magazine sp/su
2014
magic
free
hometown Hot Rods
visitors guide
a
run
OAK VALLEY
SHOPPING CENTER Broderius Animal Care DVM Primp My Pup / East China Roth Orthodontics / KFC\Taco Bell Goodyear Tire / Bank of Blue Valley Kidstop Child Care (Coming Soon) Coopers Cork & Bottle (Coming Soon) K-7 Hwy. and Johnson Available space for lease contact Parkway Real Estate 913-268-8700 w w w. pA r k wAy r e k s. c o m
We love having you here!
• • • • •
Complimentary Hot Breakfast Free High Speed Internet Indoor Pool and Fitness Center 127-Rooms including Jacuzzi Suites Meeting Space will accommodate groups from 10 to 80 persons • Newly remodeled Lobby and breakfast area
Contact Sales Department for meetings and special events.
16555 Midland Drive Shawnee, Kansas 66217 913-248-1900 • 1-800-HAMPTON (Located off I-435 & Midland Drive – Exit 5)
www.hamptoninn.com
Come join us for any oCCasion! • 90 Deluxe Guest Rooms • Free High Speed Internet • Indoor pool and fitness room • Outdoor courtyard with fire pit • Meeting Space will accommodate groups from 10 to 60 persons • King Conference Suites • The Bistro offers breakfast and evening food with cocktails and Starbucks coffee Contact our Sales Department for meetings & special events 17250 Midland Drive Shawnee, KS 66217 • 913-631-8800
• Hand Cut Aged Premium Steaks • Private Meeting Rooms with Audio and Video Components • Kansas City’s Premier Steak House • Full Service Bar • 6 Large, HD Televisions in the lounge for viewing sports • Fast, Friendly, and Professional Service Staff 17244 Midland Drive Shawnee, KS 66217 913-268-8000 (located off I-435 & Midland drive, Exit 5)
(Located off I-435 & Midland Drive – Exit 5)
www.marriott.com/mcism
www.HEREFoRDHouSE.CoM
Dear
Vol. 7 / No. 1
Reader
spring/summer 14
magazine
sHawnee
Editor Katy Ibsen Designer/Art Director Shelly Bryant Copy Editor Deron Lee Account Executive Teresa Johnson-Lewis 785.832.7109 Ad Designer Jenni Leiste Chief Photographer Jason Dailey Contributing Photographer Kevin Anderson Contributing Writers Gloria Gale Kimberly Winter Stern General Manager Bert Hull
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce President | CEO Linda Leeper Sr. Vice President Mary Taylor Executive Assistant Marlene Shirley Membership Representative Elli Bowen Communications Manager Beau Hendrix
Shawnee Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director, CVB Kevin Fern
Shawnee Economic Development Council Executive Director, EDC Andrew Nave Business Growth Coordinator Tom McVey
find us on facebook facebook.com/ShawneeMagazine Follow us on twitter @shawneemag
Just like our cover suggests, the magic of Old Shawnee Days will soon be upon us. A seasonal highlight, this homegrown festival has become a fan favorite in our community. Kicking off in early June, Old Shawnee Days transforms Shawnee Town 1929 into a carnival filled with rock music, barbecue, crafts, face-painting, classic games and a downtown parade that lights up the eyes of children and adults. But behind all the neon lights and funnel cakes is the spirit of our community. And that spirit shines through in this edition of Shawnee Magazine. We meet a few hot-rod enthusiasts who find Johnson Drive an ideal place to show off; Linda Roser with the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation shares the benefit of giving back to our schools; and we take a peek inside the Johnson County Museum archives to dust off treasures from yesteryear. And don’t miss the Shawnee Visitors Guide, where we highlight that community spirit for those passing through. In the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy Shawnee’s greatest season (with or without cotton candy)!
Katy Ibsen editor, Shawnee Magazine
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
Shawnee Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of The World Company. www.sunflowerpub.com
dear reader,
3
Contents
6
12
departments sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
features
local profiles
20 A Beacon of Excellence To provide
26 That Old Shawnee Days Magic Now 48 years
behind the scenes reveals that there’s more than meets the eye at the Johnson County museum
exceptional educational programming, the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation fosters relationships with community partners
young, Johnson County’s largest festival appeals to the kid at heart in everyone
6
4
26
Treasure Hunt A look
12 A Hero’s Run The John Glaser Memorial 5K honors the memory of a firefighter lost in the line of duty—and celebrates the meaning of community
16 The Accidental Floral Designer Kelly Acock creates beauty from nature— and its cast-offs
Shawnee Resume
Story by Kimberly Winter Stern
32 Little Deuce Coupe
25 Graham Cannon
America’s love affair with the automobile revs up in this community
Student/Eagle Scout
Story by Gloria Gale
sp/su 2014
till you
drop!
in the
Game at the MidAmerica Sports Complex or KC Ice Center. Both located in Shawnee, these venues offer everything you need for team sports.
42
shawnee visitors guide 37 your guide to shawnee 38 travel guide
42 only in shawnee 45 Quick Guide 46 Shawnee events
magazine sp/su
2014
Welcome Enjoy this complimentary copy of Shawnee Magazine featuring the Shawnee Visitors Guide, created by Sunflower Publishing in cooperation with the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and the Shawnee Convention &
free
E s c a p E
t o
shawnee mission p a r k
visitors guide
15
to
Shawnee
Visitors Bureau.
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
40 City Map
5
acres
FOOD
IES! Shawnee’s unique selection of restaurants includes sushi, Chinese, Mexican, bar and gril s, fine steaks, choo-choo menus for the kiddos and of course, pizza!
The 25th annual Tour de Shawnee will cruise the streets and celebrate the community’s appreciation for cycling. August 24. www.cityofshawnee.org
Enjoy thE SuMMEr ConCErt SErIES. (july 11, 25, AuguSt 8.)
Shop
Get
of beautiful outdoor recreation with plenty of amenities including kayaking, dog park and 23 miles of trails at Shawnee Mission Park.
Two-Wheel Power
it
Sam!
Shawnee is uniquely located near Kansas City’s many shopping districts, including Legends Outlets, Oak Park Mall, Country Club Plaza and Crown Center.
shawnee visitors guide
1,600
Roll the dice at one of Kansas City’s popular casinos. Just minutes from Shawnee, Hollywood Casino, Harrah’s Casino and Argosy Casino welcome visitors from near and far.
Enjoy a night at the theater? Consider catching a show at Theatre in the Park (in Shawnee Mission Park), the Starlight or the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Play
Deemed the most popular team in Kansas City, Sporting KC & Sporting Park are a mustsee while staying in the area. Located just 10 minutes from Shawnee. www.sportingkc.com
WINNER!
Stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals are just 30 minutes northeast of Shawnee, making pro sports a reality for Shawnee residents!
Bravo!
goal!
Dive into one of Shawnee’s two family-friendly pools. Take the pooch on August 16 for K-9’s at the Cove.
Splish Splash
This celebration is a summer favorite, including local and national music acts and a parade. Plan to attend June 5-8, 2014. www.oldshawneedays.org
Go Team!
Big to burgers at From antiques Encore! ctic wears at Bam’s to ecle awnee.org www.cityofsh
Shawnee DayS
Learn about a working truck farm that is unique to Shawnee’s heritage. www.shawneetown.org
Old
Only in Shawnee
Shawnee Town 1929
Only in Shawnee
Scream for gelato at Aunt Jean’s Gelato on a hot day.
shawnee visitors guide
local
profiles story by Gloria Gale
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
photography by Jason Dailey
6
Treasure
Hunt
A look behind the scenes reveals that there’s more than meets the eye at the johnson county museum
local
profiles “Museums amass troves of treasures that are, at the heart, about storytelling,” says Mindi Love, executive director of the Johnson County Museum, located in Shawnee. With the vast scope of a museum’s inventory, there are often far too many objects on hand to display. Another realm of riches hidden in storage may be just as intriguing as those that are on view. The Johnson County Museum is no exception. Thematically, the museum explores the county’s suburban story from the first settlement in 1830s into the late 20th century. “As a local history museum, our burgeoning collection includes 18,382 objects and 35,539 cataloged photographs (in addition to close to 1.3 million un-cataloged images from the Sun newspaper collection) and 180 linear feet of archival paper collections,” says Love. “Objects are the tangible expressions of the past,” says Anne Jones, curator of collections. “Their significance lies not in their shape, size or value, but in their ability to tell a story or to evoke a memory.” Jones uncovers five intriguing objects from the collection that are currently in storage—all with stories to tell.
