​     Valley Oaks Steak Company announced its closure in a social media post on August 19th, stated it was closing “due to economics” and the “constant barrage of legal battles and extensive marketing efforts needed to counter misinformation”.  
     The beef cattle operation was headquartered in Lone Jack and began operating in 2016, with the intent of  becoming a “hoof-to-table” supplier of premium beef. The company had approximately 900 cattle and had recently applied for a permit to expand operations up to 6,999 cattle.
     The expansion plan faced backlash from nearby residents and Powell Gardens, a botanical garden, due to environmental and odor concerns.
     In an appeal filed June 2018 by Powell Gardens, the organization argued “The facility -- which will be the largest cattle CAFO in Missouri -- includes several sources of environmental contamination from on-site animal housing, waste storage, slaughtering and retail meat market. Some call it “state of the art,” but environmental experts for Kansas City-based SES Inc. have calculated the cattle will generate 1,547 tons of feces, urine and bedding material a day.
The list of adverse environmental impacts that are of concern to Powell Gardens and its Lone Jack neighbors includes gaseous odors from bones, urine, blood and carcasses from the barn and slaughterhouse; wind-blown particulates from manure spread at Valley Oaks and surrounding land parcels; ground and surface water contamination; pests that endanger flora and fauna; decreasing land values; and wear and tear on the local infrastructure.”
     Last month, a class action lawsuit was filed by residents near the operation, represented by Independence attorney Ken McClain.
     In a statement on social media, Powell Gardens expressed surprise to learn of the closure, and stated “We are currently awaiting Valley Oaks’ confirmation of their closure with the judges in all pending legal actions”.
     In its statement, Valley Oaks called out Powell Gardens, claiming the nonprofit organization capitalized on the controversy to “advance their own fundraising campaigns”.
     Governor Mike Parson shared his dismay over the closing in a statement on social media, stating “80 Missourians have lost their jobs...because environmental extremists put fear above fact. Some will call this a ‘win’, but this is a major loss to every farm and ranch family in our state.”
    
 

​     Attending a Grain Valley Eagles Girls Volleyball practice is a loud experience. Communication is present on both sides of the net along with cheering in celebration when something positive occurs. The Lady Eagles will be a young team with only a few returning starters. Among those with experience is Senior Setter Jessica Slater.
     Slater is quick to identify what she loves most about volleyball. “I love the team being together as one. Working for team goals helps create a better bond between us,” Slater said.
     Being a setter comes with important fundamental responsibilities on the court. The setter is typically in charge of the offense through setting up the ball for their teammates to attempt a spike. This is a challenge that Slater embraces.
     “The setter will always touch the ball. She’s going to be second in line to get the ball all the time. That’s kind of her job. She has a responsibility of being the team leader and someone that everyone can look up to,” Slater said.
     Slater understands and accepts her leadership role with the team. “Being a senior means being there for all the underclassmen. Making sure they feel at home and comfortable. Teaching them the boundaries of volleyball and how the game’s played is important as well as being someone that they can look up to,” Slater said.
     Eagles Head Volleyball Coach Kelsey Carver is in her second year with the program after serving as the junior varsity coach last year. This is not her first tenure as a head coach, after previously serving in that role at Clinton High School for three years prior to coming to Grain Valley. Carver was quick to offer praise for Slater.
     “Jessica is a solid kid. She’s consistent and we can rely on her. Her levelheadedness keeps the team together pretty well.”
     Carver also has a plan for how her team will attack the second year of competing in the Suburban Conference. A big part of that blueprint will be a fast tempo offense.
     “We worked a lot last year on speeding up our offense. Playing these bigger schools, they run a quicker offense. Running a slow offense against them allows their defense to be successful. We have worked very hard throughout the summer on running quick sets. Having a quicker offense will pose a challenge for our opponents,” Carver said.
     There are advantages that may come with a quick offense. Various NCAA volleyball coaches, along with Coaches Choice Coaching Forum, have described fast tempo sets as being difficult to defend for both front and back row defenders.
     They go on to explain that teams who develop the ball control needed to run fast-tempo sets will find themselves hitting quite often against zero or one person blocks, giving the offense a clear advantage. Even if there are two blockers, to get a well-formed block over the net, the blockers must correctly guess where the set is going to go. A quick offense has the potential to be exciting and entertaining for both players and spectators.
     Carver is confident that her team will be able to compete in the Suburban Conference this year. “I would like to be in the top of our conference, and I believe we have the potential to do that. Being solid and prepared for the beginning of our conference schedule is what we are shooting for.”
     “I love watching our team and kids get better. Seeing improvement regardless of whether we win or loss in big moments against good competition where the kids really have to fight is rewarding,” Carver said.
     Eagles Volleyball opens their season on Tuesday, September 10th at home against Blue Springs South.
 

