The Ambassadors of Lake Saint Louis is a community service organization that truly cares about the City of Lake Saint Louis and its people. Our not-for-profit club is dedicated to promoting civic, cultural, and educational growth of our city; and we strive to make it a better place to live, work, and play. Membership is open to all individuals who want to see Lake Saint Louis prosper, want to learn more about our community, and want to stay in the mainstream of local happenings. The Ambassadors meet every Friday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Community Association Clubhouse. Please join us for breakfast and a pertinent presentation on a topic of community interest. To support the club's activities, quarterly dues of $75 are received. The Ambassadors take part in numerous activities designed to provide support for community organizations and local charities. Many of these activities are described on other pages of our website. If you care about Lake Saint Louis, you need to be an Ambassador!
Most Recent Speakers
Steve Ehlmann SCC County Executive St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann had a lot to celebrate—and a few things to keep fighting for—in his latest State of the County update. One big highlight? A happy 10th birthday to the County Police Department, a relatively young force that’s already built a strong rep for modern policing. Chief Kurt Frisz and his team were praised for their hard work and smart use of tech—think drones, cyber units, and K-9 officers with upgraded skills. Plus, crime stats are down across the board, from robbery to motor vehicle theft.
Ehlmann also laid out a few items on his personal to-do list before his term ends in January 2027. He wants to make sure the county’s master plan continues to support smart growth—residential, commercial, and industrial. He’s also doubling down on public safety, promising more resources for police and prosecutors, plus building new courtrooms for the future.
Parks got a big shoutout too. The county is closing in on matching St. Louis County’s parkland-per-resident ratio, and Ehlmann wants to go even further. Kinetic Park in Dardenne Prairie is getting some especially cool upgrades: a massive new playground, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a splash pad on the way, and more features for the extreme sports crowd.
But not everything is sunshine and zip lines. Ehlmann’s frustrated that St. Charles County isn't getting its fair share of federal funding—especially for infrastructure and homelessness. He pointed to disparities in funding from the East-West Gateway Council, noting that St. Louis City still gets votes like it’s twice its current population, while fast-growing St. Charles gets the same influence it had when it was much smaller. He gave props to State Senator Nick Schroer for pushing a bill to demand more proportional representation.
Meanwhile, a huge $600 million MoDOT project is expanding I-70 and I-64 to help ease congestion. And on the emergency services front, a new regional police training facility is coming thanks to $50 million in state funding—something Ehlmann says will help standardize and improve training across the region.
Last but not least, property values are up again—which means higher taxes—but the good news is the increase isn’t as steep as in previous years. And seniors have new tax relief options available, which is great news for those on fixed incomes.
All in all, Ehlmann’s message was clear: St. Charles County is growing, evolving, and holding its own—but there’s still plenty of work to do.
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
All About Alzheimer's Jeremy Koerber, Kathy Fleming and Mary Williams came by the Ambassadors today to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and educate us on the latest stuff.
Jeremy Koerber started his talk with a big, sobering number: 7.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia — over 120,000 of them in Missouri alone. Jeremy’s own family is personally affected, which is why he’s so passionate about spreading awareness and pushing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Why now? Because we’re finally entering a new era. For the first time, there are two FDA-approved treatments that can actually slow the progression of Alzheimer’s — but only if it’s caught early. That’s why conversations with loved ones and recognizing the signs are more important than ever. He shared how advocacy helped make these expensive treatments (once $26,000 a year!) more accessible by getting them covered like cancer or diabetes medications. But even with treatments now on the table, education and diagnosis remain huge barriers.
Jeremy explained that dementia is an umbrella term — it's a collection of symptoms like memory loss, personality changes, or hallucinations. Alzheimer’s is the most common form and is caused by plaque buildup in the brain. It's not “just aging” or “going crazy” — it’s physical brain damage. One eye-opener: Alzheimer’s starts affecting the brain up to 20 years before symptoms appear. Jeremy stressed the importance of risk reduction: eat well (natural foods!), exercise regularly, stay socially active, and challenge your brain. Also, add purpose to your life — that’s the secret sauce.
He also covered how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed — it’s not just one test, but a combination of screenings, cognitive tests, brain scans, and sometimes even spinal fluid tests. A new blood test is on the horizon too, which could make early detection much easier.
Jeremy wrapped up by encouraging people to use the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 helpline for anything from caregiving tips to finding local resources. He shared touching stories, like helping a woman calm her husband who thought he still worked on the railroad, by gently joining his version of reality rather than correcting him.
His takeaway: There’s more hope now than ever before. We’re not at a cure yet, but we’re making real progress. And the work the Alzheimer’s Association does — from helplines to research to education — is powered by community support and donations.
Help them out if you can. You might also be helping yourself or someone you love.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Shelley Machens, SCCC Shelley Machens is the Chief of External Campuses at St. Charles Community College, and she has a background in strategic business development, operational leadership, and launching disruptive tech, Shelley’s spent most of her professional life rocketing startups into the stratosphere. Now, she’s channeled that superpower into her latest mission: transforming Saint Charles Community College (SCC) into a workforce development juggernaut.
Joining SCC in 2024, Shelley now helms the Western Campus development strategy like a business-savvy general armed with a whiteboard, a map, and possibly a flamethrower of ambition. Her plan? Create cutting-edge training centers that don't just prepare students for four-year universities but launch them directly into high-demand, high-tech, high-pay jobs.
Under her leadership, the Wentzville Technical Center is now humming with students learning welding, robotics, HVAC, and metallurgy (coming Fall '26!). A mile away, SCC’s Commercial Driving School has become a pit stop for aspiring truckers and retraining employees—offering both credit and non-credit routes, because everyone deserves options... and maybe a CDL.
But wait, there's more! The Dardenne Creek Campus—formerly the Barat Academy—is now a collaborative hub for agriculture, culinary arts, and healthcare. It features everything from greenhouses and freight farms (yes, that’s hydroponic lettuce grown in a shipping container) to an outdoor pizza oven that turns out pies in 90 seconds. Students harvest produce, cook it, and serve it at events—like SCC’s spring showcase, where culinary students run the show with knives, nerves, and a lot of apron pride.
Not to be outdone, the Innovation West Campus is opening this fall. With 70 acres of opportunity and a shiny new 48,000-square-foot Regional Workforce Innovation Center, it’s packed with mechatronics, logistics, HVAC, and the all-important Discovery Lab—featuring holograms and interactive stations to lure the next generation into the trades (or at least into the building with curiosity and a VR headset).
Oh, and did we mention Dreamscape? SCC’s main campus is installing this mixed-reality learning platform so immersive, students literally float among atoms while acing chemistry.
