A Year of People, and One Squirrel, in the Patch

It’s been a busy first year for Fenton-High Ridge Patch. Before we replace our calendars with new ones for 2012, here’s a look back at some of the interesting business people who make Fenton and High Ridge such a friendly community.

first business was selling firewood between construction jobs. In 1975 he discovered that he’d much rather work for himself and expanded into chimney sweeping and mulch. He’s now the owner of . If you have a need for firewood this winter, Bill’s got you covered.

didn’t dance as a girl, but still knows her way around a tutu from years of being a dancer’s mom. Rene runs in Fenton, a great place pick up custom fitted and blinged out dance gear.

found out the hard way that when you turn your hobby into a business, you suddenly lack the time to play. Chuck runs , a great place to get your bike tuned up while you wait for spring to arrive.

is helping Fenton ladies Zumba their way to a healthier body. If you’re looking to dance off a few pounds in 2012, just follow the thumping beat to .

starts each day by hitching his life size plastic horse to a sign in his parking lot. Why? Because otherwise the local kids will run off with it. Connie runs C&H Western Wear in High Ridge and has thousands of jeans—in stock.

has been collecting trading cards since he was a little kid, and now he sells them at Mr. D’s Gaming and Cards. Stop by his shop if you're into Magic, the Gathering—he has a quarter million cards or more, surely he’s got the one you need to balance a perfect deck.

, a.k.a. the Ice Man, runs an international ice machine business in a renovated fire house in High Ridge. He’s the guy to talk to if you need enough ice to cool down every cup of soda at Six Flags. Or maybe just a bag? He’s got those too, for just a buck.

dreamed of owning her own horse when she was eight years old, and now she has a whole ranch full. Susie rents out her wonder steeds to weekend cowboys at High Ridge’s Rocking J Ranch.

loves old buildings, which is good, because his has to be one of the oldest in town. If you need bird seed this winter, drop by, he grinds the sunflowers himself.

has dance in her blood. This former pro cheerleader and her ballerina sister run in High Ridge, helping little girls stay quick on their toes.

grew up dusting the stock in his dad’s sporting goods store. Now he’s the boss at and you’ll find him behind the gun counter chatting with customers he knows by name. We’re not sure if he still does the dusting.

is hoping the Rally Squirrel isn’t just a World Series fad, because he’s given the squirrel a permanent home in his Fenton print shop.