A Year Later, Grace Thrives Like Her Namesake Facebook Page

Update: We revisit "Grace's Glendale Bus Stop," the story of a young lady who has gotten national attention for how her family has helped her overcome Down Syndrome to work a job.

Another holiday has come and gone and with this one, came another visit by the Easter Bunny to Grace's Glendale Bus Stop—an informal landmark in the community that has drawn regional and national attention. For the uninitiated, Grace's Glendale Bus Stop is a Facebook page focusing on literally that: A bus stop dedicated to Grace Mehan, a Glendale resident with Down Syndrome who graduated from Kirkwood High School in May 2011. The bus stop and its Facebook page were part of Grace's parents' plans to help her learn how to navigate a bus route on her own to a job in Webster Groves. The Facebook page launched nearly a year ago, on April 9, and it's been adorned with photos of local celebrities, fans, friends and neighbors who have stopped by …

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Grassroots Effort by Local Couple Helps Heal Abused Dog

Michelle White and Brad Weicht rescued a dog from an abusive situation, and thanks to some internet fundraising on their part, the dog was able to get surgery.

Throughout the metro St. Louis area there are a number of organizations dedicated to animal rescue efforts, such as Stray Rescue and Gateway Pet Guardians. Operations such as these are crucial in helping abused, abandoned and neglected animals, but there are also individuals who serve as pet foster parents, rally for animal rights and save animals from abusive situations. St. Charles County residents Michelle White and Brad Weicht are two people whose joined effort to save one abused dog has made quite an impact on the community. Between the two of them, White and Weicht have rescued, fostered or otherwise saved dogs, cats and a few ducks. Neither White nor Weicht are strangers to helping out an animal in need. The animal lovers have four …

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Lake Saint Louis Resident Champions Veterans

St. Peters was first city in St. Charles County to rename Veterans Memorial Parkway after a campaign led by Ralph Barrale.

It wasn't too long ago that Veterans Memorial Parkway didn't exist.  Sure the road was there, but it went by a different name. It wasn't until a campaign, led by Lake Saint Louis resident Ralph Barrale, sought to change the name of the road to honor the veterans.  "There was nothing in St. Charles at that time to recognize the veterans," Barrale said. "And that was the beginning."  The first city to change the name? St. Peters.  Barrale continues to fight to make sure veterans are recognized. You can read more about him and his championing of veterans on Lake Saint Louis Patch.

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Saddle Up: Unique Therapy Program Helps People with Disabilities

One St. Peters resident volunteers with Therapeutic Horsemanship, which uses horseback riding as therapy.

According to data from the 2000 Census, nearly one in five people in the U.S. has some form of disability. Adults and children alike often seek out alternative forms of therapy as a way of coping with mental and physical disabilities. One such program is Therapeutic Horsemanship, an organization that uses horseback riding as a form of therapy for individuals with disabilities. St. Peters resident Jeane Whittenburg has been volunteering with the Wentzville organization for 26 years. Whittenburg said she is a certified riding instructor and has always had a love of horses. “It’s the most rewarding program I’ve ever been a part of, the people are dedicated and know what they’re doing,” Whittenburg said of the non-profit organization. An …

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Volunteer Helped With Fundraising to Bring Swing for Disabled

The Devine Liberty Swing helps individuals in wheelchairs enjoy the fun of a swing, without leaving their wheelchair.

For many children and adults who use a wheelchair there are certain restrictions to their mobility and sometimes, recreation. It was because of this that a device called the Devine Liberty Swing was created. The Liberty Swing works similar to an ordinary swing, but it is designed to safely accommodate a wheelchair. Part of what makes the Liberty Swing unique is the swing has a ramp attached to it so that a wheelchair can be rolled up on to it. “There are other types of swings that are similar but nothing that lets an individual stay in their wheelchair,” said Kelly Brooks, who served on the Devine Liberty Swing fundraising committee. The first swing in St. Charles County was recently installed and the device is only the second of its kind …

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Designing Service: Awarded Veteran Seeks to Honor Other Vets

St. Peters resident and World War II veteran Bill Rupp has raised funds and helped build several monuments to honor veterans.

St. Peters resident Bill Rupp has been an integral part of the community for many years. The World War II vet has lived in St. Peters for 28 years. During that time, he has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, was the first chairman of the St. Peters Veterans Commission and has helped build memorials to honor veterans. “He does so much, he is still serving his country, just in a different aspect,” said George Newell, veterans service information officer, and friend of Rupp. A record of service Rupp was named Veteran of the Year by the Pentagon in 2006 and was one of nineteen veterans honored in a book titled Distinguished Veterans Who Made a Difference. Also in 2006, Rupp met President George W. Bush when he made a stop in St. …

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Terri Violet

3:04 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011

What an honor to know Bill Rupp. So many people look up to him and have a great deal of respect for all he has sacrificed for our city and country on behalf of all who have served. He has done so much for the Veterans of St. Peters and surrounding areas by showing true honor and respect for those that are here and those that have gone. He is a blessing to our great city.   more ›

Spotlight on St. Peters

Artist Has a Love of Painting, Teaching

St. Peters-area artist enjoys sharing her gift of painting through her artwork and instructing others.

Decorative artist Judy Dodson enjoys working in a multiple mediums, but got her start as a painter. In fact, Dodson said she has two passions: painting and teaching. The artist divides her time between her two talents. The painter has taught for 25 years. During that time she has instructed others both privately in her home as well as teaching area Girl Scout leaders how to create fun art projects. The leaders then in turn teach their troops the skill. “In many cases they haven’t even held a paint brush,” she said of her pupils. Dodson said she loves instructing the troop leaders, partly because she knows the majority of her students are novices in the area of art. “I truly believe what I enjoy the most is teaching people that they don’t …

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