Tricycle owned by Robert Osborne
The Johnson County Museum has plenty of displays and exhibits to share about the area’s history, but what lurks in the archives?
Like most youngsters awaiting a gift for Christmas, Robert Osborne got his wish in 1908 with a spiffy tricycle. He rode his beloved trike around the front porch of his home, often hiding it in the attic so that his older siblings wouldn’t ride it. Osborne’s family owned a two-story farmhouse near the intersection of K-10 and Prairie Center Road, and they lived there until the U.S. government seized the property to build the Sunflower Ordnance Works Plant in 1942. The Army used the home as an infirmary and later as living quarters. According to Osborne, who donated the trike to the museum in 1993, the Army remodeled the house several times before it was torn down in 1965.
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
What a Beauty
7
local
profiles
extra
information
johnson county museum
6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS 66217 (913) 715-2550 www.jocomuseum.org
Dear Diary Diary of Julia Smith Douglas In the 19th century, women’s roles often centered on the house and domestic life. The art of journaling, which had been primarily the domain of men, became an emotional release for women who were now becoming literate and had time to write. Julia Smith Douglas’ diary, along with other artifacts donated to the museum by her family, is a prize. Beginning her diary at age 59, the Shawnee woman reflected on the events of the day, including the Temperance movement and other political issues, as well as the deaths of various friends and relatives. Her diary is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Shawnee farm woman who lived into her 70s.
Leave Them Laughing
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
Circus ball and mechanical clown toy from the personal collection of Frank “Whizzo the Clown” Wiziarde
8
If you grew up in the 1950s, “Whizzo the Clown” was a familiar face. Born in Westmoreland, Kansas, Frank Wiziarde came from a circus family. A natural entertainer, he eventually moved to Kansas City, making his mark in early television and radio. After he refined his idea for a local show called Whizzo’s Wonderland, the show became a staple on the local television network KMBC. The goofy character was an endearing symbol of fun who quickly became Kansas City’s favorite clown, appearing at many local festivities. Throughout his 30-year career on television, Frank hand-made most of the props and costumes for his television show along with his wife, Kitty. He also collected various circus memorabilia, which his daughter Michele donated to the Johnson County Museum after her father’s death in 1987.
Road to Success Original Soap Box Derby car that made Dennis Mullen a local celebrity Dennis Mullen’s destiny was, in large part, shaped by an unlikely event—winning the local Kansas City Soap Box Derby championship in 1967. “Really, my mother, Elinor, deserves much of the credit. She’s the one who hauled [Dennis and his brother] around to various local hills, timing which wheels ran the smoothest and how much drag she saw on the 80-inch wooden car.” Mullen was sponsored by the Shawnee Jaycees and raced in the local Kansas City Derby for four years before winning at age 14—the first Kansan to win the championship. As a reward for his victory, Mullen’s father told him the 1937 Chevrolet sedan in the garage was his. “The car needed so much work, and after 10 years of headaches I thought it was a curse,” Mullen admits. “But I did learn how to become quite the mechanic.” Today he owns Mullen Auto Works in Eudora. The Derby car that brought Mullen so much success was eventually stored in the attic of his mother’s house, where it stayed for 30 years. In 2003, Mullen donated the car, which cost $26.10 to make, to the Johnson County Museum.
shawneekschamber.com shawnee magazine
9
Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory Locally owned and operated since 1902
8535 Monrovia Lenexa, KS 66215 913-438-6444
1835 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS 66102 913-621-6400
www.porterfuneralhome.com
Sa ve rs pa ys Bi g Br ot he rs Bi g Si st er s of KC fo r ev er y do na ti on .
FEEL GREAT WHEN YOU DONATE! Bring your donations to Shawnee Savers and receive a 20% off coupon, we will also PAY Big Brother Big Sister of Greater KC for every donation you make. Help our local youth with your donation today! Having a Garage Sale? Bring what did not sell to Shawnee Savers or contact BBBS of Greater KC for a residential pick-up.
13233 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66216 • 913-248-1938
House Calls Labor and delivery signage from Gardner, Kansas’ one-room hospital A.S. Reece, M.D., was a country doctor at heart. Practicing general medicine in the early 1930s in what were then considered the rural towns of De Soto, Gardner, Spring Hill and Edgerton, Reece routinely made house calls. He quickly realized that these rural communities lacked a modern medical facility. After dismantling an old barn in Olathe, he had it moved to Gardner and opened the county hospital in 1934.
“As a local history museum, our burgeoning collection includes 18,382 objects and 35,539 cataloged photographs.” -Mindi Love executive director of the Johnson County Museum Throughout the years, the one-bed hospital grew to accommodate the medical needs of the surrounding communities, resulting in the construction of a full-service Gardner Hospital in 1961. In his 47 years practicing medicine, Dr. Reece delivered 2,247 babies and provided medical services to more than 3,000 men, women and children. Reece’s family gave the museum 350 artifacts that detailed his experience as a rural practitioner between 1930 and 1950.
The
bed & breakfasT inn
a PlaCe To GeT THaT MuCH needed R&R. visit with other guests or your friends in one of our three living rooms or over a great evening meal.
Great for family reunion, quiltinG retreats and scrap bookinG.
For reservations call
(785) 945-3225 14910 Blue Mound Rd. Valley Falls, Ks 66088 thebarn@embarqmail.com
www.thebarnbb.com
local
profiles story by Kimberly Winter Stern
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
photography by Kevin Anderson
12
A Hero’s RUN The John Glaser Memorial 5K honors the memory of a firefighter lost in the line of duty—and celebrates the meaning of community
local
profiles
VASCULAR SURGERY ASSOCIATES P.A. sive Exclu e and v i s n e h e Compr
ement of Vascular Disease Manag
Vein Institude of the Midwest
Shawnee is the kind of place that many urbandwellers envy. A close-knit community whose fabric is
Please call for appointment. Screening Program Available No referral necessary. No Doctor order required. If you are 55 years of age or older and have diabetes, a smoking history, high blood pressure or a family history of vascular or heart disease, you are at increased risk for vascular disease. We are now offering screening for:
To compliment this treatment, we also offer spider vein treatment.
CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE • ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS • PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE Michael J. Beezley M.D., FACS • Richard C. Arnspiger II M.D., FACS • Daniel P. Connelly M.D., FACS • Kirk A. Hance M.D., FACS • Jenny G. Cho M.D., FACS For more information, please contact us at: or veininstitutemidwest.com
vascularsurgeryassoc.net 913-262-9201
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
intertwined with residents’ stories, triumphs and challenges, Shawnee is a town small enough for neighborly camaraderie, yet geographically situated on the edge of the big city. When you live in Shawnee, you’re a member of an extended family. And when something goes wrong, people are there to embrace and comfort. So when John Glaser gave his life while fulfilling his duty for the city’s citizens on May 22, 2010, it came as no surprise that colleagues and friends of the 33-year-old firefighter, husband and father of two wanted to collaborate on a fitting tribute. The John Glaser Memorial 5K Run/Walk is a shining example of how Shawnee commemorates one of its own. Following Glaser’s death, his widow, Amber, worked with her husband’s fellow firefighters Tige Lamb and Beth Fox to become involved in an event to honor him and others who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The race was organized with the help of Lamb, Fox and others, and more than 1,000 participants and spectators showed up on October 2, 2010 to lend their support. “The run was a way to remember our brother, to raise funds for his family and others who lost spouses and fathers performing their jobs,” says Lamb. “The energy of that first run—and subsequent ones—was palpable. It represented a generous outpouring from the community and other fire departments from around the metropolitan area.” John Glaser, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, started his career with the Shawnee Fire Department and Station 71 in 2004. Amber says her husband’s passion was the opportunity to serve the community, even in a job that inherently held many risks. “John was a very good firefighter and the people he worked with were great,” says Amber, who now lives in Little Elm, Texas with the couple’s children Brecken, 6, and Emma, 4. “He loved what he did and loved going to work. It gave me some peace of mind knowing that John died doing something he loved.” A seasoned athlete and triathlete, John competed in the Ironman Louisville in 2008. “That was his last race before he died,” says Amber. “He was going to take a break to focus on our two kids, helping to run a household and his job. But his love of triathlons never wavered.” Lamb was in Texas the night his buddy perished in the Shawnee fire, preparing to compete in the Southwest Regional Championship for XTERRA, considered one of the country’s premier off-road triathlon and trail-run series. He learned about John’s fate from voice-mails on his cell phone.
