Dancing, music, bratwurst and Austrian food featured at Oktoberfest

Preparing food for the Oktoberfest event recently was David Bandelier. (Photo by William Crum)
Preparing food for the Oktoberfest event recently was David Bandelier. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Grunauer, located at 101 W. 22nd St. in Kansas City, Mo., held its fifth annual Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday. Well over 1,000 people attended this two-day event.

Peter Grunauer married Lynne Bielski, who was from Wyandotte County, more than 35 years ago. They had two children, Elisabeth and Nick. Nick went to St. Peter’s in Wyandotte County and graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo.

There are two Grunauer restaurants — one in Vienna, Austria, and the other is in Kansas City, Mo.

“We are looking in the future about expanding. We are looking at Wyandotte County mainly because of what is happening. We have been open for five years in Kansas City,” Peter Grunauer said.

At the Oktoberfest celebration, a band, the Alpen Spielers, played under the direction of Betty Jo Simon. Simon is a nationally known recording artist. Another person who was there was John Knechtenhofer, who played the Alpine horn.

Knechtenhofer started playing the horn more than 10 years ago. His family is from Switzerland and he can trace his lineage back to the 1600s. The Alpine horns cost more than $5,000 and there are only four manufacturers in Switzerland that make these horns. They were used to call cows in Switzerland, Knechtenhofer said.

The event included bratwurst and a favorite bread pudding prepared by chef David Bandelier and his staff.

People from all over the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area came to the fifth annual event. At the event there was singing and dancing making this event truly remarkable. Even a Meetup group invited people to attend this gala event.
If you want to try Austrian food, this is the place to go. For more information you can call 816-283-3234 or go to the website www.grunauer.com. If you want to learn more about the band, go to the website www.alpenspielers.com.

Trevor Ashby, general manager of Grunauer's, welcomed people to the Oktoberfest celebration. (Photo by William Crum)
Trevor Ashby, general manager of Grunauer’s, welcomed people to the Oktoberfest celebration. (Photo by William Crum)

The Alpen Spielers performed for the Oktoberfest event. (Photo by William Crum)
The Alpen Spielers performed for the Oktoberfest event. (Photo by William Crum)

The bar at Grunauer's. (Photo by William Crum)
The bar at Grunauer’s. (Photo by William Crum)

Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to [email protected] and include your name and phone number.

Renaissance Festival continues on weekends
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival continues on Saturday and Sunday at the festival grounds at 628 N. 126th St. (126th and State), Bonner Springs. The festival is the re-creation of a 16th century English village. Music, food, crafts, shows and other entertainment are featured at the festival, which runs on weekends through Oct. 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the website at www.kcrenfest.com.

Summer concert to be Sept. 27 at Legends
Dave and Buster’s Summer Concert Series will continue at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, on the rooftop patio at The Legends Outlets. The Insanitones will perform from 9 p.m. to close Sept. 27. Different bands will play on Saturdays through September.

Annual Bishop Ward auction planned Sept. 27
The 36th annual Bishop Ward auction is planned at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the school, 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information, call 913-371-6901.

Program for family members to promote recovery from addictions
“Interventions: An Introduction,” will be offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The program is for family members and friends of anyone dealing with addictions; the program is with Marla Looper.

BPU to meet Oct. 1
The Board of Public Utilities will meet for a work session at 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. On the agenda is a general manager update and board update, and a report on fuel and purchase power. The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. On the agenda is a visitors’ time, the August financial report, board comments, general manager comments and a closed session.

Workshop offered on credit protection
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will present “Protecting Yourself” in partnership with Heartland Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo Bank from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. The workshop will teach about credit protection, identity protection, fraud prevention, and resources to restore your good name if your identity is stolen. Men and women are welcome. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Parade of Heroes to be Oct. 2
The eighth annual Parade of Heroes will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Village West Parkway to Stadium Drive, Kansas City, Kan. Presented by the Village West Rotary Club, the parade will honor men and women in uniform. The parade marshal will be Clausie Smith, former mayor of Bonner Springs. The parade will include vintage cars, military vehicles, marching bands and police and fire entries. Proceeds from the parade will benefit PACES Robert’s Place for children in crisis.

UG Commission to meet Oct. 2
The Unified Government Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Commission Chambers, City Hall, lobby level, 701 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kan. An agenda should be posted at www.wycokck.org.

‘Master of Memory’ class scheduled Oct. 2
A memory retention class, “Master of Memory,” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kan. The class may be suitable for people who have difficulty remembering names, or forgetting items at the store. The series of classes was designed to help people develop strategies to improve their memories. The class is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension of Wyandotte County and the West Wyandotte Library. For more information and to register for the class, call 913-299-9300.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., offers these programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: les invitamos a disfrutar, compartir, apoyo, con lideres, Mary Ellen Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, 7, 14 y 28 de octubre,, 10-11:30 a.m.
Aprenda hacer bocaditos para sus hijos, Jueves, 9 de octubre, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Clase de nutrición para mamas, Presentado por Teresa Moreno de programa de Kansas State Extension.
Grupo de salud emocional de la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, los martes, 1-2:30 p.m. Para registrarse contacte a Marie Alcocer, LLame 816-285-1357.

