grandmother Gracie Thompson (Patrick); his grandparents Richard and Joan Bowe; his aunt Graquel Schaeffer (Chris); his uncles Kevin, Steven, Mike, John and Tommy Bowe; his girlfriend Caitlyn James; his dogs Samson and Dewey; and many friends.

A celebration of Shaun’s life was held just before Christmas at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Rich and Joan Bowe lived on the 6100 block of Westminster for many years, raising their six children there, and Angela’s family continues to reside there.

We also lost an old neighbor who has been out of the neighborhood for some time.

Some of the old timers will remember the Miller family who lived on the 6200 block of Washington in Parkview. Jeanne Catherine Miller left this world on November 2, 2017 at the Mary Rider Home in St. Louis.

She leaves behind her sister Joan McDonald, her children Lucy Miller, Paula Taylor-Miller (John), Bartholomew Miller (Marlene) and Christopher Miller and her grandchildren Katherine and Sarah and Rachel, Luke and Olivia and two husbands, Clarence Miller and Jess Ullom.

According to her obituary her favorite poet was Emily Dickinson, and it stated that we may hear her voice in the opening lines of her poem, The Chariot: “Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves And immortality.” Our sympathies to all of her family and friends.

There have been some changes in the leadership of Boy Scout Troop 98 at St. Roch.

After years of service to the troop, Scott Santen has stepped down as the Chairman of the Troop Committee so that he can enjoy his time as a scout parent and Assistant Scoutmaster. Taking on the position of Troop Committee Chair is Sean McGroarty. Sean currently has three boys in the troop. And following countless years of dedicated service, Art Santen has decided to step down as the treasurer and Andy Mulcahy of the 6000 block of McPherson will be taking on the role of treasurer. Paul Winter is still serving as Scoutmaster and the troop meets every Wednesday night at 7:30 in the St. Roch gym. For more information about the troop, please call Paul Winter at 314-971-7265.

The troop is very active with hiking and camping trips on a regular basis and has a group going back to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico this summer.

They are training throughout this year to prepare themselves for this trip. For most, this will be their first time going to Philmont.

This high adventure crew is being headed up by Sean McGroarty and Greg Minana. And finally, as some of us dream of warmer weather and summer fun, take your thoughts to The Muny.

This year, The Muny is celebrating its 100th season. Among many ways The Muny is marking the anniversary with an all ages coloring book that you can purchase. And this beautiful book is written and illustrated by none other than our very talented neighbor, Andy Cross. Andy, who lives on the 6000 block of McPherson and grew up on the 6100 block of Kingsbury has been working at The Muny to produce beautiful scenery since 1982. Congratulations to Andy and everyone at The Muny!

I know I am really looking forward to this celebratory season! 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”.

We love to hear about neighbors accomplishments, awards, travels, weddings, anniversaries, births, and more!

Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2018.

Read this article in the original newspaper issue.

Original source: SD_Times2018_02.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.