Lee's Summit Lifestyle December 2013

december 2013

Lee’s Summit LeesSummitLifestyle.com

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Featured Homes of the Month

New ListiNg

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3928 SW Chatham Cheddington — $214,900

3217 SW Amber Circle Pryor Meadows — $238,900

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193 NE Beechwood (Lakefront) Lakewood — $249,900

5713 NE Northgate Lane (4 Bedroom) Golf Course — $279,900

6227 NE Quince Street Arbores — $307,500

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New ListiNg

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3635 NW Blue Jacket Lakefront — $375,000

316 NE Chelmsford Court (Lakefront) Lakewood — $479,000

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26108 E 99th Street (6+ Acre Estate Lot) Timber Meadows — $479,500 MLS# 1858183

2404 Lake Breeze Woodland Shores — $579,900

4514 NE DeLaMar Place (Lakefront) Lakewood — By Owner/Broker

MLS# 1854556

Price Upon Request

Elite

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Find your next home at www.ToniTygart.com

4243 NE Lakewood Way, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064

816.795.2500 office | 816.373.5558 direct

asearcy@aplanforeveryone.com asearcy@aplanforeveryone.com

Healthcare HealthcareChoices...

Choices...

WeWe don’t don’t think think anyone anyone should should have have to compromise to compromise when when it comes it comes to their to their healthcare healthcare coverage. coverage.

We’re We’re Healthcare Healthcare Solutions.

Solutions.

WeWe provide provide a full a full range range of of private private andand affordable affordable quality quality plans plans thatthat protect protect youyou head head to to toetoe wherever wherever youyou go.go.

WeWe believe believe youyou should should be be in control in control of of your your healthcare healthcare andand we’re we’re here here to to help help youyou make make thatthat happen. happen.

Remember, Remember, after after January January 1st1st you’ll you’ll have have fewer fewer options options to choose to choose from. from.

Period.

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Yours YoursTruly, Truly,

Amy Amy Searcy Searcy816-345-9868 816-345-9868asearcy@aplanforeveryone.com asearcy@aplanforeveryone.com

Editor's Letter

Thank you!

december 2013

I

t’s been another successful, wonderful year here at the desk of this busy editor. As the year comes to a close I feel the need to take a moment to thank those of you who stop on this page for a minute or two each month.

Sometimes I ramble on a bit about my family, my personal goals and my dreams for the future. Today I simply wish to say, “Thank you!”

publisher Steven Schowengerdt | Steven@LifestylePubs.com editor Lisa Harrison | Lisa@LifestylePubs.com assistant editor Kendra Mathewson | KMathewson@LifestylePubs.com chief financial officer | DeLand Shore

Each month I have the privilege of bringing together story ideas that come to me from all over town. I use those ideas to plan a dozen issues a year of this community-focused publication you’ve come to enjoy. My team of freelance writers and I work around 12 editorial themes to guide our content placement, and I fill in the holes with miscellaneous but interesting and sometimes inspiring stories as space allows.

We're particularly proud of our senior-themed issue this month.

It is a real honor to be in the driver’s seat for this publication. I feel like I get a front row view of all of the great things going on in our community. Through the articles we put together, it’s as if I get to meet our most interesting neighbors. I receive daily emails from our local Chambers of Commerce and school districts announcing growth, new stores and restaurants and impressive student accomplishments. I know all about the great theater events and speakers who are coming to town. There aren’t enough hours in the day to attend all of the goings on that peak my interest. In eight months, when my oldest heads off to college and my nest is half empty, I suspect I’ll fill the hole in my heart by adding a few more theater events, lecture series or Chamber-sponsored events to my weekly calendar.

director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Carrie Julian

Re

regional sales director Matthew Perry | Matthew@LifestylePubs.com advertising sales Darla Hall | DHall@LifestylePubs.com

Laura Paszkiewicz | Laura@LifestylePubs.com

advertising director | Mike Baugher

Doe

production coordinator | Christina Sandberg

graphic designers | Sara Minor, Cyndi Vreeland executive assistant | Lori Cunningham contributing photographers

Maybe career ing in want t

Bobbie Sue Photography, McKenna Mathewson, Tom Strongman

contributing writers

Lisa Allen, Neil Bass, Chris Clark, Judy Harper Goppert,

From the staff at Lifestyle Publications, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!

Rachel Hodgson, Kendra Mathewson, Sharmin Meadows, Elizabeth Rosenberger, Tom Strongman, Maureen Welsh

senior web developer | Lynn Owens

Enjoy the season neighbors, and I’ll see you around town.

it director | Randy Aufderheide

Published monthly, subscriptions are also available for $22 for 1 year, $39 for 2 years by visiting LeesSummitLifestyle.com

Lisa Harrison, Editor Lisa@LifestylePubs.com

Learn of yo Edwa

by Community ™

on the cover Stonewater Cove Resort & Spa is now

open on Table Rock Lake and waiting for you to plan a visit. Read more on page 28.

| LeesSummitLifestyle.com |

join us

talk to us

Proverbs 3:5-6 Contact us at: 7373 W 107th St., Ste. 201 Overland Park, KS 66212 913.599.4300 | LeesSummitLifestyle.com

Lee’s Summit Lifestyle™ Magazine is published monthly by Kingdom Holdings LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Kansas City’s most affluent suburbs. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Kingdom Holding’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Kingdom Holdings does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Lee’s Summit Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

www.edwardjones.com

Retirement Doesn’t Mean You Retire from Life.

Subscribes to the crazy notion that her retirement questions shouldn’t be answered by a call center.

Is it bizarre to believe your retirement concerns should be addressed by an actual human being, not a menu of options? Of course not. That’s why our more than 11,000 financial advisors are in neighborhoods like yours, not a call center in who-knows-where. So face-to-face attention having a second career or working part time, is a given. Join the nearly 7 million investors who know. Face time and favorite hobbies. Doing the things you want to think time make sense. www.edwardjones.com.

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be your idea of retirement is having a second Matt Sibbing, AAMS Anne Pedersen, CFP Tom Wilson eer or working part time, volunteering or indulgFinancial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 615 NE Woods Chapel Road things 400 1255 NE Rice Roadhobbies.

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Jason Wood Financial Advisor

Ryan Barber, AAMS Financial Advisor

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arn how. For a free, personalized review your retirement, call or visit your local ward Jones Financial Advisor today.

December 2013

28

Departments 18

Around Town

24

Parent's Corner

28

Field Trip

30 Driver’s Notebook 32

Locally Owned

36

Page Turners

44 Financial Fitness 46 Your Neighbors 48 Giving Back 50 Now Open 52

Tech Today

54 Healthy Lifestyle

38 Putting the Brakes on Unsafe Older Drivers

Local family has turned a personal tragedy into a mission.

Open House

59

Sold Properties

60 Lifestyle Calendar 63

40 Making Memories for a Lifetime

56

Real Wives

66 Parting Thoughts

Area couple shares tradition of showing their grandchildren the world.

24

40

50

Lifestyle Publications Lee’s Summit, MO | Leawood, KS | Johnson County, KS | Northland, MO | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Mt. Pleasant, SC | Newport Beach, CA Boulder, CO | Boulder County, CO | BuckHaven, GA | Perimeter North, GA | Paradise Valley, AZ | North Scottsdale, AZ | Chandler, AZ

Family Owned & Operated for Three Generations

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Del and Julie Cook

One-stop Cancer Care

Now you can get comprehensive oncology treatment right in your backyard

Good news, Eastern Jackson County patients:You can

now access an even broader range of Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute’s oncology expertise.

Count on us for: • Comprehensive care—We treat all types of cancer, so you’re in expert hands.

• Advanced radiation treatments—We use the latest radiotherapy and radiosurgery technologies for precise, targeted radiation therapy.

• Leading-edge therapies—We screen 100 percent of patients for clinical studies. Our patient-participation rate exceeds the national average.

• A compassionate touch—We offer personalized programs and services to guide you and your family through your cancer journey.

From diagnosis through survivorship, you can count on our cancer experts for specialized care— all in one convenient place.

Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute North Medical Pavilion 110 N.E. Saint Luke’s Blvd.

Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 816-347-4660 saintlukeshealthsystem.org/eastcancercare

Good Times

One Inspired Evening Charity Gala Event Supporters of Kids with Courage Foundation enjoyed an inspirational evening at the beautiful Longview Mansion with cocktails, silent auction, dinner, and music to dance the night away.

LeAnn Fryer, Daphna Bottcher, Lauren & Kathy Farrell

Cherie Davis and Daphna Bottcher

Carmen Singer, MeiLing Billingsley, Sarah Stahl, Carie Hollyday, Lisa & Niki McDaniel

Bill, Riley, Kristi, Nick & Cooper Eggleston

Paul Fleming, Shanda & Ashley Hentschel, Ty & Reese Fleming

Lisa Lala: Lit Portals Opening Local artist Lisa Lala celebrated the opening of her latest show, a groundbreaking achievement in painting with light via computer-driven video “light shows.” She collaborated with numerous others to accomplish her dream, including Dimensional Innovations and Daniel Parks, former Lighting Director of Quixotic Fusion.

12 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Artist Lisa Lala with husband Bob Harris, daughter Gigi, and parents, Artists Wil & Susan Lala

Capture the Magic...

The magic of Christmas awakens the child in all of us, and the holiday season in Downtown Lee’s Summit is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Our community decks out for the season and takes the spirit of the holidays to a level that excites the imagination and kindles the fires of Christmas in our hearts.

All of us in Downtown Lee’s Summit invite you to join with us this holiday season and be truly amazed by the enchanting ambiance. As you browse dozens of specialty shops, you can even catch a glimpse of Santa strolling the Downtown streets. Come Capture

the Magic of Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Yours Truly,

Good Times

Saint Luke’s 4th Annual Boo Ball

The “Ghosts of Hollywood” transformed The Pavilion at John Knox Village into Hollywood’s golden age; attendees dressed as legends of the silver screen. The glamorous and ghostly evening raised funds for the new cancer infusions services and the Renewal Hope Fund.

The Moxley Johnson Family, Boo Ball Co-Chairs

Tom Hewitt & Toni Tygart

The Meierottos

The Natarajans

The Coxes

“Expressions of Grace” Gallery Event Fundraiser

Hundreds enjoyed an uplifting evening supporting If Not For Grace Ministries. The Gallery event celebrated artistic expressions of grace experienced by each creator, and included a beautiful dance, onsite painting and flower arranging, a museum-like collection of art, and featured speaker, author, singer and songwriter Gwen Smith. INFG.org.

INFG Founder/Executive Director Lori Driggs.

Floral arrangement transformed onsite.

14 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Live painting by Alysia Quisenberry. Board Members Mindy & Craig Beyer.

Choreographed ballet entitled, “Bondage to Freedom,” by Kim Gatchell.

Gwen Smith sings Broken to Beautiful.

© D. YURMAN 2013

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Exceptional acreage properties available inquire today.

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As I came around the pond I heard his neighs,

from the thorny brush. Quietly he waited for help.

thinking, “he’s saying hi!” But approaching, I saw

I was in awe of this horse that trusted so deeply,

vines wrapping around Lakota’s legs holding him

and waited patiently as I guided him out of the

down. I tried tracing the vines to their end, but

vines. Walking up the hill, thrilled and exhausted,

with no success. They were too large to break and

my heart surrendered humbly to my Jesus. “Like

too tangled to uproot. Rubbing Lakota’s strong

Lakota, when I feel stuck, help me to wait for You

frame, I assured him I would help. He waited. I

to free every part of me. Wait for You to place

tested his response by picking up his front leg and

each step where You know best. Wait for You to

gently setting it down. He then whipped his tail

untangle all my messes. Trusting You to set ALL of

with fierce determination. Not knowing how he

me free – because, I know, that is why You came

would react, I braced myself for the worst. As if

that first Christmas.”

the vines around his legs weren’t obstacle enough, he was letting me know I first had to free his tail

- Returning Glory Volunteer

Returning Glory assists in developing relational life skills with special teachers - known as horses.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2014

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Diagnosis and treatment/monitoring of eye infections, dry eyes, glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration.

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Around Town Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and is the only major cancer with a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits at just 6 percent. When symptons of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is late stage, and 73 percent of patients die within the first year of their diagnosis while 94 percent of patients die within the first 5 years. Approximately 820 deaths will occur in Missouri in 2013. The incidence and death rate for pancreatic cancer are increasing and pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. by 2020.

