Author Archive for Shannon Howard
It’s almost time for Ferguson’s Twilight 5K…
What's it like to run through the streets with hundreds of people? Sign up for the Live Well Ferguson Twilight 5K and you'll find out!
This is my third year as a sponsor of the Live Well Ferguson 5K, and I couldn’t be more proud to support this awesome community event! The race will take place next Saturday, May 19, and there’s still plenty of room for YOU. Nez Savala has all the details…
Runners and walkers still have time to register for Live Well Ferguson 5K Twilight Run/Walk. The race is Saturday, May 19 in downtown Ferguson, Mo. Registration is $25 for the 5K and $10 for the one-mile distance. The goal is to reach 1,400 participants.
Registration is available online at LiveWellFerg5K.com or at the Ferguson Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The market is located at 20 S. Florissant Road in Victorian Plaza.
Race day registration is May 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market and at 4:00 p.m. at Ferguson Streetcar Lofts.
Ferguson Twilight 5K is in its third year. It’s the only twilight run/walk event in North St. Louis County. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels will experience a USATF certified course. The 5K and one-mile races start and finish at Plaza at 501, an outdoor entertainment area at the intersection of Florissant Road and Suburban Avenue.
Ferguson Twilight 5K supports youth scholarships for summer programs at the Emerson Family YMCA in Ferguson. The race is sponsored by a host of regional businesses and organizations including Christian Hospital, Ferguson City Walk and Emerson.
Awards and prizes will be presented to top finishers; medals will be presented to the first 1,000 finishers. The course is timed by Big River Running. Post-race festivities include a concert with SMASH band, vendors and specials at local restaurants.
Ferguson Twilight 5K encourages participants and spectators to donate old, used or new shoes for the Shoeman Water Project. Shoes of any kind can be donated. The shoes are sold to exporters for resale in developing countries. The money from the sales buys equipment and supplies to provide clean, fresh water to those in need.
To register for the race or find out more about the event, visit the Live Well Ferguson 5K website.
Hazelwood Central hosting Spring Art Show
“Purification” by Alecia Jennings is one of many student works that will be displayed at Hazelwood Central's Spring Art Show on May 15.
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
The art department at Hazelwood Central High School will host its annual Spring Art Show on May 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Student artwork will be displayed in rooms A-227 through A-231 and in the hall.
Select works from all courses include Art and Design, Drawing, Painting, Pottery, Fibers, Crafts, Printmaking, Computer Graphics, Advanced Studio and Independent Study. The show is a great opportunity to showcase talented artists’ works from the past school year.
The Spring Art Show is free. All students, parents and district residents are welcome. Hazelwood Central is located at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road, 63031.
The Gardens of NoCo: Kuhs Estate & Farm
Among North County's historical river bluff estates, none is more enchanting than Kuhs Farm, which will be featured May 20 on the Spanish Lake Garden Tour.
Last year, I got a surprise phone call from an old colleague. She’s a talented photographer who works with a lot of big magazines, and she called to say that not only was she in North County (a rarity for her) but she was standing in “the most beautiful place in St. Louis.” Giddy with excitement, she talked about sunken gardens and a sprawling rock grotto with a magnificent river view, and I knew instantly where she had to be: Kuhs Farm in Spanish Lake.
This little slice of paradise is indeed one of the coolest places around, a natural wonderland with a touch of whimsy. And yes, it is right here in North County. NOCO contributor Jo Batzer has the full story on this fabulous hidden gem, including details on how YOU can visit…
Elizabeth Parker knows she is one fortunate lady. She has the privilege to live on 150 acres that have been in her family since the 1920s, in a house her great-grandfather built. She shares it with a menagerie of animals, big and small, with plenty of fresh air, great views and a commute that involves only walking out her front door.
But it’s not just the fact that her farm has family ties or a peaceful country setting that makes it a privilege to live there; the land has a history all its own. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, it was later used for supply storage for the Lewis and Clark expedition, then eventually provided a home for the the Fugate and Carrico Cemetery and the Wiese Dairy farm.
Elizabeth’s great grandfather, Edward L. Kuhs, purchased the Wiese Dairy farm on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River in 1925. As a surprise for his ailing wife, Rose, he built a rambling country home there, then over the course of seven years, constructed a sunken ‘Rockery Garden’ in a gully for her to enjoy. But Rose wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the unique grotto and surrounding gardens. She and Edward shared them openly and welcomed up to 10,000 visitors a year.
A 1939 St. Louis Globe Democrat article describes the sunken gardens as one of the “showpieces of the area.” Lighted waterfalls spilled over stone terraces into large lily pools, while hundreds of flowers and dozens of trees lined the rock terraces. Today, though the gardens are currently under restoration, many of the original plants are still there, including majestic oak specimens (Quercus spp.), cucumber magnolias (Magnolia acuminata), and peonies.
