Attending the MPC Meeting and Volunteering at the Hot Chocolate Run

Yesterday morning (2 December), I drove to the St. Louis Artists Guild in Clayton for the Missouri Professional Communicators (MPC) meeting. It featured a panel discussion with the owners of three St. Louis Independent bookstores: EyeSeeMe African American Children's Bookstore, Betty's Books, and The Novel Neighbor. These owners discussed bookstore trends and their favorites for the holiday season, and fielded questions from the audience. Before and after the program, all three bookstore owners had display tables with merchandise for sale. I did a bit of shopping from one of those stores after the meeting.

After a bit of holiday shopping, I came home and relaxed. Last night, I watched the MLS Conference Finals that were streamed on Apple TV+ to my computer. It will be Columbus Crew hosting Los Angeles Football Club for the MLS Cup this Saturday.

After rising early this morning, I drove to Forest Park to serve as a volunteer at this year's Hot Chocolate Run, a trio of road races through and around the park. These races were: 5 km (3.1 miles), 10 km (6.2 miles), and 15 km (9.3 miles). This was one of several Hot Chocolate Runs held throughout the country during late 2023 and early 2024. Proceeds from these runs benefit Special Olympics.

I arrived at the volunteer check in just before 6:00 am, received a Hot Chocolate Run hoodie to wear over my outfit, and reported to the Course Marshals group. We had about 12 volunteers for this role. We were each loaned a Course Marshal vest and a signal flag to use during our shift.

We were taken by van to our stations on the course. I chose one at the corner of Government Drive and Washington Drive near the entrance to the Saint Louis Zoo. This was approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the start. I was on station about 6:45 am--45 minutes before the run began.

Once the runners approached my position, I waived my flag upward and then directed them towards the turn past the Zoo. Doing so, I also offered encouragement to the runners. A few of them thanked me for volunteering, and I replied that it was my pleasure. 

Some runners participated as groups running together and wore outfits for their respective groups. This included several members of STL Santos, the Hispanic soccer supporter group. I especially offered them my encouragement, which they appreciated.

About 55 minutes after the run began, the race official vehicles came up behind the last of the runners. The driver informed me that there were no more runners coming here and that my shift was over. They asked if I wanted a ride back to the race center, but I told them I would walk. It wasn't that far for me and I could use the exercise.

After about an 11-minute walk, I reached the race center. This area of Forest Park, just north of the Muny, had the volunteer check in, gear check, merchandise store, and the reward tent for the participants. After completing the run and receiving a medal for doing so, each participant went to a tent to receive a cup of hot chocolate and a chocolate fondue. The latter included a banana, mini pretzels, a Rice Crispies Bar, and Pirouline rolled wafers to dip into the chocolate. After all the runners got their fondue and drink, the volunteers received theirs. It was quite a nice reward for my efforts.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

St. Louis Artists' Guild: St. Louis Artists' Guild (stlouisartistsguild.org)

Missouri Professional Communicators: Missouri NFPW affiliate | Missouri Professional Communicators | Clayton (moprocommunicators.org)

EyeSeeMe African American Children's Bookstore: EyeSeeMe

Betty's Books: Betty's Books | Graphic Books for All | Webster Groves, MO (bettysbooksstl.com)

The Novel Neighbor: The Novel Neighbor

Forest Park: Forest Park (stlouis-mo.gov)

Hot Chocolate Run: Homepage - Hot Chocolate Run (hotchocolate15k.com)

Special Olympics: Special Olympics

STL Santos: Inicio | Home | STL Santos

Variety of Early December Activities

After a long Monday at work (3 December), I went to Firehouse Bar & Grill (https://www.firehousebarandgrillstl.com/) in Mehlville for the annual soccer referee party. I chatted a bit with some colleagues, but otherwise I was not in much mood to talk. It was nice, though.

The following Saturday afternoon (8 December) found me at Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/) for the Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) Christmas party. It was a nice time, enjoying a catered lunch and chatting with other members.

That night, I came to the The Post Sports Bar & Grill (https://thepostsportsbar.com/?fbclid=IwAR1gOULXTJdOANvT4YaRqgx4EnXuohhBt5W_1mUa2wSJsDxN1XIbvCmL0N0) in Fenton. This was for a watch party for that night's MLS Cup match being played in Atlanta. Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) put on this watch party, with the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) there in force and #MLS4THELOU (https://mls4thelou.com/) also present. I munched on toasted ravioli and chicken wings while watching Atlanta United FC defeat Portland Timbers 2-0 on the TV screens. It was a fun evening.

I was up early the next morning (9 December) to get to Forest Park (https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/Forest-Park.cfm) by 5:45 am. There, I was serving as a volunteer at the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k runs (https://www.hotchocolate15k.com/), which benefitted the Make-A-Wish Foundation (http://wish.org/). I joined with some other volunteers at the finish line, before the race to set up the finishers' medals for presentation and the cups of sports drink to offer to the runners. We were all ready when the first runners set off at 7:30 am, despite the sub-freezing weather. (I handled up, yet my toes and fingertips froze.) The first runner for the 5k run came to the finish about 20 minutes later, and I was offering up sports drink to them as they passed by.

