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Grain Valley senior softball standouts Avery Huffman, Lauren Parker, and BriLeigh Sims signed commitments on November 10th to play softball at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, MU Extension- Jackson County, MO Pies! What a great way to enjoy the harvest from your own garden or to use these readily available fall vegetables from your local farmers markets and grocery stores.
Pie pumpkin - Cucurbita pepo Pie pumpkins are cultivated varieties of pumpkins that have been selected for human consumption. Pumpkin and squash have been part of humans’ diets for thousands of years. Native Americans grew, preserved, and ate a variety of pumpkins and squashes, for thousands of years before the arrival of European colonists. Early colonists adopted the use of pumpkins and squashes for a wide range of dishes including the pie and for soups, casseroles, breads, muffins, and more. The orange color of pumpkin tells us that it is full of an important antioxidant called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. Current research indicates that a diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and offers protect against heart disease. One cup of cooked pumpkin also contains fiber, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C and E. Butternut Winter Squash Cucurbita moschata 'Butternut' – Yes, butternut squash can be used to make pie! Perhaps you already prepare and serve it in soup or casserole recipes. Try using it to make pie. Its flavor will be subtly different than pumpkin or sweet potato pie. The texture and color will be slightly different, too. Like pumpkin, butternut squash is very nutritious. A one-cup of cooked butternut squash provides more than 450% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for vitamin A and over 50% of the RDI for vitamin C. Sweet potatoes Ipomoea batatas- If you haven’t harvested your sweet potatoes yet, dig them up before a freeze. Store the tubers in a warm, humid place for four to six days to increase sugar content. Sweet potatoes can be used right from the garden, but they might not taste as sweet as those you purchase from grocery stores or farmers markets. Here’s a link to a MU Extension horticulture publication on growing sweet potatoes. It is geared to small and commercial producers, but it still has a great deal of helpful information- https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6368 Enjoy pumpkin pie this November or try substituting cooked sweet potatoes or cooked butternut squash in this basic pumpkin pie recipe for a different yet equally tasty pie experience: Light Pumpkin Pie Recipe Rinse pie pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash, whichever you decide to use, under running water. Scrub with a vegetable brush or a clean sponge to make sure soil and other contaminants are cleaned off the skin. Peel and cook at least enough for the recipe below. (Canned pumpkin and sweet potatoes can be used, too. Make sure that you use unsweetened canned pumpkin or sweet potatoes since the recipe below includes sugar. Occasionally canned or frozen butternut squash can be found in the grocery store, too.) Ingredients: One pie crust, uncooked 1/8 teaspoon cloves 2/3 cup sugar 2 cups of cooked and mashed pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash ½ teaspoon cinnamon 13 oz. can evaporated skim milk ½ teaspoon ginger 3 egg whites ½ teaspoon nutmeg Directions: 1. Wash hands and clean working surfaces. 2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 3. Place pie crust dough in pie pan and crimp edges. 4. Mix all remaining ingredients in large mixing bowl. Pour into pie crust. 5. Bake 55 to 60 minutes until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool before serving and refrigerate any leftovers. Here’s the link to the webpage for the original recipe and to more great recipes- https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/nc146 Interested in growing butternut squash, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes next year? Consult the Vegetable Planting Calendar (https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6201) and Master Gardener Core Manual Chapter 5( https://extension.missouri.edu/mg5) for more information. Fall and winter is a great time to start planning your 2022 garden! by Denise Sullivan, Nutrition & Health Education Specialist, MU Extension-Jackson County What tiny red fruit makes an appearance around the holiday but is mostly absent the rest of the year? If you guessed cranberries, you are correct! This tart but tasty fruit often appears in the form of a quivering gelled mass or chopped into a salad with apples or oranges, but they are much more versatile than most people think.
