OCTOBER 2019
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
FEATURE STORY:
Halloween in Leavenworth
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Dentist advises about Halloween treats By LISA SWEET Special to the Times
It’s that time of year when parents bring their children trick-or-treating and then wait until their children are asleep to pilfer their candy. Halloween is just around the corner and that means massive amounts of sweets and confections will be collected and according to various online statistics, the average kid will consume up to 7,000 calories and 3 cups of sugar during that one holiday or 3.4 pounds of candy. Realizing your children will be binging on that much sugar may be more horrifying than having your house toilet papered, but even Dr. Rob Kiser, owner of Little Chompers Pediatric Dentistry, 2511 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, allows his children to partake in the festivities. He lets his kids eat as much candy as they want the first couple days after Halloween. Kiser notes that it is actually better to do a big binge than continually eat candy over time. “Cavities do not happen overnight and are formed from long-term exposure to sugars in the mouth,” he said. “The most common misconception I see after Halloween is the parent who becomes frustrated with their child who has been diagnosed with a cavity the week of Halloween. The parent always blames the Halloween candy as the cause, but that just isn’t the case. Cavities are formed in the mouth because of a change in the pH balance. The increase in the frequency of sugar over time causes this change. A binge of Halloween candy after school for one or two days in most children will not appreciably cause a mouth full of cavities. In my professional opinion the worse thing to do is allow your child to keep their bag of candy and just eat a piece or two before bed each night. This be-
Dr. Rob Kiser
havior will absolutely put your child at a higher risk to develop cavities. If you want to milk your child’s Halloween candy for a longer time, allow your child to eat a piece of candy as a dessert with their evening meal. This will not significantly cause the same increased risk because the pH is already being changed because of the evening meal.” It’s inevitable that we will all dip into the Halloween stash, so what are some tips we can follow to guarantee we make the smartest decisions when it comes to the type of candy cravings we indulge? Kiser recommends avoiding hard, sticky candies
and states they are the No. 1 candies to avoid when it comes to dental health. Candies like taffy and soft caramel and anything that starts hard and becomes soft and chewy should be off limits. “These candies soften in the mouth, they mold around the teeth. The force of the jaw opening then pulls off crowns, fillings, or even a tooth,” he said. “The best candy is actually plain chocolate. Sure there’s a lot of sugar but it’s not going to take off a crown or a filling. Chocolate also cleans off easily compared to the sticky candy which can stay on your teeth for hours.” Kiser goes on to say that if you have expensive braces on your teeth, most candies are off limits unless you want to spend a lot of money repairing broken braces and hurt your tender gums. According to the Little Chompers website, Kiser’s vision is simple. “Education is extremely important to Dr. Kiser. Dr. Kiser is committed to educating parents and communities.” He would also like to see the elimination of tooth decay while continually seeing improvement in oral hygiene. In fact, you can stop in his office at anytime for a dental kit that has a toothbrush, floss and toothpaste. The only cost is you will need to listen and heed Kiser’s directions for use and learn how cavities work. If you’re looking for an essential tool in your oral hygiene arsenal, Kiser is running a special on Oral B electric toothbrushes for just $30 during the month of October. Finally, once you reached your candy limit, Kiser and the team at Little Chompers Pediatric Dentistry are conducting their traditional candy buy-back the week after Halloween. For every pound of candy a child brings in, Kiser will pay them $1. So go ahead and enjoy that Halloween sugar rush. Just make sure to brush.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Dentist advises about Halloween treats............................................................................................. Pg. 4 Food oasis in downtown Leavenworth............................................................................................... Pg. 5 Tips for a successful tailgate party..................................................................................................... Pg. 6 Samll Business Spotlight: Momo’s Knitting Nook and Crochet Emporium..................................... Pg. 7 Halloween fun returns to Leavenworth County................................................................................. Pg. 8 Restaurant Spotlight: The Wizard of Pho........................................................................................ Pg. 12 Stuffed animals provide support...................................................................................................... Pg. 13
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
4 Leavenworth County Living
