Back for a repeat performance, The Plywood Inspectors (Peter Brooks ’11) and Capitol Drive (Nick Keesey ’11) will be rockin’ an outdoor set at Country Fair Kick-Off on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 6-8 p.m. Peter and Nick, both seniors at SLUH, are super busy with homework and swim practice, but took some time to answer a few questions and are looking forward to playing again at their alma mater.

The Plywood Inspectors features Peter on guitar and vocals, Jake Nelson on bass and vocals, Daniel Mudd on synthesizer and Gram Tolish on drums. Last weekend they played Viz’s Carnival as well as Ursuline’s Fall Fest, and play different venues in the area.

Peter is the son of John and Cindy (Cannon ’75) Brooks and the brother of Carrie ’08, Mark ’13 and Robby (Sixth Class). He began playing guitar around age 10 and while he was not in the ASH Band, he played guitar and drums for liturgies and participated in the Middle School Talent Shows. Peter says, “All the practices at ASH for everything were designed to build confidence. I play the guitar every night after I finish homework, so that practicing has stuck with me, and I love performing live.”

Peter names Beethoven, Bach and Holtz as some of his musical influences, but he is really a fan of classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd as well as new favorites Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala and Wilco. He enjoys lots of different guitar styles and all the guitars and pedals that go along with them. Peter plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville where he’ll study music business.

According to their Facebook page, The Plywood Inspectors play “music you can dance to” with a heavy nod to alternative and classic rock. Their shows range from the Rolling Stones to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to original tunes. To watch their Messy Desk performance last spring, visit: visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLnZPu08Luo.

Capitol Drive is a rock/alternative band formed in February 2012 in St. Charles. The band includes Nick on bass, Paul Rieger and Hayden Jensen on guitar and vocals and Devin Hoffman on drums. Nick played baritone and trombone in the ASH Band and bass in Jazz Band. “Regular band gave me a great foundation in music by teaching me the basics, counting, breathing,” he says. “And jazz band allowed me to learn how to play the bass with a group.”

Nick’s main musical influences are Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd and other bands of the progressive rock genre. “It takes rock music to the extreme, working in concepts for albums, writing in different time signatures and playing with incredible virtuosic ability,” he explains. His diverse musical influences range from 60s rock to 70s rock and blues rock to 80s and 90s bands as well as somewhat newer bands. “I pretty much listen to anything and everything rock-related,” he says. Capitol Drive’s music reflects this wide range of influences including Led Zeppelin, The Strokes, 311, Muse and the Foo Fighters.

Nick and his parents Chris and Kim lived in Costa Rica during his Sixth and Seventh Class year. Nick returned for Eighth Class and says, “My best memory of ASH is really Eighth grade year as a whole. The classes, the teachers, my classmates — everything was great. Of all the things, though, it was the feeling of more independence that probably was the greatest part.”

Nick is considering Mizzou, Ohio State and Vanderbilt where he plans to major in psychology and sociology, then go on to law school. “I plan on continuing to write music, become involved in the school jazz band, and maybe form a band of my own with guys that I meet in college,” he says.

Don’t miss supporting these alum bands … Come for the food trucks and washers tournament and stay for the live music!

It’s hard to believe that Country Fair is just around the corner! Chairs Larry and Terri McClain and Co-Chairs Rollin and Akesha Jackson, as well as the many committee chairs, have worked tirelessly over the past month to make this event great. We have a fantastic line-up of entertainers, games, food, and more.  We are so excited to see everyone October 11 and 12!

Please read on for a few reminders…

Schedule

SATURDAY

• Mass in the Shrine: 4:30 p.m.
• Food Trucks arrive: 5 p.m.
• Marketplace open: 5–8 p.m.
• Washers Registration/Warm-up: 5:30 p.m.
• Washers Tournament: 6 p.m.
• Live Music from alumni bands: 6–8 p.m.