Native Americans enjoyed wild cranberries for thousands of years before colonization. The first documented reference to the American cranberry was in the mid 1500’s, when the Wampanoag People introduced the red berry to colonists in New England as a food source and as a dye. A common mixture called pemmican, made of ground berries, dried meat, and animal fat, could provide nourishment for months. Medicine men also used cranberries in traditional healing rituals to fight fever, swelling, and even seasickness. In the 1600’s, early cookbooks had numerous references to a sauce made from cranberries and served with turkey, much like we do today! The cranberry (genus Vaccinium) belongs to the Ericaceae family of flowering plants. Cranberries are botanically related to bilberries, blueberries, and huckleberries, though differ by their woody stems. This low-growing, woody perennial shrub grows horizontal runners along the soil surface to form a dense mat. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow in water, but in sandy bogs and marshes that are flooded with water to aid in harvesting. Because the cranberry contains a pocket of air, when the marsh is flooded, the berries float to the surface to be picked up by harvesting equipment. Cranberries were first cultivated in the New England region in the 1800’s and continues to be a staple crop in Maine and Massachusetts. However, Wisconsin has surpassed that region and produces more than 60% of the nation’s cranberries. They have even been designated the state fruit of Wisconsin. Cranberries are a rich source of antioxidants vitamins C, E, and vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, as well as the minerals manganese and copper. Cranberries are also rich in a type of phytonutrient called polyphenols, which are beneficial in controlling inflammation and free radicals in the body that contribute to chronic health conditions. Consuming cranberry juice is often associated with urinary tract infections, because of another phytonutrient, A-type proanthocyanidins (PAC’s). PAC’s have been shown to be beneficial to the prevention (not treatment) of urinary tract infections by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. Consuming more isn’t better, however, because cranberries are also high in oxalates, a contributor to kidney stones. Always consult your health care provider if experiencing symptoms of these conditions. Cranberries are readily available during the fall and winter holiday season, but rather scarce the rest of the year, so I like to buy an extra bag or two to store in the freezer. Cranberry juice is usually sweetened or mixed with other fruits in juices. 100 percent cranberry juice is available as well…but be prepared to pucker up! I often add a bit of cranberry juice to iced tea or even water as a flavor enhancer. Dried cranberries are also available in various stages of sweetness and make a tasty addition to quick breads, salads, or other holiday dishes. This month I’m sharing two unique ways to incorporate cranberries into your holiday meals. The stuffing recipe below is one that my daughter shared with me, that we have refined and personalized to our tastes. If you are feeling really adventurous, you might also try the cranberry salsa recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation (link below). Your leftover turkey sandwich will taste amazing…enjoy! https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_salsa/spicy_cranberry_salsa.html by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society While perusing old newspapers, I became interested in a collection of papers intitled “Guide to Grain Valley.” These guides were published by The Examiner (Independence) for many years. The guides typically came out in August, just prior to Valley Fair Days.
I found these excerpts from the 1986 edition to reveal a great deal about Grain Valley’s growth and progress over the past 35 years. Laura Malt, a member of The Examiner staff compiled some interesting statistics. I hope you will agree! “Grain Valley has a name in cattle and, of course, grain. Taking its name from the Sni-A-Bar Creek Valley’s high grain yield, the town’s peculiarities distinguishes it from other communities along Interstate 70. These details include: POPULATION The population was reported at 1,327 in the 1980 census. It is now (1986) estimated at 1,600 to 1,700. RESIDENTS The 25 to 29 age bracket has the most people in it with about 9 percent of the population. About 17 percent of the population is between 22 and 29. The next most-populous age brackets, 30 to 34 and 35-44, compose 13 percent of the population. INCOME The median household income is $16,900. Median family income is $17,591. The city’s aggregate (total) income is $8,172,445. CLIMATE Grain Valley’s coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 31.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest month is July, hitting an average of 88 degrees. February, at 1.2 inches of rainfall is the driest month; June, at 4.5 inches, the wettest. The average rainfall per year is 19.5 inches. TAXES The assessed value of city property is $2.8 million. Basic property tax levy (per $100 assessed value) is as follows: City: $2.03 County: $ 0.94 School: $5.47 Other: $0.38 Total: $9.60 PUBLIC SCHOOLS The R-5 district received a AAA rating in 1985. About 850 students are enrolled from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The district has three schools: Matthews Elementary (380 students), Grain Valley Middle School (190 students) and Grain Valley High School (280 students). The school also makes use of the Fort Osage Vocational School. FACILITIES Motels: one Churches: six of varied Protestant denominations Public libraries: one Gasoline stations: two Café: one I might also note that doctors, dentists, recreational facilities, and communications were listed, but all were provided in surrounding communities. Needless to say, much has changed. While some may look back on our community with acute nostalgia, I like my local dentist, buying groceries less than a mile from home (in the 1950s and 1960s the land where Price Chopper is located was my family home and small farm), going to the movies and dining out in Grain Valley! The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of October 27—November 2 , 2021.
