by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 

After deciding I might spend a few weeks researching Grain Valley, 100 years ago, I visited the Oak Grove Historical Society. They have unique bound volumes of The Oak Grove Banner newspapers from 1906 until the late 1930s. Unfortunately, for me, the volume from 100 years ago (1925) is always “on loan” to the current Oak Grove Voice. So the stories over the next few weeks will come from the 1924 volume or the 1926 volume; almost 100 years ago.

I was first drawn to this advertisement from the last week of January 1926.

​Edgar Graham (June 12, 1903 - March 28, 1967) and his wife, Jewell Johnson Graham, were good friends of my Aunt Opal and Uncle Clyde Fristoe.  All four were graduates of Grain Valley High School; Edgar in 1922, Clyde in 1923 and Opal and Jewell were classmates in the Class of 1925. When I was young, the Grahams owned an Apple Orchard and operated a roadside stand on Buckner Tarsney Road, just north of Duncan Road.  If you know where to look, you can still see the gravel on the east side of the road that was their parking lot.

I can recall a few times when they would talk about Edgar’s “professional wrestling career.”  I should have paid more attention. As I recall, Edgar was a small man, maybe 5’10” and 160 pounds. Compared to the professional wrestles I would see on television I remember thinking he could not have been very good.
Evidently, he was better than I thought. 

​From The Oak Grove Banner
 
I cannot imagine either man lasting for an hour and thirty-seven minutes. Was this an endurance test of an athletic event?  Charlton got his rematch on February 19th at the Royal Playhouse in Grain Valley. I will try and do some searching is more issues of the 1926 Banner. Maybe I can let you know who won. I believe I remember that Edgar had matches in other towns around Kansas City. As I peruse future issues of the Banner, I will let you know if I find any updates on Edgar’s success as a wrestler!  I’m thinking it was a limited career and I don’t believe he became famous. I only knew him as a farmer. 
​

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 
After 15 weeks of articles on the decades in Grain Valley, I have reached the sixteenth and final week; the 2020’s decade. Although we haven’t yet reached the mid-point, it seems as though there is already much to reflect upon. Whether future generations will see these events as historically significant, I will never know, but somehow, they seem important today.     

By 2020, the population of Grain Valley had reached 15,627 people. The number of businesses in Grain Valley has more than tripled since 2000 and our school has been graduating 300 plus students since 2018. In 2020, the district had more than 4,500 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. Enrollment in the district has doubled since the 2003-2004 school year. Grain Valley High School is consistently ranked among the country's Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report

Both nationally and locally, the 2020's are being marked by a period of significant global upheaval and change. The major events and challenges include:

• COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020. The effect in Grain Valley included the closing of schools, churches, parks, and the community center. Many businesses closed or went “remote", causing residents to suffer with lost jobs, reduced work hours, or working from home. All of these options placed stresses on the health care systems and affected the mental health of students and adults.  
• Grain Valley also suffered the profound impact COVID-19 placed on global economies; higher prices, food shortages, baby formula shortages, and other shortages including toilet paper! It was difficult to buy a car, a refrigerator, or lumber to build a house. And inflation, that’s a whole different subject.
• Escalating conflicts, like the Russo-Ukrainian War and conflicts in the Middle East, both started in 2022 and 2023 respectively. They have significantly impacted global politics and stability around the world.
• The decade has witnessed a rise in populism, protests against governments, and political uncertainty in various parts of the country. The death of George Floyd, the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and the Supreme Court reversal of Roe vs. Wade (1973) lead to protests and the “defund the police” movement.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): during the 2020’s, AI is transiting from theoretical advancements to real-world applications, impacting various industries and aspects of daily life. 
• The rise of social media, online platforms, and e-commerce is further accelerating the digital transformation of society. 

But let us end on a positive note. Grain Valley has four coffee shops! For a coffee lover like me that is a definite plus. We now have many choices for food, especially if you like Mexican! (We could still use a good steak house, or some Italian! (Hint, Hint.)