     We have all been there; we get home from a day of work and the first thing we think of is “What can I snack on before it’s time for dinner?” Like many adults, kids may be having the same thought after getting home from a long day of school. Snacking consumption among kids is on the rise. It has been estimated that more than 27% of a child’s daily calories are coming from snacks, so providing the right kind of snacks is not only important but necessary in helping meet a child’s daily nutrition requirements.
     The first thing the child may need when he or she gets home is a small source of fuel. The best way to get that is by snacking on carbohydrates. Our brains’ preferred source of fuel is sugar and, luckily, all carbohydrates break down into sugar. So having different sources of carbohydrates available for kids to snack on when they get home is a great way to give them a burst of energy so they can be active and alert before their next meal. But there are different sources of carbohydrates, so it is important to choose the right ones. Look for whole grains such as whole-grain crackers and bread to give them energy but also provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. Of course you can never go wrong with a piece of cut-up fresh fruit. Leave the skin on for the added fiber bonus! For those chip cravings, try bean chips to get more nutrition such as fiber and protein from chips.
     One important nutrient to always have on hand for after-school snacks is different sources of protein. Protein builds, maintains and repairs the tissues in your body such as muscles, which is important for active kids. Protein also requires a longer time to digest than carbohydrates, so putting a protein in your snack can give you just enough energy to get to the next meal, without overeating and spoiling dinner. A child’s protein needs vary by his or her weight: an average of 1 gram of protein for every 2 pounds the child weighs. So simply take your child’s weight and divide by 2 to find his or her protein needs.
     With snacking on the rise, it is important to fit protein sources into those in-between-meals snacks to help kids meet their needs.  Quick sources of protein can be a cheese stick (about 7 grams), a glass of milk (8 grams), turkey slices (2 ounces, about 10 grams) a hard-boiled egg (6 grams) or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams.)
     Pairing carbohydrates and protein together in a snack is a perfect combination of providing enough energy without overdoing it.
     It is always important to factor in your child’s hydration when he or she gets home from school. Children require 5 to 11 glasses a day of total water (coming from liquids and food) to meet their needs. With this in mind, stock your refrigerator with water flavored with fresh lemon or other fresh fruit for your children to grab when they get home. It will help meet those needs and avoid the calories and sugar that come from juice or other sugar-sweetened beverages.
     Of course you can always prepare fun and different snacks for the kids to grab when they get home. Chickpeas provide a great source of carbohydrates, fiber and protein, while still staying low in fat. Try this Spicy Oven-Roasted Chickpeas recipe for a new snack.
     Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian at the Blue Springs Hy-Vee. She can be reached at [email protected]. The information is not intended as medical advice.
     Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
 

​     If your garden or fruit and berry orchard has been successful, now is the time of the year that you have an abundance of fresh produce to feed your family and friends. Maybe the local grocery store or farmers market is keeping you supplied with fresh produce this summer.
     How do you encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables? I asked three University of Missouri Extension Nutrition Program Associates (NPA) in our Blue Springs, MO office for advice:

First, from Jennifer Backlund, NPA:
     “Kids love to get involved and are more likely to try new things if they helped to prepare it. Even very young children can help wash veggies or gather ingredients. They love seeing the process of growing something in the garden then bringing it into the kitchen to be prepared. If you do not have your own garden space, going to a local farmers market or you-pick farm can help connect them to where their food comes from. Make sure to season and prepare veggies to make them tasty and interesting or add them to dishes kids already enjoy. Often, we serve them on the side and plain, which is not appealing to anyone.
     The Seasonal and Simple app https://seasonalandsimple.info/recipedetails.aspx?RecipeID=849 is free and a great resource for simple, tasty ways to enjoy produce! We find that kids like learning about why foods are healthy for them and are more open to trying foods when they understand why they are important for their bodies.  Through the University of Missouri Extension Family Nutrition Education Program, we teach nutrition education, gardening and cooking skills to children and adults in Jackson County. For information on getting Nutrition Education programs at your school or facility contact Ara Staab, Nutrition Coordinator, 816-482-5861 or Andrea Wikiera, Nutrition Program Manager, 816-482-5859.”
 
