Looking Back: Order of the Eastern Star

Looking Back: Liberty Chapter #413, Order of the Eastern Star

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

This photograph was given to the Grain Valley Historical Society by Winona Sharp Burgess. The photo was taken in 1945 and while it is labeled “Officers,” it must be a group photo taken on the night she was installed as Worthy Matron. At the Historical Society we also have her gavel which was made by John Perkins, Grand Patron. Others in the picture are: Front Row: Laura Whittlesey, Vera Holland, Winona Sharp, John Perkins, Roy Van Loon, Anna Louise Poage, Billy Poage and Cecil Poage. Row 2: Mildred Harmon, Ida Ryan, Lucy Perkins, Sarah Tate, Bess Herrington, Pearl Savage, May Raines, Madge Warren, Birdie Davidson, Grace Heohn Stillions and Rosalie Walker. Row 3: Floyd Sharp, holding David Sharp, Opal Faulkenberry, Emma Hoehn, Zelma Barnett, Charlene. Richard, Ruby Johnson, Angeline Covington, Charlie Johnson and Walter Hoehn. While all are deceased (except Billy Poage) many of these names are still known by residents of Grain Valley. Mrs. Winona Sharp Burgess helped to start the Historical Society and she has a room named for her at the Community Center. I have been wanting to share this photograph since April but I’ve had limited success in learning more about the Order of the Eastern Star in Grain Valley. The Historical Society recently received a gift from Mr. Pat Costigan of Oak Grove. It is the History of Grain Valley, written by Mr. Frank Sebolt in 1937 or 1938. In the history he states, “At the present there are only four lodge organizations in operation. They are: Royal Neighbors, Modern Woodman, Eastern Stars and Masons. Previously there has been the Yoeman and the Modern Brotherhood of American.” While the date for the founding of Liberty Chapter No. 413 is unclear, it was consolidated with the Blue Springs Chapter in 1981so it must have existed for more than 50 years. Members of the Order of the Eastern Star are aged 18 and older; men must be Master Masons and women must have specific relationships with Masons. Originally, a woman would have to be the daughter, widow, wife, sister, or mother of a Master Mason, but the Order now allows other relativesas well as allowing Job's Daughters and Rainbow Girls. While in high school (1960s) I remember that Job’s Daughters and Rainbow Girls were both active organization in Grain Valley. According to their mission statement “Eastern Star strives to take good people, through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service as well as through precept and example, to build an Order which is truly dedicated to Charity, Truth and Loving Kindness.” Mike Reeder, GVHS Class of 1966, was initiated in Liberty Chapter in February, 1975. He was the 2020 Worthy Grand Patron for Missouri. Visit the Historical Society to view other photos and keepsakes from the O. E. S.

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commissioners to present a resolution of support for the proposed project to the Public Service Commission before proceeding. The letter notes the issue is “of great concern for agriculturalists and all Missouri landowners, and we have a duty to provide them with certainty moving forward.”

Lawmakers Call for Special Session to Protect Police Budgets and Improve Public Safety A group of state lawmakers have asked Gov. Parson to call a special session focused on preventing cities from cutting funding for law enforcement. Republican lawmakers from both the St. Louis and Kansas City areas are calling on Parson to help prevent cuts to the police departments in the state’s two largest cities. In St. Louis, the mayor has proposed a $4 million cut from the budget for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. In Kansas City, the Kansas City Council approved a $42 million cut to the budget for the Kansas City Police Department. Lawmakers expressed concern that the cuts are coming at a time when the rate of violent crime continues to increase in these areas. They noted St. Louis and Kansas City were two of the most deadly cities in the nation in 2020. St. Louis had its worse homicide rate in 50 years with 262 murders. Kansas City also set a record with 180 murders. Gov. Parson has not made a commitment to calling a special session but a spokesperson from his office issued a statement saying, “Governor Parson believes in law and order, which means there must be brave men and women in uniform willing to enforce the law and protect victims. It is imperative that communities support our law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to keep Missourians safe. Any effort to defund the police is dangerous and irresponsible.”

Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-7511487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov.

Liberty Chapter No. 413 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society

GRAIN VALLEY NEWS

THCF to honor local philanthropists at September gala

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Toast to Our Towns Gala, benefiting Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF). This year’s celebration of philanthropy will be September 25, 2021, at the Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center. At the event, individuals, businesses, and organizations will be recognized for making a significant philanthropic impact in Eastern Jackson County and surrounding communities. Presented by Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co., the in-person celebration will start at 7:00pm. THCF will award the Humanitarians of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year, and Service Awards during the event.

Heartland Humanitarians of the Year, Jim and Mary Stilley. THCF will honor Jim and Mary Stilley for their efforts to promote education, embrace science and technology, and create a healthy, thriving community have made a lasting impact in Lee’s Summit and beyond. From early childhood education and historic preservation to domestic violence and genetic research, Jim and Mary are deeply devoted to improving their community’s quality of life. Serving on several Boards, both Jim and Mary are dedicated volunteers who freely give their time and talent. Mary served many years as a Board member on the Lee’s Summit School Board and Educational Foundation and was a member of her church’s mission committee, local P.E.O. chapter, and the Hope House capital campaign committee. Jim kept himself busy by serving on various boards and committees for the Raytown Kiwanis Club, Jackson County Historical Society, Lee’s Summit Symphony, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Truman Library Institute, and Cave Springs Park. Jim spent nearly a decade volunteering his leadership to Truman Heartland Community Foundation as a Board member and past Chair. Both Jim and Mary have served on THCF Advisory committees, are fundholders and legacy donors, ensuring their philanthropic endeavors will continue to bear fruit for years to come.