Our great schools also provide entertainment in the form of a Championship Marching Band and Flags, entertaining musical and theatre productions, winning sports teams and numerous other programs that have achieved lots of success in the twenty-twenties!

And, have you driven downtown lately? The revitalized Downtown Grain Valley is looking good! 

by Phil Hanson, President and CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation
 
Like for many of you, it’s graduation season at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. On May 15th we had our annual graduation picnic for our Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

This year, we had 70 high school students from 10 high schools who were actively engaged in our school of philanthropy.  Of the active students, 28 are graduating seniors, and we had the opportunity to hear from 9 of them who were able to attend the picnic and share their thoughts on the program.

It’s always heartwarming to listen to them share their experiences and hear about their heart for service and joy in giving back to the community. The seniors shared their words of advice to those continuing in the program. We also heard from several continuing students who expressed their appreciation to the seniors for their support, friendship, and leadership.

The slogan for our YAC program, emblazoned on their official t-shirt, is “Empowering students to change their community through philanthropy.” It’s wonderful to see students from 10 high schools in our region coming together to serve the community. Typically, when students from various schools come together, the focus is on competition rather than community building.

As I shared with the students in my brief welcoming remarks, they truly enable our Community Foundation to do our work better and have a greater impact on the community. One service they provide is reviewing grant applications from our competitive grants process and doing site visits.

Last summer, they reviewed 16 applications and made site visits and then shared their analysis with our grants committee. The adults on our grants committee consistently provide positive feedback about the students and the information they bring to the discussions. Our YAC students will be busy again this summer reviewing grants and making site visits. So, there is no summer break for our school of philanthropy.

The students also have the opportunity to make grants from their endowment fund, which they have built up over the years. Their endowment fund now has more than $117,000, including the $4,300 they added to it this year as the result of their Strike in the Night fundraiser held at Lunar Bowl.

Last year, they made grants of $1,363 each to Lee’s Summit Meals on Wheels, Marian Hope, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, totaling $4,089.

In April, 40 students participated in their annual Fill Those Trucks food drive to support the Community Services League, Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, and Lee’s Summit Social Services. We appreciate the support of Hy-Vee in allowing our students to be at 4 area locations to help these 3 organizations stock their shelves for the summer season, which traditionally has a higher need for food assistance since school is not in session.

​We are very proud of our YAC graduates and know that the lessons they learned about philanthropy and service will go with them as they find their place and make their mark on the world. 
​

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


Politics, the economy, and advancements in technology. That’s no doubt how the decade from 2010-2019 will be remembered. Looking back at decades 50 to 100-years-ago, it is fairly easy to say what is “remembered” about the time period. Looking back at a decade that ended only 6-years-ago is a much more arduous task.

Will we remember or even care when the British soldiers pull out of Afghanistan? Will we remember the first smartwatch, the first LED lights, wireless health devices, or the killing of Osama Bin Laden? We may remember the launch of Instagram and the release of the first iPad. I’m sure we will remember the introduction of the smart phone!

How will our town remember the twenty-tens?  More growth, no doubt. Last week in this column I told you 2006 was the first graduation class with 100 members.  It took 97 years! It took only six years to grow from 100 to 200 and six more years (2018) to reach 300 graduates. 

During the twenty-tens Grain Valley also many businesses. Three years ago in this column, I mentioned that by the end of May, the city had issued over 300 business licenses. Hopefully, all of the businesses will still be around in another decade. 

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 
Each week this column gets a little closer to 2025 and each week I struggle more with the history of each decade.  I suppose it takes more hindsight than I realized to determine what is the real “history” of our town.

Last week, and again this week, I relied on the Historical Society collection of local newspapers and clippings before writing this column. Perhaps in another 50 years, some of the articles will seem more important (or more laughable) but right now they mostly seem typical and routine for a small town that was experiencing rapid growing pains.

