Serving at the Food Kitchen

For many years the owners of the local McDonald's franchise have invited the city council to help serve a meal at the Food Kitchen on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The menu this year included McRibs or a hamburger, chicken nuggets, soup, and pie or a cookie. All were invited to go through the line a second time and, as closing time neared, to-go bags were offered to any who wanted extras.

Later in the day, council members attended the annual Mayors' Thanksgiving at the Civic Arena. This event is a fund-raiser for Second Harvest and an opportunity to recognize organizations and individuals who serve the community.

Krug Park

Because upgrades to the lagoon were nearly finished, City Manager Bruce Woody suggested that council have a photo op before the water refill started. Although chilly temps and a misty rain cut our photo session short, several council members were willing to venture into the muddy center of the empty lagoon for a picture. Only Bruce was successful.

Sioux Falls Exchange

Our visit to Sioux Falls, SD included two days of activities and opportunities to learn what makes the largest city in South Dakota the next "Boom Town."

With a two cent sales tax generating $80 million a year, the city can provide land and services that attract so much business that the unemployment rate is a low 2.7%. Banking centers, research hospitals and a shopping mall that has become a tourist attraction help keep the economy growing.

A drop in temperature forced us to change our plans to walk around the riverfront area downtown but we did take a bus tour and made a brief stop at the new convention center/sports arena/theater complex.

MML Kansas City

Fire Department Anniversary

The St. Joseph Fire Department commemorated exactly 150 years of service with a ceremony August 7 in Civic Center Park.



The St. Joseph Fire Department is one of the oldest fire departments west of the Mississippi River. It was established in 1865 when the community passed a bond to purchase the city’s first steam powered fire pump. The horse-drawn pump, called "Blacksnake," was staffed by former members of the Union Army. At the same time, another fire company named the “Waterwitch Company” was also active in St. Joseph. The “Waterwitch” was pulled by members of a German-American crew and was powered by hand pumps. The “Waterwitch” and the “Blacksnake” companies were rivals and clashed violently at times each trying to reach and put out a fire before the other.

The current fire department staffs nine fire stations which include two ladder/tower companies, five engine companies, two 75’ telesquirt/engine companies, and two light rescue companies.  The department provides First Responder–Medical Services to the citizens of St. Joseph and a large portion of Buchanan County.
(information from the City of St. Joseph website)

Apple Blossom Parade

Despite morning showers, parade participants optimistically lined up along Noyes Boulevard for the annual Apple Blossom Parade. Parade president Ken Rosenauer declared that a little rain could not cancel the march down Frederick. And, at 9:30 sharp, the ROTC color guard stepped out.

Weather didn't deter spectators either. Kids and adults lined the street from the beginning to the end Downtown.

The antique car in which I was riding developed a flat tire almost as soon as we turned onto Frederick at Noyes. We stopped at the service station at 26th, filled the tire, got back in line and finished the parade route without further difficulty.

Washington Fly-In

An early morning flight put us in Washington,DC around 9 am for the first of our meetings. We finally checked into our hotel about 12 hours later. The next day we continued our meetings and, after a brief stop for sightseeing on the way to the airport, we boarded the plane back to Kansas City around 7 pm.