After her sister Lisa died of the disease earlier this year, Lee’s Summit resident Inger Brane became a passionate advocate. Last month, Mayor Rhodes signed a proclaimation to designate the month of November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. We look forward to sharing more about Inger’s story in future issues.

Silver Alert Preparedness This past spring, a Silver Alert was issued for a Metro area woman. She was eventually found along I-29 in Iowa, safely, in her car. Clearly she got turned around and just kept driving. If your aging relative were to get lost while driving around town, are you prepared to give local police their vital information? Do you know their approximate height and weight? Do you know the year, make and model of their car? And do you know their license plate 18 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

number? All of this information would be vitally important. Consider writing it down and keeping it in a safe place. If your relative owns a Smartphone, consider downloading a family locator app so that you can ‘track’ your family member in case of an emergency.

SCA Hosts Ping Pong/ Badminton Tournament Summit Christian Academy (SCA) recently celebrated the 2nd annual Ping Pong and Badminton Tournament in support of Global Connect, an event-based student organization that provides cultural learning opportunities.

“This is a fun, fast-paced event for students.

It’s a great international experience and really serves as an ice-breaker of sorts to open communication and learning,” said Kathy Tharp, international program director.

SCA plays host to 21 international students from around the world, including South Korea, Brazil, Russia, and Japan, and China.

Secondary students came clad in the most curious attire, hoping to intimidate their would-be-opponents. From wigs and Mohawk- spiked hair, to matching fitted biker’s pants under shorts! Nothing was too bizarre.

In the end, three champions emerged.

Senior Reuben Erisman won the title Ping Pong Champion and sophomore Payton Shippy earned two titles, Badminton Champion, Singles, and Badminton Champion, Doubles. Payton shares the latter title with sophomore Luke Hoffman.

Medical Center Offers the Latest in Coronary Calcium Scoring Heart scans, also known as Coronary Calcium Scans, provide pictures of the heart’s arteries. Doctors use heart scans to look for calcium deposits in the coronary arteries that can narrow arteries and increase heart attack risk. The result of this test is often called a coronary calcium score.

A heart scan for a coronary calcium score is a convenient and non-invasive way of evaluating heart attack risk. The scan shows the location and extent of calcified plaque and soft plaque in the walls of coronary arteries. The scan takes 5-10 minutes and is non-invasive so there’s no pain and no injections. The results of the scan can help a physician detect coronary artery disease, which is a leading cause of heart attack.

Lee’s Summit Medical Center offers the newest and most highly advanced 128-slice CT scanner for coronary calcium scans, which also has the lowest radiation exposure of any CT scanner in the region.

This test is not covered by most health insurance or health plans. In some instances Medicare does cover the scan. The fee for the test is $50.

For details, call Lee’s Summit Medical Center at 816.282.5555.

LSNHS Students Earn Perfect Score on ACT Sam Dowd and Heidi Simpson, seniors at Lee’s Summit North High School, both recently scored a “perfect 36” on the ACT college-entrance exam. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of all test takers earn this top score.

Among ACT-tested United States high school graduates in the class of 2013, only 1,162 out of more than 1.8 million students earned a composite score of 36.

Within the Lee’s Summit

R-7 School District, just a handful of students have achieved the perfect ACT score over the past few decades.

Dowd is the son of Lisa Dowd and Tom Dowd. At LSNHS, Sam participates in Eco Club, debate, math club, Youth in Government, Spanish club, Spanish Honor Society, A+ Program and trapmasters.

Simpson is the daughter of Nora Wineland and Craig Simpson. At LSNHS, Heidi participates in the foreign exchange student program, Spanish club, German club, Spanish National Honor Society, German National Honor Society, National Honor Society, theatre club, book club, Scholar Bowl, Science Knowledge Bowl and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate.

LSHS Broadcasting Students Capture Awards Lee’s Summit High School broadcast and film students captured awards Nov. 2 at the DUTV VidCon (Drury University Video Conference). A total of 23 schools participated in the event, held in Springfield.

LSHS winners included Jaci Herron, Lauren Roberts and Keli Stoneking, first place in Midnight Madness; Taylor Gilkey and Kelly Dauer, third in editing; Jaci Herron, Lauren Roberts and Clint McElwain, third in commercial; Jaci Herron, Lauren Roberts and Clint McElwain, third in short film.

A Spectacular Christmas for Toys for Tots The performers for A Spectacular Christmas Holiday Show, December 5-22 at Crown Center’s Off Center Theatre, have teamed up to support Toys for Tots. Two area Marines will attend most of the holiday productions of the Musical Theatre Heritage December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 19

downtownls.org UMMIT

N LEE’S S

W DOWNTO

ket

ar Farmers M

MART Y A D I L O H 2 p.m.

9 a.m. to Dec. 14 Saturday,

odies at ifts and go g y a St. lid o h S.E. Green Shop for ntary, 110 e m le E it m Lee’s Sum

25% off Inspired Drapes Orders placed before December 31st

Watch for SANTA strolling throughout Downtown and make sure to keep a camera handy.

1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 & Nov. 30 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 7, Dec. 14 & Dec. 21

www.BudgetBlinds.com/LeesSummit

6 SW 3rd Street

FOURTH FRIDAYS

Explore Downtown Lee’s Summit for art, music and more from 5-9 p.m. the Fourth Friday of each month.

Look Book

downtownLS.org | 816.246.6598

Facebook

His tm FORaTHE LOVE s CHris OF MUSIC List: 3man Cave

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Around Town tion and the Carrie Foresee Memorial Scholarship Fund. A total of 791 runners and walkers registered for the 5K event, 79 registered as Dream Partners, and another 78 participated in the Kid’s Dash. Total proceeds over the race’s 17-year history are close to $302,000.

Freeland Photography Named One of Top Wedding Vendors in U.S. The photographers in the distinctive green building downtown have achieved national acclaim. Freeland Photography was recently inducted into The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, ranking them among the top wedding photographers in the United States.

Fewer than 50 photographers across the entire country received this honor. Only 253 vendors were honored nationwide; 13 in Missouri – only two of which are photographers.

“We could not have done it without all of our wonderful clients,” says Mike Freeland, owner. “We truly appreciate each of them. We work so hard to make our brides happy from helping with their itineraries to getting them their final images in a timely manner. We are so humbled and excited that we have been named as one of the top wedding vendors in the United States.”

Visit FreelandPhotography.com for more information or find them on Facebook.

Red Kettle Campaign Returns

(MTH) shows, and anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy will be given one free ticket to the show. Toys must have a $10 minimum value.

One toy for every two people. Left and right seats only. Additionally, the team at MTH is donating 100 tickets to Toys for Tots to be shared with local families, Marines and volunteers. For details about the show, visit MusicalTheaterHeritage.com.

Every holiday season, people across the country, including here in Kansas City, look forward to the return of a cherished Christmas tradition. For more than 100 years, The Salvation Army red kettles have represented the love and hope of the holidays. They are also a reminder The Salvation Army helps people in crisis, not only this time of year, but all year long. Over the last year, The Salvation Army in Kansas City provided more than 367,000 meals, 129,000 nights of lodging and emergency assistance to more than 75,000 people in need. Whether you give at its kettles or at SalArmyMoKan.org, your contribution will help change lives in the local community.

17th Annual Race for the Future a Success

TMC Wins Health Information Management Award

Race for the Future, a 5K run/walk held Oct. 12, raised approximately $35,000 to benefit the Lee’s Summit Educational Founda-

Truman Medical Centers was recently honored for its innovative approach to health information management by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The healthcare system was presented with AHIMA’s Grace Award at the Association’s 85th Convention and Exhibit in Atlanta.

The AHIMA Grace Award honors healthcare delivery organizations that demonstrate effective and innovative approaches in using health information to deliver high quality healthcare.

Truman Medical Centers was recognized for its use of Cerner’s Lighthouse Solutions to not only track but also prevent patient falls and pressure ulcers to improve patient care and decrease hospital stays. One impressive result was reducing the hospital-acquired pressure ulcer rate from 6 percent to less than 2 percent.

TMC’s Health Information Management department is involved December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 21

Around Town

Give

a gift

in strategic planning, business intelligence and data analytics, and leads Truman’s annual business plan, the Community Health Needs Assessment and the annual Missouri Hospital Association survey.

Hotel Sorella Now Open on the Plaza

that gives back.

PURCHASE a $100 gi card, get a $25 gi card free.* *Offer expires 12.31.13

Choose from a full menu of luxurious facials and massages, skin-healthy HydraFacial™ treatments and relaxing body therapies.

Enjoy any service on our exclusive Crystal Quartz Table for an enhanced experience like none other or discover new avenues to mindfulness in our one-of-a-kind OM Pod. Awaken Whole Life Center is located in the historic Unity Village Tower. For a complete listing of all our wonderful spa treatments and therapies, visit awakenwholelifecenter.com.

To make an appointment call 855.364.2022.

1901 NW Blue Pkwy | Unity Village, MO 64065 Located at Unity Village

22 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Kansas Citians and out-of-town visitors can now experience an oasis for the refined at heart, as the newest jewel of the city opened its doors. Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza made its Kansas City debut, opening to the public in early November.

Tucked amid the ornate fountains and elegant courtyards of the premier shopping district, Hotel Sorella is sure to be something special for visitors.

Guests can expect to find a breathtaking view from the rooftop pool, which features fire pits, cabanas and a luxe bar. The hotel features two restaurants – Francesca’s is an airy and elegant space offering a daily European breakfast. Rosso offers upscale Italian dining, accompanied by wonderful views of the city.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary European breakfast, a complete fitness center and a spa suite. Hotel Sorella has 132 guest rooms, nine spacious suites and a presidential suite. It also has meeting and event space, meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology – for corporate meetings, social gatherings and weddings.

Hotel Sorella is located at 901 W. 48th Place. For more information visit HotelSorella-CountryClubPlaza.com.

Featured Properties

Kauffman Center Announces Launch of EncoreTix The Kauffman Center announced the launch of EncoreTix, a new program designed to make the performing arts more accessible for younger adults.

EncoreTix provides significant discounts up to 50% off of regular prices, special presales, and free ticket giveaways to a variety of events at Kauffman Center each month. Participants can choose from a wide range of entertainers and performances from around the world, including classical, pop and jazz music, ballet and contemporary dance, operas, theatrical productions, and more. Open to anyone age 21–39, EncoreTix is a collaboration between Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and the Harriman-Jewell Series.

Younger adults become Encore members by signing up online to join a monthly email list. Members pay for the performances and special events that most interest them. There are no annual fees for the program. For more information and to sign-up, visit Kauffman Center.org/Encore.

on www.LeesSummitLakeHomes.com & www.ReneeAmey.com Lakewood

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Lake Lotawana And Now…A Word from our Sponsors Lifestyle Publications, publishers of Lee’s Summit Lifestyle magazine, have moved their national corporate offices to the former Sun Publications building at I-435 and Metcalf.

They will share space with the building owner, Sunlight Sauna and Day Spa. Lifestyle Publications was founded in 2009 with the launch of Leawood Lifestyle. At that time they had three part and full-time employees. Four years later they produce and distribute 15 community-focused magazines across the country including three other magazines distributed in the Kansas City area: Johnson County Lifestyle, Lee’s Summit Lifestyle and Northland Lifestyle, and they employ more than a dozen people. Their new address is 7373 West 107th Street, Overland Park, KS.

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Lake Winnebago

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Renee Amey Team welcomes new member Jen Thowe!

Merry Christmas from the Renee Amey Team

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816.213.3421 Office: 816-795-2595 renee@reneeamey.com

December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 23

Parent's Corner

Great Places to Take Your Grandkids In & Around Kansas City Article Lisa Harrison | Photography Provided

W

hether your grandchildren live in the area or visit just a few times a year, some of the best memories a grandparent can create with a grandchild involve trips to local venues that are kid-friendly and have lots to see, touch and do. Any outing that involves an element of history will be enhanced when grandma or grandpa can add their personal memories to the commentary.

Before school budgets were slashed, area students visited several of these attractions as a part of their science or social studies curriculum.

Please don’t assume that your grandchildren have been to these great

local attractions just because they have grown up down the street and around the corner from where they are located.

