Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to news@wyandottepublishing.com and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events by about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call the sponsoring organization to see if the event will be held.

Wyandotte County Museum features World War I exhibit
The Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum, 635 N. 126th, Bonner Springs, Kan., will feature a historical exhibit about the local effect of World War I, “Local Poppies: Centennial of World War I.” The exhibit will include information Wyandotte County service members, war memorabilia, propaganda posters and local memorials from Wyandotte County. This exhibit will be on display through March 20. For more information about the days and hours it is open, call 913-721-1078 or visit www.wycomuseum.org.

Strawberry Hill Museum reopens
The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., has reopened on the weekends. The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. March 7 and 8. There will be a visiting artist exhibit from the Wyandnotte County Hisotrical Museum on display. The admission charge is $7 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Special tours are available during the week for groups of 20 or more by calling 913-721-0081. The museum’s tea room is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday and Sunday of each month. For more information, visit www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Project Feederwatch continues
Project Feederwatch continues at the Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road. The bird count is planned each Saturday when people sign up in advance. For more information, call 913-299-2384.

Opening day of fishing planned for March 14
The opening day of fishing is scheduled at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Wyandotte County Lake, 91st and Leavenworth Road, and at Pierson Park, 1800 S. 55th. Wyandotte County Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish. Pierson will be stocked with channel catfish. A Unified Government fishing permit and a Kansas fishing license is required for Kansas residents age 16 and older or 64 and younger. All non-residents 16 and older are required to have the permit and the Kansas license. Permits and licenses may be purchased at Walmart on Parallel Parkway and Bonner Springs, and at Cabela’s and Minnesota Bait. In the event of ice, the opening day may be delayed. Call 913-573-8327 to check lake ice conditions on opening day.

Run planned March 14 at Wyandotte County Lake Park
The sixth annual Mrs. Robinson’s Romp, a 5K and 10K trail run, is planned at 9 a.m. March 14 at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. The event is located at Shelter No. 14 at the park. There are entrance fees for the race. For more information, visit www.psychowyco.com or call 816-810-0440.

‘Saturdays by the Grinter Stove’ planned March 14
“Saturdays by the Grinter Stove,” a local history program, will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Grinter Place, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan. A program on local history will be presented, and lunch will be prepared on the wood stove at the state historic site. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, call 913-299-0373 or visit kshs.org/grinter_place.

Make a no-sew Easter basket
A no-sew Easter basket craft program is planned from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. March 14 at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library youth services story time and craft room, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The program is for ages 5 to 12. The children will make a cute and practical Easter basket using glue and foam. All materials are provided. Registration is required to 913-279-2216. There is a limit of 20 in the workshop.

Presentation explores World War I propaganda
Wyandotte County Historical Museum in Bonner Springs, Kan., will be the host of “World War I on the Homefront: Persuasion and Propaganda,” a presentation and discussion by Lorraine Madway, at 2 p.m. March 14. at Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, Kan. Lorraine Madway is the special collections curator and university archivist at Wichita State University Libraries. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Wyandotte County Historical Museum at 913-573-5002 for more information. The program is made possible by the Kansas Humanities Council. This program is part of the Wyandotte County Historical Museum’s commemoration of Local Poppies: Centennial of WWI exhibition.

Workshop offered for those who grow fruits and vegetables
A series of workshops designed for anyone growing fruits and vegetables for sale or for the serious home gardener will be held in several locations in the Kansas City area, starting March 16. One of the workshops, “Plant Propagation and Production Planning,” will be held March 16 in Kansas City, Kan. It will be from 4 to 7 p.m. March 16 at Masters Community Church, 2548 S. 42nd St., Kansas City, Kan. There is a cost for the workshop. More information and registration is available at www.growinggrowers.org.

Business West, Community College to sponsor candidate forum
Business West, in cooperation with Kansas City Kansas, Community College, will sponsor a candidate forum starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in Upper Jewell at the college, 7250 State Ave. Candidates from Wyandotte County will seek public office in the general election Tuesday, April 7. Candidates in contested races for the Unified Government Commission, the Board of Public Utilities, the Kansas City, Kan., School Board and the Community College Board of Trustees have been invited. The forum will be taped for playback on the college’s channel 17. The public may attend.

BPU meeting rescheduled
The Board of Public Utilities originally was scheduled to meet March 18, but the meeting has been rescheduled. The new meeting date will be March 25. The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. March 25 at the BPU administration building, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The meeting was rescheduled because there is a candidate forum the evening of March 18 at the Upper Jewell Building at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Severe weather seminar planned March 18
A severe weather seminar is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Kansas City Kansas Community College Performing Arts Center, 7250 State Ave. The seminar will feature Andy Bailey, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Pleasant Hill, Mo. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Unified Government meeting rescheduled
The Unified Government meeting originally scheduled for March 19 has been canceled. Two meetings have been added, for a regular UG Commission session April 23 and for a UG Commission planning and zoning meeting April 30.

Robbery prevention seminar offered March 19
A robbery prevention seminar for resident, business owners, managers and employees, will be held March 19 at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 4953 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The seminar will be presented at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 19 by the Community Policing officers of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department. To register for the seminar, call 913-573-8724.

