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by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society I cannot be sure when the Yennie Addition was annexed into the Town of Grain Valley, but I do know it was around 1910. This is going to require another trip to the Recorder of Deeds office in Independence. I can tell you that the Yennie Addition covered the land from Walnut Street north to Yennie and from Gregg Street west to Thieme, a big square block with a branch running through the middle. Originally, Lots 1 through 6 were owned by Jasper N. Sanders, my great grandfather. It was on these six lots that he had three homes built; one for each of his daughters. The Sanders Sisters Mittie Frances (1889), Lula May (1887), and Ruth Arene (1892) Lula, the oldest married Walter Elliott and for a short time they lived in the middle house. By 1920 that home was sold to Ida Russell, a widow with a daughter, Goldie Russell Montgomery. Fant and Rena Ewing lived there through most of the 1940s and 50’s. The Johnson Family lived there in the 1960s and 70s. Tim and Stacey Hunter lived there in the 1980s and 1990s. More recently, the home was renovated, and the Hall family lives there. Mittie married Elmer Rumbo in July, 1906. I’m unsure of where their first home was, but I believe they moved to Walnut Street around 1910. I’ve been told their home at the corner of Walnut and Capelle was the first of the three to built. I know for certain their second daughter, my mother, was born in that house on April 29, 1914. She was so small she was placed on the oven door in the kitchen to keep her warm. He father took one look at her and called her a little “Mutt,” a name that stayed with her until he died. The Rumbos remained in the home until Mittie’s death in 1975. For a while, the Martin family lived there and the Nading Family. I do not know who currently owns the home. Ruth married James I. Belford. They only lived in the house on the east end of the block (corner of Walnut and Gregg) a few years before they moved to Oklahoma. Uncle Jib was born there before it became a state. The taxes were paid by Elmer Rumbo through 1933 and I sort of remember hearing that the house was rented to various tenants. In 1934, the property was purchased by Opal (Rumbo) and Clyde Fristoe. They lived there for the rest of their lives. Opal died in 1995 and Clyde died in December 1997. Since that time the house was owned by Mrs. Golden and for the last several years it has served as the parsonage for the First Baptist Church. Mittie & Elmer Rumbo Lula & Walter Elliott Ruth and James Belford
Next week I hope to present more “homes with a history.” Who says older, well-built homes won’t last a lifetime; maybe two or three lifetimes. If there is an older home in Grain Valley you would like to know more about, contact me. I’ll do my best. I’m at the Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 3 PM, or leave a message in the Valley News or on our website gvhistory1878@gmail.com. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society You know what people say about hindsight. Looking back, I certainly wish we had some old calendars from previous Leap Years. Throughout history, various events have occurred on February 29, the actual day marking leap year. For example, George Armstrong Custer fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), the Titanic sank (1912), Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity (1752), and gold was discovered in California (1848). By inserting ("intercalculating") an additional day, a leap day, or month, a leap month, into some years, the drift between a civilization's dating system and the physical properties of the solar system can be corrected. We do have a 2024 Leap Year Calendar and the historic photographs for the year featuring Downtown Grain Valley. The February photo was given to the Historical Society by Alan Lefko and Mr. Lefko told me it was given to him by someone who noted it was the year he was born! (I hope he doesn’t mind that his age has been revealed.) Downtown Grain Valley, circa 1933
