The Grain Valley Eagles 36-7 win against the visiting Grandview Bulldogs on Friday, November 8th was significant in many regards. It was third time out of four matchups over the last two years that the Eagles Football team was victorious against their Suburban Conference Blue Division opponent. Accumulating wins against an adversary that knows you that well is no easy task.
     Grandview touted significant size and speed that the Eagles had to contend with and overcome. Grain Valley’s black shirt defense was up to the task. They kicked down the door and gnawed off the hinges for good measure with their efforts.
     The Eagles defense under the direction of Coordinator Pete Carpino only allowed one score and provided Grain Valley’s offense with five additional possessions. Senior Defensive Back William Lanear and Junior Linebacker Hunter Newsom each intercepted passes returned for big gains. Senior Defensive Back Triston Hartwig and a flock of Eagles Defensive Lineman each recovered a fumble. Finally, was Newsom and the entire right side of the Eagles defense that collapsed Grandview’s offense at their own one-yard line for a safety at the 11:55 mark of the second quarter.
     Other defensive standouts included Junior Defensive Lineman Donovan McBride and Senior Linebacker Seth Dankenbring. McBride sacked Grandview Senior Quarterback Dae’Mond Turner at the 6:57 mark of the third quarter that assured a Bulldog punt on fourth down.
     Dankenbring was relentless by the scheme of Carpino’s defense in not allowing Turner to have free reign when rolling outside the pocket. Dankenbring would vacate his drop-in coverage in the middle of the Eagles defense and attack downhill at 45 degree angle. His pursuit narrowed the window for the quarterback to throw with the sideline acting a restrictive boundary as Dankenbring closed in.
     The Eagles special teams’ units were also considerable in the blowout win. Head Football Coach David Allie and his staff decided to roll the dice with an onside kick that was successfully recovered by Senior Gavin Oyler at the 11:31 mark of the second quarter. Oyler secured the football while sliding in front of the Grandview would be receiver. That was not Oyler’s only important contribution as he provided airtight coverage at safety filling in for the injured Cavon Brooks.
    The second special teams’ turnover recovery by Grain Valley and the seventh of the game overall pilfered by the Eagles would come at the 5:59 mark of the third quarter as the Bulldog kickoff return squad coughed up the football on their own 30-yard line.
     Allie could not hide his smile when discussing his team’s win.
     “Looking back to our week two win against them (Grandview), it was a 6-3 narrow win for us. They had a different quarterback in this matchup, which was scary because he’s elusive in that he can both run and throw. We had to stop the run first and had that schemed well with Coach Carpino. The secondary also stepped up big in covering the athletes they have,” Allie said.
     “Parker (Bosserman) was also cool as a cucumber tonight filling in for Cole (Keller). They were foaming at the mouth over there during warmups which didn’t bother us because we know who he (Bosserman) is as an athlete and competitor. Bosserman managed the game nicely in delivering the football well against their man coverage.”
     Bosserman would gain 45 yards on the ground and score two rushing touchdowns. The Eagles signal caller’s first scamper to pay dirt would come on a shotgun mesh read in which Grandview’s defensive end crashed down the line of scrimmage leaving Bosserman open to accelerate down the Grain Valley sideline. Furthermore, Bosserman would also score on a 15-yard quarterback sweep with 9:09 left in the third quarter. The Eagles would go up 23-7 and not look back.
     Bosserman would also go 4 for 10 through the air for 115 yards and 2 touchdown passes. The 40 percent completion rate is somewhat deceiving as two sure completions were dropped on play action pop passes prior to Newsom hauling in the third one for a 16-yard touchdown reception in the first half.
     Newsom’s grab and Allie’s insistence as a play caller were meaningful in loosening up Grandview’s run defense. The play action pop pass is designed to have a running back or slot receiver sprint to an area one yard past the inside linebacker’s pre-snap depth. This area on the field was wide open as Grandview’s linebackers were determined to fill downhill in trying to stop Grain Valley from running between the tackles.