And don’t forget that you can turn the tables on this list. My two boys have enjoyed taking their grandpa to most of these venues over the past fifteen years when he’s in town visiting from Chicago. He was especially fond of the Steamboat Arabia and the Money Museum. Oh, the stories my boys learned about their grandpa who in his youth used to scuba dive for treasures at the bottom of the Chicago River. All because we took him to an amazing museum founded by some local treasure hunters. Happy exploring!

Classes, special exhibits, kid-friendly events.

The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve The history of mod-

Powell Gardens

PowellGardens.org

ern currency and more. KansasCityFed.org/MoneyMuseum

Shatto Milk Farm Tour the farm, meet the cows, taste all of their flavors! ShattoMilk.com

Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary A stunning nature preserve in

Liberty. NatureSanctuary.com Union Station Displays change every few months. Right now, it’s

pirate days! UnionStation.org Kaleidoscope A gift to the children of our city from the folks at Hall-

mark. HallmarkKaleidoscope.com National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial Something every area resident

should experience. TheWorldWar.org Science City Worth a repeat visit every

few years. ScienceCity.com No matter which side of the aisle you prefer, this library is a national treasure.

TrumanLibrary.org

Truman Presidential Museum Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Train garden,

scenic views, Monet garden and more. OPKansas.org/things-tosee-and-do/arboretum-and-botanical-gardens

Summit Waves Water Park A visit to Steamboat Arabia Local treasure hunters uncovered this Missouri

River gem. 1856.com

a new water park is a great summer day.

CityOfLS.net/Parks/Facilities/ Summit-Waves.aspx

Deanna Rose Farmstead Feed the goats, fish in the pond, shop

at the General Store. OPKansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/ Deanna-Rose-Childrens-Farmstead 24 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Wonderscope Children’s Museum Rainy days and cold weather days

are perfect days for a little Wonderscope. Wonderscope.org

Great Wolf Lodge Spend the night for a real indoor water park

treat. GreatWolf.com Outdoor water park resort at Village West.

Schlitterbahn.com/kc Schlitterbahn

Amtrak Day Trip Take the Amtrak from Downtown Lee’s Summit

to Union Station and back for a great day of fun! Amtrak.com Kansas City Zoo The penguins have arrived! KansasCityZoo.org Sea Life Aquarium Get up close and personal with a shark or squid.

VisitSeaLife.com/Kansas-City

Master builders and millions of bricks! LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com/KansasCity

Legoland Discovery Center

Missouri Town 1855 25 buildings make up this living history

museum. JacksonGov.org/MissouriTown The Coterie Theater Theater for children at its best. TheCoterie.org Paradise Park Batting cages, go-karts, mini-golf, climbing wall, arcade games, Edu-tainment center for young ones, and much, much more! Paradise-Park.com Toy and Miniature Museum Exhibits of antique toys, dolls and

memories of yester-year. ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org

December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 25

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If you’re unsure, talk to Frank.

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Field Trip

Stonewater Cove Resort & Spa This oasis in the Ozarks tops our list of favorite getaways for spring and summer vacation plans

Article Kendra Mathewson Photography Provided by Stonewater Cove

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ouldn’t it be nice to get away from it all anytime you want, without having to travel half a world away?

I used to live on a fairly remote island in the Caribbean – one that took three planes, a 30-minute ferry ride and Jeep taxi bouncing along a remote road to reach. People traveled there from all over the world to experience this high-end resort and, no question, it was a place one could escape the noise, find peace, and a change of pace.

It was well worth the long, hard trip.

Yet, what if I told you about another such place more easily within reach? One that feels as if it were custom built just for you, designed to give you or your family exactly what you want in a vacation?

So it is with Stonewater Cove Resort and Spa. A few major interstates, followed by state highways and 12 miles of winding country road and you’re there – nestled in along Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks, surrounded by the Mark Twain National Forest.

Before we go any further, set aside every stereotype evoked when you hear the word, “Ozarks.” Stonewater Cove redefines the Ozark experience. It’s the best of everything, artfully created in a retreat that honors nature, Missouri and Midwest life, and celebrates it all.

28 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

It is pure wilderness, pure luxury, and absolute perfection.

And it’s well worth the short drive.

A Resort of Contrasts.

From the moment you pass through the hand-hewn wooden fence, it’s clear someone has prepared this place just for you.

This is not a commercial property owned by a big company that slapped up a building and called it “vacation destination.” In contrast, the Bond family, out of everything they love and enjoy, spent 10 years carefully creating and crafting this beautiful retreat in the wilderness of the Ozark Mountains on the peaceful Table Rock Lake. Jim and his wife, Ruth, were optometrists and business owners from Iowa who brought their kids up skiing, hiking and adventuring. Like artists, they saw the beauty of this place and its potential, and their transformation helps visitors appreciate it in a new way. Their children are all involved in the business, and son, James, helped build much of it and now runs it as General Manager.

Stonewater Cove is a welcome contrast to this hustle-bustle world in which we live: surrounded by more than 400 acres of woods; overlooking an expanse of ever-smooth water; keeping

company with the birds, breeze and trickling streams flowing throughout the developed property. Not only is it a contrast to our lives, it is a place that offers families, couples or individuals a plethora of contrasting options, to create a custom designed vacation all your own.

the lake or in the forest; and dinners from gourmet barbeque to 5 course meals, all prepared by Executive Chef Joseph Meitl, a graduate of Shawnee Mission South.

All this, coupled with complete concierge service – led by a small staff with a heart to serve others– no question, Stonewater Cove is a luxury resort you’ll visit again and again.

All things to all people: A wilderness adventure or pure pampering.

Get Away From It All.

The resort boasts only 25 guest studios and suites, with a maximum capacity of 100 guests. It occupies just 25 acres of the 400 acres owned by the Bonds’, making it small enough to explore, yet big enough that you can go forever without seeing someone.

Twenty-five miles of trails allow you to experience nature all alone, without sharing the trail or bumping into others passing by, as is often the case at popular national parks. At Stonewater Cove, the trail is your own, and the world belongs to you.

It’s the perfect place for a combination of people who want different things from their vacations. If you’re the outdoor type, you can enjoy a hike, a 4-wheel ride, zip lining, kayaking, fishing, swimming, boating and skiing. In contrast, if you prefer to be pampered, you can read a book for hours by the pool or enjoy a long massage at the Treehouse Spa. At Stonewater Cove, the phrase, “all things to all people,” takes on real meaning. Everyone will be perfectly happy.

So, if you want to get away from it all, before you consider traveling half a world away, consider Stonewater Cove Resort and Spa. Even from a bird’s eye view it is a luxury resort that is so well integrated into nature, it is almost invisible. Nestled in the woods, overlooking the water. This could be the place your family or you as a couple or individual make some of the best memories you’ll have to share forever. StonewaterCove.com.

Luxury Accommodations and Complete Concierge Service.

Imagine walking the hand-laid stone path to your room, surrounded by the stereophonic sounds of stream water trickling through stones placed to perfection along your way. Ancient trees – black oak, hickory, maple and cypress – stand tall all around you, the sparkling water of Table Rock glistening and glimmering through the leaves as they dance in a gentle breeze. Imagine the blanket of peace that wraps itself around you as you walk up the steps to what feels like your own personal, rustic cottage in the woods, put the key in the lock with its swinging metal cover, and push open the heavy solid wood door with its ironbarred speakeasy, like a Hobbit door.

Enter your one-of-a kind lakefront suite, custom designed by Ruth Bond with the care she gives her own homes. Marvel over every detail hand crafted by local artisans, the best of Ozark craftsmanship – chic not cheesy.

Dining from sun-up to sundown is an experience in itself, reminiscent of the best of home cooking or 5-star dining.

The ever-changing menu is designed to meet your needs – from light to hearty breakfasts; lunch served poolside, in the lounge, or boxed for enjoying while on December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 29

Driver’s Notebook

The Most Important Conversation Talking to your aging parents about driver retirement Article Susan Cohen

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atching our parents’ age. It's the shared experience of all adult children. In the last 40 years, aging in America has become more complicated and in some respects, more dangerous. Our parents are living longer due to advances in medical care. More significantly, they are the first generation that experienced near universal car ownership. Many bought a home in the suburbs to raise their family. Although they are aging, they are still driving and have the mistaken belief that they will never be too old to drive. But many of us have a hunch or outright knowledge that our aging parents and relatives are not able to reliably or safely drive any longer. Missed stop signs, hitting curbs and merging without checking blind spots are some of the many scary things they do behind the wheel. Scratches on the side of the vehicle or dents in the bumper are often warning signs about the driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Long after we stop letting them drive our young children as passengers, we talk to them about giving up driving.

Researchers in the field recommend early and frequent discussions with aging parents about driving and formulating a plan. It is like planting the seed of the idea that driving cannot go on forever. Statistics show that drivers over age 75 crash more despite driving less. After age 80, crashes and related injuries rise greatly.

Planning for “retirement from driving” is critical and the time to start is when our parents are in their 60s or 70s, not their 80s, and well before the family has observed concerns.

30 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

We expect our parents to plan financially for retirement and we may have seen them downsize their home, or consider it, but it is unlikely they have a plan for getting around after they stop driving. The same lack of awareness that makes them miss the stop sign or drive 30 mph in a 45 mph zone is what causes them to think they are still good drivers. Denial is common for the over 75 group.

Rarely will they stop driving on their own, even when exhibiting dangerous driving behaviours.

A series of conversations works best. Starting when the driver is still competent, you can discuss the need to plan for driving less, then for much less and finally for not at all. All conversations need to include the alternatives available locally for getting around without a car. Trying out those alternatives before they stop driving will allow an easier transition. Once the planning for driving retirement begins, the need to move closer to desired destinations or to a place where alternative transportation is available may become evident. All family who are concerned should be aware of the potential for clinical depression if the person experiences a sense of social isolation and lack of activity due to the loss of transportation options.

Encourage your parents to talk with their friends to see how their peers are approaching this issue. If possible, it’s wise to encourage your parents to share responsibility for this decision.

For those discussing driving retirement with an already medically impaired driver, a collaborative effort may be needed including a pre-

liminary conversation with the driver's physician by family members.

This team approach may convince the driver of the seriousness of the situation. Referral to a driving rehabilitation programs is another alternative, where a comprehensive clinical and behind-the-wheel evaluation occurs. If the driver is counseled not to drive, it removes the pressure from family and physicians, and incorporates a third party, who gives an unbiased assessment. This allows the anger and frustration to be directed at someone other than family members, and provides concrete statistics on performance and errors made behind the wheel, which helps to support the recommendation.

Reports can be filed (anonymously if need be) with the driver licensing authorities in the states of Missouri and Kansas. A report will lead to a review of the driver for medical fitness to drive with the possibility that the license will be removed. Sadly, some families have resorted to hiding car keys, disabling the car or removing the car to another location. These situations are not easy and many families don't care to get involved hoping it will resolve itself before anyone gets killed or injured. All of us sharing the roads with medically impaired drivers hope families and physicians will act responsibly toward their loved ones and patients.

Remember that it may take up to a decade to resolve and children need to start early and stay focused on developing a plan that ensures your parents have mobility after they are no longer able to drive. It is very important to keep an open dialogue going with your parents and actively work to reduce the denial and avoidance that most families experience around this issue.

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Editor’s Note: The Driver’s Notebook space is usually reserved for automobile reviews. Once I met Susan Cohen and learned about her loss and her journey, I knew we needed to share more content than the story on page 36 could contain, so I offered her this space to share more important advice and information with our readers. Don’t wait another day to have the conversation.

more information on driving retirement can be obtained at these websites: The Hartford Insurance Company: TheHartford.com/Mature-Market-Excellence/familyconversations-with-older-drivers.

Several free booklets can be ordered from the website.

American Automobile Association: SeniorDriving.aaa.com/resources-family-friends SeniorDriving.aaa.com/sites/default/files/ Driver-Planning-Agreement.pdf Federal Department of Transportation, NHTSA: NHTSA.gov/Driving+Safety/Older+Drivers, including several publications that can be downloaded and printed.

December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 31

Locally Owned

Staying Home Lee’s Summit company offers services aimed at allowing seniors to age in place Article Christopher Clark Photography McKenna Mathewson

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n increasing number of aging Americans see staying home as a crucial ingredient to maintaining a high quality of life, coping with ailments and living independently.

