Nov. 29, 2006 - Betty Crocker's in Africa

Subject: Betty Crocker

Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 05:28:18 -0700

Seasons Greetings! As I type up my letter I am enjoying a "Celtic Christmas" cd (thanks mama!) in the background. I love the Christmas season as I'm sure all of you do…that joyful feeling that just over takes you…at least I hope it does :o) I imagine what it is like at home…all the beautiful Christmas decorations starting to go up, people running around busy doing their Christmas shopping (unless of course you are that last minute, Christmas Eve shopper), families decorating the tree. 

Just one month to go and Christmas is in the air! It's not quit like that here, at least not so far.I was so happy Wednesday. My friend Nebert (he works for the Niemeyers just next door) took me to get a package at the "Posta." I was supposed to be at CCP that day, but going to pick a package is an all day event! In fact I went one other time just after I had gotten here. I didn't share with you the trouble and inconsistency of the postal system here (or any system of that matter). When receiving a package that goes through customs they tax what's inside. But if they are in a good mood you don't have to pay as much. 

If a bad mood, watch out! It's whatever they decide. And before paying it's wise to check to make sure they didn't jack anything that they decided to keep for themselves! In public transportation ,if it's raining some times they charge us more...just because of the weather! So anyway, half the day was over when we were on our way back Nebert realized he needed to get some things at Yaya. On our way in I saw a Christmas tree in the entrance and as we entered deeper in to the "mall" there was a whole display of Christmas decorations by "Dormans" (that is a coffee place). I was so happy and decided that if Java didn't put up Christmas decorations then Dormans would be my mocha spot!

Thanksgiving dinner was great! Krystle and I have become little Betty Crockers! Who would have thought that we needed to come to Kenya to learn to cook? We worked real well together and Pastor Bob and his fam were very impressed and enjoyed themselves very much. We didn't do a turkey though (a little bit at a time ya know). We did chicken and got it from Kenyatta Market. I already shared about my issues with the meat and chicken here so I didn't have much of it. I tried to make my favorite Green Bean Casserole. Yoland said she really loved it but I had to improvise as they didn't have all the ingredients I needed. I have to brag though. I made a killer pumpkin bread with out a can of pumpkin. I actually had to buy two squash (they were like our pumpkins) and boil them and mash them! Krystle made awesome mashed potatoes too! 

It was so good and very much fun although I really missed my family and friends. I miss all the traditions (and fighting, haha) and my grandmas such good cooking and my grandpa carving the turkey as I don't have to pick around bones and whatever else to get some meat! 

Tonight we are cooking again (but something simple). We are having the TULIP girls over to spend the night since they are leaving us soon :o(

Friday Joyce took me to a place called Amani Ya Ju (something like that, and Amani means

peace, I forget what the whole thing means). Joyce works there twice a week. I'm not sure entirely    what the ministry is, but one of the things is they take women who basically have nothing and help them get on their feet again. It's near Westlands, so it's a pretty nice area (Westlands is where the rich people live and were all the mzungus go to hang out…like for bowling and movies). There is a little gift shop there, where the women sell their products. And they are good! It's mostly things they have sown…blankets, clothes. And then their bead work…all their beautiful jewelry. It's so neat to me because I realized that every woman there was different, therefore all their products were uniquely different and all so good. It was also a very good day for me to go as I was having little pity party in my head, and Joyce brought me to this place and I realized that I don't need to focus on myself, that God is a BIG God and doing BIG things right here in this place.   I like talking to Joyce too because she is so selfless and a good reminder to me that it is helpful to myself to help others.

It's still raining but the last 3 days not as much. I'm hoping this "short rain season" is coming to an end. I'm tired of having muddy shoes and pants and an umbrella always occupying one of my hands! When it's not raining the skies are beautiful. There are always big puffy clouds and a bright blue sky. But I hate getting sunburned when the sun is out because our malaria medicine makes it easy for us to get burned. I always am carrying around sunscreen. 

