​     Valley News featured Grain Valley resident Paul Juarez in February 2019 as a part of our Community Profile section. Juarez shares his “Realistick People” cartoons regularly on our Facebook page and occasionally in our print and online editions. Juarez has compiled a series of his humorous cartoons into a book now available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s website.
     To read our profile of Juarez, visit the News section of our website, www.grainvalleynews.com and search under Community Profiles.
 

​     I love Christmas! I love everything about Christmas, from the beginning of Advent marking the awaiting of Christ’s birth to the Christmas cookies and Santa Claus —I love it all!
     For the past several days I’ve been decorating my house to prepare for some holiday hosting.  Sunday I participated in the Hanging of the Greens at Faith UMC and Monday I helped decorate the Christmas tree at the Grain Valley Historical Society.  All of this, and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet! 
     While this is not an old-fashioned Christmas for those who put “N/A” on the “place of employment” blank, in the not so distant future it will the an old-fashioned Christmas for the millennials. 
     The best definition for old-fashioned might be our memories from childhood. Growing up in Grain Valley in the 1940’s and 50’s, those memories might be cutting down a cedar tree growing at the edge of a pasture or buying a Christmas tree from the front of Frantz’s grocery on Main Street.
     At my parents’ hardware store there were no trees, however, you could buy a box of ornaments or a string of lights. There were 7 bubble lights in one box or a second box of lights was the deluxe string of 15 regular colored lights. At the store you could also purchase shiny icicles in a package of 100 strands for 25-cents.
     “Real” trees were only up for a week or 10 days before Christmas and a few days afterward and you had to water them daily. Hot lights and dry trees were a disaster waiting to happen. Young people growing up in the 1960s and 70s will no doubt cherish their memories of the beautiful (lol) silver foil trees!
     The foil trees were usually adorned with pink and turquoise ornaments —no red and green on those fake branches!
While artificial trees have grown in popularity, through most of the 1980s and 1900s Grain Valley families could cut down a live tree at Greene Acres Christmas Tree Farm just north of Grain Valley.
     Dorothy and Frank Greene started the business in 1976 as a way for their children and grandchildren to  make extra money for holiday shopping.  They began selling the trees in 1984. After selecting a tree, visitors would head to the Christmas House to pay for their tree, buy a hand made tree skirt, a wreath or pine garlands and, best of all, a cup of hot chocolate!
     Fortunately, the smell of fresh pine and the beauty of a “real” tree is still popular.  In fact, like fire works on the 4th of July and pumpkin patches at Halloween, a trip to a Christmas tree farm is becoming a popular weekend family event. Janie and Rich Wilson’s Whispering Pines Farm on Brown Road south of Grain Valley is a great place to insure an “old fashioned Christmas” memory for today’s children to look back on with fondness.
     In addition to cutting down a tree, you can go on a hayride, visit the bee hives or buy some honey when you visit the craft shop.
     So while we may not go over Sni-a-Bar Creek in a one horse open sleigh and the candles on your trees have been replaced by cool, safe lights, we can still enjoys an old-fashioned Christmas. As I always say, history is what happened yesterday.
     Today is a good day to make some history with your family and celebrate an old fashioned Christmas! 
 
This article was first printed in The Voice, the monthly publication of the Grain Valley Historical Society. Read past newsletters and sign up to receive the historical society’s monthly email by visiting www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
 

​     December is definitely a slower gardening month. The shorter days and colder temperatures put a stop to above ground plant growth. There is still plenty to do if you need a dose of winter gardening. Here is a list of gardening tasks and new projects to try during these winter days and nights, gleaned from MU Extension publications and the Missouri Botanical Garden’s website:
 
1. Rake leaves!
     Yes, some leaves are still falling. My neighbor’s pin oak dropped most of its leaves last week and the wind from the west conveniently (for the neighbor!) blew them into my yard. I rake them up and drag them back to my slow, low-tech leaf compost pile. The 3-foot high pile becomes a foot-high pile by the following spring. Tree leaves can be a gardener’s best friend when used correctly.
     The decomposed leaves are a great addition to clay soil and improve growing conditions for many plants, including vegetable gardens and many ornamental perennial flowers. Consider using leaves to start a compost pile. For more information on composting in general, review MU Extension’s guide sheet on composting- extension.missouri.edu/p/g6956.
 