by Cathy Allie I am no stranger to Insomnia. I capitalize and personify the word because when you are in the midst of it, he deserves a title, a real name. And Insomnia must be a He, because a She would know that the good women of the world should be sleeping rather than wandering aimlessly through the night, so that we can wake up the next morning and continue our plan for world domination. I have read articles about him, talked about him to doctors at annual appointments, and empathized with other sleepy women friends who have also become involved with him. Cut caffeine, stop using electronics by 8:00 p.m., drink a warm beverage an hour before bed time, wear comfortable, loose clothing to bed and one million other suggestions are all ones I have tried and rejected to stop his madness. And yet, he persists. Over the years I have taken advantage of Insomnia to finish projects, to decorate Christmas trees (or sometimes the whole house), to organize drawers, and even to clean my pantry. During periods of sleeplessness, I have had some of my best ideas, that I am of course much too tired to execute the next day. Those of you on this crazy Insomnia train with me know that an occasional bout is manageable, but weeks of sleeplessness nights results in people suggesting miracle creams for the circles under your eyes, believing you have a terminal illness, asking you to repeat yourself when you have answered them with some unintelligible mutterings, and shaking their heads in disbelief when you doze in church or a meeting. It isn’t pretty. Age and an incredibly busy schedule that just wear me out have squelched most of my relationship with Mr. Insomnia, and I haven’t been in too much hand to hand combat with him the last few months. Until Friday. And his frontal attack was a doozy. Sometime between near 1:00 a.m., I was awakened by winds and howling coyotes. I don’t want to brag about my prowess as an outdoorswoman, but my grandparents had a farm, and I know what coyotes sound like. I felt like I was in an episode of Little House on the Prairie…except I live in the ‘burbs, so I spent about an hour ruminating about how to secure my nine pound lap dog from predators instead of sitting with Pa Ingalls by the fireplace with a shotgun across his lap. 2:00 to 2:20 I spent calculating how much sleep I could still get. Math is not my forte, so this 15 minutes was necessary. Oops, I mean 20 minutes. See? No math. 2:20 to 2:30, Betty the Bladder woke up and needed to potty. No, it didn’t take that long to tinkle, but I had to go get toilet paper that literally no one else in my house can remember to replace. Said toilet paper wass in garage, which is all the way downstairs, because why would anyone store it under sinks or in convenient places for early a.m. runs? Garages are dark and cold in the wee hours. 2:30 to 2:45 I spent trying to silently open drawers so as not to wake my husband, looking to find fuzzy socks because my feet were cold from the garage floor. As a side note, I found a treasure trove of scarves and headbands I had been looking for and some saxophone reeds. Go figure. 2:45 to 3:00, I laid awake listening to my husband’s rhythmic breathing as he slumbered peacefully, unaware of my troubles, as if he was, I am sure he would have offered comfort. The last sentence is the Good Housekeeping version. In reality, he had rolled to his back during my bathroom break absence and was making that 700 car long freight train sound that I know from experience would keep me from sleeping at all the remainder of the night. I headed to the couch. By 3:00 the tiny, edible dog had now taken an interest in my night time wandering, and had decided to accompany me to the couch. He believed it was morning and thus scratched at the door and whined until I let him out. Fully aware of the