I will be going to camp on the 3rd – the 8th, please pray for me! So I will not be in contact for about 2 weeks. I’m sure I’ll have some good stories to tell. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with lots of great food and friends and family and laughter. And I hope that as Christmas approaches we are all in "good spirits" and joy would over take our hearts, no matter where we are :o)

Take care and God bless! Megan

Nov. 29, 2006 - Kenyatta Market

Date: Tue. 21 Nov 2006 08:56:37 -0700

Ngumo, the estate we are living at is shaped like an "O." We are at the bottom right of that O and there is a place called "Kenyatta Market" which is in the top left of that O. Kenyatta Market is a place with tons of kiosks, people doing their business and is where most of the time we get our fruit. Did I mention how good the fruit is here? I'm surprised I'm not "bananad" out. They have these mini banana's that are so sweet and good! 

Anyway, I tell you about Kenyatta Market because although I love to get fruit there, I try to avoid it as much as possible. You see the market is also a place of street boys and basically the Ngumo dump where trash is piled high and burned. When walking by, the street boys come up and say, "sister" or "friend, buy for me…tea, bread, chipoti…" Krystle has asked me a couple times, "did you smell the glue?" as they get high off of sniffing glue. I am ashamed to say no and to write this because I purposely don't get close to them, I purposely stay as far away as comfortable for me.  

I will come back to this. I now want to share something with you I read out of a book called, "Blue Like Jazz" which I want to ask this author, "are you a fan of Seinfeld" because his humor and writing is so similar and simple…if I wrote books I would write as he does. Anyway I was convicted after reading this. He was talking about his friend "Andrew the Protester" who is "a flaming liberal." He goes to protests where he gets pepper-sprayed. 

He feeds the homeless, makes breakfast for them, drinks coffee with them and if they want prays with them. He said a few things about Andrew, and these hit me the hardest: 1 - "What I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do." 2 - "Andrew does not believe in empty passion." 

I wrote those because it made me ask myself, "what are you doing here?'" 

Is it to be here and love those street boys even if it's just for 5 minutes? Or is it to get my weekly fix of my mocha addiction, or should I say comfort addiction? Just sharing my heart with you. If you want you can pray for that for me :o)

Things have been getting kind of hectic around here. The 3 places we have been serving at have given us a lot to do all at the same time…surprise, surprise. But here it seems like everyone is shuffling around, getting everything to a close by the end of the year. I've put together part of a display for the TULIP ministry so that when they go to Nairobi Chapel at the beginning of December (for fundraising for the girls to go to school)they can show with pictures what TULIP looks like. I unfortunately am not able to go and see what comes of it as I will be on my way to camp for the youth from church. I have to be onest…I tried to get out of it. Camping is such a scary idea for me in the states, I'm lucky to go for 3 hours (if you can even call that camping). So having no idea what it will be like here –for 6 days especially, is a bit stressful! You can be in prayer for me about that too :o) Haha, I'm such a baby!

When I walk by the butcher I hold my breath, and even put my shirt over my nose if no one is looking. It is such a horrific smell I don't even think I can begin to describe it. I even wish I could cover my eyes when walking by. They bring the meat in a truck - not a semi truck where it is kept cold and nicely packaged up. No, it is brought in the back of a pick-up truck (there is a camper shell over it), meat piled high and an occasional fly or two.

Speaking of meat, I'll talk about what I've learned about my mouth. When I worked at camp, in food service, the saying was, "when in doubt, throw it out." I think the motto for my mouth should be, "when you're not sure, keep it shut!" There are times when I'm not sure to say something and I do, and then I'm the other extreme where I need to say something and I don't. I get confused. But I guess 90% of the time everything brewing in my brain does not need to be shared as public information. But I did get a kick out of this although it probably wasn't "the Christian thing to do." Krystle and I had just gotten on a mat (don't you love all my matatu stories) and she had to sit towards the back and me the front because it was already so full. 