Next, from Dalton Guess, NPA:
     “Kids prefer food with bright colors. It is important that they have foods, especially fruits and vegetables that come in a variety of colors as different colors help different parts of their bodies.
     Try the tasty ‘Cowboy Caviar’ recipe below that highlights vegetables that will attract their eyes and their taste buds:”
 
Ingredients:
1-tablespoon oil (canola, olive, or vegetable)
1-tablespoon cider vinegar
1-tablespoon lemon juice
½-teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 can (15 ounces) beans (drained and rinsed)
¾ cup frozen corn, thawed or fresh sweet corn cut off the cob
½ cup onion, diced
½ cup bell pepper, diced
1 cup tomatoes, chopped (1 medium tomato or 1 cup of chopped cherry tomatoes)
1 avocado, chopped
 
Instructions:
1. Whisk oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and mustard in a small bowl.
2. Stir beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes in a medium bowl.
3. Pour liquids over bean mixture. Cover and refrigerator until ready to serve.
4. Add avocado just before serving. Gently stir to combine.
 
Last, but not least, here is some excellent advice from Paige Shoemaker, NPA:
     “Smoothies are an easy and fun way to get kids excited about fruits. This recipe only takes three ingredients and uses fruit in season now.”
 
Blueberry Smoothie
¾-cup blue berries (substitute red raspberries, black berries, or peaches, if blue berries are not available)
¼ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
¾-cup skim milk
Pinch of cinnamon (if desired)
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
 
     Contact Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension- Jackson County, at the Blue Springs office, 816-252-5051, if you have any questions about this article or about vegetable, fruit, or ornamental gardening.
 
 

     Jackson County residents who would like a piece of Arrowhead history in their homes can take advantage of an exclusive sale for county residents for the next 48 hours.
     Starting 6:00am on Friday, August 16th, www.arrowheadseatsale.com will go live and a very limited supply of Arrowhead Stadium seats will be on sale to fans.  Jackson County residents will have exclusive access for 48 hours, then the sale will open to the public at 6:00am on Sunday, August 18th.
     “With a preseason win in the books, fans are excited for another great season of Chiefs football,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.  “Countless memories have been made at Arrowhead Stadium and what better time than now to own a piece of that special history.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Chiefs nation and I’m excited that we’ve been able to work with Schneider Industries, Inc. to provide Jackson County citizens first priority to buy seats.”
     The upper deck seating was removed as part of an off-season renovation and now Schneider Industries, Inc. has partnered with Jackson County to sell a select number of those seats to fans.  These 20-year old seats have been through nearly 170 games at Arrowhead and now those same seats can adorn a Man Cave, a garden or an office.
     A portion of all sales proceeds will support upgrades to Jackson County Parks + Rec parks and playgrounds
Approximately 2,500 seats are available for sale. Costs range from $199-$399 plus shipping for a pair of connected seats or a single seat which includes stand up brackets. County residents must provide proof of residency during this special 48 hour period. Sales to the general public will open at 6:00am on Sunday, August 18th.

     The U.S. Census Bureau currently has staff in the field in the Kansas City region working to verify addresses in advance of the 2020 census that will take place next spring.
     If homes in your area are visited by someone from the Census Bureau, here are some ways to verify the individual is a Census Bureau employee.

     The field representative:
     Must present an ID Badge, which contains a photograph of field representative, Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date.
     Will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the regional office phone number for verification, if asked.
     Will provide you with a letter from the director of the Census Bureau on U.S. Census Bureau letterhead.
     May be carrying a laptop and/or bag with a Census Bureau logo.
 
     For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the decennial electronically. The move to online forms offers many benefits, including  significant cost savings. However, many people have concerns about privacy and the possibility of fraudulent activity.
      The Census Bureau is taking many measures to protect your information, but there are also ways you can help protect yourself.
     First, remember that official census workers will never ask for:
     Your full Social Security number
     Money or donations
     Anything on behalf of a political party
     Bank or credit card account numbers
     Your mother’s maiden name
 
     If you get an email request that you’re not sure about:
     Do not reply, do not click on any links and do not open any attachments.
Forward the e-mail or website URL to the Census Bureau at [email protected]
     Delete the message. The Census Bureau will investigate and notify you of the findings.
     If you get postal mail that causes you to suspect a scam:
     Check that the return address is Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Call the Regional Office for Missouri (1-800-865-6384) to verify whether it is legitimate. 
 