     Bosserman would also hit Sophomore Wide Receiver Logan Pratt for a 45-yard touchdown pass on a fade route with 6:03 left in the third quarter. The pass came on an influential 3rd and 8 for the Eagles and helped them start to put the game away.
     A team first approach was taken by Bosserman with his post-game comments after his first varsity win as a quarterback.
     “I feel like with the design of our offense, it allows anyone to be successful and that happened to be me tonight. We didn’t stop pounding them with the run which set things up for us. The play action pass would be part of that equation,” Bosserman said.
     “It seems like next week we will be playing Harrisonville at home. Tough history with that team. We will be up for that battle.”
      The last significant impact of Grain Valley’s win is that they will host the Class 4 District 7 Football Championship Game on Friday, November 15th at 7:00 within the confines of Moody Murray Stadium. Grain Valley and Harrisonville have a past of playing physical games as both teams were apart of the Missouri River Valley Conference prior to the Eagles joining the Suburban Conference last year. Pride, bragging rights, and advancing in the State Playoffs will be on the line.
 

​     The bitter cold temperatures this past week were just another reminder that winter is fast approaching. While the cold weather may not be welcome, celebrations for the holiday season certainly are.
     The magic of the season comes to life for thousands at Jackson County Parks + Rec’s 23rd Annual Christmas in the Sky and 32nd Annual Christmas in the Park holiday events.
     On Wednesday, November 27th, Christmas in the Sky will kick-off at Longview Lake Beach. This holiday fireworks spectacular, courtesy of Parks + Rec and 99.7 The Point, has provided the opening night festivities for Jackson County’s Christmas in the Park since 1997.
     The free event includes a holiday stage show featuring more than 100 singers and dancers from Monica’s School of Dance in Lee’s Summit, plus performances by the St. Thomas Aquinas Chamber Choir, local artist Tevin Williams and special guest Casi Joy, Nashville recording artist and 2017 contestant on The Voice.
    Look for Santa to arrive on a mule-drawn sleigh to present the “First Gift of Christmas” ahead of the colorful fireworks show, which will be synchronized to holiday music on 99.7 The Point.
     Gates open at Longview Lake Beach, 11101 Raytown Road (2 miles south of 1-470), at 5:00pm. The stage show begins at 6:00pm with fireworks beginning at 7:40pm.
     Topping off the evening, more than 500,000 lights and 175 animated displays will illuminate your magical drive through Jackson County’s 32nd Annual Christmas in the Park.
     Christmas in the Park will be held Wednesday, November 27th – Sunday, December 31st from 5:30pm – 10:00pm Sunday – Thursday, and 5:30pm – 11:00pm Friday and Saturday.  
     “Every year we add an exciting new display to the Christmas in the Park experience,” Michele Newman, Jackson County Parks + Rec Director said. “This year, we’ve added an additional 50 feet to the already spectacular 50-foot lighted drive-thru entrance arch that debuted last year. The arch is programmed to sequence a variety of dazzling colors, patterns and effects.”
     “Our Parks + Rec staff is second to none,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “The talent and expertise they have to design, create and install this massive display year after year is impressive. I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work they do to keep this tradition thriving and the holiday season bright for families.”
     While there is no charge for this drive-thru event, voluntary exit donations are accepted, with a portion of the proceeds divided among 35 area charities.
     The City of Grain Valley will kick off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Festival on December 5th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Mayor Mike Todd will flip the switch to light up the Mayor’s Christmas Tree and Armstrong Park. Hot chocolate, cookies, and visits with Santa Claus are the highlights of this free event.
     Speaking of Santa, one of the most beloved traditions in Grain Valley, the Santa Bus, will begin its rounds the weekend following Thanksgiving. Santa’s first stop begins November 30th beginning around 9:00am in the Rosewood Hills, Whispering Park, and Woodbury subdivisions.  Grain Valley’s Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) will escort Santa around town and alert children and their parents to Santa’s arrival with their sirens. Children who visit Santa on the bus will receive a small gift and have their photo taken. There is no cost to visit Santa’s bus.
