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Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 30 days:
Essex of Grain Valley 401 Southwest Rock Creek Lane No towels at the handwashing sink. Vent in the storage room has an accumulation of dust. Dried/sticky spill in the kitchen area by the refrigerator. The handles on the tops of the drawers have accumulation of dried food debris/crumbs. Correct by 9/16/2019. Casey's General Store #2808 101 S. Buckner-Tarsney Rd. Boxes of food stored on the floor in the kitchen walk-in freezer. Ceiling vents in the kitchen area have accumulation of dust. Repeat violation. Walls and baseboards behind equipment in the kitchen area have accumulation of dried splatters/residue. Handles on the equipment in the kitchen area have accumulation of dried food/residue. Bottom shelf of the pizza condiment reach-in has accumulation of food/debris/crumbs. Bottom shelves in the cabinets below the drink station storing cups and lids has accumulation of dried spills/residue. The tray at the bottom of the bread oven has accumulation of residue build-up. Missing ceiling tile in the sandwich-making area of kitchen. Correct by 9/28/2019. Sonic Drive In 706 N. Main St. Cold potentially hazardous foods were not held at 41*F or below. Some of the foods held in the walk in cooler were as follows: Tomatoes 55*F, eggs 51*F, cheese 52*F. All out of temp foods were discarded. Re-inspection required; correct by 8/15/2019. There was a strong odor in the front near the ice cream machine. Missing tiles appeared to be holding dirty liquid that may be the source of the odor. The floor drain near the front under the soda machine was sinking into the floor and holding a large amount of liquid and debris. Correct by 10/1/19. The City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen heard, discussed, and voted on numerous resolutions and ordinances during their August 12th meeting. Resolutions passed included annual street maintenance as well as the adoption of a labor agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police and the city. The board voted unanimously to authorize the use of Jackson County’s 2019 Pavement Maintenance Phase I contract for city street maintenance. City Administrator Ryan Hunt commented to the board that the $200,000 budget for the maintenance to be done was compiled from a previous street survey index. Resolution R19-34 is to provide an edge mill and overlay to Greystone Blvd., NE Erin Ct., NE Mary Ct., NE Katie Ct., NE Kim Ct., NE Jaclyn Dr., NE Hannah Ct., NE Amanda Jean Way, and to provide patch work on NW Woodbury Dr. Hunt shared that the street work would likely be wrapped up by the end of this September. The labor agreement reached between the City of Grain Valley and its sworn officers will run from 2019 through 2021. It’s the result of four years of labor negotiation and was unanimously approved by the board as well as being adopted by the Fraternal Order of Police on August 1st. “The meat of this agreement is the discipline and grievance policy. There are two steps to the grievance policy. The first step is the Chief of Police and the second step is the City Administrator. An appeal past that would go to arbitration. It’s a good negotiated contract,” Hunt said. Chief of Police James Beale also shared his thoughts on the resolution. “In my opinion, this agreement holds both sides accountable, both officers and the chief. Officer salaries when considering our cities size and economic base is fair compared to other local municipalities. Allowing officers to bid for shift is also an important ingredient of this agreement,” Beale said. The Grain Valley Police Department was also recognized during staff reports as completing a busy and productive last few weeks. Chief Beale thanked the Board of Alderman for their participation during the recent National Night Out on August 6th at Armstrong Park. The official head count for the event was 534 people. The purpose of National Night Out is to promote crime awareness programs and work to build strong relationships between the police department and its community. Also mentioned during the staff reports was the recent Active Shooter Training that the Grain Valley Police Department provided for the Grain Valley School District. 600 teachers and staff went through the training prior to the start of the school year. Participants went through lecture and scenario based professional development in efforts to ingrain reactions and thought processes into staff. In other business, the board passed City Ordinance 2472 amending the Code of Ordinances by adopting one new title regulating medical marijuana within the city limits of Grain Valley. Alderman Nancy Totton again expressed concern during discussion about the police having to deal with this situation and was the only dissenting vote. Hunt explained that this ordinance would treat medical marijuana as a pharmaceutical and be regulated in line with the Missouri constitutional amendment. The next City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Monday, August 26th at City Hall. Police Chief James Beale reported August 12th to the Board of Aldermen on the activities conducted by the police department the past several weeks, including the National Night Out event and active shooter trainings. Beale (center, facing group) and Grain Valley Police Department staff conducted active shooter training with 600 Grain Valley Schools teachers and staff prior to the start of the school year.
