Snow Skiing at Hidden Valley in Wildwood Missouri

Come enjoy over 30 acres of skiable surfaces. Here is your opportunity to ski close to St. Louis in Wildwood, Missouri. Perched atop a hill off Highway 109 and Alt Road, Hidden Valley's views are breathtaking. The plan is to be making some white stuff every day this week. Hopefully the weather cooperates and the Outlaw will be open this week.
Holiday Hours:
December 31, 2008: Happy New Year! Slopes open from 9 AM - until 3 AM. Ring in 2009 at the only ski slope and lodge in St. Louis.
January 1st: New Year's Day open from 9 AM until 9:30 PM.
Regular Hours: (weather permitting)Mondays-Thursdays: 1:00 pm - 9:30 pmFridays: 1:00 pm - 10:00 pmSaturdays: 9:00 am - 10:00 pmSundays: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Starting at 3 PM until 8 PM Sunday Night Family Special lift and rental for only $40.
HIDDEN VALLEY17409 Hidden Valley Drive Wildwood MO 63025 Snow Report: 636.938.6999 Office: 636-938-5373
Information compliments of Ann Hayden Wildwood Agent for Prudential Select Properties. Ann Hayden is committed to your goals while educating you in the home buying & selling processes. Call Ann Hayden today to get started 636-399-7544.
Search for your real estate at http://www.selectann.com/. 24/7
Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com.
© 2008 Ann Hayden, All rights reserved

BOO at the Zoo

Please join the St. Louis Zoo and St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital for Boo at the Zoo Nights.
October 21 to 30, 2008
5:30 until 8:30 p.m.
$4 for members $5 for non-members
Children under two are FREE
New $1 discount for children two to 12 in costume
For more information visit
Or http://www.selectann.com/
Boo at the Zoo can be fun for everyone!

WW II Historic Book Signing Saturday October 4th, 2008

Come to the WW II veterans' historic book signing Saturday October 4th, 2008. Get your copy of the now available book from the WWII Veteran Interviews Despotis Book Project: "Victory Through Valor: A Collection of World War II Memoirs" fresh off the presses.

The book is about World War II as a critical turning point in the history of the mankind. The freedom of the known world was at stake during this period in history and estimates state that 50-60 million people lost their lives as a direct effect of this catastrophic war. This degree of man-made tragedy is unsurpassed in the history of the world. The impact of the war is still being manifested today. The U.S. military involvement was at a cost of 500,000-600,000 lives. These brave souls prevailed in preserving freedom throughout the world.

In the United States alone, it has been estimated World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1000 per day. The primary goal of this project is the completion of as many interviews as soon as possible to preserve the personal accounts of these aging veterans to help future generations understand their experiences and sacrifices in the process of preserving our freedom and serving during the war.

Since October of 2004, the Despotis WWII Veterans Project (also referred to as the Despotis Book Project), with approval from the St. Louis Gateway Chapter, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, has been conducting 60-80 minute videotaped interviews of these WW II veterans. It is an attempt to preserve their personal accounts about their participation in World War II. A huge majority of these oral histories involve accounts of the Battle of the Bulge.

They are attempting to increase the visibility of the project to identify other WWII veterans who would be interested in being interviewed. One additional future goal would be to compile the first National Database of soldiers killed during the largest battle in US history, the Battle of the Bulge. The Project has completed interviews of over 100 Gateway Chapter members and their wives in an effort to preserve their oral histories for future generations.

Join the veterans at Royale Orleans for a book signing by some of these courageous men including my Dad, Mr. James Green. Event to be held at 2801 Telegraph Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125 from 1 until 3:30 p.m. The program will include a presentation of the Battle of the Bulge by member of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter, a Q & A session and the book signing.

The book is available in soft cover, 320 pages, was published by Reedy Press of St. Louis and is only $24.99. Here is the order form: http://www.gatewayvbob.org/book_preorder.pdf

Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11....a day that will live on in the history of our nation. I would like to pay tribute to those fallen heroes, those people who thought that fateful day was going to be like any other ordinary day.