Next to me a girl, next to her a guy who decided to "give me the eye." He hasn't been the first and that day I just didn't feel like dealing with it so I didn't, but I think I may have rolled my eyes. After that he turned to his friend behind him and spoke in Swahilli and then what felt like everyone laughing. So, since my tolerance for Kenyan's hitting on us girls and hearing things in another language I can't understand had overflowed, I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine and spoke in Spanish. 

I asked him if he understood "shut your mouth" but in Spanish (I can't actually spell it so I'm just telling you). He didn't understand so I repeated it for him. His facial expression gave me this look of shock but told me he knew. What I wanted to say after that was, "why don't you practice it then" but instead said, "good" and we were at our stop and got out.

I like to say cool words in Swahilli cuz "it's cool." Like when I end my letters and teach you the huge amount of Swahilli that I know. Some time last week I went to Yaya to do some grocery shopping. As I crossed the street to catch a mat, one of the toa's recognized me and knew where I was headed and knew I needed to catch his mat. He gave me a big smile,held up the mat for me, I think gave me a good deal on the short trip (10 "bob" instead of 20 - bob is the same as shilling) and helped me with my 2 bags of groceries. When I got off at my stop, I thanked him and said, "barikiwa" which means "be blessed." Okay in the states, yea I might say, "be blessed." But it's much more cool to say it here cuz it's in another language. Haha, so you've learned earlier that I am a baby, now you are learning I'm a nerd too :o)

In two days it is Thanksgiving. Well it really doesn't feel like it here. Maybe cuz they don't celebrate it? Krystle and I are going to celebrate, but on Saturday instead of Thursday. We are having Pastor Bob and his family over, plus a couple more. There will be a total of 9. I realize for you mama's that really isn't much, but for 2 girls who haven't prepared Thanksgiving dinner, let alone much anything else we are a bit nervous how the food will come out. We are able to prepare a lot of things like at home, it's just a bit more difficult. Krystle had a really good idea…we wrote cards for each person that is coming and just a small note to them and why we are thankful for them. I wrote on Msimbi's card, "I'm so thankful I know the funniest person on this earth!" It's true, every time I see her she cracks me up…so that will be a special 3 months with them coming up. So anyway, I am thankful that we can celebrate Thanksgiving even in a country that does not celebrate our holiday, and with very special people…but I will till be missing my family and friends. I hope and pray you guys have a very safe and good and grateful Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for each of you. For your support in physically making it possible for me to be here. Just for getting my emails…I hope that it is encouraging to you in some way (in my sarcasm even) and that you just enjoy them…thank you for your responses to them as well. And I'm thankful for your prayers that go beyond what I can understand. Have a "baraka" (blessed) :o) Thanksgiving! 

Mungu aku bariki!!!

Nov. 29, 2006 - Wineries

One thing nice about our midwestern area is that we can take some nice drives here and find ourselves in wine country!

If you know wine, you already know that Missouri  is giving California a run for their money! You might have heard but some of the award winning wines that are coming out of these winerys. Germany never seems too far away, when you take a trip out to Hermann . The rolling hills and spectacular views here will take you on a mini-vacation! Stop by the wineries at: Hermannhof, Stone Hill, St. James, or Mount Pleasant (located in nearby Augusta ). Blumenhof Winery is located in Dutzow, just off the Katy Trail. Some of the wineries charge a small fee on summer weekends, but tours during the week, there is no charge.

Out in Marthasville, you'll find the grape growers, Connie and Dan Burkhardt hard at work on their vineyards. Stop by for a tour at Bethlehem Valley. Did you know that grape growers and wine makers are usually 2 separate businesses? Dan sells his grapes to a winery and they make his own label with the state grape Norton (or Cynthiana) a robust red wine.