In short, Shelley Machens and SCC are redefining what a community college can be—less ivory tower, more turbo-charged launchpad.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Jeff Scalise, Regions Bank Jeff gave us a detailed discussion on the evolving nature of fraud and scams, emphasizing the importance of awareness and prevention strategies. He highlighted that fraud tactics constantly change, adapting to countermeasures taken by victims and authorities. Initially, scams like the "Nigerian Prince" email gained notoriety as they exploited people's willingness to send money. Over time, as awareness grew, scammers developed new methods to continue their schemes. He manages a bank and dedicates considerable time to assisting customers affected by fraud, often without the ability to recover their lost funds. A door prize was offered during the presentation to estimate the amount Americans lose to fraud annually, with the correct figure being $47 billion for 2024. He shared personal anecdotes, including cases where victims lost significant sums, illustrating the severity of the issue. Scammers often target vulnerable populations, especially seniors, exploiting their trust and emotional states for financial gain. The presentation covered various prevalent scams:
Grandparent Scam: Scammers impersonate a grandchild in distress, often using personal details obtained from social media to create a convincing narrative.
Sweepstakes Scam: Victims are informed they have won a lottery they never entered, leading them to pay upfront fees.
Phishing: Fraudsters send mass emails or messages to collect personal information, often disguised as legitimate requests.
To combat fraud, the speaker urges vigilance:
Verify Calls: Always confirm with family members before acting on emergency requests.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Never provide sensitive information over the phone or online, especially to unsolicited contacts.
Be Cautious with Emails: Delete suspicious emails instead of engaging with them, as they may contain harmful links. The presentation concluded with a reminder that while fraud is a pervasive issue, awareness and careful actions can mitigate risks. The speaker emphasizes that no legitimate organization will request payment via gift cards or ask for sensitive information over the phone. The presentation served as a crucial resource for understanding and preventing fraud, particularly for senior audiences who are often the most targeted by these schemes.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Louis and Charles Wray Vine Wealth Management The speakers for the Ambassador meeting April 25th were Louis and Charles Wray from Vine Wealth Management of Lake St Louis.
The Wrays presented a broad overview of today's current market as compared to other points in modern history.
Below are noted some examples/comments and notations from our morning crowd of curious investors.
The Wrays started their talk stating that the goal of theirs as certified financial planners is to always help their clients ‘get retired, stay retired, and help with taxes’.
Louis also pointed out that stocks rose at a 3.1 to 1.0 ratio. Also, highlighting that earnings of stocks grow over time and that over the long term stocks do grow. He wrapped his talk by saying stocks and financials are meant to be bought and held but not to be bought and ignored.
A few other highlights include a question regarding tariffs from the current administration and how it would effect the average consumer.
Another comment the was that the CSI (confidence index) is at one of the lowest points in history due to current global situations.
One more discussion point was that good days do happen in bad markets.
Throughout history stocks have grown through market volatility and recessions. Vine Financial presented a very thorough and current analysis highlighting how even through Brexit, Covid, and the War in Ukraine stocks continue to grow over time.
Although not a mobster, she knows people who know people.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Pastor Steve Cauley, Living Lord Lutheran Andrew Floyd, Pastor, First Baptist Church Msgr. Ted L. Wojcicki, Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish Keith Spaugh, Pastor, Chapel of the Lake Good Friday
At our traditional Good Friday gathering, four Christian leaders shared powerful reflections on the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion, centering on the phrase "It is finished" from John 19:30.
Pastor Cauley emphasized the final words of Jesus as a declaration of completed salvation. Drawing from the original Greek term “tetelestai,” he explained that it means “paid in full”—like a receipt confirming a debt settled. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, humanity’s sin debt is fully paid, making salvation a gift of grace rather than something earned. He likened this to a game that’s already been won; our role now is to live in gratitude and freedom, choosing how to respond to God's grace.
Pastor Floyd expanded on the paradox of calling this tragic day "Good" by explaining three key truths. First, Good Friday reveals the problem—human sin that separates us from God. Second, it shows God’s love is greater than that sin. And third, it offers a choice: whether to accept the gift of salvation. Using analogies like paying off a mortgage or being handed car keys, he urged listeners to personally receive what Jesus has done. Otherwise, like an unclaimed gift, it remains ineffective. Good Friday, he said, is an invitation to stop striving and to rest in the finished work of Jesus.
(Monsignor Ted offered a more personal and emotional reflection, highlighting the sorrow of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her role as a model of compassion and forgiveness. He reminded listeners that like Mary, we too are called to respond to suffering—not with bitterness or revenge, but with mercy. He concluded with Jesus’ own words from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” encouraging all to practice forgiveness, even in pain.
Pastor Spaugh focused on a lesser-discussed but profound moment from Matthew 27—the tearing of the temple curtain when Jesus died. This curtain symbolized the barrier between God and humanity. Its supernatural tearing signified that access to God was now available to everyone, not just a high priest once a year. He emphasized that all people are created to have a relationship with God, and only through Jesus is that relationship restored.
Together, the speakers presented Good Friday as a day of deep sorrow, divine love, and eternal hope—a day that changes everything.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Joy Krieger, Nurse Honor Guard The speaker for the Ambassador meeting in April was Joy Krieger from Nurse Honor Guard pf St. Louis. Joy has been involved with helping people throughout her career in several different capacities but primarily in the medical field.
Joy has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. Her passion for helping others led her to work with the Nurse Honor Guard of St. Louis.
Joy talked primarily about a unique service provided to nurses who are nearing the end of life, or who have entered eternal rest and have dedicated their lives to the profession of nursing. These services are rendered by active and retired nurses volunteering their time to pay tribute.
Symbolism is expressed via the Nightingale Lamp service that recognizes the nurses’ light of learning, knowledge and caring. Extinguishing the candle symbolizes the release of the nurse from professional duties and the rose is a token of appreciation honoring the nurse for their contributions and sacrifice.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Anna Alt, LSL Finishes Comes now, Anna Alt: part powerhouse, part community cheerleader, and part “accidental” networking guru. She’s a proud Wentzville native and member of the last class from its lone high school, Anna’s journey has taken her from substitute teaching to co-owning a successful design-build firm, LSL Finishes, with her ex-husband (now best friend) and his wife (a bonus mom to her kids—seriously, it’s the most wholesome sitcom setup you've never seen).
Anna’s career pivot came when she realized she was better suited to being the face of the business—despite having no idea what “sales and marketing” actually entailed. Armed with a "just show up" attitude and a three-month rule (“Give anything new 90 days to see what’s working”), she plunged into the deep end of community networking and never looked back.
Enter: the Lake Saint Louis Ambassadors. She joined thinking it was strictly a business group but quickly learned it was more like a “do-gooders with community passion and concession stand shifts” crew. The Ambassadors became key supporters of the Lake Saint Louis swim team—a team that helped Anna rebuild her family’s life after major personal and professional transitions. She ran the swim team’s concessions like a five-star food truck, and now she’s spearheading credit card payments and donations for fireworks like it’s the Fourth of July every day.
Anna’s advice to help the Ambassadors level up? She pitched joining a Chamber of Commerce, leveraging billboard deals, and boosting visibility through QR codes, banners, and—yes—even Venmo. Additional advice? Show up, incentivize people with time, money, or fun, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed sign-up sheet.
With multiple business ventures, a near-lawsuit survival story, and a network that could rival LinkedIn’s, Anna is proof that passion, persistence, and a little play go a long way.