The photographer was probably standing on the east side of Main Street a block south of the railroad. It is difficult to determine what was in each of the buildings. In the foreground on the left we can see what must have been an auto repair shop. At least we can be sure they sold Goodyear tires. Across the tracks we clearly see the Bank of Grain Valley which still had a corner entrance. Beyond the bank was Storm’s Pharmacy and in the distance the Sni-A-Bar Bank building and the Christian Church. On the right side of the of the photograph is the old lumber yard. It is impossible to see the remaining buildings which would have been Loring Hardware, a hotel, the Ryan Building, and the grocery store which was owned by Edward and Otis Williams in the early 1930s. While there are few cars parked along the street, this shows our peaceful little town during The Great Depression (1929-1939) and just prior to World War II. It certainly makes one wonder how many families were still using horses or walking? Electricity was not in every home, certainly not water, and just out of view on the right there was an icehouse. Many homes got 25# blocks for their ice box. My grandfather would tell you that refrigerators were a luxury in most Grain Valley homes in the 1930s! If you have a leap year calendar you are will to part with, please bring it to the Historical Society Museum. It is open on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 3 PM. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The oldest Municipal Tax Book at the Grain Valley Historical Society begins with the year 1920. At that time, the houses along the north side of Yennie Street, from Broadway (now Main Street) to Thieme were known as the Johnson’s Addition to Grain Valley. There were 17 lots. In 1920, Harvey A Johnson owned the West 40 feet of lot 12 and all of lots 13, 14, 15, and 16. John W. Stephenson owned lot 17. James H. Webb owned 10 feet of the East side of lot 12 and all of lot 11, the Hard Shell Baptist Church (Valley News, January 23, 2024). The Stillion’s House
The house above sits on Lot 16. While I cannot know for sure when this house was built, I can only guess that it may have been built before 1920. At the very least, I believe there was some type of structure there because the taxes on lot 16 were $6.70 while the taxes on lots 14 and 15 were 70-cents each. Lot 13 probably had a building as well because it was taxed at $5.50. In 1922 someone wrote across the ledger, in pencil, ”not In town.” I’m not sure why they paid taxes if they were “not in town.” As always, when I research town history I’m left with more questions than answers! In the tax records we are missing between 1927 and 1933 Mr. Johnson sold his land as follows: West 40 feet lot 12 and lot 13 to B. C. Raines; lot 14 and East ½ of lot 15 to Fannie Graham; West ½ of lot 15 and lot 16 to Mary Grace and Emma Hoehn and lot 17 to Frank Anderson. As a young girl living in Grain Valley, I remember the Thompson house; the old church. I remember Mrs. Raines home. She was a widow by then. Mrs. Raines gave piano lessons. The house on lot 14/15 had been sold to Woody and Naomi Graham. Finally, the house in the photograph. It was known as the Stillions’ house but actually it was the Hoehn’s Sisters Home (No relation to the Haynes Sisters in White Christmas! It just sounds the same.) Frank Stillions came to Grain Valley to teach at the high school. He later became the superintendent. In 1946, at the age of 50 he married Grace Hoehn, a teller at the Bank of Grain Valley. The “old maid” sisters had shared the home until Emma died. It was then that Grace, also 50 years old, married Mr. Stillions. They left Grain Valley so he could teach for a year at CMSU, I believe. That was the first time that Jean and Bill Evans lived in the house. The Stillions returned for a couple of years and it was then that the garage and family room were added at the rear. Eventually, they retired or downsized as we say today. The Evans family bought the home where they lived until 1964. That was the same year that I left for Mizzou, so I do not remember the families that have lived in the home over the past 60 years. When I drive past the house today I think of the great times I had there with my good friend, Stephanie Evans. That house has stories to tell! Stop by the Grain Valley Historical Society any Wednesdays from 10:00am - 3:00pm. I can tell you a few! by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society It seems that every time I finish an article for this column I learn something more I could, perhaps should, have included in the story. That has been particularly true the last few weeks. Each time a story is published, someone has contacted me via email or in person to give me new information. That’s good for two reasons. First, I’m able to learn and share more information about our town. And second, it tells me that at least one person has read my column that week. I recently learned from an historical society member that her grandmother, Creola Warren, was a member of the Hard Shell Baptist Church –also known as Primitive Baptist. (Valley News, February 1, 2024) Indeed, the member’s ancestor, Zachariah Warren donated the land where the first New Liberty Baptist Church was built on Colburn Road. Zachariah’s son William A Warren built the first hardware store, circa 1900, in Grain Valley and moved into town. Creola was his daughter. Exactly when the Warrens began attending the Primitive Baptist