NTx Connect — December 2025
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CONTENTS NO.7 LOCAL CAUSES P A G E 6 December is a chance to look at all the great businesses and organizations that give back to the community. EAGLE’S VIEW P A G E 2 1 Throughout Orchard Farm there are a wide variety of opinions regarding the new phone ban in schools. HELPING HANDS P A G E 1 6 An annual tradition in St. Charles since 2008, bringing a sense of community connection and holiday cheer. NEW HEIGHTS P A G E 2 4 For the past 15 years, St. Charles Flying Service has been teaching its students out in the middle of Portage De Sioux. THE YELLOW UMBRELLA P A G E 3 4 Under The Yellow Umbrella is a unique local treasure that champions small business. LA BELLE VIE P A G E 3 0 La Belle Vie Café in historic Frenchtown is much more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. Happy Holidays! NTxConnect December, 2025 3
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Paul Dinkins Publisher publisher’s letter ntxconnect . M A G A Z I N E S P O T L I G H T P u b l i s h e r P a u l D i n k i n s P r o d u c t i o n & D e s i g n N Z N P u b l i s h i n g . c o m C o n t r i b u t o r s E l l a H o l t J a k a i R o b i n s o n M e g h a n R o s e H a l l e e I n m a n L i l y B a u e r G r a c i e P f a u t s c h As we move into the holiday season, we are highlighting some of the local businesses that use their resources to support great causes and shine a light on some of the philanthropic efforts of a few local organizations and events. Things can start to move so quickly this time of year, so we believe it’s important to take the time to slow down and appreciate the joys of the season we’re heading into. We’ve got our second installment of Eagle’s View, our student-run column written by students at OFHS. Another exciting development has been a relaunch of our website—we’ve been hard at work trying to make it more user-friendly and to better fulfill our community-building mission. From everyone here at NTx Connect, have a Merry Christmat and Blessed New Year. We look forward to being a part of connecting you with people, organizations, entertainment, events, and stories that will make 2026 our community's best year ever. VOL. 1 NO. 7 On the cover: Northern Lights. Photo by Jess Townes. Inquiries: If you are interested in advertising with NTx, please e-mail deb@ntxconnect.com. NTxConnect December, 2025 3
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Local Organizations With the season of giving upon us, December is a great opportunity to look at all the great businesses and organizations around us that give back to the community. Though we see this kind of support in many different ways, here are just a few of the local organizations that support great causes around North St. Charles City. GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY By Ella Holt Supporting Local Causes
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Academy of the Sacred Heart Every third Thursday of the month, Academy of the Sacred Heart’s fifth through eighth graders spend their morning doing community outreach in a program that’s been around since the ‘90s. The school’s Service Learning Program teaches students how to get involved and give back. Kids in different grades spend their time focusing on different areas in the community, such as helping the elderly or doing outreach for people in poverty. Each service day the students gather in the afternoon to discuss their experiences from the day. “I think it helps them just realize how grateful they are to be alive and to be going to our school and to have all of the things that they have and have the wonderful parents and families they have and the education that they receive – and they're more willing to focus on the present and what needs to happen around the community,” said Mary Reepmeyer, Academy of the Sacred Heart’s principal. “I think it just really helps them build confidence and courage. It helps them step outside their comfort zone,” added Lisa Tebbe, the school’s director of marketing and communications. The two shared that through the program, the students display such growth throughout the course of the school year. “I think such an important piece of this really is the reflection, the self-reflection, the self-awareness and really building that into this process,” Tebbe said. Students may enter the year feeling nervous about the unknown and having to get out of their comfort zones, but each service day gets easier and easier for the kids. Tebbe said the program can help kids grow compassion for others in different situations than them. In fact, Reepmeyer herself was able to experience the student side of things, as she attended the school growing up. “I remember being excited about it. I looked forward to that each month,” Reepmeyer said. “I was a quiet, shy student and so it did bring me out of my shell,” she added. The school has additional school-wide service projects that give younger students and families the chance to get involved as well. The school has had multiple events for families to bring food and assemble food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it’s a tradition that Tebbe remembers from her time at the school. The students will continue on with the Service Learning Project throughout the school year. “I’m proud of our students,” Tebbe said. “They can tell that they're doing something meaningful, and it makes a difference to them, as they see how it impacts the lives of others.” Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent Catholic school, and is one of 25 in a network of Sacred Heart schools across the U.S. and Canada. “Goal 3 of Sacred Heart education is: a social awareness which impels to action,” Tebbe said. “This is something woven into the daily lives of our students — recognizing the needs of others and awakening in our students the desire to make a difference in the lives of others, their community and the world.” The Bridge As a nonprofit organization, The Bridge coffee shop works to give back to the community, only using funds where they have to to keep the coffee shop afloat by buying supplies and such. It’s also a fair trade business, and customers can find all sorts of products when they walk through the doors. On top of their day-to-day operations, there are so many ways that The Bridge works to do good with the funds it raises. “We're seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with our God in providing for others,” said Chuck Luebke, the chairman of the board. One of The Bridge’s efforts has been ongoing for four years. Its GiftaMeal program encourages customers to download an app on which they can post a picture of their 6 NTxConnect December, 2025 7
