While hundreds of people listened to an Eagle Days presentation Saturday indoors at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, this eagle was out on the ice at the lake. Eagle Days continues Sunday at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
by Mary Rupert
Temperatures in the 50s attracted good crowds to today’s Eagle Days presentations at Wyandotte County Lake Park.
The event continues through 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library and the James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas. The program is free and open to the public.
Bill Whinery, an Operation WildLife volunteer, introduced injured birds of prey to the packed audience on Saturday at the presentation at the Schlagle Library. Whinery told stories about each bird, including how they were rescued by Operation WildLife, and general information about each bird of prey.
Falcons, hawks, owls and a turkey vulture were on display at the Schlagle Library. This year, a young bald eagle was at the Davis Hall.
Outside the Schlagle Library, some volunteers from the Audubon Society set up telescopes and allowed visitors to look through them at eagles on the lake. One eagle was sitting on the ice in the middle of the lake, while some others were in trees on the opposite shore.
John Bollin, looking at eagles outdoors, said that eagles were plentiful now at the lake because they were feeding on snow geese there.
Eagle Days is sponsored by Operation WildLife, the Schlagle Library, the Board of Public Utilities, the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools and the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department.
An Eagle Days presentation by Bill Whinery of Operation WildLife on Saturday at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park was well attended. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Children worked on eagle crafts after the Eagle Days presentation Saturday at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Bill Whinery, a volunteer with Operation WildLife, visited with people after his Eagle Days presentation Saturday at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Birds of prey were on exhibit on Saturday at the Eagle Days presentation at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)An owl was one of the birds of prey on exhibit on Saturday during the Eagle Days presentation at the Schlagle Library, Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)The Eagle Days audience enjoyed hearing about birds of prey on Saturday at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)A turkey vulture was one of the birds of prey on display Saturday at the Eagle Days presentation at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Falcons and other birds of prey were on display Saturday during Eagle Days at the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Some people went outdoors to the lake shore to look at eagles through telescopes on Saturday at Eagle Days near the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)John Bollin, looking at eagles outdoors, said that eagles were plentiful now at Wyandotte County Lake Park because they were feeding on snow geese there. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)A bald eagle was one of the birds of prey on display during Eagle Days Saturday at the James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Several other birds of prey were on exhibit at the James P. Davis Hall Saturday during Eagle Days at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Volunteers from Operation WildLife answered questions during Eagle Days Saturday at the James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Brandan Jackson, left, and Braijion Barnes received their medals for placing third in the tournament. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper High School boys basketball team earned third place in the Spring Hill Invitational tournament with a 71-53 victory over Gardner Edgerton High School on Friday evening.
Piper took an early lead over the Trailblazers, and built it throughout the game, going up by 6 at the end of the first quarter on Ty Shelley’s buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Pirates extended their lead to 9 at halftime, with Bryce Yoder picking up two three-pointers in the second quarter.
The Pirates used their strength and speed advantage to force the ball inside, finishing at the rim or looking for an interior pass for an open layup.
Doc Covington was Piper’s offensive engine, scoring 26 and using his inside-outside ability to drive for layups or to get open at the three-point line. Brandan Jackson added 12 points, and Trey Bates had 11 points and 6 assists. Braijion Barnes continued his hard work on the defensive glass, picking up 10 rebounds.
Eisenhower High School of Goddard, Kan., won the tournament, beating Olathe South in the championship game, 72-49.
After going 2-1 in the tournament, Piper holds an overall record of 8-4. The Pirates return to Kaw Valley League action against the Turner Golden Bears on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
Senior Daviance “Doc” Covington (1) went up for a layup. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Junior Brandan Jackson (21) went high for an offensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Senior Bryce Yoder (30) drove to the basket for a layup. Yoder scored 11 in the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Piper sophomore Gabe Eskina (10) challenged a Gardner shot. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Braijion Barnes (4) pulled down a defensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Doc Covington drove along the baseline before passing the ball off underneath. Covington earned 5 assists in the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Doc Covington drove down the lane for a short-range jump shot. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Junior Trey Bates (11) looked for an open route to the basket. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Mayor, senator to speak Jan. 20 at Democratic breakfast
Mayor David Alvey and State Sen. Pat Pettey are scheduled to speak on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast. The buffet will begin at 8:15 a.m. with the program at 9 a.m. at Las Islas Marias, 7516 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Alvey recently was sworn into office as the Unified Government mayor and chief executive officer. Pettey, D-6th Dist., is the chair of the Wyandotte County legislative delegation. The cost of the breakfast buffet is $10. Those who are students or on limited income may pay $6 for breakfast. Those who attend do not have to purchase breakfast. Reservations are requested to scottmackey08@yahoo.com by Friday, Jan. 19, for those purchasing breakfast. Reservations are not required to attend.
Eagle Days to be Jan. 20-21
The 17th annual Eagle Days will be held Jan. 20 and 21 at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library, 4051 West Drive, in Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 20 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 21. The event is free and open to the public. It is for all ages. The event will take place simultaneously at the Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake, as well as the Schlagle Library. The American bald eagle and birds of prey will be on exhibit at the event. Operation Wildlife will give presentations on live birds of prey at both locations. There will be a children’s craft area at the library, a binocular checkout and a spotting scope station to view migrating birds that visit Wyandotte County Lake in the winter. For more information, visit http://kckpl.librarymarket.com/17th-annual-eagle-days-0.
Story time program offered
“Music Mayhem” will be the program from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the story time room, West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kansas. Musical fun, songs, dancing and stories are planned. The program is for children ages 4-6.
