Fountain Day was observed on April 19 at the Northland Fountain, Vivion road and North Oak Trafficway. An enthusiastic crowd of about 125 people attended, and Kansas City’s “grande dame,” Anita Gorman, was honored. Anita and Northland developer Charles Garney headed the fund-raising drive that led to construction of the Northland Fountain, which opened in 1983. Next year it will be 40 years old, and the City of Fountains Foundation will be 50 years old.

Former Parks and Recreation Department director Mark McHenry was the master of ceremonies, and Park Board President Jack Holland also spoke. Fountain Day marks the day when all 40-plus city-owned fountains are turned on for the season. Please get out and visit a fountain; the crashing and splashing of water into fountains is soothing to the soul!

In the photo at right, that’s Mrs. Gorman with grandson Zach Royale and great-grandson Peter Gorman Royale.

The Osage Woman statue, which was stolen from its perch on the Francois Chouteau & Native American Heritage monument last year, is now back in place. The sculpture piece, done by artist Kwan Wu, was cut into several large pieces by thieves who intended to sell it for scrap. Fortunately, police recovered it before it was sold, and the pieces were large enough that they could be welded back together by a conservator in Reading, KS.

Including transportation and incidentals, the repair job cost about $12,000. A Go Fund Me campaign run by the City of Fountains Foundation produced a little more than $5,000. The KCMO City Council and the KCMO Parks Department financed the rest. It’s gratifying — and remarkable — to have the grand lady back in place! Go by and see the sculpture pieces, if you get a chance. The monument is on the west side of Chouteau Trafficway just north of Missouri 210.