Michael Bless is Chamber MVP
KC Cattle Co. Hosts Rep. Graves
Disasters often occur with little to no warning
Fires and tornadoes can destroy a home in minutes, and hurricanes and other extreme weather events can leave families without power for days.
The American Red Cross is committed to helping communities prepare for emergencies both big and small, and as disaster season approaches, we hope you’ll take a look at some of the resources we’ve put together to help you be ready for what may come. Whether you’ll need to evacuate your home or shelter in place, preparing now can make a huge difference when the unexpected occurs.
First and foremost, assess whether your emergency preparedness kit is ready. Every family should have an emergency preparedness kit to ensure they can meet their daily needs. This checklist will help you put together an emergency preparedness kit.
With the height of disaster season approaching, the best way to ensure you’re prepared for the unexpected is to make a plan and have the necessary supplies ready and accessible.
Just remember to customize your emergency kit to your own needs — and stay safe!
News
Michael Bless was honored Thursday night as the Weston Chamber’s Outstanding Volunteer of 2020, 2021 and 2022. Making the presentation were Chamber Executive Director Victoria Campbell, Chamber President Brent Newkirk and Chamber Vice-President Lori Stanislav.
Patrick Montgomery and Tyler Hines, director of operations, talked with Rep. Sam Graves in the KC Cattle Co. Parkville store..
Even during the pandemic, things were going really well for KC Cattle Company in 2020 and 21. The three employees were making it work on the ranch outside Weston. They were getting new customers from across the nation as meat became more scarce.
In 2021 they still grew, and Patrick Montgomery was making big plans to build a 9,922-square-foot building with space for new offices, shipping and receiving, and a retail store near The National. Eventually, he wanted to start a barbecue restaurant and an artisan butcher shop.
Those plans were shelved when the price of new construction skyrocketed.
The retail store is now in downtown Parkville at 110 Main Street and walk in sales have risen from 10 percent to 20 percent of the business. The light-filled space contains freezer cases for the ranch’s premium meat and shelves for farm-to-table items.
Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Sam Graves paid a call to see how the business was doing.
“This year, business has slowed because of inflation,” Mr. Montgomery said. Changes in the business are helping. “We’ll get through this.”
The company buys corn from local growers, but the cost of cattle, fertilizer and packaging have gone up.
Rep. Graves asked about the farming operation and commiserated with Mr. Montgomery about the challenges of farming.
There are now 11 on staff, at the farm, the store and delivering to 156 zip codes within driving distance. About 20 percent of the business comes in the door.
In 2016, Patrick created the KC Cattle Company in rural Weston and as owner and operator, he is reaching out to veterans. He hires veterans to help them heal. “It helps them to come out here and work with their hands in the beauty and peace of the country,” Patrick said.
As well as hiring veterans at the ranch, some of the proceeds from the sales are donated to veterans foundations, including War Horses for Veterans. The KC Cattle Company also be donates beef to homeless shelters in Kansas City.
The KC Cattle Company produces quality beef from Wagyu cattle, which is known for excellent flavor and tenderness.
Be sure to customize your kits to meet your household’s needs and the season. Basic supplies include:
Water: 1 gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply)
Can opener
Medical items and medications (1-month supply)
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
First aid kit
Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to
disinfect surfaces
Flashlight or battery-powered lanterns
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
Multi-purpose tool
Map(s) of the area
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Copies of critical documents
Blanket
Change of clothes, plus:
Hats, gloves, boots, coats, etc. (cold weather)
Sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. (warm weather)
Michael Bless was surprised and thrilled Thursday night to be named the Weston Chamber’s Outstanding Volunteer for the last three years. It’s been that long since the Chamber has held an annual dinner due to COVID.
Mr. Bless, who volunteered countless hours to keep the Chamber office open during that time, was presented with a plaque, gift certificate and flowers.
Also recognized were board members from 2020-2022 who have since left the board: Roger Gascoigne-VP, Suzanne Zimmerman-Secretary, Mel Beverlin-Treasurer, Directors Louis Smither, Sarah Hoffman, Lorri Stanislav, Jennifer Lowman, and Erik Olson.
New officers and directors were presented: President, Brent Newkirk; Vice President Lorri Stanislav; Secretary, Gordon Grohmann; Treasurer, Mel Beverlin; and Directors Jennifer Lowman, Erik Olson, Jeff Turney, Sarah Hoffman, and William McQueen.
A new visitors guide was unveiled, members who have assisted with marketing were recognized, and a long list of accomplishments given.
Laura Barnes, Loren Simplico, Hannah McGee and Antonio Laguna have labored over the materials.
Dinner was catered by Peach Tree & Poppy Catering, with the help of local farmers and producers, Farmers House, Main Street Galleria, Green Grass Cattle Co., Weston Brewing Company, Weston Historic Orchard & Vineyard and La Bella Cucina.
Holladay Distillery hosted the event.
The Chamber now lists 98 business members.
The Marketing theme this year is “More Than Main Street,” Erik Olson said. He said the effort will focus on areas within a 50 mile radius on Weston and Leavenworth in particular.
A Tourism Grant will focus on areas outside the 50 mile radius. They’re also investigating broadcasting.
“Everyone’s smashing it,” he said. “There are a lot of people working hard to make Weston better.
The Chamber is going to try to collaborate with the schools to create a kids farmers market or entrepreneur program to integrate kids into the town. They’re also working to ed with other civic groups.. .