Photo courtesy City of Grain Valley by John Unrein The Tampa Bay Rays were the first Major League Baseball team to use the concept of the opener on May 19, 2018. Sergio Romo was the initial opener to be used after his first 588 games came in relief according to MLB.com. The idea being that the opener allows you to push back the starter coming into the game by an inning or two. There is strategy behind this concept.
Mike Petriello, who writes for Major League Baseball, recently said “The entire point of the opener is to still use a starter, just in a different way, slightly delayed. It allows a good pitching team to line up a good reliever against the top of the opposing lineup, which should generally be three of the best hitters available. That’s part of the reason why the first inning has traditionally been the highest scoring – it’s the only inning the hitting team can guarantee who comes to the plate – and it also helps alleviate the third time through the order problem, by making it so the third time through for the pitcher who follows the opener begins with the middle of the lineup, not the top.” Kansas City Royals Manager Ned Yost is somewhat of a purist when it comes to baseball and how he manages. For example, Yost is not a fan of the defensive shifts you see infields deploy based on hitting spray charts that expose the tendencies of batters. Yost has gone on record as saying that he feels that a team should only be able to deploy two infielders on each side of second base along with requiring that each infielder have at least one foot in the dirt. Yost has explained the reasoning for his argument is that the base hit single is disappearing from the game, in his opinion. Furthermore, the Royals skipper feels that hitters have been slow to adjust their approach at the plate despite the shift. Pull hitters are refusing to go the opposite way or are attempting to the lift the ball over the shift with their swing, often with poor results. It would stand to reason that any consideration for using an opener by the Royals would need to have an argument with significant teeth. The Royals currently rank 10th in Major League Baseball (the week of 8/5) for innings pitched by starters at just over 600 innings. The team ranks 29th or next to last in opponents batting average at .272, with the opposition hitting well against the Royals in the first inning and the third time through their batting order. Kansas City has not done much better in team ERA either. The starting staff currently boasts a 5.23 Earned Run Average, good for 25th overall in Major League Baseball. The Royals do possess candidates in their bullpen who could be considered as an opener for games. They include righthanders Scott Barlow, Kyle Zimmer, and Josh Staumont along with southpaw Richard Lovelady. It would less be about their experience as major league pitchers and more about the stuff they possess in getting batters out at the beginning of games that would warrant their consideration. Having an opener pitch for one to two innings and a starter go for the next five to six innings would mean that the team may only need to use one reliever at the back end of the game. This strategy also has the potential to limit the wear and tear on bullpen arms as well, something that would be a welcome site with the number of young arms that exist behind the outfield wall. The Kansas City Royals currently sit in fourth place in the American League Central Division. They are amid another rebuilding period with an abundance of young players on their roster. Any edge that could be gained by using an opener would be a slight one. It might be one worth considering though, as wins build the confidence of young players trying to find their footing in a highly competitive game. A record breaking turnout and beautiful weather contributed to the success of the The Grain Valley Education Foundation’s 17th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, August 2nd at Adams Pointe Golf Club. 23 teams participated in this year’s tournament, the most in its history. Tournament Results: A Flight: 1st Place: (54) David Dykhouse, Ed Wells, Ryan Dykhouse, Sean Dycus 2nd Place: (57) Scott Taylor, John Maske, Seth Rodgers, Dustin Reese B Flight: 1st Place: (66) Megan Warner, Juliane Lewis, Scott Branton, John Brown 2nd Place: (67) Brad Harper, Charlie Brynac, Mark Hobson, Steve Cox C Flight: 1st Place: (73) Cathy Dowd, Matt Craig, Ken Graham, Scott Bloom 2nd Place: (74) Corey Devaul, Lou Giordano, Jim Pederson Last Place: (83) Pat Martin, Shannon Davies, Khalilah Holland, Jim Meyer Hole Contest winners included longest drive winners Steve Banks and Mindy Jacoby, putting contest winners Seth Rogers and Megan Warner, and Marc Snow with the longest putt. The event is a joint fundraiser of the Grain Valley Education Foundation, Eagle Booster Club and the GVHS Activities department. A Flight 1st Place Team: David Dykhouse, Ed Wells, Ryan Dykhouse, Sean Dycus
Photo credit: Grain Valley Education Foundation My daughter Harper is a dancer, and by default, I am a dance mom. When Harper was about 2 ½, a friend encouraged me to enroll her in dance classes. In her best Montessori pre-school teacher voice, Donna explained that dance helped with left and right brain balance and confidence. I signed on the dotted line so quickly I almost lost my own balance.