     An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 adults in the United States die from vaccine-preventable infectious diseases or their complications each year.  During August’s National Immunization Awareness Month, the American Lung Association reminds adults of the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for vaccination against potentially serious lung diseases such as influenza (the flu) and pneumococcal pneumonia.  
     As a preventive healthcare measure, vaccines work by teaching the body's immune system to recognize and defend against harmful viruses or bacteria before getting an infection,  and reduce the chance of getting certain infectious diseases.  Most vaccine-preventable diseases are spread from person to person, which means that if one person in a community gets an infectious disease, they can spread it to others.  
     Different than a bad cold, influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia are potentially serious infectious diseases that may be prevented by vaccines. 
     Pneumococcal Pneumonia, the most common type of bacterial pneumonia,  is often spread through coughing.  The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia can come quickly and may include high fever, excessive sweating and shaking chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.  
     Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious virus that is usually spread through coughing or sneezing.  Symptoms can impact the entire body and may include fever, headache, muscle aches, a dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.13 
     “Older adults and those with weakened immune systems or certain chronic health conditions—like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—are especially vulnerable to infectious disease,”  Albert Rizzo, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the American Lung Association said. “In fact, for adults 65 and older living with COPD, the risk for contracting pneumococcal pneumonia is 7.7 times higher than their healthy counterparts, and those with asthma are at 5.9 times greater risk.”  
     The American Lung Association, in partnership with Pfizer, is urging adults to talk with their healthcare provider about pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations, with more information available at Lung.org/pneumococcal and Lung.org/influenza, or call the American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA. 
 

     Grain Valley High School’s (GVHS) Blue and White Day will be held Saturday, August 17th at the high school. Fall sports activities will hold scrimmages, team pictures, and parents meetings.
     The GVHS Booster Club will host a pancake breakfast by Chris Cakes from 7:00am to 10:00am for $5 (includes pancakes, sausage and drink).  
     The booster club’s first general meeting will take place at 11:00 am in the high school auditorium. Grain Valley spirit apparel will be available for purchase during the event.
     Heading into their second year in the Suburban Conference, GVHS Athletic Director Brandon Hart is looking forward to building on last year’s successes.
     “I think what I look forward to the most is seeing our growth within the Suburban Conference.  We had a successful 1st year in the conference, but I am excited to see what kind of gains we will make between year 1 and 2,” Hart said.
     “Last year was our first year in the conference, and everything was new.  We were playing larger schools in new venues, and our learning curve was fairly steep for many of our programs.  With a year of experience under our belts, I think our programs will be more prepared this year.  I expect they to be more familiar with the level of competition and have a better understanding of what it will take to be successful in the Suburban Conference.”
 

​     Five o’clock in the morning may come awful early for some. It’s just another start to practice for the Eagles Boys Swimming Team. Sixteen student athletes complete laps in the pool and attempt complex twists and turns from the diving board at the Blue Springs YMCA in preparation for the upcoming season. The Grain Valley High School Swim and Dive program is led by head coach Kara Liddle.
     “I’m super excited that we are starting the season with a group of kids that have swam a year. Building good habits in the pool by correcting little things that will allow us to go faster is our focus. We are weeks ahead of were we were last year at this time,” Liddle said.
     “Swimming is a mental sport. You are in your own head a lot. Learning how to push yourself to get past pain is significant. Same goes with diving. I couldn’t get up there and throw myself off the board the way they do. I think in both arenas of this sport you have to be mentally tough.”
     A third-place finish in the Suburban Conference last season, along with three state qualifiers is the momentum the program would like to seize and build upon. Eli Hendricks finishing 4th in Class I Diving along with Wyatt Huffman finishing 14th in the 100-meter breaststroke were positive catalysts for a new program.
     Senior Swimmer Jase Tipton along with fellow Senior Diver Jonathan Bailey are excited about the possibilities of the new season. “Many of us were on the State cut by only being points or seconds off last year. That’s a big motivator for our team is to have as many of us as possible make State cut this year,” Tipton said. Bailey agreed with Tipton’s assessment. “We are here to improve from last year and our coaches are pushing us harder,” Bailey said.
     Both Tipton and Bailey are enjoying the friendships and the insights gained through swimming and diving. “You get to meet a lot of new people and can make lifetime friends. I have buddies that swim at Park Hill that I met at a meet. We’ll go work out or get a burger together,” Tipton said. “I like how we can get tips on diving from other competitors. Someone may have more experience than you and they will usually share,” Bailey said.
     Encouragement can be heard both by coaches and fellow teammates during practice over the multitude of splashes and movement of feet on both the concrete and diving board. It seems to provide a sort of serene chaos for those who compete in this arena. Getting up at 4:30 am or practicing multiple times a day are all challenges that roll like water off a duck’s back.
     “I love getting to share my love for the sport. I went to Grain Valley and this is what I grew up doing. Being able to start and continue this program is a joy. We get to spread the love for being in the water,” Liddle said.
     The Grain Valley High School Boys Swim and Dive Team will kick off their season with their first meet on Wednesday, September 4th.
 