SUNDAY

• Run registration: 7:30–8 a.m.
• 5K start: 8:30 a.m.
• 1 Mile Fun Run start: 9:15 a.m.
• Marketplace open for business: 9:30 a.m.
• Game Booths open: 10 a.m.
• Food available for purchase: 11 a.m.
• Country Fair end: 5 p.m.

Volunteer Sign-Up

Volunteer spots remain open for Country Fair, and they must be filled. Volunteers make this day possible, and participation is required from all families to make this event a success. Sign-ups should be completed as soon as possible, and can be done through Volunteer Spot: Country Fair 2014 Volunteer Sign-Ups

Treasure Chest

Treasure Chest is looking for the donation of the following items: gift cards to restaurants, home decor, fall/holiday items, toys, games, iTunes gift cards, sports memorabilia, and movie tickets. We are particularly looking for more teen (boy or girl) and adult gifts. To drop off donations, please bring items to the office with a note stating they are for Treasure Chest.

26th Annual Country Fair 5K Run and Fun Run

Please join us for a rousing start to the Country Fair by signing up for the 5K or Fun Run! The run is open to all ASH families, and community members as well. All entrants will receive a special 26th Annual Country Fair Run t-shirt. Forms can be found online on the Parent Portal under the Country Fair Event Page.

Please note that entrants now are no longer guaranteed a shirt on Race Day. Participants who don’t receive a shirt by October 12 will receive one the week after Country Fair.

It’s a Country Fair BYOB and Glue Gun (if you have one) Party!

Sunday, October 5 from 1–3 p.m.
Girls’ Assembly Room

We had such a good time at the Craft and Wine Party, we want to try it again this Sunday from 1–3 p.m! You don’t have to be a craft diva or even own a glue gun to participate. Just bring your favorite beverage and be prepared to be meet other moms who want to help at Marketplace. Whether you are a skilled crafter or new to the craft world—we want you! This is a great way to meet other moms in the ASH Community. Please RSVP to Karen Golab by this evening, if possible.

Washers Tournament

Don’t forget to get in your early sign-up form for the Washers Tournament on Saturday evening. Those who sign up by October 7 will be entered in a raffle for an Anheuser-Busch beer basket containing 3 cases of beer, AB glassware and AB t-shirts. There is a Kids’ Tournament and an Adult Tournament. Tournament winners will receive special short sleeve t-shirts and half the proceeds for bragging rights!  Winners of the Kids’ Tournament will win a gift basket.

If you don’t sign up by October 7, don’t worry. You can still sign up until Saturday before the tournament starts. Please note that each washers team is 2 people. It is $10 per child team ($5 per child) and $20 per adult team ($10 per adult). The Washers Tournament sign-up sheet can be found on the Parent Portal under the Country Fair Event Page.

Vendors on Saturday Night

There will be 5 vendors at the Country Fair Kick-off Saturday evening. Preview what they’ll be cooking up…

2 Girls 4 Wheels: http://www.2girls4wheels.com/

Stumpy’s BBQ: http://stumpyshouseofbbq.com/menu.html

Jimmy Johns: https://www.jimmyjohns.com/

Kona Ice Truck: http://roaminghunger.com/kona-ice-st-louis

4 Seasons Bakery: http://www.4seasonsbakery.com/

All Things Marketplace

Marketplace is still looking for creative and crafty helpers and donations.

• merchandise to make up cocktail baskets: Margarita baskets, beer baskets, wine baskets, Bloody Mary baskets, etc
• items for team baskets: Blues, Mizzou, Cardinals, Rams
• card games
• gift cards
• Fall, winter and holiday decor items
• beer, wine, and spirits

Marketplace also needs your delicious baked goods to sell at the Fair!