For many seniors, assisted- or independent-living facilities are an option, but they’re not home—and that’s where firms like Lee’s Summit’s Home Instead come in. The company employs what it calls CAREGivers, rigorously trained and screened professionals who serve clients in their homes by aiding in everything from laundry and opening the mail to helping with activity planning and recognizing illness.

Brunell says Home Instead focuses on providing seniors with care in a way that blends seamlessly with their home environments.

“People are living longer and want a high quality of life in their senior years,” said Michelle Brunell, who owns and operates a Home Instead franchise that provides in-home care to residents in Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Independence, Blue Springs and surrounding areas. “Most people want to stay in their homes and continue to do the activities that they enjoy.”

Home Instead has been serving the Kansas City area since 1994, with Brunell’s office serving eastern Jackson County for nearly 10 years.

The company has been staying busy keeping up with a graying America. And seniors are consistently interested in staying in the environments they know best—even as they deal with health issues that confine them to the home.

According to the federal Administration on Aging, roughly 1.3 million seniors 65 and over were in nursing homes in 2010, a small fraction of the 40-plus million Americans 65 and over. The market for in-home care has grown in recent years as more seniors resist changes to their environments and opt for aging in place by staying home and near the things they know and hold most dear.

“One of the top reasons is simply that people generally do better and are happier in their own homes with their own routine. We help them do that by providing trusted caregivers who can provide whatever level of assistance they need,” Brunell says. “Some of our clients need a little bit of help to be able to remain independent and others need a higher level of care. In addition, some of our clients have families that live out of state and we provide them reassurance that their loved one’s needs are being met. We also have a system that provides and assures that our clients receive the highest quality of care.”

In addition to keeping the comforts of home, in-home care can 32 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

often mean a financial break for seniors. For assisted-living or nursing facilities, Medicare will pay for some of the costs, but seniors are still responsible for a large portion of them. Home care services, both home health and non-medical, are often only required for a few hours a week in order to make a significant impact on the seniors’ lives and allow them to stay in their homes. A Home Instead study has found 22 percent of the network’s clients employ caregiver services four hours or fewer per week, while 20 percent of clients employ them between four and eight hours per week.

“This usually means staying as independent as possible at home but we also serve folks who live in facilities and benefit from additional assistance,” Brunell says. “We work to ensure seniors are given the respect they deserve while getting the help they need. What sets us apart is our team. We are very particular about the people that we hire and then we provide extensive training. So we hire the best people and then train them to be great CAREGivers.”

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2013 Holiday Gift Guide

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2013 Holiday Gift Guide

Page Turners

Still Alice

Bank Midwest presents

Written by Lisa Genova Reviewed by Tracy Sullivan

I Special Holiday Events Nov 23

Union Station Holiday Lighting Ceremony with KFKF Kiss Under the Clock with 99.7 The Point’s Kelly Urich

Nov 29

Holiday Choir Sing Along with KFKF

Nov 30

Holiday Pirate Pancake Breakfast

DEC 14

Story Time with Mrs. Claus

DEC15

Holiday Dance Showcase Featuring Miller Marley School of Dance & Voice, Ibsen Dance Theatre, and Steppin Out - The Studio

DEC18-22

Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train with Santa

DEC 21

Polar Express Pajama Party

DEC 31

Noon Year’s Eve in Science City

And DON’T MISS these unique Union Station attractions: See it before it sails!

Real Pirates, an exhibition from National Geographic

Enjoy the Holidays on the Region’s Biggest Screen!

Special movies playing at the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre

Catch a Live Holiday Production at City Stage!

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas presented by Theatre for Young America, Nov 26 - Dec 28

For complete and up-to-date details

UnionStation.org

Your Kansas City Ticket to the Holidays 36 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

n the eloquent, compelling novel Still Alice, author Lisa Genova gives an insightful glimpse into the world of dementia. It is rare for a book about Alzheimer’s to be told from the perspective of the person with the disease. Though Genova’s book is a work of fiction, the author, who holds a doctorate degree in neuroscience from Harvard University, describes Alice’s descent into Alzheimer’s so accurately (due to many years of research and interviews with patients who have the disease), that the story feels like a biography.

Genova’s story about Dr. Alice Howland, a 50-year-old woman diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s (i.e. before age 65), touchingly and honestly shows how the patient feels. Genova does a brilliant job of conveying the frustration, sadness and isolation that millions of people with the disease are going through. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease now affects more than 5 million people ages 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 people under the age of 65. Still Alice does a wonderful job of communicating information about the experience of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alice Howland is a woman in the prime of her life, at the height of her career. She works as a Harvard professor who gives brilliant lectures across the country and is highly respected in her field. She’s still madly in love with her husband John and a loving mother to their three grown children. At first, she attributes her forgetfulness and disorientation (such as getting lost a few blocks from her home) to menopause or perhaps a brain tumor. As her symptoms progress and she is finally diagnosed, Alice’s life begins to unravel. She takes the reader on a journey increasingly filled with muddled thoughts, lost words, repetitious behaviors and fear of the future.

Howland is forced to retire from her job at Harvard and becomes increasingly dependent on her husband and children to help her through daily routines and ensure her safety. As a formerly independent woman, she struggles with the knowledge that one day she will be completely dependent on others. Howland’s husband tries his best to be supportive, but his unease and distress about his wife’s condition is apparent. He, too, is a successful educator and scientist but doesn’t want to put his career on hold to be a full time caregiver to his wife.

Still Alice is a must read for anyone with a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, or for those in the health care field who work with our aging population. Even those who are not touched by this cruel disease will find Genova’s story interesting and unforgettable.

Lisa Genova is the New York Times bestselling author of Left Neglected and her newest novel is Love Anthony.

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RSVP to 816-525-1480 summit-christian-academy.org December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 37

WORKING TO PUT THE BRAKES ON UNSAFE OLDER DRIVERS

Leawood family has turned a personal tragedy into a mission to protect an aging driving population from making serious mistakes.

Article Katherine Bontrager | Photography Lisa Harrison

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very time Susan Cohen hears of an elderly driver losing control and crashing into another car, a building, or, terrifyingly, onlookers at a parade, her frustration—and resolve—grow. She understands all too well the heartbreak older impaired drivers can wreak. Cohen lost her son Nathan Krasnopoler in August of 2011 when an 83-yearold driver made the most tragic of mistakes.

A sophomore at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Nathan was riding his bike, returning from the farmer’s market via the bike lane, when an elderly driver turned into him, trapping him under her Honda Civic. Confused and disoriented, the driver got out of her car—which remained running— and sat down on a nearby wall. It was up to horrified witnesses to turn off the engine, call for emergency services, and help paramedics free Nathan.

While Nathan’s helmet protected his head, his lungs collapsed, depriving him of oxygen for more than 20 minutes and causing severe brain damage. His face, scalded by the car’s engine, was covered in fourth-degree burns. After 10 surgeries to repair his skin, and five months with no sign of cognition, doctors confirmed his parents’ worst nightmare: He was in a vegetative state and would never recover cognitive functions.

Cohen and her husband, Mitchell Krasnopoler, were left grieving and in shock. To add insult to grievous injury, the police who responded to the accident never turned the driver over to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which has a medical advisory board that reviews drivers’ ability to function behind the wheel.

“Those police felt sorry for her,” Cohen says. “She was the age of their grandparents. And they didn’t understand the laws well enough to know that she’d violated some laws. They thought our son was at fault. But she’d failed to yield to him in the bike lane. In addition, she broke the law that states cars have to stay at least 3 feet away from a 38 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

cyclist at all times, and the law that dictates that when you’ve been in an accident, you have to summon medical help if it’s needed. She was never turned in for an evaluation to determine if she was fit to drive.

She’d had three glaucoma surgeries, which can restrict your field of vision, but she was free to return to the road.”

It was clear to Cohen and her husband that the accident that ripped their lives apart was entirely preventable. Not only were state driving laws not advanced enough to handle an ever-increasing influx of elderly drivers, but law enforcement was often not properly trained to handle these potentially impaired citizens.

“As we researched the accident and learned more about older drivers in this country, we came to one conclusion and that is, in America, you can drive until you drop dead,” Cohen says. “No one will stop you, unless your children or grandchildren do. But for the most part, no one will stop you. We want to address these problems.”

Cohen and Krasnopoler have done just that—first in Maryland and now in Kansas and Missouri through their organization Americans For Older Driver Safety (AFODS). (Although AFODS does not yet have charitable organization status from the IRS, another local non-profit, KidsAndCars.org, agreed to sponsor AFODS so that charitable gifts could be made to AFODS through the sponsor.) Its mission is to advocate for safer roads through driver education, assessment, retraining and transitioning; and to raise public awareness of the safety risks related to unmonitored changes in driver abilities.

Their mission is not, Cohen emphasizes, to force older Americans to hand over their car keys. “Driving in America is absolutely important. There is not enough alternative mobility. And the economy needs older drivers and Baby Boomers, of which I’m one, to shop until we drop. So it’s not about keeping safe drivers off the road. It’s about keeping us safe. Nobody wants to be in the shoes of the woman who

Number of Annual Driver Fatalities per 100 million VMT

12

took Nathan’s life. Simply put: It’s not larged or changed. Back-up cameras 10 a matter of age, it’s a matter of ability. can be installed. And drivers can be 8 My own mother, at age 89, is a very trained to determine when someone good driver. She’s very safe, very cauis in their blind spot. Also, everyone 6 tious. We need to work together as a needs to be aware of what resources 4 community to educate older drivers are available to them in regards to of the aging-related changes that afdriver rehabilitation and training.”

2 fect driving and how to address those And most potently, Cohen can 0 changes to safely continue driving.” offer stories. “Even in some of the And the number of older drivers less tragic stories, every driver who Age on the road is about to skyrocket. caused a crash or incident didn’t http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2007/nhts1231.cfm

Baby Boomers make up the largest think anything was wrong with their Figure 3 United States Annual Fatalities of Drivers per 100 Million generation in American history— Vehicle Miles Traveled driving. We need to explain that Older drivers become more crash prone everyone needs to be aware of the with more than 80 million people, with age, even though they drive less. changes that take place as we age, representing about one-quarter of the U.S. population. and realize those changes could have “I’ve heard it referred to as a ‘senior tsunami,’ because the num- a serious impact on our ability to safely sit behind the wheel.” ber of Americans 65 and older is expected to more than double from For those who’ve come to accept that driving may no longer be 40 million today to 88.5 million by 2050,” Cohen says. in their—or anyone’s—best interest, the group hopes to offer moThis in itself is not a bad thing. However, according the National bility counseling.

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of fatal crashes “Really it’s to help people find other means of transportation,” Coper mile begins to climb at 70, then steeply increases after the age of hen says. “You can’t assume an older person can get themselves on a 80—even while these same age groups drive fewer miles. The organi- city bus. It might be too rough of a ride, or the stairs are too steep, or zation notes that this is largely due to the fragility of older drivers and the whole experience too confusing. So really people need assistance age-related declines in vision, physical mobility, reaction time, and in trying to find alternatives that work for them to keep them mobile. cognitive impairments that may affect driving abilities. [Insert graph Before someone can hang up the keys, they need to discover their moon United States Annual Drivers] bility options and get comfortable with them.”

And sadly, most state licensing offices aren’t equipped to handle It is tiresome work, navigating individual state laws, motivating law this onslaught of aging drivers. In Kansas, drivers age 65 and older re- enforcement and those at the DMV to listen and get on board, and ceive a four-year license (those younger renew every six years), and in struggling through the ubiquitous red tape that’s inherent with takMissouri, 18- to 20-year-olds and those 70 and over renew every three ing on the powers-that-be. But Cohen is ready. As a lawyer who foryears (compared to six years for those outside those age groups). As merly worked for the Attorney General of Maryland, she knows what Cohen points out, dramatic mental and physical changes can occur it takes to get change accomplished. And she most fervently hopes she to the elderly in such a broad time period. She thinks a two-year span can make that difference before more lives are needlessly lost. would be far safer, potentially catching dangerous changes before too For more information, visit AFODS.org. much time is spent driving.

