Unified Government offices and the Board of Public Utilities will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
City, county and the BPU will open for business during regular hours on Tuesday, May 27.
Cathy Harding
The Wyandotte Health Foundation Board of Directors has announced the selection of Cathy Harding as its new president-CEO.
She will transition to the role in early July, succeeding founding President-CEO Bill Epperheimer, who will retire after nearly 17 years at the helm of WHF.
Harding has worked in the health care safety net environment for nearly two decades, focusing on initiatives that improve the health of low-income and uninsured individuals.
Since 2007, she has served as the executive director of the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, the Primary Care Association of Kansas. As such, Harding has worked with health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, members of the Kansas Legislature and health foundations across the state to promote health care access for underserved populations, including those in Wyandotte County.
A Kansas native, Harding previously held leadership positions with Ozark Tri-County Health Care Consortium and served as the Executive Director of the Flint Hills Community Health Center in Emporia.
The WHF Search Committee selected Harding from a “very strong slate of candidates.” Leon Logan, chair of the WHF board of directors, said, “We were impressed by Cathy’s strong passion for making a difference in the lives of others. She has dedicated much of her career to supporting safety net clinics and advocating for policies that improve population health. The board feels that her talents will be a great asset to the Wyandotte County community.”
“To have been selected as the CEO of the Wyandotte Health Foundation is a great honor, as well as a great responsibility that I do not take lightly. I’m excited about working with the board, stakeholders and citizens of this community to make an impact on the health of the county,” Harding said.
The Wyandotte Health Foundation was established in 1997 with proceeds from the sale of Bethany Medical Center to Columbia HCA. The organization ranks No. 18 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of top area charitable trusts and foundations, with approximately $40 million in assets.
WHF has awarded over $30 million to organizations providing health care services to uninsured and underinsured residents of Wyandotte County, including $1.8 million in grants in its 2013 funding cycle. The foundation recently announced a $1 million grant to the proposed $30 million Healthy Campus initiative in Kansas City, Kan.
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Program offered on herbs, spices
“Herbs and Spice and Everything Nice,” a nutrition class presented by Master Food Volunteer, Pat Callaghan, in partnership with K-State Extension Services, will be offered at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The program is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22. Call 913.906.8990 for information or to register for the free class.
Memorial Day services offered
Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas will hold Memorial Day Masses on Monday, May 26, at the following locations and times: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 38th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., 9 a.m.; celebrated by the Rev. Michael Hermes; liturgical music by Ed Grisnik. Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 126th and Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., 10 a.m.; celebrated by the Rev. John Riley. For more information, call 913-371-4040 (Kansas City area); email information@cathcemks.org ; or visit www.cathcemks.org.
Memorial Day ceremony planned
A Memorial Day Ceremony is planned from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Memorial Courtyard at the National World War I Museum, Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, Mo. For more information on the weekend’s events, visit www.theworldwar.org.
T-Bones observe Memorial Day with fireworks
The T-Bones are planning Memorial Day fireworks after the game against Fargo-Moorhead on Sunday, May 25 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Village West, Kansas City, Kan.
GOP to meet May 27
U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., is scheduled to speak from 6 to 8 p.m. May 27 at the Wyandotte County GOP Town Hall meeting at the Frontier steakhouse, 94th and State Avenue. Those who plan to eat dinner should arrive early and order.
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
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.
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 btnewbyks@gmail.com or calling 913-485-1208 or Ardith Deason at deason_a@wmhci.org -telephone, 913-233-3305.
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 execdir@fiakck.org.
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.
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.