Although not a mobster, she knows people who know people.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Travis Welge, SCC Assessor Travis Welge gave us a comprehensive overview of the property assessment and tax collection process in St Charles County, detailing the roles of various departments and the methods used for property valuation. The total assessed value of properties in the county is approximately $14.1 billion, with 82.5% attributed to residential properties and 17.5% to commercial properties. He highlighted the importance of accurate property assessments for establishing tax rates that fund schools, emergency services, and libraries. The assessment process involves calculating the total value of properties, which is then submitted to taxing authorities to determine tax rates. The collection authority uses a formula to compute taxes owed based on the assessed value and tax rate, resulting in tax bills sent to property owners in December. The office responsible for assessments employs 48 staff members across various divisions, including appraisals for commercial and residential properties, and maintains records of property sales to ensure accurate assessments.
To maintain fair assessments, the office validates approximately 6,000 to 7,000 property sales annually, with a peak of 11,000 sales in 2021. This validation process includes evaluating the condition of properties to determine their market value accurately. The goal is to use average sales figures rather than outliers to ensure equitable assessments across the county. In addition to real estate, personal property assessments are also conducted, with approximately $2 billion in personal property assets and over 189,000 accounts. Personal property, including vehicles and boats, is taxed at a rate of 33.33%. Potential changes in legislation that could affect how personal property values are assessed in the future, which may impact tax revenues.
Tax Incentives and Nonprofits were also addressed. TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) and the 15,000 nonprofit properties, including churches, do not pay property taxes. Current TIFs in the county include three major projects, which allow certain developments to benefit from deferred tax payments.
The overall reassessment for residential properties has seen an 8.4% increase, with variations depending on neighborhood and market conditions. The average cost of new homes has risen significantly, indicating a robust real estate market, with new construction contributing to the overall assessed value growth in the county.
Looking forward, there is always potential legislative changes in property assessments and tax rates. Transparency and public engagement in the assessment process, as well as the importance of maintaining accurate records is necessary to support fair taxation practices. Property owners need to be proactive in understanding their assessments and engaging in the appeals process if necessary.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Jennifer Carroll, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Meet Jennifer Carroll, owner, pharmacist, and all-around medication guru at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Lake St. Louis. If you’re lost, just head towards Walmart, Dierbergs, and Lowe’s, and you might find her pharmacy nestled in a spot you never noticed before.
Jennifer’s big thing? Patient care. Unlike the mega-chain pharmacies that rush you out the door faster than you can say “side effects,” her pharmacy takes the time to know you, your medications, and possibly even your dog's prescription preferences (because, yes, they compound pet meds too).
One of the coolest things she brought to show-and-tell is a compliance pack—a neatly organized, easy-to-use medication pack that eliminates the "Did I take this today or was that yesterday?" guessing game. It’s great for seniors, kids with two homes, or anyone who appreciates a little extra organization in life. Bonus: they package and deliver for free if you're homebound. If you're mobile, it’ll cost you five bucks, which is still cheaper than that overpriced cup of coffee you don’t need.
On the topic of prices, Jennifer gave an inside scoop on the pharmacy pricing mystery. Spoiler alert: there’s no logic. Insurance companies, drug manufacturers, and discount programs all seem to be in a pricing free-for-all. Sometimes using insurance costs more than paying cash, and those discount cards? Let’s just say they’re less of a deal than they appear.
Jennifer also addressed prescription drug shortages (thanks to most medications being manufactured overseas), the rise of weight-loss injections (hello, GLP-1s!), and the frustrating red tape around EpiPens and other life-saving meds. She even confirmed that Missouri finally got with the program and launched a prescription drug monitoring system, preventing patients from hopping between five different pharmacies to stockpile controlled substances.
And in case you were wondering—yes, pharmacists must pass grueling exams and complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Because, let’s face it, you don’t want your pharmacist Googling “What happens when you mix these two pills?”
So, if you’re tired of the impersonal big-box pharmacy experience, Jennifer’s Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy is ready to welcome you with open arms (and possibly an apple-flavored antibiotic for your horse).
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Dr. Peter S. Montgomery Physician, SSM Wentzville Today, Dr. Peter Montgomery stopped by the Ambassadors to offer his prescription for a long and happy life. Dr. Montgomery has been practicing here for 30 years and has condensed his knowledge into a booklet titled, The Owner’s Manual For Your Body. It’s a handy guide to life’s little health mysteries.
The gist of his wisdom? Modern life has trapped us in a cycle of bad habits, or as he calls them, “comfort traps.” Back in the good old days (not quite caveman times, but close), people woke up with the sun, ate fresh food, and didn’t binge-watch Netflix until 2 a.m. Now, we’re all stuck in a state of perpetual jet lag, wrecking our health in the process.
Step one to fixing this mess: Get your sleep schedule under control. Our bodies thrive when we wake up with the sun and wind down at sunset, not when we oscillate between early birds and night owls depending on whether there’s a new season of our favorite show. Step two: Eat breakfast. Scientists have beaten this topic to death, and the consensus remains—eat a hearty breakfast, consume fewer calories at night, and avoid living off processed junk. Turns out, fiber is your friend; your gut bacteria love it, and happy gut bacteria means a happier you.
Exercise, both mental and physical, is another must. Keeping your body moving is essential, and keeping your brain active is just as important. Spoiler alert: Sudoku and crossword puzzles won’t save your memory but playing “Where am I?” while driving might. Also, book clubs are surprisingly powerful brain boosters—competitive discussion about a book turns casual reading into mental gymnastics.
Finally, for overall happiness, avoid stress, set boundaries, forgive people (even if they’re the jerks), and ditch bad dopamine habits. Swap doom-scrolling for hobbies like learning an instrument or taking up a new sport. In short: sleep well, eat well, move well, be kind, and maybe put down your phone once in a while. Oh, and don’t yell at your doctor’s staff—they control your prescriptions!
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Jani Albright, Director of SCC Regional Emergency Management Gregory Reavis, Lake Saint Louis Emergency Manager Jani Albright, the Director of St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management, a division of the County Police Department and Officer Gregory Reavis presented the program to our members.
Ms Albright coordinates training and responds for regional disasters, educates the public and directs operations of the county’s public warning systems. Jani has worked for the county police department since 2005 starting as a dispatcher. In 2020, she became the Assistant Director of Emergency Management Division and was promoted to Director of Emergency Management of St Charles County in 2024.
Officer Gregory Reavis was a Lake St Louis police officer for 10 years, working as a patrol office and crime scene investigations before joining the Emergency Management for St Charles County. Prior to coming to Lake St Louis, Officer Reavis worked for the Ste. Genevieve Police Department and spend 8 years as a search and rescue technician for the Emergency Management Agency in Will County, Il.
The Regional Emergency Management Services promotes unified planning and coordination of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for the county. They provide dispatching services for all fire and EMS agencies within St Charles County as well as the St Charles County Sheriff’s department. The department also maintains and supports the digital radio system and the Next Generations 9 police, fire, EMS and public works department throughout the county.
