Kearney K-9 Unit Hosts Pickleball Fundraiser

The Kearney Police Department K-9 Unit will be hosting its first pickleball tournament and family fun day this month. The K-9 Unit is primarily supported through grants, fundraisers and generous donations by businesses and individuals in the community.

The K-9 Unit is primarily supported through grants, fundraisers and generous donations by businesses and individuals in the community.

The pickleball tournament will take place Saturday, October 21, and begins at 8 am, at the new Kearney pickleball and skate park complex, 619 E. 19th Street. The entry fee for the tournament is $50 per team and all proceeds will go towards the police department’s K-9 Unit.

The family fun day will also take place on Saturday, October 21, from 11 am – 2 pm at the Kearney High School at 715 E. 19th Street.

The K-9 Unit’s family fun day will have emergency vehicles on display, free kids’ games, bounce houses, BBQ, event t-shirts, Life Flight Eagle, K-9 demonstrations, and a meet and greet with K-9 Joran.

Business sponsorships are still available for this event. Gold level sponsorship is $500, silver level is $250 and bronze level is $100. For more information email jgarton@kearneymo.us or jparton@kearneymo.us.

Kearney Rotary Hosts Bowling Fundraiser

The Rotary Club of Kearney is hosting its annual bowling fundraiser Friday, November 3, from 7 – 10 pm, at Tiger Bowl, 1729 W. Jesse James Road in Excelsior Springs.

The Rotary Club of Kearney is hosting its annual bowling fundraiser Friday, November 3

The event also includes a 50/50 cash raffle. All funds raised go to send students to Rotary Youth Leadership Academy and for their high school scholarship awards.

Entry fee is $125 per team of five and the cost includes shoe rental. Lane sponsorships for businesses are also available for $50 each.

Prizes will be awarded for the highest team score, highest individual score and lowest team score. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

To learn more or to sign up, call Debbie Holt or Terri Wright. Debbie can be reached at 816-694-1426 or email her at dholt@remax.net. Terri can be reached at 704-617-1978.

Zaborac Retires from County Health Department

After a 38-year career in public health, including 20 years of service to Clay County Public Health Center, Director of Public Health Gary E. Zaborac has announced his retirement at the end of 2023. Zaborac’s twenty years of service as health director mark the longest term of service by any health director in CCPHC’s 70-year history.

Clay County Public Health Center, Director of Public Health Gary E. Zaborac

When Zaborac was appointed director by the Board of Trustees in 2004, he was immediately tasked with moving the department into an updated and more efficient building. The new, and current, building at 800 Haines Drive in Liberty opened in 2007. Other milestones for CCPHC during Zaborac’s tenure include becoming one of the first 100 accredited health departments in the nation in 2015, being a key part of the founding of the Northland Health Alliance, and most recently, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine administration.

“Gary is an influential and collaborative leader who has made numerous contributions to public health during his expansive career. He has led with grace through numerous challenges,” said Kathy Ellermeier, chairperson of the CCPHC Board of Trustees. “Gary is leaving lasting and indelible fingerprints on the public health system and he will be greatly missed.”

Zaborac graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in microbiology, but as his career pivoted into public health, he also earned his master’s in health services administration from the University of St. Francis. His first role in public health was as an environmental health sanitarian at Peoria City/County Health Department doing restaurant inspections, private sewage disposal systems, private water wells, lead abatement program, and rodent control. However, his desire to make an impact on a larger policy and systems level led Zaborac to later become health director at two local public health departments in Illinois before eventually landing in Clay County, Missouri.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Clay County as the Director of Public Health at Clay County Public Health Center for the last 20 years,” said Zaborac. “My family and I remain extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

 Zaborac will continue serving in his role through December 31, 2023. A celebration of Director Zaborac’s career will take place at Clay County Public Health Center on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 4-5:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Fall on the Farm Event at Watkins Mill

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site is hosting a Fall on the Farm event this Saturday.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

The Fall on the Farm event takes place from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, October 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, 26600 Park Road North, Lawson MO, 64062.

Activities at the Fall on the Farm Event include corn shelling, cider pressing, wood stove cooking demonstrations, Victorian era gardening, rag doll making, games, and more. Costumed interpreters will also be present demonstrating rural life in the 1870s.

Certain areas of the 1800s Watkins' home historic mill will be open for self-guided tours at a special reduced rate.

Admission to the event is free. For more information, contact the park at 816-580-3387.

NTRC Hosts Fundraising Gala

The Northland Therapeutic Riding Center is hosting its annual fundraising gala in October. It's an opportunity for the community to get involved in a cause that improves the lives of those who need support.

The Evening of Hope Event is more than just a fancy gala, it raises funds for the Northland Therapeutic Riding Center. The Center improves the quality of life for people with special needs through equine assisted activities and therapies.

The event will take place on Friday, October 20, at Heritage Hall, 117 W. Kansas St., Liberty, MO 64068. Doors open and the silent auction begins at 6 pm. A dinner buffet will start at 6:45. The program and live auction will begin at 7:15 pm, and at 8:30 pm the silent auction closes.

There are several desirable items in the auction such as wines, coffees, beers, Kansas City Chiefs items, clothing and more. Up for raffle is a framed Chiefs jersey signed by #10 Isiah Pacheco. Winner of the raffle will be drawn the night of the event and does not need be present to win.

For more information visit the NTRC WEBSITE.