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The Grain Valley Historical Society is hosting its annual Ice Cream Social in the courtyard of Iron Kettle Brewing next to the Historical Society building at 506 S Main on Thursday, July 25th from 5:00pm - 8:00pm.
Tickets are $6/adults and $4/kids and can be purchased at the event. A variety of homemade ice creams and desserts will be featured and proceeds benefit the Historical Society.
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by Michael Smith Late spring and this summer, athletes at Grain Valley High School got to enjoy some of the benefits of a $32 million bond issue voter approved on April 4, 2023. The bond issue, which primarily aimed to fund the high school gymnasium and fieldhouse addition, included an addition of a new weight room and turf field for the baseball and softball teams to use, both of which have been completed and used this year. The additions have created buzz among the students and coaches as they have enjoyed using both facilities. The new weight room, on the southwest side of the school, will affect all 20 sports programs for the high school. It has two brand new weight racks and new weights athletes can use to improve their strength and conditioning. The equipment came from some of the best companies for designing weightlifting equipment like Sorinex and Intek. There are also spots where students can use jammer arms and have areas to work on medicine ball exercises along with some plyometric boxes used for step up and jumping exercises. “It’s state of the art,” Grain Valley head football coach David Allie said of the new weight room. “The district made a huge investment in the Grain Valley athletes and it’s going to help improve athletic performances. There is nothing we can’t do in that room.” “When the weight room opened, it was like Christmas in May for the kids. The first couple of weeks were awe inspiring. The kids were excited to just look at it. We now have one of the best weight rooms not only in the metro, but possibly the state.” Head softball coach Flip Courter shared the same excitement for the weight room as Allie. “It’s definitely a step up from what we had and it’s a much more organized space,” Courter said. “All the equipment is top notch. The admin and everyone involved in putting this together spared no expense. The things we are able to do in this weight room we would have never been able to do in our old weight room.” All of the new equipment allows each individual athletic program to tailor the workouts based on what will benefit the athletes for their specific sport. “It’s probably the most used room in the entire school district,” Grain Valley activities director Brandon Hart said. “If you don’t have a strong conditioning program, then your athletics are going to suffer. We’ve built a program to meet the diverse needs of each individual. There are attachments to the racks that will allow kids to customize their workouts to be tailored to the sport they are participating in.” As for the turf field, the baseball team broke it in during a jamboree against Lee’s Summit West and Truman on March 9. The new field, which will be used for both the baseball and softball teams, is beneficial for coaches and players as it requires a minimum amount of maintenance and will prevent it from being unplayable after rain or thunderstorms. The dimensions are 305 feet to right field, 375 to center and 300 to left. For softball games, the school has fencing panels the team can use to shorten the distance needed for a hitter to earn a home run. When both teams had their old grass fields, it was difficult to play games after rain. “On the old field, you could find crawdads in the outfield,” Hart said. “Our outfields were probably one of the worst in the city prior to this renovation. “The turf field has been a game changer for our programs. You can play on turf 365 days a year.” Courter agreed. “We had one of the lower end softball facilities in the Suburban Conference and possibly in the entire (Kansas City) metro and now we have one of the best,” Courter said. “I got a message from a mom that said her daughter was excited to get out there on the new field.” “We can now practice after it has been raining.” Courter said it will be an adjustment for some of his players to go from playing on a dirt infield and grass outfield, to a full turf field, but the change for him and his players has been a big positive. The addition of the new field likely will make Grain Valley High School one of the primary options to host a future district tournament. “The field is going to be a little more bouncy than they are used to,” Courter said. “A lot of these girls play year-round and have familiarity with playing on turf. We play quite a few teams that are already on turf.” “We will work on keeping our throws low and let the turf help get the ball where it needs to go.” In addition to the turf field, there is a facility next to it that Courter has dubbed “The Barn.” It is an outhouse that is equipped with two full size batting cages, a turf area and lockers. It will be used when there is inclement weather outside. Courter said his team can field ground balls, take batting practice and participate in bullpen sessions in The Barn. The leftover turf from the field was used for The Barn. It will function as a locker room and clubhouse,” Courter said. “I talked to other coaches and they are jealous of the new field and they are really jealous of the new facility.” “We couldn’t have done this without the support of the community. There is going to be a huge percentage of the student population that is going to use at least one of these new facilities.” Freshman Ellarae Hay fields a ground ball on the new turf field. Photo credit: Michael Smith Senior Izzy Salsman uses the new weight equipment during her routine. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley sophomore Molly Jones leaps on top of a plyometric box in the new high school weight room. Photo credit: Michael Smith
GVPD officers will be on site for a Neighborhood Vehicle Registration Event this Saturday, July 13th from 8:00am - Noon at Grain Valley South Middle School and Prairie Branch Elementary to assist residents in proper registration of golf carts and UTVs.