Their role is to help communities reduce vulnerability to both natural and man-made hazards, floods, tornados, earthquakes, hazardous material incidents, and power outages. During emergencies, their priority includes protecting lives, minimizing property damage and preserving the environment.
Pre-disaster planning is critical. They conduct annual threat and risk assessments as part of the St Louis Region and East-West Gateway Council. The daily operations involve situational awareness, monitoring the weather patterns, river levels and coordination with the National Weather Service. They maintain and test over 138 outdoor warning sirens and have resources like airboats, sandbags and mobile command post.
When activated in emergency status, EMCC coordinates communication through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to include real time updates, dispatching resources and ensuring critical infrastructures remain functional. They support local agencies and collaborate with FEMA when federal assistance is required. However, FEMA aid is based on strict damage thresholds and primary support public infrastructure rather than individual homeowners.
Post-disaster planning involves assessing damage, debriefing and providing education through programs like their Preparedness Citizens Academy.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Don Hammond --2024 Annual Ambassador Report The Ambassadors play a crucial role in improving Lake St. Louis by fostering community service, education, and fellowship. Their efforts are driven by a commitment to making the area a better place to live, work, and play. In 2024, the organization experienced a net gain of 10 members, with even more new members joining in 2025. The 2025 board features an entirely new leadership team, including Matt Medina as president, Eric Livingston as vice president, Katie Pawlowicz as secretary, and Darrell Dechant as treasurer.
The speaker program was highly successful in 2024, featuring 47 speakers that included civic officials, representatives from charitable organizations, and personal development experts. This achievement was largely due to the efforts of over 20 members who helped secure speakers.
Additionally, various committees organize essential community activities such as scholarships, candidate meetings, fireworks, and charitable initiatives like the Crossroads Clinic and Polar Plunge. The organization also supports popular events like Music on the Lake, swim meets, and lifesaver training in partnership with the local ambulance district.
Volunteerism remains a cornerstone of the organization, with 45 members contributing to various initiatives in 2024. Annual events such as the holiday party and picnic continue to build fellowship among members.
The scholarship program, which awards three scholarships annually, has been bolstered by increased fundraising efforts, including a successful trivia night. In 2025, the holiday party is set to feature a trivia night instead of a silent auction to further maximize fundraising, with the event scheduled for November 1, 2025.
The 2024 fireworks event was a tremendous success despite being threatened by storms. Donations exceeded costs by 7.3%, largely due to significant contributions from major donors like the City of Lake Saint Louis, the Lake St. Louis CA and SSM and Mueller Furniture, along with support from over 340 residents, businesses, and clubs. Plans are underway to celebrate Lake St. Louis’ 50th anniversary with an upgraded fireworks display featuring cutting-edge pyrotechnics, new music, refined choreography, and an expanded grand finale.
Financial management remains robust, with funds held in Regions Bank and Edward Jones across four checking accounts designated for operations, fireworks, scholarships, and other deposits. Despite rising food costs, dues have stayed at $75 per quarter since 1981, and annual audits continue to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility.
2024 was another successful year for the Ambassadors and we look forward to more great things in 2025.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Adam Rollins, SCC Government Adam “Firehose” Rollins came by the Ambassadors today to spray us with his fount of knowledge about County government. Apparently, County government isn’t some giant totem pole of power—it’s more like a bunch of little totem poles that only talk to each other when absolutely necessary. People often mistake County government for schools, libraries, or the court system, but those are someone else’s problem (so stop asking the County Council about school bathrooms).
At the top of the county food chain, you’ve got the County Council (the lawmakers) and the County Executive (the boss who spends the money). They oversee everything except the parts they don’t. For example, the courts are technically state-run, but the county owns the buildings. The prosecutor is county-funded, but thanks to legal drama, their status is now a “gray area.” Good luck figuring that one out.
Taxes? Fun fact: the Assessor determines how much your property is worth (whether you like it or not), and the Collector makes sure you pay. But don’t get mad at them—only 3% of that money actually stays with the county; the rest funds schools, fire districts, and other important things.
Elections? Three per year. Bipartisan oversight. No shenanigans. Moving on.
The Recorder of Deeds is like the county’s memory bank, keeping track of property records, marriage licenses, and military discharges. Unfortunately, they don’t share a database with the tax collector, so if you need proof you own your house, be prepared for a fun game of county office ping-pong.
Law enforcement? The sheriff mostly handles evictions, prisoner transport, and courthouse security, while the police do the actual policing. The county jail provides meals, medical care, and some rehab (so hopefully, inmates leave better than they came in). Emergency Management handles disasters—tornadoes, chemical spills, and other “oh no” moments.
And finally, let’s not forget the medical examiner—because when things go really, really wrong, they’re the ones figuring out why.
In short, county government is a complex, sometimes baffling, but ultimately necessary system that keeps things running—even if it occasionally makes you wonder why you need three offices to handle one simple task.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Jay Grosman: Transforming the Automotive Industry with Transparency Jay Grosman is on a mission to bring integrity and transparency to the automotive industry. While he may not look like a superhero, his dedication to protecting consumers and challenging the status quo makes him one in spirit. Grosman has built a business model that disrupts the traditional automotive process and empowers both buyers and sellers.
Grosman’s journey began with his vision to ensure consumers aren’t taken advantage of. Over the years, he’s become a trusted automotive advisor featured on Fox 2 and Channel 4, auditioned twice for Shark Tank, and written for the St. Louis Journal Leadership Trust Committee. He also hosts The Auto Authority podcast and is active on the Entrepreneurs Organization Board, where he works to help entrepreneurs succeed.
At the heart of Grosman’s business is a comprehensive vehicle sales program. It’s designed to take the hassle out of selling a car while maximizing the seller’s profit. His team handles everything—from conducting independent mechanical inspections to mobile detailing, professional photography, and listing cars on dealer websites, ensuring greater visibility and higher returns. By acting as a car concierge, they protect clients from dealing with unsolicited phone calls and risky private meet-ups. Grosman’s team even handles title work, offers financing options, and provides trade-in services, all while securing 20–30% more for vehicles compared to dealerships.
Grosman is also passionate about educating consumers about warranties. He emphasizes avoiding "stated warranties," which often cover only 10% of a vehicle’s components, and instead recommends "exclusionary warranties." These policies closely mirror factory warranties, covering most major repairs and excluding only wear-and-tear items. Grosman highlights the importance of choosing warranties that cover diagnostic fees, pay posted labor rates, and offer nationwide coverage by ASE-certified mechanics.
One standout feature of exclusionary warranties is their predictability. Grosman shares the success story of a client who faced an $8,000 repair on a GMC Yukon. Thanks to the warranty, they paid just $100, demonstrating the value of these policies. Additionally, exclusionary warranties often have cash value when canceled or transferred, providing extra financial benefits. Through his innovative approach and commitment to consumer advocacy, Grosman is reshaping the automotive industry and ensuring a fairer, more transparent experience for everyone.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Special Visitors from the North Pole The Ambassadors were surprised this morning by some special visitors from the North Pole. Santa and his Chief Elf stopped by to give us an account of their preparations for an upcoming trip. Unfortunately, many Ambassadors discovered that they were on the Naughty List.. We did, however, have games, treats and general merriment. The Elfin Trio also played some Christmas favorites, and we had a good old-fashioned sing-along.