• fudge
• candied nuts
• truffles
• savory snacks
• brownies baked in ice cream cones
• brownies by themselves
• bar cookies
• decorated cookies
• pies
• cakes
• muffins
• breads

Get excited for all Marketplace has to offer this year! Saturday night, Marketplace will be selling fall decor (including pumpkins, harvest corn, corn stalks, mums, and gourds), Halloween themed candy, lighted pumpkins, and glow-in-the-dark accessories. Don’t miss out on your chance to “Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin”! Marketplace will have these items available for purchase on Sunday as well as other fall decor items, gift baskets, baked goods and more! For your convenience, Marketplace will accept credit cards this year (Sunday only).

Sell, Sell, Sell those Raffle Tickets!

There’s less than a week left in the raffle and we still have a long way to go! More than 5,000 tickets must be sold in order to reach our goal of 8,000. All tickets must be turned in by Thursday morning in order to count toward the potential dress-down day on Friday, October 10.

Bottles for Bottle Booth

We had a great turn-out for Bottle Day, but could still use a few more! We will accept new, unexpired, unopened bottles until the start of Country Fair. All we need you to do is send them to school with your children and we will take care of the rest. (Be sure to check expiration dates!)

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

If you signed up for the pumpkin decorating contest, bring in your creative masterpiece October 10 to be judged. Students who are able to carry their own pumpkins can bring them in and leave them in the hall outside their classroom. Volunteers will also be available during the morning car pool line to take pumpkins for little ones who cannot carry their own. All pumpkins will be displayed during Country Fair, and winners will be announced during the Fair as well!

A Message from Band Director Frank Goessler

Greetings ASH family,

As many of you know, the first public performance of the ASH Concert Band will be at Country Fair!

I would like to invite any alumni of the band program, family of alumni, or ASH faculty to help us make beautiful music on what will hopefully be a beautiful day. If you played an instrument at one time or another and feel like pulling it out of moth balls for another go-round, we would love to have you join us.

With the addition of others, we will need to rehearse. I plan to have two late-morning rehearsals, at 11 a.m. in Regis Hall, the two Saturdays before Country Fair—OCTOBER 4 and 11. I think this will help with the overall performance of the band. The music will not be difficult.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please contact me as soon as possible, so I can get an idea of how much music I will need to prepare.

I hope a lot of you participate and we can start a tradition!

Thanks,
Frank Goessler
Home: 636-946-8635
Cell: 314-974-5588

What a fun morning recently when Fourth Class students and their parents returned to life on the frontier!  Thanks to Mrs. Lammert for this summary:

“The day started with a fascinating, true story told by a descendant of a woman who journeyed to the west in the mid 1800s. What an experience for the students to hear about all of the trials and tribulations even the pioneer children endured as they crossed the plains into the western portion of the United States! We continued our day going through a series of stations experiencing what life would have been like for pioneer children. We played games such as ‘graces,’ a unique version of tug-of-war, and even a bean bag juggling game. Another station included making silhouettes of the children and a marbles game that was popular during that era. We then designed and made our very own lanterns, while enjoying some delicious, old-fashioned flapjacks. What a day!”

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Goal III of Sacred Heart education calls us to a Social Awareness which Impels to Action. This emphasis is underscored for our Middle School classes in a program entitled “In the Footsteps of Philippine.” Recently, Grades 5–8 took part in a special liturgical celebration in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne, during which they were commissioned to lives of service.

During the coming school year, Middle School students will be Sent Forth Together to be of service and learn from the following:  Fifth Class—Mount Carmel and Carrington (formerly Parkside Meadows); Sixth Class—Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Center, Food Bank and Poverty Simulation; Seventh Class—United Services and Emmaus Home; and Eighth Class—Salvation Army, Youth in Need, and St. Vincent de Paul.

With morning snacks and blankets on the lawn, students gathered with their classmates to share their best books of the summer. Each child described one favorite book he or she had read over the summer. Enthusiasm and high interest were harnessed for new selections on everyone’s “to read” list. Mrs. Busen, our school librarian, will be ordering some of these newfound favorites for us to enjoy. There were lots of ideas for trips to the library! Thanks to everyone for sharing; it was a great way to begin our day.

