Bill McClellan
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Articles by Bill McClellan
McClellan: I still pay bills by mail. I hope somebody notices.
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save “I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time.” — Henry David Thoreau Before leaving on a recent two-week road trip, I canceled the mail.
McClellan: Eric Schmitt was right not to step in the apology trap
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Is the country ready for a leader who admits error? I ask this in the wake of U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt’s unfortunate exchange with former special counsel Jack Smith this past week.
McClellan: Two women, a church and a St. Louis neighborhood
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Lucille and Sam Green bought a house in the 6100 block of Westminster Avenue in 1972. A year later, Jo Ann and Neville Vatcha bought a house next door. The houses were not surefire investments.
McClellan: In the age of AI, we are all living in Toon Country
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save My phone rang. I slid my finger along the bottom of the device to turn it on and then poked at the symbol that puts me in speakerphone mode. I said, “Hello.” For a moment there was silence.
McClellan: Missouri politics could use a class clown
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save There were a number of children of Polish descent in my childhood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. One of my pals was Jesse Lesniewski. That is pronounced Less-NEW-ski.
McClellan: Why would anyone want to be a St. Louis city cop?
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Why would anybody in their right mind want to be a St. Louis cop? kAm*@F 42? >2<6 >@C6 >@?6J :? >2?J DF3FC32? 56A2CE>6?ED[ 2?5 H9:=6 E96 ;@3 :D ?6G6C 4@>A=6E6=J D276[ :E :D 6DA64:2==J 52?86C@FD :?
McClellan: A dinner at Sam’s Steakhouse and a stroll though St. Louis history
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McClellan: How a poet, a nightclub owner and shorts almost changed St. Louis
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McClellan: I tried getting plates for my new car. It didn’t go well.
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Prefer us on Google Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Is there a name for the condition in which a person makes things harder than they need to be, and then gets frustrated with how hard things are?
McClellan: A wild child, a war and a second chance
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Todd Nicely was a wild child. He grew up the third of six children in small towns in Jefferson County. There wasn’t much money. Todd was physically gifted. He could run fast, and he could do back-flips.
McClellan: The Cardinals' succession plan brings back some memories
Bill McClellan | Post-Dispatch News columnist Author twitter Author email New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month.
McClellan: The difference a father figure can make
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Three sisters, who are now in their early to mid 60s, were raised on the city’s north side.
McClellan: My friend died, but the robots didn't get the message
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Several days after Ray Hartmann died, I received an email from Substack informing me that in six days, my renewal to Ray’s column on Substack would automatically renew.
McClellan: St. Louis' feud with the state over police is costing everyone
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save “Just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” —Pericles kAm%9:CE66?
McClellan: An old bank robber, a garden club and a visit with the governor
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save An old friend — 88 years old — stopped by recently. He told me he played poker at the casino in Lemay with a guy I might like.
McClellan: I think Alexa has taken a dislike to me
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Infatuation turned to affection, lingered there for a time, and then turned to hostility. kAmx 3=2>6 E96 E:>6D :? H9:49 H6 =:G6]k^Am kAmx >6E p=6I2 J62CD 28@] |2CJ 2?5 x H6C6 :?
McClellan: She built a life and legacy in St. Louis. She never spoke of how it began.
New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Hanne Rose Bromet was born in May of 1925 in Tilsit, Germany, near the Polish border. Her father, Emil, owned a small restaurant, or maybe he just worked in one. That is unclear.
McClellan: Want to fix downtown? Start with a drink after work
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save “Oh, you hate your job? ... There’s a support group for that. It’s called Everybody, and it meets at the bar.” — Drew Carey kAm%92E :D H92E H6 ?665 E@ 7:I 5@H?E@H? — >:55=6\2865 A6@A=6 3692G:?8 325=J] |66E:?8 2E E96 32C 27E6C H@C<] x?G:E:?8 J@F?8 H@C<6CD E@ ;@:? E96>] {625:?8 3J 6I2>A=6] “{6E’D 92G6 @?6 >@C6P” |6?E@C:?8] Q%CJ 2 D9@E H:E9 E92E 366C]Qk^Am kAmx 92G6 C625 H:E9 :?E6C6DE @FC D6C:6D @?
