New 4-H agent hails from Wyandotte County

Olivia Moore

by Mary Rupert

Wyandotte County’s new 4-H agent is a homegrown product.

Olivia Moore, 22, became the new Extension agent in 4-H and youth development about seven weeks ago.

The former member of the Chaparral 4-H Club, Moore graduated from Washington High School in 2009 and from Kansas State University in 2013.

At K-State, she majored in animal science and industry, with an emphasis on production and management.

She has nine years of experience as a 4-H member in Wyandotte County.

“I showed horses, I raised them, in addition to raising chickens for meat and eggs, and for show, for market,” Moore said. “I did a leadership project, table setting project, wildlife project, quilting, a huge variety of things.”

Through the years, she believes her biggest 4-H accomplishment was to win the senior horse showmanship award at the Wyandotte County Fair.

Moore said she learned much from her 4-H experiences.

“I learned a lot of self-control and responsibility because you have to feed your animals every day, rain or snow, wind or sunshine, because they are counting on you to get them fed,” she said. “In addition, I learned humility and being humble, and really learning what you want to. 4-H is self-led. You do a lot of your 4-H work away from other people.”

Since her days in the 4-H program, she has seen changes in the numbers of large livestock animals in the county fair. Traditionally the fair was a showcase of large livestock animals, but it now seems to be moving to a smaller animal showcase including chickens and rabbits, that can be housed in a backyard, and toward nontraditional programs such as robots and wind technology, she said.

As the new 4-H agent in Wyandotte County, Moore would like to increase the number of youth participating in the program here. In 2013, there were 220 youth involved in community clubs, and 1,500 youth involved with 4-H in general here, including after-school and special interest programs, and others using the 4-H curriculum, she said.

In the future, Moore said she would like to see the 4-H program embrace technology, increase the number of youth participants, increase readiness and the skill set necessary for youth to advance to college, technical training or the military service.

“It’s definitely an exciting time to be in Extension and an amazing time to be in Wyandotte County,” she said.

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.

Track and field event set May 31
The Hershey Track and Field event, an annual competition, will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Washington High School, 73rd and Leavenworth Road. Those who are age 14 and younger may participate in the free track event. They may be in three events. Those who are 9-14 may qualify for the state Hershey Track meet. To pre-register, visit local community recreation centers. Registration also will be at the event, beginning at 8 a.m.

Sign up for library’s reading program

The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library’s summer reading program has started signing up readers. The program runs from June 1 to July 31. Participate at any of the five library branches. After signing up, participants may start logging books on June 1. For more information, visit the website at www.kckpl.org.

Kosher Fest planned June 1
On June 1, there is going to be Kosher Fest, which will be held in the parking lot of congregation Ohev Sholom located at 75th and Nall in Overland Park, Kan. The hours are from noon to 5 p.m. KosherFest is the fifth biannual event, a Kansas City tradition join thousands of friends and neighbors from the entire metropolitan area. At this event they will have not only kosher food they will also have electric cars on display plus there will be a lot of information regarding the various community gardens throughout the Greater Kansas City area plus there will be a lot for whole family. This event only happens every two years and it is truly an experience. In fact Congregation Ohev Sholom started off in Kansas City, Kan., and in the early 1960s moved to Overland Park, Kan. There are a lot of members who live in Kansas City, Kan., who belong to this congregation. For more information you can call congregation Ohev Sholom at 913-642-6460 or visit the website, www.ohev-sholom.com

‘Dueling Pianos’ program planned June 1
Dennis Laffoon and Tony Rustici will entertain for “Dueling Pianos” from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery, 18807 158th St. (158th and State Avenue), Basehor, Kan. Food will be available. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Wine and food will be sold separately. For more information, visit www.holyfieldwinery.com.

Addictions support group to meet
“All Addictions Group,” a free support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register online at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

Parenting class to start June 4
“Effective Parenting,” a free three-part series, will be presented from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, June 4, 11 and 18, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. To register, call 913-906-8990. Be sure to mention if you need child care; there are only a limited number of spaces available.

Series to discuss dreams
“Dreams and the Spiritual Journey,” with Jane Maxfield, four-part series, Thursdays, June 5-26, 9:30-11 a.m., at Keeler women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Maxfield holds a certificate in projective dreamwork from the Marin Institute and has facilitated workshops for Elderhostel, retreat groups, arts, and women’s groups. Religious traditions around the globe and through the ages have recognized attention to dreams as a means of finding our path to wholeness and holiness. The techniques and tools explored in the four-session class include improving dream recall, recording dreams, discovering more of the multiple levels of meaning found in every dream, and experiencing the potential of working with dreams in a circle of support. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Workshop concentrates on relationships
A workshop to improve relationships is planned from June 6 to July 25. The seven-week workshop will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. No meeting on July 4. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, the workshop for individuals, “Within My Reach,” will include activities and discussions about communication, problem solving, expectations and creating and maintaining a loving relationship. The workshop will be at Catholic Charities, Keeler Conference Office, 2220 Central Ave. Preregistration is required to 913-621-5775 or www.KansasLoveLetters.com.