Church is uncertain. They may have begun meetings in homes. At some point, they may have met in the home of James Webb. The location of his home may have been on Lot 11 and 10 feet on the east side of Lot 12 in the Johnson Addition. (located on the north side of Yennie Street). At the Grain Valley Historical Society, we have two property tax record journals. One dates from 1920 to 1925, and the second journal covers the years 1933 through 1945. From those journals I learned that the property was owned by James H. Webb in 1920. The first year that a tax exemption was given to the church was in 1924, perhaps the year church was established, or at least the year they congregants began meeting there on a regular basis. The property remained in Webb’s name until 1934. After that time the record simply read “church” and for a couple of years the record read “Primitive Church.” In 1945, the final recorded year in the journal, Lot 11 and 10 feet on the east side of Lot 12 was owned by Guy B. Thompson. Thus, we can only assume that the Hard Shell Baptist denomination existed in Grain Valley for at least 20 years, from 1924 to 1945. As for the two-story rock house on the northwest corner of Walnut and Capelle, (Valley News, February 8, 2024), another member of the historical society brought me a scrapbook filled with newspaper clipping kept by her grandmother, Ona Baumgardner. Among the clippings was a photograph of Rhoda Ashcroft Peerson at her loom. I further learned that she moved into the home around 1932, purchasing the home from Amy Wood, Dr. Wood’s widow. She moved to Grain Valley from her home southwest of Oak Grove after the death of her husband, John W. Peerson. The Peersons are buried in the Brown Cemetery on Stillhouse Road, southeast of Grain Valley. Rhoda Ashcraft Peerson, at her loom. Circa 1956. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society
Reservations are made and it’s time to start packing your bags for Spring Break – but aside from the sunscreen and sandals, have you thought about how to pack the essentials when it comes to your nutrition? We all know that vacations can lead to unpredictable eating patterns, and that can lead to crabby kiddos, dehydrated adults and overall fatigue. I want to share with you my top five spring break travel hacks that will set you up for nutrition success whether you’re flying or driving to your final destination!
First and most important, pack a reusable water bottle! Whether you are road tripping or flying, having a reusable water bottle on hand is an excellent way to save money and help you stay hydrated. If you’re headed through security at the airport, don’t forget to dump any remaining liquid pre-screening and then refill at a water station as you head to your gate. I encourage you to pack balanced snacks. You’ll skip the feelings of hanger and avoid impulsive and expensive snack purchases while traveling. Snacks can be key to maintaining your energy levels and keeping the kids entertained and satisfied when traditional mealtimes are missed or delayed. Balanced snacks can help you stay on track with your healthy eating habits! Focus on packing snacks that contain protein and fiber to help keep you full longer. This could include protein bars, fruit or veggies and nuts or seeds, dried edamame or chickpeas, snack crackers and cheese and more! My advice: Come up with a plan to keep items temperature controlled whenever possible, and pack them in reusable containers or storage bags to reduce waste! I cannot stress the importance of avoiding dehydration while traveling. So, while this tip pairs closely to my number one tip – even if you don’t pack a reusable water bottle, I recommend packing your electrolytes. Dehydration is incredibly common when traveling and can lead to irritability, lack of ability to concentrate, fatigue, muscle cramps, digestive distress and more! To avoid these symptoms come prepared with electrolyte supplements that you can use on long flights, road trips, upon arrival or before departure to ensure you are getting a dose of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to support your health and well-being while traveling. I highly recommend packing powdered electrolyte supplements such as Liquid I.V., BioSteel, Pedialyte or Nuun tablets to mix with your water. They will not take up excessive amounts of extra space but will provide exponential benefits! I love exploring new local restaurants and trying new foods when I am traveling, but I know that they may not prepare foods in the ways I would traditionally eat them at home. I also don’t always eat at the same time I normally would at home, especially if I am traveling within a different time zone. These shifts can lead to gastrointestinal distress or simply throw off your meal routine. If