McClellan: In St. Louis, the lawsuits just keep coming
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save There is something to be said for the English rule in which the losing party of a lawsuit pays the legal costs of the victor. kAm%C:2= =2HJ6CD H@F=5 92E6 :E[ @7 4@FCD6[ 2?5 E96J H@F=5 A@:?E @FE[ C:89E=J[ E92E 2 A6CD@? @7 =:>:E65 >62?D H@F=5 ?@E 36 23=6 E@ D66< =682= C65C6DD F?=6DD 9:D @C 96C 42D6 H6C6 2 DFC6 E9:?8] %96 4@DE @7 =@D:?8 H@F=5 32?<CFAE E96>]k^Am kAm%@ E92E A@:?E[ $E] {@F:D 2?5 $E] {@F:D r@F?EJ H@F=5 ?@E 92G6 E2<6? @? $E2?
McClellan: The blues are still here in St. Louis; the museum isn't
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save When he was a freshman at McCluer High School in 1964, Bob Case read Jack Kerouac’s "On the Road.” He liked it too much. One day at school, he told his friends he had decided to go on the road himself, but he needed money. His friends dug into their pockets and came up with almost 20 bucks.
McClellan: A new pop, a coming Fourth and questions about who we are
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Pop or soda? kAmx 2> 2 A@A A6CD@?[ 3FE :7 J@F C676C E@ A@A 2D D@52[ @C 6G6? D@52 A@A[ x >2<6 ?@ ;F58>6?E @? J@FC 492C24E6C @C FA3C:?8:?8] xE’D ?@E =:<6 AFEE:?8 <6E49FA @? 2 9@E 5@8] ~C 6G6? D2J:?8 42EDFA :?DE625 @7 <6E49FA] x E6?5 E@ 36 ;F58J 23@FE E9@D6 E9:?8D]k^Am kAmqFE A@A :D ;FDE A@A] x 5@?’E 86E H@C<65 FA 23@FE :E]k^Am kAm$E:==[ x C625 H:E9 8C62E :?E6C6DE 2 DE@CJ :?
McClellan: He's the king on the Hill, and everyone 'speaks Charlie'
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save In 1925, Charles and Lena Garavaglia bought a new house in the 2300 block of Marconi Street in the Italian neighborhood called the Hill. They had a daughter the following year. Her name was Rose. She was born in the house, not in a hospital. kAm#@D6 8C6H FA 2?5 >2CC:65 $J=G:@ |:=2?:] p7E6C E96 H655:?8[ E96J >@G65 :? H:E9 #@D6’D 72>:=J] %96J 925 E9C66 D@?D] %96 @=56DE H2D r92C=:6] w6 H2D 3@C? :? `hdc] w6 H2D 3@C? :?
McClellan: I used to think I was smart. Now I’m not so sure
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Was Sherlock Holmes smarter than Lt. Columbo? kAm{2E6=J[ x 92G6 366? H@?56C:?8 >@C6 2?5 >@C6 23@FE E96 2CE @7 36:?8 D>2CE] |J H@?56C>6?E 4@>6D 7C@> >J 25G2?4:?8 286] x 92G6 ?@E:465 2 564=:?6 :? >J 4@8?:E:G6 D<:==D] x @7E6? 42??@E :>>65:2E6=J E9:?< @7 E96 2AAC@AC:2E6 H@C5[ D@ x DA62< 92=E:?8=J] s@6D E9:D >62?
McClellan: Someday they’ll name our Age. It probably won’t be flattering
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save We do not have Mark Twain to name this Age in which we live. Certainly, it’s not the New Gilded Age. There is nothing gold-plated about our time. It is exactly what it is. kAmqFE H92E 6I24E=J :D :En (92E 567:?6D @FC E:>6nk^Am kAmx7 E96 C6AF3=:4 72==D 2A2CE 2?5 H6 D=:56 :?E@ 2FE@4C24J[ E96? E9:D H:== 36 D66? 2D E96 p86 @7 %CF>A] qFE :7 E96 C6AF3=:4 9@=5D[ s@?2=5 %CF>A H:== 36 G:6H65 2D 2 DJ>AE@> @7 @FC E:>6 C2E96C E92?
