by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


This week’s article shall begin with the Original Town, Lot 19, a location I knew very well as a child.  The building on Lot 19, which burned on December 9. 1959 was Napier Hardware, a business owed by my parents, Mildred and Charlie Napier. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Lot 19 is a pie shaped piece of land in the half-block that borders the railroad on the northeast side of Main Street.

The first owner of this lot was Mell Hulse It was sold to M. L. Hall on January 20, 1900. And this is where my research has hit a snag. In the Recorders book it appears that  N.T. Webb purchased the land on May 21, 1909 and the Warren Webb Mercantile Co. purchased Lot 19 and the building on November 16, 1910. However, I have a photograph of the Warren Webb Hardware dated 1902. I suppose 120 years later, it doesn’t really matter, but it is curious.

The lot and building were sold to W. H. Loring  on June 7, 1916 and for the next 50 years, it was known as Loring Hardware. When Mr. Loring died the title was transferred to his wife, Ada Loring. For many years following his death, Loring Hardware was managed by Abner Hanes and later Cecil Poage. My parents bought the business in 1949. However, it must have been bought with a mortgage because the title transfer did not occur until May 29, 1956. That would also explain why the name change didn’t occur until that time. I never really knew why and I never asked either of my parents. I just remember old Painter Neal, a sign painter who lived “out south” came to town one day and painted Napier Hardware on the large window near the front door. Unfortunately, I have no photographs of my family’s business. Some years after the fire, Hugo Pierce purchased the vacant lot and it 1972 Lot 19 became the property of The Bank of Grain Valley.

The information for Lot 20 is somewhat sketchy. There are only 4 names on the deed prior to 1962; N. Bohin, Ed Williams, W. J. Pratt and Edgar Huff. In 1962, three years after the fire Mary Mollenkamp, granddaughter of the Bank of Grain Valley President, at the time, is listed as the owner and then Model Engineering who also owned Lots 21-24.  Since the fire in 1959 Lot 20, like Lot 19 has only been vacant and a parking lot. Prior to the fire Lot 21 was actually Front Street as shown on the map.

As for the building on Lot 20, during the late 1920s and early 30s, it was one of three small hotels in town. The lower floor sometimes housed a restaurant and rooms where the proprietor might have lived. Outside stairs on the south side of the building led to the second level with as many as 6 or 8 separate rooms.

I do not know when the hotel closed. I do know that gasoline pumps were in front of the building in the 1940 when Mr. Huff ran an auto repair shop there, selling gas out front. When the building burned there were 3 apartments on the second level and the lower floor was vacant. The fire was started in one of the apartments by a sleeping man who fell asleep (more likely passed out) with a lit cigarette. At the time, Grain Valley did not have city water! Many homes and business near the area had roof fires that night. Less than two weeks later a city water bond, which had failed for years, passed with only 3 NO votes.
 
Next week learn about the remaining 18 lots, part of the Downtown Grain Valley revitalization/Missouri Main Street porject.
​

In today's ever-changing job market, it's more important than ever to have the skills and qualifications necessary to succeed in a high-paying career. Unfortunately, many hardworking adults in suburban Eastern Jackson County are struggling to make ends meet while also trying to gain the education they need to qualify for better jobs. That's where Job Skills for New Careers comes in.
 
This collaborative community initiative, launched in early 2020, is focused on helping adults gain the skills they need to succeed in in-demand careers like Certified Nursing Assistants, Computer Support Specialists, EKG technicians, CDL drivers, Phlebotomy technicians, and many, many more. By utilizing adult education funding available through numerous local programs, individuals can gain critical career skills that can make a remarkable impact on their lives in the long term without going into debt.
 
What sets Job Skills for New Careers apart from other education programs is the comprehensive wrap-around services provided by Community Services League. These critical services provide individuals with support for everything from utilities and rent assistance, purchasing scrubs and stethoscopes for the first day of work, to offering personal finance coaching and resume writing. These critical programs and services allow people to navigate beyond life's barriers to achieve their career goals.
 