The first finishers from the 15k run came about one hour after the start, and its was a steady stream of finishers that came past my fellow volunteers and I. The last finisher came across the finish line some three hours after the run began, and I helped to tear down the tables where the refreshments were placed. After that, I came to the volunteer tent to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a fondue of molten chocolate with mini pretzels, marshmallows, and other treats. It's quite a nice treat for helping out. I also got a nice cold weather running shirt as a thanks for volunteering.

This past week, besides work, I put together this month's issue of The Arch Scaler News, the newsletter of IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home). Wednesday (12 December), after visiting some colleagues to drop off Christmas greetings and treats, I made a follow-up visit with my doctor. Generally, I am well, though I could lose a bit of weight.

After work last night (14 December), I went to a house in midtown St. Louis for the final Stress Free Fridays party. The organizers had decided to end the program after 14.5 years, and it was a nice last hurrah. I chatted with others I had not need in many months--due to my work schedule, I had not been able to attend these events--and had a pleasant time.

Later.

Work, Parties, Futsal, and Spreading Cheer

After working at the rental branch a week ago yesterday morning (9 December), I headed to Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill in Webster Groves (https://www.hotshotsnet.com/locations/stlouisarea/webstergroves.aspx) for a MLS Cup Final Watch Party organized by Saint Louis FC (http://www.saintlouisfc.com/). I picked up my 2018 season ticket shirsey (shirt-jersey), as well as a team mug and Christmas ornament. I had lunch there, joined by quite a few St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/), watching the match on the TV screens. (Toronto FC defeated Seattle Sounders FC, 2-0, in the match.) It was fun.

Early the next morning, I was in St. Louis' Forest Park (https://www.forestparkforever.org/) to serve as a volunteer at this year's Hot Chocolate 15K/5K run (https://www.hotchocolate15k.com/stlouis). This pair of foot races--15 km (9.3 miles) and 5 km (3.1 miles)--is part of a serious held around the country, with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish (http://wish.org/#sm.001ij9rr41dizeirwab1b4g3brslt). I joined with other volunteers to help prepare and serve electrolyte refreshments to runners who have just finished the race. It was just below freezing when I arrived on the site around 5:30 am to check in, and it wasn't much warmer when I began helping pour electrolyte liquid into cups set up on the tables. Despite the cold temperatures, it was at least sunny and the runners--approximately 10,000 for the two runs--were in good spirits.

Just under 30 minutes after the run began at 7:30 am, the first 5k finishers arrived, and we got the cups out to offer to the competitors. We stayed until the last competitor crossed the finish line just over 3 hours after the start. Among those I offered electrolyte to were Maggie, a colleague from the Kirkwood Enterprise branch (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html), and Dina Croy, wife of a family friend. The runner were very happy to get the refreshments my colleagues and I offered, and a few even thanked me for helping. I thanked all the runners I met for taking part, and told them it was a pleasure to help.

After I was finished with my finish line work, I joined in the post-run treats of hot chocolate and a chocolate fondue. For the latter, I dunked a banana, marshmallows, mini pretzels, Rice Krispies bars, and biscuits. It was a most sweet reward for helping out at this event.

That night, I was at Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/) for the Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) member Christmas party. It was a nice, casual event for socializing with fellow members and their guests (usually significant others). We enjoyed a catered buffet dinner and a slide show of various pictures taken at or around St. Louis Lambert International Airport (https://www.flystl.com/).

Back to work Monday morning (11 December), it was a busy time, especially in the morning, but my colleagues and I got the job done well and satisfied our customers. We had long days, but we remained committed to the job.

At night, I assembled the December issue of The Arch Scaler News, the newsletter of IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/). It was completed Wednesday night, ready to send out the following day. Additionally, I finished the press release I would issue on behalf of the club regarding our donation to Toys for Tots (https://www.toysfortots.org/) that Friday.

Off work on Thursday (14 December), I continued my visits to my Enterprise colleagues, bearing newsletters for them and cookies for them and their colleagues. I began at Sikeston, chatting briefly with Lauren, who recently became branch manager. I stopped by Cape Girardeau next; manager Liz was away, but a colleague accepted the items for her. Finally, I stopped by Arnold and chatted briefly with manager Kelley.

That afternoon, I printed out a few copies of The Arch Scaler News and mailed them out to the few IPMS/Gateway members who needed their newsletter in that manner. I emailed the newsletter to the remaining people on our membership list.

Dressing for work Friday morning, I made sure to wear my ugly Christmas sweater under my coat. (Friday was National Ugly Sweater Day.) I made this garment a year ago and kept it on the rack until now. Two of my branch colleagues also wore their ugly sweaters. It was most interesting to see.