What made the gardens so unique in the 30s was not just the plants, terraces or river views, but the elaborate mercury lighting system that was set up to flood the sunken garden area, mimicking moonlight by using different colored filters. The gardens and the light system were featured in a Union Electric Magazine article in 1931. Elizabeth remembers that the effect was magical, and she’s very close to repairing the innovative system.
Under her guidance, Kuhs Farm is fast becoming a coveted wedding and event venue. With so many areas full of natural beauty, there are plenty of scenic spots to choose from. The upper loft area of the barn has a rustic yet enchanted atmosphere with massive wood beams, white curtains and tiny white lights. A mature oak in the middle of a natural amphitheater-like swale offers a simple yet majestic and elegant space. The gazebo or stone patio area overlooking the river offers a totally different feel.
One couple was so inspired by the area after their wedding at Kuhs, they ended up purchasing a neighboring property for their new home together!
These days, Elizabeth is actively trying to restore the sunken gardens along with the original greenhouse. Her two children, an army of friends and even strangers have volunteered time to help repair and restore the gardens, buildings and equipment since Elizabeth acquired the property. They have donated materials as well as personal time repairing tractors, tilling soil, feeding and caring for the animals, removing stumps…there is always something to do.
The outpouring of help is what is so inspiring to Elizabeth. She and all her volunteers are mesmerized by the magic of the land and the way of life it has shown all who visit or come to help. Elizabeth and her friends have coined the term ‘Accidental Farmers’ to help describe how the farm has inspired and changed their lives when they least expected it.
Her next big project is the new veggie garden, and Kuhs will be hosting a ‘Farm to Table’ dinner in September with food grown right on the farm. The 40 x 80 garden will not only have raised beds for food, but a plow area for demonstrations.
And let’s not forget: this is also working farm with chickens, ducks, geese, goats, horses and pigs. The historic 1800s dairy barn is the home of Crimson Sun Stables, which shelters rescued horses, including “Her Own Storm,” the great-great-granddaughter of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Elizabeth saved the horse from the slaughterhouse and rehabilitated it.
An animal lover who also has an enormous sense of stewardship for the land and its history, she takes great pride in the Spanish Lake community. And like her great-grandparents, Edward & Rose, she will be sharing her beautiful Kuhs Farm with the public by taking part in the Spanish Lake Garden Tour, May 20th.
It will be the first time in 30 years that the Kuhs estate has opened its doors. You do not want to miss this!!
The 2012 Spanish Lake Garden Tour & Plant Sale is scheduled for Sunday, May 20th, from 11am-4pm. TICKETS: $15/person day of tour at the Twillman House, 11840 Bellefontaine Road, $10 in advance at Miller’s Auto Service, 12300 Bellefontaine Road, or mail check payable to Spanish Lake Community Association at: SLCA, P.O. Box 372082, Spanish Lake, MO 63138
The Kuhs estate is one of nine residential gardens & three community gardens you can visit on the tour. The plant sale features plants from the gardens on the tour and annuals from the locally owned (for three generations) Windy Hill Farm and Greenhouses.
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Jo Batzer has worked in the horticulture and florist industries for over 25 years and is the garden leader at Twillman House Community Garden. She lives and gardens in the Spanish Lake area with her husband, two sons and two dogs, and is also available for private garden consultations through her company, JB Design.
It’s time to GET FRESH in Ferguson again!
Mast Amish Produce & Bakery is one of several dozen vendors who will return for the Ferguson Farmers Market's 10th season, kicking off this Saturday.
If you’re a regular reader here at NOCO, you know what I think of the Ferguson Farmers Market: It’s awesome! That’s why I’m super excited that opening day for the 2012 season is May 5th!
Swing by downtown Ferguson this Saturday and you’ll find 45 vendors selling local meat, cheese, produce, baked goods, plants and artisan crafts. The Maple Jam Band will also be on hand, playing live music from 9-11am. And don’t forget – the market sells breakfast too!
Among the fresh items available this week: greens, salad mix, spinach, bok choy, onions, cabbage, broccoli, pea shoots, baby brassica mix and lots of strawberries! Arrive early and you might even snag some baby arugula, Asian salad turnips, dandelion greens, burdock and new potatoes.
And when you’re done shopping, why not take a quick house tour?! Five beautiful historical homes in Old Ferguson will be open this Saturday morning from 10 to noon, including my listing at 117 Adelle…
Each of the houses is currently for sale, and the tour is totally free. If you want to participate, grab a map at the market’s info booth on Saturday.
The Ferguson Farmers Market is open Saturdays, 8am-noon, at 20 S. Florissant Road, 63135. Hope to see you there!
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K