​     Grain Valley High School Senior Max Chapman recently decided to continue his career as a student athlete with the Wichita State Shockers. The Sunflower State and perennial powerhouse NCAA Division One baseball program has some of the best facilities in the nation.
     The Eagle southpaw pitcher is planning to major in education in the fall of 2020 at Wichita State due to his love for helping kids. Chapman credits an abundance of teachers who have influenced him, and he would like to be someone that students eventually look up to as well.
     Eagles Head Baseball Coach Brian Driskell was quick to offer praise of both Chapman brothers he has coached as skipper of the Eagles. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching both Chapman brothers (Max as well as his brother Mitch who graduated with the Class of 2017). Their character and work ethic are of the highest level. Anytime I needed help, they were the first to respond. You won’t find anyone who has anything but positive things to say about them both. That says a lot about the way they were raised.”
     “Max has an ability to work hard and be funny with his teammates. He is usually at the center of hard work and having fun. He will certainly be missed a year from now,” Driskell said.
     Chapman drew the attention of local college coaches who watched him pitch and play for the Eagles this spring. It would not be uncommon to see a coach with a radar gun behind the fence at home plate when Chapman was pitching, or timing Max with his speed from the batter’s box to first base when up to bat. The velocity Chapman possesses with his fastball and where he can place it in the strike zone consistently were on display.
     Both Driskell and Chapman have appreciated the moment. However, they have not lost sight of the upcoming season. Chapman has established a goal he would like to see come to fruition. “An area I’d like to improve in is being able to throw all three of my pitches for a strike 80% of the time. I’ve had successful outings this past year. I need to take my game to another level,” Chapman said.
     Driskell’s enthusiasm was apparent when asked about Chapman’s growth and what it meant to have a student athlete from the team recruited to a program the stature of Wichita State. “He has grown a lot. Most of that growth has just naturally occurred from his maturing as a baseball player and as he has gotten older. We recognized as a coaching staff his abilities the first time we saw him a few years ago. The tools were there, and he has definitely put in the work to develop those tools. It’s been fun to watch and be a part of.”
     “Honestly, I’m excited for any of our guys that get an opportunity to play after high school. What it means to me is that we were fortunate enough as a program to have Max be an Eagle while he got to realize a dream of reaching his goal of playing college baseball,” Driskell said.
     Having the ability to graciously reflect on those who have been of support is a humbling attribute for a teenager to possess. Chapman was quick to offer praise for those who have helped him get to this point along with what it means to him to be a student athlete at Grain Valley High School. “There’s been so many people who have helped me get where I am today. I can’t credit just one person but to name a few:  My parents, Blair Johnson my pitching coach, Coach Driskell, and my teammates and friends who believed in me.”
     “Being a student athlete at Grain Valley can be challenging. Our staff here is always trying to push us (academically) to our full potential and get the most out of all of us. It’s also nice because they understand the workload we take on during our season. You really can’t complain about our staff as they’re some of the best,” Chapman said.
     The Eagles baseball program will begin year two of competing in the Suburban Conference in 2020. The team returns a roster abundant with talent after only losing Christian Lynn and Jesse Scholtz last season to graduation.
 