Now if you're planning a romantic weekend, you might want to check out the nearby Bed & Breakfasts that are in that area too. Don't delay in getting a date scheduled. If you like antique shops and river views, you're gonna love visiting here.

  Register NOW for the 2007 Midwest Grape and Wine Conference, Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, Missouri taking place on February 3 - 5, 2007. Have a grape time!

For past award winning wine suggestions: 

Nov. 29, 2006 - Modern Day Tales from Africa* toilet for sale

I hope you enjoy reading these adventures of a young woman named Megan M. and some friends that are there on a mission to help others in Africa. It's her personal account of what she's seeing and when she has time to reflect on it. I have her permission to add these stories to my blog. Enjoy!

Subject: toilet for sale

Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:43:54 -0700

It is the "short rain" season…although to an Arizona girl, and I think anyone besides those living in Oregon (mom and aunty j) would agree it is really "long rains." Last week as Krystle and I were going to TULIP we basically got poured on. We didn't bring an umbrella and got soaked. But we had a good time. I mean how often does someone walk in the pouring rain and mud for at least 10 minutes? Oh wait, that does happen quite often here.

But really, being from Arizona and the only time I had an umbrella was when I was a little girl having fun. So thinking of caring an umbrella does not come naturally to me. If it isn't raining during the day, it is raining during the nights…and it is muddy! I think God is still teaching me that having dirty shoes (and pants) is okay and I need to get over little spots of dirt, or in this case mud all over my clothes and shoes.

If something is for rent it is "to let." If something is for sale, it is either "on sale" or like normal, "for sale." On the way to the Giraffe Center there were 2 signs next to each other. One was "to let" the other "for sale." Someone scratched an "i" on the sign between the "o" and "l" on the sign "to let" so it read "toilet for sale." The Giraffe Center was a nice little place. It was out of the city…so quiet and peaceful, and clean!

If I stayed there for a week I think I would get all the pollution out of my body and actually blow clean boogers and not black ones. I got to pet, feed and kiss them. I even rode on one. Just kidding 'bout that…gotcha! But I did put some of the giraffe food in between my lips to get a kiss, but ended up getting my face cleaned. Sick, but fun. And just a couple fun facts for you: Some giraffe's hearts can weigh up to 25 pounds and pump 20 gallons of blood per minute!! Isn't that awesome?!

When saying hello in Swahili, "habari, jambo, mambo, sema, sasa" or the 45 other ways, they are all tied with "how are you?" So if you say "hi" in English to someone who doesn't speak very good English, they follow it with "fine." So I say, "hi" and the person responds, "fine." The other day I was walking from the church office to get some lunch and I passed by a man who was in his Masai tribe outfit…whatever you would call it. But he wasn't from the city. It was a bright red/plaid skirt with some kind of throw over thing on his shoulder. He had a long stick and huge ear lobes from whatever it is they stick in their ears. As we passed each other I gave him a little smile but wasn't returned with one. But it was so funny because once we passed each other we both turned our heads at the same time to get a second glance at each other. He still wouldn't give me a smile :o)

I am learning some about myself in the work place and my so called "leadership skills." I think I mentioned in another email how I am in charge of taking the youth from church to the Nairobi Children's Home (one of the orphanages). To be blunt I don't like it. Doing work here, but especially at the church office is huge culture shock and flat out frustrating. To get something printed literally takes over an hour. 

When I asked for a pair of scissors I was handed some kiddy ones (and not as a joke). I have found a creative side in me I didn't know existed; I am able and really enjoy creating things on the computer…brochures (for camp coming up) and "business cards" I used today to hand out at "WAVE" (which is the youth service) as a fundraiser so we can put little packages together for the orphans. The message conveyed to me is "do as I say, not as I do" and I see so many Kenyans passing off responsibility. It's like there is a whole lot of nothing going on (and a whole lot of drinking tea) which adds to my frustration. The way things get done (or don't get done) are completely opposite of the states. If their could be a balance between Kenya (relationship oriented) and America (work driven) I think things would be nicer…but I don't think there is such a place.

