Inaugural Rhythm and Ribs at SCC Raises $42,000 for Scholarships

Published: 05/28/2010

Community comes together for barbecue and live music, supporting the SCC Foundation

“It was great to see so many from the community come out to support our students and the scholarships which enable so many to complete their education,” said John McGuire, president of SCC. “We are just thrilled with the turnout, and so thankful to all who made this event possible.” 
 
Guests enjoyed barbecued ribs and drinks, rocked out to “That ‘80s Band” and “Smash Band” throughout the evening and heard dueling pianos from the St. Peters Jive & Wail as they arrived. The police were the winners of the first annual St. Charles County rib-eating contest among participating local mayors, police and firefighters. 
 
“The SCC Foundation awards nearly 65 scholarships each year and supports several education programs for the college,” said Kasey McKee, executive director of the SCC Foundation. “We are amazed and humbled to have so many people from the community get involved with our mission through Rhythm and Ribs.”
 
Ribs for the event were prepared by Ethyl’s Smokehouse and Saloon in O’Fallon and Mannino’s Market in Cottleville. Quintessential Catering served up chick-on-a-stick and other treats, Krey Distributing Company provided Budweiser products and a wine bar was donated by Terra Firma USA. Guests also enjoyed Freckled Lemonade donated by Red Robin, water and soda compliments of Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa and a photo booth by Images by Betsy.
 
“We are so thankful to all of our food and drink sponsors who really supported us and believed in the event from the beginning,” said Brenda Lowder, event co-chair, SCC Foundation president-elect and broker/associate at Coldwell Banker Commercial. “We also want to thank more than 130 volunteers who helped with the set up, clean up and everything in between, like serving ribs and helping with registration. We really couldn’t have done it without them.”
 
In addition to Lowder, the Rhythm and Ribs event co-chairs were Jan Dunham, vice president of U.S. Bank Private Client Group, Cindy Elking, owner of Quintessential Catering, and Julie Zust, finance manager for Boeing Research and Technology.

The “Main Stage” sponsors were AmerenUE, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital/Progress West HealthCare Center, SSM St. Joseph Health Center/SSM St. Joseph Hospital West and Krey Distributing Company. “Rock Star” sponsors were Acropolis Investment Management LLC, Commerce Bank, FastLane Convenience Stores, Mueller Prost PC, NHC HealthCare and Rehabilitation and THF Realty. “Ribster” sponsors were Cuivre River Electric Cooperative and First State Bank. “Groupie” sponsors were Baue Funeral Homes and Ceridian.
 
Rib-eating contest participants included St. Charles County mayors, police and firefighters. Mayors: St. Charles Mayor Patti York, Cottleville Mayor Don Yarber, St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano, Dardenne Prairie Mayor Pam Fogarty, St. Paul Mayor Lloyd Reeves and Wentzville Mayor Paul Lambi. Police: St. Charles County Sheriff Tom Neer, Cottleville Police Chief Scott Lewis, Eastern Missouri Police Academy Director Ron Neubauer and SCC Chief of Police Bob Ronkoski. Firefighters: Matt Kempker and Todd Schmutz from the Cottleville Fire Protection District, and Andrew Dodd, captain/paramedic from the Old Monroe Fire Protection District.
 
The vision of the St. Charles Community College Foundation is to transform lives and strengthen communities. The independent, 501(c)3, not-for-profit corporation was formed to support student scholarships and educational purposes of the college. For more information, visit the Foundation website at www.stchas.edu/foundation. 

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.