We offer a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins using stateof-the-art technology. Our surgeons are certified by the American Board of Vascular Surgery.
13
913-322-2211
John Glaser
local
profiles
extra
memorial 5k run/walk
www.johnglaser5k.com
information
5th annual
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
john glaser Memorial 5k run/walk
14
“It immediately became a different race for me,” says Lamb. “It was surreal, and I experienced a roller coaster of emotion. I was swimming in a river and will never forget the sun streaming through the trees, on my face. It was an intense light, and I felt there was something incredibly spiritual about it.” Lamb’s performance was one of the best in his career and qualified him to compete in the XTERRA World Championship. He placed second in his age group and dedicated the win to the friend he would never see again. “It was like I lost a member of my own family,” says Lamb. “I felt bad for a long time after the night of May 22 that I wasn’t with my company, helping battle that blaze back in Shawnee.” The profound sense of kinship that marked Lamb’s relationship with John was echoed by the community, which responded to the John Glaser Memorial 5K Run/Walk with resounding support. “John was the first Shawnee firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty,” says Amber, who returns to the city each fall for the run. “Busi-Amber Glaser nesses and individuals were so generous from the beginning, contributing meals and hotel rooms during his funeral, offering their support to my family. You don’t necessarily get that very personal reaction in a big-city environment.” Although Amber now lives out of town, she says her tie to the community will never be broken. “I am still in contact with so many people here—genuine friendships,” says Amber. “I always take the kids to the fire station where their daddy worked when we visit Shawnee. It’s important for them to have a connection with a place that was near and dear to his heart.” For Shawnee, John Glaser’s last courageous act as a firefighter will forever be a part of its collective heart.
“I always take the kids to the fire station where their daddy worked when we visit Shawnee. It’s important for them to have a connection with a place that was near and dear to his heart.”
The Fifth Annual John Glaser Memorial 5K Run/ Walk will take place in Shawnee in October 2014 (exact date to be announced). Funds raised benefit the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund for local law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency-services personnel who have perished while protecting their communities.
ABOVE LEFT Racers take a quick photograph near a Shawnee fire truck at the John Glaser Memorial 5K. Many colleagues from the Fire Department still help with the event as a way to remember their comrade.
w w w.GoodStar tsH ere.com
local
profiles story by Kimberly Winter Stern
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
photography by Jason Dailey
16
The Accidental
Floral Designer Kelly Acock creates beauty from nature—and its cast-offs
local
profiles
Shawnee
state of mind
There was no master vision or long-term plan when Kelly Acock left her serving job one day at a Johnson County restaurant and spied a flower shop for sale down the street. Acock, a manufacturing technology major with a minor in computer integrated manufacturing, had been laid off from her engineering position and was waiting tables and working for a temp agency. But her artsy side, which she had nurtured since high school, was going full-tilt, and the store was just the thing Acock needed to push her to a decision. “I bought it,” says Acock, a creative spirit whose personality bubbles with infectious enthusiasm. “I figured if I didn’t make a go of it, I could go back to school.”
“The world is my oyster. You just never know what will show up next.”
-Kelly Acock
After consulting with Hudson, Acock’s personal style has flourished with confidence and verve. “I dress in the morning and ask myself, ‘Would Tamara want me to wear a belt with this?’ And of course the answer is always, ‘Yes, yes, she would,’ and the belt goes on,” says Acock. Hudson encouraged Acock to embrace floral art, a technique popular in Europe and just emerging in the U.S. “I design bouquets, wall art and sculptural-looking creations out of natural materials—mainly dried items such as various pods, sticks and bark, banana leaves and wooden flowers,” says Acock. “This kind of artistic release feeds my soul.” Acock’s floral art has been showcased in Hudson’s Chez LaRue store, which features antiques and vintage items. “The experience has given me a new sense of accomplishment as a person, but especially as an artist,” says Acock. “It’s the one thing I do for me, not for other people.” www.themonarchflower.com
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
Happily, Acock was successful and busy in her storefront operation. But her creative awakening was far from over. A multi-tasker at heart (“I love doing 10 things at once—it fuels me”), she was on the precipice of harnessing her energy and passion into recycling and floral art. “I paid my dues,” laughs Acock. “After assembling several thousand bud vases when I owned the flower shop, I was ready for a new frontier.” Never one to shy away from challenges or cutting-edge ideas, Acock closed the store after nearly three years in operation and launched The Monarch Flower Company. From her Missouri home studio she has blossomed into a sought-after wedding and event designer. One of Acock’s signatures is incorporating found objects into stunningly unique bouquets, table centerpieces and other décor.
One of Kelly Acock’s favorite stops in Shawnee is Tamara Smith Hudson’s Encore boutique. “Tamara is incredibly addictive,” says Acock. “Her sense of fashion is superb. But it’s her brimming passion that enthralls and motivates me the most.”
17
local
profiles Do-it-yourself
Floral Design
Kelly Acock’s list of must-finds changes almost daily, but the common thread throughout her wish list is repurposing. “Right now I’m on the hunt for vintage wooden crates and silver pieces, and always, always, different sizes of Mason jars,” says Acock, owner of The Monarch Flower Company. “The uses for reclaimed items are infinite: for a wedding, special-occasion event or home décor.” Here are a few of Acock’s do-it-yourself tips for spring floral design. Collect vases and pitchers and use what’s already on hand. “Scour your cupboards and closets—save spaghetti sauce, jelly and olive jars. Rule of thumb: If it holds water, it’s a vase!” The new rule of design: Don’t complicate things. “Let blooms speak for themselves; don’t fuss with greens and filler flowers. Try one or two flowers placed sideways in a larger vase or container for an airy, artistic approach. Or tie 10 or more stems together with ribbon and plop in a large cylinder vase or even a bowl from your kitchen.”
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
Nature’s little black dress. “Green, green, green! It’s a fabulous neutral that goes with any color, any shade.”
18
Tiptoe through the tulips. “Who doesn’t love a bunch of colorful tulips in the spring? They continue to grow even after they are cut, and can look wild and hairy after a day. Cut stems short to prolong their life, or run the tip of a sharp knife through the stem just at the base of the bloom. Voila! They just may last a day or a week longer!” Accentuate the positive. “Go out your back door for natural vase fillers—twigs, bar, acorns, moss rocks—Mother Nature’s gifts are endless!” Floral art. “A running joke is that I can make a bouquet out of anything—and I just keep pushing the envelope. Current faves are a potpourri bouquet with a screwdriver handle, which is a perfect fit for a bride’s hand, and she can incorporate it into her wardrobe post-wedding. Plus, both are keepsakes.”
“Really, how I see the world—especially when I look down at the ground— impacts my creative point of view,” says Acock, who is known for taking spent shotgun shells and spinning them into groomsmen’s boutonnieres or using humble Mason jars for hanging candles or ecorustic-chic floral pieces. Acock’s penchant for reclaiming, recycling and reusing became the foundation for a second business that complements The Monarch Flower Company: reEVENT, an outlet for brides and event professionals to reuse and repurpose items from linens and chair sashes to candelabras and vases. Originally intended as a consignment sale, Acock’s reEVENT concept morphed into a platform for educating the design and floral industry on the finer points of upcycling at various forums and workshops locally and around the country. “Creating beautiful flowers or event décor isn’t about going to a large crafts store and buying up a dozen containers because they’re on sale,” says Acock. “Rather, I encourage clients and colleagues to strategize—comb through cupboards, storage shelves, flea markets and estate sales.”
local
profiles
From coffee tins to screwdrivers, the creative Kelly Acock uses a variety of found objects in creating floral arrangements.