     Chuck Johnston, Grain Valley Santa Bus Coordinator, said that donations are down a bit from last year. Monetary donations can be mailed to GV Santa, 611 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley MO 64029. To keep up with Santa’s schedule and to download pictures from your visit on the bus, visit www.gvsanta.com.
 

     While trees command most of our attention when it comes to fall foliage color, do not overlook their more diminutive relatives. In home landscapes as well as in the wild, woody shrubs also provide fall color to enhance outdoor living are as well as add beauty to the season. At a time when many summer flowers are finished blooming, colorful shrubs can extend garden enjoyment.
     Shrubs that provide fall color are not restricted to those planted in home landscapes. Many occur in nature.  They are enjoyed as outdoor enthusiasts search for colorful fall scenes. Indeed, early autumn excursions are more enjoyable because of the bright red leaves of native sumacs such as fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), often seen growing along roadsides.
     These two species also are suitable for the home landscape and will provide good fall color in addition to interest at other seasons as well.
     A bit more decorative, cut-leaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina 'Laciniata') is another useful sumac selected from a native sumac species. Capable of growing to a height of 20 feet, it boasts large, deeply divided leaves that turn from a beautiful orange to a fiery red in the fall. It needs room, however, since it tends to spread via root suckers to form a clump. Like other sumacs, it is durable and tolerates poor soil along with dry, sunny exposures.  
     Tiger-eyes sumac (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger') is yet another selection of staghorn sumac. It boasts chartreuse green foliage in the spring, yellow foliage during the summer and fiery orange foliage in the fall. Shorter than cut-leaf staghorn sumac, it grows to a height of about six feet.
     One of the lesser-known shrubs that provides good reddish-purple fall color is Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), a native of the Southeast U.S. In addition to attractive fall foliage color, this hydrangea produces white flowers in early summer that turn pinkish purple by mid-summer and brown in the fall.
     This is possible because the showy appendages of the flowers are long-lived bracts and not petals. While it can tolerate some sun, Oakleaf hydrangeas prefer part shade/part sun. Dozens of useful cultivars of the species are available. One of the best is ‘Snowflake’, which produces huge eight-inch panicles that often bend down the shrub's branches because of their abundance.
     Shrubs that also exhibit some fall color while being good landscape specimens are the viburnums. They include American cranberry bush (Viburnum trilobum) and Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii). Most develop red or reddish-purple fall foliage color. Additionally, they bear attractive (and often fragrant) flowers in the spring. Some regional native viburnums such as  Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) and Rusty Black Haw (Viburnum rufidulum) also provide edible berries for humans and wildlife.
     Smaller dogwoods are another group of woody plants that develop attractive reddish-purple fall leaf color. The shrubby types, such as silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) or red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) are good choices for landscape use, given the proper setting. They grow from between six to ten feet in height and almost as wide. 
     Where space is available, they make durable, low-maintenance shrubs that add beauty to the landscape. The red osier dogwood, commonly called red twig dogwood, has reddish bark, which provides color throughout the winter.
 
Common witch-hazel
     Native witch-hazels (Hamamelis virginiana and Hamamelis vernalis) produce bright yellow leaves in fall. This woody species develops into a large shrub or a small tree. In addition to yellow-colored fall leaves, this plant can produce yellow-orange flowers after its leaves drop. Nurseries that carry regional native plants often carry both native witch-hazel species.
     Colorful shrubs provide a special "finishing touch" to the landscape. They can add to the enjoyment of fall foliage color, one of nature's treats. Perhaps its fleeting appearance is one reason the annual spectacle is so highly anticipated.
     When looking up to admire fall tree color, take time to look down and enjoy the color some of our woody shrubs provide.
 
     For more gardening information, contact University of Missouri Extension, 816-252-5051.
