Westport speaker tries to define the Kansas City spirit

(YouTube video produced by the Kansas City Public Library)

Does Kansas City have a unique spirit that drives people to make the community better?

Local author Bruce Mathews thinks so.

He makes the case in his book, The Kansas City Spirit: Stories of Service Above Self, and will make the case in person on June 8  at 2 p.m., at the Kansas City Public Library Westport Branch, 118 Westport Road.

Mathews’ book recalls some of the defining moments of Kansas Citians and examines the contributions and personal stories of a few of those whose lives, in Mathews’ opinion,  exemplified that Spirit.

Mathews is a free-lance commercial photographer based in Kansas City and was a 2011 recipient of The Kansas City Spirit Award. In 2010 he, along with fellow co-authors, published the award winning book, Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City. The book The Kansas City Spirit: Stories of Service Above Self is the recipient of Book of the Year Award for 2012 presented by The Jackson County Historical Society.

The Westport Library Speaker Series is sponsored by the Westport Historical Society.