​     High school student athletes and coaches eager to begin the fall season had their wish granted following a unanimous vote by the Suburban Conference to proceed with fall sports.
     The Suburban Conference, consisting of 27 member schools,  voted to allow fall sports to continue.  Boys soccer, girls softball, cross country, girls golf, girls tennis, girls volleyball, boys swimming and diving, and football will be able to begin the season as planned, albeit with a number of COVID-19 related restrictions.
     The decision goes going against the advice of local health departments, including Jackson County Health Department, that recommended schools and activities not begin prior to Labor Day.
     The Friday night football experience in Grain Valley will be quite a bit different this year, with only two guest tickets granted per player, no band, and no student section.
     Other sports face reduced or eliminated spectators, and all sports will continue to practice social distancing and wearing of masks when not actively engaged in physical activity.
     In a parent meeting held via Zoom prior to the Suburban Conference vote, Grain Valley High School Athletic Director Brandon Hart emphasized to parents that flexibility and patience will be key as schools navigate holding activities during a pandemic.
     “If there’s anything I’ve learned throughout this experience, is that we have to be able to adapt and overcome. We have to be flexible,” Hart said.
     Hart also emphasized the need for parents to be a part of helping to mitigate community spread of the virus to ensure activities can continue. Any student athletes coming in direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days, potentially impacting the ability of team sports to continue.
     “We are trying to provide the safest possible environment for your student. At the end of the day, we are really are going to depend on parents to keep our kids away from the virus as best as possible.”
    “The season rests on your shoulders as much, if not more, than the kids. Help us try to limit your kids exposure outside of school. The more opportunities we can keep them from being around a positive COVID-19 case, the better off we are going to be.”
     Reached for comment following the vote, Hart expressed his excitement that students would be able to proceed with competing this fall.
     “Grain Valley is excited to proceed with fall sports.  I feel proud to live and work in a community that recognizes the benefits of participating in high school. High school athletics have a way of promoting a sense of community, and it teaches our kids values that cannot be taught in a traditional setting.  We have learned a lot over the past 5 months, and I am confident we are taking the necessary precautions to keep our students safe and limit risks.  Through mitigation, I strongly believe the benefits of participation outweigh the risks,” Hart said.
     Grain Valley Eagles football heads to Smithville Friday, August 28th and softball is set to host a tournament on Friday at Grain Valley High School.
     For the most current schedule of fall events, visit the Grain Valley High School Activities page at http://gvshs.ss14.sharpschool.com/activities .


(Edited 8/28/2020 to add girls volleyball as one of listed fall sports.)

     The Board of Aldermen met virtually by video conference for their August 24th meeting. The Board approved three resolutions in a brief meeting. The Board met virtually while City Hall makes changes to the Council Chambers to allow for proper physical distancing in the space.
     “We are working to put precautionary COVID-19 safety measures in place inside the Council Chambers so we can, whenever possible, continue to meet in person during the duration of the pandemic,” Sara Nadeau, Public Information Officer for the City of Grain Valley said.                    
     The measures were not completed by the August 24th meeting, so the meeting was held virtually.
     The Board approved a resolution adopting an updated employee handbook and a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Tyler Technologies for MyCivic 311 citizen engagement mobile application and cloud computing services.
     The Board also approved a resolution authorizing the sale of bonds for the refunding of the Series 2011 General Obligation Bonds maturing in 2022 and beyond.
     Community Development Director Mark Trosen and his staff received acknowledgements Alderman Headley for addressing a safety issue at a four-way stop in the Woodbury subdivision. Alderman Cleaver  asked Trosen to look at the road markings at Sni-A-Bar and AA, as Cleaver has heard concerns from constituents regarding the lack of lane markings in that area.
     The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen is a workshop scheduled for Monday, August 31st at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers at Grain Valley City Hall.
 

     Last week, I went to the Blue Springs Cemetery to take a picture for my sister-in-law. My usual route is 40 Highway to Cemetery Road. I turn in at the back, take the first road to my right, and park a few feet from our family plot.
     Last week, I was on I-70 so I approached from the west.  Not accustomed to going that way, I turned into the second entrance, not the third. I parked on the road near gravestones with familiar names; Bumgardner, Doty, Richard, Stephenson — all well known to me.
     I got out of the car and headed to the Napier plot, separated from those familiar names by a row of Russell tombstones. I tell you this because I have been going to that cemetery at least twice a year for the last 70 years and I’ve never noticed the grave of one Caryl Russell.
     Although I had seen his name on the Honor Roll sign and probably his photo in an old Grain Valley Yearbook, it gave me a strange feeling now that I had a “real person” to connect with the name. 
     Although Caryl was born in Grain Valley in 1908, the family does not appear to have a real connection to our town. He was a member of my Aunt Opal’s graduation class. Caryl, the oldest of seven children, was killed in France on June 10, 1944. I wonder which Normandy beach he landed on: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno or Sword?
     Caryl’s  mother died in 1929 and his youngest brother was killed in a hunting accident in 1944. The remaining family members moved to California after WW II.
     Willard Johnson was born on August 31, 1914 and was a 1936 graduate of Grain Valley High School. Merchant Seaman Johnson was killed when the SS Yankee Arrow struck a mine near Bizerte, Tunisia. A Liberty Ship was named for him and launched Feb. 21, 1945. This information was taken from the Odessan Newspaper dated 24 May 2012. Tunisia and Malta are about 175 miles apart.
     It appears that Seaman Johnson was injured near Tunisia and then died on Malta on August 11, 1943.  His body may be buried in this cemetery or this may be a memorial marker and there is not a body here. U.S.M.M. stands for United States Merchant Marine.
     "He was originally laid to rest at Capuccini (locally known as Kalkara) Naval Cemetery, Malta, on the 12th of August 1943. About October 1945 he was repatriated along with many others to the USA on a U.S. airplane." 
     Robert M. Jenkins was born in 1922.  After graduating from Grain Valley High School in 1940 he joined the U. S. Air Force. He was a Staff Sergeant and Gunner aboard a B-24D Bomber when his plane went down over Manila on February 19, 1943. There is a memorial to Sgt. Jenkins at the American Cemetery of Manila.  His family relocated to El Dorado Springs, Missouri in 1945.
     The final local boy with a “star” was Dale Franklin Stumpp. Dale was born on March 12, 1921. His family lived northeast of town, but had an Oak Grove address. He attended elementary school in the one-room school house at Pink Hill, but he graduated from Grain Valley High School in 1940. His older sister, Dorothy (Mrs. Robert Wolfe) was already teaching at the Grain Valley Elementary School. He also had a younger sister, Elouise (Mrs. Keith Shrout) who was a freshman..
     Dale was part of the Army infantry fighting in India when he lost his life on August 10, 1944. His memorial is at the Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
     The names of both of his brothers-in-law appeared on the Honor Rolls. Next week, learn about the remaining sets of brothers who served in World War II.        
 