What other changes does AFODS hope to impart locally? Aside The first week of December has been designated Older Driver Safety from more frequent license renewal for those over 70, the group wants Week by the American Occupational Therapy Association in the hopes to push for additional education for families, older drivers themselves, of increasing awareness of the many solutions to driving problems enlaw enforcement, as well as training for DMV staff so they can better countered by older adults caused by aging and disease. Occupational spot drivers who may be impaired. therapists get specialized training to work with drivers and offer solu“No law change in the world is going to make up for counter staff tions including: left foot accelerators or hand controls for problems who have no training or procedure to deal with an older driver who is with feet or legs; steering knobs for easier steering for painful hands; not understanding even the most basic directions about the renewal special mirrors for vision problems or difficulties turning the head; and of their license,” Cohen says. equipment to make entering and exiting the driver’s seat easier. LocalCohen also plans to offer classes to seniors to teach the situations ly, Shawnee Mission Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Institute that cause the most older driver crashes, such as intersections with no of Kansas City each have driving programs serving older adults. Find a signal for left-hand turns, and increasing their awareness that medicavideo and information covering a different topic related to older drivtions they may be taking could affect their driving skills. ers each day of Older Driver Safety Week at: AOTA.org/en/Confer“There are so many little things drivers can do to remain on the ence-Events/Older-Driver-Safety-Awareness-Week.aspx. road more safely,” she says. “The mirrors in the car may need to be enDecember 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 39

Making for a Area couple shares tradition of showing their grandchildren the world

The Florence skyline at sunset. Florence is the home of fabulous art such as The David and the Uffizzi Gallery.

Article and Photography Tom Strongman

I

My wife, Susan, makes good on a birthday promise to take our 13-yearold granddaughter, Ellen Swanson, of Leawood, on a gondola ride as soon as we arrived in Venice.

40 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

f you ask my granddaughter what she did last summer, she may reply, “I went to gladiator school and was blessed by the Pope.”

Hardly your typical summer vacation, but that was the point.

My wife and I took our granddaughter Ellen on a tour of Italy in late June. The gladiator school was our first event in Rome.

Kids donned togas, tried on gladiator helmets and learned about Roman battle tactics. Then, armed with foam swords, they battled other “gladiators” in one-on-one fights as gathered parents cheered from stands that were like a medieval arena. Gladiator school was a perfect way for her to experience history first hand and it certainly enhanced our visit to the Coliseum later that day because the stories seemed more real.

Travel is a great way for children to experience other cultures and gain a personal perspective on history. Plus, travelling with a

The Tuscan countryside viewed from the village of San Gimignano. Ellen and other young people on our tour made and cooked their own pizza on our first evening in Rome. One of the domes in the Basilica of St. Peters in the Vatican.

grandchild gave us several days of one-on-one time that we don’t normally get, even though we live just a mile apart.

We took each of our now-grown children to Europe when they were 13 and we want to do the same with our grandchildren. Thirteen is a good age because younger children may not have the maturity and attention span for foreign travel and older kids get loaded up with summer sports and summer jobs.

Our first grandchild trip was three years ago with Andy, Ellen’s brother. My wife had a brilliant idea. Instead of booking our own itineraries, why not try a tour for families? It might have other young people in the group and some activities would be tailored specifically for youth. In addition, a tour makes life a little easier because they handle hotel reservations, provide transportation, move your luggage and let you go to the head of the line at many tourist attractions. It worked out perfectly. We toured London and Paris and Andy met five other young men. They sat together on bus rides and kibitzed in museums. They still text now and then, even today.

After Paris, we left the tour and took a train to Normandy because Andy was interested in World War II. Walking on Omaha Beach and visiting the Normandy American Cemetery bring textbook stories to life like nothing else can.

For her trip, Ellen chose Italy and we booked through Trafalgar. Fortunately there were several teen girls in our group and they soon connected as only teenagers can. We spent nights in Rome, Florence and Venice, with day trips to San Gimignano, Pisa, Assisi and Bologna. Our trip was eight days long and the schedule was packed. We often arose at 6:30 a.m. and left our hotel by 7:30 or 8. Dinner was provided on most nights, so our days usually ended at 9 p.m. One night the kids made their own wood-fired pizza and on another we had dinner at a farm in the hills overlooking Florence.

The schedule was tiring but fun. One afternoon, we skipped optional activities and took a long nap.

Our tour director was excellent. He constantly regaled us with historical stories punctuated with humor. He knew how to entertain, but he also had a way of commanding attention from the children when their attention wandered. The kids often flocked around him.

December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 41

Kids on our family tour take a quick break in the backstreets of Venice.

Ellen and Susan grab a quick gelato while waiting for our tour of the Coliseum.

On each of our tours we met several grandparents travelling with their grandchildren as well as young families travelling together.

Grandparents and grandchildren often share a unique relationship and travelling together enhances it. Nothing creates a special memory more than a scarf bought by the Trevi fountain, purse shopping with grandma in an Italian village or eating gelato before noon. We found that spending a week together made us closer in a way only daily living can. When else does a granddaughter get to tease her grandmother about how long it takes to fix her hair in the morning?

Our second day in Rome began with a Vatican tour. We stood in line for nearly two hours, but soaking up the beauty of the artwork and the solemnity of the basilicas was more than worth the wait. Being in the Sistine Chapel is an experience of a lifetime.

In a stroke of good fortune we were there on a day when Pope Francis was to make an appearance at noon. We ducked into the shade and waited with the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. A few minutes after twelve he appeared in his apartment window overlooking the square, gave a brief homily and blessed all of us. Such luck.

When Ellen went back to school in the fall and a teacher asked students to write two lies and a truth for an icebreaker game, no 42 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

one guessed that being blessed by the Pope was her truth.

Large crowds are a downside to summer travel, and the leaning tower of Pisa was jam-packed with people, all doing “hold up the tower” photos with their cell phones. We did them, too, of course.

Corny, but fun.

Our trip culminated with two days in Venice. Venice is very hot in late June and the hordes of tourists around St. Mark’s Square were almost oppressive by late afternoon. Thanks to a local guide we were able to find some quiet back streets that were a welcome respite.

On our last day in Venice we took a short boat ride to the tiny fishing island of Burano. Burano is known for its lace and for brightly painted houses. Legend holds that fishermen painted their houses in vivid colors so they would recognize them when they came home in the fog. Burano was far enough from the normal tourist traffic that the streets were almost empty, and walking among the colorful houses felt like being on a movie set. We ended our visit with a grand lunch in a small family café.

Rising airfares make overseas travel an expensive proposition, but we look at the time with our grandchildren as an investment in which we are creating memories that will last a lifetime. The return far exceeds the expense.

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December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 43

Financial Fitness

How to Generate Retirement Income— During Retirement

L

ike most people, you probably save and invest throughout your working years so that you’ll be able to afford a comfortable retirement. Once you retire, you’ll want to focus on strategies to help you make the most of your retirement income—and you might want to become familiar with these ideas well before you retire.

Basically, you’ll have some “must do” moves and some “think about doing” moves. Let’s take a look at the “must do” ones first: Take the right amount of distributions from retirement plans. Once you turn 59½, you may be able to take penalty-free withdrawals, or distributions, from some of your retirement accounts, such as your traditional IRA and 401(k). But once you turn 70½, you generally must start taking distributions from these accounts. Your required minimum distribution, or RMD, is based on the previous year’s balance in your retirement plan and life expectancy tables. You can take more than the minimum, but you’ll want to make sure you don’t take so much that you outlive your savings.

Maximize your Social Security benefits. You can start collecting Social Security as early as 62, but if you wait until your “full” retirement age, which will probably be around 66, your monthly checks will be larger. And if you wait until after your full retirement age before you start collecting benefits, your checks can be even larger, though they’ll “top off” when you turn 70.

What should you do? Start taking the money as early as possible or delay payments, waiting for bigger paydays? There’s no one right answer for everyone. To get the maximum benefits from Social Security, you’ll need to factor in your health status, family history of longevity and other sources of retirement income.

Now let’s consider two moves that you may think about doing during your retirement years: Purchase income-producing investments. Outside your IRA and 401(k), you may have other investment accounts, and inside these accounts, you’ll need a portfolio that can produce income for your retirement years. You may choose to own some investment-grade bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs), both of which can help provide you with regular interest payments at relatively low risk to your principal. However, these investments

may not help you stay ahead of inflation, which, over a long retirement, can seriously erode your purchasing power. Consequently, you also may want to consider dividend-producing stocks. Some of these stocks have paid, and even increased, their dividends for many years in a row, giving you a chance to obtain rising income.

(Keep in mind, though, that stocks may lower or discontinue dividends at any time, and an investment in stocks will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and may be worth more or less than the original investment when sold.)

Go back to work. In your retirement years, you may decide to work part time, do some consulting or even open your own business. Of course, the more earned income you take in, the less money you’ll probably need to withdraw from your investments and retirement accounts. However, if you’ve started collecting Social Security, any earned income you receive before your “full” retirement age will likely cause you to lose some of your benefits.

Once you reach full retirement age, you can keep all your benefits, no matter how much you earn.

Keep these strategies in mind as you near retirement. They may well come in handy.

This article was provided by Lee’s Summit’s Edward Jones Financial Advisors.

44 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

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Your Neighbors

Kiwanis Club Serving the children of Lee’s Summit Article Kendra Mathewson Photography Provided by Kiwanis

Dear children of Lee’s Summit, You are surrounded and supported by such a special community.

If only you could see how many morning, noon and evening meetings around tables at restaurants and facilities all over our town are all about you, how many questions are asked about what you need, and how they can help you grow and succeed…

O

ne of those tables comes in the form of a big square on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in the Lakeside Dining Room at John Knox village. Around it, a group of about 20 citizens enjoy a meal and friendly banter, and then they get down to the business of raising money for the kids of our community. Simply because they care.

Why do they care? Many of them grew up here, or raised their own families here and are now enjoying quieter time of life and want to give back, or invest forward.

Member Richard Blunt has been involved since 1984 or 85, and has hosted 17 exchange students. He was a police officer for 32 years in Lee’s Summit. His work gave him first-hand insight into the needs of kids in our community.

“Most of that time I worked with kids and so I knew a lot of the needs of families,” he says. And that fueled his interest in joining Kiwanis—to be able to work with others to do something about those needs.

Member Claire Jones grew up in Lee’s Summit, had some adventures back east after graduating, returned home in 1996 and helped 46 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

start the awesome Terrific Kids program to teach goal-setting for some of our elementary schools.

“I have been extremely fortunate to be able to do this,” she says of her involvement with Kiwanis.

Among the alphabet soup of familiar names of organizations that are serving and caring for our community, many are part of a larger organization and Kiwanis is one of those. Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 and “is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.” Kiwanis has more than 13,000 clubs in more than 90 countries.

This month, our local chapter celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

Around here, this group is probably most famous for their funnel cakes. They are funnel cake experts. Every year at Oktoberfest, this group literally slaves away creating hundreds and hundreds of funnel cakes and the line to order can wind out and around for a block.

Look for them around town at events like Longview’s Kite Fest or Parks & Rec’s Legacy Blast, and know that every dollar you spend on your delicious funnel cake is going to back to your community thanks to those folks. They pay a hefty price for all that hard work, too.

“There’s nothing like being immersed in funnel cakes for two days and having to bury your clothes out back,” says one member of the distinctive smell that permeates everything.

Doug Stoll has been the organization’s president for four years.

“We do a lot with the number of people we have,” he says. Kiwanis

operates on a $10-12,000 budget to fund and support many projects and groups, including Pro Deo Youth Center, Project Graduation for all three high schools and the sponsorship of a Lee’s Summit baseball team. They also sponsor students who attend American Legion Boy’s and Girl’s State and a Summit Ridge Academy student attending Kiwanis Leadership Seminar.

They purchase dictionaries for R-7 School District third graders, personalized books for students in Head Start program and award two $1000 scholarships to Lee’s Summit high school seniors. They support an annual art contest award for all Lee’s Summit middle and high schools and Terrific Kids program for fifth graders at Trailridge and Lee’s Summit elementary schools to learn setting and completing personal and academic goals, as well as others.

Their dinnertime banter reveals how deeply invested this group of special people is, and how well they know each other. Some of their relationships go way back.

According to one member, it was clear back in 1980 when Kiwanis member Richard Veasman (who has been around since 1972 and served in every role) noticed his concern for children.

“Richard noticed I liked kids back then,” says John Horner, “and 30 years later, I still like kids.” (A sense of humor runs thick in this group as well, as evidence by Horner’s comment, and a piece of paper floating around the table listing “fines” for things like cell phone distruption-$1, birthday fee-$2, telling a joke that doesn’t get laughs-$2.)