At first, it was fun to buy the frilly tutus, to shove Harper’s chubby little legs into blush pink tights, to sweep her wispy hair into a bun for class. And oh, how I laughed at her determined little face as she watched her teacher in the big studio mirror. In her first recital, Harper wore a green leotard and a bright yellow sunflower headband. She and her classmates popped up out of giant, plastic flower pots as the “farmer” watered them. Awwww, the audience said, when their little heads first popped up. The toddlers climbed out of the pots, did a few steps around the “field,” then headed back to the pots. That is when it all went wrong. Another dancer climbed into Harper’s pot. And in true toddler form, she didn’t handle it well. She stood through the next section of the dance with her hands on her hips, giving the other dancer the stink eye. When the dancemate headed back to the pots, Harper gave her a big ole forearm shivver and knocked her out of the way, so she could land safely in her own pot. The audience roared with laughter, and thankfully there were no arrests for assault. I am assuming by now that the statute of limitations on her offense has expired. My husband’s concerns that we seemed to be paying a lot of money for her to dance primarily in a circle like a peg leg pirate, and her obvious lack of rhythm, gave way to a little bit of a skill set, and the years in dance began to add up. Future recitals and then competitions took a slightly upward turn, and my dance mom fate was sealed. Currently, most of my dance mom life can be summarized by the slogans on the t-shirts I wore for the week at our most recent national competition. Day One’s Competition t-shirt said, “Dance Mom Squad.” No, we are not like the Dance Moms of TV fame with designer purses or shoes, because we spent all our money on dance, and our sweat pants sometimes have holes. Most of the moms on my squad are much better at it than I am. They have color coordinated sewing kits, healthy, balanced lunches and snacks in insulated coolers for their dancer, and incredibly positive attitudes. Some of them are former dancers, born to the dance mom life, who speak Dancinese, a complicated language containing words like tuck, lunge, prep, turnout, combination, leap, and bound. They memorize the order of dances, organize the costume on their hanging racks, and carry Command hooks with them for backstage quick changes. One mom has something that looks like a coal miner’s lamp, which she straps around her forehead and which allows her to see in the dark backstage. She is nothing short of a dance ninja, and I’m jealous.. I, on the other hand, have in a Ziploc sandwich bag with holes, a variety of pins, paper clips, a stapler (not kidding), double sided carpet tape, and a glue gun, all of which came from my kitchen junk drawer, to hold Harper’s costumes together. So far she has not had any Janet Jackson Super Bowl mishaps, so I will stick with my “janky” tools. For sustenance, I usually grab a can of Diet Dr. Pepper that I let Harper share for a caffeine boost, and I don’t worry about a breakfast or lunch with fiber, as I figure she’s ingested enough loose costume sequins that she will stay regular throughout the day. On a scale of 1 to 10 for dance moms, I am a solid five with extensive room for improvement. Day Two’s Competition t-shirt said, “I Can’t—My Daughter has Dance.” That summarizes our lives for about the last three years. I have missed happy hours, baby showers, planting flowers, and sometimes a personal shower, all due to dance. Would I like to go for a Girls’ Weekend? Yes, can you schedule that for about five years from now? I have to admit that we have used dance as an excuse from time to time as well. I have been conveniently unable to provide garage sale help, make an airport run for a friend, and work as a debate tournament judge. I have yet to cross the line of using dance as an excuse to miss a funeral or wedding. I do have a small remnant of a conscience left. Day Three’s Competition t-shirt said, “I got 99 bobby pins, and I Can’t Find One #dancemom.” Dance hair and makeup is a science. I can name by brand and identify by shade 7 of 10 red lipsticks with just a glance. I stock up on hair products, and I even ordered a package of grandma-like hair nets to corral Harper’s hair into a smooth bun. CVS greets me like they used to greet Norm on Cheers. I help them make monthly sales goals with purchases of packs of bobby pins, only to be one short when I need it. I have watched moms use accessories that look