Before I left for Kenya I was told by many, and agreed with them all,that "6 months really isn't that long." My first thoughts when I woke up Wednesday were "6 months is a long time!" In my 24 years of living, 6 months is a blink of an eye. But in the moment, it seems like forever! 

My outlook and attitude has been changing as I am experiencing more and accepting those experiences. For instance I am able to enjoy it here so much more, but as time goes on I grow in my appreciation for home and loving America. Maybe I am becoming a bit homesick again as the holiday season is approaching and wanting what is normal to me. Frozen turkeys in the grocery store vs. chickens and roosters running around and watching them be butchered. Green bean casserole (oh my fav) that I can eat with a fork vs.tasteless ugali and "greens" to eat with my hands. The sound of Christmas music in department stores vs. reggae music vibrating against my butt. Driving around with my brother to look at all the Christmas lights at night vs. getting home in a crazy matatu (and bargaining the price) before it gets dark cuz it's not safe then. I am thankful for the weather as so far (minus the rain) it is so similar to home…I think it's actually a little bit warmer in Chandler than it is here…I am imagining people still driving in their convertibles with the tops down. I miss bragging about that to all my mid-west friends!

Things are getting a little crazy here as the year is coming to an end. Can you believe the new year is just around the corner?!? Krystle and I have been given a lot of tasks at each place we are at, but nothing more that we can't handle. But I am looking forward for things to slow down a bit and experience mzungu or "touristy" Kenya. I hope things are going well for you in "normal" land and are enjoying the end of the year. Please continue to send prayer requests. I'm sure there will be a lot of traveling coming up for some of you? 

May God bless you and keep you.                Love always, Megan

Nov. 26, 2006 - Crime City? Here in St. Louis? Read All About It!

Well, I've been waiting to address this issue and finally have a report to offer you. I couldn't believe the report that had us (St. Louis City) being in the top 10 of crime cities once again. I heard a broadcast on KWMU radio this same subject on Friday, so I perked up and paid attention.

I've been in the city to see the Arch, taken my grandkids to the City Museum, been to Busch Stadium and sold property in the city. I've had buyers from the city, wanting to STAY in the city. They like their neighbors, the neighborhood and the school they had their kids in (parochial). Do we have crime here? Yes, we do.  Name a place that doesn't. (on Earth, I mean!). Are all areas safe? No, they aren't. So what do YOU think? Is this a Safe City?

Feel free to comment if you've been to visit us. While I live in the county (always have), I make frequent trips to the city and as you can see by my visits to the St. Louis zoo (County willingly helps support this gem!) and Missouri Botanical Gardens, among other attractions (see my blog entries!).

The East West Gateway Council has put out a report which is their 5th edition.  If you really want to know the nitty gritty about the city, you can start by clicking East-West Gateway Council of Governments "Where We Stand Report" !

This report ( Morgan Quitno Press's annual rankings) does not cover St. Louis County.This report is released every year and its methodology is always heavily criticized by many. Significantly, the reported statistics do not include the St. Louis metropolitan area, nor any make any distinction between St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and East St. Louis. If you want additional information, check out the St. Louis City website .

 Here's a great list of Independent Schools in the city. In my opinion, St. Louis City has been beleaguered by squabbling and a lack of firm effort to get most of their schools to create a great environment for kids. Many people, if they can afford to do it, choose private schools for their kids. We've seen other schools turn around and be successful and we all want that for the city schools too.

Prices of homes in the city have gone up. We're seeing blighted areas change into places that are welcoming. Check out Washington Avenue and see how the area is changing and other places that offer new homes and growth. Maybe we should try to keep St. Louis City a secret, as it's still one of the best places to live and find "bargain" housing!

Check out the Historic Neighborhoods located in our fine city. I think we've got a lot to be proud of, but I acknowledge that more needs to be done. Is our work ever really done? See you in the city!

