KCKCC to hold Turkey Games Nov. 19

by Kelly Rogge
Have you ever wondered how far you can throw a turkey? How about trying your hand at a Turkey Obstacle Course or a turkey-themed sprinting competition? Those questions and more will soon be answered as Kansas City Kansas Community College prepares to host the annual Turkey Games.

The KCKCC Turkey Games will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Wellness and Fitness Center on the KCKCC campus, 7250 State Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Among the events at the Turkey Games are Pilgrim Broom Pushin,’ the Turkey Obstacle Course, Turkey Tossin’, Turkey Rollin’ Bowlin’, Pilgrim Sprintin’, Turkey Tailin’ and Turkey Shootin’. No actual turkeys will be used in the competition. Medicine balls will represent the turkeys.

All activities must be attempted to get a final score, and be prepared to go outside for a few of the activities. Monetary donations will be accepted to benefit the KCKCC Student Emergency Fund. Donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted for Harvesters.

Registration for the 2014 Turkey Games can be completed at the Wellness Center front desk or by calling 913-288-7610. Individuals can register up until the start of the event. For more information on the event, contact Joseph Mundt at [email protected].

Several Veterans Day events planned in area

Some Veterans Day events are planned in the Greater Kansas City area.

Free admission to National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial today

Today, the National World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the hubs of activities saluting veterans. This year is the 100th anniversary of World War I.

Several activities are planned at the World War I Museum, and there is free admission for the public today.

A ceremony is planned at 10 a.m. to feature local dignitaries and officials as well as biographer A. Scott Berg. Berg will speak at 6:30 p.m. about Woodrow Wilson’s fight for peace after World War I.

There will be a donation drive for Red Racks Thrift Stores, operated by the Disabled American Veterans. Clothes, shoes, small household items and toys for children are sought.

Claudio Bisogniero, ambassador of Italy to the United States, is expected to visit the World War I Museum on Monday, Nov. 17, for a private event before the debut of “War & Art, Destruction and Protection of Italian Cultural Heritage During World War I,” a special exhibit featuring photographs documenting the preservation of priceless works of art during the war.

Leavenworth plans Veterans Day parade

Leavenworth is planning a Leavenworth County Veterans Day parade starting at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at Fourth and Cherokee streets in Leavenworth, Kan.
David R. Thomas of Leavenworth, who volunteers with the American Legion and other organizations, is the parade grand marshal.

For more information about the parade, visit www.lvvetsparade.com.

Veterans Day observance scheduled at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa

Veterans, family members and friends are invited to attend a flag-raising ceremony and tribute at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kan.

The American Legion Band will provide a patriotic musical prelude at 1:30 p.m. The brief ceremony will include the flag-raising, patriotic music, a tribute to veterans, prayer, a 21-gun salute and playing of taps. American Legion Post 370 will be the color guard. Small flags will be available for gravesite decorations.

Chaplain, Lt. Col. James E. Ludwikoski will pay tribute to veterans during the program. Father Ludwikoski is pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Shawnee, Kan.

The Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery features monuments and flags representing the five branches of the Armed Forces and the Merchant Marines. Family members and friends can remember and honor veterans by arranging to have their names engraved on the granite walls adjoining the monuments. Adjacent to the memorial is a section dedicated for burial of veterans and their spouses.

Gratitude ceremony for veterans planned Nov. 12

The University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, will honor the veterans, active-duty, and military families within its university community at a special gratitude and pinning ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Mead Hall Walnut Room on the Saint Mary campus in Leavenworth. Among the special guests who may be in attendance at the event is Col. Timothy Wulff, garrison commander at Fort Leavenworth.

The university will also participate in Leavenworth’s Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11.

AARP to meet a week early, Nov. 20

Because of the holiday, the Center City Chapter AARP No. 1544 will meet one week earlier at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Pat Hanlon Center, 11th and Ridge, Kansas City, Kan.

The chapter will continue an in-depth review of local family caregiving alternatives, experiences with aging health issues and services led by Alma Clark and Betty Reynolds.

Members will prepare a list of things they are grateful for in the annual Thankfulness tree ceremony and share holiday memories and preparations.

New and potential members are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be potluck. Evelyn Welton is president of Center City AARP Chapter No. 1544.