The success rate of Job Skills for New Careers is truly impressive. In 2020, 53 individuals completed training programs. This year, more than 200 individuals are expected to complete their certificate programs and will be well on their way to a better career and life for themselves and their families. They will go far in new careers that pay living wages and are proven to be in high demand in the region.
 
One of the key factors contributing to the success of Job Skills for New Careers is its collaborative approach. With organizations like Community Services League, Mid-Continent Public Library, KC Scholars, the University of Central Missouri, the Independence Council for Economic Development, and the Mid-America Regional Council, Job Skills for New Careers offers a pathway to success at every level, from high school GED to landing that dream job. By working together, our partners can offer a wide variety of readily available solutions to some of the most common barriers to adult learning.
 
KC Scholars received a $50 million grant from The Kauffman Foundation to provide adult-learning tuition assistance, and they have lofty goals for participation and completion rates. KC Scholars provides tuition assistance for approved training programs that lead to careers with salaries between $45,000 and $85,000. More than 60% of our participants will have their tuition paid by KC Scholars through the Great Jobs KC program.
 
The Truman Heartland Community Foundation fundholders also play a critical role in the success of Job Skills for New Careers. They provide financial support for the wrap-around services that make this initiative so effective, donating nearly $600,000 since 2020. Unlike other partner funds that are restricted to tuition reimbursement, the flexibility of our fundholder dollars is unique. Their gifts immediately go out to help our hard-working neighbors stay on the road to financial stability with a better career.
 
If you're interested in taking part in this program as an adult learner, start your journey with our friends at Community Services League (www.cslcares.org/newskills) or KC Scholars (www.kcscholars.org/great-jobs-kc-scholarship). They will walk you through the process and help you find the right career path for you. And if you would like to learn how you can use your donor advised fund or some other charitable vehicle to support Job Skills for New Careers or other Foundation initiatives, contact THCF (www.thcf.org or 816.836.8189). With the support of our community, we can help hardworking adults gain the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in today's job market.
 

A few more hours at the Recorder of Deeds Office in the Jackson County Courthouse and I am able to tell you a bit more history about some of the businesses in our town. Although more businesses currently exist on the west side of Main Street, the “original town” was on the east side.
 
Some readers may recall seeing this map of the original 4 acres which appeared in the Looking Back column of Valley News on July 23, 2020. As you can see, when the town received the land from Mr. Lucas, those four acres were divided into 38 separate parcels. Lots 1 through 18 were on the south side of the railroad and lots 19 through 38 were on the north side.  They stretched from 1st Street on the North (now Walnut) to the edge of town (there was no street on the south end) and included Main Street and Cypress with a 10-foot alley in between.

The first owners of these lots would have been the early settlers, and many of the names were earlier associated with both Stony Point and Pink Hill –Bishop, Browne, Harris, George, Spindle, Hulse, Bohn, Cannon, Wood, Keshler, Keener, J. F. Gregg, Elisha Moore, E. J. Williams, Dean, and D. M. Majors. A few put buildings on their lots, but many like James Lucas were land speculators and soon sold their lots to individuals who would put a business in our town.

Lots 1 & 2 were sold to J. N. Daniel, a doctor who established his practice in Grain Valley for several years. August and John Heidelberger both purchased multiple lots, although there is no record of them ever owning a business. In 1944, Ray Frantz purchased lots 1 through 8 and built his home and business there. It may be important to note that each lot (1-8) was only 22 ½ feet wide and 115 feet deep. Thus, multiple lots were required for almost anything that would be built. At some point prior to 1904, Harris Street was established south of Lots 8 and 9. 1904 was when Mabel (Harris) Peal was born to Charles and Lula Harris (great-great grandparents of current Mayor Mike Todd).

Lots 9 through 12 were owned for many years by the Rosa Stillwell. In the 1950s Elwood Elliott and later Eura Bush had a house at the end of Harris Street. Lots 13 through 18 were owned  by 9 individuals before being purchased by the Grain Valley Lumber Co. in 1913. From the 1940s until the mid-1960s Floyd Sharp had a lumber yard there. Today, that would be the car wash!
 