​     The memory of a week three 29-40 loss against the visiting Smithville Warriors last season has not faded for coaches or players on the Grain Valley Eagles Football team. It has helped maintain concentration and been a motivator in an offseason filled with a global pandemic and uncertainty. The entire program will be focused on redemption when they head to Smithville on Friday, August 28th.
     The season opener in football typically comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes and plays more physical. Eagles Head Football Coach David Allie is confident in his team’s level of readiness as they approach kickoff for the 2020 season.
     “We had as good of summer as we could’ve had. Luckily, we didn’t have anybody shutdown because of COVID-19. We had a really good July as a program and feel we are ahead of where we were this time last year,” Allie said.
     “You also have to factor in the anxiety kids are feeling because they don’t know if or when their season will be taken away. We have to finish this week of practice continuing to work hard and we are excited we get to play Friday.”
     “We are limiting our errors and have a positive attitude. We have gotten more done and feel more prepared then we have ever been. I feel good about where we are at and we are ready to go.”
     Allie concluded, “Last year when we played Smithville, we had a lot of unforced errors. Footballs are oblong and they bounce funny. This team is focused, and we are ready to make our own luck.”
     Eagles football practice on Tuesday, August 25th offered insight into things the team has been diligently working on. A roster that boasts 97 players braved the afternoon heat and humidity. The beginning of practice witnessed Grain Valley focused special teams as they worked on punt coverage and not outrunning the punt.
     Offensively, senior quarterback Cole Keller was poised reading things at the line of scrimmage and calling an audible to get his team in the correct play based on the defensive front presented. Keller continues to show no ill effects of last season’s knee injury. This was emphasized by Keller running downhill with speed and showing good decision making on option runs for the Eagles offense.
     Defensively, practice highlights included the defensive line sniffing out a screen to a wing crossing the formation after the snap. Senior defensive tackle Quincy Jones was able to be disruptive in the offensive backfield on several plays by getting off the ball quickly at the snap and playing his technique with leverage. Grain Valley Defensive Coordinator Pete Carpino also emphasized trust between the defensive line and linebackers when handling their option responsibilities defensively.
     Senior linebackers Shane Duckworth and Hunter Newsom offered their thoughts on keys to success heading into Friday’s game against Smithville.
     “Shane has a big heart and always gives an honest effort. We love him to death. We are ready to bring it this Friday. We have been working since June for this moment,” Newsom said.
     “We are going to let it all hang out on the field. Nothing is given to you, especially not knowing if we will get to play a full season’s schedule. Aligning against their fronts correctly and flying to the football will be the difference makers for us.”
     Duckworth added, “This black shirt defense has a wolf pack mentality. We always rally to the football. I offer my teammates verbal encouragement, like saying ‘Let’s go’ and they always have my back if I make a mistake or when I’m at my lowest. I love football.”
     Keller and fellow senior Jacob Macahan, who plays wide receiver for the Eagles are also brimming with confidence as the beginning of the 2020 football season draws closer.
     “My knee feels great and I’m playing without a brace. I don’t even think about it anymore. I am comfortable doing everything I need to do physically,” Keller said.
     “Running the option gives me the ability to show all my strengths. Option football also distributes the football well to my teammates and puts pressure on the defense. The athletes we have makes it fun to have option football part of this offense.”
     Macahan agrees, “This is my senior year and the last chance to show what I’m about. I want to do well for my coaches and teammates. I love running deep routes, blocking when we run option, and getting the ball in space in this offense.”
 

