Lee's Summit Town Hall

A holiday treat: Santa's back and we're talking Christmas magic!

Get ready for an extra special episode of the Lee’s Summit Town Hall Podcast as Nick Parker is joined by the jolliest guest of all — Santa Claus! And we don't stop there. Former co-host Jason Norbury makes a surprise visit to The Vault to join the annual conversation with the man from the North Pole. Recorded on December 19th, this festive conversation is packed with holiday cheer, laughter, and heartwarming moments. So, what’s in Santa’s Sack for This Episode? 🎅 Santa shares how he spreads joy year-round, from the North Pole to Lee’s Summit. ✨ A peek into the magic (and tech!) behind the sleigh that keeps the holiday spirit soaring. 🎄 Why kindness and giving are the ultimate gifts we can share. Stick around for Santa’s special shoutout about his final stop of the season at the downtown history museum! Don’t miss this merry and magical episode — it’s the perfect companion for your holiday week! 🎧🎄

Holiday Happenings: Story Time with Santa & Festive Jazz in Downtown Lee’s Summit!

In this jolly episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker teams up with Collin Brich, Community Manager at Bridge Space, to unwrap some of the holiday fun happening downtown!

First on the list: Story Time with Santa! It’s the perfect family outing filled with heartwarming tales, photo ops with the big guy in red, and a chance to give back to local nonprofits. (Ho ho ho!)

Next, they hit the high notes with the details on the Lee’s Summit Jazz Orchestra’s Christmas Jazz Concert. Mark your calendars for Monday, December 16th, at 5 p.m., because you won’t want to miss the smooth sounds of live jazz in the cozy, magical setting of Bridge Space. 🎷✨

From festive tunes to family traditions, this episode will leave you humming with holiday spirit and inspired to celebrate the season while supporting your local community. So grab your cocoa, hit play, and let the holiday cheer begin! 🎁

'I got to up my love game:' A conversation at the intersection of community service and ministry

In episode 850 of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back Pastor Hans Koschmann and community relations expert Vanessa Hickman. The episode focuses on the importance of nonprofit work in the community, highlighting the collaboration between local businesses and nonprofits. Hans discusses the 'ministry of the month' initiative at his church, which aims to spotlight various nonprofits and their contributions. The conversation also touches on mental health awareness within the church and the need for open discussions about mental health support. Listeners are encouraged to engage with their community and support local initiatives.

Community Connections: Local involvement fuels business growth while enhancing the community

In episode 849 of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back John Beaudoin, a business owner and communications expert, to discuss the importance of community involvement and volunteerism in Lee's Summit. In addition to exploring the vital role nonprofits play in the community, they talk about the benefits local businesses see when they get involved with the work of the local charities. Parker also introduces a new monthly series aimed at connecting local businesses with nonprofits. Tune in to learn how giving your time and talents can make a significant impact in the community!

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.