Next week learn about the businesses north of the railroad tracks, part of the Downtown Grain Valley revitalization/Missouri Main Street project. Visit the Historical Society to view the records of all of the owners of the original town and the Graves and Ashcroft addition (west side of Main Street)  from 1878 through 1975.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 
It takes me a minute to enter gifts to the Historical Society into the accession book. That’s because my curiosity about the items slows me down. I’m still looking at the books we received a few weeks ago. Sometimes they are informative and sometimes they are just good for a laugh. Such is the case with The Household Searchlight Homemaking Guide.

Published in 1937, the book deals “…in an intelligible and usable way with a wide range of homemaking problems including etiquette, weddings, menus, cooking, health and beauty, home furnishings and equipment, dyeing, stain removal, insect extermination, the care of the lawn, entertainment, club activities, and the mental health of children.” Quite a wide variety of topics!

According to the book’s foreword it is the product of uncounted years of experience on the part of the staff, and of five years of intensive investigation, testing and writing. The book includes so many topics because “…the American family does not live by bread alone; that beauty, dignity, emotional adjustment within the family, and wholesome interest in community affairs are integral ingredients of a satisfying home life.” (Keep in mind, the book was written over 85 years-ago.)

These qualities must have been important to Ruby McQuerry (Mrs. Elmer Duncan) as what appears to have been a well-read book ended up with her great niece. We believe it was hers because a recipe, handwritten by her, was found among the pages. What I’m about to share is from the entertainment chapter which begins with this message.

“Successful parties depend on suitable and original entertainment. The games must be chosen to interest the age group, and they must be appropriate to the type of party being given.”
 
The instructions were to give guests this list of flowers and ask them to fill in the correct names which I have provided in parenthesis.

1. One way to become rich (marigold)
2. An expression of pleasure and a sharp instrument. (Smilax)
3. A boy’s name and a pen (Jonquil)
4. A motor vehicle. A negative, and to avoid. (carnation)
5. To recline and slack. (Lilacs. Lie-lax)
6. Bewilderment and a letter (Daisy)
7. Large groups. (Phlox)
8. Existing forever. (Everlasting)
9. Cupid’s victim. (Bleeding heart)
10. A melancholy beauty. (Bluebell)
11. To complete, a letter, and to allow. (Violet
12. A brilliant light and a blossom. (Sunflower)
13. A pillar and a twining stem. (Columbine)
14. The tea hour. (Four o’clock)
15. An explosive sound and a letter. (Poppy)
16. Four. (Ivy, IV)
17. A Christmas green and a Rhenish wine. (Hollyhock)
18. A spread for bread and a container. (Buttercup)
19. Magnificence in the early part of the day (Morning-glory)
20. A gilded stick. (Goldenrod)

 
I can’t help but wonder if there is an age group alive that would enjoy this game today! Does anyone still play games? Perhaps someone who was around in 1937?

In the weeks to come I may offer you more advise from The Household Searchlight Homemaking Guide.

Meanwhile, drop by the Grain Valley Historical any Wednesday between 9 AM and 3 PM and check out this and other historical books.
​

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


From table linens and bath towels to doilies and dishes, numerous household items that once belonged to Ida (Houston) and William Rockhill Nelson, were embellished with the Nelson insignia.

Was this a family crest, a logo, an emblem, or merely a pretty decoration used to personalize their belongings? I will never know. My parents never knew, nor did my grandparents, because the decoration never appeared around the livestock at Sni-A-Bar Farms.

When William Rockhill Nelson’s 30-year trust was dissolved in 1945, there were no heirs to  inherit the furnishings from the cottage at Sni-A-Bar. To complicate matters, everything had the “N” on it.  Therefore, there wasn’t much that interested the Cochels, or the Davidsons, or the Reeds. So Mrs. Francisco, the long-time treasurer of the trust, and the lawyers told my Grandfather Napier, the only “N” in the bunch, to take whatever he wanted. My grandmother once told me there were 80 to 100 place settings of the dishes. She and grandfather took 12 and gave my parents 12 (places settings). Each setting included a dinner plate, a bread-and-butter plate, a soup bowl, and a cup and saucer. Because they are well over 100 years old, many are cracked, but I can still set the table for a small dinner party. I also have a few serving pieces, stamped with Tiffany’s of New York on the bottom.

