Posts Tagged ‘Normandy’

Located on a historic property in Normandy, the Wayside Community Garden provides plots for more than 30 "garden families." Credit: Jennifer Hope

If you’ve ever driven on Florissant Road near Bermuda, no doubt you’ve seen “Wayside.” The sprawling Victorian house, built in the 1890s by John Mullanphy Cates, was for many years home to wealthy salt baron Thomas Hardy, until his wife donated the property to the Normandy School District in 1960, stipulating that it could only be used for educational purposes.

Since then, the house has served as a reading clinic, an early childhood center and a food prep facility, not to mention a community landmark. But in 2006, citing the prohibitive cost of maintenance and repairs (and following what some would call “remuddling” of the home’s original design), the Normandy School District essentially abandoned Wayside and started talking demolition.

Concerned residents quickly mobilized, forming Citizens for the Advancement of Normandy (CAN), and for several years the group explored ways to raise funds for renovation. But alas, the money never materialized and Wayside continued to sit vacant…until finally, the idea for a community garden came up.

“We realized that we didn’t have the funds to rehab the house, but we still wanted to do something positive for the community,” says CAN’s Jane Reise.

Gardeners of all ages lend a hand at Wayside Community Garden. Credit: Stephen Engelmeyer

So in March 2009, she and a handful of other volunteers broke ground on the three-acre Wayside Community Garden, eventually winning a grant from Gateway Greening to install rain barrels and a water pump and drawing an eclectic mix of “garden families.” During its first growing season, the garden boasted an incredible 30 plots, each maintained (using organic practices) by an individual or organization.

UMSL students and professors, low-income Normandy families, retirees, Operation Food Search volunteers – those were just some of the gardeners who helped Wayside yield more than 2,000 pounds of produce in 2009. And Reise is hoping for even more this year.

“The neat thing about the people who garden here is that it’s such a diverse group,” she says. “We’ll even have neighborhood kids wander by and ask if they can help.”

Technically, first dibs go to anyone who lives or works in the Normandy School District, but so far nobody has been turned away. “The more the merrier,” says Reise. “It’s just great learning who the people are in our community.”

During the 2010 season, Wayside gardeners can expect more educational workshops, field trips and fun events. Reise also anticipates a boost in garden funds, now that CAN has gained 501c3 non-profit status and all donations to the group are tax-deductible.

“We had no idea the garden would as successful as it was last year, but now that we have a good thing going, we hope to take it even further,” she says. “We’re not just growing vegetables, we’re also building community here. And that is such a great benefit!”

If you’d like to find out more about the Wayside Community Garden, attend opening day this Sunday, March 14, at 1pm, 415 Bermuda, 63121.

In January, UMSL's Students of Service volunteered at Wayside Community Garden, filling an entire dumpster with debris from the old Hardy house.

Mark you calendars! For the next five weeks, there's a fish fry every Friday.

Having grown up Catholic, I’ve attended my fair share of Lenten fish fries, and one thing is certain: not all fish fries are created equally! I’m still lamenting the sad little cod square I got several years ago at one church. Fortunately, I’ve also enjoyed a number of home-style fish fries in North County, where every fillet is hand-breaded and actually looks like a fillet, and where even the side dishes have been lovingly prepared.

With Lent just starting, I haven’t been able to personally test every one of these fish fries, so I’m relying on the recommendations of NOCO readers in many cases. This is by no means a comprehensive list of every Friday night fish fry in the area, but I think it represents some of the best. Prices average $7-8 per adult meal, plus drinks and dessert.

St. Ferdinand: 1735 Charbonier, 63031, 3-7pm

This granddaddy of NoCo fish fries, which the parish has been running for 40 years, is open year-round and always draws a huge crowd. The fish is excellent; the seamless assembly line is even more impressive! Fried and Cajun catfish, fried and baked cod, shrimp, chicken, pie and more

Our Lady of Guadalupe: 1115 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, 11am-2pm, 3:30-7pm

If you like your fish with a Mexican twist, try this fish fry, which draws on the parish’s large Hispanic congregation and is also open for lunch. Fried cod, baked tilapia, fish tacos, shrimp, guacamole, clam chowder, baked apples, mac & cheese and quesadillas

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: 3500 St. Catherine, 63033, 4-7pm