We will never know why, why so many had to die.
We will never understand the senseless killing of so many precious people.
Many loved ones were lost on September 11th, 2001.
Friends and family.
Neighbors and co-workers
Moms and Dads.
Brothers and Sisters.
Grandmas and Grandpas.
Many true heroes gave their all to save others.
While the nation watched, the first twin tower burned..........
Everyone held their breath as another plane crashed into the other tower.
There were screams from many.
There was much confusion.
Horrifying images of a nation.
A nation in shock.
A nation in disbelief.

And then, all was silent.
It was as if the world stopped spinning.
Everything was still.
It was as if there was nothing...
But low and behold, survivors emerged.
Survivors from the wreckage.
A little glimmer of hope in a turbulent time.
Our nation pulled together.
We pulled together to help those who lost loved ones.
To search for the ones who thought it was going to be just another day.
Another Tuesday.

A Tuesday we will never forget.
A Tuesday we must never forget.

A tribute to the memory of all those lost and those who lost loved ones.
We will Never Forget!

Sparky the Wonder Dog

One might ask how a dog can be a wonder. Here is my attempt to post about my newest family member, Sparky. Sparky is a Collie/Shepherd/Husky?? mix. He was rescued and adopted from the St. Louis Humane Society. His name at the time of adoption was "Brody". I did not care for the name but thought I would get used to it. Well, after about a week of forgetting the dog's name I decided it had to be changed. I mean who calls a dog "Brody"? The only Brody I could ever remember was the guy in the Jaws movies. I did not want to equate calling my dog with the blood thirsty shark!

So we talked about names. It took nearly 2 days to agree upon a name. (There was another Sparky in my life when I was a young girl. He was my Grandma and Grandpa's dog. He was the best dog. He would let the grand kids crawl all over him and never ever growl. He was the ever vigilant protector. He feared nothing or so the grandchildren thought. Later when we were older we found out he did have one fear- THUNDER! The dog hated storms.) Hands down, I won on the naming of the dog. He caught on very quickly to his new name. Since he was a stray, his Humane Society name did not matter to him anyway.

Sparky is a wonder because of the 8 dogs we brought into the "family" area with us, he was the only one to play ball. I always wanted a dog who was smart enough to play games. So this did it for me. Also, he seemed very much at ease with all of us. We filled out the papers and proceeded to bring him home. This was a stray dog who thought I was his protector, so he wanted to ride on my lap as I drove the 30+ miles home from the pound. It was a messy ride. He was nervous and tried to climb over the seats and children the whole way home. Needless to say, when we arrived home I was quite content to let him run. He did not go far and was more than happy to chase and retrieve the ball I threw for him.

Since Sparky seemed to be an intelligent animal, I decided to teach him some tricks. The first was to sit and heel. He did well with both. Next, I thought, let's try "shake". He caught on immediately. He was still having trouble with "come" when called. So I enlisted the help of a shock collar but I could not bring myself to push the button. I went back to offering treats as a reward for coming when called, then after a few days, just a great deal of praise and lots of attention.

My cousin has dogs that do all sorts of tricks. So inspired by her, I decided he should learn to roll over. It took all of 2 days for Sparky to learn this one. He does it on command now but only if you have a treat for him. He does not even care anymore if it is me commanding him. All the visitors to our "ranch" thoroughly enjoy this trick. Our home is not really a ranch but the neighbors have cows and horses so we call it a ranch.

About a week after we rescued Sparky, I let him out before going to bed. I heard him yipe and proceeded to open the door thinking he was ready to come in. He did charge into the house nearly knocking me down. It took two seconds for me to realize what had happened. He had been SKUNKED! He smelled horrible.

I quickly shut the door and went to the phone to call a couple of experts. The first said to use tomato juice. I check the pantry, NONE! I called another friend. He said he had viewed a show called Myth Busters recently covering this topic. Their solution was to wash the animal with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. I thanked him and got off the phone.