coyote infestation, I decided to somehow arm myself before heading out. Weapon of choice? One of my daughter’s shoes that she had left by the front door. I figured the worst case scenario was I would throw it at the attacking coyote, and he would make off with it instead of my baby dog, and at the same time my kid would learn a lesson about not leaving her stuff laying around. I put on a winter coat from the closet and pulled up the hood. No telling who else would be out at this hour and my hair was a mess, as I had left the head bands (and the reeds) upstairs…turns out someone was out, walking briskly past the house in a vest with lots of reflective tape, at a crazy fast pace, and sporting an annoyingly cheery attitude. “Hello,” she said, like this was a normal time. Who are these people who take exercise so seriously? 3:3O to 3:45 and back inside the house, I had decided I was too cold to take off the coat, so I stretched out on the couch, in a full blown Nanook of the North parka, with my ‘marked safe from coyotes dog’ still taking up more than his fair share of space, ruminating about that early morning walker. Seriously!?! Is her husband also blissfully slumbering, and she has just decided she might as well use the time to exercise if she is awake? What should I be doing? Immediately dismissing any kind of exercise, I wondered if this was finally the time to download the Calm App? Sleepy Time stories? Brew chamomile tea? What is chamomile, anyway? I spent from 3:45 to 4:30 in a beautiful mixture of watching Internet pedicure transformation videos and dozing. At 4:30, I was awakened by what sounded like a motorcycle backfiring and low murmuring voices that sounded too near to the house. I crept to the window to look out. It didn’t just sound like a motorcycle backfiring and voices… the neighbors across the street were actually full-blown-garage-door-up-trouble-lights-blazing-wrenches-in-hand working on a motorcycle and talking about the weekend. Guessing they are the same ones who mow at 6:00 a.m. on summer Saturday mornings. I headed back out on the couch and wondered if my home owners association, which governs lots of things and won’t let me put up a She Shed in my backyard, has any noise ordinance or covenants that I could invoke or if my annual dues cover legal counsel for when I bop across the street and hit the offenders with my daughter’s shoe. It was by then nearly 5:30 a.m. Where did that last hour go, inquiring minds want to know? Well, it took a while to type this out, and I had to do a little research on coyotes. They are awful animals, really, but we have been destroying their natural environment, so they have taken to nabbing suburban dogs. Don’t they know they won’t enjoy the gamey taste of a squirrel or small deer when they abscond with a city pup for a midnight snack? Suburban canines are just full of peanut butter Dream Bones and refrigerated entrees. I say all this to say, I am back to dating Mr. Insomnia. The pattern induced by a coyote’s howl is now five days old. My pantry is clean, I have installed heated garage floors, and I ordered a reflective vest in case I ever decide to join Edna the Early Morning Exerciser, Mr. Insomnia’s mistress, on a walk. Oh, I promise, I am ending it with him. And when I do, please, no one contact me before 2022. I will be napping in a sound proof room. Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer. It seems every year people spend more and more money during Black Friday and Cyber Monday for holiday gifts and donate to charities on Giving Tuesday. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing rules, many of you will be doing your purchases online. Unfortunately, cybercriminals know this and will do their best to get access to your credit card swipes, your identity, and online transactions.
