Maryville and Trenton will be host cities for New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, in 2010.

New Harmonies is the sixth exhibition in an ongoing partnership between state humanities councils and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The partnership is known as Museum on Main Street and serves rural communities.

Trenton will serve as host from August and September next year, with the program held at the Grundy County Historical Society & Museum, 100 Mable St.

Maryville will host the exhibit in October and November at the Nodaway County Historical Society, 110 N. Walnut St.

The program explores gospel, country, blues and other forms of American roots music through photographs, recordings, instruments, lyrics and artist profiles.

More information is available at http://www.museumonmainstreet.org/newharmonies/index.htm.

Weston park opens

Platte County and West Platte R-2 School District officials opened Benner Park earlier this month, located off the 1100 block of Washington Street in Weston.

The park includes two baseball/softball fields, a full-size playground, and walking paths.

Funding for the park came primarily from Platte County’s dedicated parks and recreation sales tax fund. Additional monies were provided by the school and grants from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Kansas City Power & Light.

The park was named for the family of Earl Benner of Weston, who donated the land adjacent to the school campus.

The master plan was developed by Platte County Parks and Recreation, the school district, and a committee of community residents. The playground was designed by West Platte elementary students.

Former Powhattan mayor honored

Powhattan, Kan., recently honored former mayor James C. Owens.

Mr. Owens served in the office for more than 13 years and relinquished the post to Vicki Schuetz, who was elected in the spring.

Under his administration, Powhattan was able to build a new firehouse and is now in the midst of a community building project.

Mr. Owens said he plans to continue mowing the Powhattan City Park and around City Hall, along with some fishing.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.