you dine out while traveling, I encourage you to enjoy dining out with these simple strategies: First, focus on still incorporating the food groups – fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy. Fruits, vegetables and grains will help provide fiber, while protein and dairy can help further enhance satiety. Second, try splitting entrees when dining out to maintain portion control. Or if you’re staying in a hotel or residence with a kitchen, cook some of your meals to save money and use ingredients you would normally incorporate into meals at home. Last but certainly not least, have a plan for your return from vacation and schedule your Aisles Online order in advance. You might find yourself coming home to an empty fridge or bare pantry. Use Hy-Vee Aisles Online to schedule an order delivery or pickup that is ready for you when you return from vacation! This will save you from final pit stops on the way home and allow you to unpack and settle in before the return to work. Get started on https://www.hy-vee.com/aisles-online! Ready to give one of my tips a try? Check out these deliciously easy homemade snack bars, perfect for travel! They combine protein and fiber to help keep you full longer and are completely customizable to your family’s taste preferences. If storing for the long haul, I recommend cutting into single-serving bars and freezing to help keep other snacks cold and to prevent a sticky or smooshed mess of a protein bar in your carry-on or cooler. Once defrosted, they are ready to enjoy! No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars All you need: 1 cup That’s Smart! creamy peanut butter ½ cup That’s Smart! honey 3 cups That’s Smart! 100% whole-grain quick-cooking oats ¾ cup desired mix-ins, such as: dried fruit, nuts and/or chocolate chips All you do:
Wondering how to get started on your health and wellness journey before Spring Break? Speak with a Hy-Vee registered dietitian who can help you create a plan that works for you. If you’re ready to learn how a Hy-Vee dietitian can help you, schedule a complimentary Discovery Session today by contacting our Discovery Call Center via email nutritionservices@hy-vee.com or calling (515) 695-3121. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The house we are looking at this week is in the Yennie Addition to Grain Valley. While I do not know the exact date when this addition was platted I would estimate that it was probably not until the late 1890s or early 1900s. Yennie Addition includes all of the lots from Yennie south to Walnut and from Gregg Street west to Thieme. There is a total of thirty-four lots in this addition. Born in 1877, Joseph Peter Yennie was only a couple of years old when his father died. His mother (Anastasia) moved to Kansas City and in 1881 she married Oscar Tesch. The Tesch family lived in Kansas City for many years, however, the 1920 U. S. Census listed their address as Sni-A-Bar, Missouri. Perhaps they followed her son Peter to Grain Valley, or maybe Anastasia’s first-born Anna Yennie Thieme, or their son Grover Cleveland Tesch as they were all three living in Grain Valley by 1900. When Joseph acquired the land that became Yennie Addition is unknown to me, however, my grandparents built their home on Lots 5 & 6 in 1910. A copy of the 1920 Property Tax for Grain Valley shows that Lloyd Williams sold Lot 7 to Dr. J. A. Wood during that year. A photograph at the Grain Valley Historical Society shows Dr. and Mrs. Wood and a group of “dressed to the nines’ ladies on the front steps of the home. They were identified as the Epworth League from the nearby Methodist Church having a “tea” at Dr. Wood’s home. By 1927, the taxes were paid by Amy wood, widow. The tax books are missing from 1927 until 1933, but in 1933, the taxes were paid by Rhoda Ashcroft Peerson. Ironically, her sister Lily was married to Grover Cleveland Tesch. Rhodie, as I knew her, was a Grain Valley “character!” She made and sold lye soap, beautiful rag rugs which she constructed on a huge loom that took up most of her dining room, and salve. She sold the salve in little tin cans and you can believe me, it would heal about anything from minor cuts to boils. Rhodie live there until her death in 1970. Ironically, I’m told the house is owned today by a great grandson of Lily Ashcraft Tesch. Another Grain Valley home packed with over 100 years of history and at least as many wonderful stories. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society
AI isn't here to ruin your world, it's the opposite. It's here to make your life a lot easier. There's no complicated process to use Generative AI. If you can use Google, you can use AI and with the increase in applications of artificial intelligence, there are ways you can use it to your advantage in daily life.