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
Acock’s ever-evolving collection of items that might otherwise be destined for a landfill—“I arranged gorgeous, spilling-over flowers in ammo boxes for a barn wedding”—sparks not only her verdant imagination, but helps clients rethink their wedding or event blueprint, too. “It was sobering to discover the special-event industry is the second-largest source of stuff being dumped into garbage pits,” says Acock. “Clients have the advantage of using my inventory to help reduce the carbon footprint.” In addition to event design, Acock has worked with nationally renowned Atchison lifestyle maven Mary Carol Garrity on several of her book projects and doing seasonal in-store displays for her Briarcliff Nell Hill’s store. Acock’s unusual pieces—and design philosophy—have been published in domestic floral magazines and three times in International Floral Art, a European publication. Acock’s life, which includes raising 9- and 5-year old sons, is as lush as one of her trademark bridal bouquets. “The world is my oyster,” says Acock. “You just never know what will show up next.” Using a little splash of color, a touch of vintage and a generous pinch of imagination, Acock engineers floral design with aplomb and natural emotion—definitely not by accident.
19
local
profiles
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
story by gloria gale
20
A Beacon of
Excellence To provide exceptional educational programming, the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation fosters relationships with community partners
local
profiles At the core of any outstanding community is the abil-
“These groundbreaking projects are perfect examples of community investment, broad impact and innovation in teaching and learning that our Excellence in Education grants spark. Community investment in our schools through the Foundation contributes to learning success for students and helps keep Shawnee Mission schools on the leading edge of educational excellence.”
Tell us about your background and involvement with the Foundation. Linda Roser I personally received an excellent education in the district. My sophomore English teacher at Shawnee Mission West changed the trajectory of my life by broadening my horizons, urging me to move outside my comfort zone. I went on to graduate from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. I have a Master in Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management. When the opportunity arose to apply for this position, I jumped on it as my dream job and have been director since 2008.
foundation
Scholarships Scholarships from the Foundation are among its most successful endeavors. Since 1996, the Foundation has awarded 276 scholarships totaling $290,000. Stepping Stone, initiated in 1996, has enabled 91 high school juniors to attend a summer program on a college campus for the purpose of college and career exploration. The Charles and Virginia Clark Scholarship for Professional Development in Advanced Mathematics is an annually endowed scholarship for math teachers to attend national conferences. Established in 2007, the scholarship is designed to affirm teachers and improve their content knowledge and skills by exposing them to new ideas, new methods and a broad range of colleagues outside of the district.
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
-Linda Roser, executive director of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation
Linda Roser, Executive director, Shawnee Mission Education Foundation
Photograph by Jason Dailey
ity to provide good education—the bedrock preserving an exceptional quality of life. Shawnee Mission School District has always been at the forefront of this responsibility in Johnson County. The district has experienced not only tremendous growth but significant change throughout the decades. Addressing the needs of a shifting demographic and the problem of diminished state funding, the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation (SMEF) was initiated in 1989 as a way for the community to invest in maintaining and strengthening excellence in the school district. Partnering with the district, SMEF supports several program initiatives by engaging community investment on behalf of students and schools. Administering the Foundation is Executive Director Linda Roser, herself a product of the Shawnee Mission School District.
21
local
profiles
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
Explain how the Foundation is invested in the district’s future. LR Currently, the Foundation is reflecting on how we can play a significant role for our schools and community by staying focused on the long view. We are seeking to increase our capacity of active volunteers and community partnerships through annual grants, mentors, tutors, classroom volunteers, lunch buddies and developing partnerships with businesses to enrich student learning. Our goal is to partner with the district and the community to maintain and strengthen the tradition of excellence in Shawnee Mission schools. The Foundation allows the community to take action by investing in a different way—by reaching into our charitable pocket, if not our tax pocket, to provide strong resources now and for generations to come.
22
Currently what are SMEF’s primary areas of impact and how are they addressed? LR Traditionally, annual classroom grants has been our hallmark. Known as our Excellence in Education (E2) program, the grants continue to provide resources for teachers to purchase equipment and implement innovative learning activities. We’ve identified three areas in which there is great opportunity. These three district programs include: the arts; early childhood learning; and science, technology, engineering and math. We proactively seek funding to meet specific needs and, together with the district, raise the funds needed to keep our curriculum on the cutting edge.
“The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation is not a replacement for the proper public funding that public education requires if our kids are to compete and excel in a global economy. [It] is a way we can support our schools, our kids and future generations of Shawnee Mission students so that they have the same or better experience than our kids have today.” -Dean Davison, SMEF board vice president and incoming board president
o Ottawa Junction, ough scenic Eastern d woods via vintage The Midland Railway teer-staffed, non-profit 501c3, common carrier o preserve and display transportation history as an ration railroad. Join us for a train ride – bring the e in easy reach of Kansas City, Overland Park, Lawrence, Topeka, and nearby communities. xcurions trains June-October every year.
Haunted Halloween Train Midland Railway SantaAssociation Express Historical
Midland Railway Historical Association 1515 W. High Street Baldwin City, KS 66006-0005 Phone (913) 721-1211 Depot (785) 594-6982 www.midlandrailway.org
Providing Quality ENT and Dermatology Care Since 1995 Eric C. Christensen, M.D. Colleen M. Reisz, M.D. Brian M. Hendricks, D.O.
Operations Beginning Late 2012!
Frank C. Koranda, M.D. Avon C. Coffman, D.O. Joseph Brant Schneider, D.O. Deborah B. Ohlhausen, M.D. Kristin Sands, P.A.-C Lisa Orrick, P.A.-C
Jennifer Schumacher, AuD.
Erika Ward, AuD.
Main Appointment Line is (816) 454-2655
5330 No. Oak Trafficway, Ste 201 • Kansas City, MO 64118 (816) 454-0666 F: (816) 454-1694
124 Westwoods Dr. Seaport Complex • Liberty, MO 64068 (816) 883-2965 F: (816) 883-2969
8800 W. 75th Street, Ste. 140 • Shawnee Mission, KS 66204 (913) 722-5551 F: (913) 362-0583
The Midland Railway operates excursion 1515 High Street trains on a line originally constructed in Baldwin City,rides KS feature 66006-0005 1867. Train an over 20Phone 721-1211 mile round (913) trip from Baldwin City via “Norwood, Kansas” to Ottawa Junction, Depot (785) 594-6982 Kansas, traveling through scenic Eastern www.midlandrailway.org
Kansas farmland and woods via vintage railway equipment. Theride Midland Railway Join us for a train is a completely volunteer-staffed, non-profit 501c3, common carrier -bring the wholetofamily! railroad operated preserve and display transportation history as an educational demonstration railroad. Join us for a train ride – bring the whole family! We are in easy reach of Kansas City, Overland Park, Normal excursions trains Topeka, and nearby communities. Olathe, Ottawa and Lawrence, Normalevery excurions trains June-October every year. June - October year.
Special Events Include; Easter Bunny Train Thomas the Tank Engine Haunted Halloween Train Santa Express
A long running tradition of 24 yeras is Special Events Include: Operations coming to Baldwin City, KS Beginning
23351 Prairie Star Parkway, Ste A-275 • Lenexa, KS 66227 (913) 676-8620
ENT Only: 8901 W. 74th St., Ste 145 • Shawnee Mission, KS 66204
www.midwestmedicalspecialists.com
• Thomas the Tank Engine • Haunted Halloween Train • Santa Express • Easter Bunny Train
Late 2012! 5-course evening Dinner Meals & casual Sunday 3-course meal A long running tradition of 24 yeras is coming to Baldwin City, KS Reminisce as you travel in our 1940’s Era decorated cars 5-course evening Dinner Meals & casual Sunday 3-course meal Reminisce as you travel in our 1940’s Era decorated cars Big Band Era Music Big Band Era Music Live entertainment Murder mystery plays Live entertainment WWII USO shows Melodrama Performances Murder mystery plays WWII USO shows www.KansasBelle.com 800.942.7245 785. 594.8505 Melodrama Performances office@KansasBelle.com
www.KansasBelle.com
KansasBelle.com
800.942.7245
785. 594.8505
Shawnee Crossings Perimeter Park Property Development Shawnee Crossings Philip C. Gaus DDS
• 60 Acre Commercial Center
Justin W. Labart DDS, MD
• Restaurant, Retail, Commercial
Philip C. Gaus DDS is pleased to announce the addition of Justin W. Labart DDS, MD to his Oral & Maxillofacial surgery practice. Dr. Gaus completed training with the United States Air Force in 1987, earned board certification in 1989, and has practiced in Northeast Kansas since 1991. Dr. Labart has been a resident of the Kansas City area for over 20 years, received his DDS and MD degrees from UMKC with honors, and completed his surgical residency at Truman Medical Center. We can book appointments for any of your treatment needs, including extractions, implants and corrective jaw surgery, and we can perform most procedures with IV anesthesia.