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Now that the new school year has begun, it won’t be long before our thoughts turn to the Fun Run, Bottle Booth, yummy chicken and beef dinners, the Marketplace, games and more. Plans are in the works for a fabulous day of fun October 12 at Country Fair!  [CLICK HERE] For more information, call the Advancement Office at 636-946-5632.

We were delighted to welcome French Archbishop Thierry Jordan, of the Diocese of Reims, to the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne and the Academy of the Sacred Heart while he was in St. Louis for liturgical celebrations of the 250th birthday of the City and the 800th birthday of St. Louis the King.

Archbishop Jordan has special ties to both St. Philippine and to St. Louis. He is a member of the Jordan and Perier families—cousins of Philippine Duchesne. (Many who met him see a family resemblance to the Saint.) In addition, St. Louis IX was crowned King of France in the Cathedral of Reims, where Archbishop Jordan serves.

The Archbishop, along with Prince Louis de Bourbon (a descendent of St. Louis) and his wife, the Princess Margaret, and Bishop Edward Rice of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, were all welcomed for a visit, a semi-private mass in the Shrine, and a tour of the historic portion of the school. Two French-speaking RSCJ, Sisters Fran Gimber and Carolyn Osiek, accompanied the Archbishop on his tour, and Sister Margaret Munch gave a tour to the English-speaking visitors. Our Fourth Class students helped us to greet these guests and participated in the French mass with their singing and their responses to the prayers during the liturgy. Afterward, the visitors enjoyed a luncheon in the Conference Room.

The Society, the Academy, the Shrine and the children at the Academy all presented gifts to the Archbishop to commemorate this special visit to his saint-cousin’s first and last American home.

On this day, we felt a strong connection to our French heritage!

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CLICK HERE for more photos of this and other Archdiocesan anniversary events.

The coming weekend will be book-ended with two special liturgical celebrations at the Academy.  At our annual Mass on the Grass on Saturday, August 23 at 6 p.m., school families will celebrate together the beginning of a new school year. It will be held between the Shrine and the White Center. The second mass, at 10:45 a.m. Monday in the Shrine, will be celebrated in French by Archbishop Thierry Jordan of the Diocese of Riems. A relative of St. Philippine Duchesne, Archbishop Jordan will be in St. Louis for celebrations recognizing the City’s 250th birthday, as well as the 800th birthday of St. Louis the King.

Click here for information about other liturgical celebrations August 23-25 in St. Louis.

We were so glad to welcome new and returning friends in grades 1-8 on their first day of school, August 20. Our Primary classes had half days August 21-22. Pre-Primary students rounded out our enrollment when they began on August 25. To each and every one, welcome! We are excited to begin another year of love and learning.

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We’re rolling out the red carpet for all of our school families at tonight’s Open House from 5-7 p.m. Teachers will be waiting in classrooms to meet their students! Be sure to either enter or depart through the White Center, where representatives from the Cafeteria, athletics, Scouts, Band, Chess Club, Bricks for Kidz, the Business Office, the school nurse, Mothers’ Club, apparel and more will be on hand to answer whatever questions you may have.

And don’t forget—food trucks from Slice of the Hill and Cose Dolci will be parked near the White Center steps. Slice of the Hill will offer salad and pizzas, and Cose Dolci will sell sweet treats such as cake pops, cupcakes and cookies.

NEW—Photos added. We welcomed visiting students, their two teachers, and headmistress Sr. Mami Ohara from Fuji Seishin Joshi Gakuin, a Sacred Heart school in Japan. As part of their two-week visit to the St. Louis area, the 16 students took English classes at the Academy. Their afternoons were filled with a variety of activities and sightseeing. Some Academy students and alums extended ASH hospitality to the Japanese students, spending time and conversing with them, and joining them for meals. In addition, several Academy families hosted visitors during weekend stays. We loved getting to know these international Sacred Heart friends!
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