It’s a wonderful group that is more like family than a service organization. They’d love to welcome anyone interested in joining them to make the next 50 years a success. For information: MOArk4.com/LeesSummit/. Or experience them in action any Tuesday. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., meeting at 6 p.m. in the Lakeside Dining Room at John Knox Village.

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Giving Back

A Doll to Hold and Love Margaret Reynolds helps make sure Haitian children feel love from across the world.

Article Judy Harper Goppert | Photography Provided

A

doll. It is the most simple, basic companion of children worldwide. Yet, that small object of affection is absent from many tiny hands and arms. Margaret Reynolds’ eyes and heart were opened after traveling to an orphanage in Haiti the last two Decembers to spread Christmas joy. The journey was actually started long before that.

“My consulting company has had the privilege of working with Children International, an international humanitarian organization headquartered in KC that offers one-to-one child sponsorship. Seeing the needs of children in abject poverty through their eyes and hearing from on-site directors around the world at their conference in Kansas City, woke my heart to the desire to be there for these children and assure them they are loved,” Reynolds explained.

Several years later, Reynolds opened an office in Nashville for her Lee’s Summit headquartered business, Breakthrough Masters Unlimited, a strategic growth consultancy for private businesses. There she developed connections with a group that sponsors a specific or48 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

phanage in Haiti. Reynolds signed up to make her first trip in December of 2011, one year after the horrifying earthquake that devastated the small country and contributed to the growing orphan population.

Today, over one third of Haiti’s population is under the age of 15. Wikipedia explains it thusly: Although public education is free, private and parochial schools provide around 75 percent of educational programs offered. Less than 65 percent of children of primary school age are actually enrolled. Of those enrolled in primary school, only 63 percent will complete it. Though Haitians place a high value on education, few can afford to send their children to secondary school. In fact, as recently as 2004, 300,000 children were restavecs, which are somewhat like indentured servants. This arrangement is often made by their parents in order that the children will be fed.

For the last two years, Reynolds has been blessed to deliver Christmas to the children in the Haitian orphanage and has grown very close to several of the orphans that she considers “hers.”

The group shares the meaning of Christmas and a few gifts, including practical things such as spoons and t-shirts, and occasionally inexpensive plastic toys. Last year, one of Reynolds’ “kids,” a 12-yearold girl named SophiaPierre, asked for a baby doll which in Haitian Creole, is a poupee. Reynolds knew at that moment SophiaPierre would have a poupee of her own the next Christmas and that somehow, she would make it happen. There was just one dilemma; visitors to the orphanage cannot give to just one child, they must give equally to be fair. That meant she was on a mission to secure 100 dolls in time for Christmas 2013.

This project is a culmination of the work of many caring people. Retired Hallmark artist, Nancy Ornce, designed the doll. The head of the Lee’s Summit Quilting Guild, Donna Blond, of Woods Chapel United Methodist church, coordinated the sewing. Dozens of people have agreed to sponsor a doll for $30. When a person sponsors, they can put a name on the heart of the doll commemorating a loved one.

“The doll is aesthetically gorgeous,” says Reynolds. “It’s soft cloth and 12 inches long so it can function as a blanket or pillow for comfort. The hair is torn fabric strips. The dresses are reversible for play value and trading. And each comes with a sewn on heart that carries the name of the person who loved them enough to send a special gift to them across the miles. SophiePierre has no idea all the hearts she has touched.”

While the poupees are now complete and awaiting transport to

The hearT of america YouTh BalleT proudly presents the holiday classic

The NuTcracKer BalleT cynthia monaco ~ artistic Director

their new home in Haiti, Reynolds’ work didn’t stop with the dolls.

She knew she couldn’t leave out the boys at the orphanage and she did just that with the help of Mary Bruening who works with Opportunity International, an organization that provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to more than five million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world.

They collected 100 Royals baseball caps to distribute to the young men, ensuring they, too, would have a special Christmas.

Reynolds has seen tremendous interest in this project. She has been contacted by sewing groups to donate sewing and sponsorship groups who would like to do the same type of thing for their children in need.

“I don’t know where this is going, but I am amazed and delighted with the groundswell of support for an idea that connects people through love, not just things,” she says. “We will be looking for ways to expand this concept next year. It took a village to support a village, but this year, the miles between them will be irrelevant as smiles and hugs travel long distance and 200 children in an orphanage in Jérémie, Haiti, will know how special they are to dozens of people here in Kansas City.”

Reynolds and the group will be leaving to deliver the dolls to the children on December 7.

For more information, contact Margaret at MReynolds@BreakthroughMaster.com.

We greet you with warm hearts & well wishes We invite you to step back to a simpler time and enjoy an old-fashioned holiday season... one that celebrates friendship, faith and family.

Merry Christmas from the

December 20th, 21st, & 22nd

Blue Springs South high School Purchase tickets online at www.tututix.com or contact haDc at 816-554-3033 There are six performances, including morning, matinee and evening performances.

Tickets are $18.00/$20.00 at the door (all reserved seating).

Lee’s Summit Historical Society & Museum “Dedicated to Sharing Our Rich Cultural Heritage” 816-363-9718

Summit East Plaza Apartments

217 N.E. Independence Ave., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

816.524.8222 • summiteast@sbcglobal.net www.summiteastapts.com Centrally-Located 1 & 2 bedroom apartments

Proud Business Sponsor of LS Historical Society & Museum December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 49

Now Open

Find Balance at Awaken Whole Life Center Article Ann E. Butenas | Photography McKenna Mathewson

D

id you know that right here in the middle of America is a place dedicated to helping you achieve balance and awaken to a whole new you? At Awaken Whole Life Center on the Unity Village campus in Lee’s Summit, you are invited to restore and soothe your body, mind and spirit. Leave the every day stress behind as you embrace harmony and peace, which will ultimately bring you to a richer, fuller life. However, Awaken Whole Life Center knows it is not just about the destination, but truly about the journey.

This peaceful and restorative spiritual oasis boasts numerous services and amenities designed to quiet your mind and offer wellness from top to bottom, inside and out. You can enjoy a day at their luxurious spa or spend time immersed in a health, nutrition or wellness retreat. The opportunities are endless.

Newly opened in September, Awaken Whole Life Center was designed with the whole person in mind.

“This center was founded on the healing principles of Unity, which include a focus on meditation, awareness, prayer and a vegetarian diet,” noted Tara Hitzig, General Manager. “Our primary goal is to help people have a transformative experience to bring them to their optimal health with an integrative approach. We have the modalities to get an individual to where he or she wants to be.”

Among those services include the 10,000-square-foot Glenn H. Korff Fitness Center; a golf course; spiritual coaching and 50 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

direction; energy work, skin health and more. They also have an inspiring outdoor setting where you can lose yourself in meditative thought while walking the labyrinth or go on a stroll on the beautiful walking trails while gazing at the beauty of the peaceful lakes that dot the landscape.

Additionally, Awaken Whole Life Center offers a host of healing options and boasts an on-site integrative medical doctor, a naturopath, a chiropractor, estheticians, energy healers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga instructors and Zumba instructors.

Also unique to the center is its Crystal Quartz table, a new concept in spa treatment tables. Using a base of alpha-quartz sand, the table can be heated to varying temperatures through an embedded heating system. Awaken Whole Life Center is the only spa in the United States offering this sys-

tem, which uses warm sand to rid the body of pain and to provide greater comfort. Used during massage, for example, it provides a deeper sense of relaxation and is a wonderful way to ease muscle pain, arthritic pain, joint pain and joint stiffness.

With all of these wonderful services, it might be a challenge to take advantage of them in just a few hours, so why not consider an overnight or weekend stay? Enjoy peaceful slumber in their LEED certified hotel for a mini-retreat.

Choose from one of the many specialized retreats or create your own unique experience. There is also a café, bookstore and Starbucks® coffee available.

“We have nearly 40 retreats planned over the next year, which include programs on heart health, weight loss, aging, relationships, yoga, Tai Chi and many others,” notes Hitzig. “We are also bringing in some amazing presenters, such as Dan Millman, Max Strom and don Miguel Ruiz, Jr.”

The 1600 acres upon which this facility rests, with all of its services and amenities, promises to be a place where you can simultaneously lose yourself and find yourself.

“We anticipate that Awaken Whole Life Center will become not only a local and regional destination place, but also a national one,” says Hitzig, adding that the center is a for-profit subsidiary under the Unity Worldwide Headquarters, which provides a spiritual resource that is open to every belief system.

An inspiring place to which everyone is welcome, Awaken Whole Life Center is open seven days a week.

For more information, visit Awaken Whole Life Center at 1901 NW Blue Parkway; online at AwakenWholeLifeCenter.com; or call 816.612.6730.

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December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 51

Tech Today

Wallet Protects Against Identity Theft F

amilies preparing for holiday vacations often overlook important considerations regarding personal safety. Traveling is an open opportunity for identity thieves to strike, which is why you need to protect yourself by carrying your ID, money and credit/debit cards in a safe place. The new Zippo metal wallet offers top-notch protection. Lightweight and sleek, its stainless steel shell protects against RF-theft, also known as, wireless identity theft.

Identity thieves can now download a program from the internet onto their Smartphones that sends out radio signals that can steal information from the magnetic strips on your IDs and credit cards. This technology can penetrate your clothing, but cannot penetrate the wallet’s outer shell. The wallet is also reinforced with a stainless steel organizer in the middle, ensuring you can cruise airports and theme parks without worry.

A flexible polymer body makes the wallet lightweight, comfortable to carry, easy to open, and easy to use. At only 4.5" X 3” the wallet’s durability is guaranteed for life.

Zippo’s Metal Wallet can be purchased and personalized/engraved exclusively online at Things Remembered for $50 and can also be purchased on Zippo.com for $49.95.

52 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

a Be

oa at t n Sa

HO

SDE DE A E AS T S TI N I NM E

RE A E CA R RC

®

I OR

NO NEI S

M EH O

Share the holiday spirit with the

Be a Santa to a Senior® service program.

Brighten the lives of lonely or isolated seniors in your community two ways: • Visit our Christmas trees located at The Living Stone at 233 SE Main Street or Academy Bank (inside Walmart on Sam Walton Lane) • Call and join us in our office for a wrapping party on December 18th, from 9am to Noon.

To get involved, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office at

816.554.6166

Each Home Instead Senior Care franchise office is independently owned and operated. © Home Instead, Inc. 2013

Our Feet Carry Us Through Life…

Keep Them Healthy!

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Healthy Lifestyle

A Valuable Resource for Jackson County Seniors and Caregivers Article Shannon Sundberg

T

hanks to the tremendous support of the Mid-Continent Public Library, Truman Heartland Community Foundation is pleased to provide the Care Connection website CareConnection.

MyMcpl.org.

Care Connection is a free site designed to connect seniors and caregivers with information and resources. The site has more than 20 service categories including: Home Repair and Maintenance, Home Modification, End of Life/Hospice and Palliative Care, Senior Activities, and Respite Care. The “Angie’s List” approach to the site encourages those who utilize the services to provide their valuable feedback. New service providers are added daily, so visitors are encouraged to check back often for newly added resources. If you know a business or organization that provides services to seniors and caregivers and should be listed, please direct them to the site to submit their information. Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s committee of volunteers will review the information before it’s posted to the site. Please help spread the word about this important new resource for our citizens.

Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Community for All Ages Coalition identified that its top priority is, “To work together as a coalition to ensure that every senior (and/or their family members) who needs services in our Jackson County community knows about and has easy access to quality information and clearly understands how to access the resources available.” At the first meeting of the more than 50 community leaders involved in the Coalition, it became apparent that there were a lot of great things happening and services available, but there was a lack of combined information.

54 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

The Coalition Committee on Senior Services, chaired by Lee’s Summit resident Cindy Cavanah, found there was not a good central source for information. Many of the social service organizations that assist seniors and provide referrals have developed their own systems, most often using a spreadsheet or notebook to gather printed information, brochures, etc. Steve Potter, executive director of the Mid-Continent Public Library and a member of the Coalition, volunteered the services of the library to help design and build the website.