Some of the things you can use AI for include: explaining in plain English what your doctor's report said or helping you create effective social media posts for your business. Maybe you need a recipe for a family gathering. You ask AI to help you solve issues and come up with solutions for problems you're having around the house as well as helping you with personal issues you're dealing with. AI can make daily life more pleasant, productive, and easy to manage. Read on to find out how. The term AI doesn't mean Generative tools currently available are living machines. It means that you can talk to these tools like you would a human. If you've struggled in the days of DOS, you know trying to talk to a computer in machine language is impossible. With the help of AI, you can sit in front of your computer or smartphone and have conversations with ChatBots who are there to help you. Think of AI as Google on steroids! There are many tools that you can use to help you with your journey to using AI. If you're getting started here is a list of ones to get started: ChatGPT: It's available from any web browser or you can download the app for iPhone or Android. You will need to create an account. The free version works for most people. You have the option to pay $20 a month if you think you need more advanced tools which are designed for people who are using AI at an advanced level. Perplexity: You can use it free on the web for general purposes. There’s also a $20 per month Pro plan if you want to be able to upload images and get access to advanced tools. AI.Google Bard: You can use it free from any browser on your computer or smartphone. It's completely free if you have a Google account. Microsoft Copilot: Use it on Chrome or Edge at Copilot.Microsoft.com. You need to sign in with an active Microsoft account. You can also download the Bing app to your iPhone or Android device. How do I talk AI's Language? AI communication works in the form of prompts. Prompts are a way of "programming" AI to give you the results you want. Choosing the right prompt is an important step. For example, if you’re working on creating a schedule for house cleaning, make you're putting in all of the information related to scheduling such as days you work and days you have off. What rooms do you want to clean regularly or on a casual basis? A good prompt would work like this: "I need help with my house cleaning schedule. I work Monday through Friday from 8 am - 5 pm. I'm struggling with keeping up with laundry, as well as cleaning my bathrooms and kitchen. Can you come up with a schedule that will help me keep my house clean and organized?" You can revise this to whatever works for you. Let's get started. If you can think of it, there’s probably an AI tool that can do it. Rather than using Google to find answers, use AI. Here are some uses to get you started. Handyman: There are plenty of things that can go wrong around your house. Sometimes you need to know if you can fix these situations on your own, or know if you should just call a professional. Use the following prompts: "I spilled red wine on my carpet. Can you show me some effective methods of removing the stain" Another would be: "I think the pipes in my house are frozen. Do you have some simple home remedies to fix this issue?" Family organizer: If you have an overwhelming household, you can use AI as your family organizer to make your life easier. Use the following prompts: “Can you help create a schedule that will allow me to have lazy mornings, and make sure I get my kids to school at 7:55 am and start my virtual workday at 9:30 am." Another prompt could be: "For the following month, I have to work 8 to 5 Monday - Friday, take the kids to basketball practice on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Can you help me create a schedule I can stick to?” Looking for Online Love: Creating an online dating profile can be a challenge because it’s hard to talk about ourselves! Instead of racking your brain to come up with the perfect profile, ask AI to help. Use the following prompts: "Can you help with my online dating profile? I need you to ask me a series of questions to figure out what things I need to include. Make sure the questions you ask are about me and the qualities I want in a partner." Another prompt would be: "Can you look at my current online dating profile and add some things to spice it up." You can then copy and paste your online profile to allow AI to read it and give you pointers. Business Brainstorming: It's easy to get stuck in a marketing rut when it comes to your business. Make AI can be your idea-generating machine. Feed the proper prompts that are related to your business, and