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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• St. Louis public company sells in $3B deal, to go private.

• Upcoming Vandoliers concert

• A deep-dive into the life of Susan Blow

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"If you genuinely want something, don't wait for it, teach yourself to be impatient."

—— Gurbaksh Chahal

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What St. Louis park, known for its scenic beauty and outdoor concerts, was originally established as a community meeting place and hosts a variety of public events?

A) Lafayette Park

B) Tower Grove Park

C) Forest Park

D) Carondelet Park

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The St. Louis attraction renowned for its large-scale mosaic installations, one of the largest in the world, located within a historic church building, is A) The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

News

💼 Business

Specialty coffee roaster to open 4th coffeehouse 'sooner than later' in new south St. Louis HQ. (Link)

St. Louis public company sells in $3B deal, to go private. (Link)

Construction underway on Eureka's new $11.5M government center. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Home sweep home: Cardinals end Orioles’ run at Swifties’ history with win, series sweep. (Link)

Nolan Gorman homers to help Cardinals beat Orioles 3-1 in game suspended overnight by rain. (Link)

Blues sign Interim Head Coach Drew Bannister to 2-year extension, drop interim from title. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Anheuser-Busch investing $15.5M in one of its breweries. (Link)

Investment firm to receive $400M in public firm's $3B buyout. (Link)

St. Louis works to advance single-terminal Lambert airport makeover. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏈 San Antonio Brahmas at St. Louis BattleHawks
The Dome at America's Center, St. Louis
Sat, Jun 1 | (More info)

⚾ Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Thu, Jun 6 - Sat, Jun 8 | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎸 Marcus King and JJ Wilde
The Pageant, St. Louis
Wednesday, May 29 | (More info)

🎶 Vandoliers
Off Broadway, St. Louis
Friday, May 31 | (More info)

🎤 Darell
El Volcán Discoteque, St. Louis
Saturday, June 1 | (More info)

Family

📚 Beat the Heat with a Treat
8125 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis
Thursday, May 30 | (More info)

🏛 Magic Chef Mansion Tour
3400 Russell Boulevard, St. Louis
Saturday, June 1 | (More info)

🎶 Rhythm and Roots
4642 Shenandoah Avenue, St. Louis
Saturday, June 1 | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Futuristic sports arena in St. Louis hosting a new, invented sport” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

St. Louis Historical Events

The 1993 Great Flood - One of the most devastating floods in U.S. history affects the St. Louis area.

The 1993 Great Flood stands as one of the most catastrophic and memorable natural disasters in U.S. history, profoundly affecting the St. Louis area alongside substantial parts of the Midwest. Triggered by persistent and excessive rainfall that began in late Spring and continued well into the summer, rivers across the region, including the mighty Mississippi and its tributaries, swelled beyond their banks. These conditions were exacerbated by a rare convergence of meteorological patterns that caused an unusual series of severe storms, resulting in rainfall amounts that, in some locations, exceeded 12 inches above normal.

St. Louis, positioned near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, found itself in a particularly vulnerable position. The rising waters breached levees, inundated communities, and disrupted the lives of thousands. The floodwaters engulfed homes, farmlands, and businesses, causing billions of dollars in damages. Critical infrastructure was not spared; transportation was severely hampered as floodwaters covered roads and railways, and utilities were put at risk, leading to widespread power outages and interruptions to essential services. The flood's impact was felt not just in the immediate destruction, but in the prolonged recovery that would follow.

The response to the crisis was monumental. Volunteers and officials from local, state, and federal levels banded together, working tirelessly to reinforce levees, evacuate residents, and eventually, begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding. The 1993 Great Flood was a stark reminder of nature's might and the necessity for prepared communities and resilient infrastructure. It led to significant changes in flood management policies and practices in the region, including the construction of higher levees and the implementation of more stringent building codes. Despite the devastation, the flood also underscored the resilience and solidarity of the affected communities, marking a period of challenge and change for the St. Louis area and the broader Midwest.

Famous People From St. Louis

Susan Blow (1843–1916):

Susan Blow was a pioneering educator who left an indelible mark on the American education system by founding the first successful public kindergarten in the United States. Her vision and dedication paved the way for the widespread adoption of kindergartens across the country, influencing generations of children and educators.

Early Life and Education (1843-1862)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Susan Blow was the daughter of a wealthy businessman and politician. From a young age, she received a private education that sparked her interest in philosophy and education. Her formative years were marked by a deep curiosity and a passion for learning, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors.

European Influence and Friedrich Froebel (1862-1870)

After her family’s tour of Europe, Susan became deeply influenced by the educational theories of Friedrich Froebel, the German educator who founded the kindergarten movement. Blow was particularly drawn to his belief in the importance of early childhood education, and she devoted herself to studying his methods and philosophy.

Return to St. Louis and Educational Pursuits (1871-1872)

Upon her return to St. Louis, Susan Blow was determined to apply Froebel's ideas. She embarked on rigorous self-study and sought advice from leading educators. Her commitment to child-centered education led her to dream of establishing a kindergarten that would serve as a model for educators everywhere.

Establishment of the First Public Kindergarten (1873)

Susan Blow’s dreams came to fruition in 1873 when she founded the first successful public kindergarten in the Des Peres School in St. Louis. With no precedent in public education in the United States, Blow’s kindergarten was an experimental venture that required her to be teacher, advocate, and administrator.

Expansion and Teacher Training (1874-1883)

Recognizing the need for well-trained teachers to spread the kindergarten movement, Susan Blow established a training program for kindergarten teachers in St. Louis. Her pioneering work in teacher education contributed significantly to the professionalism and quality of early childhood education.

National Recognition and Advocacy (1884-1900)

As the success of her kindergarten became evident, Susan Blow gained national recognition. She traveled across the country giving lectures, advocating for the incorporation of kindergartens into public schools, and influencing educational policy. Her efforts helped popularize the kindergarten movement in the United States.

Publications and Intellectual Contributions (1900-1910)

Throughout her career, Susan Blow was a prolific writer, contributing to educational journals and publishing several influential works on kindergarten education. Her writings, filled with insights from her experiences, played a crucial role in shaping the theoretical foundations of early childhood education.

Retirement and Legacy (1910-1916)

After retiring from active teaching and administration, Susan Blow continued to influence the field of education through her writings and mentorship. She passed away in 1916, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer in American education. Her work laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of kindergartens in public schools.

Susan Blow’s Connection to St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri, was not only Blow’s birthplace but also the launchpad of her historic career. It was here that she transformed her vision into a reality by establishing the first successful public kindergarten in the United States. St. Louis remained the center of her educational pursuits, serving as a model city for the kindergarten movement.

Key Achievements of Susan Blow:

• Founded the first successful public kindergarten in the United States in St. Louis.

• Established a teacher training program to ensure the spread and quality of kindergarten education.

• Achieved national recognition as a leading advocate for the kindergarten movement.

• Contributed significantly to educational theory and practice through her writings.

Susan Blow was a visionary educator whose pioneering establishment of the first public kindergarten in the United States revolutionized early childhood education. Through her advocacy, teacher training efforts, and intellectual contributions, she left a lasting impact on the educational landscape. Susan Blow's work not only transformed education in St. Louis but also laid the groundwork for the kindergarten movement across the nation, ensuring her place as a foundational figure in American education history.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen

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