Author: hshanks

All Posts, Veterans

Vietnam Veterans’ Share Thoughts On New Ken Burns Documentary

By Holly Shanks (published in the South County Times Oct. 6, 2017)

Pictured: Bill DeArmond (left) and John Stillman.

The Vietnam War is forever intertwined with a part of American history that saw a country fiercely divided, governed by questionable politics, and rocked by social unrest.

Recently, a new documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, The Vietnam War, gave viewers an unprecedented look at this controversial time in history and the lasting consequences to the American and Vietnamese societies.

The documentary aired on St. Louis’ Nine Network (PBS). The network formed an advisory committee to help understand the complicated, and possibly painful, reactions Vietnam veterans and the public might have to the film.

John Stillman, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1028 in Fenton, sat on the advisory committee with his daughter, Lori. She explained the documentary explores more than U.S. Vietnam veterans’ point of view.

Continue reading “Vietnam Veterans’ Share Thoughts On New Ken Burns Documentary”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Community, Home

In Search Of A Diverse Police Force

By Holly Shanks (published in the Webster-Kirkwood Times August 10, 2017)

Police recruitment is a competitive process. Smaller sized police forces, like those found in Webster Groves and Kirkwood, compete for officers against local, state, national and federal law enforcement agencies. Minority officers can also be difficult to recruit.

Diversity within police departments became a national conversation soon after Michael Brown was shot and killed by a white police officer in Ferguson on Aug. 9, 2014. The incident sparked controversy, national media attention, and protests.

But with so few minorities seeking careers in law enforcement, the goal of increasing diversity by police departments can be a real challenge.

Continue reading “In Search Of A Diverse Police Force”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Community, Home

Getting Dirty In The Garden

Pictured: June Hutson

Kirkwood’s June Hutson retired after more than 40 years with the Missouri Botanical Garden so she could spend more time gardening…

By Holly Shanks (published in the Primes Times special section of the Webster-Kirkwood Times and South County Times July 14, 2017)

After more than 40 years with the Missouri Botanical Garden, master gardener and horticulturist June Hutson might well have retired this past January for some much-deserved leisure time.

In fact, Hutson said she retired for the opposite reason. She wants to spend as much time as possible tending to her passion — getting her hands dirty in the garden.

Continue reading “Getting Dirty In The Garden”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Outdoor/Enviro, Podcasts/Audio

Outdoor Passion & Beauty Meet In The Night Sky

Photo: Dan Zarlenga

Dan Zarlenga is the guest on this week’s Environmental Echo podcast series.
Zarlenga, the St. Louis Regional Media Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, has a unique hobby – he photographs the star filled night sky while incorporating night-time landscapes. The photographs are stunning! In the podcast interview, Zarlenga shares his technique, how long it took to learn the craft of nighttime photography, and his passion for the outdoors.
The topic of light pollution and how it affects wildlife and the environment is also briefly discussed. To hear the interview with Dan Zarlenga and Holly Shanks click on the audio below.

Published by Environmental Echo April 24, 2017.

Continue reading “Outdoor Passion & Beauty Meet In The Night Sky”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Home, Outdoor/Enviro, Podcasts/Audio, Spotlighted

Citizens Voice Concerns About Flooding At Fenton Board of Alderman Meeting

The Fenton Board of Aldermen heard concerns from the community about the recent flooding at its meeting on June 8. Historic flooding has plagued the area for the second time in less than 18 months. Citizens and business owner comments ranged from floodplain development to the Valley Park levee.  Hear the comments first-hand from concerned citizens by listening to the audio below.

Published by the South County Times June 12, 2017.

 

Continue reading “Citizens Voice Concerns About Flooding At Fenton Board of Alderman Meeting”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Community, Home, Veterans

Veterans Helping Veterans Through Fly Fishing

Chief Master Sgt. Clinton Carpenter, a Vietnam veteran, retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1987 after 25 years of service. After reading about a fly fishing program for veterans, he decided to dedicate his time and serve again by helping other veterans and military members.

Carpenter co-founded Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing at Jefferson Barracks in 2008. The program helps disabled veterans and current military members with physical and emotional rehabilitation through fly fishing. Three hundred veterans go through the program at Jefferson Barracks each year, according to Carpenter.

Continue reading “Veterans Helping Veterans Through Fly Fishing”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Community, Home, Spotlighted

Raise A Glass To Craft Brewing In St. Louis

Craft beer and homebrew enthusiasts take heart! The St. Louis area offers a generous beer culture to explore and to inspire homebrewers to create unique beers, ciders or meads.

“The beer culture is active and thriving in St. Louis,” said Kent Robertson, owner of Missouri Malt Supply in Fenton. “We are a model for a lot of other cities, and there is a good working relationship between homebrewers and craft brewers.”

Continue reading “Raise A Glass To Craft Brewing In St. Louis”

hshanksLeave a comment
Community, Home, Spotlighted, Veterans

Fenton First “POW-MIA City” In The Nation

By Holly Shanks (published December 22, 2016, in the South County Times.)

Fenton recently received a proclamation making it the very first officially declared “POW-MIA City” in the nation.

The Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum started the new city designation program to expand its outreach and awareness efforts for the POW/MIAs and their families.

“Most of the WWII veterans, many Korean veterans, and an increasing number of Vietnam veterans are leaving us,” said Paul Dillon, president of the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum. “Human nature being what it is – over time the chances increase that their sacrifices and service will be taken for granted, or worse, overlooked.”

Continue reading “Fenton First “POW-MIA City” In The Nation”

hshanksLeave a comment
All Posts, Home, Veterans

Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum Recognition Day Ceremony

Former POW Rocky Sickmann, right, shakes hands with World War II POW Bill Koeln at the Sept. 16 National POW-MIA Recognition Day event. photo by Ursula Ruhl, South County Times.
Former POW Rocky Sickmann, right, shakes hands with World War II POW Bill Koeln at the Sept. 16 National POW-MIA Recognition Day event. photo by Ursula Ruhl, South County Times.

By Holly Shanks

(published in the South County Times newspaper, September 23,  2016.)

 

“Freedom isn’t free.” That is a phrase Rocky Sickmann has heard many times throughout his life. And he understands the profound meaning behind that phrase through personal experience. He was a young marine guarding the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran, when it was over-ran by Iranian militants in 1979. Sickmann was one of 52 hostages held in captivity for 444 days.

“It means fighting through the darkest days and nights to serve and letting your loved ones walk directly into harm’s way to protect the country that we have,” Sickmann said to a standing room only crowd. “It doesn’t come cheap or easy, and always involves sacrifice. Our Prisoners of War (POW), our missing in action (MIA), and their families are all symbols of the price of freedom…”

Continue reading “Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum Recognition Day Ceremony”

hshanksLeave a comment