12 minute read
Looking Back: Mr. Phil Turner
Looking Back
Looking Back: Mr. Phil Turner
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by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
Above right: Phil Turner is pictured at the front of the podium. Below: The 1947 Grain Valley High School band. Photos courtesy Grain Valley Historical Society.
If you go on the internet and look for Phil Turner or Turner Music Store in Independence, you can learn about Mr. Turner, the Turner family, and their store. “Phil Turner opened his Turner Music Store in Independence, Missouri in the 1930s. It was to become a family owned and operated business until 1978 when it sold to the Prewitt family. The Turner name and the iconic neon sign stayed with the store even after it closed in the early 2000s. Turner specialized in “live” music, selling only musical instruments and equipment—no records were sold in the store. Music lessons were offered and Mrs. Turner actually started the first William Chrisman High School band. Turner Music then initiated the first school band instrument rental program in Independence. First located at 405 West Lexington on the square in Independence (the neon music note was installed in 1953), Turner Music opened their new store at 205 Lexington in 1969. The proud Turner family dubbed it “the most beautiful store in America.” What the internet doesn’t tell you is that Mr. Turner was the band director at Grain Valley High School. He was not in the 1939-40 yearbook and the Historical Society does not have a yearbook from 1941 or 1942, so I cannot be sure when he began teaching in Grain Valley. He is in the yearbook from 1943 through 1949. A new band director is pictured in the 1950 book. While I was not yet born in 1943, I have been told that Mr. Turner only came to Grain Valley a few hours each day and in the beginning, I don’t believe he came every day. I do believe he started the band program in Grain Valley. The following information was written in the 1943 Treasure Chest (yearbook). “Our school band, under the direction of Mr. Turner, got off to a good start this year. We played for most all home games of both football and basketball, and have always been ready to furnish patriotic or military band music for Bond Rallies and Red Cross Drives, etc. We were proud of the fact that the band sponsored, and Mr. Turner produced the Bond Rally Show here at the school and sold over $10,000 in bonds and stamps.” “It’s a definite fact that any band is much more popular with uniforms, and that has been one of our projects of the year—to have uniforms. The first annual band show was a big success and got the ball rolling, and with the cooperation of Mr. Fullerton (principal), our uniforms are now being made. Late in the year, we discovered several very talented girls who have organized a Majorette Corps to perform in front of our band.” The bass drum in the band photo I found in the 1947 Treasure Chest tells of the success of the Grain Valley High School Band in the early years. On a personal note, I can tell you that the band was not this large in 1964, when I graduated from GVHS. And we still had the same 20-year-old uniforms! I’m happy to say our current band has returned the glory to Grain Valley.
(StatePoint) What motivates entrepreneurs to become selfemployed? How do they measure success? What’s their cutoff for profitability and self-reflection on status? A new survey examining these very questions provides important insights to small business owners and those looking to start their entrepreneurial journey. “The Tipping Point: Making the Jump to Self-Made” report from global small business platform Xero surveyed 1,200 small business owners nationwide and, among respondents, 58% gave themselves five years or less to make it or break it - with newer businesses giving themselves an even shorter timespan on average. Here are some of the survey’s key findings, along with tips for surviving your first five years of small business ownership: 1. Define what success looks like: When they made the move to branch out on their own, 48% of small business owners defined success as achieving profitability, and 34% defined it as making more money than they were previously. Fast forward to the present with their businesses up and running and 28% of business owners cite creating a legacy as their success measure. Having tangible and intangible benchmarks of achievement can help you stay focused. 2. Know your “why”: According to the survey, one of the strongest motivators for starting a small business is the belief that it provides greater flexibility and control when you’re your own boss (45%). Passion/purpose in work (28%) and financial reasons (15%) were also strong motivators. Running a business can be tremendously satisfying when you understand what your “tipping point” was for taking a leap of faith and venturing out on your own. 3. Be flexible: Twenty-nine percent of small business owners say the pandemic has increased their desire to run a business, particularly among younger business owners (43% of Gen Z vs. 18% of Boomers) and women (34% of women vs. 24% of men). But what do those businesses that thrived in the COVID-19 era have in common? “The majority of newer businesses have been set up on technology platforms and digitally enabled since their inception,” says Ben Richmond, US country manager for Xero. “They’re ready for and in many cases even expecting disruption, so they’ve established afoundation that’s open to pivots.” 4. Be realistic: While most business owners say they started their business for increased flexibility and control, being the boss doesn’t equate to less stress. In fact, that’s the biggest misconception about starting a business (47%). Another top misconception is that starting a business will be more fun than working for someone else (25%). Understanding the realities of entrepreneurship can help you avoid surprises, and ensure comfort in the role as it changes. 5. Lean on digital tools: When you’re a small business owner, it can often seem like there are never enough hours in the day. Using software that streamlines the nitty-gritty can free your time so it’s better spent on the big picture. For example, the cloud-based accounting software platform Xero gives small business owners and their advisors access to real-time financial data on any device. Its 2.45 million subscribers are leveraging its array of tools that simplify tasks like paying bills, payroll, claiming expenses and sending invoices. To view the full report and for more information, visit xero.com. “It’s certainly been an unusual year for business, but entrepreneurs are generally feeling positive about the economic outlook in the months ahead. For enterprises still in the make-it-orbreak-it period, that’s especially good news,” says Richmond.