like kitchen scrubbers, old tube socks, and something I am pretty sure came from an auto parts store to create a hairdo to last all day. They ambidextrously apply mascara, carry on full blown conversations with bobby pins in their mouths, and stab relentlessly at the backs of their daughter’s heads to create a secure hold. Spritz, squirt, pin, swish, squirt, spritz. Harper’s long, thick, auburn hair most closely resembles a full grown draft horse’s mane, and after one particularly brutal session wrestling with her hair, I knew she would run away from home if I ever tried again. Luckily a friend stepped up, and now I go get coffee for Heidi while she performs her dance bun miracles. Shampooing and make up removal following a performance are best done at a car wash. Just so you know I am not completely feeble, I have actually earned a rep for being able to apply eye-liner that has an almost Asian flare to it. Not exactly something I can add to my resume, but handy at competition time. Day Four’s Competition t-shirt said, “Never Dreamed I’d be a Cool Dance Mom, But Here I am Rockin’ It,” and some days I actually think I am. Just this week I correctly referred to a ballet position and did not endure Harper’s wrath when I mispronounced some French word. I remembered to wash her favorite of the five identical black leotards so she could wear it to pointe class, and I got a parking spot closest to the studio door, so when she dragged her exhausted body out, I was right there. I no longer gag at the smell of the costumes after the second or third wear, and I have learned to check Harper’s bag for leftover snacks which grow science-experiment-like mold. I have made friends with Danette, the sweet lady at the dance supply store, who calls to tell me when tights are going on clearance so I don’t have to take money from my 401K to buy them, and who talks about how to treat a dancer’s foot callouses with me. Danette also shared with me an old dry-cleaner’s trick of diluted vodka sprayed into costume underarms to keep away odors. I plan to try that with PART of the next 5th of vodka I purchase. Any dance mom who says she doesn’t drink is a liar. And I have adjusted our lifestyle to fit dance storage needs. Despite modern home trends, I have maintained a guest bedroom, not because we have guests (we can’t, we are always at dance), but to serve as a costume storage-sewing-staging area. As if women don’t have enough trouble with our overstuffed closets--where we keep clothes that are our current size, one size before our current size, the size we were when we met our spouse, along with a couple of outfits for the dream date or party or cruise we have planned from browsing Pinterest--now we have to find a place for costumes to live. Problem solved if we never make any out of town friends who need to spend the night. Day Five’s Competition t-shirt said, “Not the Dancer, Just the Financier,” and Lord knows, we have dropped some bank on this dance stuff. Among the things I did not own a few years back are a special rolling duffle bag with a pop up clothing rack, a battery operated fan for hot days in the dressing room, a squatter’s camping stool, special felted costume hangers, a hand held steamer, and sample sizes of everything from baby powder to Superglue. For the cost of a typical community college education or a compact car, we have kept Harper in dance shoes. Seems silly to just have tan jazz shoes when you could also have black ones. Clearly tap shoes with cork inserts are superior, as the tone they make on the floor is so much sharper (read annoyingly loud). Pointe ballet shoes, which as far as I can tell are specially made to smoosh Harper’s toes together and break off her toenails for a feral child look, help create beautiful dancer lines and a classic ballerina style. They cost so much that I literally thought the clerk had added an extra zero when we bought her first pair. I suppose when Harper is done with dance, I will miss the constant movement of her feet under the dinner table as she memorizes steps during choreography season, her unabashed twirls and combinations down enticingly open grocery store aisles, the smile on her face when she sticks a turn, and late night bobby pin runs. I’ll let you know. Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer. by Wayne Geiger I became keenly aware of intense poverty at about the age of seven. My tutor was my wise mother. My classroom was the dinner table. I don’t remember what the meat and starch were, but I remember the vegetable: lima beans.
