It will be a veritable “Who’s Who” of prominent media people, elected officials and well-known public figures at the Platte County Landmark Newspaper’s Christmas party. The popular newspaper traces its roots back to 1865.

The event, which is always open to the public, will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 at the Comfort Inn, 12101 Hwy. 92 in Platte City. The Landmark will provide food and beverages as guests mingle and visit with newspaper staffers, special guests and public officials. Comfort Inn owners Brady and Carey Rodgers donate the use of the facility for the evening.

The event is held as a thank you from the weekly newspaper to readers and advertisers. The event also serves as a meet-and-greet between readers and Landmark staff members, including the publishing and reporting staff, as well as columnists and contributors.

Among the special guests on the way: Kris Ketz, news anchor on KMBC-TV Channel 9; Ryan Kath, investigative reporter for KSHB-TV Channel 41; Jay Binkley, co-host of the Big Show each weekday on 610 Sports; DeAnn Smith of KCTV-5; Greg Hall, noted sports media critic in Kansas City; Brad Westmar, radio host/podcaster; Todd Graves, former U.S. Attorney; Eric Zahnd, Platte County prosecutor; Jason Klindt, communications director for Congressman Sam Graves; and Platte City Mayor Frank Offutt.

Attendees can visit Landmark publisher Ivan Foley, office manager Cindy Rinehart, reporters Valerie Verkamp and PJ Rooks; cartoonist Matthew Silber; columnists including Rambling Moron Chris Kamler (the notorious @TheFakened on Twitter); Brian Kubicki and James Thomas; contributing photographers Bill Hankins, Doug Baldwin and Mylissa Russell; contributing reporters Tim Kubicki, Andrea Plunkett and Deb Hammond; and other members of The Landmark’s cast of characters, including official Beverage Babe and Hairstylist to the Stars, Victoria Lynn-Crook.

Foley says guests can also be able to have some very special bourbon at the party.

“Just a few weeks before he died in October, colorful local character/Landmark friend Woodford “Woody” Grutzmacher took a road trip to Florida by himself,” says Foley. “He made a stop in a town bearing his name-Woodford, Kentucky- where he purchased this bottle of bourbon. He dropped by The Landmark office upon his return to Platte City.

‘”I want you to have this for your Christmas party,’” he said. And so we shall have this for our Christmas party. Ask for Woody’s Whiskey by name.”