BAND continued from page 1
Each year, the Marching Eagles selects a theme for their productions, and this year’s production is titled “Chances Are…”. The theme “is centered around the idea of possibility. There are weather implications, so you will hear and see different earthly elements represented by vibrant colors from the band, color guard, and props. All music selections are centered around "chance" in some unique way. We're excited to get to work on it,” Barzee said. Members of the Marching Eagles will begin work in June in a series of sectional camps before starting full band camp in mid-July. Student musicians spend several weeks in full day rehearsals at the high school preparing the show for a season of competitions and home football game performances. Before camp can even begin, there is a cadre of staff, students, and parents doing prep work to make sure camp days run smoothly. “Oh man...these students are such incredibly hard workers. It's still fascinating to me to see teenagers display such grit and determination. Our Student Leader team is made up of just over 30 students and will spend dozens of hours printing music, moving equipment into the new wing, creating music folders for the entire band, team building exercises, and so much more. They, along with the Band Parents Association and my tenacious colleagues, are the true heroes of a thriving band program. It takes a village,” Barzee said. The band will once again be able to perform under the Friday nights of the football field after not being able to perform at games last year. These performances are just a part of the band’s schedule for the season. “We are so excited to get to perform at five home football games, in addition to four competitions,” Barzee said. The band will travel to Blue Springs South High School, Blue Springs Golden Regiment Invitational ("GRI"), Bands of America at Iowa, and finishing off at the Bands of America Super Regional at the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. The band program has also welcomed a new staff member to its ranks. Casey VanBiber has joined Grain Valley band staff as an assistant director, serving as a brass specialist with the Marching Eagles, and teaching at South Middle School and North Middle School. VanBiber is a Blue Springs native, growing up in the Blue Springs School District and graduating from Blue Springs High School in 2003. VanBiber attended Missouri State University, earning his bachelor's degree in Music Education. While at Missouri State University, VanBiber was principal euphonium in the wind ensemble, a member of the jazz band, a drum major with the Missouri State Pride Marching Band, and was a marching member in the euphonium section with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. VanBiber has 13 years of teaching experience, serving as an assistant director at Blue Springs South High School, director of bands at Moreland Ridge Middle School, and most recently, director of bands at Delta Woods Middle School. For more information on the Grain Valley Marching Eagles and the band program, visit www.gvbands.org.
Color guard and percussion units performed during a showcase for parents on May 27th. Photo credit: Stephanie Myers
MO Republican calls for a change in Senate leadership over handling of FRA bill
by Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent (www.missouriindependent.com)
The simmering division among Republicans over a bill crucial to funding Missouri’s Medicaid program boiled over this week, with the state senator at the center of the debate calling for a change in the chamber’s leadership. Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, led the charge to include language banning the use of taxpayer money for certain contraceptives on a bill extending a Medicaid provider tax that generates nearly $2 billion every year. Wieland’s amendment eventually sank the tax extension’s chances of passing before the session ended — and will force lawmakers to return to Jefferson City to approve it before the tax expires on Sept. 30. This week, Wieland wrote a letter to each of his Senate GOP colleagues excoriating Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden and Senate President Pro Tem David Schatz over how the issue was handled during the final days of the legislative session. He accused them of “actively working with Democrats to defeat a position we had agreed upon in our caucus,” referring to an alleged deal discussed openly by Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, DIndependence, to approve the tax without the amendment attached. “I apologize for being foolish enough to keep Sen. Rowden apprised of my every move during the last week, only to have him be the true adversary I was fighting,” Wieland wrote. He also apologized for nominating and supporting Schatz in his bid for president pro tem in 2019. “Without a change in leadership, I have zero confidence that next year will be any better,” Wieland wrote. “I see no purpose in caucusing with leaders who have made it clear that appeasing Democrats is more important than working to further the majority caucus’ goals.” In a message to The Independent, Rowden said Wieland “has a right to his opinion about our caucus just as much as every other senator has a right to their opinion about him. “In the Missouri Senate, there are show horses and work horses,” Rowden said. “I consider myself the latter and will continue to let others be the former. I am proud of the historic accomplishments of this year’s session and I am hopeful special session will allow us to add additional successes to this year’s list.” Schatz called Wieland a “principled and valued member of our caucus.” He said he reached out to him directly to address his concerns. “I am confident, even despite occasional disagreements, that our caucus will continue forward stronger than ever — uniting around our shared conservative principles,” he said. Wieland’s letter is just the latest example of the divisions among Republicans that bedeviled the 2021 legislative session. While Republicans celebrated a host of long-sought victories, some came over the objections of the Senate’s conservative caucus and were only possible with the help of Democrats — most notably an increase in the state’s gas tax and a prescription drug monitoring program. The divide was best embodied by the failure to renew taxes on hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies that last year accounted for $2.3 billion of Missouri’s $10.8 billion Medicaid program. The tax is known as the federal reimbursement allowance, or FRA. A last ditch effort on the session’s final day to extend the tax ended in acrimony. Proponents of the anticontraceptives provision felt leadership was trying to box them in and force through an FRA extension without their amendment. Democrats felt they had a deal with leadership to stick together to keep the bill clean and send it to the governor. The proponents of the amendment eventually won out, with the help of Schatz. Democrats, enraged over what they saw as a betrayal by GOP leadership, retaliated with a day-long filibuster that completely derailed the session’s final day. The debate left both sides of the debate feeling double crossed by Senate leaders. Leadership in both the House and Senate is decided by its members, and Republicans hold 24 of the Senate’s 34 seats. Wieland concluded his letter stating that, “the future of our caucus and the Missouri Senate is in our hands.”
www.missouriindependent.com