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Food oasis in downtown Leavenworth My husband and I have been really busy lately so when we found a little time the other day for a quick lunch, I knew I had to introduce him to one of my favorite spots in Leavenworth, Ava’s Island Cafe. The restaurant was voted the 2019 Best of the Best Leavenworth Times Readers’ Choice award for Best Island Food. Yet even without that accolade, it wouldn’t take long for the cafe to have a loyal following and I am certainly one LISA SWEET of their fans. Ava’s Island Cafe, located at 732 Shawnee St., with its palm tree umbrella perched outside is a downtown oasis that can’t be missed. Upon walking in you’re transported to the islands through the lively music playing and incredible smells of numerous pots bubbling away. This always makes my decision about what to eat extremely difficult. It was clear my husband was enjoying the vibe when he walked in and I took a little bit of pride knowing that I was getting to introduce him to this tasty eatery. As per normal it took us a while to decide what we wanted to eat because everything looked and smelled so appetizing. Usually, when I’m having a difficult time deciding, I challenge
myself and order something I haven’t tried before. Previously I’ve ordered the jerk chicken, which in my opinion is some of the most moist and flavorful chicken I’ve ever eaten, plantains, callaloo and the chicken curry. This time, I ordered the brown stew chicken and when my plate arrived it was exactly what I didn’t realize I was craving. Half the plate was piled high with the miraculous combination of all that is brown stew chicken. Brown stew chicken traditionally gets its name from the color of the dish which comes from how the chicken is spiced and marinated – the meat is on the bone and cooked in the brown sauce with carrots and other vegetables. I’m definitely a person who loves stew and this satisfied my craving while providing new and complex flavors. I was too hungry and busy eating to decipher the spices, but they were warming and really rounded out the dish. My lunch also came with sauteed cabbage and rice and peas. Initially I ate everything like a 5-year-old tasting it one item and bite at a time, yet I’m not one for segmented plates and this was screaming to mix it all together so that is what I did. I took some rice and cabbage with each bite of stew and it was one of those dishes that got better and better the more I ate. My husband decided on the goat curry. His plate was just as full as mine and the scent of his
food was so heavenly that I just sat and sniffed for awhile. Luckily I grabbed a quick bite, because just like the stew, the curry was beckoning to be eaten in its entirety. The goat was extremely tender and falling off the bone and the curry flavor was so deep with a slight sweetness and a modest kick of heat. Along with the goat there were carrots and potatoes mixed in and the sides were the same as mine. Both of our entrees were $10.99, and along with drinks our lunch came to about $25 which I think is extremely reasonable for a lunch out during the week. It is evident that Ava puts a lot of care and love in her dishes and the previous time I was there Ava mentioned that this is the food she grew up eating and feeds her family. I have seen Ava a few times shopping at our local farmers market, picking up peppers for her sauces and contemplating other vegetables for various dishes. Not only is Ava feeding the people of Leavenworth delicious home cooking, but she supports our area farmers so we are truly eating local when we eat her delectable food. The readers got it right when they voted for her and the cafe. If you haven’t been there yet, get there, eat there, enjoy it there and I guarantee you’ll proclaim it your new favorite restaurant. Lisa Sweet writes about food for the Leavenworth Times.
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Tips for a successful tailgate party By LISA SWEET Special to the Times
Tailgating is an age-old American tradition. In fact, people tailgated during the Civil War. Yes, you heard me correctly. It is widely documented that prior to the Battle of Bull Run in 1861, Union supporters showed up toting baskets of food simply to watch the opening battle. If this is how it began, how could we dispute the historical relevance and importance of this timeless tradition? Can we argue the importance of painting our bodies in our team’s favorite colors? Can we dispute the rationale of wearing a team logo onesie while drinking from a beer helmet and chanting our team’s name? And why stop to debate the merits of red plastic cups and cultivating the perfect beer pong technique? And surely, no one would refute that hauling a huge barbecue, a canopy, myriad of folding chairs, a flat screen TV and some couches while serving up crockpots of food, grilled sausages, chips, sides and enough food to share with the entire section C at Arrowhead stadium is overkill. So go ahead and throw the ultimate fan fete with these simple tips. 1. Represent your team. Be that person. Paint your face, wear the colors and don those red span-
6 Leavenworth County Living
dex pants with a yellow wig before it gets too cold. 2. Caravan. It’s poor etiquette and also pretty impossible to get more than one parking spot before the game, so if you have a big group, paying $40 at Arrowhead is reasonable if you’re planning to hang out for four hours before kickoff. This way you can all park next to each other and have enough room to set up your cooking area, eating area and have plenty of room for your ladder toss game. 3. Water, water everywhere. We all know that stadiums tend to charge a lot for bottled water. Bring a bunch to drink before the game to stay hydrated, but plan ahead and freeze half the bottles. You can use those as the ice in your cooler and as the tailgating party continues, you’ll have water thawing that will be ready to drink on the car ride home. 4. Plan and pack. Whether you’re going by yourself or with a crowd, plan a menu. You’ll need to know if you’re cooking food on the spot and what equipment you’ll need and you’ll also avoid everyone bringing only dessert. 5. Be flexible. Weather can wreak havoc on the best laid plans. Snow and rain doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good tailgate party, so don’t do what I did and try to grill sausages on a hibachi in 30 degrees while its sleeting. You won’t get your grill going and no one wants to eat raw pork. You
