The Insider: 11.30.16

Congratulations to SLSO clarinetist Tina Ward (pictured above, right, with Mabel Purkerson), recently named recipient of the Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair. The distinction and accompanying grant are bestowed every five years on an orchestra member who demonstrates excellence and leadership. Ward has been a symphony member since 1970 and is co-authoring a book about the science of reeds and their musical application. Ward also was principal clarinetist for the Santa Fe Opera and has served as adjunct clarinet faculty at Webster University.

You won’t want your kids to miss the St. Louis International Children’s Film Festival, coming this winter to the Saint Louis Zoo. Award-winning films for kids, about kids and even by kids will be shown in The Living World on four Saturdays, starting Jan. 28. Check the website for details: stlzoo.org/filmfest.

Congrats to Polsinelli attorney Mark Brady, who, for the second year in a row, earned a first-place finish with his team members in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue competition in Kansas City recently. Brady has competed in team barbecue competitions for more than 25 years, raising more than $10,000 for charity. The team tied for top honors in the pork category.

St. Louis Union Station Hotel has done it again. This time the remarkable downtown property snagged the 2016 Readers Choice Award from ConventionsSouth magazine. The leading meetings industry publication cited the local hotel for professionalism, creativity and service.

For the first time in 22 years, Missouri’s contestant has been named Ms. Senior America. Peggy Lee Brennan of Branson, Missouri, snagged the title recently in this pageant for women 60 years and older. Brennan’s talent segmentwas a song and dance to a Rogers and Hammerstein number from Oklahoma!. An actor, she performed in the original Broadway production of Grease and played Radar’s girlfriend on M*A*S*H. Her daughter, Heleena, was named Miss Outstanding Teen 2016.