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meal, and The Bridge does the rest. For every meal posted on the app, The Bridge pays to donate a meal. So far, The Bridge has donated 2,378 meals through this program. The Bridge also has a mission of the month, where the organization works to support a specific cause each month. Additionally, a dollar from every purchase of a drink of the month goes straight to the mission. Among the list of The Bridge’s list of charitable organizations to support is Oasis Food Pantry, STL Crisis Nursery, Doctors without Borders, Eagle’s Wings (see page 18), ELCA World Hunger, Liam Michael Foundation, American Cancer Society and more. “Then periodically there are just special needs that come up in the community that we see, you know, some tragedy that hit a family or something like that that we decide we're going to support them with something,” Luebke said. As an annual tradition, The Bridge puts on a food drive for Oasis Food Pantry around the holiday season. This year’s food drive is already in action and will continue on through December 17. The Bridge accepts monetary donations through its website, and it’s also always open to volunteers. To learn more, visit thebridgecoffee.org. 8 www.ntxconnect.com
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Fast Lane Classic Cars Though known for restoring and repairing classic cars, Fast Lane Classic Cars does so much more for the community than that. The business has supported many causes, including but not limited to: The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, Rides N' School Supplies, the Dokaj Foundation, Toys for Tots, The Moolah Shriners and the American Cancer Society. The business also supports and sponsors several car shows over the course of the year that have organizations they support as well. One of the organizations Fast Lane Classic Cars supports is Eagle’s Wings, an organization that provides kids with a shopping experience – except the kids don’t have to pay for any of the clothes. Sarah Bonderer, Fast Lane’s business and events manager, found out about the organization through Orchard Farm, her alma mater. “I just thought it was really awesome and I myself would love to be more a part of it at some point, but it's difficult to do, obviously, when you're a full-time mom and a fulltime working parent,” Bonderer said. Fast Lanes and Eagle’s Wings have held fundraisers together, and Fast Lanes even brings a unique factor to the organization. Fast Lanes has held a toy drive for the past few years, and Eagle’s Wings works as an NTxConnect December, 2025 9
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intermediary to get the toys to the places they belong. Fast Lanes also held an event recently to collect toothbrushes and toothpaste for Eagle’s Wings, as that’s something the organization offers for kids. “It just warms my heart that there's a group out there that wants to kind of bridge that gap and make kids feel seen,” Bonderer said. Main Street Books Emily Schroen and her parents have owned Main Street Books for almost 12 years. They came into ownership of the shop around 20 years after its establishment, and Schroen said they were met with support from the community. Because of this, they wanted to find a way to give back, and thus the Main Street Books Literacy Foundation was born. They started the foundation in 2024, and the goal is to get books to children who attend local under-resourced schools. “There are many studies that show that an increased rate of literacy, lead to better job retention, graduating high school, all kinds of different things, whereas if you're not reading on grade level by third grade, it leads to higher rates of high school dropout and incarceration, inability to hold a job, things like that,” Schroen said. 10 www.ntxconnect.com
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The program specifically works to get books into the homes of children who need them. “Studies show that having a home library of 500 or more books is equivalent to having a third adult in the home with a graduate degree,” Schroen said. The foundation donated 1,300 books last year. “This year we're on track to donate 1,500,” Schroen said. “So, it'll be close to 3,000 books by the time we're done this school year.” The organization also hosts author events to get kids involved and interested, and works to ensure kids can get their own copies of the books the author is promoting. “In September, bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix came in and she went to Jefferson Intermediate School in the city of St. Charles school district and spoke to the sixth grade,” Schroen said. “She signs all three of her names, Margaret Peterson Haddix. She signed 375 books.” The foundation is a 501c3 and operates with the help of donations from the community. The foundation accepts donations at their PayPal linked via Instagram (@mainstreetbookslitfoundation) and Facebook (@mainstreetbooksliteracyfoundation). People can also make donations in-store at Main Street Books. NTxConnect December, 2025 11