Several years ago, my father offered them to the Nelson-Atkins Museum, but they were not interested. If you are, come to the Grain Valley Historical Society and see our exhibit. 

​If the town ever builds anything on the Sni-A-Bar land, I will donate these items along with some furniture pieces. Otherwise, they will be at the Grain Valley Historical Society. Come and see our exhibit. We’re open on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 3 PM and by appointment!

Every year, we invite local Mayors to nominate a member of their community to be recognized as their city's Citizen of the Year. The chosen citizens are selected based on their volunteer work, contributions to their city's economic or financial development, leadership in business, and efforts toward promoting a more positive and inclusive community for all.
 
The 2023 Citizens of the Year have demonstrated outstanding excellence in one or more of these areas of civic engagement, and, as you will see in their stories below, they have been active in their communities for many years. They strive to make their community a better place because that’s what people should do.

These awardees have not been seeking this kind of recognition, which is why it is our privilege to recognize their achievements at our Toast of Our Towns Gala, on Saturday, September 23, at the Sheraton Hotel at Crown Center. We are pleased that Blue Ridge Bank and Trust will again be our Presenting Sponsor for the event festivities, helping us make this a memorable evening for all our honorees.
 
Blue Springs Citizen of the Year – Russell Clark
Russell was the owner and president of Big Picture Signs n’ Mor before moving on to and retiring from Golden Years Construction and Remodeling in 2008. Russell represented District 2 as an Alderman on the Blue Springs City Council for several years and was a Commissioner of the Blue Springs Charter Commission in 1993. Beyond his city government service, Russell contributed to his community by instructing adult education courses in various art forms at Blue Springs High School for several years. Russell was involved in a number of organizations, including the Son's of the American Legion for nearly 50 years, serving as Cub Master of Pack 763, and acting as chairman of the Fall Fun Fest for many years. Additionally, he was President of the Blue Springs Kiwanis Club for six years and currently serves as the program manager for guest speakers. Russell truly embodies the spirit of community service.
 
Grain Valley Citizen of the Year - Marty Napier
Marty holds the Grain Valley Historical Society close to her heart. She volunteers every Wednesday to ensure that the building is open to the public and that they can view all the amazing historical artifacts. Marty also writes a column for the Grain Valley News, sharing stories about families who have shaped the history of the community. She is truly the Grain Valley historian. Additionally, Marty serves as a board member for the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Grain Valley Board and advises the counseling office at the Grain Valley School District. She also served for six years on the Truman Heartland Community Foundation Blue Springs/Grain Valley Advisory Board, serving as chair for a year. Her passion and dedication will play a vital role in the rejuvenation of Main Street as she advocates for local businesses and fosters community spirit, which has already helped Grain Valley prosper.
 
Grandview Citizen of the Year – Ben Teevan
Ben is a member of America's Greatest Generation, having served in the Navy aboard the USS Alabama from 1943 to 1946. He and his wife, Betty, raised their three children in Grandview, and they all graduated from Grandview High School. Ben is highly dedicated to maintaining his yard and still cares for it by himself. He has proudly received Grandview’s coveted "Yard of the Month" award not once but twice. His unwavering resilience, personal fortitude, and utterly beautiful yard have earned him the respect and admiration of the whole community.
 
Independence Citizen of the Year – Bob Spradling
Bob spent 50 years as the pastor of Maywood Baptist Church, helping people find their church home. He was an active member of the Personnel Committee for the City of Independence and played an active role in the school boundary change. Bob is an advocate for addiction recovery and supports organizations like Northwest Community Development Corporation, Twelve Blocks West, and the Independence Police Charitable Foundation. His civic leadership has earned him numerous awards, including the Key to the City of DeRidder, Louisiana, the THCF Citizen of the Year for his work with the school transition team, and the Civic Leadership Award from the Westgate Division of the Missouri League. Today, he continues to make a difference with his friend Rudy Ross by sharing daily YouTube videos on a variety of topics with warmth and humor.
 