can still grill, but make sure you bring a canopy to protect you from the elements. During the colder months make sure to bring blankets and hand warmers. And always bring a raincoat – there is nothing worse than being soggy. 6. Safety first. Make sure you have a way to anchor your essential supplies. Nothing like a big gust of wind and your folding chair lands in someone’s world famous chili or even worse, into the hands of a Raiders fan. 7. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Most tailgaters will grill so make sure all the prep work is complete. If you are planning kebabs bring them pre-skewered, bring your burgers defrosted and bring your chicken portioned and marinated. This will make for a lot less stress and prolong the amount time you can eat. Most importantly don’t forget your fuel for your grill and make sure you have enough. Other than food, things like jumper cables come in handy in case your car battery dies. If relying on strangers to jump your car creates too much anxiety, invest in an extra battery and a power pack to charge your phones and other small devices. 8. Pre-made grub. Don’t just rely on cooking at the game. After a long drive to the stadium and setting up, you’ll need sustenance. Things like veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, sandwiches Jump to Page 13
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Momo’s Knitting Nook and Crochet Emporium NAME OF BUSINESS: Momo’s Knitting Nook and Crochet Emporium OWNER: Ramona Discavage ADDRESS: 518 Delaware St., Leavenworth
techniques. There is a lounge that is available whenever the store is open for folks to relax and craft.
PHONE: 913-250-6060
3. What are some of the most popular SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook – Momo’s Knitting Nook, items or events in Instagram – momosknittingnook, your store? WEBSITE: www.momosknittingnook.com
Ravelry group – Friend’s of Momo’s Knitting Nook NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 2 HOURS: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
1. What is a brief history of your business? The store opened in November 2013 and was owned by Michelle Mendiola. Ramona Discavage purchased the store on Sept. 1, 2017, and is the current owner.
2. What makes your business unique? Momo’s is a full service yarn store. We carry a variety of yarn to include strong yet soft acrylics and luscious natural blends and all manners of tools and accessories. We offer one-on-one knitting and crochet instruction that ranges from beginning lessons to complicated
Marble Chunky is one of our most popular yarns, with incredible colorways, a soft feel, and ease of care. We also carry yarn from a local yarn artist based out of Lenexa. We believe in supporting local talent when we can. Our most popular event is our weekly Open Craft Night, held every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Folks come in to spend some time working on their current project, chat with and learn from each other, creating a sense of community.
4. Why is downtown Leavenworth a good place for a small business? We have found that the Leavenworth business
Momo’s is located at 518 Delaware St.
community as well as the local residents emulate the best in small town America. There is a true desire to help each other and grow the business base. Customers often remark positively on the variety of options and the numerous organized events held here in downtown Leavenworth. – Lisa Sweet
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Halloween fun retu Leavenworth Coun By LISA SWEET Special to the Times
If you’re looking for some local Halloween fun and a change of pace to the traditional candy-laden events, then look no further than the city of Leavenworth. Leading the pack this year is the annual Great Pumpkin Giveaway parade and costume contest. What started as a customer appreciation event in 1990 has turned into a highly anticipated communitywide annual event now in its 29th year. Each year the owners and employees of Coldwell
8 Leavenworth County Living
Banker Reilly & Sons create a one-ofa-kind Halloween celebration to thank customers for allowing them to serve the community since 1925. The event provides a safe, family-oriented alternative to late night trick-or-treating or something extra to do so parade goers can show off their costumes. This year, the event is Oct. 26 with the parade lineup at 9:45 a.m. at Haymarket Square. The parade will start at 10 a.m. which will be led by the company mascot Reilly the Retriever. The costumed attendees are then led on a quick downtown parade, perfect for the littlest of costumed monsters and ghouls, and ends at the office parking lot of Coldwell
Banker Reilly & Sons, 602 Delaware St. During the parade judges will be evaluating the costumes and deciding the winners of best individual costume and best group costume. Prizes will be given out for first, second and third place in both categories. In addition to the parade and costume contest, the festivities will continue with a free pumpkin and goody bag given out to parade marchers on a first-come, first-served basis, a photo booth, free hot apple cider and a cupcake walk. The Leavenworth Fire Department will be on hand to show their trucks. Leavenworth County has no shortage of fun things to do during the crispy cool autumn days. Here is just a sampling.
urns to nty
FALL ACTIVITIES Faircrest Farm Produce, 22261 138th St., Basehor,
features pumpkin picking beginning Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. In addition to pumpkin picking there will be cornstalks, gourds and winter squash available. There will be farm animals, farm equipment on display and plenty of areas and picturesque spots to take beautiful photos. For more information, call 913-271-4232.
