Looking Back: February calendar photo

     As promised in January, the last article of each month will feature information about the photograph in the 2023 Grain Valley Historical Society calendar. 

Grain Valley Band
Circa, 1946
Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical ​Society

     The 2023 calendar may look a bit like a “school” calendar as half of the photographs are school related. It only speaks about the role of the school in our community. Academics, sports, drama, and music were the one constant in Grain Valley, particularly during the depression and the war years.
     The photo above was in the 1946 Treasure Chest yearbook. Mr. Phil Turner, far right, organized the band in 1941 or 42 (Valley News, June 3, 2021). Mr. Turner was the owner of Turner Music Company, just off the square in Independence. He was not a “full time” teacher but came to Grain Valley a few hours each day to teach music.
     The 1943 Treasure Chest (yearbook) featured a story about raising money for band uniforms and the discovery of “several very talented girls who have organized a Majorette Corps to perform in front of our band.” As you can see by message on the bass drum, he got them off to a rousing start. The were Western Missouri Conference Contest Winner in 1943, 1944 and 1945.
     Since the photo was taken before I was born, I can only identify one student in the photo. The cute little boy on the front row, far right and holding his clarinet, is my 12-year-old cousin, Donald Fristoe!