Lake Lotawana & Lee’s Summit Citizen of the Year – Carl Chinnery
Carl has an impressive history of serving various organizations in leadership roles. He was the Chairman of the Truman Medical Center Planned Giving Council, as well as the Children's Mercy Hospital Planned Giving Council. He served as Secretary for the Powell Gardens Board and held the position of District Governor of Rotary International from 2002 to 2003. He served as the President of the Lee's Summit Chamber in 1978 and the President of the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council in 1996-1997. In addition, he was a past Chairman at Rockhurst College Small Business Development Corporation. Carl has also been the President of the Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education and the President of the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation. His strong entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive him to help his community, even in “retirement.”
 
Lake Tapawingo Citizen of the Year – John Braden
John has been a dedicated member of the Lake Tapawingo community for many years. In 2002, he volunteered to be the editor of the Lake Tapawingo News, a monthly newsletter that serves as a vital tool for bringing the community together. n 2012, the Country Club Board once again needed an editor for the Lake Tapawingo News, and John was happy to resume the role he had previously held for over a decade. Throughout his time in the community, John has also volunteered for various projects, including the Lake Tapawingo Community Advisory Project in 2004 and a task force to study building a new joint City Hall/Country Club Office complex in 2008. He has also advocated for property tax increases to finance a general obligation bond to replace the water system. John's unwavering commitment to the Lake Tapawingo community has made a significant impact.
 
Oak Grove Citizen of the Year – Becky & Randy Messer
Becky and Randy are unmistakable figures in their Oak Grove community. For nearly 30 years, Becky was a teacher in the Oak Grove School District and was named Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022. She has dedicated countless hours to empowering students and volunteers as both a coach and teacher for the Parks and Recreation department. Randy, a retired Pastor of First Baptist Church, Oak Grove, has served the people of Oak Grove for more than 30 years. He was recently named Oak Grove Chamber Citizen of the Year and has volunteered for numerous local events and committees. Together, they are a dynamic couple who consistently go above and beyond for others, and their generous spirit has made a profound impact on the lives of so many.    
 
Raytown Citizen of the Year – Martha Cockrell
In 2009, Martha retired from her position as Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources at Raytown Quality Schools. However, she returned four years later as the Executive Director of Raytown Educational Foundation. Martha has been instrumental in expanding the foundation, which now has more than $1 million in funds that are used to support and enhance Raytown schools. She is an active member of several organizations, including the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Raytown Kiwanis Club, and Truman Heartland Community Foundation, where she held a wide variety of leadership roles, including board chair in 2014. Martha is a dedicated educator who believes in giving back to the community she loves.
 
Sugar Creek Citizen of the Year – Patrick Casey
Patrick has a strong commitment to serving his community. He was born and raised in Sugar Creek and graduated from St. Mary's High School. Patrick has dedicated much of his time to serving his community as a volunteer firefighter, then as Deputy Fire Chief, and finally as Fire Chief. He has been a vital member of the Sugar Creek City Council and an effective and efficient City Administrator. Additionally, Patrick helps organize the Red Bag Day event each year, which collects gifts for local children in need. He also participates in an annual fundraiser to support people impacted by Down Syndrome. Patrick's heart is full of compassion, and he has made a significant positive impact on the entire Sugar Creek community.
 
Please join us at our Toast to Our Towns Gala on September 23rd to help us celebrate all the people who make our communities great! (https://thcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=2815)

Enjoying a nutritious meal in minutes is possible and only a few beeps away using the microwave! The microwave ranks toward the very top of our list of kitchen appliances – especially when it comes to needing a time-saving solution. The microwave is also perfect for college-age students who are looking for a quick meal outside of the school cafeteria, and for simply cooking for one, regardless of your age. It’s never been easier to complement your on-the-go lifestyle with nourishing meals, thanks to the microwave. 