With the large amount of cybercrime and data breaches that have taken place this year, it’s more important than ever to make sure you are being vigilant and taking steps to protect yourself. Here are a few tips to keep you safe as you donate to your favorite charities and buy gifts for your friends and loved ones: How to Protect Yourself on Black Friday. A lot of the breaches that occur on Black Friday occur when you're shopping at brick and mortar stores from point-of-sale (PoS) systems. These breaches can occur when a criminal gets access to the PoS system by installing malware designed to collect your information. Hackers can also install malware in online shopping carts that send your banking information directly to them. This can be avoided if you use secured payment methods such as using cash when you're making in-store purchases. If you're like me and hate carrying around cash, or you prefer shopping online for Black Friday, regular and pre-paid credit cards are always the best option. Credit card companies offer better protection against fraud. Most banks do so as well, but if your debit card is compromised, it will take longer to get access to those stolen funds. How to Protect Yourself on Cyber Monday. When shopping online and searching the web for the hottest deals, your biggest threats are breached electronic shopping carts and compromised websites from online merchants. Make sure the websites you're visiting are secure with a URL that begins with "https" rather than "http. The added "s" means that the website is secure from breaches and your transactions will be safe from cybercriminals. Most browsers also include a padlock icon in front of the web address to show the site has a trusted security certificate. Also, your web browser will notify you if it appears that a website is not secure or dangerous. If you get this message, do not proceed. If you get messages about the latest deals from a retailer via email and text, go directly to the merchant's web site to verify that the deal is real and not a scam. To keep your personal information safe, set up an anonymous email account only to be used for shopping online. If you get emails or texts that claim there is a problem with your package, visit the merchant's website or call them to verify if there is an issue. How to Protect Yourself on Giving Tuesday. Cybercriminals are aware that many charities collect payments online. With so many different organizations asking for money, it's hard to know which are legitimate and which ones are fake. You need to be wary of crowdfunded websites such as GoFundMe as many of the people who ask for donations from these sites are looking to scam people. Before donating to a charitable cause, check out Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) which will help you get information on over 8,000 charities. In most instances, it's best to donate directly from the charity's web site rather than relying on emails, phone calls, and text messages that are sent to you. Some other tips to remember: 1. Go to the source. 99% of cybercrime requires user interaction. Avoid clicking on links in email, social media, and texts. Some links will take Don’t click on ads on social media or even in texts or emails. 2. Use strong passwords. Passwords are the strongest thing for keeping your online accounts safe. Consider using passphrases for all of your online accounts. Passphrases like "stinkychicken437!" or "PurpleStrongOtter#*!" are easier for you to remember. Also, don't use the same passwords for all your online accounts. Password managers like LastPass and the ones in your favorite browser can help you remember all of those different passwords. 3. Use retailer and charity apps. If your favorite online retailer or charity has an app, download it and use it to ensure all of your transactions are safe and secure. I'm not trying to be a Grinch when it comes to your holiday shopping plans. I just want to make sure all of you enjoy this season of light and remind you to be vigilant and aware of the assortment of ways criminals will try to take advantage of your trust and kindness. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Need computer or technology help? If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. by Michael Smith Tristin Pouncil said he wanted to prove some doubters wrong before Friday’s Class 5 District 7 matchup with Sedalia Smith-Cotton. It didn’t take him long to do just that. He returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and also recovered a muffed punt return by the Tigers as the Eagles rolled to a 47-3 victory. “I wanted to prove everyone wrong. I had doubters before the game,” Pouncil said. “I just wanted to prove myself and give it 100 percent.” “I caught it and I knew my guys were going to block for me. I believed in every single one of them and knew they were going to block their assignments.” He led a special teams unit that came up huge for the Eagles. “Tristin has been returning the ball for us a little bit,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “He showed what he could do. That was almost a 100-yard return. Logan Pratt is our fastest guys but Tristin is pretty close. He’s been a big special teams contributor to us.” Later in the second period, when