2. Mulch with a mower!
     Mulching with a mower saves time and money:  Adjust your lawn mower to its highest setting and mow in a crisscross pattern. Mow twice to cut leaves to the size of confetti. These small pieces of leaves will filter into the lawn, decompose and release nutrients for the grass. Use the following tips for mowing and mulching leaves:
     Use a sharp mower blade.
     Maintain normal mowing heights.  
     Mow at a height of 3-4 inches.
     Mow before leaves pile up too high.  
     Do not let a dense layer of leaves lie 
     on turf more than four days. Rake 
     after an extended rainy spell.
    
     Dry leaves chop more easily than wet ones. However, dry leaves make dust, so wear a dust mask over your nose and mouth. Always wear safety goggles. Do not mow wet leaves.
 
3. Mulch new bulb beds and perennial beds after the ground freezes.
     Stiff leaves and crumbly leaves that do not form mats make great mulch. You can also use compost as mulch. Be sure the root zones of azaleas and rhododendrons are thoroughly mulched. 
     Any organic material will do, but mulches made from oak leaves, shredded oak bark, or pine needles are preferred for these woody ornamental plants.
 
4. Try an amaryllis this winter.
I encourage you to try growing one from a bulb. It takes 6 to 8 weeks for it to bloom, so if you plant one soon, it should bloom by late January to mid-February, 2020.
     Many garden center stores still have bulbs for sale. Plant the bulb in a pot that is about two inches wider than the diameter of the bulb. Choose a container that has a drainage hole. Use potting soil that drains well.  Place in a warm spot and keep the soil moist. When a green leaf starts to sprout from the top of the bulb, move it to an area with bright, indirect light, near a south facing window or under grow lights.
     Amaryllis are tall and vigorous plants. You might need one or more bamboo or wire supports to help hold the apple green leaves and big flowers stalks up.
     I challenge you to keep it growing and have it bloom again next year! This article includes instructions on how to do that- https://extension2.missouri.edu/news/amaryllis-a-showstopping-holiday-bloomer-2958
     Have a relaxing holiday season!
Feel free to call our MU Extension office if you have questions about gardening projects for 2020. Our office is at 1600 NE Coronado Drive, Ground Floor, Blue Springs, MO 64014, 816-252-5051.
Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, [email protected]
 

     The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released Building Level Per-Pupil Expenditure information for the first time on each school district’s 2019 Annual Report card. This change is part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and its focus on ensuring equitable resources and opportunities for every student at every school. Previously, per-pupil expenditures were only reported at the district level.
     There are several variables to note when attempting to compare expenditures between buildings, whether those buildings are within the same school district or belong to different districts.
     Expenditures at buildings can vary for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:
 
The needs of students in that school and the programs facilitated at that building;
 
The experience and education, and therefore the salaries, of staff members in that school, as well as the cost of living associated with that geographical area (i.e. metropolitan versus rural school districts).
     Below is a list of building level per-pupil expenditures for the Grain Valley School District.
 
Grain Valley High School: $9,328.04
Grain Valley South Middle School: $10,124.33
Grain Valley North Middle School: $8,475.48
Matthews Elementary: $8,827.10
Sni-A-Bar Elementary: $9,705.58
Prairie Branch Elementary: $8,951.72
Stony Point Elementary: $9,383.46
 