After getting word of IPMS/Gateway's donation of $661 to Toys for Tots--the presentation was made that morning at a toy drive in Fenton--I started getting the release and a photo taken of the presentation to local media.

I took it easy for much of yesterday morning. Early that afternoon, I was at Worldwide Technology Soccer Park (http://www.saintlouisfc.com/soccerpark), where the St. Louligans held a leadership meeting, in which the group's leaders talked about the past year and what could be done to improve matters going forward. Several members also aired their grievances with the group, and the leaders talked of what should be done to address their concerns.

I was off to Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis (http://public.cagsl.net/) that night to referee youth futsal matches. It was my first matches of the season, and my first since early this year, but fortunately all worked out well in the end. My partner and I had four matches and there were no serious issues.

Later.

Meetups, Visiting Colleagues, Referee Clinics, and Hot Chocolate

A week ago Saturday (5 December) was busy, although I didn't have an episode of Writer's Block to co-host, as it was cancelled for this month. However, I did attend a pair of Meetups. First, the Saint Louis Area Sippers (Coffee Meetup) (http://www.meetup.com/Saint-Louis-Coffee-Meetup/) got together at Cafe Ventana (http://cafeventana.com/) in midtown St. Louis. Nine of our group got together over coffee and caught up on things. A very nice time we had together, and at a wonderful place.

That night, I was with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans (http://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/) Meetup group for dinner at Flavor of India (http://www.flavorofindiastl.com/) restaurant in Creve Coeur. Our group of 20 enjoyed a very tasty buffet of Indian cuisine, and I greatly enjoyed the food and company that night.

Back to work on Monday (7 December), things have been going well. Plenty to keep us busy. After flexing out Tuesday afternoon, I paid a visit to the three nearest branches to mine. First, in Ballwin, I brought cookies to the staff and gave Christmas cards to Cory and Adam there. Next, I was at the Manchester branch, with cookies for all and cards for Maggie (who just started as manager there) and Meggie. Finally, I went to the Kirkwood branch with cards for Derek, Mel, and Kim, plus cookies for all. At these branches I visited, they all greatly appreciated the gesture.

After coming home that Tuesday (8 December), I took and passed the online futsal referee test, and took that result with proof of payment to Lamborghini Gold Coast Athletic Centre (http://lamboathletic.com/) in St. Charles for the annual recertification clinic. A good crowd of referees was on hand to learn of points of emphasis, plus time on a court for exercises in mechanics. At the end, I got my 2016 futsal badge for my uniform.

My off day Thursday found me visiting more branches in the morning. This started with the one in Columbia, Illinois, where I left cookies and card for Tim, who was away when I arrived. Then, it was the Airport branch, where I had cards for Alex, Kerry, and Adrian. I chatted a bit with Alex and Kerry, who were there. Traveling northwest, I stopped by the St. Charles Car Sales location and chatted with Anthony, bringing him cookies and a card. I then left a card and cookies for Dan at the St. Peters rental branch. Finally, it was the branch in Fenton, where I chatted with Drew and Kevin. A most productive morning.

That afternoon, I took and passed my outdoor referee test. All was ready for the recertification that night at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park (http://www.stlcc.edu/FP/). We went over the rule changes (very minor), plus viewed video of game situations and went over points of emphasis for our youth soccer matches. I received my 2016 referee patch and Laws of the Game at the end of the night there. I treated myself to a milkshake at a nearby Steak 'n Shake (http://www.steaknshake.com/) before driving home.

After work yesterday (12 December), I got the car washed and bought some cargo pants. I also went to bed early that night, for an early wake up call the next morning.

Today, I was up around 4 am, as I had to be in downtown St. Louis by 5:45 am. For the second year in a row, I was a volunteer at the St. Louis Hot Chocolate Run (http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/stlouis), 15 kilometer and 5 kilometer runs through downtown St. Louis. Hundreds of runners took part in this event, whose proceeds (along with other Hot Chocolate Runs around the country) benefit Ronald McDonald Children's Charities. I was one of the volunteers working the 15K gear check in, near the start and finish lines south of Soldiers Memorial (http://stlsoldiersmemorial.org/index.php). I and other volunteers took the runners' gear (like wallets, keys, etc.) and stashed them in boxes in the tent. We kept the gear secure, then returned it to the runners after the run. We had no real problems with this process, all runners got their gear back in good order. After my shift ended, I was treated to hot chocolate and some treats (banana, rice krispies treat, mini pretzels, marshmallows) and chocolate syrup to dip the treats in.

After the run, I walked through Citygarden (http://www.citygardenstl.org/) and past Ballpark Village (http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/) back to my car, parked just west of Ballpark Village, and drove home. Time to rest up and get ready for another week of work.

Later.