 

​     Three GVHS Cross Country team members qualified for state competition following the Sectional Championships held November 2nd at Liberty North High School. Ella Casey, Royce Fisher, and Valerie Holcomb will represent Grain Valley at the state competition Saturday, November 9th.       
     “As a coaching staff, we have been very pleased with the progression we’ve made as a team this season. Our kids have all responded very well to the training and, more importantly, have worked together with a team approach that has fostered some success. We are very excited for our state qualifiers and look forward to seeing them compete at the State Championships,” Head Coach Nick Small said.
 

​     Big plays from individual performances allowed for the Grain Valley Eagles Boys Soccer team to shut out the Raytown South Cardinals during their district semifinal playoff game on Monday, November 4th. A stubborn defense led by Junior Defender Nathan Manning and Senior Goalie Bryant Madden combined for the shutout 3-Nil by Grain Valley over their opponent.
     Offensive scoring for the Eagles came off the foot of Senior Midfielder Jack Knust. His hat trick of three goals would be all the scoring his team would need to advance to the district final against the Kansas City East High School Bears.
     The Eagles offense maintained their shots on goal advantage ten to nine for the game. Grain Valley was able to get or retain control of the soccer ball at midfield throughout much of the game.
     This permitted them to use their speed to pass or dribble the ball with an offensive surge that left Raytown South without an answer. Grain Valley’s ability to stay on sides along with getting off a shot on goal prior to entering the Cardinal’s goalie box paid dividends.
     Knust’s first goal came with 7:03 left in the first half. Knust would follow that up with a scoring strike with 30:09 left in the second half, prior to completing his scoring on a penalty kick with 4:38 left in the game.
     “My teammates set me up tonight at the right time. I was fortunate enough to finish on those occasions and contribute to our win,” Knust said.
     “On the penalty shot, I wanted to see how he (the goalie) would approach me. He was late to step and close out the distance between us and I was able to angle the ball to the right for the goal.”
     Grain Valley’s defense was likewise just as ungenerous. Manning used his height and timing successfully to make a tackle save for his team in the goalie’s box with 21:01 left in the second half. Preventing the goal changed the body language of Raytown South and detoured the momentum they were trying to build.
     “I knew they would be playing through number ten (Forward Riley Mickelson) a lot. I saw him running down the sideline. I understood they would try to slot one into the middle. I had to get in between the ball and the shooter,” Manning said.
     “Our coaches have been preaching all season to be proactive and not reactive. So, I found myself in the right place at the right time and made the save.”
     Madden would contribute to the shutout as well with five saves. Two of which included excellent individual effort. Madden timed the lean of his jump perfectly to make a fingertip save at the top of the crossbar during the first half.
     Furthermore, the Eagles goalie would dive forward on a scoop save with 12:34 left in the second half. Madden’s approach and grip under the ball would prevent a ricochet as the Cardinals offense closed in.
     “I had to get my body in front of the ball on the save in the second half because I knew they would be looking for the rebound. They had two of their most dangerous players close to the goal and I couldn’t afford them a second chance,” Madden said.
     “The shot in the first half I was ready for since we have been rehearsing free kicks a lot in practice. Reading the ball off the kick allowed me to get up at the right time and prevent a goal in helping my team.”
     Eagles Head Soccer Coach Tyler Nichol was delighted with his team’s performance.
     “Between Jack (Knust) as our center attacking mid and our two forwards, they all have significant sudden speed. That benefited us tonight in our scoring. Especially, Jack with his low center of gravity and how he uses it to his advantage. Bryant (Madden) also came up big time. We’ve told him late in the year that he was going to have to come up with some big time saves that would make a difference in the game that we wouldn’t expect from him. He delivered on that tonight,” Nichol said.
     “Manning’s kick save was a high IQ play. You realize that the guys beat to the end line and your goalkeeper is pulled out of the goal, you got to get in between your man and the goal and prevent them from scoring.”  