The 1990s ended with the discovery of 10-year-old Pamela Butler's body behind the Christian Church, the $6,000,000 drug bust at the small hotel behind the Pilot Gas Station, the arrest of a city council member for child abuse, and the fear of the millennium, also known as the “Y2K bug.”  

If you remember some computer systems used only two digits to represent the year, leading to the potential misinterpretation of "00" as 1900 instead of 2000. This fear was that these systems, including those controlling critical infrastructure, would malfunction, causing widespread chaos and potentially shutting down everything from power grids to financial systems. Obviously, nothing happened; at least to the computers in Grain Valley!

By 2010, the population had increased to 12,854 and all of the news articles centered around growth.

In 2000, the Marketplace Shopping Center was built on Eagles Parkway and the new bridge was completed on Buckner Tarsney Road south of Eagles Parkway. And while I’m on that subject, I can recall many rainy spring mornings in the 50's and 60's when school would start late because the buses south of town had to “take the long route” due to flooding on Buckner Tarsney Road.

Also in 2000, Grain Valley annexed several acres on the north side of I-70 allowing for hundreds of new homes and new people in Woodbury and Rosewood Hills off Duncan Road.

• 2001: The Community Center was completed, City Hall was built and dedicated in January, and property was purchased for South Middle School.
• 2002: South Middle School was completed.  Some may remember this as a sad time. The 1925 Grain Valley School ceased to be used and was sold and eventually torn down.
  
• 2003: Patrons approved a bond issue to add additional classroom at the middle school and the high school.

Through all the years, our Eagle keeps soaring!

• 2004 – Central Office moved to the Pink Hill Road. 
• 2005 – Prairie Branch Elementary was added in the Rosewood Hills subdivision.
• 2006 – Grain Valley graduated over 100 students for the first time!
• 2007 – Stony Point Elementary was built on Ryan Road near South Middle School.
• 2008 – Additional four classrooms at Prairie Branch and four classrooms and library expansion were completed in time for school in August.  Eight additional classrooms and athletic field improvements were also completed at the high school.
• 2009 – A $2,290,000 bond allowed for completion of Stony Point Elementary renovation and expansion was completed at Matthews Elementary for 2009 School year. 
• 2010 – Phase one of North Middle School at the Pink Hill Campus was complete in August. EC Center, Pink Hill was started April 1, 2010 and completed for school in August. North Middle School became the 7th school in the district which includes the high school, 2 middle schools and four elementary schools.

As you can see, the “aughts,” 2000-2009 were synonymous with growth in our town.  So, while the rest of the United States dealt with hanging chads (the Bush/Gore 2000 Presidential Election, 9/11, the invasion of Iraq and Hurricane Katrina, we just kept growing! 
 
​

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

 
Where to begin? Grain Valley saw many changes during the decade of the 1990's. While some people view change as an opportunity for growth, others view change as threating and disorientating. Grain Valley was no different in the 1990's. If you are a fan of “growth,” our little town certainly grew from 1,901 in 1990 to just over 9,100 in 2000, again depending on which census you look at for this information. 

Back in 1988 when Grain Valley added 1,100 acres from the original Sni-A-Bar Farms, the size of our town more than doubled. So, it makes sense that many homes and businesses, AND PEOPLE were also added. Some residents thought this was a good thing; others fought the growth. We defeated a jail being built in our town and when Adams Dairy Parkway was being constructed, we allowed Blue Springs to have the land for commercial growth and we got the land for homes; more people, less taxes.

Some major happenings and highlights from the 1990s included:

• The Middle School moved to AA Highway, later renamed Eagles Parkway.
• In 1991, the Grain Valley Historical Society was established.
• In 1993, citizens and some businesses fought the Metropolitan Calling Plan from Southwestern Bell which would have allow toll free calls to the KC Metro area.  Some people didn’t want to change their phone number.  I assume they didn’t have friends to call throughout the metro!
• In 1994, the City of Grain Valley converted to computerized water billing!
• Also in June 1994, the East Kansas City Airport Annual Air Show was held. The event celebrated its’ 32nd year and attracted a few thousand people.
• In 1994, the city discussed buying the Valley Golf Course and turning it into a city golf course, aquatic and entertainment center.  Unfortunately, it didn’t happen!
• In 1995, the Middle School moved to Ryan Road and the second phase of the building was added to become GVHS.
• In 1995, CJC Fire Protection District began their move to a new Station on Eagles Parkway.
• In 1996, the first senior class graduated from the NEW high school on Eagles Parkway.

