The Grain Valley Partnership’s annual Golf Classic has been renamed the Kissick Classic in honor of Jim Kissick, a great supporter of the Grain Valley community.
     The Kissick Classic, to be held May 3, 2019 at Adams Pointe Golf Club, is the 3rd annual tournament for the Partnership.
     “Jim Kissick was a huge supporter of the Grain Valley community who loved to give back to those organizations that helped those who needed a little extra support, especially when it came to education. His presence will be greatly missed,” Tasha Lindsey, Executive Director of the Grain Valley Partnership said.
     Friends and family recalled when Jim wasn't working or watching his favorite sports teams, he would have a golf club in his hand.
     The Partnership decided to honor Kissick by mixing two of his favorite things: golf and giving back.
     Proceeds from the tournament will benefit area charitable organizations and will also help create a scholarship to be given to a graduating senior going into the construction or engineering field.
     “Jim's passion for the construction field was shown in the success of Kissick Construction Co. We want to help someone else achieve their dreams like Jim Kissick did,” Lindsey said.
     The four-man scramble begins with a shotgun start at 8:00am.
     For more information on the tournament and sponsorship opportunities, contact Tasha Lindsey, 816-443-5162, or register online at www.growgrainvalley.org.
 

Michelle Toczek, owner of new business Exclusively Dogs KC, may have a new store front, but she is certainly not new to the industry. Toczek’s parents bred and showed Shetland Sheepdogs, also known as Shelties, for many years.
     “My mother had a grooming shop also, and the last 20 years, I have been showing dogs at AKC shows,” Toczek said.
     After her employer of 30 years left the area, Toczek took the opportunity to open her own grooming salon.
     “As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Every time I began to think about looking for another job, I kept coming back to the thought that it was time to open my own shop. This space came open close to home, and we have two new groomers who also live in the area, so everything just clicked,” Toczek said.
     “My philosophy is creating an environment that people trust, hiring the best groomers, and creating a great team.”
     Exclusively Dogs is located north of 1-70 in the shops just south of Price Chopper, 1060 NE McQuerry Rd, Ste. F, Grain Valley.
      For appointments, call 816-721-5486 or visit www.exclusivelydogskc.com. 
 

When Ann Hils, owner of Hils Pharmacy, heard about the purchase by CVS of the Red Cross Pharmacies and the closure of the Grain Valley location, she reached out to the Grain Valley Partnership to offer delivery services twice a day to residents in Grain Valley. Hils Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy owned by Randolph County natives Jared and Ann Hils. In the process of exploring opportunities to serve the Grain Valley area, Hils had the opportunity to work closely with the Grain Valley Chamber and Economic Development teams spreading the word of the delivery service, discussing the changes, and how her organization could help. 
 
Hils explains that this relationship, along with her interactions with business owners and residents, proved that a move to Grain Valley was the right choice. “The Grain Valley Partnership and their relationship with the City, knowledge of available space, and more has helped tremendously with assisting Buckner Pharmacy to relocate. The community has been so welcoming and encouraging. My team and I are really looking forward to serving Grain Valley.”
 
Hils Pharmacy will continue to serve their Buckner clients from their new location. The Grain Valley location is slated to open in late May.