As a part of the St. Charles Bicentennial, Mayor Patti York and the St. Charles City Council formally announced the following award winners associated with the 200th anniversary celebration.  The public announcement was officially made at the Bicentennial City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

Bicentennial Babies -- Four local area families celebrated with the city on the day of its actual anniversary.  St. Charles, in conjunction with SSM St. Joseph Health Center, honored the following families who had babies born on Wed., Oct. 13 (three boys and one girl):

. Jack Edward Litteken -- born to Eric and Karen Litteken of Foristell
. Logan Patrick Roedemeier -- born to Dan and Gayle Roedemeier of St. Charles
. Nicholas Lee Roberts, Jr. -- born to Aneshia and Nicholas Roberts of St. Charles
. Trinity Rose Caton-Hernandez -- born to Brianna Caton of St. Charles

Mayor York and hospital President Gaspare Calvaruso met with all four families the afternoon of the city's 200th anniversary.  The city provided Bicentennial bookmarks, keepsakes and 200th anniversary Christmas ornaments, while the hospital sponsored Bicentennial receiving blankets and also gave each baby a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

Bicentennial Essay Contest -- recognizing high school seniors participating in the city's Bicentennial essay contest.  Five local area students wrote commentaries providing their personal perspective on the subject of:  Looking Ahead 200 Years -- What I want people to remember about life in St. Charles. 

The following high school seniors have received top honors in this Bicentennial contest, each earning a $500 award from the city of St. Charles:

. Brett Nardoni – Orchard Farm High School
. Matthew Gualdoni – St. Charles High School
. Catherine Gravemann – St. Charles High School
. Marissa Hundelt – Orchard Farm High School
. William Kleine – St. Charles West High School
 
Saint Charles Star -- competition finalists for Saint Charles Star held on Sunday, October 11 -- the city's very own, homegrown version -- highlights some extremely talented folks who live right here in St. Charles:

. Junior Star Winner -- Kelsey McIroy -- she's 13 years old and a resident of Ward  8.  Kelsey is a student at Immanuel Lutheran School.  She received a one-year scholarship to the Patt Holt Singers and Dancers.
. Adult Star Winners --In first place, Chelsea Cullom of Ward 6.  Chelsea works as a medical assistant and also tends bar on the side.  In second place, Marty Charleville from Ward 1.  Marty is a teacher and music director at St. Peters Catholic Church.  In third place -- Kendra Smizer from Ward 8.  Kendra is a fine arts instructor focusing on the areas of dance, voice and acting.

A special thank you to Dr. Jim Evans and all the staff at Lindenwood University for their generosity in providing scholarship opportunities for our Adult Star winners.  Additional thanks to Patt Holt from the Patt Holt Singers and Dancers for all her efforts to organize and stage the Star competition from the audition phase to the final curtain call. 
 
Bicentennial Gardening Contest -- special thanks to the city's Beautification Commission and the Suburban Journal -- the event's corporate sponsor -- for hosting a Bicentennial gardening contest this summer.  The winners are:

. Small Residential -- Lucille Wiechens, 69 St. Edith Court in Ward 7
. Large Residential -- Annette Dean, 624 Jackson Street in Ward 2
. Small Business -- Bittersweet Inn, 1101 North Third Street in Ward 1
. Large Business -- Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center, 1050 South Riverside Drive in Ward 2
. Small Community Organization -- Immanuel Lutheran School, 115 South Sixth Street in Ward 1
. Large Community Organization -- Youth in Need, 1815 Boone's Lick Road in Ward 2

The gardens were required to contain a minimum of 50 percent native plants, including the city flower, the purple Coneflower.  

Bicentennial Parade -- Saturday, October 10, 2009
Some 60 entries comprised the city's Bicentennial parade held prior to the Family Fun Day at Blanchette Park.  Here are the winning entries:

. Group Appeal -- the Luetkenhaus Family -- Vince and Sharon -- for their German float entry.  Including their son, Greg, daughter-in-law, Donna and grandchildren, Gloria, Marie, Friderich and Charles.

. Best Design -- Bob Ermeling and all the good folks at Jehling Hardware for their impeccable attention to detail on a multiple unit entry, including a stage coach with a team of stuffed horses.

. Best Musical -- the St. Charles Municipal Band who were up front and center on a flat bed truck providing many crowd-pleasing renditions from their fine reperatoire.

. Most Historic -- the Academy of the Sacred Heart, including an historic overview of the school complete with students and teachers in period costume.

For more information related to the Bicentennial celebration on Tuesday, October 13, please refer to video streaming services available on the home page of the St. Charles city home page.