GRIFFIN November 24

4 • CWEA GRIFFIN • November 2024 Awards from Page 1 sel said. “This is a great place. They created something that generations of people really fell in love with.” Having grown up here, Ben Dres- sel has also personally witnessed the neighborhood’s varied history over the years. While he still feels like the CWE is in a state of con- stant change, he also feels genuinely excited and hopeful to be a part of making it a vibrant and intriguing place for people to visit and live. “We’re in a great corner of the neighborhood. There’s a lot of life and things that don’t change about the neighborhood, in terms of the archi- tecture and why people come here.” Dressel hopes to bridge his par- ent’s vision and the tavern’s es- tablished reputation with fresh perspective, while adapting to the rapidly evolving post-pandemic restaurant culture. Along with his wife, Elizabeth Sharp, they used the three-year clo- sure to renovate and open a brew- ery, an idea that Dressel’s has been excited to bring to the CWE. One of their signature beers, Red Horse Ale, is an homage to a beer from the town Llanelli in Wales where Dres- sel’s great-grandfather came from. They are excited about future art installations coming to their brewery space and to host more banquets and events. Their goal is to continue adapting to and serv- ing the needs of the community, while being a welcoming social hub for all generations. “I always joke, ‘I tried to kill it multiple times’,” Dressel admitted. Nonetheless, The pub’s unique char- acter and history has established it as one of the rare, longstanding St. Louis restaurants and a landmark in the CWE. A font of positive impact and leadership: Frances Thompson To recognize consistent, long- lasting, positive contributions from an individual to the CWE neigh- borhood, the CWEA’s Board of Directors honors Frances Thomp- son, vice president of marketing at Koplar Properties, with the 2024 Polk Award. Thompson has called St. Louis and the CWE her home for 25 years. She raised her three daugh- ters Alana, Charlie and Malia here, while becoming a valued leader in the community. Having hosted over 125 events, serving on the CWEA Board from 2011 to 2015, and as- sisting with the redevelopment of Maryland Plaza and York House, Thompson has helped make the neighborhood more vibrant, safe and welcoming. Thompson recalls her first memory of St. Louis on a winter visit in 1998, coming from the air- port during a snowstorm, turning down a dark, quiet street and then seeing a fountain in the middle of the road, a coffee shop called The Grind and the only restaurant open that night, Culpepper’s. “I couldn’t have imagined then just how important this neigh- borhood would become to me,” Thompson said. “St. Louis became my home — especially the Central West End, which has played a sig- nificant role in my life.” In her position at Koplar Properties, her responsibility of promoting the plaza grew into organizing community-focused events. These events have become memorable and cherished experi- ences for the community. “It has been incredibly reward- ing to create opportunities that bring people together and feel more connected to the neighborhood,” Thompson said. “I’ve been fortunate to be part of many such experiences — whether hosting a major event, helping someone navigate a parking meter, or celebrating an employee at one of our businesses winning a performance award. These everyday moments, both big and small, build lasting connections and community.” A particular event that stands out as one of Thompson’s personal fa- vorites was the 2014 CWEA House Tour on Portland Place, where they peeked inside some of the most historic, magnificent homes in St. Louis. This December marks 20 years of celebrating Holiday on the Plaza, a continually evolving and favorite tradition. Thompson truly loves her CWE community and being a dedi- cated, loyal, inclusive representa- tive of everything that makes it a wonderful place. “All of these experiences, whether it’s hosting events, managing prop- erties or simply being part of the fabric of the neighborhood, have brought me to this moment. I’m deeply honored to be recognized for the work I’ve done, but in truth, it’s the connections with people and the sense of community that mean the most to me.” Group shot, left to right: CWEA Director Lindsey Tsetanov, 2024 Polk Award Recipient Frances Thompson, CWEA President Brian Flowers, CWEA Director Carol Curtis, CWEA Director Chris Peimann, CWEA Secretary Celeste Vossmeyer, CWEA Vice President Becca Vossmeyer, and CWEA Director Dan Boccabella. 2024 Polk Award Recipient Fran- ces Thompson (center) shows off her award with CWEA President Brian Flowers and CWEA Director Lindsey Tsvetanov (right).