 

     The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen held a Budget Workshop on Tuesday, November 5th at City Hall to review the 2020 budget drafted with City staff.
     The proposed Community Campus loomed over several items in the budget, including plans to develop the Nichols building on Gregg Street, which was purchased by the City to be repurposed for community use. Currently, the Grain Valley Assistance Council utilizes one part of the building. Plans for further development will be delayed until the results of a planned April 2020 vote for a no tax increase bond issue to fund the community campus.
     Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Davies reported work on two projects already approved by the board will be pushed into next year. A pedestrian bridge at Blue Branch Creek has been delayed until early next year, and trail construction along Dillingham will be postponed until early next year when weather conditions are more favorable.
     Police Chief James Beale addressed questions from Ward I Aldermen Jayci Stratton regarding officers driving police vehicles home and the fuel costs incurred, particularly officers who live a great distance from Grain Valley. Beale reported he completed a study on  current mileage costs and has already set restrictions on School Resource Officers driving vehicles home. Policies for the full fleet will be finalized in the coming months.
     The Board also included a 2% cost of living increase for City staff in the budget at a cost of $78,460.
     The Board of Aldermen will present the budget for a first read at their November 25th meeting and a second reading on December 9th.
 

     Big plays from individual performances allowed for the Grain Valley Eagles Boys Soccer team to shut out the Raytown South Cardinals during their district semifinal playoff game on Monday, November 4th. A stubborn defense led by Junior Defender Nathan Manning and Senior Goalie Bryant Madden combined for the shutout 3-Nil by Grain Valley over their opponent.
     Offensive scoring for the Eagles came off the foot of Senior Midfielder Jack Knust. His hat trick of three goals would be all the scoring his team would need to advance to the district final against the Kansas City East High School Bears.
     The Eagles offense maintained their shots on goal advantage ten to nine for the game. Grain Valley was able to get or retain control of the soccer ball at midfield throughout much of the game.
     This permitted them to use their speed to pass or dribble the ball with an offensive surge that left Raytown South without an answer. Grain Valley’s ability to stay on sides along with getting off a shot on goal prior to entering the Cardinal’s goalie box paid dividends.
     Knust’s first goal came with 7:03 left in the first half. Knust would follow that up with a scoring strike with 30:09 left in the second half, prior to completing his scoring on a penalty kick with 4:38 left in the game.
     “My teammates set me up tonight at the right time. I was fortunate enough to finish on those occasions and contribute to our win,” Knust said.
     “On the penalty shot, I wanted to see how he (the goalie) would approach me. He was late to step and close out the distance between us and I was able to angle the ball to the right for the goal.”
     Grain Valley’s defense was likewise just as ungenerous. Manning used his height and timing successfully to make a tackle save for his team in the goalie’s box with 21:01 left in the second half. Preventing the goal changed the body language of Raytown South and detoured the momentum they were trying to build.
     “I knew they would be playing through number ten (Forward Riley Mickelson) a lot. I saw him running down the sideline. I understood they would try to slot one into the middle. I had to get in between the ball and the shooter,” Manning said.
     “Our coaches have been preaching all season to be proactive and not reactive. So, I found myself in the right place at the right time and made the save.”
     Madden would contribute to the shutout as well with five saves. Two of which included excellent individual effort. Madden timed the lean of his jump perfectly to make a fingertip save at the top of the crossbar during the first half.
     Furthermore, the Eagles goalie would dive forward on a scoop save with 12:34 left in the second half. Madden’s approach and grip under the ball would prevent a ricochet as the Cardinals offense closed in.
     “I had to get my body in front of the ball on the save in the second half because I knew they would be looking for the rebound. They had two of their most dangerous players close to the goal and I couldn’t afford them a second chance,” Madden said.
     “The shot in the first half I was ready for since we have been rehearsing free kicks a lot in practice. Reading the ball off the kick allowed me to get up at the right time and prevent a goal in helping my team.”