I’ve gotten LOTS of emails touting the tastiness of this fish fry. Fried Alaskan cod, poppy seed coleslaw, clam chowder, French fries, green beans & hush puppies

American Legion #444: 17090 Old Jamestown, 63034, 4-7pm

Open since January, this fish fry offers a serene setting in the woods! Fish by the pound, plate or sandwich, plus spaghetti, baked beans, coleslaw and hush puppies

Holy Trinity: 3500 St. Luke, 63074, 4-7pm

Another parish with a growing Hispanic congregation, this fish fry features handmade chile rellenos!! Grilled salmon, fried and baked cod, grilled cheese, fried catfish, grilled and fried shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese and applesauce

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: 1050 Smith Ave, 63135, 4-7pm

Drive-thru service is the big draw here, but you can also eat in. I’ve enjoyed this fish fry many times. Cod, shrimp, catch of the day, two soups, pizza and more

St. Andrew United Methodist: 3975 N. Lindbergh, 63034, 4:30-7pm

Fried fish, baked chicken, spaghetti, coleslaw, baked beans and hush puppies

Holy Name of Jesus: 10235 Ashbrook Dr, 63137, 3:30-6:30pm

Baked or fried cod, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and French fries

St. Ann: 7532 Natural Bridge, 63121, 5-7pm

Baked or fried cod, shrimp, coleslaw, salad and spaghetti

Knights of Columbus #2951: 50 St. Francois, 63031, 3:30-7pm

Battered cod, jumbo shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese, green beans

If you try any of these fish fries, I’d love to hear what you think! Happy eating!

Help kick off the first day of Kwanzaa at Afro World's family-friendly Kwanzaa celebration this Saturday in Normandy.

Like many people who grew up celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa has always been sort of a mystery holiday to me. I knew that it’s an African-American event and that it was created relatively recently, but I was surprised to learn that this week-long holiday is actually a celebration of family values and personal integrity, and that it’s rooted in African traditions dating back thousands of years.

Created in 1966 by California professor/activist Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa runs from December 26 through January 1 and its name is derived from the Swahili phrase for “first fruits.” During Kwanzaa, people of African descent are called together to build and reinforce the bonds of culture, community and family, guided by seven core principles known as the Nguzo Saba.

Gathering around a table decorated with seven symbolic items, including fruit to represent the harvest and a mat to represent tradition and history, Kwanzaa participants discuss and celebrate one core principle each day, gradually lighting seven candles to symbolize each one. The principles at the heart of the holiday are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

In other words, Kwanzaa challenges African-Americans to be the very best they can be, offering a thoughtful and productive framework for positive change and cultural unity. It can also be fun, especially at Afro World!

This Saturday, December 26, the Normandy boutique will host its annual family Kwanzaa celebration, featuring storytelling by Redina Medley and Greg Reed, poetry and music by David A.N. Jackson, photos by the symbolic kinara candle holder, face painting, and gifts of books and fruit for children. The event runs from 1-5pm and is free and open to the public. Why not stop by and learn more about this empowering cultural holiday?

Afro World is located at 7276 Natural Bridge, 63121. For more info, call (314) 389-5194.

Nearly every time I visit St. Charles County, I run into former North County residents who tell me (whether I want to hear it or not) exactly why they had to “get out.” Things were getting bad, they’ll say. So much had changed. And besides, there was nowhere to shop!

Of course, if what you’re looking for is mile after mile of sparkling new chain stores, North County probably can’t compete with St. Chuck. But is there still plenty of quality shopping in NoCo, in the form of small independent retailers? You bet.

In fact, this list of 25 ways to shop North County for the holidays could have easily been much longer. And in case you don’t know, when you support independent local stores instead of big chains, at least $45 out of every $100 spent remains right here in the community. At a chain, it’s only 13 bucks. So if you want to do some good this holiday season and support your community at the same time you’re snagging some fun gifts, why not shop at these 25 great NoCo retailers:

1) Stems, 301 rue St. Francois, 63031, (314) 972-7836

When I’m working as a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens, this stylish floral shop in Old Town Florissant is exactly the type of place I’m looking for. Housed in a circa-1885 former mercantile once owned by Henry Albers, the decor is fresh and creative, the ambiance is fantastic, and even the store owners (and their super cute daughter) are magazine-ready. If you need inspiration for Christmas decorating or you’re shopping for ornaments, holiday decor or any sort of live or silk floral arrangement, definitely check out Stems. Owner Jenny Thomasson also sells gift certificates for her in-house floral design classes.