     When we use the term “common courtesy,” we generally refer to what some people call social norms, manners, or social etiquette. I realize that scores of information have been written over hundreds, and even thousands, of years.
    Most of what we know about common courtesy came from our parents who taught us to chew with our mouth closed, wait your turn, say please and thank you, open the door for others, etc. I still remember my mother being horrified when, at a restaurant, one of us kids said, “hey lady, you forgot my fork.” It was a good opportunity for a discussion on social etiquette.
     I put a request out on social media recently to ask if people thought common courtesy has been diminishing. Although it was an unscientific poll, most said yes and identified several areas of concern.
     The poll revealed exactly what I believed to be true. In addition to the disappearance of social etiquette, I’ve noticed the disintegration of simple respect or what we might just define as “just being a decent human being.” I’ve noticed these traits evaporating over the years, but so much more so now in the midst of a pandemic and election year.
     As Americans, we are part of the United States of America. Although we are united as states, it is no secret that Americans are divided on a multitude of issues. All of them are critically important. Many of them conjure up deep emotion and tension. The basic problem is egocentrism. All of us think a certain way and we believe we’re right.
     Because we think we’re right we believe that the world would be a better place if everyone just thought like us. Makes sense. Then, we adamantly attempt to convince others to see the error of their ways and to agree with us. The problem was that philosophy is that we all have deep-seeded beliefs.
     For example, in true transparency, my social beliefs are guided by my faith in God. From my perspective, I believe in right and wrong. I believe in moral absolutes. I believe in the Judeo/Christian foundation of morality. However, I know that not everyone believes that way.
     Other people reject a belief in God and prefer a humanistic view. Their belief system is based upon a different set of values. These values are often good values, but from my perspective, they are not always biblical values. Invariably, this leads to possible tension and potential conflict.
     As a pastor and student of the Bible, I am convinced that the Bible has all the answers. It doesn’t have the answers to all the questions I have, but it has all the answers to the questions that I need to know.
     One of the foundational truths in the Bible is that all humans are created in the image of God. We all have value. That doesn’t mean that everyone created in the image of God will believe in Him or submit to His will, but it does mean that, at the core of their existence, they have tremendous value. In fact, people have so much value that God sent His one and only Son to die upon a cross. He thought we were worth it.
     Thus, for me, common courtesy has a biblical foundation. Not only does the Bible reveal that we all have value, but it also reveals a proper understanding of how followers of Jesus should act toward all people. Followers of Christ are to love, honor, and serve others.
     Jesus taught and modeled this truth. For example, on one occasion he said if you are invited to a prestigious party, don’t be a braggard and be puffed up and full of yourself wanting to be honored by others (a contemporary paraphrase from Luke 14:7-11). Jesus also modeled this truth. The Bible says he came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). As God in the flesh, He became human and humbled Himself by dying upon a cross (Phil 2:8).
     Perhaps a great summary statement would be when Jesus said, “do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). Notice He did not say, do “as” they do to you. This often leads to retaliation. He preferred a more proactive approach and “do to others as you would have them do to you.” Figuring this out is not overly complicated. We often make statements about ourselves like, “I wish somebody would…” or “How come nobody ever…?” When we make statements like these, it is probably safe to say that, oftentimes, other people are feeling what we are feeling. Rather than wanting to receive, we need to be willing to give.
     For example, when we’re sitting in stop and go traffic, perhaps on I-70, for some reason it’s often very difficult to let people merge in. We feel like it’s unfair. We’ve been waiting our turn and minding our own business, but now, some stranger wants to butt in. They don’t deserve it. What’s worse, the guy in front of us didn’t let anyone in which means two people might try to squeeze in front of us! So unfair.
     You’ve been there, right? You see their blinker and yet you get as close to the car in front of you as you can. You also don’t make eye contact, but pretend you don’t see them or worse, you give them the “how dare you look”. If you think about it, it’s really such a small thing. Yet, we grow tense and feel violated.
     The “do unto others” principle just means that we, at times, are “those people” who try to merge in. When we’re the mergers, we’re just as tired and running just as late. We’re frustrated when we realize we have to merge and just want to get home like everybody else. Being a descent person just means that we extend basic kindness to the people around us—even if they don’t understand the basic concept of the zipper merge.
     One of the biggest issues I’ve noticed does not have to do with face-to-face interaction, but with social media. Have you noticed how mean and cruel some people can be on social media? Social scientists have used the phrase “disinhibition effect” to describe the difference between the way we communicate face-to-face and the way we communicate online. There is a huge difference. Oftentimes, people “say” things online that they would never say to another person’s face.
     If you’re on social media, you’ve seen all the election propaganda. You probably have family and friends who do not agree with you and you’ve wondered, “How can that person believe that kind of garbage?”
     The truth be known, they’re thinking the same thing about you. It’s inevitable. We will disagree. And truth be known, you’re not changing my mind no matter how many bumper stickers you put on your car or how many posts you put on social media. It’s not that I don’t understand your point or philosophy. I understand. I just don’t agree.
     However, my disagreeing with you doesn’t mean that I can’t respect you as a person and treat you as a human being. Just like me, you were created in the image of God. My ultimate goal, and I often fall far short, is to display the love and kindness of Jesus to people who don’t agree with me and possibly don’t like me. I won’t change my philosophy or my mind, but I can choose how to respond and “speak truth in love” (Eph 4:15).
     Jesus, the ultimate role model, when on the cross, loved those who drove the nails saying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” We may not agree, but can’t we still be civil, kind, and respectful? We all are, after all, human and, therefore, family. We all are created in the image of God.
 
Dr. Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.
 