Armourdale Optimist Club to meet June 10
The Armourdale Optimist Club will hold its bimonthly luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. June 10 at 1206 Osage Ave. in the Armourdale area of Kansas City, Kan.
The speakers will be 2nd District Unified Government Commissioner Brian McKiernan and Bundy Jenkins. The luncheon cost is $7 per person. The meal consists of a full roast beef dinner, roasted asparagus, fresh veggie and fruit trays with dip. assorted soft drinks and desserts. On June 24 the Armourdale Optimists will be the host for Pam and John Lipari on their store closing. Call patty at 913-371-5696 for more information and for reservations. Reservations are needed in advance.

Police chief to speak at Women’s Chamber meeting
Ellen Hanson, Kansas City, Kan., interim chief of police, will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, June 11, at the meeting of the KCK Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Hanson is the retired chief of police of Lenexa, Kan., and interim chief in Kansas City, Kan. She will speak about her career and how she succeeded in a male-dominated field. The networking session is from 11:30 a.m. to noon followed by lunch and program from noon to 1 p.m. June 11 at Dave and Busters, The Legends Outlets, Village West. The cost for lunch is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. There will be a fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Guests are welcome, but 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.

Anger management class offered
“Anger Management for Healthier Living” will be presented by Kirsten Stidham, Keeler intern, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Governor to speak at Fairfax meeting
Gov. Sam Brownback will be the guest speaker at the June 12 meeting of the Fairfax Industrial Association. The governor may speak between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. June 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Doors will open for the lunch event at 11 a.m. Serving will begin at 11:15 a.m. Those interested in attending may make reservations by 3 p.m. June 10 to Chuck Schlittler, executive director, at [email protected].

Father’s Day run June 14 benefits three charities
The Kevin Gray Father’s Day 5k run-walk on Saturday, June 14, at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., was created to honor the former KC Sports Commission president and father of four daughters, Kevin Gray. Gray died on June 15, 2011, from a rare form of cancer. The run-walk started in 2012. This run has three beneficiaries, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Kevin Gray Family Education Fund, and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. Online registration is open until June 11. Registration will still be accepted on Friday, June 13, at packet pickup and on race day. The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Sporting Park. To register go to SportKC.org.

Museum plans lock-in
An all-night lock-in is planned from 7 p.m. July 18 to 8 a.m. July 19 at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 126th and State. The event on July 18 is for girls ages 8 to 12. A safe night at the museum, tour, hands-on projects, evening snacks and a movie are planned. Boys will have a similar event on July 25. The cost is $25 per child. One adult must attend. Reservations are required. For information, call 913-573-5002.

Colyer to speak at health care summit June 14
A Health Care Solutions Summit is planned from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Painted Hills Golf Club, 7101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Sponsored by Leavenworth and Wyandotte County Republican groups, the guest speaker for the luncheon will be Dr. Jeff Colyer, Kansas lieutenant governor. A panel will discuss health care issues. A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. and the program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost of the full program with lunch is $25. The requested donation without lunch is $2.

Program offered on cropping systems
K-State Research and Extension is offering a workshop on “Low-till/No-till Cropping Systems” on July 21 in Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit http://www.growinggrowers.org.

African-American Art Festival planned Aug. 9
The MoKan African-American Art Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Quindaro Park, 35th and Sewell, Kansas City, Kan. Those attending the free event may bring a blanket, enjoy artwork, stilt walkers Gullah basket weathers, African drummers and dancers, food and vendors. For more information about having an art exhibit there or being a vendor, contact 913-788-7330.

KVL announces all-league softball team

The Kaw Valley League has announced its all-league softball team.

Several Wyandotte County students have been named to the team.

The all-league team athletes from Wyandotte County include:

First team: Alyssa Sullivan, senior, Piper, catcher; Lexi Tendick, sophomore, Bonner Springs, infielder; Caitlin Reed, junior, Bonner Springs, outfielder; and Mikaela Bennett, junior, Bonner Springs, utility.

Second team: Brooklyn Lauritzen, sophomore, Piper, infielder; Ashley King, junior, Piper, outfielder; Hannah Fehlhafer, junior, Bonner Springs, pitcher; and Abby Henry, sophomore, Piper, pitcher.

Honorable mention: Mariah Sanchez, junior, Bishop Ward, infielder; Maddie McCall, sophomore, Piper, infielder; Kia Boyd, junior, Piper, infielder; and Kaylynn Stratton, junior, Turner, infielder.