 
By the end of the 90's the Millennials were busy with the latest Sony game PlayStation, while their parents were learning to “surf the web.”

After all, in the decade that began with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War in Kuwait, the decade of the 90's ended with cable TV and satellite dishes. And somewhere in between we also got the OJ trial, President Bill Clinton, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, Blockbuster, and cell phones! And don’t forget, “Home Alone”, “Dances with Wolves,” “Pretty Woman,” alternative music, sitcoms and the latest fashion, grunge!
 
 
We also learned Blackberrys weren’t just a fruit!

Gluten-free eating isn’t just a fad—it’s a necessity for those with celiac disease. While some people go gluten-free by choice, for others, even a tiny crumb of wheat can trigger serious health issues. May is Celiac Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about this autoimmune condition that affects millions. So, whether you’re living gluten-free, know someone who is, or just wonder why your friend quizzes the waiter about cross-contamination, let’s uncover the wheat-free truth!

1. What is Gluten? Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that gives bread its chewy goodness. For those with celiac disease, a small nibble of gluten can send the immune system into full-blown attack mode, damaging the gut and causing all sorts of not-so-fun symptoms, like stomach pain, fatigue, brain fog, and more.
2. Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease: Gluten intolerance means your body doesn’t tolerate gluten-containing foods, and it will display with pesky little symptoms - but it’s not life-threatening. Celiac disease, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the intestines when gluten is ingested. It’s not just an upset stomach, it’s serious business! While both require avoiding gluten, celiac disease means zero tolerance—no sneaky crumbs allowed! Note: If gluten doesn’t bother you, there’s no knead to ditch it. But if you notice bloating, fatigue, or other issues after eating gluten, you might have a sensitivity, and it’s worth a discussion with your doctor.
3. Building Gluten Free Meals: Going gluten-free doesn’t mean surviving on sadness and lettuce. Swap in whole, naturally gluten-free foods like quinoa, sweet potatoes, rice, and lean proteins. Add some fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, and you’ve got balanced, delicious options that happen to be gluten-free. Of course, gluten-free products have come a long way over the years—with brands like Siete Foods bringing the flavor (hello, grain-free tortillas and chips!), living gluten-free is less about missing out and more about leveling up your dinner plate.
4. Gluten Free 101: Gluten hides in the most unexpected places. Besides the obvious bread and pasta, be aware of soy sauce, gravies, sauces, oats (unless labeled as gluten-free due to potential cross-contact), processed meats and candy. When in doubt, always check the food label.

 
Rest assured, going gluten-free—whether for celiac disease or personal health reasons—doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With numerous delicious options available, you can thrive without wheat. If you're unsure where to start or need help navigating labels, meal planning, or achieving a balanced diet, a Hy-Vee dietitian can be your go-to guide. Don’t go against the grain—reach out and find the best way to make gluten-free living easy and enjoyable.
 
  
Beef Fajitas
Serves 4
All you need:

• 1 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1 lb. sirloin, sliced into stripes
• 1 Siete Beef Fajita Seasoning pouch
• 1 cup white onion, sliced
• 1 cup bell pepper, sliced

All you do:

1. Add oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high.
2. Cook sliced beef with one seasoning pouch, onions and peppers.
3. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the desired temperature is reached. Place beef mixture atop Siete Almond Flour Tortillas and serve with desired toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and/or sour cream).

