Community Calendar (May 8 edition)
Special Events
YOUTH PLEIN AIR
All youth who are interested in the arts will have the opportunity to showcase their skill in a Youth Plein Air event on Wednesday, May 8, and Saturday, May 11. The timed painting/drawing event is open to youth ages 4 through high school seniors. It will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, and 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 11, at Moses Austin Park, at the corner of Gabouri and Main streets in Ste. Genevieve. Participants can choose from various scenes in the area to render using their choice of watercolor, colored pencils, ink, pencil or oil pastels. All materials will be provided. Plein air painting is art done on location, outdoors, with the artists capturing their favorite scene in a two hour period. Judging will be across three divisions: ages 4 through 8, 9 through 14, and 15 through high school seniors. Best of Show will receive $50 and a medal. First-place winners in each category will receive $25 and a medal. Second-place winners will receive $10 and a medal, and third-place winners in each age group will receive $5 and a medal. Art will be judged by local artists and will be on display at the Welcome Center on Friday, May 25. The Youth Plein Air Awards will be presented at 6:15 p.m. that day in conjunction with the monthly Fourth Friday Art Walk. Applications will also be available at the event. Last-minute entries are welcome.
GARDEN WALK
Ste. Genevieve’s annual Garden Walk is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. Tickets are $7 for individuals, $6 per person for groups of five or more, and free for children 12 and under. The event allows ticket-holders to tour private and public gardens throughout the city. The weekend’s activities also include the Ste. Genevieve Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday and the Master Gardeners plant sale from 9 a.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Sunday. The Garden Walk is sponsored by Ste. Genevieve Master Gardeners and the University of Missouri Extension. For information, call the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center at 573-883-7097.
CAR CRUISE NIGHTS
The Ste. Gen. Gearheadz car club is organizing cruise nights in historic downtown Ste. Genevieve from the third Saturday in May through the third Saturday in October. Cruises will be from 5 to 9 p.m., and all cars, trucks and bikes are welcome. Event includes 50/50 drawing, entertainment and music. For more information, contact Brian at 573-883-6411.
DOWN SYNDROME EVENT
Spring for Down Syndrome will celebrate its 10th anniversary when it takes place on Saturday, June 8, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ste. Genevieve. Event includes a UTV ride, raffle, oral auction, chicken dinner, children’s games and rides, event t-shirts, and more. An antique tractor show will begin at 10 a.m. The bike rides — 2 miles, 10 miles, 25 miles and 50-plus miles — will start at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Sting Ray will provide musical entertainment. The UTV ride will begin at 10:30 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. (For UTV ride information, call Leroy and Shari at 573-883-2533 or text 573-312-2745.) The event benefits the Down Syndrome Foundation and the Challenger Sports Program. For event information, contact Chip Marzuco at zuke1@att.net or call Marzuco Electric at 573-883-5347.
FRENCH HERITAGE FEST
The 22nd annual French Heritage Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, in downtown Ste. Genevieve. The event includes a bird walk on the levee at 7 a.m. and the grand promenade at 11 a.m. It also includes free concerts, vendors, face-painting, children’s activities, and more. Dennis Stroughmatt and L’Esprit Creole will perform at 7 p.m.
BALLOON GLOW
Chaumette Vineyards & Winery will host its annual balloon glow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, and Friday, September 13. Festivities will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. both nights, about an hour before and after sunset, weather permitting. There is no cost, children and pets are welcome. Balloons inflate and “glow” pre- and post-sunset. Food and refreshments will be available. Balloons will remain tethered to the ground, and guests can take photographs and have their photograph taken in front of balloons. Dinner reservations can be made by calling 573-747-1000. A food tent outside will serve hamburgers, hotdogs, muffuletta sandwiches, jambalaya, cookies and chips. Chilled beverages — soda, water and limited wine and beer — also will be served outside. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. The food tent will close at 8 p.m. For questions, call 573-747-1000.
Informational
HOME ALONE CLASS
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is offering its yearly Home Alone Class on Monday, June 7. This half-day (8 a.m. to noon) class is for children who have completed third through sixth grades. It will cover such topics as safety, first aid and self-care. It is intended to equip youth with skills to create safe environments for themselves at home, especially if they will be staying at home alone for the first time. Joan Flieg, a long-time educator, will facilitate the class and empower youth to make confident choices, handle real life and prevent dangerous situations. A $10 registration fee includes class materials. Registration may be done online at www.stegenevievehospital.org (event registration). Call 573-883-7729 for more information.
BABYSITTING CLASS
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is again offering its yearly Babysitting Class on Monday, June 17. This one-day (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) competency-based program is for youths who have completed at least the sixth grade. It will cover such topics as infant care, first aid and handling emergency situations. Joan Flieg, a long-time educator, will facilitate the class and present needed information in a fun and interesting way. A $25 registration fee includes lunch and class materials. Registration may be done online at www.stegenevievehospital.org (event registration). Call 573-883-7729 for more information.