McClellan: A doctor who could have been Donald Duck and the lives we almost live
Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save A retired doctor, who has seen me on television and recognizes me as a man who appreciates fashion, sent me a box full of ties that he no longer has the need to wear. Many of the ties in the box feature Donald Duck. The retired doctor explained that in a note. kAm“p7E6C Wr=2C6?46X VsF4<JV }2D9 WE96 @C:8:?2= s@?2=5 sF4< G@:46X 5:65[ x 2F5:E:@?65 7@C E96 A@D:E:@? 3FE 42>6 :? D64@?5]”k^Am kAm~7 4@FCD6[ x H2D :?EC:8F65] x =:<6 E96 ?@E:@?
McClellan: Welcome home to St. Louis. How about a divorce?
Welcome to St. Louis, the flight attendant said, and if I were a dog, I’d have been wagging my tail. I had traded the blue skies of Phoenix for the rainy skies of St. Louis. I was happy, and home after almost two weeks. kAmxE H2D 9@E :? !9@6?:I] %9:D H:?E6C H2D E96 H2C>6DE @? C64@C5] }:?6E:6D :? u63CF2CJ[ hc @? |2C49 `[ H9:49 3C@<6 E96 C64@C5 — 3J 7:G6 568C66DP — D6E H2J 324< :? a_`e]k^Am kAm%9:D :D ?@E 2 8@@5 D:8? 7@C E96 DF>>6C[ D2:5 @?6 @7 >J @=5 A2=D]k^Am kAmx =:G65 :?
McClellan: Pitchforks aside, the data centers are coming
“They said Ned Ludd was an idiot boy ... kAmk6>m%92E 2== 96 4@F=5 5@ H2D HC64< 2?5 56DEC@J]”k^6>mk^Am kAm— #@36CE r2=G6CE[ “}65 {F55]”k^Am kAmx? E96D6 9:89=J A@=2C:K65 E:>6D[ H6 E96 A6@A=6 92G6 7@F?5 F?:EJ :? @FC @AA@D:E:@? E@ 52E2 46?E6CD] ~FC 4@>:?8 E@86E96C 92D 366? 2 ;@J]k^Am kAm*@F 5@?’E 92G6 E@ D:E E9C@F89 E@H? >66E:?8D E@ 766= E96 DA:C:E] *@F 42? =@@< 2E A9@E@D :? E96 ?6HDA2A6C] *@F?8 2?5 @=5[ >2?J H:E9 92?5HC:EE6? D:8?D[ 92G6 ;@:?65 7@C46D] xE :D 92AA6?:?8 :?
McClellan: The country’s coming apart, and now the vegetable peeler is gone
My vegetable peeler disappeared. It belongs in the top drawer in the kitchen between the refrigerator and the stove. When I couldn’t find it there, I looked in the second drawer. Then the third. There was no way it could have been accidentally put in the fourth drawer — that one contains no utensils — but I checked anyway. It wasn’t there.
McClellan: An Old Buick, a missed curve and the luck of growing old
Almost 60 years ago, two reckless young men in an old Buick were roaring along a rural road in central Illinois. They took a curve too fast, and the Buick lost traction. It slid into a telephone pole with enough force to break the pole. The car flipped on to its roof, bounced back on to the road and skidded a long way before coming to a stop. kAmp>2K:?8=J[ ?6:E96C J@F?8 >2? H2D D6C:@FD=J :?;FC65] q@E9 925 366?
McClellan: Could drinking go the way of smoking?