Recipe adapted from: https://sietefoods.com/blogs/recipes/beef-fajitas

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. This content was made possible with the support of our sponsors: Siete Foods and The Beef Checkoff.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 
A few years ago, I worked on a timeline for Grain Valley. The 1980s was the only decade in which I recorded NO events. All I’ve got is the population which increased by just over 40% from 1,327 in 1980 to 1,898 or 2,056 in 1990.

Allow me to diverge. There are several different sites on the internet which report the population of Grain Valley. Unfortunately, most record different populations for the same year.

One article noted, “From a few hundred residents during the immediate post-war years, Grain Valley's population jumped to 1,077 in 1980 — due mostly to the construction of new homes in the Valley Heights and Golfview developments.”  The population grew to 1,901 in 1990. So, take your choice but know that in 1990 the population was around 2,000.

In 1980 the airport had been completed, we had (note I’m saying HAD) a golf course, the High School building was nearly new (1976), Matthews Elementary was nearly new (1978) and the new housing developments were growing. However, the citizens were traveling to Blue Springs or Independence Center for groceries, clothing, movies and dining out! Other than a small hotel, a restaurant and a couple of gasoline stations at the I-70 interchange, Grain Valley was truly “a bedroom community.”

The decade began with the United States’ boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, a return to conservatism with the election of President Ronald Reagan, double-digit inflation, the eruption of Mount St. Helens and the beginning of the Iran hostage crisis. The decade highlights included technological advancements like personal computers and the internet, and it concluded with the deadly AIDS epidemic.
 
In between, Grain Valley, like all of America experienced the rise of the yuppie culture. The younger generation enjoyed watching MTV, featuring bands like Duran Duran and Culture Club and artists like Madonna, Prince, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson.

Ripped jeans and jackets—replete with safety pins and other metallic adornments—Doc Martens boots, spiked hair and heavy makeup were all the rage. Gone were the John Wayne and Gary Cooper Westerns. In the eighties we watched Back to the Future, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E. T., the extra-Terrestrial, Ghostbusters and The Empire Strikes Back; to name a few.
​
And Ralph Lauren (Polo) and the Gator (Izod) made it to our town.  

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

It has been 50 years since the west side of Main Street looked like the photo above. Beginning at Front Street, the Bank of Grain Valley was OPEN! The second floor still welcomed the Eastern Star for their monthly meetings and special events. The Grain Valley Drug Store still had a soda fountain where you could enjoy an ice cream cone or sundae. Other businesses included a restaurant, an upholstery shop, and a barber shop. At the far right of the photograph we can see the old Sni-A-Bar Bank (often rented as one or two apartments) and finally the Christian Church.

While many businesses disappeared from Downtown Grain Valley, the population actually grew. In fact, between 1970 and 1980, the population nearly doubled from 709 to 1327. Most of the new housing was built in the Cannon addition, south of the railroad to AA Highway and west of Main St. to E. E. Kirby Road. In 1978, Matthew’s Elementary, north of I-70 on McQuerry Road became the second K-6 school in Grain Valley.

While many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of the United States’ prestige worldwide (some things don’t seem to change), there was also Title IX (June 8, 1972), equal rights gains for women and minorities and big gas-guzzling cars with a shortage of gasoline that caused rationing in 1973. Global events included the massacre at the Munich Olympics, the Iran hostage crisis, and in 1975 the end of the Vietnam War with the Fall of Saigon.

Because the Apple II debuted in 1977, I went to my own PC (personal computer) to find the "big events of the 1970s.” One source listed:

• The Rise of Disco...
• The First Email...
• The Watergate Scandal...
• The Birth of Microsoft...
• The Launch of “Star Wars”...
• The First Test Tube Baby...
• The Rise of Environmental Awareness.

  
So while Grain Valley was growing, we were working in Independence and Kansas City. And on the weekends we also went west to shop for bell-bottoms, tie dyes, jump suits and hot pants, plus the newest handbags by Dooney & Bourke.

At the many multiplex movie theaters we enjoyed the new candy hit, Reese’s Pieces, while watching everything from Taxi Driver and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, to The Godfather, and The Way We Were.