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New Town Men’s Club The New Town Men’s Club is expanding its horizons this year as the organization’s president, Logan Wagoner, aims to find the perfect balance between providing a fun social environment for local men and giving back and getting involved in the community. Wagoner has been a part of the club for more than three years, and served as vice president for two years before tackling his current role this past spring. There are ways that the New Town Men’s Club has always been involved in community outreach; the club has held an annual golf tournament fundraiser (that is the source of a majority of their charitable funds), organized an annual spring clean-up day and has given out scholarships to Orchard Farm seniors each year – all things the club still does. Now, with Wagoner’s leadership, he’s worked to add an element of structure as the New Town Men’s Club takes on new ways to give back. The club recently started a relationship with the American Cancer Society back in July. “That's a new partnership that we're building that we're excited about,” Wagoner said. Another new venture for the club is their “Kid Dig,” which encourages the youngest community members to get out in the sand and to have fun digging for coins. “We squared off, you know, little plots where they could dig and they would find their coin, and the coin would directly correspond to a prize,” Wagoner said. “So we gave away a Switch and a bunch of other Nintendo games and Legos and all sorts of different things for kids to come out and do.” The club can also cater to specific requests. Certain situations have seen the group use club funds to help community members with specific things, like paying for medication or building a wheelchair ramp to their home. Now, as Christmas approaches, the club will adopt a family for the holiday season. The best way to reach out to the New Town Men’s Club is currently through their Facebook (facebook.com/ntmensclub), as the club is currently revamping its website. The New Town Men’s Club is open to anyone interested, and meetings are currently held at 6 p.m. every Thursday at The Commons. “I think that there's truly a place for everyone,” Wagoner said. “If you are the guy who just wants to come have a beer, to get out of the house because it's something to do when the world shuts down for the winter, great, we love that guy. If you're gung-ho about a particular passion project, you know, be it food drives or helping the needy or, you know, whatever it is, 100% a place for that guy.” 12 www.ntxconnect.com
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N O R T H E R N Photos by Jess Townes
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L I G H T S
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By Ella Holt Helping Hands for the Holidays has been an annual tradition in St. Charles since 2008. Each year, people gather at the St. Charles Convention Center to share in a meal, a sense of community connection and holiday cheer. In addition to a hot meal, the event provides a warm space – no registration needed – where people can access resources including health screenings, personal care items, pictures with Santa and more. According to a flyer on the event website, “It’s an evening of compassion, connection, and support, where neighbors come together to celebrate the true spirit of giving.” The event strives to make a difference in the community by helping those who are in need. This year’s Helping Hands will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 17, and no registration is required to attend. Last year’s event saw more than 600 people, and in the end, the event “collected over 3,300 winter apparel items and six pallets of personal care products,” according to the website. People looking to get involved can donate winter wear or personal care items, or people can sign up to volunteer the day of the event. Acceptable winter wear items include coats, hats, scarves, gloves, socks and underwear. Personal care items include shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more. People can also get involved if they have services to offer, such as health screenings or haircuts. Information about donation drop-offs or volunteering can be found at helpinghandsstcharles.com/. 7 HELPING HANDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS ntxconnect . C O M M U N I T Y 16 www.ntxconnect.com
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NZN MEDIA Publishing Services
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EAGLE’S WINGS Helping Kids Soar By Ella Holt Eagle’s Wings’ mission statement is simple and straight to the point: “Helping kids soar is what we do.” The organization works tirelessly to ensure that local students have the clothing and supplies they need to help set them up for success. The president, John O’ Connor, vice president, Donna Rhodes, and former president and current director of PR, Audrey Ryan, are all strong believers in what the organization stands for and has to offer. The idea for the organization came from Rhodes and Ryan’s prayer group. The ladies were inspired to adopt a family for the holiday season. However, when they received the wishlist, it was mostly items like socks and underwear. “The mission is helping kids soar,” O’Connor said. “So their objective was to help kids build their selfconfidence by making them not have to worry about the basic needs,” O’Connor said of Rhodes and Ryan. Twice a year, the organization sets up shop at many of the public schools around St. Charles County. School counselors are able to recommend students for the experience, and these students have the opportunity to browse the clothes selection and choose items to make several outfits. In the fall, students choose three longsleeve shirts, three pairs of pants, three pairs of socks, three pairs of underwear, one pair of pajamas, a warm winter coat, hats and gloves and a pair of athletic shoes. In the spring, students can choose three short-sleeve shirts, three pairs of shorts, three pairs of socks, three pairs of underwear and a pair of athletic shoes. They also offer a selection of dental supplies for kids who need them. The organization works hard to give kids a real shopping experience—without them having to pay a dime, of course. “If there's four kids in size four, we don't have four pairs of shoes. We usually have eight,” O’Connor said. There’s a selection of clothes and shoes in a variety of sizes, and all of the items the organization offers are 18 www.ntxconnect.com