I looked at Sparky a basically black dog and decided I did not want to bleach his fur so I opted to use the baking soda mixed with soap. I assembled the necessary ingredients and put on a rain suit so I could give an emergency bath. I quickly found out Sparky does not like water. He almost knocked me down twice during the 30 minute bath. Finally we were finished and he smelled pretty good. I brought him in and went to bed.

Needless to say, Sparky now stays away from those cute little black and white animals. He has learned they are DANGEROUS!

This dog is truly a wonder. He is constantly finding a new way to make us laugh or impress us. With those ears perked and the nose twitching, Sparky makes us smile and happy he is a part of our family. Welcome home wonder dog! We hope to have many years with you .

FREE Home Buyers Seminar

Free Home Buyers Seminar

Date and Time: Thursday October 2, 2008 7:00 to 9:00p.m.
Place: Prudential Select Properties
16442 Village Plaza View Dr
Wildwood, MO 63011
Come learn about........
Tax credit for 1st time home buyers, financing, home buying process, etc.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!

For reservations: call 636-779-1100
email AHayden@psphomes.com
Or sign on to http://www.selectann.com/

Stone Hill Grape Stomp Event 2008

You missed a gorgeous day! We had a stompin good time!

This is a follow up to my invitation to attend the Grape Stomp in Hermann, Missouri. We made it to Stone Hill Winery at 8:30 a.m. It was chilly for an August morning in Missouri. I actually had to wear a jacket to be comfortable.

We waited in line until 11 a.m. then the registration took place. Everyone in our group was within the 90 admitted to stomp. We carried all our picnic items in and proceeded to set the table. Everyone who walked by commented on the outlay of food and drinks. We laughed and joked with them saying we had been here before and knew how to have a good time at the stomp.

The normal two minutes of stomping this year did not seem so bad. Maybe because the weather was not too hot or maybe because we have experience in stomping and knew what to expect. We had a newbie stomping with us. She did great. No fear! All in all everyone in our group had a wonderful time. Here are some pictures from the event. Nearly everyone asks how long our feet stay purple, so my daughter thought she would photograph feet in the grapes. As you can see, the grapes are white.
Join us next year for a Stompin Good Time!

Mileage Deduction vs Profit Share

Have you heard? We are going to get a break on the deduction for mileage on our taxes for this year. Yes, that is right, a whole .08 cents more per mile.

I am happy to have the additional deduction but gas has been expensive all year not just from July 1st to December 31st. Wouldn't you rather have a share in the profits of Exxon/Mobil? They only posted $11.8 billion in profits in the second quarter.

So which would you vote for: mileage deduction break or profit share with Exxon/Mobil?