And that’s The Way We Were in the 1970s!

You click buttons when you visit websites daily – to share, buy, interact. But what if those clicks weren't going where you thought they were? Welcome to clickjacking, the latest cyber scam that allows attackers to manipulate your online actions without you even realizing it. This guide shows various ways to protect yourself from clickjacking. Here's what you need to know.
​
What Is Clickjacking?
Clickjacking works when criminals hijack links, buttons, and clickable parts of a website. Attackers place transparent layers over a website, which causes you to click a malicious link instead of the one you thought you were clicking. For example, let's say I visit a website to download a free e-book. Instead of clicking on the link to download the e-book, there is an overlay on that link that downloads malware or a keylogger instead.

Instead, the links you click give attackers access to your accounts, personal data, and even your entire computer or device. What makes clickjacking such a serious threat is that the overlays occur on the actual website and not a spoofed version that a scammer would setup. Criminals have figured out if you’re on a reputable site, you’re likely to let your guard down and expect to be safe.

How does Clickjacking occur?  There are a variety of ways criminals can trick you with clickjacking, such as:
 
Transparent or hidden overlays
Click event dropping (clicking appears to not work, but you’re actually clicking an invisible malicious link)
Scrolling with a malicious pop-up
Cropping (only attacks specific controls on the page)
What makes clickjacking so dangerous is that it can bypass antivirus software. Since these attacks happen on reputable sites and may not always download anything, traditional antivirus may not detect them.
 
 
How to Protect Yourself from Clickjacking
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from clickjacking attacks is to simply keep your web browsers up to date. Despite clickjacking being fairly new, browser developers are actively working on security fixes to help protect users. It’s also important to keep any browser plugins/extensions updated as well. Attackers often use plugins that already make changes to how a site functions to overlay their own malicious code.

Pay attention to your clicks and website prompts. Does your favorite site suddenly have a prompt to confirm an action when it never has before? It could be clickjacking. While confirmations are common on websites, it should be a red flag if a site never had them before. Test things out by clicking other buttons or links to see if there are confirmations on all of them.
 
While clickjacking can occur on legitimate websites, it’s an issue on spoofed or fake websites. Make sure you’re correctly typing in the URL or web address.  A single typo could cost you.
 
Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you stay safe from clickjacking scams. By staying informed and taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to clickjacking scams. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available.
​

by Phil Hanson, CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation
 
This is always a fun time of year when we have the privilege of announcing our honorees for the Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF Toast to Our Towns Gala. This year, our 30th Annual Gala will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.

Each year, the Foundation recognizes outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations whose generosity, leadership, and commitment have made a significant difference across Eastern Jackson County and the surrounding region.

Our 2025 honorees embody the spirit of philanthropy, service, and resilience that strengthens our communities.  We are proud to celebrate their remarkable contributions and the positive impact they continue to make in our region.
 
The 2025 Toast to Our Towns Gala Honorees are:
 
Humanitarian of the Year – Michele Shanahan DeMoss
After the tragic loss of her 11-year-old daughter, Blair, who was killed by a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire on the Fourth of July, Michele became a tireless advocate for public safety. She successfully championed "Blair’s Law," which criminalizes reckless celebratory gunfire in Missouri. Michele is also the founder of Blair’s Foster Socks, a nonprofit supporting children in foster care, and operates a small business in Independence. Her work is a powerful example of transforming personal loss into lasting impact for others.

Corporate Citizen of the Year – Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal
With nearly a century of service in the Kansas City area, Cornell Roofing exemplifies community leadership through its support of local nonprofits, educational scholarships, and initiatives like Englewood Arts and Habitat for Humanity. Under the leadership of Mary McNamara, an industry trailblazer, Cornell continues to make a lasting difference.
 