In order to pass an inspection, the following must be observed: - Headlamps and Taillights - Brake Lights - Mechanical Turn Signals - Working Brakes - Adequate Muffler - Seat Belts - Slow-Moving Emblem or Bicycle Safety Flag Registration is $30 and will be CASH only for this event. A copy of the documents listed below will need to be brought: 1) proof of ownership (bill of sale/title) 2) proof of insurance (listing vehicle) 3) proof of driver's license 4) completed registration form and fee ($30 cash only) For a complete list of laws surrounding neighborhood vehicles, please visit here: https://bit.ly/3zBQiOW First Fridays continues Friday, July 5th with an All-American Summer theme. In addition to food trucks and vendors downtown from 5pm - 8pm, a Foam Party next to Valley Baptist on Front Street will be held from 6pm - 7:30pm.
Food vendors scheduled to attend include: Whole in Bun Chef Aristos Ate 1 Six La Hamburguesa Loca Omnivorium Donut NV Stanley's Ice and Cream Road closures are scheduled to start at 4:30pm, with Main St closing at the same time as the following list. - W. Walnut at Gregg Street to Main Street - W. Front at Gregg Street to Main Street - Main Street from Walnut to Front Street - E. Walnut will be closed at Main Street First Fridays will last until 8:00pm, after which roads will gradually reopen. Our officers and VIPs will assist in redirecting vehicles around the event zone. Jackson County Parks + Rec will celebrate Independence Day the old-fashioned way at the Missouri Town Living History Museum on Thursday, July 4 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visitors will experience a parade, demonstrations and patriotic activities as they did in the mid-19th century. Music, crafts and children’s games will make the day exciting and educational. Hot dogs and drinks will be available for cash-only purchase. Missouri Town Living History Museum is located at 8010 East Park Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. Admission is $8/adults, $4/seniors and children ages 5-13. Children 4 and under are free. Grain Valley News is celebrating six years of serving Grain Valley! Thank you, Grain Valley, for your continued support and readership.
Much has changed in the past six years, but our mission remains the same - building community and shining a light on the stories that matter to our readers. From our first edition - June 18, 2018 by Cory Unrein, Co-Owner and Publisher “Are you crazy, or just plain stupid?” That famous line from the movie Forrest Gump kept coming to mind as we prepared to take on the challenge of starting a newspaper. As you can imagine, when you begin telling folks you plan to start a newspaper, you are met with a mix of reactions. Thankfully, most people we have met are excited about the prospect, given the lack of a community newspaper and the rumor based (and often unkind) noise on social media. But along with the kind words of support, we are regularly met with a mix of quiet concern and pity. I’ve worked in the nonprofit field for 20 years and my husband is an educator, so we are no strangers to seemingly hopeless causes. But the fact is, that while large metropolitan print media is struggling, community-based media is doing quite well. Our mission is simple: to affirm a sense of community through our publication, sharing news of interest to Grain Valley citizens and helping each of us learn more about our neighbors. In a time that often feels as though there is more that separates us than unites us, we invite you to join with us in sharing information with your neighbors and join in the conversation. Grain Valley – this is your paper. Talk to us, send us your news. We want to hear about your businesses, volunteer work, celebrations, and milestones. We are excited to start this venture and thank you for reading and for supporting our local advertisers. The Grain Valley Public Works Department will host its annual community event Thursday, June 13th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Armstrong Park.