watch as it shoots out creative business concepts. Use the following prompts: "I’m thinking about starting a new podcast. Can you be the marketing guru? I was hoping you could help me with a plan to get the word out. Where should I start?” Another prompt could be: "I have a newsletter that I've sent out for many years. I have a good size of subscribers. Can you help me think of ways that I could increase my subscribers?" Personal Chef. No, AI won't cook for you, but you can ask it to come up with a meal plan or help you prepare meals by telling it what ingredients and food items you have in your home. Use the following prompts: “I'm tired, but I need to prepare a meal for my family or four. Another prompt could be: "Can you help me with 3 quick and easy meals that I can make in less than an hour" Another prompt would be: "I need help with what foods to avoid. I am trying to lose 10 pounds. What suggestions do you have as far as meal choices?" Content creation concierge: Struggling to write website copy? How about material for your social media posts? AI can craft compelling website and social media copy, help with SEO (search engine optimization), and target the people you're trying to reach. Use the following prompts: “I need you to analyze the copy on the first page of my website to see if I have the right SEO to get more people to find my website" Another prompt would be: " I need you to come up with 7 days of social media content that will help me become more consistent with my social media posts." Hopefully, this will give you some ideas of how you can use AI in your day-to-day home or work life. There are even more AI tools that will help you generate images for your use at home or business, create spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, newsletters, and more. If you need a list of AI prompts for text or images, drop me a line and I can send you a cheat sheet to help you get more out of AI. Looking for More Useful Tips Tips? My Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, I LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. You can view previous episodes on my YouTube channel. 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. by Dr. Tamra Reall, University of Missouri Extension (Article used with permission from the Kansas City Gardener.) Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https://bit.ly/KADBvideos When will start seeing butterflies again? As the days lengthen, temperatures rise, and flowers begin to bloom, butterflies gradually reappear. Different butterfly species emerge at varying times. Some may flutter as early as March or April, while others wait for warmer weather and abundant flower nectar. Butterflies adopt different strategies to survive winter, either as eggs, caterpillars, pupae (known as chrysalises), or adults. They seek refuge in protected spots like under leaves, in tree crevices, under bark, or in sheds. As temperatures climb, they emerge, seeking flowers for food and places to lay eggs. Certain butterflies depend on specific flowers, appearing only when those plants bloom. For instance, Monarch caterpillars solely feed on milkweed, though as adult butterflies, they sip nectar from various flowers. This means they seek milkweed to lay eggs but linger longer if other flowers are available. So, keep your eyes open! Once consistently warm weather arrives, these vibrant creatures will dance around in gardens, parks, and even your backyard. By planting flowers that attract butterflies, you might create your own butterfly haven, encouraging them to visit. Can bugs see me? Insects perceive the world around them in fascinating ways, different from how we do! Most insects might sense you as part of their environment, but they don’t see you in the same way we see each other. Insect eyes are intriguing—typically, they typically have two compound eyes made up of tiny parts called ommatidia. The size of these compound eyes can vary; for instance, an ant has fewer ommatidia than a dragonfly. This means an ant’s compound eyes are smaller, while a dragonfly's larger eyes allow it to see more at a time, which is especially useful when hunting while flying. Additionally, many insects have three simpler eyes on their heads called ocelli, which sense light and dark, or even polarized light, helping insects orient themselves and find their way. Some insects, like butterflies and bees, have extraordinary eyesight for arthropods They can distinguish shapes and colors, even colors invisible to us. If you're in their way, wearing colors resembling flowers, or carrying something attractive such as food, they might notice you or even land on you. However, insects like ants or certain