Please call today – we are looking forward to seeing you!
Space Available • Pad Sites and Multi-tenant Buildings
Contact: Tom Zarda 22712 Midland Dr. Shawnee, KS 66226 913-908-5051
6844 Silverheel Street, Shawnee KS 66226
913-441-7868 www.gausdds.com
Fax: (913) 441-9934
Your LocaL Bank
for aLL your Lending needS
Mortgage LoanS, Car LoanS, SMaLL BuSineSS LoanS
www.BrotherhoodBank.com | 75th & Quivira | SMParkway & Long | 913.321.4242
Graham Cannon
shawnee
Resume
Occupation: Student/Eagle Scout Graham Cannon loves books, history, movies and Shawnee. In fact, the 18-year-old Eagle Scout and Mill Valley High School football player can’t imagine a better place to grow up. Not only does he like the city’s old-fashioned neighborliness, Friday-night lights on the football field and hanging out with his best friends, Graham also enjoys rolling up his sleeves and pitching in to help better the community. “Scouting has helped me understand the importance of reaching beyond yourself,” says Graham, the son of Vicky and Gus Cannon. The high school senior is preparing to write another chapter in his book of life—he plans to attend the University of Kansas in the fall to study education and film—but he knows he’ll take a piece of Shawnee with him to Lawrence. “To grow up here is really special,” he says. “It’s like a good book; you cherish every bit of it.”
What kind of books do you like to read? Right now I have two books going, both biographies. I like historical fiction, and fiction in general, but my very favorite genres are science fiction and detective novels. Reading is a passion and something I’m constantly doing. So … real or e-book? I prefer an actual book—not an e-book. The notion of giving a book to someone after you’ve read it is priceless. My mom gave me so many books, some of them passed down to her. And to touch and feel a book while you’re reading it is part of the experience. You’re a fourth-generation Eagle Scout, right? You could say it’s a family tradition. My great-grandfather, grandfather and uncle were all Eagle Scouts. I started as a Tiger Scout in 2002 and it’s been a fantastic 12-year ride. I’m a member of Troop 93 in Shawnee, and Myrl Wear is scoutmaster. Achieving the rank of Eagle represents something pretty rare—only 5 percent of Scouts reach that.
What teacher has influenced you the most? Keil Hileman, who I had at Monticello Trails Middle School sixth through eighth grade for history and my junior and senior years for the archaeology and artifacts program. He likes to show films that portray historical events and relate them to what we learn. He also happens to be an Eagle Scout. If you were a Shawnee ambassador, what would you tell the next generation? To know your neighbors, get involved in the community—like the Run for Mercy in Shawnee every spring—and become a Scout. That teaches you so much and helps you become successful. Interview conducted by Kimberly Winter Stern Photography by Jason Dailey
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
Didn’t your love of books inspire your Eagle Scout service project? Definitely. My mom and I brainstormed for a couple of years some different options and she mentioned a book drive. I wrote up my plan and Myrl approved it. I held two book drives for Building a Bookshelf, Inc., a nonprofit in Kansas City that helps get books into kids’ hands. I collected 2,500 books from April 15 to May 1 last year at Clear Creek Elementary and did a one-day drive-through book drive that netted close to 500 books.
25
that
magic shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
Now 48 years young, Johnson County’s largest festival appeals to the kid at heart in everyone
26
Something special happens in Shawnee about the same time the city’s Christmas decorations are stashed for another year—the countdown begins for Johnson County’s largest festival, Old Shawnee Days. Celebrating its 48th year, the volunteer-run, four-day event held at Shawnee Town 1929 signals summer’s kickoff— even if the fun-fest occurs a couple of weeks before the official June 21 solstice. All year long, kids young and old anticipate Old Shawnee Days, where last year 100,000 people gathered to watch a parade complete with floats and marching bands, test their skills in contests, listen to live music, shop craft booths and enjoy a carnival, historical reenactments, farm animals and more food than you could shake a corndog stick at.
Story by Kimberly Winter Stern
If fun and games aren’t enough, the small-town flavor that weaves throughout Old Shawnee Days the first weekend in June is like the cherry on top of a hot fudge sundae sold by one of the many vendors. It’s a sweet experience—nostalgic for some, a new tradition for others. There isn’t an admission charge for the June 6-9 Old Shawnee Days or the concert with headliner The Guess Who, but go ahead and stuff your pockets full of fun. That’s the only requirement for this gotta-go, family-friendly summer celebration that’s chock-full of old-fashioned magic.
Photographs by Kevin Anderson
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
27
A Rich History At the core of Old Shawnee Days is Midwest heritage—a chance to time-travel and witness life during the first half of the last century. Living-history demonstrations, exhibits and programs allow visitors a glimpse of a typical day on a Kansas farm at Shawnee Town 1929. The Shawnee Historical Society, the group that began Old Shawnee Days, disbanded and renamed itself the Friends of Shawnee Town in 2006. The group raises funds for the Shawnee Town 1929 museum, which is the site of the annual festival. Adjacent to Blue Jacket Park, Shawnee Town serves as the anchor of the festival, where the carnival sprouts up along with food vendors and craft purveyors, the main bandstand and much more. “Old Shawnee Days reflects the values and progress of our thriving community,” says Neil Holman, Shawnee Parks and Recreation director, who also serves as the city liaison on the Old Shawnee Days Board. “We value our past, which informs our future.” The Junior Pioneer Scholarship was established in 1999, awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a Shawnee high school junior or senior based on academic and community achievements and an essay. The scholarship was renamed the Becky Nicks’ Junior Pioneer Scholarship in 2011, to honor a longtime community volunteer and Old Shawnee Days chairperson and supporter.
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
Day in the Life
28
Lifelong Shawnee resident Lori Barngrover can practically taste a funnel cake as she marks off the weeks on the calendar leading up to Old Shawnee Days. “That’s one of the foods I must eat during the weekend, in addition to the pancake breakfast the Rotary Club of Shawnee hosts,” says Barngrover, now in her third year as chair of Johnson County’s largest festival. Barngrover and a merry band of about 20 committee heads pull the pieces of the community celebration together, which requires a lot of synchronization. Booths ranging from Grandpa’s Own Rootbeer and barbecue vendors, to church youth groups and civic organizations such as the Kiwanis, Lions and Optimist clubs, to craft vendors and local businesses, all participate in Old Shawnee Days. And of course, there’s the wide array of main-stage entertainment and kids activities such as the petting zoo and face-painting booth to coordinate, too.
Barngrover, a real estate agent with Keller Williams and an active member of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, had her first hands-on Old Shawnee Days experience 10 years ago when the volunteer coordinator recruited her. “It was a natural because I had attended Old Shawnee Days every year as a kid with my parents,” she says. “It’s a blend of nostalgia and making traditions for my own family.”
“I had attended Old Shawnee Days every year as a kid with my parents. It’s a blend of nostalgia and making traditions for my own family.” -Lori Barngrover, Old Shawnee Days chair
Fan Faves Holman, the Shawnee Parks and Recreation director, has been on the front lines of helping bring Old Shawnee Days to life for 23 years and never tires of the good-natured family fun and excitement that draws people year after year. One of Holman’s personal must-dos at Old Shawnee Days—along with many of the attendees—is visiting Dora the cow at the farm on the Shawnee Town 1929 grounds.
For more information on Old Shawnee Days 2014, visit www.oldshawneedays.org
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
One of Barngrover’s favorite parts of spearheading Old Shawnee Days planning efforts is watching the results of the committees’ meticulous planning come to fruition. She takes the opportunity to chat with vendors and the crowd during the long weekend, discovering what thrills festivalgoers about the event. “No doubt people love the tradition, the small-town feel, the neighborliness of Old Shawnee Days,” says Barngrover, whose husband, Trey, works behind the scenes during the big weekend, ferrying ice and drinks to vendors and fulfilling any task his wife deems urgent. “And the parade, carnival, music—there’s something for everyone, every age, every generation.” Barngrover doesn’t see her role in Old Shawnee Days ending any time soon. “I’m a lifer,” she laughs. “I think I’ll always be involved with Old Shawnee Days in some capacity.”