Max Chapman has decided to continue his career as a student athlete at Wichita State University.
Photo credit: John Overstreet
 

​     “You gotta use the magic words, papa!” my grandson said as he defiantly blocked the doorway into the dining room—his arms and legs spread to prevent my access. “I don’t know the password,” I protested. “You have to guess,” he said.” Somewhat frustrated, I tried several phrases to no avail until eventually, upon my continual prodding, he surrendered the secret information and allowed me in.
     When I was a kid, like most kids, I was fascinated with magic shows and magicians. I even learned various card tricks, mastered some sleight of hand with coins, and even bought a fake fingertip and colored handkerchief to amaze my friends. For a while, I even dreamed of becoming a magician when I grew up.
     For some reason, every magician needs to use the “magic words.” These words vary from person to person. According to sources, magic words have been around for many years and there are many variations of words that are used.
     Probably the most famous of them all is abracadabra. Its usage can be traced back to the second century. Although the study of the word is fascinating, no one really knows how it came into being.
     There are also magical words or phrases that must be uttered to gain access to secret places. In the story, “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” for example, the secret phrase that opens the mouth of a cave to reveal hidden treasure is the phrase, “Open Sesame.” That’s the first one I tried when my grandson blocked the doorway.
     In Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring sought entrance into a secret passage that opened the West Gate to Moria. Gandalf was able to remember the phrase, "Mellon", which means friend in Sindarin, and the Doors opened. All you need are the magic words.
     I could not guess the magic words from my grandson. However, my grandson knows the magic words. He simply needs to remember a simple, two syllable word in order to gain immediate access. The word is “papa”. Sometimes, he says, “my papa.” That simple phase unlocks my home and my heart. When he utters the phrase, my heart melts.
     I am currently training for a long-distance run. Last Saturday, I was lying on the couch. I had just finished a 15-mile practice run, showered, and was chilling out. My body and mind were spent. I had no energy to do anything.
     My grandson said, “Papa, I want a red juice.” He was making reference to a cardboard boxed drink in a red box. He has his own little drawer in the kitchen which contains drinks and snacks. 
     My wife makes sure these are accessible and healthy. She also counts them to make sure I don’t take any.
     “Go get one,” I said. And the verbal ping pong game began. “I’m afraid,” he protested. “What are you afraid of?” I asked. “It’s dark in there,” he said, making reference to the kitchen that was about twenty feet away.
     For the next several minutes, I tried to convince him that it was the middle of the afternoon and it was daytime. I also reminded him that the kitchen has windows, there is no such thing as monsters, and I would be right here to help if I was wrong on the monster thing.
     Nothing worked. He wouldn’t budge and he wasn’t giving in.  
     “Please Papa,” he pleaded helplessly, “I’m scared.” I peeled my broken and depleted body off of the couch and limped slowly into the kitchen. I couldn’t help it. “Thank you, my papa,” he said. I smiled and said, “You’re welcome.”
     One of the most famous prayers in the Bible is the “Our Father” prayer. The prayer is not intended to be a magic formula, nor was it intended to be uttered repetitiously or indiscriminately. But it does remind us of a few important things.
     The first line, from the old poetic, King James, says, “Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name.” It provides us with the who, where, and what. God, of course, is Father. The phrase, “who art in heaven” reminds us of God’s strategic location, sovereign dominance, and spatial separation. The term “hallowed” means “holy,” “sacred,” or “revered.”
     The most important phrase in the prayer is “Our Father.” If you can’t get past the “Father” part, you can’t pass go and collect $200. The word, Father, both demands and invites a relationship. It’s a relationship based upon love, intimacy, and divine mercy.
     One of the interesting things about Jesus’ prayer is that in the Old Testament (Before Christ), although God is referred to in various ways, the Jews would never refer to God as Father. The concept was unheard of. He of most often referred to as Lord. But the rabbit hole goes a little deeper.
     If you gloss over some biblical passages that refer to God as “Lord”, you’ll find something very interesting. There are two variations of the word. Sometimes God is referred to as “Lord” (capital L, but lower caps). This is the Hebrew term, “Adonai”, and is descriptive. We might translate it as “master.”
     At other times, God is referred to as LORD (all caps). This is known as the Tetragrammaton and is the four-letter biblical name of God translated into the English as “Yahweh.”
     The fascinating thing about the name of God in the Old Testament is that the Jews felt that God’s name was so holy that they would never completely write it out—nor would they say it. So, they handed it down in print, but unfortunately with no vowels or YHWH. Even today, there are some who write God’s name as G-D. This is done, generally by those of Jewish origin, out of respect for God’s name.
     So, when Jesus used the phrase, “Our Father”, it was extremely forward and radical. What Jesus was saying is, the scary God who manifested Himself in fire and smoke upon the mountain—is not as scary as you think, and He wants to be your Father.
     This truth is reiterated in the Bible in Galatians 4:6 which says, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” The word, “Abba”, is not meant to reference the Swedish singing sensation of the ‘70s. Instead, Abba, is an Aramaic term of endearment from a child to a father. It only has four letters and two syllables and would be easy for a child to say and, indeed, that’s the case. Abba can be translated as dada or even papa.
     In my personal relationship with God, I try, respectfully, to think of my relationship with God in human terms—in some ways like my relationship with my grandson. I want my grandson to honor and respect me and to treat me properly. On the other side of the coin, I want him to know that he has immediate and full access to his papa—merely for the asking.
     There are no magic words when it comes to a relationship with God. It is meant to be a relationship based upon deep reverence, utter dependency, intimacy, and transparency. Once that happens, a beautiful door opens wide and the shift in mindset can be made from “Our Father” to “My Papa.”
     Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer. He can be reached at waynegeiger.com.
 