Grain Valley was up 13-0 following a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Jaxon Wyatt, Baker and Camden Nelson tackled the Tigers’ punter after he bobbled the snap at the 3-yard line. Larson punched it in from there on a run. And Pouncil recovered a muffed punt at the Tigers 37 with 7:56 left in the first half. Larson later scored on a 35-yard on an option play, taking advantage of the short field Pouncil helped create. “Coach (Dominic Giangrosso) talked about how it was going to be up to the special team tonight,” Allie said. “They came out and set the tone and kept the tone for us.” “Coach G does a great job of motivating our special teams guys. He gives those guys dog tags for if you are on a special team or are on six or more, you get a gold one.” Not only did the Eagles special teams stand out, so did a defense that was missing three starters, including the teams leading tackler in senior Gage Forkner, who was out with a hand injury. The Eagles gave up a 37-yard field goal to Smith-Cotton kicker Sam Cash. Other than that, the Grain Valley defense was lights out, holding the Tigers to only 137 yards total. Sophomore linebacker Brody Baker shifted from outside linebacker to inside in place of Forkner and had a standout game with 13 tackles. Defensive end Rhylan Alcanter led with two sacks and junior linebacker Cole Elliott had a team-high two tackles for loss. “We have been through adversity all season and have had injuries all season,” Alcanter said. “Honestly, we just practiced our butts off all week. Our coaching has done a good job getting us where we are at.” Alcanter is someone who has gotten consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback all season and someone Grain Valley head coach David Allie has high expectations for. “He’s really growing and getting into his own,” Allie said. “He’s going to be a special player for us. He’s got a huge upside.” The defense also took advantage of Smith-Cotton going for it on fourth down a lot. The Tigers converted only two of their 11 fourth down attempts. The Eagles had three drives that started inside the Tigers 40 yards line. Those possessions resulted in a 39-yard scoring strike from junior quarterback Larson to senior wide receiver Logan Pratt, a 16-yard TD pass from Larson to sophomore Anthony Greco and a 1-yard TD run by Christian Lanear. “It caught us off guard a little bit," Alcanter said of Smith-Cotton going for it on fourth down 11 times. “The coaches kept on calling the right calls and we just did our thing.” The Eagles now turn their attention to Suburban White Conference rival Raytown, which defeated Belton 50-23 in the other semifinal game. The two teams met each other earlier in the season and Grain Valley prevailed in that one 21-14. “It’s going to be in our house, which we feel good about,” Allie said. “It’s hard to beat a good team twice. They are going to be loaded and ready to go.” Senior Tristin Pouncil returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and also recovered a muffed punt return by the Tigers as the Eagles rolled to a 47-3 victory. Photo credit: John Overstreet Photo credit: John Overstreet
The Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD) is asking residents to get involved in an effort to stem an increase in theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles in the metro area. The majority of these types of thefts in Grain Valley occur in the overnight hours.
GVPD is utilizing WeTip for residents to anonymously report information regarding the person(s) involved in these incidents. Residents may call 1-800-78-7463 or report online at www.wetip.com. Information that may lead to the person(s) involved may qualify for up to a $1,000 reward. Police suggest 5 things residents can do to help protect their cars from car theft: * Be alert * Lock your doors * Close your windows * Remove keys and belongings * Park in a well-lit area With the holiday season fast approaching, the Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC) is prepped and ready to assist residents in need.
Donna Compton, Site Coordinator, said residents who have signed up for assistance this Thanksgiving will receive food boxes before the holiday. Prairie Branch Elementary is holding a food drive to help fill these Thanksgiving food boxes GVAC will assist families in need this Christmas through their Adopt-A-Child program. Compton reports they have plenty of people willing to adopt a child, and additional assistance is not needed at this time. Compton said a devoted crew of nine volunteers keep the pantry running and events such as the Thanksgiving boxes and Adopt-A-Child organized. The most needed items in the pantry include: Canned meat (chicken, tuna, spam), canned meals (spaghetti-Os, chili, beef stew), boxed dinners (hamburger helper, tuna helper, chicken helper), pork and beans, canned carrots, canned mixed veggies, jelly, pancake mix, syrup, toothpaste, body wash, shaving cream, toilet paper, shampoo, and deodorant. Collection barrels for donations are located at the Grain Valley Community Center and Grain Valley Price Chopper. For more information on the Grain Valley Assistance Council, visit www.grainvalleyassistancecouncil.org. |
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