The Coalition also partnered with Shepherd’s Center Central, who not only provided a great deal of data for the website database, but allowed the Community Foundation to promote their Caregiver Institute and their “One Call Many Answers” phone number on the Care Connection home page. When you call this number, you will be able to talk to a trained professional who can provide referrals for services.

The Lee’s Summit community is actively engaged in the Community for All Ages Coalition for Eastern Jackson County, which was formed and is organized by Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Over the next 20 years, as the members of the baby boomer generation march toward the next phase in life, our community will be experiencing a doubling of the population over age 65. Resources like this website will enable seniors and their families to find the services they need to remain independent. Please visit the website and help spread the word about this valuable information resource for seniors and their caregivers.

CareConnection.MyMcpl.org.

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December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 55

Open House

A Place Like Home Gracious lifestyle living at its best Article Elizabeth Rosenberger | Photography McKenna Mathewson

A

t SummitView Terrace assisted living by Americare, the motto is, “You do the living. Let us do the assisting.”

“We help people maintain their independence by providing the care and support they need,” says Annie Cizerle, administrator for SummitView Terrace. “Being both a family member and caregiver can create a somewhat unexpected burden. We love being able to give the care, while families give the love.”

Cizerle grew up in western Kansas and graduated from Kansas State University. She has worked at Americare for nearly10 years and says the small-community atmosphere of SummitView is what makes everyone feel right at home.

“The intimate environment makes social interaction natural between residents and also allows staff to keep a watchful eye for signs of decline,” says Cizerle.

“We are able to provide interventions in a more timely manner – through therapy or a physician visit – which lessens the chance for a trip to the hospital.”

56 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

At SummitView Terrace, some folks love to join right in with the programs that are offered. Movies, bridge, tournaments, live entertainment along with spontaneous events like current event discussions or afternoon tea on the porch create an ambiance of togetherness.

“We encourage socialization but we never force it,” Cizerle adds.

Part of Americare’s Hometown Hospitality customer service approach calls for creating an extended family within each community. Residents and their children and grandchildren get to know each community’s staff and their spouses, children and grandchildren.

“Our family nights are such a joy to attend,” says Cizerle. “Daughters talking to other daughters or grandchildren playing together. These quarterly events are the highlight of the social calendar and help create a true sense of community.”

The beauty of Americare’s approach to assisted living is it provides the right level of care at the right time. There are some residents

who are very independent and still drive, and some that need assistance with bathing, dressing and medications, and a wide range in between. Behind the scenes, a full-time licensed nurse provides oversight, plus doubles as a health services coordinator concerning every resident’s planning and care needs. The nurse makes sure that each person receives the right level of support with minimal intrusion, both from the staff and from outside resources like home health or rehabilitation.

Located at 12101 East Bannister Road in Kansas City, SummitView Terrace has been recently remodeled and offers private and semi-private rooms equipped with full private baths, secure and safe environment, daily social enrichment programs, restaurant style dining, beauty/barber shop, assisted bathing facilities with whirlpool bath, living room, family room including piano and TV and beautifully landscaped areas with a walking path.

“Americare has really found a niche in assisted living by building smaller assisted living communities where residents live and thrive, by receiving more one-on-one, person-centered attention and care,” says Cizerle.

Cizerle never assumes that SummitView Terrace is the right answer for everyone. She helps elders and their families take an honest look at their living situation to determine what’s working and what’s not. It’s a process she calls “discovery.” She is trained to help facilitate even the most sensitive conversations to ensure everyone is heard. All options are on the table including other services and providers to help folks find good solutions.

With free consultation, SummitView Terrace can help families make that informed decision. They accept Veterans benefits for those who qualify and Long Term Care (LTC) policy review for qualifying benefits.

For more information, visit AmericareUSA.net/ location/summitView-terrace or call 816.237.5061.

December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 57

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8025 W. 151st St. | Overland Park, KS | P: 913-897-8995 58 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Sold Properties

Recently SOLD Lee’s Summit Properties neighborhood

original list

sold $$ %sold/orig dom* bdrms full/half bath

floorplan

Park Ridge Meadows

$349,900

$349,900

100%

0

4

3/1

2 Stories

Eagle Creek

$342,640

$342,640

100%

0

5

4/0

2 Stories

Monarch View

$334,900

$329,500

98%

105

4

3/1

1 1/2 Story

Summit Falls

$307,000

$307,000

100%

1

5

3/1

2 Stories

Wedgewood Pointe

$295,000

$282,500

96%

81

5

3/1

1 1/2 Story

Monarch View

$279,500

$279,500

100%

64

4

2/1

1 1/2 Story

Mill Creek of Summit Mill

$280,000

$275,000

98%

2

3

2/0

Ranch

Other

$265,000

$257,500

97%

6

4

2/1

Split Entry

Summit Wood

$265,000

$257,000

97%

48

4

3/0

Split Entry

Meadows of Winterset

$255,000

$256,700

101%

2

4

3/1

Reverse 1 1/2 Story

Meadows of Winterset

$245,000

$243,000

99%

65

4

2/1

2 Stories

$251,720

$235,895

94%

0

3

2/1

2 Stories

Bridlewood

$240,000

$235,000

98%

131

4

2/2

2 Stories

Lakewood

$239,000

$235,000

98%

0

3

2/0

2 Stories

Oaks Ridge Meadows

$239,000

$233,500

98%

101

4

3/1

1 1/2 Story

Bent Tree Bluff

$234,500

$225,000

96%

82

4

2/1

2 Stories

Fairfield Green

$228,000

$220,000

96%

12

3

3/0

Ranch

Windsboro

$216,000

$216,000

100%

8

4

3/1

2 Stories

Raintree Villas

$199,500

$199,500

100%

7

2

2/0

Ranch

$200,000

$197,600

99%

60

3

3/1

1 1/2 Story

Vista Del Verde

$179,500

$173,750

97%

4

5

2/1

Side/Side Split

Oak Tree Farms

$169,900

$169,000

99%

7

3

2/1

Raised Ranch

Princeton Heights

$165,000

$163,500

99%

1

3

3/0

Atrium Split

Bordner Estates North

$154,900

$152,500

98%

69

3

2/0

Raised Ranch

Amber Hills East

$155,000

$150,000

97%

53

3

2/1

Raised Ranch

New Longview

Maple Tree

Toni Tygart

Information obtained from Heartland MLS for the period of 10/1/13 to 11/1/13. *DOM=Days on Market.

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www.ToniTygart.com December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 59

Lifestyle Calendar

December

December 10 Winter Solstice Torch Lit Hike Independence

Just at dusk, 5-6:30 PM, enjoy the beginning of winter with a walk along a beautiful torch-lit path. Bring the camera, have your photo taken in an ice sleigh, see ice sculptures, view the night sky with telescopes and see a live bald eagle. Dress warmly. Hot cocoa served by the outdoor fire. 816.325.7115 or IndependenceMO.org/ParksAndRec. Admission is free.

George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Road.

December 14 Missouri Town 1855: A Christmas Nutcracker Ballet

December 5 Mantels & Martinis New Longview

Join Mantels & Martinis for an evening of holiday decor, and even more. Stroll the beautiful New Longview neighborhood and help raise money for Special Olympics and New Longview Foundation. Tickets $40. MantelsAndMartinis.com or find them on Facebook.

December 5 Cookie Walk Downtown

Collect holiday cookies, receive a recipe book and shop from 4 to 9 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance for $10.

December 5-22 A Spectacular Christmas Crown Center

Now in its 8th year, “A Spectacular Christmas” has become known for fine vocals, tight harmonies and sharp arrangements, but the show also has a heartfelt and sentimental side, too.

The entire experience will certainly move you and will remind you of the true spirit of Christmas. Rated PG. Tickets $10-$35. MTHKC. com or 816.545.6000.

December 6 Homemade Gingerbread Decoration Kansas City

At L’Ecole Culinaire, come decorate from 60 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Celebration Lee’s Summit

6-8 p.m. one already assembled gingerbread house to take home along with a few gingerbread cookies as well. $45. For more information or to sign up, call 866.205.2521. L’Ecole Culinaire is located at 310 Ward Parkway.

December 7 Lee’s Summit Symphony Holiday Magic

The unique customs of our English, German and French settlers are brought to life while celebrating Christmas at this historic antebellum community. The smell of wood-burning fireplaces, period music and authentic decorations make this a must attend holiday experience. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Concert

December 14

Lee’s Summit High School

Father Christmas Visits Alexander

The Lee’s Summit Symphony will present its Holiday Magic Concert during two performances—one at 4 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Lee’s Summit Hy-Vee stores until noon on the day of the concert or online until 6 p.m. the night before each concert (subject to availability). All remaining tickets will be available at the door prior to the performance. Or, visit LSSymphony.com.

December 7, 14 & 21

Majors House

Father Christmas himself will be at the Majors House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children will visit with Father Christmas and participate in hands-on arts and craft activities, play parlor games, and hear stories from professional storytellers. Tickets are $10 per child and free for adults. 816.444.1858 or visit WornallHouse. org. Advance registrations and payment is required.

Santa Strolling

December 14

Downtown

Farmers Market Holiday Mart

Catch a glimpse of the jolly old man between 3 and 5 p.m. strolling the streets of downtown Lee’ Summit.

Downtown

December 7, 14 & 21

At Lee’s Summit Elementary, 110 SE Green St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. vendors will have items available for purchase.

Santa & Me Saturdays

December 18-22

Paradise Park

KC Southern’s Holiday Express Train

Visit with Santa at Paradise Park for free! Take your own pictures, enjoy a “holly-day” of play.

Don’t forget to visit Santa’s Studio and make your Christmas gift list. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

with Santa Union Station

Board the train, visit with Santa and his elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive

six-car train. Led by KCS’ Southern Belle, the Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a ginger bread boxcar; a newly remodeled elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose. Each car is dressed in lights. UnionStation.org.

December 20-22

There is no set time for care.

Nutcracker Ballet Lee’s Summit

Our own Heart of America Youth Ballet presents this Christmas tradition. Choose from six shows between December 20 and 22. Tickets are available at TutuTix.com, search Heart of America Youth Ballet.

Through December 30 Vaile Mansion Christmas Tours Independence

Blended against a backdrop of stately elegance, Yuletide scenes from long ago create a glowing Victorian Winter Wonderland. See 75 decorated trees with thousands of lights enhance the beauty of the marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, painted ceilings, and magnificent gilded mirrors in this 1881 Victorian Mansion. VaileMansion.org. 1500 N. Liberty Street Independence. The Mansion will be open for Christmas Tours through Dec. 30th (closed Dec. 23-25) Mon.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 1-4, Adults $6, children $3.

Through December 31

Sleep in. We’ll make breakfast for you, your way, when you’re ready. And we’re making lunch and dinner, too. Take your time. We’ll give you lots of choices of how to spend it, but they’ll be your choices. When you

Christmas in the Park

need a little help with this or that we’ll be

Longview

right there, but the what and when is up

Christmas in the Park is one of Jackson County Parks & Rec’s most celebrated events of the year. Three hundred thousand lights, 175 animated figures and splashes of Christmas color transform Longview Lake Park into an enchanting winter wonderland. The entire family will delight in the warm of this fun-filled holiday display. 5:30-10 p.m.

to you. When you need reminders about

December 31

appointments, or medications, or exercise class we’ll keep track, but it’s your schedule and we won’t let you miss out on anything.

Champagne Chic New Year’s Eve

You do the living your way, and we’ll help

The View at Briarcliff

in every way we can. Assisted living at

Join The View at Briarcliff for a Champagne Chic New Year’s Eve, featuring entertainment by Cherry Bomb and DJ Ron. Elegant buffet, great entertainment, champagne toast at midnight. For information and ticket sales visit VisionsKC.com/Upcoming_Events.html or call 816.841.2361.

December 31 New Year’s Eve Party Paradise Park

Looking for a way for the kids to celebrate? Come start the New Year with Ollie at Paradise Park and watch the “Ball Drop” in our Foam Factory! For more information, visit Paradise-Park.com or call 816.246.5224.

SummitView Terrace the way it ought to be.

SummitView Terrace assisted living

by Americare

12101 East Bannister Rd • Kansas City, MO 64138

Just 2 miles from Lee’s Summit

www.americareusa.net • 816.763.6667 December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 61

Lifestyle Calendar

January 11 10th Birthday Bash & Health Fair Legacy Park

Time equals heart muscle.