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Leadership & Management brand new. The organization ensures that kids have multiples of each item to choose from. Last year, the organization helped around 1,200 kids. They help students from 66 different schools in the area. In total, the organization has donated over 75,000 pieces of clothing to kids. One of the organization’s biggest supporters is none other than WNBA player Napheesa Collier. Aside from being an honorary board member, Collier’s support has affected the organization after she recently signed with the Jordan brand. “As part of that, the Michael Jordan Foundation gives $25,000 to Charity of Your Choice, and she chose us,” O’Connor said, emphasizing that that amount of money is “a lot” for the charity. The organization is a 501c3 with an 11-person board. “We’re based off pure donations,” O’Connor said. Another supporter of the organization is Mary Martha Thrift Shop. Eagle’s Wings donates any clothes that don’t get chosen for a long time to the thrift shop, and O’Connor said that every month Eagle’s Wings gets a check from the shop. Fast Lanes Classic Cars is also a supporter of Eagle’s Wings. “Fast Lane is a big supporter of us,” Ryan said. Sarah Bonderer, business and events manager at Fast Lanes, is a fan of what the organization does. “(It’s) a group of individuals who have come together and saw that there was a need in the St. Charles County community school districts, public school districts, that there are kiddos that can certainly use their services, that can use a new coat for the winter, a new pair of shoes – they provide a much needed service,” Bonderer said. The organization has around 100 volunteers, and people can apply to volunteer at eagleswingskids.org/getinvolved. Volunteers are under no obligation to dedicate a certain amount of time to the organization, and will be notified any time there’s a need for help. Another way to support Eagle’s Wings is by donating new clothing or money. More details about how to get involved can be found at the previously listed website. ntxconnect . C O M M U N I T Y NTxConnect December, 2025 19
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APRIL GARDENING GUIDE: ESSENTIAL CHORES FOR ZONE 7 THIS SPRING 20 www.ntxconnect.com
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By Jakai Robinson, Meghan Rose, Hallee Inman, Lily Bauer and Gracie Pfautsch The phone ban. A law that many of Missouri’s public students viewed as unserious and unrealistic until it was officially passed on July 9, 2025. This restriction states that all non-school-issued devices must remain unused from the start of first period to the end of seventh period. If any teachers or advisors fail to permit this new law, it is deemed illegal. Students who choose to improperly use their devices throughout school are confiscated of their items. Throughout Orchard Farm specifically, there was a wide variety of opinions regarding this issue. Let’s take a peek at some of our Orchard Farm individuals' outlook on this topic. Jakai Robinson: As someone who has been accustomed to using my phone as a second academic resource my whole life, the phone ban was definitely a huge adjustment. Originally, I found myself pessimistic and only focusing on the negatives and foreseen feelings of boredom I thought I would have. While I wish there were some adjustments to the law—exceptions during lunch periods, the use of other personal devices and teachers choosing when to enact the rule—I believe this law was truly a beneficial decision for me and many students. Now in class, I've noticed my enhanced ability to retain information long-term rather than just chasing the A+ grade. I can apply the knowledge I learn each day to reallife experiences since I am more attentive in class and fully understand the concepts taught. This phone ban has helped me realize that while personal technology could be seen as a useful tool, it can also be seen as a great distraction. Even though students are told that constantly, I never fully agreed until I experienced it firsthand—school with and without my electronic device. Meghan Rose: As a junior at Orchard Farm, I have experienced high school with and without the phone ban. In previous years, I have found myself distracted by my phone and struggled to pay attention in class. Although my grades did not reflect the distraction, my ability to retain information did. This year, when coming into school, I was not sure what to expect from the phone ban. I thought it would be hard to go without my phone, or that it wouldn’t be effective in preventing distractions, but I quickly realized that school is easier without it. Even though we can no longer check for club updates or see if we have a club meeting on our phones, it has put me into a better habit of checking my email, which prepares me for the future. Hallee Inman: We asked teachers at Orchard Farm High School for their thoughts and opinions on the phone ban as well. 63.6% of teachers who filled out the form said they strongly agree that the phone ban has affected their class in a positive way, while 36.4% said they agree. Teachers had a variety of answers on both the positives and negatives of the ban. Teachers have seen a major increase in student socialization, more attentiveness and engagement in class—leading to better grades—and just overall better time management. One teacher said, “I think the phone ban has helped students be able to engage in the classroom more and do better academically. I think it has also resulted in more face-toface interaction among students.” Some negatives included more disruptions in class, being unable to use phones for learning opportunities and some teachers said they didn’t see any negative effects. Another teacher commented, “I think overall it has been a huge wake-up call for this generation. Honestly, I think they didn't realize how big of an impact and distraction their phone was. They are more productive at school and have created a better learning environment for themselves. I also think some students secretly enjoy it because it gives them a reason to put their phone away, where they may not have had the intrinsic motivation to put it away themselves.” EAGLE’S VIEW EAGLE’S VIEW NTxConnect December, 2025 21