One of the many attractions of a newspaper is the inadvertent juxtaposition of stories. kAmu@C :?DE2?46[ 2 H66< @C D@ 28@ E96C6 H2D 2? 6DD2J @? E96 @A\65 A286 — E96 A286 @AA@D:E6 E96 65:E@C:2=D — 23@FE J@F?8 A6@A=6 ?@E 5C:?<:?8 2D >F49 2D AC6G:@FD 86?6C2E:@?D] %96 9625=:?6 H2D[ “p=4@9@=’D 8C:A =@@D6?D 2D 2 D@36C\4FC:@FD 86?6C2E:@? C:D6D]”k^Am kAmx D<:AA65 @G6C E92E DE@CJ 2?5 EFC?65 E96 A286] %92E A286 H2D 7:==65 H:E9 @3:EF2C:6D] |J 6J6 H2D 5C2H? E@ E96 A9@E@ @7 2 >2? D:EE:?8 :?
McClellan: In these crazy times, no one is singing
On a whim, I accepted my wife’s invitation to join a large group of people standing along Brentwood Boulevard last Friday night. We held candles in the wind. The protest was ostensibly about the shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, but I believe it was really more generic. It was about everything everywhere all at once. kAmx7 J@F 5:5?’E F?56CDE2?5 E96 >@G:6 @7 E92E ?2>6 — 2?5 x 5:5 ?@E — J@F AC@323=J 2C6 @G6CH96=>65 H:E9 6G6CJE9:?8 E92E :D 8@:?8 @?
McClellan: Kansas City is losing an NFL team and a congressman. The team hurts more.
“Everything is up to date in Kansas City, kAmk6>m%96J’G6 8@?6 23@FE 2D 72C 2D E96J 42? 8@…”k^6>mk^Am kAmk6>m—k^6>mQ~<=29@>2PQk^Am kAm(9:49 H@F=5 J@F C2E96C =@D6[ 2 4@?8C6DD>2? @C 2 7@@E32== E62>nk^Am kAmz2?D2D r:EJ[ @FC =:EE=6 3C@E96C[ :D =@D:?8 3@E9] %96 7@@E32== E62> :D >@G:?8 E@ ?62C3J z2?D2D[ 2?5 E96 4@?8C6DD:@?2= 5:DEC:4E :D 6G2A@C2E:?8 :? C6DA@?D6 E@ !C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>AVD C6BF6DE 7@C 2 >:5\564256 86CCJ>2?56C E@ AC6D6CG6 2 #6AF3=:42? >2;@C:EJ :?
McClellan: When Harry met Sadie ... remembering old friends
When Harry Levins died last month, Kevin Horrigan, in a group email chat, asked, “Was there anyone who got more out of a two-year Army hitch than Levins?" kAmx? E96 52JD 367@C6 E96 ':6E?2> (2C[ w2CCJ D6CG65 :? v6C>2?J 2D 2? :?72?ECJ @77:46C] w6 8@E @FE @7 E96 pC>J[ 3FE E96 pC>J ?6G6C 8@E @FE @7 9:>] w6 H@F=5 =@@< 2E 2 A2DE@C2= =2?5D42A6 2?5 :>28:?6 E96 =@42E:@? @7 8F?
McClellan: Long-lost paintings bind two St. Louis families
Many Christmases ago, Ronald Joseph Meyrose and his wife and daughter lived in a house on Eichelberger Street west of Hampton Avenue in south St. Louis. It was then, and is now, a solidly middle class neighborhood. kAm#@?2=5 H2D 3@C? :? `hbc] w6 D6CG65 :? E96 r@2DE vF2C5[ 42>6 9@>6 2?5 AFCDF65 2 42C66C :?
McClellan: Not enough holiday stamps, too much holiday eggnog
I went into the Richmond Heights post office on Big Bend Boulevard. "I need a couple of books of Christmas stamps," I said. Cheerfully, by the way. I was in the holiday spirit.
McClellan: Forget holiday cheer, go ahead and argue at family gatherings
I don’t want to read any more stories about keeping things light at Christmas. Don’t fight with your relatives. Don’t talk politics. If your fascist uncle won’t honor your pronouns don’t engage. kAm%9:D 25G:46 4@>6D @? E96 966=D @7 E96 5F==6DE %92?<D8:G:?8 :? p>6C:42? 9:DE@CJ] u2>:=:6D H6C6 25G:D65 E@ 2AAC@249 E96:C EFC<6J 5:??6C 2D :7 E96C6 H6C6 F?6IA=@565 @C5?2?46 :? E96 EFC<6J] q6 86?E=6] q6 >:?57F=]k^Am kAmtG6CJ3@5J :D @?