That’s what our cardiologists would tell you about the importance of getting to an emergency room quickly for heart attack symptoms. The faster you are treated, the better your chances of survival and recovery from a heart attack. HCA Midwest Health System has five accredited chest pain centers and the region’s most experienced heart care physicians. One of these hospitals is near you.

Heart Attack Warning Signs • Discomfort in the chest such as pressure, fullness or squeezing • Shortness of breath • Pain in areas of the upper body such as shoulders, arms, back, neck and jaw • Sweating, lightheadedness, and nausea If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and just get here!

Chest Pain?

Just get here!

2100 SE Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 (816) 282-5000 LeesSummitMedicalCenter.com Lee’s Summit Medical Center is located northeast of the MO 50 Highway and Todd George Road intersection.

62 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, will host Legacy Park Community Center’s 10th Birthday Bash Celebration and Community Health Fair at Legacy Park Community Center, 901 NE Bluestem Drive. The event is free and open to the public, and the facility will be open to the public. The Health Fair includes Teddy Bear Check-Up Station, free health info and screenings. The Birthday Bash includes chair massages, face painting, fitness expo and more. Visit LSParks.net.

Through January Photo Exhibit Celebrating Picasso Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

Kansas City native David Douglas Duncan is one of the 20th century’s greatest photojournalists. His work has been featured in National Geographic, Life and the Saturday Evening Post magazines, and he has published 26 books. View his uniquely intimate portrait series of Pablo Picasso, with whom he began a friendship in 1956.

Lee’s Summit Community Calendar Do you have a free weekend and find yourself looking for something to do? Are you planning a special event or festival? Check out LSTourism. com for a comprehensive list of community events. If your group is planning an event, check here first to make sure it doesn’t conflict with other local events.

Real Wives

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introducing

Andrea Grist

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real wives of LEE’S SUMMIT Who/what lives in your house?

My husband and I live in Lee’s Summit with our five children and two dogs LSL AG

Do you work outside the home? If so, where?

I own Andrea K. Grist Floral Designs, and focus on weddings and special events.

LSL AG

Are you a native Kansas Citian or transplanted to the area?

AG I grew up in the Kansas City area, graduated from Blue Valley North in 1993, went away for college, then came back.

Take care of your coats!

Mention Lee’s Summit Lifestyle in

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Coats for $10

LSL

What’s on the floor of your car right now?

AG Well like most moms, I live out of my car. Right now I would say there are orange peels, popsicle sticks, Gumby and Pokey figures, a selection of Legos and a first aid kit.

LSL

LSL AG

What is your favorite ‘pamper yourself’ or splurge item?

A massage

What is your guiltiest food pleasure?

AG Gummi candy makes me happy, gummi bears, gummi worms, gummi fish ….

LSL

What is the title of a book on your bedside table?

AG Well the book on my table is just collecting dust , I am more of a magazine girl… Veranda, Victoria, Martha Stewart Weddings, National Geographic, Missouri Life and Mary Janes Farm are on my table right now.

LSL

Which organization that gets most of your volunteer time?

AG I am beginning my 9th year as a Girl Scout leader and we also enjoy the volunteer outreach center at Harvesters.

LSL

LSL AG

Excludes down & leather. Expires 12/31/13

old coats to donate!

816.554.6656

Ross Miller Cleaners

999 Rice Road • Lee’s Summit

INSPIRING SPIRITUAL AND ACADEMIC GROWTH. A place where students care, where teachers care, where families care, A place where caring counts.

Our Lady of the

Presentation School

What is your favorite date night restaurant?

With five kids, I’ll take anything I can get.

What is the best thing about living in Lee’s Summit?

Lee’s Summit still has a small town feel to it and a sense of community. You can still run across people you know on almost every errand.

LSL AG

Kindergarten through Eighth Grade CALL FOR A TOUR Our Lady of the Presentation School

Photo: Melissa Slater Slater-Studios.com

150 NW Murray Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 816-251-1150

www.olplsschool.org

“Lee’s Summit’s Catholic School”

December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 63

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Automotive Dave Cross Motors (816) 524-3636 davecrossmotors.com

Charities & Fundraisers Benefit District of Independence (816) 461-5400 theindependencesquare.com Salvation Army onlineredkettle.org

Dentists & Orthodontics Spencer & Spencer (816) 607-6000 spencerdental.com

Edward Jones 1-(800) ED-JONES edwardjones.com

Union Station (816) 460-2230 unionstation.org

Dry Cleaners Ross Miller Dry Cleaning (816) 554-6656 rossmillercleaners.com

Health & Wellness Awaken Whole Life Center (855) 627-5672 awakenwholelifecenter.com

Education

Heart Of America Dance Centre 816.554.3033 www.hadc.biz

Our Lady Of Presentation School (816) 251-1150 olplsschool.org

Xtreme Gymnastics & Training (816) 347-8008 xtremefamilyfitnesskc.com

Fashion & Accessories

Park University (816) 746-2579 park.edu

Community Events & Organizations

Summit Christian Academy (816) 525-1480 summit-christian-academy.org

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Association (816) 246-6598 downtownls.org/parade

Entertainment & Recreation

Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce (816) 524-2424 yourstrulyls.com

Financial Services & Planning

The Nelson-Atkins Museum (816) 751-1286 nelson-atkins.org

Home Builders & Remodelers Dill Enterprises Inc. (816) 554-3455 dillenterprises.com

Revive (816) 554-2252

Home Design & Furnishings

Especially Jewelry (816) 246-2184 especiallyjewelry.com

A&M Home Furnishings (913) 438-3868 amhomefurnishings.com

JS Elite Events (816) 914-4733

Meierotto Midwest Jewelers (816) 453-1111 mjewelry.com

Paradise Park (816) 246-5224 paradise-park.com

Once Upon a Child (816) 246-8539 onceuponachildleessummit.com

Reno’s Power Sports KC (816) 942-8900 renoscanam.com

Rodgers - The Diamond Store (816) 525-6061 rodgersdiamonds.com

CHRistmAs Gift CeRtifiCAtes AvAiLAbLe!

The Center For Rheumatic Disease (816) 531-0930 centerforrheumatic.com

Fireplace & Bar-B-Q Center (913) 383-2286 fireplacecenterkc.com Frontier Furniture, LLC (913) 897-8995 frontierfurniturellc.com

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64 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Laser Hair Removal

New Top-of-the-Line Laser Hair Removal with Fewer Treatments & Shorter Treatment Times.

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Budget Blinds of Lee’s Summit (816) 554-7779 budgetblinds.com/leessummit

Foot Care Specialist (816) 246-4222 jfosterdpm.com

Seasonal Concepts (913) 642-4999 seasonalconceptsonline.com

Lee’s Summit Medical Center (816) 363-7710 leessummitmedicalcenter.com

Home Services

Saint Luke’s East Hospital (816) 347-5000 saintlukeshealthsystem.com/eastcancercare

Braden Roofing (913) 341-0200 bradenroofing.com Midwest Lifetime Roof Systems (913) 393-3008 lifetimeroofsystems.com ProConcreteFX, LLC (816) 866-7239 proconcretefx.com Sound Bytes KC (816) 525-8823 soundbyteskc.com

Insurance State Farm - Michael Chapman (816) 525-6868 trustchapman.com

Medical Clinics & Facilities Bennett EyeCare Midwest (816) 454-2020 bennetteyecaremidwest.com

Religion

Simply Home Companion and Personal Care, LLC (816) 246-6300 simplyhomesenior.com

Woods Chapel United Methodist Church (816) 795-8848 woodschapelchurch.org

Restaurants, Food & Beverage

Summit View Terrace (816) 763-6667 americareusa.net

County Beverage Company (816) 525-4550 beeresponsible.com

Specialty Shops

Edible Arrangements (913) 290-0831 Keller Williams Eastland Partners ediblearrangement.com (816) 350-4455 choosecarter.com Lulu’s Grand Street Studio (816) 524-5132 Keller Williams Platinum Partners LC Summit Plastic Surgery (816) 875-1711 & Med Spa frankpaszkiewicz.yourkwagent.com (816) 347-0026 drchhatre.com Reece & Nichols (816) 524-7272 mccambridge.reeceandnichols.com The Zen Zone (816) 554-9663 Renee Amey Team - RE/MAX Elite zenzoneyoga.com (816) 795-2595 reneeamey.com

Real Estate

Salons & Spas

Senior Living & Services

Summit East Plaza Apartments (816) 524-8222 summiteastapts.com Toni Tygart Real Estate Group (816) 795-2500 tonitygart.com

Home Instead (816) 554-6166 homeinstead.com

Annie’s Barn etsy.com/shop/anniesbarn Cargo Largo (816) 350-6101 cargolargo.com Greenwood Antiques Mall (816) 537-7172 Henry’s Antiques, Collectibles & Tea Room (816) 524-3992 henrystearoom.com Mary Kay Cosmetics (913) 396-1579 marykay.com/risingstar Mrs. Golf (816) 524-2330 mrs-golf.com

Specialty Shops Pen Place (816) 474-7500 penplace.com

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A&M Home Furnishings

Locally Owned & Operated | Professional Sales Staff | Unique, Individualized Service Stop in, call or visit us online today!

10325 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212

913-438-3868

www.amhomefurnishings.com f & December 2013 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 65

Parting Thoughts

The Brotherhood of the Traveling Santa Suit words Denise Snodell

F

amily holiday traditions are typically cozy and sweet affairs.

Then, there’s my clan. A random thing happens and it gets much applause. Boom, an annual custom begins. Such is the true story of the Brotherhood of the Traveling Santa Suit.

My friends, it’s time to gather ‘round the crackling space heater, grab some lukewarm cocoa, and listen to my tale.

The random spark for this particular tradition occurred several years ago. I found myself trudging through a store on a cold, January day when my weary eyes landed on an after-Christmas clearance display. The last thing I needed, though, was more hall-decking stuff. It was time to bough out of the holly hoarding business.

Then, it happened. A large box with the words “Deluxe Santa Suit” caught my eye. And deluxe it was, with good, thick red and white fabric, shiny boots, plus all the accessories down to the long white beard. It was a suit even the pickiest mall Santa would regift to himself. As I held the box in my hands, a warm fire started up in my belly. My wallet began to burn.

But it didn’t make sense. There was no reason for my husband to Kris Kringle it up on future Christmas Eves. Who would dig the jolliness? We had newly minted teenagers. Even our nieces and nephews were beyond believing. This was a purchase I should have made a dozen years earlier, when the kids would have gone bonkers over personal Santa visits. That sled had sailed.

Yet somewhere in my mind I heard Clarence ringing a bell. Life should be wonderful at all stages. And honestly, I had always eyed deluxe Santa suits. Here was one, in my hands, at 50 percent off.

It was easy to talk myself into the purchase. Somehow, I knew the merry uniform would come in handy.

66 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | December 2013

Fast forward eleven months. My parents were visiting for the holidays. They are throwback travelers, which is a euphemism for you can’t get my mom on a plane. They ride the Polar Express, commonly known as Amtrak. It’s always a big deal when they arrive, because it takes two days for them to “land.” Somewhere along the line I got in the habit of greeting my folks with blinking antlers on my head. A cornball mini-tradition, yes, but always the least I could do for a festive greeting.

So the first holiday season after I bought “the suit,” I went digging for the old antlers, which happened to be in the same storage bin as Santa’s never-worn duds. Bingo! My first born, who had hit six feet that year, drew the short stick. He would surprise his grandparents by greeting them as the jolly one. Did I mention he was suddenly coming down with a bug? And the train was late?

And he was miserable? No worries, Santa’s apprentice was still a big hit with the crowd at Union Station, and eventually Grandma and Grandpa, because the beard was so lush it hid his inner misery. A tradition was born.

By the following Christmas visit, our youngest son had shot up to regulation Santa height. He was pumped, but, so were the storm clouds on grandparent arrival day. Once we reached the station parking lot, we were pummeled with horizontal rain and sleet.

Pummeled! We learned, minus the belt and boots, the special suit was not waterproof. This time, Santa was droopy on the outside.

Sick Santa. Wet Santa. I don’t know what kind of St. Nick we’ll have next, but I’m sure the memory will be just as deluxe.

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The Diamond Store 631 N.W. Murray Road • Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Next to Houlihan’s in Lee’s Summit 816.525.6061 • www.rodgersdiamonds.com