29
30
days
“Dora had a baby this year, so the calf will be on display, too,” says Holman. “And people love the chickens and the pony rides for the kiddos.” People flock to Old Shawnee Days to see parade floats win prizes (the “Best Neighborhood Group” category was added in 2011) from most creative to the Mayor’s Trophy for best overall entry. They come to satisfy their sweet tooth in the pie and baking contests and watch the antics of the Tomato Roll, the Whipped Pie Bubble Blowing competition and races such as sack, egg-and-spoon and hula-hoop. According to Holman, Old Shawnee Days remains a timeless success because of its lasting traditions—the parade, the contests, the entertainment. “New things are added every year but much remains the same, which is what people like,” he says. Although Old Shawnee Days has joined the world of social media, keeping in touch with fans throughout the year on Facebook and Twitter (@oldshawneedays), it’s the familiarity of the event that appeals to thousands. “Shawnee is a place where kids grow up and graduate high school and college, and go out and find a job somewhere outside the community,” says Holman. “The quality of living here draws a lot of them back to this unique place. Old Shawnee Days really captures what is special about our city.” What fuels Holman during Old Shawnee Days’ long hours? “Well, like lots of folks, I love to have a brat or two,” he says. “There’s nothing like it on a summer’s day.”
____________ By the Numbers ____
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
old
102
Number of 2013 parade entries:
Number of attendees in 2013:
10,000 hula-hoop
Most popular contest:
75-100
Number of volunteers:
Number of pies submitted for the 2013 contest:
55 entries
When the Junior Pioneer Scholarship started:
1999
When the scholarship was renamed the Becky Nicks’ Junior Pioneer Scholarship:
2011
How much scholarship money has been given:
$15,000
15
Number of students who have received the scholarship:
Martin Family Dentistry, P.A. Steven K. Martin, D.D.S. Alan J. Martin, D.D.S. Philip H. Martin, D.D.S.
Serving the Shawnee community for over forty years. Founded in 1964 by, our father, Dr. Gorby R. Martin. We offer a variety of cosmetic services, including all-porcelain crowns and veneers to reshape and restore your smile. Loose dentures? Mini implants may be the solution you are looking for.
Before
After
Other dental services include—cosmetic fillings, root canals, extractions, dentures, cleanings, periodontal procedures and implant restorations. We strive for patient comfort and satisfaction to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Please call our office to schedule a consultation.
Located in the heart of downtown Shawnee! (913) 631-4373 | 6130 Nieman Road | Shawnee, Kansas 66203
www.drmartindds.com
America’s love affair with the automobile revs up in this community
In the world of hot rods, there’s an art to building a car that makes grown-ups weep. sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
“We’re in the business of creating nostalgia. Sentimentality for classic cars has never waned,” says Shelly Plekowski, owner of Suburban Rod and Custom Classics with her husband, Jim. For generations, cars inspired countless songs, books, movies and tributes, and for the Plekowskis, that inspiration has never waned. They see a love for cars every day running their shop with the precision of a fine-tuned engine. “Our customers want us to either customize or restore their cars. Sometimes they come with just an idea; sometimes they want us to build a car from the ground up,” says Shelly, recalling Shawnee customer Byron Lange, who owned a Firebird in high school and yearned for another. Lange finally found his dream car in less than desirable condition. “After the Plekowskis worked their magic, the car—completely restored with a pearlescent white exterior and black interior—hums ... and so do I,” Lange says. Whether modifying an engine or restoring a car to what is often better than the original condition, the Plekowskis and their staff of seven know exactly what will make customers jump for joy. A walk through Suburban showcases enough restorations to make any car buff swoon. “Right now, we’re working on a ’37 Chevy, ’74 Scout and ’74 Laguna, among many others,” says Shelly. Just another day making memories for hundreds of clients who can’t seem to get enough of these dream machines.
33
shawnee magazine
sunflowerpub.com
Car culture
34
Even though the 1932 Ford Roadster was considered the “Holy Grail” of hot rods, there was nothing like American automobile ingenuity in the ’50s and ’60s. Detroit’s famous Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Plymouth and Oldsmobile powered the city’s way to the top, with iconic muscle cars that still woo customers to this day. American Graffiti, the iconic 1973 film celebrating the relationship between American teen culture and the cars they drove in the 1960s, was a barometer of the times. According to an August 2013 NPR piece, America’s love affair with cars “was about horsepower, status, being American, and for young people: rebellion.” Mike Greenwood’s love affair with his 1970 Chevelle convertible began early. “I’ve lived in Shawnee for 54 years and owned this car almost that long. My goal was to make it dependable,” he says. Greenwood heard that GM was going to stop making convertibles in the mid-1980s. “After I retired in 2005, I had
a little bit of money and thought I’d put it into this car. My sons, all three of them, decided to give me their two cents.” Mike was going to build a 502 cubic-inch engine, which is a lot of horsepower. Or so he thought. “But the boys all said if I was going to go big, I should really go all out. Next thing I knew, I found Jim and Shelly and had them build this car with a 572 cu engine. Now, that’s a lot of horsepower,” he says. The triple-black convertible with less than 1,000 miles on it is in good shape, but Greenwood admits he doesn’t drive it very often. What does he drive? A 2005 Dodge Dakota. But he isn’t one bit sorry putting all the power into this prize convertible. “Hot Rods, muscle cars or classics just make people smile. ... That’s what we do best,” says Shelly, who says it’s an art form that keeps giving back.
top LEFT Shelly and Jim Plekowski, owners of Suburban Rod and Custom Classics in Merriam, along with their team, understand their clients’ passion for classic cars. RIGHT Byron Lange and his Pontiac.
4
More than Wheels Don’t have the wheels, but love vintage cars and the culture that comes with them? Check out these area events to get your fill. 9th Annual Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck and Bike Show Downtown Shawnee welcomes classic hot rods and trickedout cars and motorcycles at the 9th Annual Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck and Bike show. More than 250 vehicles will be lined up along Johnson Drive and Nieman Road. The event will also include door prizes, trophies and a grand prize of $500 cash. Downtown vendors will be out selling food and drinks for all automotive fans who come to browse the vehicles on display.
Sunday, September 7th, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Rev it Up & Hot Rod Hullabaloo Downtown Lawrence comes alive as hot rods line Massachusetts near South Park. This annual event takes donations to support local nonprofit organizations, and features a parade, music, food, awards and more. August 23.
www.revitupcarshow.com
Annual O’ReilLy World of Wheels This premier car show brings some of the most fascinating sets of wheels to Kansas City, Missouri. Located at the Kansas City Convention Center and Bartle Hall, all the fun is centered in downtown Kansas City. Scheduled for February, the 2015 dates are yet to be announced.
www.autorama.com
shawnee visitors guide travel guide city map
38 40
quick guide
45
shawnee 46 events
sunflowerpub.com shawnee magazine
only in 42 shawnee
37
shawnee visitors guide
See Shawnee
Historic points of interest Indian Cemetery
10905 W. 59th Terrace The site of an Indian council house where voting first took place in the early years of Kansas statehood, the cemetery was also a military headquarters.
Wells Fargo House 5707 Nieman Road Chris Fangro built the Wells Fargo House in 1824. It was heavily damaged during Quantrill’s Raid in 1862. After restoration it was a Wells Fargo Express Office on government trails.
Chief Charles Bluejacket statue Johnson Drive and Cody Street, Herman Laird Park The statue welcomes visitors to Shawnee Town 1929 and depicts Charles Bluejacket, a Shawnee Indian chief and Methodist minister from the 19th century.
Pioneer Crossing statue Shawnee Mission Parkway at Melrose Lane Statue by artist Charles Goslin celebrates the pioneers who traveled through and settled Shawnee in the 1800s.
shawnee magazine
shawneekschamber.com
Johnson County Museum of History and the 1950s All-Electric House
38
6305 Lackman Road (913) 715-2550 www.jocomuseum.org The Johnson County museum features long-term and changing exhibitions, including a handson exhibit space. The museum is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Caenen Castle 12401 Johnson Drive (913) 631-4100 www.reneekellysharvest.com Caenen Castle was built in 1907 by Remi Caenen, who quarried the home’s stones by hand. Since 2004, it has been managed by Renee Kelly, first as a private venue site and now as a farm-totable restaurant called Harvest.