Lamborn Farm, 25761 151st St., Leavenworth, features pumpkin picking beginning Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In addition to pumpkin picking there will be train rides, a hay bale maze, wagon rides, concessions, farm animals and a picnic area. Special events include Oct. 13 Scarecrow Days, Oct. 20 Pumpkinfest and Oct. 31 Halloween on the farm. Admission ages 2-12 is $3 and ages 13 to adult $5. For more information, call 913-727-5666.
Alive After Five
Join Leavenworth Main Street for a mystery worthy of the First City of Kansas from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 3. Walk from shop to shop and test your detective skills. Interact with local actors while asking probing questions. Experience the hospitality of each shop as you sample a fun appetizer and beverage. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, call 913-682-3924.
The Haunted Depot
This annual event run by the Leavenworth’s Parks and Recreation Department is held at the Riverfront Community Center at 5 p.m. Oct. 19. There will be music, inflatables, food vendors and trick-or-treating. There will be a Scaredy Cat haunted house from 5-6:30 p.m. and a Nightmare on Esplanade Street haunted house from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $2 for the Halloween festival or $7 for the festival and a tour.
Haunted Fort Leavenworth
Come and experience one of the most haunted locations in Kansas Oct. 25-26 starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ffam.us Walk around the historic areas of Fort Leavenworth, from the old United States Disciplinary Barracks to the oldest residence in Kansas, the Rookery, and more. Hear firsthand and historical accounts of unexplained events and encounters with both friendly and mischievous ghosts. Cost is $20 per person with proceeds going to the Friends of the Frontier Army Military Museum. For more information, call 913-684-3191 or email friends.of.fam.president@gmail.com
Safe Trick or Treat
After you participate in the annual costume parade, join the Leavenworth Main Street-sponsored Safe Trick-or-Treating event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. Look for orange posters in the windows of participating vendors and trick-or-treat at those downtown businesses. Cost is free. For more information, call 913-682-3924. Leavenworth County Living 9
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NAME OF BUSINESS: The Wizard of Pho OWNER: Zwee Tomnewynn ADDRESS: 210 S. Broadway St. PHONE: 913-250-5870 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 1-2 HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday except Sunday and Monday
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Stuffed animals provide support By LISA SWEET Special to the Times
October is Depression Awareness Month and according to a 2017 study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, “major depressive disorder or clinical depression affects approximately 17.3 million American adults, or about 7.1% of the U.S. population age 18-older, in a given year.” Paul Gilmore, the creator of Peg’s Healing Paws, an organization whose goal is to distribute therapy stuffed animals, knew he was headed toward depression. “It all started in 2012. I got diagnosed with cancer and that time of my life a lot of things went wrong. As I went through recovery my (late) wife of 23 ½ years at the time fell very ill, and we knew she was going to pass away,” he said. With a background in victim survivor services, Gilmore recognized he had a predisposition for addiction due to a family history of alcoholism and with access to pain medication during his cancer recovery he was fearful of that potential. “We see that everyday in our world. People fall into depression (and) instead of coping with it or dealing with it in smart ways they allow drugs to take over. They allow alcohol to take over and it takes control of their life and it beats them down,” Gilmore said. “Now it was my turn, so I chose to hang out with a teddy bear. If I am going to have depression and I have to deal with it, this is what I’m going to do. Her name is Peg and her name stands for Presenter of Encouragement and Good Cheer.” Peg is the official ambassador for Peg’s Healing Paws. Realizing that the stuffed animal provided the therapy he needed, Gilmore wanted to share his success using stuffed animal therapy with others in hopes that stuffed animals could provide the support and rehabilitative treatment he experienced. People who know Paul know that Peg is always by his side. She is even a member of his church, but strangers often wonder why he carries a stuffed animal around in public. Paul is always willing to answer any questions people have and share his story. He hopes through the connections and con-
Paul Gilmore is the founder of Peg’s Healing Paws.
