Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a small Kirkwood bakery helped launch the Panera empire
Be sure to catch Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ" on the Kirkwood Patch calendar
Hi there, Kirkwood! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a small Kirkwood bakery helped launch the Panera empire
- Kirkwood community mourns the passing of Mary Sharon Herbert, age 84
Also on today's calendar: Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ".
Find out what's happening in Kirkwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Kirkwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Partly sunny and colder, with a high of 39 and low of 34 degrees.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 56, low: 27.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 45 and low of 28 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Luminaries we lost in 2025 (restaurantbusinessonline.com) — Kirkwood gets a notable mention in this national remembrance, highlighting how Ken Rosenthal opened the original Saint Louis Bread Company in Kirkwood in 1987, a small bakery that eventually evolved into Panera Bread. The piece surveys several influential food-world figures lost in 2025, from TV chefs to pioneering restaurateurs across the country. 
• Mary Sharon (née Schneider) Herbert (timesnewspapers.com) — Kirkwood residents are mourning the passing of Mary Sharon (Schneider) Herbert, an 84-year-old longtime registered nurse who died on December 8. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she cherished family trips to Branson, Fort Lauderdale, and Gulf Shores, and will be laid to rest beside her husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, with a memorial service planned for spring.
📸 Around Kirkwood
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Kirkwood
★ Featured events ★
- Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ"
Saint Louis Abbey Church/St. Anselm Parish, 500 S Mason Rd, Creve Coeur
3:00 pm
Sunday December 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Paul & Mike- Mike Duffy’s Bar and Grill- Kirkwood, Mo
Mike Duffy's Pub & Grill Kirkwood , 124 W Jefferson Ave , Kirkwood
7:30 pm - 2025-2026 1st Sunday
Robert G. Reim Theater , 111 S Geyer Rd , Kirkwood
2:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Saturday December 27
📣 Kirkwood Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Blood Drive
Manchester, MO Calendar , 14317 Manchester Rd. , Manchester
10:00 am - SOD PM - Alex
City of Des Peres Calendar Des Peres, MO 63131
1:00 pm - Santa Visits Brentwood
Brentwood Calendar Brentwood, MO 63144
4:30 pm - 🎄 Holiday Light Scavenger Hunt
Crestwood, MO Calendar , 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane , Crestwood
6:30 pm - SOD AM - Christina
City of Des Peres Calendar Des Peres, MO 63131
6:30 am - Candy Cane Hunt
Crestwood, MO Calendar , 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane , Crestwood
10:00 am - SOD PM - Darryl
City of Des Peres Calendar Des Peres, MO 63131
1:00 pm - Corey Holcomb
Helium Comedy Club , 1151 St Louis Galleria St , Richmond Heights
4:30 pm - Scenes from "A Christmas Carol"
Crestwood, MO Calendar , 1015 S Sappington Road , Crestwood
6:00 pm - 🧩 Holiday Puzzle Palooza!
Crestwood, MO Calendar , 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane , Crestwood
6:30 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Kirkwood PatchAM possible:
- 4 Hands Brewing Co kirkwood location
4 Hands Brewing Co. Stretch Your Spirits This Weekend
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Vehicle fire reported on I-70 westbound before I-270.
6:29PM on Dec 17: A vehicle fire on I-70 westbound before I-270 has closed the right shoulder, but all lanes are open. (Nextdoor )
🗞 Nearby News
Webster Groves
- Linda Peacock (timesnewspapers.com)
- John Findley Green II (timesnewspapers.com)
Fenton
- Sheriff's Office allege Fenton man stole car, items from Imperial storage facility (myleaderpaper.com)
- One Owner Survivor: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (barnfinds.com)
Creve Coeur
Ok Kirkwood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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