​     Growing up, Christmas Eve was always spent at Noni and Papa’s house. Growing up, I was told, Noni is what Italian families called grandma. And that’s what we were—an Italian family—at least on my mother’s side.
     My grandparents, who spoke Italian and broken English, came over from the “old country.” They didn’t have a refrigerator. They had an ICE-uh-box.
     On Christmas Eve, the whole family would gather in their humble, but comfortable Florida home. It was an annual requirement, but I didn’t mind. It was tradition and it was fun and I always got to see my cousins.
     Despite my fear, my parents assured me that we would be home in plenty of time for Santa to come. I enjoyed this annual get together my family, consuming delicious treats, talking at loud volumes, having fun.
     Our Christmas Eve meal was a little different—at least that’s how it appeared to me as a child. All the food was not served at once like normal, but we ate one thing at a time. I learned later that these were called “courses.”  
     Also, while my friends talked about having turkey or ham, we did not. Our traditional Christmas Eve meal included various kinds of pasta, of course, but also baccalà (dried, salted cod), lobster, sardines, shrimp, mussels and clams.
     It wasn’t until I was an adult, and doing some research, that I read about the “feast of the 7 fishes” Italian tradition. It clicked for me, “so, that’s what we were doing!”.
     So many delicious and delightful memories came rushing in. As a family, we were celebrating tradition and creating memories.
     When I had my own family, my wife and I developed our own traditions. For example, on the day after Thanksgiving, the Geiger Gang would cram into the station wagon and head out on an adventure. Our goal was to purchase new ornaments for the tree.
     Each of the four kids was allowed to pick out one special ornament. This ornament would represent their nature or character or just be something that they liked. Every year, without fail, I would get the Grinch. I should probably say that they Grinch was gotten for me. A tradition within a tradition.
     Searching for these ornaments provided a fun, family event and gave us a great opportunity to enjoy laughter and conversation. These trinkets also provided our kids with a sense of pride and accomplishment as they would show their friends and exclaim, “Look at my ornament.”
     As the years rolled on, the ornaments served as signposts and reminders of past Christmases. Each year, while decorating the tree, these objects remind us of where we were when we got them, sometimes reminding us of extremely joyful or even unpleasant times. Like portraits held together by Christmas glue, these ornaments rekindled old thoughts and feelings and served as kindling to discuss the past, present, and future.
     Generally, I stay out of the kitchen—except during the holidays. My wife is extremely talented and loves to cook and decorate. Things go much smoother if I just stay out of the kitchen so, I just stay out of the way and beg for samples. However, many years ago, I took notice of how hard she worked and decided that, if nothing else, I could prepare breakfast. This would help the family out and allow her to focus on the main event.
     There were only three requirements. First, it had to be quick. I couldn’t impede progress in the kitchen. Second, it had to be easy. Finally, I did not want to make an additional mess.
     I stumbled upon a recipe for a French toast casserole that fit all of the above. Our entire family loved it! In fact, even though they’re no longer living here when they come for Christmas they ask, “Hey dad, did you make your famous French toast?” I generally reply, “Yes, but you don’t live here any more and I ate yours.”
     As I look around the home, I see trinkets and traces of the ghost of Christmas past—and they make me smile. There’s “Kim’s Village” that is front and center in the dining room. We’ve been collected the pieces for years and it’s a family favorite. I just carry the boxes in. There is also lighted garland strung over every pathway and window, lights illuminating the outdoors, and several Christmas trees. Evergy sends us a Christmas card of “thanks”.
     One of our trees is the “family tree” which holds the ornaments we’ve collected over the years. We have the ones with the kid’s picture that they made in school, the prized Hallmark ornaments, and special ones from friends over the years--like the homemade one that has the sign language, “sign for love” given to us by a dear friend who taught sign language.  
     And, of course, there are my grinch ornaments. As my grandson and I hung these on the tree he asked me “why” I had so many. I had the chance to share some of the stories and the reasons. Maybe one day, he will inherit them.
     The most important Christmas tradition in the Geiger family is focused on the real meaning of Christmas. As Christians, our goal has always been to make sure that we attended church services on Christmas Eve. We always wanted our kids to understand that Christmas was about giving and, at Christmas, we celebrate the fact that God gave His one and only Son. The greatest gift of all.
     Dressing for Christmas Eve was always fun, too. My wife and I had mutual goals, but different ways of getting there. For her, she wanted us all to attend church in matching outfits. She worked diligently to weave some cohesive theme or color that told everyone we were a family (or in a band). This made for some great pictures.
     For me, I just wanted to get to church on time. This ensured harmony within the family and made for great pictures. Being on time makes me smile.
     For both of us, attending services on Christmas Eve was essential and deeply spiritual. These services gave us opportunities to worship and celebrate and to have some deep conversations about faith and family.
     Traditions are extremely personal and important. Like ancient hieroglyphics, they are the glue that remind us of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. Some traditions are strategically planned and programmed. Other traditions seem to bubble up naturally. 
     Either way, traditions can conjure up deep emotions and take on a life of themselves. They are purposeful and powerful reminders of who we are and, sometimes, the glue that holds us together.
 
     Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer.
 
 

​by Mike Russell, City of Grain Valley Building Official
 

     I have served as Building Official for this fine City for the last six months.  The amount of growth in this community makes it an enjoyable and exciting place to work, for sure.  We have issued more than 100 residential home permits in 2019.  Taco Bell and Temp Stop opened their doors last week.  QuikTrip has broken ground and will be open sometime in Spring 2020. 
     I’d like to take this opportunity to address a pretty “hot topic” amongst citizens.  I’ve worked in municipalities for more than 15 years, and across the board, there’s a common misunderstanding about the work that our Codes Enforcement officer does. 
     I supervise this division and think it’s important for you to know that the purpose of codes enforcement is to protect citizens and safeguard properties throughout the city. 
     The majority of code infractions that the Code Enforcement Officer checks into have been reported to him from other concerned citizens.  We are not out to get you or picking on you, but serving you by ensuring that properties are kept to the standards as specified in the municipal code. 
     The Community Development Department did not write the codes that govern the laws of Grain Valley.  However, we have been tasked with enforcing them.  We do not get to handpick the code that we enforce. 
     All suspected violations are investigated with equal diligence to ensure resolution.  If you are cited for a code violation, you will be given written notice and a specific time frame in which you are expected to correct it. 
     If you are unable to correct the issue within the requested amount of time, simply contact the Codes Enforcement Officer to request an extension.  We are here to serve you and will work with you whenever possible, as long as you are maintaining open communication with us until the matter is resolved. 
     We encourage citizens to submit complaints and questions regarding city code to [email protected] or call 816-847-6227.  The municipal code can be viewed at www.cityofgrainvalley.org.
 

​     Grain Valley Eagles Boys Basketball beat the Kearney Bulldogs, a conference rival, in an overtime victory of 63-60 on Tuesday, December 17th.  Senior Josh Kilpatrick surpassed 1,000 career points during the game. The Eagles return home on December 20th to face Platte County and then face Oak Grove at home on December 28th.
 

 The Prairie Branch Elementary Student Council attended their 8th annual Toys for Tots field trip on November 26th. This year, the group raised $2,300 from a variety of events, including hat days, trunk or treat, and Easter egg sales. Funds raised were used to buy 232 toys for the US Marines Toys for Tots program.
     Students shopped together at Wal-Mart in Blue Springs and then traveled to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas City, Missouri to deliver the toys to Marines at the Toys for Tots Distribution Facility. 
 