Grape Stomp 2008 Charity Event

Here is an invitation for anyone who ever thought they might enjoy stomping grapes! It is a fun time in a beautiful setting. This will be my third year attending the Stomp. And unless I am under the weather or worse, I will be there. Be sure to bring blankets, chairs and picnic items. And bring your imagination. We have had wedding parties stomp grapes together, Lucille Ball look alikes, Mario Brothers, etc. If you can think of an original costume, come on out and stomp for style or for volume. Either way it is a stompin' good time for all. Audience participation is required!
"On Your Mark, Get Set, STOMPERS STOMP!"
You only have to stomp for 2 minutes which, to most, may seem like a short amount of time. But I can assure you, in the hot sun, 2 minutes is a LONG time. Grapes along with the vines feel very interesting on your bare feet. I cannot imagine doing this for a living or for actual wine consumption. YUK!
The winery tour will give you a fairly in depth history lesson. Stone Hill is Missouri's oldest and most awarded winery. The tour helps you appreciate the heritage of this gorgeous area and the winery itself. The Held Family has done a stellar job restoring the winery and capturing a piece of the past
Please join us in picturesque Hermann, Missouri on the "hill" at Stone Hill Winery for the annual Stone Hill Grape Stomp. Come have a stompin' good time by stomping for fun and charity! Help celebrate the beginning of the grape harvest by stomping your toes into a barrel full of juicy grapes! The Grape Stomp is a charity event for River Bluff Industries, a local Sheltered Workshop for the mentally and physically challenged.
When: The event is August 9th,2008. Time: Registration starts at 11 a.m. but the line forms at about 8 a.m. since only 90 people can stomp due to time constraints and the quantity of grapes. So come early if you want to participate!
Age Categories: 0-12 yrs, 13-19 yrs, 20-39 yrs, 40-55 yrs, over 55 yrs. Special Groups: Stomp already-stomped grapes for style points and fun. Only six special group slots. At end of competition, there will be a Grand Stomp-Off among age-group winners and Grand Style Stomp-Off among age-group style winners for Grand Prize.
Judging: Stompers judged 80% on amount of juice and 20% on stomping style. Stompers get 30 lbs. of grapes and two minutes to stomp to music. Winner from each class with highest overall points goes on to compete in the Grand Stomp-Off for Grand Champion Stomper. Winner from each class with highest style points goes on to compete for Grand Style Stomp-Off for Grand Champion Style Stomper.
Cost: Grounds Fee: Adults = $3.00; Children = $1.50: Preschool = Free (includes tour). Proceeds go to River Bluff Industries. Stomping Fee = $5.00 (½ of entry to River Bluff Industries, ½ to prize money.) Most if not all of the winners donate their prize money back to this worthy cause.
Winery: Tour tickets are available at the tour booth. Maximum tour size is 50 people. Tours are on the hour and half hour. Grounds fee includes tour: Adults = $3. Ages 6-12 = $1.50. Preschool = Free. Friday and Saturday Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Last tour at 7 p.m.
Chilled wine and grape juice available by the bottle at winery and Pavilion. Limited to one bottle of chilled wine per person. Lunch served 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Accepting dinner reservations from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call 573-486-3479 for reservations.
COME, join us and STOMP!

Boston or Styx?

Which do you like better Styx or Boston?? After attending a concert on Friday night at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, I feel the need to ask this question. I went to this concert thinking I like Boston but was very surprised to find out I had already missed most of the best part of the bands.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, we were late for the concert start time. After arriving and getting our seats, it was apparent Styx plays music for the audience. Everyone in the audience was swaying to the music, dancing and singing. The members of the band were very fan friendly. They put on a great show. As Tom Shaw said goodbye, the stage was torn apart and set for Boston.
At this point, I am happy to be in the arena. AND then it happens, they start to play.... Needless to say, after the first seemingly endless song, I am happy I have the earplug in my ears. The music was way too loud!
All of those familiar songs only sounded familiar until the band started to sing. They did not sound very good. AND when did Boston ever have a girl play guitar in the band?
We eventually left, before the show was over. I spied many empty seats after Styx left the stage and only after enduring about 45 minutes to an hour of "music" did I understand why.
Maybe Boston was having a bad day. But then again maybe Styx is really just that good! I was totally impressed with their performance.

The King of Beers Sold

Does anyone else feel like America is for sale? Today Anheuser-Busch, the King of Beers, is being sold to InBev, a Belgium based company. Why? To keep shareholders happy. InBex is purchasing A-B for a cool $52 Billion.
What does this sale mean to St. Louis? What does it mean to the country? At this point it is difficult to say, but rest assured business will change. New people will be in charge with new ideas. New ideas of how to make more money. Will this mean a change in the time honored brewing process?
I visited the brewery last week with my brother and his family. The tour was interesting and enlightening. Many steps are involved in the brewing of a great beer. The process is timed and very precise. The ingredients used are of the highest quality. Even the water is purified so all of the products taste the same no matter what state they are made in or for.
The company's history is nothing short of amazing...American history. The company survived Prohibition by selling non-alcoholic products. The company sold ice cream, root beer, ginger ale and baker's yeast to name a few.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are magnificent horses and a must see on Super Bowl ads not to mention a symbol of America. And let us not forget to mention the red, white and blue Budweiser logo or the A with the eagle swooping in.
Will this be the end of the "Real Men of Genius" commercials or just the end of "Anheuser Busch St. Louis, Missouri" at the end of the radio commercials?
Anheuser-Busch holds a 48% market share in the US. Will this continue?
What effect will the sale have on the real estate market in St. Louis?
Only time will tell.