     A good roof over your home or business protects your investment in many ways. A healthy roof shelters you from the elements along with preventing unwanted rot and mildew. Using quality products to assemble your roof that provide ventilation and insulation adds value to your property along with saving money on heating and cooling costs. Your roof is something that may be rarely thought of but is one of the most important components of any building you own.
     Jeff Butler is the President of Commercial Roofing in Grain Valley.  He’s been in business since 1992. Butler is proud that his address and phone number has stayed the same during the duration of his business over the last 27 years. Clients originally sought out Butler as a construction consultant until they also kept asking him to do the roofing work as well. Butler eventually decided to go the construction route and the rest is history.
     Commercial Roofing provides services to the perimeter of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. From St. Joseph and Chillicothe to Marshall, Sedalia, and Warrensburg along with Jackson County, Butler has done numerous jobs in many areas over the years. Butler and his family call Eastern Jackson County home.
     “This (Eastern Jackson County) is home. It would be better for us to be centrally located in downtown Kansas City. I like the small-town feel though. I grew up in a small town near farm fields in State Center, Iowa. The Blue Springs and Grain Valley area is home and makes sense. I’m not a big fan of traffic either. It’s nice to have ten-minute drive to work,” Butler said.
     Commercial Roofing emphasizes value and purpose. Cutting corners to attain being the lowest price offered is not of interest to Butler. He also does not want to be the highest bid either. Understanding the purpose of delivering what people pay for is a goal Butler has for his team. Doing the job right the first time and leaving the structure better than it was initially or something that will last is what Butler strives for with his business.
     Underscoring that you get what you pay for is the message that Commercial Roofing shares with its customers. Butler cited Duro Last, GAF Corporation, John Mansville Roofing, and Atlas Shingles among products of value used by his business.
     “Atlas Shingles contain more copper than limestone filler. Atlas has also teamed up with 3M and added Scotch Guard to their product to help protect against some of the weathering marks or stains you see on roofs from limestone filled shingles,” Butler said.
     Any business venture that has lasted for nearly three decades has faced its share of successes and challenges. Commercial Roofing is no exception. Butler indicates that finding room for expansion and the economic downturn of 2008 as challenges they have had to overcome.
     Butler credits the City of Grain Valley for being cooperative in supporting expansion of his business after considering the Blue Springs area as a place for growth. “We ran into the logistics of just not having enough room and Grain Valley was accommodating in allowing us to purchase land behind us and the building next door so we could expand. Making sure you have the room you need to grow is important,” Butler said.
     “Business was good prior to 2008. Even 2008 and 2009 were not that bad for me. The recession then kicked in and caused the coffers to dwindle. Luckily, we had saved and were able to get through that period prior to the business getting back to growing.”
     Commercial Roofing’s longevity and success have been built on hiring quality people. Butler does not hesitate in the slightest when describing how important they are to the wellbeing of what he does. “You try to do right by your clients. Word of mouth is the best advertising. If you do something poorly, people are going to talk. Ten percent of people will compliment for what you do well. Ninety percent of people aren’t going to hesitate to talk if they have a bad experience. You don’t want people in your community, family, and church to be talking about a bad experience with their roof,” Butler said.
     “We want to treat people like family. How you treat people matters. I tell our team members all the time to be aware that they are wearing our shirts and driving our trucks whether they are on or off the clock. We emphasize who you are and how you act matters. Do the job like you are doing it for a member of your family. Hopefully, we have delivered what the customer has paid for. That’s important.”
     Not ignoring leaks and taking preventative measures are two ways to make your current roof last according to Butler. He encourages people to keep their gutters clean as well as being aware of any vegetation growing in or around their gutters. Trees overhead left untrimmed can provide a bridge for animals to have access to your roof as well. Annual inspections of your roof, especially if you’ve experienced a storm with hail or high winds, are also a way to avoid costly headaches later on.
     Commercial Roofing Services is located at 315 James Rollo Dr. in Grain Valley, MO. You can reach them via phone at 816-228-5588 or www.commercialroofingsvc.com.