Nov. 17, 2006 - Take Flight In 2007!

In October of 2006, my daughter Jeanne, held the 9th Annual St. Louis Fall Festival. These fund raisers began after our daughter Terri died from a brain tumor. She wanted to help others and see if we all couldn't make a difference in their lives. Jeanne picked up the baton, helping Terri find information from the ABTA and from others that had been in similar circumstances. Terri was a shining light in our lives and so many others, that we wanted something lasting to keep her always in our hearts and lives, knowing that is what she would want. Jeanne has been helping others ever since! Each time she thinks about quitting, our angel, Terri, sends her a "sign" to keep on.

The Fall Festival was held at Brookdale Farms in Eureka, MO. It was a chilly day, but the folks came through again for Terri. Last year Jeanne was pleased to find that Melinda Marquart was willing to co-chair the event, after the loss of her husband Keith, who had died from the same type of tumor. Recently, my daughter Nancy's ex-husband, has been diagnosed with the same type of tumor (glioblastoma). There are over 190,000 diagnoses of brain tumors annually, which include over 120 different types of brain tumors. A cure can't come to soon. Brain tumors don't discriminate; anyone of any age, race, rich or poor, can be affected. The money raised at these fund raisers are used to benefit the research programs of the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). Due to all of her hard work for ABTA, Jeanne was recently appointed to the position of Vice President of the ABTA, as of July '06! Congratulations, Jeanne! I'm so proud of you and your efforts.

Everyone had a great time and we all plan on going back again next year. If you want to be put on the invitation list, just let me know! We'd love to see you there!

Each year many people make donations of time, money and prizes to be used at the silent auction. That's where I got the idea to bid on the RE/MAX Midwest Group donation of the RE/MAX Balloon flight! Each year I've tried to bid on it and each year, I'd been out bid! Finally, this year I won out! So with that in mind, I am entering each of my past clients in a drawing to win the ride!

Here's the deal for my clients!

Bless your hearts! Pass the Blessings on!                                                                   

Big NEWS For My Clients!  

Here’s your chance to fly high in our RE/MAX Balloon!

The lucky winner will win a flight for two in 2007!

 My past clients have an opportunity to win this exciting offer to start the new year!

Any client that has referred a friend or family member will be entered an

additional time for each referral.

You will automatically be entered into this raffle as a Special Thank YOU from me!

The drawing will take place on January 2, 2007.  You can check out my web site,

www.judysepac.com  to see who is the lucky winner, after that date. 

While you’re there, check out my new blog (a work in progress!).

The winner will choose the date of the flight to take place in 2007,

May to November, early morning or late evening flights.

 (Subject to Balloons Over St. Louis, Inc. Rules & Restrictions)

 The value of this offer is: $500.00. 

 No Gimmicks, No Tricks, Just a BIG Thank YOU for your loyalty and referrals!

As always, I appreciate your loyalty and support!

Judy Sepac, REALTOR 314-744-4771

Nov. 6, 2006 - Lone Elk Park and The Wild Bird Sanctuary

Valley Park is located near Highway 141 and Interstate Highway 44. It's an old river town with a history of being one of the places that had clubhouses built up on stilts. Almost every spring, you could expect some flooding there. Sometimes a little water, sometimes alot. The river played an important part in the success of the river town. A railroad (AMTRAC) still goes through the town, but does not stop here. You can catch the train in  nearby Kirkwood though and ride to Chicago or head for Kansas City! 

Both Missouri Pacific and the Frisco rail lines came through this town. Stop in and visit the Frisco Hotel located at 28 Front Street which is one of the original old buildings preserved and a big part of the towns history. The Whittle Shortline store now occupies the building, but you're welcome to stop in and look around.

Recently  (April, 2006) they had the Meramec Valley River Basin Levee built that will keep that from happening, much to the delight of the residents!  With the completion of the levee they plan on having trails along the Meramec River for hiking and biking as part of the Ozark Greenway Trails.