2) Nagle’s, 19 Patterson Rd, 63031, (314) 838-4444

I can’t decide what I like more – the sheer expansive wonder of Nagle’s old-timey variety store or the fact that owner Mike Nagle is a second-generation variety store man. His father ran the late Ben Franklin store  in Glasgow Village, and Mike has managed to keep that vintage mercantile feel alive and well. I don’t know any kid who wouldn’t brim with glee inside his store. Heck, Nagle’s is a sensory whirlwind for most adults, offering everything from toys, candles and gag gifts to birthday balloons, kitchen tools and wind chimes. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, jam-packed in wonderfully soaring aisles.

3) Alaska Klondike Coffee Co., 3200 N. Hwy 67, 63033, (314) 830-3488

I’m a tea drinker, so I have to trust my picky, java-loving husband when it comes to coffee, and he gives Alaska Klondike a hearty thumbs up. This simple storefront and coffee house features some of the finest coffee beans in the world, which owner/master roaster/former Alaskan Steve Richards roasts fresh every day. If you’re looking to buy top-quality coffee, gourmet cookies, flavored drink syrups, or perhaps some decadent cocoa made with eight kinds of chocolate, Alaska Klondike is for you. It’s also a great place to buy real burlap coffee sacks, perfect for crafts or green gift wrapping.

4) Missouri Mercantile, Hazelwood Mills, 63042, (314) 227-5005

This unique store at Hazelwood Mills draws shoppers from all over the state, and it should. Owner Bill Olwig has compiled an incredible selection of products produced right here in the Show Me State, especially food and wine. Missouri Mercantile sells Missouri cheese, salsa, jam, sausage, pet treats, salad dressing, BBQ sauce, lots of wine, and so much more. The best part is you can fill a gift box with whatever items you choose, and the box is shaped like the state of Missouri!

5) North Central Hobbies, 9630 Lackland Rd, 63114, (314) 426-0031

If there are pre-teen boys out there who would not like this fun hobby shop in Overland, I haven’t met them. For the past 25 years, owner Bill Egsieker has been feeding the dreams of model builders, puzzle solvers, kite flyers and remote control car lovers. And now, North Central Hobbies even has a huge slot car track that you can rent out for races. Before you hit the big toy stores, definitely give this neat place a try.

6) Pat Simmons, local author

Looking for a gift that really celebrates St. Louis? Award-winning local author Pat Simmons has not only built a loyal nationwide following with her Christian romance novels. She has also drawn legions of NoCo fans because many of her stories are actually set in North County! I hear the Whistle Stop and Thyme Table in Ferguson are both featured locations. And if you order directly from Pat’s website by December 17, she’ll send you autographed copies of her books in time for Christmas.

7) Deportes Atletica, 10005 St. Charles Rock Rd, 63074, (314) 426-4665

As the Hispanic community has grown in North County, so too has the need for quality soccer equipment, and Deportes Atletica in St. Ann has delivered in spades. This small store, which also sponsors leagues and has its own fields, sells a nice variety of soccer balls, cleats, nets, bags, and all kinds of fun gear representing professional teams from around the world. And did I mention – the folks here really know their futbol.

8 ) Smart Dogs, 396 St. Ferdinand St, 63031, (314) 921-2833

If your image of a pet groomer is a chaotic, messy place with hair flying everywhere, Smart Dogs in Florissant will change your mind right away. Clean, sophisticated and housed in the cutest old building with exposed brick and rustic beams, this full-service grooming salon is also a fabulous little pet boutique, where you can shop for organic dog treats, eco-friendly collars, leashes, toys, bowls, and even a dazzling doggie wardrobe. Another bonus: Helfer’s Pastries and Deli, featuring real whipped cream pies and other delights, is right next door.

9) Northern Arts Council (NAC) Gallery, 27 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, (314) 521-0299

I had a small hand in opening this community art gallery in 2007, so I already knew it had great merchandise. But when I visited again recently, I swear I wanted to buy half the store! Featuring an eclectic array of work from North County artists, the NAC Gallery offers paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery, prints, sculpture, leather work, and more – and most items are very reasonably priced. Normal hours are on Saturday mornings (or by appointment), but be sure to stop by NAC during Ferguson’s Christmas Glow: Dec 11-12 from 6-9pm. The gallery is so lovely at night.

