Lee's Summit Town Hall

Community Connections: Growing the business and our community are synonymous

In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Courtney Laufketter, co-owner of Budget Blinds of Lee's Summit. They discuss the significance of community service and local business involvement, exploring how giving back not only enriches the community but also strengthens business relationships. Courtney shares her family's commitment to supporting local organizations, the impact of their volunteer work, and how small businesses can thrive through community engagement. Tune in to learn about the symbiotic relationship between local businesses and non-profits, and discover ways to get involved in your own community. If you, and your business, are interested in telling your story of community involvement and would like to help others find local nonprofits to support, contact Nick Parker at nick@link2leessummit.com.

Feed Lee's Summit: A night of fun, food, and philanthropy supporting local nonprofits

The event "Feed Lee's Summit" is scheduled for Friday, November 15th, at the John Knox Pavilion. Doors will open at 5:30 PM for VIPs and at 6:00 PM for general admission. The event will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment from Fountain City Ivory's dueling piano group, and food from 16 local restaurants. The proceeds will support several local nonprofits, including One Good Meal, Meals on Wheels, Cold Water, Lee's Summit Social Services, and Boost for Success, which collectively serve over 600 residents in need each week.

Empowering Voices: Teens take the mic on mental health and bullying

In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker hands over the reins to a group of students from the Lee's Summit R-7 School District. They discuss their upcoming season of the "I Can Relate" podcast where teens share their perspectives on important issues like mental health and bullying. The students emphasize the need for genuine conversations and the importance of being heard and challenging the stigma that podcasts are only for older generations. Tune in to hear their insights and the significance of creating a platform for youth voices. The new season of "I Can Relate" will drop to podcast apps in November.

Celebrating anniversaries, storytelling & nostalgia

Local business owner and filmmaker Chad Godfrey drops by The Vault to talk about his downtown business' upcoming anniversary and his love storytelling and preserving memories for customers big and small. Godfrey's works spans from transferring memories to meet new technologies to creative production from personal to corporations and nonprofit organizations. Summit Video Services will celebrate 20 years of business in November. And, hey, check out his promotional video series on social median and you may just catch a few recognizable local faces.

Building safe spaces and giving a little extra to local teens

Elaine Metcalf, executive director at Pro Deo Youth Center, and Steve Arbo drop by The Vault with an update on fundraising efforts for a new building near downtown and the work they're doing to offer support to local teens from all corners of the Lee's Summit community.

Make your plans now — Oktoberfest returns Sept. 27

The Queens of Oktoberfest return to The Vault to preview the annual festival, which takes over downtown Lee's Summit the weekend of Sept. 27. Rachel Dyer and Krissie Hutchins have chaired the Lee's Summit Chamber's Oktoberfest committee for the past several years and have all the tips and tricks for you to get the most out of this annual festival.

Beetlejuice? In a restaurant? And a pork belly burrito? I have so many questions!

Josh and Lanni Edwards, owners of Downtown Lee's Summit's Calaveras and Smoke Brewing Co. restaurants drop by The Vault for this episode of the podcast. The Edwards and host Nick Parker talk about the new pop-up event happening at Calaveras — Netherworld — and dig deep into Lanni's fear of pork belly. You can check out Netherworld from now through Nov. 2.

Warming up the spotlight & renewing a vow to serve

Vanessa Hickman returns to The Vault to talk about Link 2 Lee's Summit's renewed focus on community service and shining a spotlight on our local nonprofit organizations. She and host Nick Parker talk about the coming redesigned web site and tools designed to help tell the nonprofits' stories and make connections with residents and local businesses easier. Oh, and there's a special birthday message to one of our area nonprofit heroes, too!

Tis the season for football, wings and a community of giving

Local wings legend Chris Turney is back in The Vault this week to promote the popular Wings 4 Water charity event coming on September 12 at Paragon Star. Chris, who once again disappointed host Nick Parker by not bringing wings to the recording session, talks about the event's growth and his undying love for Nick's signature wing sauce. Tickets for the event can be found at wings4water.org.

7 days and counting! Yep, it's time to start talking about school

LSR7 Superintendent Dr. David Buck, along with local business owner Jon Ellis, drops by The Vault to talk about the growth at Great Beginnings at Paradise Park and where the district stands as we get set to start the 2024-25 academic year. Did you know Lee's Summit was home to the state's first FFA chapter? We didn't! Tune in for this, and other fun nuggets from Ellis and Dr. Buck.