—————--
Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Kaycie Hollrah, 4-H The LSL Ambassadors were fortunate to host Kaycie Hollrah of the Point Prairie 4-H Club as our guest speaker at our last meeting before Christmas. She gave the best presentation of the year! Or at least one of the best three! She is an exceptional speaker, knows her topic and educated the audience about 4-H clubs, Land Grant colleges, the two Morrill Acts by Congress, followed by the 1914 Smith-Lever Act. The 1862 Act established Colleges for higher education in each state; the Act provided funding for industrial, agricultural and mechanical arts. In 1890, the Morrill Act established HBCUs. Most of the impact of these acts were focused on the Eastern portion of the US. In 1914 Smith- Lever Act added functions for Land Grant universities to provided research results to Counties, established County agents to distribute this to residents in each county.
Missouri has 114 Counties and 114 County agents. St Charles County Extension has 4-H Clubs, Master Gardeners, and Naturalists and food and water inspectors. Community gardening is focused on community engagement, beginning with MU, flowing down to the County Agency, Master Gardener organization, 4-H clubs and individuals in the community. Kaycie has been a member of 4-H for 8 years. She began raising chickens as her specialty and has used her experience as a producer to become a National 4-H representative speaking to local groups, at the state level in Missouri, and at the National level. Her 8 years of experience has served her very well, and she demonstrates it throughout her presentation and Q&A sessions! She shows that with youngsters like her taking leadership roles, we are in good hands for the future!
—————-- Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Music Instructor Amy Pryor and the Green Tree Choir The tradition continues. Exactly how long has been lost to history and poor record keeping. But, once again, the Green Tree Choir, under the direction of Amy Pryor, has come to entertain the Ambassadors and help us get in the Christmas spirit.
They began their set with a tribute to Veterans. The choir sang a couple songs about America including a very nice a cappella round of America, We Sing to You. They also performed a lovely rendition of the Battle Hymn of Gettysburg complete with narration of the Gettysburg Address (which four students had memorized).
The Christmas set began with a medley of Deck the Halls, Up on the Rooftop and Jingle Bells and a rousing declaration of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The grand finale was a humorous song called Christmas Socks—they even brought props.
A heartfelt thanks to Amy Pryor and the Green Tree Choir for keeping the tradition alive. —————-- Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Kelly Allmeyer, SCC Chief Death Investigator Why and how do people die? Not something we want to think about. Kelly thinks about this every day as a part of her job. She has been in the field of death investigation since 2009 and has been Chief Death Investigator for the Regional Medical Examiner since 2019.
Ms. Allmeyer thinks about both Manner of Death and Cause of Death—nope, they’re not the same. There are five Manners of Death: natural, homicide, suicide, accidental and undetermined. Most of the non-natural causes of death in St. Charles County are motor vehicle accidents and overdoses. Cause of Death is a different story: they are multitudinous.
As you might imagine, death can happen any time of day or night and Kelly’s office has 24/7 operations Her office handled 4,400 cases last year. That’s 12 cases per day…every single day, so she is a very busy lady.
Thanks to Kelly Allmeyer for taking some time out to speak to the Ambassadors. Graciously, Investigator Allmeyer spared our group from some of the more gruesome details of her job—it is breakfast time, after all. —————-- Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Brian Bishop, Superintendent WSD On Nov 8th, Brian Bishop, the 20th Superintendent of Wentzville School District visited the LSL Ambassadors to share the news from Wentzville School District. He discussed the current successes, enrollment levels, school board issues, taxes and everyday activities in the district. Data in a previous demographic study from 2019 showed that the WSD continued to be the fastest growing school district in the state. The district has averaged about 602 new students each year since 2001. This has made the WSD the ninth largest school district in Missouri with 17,542 students.
In its most recent audit, WSD received a clean bill of health. For the past 5 years, its tax rate has varied from $4.7586 in 2020, peaking at $5.2486 in 2021 and going down each year to its lowest point in 10 years this year, to $4.6532. During this time frame the district has grown to 4 high schools, 4 middle schools and 13 elementary schools.
Mr. Bishop holds an Education Specialist degree and a Master of Science in Ed from Mo Bap Univ and a BS in ED from UMSL. His 24 years of experience has been across multiple levels of middle and high school, includes classroom teaching, coaching, HR, Operations, and administration roles. He assignment before becoming Superintendent was as Deputy Supt!
Most of the time was spent answering questions from the audience since schools are such a hot topic in St Charles county and around the area in general. The same political divisions we see day-to-day in society has entered our schools and school boards. School boards in the recent past were primarily volunteers from the community. Now, it takes a lot of money and backing to run for these offfices and usually they are very factionalized. Parents have become very litigation oriented. How is teacher retention in WSD? Good in general, but a few specialities are to fill. Bigger problem is with support staff. The rise in violent behavior had generated a larger need for support staff on busses and in classrooms, plus new initiatives like Pre-K education and the ongoing replacement needs.
WSD is using a Pathways initiative to allow students to have an opportunity to focus their education on their interests. These pathways are Arts and Culture, Business and Global Studies, Health and Human Services, STEM (Sci, Tech, Engr, Math), and Explorer. These allow them to choose career paths that align with their interests and offers them real world experience. Several companies in the area offer hands on internships and class time on a job situation.
—————-- Hey, come visit us! We’re especially friendly. The Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis meet every Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Max Calfo, Historian Our guest speaker for your November 1 meeting was our own members, Mr Max Calfo. Max has a true gift with teaching World History. He is very factual with a tone of humor to keep all involved and interested. Max is a great historian.
The End of the Roman Republic, History of the World Part 2. Augustus 27BC-14AD
The Roman Republic became the Roman Empire in 27 BC when Ceasar’s adopted son, best known as Augustus, became the ruler of Rome. Augustus established an autocratic form of government. It was a system of monarchy where the emperor held the power of life and made all the important decisions. He maintained an outward appearance of a republic while consolidating power in his own hands. The Senate granted Augustus a lifetime tenure as the Commander-in-Chief. Augustus was considered the “First Citizen” of Rome, establishing a regime knows as the Principate. He cultivated image though patronage of the arts and infrastructure projects, presenting himself as a leader who restored stability to Rome.
Jesus of Nazarene(4BC-30AD) was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who lived in the 1st. Century. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and was referred to Jesus of Nazarene because that is where he lived with his mother, Mary.
The Roman Empire generally viewed Jesus as a troublemaker who deserved his fate. However, Christians considered Jesus a martyr. In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine issued the edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity. Years later, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Romans were considered to be very wealthy and educated. They had running water and restrooms, but sanitation was limited and disease was prevalent. The water was used for many purposes, including public baths, latrines, fountains and for private household use.