beetles perceive the world through shadows or movements rather than detailed images. Beyond eyesight, insects have incredible sensing abilities. Mosquitoes rely on detecting carbon dioxide and heat to 'see' you. Others use their antennae to feel air vibrations or detect heat and chemicals (known as pheromones) to navigate their surroundings. In short, insects might not see us in high definition, but their impressive senses allow them to detect our presence in their own unique and intriguing ways. Can ants swim? Ants might not swim like we do, but they're pretty clever when it comes to water! They have tiny hairs on their bodies and because they're so small and light, the surface tension of water helps them stay on the surface without sinking. But when there's a flood, the whole ant colony needs to stick together. They hold onto each other using their legs, antennae, and even their mouths, creating what's called an 'ant raft.' The ants at the bottom support the ones above, keeping them safe until they find dry ground. They're so good at this that they can live like this for weeks! Sometimes, when ants need to cross water, they use the same linking skill to create bridges. It's all about teamwork! Check out this link for more information: https://b.gatech.edu/48JM6ZB . So, even though ants don't swim like we do, they've got incredible skills to handle water and keep themselves safe when things get wet. What can we do to help insects during the winter? Helping insects during winter is fun and easy to do! One of the easiest things to do is to leave leaves in your yard. Think of leaves as a cozy blanket for insects—they use them to stay warm and protected from the cold, rain, and snow. Another great way to help is by keeping parts of your garden a little messy. It might sound funny, but having areas with old logs, twigs, or piles of leaves gives insects hiding spots to stay warm. Letting plant stems stand tall provides hiding places, almost like tiny hotels, especially for native bees that lay their eggs in these stems. Leaving them intact offers shelter until it gets warmer, helping the bees without putting them at risk from pests that might invade containers where we keep these stems. By doing these simple things, you're giving insects a helping hand to stay safe and cozy until spring returns. Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug To help me learn what you learn from this column, or to share feedback, please consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey Image: A close-up view of an insect's eye where each tiny bump is called an 'ommatidium.' When all these bumps team up, they make what's called a 'compound eye,' helping the insect see lots of things around them. Image by Woodturner, Pixabay. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society On October 8, 1888, William and Nancy Davis filed with the Recorder of Deeds to establish Davis Place and added 19 lots to the Town of Grain Valley. The entire addition was 250 feet along the northern edge (walnut Street), 597 feet along the eastern edge (adjoining the Finnell addition) and 267.5 feet along the southern edge adjacent to the railroad, and 670.5 feet along the western edge (farmland). My extensive research has revealed nothing about William and Nancy Davis. I found a William Davis with a Napoleon address in the 1890s but there was no other information. The Abstract of Title was a gift to the Historical Society from Winona Burgess and the transactions mentioned in the title become specific to Lot 4 and East 17 feet of Lot 5, as noted on the cover of the document. The area included 50 feet frontage on Walnut Street and the lots are 140 feet deep. This land was first sold to W. C. and Lillian Morris on September 5, 1890. There were three additional owners between 1890 and 1895 when Lots 4, 5, and six were sold to W. T. W. and Nancy Douglas for $75. They owned the property until 1910 and I can only guess that the house was built during those years. When they sold the property to A. W. Dimmit on January 22, 1910, the recorded price was $750. In 1912 the west 16 feet of Lot 5 and all of Lot 6 were separated from the title and sold to Everett Snodgrass. The. Following year John Isenhour bought the remaining property for $800. After 1913, five additional families lived there, before Winona and Floyd Sharp purchased the house on January 24, 1941. The price had gone up to $900. Floyd Sharp owned the Grain Valley Lumber Yard just south of the railroad tracks on Main Street. They raised their son, David, in the home and he graduated from Grain Valley High School in 1959. Winona later married Charles Burgess and they lived there until the early 2000s.
