Scarritt Spring

Continuously occupied since 1897 by the Scarritt/Royster family, this is one of our many mansions over here in Northeast that are lovingly cared for by their owners. This house was built by Edward Scarritt for his family. He is the same man who built the Scarritt Building and Arcade in downtown KC>

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. ~Chinese Proverb

Last Saturday Budd Park located at St. John and Hardesty in Historic Northeast received the gift of 40 new trees. Shovels were at the ready when the planting began at 9:15... all were done by ll:30... excellent work. Neighborhood folks worked along side people from all over the greater Kansas City area. Good job people :) Note: Hyperblogal is part of the group that is pictured last... a rare appearance in front of the camera.
Angela Schreffler with Heartland Tree Alliance presented opening remarks along with Scott Wagner the President of Indian Mound Neighborhood Association. John Fierro, President of the Parks Board was on hand (far left) to read an Arbor Day Proclamation from Mayor Funkhouser.

Principle organizers of the planting were, from left to right, Scott Wagner, Indian Mound Neighborhood Association, Will Royster, Vice-President, Scarritt Rennaissance Neighborhood Association, Angela Schreffler, Program Manager Heartland Tree Alliance, Haywood Morgan and Levin Lapointe, Kansas City Parks and Recreation.
One of the participating groups was from the Earth Club at Northeast High School. Left to right: Ralph Richberg, Dan Helvick, Than Bui, Suad Hassen, Jennifer Nguyen, Tam Bui, Hoa Nguyen and team leader Dan Mitchell.

Some young volunteers also worked cleanup in the Park... and when they were done there wasn't a piece of trash anywhere to be seen in the area. This picture shows Alonzo Esteban on the left with Carlos Contreras.

Mother Goose

I guess she's Quinqua Mom in keeping with popular culture... only Mrs. Goose did it the old fashioned way. This flotilla inhabits North Terrace Lake (Green Lake for those of us who grew up over here in Northeast). I think they must have hatched about 10 days ago... just saw them today. Cute little fuzzy goslings who stick right with Mom and Dad.... and vice- versa. Generally swim from one end of the lake to the other, get out and eat, get back in. Sleep on the island at night.

Chalk Walk in Northeast

Saturday and Sunday saw the Chalk Walk come back to the Concourse in Historic Northeast for another year. The fountain water is turned off and the concrete base and walkways become canvas for chalk artists from all over. I took these pix on Sunday so some of the Saturday drawings had suffered a little from what rain we received that day. Its a great time for everyone... and kids love it too. Giant kites were on hand and the 30 mile-per-hour gusts (and up) made for great wee-people fun. I seldom post people pix but that's actually the majority of my work. There was also live entertainment including jugglers who used mini-volunteers some of whom I think had second thoughts about the whole thing.