The Colosseum was used for entertainment, mostly gladiator fights, for almost 400 years. The victims of these brutal games were mostly marginalized people or people that were look down upon by the upper class. An estimated half million people died in the Colosseum, along with one million animals.
Mohammed 570-632, Mohammed was very violent and murdered every man and child. Mohammed married a 6-year-old girl. Unexpectedly, Aisha’s apostle came to the girl and handed her over to him. It was authentically narrated in the Books of Hadith, on the authority of Aisha, “I use to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet and I had friends who use to play with me.” The marriage was consummated for the girl at the young age of 9.
In 1206, Genghis Khan united nomadic tribes in the Mongol heartland to establish the Mongol Empire. It became the largest continuous land empire in history. Genghis was declared the ruler of all the Mongols. As the empire grew it stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Danube River to the Persian Gulf. After Genghis Khan died, the empire split due to the disputes over succession.
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected in Asia, the Middle East and Europe from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century. It was a major conduit for exchange of goods, ideas, religions and cultures between the East and West.
The Black Death was a pandemic of the bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid 1300’s. The Black Death killed more than 25 million people which was 2/3 ‘s of Europe’s population at that time. It had a profound impact on European society. It took 150 years for Europe to recover from that plague.
In 1453, the Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, ending that empire and marking the beginning of the Ottoman Empire’s domination of the region.
The end of the Middle Ages according to some historians was the fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Middle Ages.
Max will be back in Spring 2025 with Part III.
Jessica Davis, Assistant Director, SCC Workforce Development On October 25, 2024, the Lake St. Louis Ambassadors were honored to host Jessica Davis, Workforce Development Asst. Director as our Friday morning speaker.
Jessica gave us an overview of the roles of the Job Center. This agency provides the necessary skills and knowledge that the individual needs to obtain employment. This might include proper training, education and career counseling. At the business level, they support companies to find qualified employees, and maintain employed retention.
The success rate shows the effectiveness of this program.
Jessica gave an extensive overview of this program. Thank you Jessica.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Nick Guccione, Mayor of Wentzville, MO Wentzville Mayer, Nick Guccione was the speaker at the October 18, 2024 meeting of the Lake St. Louis Ambassadors.
Mayor Guccione has served as the mayor of Wentzville since 2012, making him the longest serving mayor in Wentzville’s history. Prior to being elected as the mayor of Wentzville, he served as an alderman and President of the Board of Aldermen for 5 years. Previous to that Mr. Guccione served as Director at Large on the board on St. Charles County Municipal League, liaison of Wentzville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and a member of the Wentzville Planning and Zoning Commission.
In 2012 when Mr. Guccione was elected as the mayor of Wentzville, the population was 31,415. 2024 brags of a population of 48,343. Many reasons have caused the growth of Wentzville. Economic development has caused thousands of people to move to Wentzville. Rated as a fourth-class city in March 1972, the following decades brought steady growth in agriculture, small services and retail to Wentzville. In 1980, General Motors Corporation began construction of the largest, most modern auto assembly plant to Wentzville providing jobs to more than 6,000 people. Today Wentzville offers residents a rural feeling where most residents own their own homes. With the leadership of Mayor Guccione, Wentzville can brag about many things. Over his tenure, Mayor Guccione launched Power Engagement to facilitate improved customer service for the police department and added Axon Fleet to integrate technology giving officers 8 times more plate reads increasing safety for the community. The mayor has encouraged community development, welcomed 75 new businesses in Wentzville and economic development in progress.
Wentzville was recognized in 2023 for many different achievements. The city was deemed a National Top Performer by placing in the top 10% of all cities recognized with ETC’s Leading “ The Way Award”. They received the Top Workplace designation from the St. Louis Post Dispatch for the third time since 2019. The stormwater team received the Urban Conservation award.
Wentzville Park and Recreation has exceeded expectation. They currently have 6,968 active pass holders. 2,393 active passes were purchased in 2023. Firemen’s Park got a face-lift and has 4 new pickleball courts. It is all the rage.
Mayor Guccione is managing growth as he and his team supervise 20 capital improvement projects, begin construction of the new Public Works Facility and complete the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This community was included in hosting the MODOT regional “Improvement 1-70” public meeting, acquired over 160 acres of parkland and lowered personal property tax. Transportation projects started in 2023 will improve the Wentzville Parkway South and West Pearce Boulevard. The 2024 projects will improve the David Hoekel Parkway, Hwy Z at Interstate Drive and Wentzville Parkway S. The 2024 Project Design Plan will continue phase 3 of the David Hoekel Parkway, Hwy 61 outer road and Hwy Z widening.
Wentzville’s vision is welcoming community and as an innovational regional leader. They want exceptional service and a vibrant quality of life for residents and businesses. They want to provide long-term community value and responsible financial management. Wentzville is committed to economic prosperity through partnerships, development opportunities, and a versatile and skilled workforce. Wentzville is a safe and an engaged community. They provide industry leading services that enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses by creating customer experiences and responsible stewardship.
Mayor Guccione is and has been leading Wentzville to its current economic position.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Cindy Mense, CEO of Trailnet The Lake St. Louis Ambassadors were honored to have Cindy Mense from Trailnet as our presenter on October 11th.
Cindy is the Chief Executive Officer of Trailnet. She is Your local advocate for better biking, walking and transit. Trailnet's mission is to lead in fostering healthy, active and vibrant communities where walking, bicycling and the use of public transit are a way of life. “We uniquely occupy a place at the table to foster change at local, state, and federal levels making walking and biking better for everyone”.
Trailnet works within the St. Louis region and across the state to respond to the demand for improved walking and biking networks that attract and retain talent, strengthen our economy, and connect people to the places they love."
Trailnet is Located in Louderman Lofts, 317 N 11th St #302, St. Louis, MO 63101 Check them out here: https://trailnet.org/
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Jocelyn Evans and Lauren Sapenaro SCC Emergency Coordinators What do you do when things start hitting fans? Jocelyn Evans and Lauren Sapenaro can tell you—it’s their job to ruminate on such things. They double-teamed the Ambassadors this morning and advised us to think about the unthinkable: tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, outbreaks of disease…zombie apocalypses. It’s best to consider these things before they happen. And they will happen.
First, a little housekeeping. Jocelyn and Lauren work for the Department of Public Health on their emergency preparedness team and they coordinate with the Regional Emergency Management team to promote unified planning and coordination of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery before, during, and after a disaster.
Yes, government will help. The closer, the better. Local governments will help faster than the Federal government. That’s simple logistics. Closer yet, is YOU!
Think about these things in advance. Don’t wait until the fans spin to make plans. Where will I go? What do I need? What will I eat? Where is my hemorrhoid cream? Make a plan, Stan.
Luckily, these emergency coordinators have a three-step process to enable you survive until help comes. Create a plan: Be sure your plan includes both evacuation and staying in place. Also, be sure your loved ones know about your plan. Prepare a kit: Have food and water for at least three days. Don’t forget to include a NOAA radio, flashlight, first aid kit, prescription meds, cash. Also have a kit for you your car which should also include a sleeping bag. Listen for info: Have a radio with extra batteries. Hand crank radios are excellent. Sign up for text alerts. Although phone service might not be available, texting might still work.