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Lily Bauer: Beginning the year with the new rule has been very challenging and tempting. For the last two years, I’ve felt like using my phone in high school was a benefit. I could text my mom if I needed and I used my phone to do my work. I think that the phone ban was unfair to students and that even if they aren’t allowed in classes, they should still be allowed to use them during lunch. The one break in school we get is lunch, and while socializing is nice sometimes, I just want to go on my phone and take a break from everything. We aren’t able to use AirPods, Apple Watches or personal computers. For me, I have no other form of headphones, so I really can’t listen to things on my Chromebook unless I want to play the audio aloud. Last year, I would’ve just connected them to my Chromebook if I needed to, but now I can’t. I understand getting distracted, but you could honestly get distracted from anything, so what difference does it make? Gracie Pfautsch: In my opinion, the phone ban in school has been beneficial. Although I find myself constantly wanting to look at my phone, it is rewarding to see my screen time go down. Last year, when I would finish an assignment in class, I would go straight to my phone. Since this is no longer possible, I have created better time management skills for myself. Instead of scrolling on TikTok, I complete my work for other classes. This has allowed me to spend less time at home working on schoolwork and to stay on top of assignments. When I do still have work to do at home, I no longer have the habit of picking up my phone and taking multiple “phone” breaks while working. Overall, the phone ban has helped me to become a better and more productive student. 22 www.ntxconnect.com
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ST. CHARLES FLYING SERVICE From Ground School to Great Heights By Ella Holt For the past 15 years, St. Charles Flying Service has been teaching its students out in the middle of Portage De Sioux on a small airport built in the 1940s. With 15 planes and 13 flight instructors, operations have been running smoothly as the school takes its students flying above St. Charles. The program is a Part 141 flight school, which means it is FAA approved, and it is one of two schools in Missouri of its kind. However, that’s not the only thing that sets it apart. “A lot of the time, whenever you are doing a flight school, they are expecting you to be basically making your full-time job to be a student with the flight school,” said Jordan Bryant, chief flight instructor. “The difference between them and us is that we work with the schedule that you have. We try to fit our time in so that we are not negatively impacting your jobs or your worklife balance with your family or anything else like that.” The school also works to make sure that attending is easier financially. “If you go over to ATP (flight school), that is all they do. They train pilots. It costs you $150,000 to $180,000 to do what you want to do,” said Dennis Bampton, the owner of St Charles Flying Service. “Whereas you can do that same thing at school like ours for under $60,000. To get all the way to commercial, going by the pure minimums of everything, $55,000 is what we are expecting with $60,000 being for checkride expenses and whatnot as well.” Bampton has been in the business for more than 50 years. Instructors come to the flight school with 250 hours under their belt. A lot of times, the goal in being a flight instructor is to accumulate the 1,500 to 2,000 hours needed to get on with an airline. Bryant has more than the required hours to fly for an airline, but he likes to teach. The instructors make sure the curriculum sets students up for success. “We try to scaffold the information so that when the student is ready for their final certification, that they are able to basically have all the tools they need to be able to succeed,” Bryant said. 24 www.ntxconnect.com
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H A P P E N I N G S M A G A Z I N E CEO OF RIMBERIO COMPANY Leadership & Management anim ipsum veniam deserunt laborum do velit tempor deserunt enim laborum in aute culpa consectetur nulla aliquip elit Lorem do tempor voluptate est voluptate dolor Another aspect of the flight school is the process that happens when a student is ready to move on to the next level. “There's about five examiners in the metropolitan area, but we have one that works exclusively with us giving check rides,” Bampton said. “Because what happens is a student goes through the program, and they meet certain criteria, and when they meet that criteria and their instructor feels that they are ready to take a check ride, they have taken their written test, they passed their written test, now they're ready for a check ride.” Bampton estimates that the school currently has about one check ride going on per day. The company also used to be a charter company and would fly parts around for planes that needed them. It no longer does that, but it does bring in money by working on other people’s airplanes. Airplanes must pass an annual inspection, which means that each year they must be taken apart for an inspection. It can take 15 to 20 hours for smaller planes, but Bampton said they’ve seen planes with more than 100 hours put into the process. In addition to all the work the organization does, it also hosts a social event once a month for people who are a part of the school or people who are interested. For almost 10 years, St. Charles Flying Service has offered Groupons to make learning to fly more accessible and over the years it has given more than 16,000 introductory flying lessons. “It's quite an accomplishment to fly an airplane. It's different. You get up there and it's like, ‘I'm by myself in this airplane,’” Bampton said. People interested in flying with St. Charles Flying Service can call 636-946-6066 or visit the website at stcharlesflyingservice.com/. NTxConnect December, 2025 25