versations Peg inspires that more people will learn about Peg’s Healing Paws and spread the word. Yet, Paul has had some skeptics. “I have been asked twice in my life, ‘Don’t you think this looks stupid?’ You know what my answer always is? I agree with them. You’re right, it looks stupid. It looks silly. (They ask) ‘Why do you do it?’ (I respond) don’t you think alcoholics look stupid when they get drunk?” he said. This exchange gets his point across that Paul would rather use a stuffed animal as his medicine than numb his feelings with substances. According to the Peg’s Healing Paws Facebook page, their main purpose is to help others choose a safe way to handle depression or other obstacles life throws in their direction. Peg’s motto is “Be safe. Be smart. Have a purpose.” A recent study out of the University of Amsterdam supports the claims of the healing properties of stuffed animal companions. Research suggests that touching a stuffed animal helps to relieve existential angst. Gilmore, however, only relies on and shares his personal experience. “We’re not psychologists, not counselors, not therapists, but all we’re trying to do, is not trying to counsel somebody, but show what worked for
us. So when we offer a bear to somebody, we are offering an expression of caring. Sometimes that’s all you need.” According to Lisa Gilmore, Paul’s partner and wife, another aim of Peg’s Healing Paws is to get a stuffed animal into the hands of all those who need it and their goal for the month of September is to obtain more than 1,000 new or gently used stuffed animals to turn into healing paws. Lisa explained that there is a process to turn a stuffed animal into a healing paw and it is the same for every animal. The first step when they receive the donated stuffed animal is Paul and Lisa evaluate it, fix it, bathe it and then tag it with their contact information. Then they pray over the stuffed animal to ask God to have it help its eventual new owner. When all these steps are completed the stuffed animal becomes an official healing paw. If you would like to learn more about Peg’s Healing Paws, know someone who would benefit from a stuffed animal or if you would like to donate a gently-used stuffed animal you can visit Paul and Lisa at their one-day booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Walmart, 5000 10th Ave., or visit their Facebook page. You can also email them at phpdra18@gmail.com
per goods. You can still bring home your recyclables so you don’t feel bad about the other waste. If you really can’t fathom all those paper plates, then make sure to pack a plastic bin to bring your used plates and utensils home. This way they stay protected and don’t break and don’t contaminate your car and get everything else dirty. 10. Potty time. In the end, we all need to “go.” Hanging out in a parking lot for hours on end while imbibing your favorite beverages means waiting in lines for smelly portable bathrooms. If you have the means, invest in a portable camping
pop-up potty. They are private and clean. They contain an absorbent chemical that turns our “byproducts” into an odorless gel in a matter or seconds while making it safe to dispose of in any waste receptacle. Also, make sure you create a portable wash station. It can be as simple as some sanitizing gel or you can bring some soap, paper towels and a portable water cooler. Finally, it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Have fun, be responsible and cheer your team on in a positive way. Don’t overindulge and be the best super fan you can be.
Tailgate Jump from Page 6 and quick and easy potluck dishes like cocktail meatballs and chili that are already warm in the slow cookers are always crowd pleasers. You also can’t go wrong with a cold pasta salad (stay away from mayo-laden dishes just to be safe) and any kind of dip you can imagine. 9. Go disposible. It may not be the best for the environment, but if you don’t want to figure out the logistics of taking a ton of plates covered in buffalo wing sauce home in your car, then use pa-
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BASEHOR, KS - CALIFORNIA SPLIT
PIPER, KS- STORY & 1/2
EDWARDSVILLE, KS - R-STORY & 1/2
BONNER SPRINGS, KS - SPLIT ENTRY
$339,950!
$267,500!
$424,950!
$312,000!
HAZELWOOD VILLAS!
R!
E PIP
$259,950!
“FASTEST TEAM IN TOWN!”
SE O BA o t n
D o L g So n i O om
sC S ome H 0
!R! T U HO
BONNER SPRINGS, KS- SIDE TO SIDE SPLIT!
5
2411 N. 114th Terr, KCKS
Single family ranch homes w/basements! Starting in the mid $200’s! A 55+ Community!
MODEL HOME NOW OPEN!
Sat & Sun 12-4pm!
(M-F appointment only)
CALL DIANA!
DIANA BRYAN-SMITH 913-915-6500 * 913-724-2200
www.speedwayrealtykc.com • EMAIL: dianateam@msn.com www.hazelwoodvillaskc.com
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