Finally, everything has an expiration date: Plans, food, ointments. Make sure you keep these things up to date and renew them periodically.
PS: Even the best plans seem solid until they confront reality. To quote Robert Burns: “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men, Gang aft agley”. Stay nimble, my friends.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Mandy Nolan and Gail Higginbotham, Family Advocacy and Community Training (F.A.C.T.)
On Sep 20th, Mandy Nolan and Gail Higginbotham visited and informed us of the FACT organization and what it does to support families and children with disabilities.
Mandy spent 20+ years in the banking industry where she excelled in management, training and strategic planning. She then changed careers to become an advocate, primarily to help a disabled family member. FACT was founded in 1987 by two parents who had children with disabilities. It started with a $2000 grant to provide educational advocacy for children on IEPs, and now is a $3M organization serving 6 counties and the City of St. Louis.
Everyone who works for FACT has a family member with a disability. They provide support to the family, not the child, which helps them identify barriers and solutions to get services that the family and the child need to improve outcomes in their life. To be eligible for these services, the individual must have a diagnosis of a suspected developmental disability or a suspected behavioral disability. If no diagnosis exists, FACT can also help families find out how to approach getting one. FACT provides advocates that support the family locate and take advantage of the services and organizations available for them. They also help the family locate the services they think they need.
Families can contact FACT’s office directly at 636-949-2425. Families are referred to FACT by other families, doctors, therapies, school personnel and State Agency personnel.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Randall Levesque, Levesque Estate Planning and Elder Care
Navigating the Complexities of Estate Planning and Elder Law: Insights from Randall Levesque
Estate planning and elder law can seem overwhelming, but understanding the basics can make a significant difference. Recently, attorney Randall Levesque shared his insights at an Ambassadors Club event, offering practical advice on these essential topics.
Levesque emphasized that the first step in estate planning is establishing a health care power of attorney. In Missouri, spouses or children do not automatically have the right to make health care decisions for a family member. A legally binding health care power of attorney is necessary. Similarly, financial decision-making can become problematic without a durable financial power of attorney, as accounts like 401(k)s may be frozen if someone becomes incapacitated.
Levesque also explained that a will is like a “letter to the judge,” expressing a person’s wishes. However, a will does not control all assets, particularly those governed by “Transfer on Death” (TOD) designations or placed in a revocable trust. A revocable trust helps manage assets and reduces complications, especially if assets are left out of the trust.
Advance directives or living wills are crucial in making end-of-life decisions clear, providing a “roadmap” for loved ones to follow. HIPAA waivers, particularly in blended families, ensure transparency in sharing medical information.
Planning for long-term care, especially in cases involving existing health conditions like Parkinson’s, often involves setting up irrevocable trusts. These can help individuals qualify for Medicaid while protecting family assets. For families with special needs beneficiaries, supplemental needs trusts safeguard inheritances without affecting government benefits.
Key takeaways from Levesque’s talk include the importance of regularly updating your estate plan, preparing for unexpected scenarios, keeping clear records, understanding beneficiary designations, and considering charitable giving.
In conclusion, Levesque’s insights underscore the need for a proactive, well-thought-out approach to estate planning and elder law, helping to protect loved ones and preserve legacies.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Dan Oberle, Lake St. Louis Board of Directors
On September 6, 2024, the LSL Ambassadors were honored to have Dan Oberle talk to us about Environmental Protection through our water sources.
Dan is a recognized leader and resident of LSL spanning 30 years. He has a degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry and has a long career in environmental and small business consulting.
In 1999 he joined Webster University as adjunct professor where he developed and taught graduate level environmental management, emphasizing the critical role of technical communications. Now in business with his wife, Liz, they provide entrepreneurial business consulting, and strategic communication for communities, associations, and commercial industries.
In 2014 Dan founded the Lake St. Louis Homeowners for Responsible Sewer Renovation (LSLHRSR) to reverse a misguided, PWSD, under-lake sewer decommissioning agenda. The key threat was loss of gravity sewers in favor of 30+ lift stations right on the lakes, which threatened 700 acres of private lakes, unwarranted capital spending, and Millions in homeowner property value erosion.
The LSLHRSR community actions resulted in restructuring of the utility’s leadership, engineering, and master plan, and restored proper electoral oversight on the Board of Directors through proper elections. We saved PWSD2 rate payers a reported $100M. All of this accomplished over a 7 year window of time
Dan’s enthusiasm applying his knowledge came through with his presentation. It is because of his concern for our water protection that he is referred to as Mr. Lake St. Louis! We are blessed to have citizens like Dan in our community. Thank you Dan Oberle.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Andy Tuerck, Area Engineer, St Charles County
At the August 24, 2024, meeting of the Lake St Louis Ambassadors, Mr Andrew Tuerck, area engineer gave an update on the St Charles County Construction projects, 2024-2025.
The “Improve I-70 Project 2 Overview” Warrenton to Wentzville was his topic. Warrenton, Wright City, Foristell and Wentzville were the focus of his presentation. Part of the project is to widen I-70 Warrenton to Wentzville. The project includes the interchange and outer road improvements in Wright City, the bridge over I-70 to be replaced in Foristell, Wentzville will have I-70 realignment of the railroad bridge and interchange improvements at I-70/I-64/Route 61. I-64 will be widened making 3 lanes eastbound and westbound I-64, between I-70 and Route K.
This aggressive timeline of MoDOT is scheduled to be completed by 2028! MoDOT had issued a Request for Proposal in July 2024 to three pre-qualified teams. The department will submit the winning contract to one of the three companies in the Fall of 2024. Construction is to start in the spring of 2025.
March 22, 1913, the Missouri Legislature created the Missouri Highway Department. Immediately, the construction began across the state to link adjoining county seats with paved and maintained roadways. The intent was to “Get Missouri out of the Mud”.
In Missouri, there are 4,800 miles of railroad tracks, 1,379 miles of interstate, 125 public-use airports and 15 public ports. The “Show me State” will retain its position as the “Crossroads of the United States”. MoDOT will lead the nation in innovation, efficiency and customer service.
Ladies and Gentlemen, MoDOT is planning for the future and our tax dollars are at work!
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Dan Keen, Director, SCC Department of Corrections
Daniel Keen, Director of St Charles County Department of Corrections spoke at the July 26 meeting of the Lake St Louis Ambassadors. His expertise is improving correctional facilities operations by implementing new programs, policies and professional development of the staff.