 
 

     The COVID-19 fog, as I refer to it, still refuses to lift making it difficult to see what is in front of us, to see into the future. Who knew that kids going back to school could be so stressful and controversial as parents grapple with making choices on what they think is best for their children?
     Many families in our community are continuing to experience unemployment for the first time and now that the enhanced support from the federal government has expired, these families will be facing a financial crisis as they decide to pay the mortgage/rent, pay utilities or buy food for their children.
     As of August 25, the State of Missouri website reads “Missouri is assessing the President’s August 8, 2020 Executive Order regarding additional unemployment benefits... and our unemployment agents are not able to provide any additional information at this time.” I hope the U.S. House and Senate can come together to provide extended relief even though that looks more challenging as each day passes. While Wall Street is reaching new highs, Main Street is still suffering.
     The talk around recovering from the recession has some economists referring to a K recovery versus a V or U. The top part of the K, the incline, is what those fortunate to still have jobs are experiencing with many working remotely. The lower part of the K is the continued downturn, reflecting the experience of those still unemployed. It feels to me that Wall Street as well as our government is fiddling while Main Street burns.
     There is some good news. We have nonprofit organizations on the front lines that are helping people who are trying to navigate the process to find the essentials for survival that many of us take for granted. Now is clearly a crucial time for our community to come together, support each other and for those who are able, to support nonprofits in our community assisting our neighbors. Our nonprofit organizations play an important role in bringing us together and creating community. Let’s not let this pandemic tear us apart.
     In March, your Community Foundation created a new resource on our website “Nonprofits Responding to Community Needs and COVID-19”. We received a strong response from our fundholders and awarded grants over $240,000 in direct response to the pandemic. We encourage our fundholders to make another round of grants to these organizations. That resource on our website is as relevant today as it was in March as it provides information on how nonprofits are navigating and assisting the community during this continuing crisis. 
     Time and time again our nonprofit organizations have found innovative ways to continue to meet the needs of those they serve by overcoming the challenges of delivering client services during the pandemic. Many of these organizations are doing this even though they have decreased revenue because of cancelled fundraising events.
     In March, the Community Foundation’s Board and staff decided to accelerate our support of nonprofits by adjusting the timeline for our annual competitive grants program. In the months that followed, we worked with members of our four community Advisory Boards and students in our Youth Advisory Council to review more than $892,000 in grant requests. A process that normally spans the summer was completed in half the time. By fast-tracking the review process, we were able to award grant checks in July instead of the usual November.
     I am pleased to share that Truman Heartland awarded $310,810 in grants to 48 nonprofits serving Eastern Jackson County and the surrounding communities through the 2020 competitive grants program. This includes $48,600 in contributions from partners, like our Youth Advisory Council, the Junior Service League of Independence and multiple donor advised fundholders. Visit www.thcf.org to learn more about this year’s competitive grants recipients.
     As I stated its unclear whether our federal government will work together to provide extended relief, but if you can, I encourage you to continue to support your favorite charities and consider making a gift to nonprofits that are providing relief and recovery support to those most in need during this crisis.
     This year has brought many challenges, but it has also shown the compassion and resiliency of our community. As we move into fall, it is still important that we work together to stay healthy and to focus on ways to strengthen our community now and for the future. 
 
Phil Hanson is the President and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through cooperation with community members and donors. THCF serves the region with assets of more than $50 million and annual grants surpassing $4.8 million. For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call Truman Heartland at 816.836.8189.
 

     Jackson County Health Department is offering additional back-to-school immunization clinics. A clinic will be held Monday, September 14th—Friday, September 18th for any student in eastern Jackson County at the Jackson County Health Department, 313 S. Liberty ST, Independence.
     In addition, the health department is hosting two immunization clinics for students entering 8th and 12th grades and for incoming Kindergarteners. The City House Back-to-School Immunization Clinic, located at 14300 E US Highway 40, Independence, will serve any 8th or 12th grade students in eastern Jackson County from August 24th—September 11th.
     The Kindergarten Immunization Clinic will be held at the Jackson County Health Department, 313 S. Liberty ST, Independence, Tuesday—Fridays from August 25th—September 11th. The clinic is open to any kindergarten student attending a school in eastern Jackson County, students behind on their shots, and foreign exchange students. To register for either clinic, visit www.jacohd.org.
     Clinical services are planned to resume on September 21st. Services include immunizations, including travel immunizations, immunization exemptions, TB tests, and flu shots. No appointments are needed for TB tests or immunization exemptions. For appointments for all other services, visit www.jacohd.org.
     The clinic will also provide STI tests and treatments, as well as physicals. Call 816-404-6456 to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment.
 

​The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of August 12-18, 2020.
 

     With record numbers of voters expected to take advantage of absentee or mail-in ballots for the November 3rd general election, voters are encouraged to request mail-in or absentee ballots as soon as possible and return them well before Election Day.
     Corey Dillon, Director, Jackson County Election Board said high turnout is expected for the November election as well as a record number of requests for  absentee ballot and mail-in ballots. 
     Missouri does not usually offer mail-in voting, but an exception was made for the August primary and November general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     “If absentee or mail-in voting is what a voter expects to do, it is best to get the application to us as soon as possible.  Once we mail ballots out around September 22nd, voters will need to return the ballots to us as quickly as possible.  Don’t wait until the last minute,” Dillon said.
     “We have received hundreds of absentee and mail-in ballot requests for the November election..”
     Every registered voter is eligible to request a mail-in ballot for the November election. To apply, voters must complete an application for a mail-in ballot. The application can be found on the Jackson County Election Board’s website, www.jcebmo.org.
     Completed applications may be mailed to the Election Board or delivered in-person to their office, located at 215 N. Liberty on the Independence Square.
     Once a voter’s application for mail-in ballot has been received, a ballot will be mailed around September 22nd. Voters must have the completed ballot notarized before returning by mail.
     The Secretary of State’s office is maintaining a list of free notaries on their website at:  https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/MailinNotary.
     Voters may also request an absentee ballot for the November 3rd election if they meet one of the following criteria:
 
1. Absent from your voting jurisdiction on Election Day;
2. Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability;
3. Religious belief or practice;
4. Employment as a poll worker;
5. Incarceration (with voting rights);
6. Certified participation in address confidentiality program;
7. Contracted or in an at-risk category for contracting or transmitting COVID-19.
 
