KC Zoo Director, Randy Wisthoff  

To those of you who attended the Picnic at the Zoo, the name Randy Wisthoff should be familiar.  He is the new president and director of the Kansas City Zoo.  He is the same man who was applauding Ted and 'The Zoo Crew" at the annual picnic for all their outstanding work.  The same man who hopes the WGS will continue to volunteer at the Zoo in the future to help him establish the Zoo he has in mind. 

What does he have in mind? He'd like to get the Kansas City Zoo on the same level as the well renowned Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, where he spent many years plying his trade.  A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in secondary science education degree from the University of Nebraska, he says he grew up at the Zoo in Omaha.  He started as a weekend garbage man and ended up as an associate director.  Under his tutelage , the Zoo grew to have over a million visitors annually.  It featured over 5000 animals…more than six times what the Kansas City Zoo has. 

How exciting to have man of this caliber in Kansas City! He doesn't have to start as a garbage man here so big plans are already underway for improvements and additions to the Kansas City Zoo. Imagine , if you can, a drive through wild -life conservation park, an indoor Rain Forest, a Sea Aquarium, a Desert Dome plus other interesting and exciting exhibits scattered throughout the Kansas City Zoo. All these things and more were developed while Randy Wisthoff was associated with the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Now he has undertaken the job of bringing the Kansas City Zoo up to those standards. 

Come hear him speak October 19th and be prepared to become a fan.  If he can fulfill even half of the projected changes at the Zoo, our city will be richer by far.  He has proven his dedication in his chosen field and is eager to help the Kansas City Zoo grow.  He is also eager for the WGS to continue to help with their outstanding projects…so don't be surprised if you end up volunteering to help the Zoo Crew after you hear Randy Wisthoff speak.  That's Tuesday, October 19th at the Discovery Center. 

James Waln, House Of Rocks

James Waln, from the House of Rocks, is going to be a speaker for the October 19th meeting at the Discovery Center.  A rock lover from way back, James was in the landscaping business for sixteen years before joining the crew at House of Rocks four years ago.  He readily admits to loving all, rocks small, exquisite ones, every day river rock, shiny quartz, blended granite in any color, and giant boulders you need a machine to move are all great as far as James is concerned.  There are building stones, landscape rocks, wall, stone, pond building rocks, and such a wide array of rocks in all shapes and sizes that it would take more room than I've got to name and identify them. 

Oddly enough to a novice, rocks actually only come in three categories.Metamorphic, Igneous and Sedimentary.  How there are so many to choose from makes it nearly impossible to realize the Three Category fact is real! 

However, James is a rock expert and besides telling you what House of Rocks has to offer, and showing samples of some of their special products, he is going to give away some of them.  Imagine going to a WGS meeting and coming home with a rock that has been hollowed out and made into a planter!  Or perhaps, there will be a rock drilled to make a bubbler.  Chances of a large landscaping boulder being on hand is slim, but you can be assured that James will have a few secrets rock products to give away to lucky members. 

If you have never been to House of Rocks, you owe it to yourself to make a trip to Kansas for a look-see.  It is an amazing place with more rocks than you ever imagined being in one spot!  Many folks find the biggest problem is not deciding what you really need because you will always want more than you can possibly use!  Anyhow, that has been the problem with several WGS members who tell the tales of House of Rock Woes!

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 19th the doors will open at 5:30, and James will talk to us at 8. He says he prefers questions and answers as opposed to straight talk so put your thinking caps on and come ready to be taught about rocks.