Dan came to the SCCDOC with over 23 years of corrections experience in Pennsylvania serving in many correctional capacities. Mr Keen recently was appointed as the co-chairman of Standards & Training Committee for the Missouri Sheriff’s Association. In 2015, he received the Thomas A Fulcomer President’s award for individuals that go above and beyond with character, service and commitment to corrections. Dan Keen carries out the vision of SCCDOC to achieve excellence all areas of correctional practices, offering evidence-based programs, rehabilitation strategies and ensure the department is equipped with resources aimed at improving community safety to move the corrections department forward.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Pastors Krumsieg, Agovino McFarland, Jubilee Church
On July 19th Jubilee Church ministries visited the LSL Ambassadors and described their activities in North St Louis. They are dedicated to bringing treatment, hope, purpose, and restoration to the homeless, mentally ill, addicted, and unemployable men and women of North St Louis. Pastor Andy was born in North St Louis, but moved to Iowa, Philadelphia, then to Cabrini Green in South Chicago, before returning to St Louis in 1998. He has two retired volunteers’ leaders assisting him to lead this effort; Steve, a retired CEO of a manufacturing company, and Frank, a retired patent attorney. They have planned a model community centered on a large church, Jubilee Community Church, which is led by Dr Bryan Moore. Jubilee Ministries has recovery houses for recovering addicts, served by a clinic and partners who provide personal development training for skills and accountability and employment so that people can grow into contributing members of the North St Louis community. A wellness center is also on site, located in Eliot School, which was recently purchased from St Louis School District. For more information or to provide support see jubileeministriesstlouis.com.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Kyle Watson, Adam Dunston, Brody Allen Exteriors
Kyle and his trusty sidekick, Adam Dunston, were at the Ambassador meeting on July 12th and they talked about roofing and storm restoration. As you might imagine, they’ve been quite busy this year, so they were happy to get out of the sun and eat some breakfast.
Have you ever heard of Brody Allen? They are a local roofing and storm restoration company headquartered in the Lake St. Louis area and I’ve noticed their yard signs sprouting in the front yards of many damaged roofs like mushrooms after a summer rain. Unlike many of the other “fly by night” contractors, they don’t follow storms from state to state. They are anchored here. They live here. They raise their families here.
They must be doing something right. In 2021 they had $300k in sales. In 2023 they had $8.4MM in sales and are projected to have $17MM in sales in 2024. This growth does not happen by accident, but is a result of their corporate culture and their values: B-R-O-D-Y. I won’t spoil the whole thing for you, but words like Reliability and Discipline are included. They are even willing to work on (gasp!) sloped roofs.
Kyle stressed changes in the insurance industry since hurricane Katrina. Many got insurance money and simply left. The goal is to make you “whole” not to make you money. Contractors, nowadays, work with insurance companies and both are accountable to each other for “work done”.
As it should be.
Hey, if you need a new roof or some grooming for your show pony, contact: https://brodyallenexteriors.com/ —————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Louis and Charles Wray, Vine Wealth Management
Vine presented information on the current trends in the market. They used S&P 500 data as it is the best representation of market trends and better identifies current status and future trends.
Top sectors in terms of earnings are all growth leaning stocks. These are communications, consumer discretionary and tech stocks.
Business is growing some momentum, but consumer spending is slowing. Growth stocks have high valuations now and are a hard buy, tech stocks may slow, then value stocks could become attractive to buyers.
Normally the S&P 500 is used as a guide to broad market data and when buying its index, one thinks of getting a good representative mix of stocks. However, the Large cap stocks have so dominated that it is not really as representative as once thought. Now you must be aware that you are probably only buying based on 7-10 stocks, and one therefore has to be more alert to this and more careful.
Other things to be aware of are that the tax laws have drastic changes coming in 2025 and that the Estate tax will be changed considerably. The estate value which is taxable changes from 13.1 million to 5.6 million in 2026. This includes all assets including home, 401k and life insurance. Louis left our new graduate guests with an important message about 401k savings plans. He pointed out that one should start contributing to such a plan as soon as one is employed. He showed the potential growth one could expect over just a 20 year period, pointing out that one certainly would not want to miss such an opportunity.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Max Calfo, Historian
Max Calfo is a resident of Lake St Louis and a member of the Lake St Louis Ambassadors. Max graduated from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut with an undergraduate degree in history and a graduate degree in teaching.
Max was born in New York City and daily saw the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the attack on September 11, 2002.
Between college and graduate school, he worked for Jim Jordon of Ohio, now a U.S. Congressman.
Max has taught history in grades 6, 11 and 12. His tenure includes schools in New Jersey, Connecticut and Wentzville, Mo.
Max received 800 out of 800 on the SAT on both world history and US history and was a national champion in the Academic World Quest competition on knowledge of historical and world affairs.
Just ask Max to give you one thing that happened every year from 1800 to 2024. He can do it! When I ask how it was possible to remember so many facts in history, he commented “I have a picture in my head of every fact I know and know the turning points of history and how it has affected our lives today."
Max is running for the Missouri State House of Representatives. —————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the LSL Community Association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Bridget Lolli, Dir. Health and Wellness, Columbia Public Schools
Ms. Lolli visited the Ambassadors this Friday to tell us about the connection between health, learning and achievement for the kiddos in our schools. As the Director of Health and Wellness, she knows that kids need to have their basic needs met before any learning can happen.
Maybe, you know about Maslow’s hierarchy of need: from scratching a basic existence of food, water, shelter at the bottom, to living your best life at the top. Bridget also introduced us to Bloom’s taxonomy. These are the goals of learning—from simple remembering, to applying, analyzing and creating. Nothing in the Bloom hierarchy can happen if you’re hungry, tired or cold. OK, here’s the adage: You need to Maslow before you can Bloom. Catchy, huh?
Bridge (yep, you can call her Bridge) emphasized seventy-three important items impeding student learning. Boiled down to the top four are these:
Nutrition—12% of kids don’t get proper nutrition. This is related to poor attendance and poor grades. Health—Mostly due to sleep, vision and dental. 73% of H.S. students don’t get enough sleep. Physical—25% of kids don’t get enough exercise. Here’s an important quote: “Hey! Go outside and play—(Mom).” Behavioral—20% of kids have behavioral problems (97.2% of 3 yr. olds—ed.). The effects of our response to COVID, pressures of sports, influence of social media and drugs are hurting our kids. BOLO.
Also, staff wellness is important. Teacher well-being has a downstream effect on our lovely cherubs. Many teachers suffer from burnout and depression which causes many of our most experienced and effective teachers to leave the profession early. What to do?
Ms. Lolli advocates for a Whole Community approach. This includes not only the bottom-line nutritional, physical and emotional needs of kids, but also to get the community involved in the success of our children and the support of our teachers.. She challenged various local groups, including the LSL Ambassadors, to get more involved in the success of the next generation.
Let’s do that!
Bridget Lolli is a passionate advocate for the next generation. For this we should all be glad.
—————-- We encourage you to visit us, Ambassadors of Lake St. Louis, any Friday morning at 7:00 at the community association to have breakfast, listen to great guest speakers and learn new stuff.
Interested in Joining?
It is easy to join our club. Contact a club officer or one of our members to learn more about the club, or just show up for a Friday morning meeting at the Lake Saint Louis Community Association Clubhouse at 7 am. Breakfast is catered each Friday by The Village Cafe. A schedule of speakers at our Friday meetings can be found below.
Follow us on Facebook to keep up on the latest information about our club.