​Sponsored advertisement
 

​     Within an 8-mile radius of Grain Valley there are no less than sixteen cemeteries of which I am aware. In addition, there are a few family plots which I’ve only heard about in conversations with some of the long-time “locals.” About half of the cemeteries are fairly large, but some are quite small. I suspect the smaller ones were originally family plots with a few neighbors or close friends among the gravesites.
     Except for two, all of the local cemeteries have graves which date back to the mid-1800s.  Therefore, they would all be “historical,” as early pioneers are buried within their gates.  In Pearl Wilcox’s book, Jackson County Pioneers, one can learn about the early settlers to this area.  They came mostly from North Carolina, Virginia and  Kentucky to settle in spots like Sibley, Pink Hill and Stony Point.
     Green’s Chapel Cemetery is located northeast of Grain Valley on Steinhauser Road. Established in 1834, I believe it to be one of the oldest cemeteries in the county.  It was established adjacent to Green’s Chapel Methodist Church which existed more than 40 years before the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Pink Hill.
     The original stone church was falling down so it was replaced in the late 1800’s. When the property was sold, the church was moved to a location on the south side of Highway 24 just east of Fort Osage High School. 
     The current owner of the property, Mr. Stanley, was told that slaves were buried in unmarked graves next to the stone wall on the east side of the cemetery and across the road by the church on the south side of the cemetery.
     Samuel Dickinson appears to have been the first person buried at Green’s Chapel Cemetery in 1834. He was born in Virginia in 1797 and came to Missouri with his wife Nancy (Pollette) in 1820. 
     After his death Nancy, and their six children moved to California. Other gravesites in the cemetery bare the names of some of Jackson County’s earliest pioneers. Among the names are Adams, Campbell, Harra, Grubb, Hanna, Neer, and Murphy.
     St. Clair Cemetery is in a field at the top of a hill on East Holloway Road, north of Grain Valley.  The little cemetery is no more than 20 feet square and appears to have fewer than 20 gravesites. The first grave is that of Mary Elizabeth St. Clair McFarlane (1833-1853) who died from childbirth. She was the eldest child of Robert and Elmira St. Clair.
     Robert St. Clair (1807-1869) and his wife Elmira (Hewett) were married in Bedford Virginia in 1832. The St. Clair family (Robert, Elmira, and six children) drove from Roanoke County, Virginia, to Jackson County in the fall of 1843. They located in a one-room log cabin with a loft where the children slept. 
     Eventually St. Clair obtained five land patents totaling 1000 acres one mile north of Pink Hill. They increased the family to 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) and built a 12-room house which was destroyed by fire when the Kansas Red Legs burned most of the town following Order No. 11.
     Three of the sons, Charles, J. H. and Harvey, served with the Confederate army during the Civil War. Harvey was killed during the Battle of Port Gibson, Mississippi. Mrs. St. Clair died in 1865, just one day after the elder two sons returned home from the war. 
     Mr. St. Clair died on April 10, 1869 from gangrene. His arm had to be cut off after he was shot just above the elbow. Perhaps that’s a story for another time!
 
Next Week:  Is William Quantrell’s wife buried near Grain Valley?
 

​The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of July 31 - August 6,  2019.