This free community event includes live equipment demos, free pizza from Papa Murphy's, snow cones, face painting, a bouncing house, and raffle drawings. First Fridays returns to downtown Grain Valley this Friday, June 7th with a Food Truck Throw Down, selfie stations, vendors, a car show, and more.
Please note the following street closures: - W. Walnut at Gregg Street to Main Street - W. Front at Gregg Street to Main Street - Main Street from Walnut to Front Street - E. Walnut will be closed at Main Street Closures are scheduled to start at 4:30pm with Main St closing at the same time. The event is scheduled until 8:00pm, after which roads will gradually reopen. "This month we have two events happening with First Friday. The first one scored the highest on our survey we did early this year, which is the Food Truck Throw Down. The trucks are embracing it and most have added specials and small dishes at lower prices so everyone can make sure to try as many trucks as possible. They are all trying to get your vote. The second event we have going on is different selfie stations around downtown including a 360-degree selfie booth that we will have set up on Main Street," Grain Valley Fair board member Mike Todd said. Downtown Grain Valley Inc. is also bringing back its Rock-Paper-Scissors contest. Anyone who plays can be entered to win a prize (no minimums this round). Participants should stop by the Downtown Grain Valley booth to grab your beads and enter to win a gift card to downtown businesses. To place your votes in the Food Truck Throw Down competition, stop by the First Friday's Info Tent to pick up your voting chip (one per person) and then drop that chip into your favorite truck's bucket, which will be located at their truck. A car show is also planned in the parking lot of First Baptist Church Grain Valley from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. The show is free to enter and free to attend. Good News: Smithsonian traveling exhibition examining democracy in America coming to Grain Valley5/30/2024
Smithsonian traveling exhibition examining democracy in America coming to Grain Valley
The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Missouri Humanities Council, presents “Voices and Votes: Democracy in American.” The exhibition examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.” Opening at the Grain Valley Historical Society, “Voices and Votes” will be on view through November 1 - December 13, 2025. Grain Valley Historical Society and the surrounding community has been chosen by the Missouri Humanities Council to host “Voices and Votes” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. “Voices and Votes” explores the action, reaction, vision and revision that democracy demands as Americans continue to question how to shape the country. From the revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story—the story of democracy in America. Exhibition sections explore the origins of American democracy, the struggles to obtain and keep the vote, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. “Voices and Votes” features historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material. Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, “Voices and Votes” will serve as a community meeting place for conversations about democracy, the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, participating in government, and more. With the support and guidance of state humanities councils, these towns will develop complementary exhibits, host public programs and facilitate educational initiatives to raise people’s understanding about their own history, the joys and challenges of living rural, how change has impacted their community, and prompt discussion of goals for the future. “Voices and Votes” is based on an exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith. The Class of 2024 was celebrated at a graduation ceremony on Monday, May 20th at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. Class of 2024 student speaker Harper Allie shared graduate celebration traditions from around the world and mused on the 2024 GVHS class and traditions. "We have record breakers, stadium and bleacher shakers, and COVID over-takers. We are masterminds and sadly, we are mourners. We are driven, and in my opinion, delightfully funny and smart. And very importantly, we are the recipients of the incredible teaching and care of GVHS staff, those who showed us the Valley Way. The traditional and unending support of our community sees to it that we have the resources and facilities to be successful. And the love of families and extended families who have walked right alongside us on our journey," Allie said. GVHS principal Dr. Drew Smith highlighted the many accomplishments of the 309 graduates celebrated Monday evening, including 10 Bright Flight scholars, 3 students entering the armed forces, 56 National Honor Society members, 132 A+ eligible graduates, 39 athletic scholarships, and over $3.52 million awarded in first year scholarships. "The Class of 2024 has left a legacy at Grain Valley High School for which they can be very proud," Smith said prior to presenting diplomas to graduates. To view the previously published list of 2024 graduates, visit Quick News - Grain Valley News. Class of 2024 student speaker Harper Allie addresses her class and guests at the GVHS graduation ceremony on May 20th at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools
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