I remember the house during those years. Winona was my Sunday School teacher and a close friend of my aunts. We often walked up Walnut Street to visit and have coffee (Kool-Aid for me). I most remember her back yard and her beautiful flower garden. Winona had every variety of flower and they bloomed from early springs until the fall frost. In the late 1950s, early 1960s she ran a beauty shop at the back of the house. In the 1970s she became a librarian when Mid-Continent built their first library in Grain Valley. Winona was a charter member and the first president of the Grain Valley Historical Society. If you’ve attended a meeting at the Grain Valley Community Center, you probably met in the Winona Burgess Room. So while I don’t know the current residents, and I didn’t know the original ones (I’m old, but not that old!) for me this house will always be Winona’s home. But most importantly, it is a Grain Valley original, with over 100 years of history in its’ walls. Visit the Historical Society on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 3 PM and learn more about early Grain Valley and the folks that called it home. by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD
You may have heard of vitamin D referred to as the sunshine vitamin, but did you know you can also find this nutrient in food? As a Hy-Vee registered dietitian, I am frequently asked about vitamins and minerals along with all their associated health benefits. During the winter months, while you may not be catching those rays, let’s review some of the most asked questions about the sunshine vitamin and shine some light on how you can check your vitamin D status. If you are wondering whether you are currently getting enough Vitamin D, you will need to take a blood test. While your doctor or other medical professional can advise what levels may be right for you as an individual, for most people, this lab value should be within the range of 30-50 ng/mL. This vitamin D range can be reached through lifestyle habits such as sun exposure, diet and supplementation. Our main source of vitamin D comes from the sun, as our bodies can convert ultraviolet rays to make vitamin D. During the winter season when the sun is not shining as often, we might be more likely to be low in vitamin D lab levels. One way to help correct these values is through food sources that contain vitamin D. Foods that contain vitamin D include salmon, tuna, mackerel, mushrooms, egg yolks, fortified dairy products and fortified cereals such as many of those made by General Mills. Family-favorite cereals like CheeriosTM deliver 20% of the Daily Value of vitamin D per 1.5 cup serving. Pair this tasty cereal with fortified milk for even more vitamin D! A 3.5 oz portion size of salmon (the size of your palm or a deck of cards) provides around 60% of your daily needs. If you are curious about the health benefits of vitamin D, having your vitamin D lab levels in the recommended range can help support bodily functions such as increasing cell growth, helping control blood sugar levels, and reducing inflammation within the body. Vitamin D is also one of the major components of bone health! This nutrient is necessary for calcium absorption in the gut, which in turn helps us have healthy bones and teeth. You may be thinking, “Do I need to take a vitamin D supplement?” If choosing to take a vitamin D supplement, I encourage you to speak with your physician for a recommended dosage. If you decide to take one, Nature’s Way has you covered! Nature’s Way Vitamin D3 Gummy provides more than 100% Daily Value of vitamin D3 per gummy for daily immune and bone support.* Finally, are you curious about your vitamin D levels? Come see your Hy-Vee dietitian! Thanks to our generous sponsors General Mills and Nature’s Way, during the month of February Hy-Vee will offer 1,000 FREE vitamin D screenings at select locations on a first-come, first-serve basis. A simple finger stick will determine your level, and a dietitian can talk you through how to improve your vitamin D level. Once you request your complimentary screening, I will reach out to you to schedule your visit. Sign up on www.hy-vee.com/health or reach out to me via phone or email. Still have questions on vitamin D, nutrition trends, or just wondering how to get started on your health and wellness journey? Come visit with me and I will help create a plan that works for you. If you’re looking to boost your vitamin D intake at home, consider adding this recipe to your weekly meal plan. Sesame Salmon Oven Stir-Fry Serves 4 All you need: 4 medium carrots, peeled and julienned 2 tbsp avocado oil, divided Hy-Vee salt, to taste Hy-Vee pepper, to taste 1/3 cup unsweetened pineapple juice 2 tsp Hy-Vee cornstarch 3 tbsp Hy-Vee honey 2 tbsp Hy-Vee less-sodium soy sauce 1 (6 oz) pkg fresh snow peas 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips ¼ cup canned Hy-Vee sliced water chestnuts 1 (1 lb) Verlasso skinless salmon fillet 2 cups white rice, hot-cooked Sesame seeds, for garnish All you do:
Recipe adapted from: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/sesame-salmon-oven-stir-fry This content was made possible with the support of our sponsors General Mills and Nature’s Way. *These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. |
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