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD By Ella Holt Each Christmas season, St. Charles Christian Church has volunteers gather to pack up shoeboxes that will soon be shipped off around the world. This project is a part of Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child, a project that seeks to send shoeboxes to those in need across 100 countries while spreading the Gospel. Christine Hohlt has helped organize St. Charles Christian Church’s participation in the project in recent years. “I had a young girl that sent me a picture from Madagascar. She was seven, and showed me her box and was thanking me, and I've heard other people do start pen pals with people,” Hohlt said. This past year, the church has dedicated each month to collecting a different item for the shoeboxes – whether that be sunglasses one month and then toothbrushes the next – so when it came time to pack the boxes, the church already had the needed supplies. This year, the church packed close to 200 boxes to send off to those in need. It costs close to $10 to send each box, so the church is currently accepting donations for the cause. To donate, visit the church’s website and make sure to leave a note about what the donation is directed toward. To learn more about Operation Christmas Child visit samaritanspurse.org, and to support St. Charles Christian Church visit stcharleschristianchurch.churchcenter.com/. 28 www.ntxconnect.com
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La Belle Vie Café in historic Frenchtown is much more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s the culmination of a decade-long dream shared by Mark and Melissa Hollander, that is rooted in community, family history and faith. After navigating years of searching and the unexpected challenges of opening during a pandemic, this cozy spot near the Katy Trail now serves as a welcoming environment for everyone—from quiet readers and busy professionals to friends gathering for celebration. We sat down with Mark and Melissa to discuss their enduring vision, their deep commitment to the Frenchtown neighborhood revitalization, and how they transformed a simple idea into a cherished local hub known for great food, memorable events, and a truly beautiful life. Q: La Belle Vie means "The Beautiful Life." What is the deeper purpose or mission behind the café, and how does that philosophy shape the daily operations? A: For us, this really isn’t just a cliché – we truly want to build a business that has a great impact on our neighborhood and community. Every single decision we make has to be aligned with that impact and how we can better serve our guests. It is rooted in the faith and knowledge that La Belle Vie is not just our business – it is our calling. Q: How important was it to be part of the neighborhood's Great Streets Project revitalization, and how does La Belle Vie contribute to the community's renewed energy? A: We understand that we were one of the first businesses to take a chance on this neighborhood and make a big investment of our time and money. It was a risk but one we were willing to take because of our family history with this neighborhood and community. Mark’s Dad grew up 4 blocks from this location and his Mom grew up 8 blocks from here. This has a lot to do with family and community and we know that we have a responsibility to help make this happen. We don’t take that lightly and appreciate the support that our neighbors and friends continue to give us. Q: The search for a location was a multi-year journey with many roadblocks. What was it about the building at 1200 N. 2nd Street that immediately made you say, "This is our place"? A: When we first looked at the building, it was with the idea that it might be a retail location for a furniture resell business that Mark had owned previously – Mister List It. Once we were inside, we knew that this was “our place”. We told the owner of the building that we didn’t want to put a furniture business in here but it needed to be a coffee shop and café. His eyes lit up and said that he had always dreamed of it being a restaurant and started asking us questions about how he could help make it happen. All of the pieces fell together and we just knew it was the right place for us. Q: Melissa has "an amazing eye for design." Can you describe the quaint and cozy atmosphere and some of the key design elements that make the café feel so welcoming? A: The atmosphere and experience is something that Melissa is constantly aware of. She knows how to make it comfortable and slightly eclectic. She will walk through the café at night and find a place to sit while she envisions what it could be and then starts putting a plan together to make it happen. She is always trying to make the entire café more efficient, comfortable and cute. The café is broken up into four different seating areas and she gives each one a little different feel. The front, main dining area, chandelier room and the patio are all different but all comfortable. Every element is intentional and always changing. 6 La Belle Vie Café Q&A 30 www.ntxconnect.com
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Q: Besides the great coffee, what are some of the "musttry" menu items? A: Our signature breakfast item is our Lake Bake and recently won our Facebook followers poll for “Best Menu Item”. It is a hearty breakfast and was originally designed by our first head chef – Chef Andy – and is our most popular menu item. Our Hinton French Dip is an old family recipe from Melissa’s brother who used to make the roast beef in a crock pot but now we make it 35 pounds at a time!! It is a perfect blend of tenderness and flavor and we absolutely love it. Q: You host everything from small business meetings to large rehearsal dinners. What makes La Belle Vie Café the ideal, unique venue for a private event? A: A lot of what makes us unique is the location and the ambiance of the café. We host small groups in the Little House next door to 65 person weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. We tailor every menu for the guests and do our very best to add individual elements that make it super special for each group. We take into account color choices and flower arrangements – even table cloths and linens to unique vintage glassware – all available to make every event unique and memorable. Special events can be hectic but they are always so special for us and for our guests. Q: How will the recent purchase and renovation of the adjacent building enhance your ability to host larger events and expand your catering operations? A: The “little house” next door – La Petite Maison – added an additional commercial kitchen to our site and has made us much more efficient for our food preparation and to allow us to do small catering events. We specialize in small groups of less than 30 people and we do a really good job at it. The backyard is now a courtyard for outdoor events and wine gardens plus the small meeting room in the front is perfect for business meetings and small events of less than 20 people. Q: What are your biggest goals for La Belle Vie Café over the next few years? A: Our biggest goal is to continue to have an impact on this community by giving back and helping Frenchtown to keep growing. The new City Centre Complex and the expansion of Main Street is going to be huge for us to maintain our own identity as Frenchtown. The ACF complex will also be developed—so we need to be ahead of that curve and to be ready for what that growth. These are exciting times and we are honored to be a part of it. 6 NTxConnect December, 2025 31