McClellan: Vying for the affections of a 2-year-old
I have always felt a special connection with Rosie. When she was a baby and being fussy, she’d reach out for me. kAm$96 :D ?@H a] $96 7:?5D 96CD6=7 2 >:55=6 49:=5[ DEF4< 36EH66? EH@ 3C@E96CD] y24<J :D d[ 2?5 $2HJ6C :D `_ >@?E9D] %96J =:G6 :? pFDE:? H:E9 E96:C >@> 2?5 525] w6’D @FC D@?]k^Am kAm|J H:76 2?5 x G:D:E65 =2DE H66<] xE H2D vC2?5A2C6?ED s2J 2E y24<J’D 8C256 D49@@=] s@K6?D @7 FD H6?E E9C@F89 E96 =:?6 :?
McClellan: The mystery of a great man - and his legacy
Late last month, I noticed an obituary in the Jewish Light. It was written in the style favored by funeral homes. The deceased was a beloved companion and best friend, a dear father, a loving grandfather, a dear brother, a beloved uncle and a dear cousin and friend of many. kAmx7 J@F DEC6E49 E9:?8D 2 3:E[ x H2D :? E92E =2DE 8C@FA]k^Am kAmx? y2?F2CJ @7 a___[ x HC@E6 2 4@=F>? 23@FE |@CC:D $96?<6C[ H9@ 925 5:65 `` J62CD 62C=:6C] x 564=2C65 9:> $E] {@F:D2?
McClellan: The end of an era for Hendri's Catering, but not the end of stories
Hendrickson’s Cafeteria opened in 1931. It morphed into a catering business in 1969, and adopted a shortened, snazzier name — Hendri’s Catering. Mostly, it catered weddings on the south side of St. Louis. Ham, baked mostaccioli, salad and beer were the staples. Parish halls were the venues. kAm%96 3FD:?6DD :ED6=7 — 2 <:E496? 2?5 @77:46 — H2D =@42E65 2E q2>36C86C 2?5 vC2G@:D 2G6?F6D]k^Am kAm%96 $F=K 72>:=J =:G65 ?62C3J]k^Am kAmy@D6A9 $F=K 8C6H FA :? v6C>2?\@44FA:65 rK649@D=@G2<:2] (96?
McClellan: For Missouri judicial proclamation, it may be time to read between the lines
“But if I really say it, the radio won’t play it unless I lay it, between the lines …” — Peter, Paul and Mary kAm|2C< {6G:D@? :D 2 =@?8E:>6 2EE@C?6J[ H6== <?@H? 2?5 C6DA64E65 3J 9:D A66CD] w6 :D 2 >6>36C @7 E96 |:DD@FC: q2C q@2C5 @7 v@G6C?@CD[ A2DE AC6D:56?E @7 3@E9 E96 q2C pDD@4:2E:@? @7 $E] {@F:D 2?5 E96 %C:2= {2HJ6CD pDD@4:2E:@?
McClellan: It's a brave new world for farmers in New Douglas
The long-awaited rains came late this year to the central Illinois farming country around New Douglas. kAm“(6 7:?:D965 E96 92CG6DE 2 =:EE=6 >@C6 E92? 2 H66< 28@[” #@? w6>2?? E@=5 >6 =2DE $2EFC52J 2D C2:? A6=E65 E96 E:? C@@7 @7 9:D 82C286 2?5 H2C69@FD6 ?6IE E@ E96 72C>9@FD6 H96C6 96 =:G6D 2?5 H96C6 96 H2D C2:D65 2?5 H96C6 9:D >@E96C H2D 3@C?] w:D 525 H2D 3@C? @?6 72C> @G6C] “$E:==[ H6’C6 92AAJ 7@C E96 C2:?] (6 ?665 :E[” 96 D2:5]k^Am kAmxE H2D ?@E 2 8C62E J62C] qFD96=D A6C 24C6 7@C 3@E9 4@C?