Spaghetti dinner planned March 21 at Grinter Place
Grinter Place state historic site, South 78th and K-32, will hold a spaghetti dinner 6 – 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Entertainment provided. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door; children 5 and younger are free. Tour of house is included in the ticket price. Proceeds benefit programs at Grinter Place. To pre-purchase tickets, contact Grinter Place 913-299-0373; grinter@kshs.org; or Don Jolley 913-481-3527. The event is presented in cooperation with Grinter Place Friends and Quilters. Grinter Place is at 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City Kan. For more information, visit kshs.org/grinter_place.

Trial lawyer to examine trial of Jesus

A veteran Wyandotte County trial lawyer, John J. Jurcyk Jr., will examine the trial of Jesus in a presentation at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., in Wyandotte County Park, Bonner Springs. Jurcyk, a lawyer with the firm of McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips, has presented the talk several times during the past 10 years. It is based on evidence from the four gospels and other historic facts. Jurcyk said there were six trials, or hearings. The Wyandotte County Historical Society will present its annual awards as another part of the program. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the program. For more information, telephone 913-573-5002.

KCK school board to meet March 24
The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. March 24 at White Church Elementary School, 2226 N. 85th St. The meeting is open to the public. An agenda may be posted online at www.kckps.org before the meeting.

Blood drive scheduled March 25-26
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25 and March 26 at the University of Kansas Francisco Lounge, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Rainbow Boulevard and Olathe Boulevard, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

Health insurance fair scheduled March 26
Kansas City Kansas Community College will hold a Health Insurance Fair later this month to help people understand their options when it comes to purchasing health insurance. The Health Insurance Fair is from noon to 2 p.m. March 26 in the deli area of Lower Jewell. It is free and open to the public. Insurance companies will be on hand during the insurance fair to answer questions and assist individuals in signing up for insurance. Companies that will be attending include Coventry, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Amerigroup, among others.

UG Commission scheduled to meet March 26
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at City Hall, Commission Chambers, lobby level, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. Planning and zoning items may be on the agenda. An agenda should be posted a few days in advance of the meeting at www.wycokck.org.

Easter egg hunt planned March 28
The Turner Recreation Center is planning an Easter egg hunt and breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28. Ages 0-3 will participate in the Easter egg hunt at 9:45 a.m.; ages 4-7 at 10 a.m.; and ages 8-12 at 10:15 a.m. The Easter egg hunt is free. Also planned March 28 is a pancake and sausage breakfast with the Easter bunny. There will be arts and crafts activities, also. The cost of the breakfast is $5 for those 13 and older, and $4 for those 4-12, and children 3 and under free with the purchase of an adult plate. For more information, visit www.turnerrec.org/CommunityEvents.html.

Easter egg bath bomb workshop planned
A craft workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, to make Easter egg bath bombs. The workshop for adults and senior adults is at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The fizzy scented bath bombs will look like Easter eggs. The craft workshop is for adults, and teens may attend if accompanied by an adult. There is a $5 fee for supplies. To register, call 913-279-2066.

Face painting workshop planned
A beginning face painting workshop is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Turner Community Library, 831 S. 55th, Kansas City, Kan. Participants will learn about types of paints, brushes and other materials. The workshop is for ages 13 and up. There is a limit of 10 participants. Those who are interested must register by calling the library at 913-596-1404.

Teen Easter egg hunt planned April 1
An Easter egg hunt is planned from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 1 at the storytime area of the South Library Branch of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Teens and tween are invited to decorate Easter eggs, then go on an Easter egg hunt.

Pulitzer Prize winning author coming to Donnelly College April 6
Donnelly College faculty, staff and students will welcome best-selling author Sonia Nazario to campus on Monday, April 6. This year, all Donnelly freshmen read Nazario’s book, “Enrique’s Journey.” This will be Donnelly’s inaugural event in its new Sister Jerome Keeler Lecture Series established in part by the National Endowment for Humanities. Nazario, a veteran of the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times, published “Enrique’s Journey” — an expansion of a six-part newspaper series from which she earned her Pulitzer -in 2006. The story follows a young Latin American boy and his journey to reunite with his parents in the United States. Nazario originally hails from Kansas. All are invited to attend a public presentation at 1:30 p.m. in Donnelly’s Community Event Center. Nazario will speak about “Enrique’s Journey” and will sign books, sold in advance. Reservations are required and attendance is free; make reservations to Nancy Fansher: nfansher@donnelly.edu.

Author from KCK to discuss new novel April 6 at West Wyandotte Library
GiGi Gossett will discuss her latest novel, “The Midwife Factor,” at 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, at the West Wyandotte Branch Library at 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kan. According to a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, Gossett, a native of Kansas City, Kan., also will sign copies of her book, which will be available for purchase. “GiGi Gossett” is the pen name of Kansas City, Kan., native Gladys Gossett Hankins. For more information, see https://wyandotteonline.com/new-novel-by-kck-native-traverses-roots-quest-across-continents/.

Donnelly College plans Multicultural Festival April 10
Donnelly College, 608 N. 18th St., plans a Multicultural Festival from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 10 near the college’s Event Center. The outdoor festival will include music, ethnic food, performances, and vendors.

Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival to be April 11 at KCKCC
The Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Kansas City Kansas Community College Field House, 7250 State Ave. Music, ethnic food and entertainment from other cultures will be featured at the event. There is no admission charge and parking is free. For more details, visit the website, http://www.freewebs.com/wycoethnicfestival/.

‘Financing College’ program offered April 13
Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools is holding a “Financing College” event from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, to provide high school seniors and their families with resources to help them apply for college financial aid. The event will be at the Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. Staff will be available to help complete FAFSA forms. For more information, contact Lori Hewitt, KCKPS Post-Secondary Connections Specialist at 913-627-2685 or lori.hewitt@kckps.org.

Leavenworth Road Association to meet April 14
The Leavenworth Road Association will meet at 6 p.m. April 14 at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kan. A potluck dinner and social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a meeting at 7 p.m.

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.

Review: Play drew its inspiration from research at KCK Library

Nedra Dixon, right, plays Pearl Johnson and Vanessa Severo, left, plays Susanna Mullally in “Black Pearl Sings,” being performed at the Just Off Broadway Theater in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Jeff Rumans)
Nedra Dixon, right, plays Pearl Johnson and Vanessa Severo, left, plays Susanna Mullally in “Black Pearl Sings,” being performed at the Just Off Broadway Theater in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Jeff Rumans)

by William Crum

“Black Pearl Sings,” a play now being performed at the Just Off Broadway Theater in Kansas City, Mo., drew some of its inspiration from the author’s research at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library.

A heartwarming and emotional experience, the play was written by Frank Higgins, an adjunct playwright professor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Higgins got some of his influence from a VHS tape that he checked out in 2005 at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library.

In late 2005 the first draft of the play was written, and in the spring of 2006 was the first reading of the play.

“I came across the video called, ‘Language You Cry In,’” Higgins said. “This was in early 2005. I have always wanted to write a play about this particular subject, but when I came across this video it was fate that truly made it happen. The first reading was in the spring of 2006. It wasn’t until 2007 the play first debuted in Houston, Texas.”

The play is about a prisoner named Pearl Johnson, played by Nedra Dixon, who is rescued by a young librarian, Susanna Mullally, played by Vanessa Severo.

In the play, two women of different cultures work together in a unique experience. The librarian is researching songs from the days of slavery, while Pearl Johnson is an inmate who sings and seeks her freedom.

A third actor, Jeannie Blau, who played a prison guard, also did a fantastic job.

If you want to see a play that is heartwarming and well done this in the play that everyone should definitely see. The acting, the set design and production is truly phenomenal. Personally after seeing the play, I think that people can learn about what it is to be a slave and how music affects us all, music that is handed down from our forefathers.

The play will inspire viewers to think about the world around them and how things are affected by different cultures. Theater-goers will feel the heartache that Pearl felt, and may even laugh and cry at the same time.

The play was produced by Spinning Tree Theatre Co., and it will end its run on March 22. Remaining performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19; 8 p.m. Friday, March 20; 8 p.m. Saturday, March 21; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22.

I highly recommend this phenomenal, emotional and educational experience.

Sporting KC on road tonight against Dallas

sporting kc logo
Sporting Kansas City opens its 2015 MLS road campaign against F.C. Dallas at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The match will be televised locally on KMCI-TV 38 The Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV with pregame coverage beginning 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Radio broadcasts will also be available on 102.9 FM (English) and La Gran D 1340 AM (Spanish).

Saturday’s match is the first for Sporting KC against a Western Conference opponent since Sporting KC re-joined the West for the 2015 season. Sporting KC finished the 2014 regular season with a 5-2-2 record against Western Conference opponents.

The Western Conference battle features the team with the most road wins from the 2014 season visiting the team with the most home wins a year ago.

Sporting KC has recorded eight road wins in each of the last three regular seasons — double the league average — and leads MLS with 24 road victories since the beginning of 2012. FC Dallas finished the 2014 season with a 12-4-1 record at home and the club is 11-1-2 in its last 14 home games in all competitions.

Sporting KC and FC Dallas will meet three times this season after playing to draws in their last two matches in the series. In 2013, the two sides played to a 2-2 draw in Frisco, Texas and again split the points in 2014 following a 1-1 result at Sporting Park.

Sporting Kansas City captain and 2014 FIFA World Cup veteran Matt Besler will miss Saturday’s match after receiving a pair of yellow cards in Sporting KC’s season opener against the New York Red Bulls last weekend.

Despite playing shorthanded for the game’s final 20 minutes, Sporting Kansas City secured a point courtesy of Ike Opara’s goal in his return from a season-ending ankle injury suffered in early 2014.

FC Dallas opened the season with a dramatic 1-0 home victory against the San Jose Earthquakes. Blas Perez scored the game-winner, directing his header past David Bingham in the 92nd minute.

Sporting Kansas City will bring more than 800 supporters to this weekend’s match, one of the largest groups of traveling fans in club history.

In-game updates will be available at SportingKC.com/GameOn and by following @SKCGameday on Twitter.

– Story from Sporting KC