Library Events
STAR-GAZING AT HAWN
Friends of Ste. Genevieve County Library and the St. Louis Astronomical Society are sponsoring a star-gazing Event at Hawn State Park from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. The event starts at 9 p.m., but guests are encouraged to arrive between 8 and 9 p.m. with chairs, drinks, and snacks if they would like. More information with map and program specifics will be forthcoming.
Blood Drive
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
An American Red Cross blood drive will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the Ste. Genevieve Knights of Columbus Hall, 600 Market St. Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment.
Health & Wellness
EXERCISE AND DIABETES
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital will host a program called “Exercise and Diabetes: Tips on Exercising Safely” at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, in the hospital’s cardiac rehab room. Julie Terry, RN, will be the presenter.
FALL PREVENTION
The University of Missouri Extension Office in Ste. Genevieve County will host a free, hands-on, award-winning program titled “A Matter of Balance.” The program will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on May 14 and continuing through June 6. Falling and the fear of falling is very common among older adults. During this program, participants will learn to view falls and the fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals for increasing activity, learn to change their environment to reduce fall risks, and more. This eight-session program also includes simple muscle-strengthening exercises that participants will begin during the third session. This program is designed for those who are concerned about falling, have sustained a fall in the past, or who restrict activities because of a fear of falling. The program will be taught by University of Missouri Extension specialists Estrella Carmona and Bethany Bachmann. Classes will take place in the Progress Sports Complex, Meeting Room B, 1300 Progress Parkway. To register or for additional information, call the Ste. Genevieve County Extension Office at 573-883-3548.
DIABETES MANAGEMENT
A diabetes self-management class will be offered free of charge at the Ste. Genevieve County Library in the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center starting on Tuesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. The class will be offered weekly for six weeks ending June 18. To register, call 573-431-1947 ext 102. or call the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department at 573-883-7411.
Organizations
PROJECT PIONEER
Members of the French Misplait/Misplay families and the German Schmidt/Schmelzle families are urged to attend the Project Pioneer meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, in the meeting room of the Ste. Genevieve County Library. These families will be honored at the Jour de Fete on Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11. Along with family information, family members also are urged to gather photos of their earliest ancestors to be included in the books. Family information will be accepted at the meeting, and a review of the activities of Project Pioneer will be presented. The committee has secured use of the Ste. Genevieve City Hall/city court meeting room for the Project Pioneer gathering during Jour de Fete. The Project Pioneer gathering will be a one-day event on Saturday, August 10, only. Meetings will continue on the second Saturday of each month through July with the final meeting set for July 27. Family books will be available Jour de Fete weekend. For more information on Project Pioneer, visit stegenevieveprojectpioneer.org.
DEMOCRATIC CLUB
The Ste. Genevieve County Democratic Club will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, at the Steelworkers Union Hall on South Gabouri Street.
COUNTY BEEKEEPERS
The Ste Genevieve County Beekeepers meet at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at 295 Brooks Drive in Ste Genevieve. New, experienced or anyone interested in beekeeping is welcome to attend.
JOUR DE FETE
The Jour de Fete Committee has changed its meeting days to the first Tuesday of the month. The committee meets 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Genevieve. This month’s meeting was Tuesday, May 7.
Educational
HANDS-ON HISTORY
French Colonial America will host hands-on history programs each Saturday at the Linden House, 116 S. Main St. Various aspects of French Colonial heritage will be covered each season, with farm life now through June 8, the relationship with the mighty Mississippi from June 15 to September 7 and the relationship with Native Americans from September 14 to November 16. The cost is $2 per person and activities will include games, lessons, craft projects and more. For information, contact education program coordinator Sandy Puhse at 573-535-0276.
HOME-SCHOOL TUESDAYS
French Colonial America will host Homeschool Tuesday activities each week at the Linden House, 116 S. Main St. Various aspects of French Colonial heritage will be covered each season, with farm life now through May 28, the relationship with the mighty Mississippi from June 18 to August 20 and the relationship with Native Americans from September 10 to November 12. The cost is $2 per person and activities will include games, lessons, craft projects and more. Sessions will take place in the morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and in the afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. For information, contact education program coordinator Sandy Puhse at 573-535-0276.
Parish Picnics
ST. ANNE
St. Anne Parish in French Village will host its annual picnic from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. Kettle beef and fried chicken dinners with liver dumplings will be served. Dinners are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12, and free for those 6 and under. The event also includes music, games, bingo, a country store, a raffle and hourly drawings.
On TV
WHAT’S NEW
Gary Scheel, the former owner of Somewhere Inn Time bed and breakfast, will be the guest on the Wednesday, May 8, broadcast of What’s New on Ste. Genevieve Community Access Television (Channel 991). The show airs live at 7 p.m. and callers are
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