Heartland Service Award – Metropolitan Community College (MCC)
For over 100 years, MCC has provided accessible education while leading workforce development and civic engagement efforts throughout the region. The college has empowered tens of thousands of students—many of them first-generation college attendees—to achieve academic success and secure meaningful employment. Through initiatives like the Job Skills Initiative, the Path Forward Capital Campaign, and the Civic Action Plan, MCC’s commitment to students, community growth, and regional leadership has left a transformative legacy.
 
 
In addition to celebrating these exceptional honorees, the Gala will also recognize Citizens of the Year selected by the mayors of Eastern Jackson County municipalities—highlighting individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service and leadership at the local level. Stay tuned this summer for more information about the Citizen’s honored by our Mayors.
 
With the Presenting Sponsor of Blue Ridge Bank and Trust, proceeds from the Toast to Our Towns Gala support Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s work in promoting private giving for the public good, including initiatives in education, workforce development, and community betterment.
 
Sponsorships, tables, and individual tickets are available now. For more information about the Gala or to make reservations, please visit www.thcf.org/gala.
​

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

Where were you when you learned John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States was assassinated? If you were alive on November 22, 1963, I’m sure you probably recall where you were and what you were doing. In all likelihood, the same can be said for 9/11.

I was in Mr. (Randol) Wiggins chemistry class on the second floor, on the south end of the old (1925) high school building. Our superintendent, Mr. (Moody) Murry came into our class and told us Kennedy had been shot. A bit later, he returned to tell us he was dead.

During the 1960's, I graduated from high school, I graduated from college, I got my first car (a 1966 candy apple red Mustang), and I got my first job. But when someone asks me what happened in the 1960s, Kennedy’s assassination is the first thing that comes to mind.

In Grain Valley - -

• In 1960 the last passenger and mail train stopped in Grain Valley. I road on that train! It  started in St. Louis and went to Kansas City. Local folks got off at the Union Pacific Station on Short Street in Independence. When we got to the location of the old Salsa Station, (near Blue Parkway and 39th Street) Jesse James and his men jumped on the train and robbed us. They were actually members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Patrol. Mr. Bill Gabriel from Grain Valley played the part of Jesse James!
• In 1962, former President Harry S Truman arrived via helicopter and spoke to a crowd on old runway 18-36 at the opening of the East Kansas City Airport Air Show. It was his first official visit to Grain Valley since October 1932, when he attended the Jackson County Celebration of Roads.
• The 1960's brought about change as well. In 1964, the Eagles played their last basketball game in the tiny 1925 gymnasium with the balcony. In November, the new gym, a separate building behind the high school, was ready for competition.
• In September 1965, the final phase of Interstate 70 across Missouri was completed from Grain Valley to Kansas City.

So, while the Soviets put the first man in space, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his “I have a dream” speech, Marilyn Monroe died, Mohammad Ali became the World Heavy Weight champ, Walt Disney died, and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Grain Valley continued to grow; slowly, very slowly. By 1970 the population was still only 702.

Meanwhile James Meredith walked across the State of Mississippi and was the first African-American to attend the University of Mississippi. He later graduated from Columbia Law School. During the decade of the 1960's Thurgood Marshall became the African-American U. S. Supreme Court Justice. This all came at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.

While some may refer to the 1960's as the era of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, the 1960's also saw significant advancements in technology, including the invention of the laser, the computer mouse, Kevlar, ARPANET (the precursor to the internet), and the dynamic random-access memory (RAM). Other important inventions from the decade include the ATM, compact disc technology, and basic computer language. It kind of sounds like the 60s were the beginning of Modern America!
​

Section 3 of the Voices and Votes exhibit zeros in on the Machinery of Democracy. Informational institutions and activities not actually spelled out in the U. S. Constitution help make America’s participatory political systems possible. Examples of these types of activities include state and national political parties, the national political party conventions, and intense and elaborate campaigns.

American political parties began to form in the 1780s. Visual images such as those in the picture above became handy shorthand for expressing points of view and identifying parties. It’s all about getting people to vote!