     Eagles Head Soccer Coach Tyler Nichol was delighted with his team’s performance.
     “Between Jack (Knust) as our center attacking mid and our two forwards, they all have significant sudden speed. That benefited us tonight in our scoring. Especially, Jack with his low center of gravity and how he uses it to his advantage. Bryant (Madden) also came up big time. We’ve told him late in the year that he was going to have to come up with some big time saves that would make a difference in the game that we wouldn’t expect from him. He delivered on that tonight,” Nichol said.
     “Manning’s kick save was a high IQ play. You realize that the guys beat to the end line and your goalkeeper is pulled out of the goal, you got to get in between your man and the goal and prevent them from scoring.”  
 

     The Grain Valley Eagles Football team improved to a 7-3 record with a 46-12 victory over the visiting Raytown South Cardinals on Friday, November 1st. It was the second week in a row that the two teams had faced off against one another. Each side knew what the other was going to do and had to find a way to stop their opponent.
     The Eagles were the first to find themselves on the scoreboard after a successful three and out stand by the defense and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown at the 10:55 mark of the first quarter.
     Senior Defensive Back William Lanear eluded Cardinal blockers in his path to perfectly time getting his hands on the football off the punter’s foot. Lanear was also able to corral the football successfully on his way to the end zone.
     Senior Kicker Jack Knust connected on the subsequent extra point try, and the Eagles never looked back as they took an early 7-0 lead.
     Grain Valley’s defense continued to set a physical tone in the first half only allowing one Raytown South touchdown. Both Senior Linebacker Tanner Bailon and Junior Defensive Back Brayden Terry contributed tackles for loss in the first quarter. The Cardinals punted or turned the football over on five of their six first half possessions.
     Raytown South attempted to get one on one matchups with Senior Wide Receiver Raevon Carter on the backside or single receiver side of trips formation. The Cardinals also tried getting him the football vertically or in the flat along the boundary by flooding levels of the Grain Valley defense.
     Grain Valley’s pass rush and coverage efficiency was able to limit the success of the Cardinals passing game plan. Eagles Head Football Coach David Allie was pleased with the performance of his defense.
     “From the get-go, we set the tone with the blocked punt for the score. That was awesome. The defense did a great job with the exception of one drive. They (the Cardinals) passed a little bit more then their ratio coming into the game of seventy percent pass and thirty percent run,” Allie said.
     “Our guys got some turnovers and pressure on their quarterback. Their team is full of great athletes, including number one (Raevon Carter), who did a great job on the fade as well as their quarterback breaking contain against us on occasion. Overall, our defense did a great job and got off the field a lot tonight.”
     The Eagles’ determination at the line of scrimmage on offense was also special. It was no mystery that Grain Valley was going to attempt to run through B gap from their first offensive possession of the game. The offensive line was up for the task of opening holes for Senior Running Back Jamore Goulden. Down blocking on trap and kick outs on halo running plays allowed for the Eagles to own the line of scrimmage and B gap due to execution.
     Goulden would finish with 130 yards on 12 carries and 3 touchdowns. His contact balance at the linebacker and safety level of the Cardinal defense allowed him to bounce off or run through would be defenders for much of the game.
     “I love my offensive line. They make what we do work. I wanted to run hard in a district game my senior year and remind everyone who I am,” Goulden said.
     Goulden’s enthusiasm for his team’s win was matched by Junior Guard Jack Bailey and Senior Center Coleson Manade.
     “Our performance tonight was about pad level and how we had them schemed. We ran to where they weren’t and got leverage on them with our blocks,” Bailey said.
     Manade added, “We want to thank Coach Mike Tarrants tonight who couldn’t be here. He encourages us daily to assert our will on the opponent, and I feel we did that tonight.”
     The Eagles also had two injury concerns during the game. Junior Quarterback Cole Keller went down on an awkward tackle from behind with 7:40 left in the second quarter. Keller favored his knee and was only able to put limited weight on it as he walked with support of his teammates to the Grain Valley sideline.
