New York Times best-selling author Ridley Pearson is the Disney corporation’s best-kept secret. The East Coast native, who has made St. Louis home for the past 13 years, has written more than 35 suspense novels for adults and adventure books for children during the past 30 years. His book, Peter and the Starcatchers, a prequel to Peter Pan that he co-authored with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and humor columnist Dave Barry, was published by Disney and adapted into a Broadway play that earned nine Tony nominations—the most of any play in history. It received five Tony awards at the June 10 ceremony. Ladue News recently spoke with Pearson about life in St. Louis, playing ‘terribly’ in an all-author rock band, and his career success—from books to Broadway.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1

SATURDAY, MAY 19

FRIDAY, APRIL 27

FRIDAY, MARCH 2

District basketball tournaments get underway on Monday all across this great state of ours. It’s win or go home time, and many will go home without any hardware—just the memories they created over the past four months.

Kara Johnson is so mean she makes a hungry rattlesnake look cuddly. Johnson is so mean Chuck Norris asks her for tips. Johnson is so mean you shouldn’t look her directly in the eyes or you will spontaneously combust. Well, at least that’s how she is on the court.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

Liz Gilman is generous, maybe too generous. The standout guard for the Principia girls’ basketball team was blessed with the ability to put the ball in the basket like few before her.

FRIDAY, JAN. 13

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

What a busy month! Let’s start with something I only have had happen in my dreams: getting a hole in one. Debbie Manne, a member of Norwood Hills Country Club, had two holes in one within three weeks of each other. How about that? Her first came on par-3 No. 7 on the West Course on Aug. 9. Then on Aug. 31, she got her second one on the par-3 No. 10 on the East Course. Her friend, Beth Schastee, witnessed the first hole in one. And basketball coaching legend Bobby Knight, who was in town for a benefit, was playing Norwood that day and was two holes ahead of Manne. When they met in the clubhouse, he graciously signed her scorecard.

Saturday is Rivalry Day at John Burroughs, with MICDS traveling to their neighbor for a day filled with games galore. The day begins at 11:30 a.m., when the volleyball teams will go toe-to-toe. At 1:30 p.m., we get a rematch of last year’s Midwest Field Hockey Tournament championship game as the Bombers and standout Charlotte Martin host the new-look Rams who bring back just a handful of girls from last year’s team. At 2 p.m., the gridiron will be hopping as top-ranked small school MICDS (2-0) and Mizzou recruit Michael Scherer are out for some revenge. Last year was the first time in a long time the Bombers, the state runner-up in Class 3, were able to walk off the field with a victory. Gone is Burroughs’ standout Grant Wallace who rushed for two touchdowns in that game.

BRENTWOODCOACH: KEITH HERRING, FIRST YEAR

    Robert Wachter of Chesterfield is pleased to announce the engagement of his daughter, Ashley, to Adam Schultz, son of Mary and David Schultz of Flushing, Mich. Ashley is also the daughter of the late Elizabeth (Holly) Wachter.

Duane and Gayla Christensen of Wellington, Fla., formerly of Town & Country, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Lindsey, to Thomas Anderson Biggs, son of Jack and Betsy Biggs of Creve Coeur.

12/12 WINTER HOLIDAY CONCERT Soprano Laura Medendorp is featured in Town and Country Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert 8 p.m. at The Principia Ridgway Auditorium, 13201 Clayton Road. Free; 878-8783.

12/5 16TH ANNUAL LADUE CHAPEL NURSERY SCHOOL HOLIDAY MART Find children’s artwork, room decor, jewelry, children’s clothing, seasonal merchandise and more at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, with 20 percent of proceeds benefiting the nursery school.