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December through February marks the thrilling peak of bald eagle viewing in the bi-state region. As frozen waters grip the northern states, the majestic American bald eagle journeys south, drawn to the open waters of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers—creating one of the largest winter eagle populations in North America, right here in our backyard. An Eagle Magnet: Why They Flock Here During the winter months, the area becomes an eagle magnet. Locks, dams and power stations along the rivers, especially the mighty Mississippi, play a vital role by keeping large portions of the water from freezing solid. This constant supply of open water provides the eagles, who primarily feed on fish, a critical and reliable food source. Barge traffic also assists in keeping the ice broken up, offering eagles a unique advantage— sometimes they can even be spotted resting on large chunks of ice floating downstream. Prime Eagle Viewing Locations Whether you prefer guided assistance or a quiet drive, the region offers several exceptional spots to observe these magnificent birds. Remember to bring your binoculars and a camera to spot their distinctive white heads and tails, often perched in trees on mid-river islands or along the bluffs. Missouri Hotspots Lock and Dam 24 at Clarksville Lock and Dam 25 east of Winfield Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis Audubon Center at Riverlands, east of West Alton Illinois Destinations The heart of the Illinois viewing experience is a relaxing 20-mile drive on The Great River Road (US Highway 100), extending from Alton to Grafton and beyond. Pere Marquette State Park: Grafton, Illinois Alton Eagle Ice Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 2-3, Alton, Illinois Responsible Viewing: Mindful Observation While bald eagle watching is an awe-inspiring experience, it is critical to prioritize the welfare of the birds. Observers should stay on designated paths, minimize noise and avoid behaviors that could stress or disrupt the eagles. A quiet drive and respectful distance not only ensure the eagles' well-being but also enhance your own experience, making for a truly tranquil and breathtaking encounter with North America's national bird. Watch for information on planning an eagle-watching outing in our January issue. WINTER WONDERS E a g l e W a t c h i n g o n T h e G r e a t R i v e r s Photo by Stephen Cox ntxconnect . H I G H L I G H T 32 www.ntxconnect.com
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Nestled on Historic North Main Street in St. Charles, Missouri, Under The Yellow Umbrella is a unique local treasure that champions small business by housing over 70 local artisans and entrepreneurs under one welcoming roof, offering shoppers everything from thoughtful gifts and cozy home décor to unique boutique finds. Beyond being a marketplace for local creations, the shop also specializes in high-quality custom apparel and merchandise. We met with John Lyerla and Susan Davis, owners, to learn more. Q: How did you develop this multi-vendor concept, and what makes it work so well for both the vendors and the customers? A: We actually developed this multi-vendor concept after participating as a vendor in a small shop very similar to this one. Experiencing firsthand how beneficial that setup was for my own small business inspired us to create a space that could support many other local makers and entrepreneurs. What makes it work so well is the community it builds—vendors get a welcoming, affordable place to showcase their products, and customers love being able to shop a wide variety of unique, handmade items all in one location. It’s a win for everyone involved. Q: What is the process for selecting the small businesses, artisans, and vendors whose products you carry? A: We discover many of our small business artisans and vendors through local craft fairs, where we get to see their work firsthand. We also connect with talented makers through advertising on various crafting pages and groups on Facebook. These avenues help us find high-quality, creative vendors whose products are a great fit for our shop. Q: How would you describe the atmosphere or shopping experience at Under The Yellow Umbrella? A: The atmosphere at Under the Yellow Umbrella is warm, welcoming, and family-friendly. We pride ourselves on creating a real, down-to-earth shopping experience where customers feel comfortable and appreciated. Our team loves engaging with shoppers, sharing laughs, and making every visit enjoyable. It’s a place where community connections are made and shopping truly feels fun. Q: Why did you choose to specialize in custom apparel and merchandise alongside the boutique retail section? A: We chose to specialize in custom apparel and merchandise because it was a service not previously offered on the north end of Main Street. Adding this option allows us to provide customers with a wider variety of unique, personalized items—making our shop a one-stop destination where they can find something special for everyone on their shopping list. Q: What are the benefits and challenges of operating a multi-vendor concept shop on North Main? A: One of the greatest benefits is our location. The north end of Main Street is a true destination area that consistently attracts a strong flow of visitors, giving our vendors excellent exposure and foot traffic. Our biggest challenge, however, is that many of the major events held on Historic Main Street Saint Charles are concentrated on the south end. Because these events rarely extend to the north end, we don’t always receive the full advantages that come with event-driven crowds. 6 Under The Yellow Umbrella Q&A 34 www.ntxconnect.com
