MEMORIAL DAY, 2014

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day, and when you leave your families function today, please take one last look back for those who no longer can.


Tom Ford

NO. 3067

Come out and join us Sunday, May 25th at Father Dickson's cemetery, a great piece of American history is right here in Crestwood !

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/
stlouis/dickson/fdc.htm

Did you know that we have a National treasure right here in Crestwood ? Did you know that three Civil War Veterans are interned here ? Did you know that there are Veterans from the Civil War, Spanish American War, WW 1 , WW 2, and Korea also interned here ? Did you know that it's right on Sappington Rd. just north of the Sappington House ?

My guess is that you did not, I didn't until our resident Crestwood Historian Ms. Jackie Stock introduced me to the man (and fellow Vietnam Veteran) Mr. Ernest Jordan, who is the President of the Cemetery.

We have formed an AD HOC committee consisting of Ms. Stock, Mr. Jordan, Mr. James Kinslow. Mr. Ken Hampton and myself to correct a small oversight on the grounds.

In all the years the Cemetery has been in existence there has been no American flag flown over it, so we have formed this group to raise funds to purchase, install and maintain a lighted Flag pole (and Flag) to be installed at the entrance of the property.

Would you please consider taking some of your weekend to join us at the Cemetery, tour the grounds, stop by and say hello, and if possible make a donation to "Friends of Father Dickson's Cemetery ?" We will all be there from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM at which time small flags will be placed on the graves of ALL the Veterans interned there.

We look forward to seeing you there and having the opportunity to introduce you to a piece of history right here in Crestwood.


Tom Ford

NO. 3066

The "big dig" on Spellman Ave. (or when do we do fill in the holes we made ?)

I don't know how many of you have had the dis-pleasure of driving on Spellman Ave. over the last Month but if you haven't please allow me to "fill in" the blanks for you.

Spellman Ave. is to be up-graded with new sidewalks, sewer pipe, water lines and resurfacing, or so the story goes.

What we have seen so far is our natural gas lines cut not once, but twice which required the full Fire Department to stand by while repairs were made. The street is a partially navigable path with ruts, holes, and cross cuts from side to side that will one day (if not filled in) cause an accident, flat tire, the need for front end alignment, axel break, or all of the above to any vehicle you may have in your driveway.

I have sent emails to the Aldermen in Ward Two requesting the Public Works Department come to the site and require the contractor to fill in the ruts and pot holes (dug by the contractor) with gravel to level them with the street. I know that it's not feasible for the contractor to asphalt them, but every time it rains, the earth settles a bit more, and the deeper the holes become.

Now, if you, like I am at a loss as to why the gravel can't (or won't) be spread in these man made holes, and your sick of the possibility of damage to your vehicle every time you leave home, will you please join me in contacting our Ward Two Alderman, the City Administrator, and Mayor Roby and ask (as have I) why in the name of all common sense this very minor repair can't be done, and SOON.

If you wish, I will make myself available to meet you at City Hall and we will take our concerns to them in person, but for the sake of all, let's get this done before it's too late !


Tom Ford

NO. 3065

Interesting how inter twined our path can become, this is from Jackie Stock and references her daughter's experience.

MEMO TO: TOM FORD
FROM : STOCKHAUSEN FAMILY
SUBJECT : FOCUS-MARINE FOUNDATION
===================================================
"On Sunday, May 04, 2014, a local lifetime resident, had a very
busy schedule and thought, " maybe I won't go to Church, today".
However, after a few thoughts, decided to attend.
The ELIOT CHAPEL, in Kirkwood, has a special routine of sharing
the weekly " collection" with special Groups. That day, the Group would be FOCUS-MARINE FOUNDATION.
After the service, she approached the man representing that Group, who was handing out NEWSLETTERS & " Program Overview" flyers. After scanning those she said to him " tell me
more about this, my Dad was ( is ) a MARINE.."
After a brief conversation, she asked, "where is this place " to which he answered.." Defiance, MO. on Schluesrburg Road "...
to which she replied " is that the property owned by John Brauar ?


YES, he said, do you know the area? YES, she said; " I spent
a lot of time there, growing up...that was my Grandfathers Farm.
When he died, my Dad, CHARLIE STOCKHAUSEN inherited
part of it along with his siblings. He was devastated when they
did not want to keep it and broken hearted when they insisted on
selling it - to John Brauar..! That was many years ago and we
were no longer welcome to visit there, which we had done."


Now the " farm " has become a place for wounded Marine and
Navy Corpsmen, returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
FOCUS was formed in 2010 and has served 274 Veterans.

With tears in her eyes, she told her Dad and the rest of our
family. Who would have thought......"

Jackie wanted me to share this with you so we could all enjoy the story, and to point out how truly small our world is. Please read and enjoy one Crestwood families journey through the years.


Tom Ford

NO. 3064

UrbanStreet Group, Chicago, IL. buys the plaza!

Anonymous Anonymous said...
UrbanStreet Group, the Chicago company that’s redeveloping several buildings in downtown St. Louis, revealed itself Friday as the new owner of the empty Crestwood Court mall.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/building-blocks/chicago-developer-is-new-owner-of-crestwood-mall-site/article_f651e635-d120-507a-bfd8-974c07d025a6.html


http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/chicago-developer-hopes-to-transform-vacant-roberts-properties/article_23c8f5c7-4479-5935-97d6-dbd1792902b9.html



"Here is an article about some of their other projects. So far in St. Louis, their projects have been renovation of downtown historic buildings. Dealing with a suburban mall will be new for them (at least in this market)."

8:22 AM, May 03, 2014


This is good news (so far) and I have no reason to believe it will be anything but a good developer for Crestwood as their down town projects are working out well for St. Louis.

Tom Ford

NO. 3063