NAACP to meet Oct. 7
The Kansas City, Kan., Branch NAACP will meet Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Bethany Medical Office Building, 21 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kan., in the second-floor meeting room. The Executive Committee will meet at 6 p.m., followed by the general membership meeting at 7 p.m. At 7 p.m., there will be a report of the Nomination Committee, receipt of nominations by petition, and election of the Election Supervisory Committee. All members whose membership is current by April 1, 2014, may be nominated for office or as an “at large” member of the Executive Committee. In order to sign a nominating petition, or be elected to the Election Supervisory Committee, a member must be current as of 30 days prior to the October meeting. All committees should bring a committee report of activities for the month of September. The branch will be accepting memberships through the entire year. For more information, call 913-281-7900.

Women’s Chamber to meet Oct. 8
The Kansas City, Kan., Women’s Chamber of Commerce will meet on Oct. 8 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Eisenhower Room, 5th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kan. Networking begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the meeting at 8 a.m. The speaker is Deb Ritschel, client relationship manager for UMB Bank, whose topic is identity theft. Guests are welcome, and reservations are required by emailing Barbara Newby at [email protected], or calling 913-485-1208, or Ardith Deason at [email protected], telephone 913-233-3305. The reservation deadline is Oct. 5. The cost, including a buffet breakfast, is $20 for members and $25 or nonmembers.

Parenting class to begin Oct. 8
“Stress-Free Parenting” for all ages, a free two-part program, will be presented from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on two Wednesdays, Oct. 8 and 15, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. To register, call 913-906-8990. Only a limited number of child care spaces are available, by request.

Fairfax group to meet Oct. 9

The Fairfax Industrial Association will meet at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 9 at Neff Packaging, 555 Sunshine Road, Kansas City, Kan. The topic will be the U.S. 69 bridge project. The guest speakers will be Jim Pickett, KDOT metro engineer; Kris Norton, KDOT project manager; and Lisa Stupps, MODOT project manager.

Open house planned for Keeler Center’s 11th birthday
Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, will hold an Open House to celebrate its 11th birthday from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at its offices, 2220 Central Ave, Kansas City, Kan. Come to find out about programs and services, meet volunteers and participants of programs. There will be refreshments and tours. Make reservations to 913-906-8990 or email [email protected].

Ethics Commission to meet
The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Wyandotte County Courthouse, second floor, Division 18, old county commissioners’ chambers, 710 N. 7th St.

Walk to Cure Lupus scheduled Oct. 11
The Kansas City Metro Walk to Cure Lupus is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 11, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at The Legends area in Kansas City, Kan. Former Kansas City Chiefs player Eddie Kennison, honorary co-chair, will lead the walk. For more information, see www.lupuswalkkc.org.

Turner Days scheduled Oct. 11-12
Turner Days are scheduled Oct. 11-12. The event includes a parade, 5k run, vendors, mud volleyball, car show and petting zoo

Blood drives planned Oct. 15 at KCKCC
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center – Multipurpose Room, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Another blood drive will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Room 2325, Jewell Center, 7250 State Ave. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Program to be presented on budgeting
“Budgeting for the Holidays,” will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the program will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Men and women are welcome. The program is presented in partnership with Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Program planned Oct. 15 with Project Rachel
Keeler Women’s Center, in partnership with Project Rachel, will present “What I Learned After My Abortion,” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, Oct. 15, at 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register. Call 913-906-8990 to register or call Project Rachel at 816-591-3804.

Perennials to be topic of presentation
“Perennials for a Lasting Garden,” a presentation by Sarah Heppler, master gardener with K-State Research and Extension, will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Fundraiser planned Oct. 17
A Leavenworth Road Association fundraiser is planned from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the FOP Hall, 7844 Leavenworth Road. The chili dinner and dance will feature music by the Hole in the Wall Band from the Frontier Steakhouse, playing from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $12 per person or $20 per couple. At the door, tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. For ticket information, call the Leavenworth Road Association office at 913-788-3988.

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers individual and couples counseling to women and men who might otherwise not be able to afford counseling. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.

KCKCC faces pivotal week in pursuit of volleyball title

by Alan Hoskins
Safely over the hurdle of dangerous Southeast Nebraska Friday night, Kansas City Kansas Community College heads into another into another pivotal week in the Lady Blue Devils pursuit of a Jayhawk Conference volleyball championship.

Facing a Southeast team with 15 wins in 22 starts, the Blue Devils posted 25-20, 25-18, 25-18 wins to boost their overall record to 17-3.

“It was a real team win; everyone contributed,” said KCKCC coach Mary Bruno. “That’s a good Southeast team.”

Unbeaten in Jayhawk play, the Blue Devils are back home against Highland Monday night at 6:30 p.m. and then go to No. 10 ranked Cowley County Wednesday before finishing the week with four matches in the Iowa Western Invitational Tournament in Council Bluffs.