My mother had drawn a firm line in the sand. On one side, there were the lima beans on my plate. On the other side, my fork and close-lipped mouth. Her ultimate goal was for me to put those lima beans in my mouth. I was adamantly opposed to the very thought. It’s not that I had never tried them. I had. I vehemently hated lima beans and found them utterly disgusting! In the past, attempting to avoid eating them, I had tried to hide them under my plate, wrap them in my napkin, or give them to the dog. My mother, who would have been well-suited to serve as a detective, dismantled every secretive plot I concocted. In a moment of frustration, I pleaded, “But why do I have to eat my lima beans?” She looked at me sternly and yet with pity and said, “Because there are starving children in China.” The idea of starving children in China was a new revelation to me. I didn’t know where China was, much less that there were starving children there. In fact, I didn’t know what starving was. We were not rich, but we always had food to eat. But, somehow, even in the days before the Internet, my mother had this inside information. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand how me eating my lima beans would keep anyone from starving. In fact, I came to the conclusion that my eating my lima beans was only contributing to the problem. Starving children in China were hungry. I did not want my lima beans. Two wires in my brain connected and there was a brief spark. I thought to myself, “We could put my lima beans in an envelope and mail them to the starving children in China! I was only seven, and yet I had solved world hunger. As an adult, I realize that the issue of poverty is a real and complicated issue. But, I’m not sure the issue is always a lack of resources. I attended an event a couple weeks ago that included a great buffet. All you can eat—and there was plenty of it. The question was not “Is there enough?” but rather, “Should I get a piece of pecan, chocolate, or coconut cream pie—or perhaps a sliver of each?” At the end of the meal, all of us were stuffed and I watched, as folks, just like me, scraped the leftover food into the garbage can. Please don’t misunderstand. Having enough to eat should not make us feel guilty. Instead, it should make us feel thankful. We should remember how incredibly blessed we are. We should eat heartedly and give thanks passionately. And, we should also share strategically and lovingly. The Bible says we should, “be ready to share” with others in need (1 Tim 6:17-18). Poverty is all around us. Sometimes, it’s just hard to see. Even in our community, there are children and families who struggle to survive. There greatest priority is finding enough food to eat or the resources to take care of their basic needs. If you get a chance, read a book by Matthew Desmond called, Poverty and Profit in the American City. It’s an eye-opener and provides great insight into the plight of poverty. One of the things Desmond illustrated was the difference in the way the social classes perceive food. I’m paraphrasing here, but he noted that the lower class worries about the quantity of food—did you have enough to eat? The middle class worries about the quality of food—or did you enjoy it? The upper class is concerned with the plating and presentation of the food—did the meal delight you? For me, I look in the fridge and there’s nothing in there to eat. But, don’t feel sorry for me. It’s not empty. In fact, there’s lots of food in there. It’s just stuff that I don’t want. I, probably like you, am a middle-class kind of guy. Like you, I do want to help people, but often just don’t know where to look. Thankfully, we are blessed in our community with an organization known as, Bright Futures Grain Valley. Bright Futures is defined as, “A Grain Valley community network of schools, churches, businesses, civic organizations and residents, working together to respond to the basic needs of children in Grain Valley.” In short, as an organization, Bright Futures is not “a them.” Bright Futures “is us.” They are our students, our neighbors, our future, and our responsibility. Getting plugged into Bright Futures is simple. For one, from time to time, requests are sent out to the community through the Facebook page, BrightFuturesGV. At times, a student will need clothing or personal items or a family will need furniture, etc. It’s always a delight to see the community respond quickly with love and concern. The Facebook page is open to anyone who wants to connect. Once you like the page, look under the “following” tab make sure to check, “see first” so you will always see the update. You may also choose to serve as a “lunch buddy.” The Lunch Buddy program strategically partners adults in the community with a child in the school system that needs a little extra love. It will cost you your lunch and about a half-hour a week. Oh, it will also require a piece of your heart. There are many other ways to get involved through one-time or ongoing financial gifts, gifts-in-kind, and sponsorships. In closing, I remember hearing a great story years ago of a man walking on the beach. In the distance, he saw a little boy running back and forth near the shore throwing something into the water. Intrigued, he walked in the direction of the boy and noticed hundreds and hundreds of starfish washed up on the beach as far as he could see. The boy, knowing the starfish would die, was franticly grabbing them one at a time and tossing them into deeper water. The man was intrigued and confused and asked the boy, “Son, why bother? Look at how many starfish there are. You’re only one little boy. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The boy picked up a starfish and looked the man in the eye saying, “It makes all the difference in the world to this one.” To solve world hunger, sticking our undesirable lima beans into an envelope and sending them off to China is probably not the best plan. And, maybe we can’t help everybody, everywhere. But, through Bright Futures, we can make a difference in the life of a child, a family, and ultimately, our community. 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. Patriot Firearms Solutions, 201 N. Main Street, recently moved to Grain Valley after three years in the Independence area. Robert Fjeld, Don Kaufmann, and Richard Snyder own the business and focus on customization, personalized service, and safety training. Despite the popularity of online gun sales, Snyder explains the benefit of shopping with a brick and mortar store. “Someone who goes to the range and shoots 10,000 rounds a month is going to need something different than someone who has never shot a gun before and is uncomfortable with firearms. When people come in, we walk them through the process, and help them find a product that is customized to their needs,” Snyder said. For those who are new to firearms and considering purchasing a weapon, Fjeld says the first step is to take a class from a certified trainer. “Take a CCW class. It will give you every fundamental you need to know. You will work with a certified trainer who will instruct you how to safely carry and fire a weapon,” Fjeld said. Patriot Firearms Solutions offers concealed carry (CCW) training monthly in Grain Valley. Fjeld and Kauffman are both veterans and the shop carries numerous veteran owned brands, including Black Rifle Coffee and General’s Hot Sauce. The store also carries bait for fishing enthusiasts. Laser engraving of firearms and items for businesses and events is a large part of Patriot’s business, and they specialize in creating one of a kind items for customers. A grand opening event, including a ribbon cutting, games for kids, visits with vendors, and drawings, is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th beginning at Noon. Above: Patriot Firearms Solutions specializes in custom laser engraving of firearms and a variety of specialty items for businesses and events.
Photo credit: Valley News staff by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society In my primary years, Dillingham was merely a country road on my school bus route. From Buckner Tarsney Road the bus went west on Duncan to a crossroad. Rust Road went south and Dillingham Road went north.
In 1952, I only recall one large farmhouse located on the east side of Dillingham before we reached Pink Hill Road. The bus stopped there to pick up the Turner children before proceeding across Pink Hill to pick up a classmate, Leona Lunceford. Long-time residents referred to their farm as “the old Dillingham place.” Later the John Hontz family lived there. I only remember one other house along the road before we reached Argo Road and turned west again. The road continued another half mile or so and ended at Truman Road. Vachel (1777-1840) and Elizabeth (1780-1856) Dillingham came to Layfette County, Missouri from Kentucky in early 1800s. Two of their nine children were Vachel Morgan and John Keith Dillingham. On February 15, 1851 40 acres of land was registered by Vachel on the North East quarter of the North West quarter of section 22 and John on the South West quarter of the South West quarter of Section 9 in Township 49N, Range 30 W. Vachel (1828-1863) married Nancy Gibson (1828-1881) in Jackson County on March 11, 1847. They had seven children; two sons and five daughters. Vachel was killed in the Civil War in 1863 and buried in Texas. From various United States Census entries, I believe Nancy lived on the farm until her death in 1881. She is buried in the Slaughter Cemetery. John Keith (1824-1858) married Martha Ann Koger in Jackson County on April 12, 1849. They had one son, William Keith. As stated, John purchased land in 1851 but a few years later he moved his family to Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California, where he died in 1858. His wife remarried and she and their son remained in California. His land was purchased by his nephew, Silas Dillingham. The 1904 Jackson County Missouri Heritage Map shows the name, S V Dillingham on four pieces of land totaling 302 acres along Dillingham Road. Silas (1854-1927) was the fourth child born to Vachel and