McClellan: Are Democrats ready for rock bottom? How about Josh Hawley for president?
Things can always get worse. In fact, they generally do. Life has a certain momentum, and when you are falling downhill, the farther you fall, the faster you go. Sometimes you hit a rock, and you think you’ve stopped. Then you start sliding again, until finally, finally, you reach the bottom. kAms6>@4C2ED :? |:DD@FC: 92G6 J6E E@ 9:E E96 3@EE@>]k^Am kAm$@>6 @7 FD E9@F89E H6 H6C6 E96C6 H96? H6 8@E 4CFD965 282:? =2DE }@G6>36C] (6 925 D@>6 C62==J 8@@5 42?5:52E6D] p=D@[ 23@CE:@? H2D @?
McClellan: A ribbon, a photo and a bit of magic
Magical moments occur unexpectedly. I was present for one a couple of weeks ago. The occasion was the grand opening of Francie’s Place, a 15-unit subsidized apartment building on Jefferson Avenue a few blocks north of Cherokee Street. The building used to be a saloon. It was vacant for years until Gateway Housing First renovated it.
McClellan: Community standards when cruelty is cool
Several months ago, I think I joined Facebook. I struggle now to remember exactly why. Maybe I wanted to see something on someone’s Facebook page and my wife was out of town, so I decided to set up my own account. But again, I can’t be sure. I once asked an addict if she could remember why she had tried heroin for the first time. She gave me a blank look. No, she finally said. At a certain point, why try to remember? I did not feel a tremendous rush when I joined Facebook. If I joined.
1995: O.J. Simpson found not guilty. Here’s what Bill McClellan had to say
On Oct. 3, 1995, the jury in the O.J. Simpson murder trial in Los Angeles found the former football star not guilty of the 1994 slayings of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman. How big was the story? The Post-Dispatch printed a special Extra Edition and sent Bill McClellan to Los Angeles to cover part of the trial earlier. Here was McClellan's column after the verdict.
McClellan: Fixing a hole in the ceiling - or not
“I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in and stops my mind from wandering where it will go.” — The Beatles Not long ago, and without warning, a chunk of the dining room ceiling crashed to the floor. “Hey Honey, we’ve got a skylight,” I said. Actually, I am not that quick. I didn’t say anything. I sat at the dining room table transfixed. What just happened? Mary was in the kitchen. She heard the crash and rushed to the scene of the disaster.
McClellan: Sometimes dumb luck turns out a life well-loved
Last year’s quarterback at the University of Tennessee transferred to UCLA, so the quarterback at UCLA, who played last year for Appalachian State, transferred to Tennessee. On the local scene, the quarterback for Mizzou used to play for Penn State, and the quarterback for the Illini used to play for Ole Miss. It makes me think of Jim Klutcharch. I did not know him. I only knew of him.
McClellan: On football games and trials, sometimes there are no winners
What are we supposed to think of 73-year-old football coach Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend? What I’m saying is, there are still reasons to be excited about football season. I was afraid I’d have a hard time this year. The Wizards is gone. The Wizards was a weekly football pool. It was run out of the Post-Dispatch newsroom, but most of the participants were from the outside. Each week, the participants — the wizards — picked the results of 20 games, 10 college, 10 NFL.
McClellan: 'Spirit of 47': A plan for helping tornado-ravaged St. Louis
Back in the good old days of the Great Depression — when St. Louisans felt safe sleeping in the parks during hot weather and hitch-hiking was a cheap way to travel — the country had a wonderful program called the Works Progress Administration. The WPA hired people to build things. The Jewel Box in Forest Park was built by the WPA. Kiel Auditorium was built by the WPA. The channeling of the Des Peres River was done by the WPA.
McClellan: First day of school hits differently for grandparents
The beginning of the new school year is a time of strange emotions for grandparents. We look at our kids and we think, Weren’t we just them? I remember walking my daughter to her first day of school. I understood the significance. We were beginning to lose her to the world. A short time later, she graduated from high school. We drove her to the campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana. We carried boxes up to her dorm room. I started to cry. Pull yourself together, my wife said.
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