Of course many frozen and microwaveable meals can be notoriously high in sodium! Look for prepared meals that contain less than 600 milligrams of sodium per serving on the food label, and serve with additional fruits and vegetables for a satisfying meal solution.

Hy-Vee dietitians encourage you to find meal solutions that combine protein and fiber to help fill you up and keep you full longer without causing rapid spikes in blood sugar. Try these five combinations below the next time you’re in a time crunch. Eating more fast foods cooked in your microwave may even help you avoid unpleasant symptoms like greasy fingers and bloated bellies. Simply heat, eat and enjoy!

5 Nutritious “Fast Food” Meal Ideas to Zap and Enjoy in No Time:
1-Just crack an egg + whole-grain English muffin + glass of milk
2-Hy-Vee quick oats + Hy-Vee peanut butter + honey + fresh or dried fruit
3-Refrigerated meal helpers (ie: Kevin’s Chicken Marsala) + Full Circle organic ready-to-eat quinoa + steamer broccoli florets
4-MorningStar Farms plant-based patties + sandwich thin + green beans + fresh fruit
5-Mexican-Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – check out the complete recipe below!
 
Hungry for more? Join our Healthy You Subscription today! Stay accountable for your health goals this summer with help from Hy-Vee dietitians and our new Healthy You Subscription. The Healthy You Subscription is a monthly subscription program in which you will have access to a Hy-Vee dietitian, receive personalized nutrition advice and coaching, as well as access to virtual Hy-Vee classes and other online resources.

​Ready to learn more? Reach out to your local Hy-Vee dietitian today or visit:
https://www.hy-vee.com/health/hy-vee-dietitians/hy-vee-healthy-you-subscription.aspx.
 
Mexican-Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Serves 2
 
All you need:
2 (12-oz each) sweet potatoes
1 cup shredded Hy-Vee rotisserie chicken breast
¾ cup Hy-Vee no-salt-added canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1¼ cups Hy-Vee fresh pico de gallo, divided
2 tsp Hy-Vee Mexican style fajita seasoning mix, divided
1 cup Hy-Vee finely shredded Mexican cheese, divided
½ cup Hy-Vee sour cream (*Optional: Substitute with ½ cup plain Greek yogurt)
½ tsp fresh lime juice
Cilantro, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
 
All you do:
1.Scrub sweet potatoes; pat dry and pierce several times with a fork. Place in a microwave-safe baking dish; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 13 to 15 minutes or until fork-tender.
2.Combine rotisserie chicken, black beans, ¾ cup Hy-Vee pico de gallo and 1 teaspoon fajita seasoning mix in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover; microwave on HIGH for 1½ to 3 minutes or until hot.
3.Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Place each potato, cut sides up, on a microwave-safe plate. Fluff insides with a fork. Sprinkle with ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese. Top with chicken mixture and an additional ½ cup Mexican cheese. Microwave each potato, uncovered, on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4.Stir together sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, lime juice and remaining 1 teaspoon fajita seasoning. Top potatoes with remaining ½ cup pico de gallo and sour cream or Greek yogurt mixture. Garnish with fresh cilantro; serve with lime wedges, if desired.
 
Recipe adapted from Hy-Vee.com   
 
This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 
Today, when we mention Sni-A-Bar Farms, we often think only of the famous purebred Shorthorn show cattle or the grade cattle experiments that were carried out over twenty plus years. But Sni-A-Bar Farms was equally well-known for other experiments carried out by the University of Missouri College of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture.

The contribution which Sni-A Bar Farms made toward the improvement of soil fertility and the introduction of new crops was equal in importance to its contribution to the improvement of livestock.

 In 1929, the first test in the use of hybrid corn was conducted at Sni-A-Bar in cooperation with the University of Missouri. It resulted in an average production of 90 bushels to the acre as compared with 72 acres in check plots.

