Clay and Platte: News from around our towns

Toy drive named for deceased trooper

The 12th annual Trooper Michael L. Newton Toy Drive, named for a trooper killed in the line of duty, will run through Wednesday, Dec. 10.

The drive is an effort of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and citizens. Toys are collected for children who must spend the Christmas season in the hospital.

All donations will be given to children at the University of Kansas Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. Troopers will deliver the toys during December.

Donations may be made at all metro area Krispy Kreme Doughnut stores. Krispy Kreme will give a free dozen doughnuts to anyone who donates a new toy worth at least $10. Donations of electronic games, board games and new children’s books are encouraged.

Trooper Newton died in 2003 when his vehicle was hit from behind during a traffic stop on Interstate 70.

Liberty Commit to Get Fit

The city of Liberty is challenging residents to get healthier and collectively lose 1,200 pounds and 120 inches in 12 weeks in the Commit to Get Fit challenge.

The program begins Jan. 12 and participants can register as individuals or as teams of four.

This is the third year for the program, said Todd Munk, Fitness Program Manager for Liberty. He expects 150 to 160 people will sign up this year. Last year more than 120 signed up

“We had quite a few that lost what they wanted to lose. The most important thing is that they learned how to exercise and how to do it right. It wasn’t as hard as they thought once they got into it and learned how to do it successfully,” said Munk.

Registration for individuals is free and includes pre and post-measurements; nutrition seminars and weekly newsletters.

Team registration is $25 per member for Community Center members and $50 for others. Team membership offers a 12-week membership to the Liberty Community Center; weekly small group fitness classes with a certified personal trainer; weekly weigh-ins and exercise plans; classes at local fitness centers; and nutrition seminars.

The top individual “loser” will receive a $100 Visa gift card. Members of the winning team will each receive a $75 Visa gift card.

“Its fits the New Year’s resolution time perfectly. It’s a team challenge even though individually you’ll learn on your own. It’s a healthy community imitative. It’s going to help you. No matter what happens, no matter what you lose, 1 pound or 20 lbs., it’s going to put you on the road for a healthy lifestyle and being more fit,” he said.

Registration is available online at www.ci.liberty.mo.us/CommitToGetFit or at the Community Center at 1600 South Withers Road, Liberty.

Call 816-439-4360 for information.

NAWS Charity Bingo

The Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS) will hold a charity bingo night from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Hamburger Mary’s.

Proceeds go toward NAWS Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic in Riverside. NAWS has performed more than 3,400 spay/neuter surgeries since it opened in March 2012.

For information call 816-830-7759 or visit www.pcnaws.org.

Hamburger Mary’s is at 3700 Broadway, Kansas City.

Hopkins award nominations

The Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Hopkins Distinguished Service Award which recognizes individuals who have made extensive contributions to Parkville through business, and community or public service.

“It’s somebody who has been really involved in the community and has Parkville at heart. They want to see Parkville flourish and be the best it can be,” said Marsha VanDever, executive director of the Chamber. “It was named after Deb Hopkins because she was instrumental in bringing the chamber back when we had that flood in 1993.”

The winner will be announced Jan. 23 at the Chamber Gala and Awards Banquet.

Nominations must be received by Dec. 15.

For a nomination form call 816-587-2700 or email info@parkvillechamber.com.

Seniors Exhibit at Park University

An art exhibit at Park University’s Campanella Gallery will feature the art of three senior art students Dec. 1-Jan 6.

An artist’s reception is planned 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 in the gallery.

The artists and their separate exhibits are:

-Andrew McEachron: “Conversations in Graphite,” featuring small scaled drawings of people in public settings.

-Brooke Sherrill: “Look to See,” digital art which challenges viewers to find variations within each image.

-Kristy Sumpter: “Blooming Explorations,” black and white photographs of unfolding flowers.

The Campanella Gallery is inside Park’s McAfee Memorial Library in the Mabee Learning Center/Academic Underground.

Admission is free. The gallery is open during library hours. For hours call 816-584-6285 or go to www.park.edu/library.

This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Clay and Platte: News from around our towns."