Heartland Corporate Citizen of the Year, Continental Siding Continental Siding has been a fixture in the Independence community for nearly 40 years, with core values steeped in innovation and integrity. While Covid-19 forced many businesses to lay off employees and shut down operations, Owner and President Alec Cook continued to pay his 2,000 employees, even if they were unable to work. In addition, to further ensure the financial stability of both his employees and those they know and love during the crisis, he gave each employee a bonus and an additional $500 to pay it forward and help someone in need. When the pandemic impacted local fundraising events, like the SantaCaliGon Days Festival, Continental Siding worked tirelessly to find additional resources to help the Independence Chamber of Commerce continue its good work. These generous efforts set a high bar for other Chamber members, bringing in more than $75,000 in annual memberships to help sustain the Chamber and protect jobs. From funding scholarships for students at his alma mater, Truman High School, donating the company’s advertising budget to bolster local charitable giving, volunteering on numerous boards, and attending charity events, Alec and Continental Siding make a significant positive impact in the local community every day.

Heartland Service Awards To recognize their extraordinary efforts in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, THCF will honor six local healthcare professionals with Heartland Service Awards to recognize their exemplary leadership during the crisis. Centerpoint Medical Center - Lorraine Duncan, MD, FACEP - Emergency Medical Specialist Truman Medical Center Lakewood - Laura Anstaett Peckham, RN, MHA, MBA, NEA-BC - Senior Director, Community and Family Medicine and Medicine Specialties St. Mary’s Hospital - Angela Haley, BSN, RN - Cardiology Services, Pulmonary Rehab, & Interventional Radiology Manager Lee’s Summit Medical Center - J. C. Ireland, DO - Critical Care Physician Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit - Susie Krug, RN, BSN, MHA, CENP - Chief Nursing Officer Children’s Mercy Hospital - Amy Latimer RN, BSN, MSN, CPN - Department Director of Nursing

For more information about Toast to Our Towns Gala sponsorship opportunities, table reservations, tickets, or those being honored, please visit www.thcf.org/Toast-to-Our-TownsGala or call 816.836.8189.

May Jobs Report Lindsey selected to participate in 30th Leadership Missouri program

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from April 2021 to May 2021, but the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by a tenth of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 6,000 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in May 2021, up from 4.1 percent in April 2021. With the initial wave of COVID-19 related layoffs now more than a year in the past, the six-figure over-the-year job losses that had characterized the Missouri labor market for the last nine months of 2020 and the first three months of 2021 were replaced with an increase of nearly 200,000 jobs from May 2020 to May 2021. Long-term improvement can be expected but short -term shortages of semiconductor chips may hold down employment in manufacturing in the next few months. Total payroll employment increased by 194,900 jobs from May 2020 to May 2021, reflecting the recovery from the job cuts brought on by the initial wave of COVID-19 infections. All but one of the major private-sector industry groups shared in the increases, with the largest gain in leisure & hospitality (+74,500 jobs), followed by trade, transportation & utilities (+32,100 jobs), educational & health services (+27,300 jobs) and professional & business services (+19,700 jobs). The sole private-sector exception was financial activities, which lost 1,700 jobs. Government employment also increased over the year, with a gain of 16,000 jobs concentrated in state and local government. Tasha Lindsey, Executive Director, Grain Valley Partnership, is one of thirty participants in the Missouri Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Missouri program. The Missouri Chamber is celebrating three decades of its exclusive professional development program. Founded in 1990, Leadership Missouri identifies current and emerging leaders to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the state. Due to the program being postponed for pandemic safety reasons in 2020, the 2021 participants comprise the 30th class. The class kicks off June 16 in Saint Louis and over the following seven months will travel to Kansas City, Joplin, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau and Chillicothe before concluding in Osage Beach. “We designed Leadership Missouri to elevate the talent of our state’s leadership pool and establish a forum for sharing ideas and best practices. Over the past 30 years, all of our expectations for this program have been met — and more,” Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber President and CEO said. “Leadership Missouri is no less vital today than it was at its founding. Right now, Missouri needs strong leadership to help us confront important economic competitiveness issues. We need leaders who can work across industries and regions to unite our state. That is exactly what Leadership Missouri provides and the Missouri Chamber is proud to be offering this experience for the 30th time.”

How and where to add plants in your home

(StatePoint) So you want to become a plant parent? How do you make sure your new green “baby” will thrive in your home or apartment? When selecting the best spaces in your home for different types of plants, it’s important to consider light, humidity and maintenance required, as well as what benefits that type of plant will bring to the space. Wild Interiors, the leading grower in all things green, offers tips for success. To learn more, visit wildinteriors.com. From bathrooms to bedrooms to offices, you can make the rooms of your home healthier and more inviting by becoming a plant parent. (SPM Wire) July is National Blueberry Month, and an excellent time of year to enjoy this delicious berry. Packed with nutrients and containing one of the highest antioxidant levels of any food, blueberries make a great snack on their own. However, here are three ways to creatively enjoy them this July.

1. Mix them into a smoothie: Smoothies are an easy way to pack more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Add vibrant color and a touch of sweetness to your next smoothie by adding one cup of juicy blueberries to the mix. 2. Top your salad: Whip up a savory-sweet salad and top it with toasted nuts, fresh blueberries, rich goat cheese and other seasonal flavors.

3. Wake up with pancakes: What’s better than pancakes for breakfast? Blueberry pancakes! Mix blueberries into your next batch of batter and take breakfast to the next level.

July is National Blueberry Month