​In most communities throughout Missouri, April is the month for local elections. That is certainly the case in Grain Valley when registered voters will cast ballots for city and school elections. These elections are conducted by the Jackson County Election Board. That was not always the case. Prior to the 1960's, many local elections were just that, local elections.

On December 4, 1959, there was a huge fire in downtown Grain Valley. It began when a boarder fell asleep smoking a cigarette on the upper floor of the Huff Building on the Southeast corner of Main Street and Front Street. Although the city council had put the subject of public water on the ballot at least 10 times, it always failed, miserably! Even then, many townspeople were against progress, or should I say taxes!

At any rate, without water, even fire departments from as far as Higginsville on the East and Harrisonville to the South could not stop the fire from spreading to Napier Hardware next door. About the time the fire was contained, they would run out to water. After the fire, my mother sent thank you notes to more than 20 water haulers who brought the water at their own expense. But the fire destroyed both buildings and before the night was over 15 other structures nearby caught on fire from the embers that spread throughout town on the balmy December night.

On December 15, 1959, 11 days later a local election was held to vote on city water.

According to city records, patrons voted at the home of Guy & Zelma Burnett. The vote for water, which had previously been defeated by a large majority, received only 10 no votes, and more than 300 yes votes. While sometimes the minority may see the vote as a “bad” decision, nonetheless, the townspeople spoke. The townspeople spoke on December 15! Grain Valley finally got water. (By the way, we were the last town in Jackson County to do so.) My father used to say we sacrificed our livelihood so Grain Valley could finally get city water.

And on a lighter note, the only person injured that night was the volunteer fireman who fell in the outhouse behind the Huff Building. It seems the structure had burned and all that remained was the hole. I feel sorry for the doctor who had to set his broken arms. Maybe there was enough water to “hose him down” before they took him to the hospital!

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 

In 1940, Grain Valley was still in the throes of the Depression. As the decade of the 1930s drug on, more and more families were finding it difficult to earn a living. I recall my Aunt Opal Fristoe telling me how folks saved money.  Before she threw away a worn-out item of clothing, she would take off the buttons and take out the zipper. Feed sacks were used to make clothing, especially for young children. Chicken necks were boiled for broth to make noodle soup, nearly everyone had a garden, but canning jars were in short supply. And, during the war, ration stamps were the lifeblood for nearly everyone. Needless to say, she had many more stories of “hard times.”
 
The United States officially entered World War II the day after Pearl Harbor  on December 8, 1941.  The war ended on September 2, 1945, when formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri, designating the day as the official Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day). During the war, life in Grain Valley, like the rest of our country, was in war mode.
 
In January and February of 2020, this column featured a series of articles from The Broadcaster, the student written newspaper at Grain Valley High School. Among other things, those articles talked about food rationing, defense stamps, gasoline rationing, and scrap iron collection days. Mr. Jay Walker, superintendent, made this plea at the end of his column. “We must lend all efforts in saving our school supplies and home supplies, we must sacrifice personal expenditures and prepare a regular schedule for buying defense stamps or bonds, we must remain calm in the face of all adversities and lend our sympathy and comfort to those in need.”
 
During the first half of the 1940s, like the rest of the nation, Grain Valley was in war mode, but a few progressive actions did occur. Although we did not officially become a fourth-class city until April 13, 1954, we were designated a fourth-class city in 1945. In 1949, Jackson County’s schools were organized into districts. Rural schools closed and Grain Valley became Reorganized District No. 5.
 
While the 1940s were dominated by World War II, that decade also saw the rise of major global conflicts, the Holocaust, the development of atomic weapons and the beginning of the Cold War, with significant social and technological shifts following the war’s end.
 
While "most famous" is subjective, June 6, 1944 (D-Day), the Normandy landings, is widely considered one of the most significant and famous days in history due to its pivotal role in the Allied victory in World War II and the liberation of Europe. 
 
And on the lighter side, the 1940s gave us Frank Sinatra, Big Band music, silly putty and the bikini!