In 1930, a field was seeded to Korean lespedeza, the first field use of this crop in Missouri. The results secured from this experiment contributed largely to the introduction of the crop for pastures and hay throughout Missouri. The use of lespedeza for pastures as a supplement to blue grass revolutionized the grazing practices of the state and was considered one of the most outstanding contributions which Sni-A-Bar made to agriculture, and they made a lot!

Atlas sorgo as a silage crop was also introduced by Sni-A-Bar into the state. Under normal growing seasons it produced 2 to 4 tons an acre more than corn, and in periods of drought when corn was almost a complete failure, it yielded from 8 to 10 tons per acre. It became one of the most widely used silage crops in Missouri.

Experiments in pasture improvement were shown by the increased carrying capacity. When first established, 1000 acres devoted to pasture could not carry 200 cattle without supplemental feeding in late summer. By mowing weeds and keeping grass ahead of the cattle, 600 head could be grazed in the same area with a surplus for winter pasture.     

The summer months can be dangerous time for teens, as extra free time can lead them to do careless things like talking to strangers on online forums. If you're a parent of a tween or teen, you need to make sure you're speaking to your teens about the dangers of sharing sexual material online, especially because of the rise of sextortion scams targeting them.

Sextortion involves criminals reaching out and forming relationships with teens on social media platforms like Snapchat, BeReal, Discord, as well as online gaming platforms. With the help of AI, criminals are able to disguise themselves as teens to friend them and trick them into sending nude photos.

Here's what you need to know:

How does it work? 
Cyber crooks setup online profiles or steal social media accounts that appear to be around the same age as the victim. They then begin reaching out with friend requests on various online chat platforms, and then move the conversation to a platform such as Instagram where they can view the victim’s personal information and contacts. They then send the victim an intimate image and encourage them to take part in video chats or sharing their own intimate pictures.

Screenshots are taken of intimate images and videos are recorded. As soon as an intimate image or video has been shared, the victim is told they have been recorded and that the recording or pictures will be shared online or with their friends and family unless a ransom is paid immediately. The scammers apply pressure to the victim and tell them the image will be deleted as soon as they pay.

Some cases have incurred losses in the thousands of dollars, and these are just the cases that are reported.  What's worse with sextortion, there have been instances of teens who feel they are put into a no-win situation with this scam and they take their lives when faced with public humiliation from having the photos and videos released to family and friends.

What are some of the signs of a sextortion scam? Some tell-tale signs of a sextortion scam include but are not restricted to:

• Meeting the victim on one app and quickly encouraging them to move the conversation onto another app.
• Inconsistencies with the profile or language – such as English being a second language which may not match their profile picture or story.
• Immediate introduction of sexual conversations – the victim will be encouraged to engage in sexual activities, by either a real person who is part of a larger blackmailing operation or a pre-recorded video.
• The scammer being hesitant to reveal their true identity, giving excuses like their webcam/camera isn’t working for video calls.

What to do if your teen has fallen victim to sextortion?
If your children have fallen victim to a sextortion scam, then immediately support, without questions of why they did what they did, to ensure that they do not pay, and that they and you are prepared for how people may react if the images or video is released.

• The first step is to cease all contact with the scammer.
• Save or screenshot any online chats for evidence, then block the scammer’s profile.
• If they are still sending threatening messages, victims should not pay them and or share any more images or videos.
• It might be helpful to tell friends and family not to engage with any strangers who message them.
• The next step is to contact the correct authorities – by reporting to your local police.
• if you have a copy of the private images or video you are being threatened with, you can use a free service to get them removed. Images or videos of people under 18 years of age: Take It Down. (https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/) Images or videos of people aged 18 and over: Stop NCII (https://stopncii.org/)
• It might be a good idea to deactivate your teens social media profiles for a while or set social media account privacy settings to their highest level.

Hopefully, this post has given you the information you need to keep your teens safe from the dangers of sextortion scams. If you think you're being targeted, don't hesitate to reach out. If you need further assistance, please reach out to me with any questions you might have. I am always happy to help!



Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.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.

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