They have several parks now: Vance Trails Park, Leonard Park, Brignole Park, and Meramec Landing for anglers and boaters. Simpson St. Louis County Park and Lake are also within their City limits. Be sure to check out the Museum Of Transportion which is just wonderful and full of trains, and also some old, but prime cars. Just outside of the city limits is Lone Elk Park and The Wild Bird Sanctuary, which we visited recently. The Sanctuary has more than birds too. They have snakes, bison, deer and other wildlife there and a "hand's on" area. It's located in a park that is hilly and offers wonderful views. Some areas are restricted and you need to stay in the car to view the animals, but other spots offer picnic benches and places for you to follow trails. Check out the photo's I took!

Nov. 4, 2006 - Sunset Hills_Laumeier Park

Sunset Hills, located in South St. Louis County, has a wonderful park located there. Laumeier Sculpture Park is an outdoor adventure waiting to be seen and is open year round. It has 98 acres for you to enjoy! Last Sunday, while the city and county were getting ready to celebrate the Cardinals baseball team winning the 2006 World Championship, I ventured out to see what was happening here at Laumeier. It was a beautiful day and I had a great time strolling through thepark and seeing all the folks that were about.

Fall was showing it's splendor with the changing colors of the leaves. Cooler air is welcome and a bit of melancoly finds it's way into my heart. Time is passing by so quickly. I hardly know where the months have gone. There's a nip in the air and you want to walk briskly. This is the perfect place to do that. There are paths and different trails to take. You can also tour inside the museum building, but I'll save that for another time. It's too pretty to be inside today. Following are the photos that I took this day, but there were many more sculptures to see. I hope you'll come and visit, if not to stay.

    The big bird is one you can walk into and sit down for a rest if you'd like. The scuptures are also marked with braille script so that it is accessible to the handicapped. I like the chain of balls and also the man in the woods. The final photo is a wall plaque with mosaics that was made by children and others at a camp function. There is a shelter there too, facing the woods.  In the summer, at the outdoor stage, is where the outdoor concerts take place. Wonderful art shows too!

If you like contemporary art, you'll like this park. If not...just enjoy the walk in the park.

Dogs are allowed on leash...but please remember the pooper scooper!

Nov. 4, 2006 - Kirkwood

Ah, Kirkwood! A community of older stately homes and a mix of smaller homes, quickly being bought up strictly for the land & building of new homes. It's tough to find a first time home buyer home here as the prices are typically higher than average. Think LOCATION!A friendly older community that has lots of charm.  Kirkwood will be a destination that you won't want to pass up! It was established in 1853 and was the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi. Stop by to see the train station (still functioning!) and while there, get a custard at the ice cream stand. Great places to get a bite to eat, fun parks (over 300 acres of park land), ice rink, ball fields, tennis courts, and playground areas, Kirkwood has a lot to offer! I love to visit the charming shops that dot this area. Sunday past, I happened to visit a Sculpture park at Maryhurst's Rooster Gallery.

While I was taking photos, the artist happened by and we discussed his work. This is just a sampling of what you can see. After talking awhile, he informed me that my uncle was buried there in the adjoining park-like area. Sure enough, after he'd left, I went over to find my uncle's gravesite, which I located. I had attended the funeral in 1968, but we had not been allowed to go to the gravesite and I never knew where he had been buried. The cemetary is small and consists of Brothers and priests (my uncle had been Provincial at Chaminade) that had taken the vow of poverty and service to others.  Besides the exterior scuptures, there are two galleries that you can view (closed on Sundays).

On a clear day at Geyer and Big Bend, by the railroad tracks, you can see the Gateway Arch as you look down the tracks! How cool is that!

Kirkwood school district serves all or a part of 7 other nearby suburban communites. More than 62% of Kirkwood's high school graduates entered a four year college or university, compared to the state average of 38.7%.