     Absentee ballots must also be notarized unless requesting an absentee ballot due to confinement or incapacitation due to illness or disability or in the at-risk category for COVID-19 (anyone 65 or older or with underlying health conditions listed on the application).
     Absentee ballots may be delivered to the Election Board in person or mailed as directed on the application.
     Applications for absentee and mail-in voting must be received by 5:00pm on October 21, 2020 for the November General Election. All ballots must be received by 7:00pm on Election Day.
     For more information, contact the Jackson County Election Board at 816-325-4600 or visit their website at www.jcebmo.org.
 

     Olympic swimming phenom Michael Phelps stated, “If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”
     Not many high school students are willing to wake up before dawn to practice for several hours daily, but for the Grain Valley High School Boys Swim and Dive team, early mornings are just the price to be paid to reach the goals they have as a team.
     Head Coach Kara Liddle said this year’s team surprised her with the improvement she’s seen compared to last year. The program is entering its third year with nine swimmers and three divers, and Liddle is pleased with their progress.
     “It’s been really cool to see from year one to year three just how much they have improved,” Liddle said.
     While the early end to the 2019-20 school year did not impact the swim and dive program, shutdowns did delay the ability for swimmers to practice. Local club team programs and pool access were delayed due to COVID-19 related shutdowns. Liddle said the team was excited to finally have the chance to get back in the pool and have a sense of normalcy.
     “Getting up at 4:30am is hard, but they're here every day excited to get in the pool and get back to normal,” Liddle said.
     While practice has resumed, the season ahead is still in flux.
     “It changes every day, which is kind of hard. We don’t know what our schedule is going to end up looking like. Luckily, I think we’re small enough that we should be able to do most of our dual meets because of size restrictions. I don’t think we’ll be able to have any of the larger invitationals this year, but. we’re just plugging along regardless,” Liddle said.
     One of Liddle’s goals is to help provide the student athletes a bit of respite from the uncertainties faced outside the pool.
     “I want to be consistent for them. I have the same expectations for them as in past years, but we are also focused on taking care of themselves and each other. This is their place to enjoy a bit of normalcy.”
     “High school swimming is different in that there is more team camaraderie, compared to club swimming environments. In club teams, you’re a team but the focus is on improving yourself and your own times. Here, they’re working for each other.”
     The team has their eyes set on State this year, with a goal of making a state time in relays.
     “They got really close last year to making a State time in relays last year, and they are bound and determined that they are going to get there this year.”
     Senior Jordon Jarman returns this fall after a successful season last year. Jarman said his team is excited to get back to work and have their eyes set on a State qualifying time. 
     “It’s going great so far. We’re getting up early, getting the job done. We have a goal to get that State time, and we are working hard to get it done,” Jarman said.
     The start of the 2020-21 school year certainly been different, but Jarman said he and his teammates are taking it in stride.
     “It’s been real strange getting back after having to take several months off, but all this hard work is going to pay off.”
     Jarman is quick to point out that a bit of help is needed from the adults in his life to keep him going.
     “Thanks to my mom for helping me get up and get to practice. Coach gets mad when I’m not here on time,” Jarman quipped, “but thanks to them both for keeping me motivated.”
 

     By now most of you have heard of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), and I am sure many of you have taken advantage of this great opportunity.  However, there are a few things you need to know about how these loans are going to affect your taxes.
     You probably know these loans will be forgiven if the loan proceeds are used for the purposes outlined by the government.  Sounds like a great deal, right?  Tax free money from the government!
     Not so fast.  Although it is technically true the loan forgiveness income is not taxable, what you may not know is the expenses you paid with the PPP funds are NON-DEDUCTIBLE.  Let me say it again, any qualifying expenses you paid with PPP funds are NON-DEDUCTIBLE for tax purposes.  (As of the date of this article)
     For example, let’s say you received $80,000 in a PPP loan.  Through June, say your business had gross income of $100,000 and expenses of ($150,000), resulting in a loss of ($50,000), so no tax due.
     However, included in your expenses were ($80,000) of payroll which was paid for with PPP funds.  This ($80,000) is NON-DEDUCTIBLE, so your tax-deductible expenses are only ($70,000) (original $150,000 less the $80,000 non-deductible).  You now have $30,000 of taxable income. 
     Estimate Federal Income Taxes at 20%, and you owe $6,000 in Federal Taxes, and an estimate of 5% for State Income Taxes, you now owe $1,500, in State taxes.  In this scenario, the tax free PPP money resulted in a total increase in taxes of $7,500 ($6,000 Federal and $1,500 State).
     The previous calculation is just an example, and EVERYONE’s situation will be different.  A worst case scenario on the above $80,000 PPP loan, all of the expenses paid could be taxable and an estimate of 20% Federal Income Taxes you would owe $16,000 and an estimate of 5% State Income Taxes you would owe $4,000 in State Taxes, for a total tax liability of $20,000 on your tax free PPP loan forgiveness!
     Key take away—before you spend all of your PPP money, consult with your tax advisor and see if you are going to owe additional taxes.  If you will owe additional taxes, consider making an estimated tax payment with whatever PPP cash you may have left before you are out of cash and have a large tax bill.
     If you need assistance or need information regarding PPP loans, the related forgiveness and tax implications, please come see us at Meinershagen & Co.
 