Travel Guide Virginia School, District No. 33 7301 Mize Road The Virginia School is an example of a typical one-room school of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Shawnee Town 1929 11501 W. 57th St. (913) 248-2360 Shawnee Town 1929 is an outdoor museum depicting the community in the 1920s. Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday from March to October.
Hands of Freedom Monument – Veteran’s Tribute Park 13500 Johnson Drive Designed by Maurice D. McMullen, the 20-foot statue is a tribute to all military veterans of the United States.
Shop Shawnee
Downtown
Dodge City Beef
11101 Johnson Drive (913) 647-8796 www.dodgecitybeef.com
Doll Cradle 10910 Johnson Drive (913) 631-1900 www.dollcradle.com
Encore Unique Boutique 11006 Johnson Drive (913) 268-5393 www.encorekc.com
Farmers’ Market (May-October) 11110 Johnson Drive, City Hall (913) 248-2360 www.cityofshawnee.org
Hartman Hardware 11018 Johnson Drive (913) 631-7592 www.hartmanhardware.com
CM Tack Riding Apparel and Saddlery 17100 W. 53rd St. (913) 631-4677 www.cmtack.com
Doll Hospital & More 7003 Millridge St. (913) 271-8561
Around Shawnee B! Boutique 6314 Monrovia (913) 213-5255 www.byBboutique.com
13410 W. 62nd Terrace (913) 962-5777 www.johnnystavern.com
Saint’s Pub & Patio 11900 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 217-7260 www.saintspub.com
Tanner’s Bar & Grill 22374 W. 66th St. (913) 745-8100 www.tannersbarandgrill.com
Restaurants
Bridal Extraordinaire
Aunt Jean’s Gelato
12109 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-5566 www.bridalextraordinaire.com
11210 Johnson Drive (913) 268-0550 www.auntjeansgelato.com
Designer Consignment
Barb’s Kolache Bakery
12205 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-3330 www.designerconsignment.biz
22354 W. 66th St. (913) 422-8300 www.barbskolache.com
Family Tree Nursery
Barley’s Brewhaus & Restaurant
7036 Nieman Road (913) 631-6121 www.familytreenursery.com
Funky Munky Music 12710 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-5555 www.funkymunkymusic.com
Nellie & Nico’s, an Antique Boutique
16649 Midland Drive (913) 268-5160 www.barleysbrewhaus.com
Bates City BBQ 6493 Quivira Road (913) 962-7447 www.batescitybbq.net
Big Bam’s Burgers
6495 Quivira Road (913) 631-6767 www.nellie-nicos.com
5930 Nieman Road (913) 962-1230 www.bigbams.com
Nigro’s Western Store
The Big Biscuit
10509 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 631-2226
12276 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 912-7350 www.bigbiscuitrestaurant.com
Prairie Point Quilts 11950 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-3333 www.prairiepoint.com
Eat Shawnee
Suburban Rod & Custom Classics
Bar & Grill Bar West
6142 Merriam Drive (913) 262-2343 www.suburbanrods.com
7174 Renner Road (913) 248-9378 www.barwestgrill.com
Western Shawnee Blues to Bach
Jake’s Place
22366 W. 66th St. (913) 441-3132 www.bluestobach.com
Johnny’s Tavern
12001 Johnson Drive (913) 962-5253 www.jakesplacebarandgrill.com
Country Club Cafe 21911 W. 66th St. #101 (913) 441-2444
Dos Reales 6453 Quivira Road (913) 962-5014 www.dosrealeskc.com
Eggtc. 7182 Renner Road (913) 631-4400 www.eggtc-kc.com
Fogones 11200 Johnson Drive (913) 248-4411
Travel Guide
shawnee visitors guide
Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
Sakura Japanese Restaurant
13803 W. 63rd St. (913) 375-1000 www.fritzskc.com
7474 Nieman Road (913) 962-6361 sakurajapaneserestaurant.net
Grand Wok
Sombrero’s Mexican Cantina
15810 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-8668 www.grandwokks.com
22702 Midland Drive (913) 441-6700 www.sombreroskc.com
Happy Banzai Japanese Steakhouse
Sushi Mido
13214 W. 62nd Terrace (913) 956-7322 www.happybanzai.com
Hereford House Shawnee 17244 Midland Drive (913) 268-8000 www.herefordhouse.com
Ixtapa Family Mexican Restaurant 5386 Roberts St. (913) 422-5003 www.ixtapaofshawnee.com
Jose Pepper’s Border Grill & Cantina 16605 Midland Drive (913) 631-1011 www.josepeppers.com
Minsky’s Pizza 7198 Renner Road (913) 631-0059 www.minskys.com
Old Shawnee Pizza and Italian Kitchen 6000 Rogers Drive (913) 631-5716 www.shawneepizza.com
Paulo & Bill 16501 Midland Drive (913) 962-9900 www.pauloandbill.com
Pegah’s Family Restaurant 11005 Johnson Drive (913) 962-6700 www.pegahsfamilyrestaurant.com
Pine & Bamboo Garden
online ordering at goodcentssubs.com
two Shawnee locations to serve you: 22724 Midland Drive 913.441.5588
6010 Nieman Road (913) 322-8888 www.sushimido.net
My
Sutera’s Pizza 22716 Midland Drive (913) 667-3000 www.suterasshawnee.com
The Pick Smoke ‘n Grill 5354 Roberts St. (913) 422-7428 www.thepickbbq.com
twisted fresh 22030 W. 66th St. (913) 441-0444 www.twistedfresh.com
13216 W. 62nd terrace 913.631.4244
Dance Studio
22712 Midland Dr. Shawnee, Ks. 66226 913-441-7828 www.mydancestudiokc.com
Nallia
School of Dance
5722 Nieman Rd. Shawnee, Ks. 66203 913-268-4403 www.nalliaschoolofdance.com
Contemporary Ideas with Classic Technique
Farmers’ Market 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, May-October City Hall Parking Lot 11110 Johnson Drive (913) 631-2500
qua restau lity ran The has t in olde bee shaw st n fi ne rst e w sin he ce 1 re 969 .
Stay in Shawnee
Hotels Courtyard by Marriott 17250 Midland Drive (913) 631-8800 www.marriott.com
Hampton Inn 16555 Midland Drive (913) 248-1900 www.hamptoninn.com
RV Park Walnut Grove
6000 Rogers Drive 61st & Nieman, Shawnee, KS
913.631.5716
New Lenexa Location
19617 W. 101 St. K-10 & Woodland, Lenexa, KS
913.254.1234
pizzas ~ pastas ~ salads ~ sandwichs ~ calzones ~ banquet room catering ~ school fundraisers ~ daily lunch specials ~ full bar
Follow us on
www.ShawneePizza.com
A GreAt MArketinG tool for your Business
10218 Johnson Dr., Merriam (913) 262-3023 www.walnutgroverv.com
magazine
10915 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-9545 www.pinebamboogarden.com
Dine in, carry out or Delivery
Renee Kelly’s Harvest 12401 Johnson Drive (913) 631-4100 www.reneekellysharvest.com
to advertise contact teresa Johnson-lewis
tlewis@sunflowerpub.com | 785.832.7109
shawnee visitors guide
Shawnee City Map
out & about
2
Western Spike 3
in Shawnee
5 4
Western Shawnee offers a number of recreational outlets, including the popular Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball club. Spring through fall, this organization is catching rays on its 18 sand courts. Saturdays at the Beach are popular for pick up games. www.smbv.com
1 7 6
10
40
11
culture outside misc.