10) Billiesdesigns75, on etsy

As if being an online super-mall of handcrafted items isn’t cool enough, etsy is also fabulous because it allows you to find local artists. Here’s the shop of a Florissant gal named Billie, who makes lovely one-of-a-kind jewelry and also accepts custom orders. (If only etsy would let you search its 170,000 stores by zip code, who knows how many other creative North Countians you’d find!) On Saturday, 12/19, you can shop Billie’s jewelry in person. Her first show will be at Bunker’s Tavern, 297 rue St. Francois in Old Town Florissant, from 12-3pm.

11) Trailblazer Bikes, 11 Paddock Hills Center, 63033, (314) 839-1434

Christmas isn’t Christmas unless somebody gets a bike, so you might as well ask Santa to swing by Trailblazer Bikes in Florissant. Despite its diminuitive size, this independent local bike shop offers a gamut of beach cruisers, BMX bikes, mountain bikes and pretty much anything bike and cycling related. And yes, they are competitive with the big box stores…just with better customer service.

12) Afro World, 7276 Natural Bridge, 63121, (314) 389-5194

I don’t care who you are. Everybody in North County should make a visit to Afro World. This unique Normandy emporium, which has been in business nearly 40 years, proudly celebrates African and African-American culture with an eclectic mix of artwork, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and so much more. The fact that the store is housed in a funky 1960s bank building is worth the trip alone. So is its large gallery of original paintings featuring prominent African-Americans. (Even Gary Coleman gets some love.) But what I really adore about Afro World is the delightful gentleman who works at the counter (so sweet!) and the fact that he’s selling awesome, eco-friendly canvas bags for a knockout price. Seriously, seventy-nine cents for a USA-made, natural canvas makeup bag with a lovely graphic on it! And they come in gift bag and tote bag size too! People, get yourselves to Afro World!

Be sure to check back later this week for part two of the NoCo Holiday 25…

"Wings of Freedom" by UMSL student Laura Pelsue is one of three pieces in the "Freedom Without Walls" installation at 7875 Florissant Rd.

Twenty years ago this month, the Berlin Wall fell, opening the borders between East and West Germany and heralding a new era of freedom and unity. To honor the anniversary of this landmark event, UMSL’s German Culture Center recently installed three student-designed sculptures to celebrate the U.S. German Embassy’s national “Freedom Without Walls” project.

"0813196111091989," resembling a stockade, was designed by Dustin Schmidt

Twelve UMSL students submitted proposals for the exhibit, but only three designs were chosen: those by Laura Pelsue, Dustin Schmidt, and Matt Grant and Kristen Franke. Probably because of its North County brilliance, UMSL was the only Missouri university invited to participate.

Under the guidance of sculpture instructor Noah Kirby (pictured in the video below), three teams of students installed the pieces in UMSL’s new Sculpture Garden, which sits right next to the fine arts building on Florissant Road.

You know you’ve noticed it, in that fun little nook just north of the bike bridge. The exhibits change every so often, and some look like sad craft projects gone awry. But some are also quite compelling, like this latest bunch.

To see the recent installation in progress and learn more about the art, check out this short video from Stephen Engelmeyer. The concepts behind each piece are actually pretty interesting.

"Light Beyond the Wall" (at night) by Matt Grant and Kristen Franke

Guess what? North County is home to a stunning world-class, European-style opera house.

When the Touhill Performing Arts Center opened on the UMSL campus in 2003, many were aghast that it had been built in North County. Two years later, as the beautiful European-style opera house struggled to fill its 1,625 seats, UMSL’s student newspaper blamed it partially on the center’s location, saying “North County does not have a reputation as a hotbed of quality cultural programming.”

Left unsaid was that many of the Touhill’s core customers – affluent seniors from Kirkwood, Clayton and Ladue – were actually afraid to go there. I’m sure some still are.

But when you step back and deal in reality, not just perception, the truth is this: Crime rates in Grand Center, the “cultural hotbed” surrounding the Fox Theatre, are way higher than those on the UMSL campus or in the Touhill’s 63121 zip code.

It is perfectly safe to see a show at the Touhill. And quite enjoyable too. The place truly is breathtaking. So why don’t more people go there, especially those who live in North County?

I think it boils down to price and programming.

Read the rest of this entry »