 
To learn more about Meinershagen & Co., visit their website at www.mccpa.com.
 

     Me and the Mrs. were walking through Costco recently. I was dragging my feet with my eye on the big screen LCD TVs. My wife, just ahead of me said, “Do you want to get some socks?” I turned my attention to the containers of socks and glanced at them longingly, already picturing them on my feet. They looked soft and comfy, but I blurted out, “No, we would need to buy several packages.”
     Now, the package of socks had four pairs and was about ten dollars. I did some quick math and figured we would probably need about three or four packages. I go through socks.
     As a runner, if it’s a “run day”, I’ll go through two pairs a day. I’ve been known to go through three pairs a day. “Why would you need so many?” she probed. In frustration I responded, “Because it’s time to redo my sock drawer again.”  Feeling the escalating tension, I concluded, “it’s probably best for us to just keep walking.” She doesn’t understand my recurring sock dilemma.
     I have a thing for socks. When my birthday and the holidays come around, I always ask for socks. I’m not sure when it started, but I just like them. It’s also no secret in the Geiger house that, in the winter, I sleep with my socks on. I guess it’s not a secret anywhere now.
     Years ago, when I was younger, I was required to wear a tie at work. At the time, I was also a little more stylish. Back then, I used to accumulate all kinds of different socks. I had athletic socks, work socks, dress socks, and slippy socks just to wear around the house. 
     Some were thick. Some were thin. These socks came in a plethora of different sizes, patterns, and colors. Some of them were low cut at the ankle, some to the calf, and some came up to the knee.
     In the olden days, my socks would match my outfit. Although I can’t match my clothes, somehow, I was able to match my socks to my clothes. Some of my favorite dress socks were ones that had various colors, stripes, and patterns.  Now that I think about it, I guess it was hard not to match those multicolored socks with my non-matching outfit.
     According to some sources, socks go all the way back to the Stone Age. Although nothing like we have today, these primitive socks were made from animal skins and pelts tied around the ankle. These “socks” didn’t cover the feet, but the lower legs and were more for protection than fashion. Socks were also worn in the times of Greeks and Romans. The Romans had socks that were worn with sandals.
     Eventually, socks became more of a fashion statement. During the Middle Ages, socks were brightly colored and, since they didn’t have an elastic band at the top, they were held in place with garters to keep them from falling down. They understood the incredible discomfort of having your socks slide down your legs and accumulate at your ankles.
     In 16th century Europe, socks, like other pieces of clothing, were regulated by law. For example, the City of London enforced laws that kept anyone from wearing the wrong kind of socks in the capital. These “sock police” checked the legs of people entering and leaving the premises.
     As time went on, fashions, styles, and materials changed, especially with the invention of Nylon in 1938 and mass production. In our generation, we have seen sock styles come and go. It’s been at the knee, the ankle, and the calf.
     Socks can also make a statement about our identity. I can remember my girls growing up and choosing to wear two different socks. Desiring to make their own fashion statement, they just wore whatever came out of the dresser drawer.
     The two boys were different. They just wore socks like me. Eventually, me and the two boys all had about the same size foot. Attempting to decide whose socks were whose was difficult. What made it increasingly difficult was that my wife would buy us all socks for Christmas. Oftentimes, they looked very similar.
     As time went on, eventually, my sock drawer was just overrun with socks. Adding insult to injury was that fact that my wife would wash the socks and leave them for me to fold and put away.  
     My folding and her folding are two different things. My folding meant you grabbed the whole pile, dumped them in the drawer, and worried about matching them later.
     My strategy led to all sorts of problems. For example, at times, one of my socks would just disappear. I don’t know if the washer or dryer got it or if it ended up in one of the boy’s drawers, but I would end up with one unmatched sock.
     This collection of misfit socks would go in a special corner in my drawer. Although I appreciated the 99 socks that were safe in the fold, I was continually looking for that lost one, waiting for its return. Unfortunately, the corner of misfit socks just kept growing and growing exponentially.
     This was a source of constant frustration. For one, it was difficult to get the drawer to actually close. In addition, it was super frustrating when I would dig through the socks and attempt to pull out a pair and pull out one that I liked, but found it was of the lone sock collection.
     Then came that one fateful day as I dug through my sock drawer frustratingly attempting to find a desirable match. Like a prisoner set free from the bondage, I exclaimed, “I’m done with this!” I had the passion and I had a plan.
     Without telling my wife, I went to the store, on my own, and bought several packages of the same socks. In the cover of night, I got rid of all the old ones. My new socks, like beautiful matching clones, were all the same: black and low cut. I had come upon a sock solution! No matter what two I grabbed, it always worked. I could even dress in the dark if I had to.
     Happy days were here again—at least for a while. Over time, three problems arose. The first problem was that the socks I bought were low quality. Left on my own at the store, without maternal supervision, I went for the cheapo ones. These wore out quickly. They developed worn spots and became uncomfortable. 
     The second problem was that when I wore dress pants and sat down, my pant legs rose and you could see my ankles. I would not have known this without the aid of my fashion designer and wife. The third problem was that, during the winter, my legs would get cold.
     To solve these problems, I decided to upgrade some of the “old” lowcut socks for a better quality. In addition, I also bought some long socks for the winter months. This worked well for a while.
     But, several problems arose. First, when some of the socks needed to be replaced, I would go to the store thinking I was buying the same type, but I was not. They were close, but not matching styles.
     In addition, I made the mistake of buying long, black athletic socks in a package, but realized later, they all had different patterns. Also, Christmas came around and, again, I got some new, different socks to add to the mix. So, here I am again. A drawer full of mismatched socks of various sizes and styles. This has been a continuous cycle of frustration.
     But I have not lost hope. In the midst of this writing, I turned over to check my email to see one from a sock company. They email me from time to time to say hi and to get me to buy their socks. I haven’t yet, but they look amazing. They promise no smell, no blisters, and no hot spots. These socks pull moisture away from the skin and are fast drying.  They’re cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They are designed for runners and look amazing.
     Especially intriguing is that these socks are unconditionally guaranteed for life. If they ever go “bad,” they will replace them. That’s the good news. The bad news is that these socks start at $17 a pair and go up to about $35. So, I know it’s only August, but I already know what I’m going to ask for Christmas. I’m not sure how that will go over. Plan B is to ask for another sock drawer. I’ll keep you updated.
 
