STL SproutCast

Living in the Midwest, there’s rarely enough snow for winter sports, but if your family dreams of hitting the slopes this winter, you’re in luck. A resort right here in St. Louis provides the snow, as well as the slopes, the skies, the tubes, and lots and lots of fun! In this week’s STL SproutCast, we’re talking with Tony Santora, general manager of Hidden Valley Ski Resort, about a hidden gem nestled in nearby Wildwood.

Listeners, get ready to unwrap a very special holiday episode of STL SproutCast! We’re talking with two popular St. Louis destinations about their plans for the season. You’ll hear from The National Museum of Transportation about the return of a beloved holiday train display and the arrival of a very special North Pole VIP. We’ll also be talking with the Missouri Botanical Garden about the popular Garden Glow experience, Chanukah and Kwanzaa events, and more.

Few things capture the magic and enchantment of the holidays quite like “The Nutcracker.” Each year, the Saint Louis Ballet brings this classic tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann to life with spectacular sets, opulent costumes and breathtaking performances. In this week’s STL SproutCast you’ll hear from Amy Herchenroether, a dancer with the Saint Louis Ballet, about what it’s like to be part of this cherished St. Louis tradition.

Each year, the Missouri History Museum hosts a “spirited” celebration of Latin American culture. The museum’s annual Día de los Muertos event honors the lives and spirits of those who have passed away, as well as celebrating Latin American art, culture, music, dancing and traditions. In this week’s STL SproutCast, Elisa Bender, board member with Hispanic Festival Inc., and Lindsay Newton, Director of Education & Community Engagement for the Missouri History Museum, talk with us about Día de los Muertos and what families can look forward to at this special celebration.

More than 15 million guests have passed through the doors of The Fabulous Fox Theatre in downtown St. Louis to watch everything from Broadway hits to Vegas performers. . . and some believe, a few of those spirits might still be lingering in the afterlife. In this week’s STL SproutCast we’re talking with Arlene Cerbie, Fox Club Manager for the Fabulous Fox, about reports that some otherworldly patrons still roam the theater.

As the haunting season is creeping up, we’ve summoned … Baba Yaga. An icon of Slavic folklore, this enigmatic woman can be your best friend or your worst nightmare, depending on her mood. While you’ll usually find her in her hut deep in the forest, Baba Yaga emerges each October to join a cast of other macabre characters at Legends & Lanterns, a free Halloween celebration on Main Street in St. Charles.

Scooby Doo, where are you? Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the Mystery Machine gang recently rolled into a popular children’s museum in St. Louis. Joining us today is Marissa Lorance, Director of Marketing for The Magic House St. Louis Children’s Museum. Marissa is here to talk with us about the museum’s newest exhibit, “Scooby Doo Mansion Mayhem,” upcoming fall events and more.

In this week’s STL SproutCast, we’re learning more about a local organization that provides “creature comforts” to some very special patients. Kim Rutledge, executive director of the Wildlife Rescue Center, gives us a special look at how the WRC rehabilitates injured wildlife, and what we can do to help aid their efforts.

In addition to art projects, notes from teachers, homework assignments, dirty gym socks and the other miscellaneous items kids will soon be toting home from school, chances are, they’ll also be bringing home the occasional sore throat, sniffle, cough and sneeze. Dr. John Cole, a Washington University Clinical Associates Pediatrician, shares tips to help parents navigate cold and flu season.

The Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the nation, with its roots tracing all the way back to 1880. In addition to being one of the world’s preeminent orchestras, the SLSO is known for its commitment to education and community outreach, hosting a wide variety of performances designed to make the symphony accessible to all audiences. Jessica Ingraham, director of education for the SLSO, and Maureen Byrne, SLSO vice president of education and community partnerships, share tips for introducing children to the magic and wonder of the symphony.