     Senior Defensive Back Cavon Brooks was also injured and did not return. Brooks made a leverage tackle of a Cardinals wide receiver on the Eagles sideline in wrestling him to the ground with force. The weight of both players landed awkwardly on Brooks who appeared to have the air knocked out of him.
     Junior Wide Receiver Parker Bosserman spelled Keller in his absence and performed well in leading the Eagles offense on short notice.
     “Parker is a great player. The game was not too big for him tonight. We still have him throw the ball on occasion in practice and he throws the football on a couple of plays in our offense already,” Allie said.
     “Bosserman is Mr. Utility and is cool as a cucumber. He plays offense, defense, and special teams. It would be nice to have our starting quarterback back because of what he means to our offense. However, if worst case scenario happens, we have confidence in Parker, and he came in a tough situation tonight and performed admirably.”
     Grain Valley will next host the Grandview Bulldogs on Friday, November 8th at Moody Murray Stadium in a Class 4 District 7 playoff matchup. The Eagles narrowly defeated Grandview by a score of 6-3 during week two earlier this season.
    
 

     Dan Nix has lived in Grain Valley for 41 years and is a lifelong hunting enthusiast. He regularly hunts deer in Missouri and has hunted quail, coyotes, and hogs. He never had a desire to take his hobby beyond the States, but after winning a hunting trip to Africa six years ago, he was hooked.
     “I knew some people that had gone and they said you need to go. I never had any desire to go. I figured there was enough hunting in North America,” Nix said.
     Since his initial trip to South Africa, Nix has traveled to Namibia, and back to South Africa this past July. While some recent national stories have focused on hunters who go on big game hunts, Nix participates in managed hunts of specific animals that are processed and shared with local communities and orphanages. In his most recent hunt, Nix harvested a number of animals, including two wildebeest, a blesbok and steenbok (both antelopes native to southern and eastern Africa).
     “I wish I had gone 30 years ago. The hunts are really regulated and managed well by local professional hunters and guides. We had an opportunity to hunt specific animals that were no longer breeding. We went out and picked a specific female wildebeest out and they processed her. I stopped by the orphanage where the meat was donated and was able to take a tour. They were getting ready for lunch when we arrived. Their kitchen was impressive and looked just like a professional kitchen you would see in the states. The orphanage served 167 boys and girls.”
     Nix said that meat processed from the managed hunts is shared with the lodge hosting the hunts, the guide and hunters in charge, and then with the local communities. Most of the farming communities he has encountered share a communal kitchen and meat is shared among community members.
     “Every place that I’ve been and the people that I know that have gone have all experienced the same thing. Local families and orphanages all get a portion of the meat. Nothing is gone to waste,” Nix said.
     Nix was able to travel with his father, who is in his 90s and still hunts, to Namibia. During a separate trip his father took to South Africa, a member of their group was able to assist in the hunt of a lioness who had been killing livestock and attacking people.
     “Cats are a real problem in a lot of areas, and the conservation officials work with farmers and safaris to manage these hunts,” Nix said.
 “Every time I get over there, I think this is how the garden of Eden had to be. You could be out in the plains or bush, and 10 miles away you’re in mountains. It is absolutely beautiful there.”
     Nix plans to return for another safari in 2021.
 

     Ricky Jackson spent some time in prison. In 1975, when Jackson was 18 years old, he was accused and convicted of a brutal robbery and murder. He was sentenced to death. Sometime later, his sentence was reduced to life in prison. All along, Jackson proclaimed his innocence.
     Then, in 2013, new overwhelming evidence was brought to light. Jackson was, what he has been saying all along, innocent. He was finally released as a free man. Jackson spent 39 years in an Ohio prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He did the time—but didn’t do the crime. He served the longest prison term for an exonerated defendant in American history.