Dr. Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.
 

​     I have spent an inordinate amount of time in my life thinking and often worrying about things other people would never give a second, possibly even first thought.  
    I saw an overthinking meme this week that truly describes the kind of things occupying my mind. It said, “What is the exact right amount of eye contact so that someone knows I am listening but not trying to steal their soul?” 
     This overthinking has increased during COVID isolation with my extra down time. If you aren’t scared yet, here is a peek behind the curtain for some more of my overthinking.
     Many of my thoughts center around family members and my dog, where one thought rabbit trails into many more. For instance, recently an entertainment program announced the birth of a celebrity’s son, that he and his wife named Wood. 
    Within moments, I am thinking, “Should we have named my daughter something different?”  My husband and I have both been educators, which significantly narrows the name pool from which to choose. It only takes one ill-behaved Dustin or an eye-rolling Ashley to mark them off the list. 
     I check the popular baby names list, half hoping my daughter’s name appears, to prove I have made a good choice, and half hoping it does not, so that it retains its unusual quality. Of course my daughter would prefer another name, as I would of at her age.  And before I know it, I am thinking about what other names I could have had.
    Would I have made a good Phyllis?  Could I have pulled off Victoria or Vivian?  I know deep down I have not been that good a Catherine, but a passable Cathy.
     Still later, I am wondering how other people chose names for their children, and shamefully, thinking of better ones for them. Just this Saturday at the neighborhood pool, I watched Darrin splash his sister. He seems more like a Devin to me. 
   That night as I head to bed, I call my dog into the room. I used one of several cutesy nicknames we have for him. When he didn’t come, I called him by his full name, including his middle name. “Do other people give their dogs middle names?” I thought.  Clearly I didn’t sleep for a while as I mulled that over.
     Some of my overthinking is about my house. My siblings and my mom can quickly visualize a room and how the furniture can perfectly fit into it.  Apparently, that gene skipped me, and I find myself asking, “Will that couch fit there?” 
     I truly wish I had a dollar for each time my husband has come home with me in the middle of pushing a giant hutch or table into a space that is about 6 inches too short for it. Measuring tapes are for the weak. I wonder if I can angle it a little, I think, as he heads into another room to not overthink anything at all.
     This past fall, I had a moment where I became obsessed with sectionals, which I thought would allow me to move pieces in so many ways, ignoring the fact that I cannot figure out anything for the current five pieces I have, much less those seven pieces including a giant ottoman.
    Other household musings have included “What is that smell?” and “If I pass away tomorrow, will people make fun of my messy garage?”
     My most recent overthinking about my house has to do with ceiling fans. Some of you are probably thinking that I am worried about how to clean them. I know how to clean them; not saying I do it often enough, but I know how.
    Actually, I am constantly wondering if the fans are rotating the right way. I read that they should rotate counter clockwise in one season and clockwise in another. But I can never remember the rotation for that particular season, as my Google search history would for sure confirm, with multiple hits on the topic.
    I find it again and am reminded that in the summer, I should have my fans rotating counterclockwise to push cool air down to the floor. I check them all, and I am good. But then I begin to wonder if there is a certain date by which I should change the rotation.
     Should I just make an annual ritual of switching the fans as I put away my white pants so as not to wear them after Labor Day? And pray tell I don’t go to Home Depot after this search, as I may stand for several minutes making sure they have all theirs set to correctly rotate.
    Some of my overthinking happens around situations in which I will never find myself and highly unlikely scenarios.  What would I say if stopped by a national news crew and asked what I think about our current political climate? 
     What if Publishers Clearinghouse shows up at my door and the dog runs out when I open the door and I have to chase him? Will they wait to award me my money? 
    What if my college calls and wants to honor me as alumnus of the year, and then realize they have called the wrong gal (they were probably looking for a Vivian…)?  Would I take the disappointment well?
     Would I rather sing a duet with Chris Stapleton or James Taylor? Would they stick me with harmony or graciously offer the melody?
     Are the towels in my car trunk clean enough if I have to help a passing motorist give birth?  When the baby comes, should I suggest a baby name we didn’t use so I have a second chance?
      I overthink a great deal about things passing me by, and that some of my pop culture references have kind of lost their pop.  Case in point: A young friend was talking about her nosy neighbor. She described her watching them out the window, always appearing on her deck when they are in the back yard, and even commenting on how many grocery bags they carried into their house.
    “Wow! She sounds like a regular Gladys Kravitz,” I said and laughed.  Nothing.  My young friend had nothing.  Not even from beloved Bewitched reruns. 
     Some of the thoughts are more in the moment, like, “Should I put on pants for the Zoom meeting? “ or  “How do seedless watermelons grow if you can never plant a seed for one?” (and by the way, if you know this answer, I am interested).
     My latest in the moment overthinking happened after reading a Facebook quiz.  It listed about ten smells and said, “Which is your favorite?” Am I supposed to have a favorite smell?
     That sounds like something they would have asked a couple on the Newlywed Game, perhaps another pop culture reference without pop.  “What is your husband’s favorite smell?” and I answer barbecue, when in reality it was my perfume. Bob Eubanks rolls his eyes.
     One a side note, I used to worry about how my husband and I would do on the Newlywed Game, but this many years in, there is so little we don’t know about one another. So little.
    One friend suggested homemade apple pie as her favorite smell. Another said a baby after a bath. Still another said fresh cut grass, and a dear sorority sister said wet cement. Further down the list, someone enthusiastically championed bacon.  Now we’re talking.
    Was I wrong not to have a favorite smell?  I asked my daughter, my husband, a co-worker, a large group in a Zoom meeting.  They all had their own opinions, ranging from gas (ewww) to latex paint (I won’t be going to Girl’s Night with this friend anymore), to suntan oil from the 70’s, when the Coppertone line ruled.
    Before the suspense kills you, I have decided not to choose between my final two, which are freshly baked molasses cookies and the air right before a rainstorm.  I want to overthink it a little more.
 