Lakefront House

Super Lakefront home on gorgeous Lake Serene. Spacious 3 bed room, 2 bath ranch home. The floor plan is light, bright and open. Skylights give natural light thus saving you money on electric. The living room, master bedroom and one addtional bedroom face the picturesque lake. You can watch the wildlife from the comfort of your home. Come see this beauty so close to town and yet so private. 10 Minutes from Highway 44. Home has vinyl siding with enclosed soffits. Owner is offering home warranty. For more details go to SelectAnn.com.

View of private dock from the lot on the 67 acre lake. Enjoy fishing, boating and watching wildlife on this sparkling, private lake.

SelectAnn.com for all your real estate needs

10 Ways to Better Gas Mileage

Now that summer is finally here and trip are inevitable. Here are a few tips to improve your gas mileage.


1. Give your car a once-over. For safety and fuel economy, you should give your car a good check up before taking a trip

2. Change your oil regularly. Dirty motor oil can impair your engine’s performance cutting down on good gas mileage.

3. Make sure your tire pressure is correct. Keep your tires at the recommended pressure. Lower tire pressure can cause drag on the vehicle’s performance.

4. Slow down. Within the range of normal highway speeds, each 10 miles per hour over the limit, reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20%.

5. Cruise control. Use it if you're driving over even terrain. It can prevent speed changes that waste precious gas.

6. Use the A/C . It's debatable whether your car uses more fuel to drive with your windows down or rolled up with the air conditioner on. So, turn on the A/C, cool down and enjoy the ride.

7. Avoid idling. Idling and slow driving wastes fuel, so plan your drive time when there is less chance of traffic jams.

8. Pack light. Extra weight cuts fuel economy, so pack as light as you are able. Roof-top bins and racks cut fuel economy by about 21% so avoid them.

9. Take it easy on the pedals. When not in highway traffic, calm down the aggressive acceleration and hard braking. This habit of quick starts and stops wastes an amazing amount of fuel.

10. Use the lowest grade. Check your owner's manual for the fuel your car needs. If it recommends “Regular” gas, use it. Using Premium just wastes money.

Press Release

Flower & Fendler, Inc. has purchased the homebuilding division of American Heritage Homes, LLC., and is now offering new homes in Ashton Woods, Bridlewood, Harter Farms, Silverstone Trails, and Briar Lake Estates Communities.

Flower & Fendler was formed by Sean Flower and Donald Fendler, the former president and chief financial officer, respectively, of American Heritage. Sean and Don look forward to continuing their commitment to quality home construction and communities, while having even more time to spend with each individual customer.

Flower & Fendler is a well capitalized company, and management has collectively over 25 years of experience in the homebuliding and land development business.

As always if you are interested in new construction, enlist the help of a qualified agent. The fee is part of the purchase price. So why would you not want someone on your side? The manning agent is there for the builder not the buyer.

Real Estate Market is Heating Up

Yes, the weather is heating up and so is the real estate market here in St. Louis. We are seeing an increase in buyers actually deciding to "get off the fence" and buy a home. Prices are great and competition is starting to get pretty fierce. If you have veiwed a home you like, then you better move fast or it will likely get a contract. And you will be out of luck.

Interest rates are at 40 year lows. If you can qualify for a mortgage and you want a home, it's time to get into the game. Contact me today to get started searching for your new home.
The site to search for your new home: SelectAnn.com