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H A P P E N I N G S M A G A Z I N E CEO OF RIMBERIO COMPANY Leadership & Management anim ipsum veniam deserunt laborum do velit tempor deserunt enim laborum in aute culpa consectetur nulla aliquip elit Lorem do tempor voluptate est voluptate dolor Q: What kind of events do you host or participate in, and how do they help you connect with the local community? A: We participate in a variety of community-focused events that help us stay connected and involved with the people of St. Charles. These include local parades, the Boutique Hops—where we are proud to be the only shop on the north end that takes part—First Fridays, and the Farmers Market located right on the corner next to our store. We also stay active in craft fairs and maintain partnerships with Lindenwood University and the St. Louis Ambush. All of these events allow us to support our community, collaborate with other local businesses, and welcome new customers into our shop. Q: How do the products and services at your store reflect the unique history, culture, or style of St. Charles? A: Our products and services reflect the unique history and culture of Saint Charles by showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of local makers. Many of our vendors are from the area, and their work brings in the flavors, traditions, and personality of our community. You can even find mini Saint Charles–themed items such as magnets, shirts, pillows, and kitchen towels that highlight the charm of our historic town. We’re also a favorite stop for local Airbnb owners, who love shopping with us to add authentic Saint Charles touches to their guest spaces. Q: What advice or encouragement would you offer to a local artisan or small business owner considering becoming a vendor at Under The Yellow Umbrella? A: At Under the Yellow Umbrella, our vendors truly become part of our family. One of the greatest advantages of joining our shop is the opportunity to showcase your products both in-store and online. As a vendor, you can list all of your merchandise on our website, expanding your reach and giving your business even more visibility. If you’re ready to grow your small business in a supportive, community-focused environment, visit our website at www.undertheyellowumbrellastore.com to learn more. ntxconnect . Q & A NTxConnect December, 2025 35
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101.7 FM ........................................................................................................................................................ 1st Class Nannies & Nurses ............................................................................................................................ Academy of The Sacred Heart ........................................................................................................................ Annie Benfield Photography .......................................................................................................................... Autobahn Car Wash ....................................................................................................................................... French District Villas ..................................................................................................................................... Great Page ..................................................................................................................................................... Holiday Vendors ............................................................................................................................................ Kimberly Jewelers ......................................................................................................................................... La Belle Vie Cafe ............................................................................................................................................ Main Street Books .......................................................................................................................................... MJW Law Office ............................................................................................................................................ Marsala’s Market ........................................................................................................................................... New Town Pickleball ..................................................................................................................................... Next Mission Financial .................................................................................................................................. Pundmann Ford ............................................................................................................................................ Regional Eyecare ........................................................................................................................................... SCBS .............................................................................................................................................................. St. Charles Flying Service ............................................................................................................................... Studio Luebke ................................................................................................................................................ The Bridge Coffee .......................................................................................................................................... Under The Yellow Umbrella .......................................................................................................................... 10 22 40 23 2 32 26 13 9 31 19 38 19 12 25 8 16 29 29 20 11 35 38 www.ntxconnect.com