 

     Once again, last week’s article about Corporal Herschel Elliott has left me with more questions than answers. Below the picture that appeared with the article was the explanation for the star by six of the names. These were the men who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country; or so I had been told. 
     It was pointed out to me that two of the men appeared to be brothers. Thinking this might be an interesting story, I immediately decided to learn more about Earnest and Harvey Hubbard. For those of us who went through a box of Kleenex watching “Saving Private Ryan,” or remember hearing the story of the five Sullivan brothers who were aboard the USS Juneau when it sank on November 13, 1942, the idea that two brothers from Grain Valley had also perished…I had to know their story.
     Hubbard was not a name with which I was familiar. It didn’t seem to be “an old family name.” That is because the Hubbard family was only in Grain Valley for a short time. In 1930 and 1935 they were living in Kansas City where the father, Harry, was a lineman for the telephone company.
     By 1940, he had retired and taken up farming in rural Grain Valley. Around 1945, most of the family moved to Winchester, Kansas.
     Harvey registered for the draft on February 1, 1941 and died on October 26, 1942 at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. He won a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star and is remembered at the Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Harvey Ellsworth Hubbard was 21 years old.
     Earnest Loyd Hubbard was 29 years old when he registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. And then I found more. After serving in Europe, Earnest came home on December 8, 1945. He later married, had 7 children and lived to the ripe old age of 79. He died on June 16, 1991 in Winchester.
     The Hubbard family had moved from Grain Valley before the war ended. I suppose we’ll never know why Earnest’s name was misspelled or why he ended up with a star.
     Willard Johnson, Robert Jenkins, Caryl Russell and Dale Stumpp did die serving their country.  All four were Grain Valley graduates with many ties to the community. There were at least 16 sets of brothers on the board along with brothers-in-law and cousins. There are more stories to tell.
 

​     Snacking. Is it good or bad? The difference between snacking as a bad habit and it satisfying hunger between meals is in the timing. Snacking emotionally and mindlessly throughout the day can add extra calories and weight gain, but a snack strategically placed between meals and planned ahead of time can aid in weight management.
     Snacking not only can prevent overeating at our next meal, it can assist with blood sugar control and give us satisfaction and enjoyment.
A good snack is carb-smart and is paired with a protein. When searching for the perfect carb-smart snack, keep fiber in mind. Fiber helps fill us up, curbing our cravings.
     A perfect example of this is fresh fruit vs. fruit juice. In comparison, one cup of juice and one medium piece of fruit have the same amount of carbs, about 20 grams. On the other hand, a cup of juice has no fiber and the fruit has 4 to 5 grams of fiber, making it a good source of fiber and providing you something that will really make a difference in filling you up.
     What do you pair with your fruit? Ideally, a good protein source. Protein also contributes to filling up your stomach. We should be shooting for at least 5 grams of protein in a snack. 
     Great examples of this include a hard-boiled egg, a cheese stick or 2 tablespoons of nut butter; they all provide us with 6 to 8 grams of protein.
When looking for a good snack here are some suggestions: Snacks that are between 150 and 200 calories, low in added sugar, around 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates, at least 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.
     The perfect snack would fit within these parameters. Aim for a snack that fits three of the five suggestions. If the package says 1 serving but doesn’t fit within these parameters, try splitting the package or choosing something different.
     Make your snack save the day with these simple tips and tricks. A good rule of thumb is to always be prepared. Try not to leave the house without a snack. This allows you plenty of time to scout out the best options that fit within your lifestyle.
     Granola bars or a trail mix are affordable and easy to throw in a purse or bag and take with you. Watch out for high-carb, high-calorie bars, and make sure you include a protein source in your trail mix such as almonds!
     You’re starving and you forgot your snack - what do you do? Many convenience stores have healthy choices such as fruit and cheese cups, yogurt, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and popcorn.
     Do some refrigerator and cupboard searching and prepare yourself a better-for-you snack. Try hummus and veggies, half a multi-grain English muffin and peanut butter and Greek yogurt with chopped nuts or this great recipe for Roasted Chickpeas.