delmar loop
Much is afoot in the Delmar Loop. As usual! The annual Juneteenth celebration will be June 13, starting with the 5K Race for Reconciliation at 8 a.m. and continuing with music, art and food until the celebration wraps up at 5 p.m. And another development has the fingerprints of entrepreneur Joe Edwards all over it, with his closing of Magic Mini Golf early last month to make way for another innovative business idea that reportedly was to be announced by the end of May, but as of press time, we’re still waiting. All we’ve heard is that the circa-1950s neon sign will remain illuminated, which is good news for the next establishment that goes in there. Edwardian neon touches abound in the Loop—from Blueberry Hill, which Edwards and his late wife, Linda Kennedy Edwards, co-founded in 1972, to Peacock Diner, the all-night spot that closed in 2024. Edwards said his recent business moves—such as transferring his ownership stake in The Pageant concert hall to partner Pat Hagin and selling another neon-glorified site, Pin-Up Bowl, to new owners—are merely stepping back from his day-to-day professional involvement; the elfin powerhouse, age 79-ish, is in no mood to fully retire. But who can read a visionary’s mind? And, what to do with the fully operational pint-sized Ferris wheel inside Magic Mini Golf? Perhaps lend it out for the day to the Juneteenth celebration a week or so from now? (I may not be a visionary, so I’m just ‘nogginating’ here!) And back to that upcoming day marking the end of slavery in 1865: From the opening drum call to the closing brass-band set, the event is designed to celebrate Juneteenth through movement, music, performance and gathering in one of St. Louis’ most iconic districts. There’ll be four food trucks on hand and 20 retail vendors situated along the boulevard, and you can add a permanent splash of color to the community art project near the stage, a collaborative piece!
kirkwood
Dozens of theater reviews, written by Dennis Brown between 2001 and 2013 for the now-defunct alternative St. Louis weekly, The Riverfront Times, will once again see the light of day with the publication of Stage Page: Memories of (Mostly) Marvelous St. Louis Theater. The anthology is enlivened with 47 new illustrations by Marjorie Williamson. Along with her portrait of Brown at the keyboard, we’ve included her illustration of late Broadway veteran Ken Page. The 77 reviews (mostly) celebrate productions from 30 different venues. Some of them (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Muny) continue to thrive, while others (Act Inc., Orange Girls) are relegated to fond memory. But during that first decade after America was rocked by 9/11, these venues provided St. Louis with vital, challenging theater. In addition to Brown’s reviews, Stage Page includes his conversations with composers Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and Hugh Martin (Meet Me in St. Louis), as well as actors Ken Page, Estelle Parsons and Lee Roy Reams. In addition to his work for The RFT, the author was a book critic for our highly esteemed metro daily from 1970 to 1992 and a film professor at Webster University. He also has been featured as one of our Notable Neighbors. You’ll have to take our word for it, but while a publicist in New York for CBS, he has some lively memories about representing Gregory Peck and Angela Lansbury back in the day. The book is available on Amazon.
creve coeur
A Kansas-City based development company has proposed a four-story apartment complex to replace the mostly vacant strip center at N. Graeser Road and Olive Boulevard, and residents of the adjacent neighborhoods are having none of it. To be sure, what’s there now is an eyesore, and the new development would certainly look good from the street, but neighbors are concerned about a buffer wall that would tower over their homes, potential safety hazards from increased traffic at that intersection and other things that caused 100 neighborhood residents to sign a petition requesting substantial changes from the developer before the city is to reconsider any rezoning of the 4.4-acre parcel. The developer plans approximately 145 market-rate apartments and about 8,350 square feet of ground-floor retail, plus amenities and tuck-under parking. The company lists an estimated project cost of $48.6 million and says it plans to seek public assistance, including tax abatement, a Community Improvement District (CID) and a Transportation Development District (TDD) to help finance construction. A large, vocal group of neighbors was at the city council meeting May 11, and the council tabled the issue until a later date yet to be announced. Meanwhile, concerns will be relayed to the proposed developer, chiefly about the financing package that so heavily relies on public monies. The rendering shows a building that’s not unlike the Oliver, a complex further east on Olive in Olivette, which seems to be crowding the street. Chances are, neither is close to being in your back yard, so as usual, it’s somebody else’s problem.
notable neighbors
ballwin
It’s about an hour’s drive from their driveway in Ballwin to Camp Circle Star, roughly midway between Festus and Farmington in a Jefferson County hamlet called Valles Mines. Renee and Joe Eickmeier wanted a place in the country—but not too awfully far from the metro—to establish their day camp for kids and adults with special needs. Their wish was motivated by their daughter Erin, now 27, who was born with Cri du Chat syndrome, a rare genetic condition named after the high-pitched, cat-like noise made by infants. Its characteristics include, but aren’t limited to, muscle weakness and difficulty with speech and feeding and cognitive impairment. When we sat down with Renee at a west county café, Joe was at home taking care of Erin, who, despite her physical and intellectual challenges, has an unusual sense of humor. “She doesn’t mind being teased,” Renee says. She also thrives on one-on-one attention, which is a hallmark of the approach at Circle Star, small by design. Each camper is paired with a volunteer for a one-week session at the camp, which features a pool and a fishing lake. “Many campers catch their first fish off the dock,” Renee says. “Volunteers, too.” Renee, a speech pathologist, has worked with people who have special needs for decades. Joe retired as a cameraman with KSDK-TV (Channel 5) in May 2025. But he sometimes works more than full-time at and for the camp, Renee notes. Campers certainly aren’t expected to make moccasins or belts, but there is an art room. A music room, too. “They basically can make the time their own,” she says. “Some want to be inside all day; some want to be outside.” Each volunteer stays by their side to enjoy the day and keep them safe. Volunteers must be at least age 16, willing and able to devote at least one 40-hour week to a camper. Some are looking to fulfill their service hours at school, are studying special ed or such specialties as occupational therapy or speech pathology in college—or have grown up beside a sibling with special needs. “They’re a natural!” she says, realizing it’s a big ask. “But it’s great experience: We help them, they help us.” And quite frankly, if there isn’t a volunteer who’s gone through orientation, they can’t take another camper. “We’re invested in the idea that part of the reason we’re here is so families can have respite.” Transportation to and from West County is provided via bus—the Circle Star Shuttle. Campers must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or other documentation that demonstrates special needs. Although there are qualified staff inside and out, there isn’t a nurse on hand, so there’s no capability to tube feed or catheterize a camper. The population mix is about 60% autism, 20% Down syndrome, with the rest having a variety of genetic syndromes or cerebral palsy. Powered by the Erin Eickmeier Foundation, Circle Star’s ultimate goals are fun, contentment and happiness. To inquire about specific camp needs or volunteering, please visit campcirclestar.com.