​     If it is possible for vegetables to be ‘trending’, we could say that Brussels sprouts are doing exactly that. These tiny cabbages (as my kids used to call them) are showing up shaved into salads and roasted in savory side dishes on menus and dinner tables across the country.    
     Brussels sprouts are a member of the Brassicaceae family, as are cabbage, broccoli and kale, sharing a similar nutrient profile. These tiny sprouts are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and folate.
     Vitamin C is important for tissue repair, immune function and aids in the body’s ability to absorb iron.
     Vitamin K is necessary for effective blood clotting and important to bone health. It is important to note that anyone taking blood-thinning medication should monitor vitamin K intake.
     Folate is an important nutrient for women who are pregnant or wishing to become pregnant, as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
     As with most vegetables, Brussels sprouts are a good source of fiber that is beneficial in digestive and gut health. A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts has shown to reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of pro-inflammatory diseases.
     When selecting Brussels sprouts, look for bright green compact heads, and whenever possible, buy them on the stalk. It was actually on-the-stalk Brussels sprouts that caught my kids’ attention over 20 years ago that forced – I mean inspired – me to try the fresh variety.
     My kids were genuinely excited about a vegetable that looked like something out of a science fiction movie, but I did not share their enthusiasm. I had only eaten them in the school cafeteria growing up and I was not a fan. That day, however, I made a decision to build on their enthusiasm and we bought them.
     Now, this was in a time before Google and Pinterest, so I had to figure out how to cook them on my own. I knew from experience that lemon, garlic and butter could make anything palatable, so after steaming them, that’s what I added. Guess what…the kids loved them and even more surprising…so did I. From that day, Brussels sprouts became a part of our vegetable rotation.
     If, like me, you formed your opinion of Brussels sprouts (or any vegetable for that matter) on something you were served in the school lunchroom, I really urge you to try them fresh. God bless the school lunch ladies decades ago, but most of the vegetables served were overcooked and not very tasty.
     The recipe below is a tasty way to add more colorful plants to your holiday plate. When we served this dish at last year’s Christmas dinner, it got more attention than the ever-famous green bean casserole!
 

     The Grain Valley Boys Wrestling team split their home Tri Meet Match on Tuesday, December 10th against Raytown South and Oak Park. The Eagles dropped their first dual against Oak Park by a score of 45-33 before coming back to defeat Raytown South in their second dual by a 60-6 margin.
     Overseeing the action is first year Boys Wrestling Head Coach Jeff Bowman. Preparing rosters, making sure things get mopped, and delegating the assembly of mats are just a few of the logistical items that come with hosting a meet.
     Bowman has prepared for this opportunity through his background in starting his educational and coaching career at Blue Springs South. Doug Black was his mentor and Bowman attributes him taking him under his wing when he was a young assistant coach. Bowman credits learning a lot of great wrestling technique due to the leadership and talented wrestlers he worked with at Blue Springs South.
     Bowman’s career continued upon his arrival to Grain Valley where he credits former Eagles Wrestling Coaches Jesse Whitson and James Evans with supporting his continued growth in the sport. Bowman is joined this season with longtime suburban area wrestling coach Matt Cox as one of his assistants.
     With any wrestling program comes changes with someone new at the helm. Bowman reflected on what the transition has been like for him.
     “Things are both hectic and relaxed in a positive way. I am laid back and relaxed with my personality. I also have responsibilities that need to get done that can make things hectic at times. The kids miss Coach Whitson. We talk about our legacy as a program due to that as well as how we prepare and bring intensity to continue that legacy. I’m excited with what the future holds for all of us,” Bowman said.
     “I enjoy that wrestling is one on one competition. You get to truly test yourself by seeing who the better wrestler is in this sport. There’s no way to hide in these contests. It’s a celebration if you win. If you lose, you have to look at yourself and how you can improve to get better.”
     The allure of coaching to Bowman is the desire to help people reach their goals while working to build a positive rapport with young men (as well as young women with the addition of the girls wrestling program). Happiness through watching student athletes grow is another element of why Bowman is in his current profession.
     There are several wrestlers Bowman has been impressed with regarding their leadership and ability at the outset of the season.
     “Drake Tipton, Trent Starr, Jayden Jacobson, Drew Azcona, and Hunter Newsom are a few guys that have put forth a lot of effort so far to go along with their ability. However, wrestling is a team sport and it takes a lot to get this thing going. I’m proud of our team,” Bowman said.
     “This season I want to see strong young men, who encourage one another and show what’s needed to get past boundaries that prohibit growth. As far as we can get towards state and having as many wrestlers get to state is also at the forefront.”
     The Eagles Boys Wrestling Team will next be in action on December 13th-14th at the Helias Catholic Tournament as well as December 17th with their next Tri Meet at home.