     The thought of being incarcerated for that length of time—and being innocent the entire time—is beyond our imagination. Think of all the things that he missed and the moments he will never have back. Almost four decades behind bars.
     You may be a prisoner. True, you are not locked up. There are no bars restricting your freedom and there is no prison guard. But nonetheless, you are a prisoner. It’s a prison of your own choosing. Your prison is not physical but emotional and spiritual.
     Like most people, it could be that sometime in the past, someone has hurt you deeply. Thinking of them and the incident brings up issues of anger and resentment. It’s now causing you consistent and deep pain. You refuse to let go of the anger and resentment because you believe it gives you a sense of empowerment and control. In love, please understand, the unforgiveness you are harboring in your heart is slowly eating you alive. You are a prisoner. Your cage is locked from the inside. You need to let it go.
     Forgiveness is something that I have personally experienced. Extending forgiveness to others is something that I have had to do. Extending forgiveness to some people was easy. Extending forgiveness to others was a process. To be honest, there were times when I didn’t want to do it. Times when I felt I was justified in my anger and times when I just thought it was plain unfair.  But, as a Christian, I understand that extending forgiveness is not optional. I am commanded to forgive.
     You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker, “I’m not perfect—just forgiven.” That message is not meant to be an excuse to live out a lifestyle that is inconsistent with the gospel. Instead, the phrase should flow from a heart that understands the depth and sacrifice of forgiveness.
     Forgiveness originates from the heart of God and is the pearl that was produced from a heart of pain. The Bible says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son” (John 3:16). God did not have to forgive. He chose to.  
     None of us can say, “It’s not fair! God you don’t understand!” God understands the price of forgiveness. It cost Him His Son.
     God wants His children to act like Him. That means, God wants His people to extend forgiveness to others. The Bible says, “[bear] with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Col 3:13). People who have been forgiven should be the first to forgive.
A couple of truths about forgiveness:
     First, please understand, when you forgive someone who has hurt you, it doesn’t automatically release them from the responsibility. Extending forgiveness is not about them. It’s about you.
When you forgive it allows you to move on. The chains of anger and resentment that once held you prisoner fall helplessly to the ground removing that tremendous weight from your heart. You no longer allow that person to have control over you.
     Second, extending forgiveness does not mean that they are free from any penalty. Your forgiveness does not excuse their behavior or remove future retribution. It just means that you won’t be the one to do it.
     You don’t have that kind of power anyway. That judgment belongs only to God and they will have to deal with Him about that.
     The Bible reminds the believer, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head” (Rom 12:19-20).
     Our tendency is to bury and harbor the anger and bitterness in our heart. It’s a defense mechanism. We’re instinctively trying to protect a wounded heart. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work.
     The workers at Yellowstone Park say that the powerful grizzly bear prefers to eat alone. However, he will allow one animal to eat with him: the skunk. 
     The bears come often to eat at the place where garbage is dumped. The grizzly can fight and beat almost any animal in the park, but it lets the skunk share its meal. It could easily kill the little creature in a fight, but it doesn't.
     He knows the high cost of getting even and decides it’s not worth it. Executing your own vengeance will always cost you something and it always leaves a mark.
     Finally, extending forgiveness does not mean that you have to maintain a relationship with that individual. If I choose to try to pet a neighbor’s dog through the fence and that dog tries to bite me, I can forgive the dog. But, at the same time, I’m not going to stick my hand through the fence again and try to pet him.
     I’ve learned my lesson. That ship has sailed. In the same way, extending forgiveness does not mean that you allow someone to be a place where they continue to hurt you. You just move away and move on.
     Forgiveness is not trite, it’s never easy, and it’s never free. God understands that. However, extending forgiveness is in our best interest. It breaks the chains of bitterness and hate that held us down and sets the prisoner free—us.
     It also says, “God you are the only One who can judge, and I release my hurt and pain to you knowing that you will bring justice.” In the end, it releases our mind and heart to be able to live in joy and freedom.
 
Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Church Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.