Nancy Dillingham. When the map was printed, he owned his father’s original 40 acres (today the southeast corner of Dillingham and Pink Hill Road). He also owned his Uncle John’s original 40 acres plus 40 more north of Argo Road. And he had purchased two more farms long Dillingham; 40 acres on the west side near Argo Road, and 142 acres which began on the northeast corner of Dillingham and Pink Hill and continue north. Further genealogical research indicates his brother, John W. Dillingham (1853-1916) purchased 70 acres on nearby Slaughter Road. Silas and his wife, Julia Daniel Dillingham are buried in the Oakland Cemetery. They had three children, but two died as infants. The one surviving daughter Mary Elizabeth (1902 -1992) remained single. She worked at the Smithsonian in Washington, D. C. most of her life. Mary is also buried at Oakland Cemetery. There were many Dillingham relations in the Blue Springs and Independence area. I have been unable to determine if any of them ever lived on any of the farms, when the farms were sold or to whom they were sold. I have reached out to three individuals on Ancestry that have Vachel Dillingham on their family tree. I’ll let you know if I learn anything about their family. Leaders from the recently formed Students Demand Action Grain Valley chapter attended Gun Sense University training in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. Students Demand Action is affiliated with the national Moms Demand Action organization. Grain Valley High School (GVHS) student Shaley Harper is the President of the new chapter in Grain Valley. “I decided to start this chapter because gun violence is an issue that I'm very passionate about. Emma Howell is our Vice President, and she also attended GSU with me. Addy Blackmore is our Secretary and Liberty Rogers is our Treasurer. Our Advisor at GVHS is Mrs. Dealy,” Harper said. “At GSU (Gun Sense University) Emma and I were able to meet student leaders like ourselves from across the nation. We were also connected with several Moms Demand Action leaders. Emma and I attended different classes so that we could gain as much new information as possible and afterwards we came together with what we had learned,” Harper said. The Grain Valley chapter plans to host a Voter Registration Drive at GVHS, attend school board meetings as a group, and work to educate their peers on gun violence. Harper and Howell were in D.C. with thousands of other members of Mothers Demand Action and Students Demand Action while the nation experienced back-to-back mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.. “Experiencing two mass shootings while at GSU was really heartbreaking. As the El Paso shooting started, all 2000 of us were in the ballroom having lunch. A lady come to the microphone to tell us what was currently happening. The entire room went cold and silent. All of the leaders from Texas were devastated, and they all left the ballroom so they could spend some time together alone. It was really scary in that moment, especially for them, because the shooting was still active. They were all trying to make sure their families were safe,” Harper said. “When the shooting in Dayton, Ohio happened, it was a different experience. We weren't all in the same room when it happened, so many of us learned about the shooting on our own. Sunday afternoon, Emma and I met a Moms Demand Action leader from Dayton. She and her family were unable to get ahold of her brother-in-law since the shooting had happened. Seeing the fear in her eyes was soul-shattering.” For more information on Moms Demand Action the Students Demand Action, visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Left to right: Shaley Harper, President of the Students Demand Action Grain Valley chapter, Emma Howell, Vice President. Harper and Howell attended Gun Sense University in Washington DC the first week of August. Photo courtesy: Shaley Harper. Despite repeated construction delays due to heavy rains this spring, the Temp Stop planned for the southeast corner of the 1-70 interchange is prepping for a fall opening. According to Terry Green with Temp-Stop LLC, construction is moving along well and a November 2019 opening is planned. The company is in the process of hiring 25 employees for the Grain Valley location. Interested applicants may apply online at www.tempstop.com. The new station will include 16 fueling lanes in front of the building and a separate canopy with 4 fueling lanes behind the building for RVs and light duty pickup trucks with trailers. The existing billboard at the north end of the property will remain. The convenience store will include a walk in beer cooler, convenience items, and two restaurants, Champs Chicken and BluTaco. The parent company for both restaurants, PFS Brands, is headquartered in mid-Missouri. Champs Chicken is a quick-service fried chicken restaurant. BluTaco is a quick service restaurant featuring tacos, burritos, and other southwest inspired fare. Temp Stop site plan courtesy of Temp Stop LLC
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