1 Shawnee Golf and Country Club 2 Stump Park 3 Kansas City Ice Center 4 Mid-America Sports Complex 5 Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball 6 Starwood Park 7 Shawnee Mission Park Trails 8 Shawnee Mission Park 9 Tomahawk Hills Golf Course 10 Courtyard by Marriott 11 Hampton Inn Dickinson Westglen 18 Theatres 12 KU MedWest 13 Park Lanes 14 Swarner Park 15 Johnson County Museum of History & All Electric House 16 Veteran’s Park Johnson County Library Thomas A. Soetart Aquatic Center Civic Centre 17 Power Play 18 Caenen Castle 19 Shawnee Town 1929 Wonderscope Children’s Museum Splash Cove Herman Laird Park 20 City Hall 21 Downtown Shawnee 22 Pioneer Crossing 23 Sky Zone 24 Jaycee Park 25 Listowel Park 26 Shawnee Mission Medical Center
9
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, CC BY-SA, www.openstreetmap.org
shawnee magazine
shawneekschamber.com
What & Where
12
13
8
To K-10
shawnee visitors guide
Shawnee City Map
History 101 Shawnee Town 1929 is a living museum that celebrates Shawnee’s heritage and community by preserving the city’s architectural relics. Be sure to check out various events that occur yearround. www.shawneetown.org
19
There is plenty of shopping, dining, and culture in downtown Shawnee. From the delicious Big Bam’s Burgers to Shawnee Town 1929, visitors can even enjoy a Downtown Walking Tour. www.shawneekscvb.com
20 21
18
16
14
Downtown
17 22
15 23
Park It Parks are found all over the Shawnee region. Listowel Park is an ideal place to host a picnic. The space includes a great playground and large shelter with four tables. www.cityofshawnee.org
24
25
Shawnee Mission Park takes the prize for largest recreational park in Shawnee. This natural space also features unique events throughout the year, including performances at Theatre in the Park, the Shawnee Mission Triathlon and overnight fishing opportunities. www.jcprd.com
Be sure to see our guide,
only in shawnee on page 42
shawnee magazine
1,600 Acres
shawneekschamber.com
26
41
Shawnee Days
goal!
Dive into one of Shawnee’s two family-friendly pools. Take the pooch on August 16 for K-9’s at the Cove.
Splish Splash
This celebration is a summer favorite, including local and national music acts and a parade. Plan to attend June 5-8, 2014. www.oldshawneedays.org
Deemed the most popular team in Kansas City, Sporting KC & Sporting Park are a mustsee while staying in the area. Located just 10 minutes from Shawnee. www.sportingkc.com
Play
it
Sam! Enjoy the Summer Concert Series. (July 11, 25, August 8.)
Go Team! Stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals are just 30 minutes northeast of Shawnee, making pro sports a reality for Shawnee residents!
at Big s to burgers From antique Encore! ctic wears at Bam’s to ecle awnee.org www.cityofsh
Old
Learn about a working truck farm that is unique to Shawnee’s heritage. www.shawneetown.org
Only in Shawnee
Shawnee Town 1929
shawnee visitors guide
Only in Shawnee
WINNER!
acres
1,600
Roll the dice at one of Kansas City’s popular casinos. Just minutes from Shawnee, Hollywood Casino, Harrah’s Casino and Argosy Casino welcome visitors from near and far.
Shawnee’s unique selection of restaurants includes sushi, Chinese, Mexican, bar and gril s, fine steaks, choo-choo menus for the kiddos and of course, pizza!
The 25th annual Tour de Shawnee will cruise the streets and celebrate the community’s appreciation for cycling. August 24. www.cityofshawnee.org
at the MidAmerica Sports Complex or KC Ice Center. Both located in Shawnee, these venues offer everything you need for team sports.
IES!
Two-Wheel Power
drop!
game
FOOD
Scream for gelato at Aunt Jean’s Gelato on a hot day.
till you
in the
Bravo!
Shop
Get
of beautiful outdoor recreation with plenty of amenities including kayaking, dog park and 23 miles of trails at Shawnee Mission Park.
Enjoy a night at the theater? Consider catching a show at Theatre in the Park (in Shawnee Mission Park), the Starlight or the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Shawnee is uniquely located near Kansas City’s many shopping districts, including Legends Outlets, Oak Park Mall, Country Club Plaza and Crown Center.
shawnee visitors guide
shawnee magazine shawneekschamber.com
shawnee visitors guide
44
Quick Guide
Quick Guide Index
shawnee visitors guide
Resource Website Telephone Emergency & Medical Emergency Assistance Kansas Poison Control Center Shawnee Mission Medical Center www.shawneemission.org Kansas Crisis Hotline (domestic abuse/sexual assault) Tip Hotline (Kansas Bureau of Investigations) Mission MedVet (emergency animal care) Kansas Protection Report Center (Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services)
Shawnee Information Shawnee CVB Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Shawnee Magazine
Hotels Hampton Inn Courtyard
Children and Family Wonderscope Johnson County Museum Shawnee Civic Centre Shawnee Mission School District Unified School District #232
Community Volunteerism Shawnee Community Services Sunflower House Old Shawnee Days Society
911 (800) 332-6633 (913) 676-2000 (888) 363-2287 (800) 572-7463 (800) 790-7766 (800) 922-5330
www.shawneekscvb.com www.shawneekschamber.com www.sunflowerpub.com
(913) 631-6545 (913) 631-6545 (888) 497-8668
www.HamptonInn.com www.marriott.com
(913) 248-1900 (913) 631-8800
www.wonderscope.org www.jocomuseum.org www.cityofshawnee.org http://smsd.org www.usd232.org
(913) 287-8888 (913) 715-2550 (913) 631-5200 (913) 993-6200 (913) 667-6200
http://scsks.com www.sunflowerhouse.org www.oldshawneedays.org
(913) 268-7746 (913) 631-5800 (913) 248-2360
City Services/Utilities
SureWest Time Warner Cable Business Class
Media Shawnee Dispatch Shawnee Magazine Kansas City Star
www.surewest.com www.timewarnercable.com/midwest
(913) 825-3000 (816) 358-8833
www.shawneedispatch.com www.sunflowerpub.com www.kansascity.com
(913) 962-3000 (800) 497-8668 (816) 234-4741
shawnee magazine
Internet/Cable/Telephone
(913) 742-6200 (913) 631-1080 (913) 631-2150 (913) 631-3300 (913) 441-5400 (913) 406-9460 (816) 835-6629 (913) 742-6014 (913) 742-6003 (913) 742-6098 (913) 631-5200 (913) 667-5105 or (800) 383-1183 (888) 442-1313 (800) 794-4780
shawneekschamber.com
City Manager’s Office (Carol Gonzales, City Manager) www.cityofshawnee.org Fire Department (administration/operations) Police Department (dispatch) Deffenbaugh Industries Inc. (waste) www.deffenbaughindustries.com A-1 Disposal (waste) http://a1disposalinc.com Superior Disposal Service Inc. (waste) www.superiordisposalservice.com Infinity Compost (yard waste) http://infinitycompost.com City Ride (for seniors 62+) Municipal Court Animal Control Parks and Recreation Westar Energy www.westarenergy.com Atmos Energy www.atmosenergy.com Kansas Gas Service www.kansasgasservice.com
45
shawnee visitors guide May 2014
July 2014
May 3 – Farmers’ Market Open The season’s local bounty begins to bloom and find its way to Shawnee’s weekly Farmers’ Market. 7 a.m. Saturdays, May-October. City Hall parking lot, 11110 Johnson Drive, (913) 248-2360.
July 4 – Fun Fridays at the Pool Fun Fridays are back yet again. Come join us the first Friday of every month to celebrate the summer. These days will include concession deals, coordinated games and prizes for the winners from noon to 5 p.m. Additional dates July 6 and August 3. Splash Cove, 5800 King Ave., (913) 631-7177; Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Drive, (913) 631-0054.
May 3 – Beauty and Best Downtown Open House Visit downtown businesses and enjoy a buzz among neighbors at this open house. 9 a.m. Saturday. City Hall parking lot, 11110 Johnson Drive, (913) 742-6226. May 24 – Pools Open Splash Cove and the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center open for the season, delighting families across the area. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Splash Cove, 5800 King Ave., (913) 631-7177; Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Drive, (913) 631-0054.
June 2014
shawnee magazine
shawneekschamber.com
June 4 – Bloody Mary Kick-Off A fun celebration featuring tomatoinspired drinks and dishes to get the community revved up for the Shawnee Town Museum’s Tomato Roll fundraiser. Tickets are $25 and include two entries in the Tomato Roll. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., (913) 248-2360.
46
Shawnee Events
June 5-8 – Old Shawnee Days Kick off summer with this favorite Shawnee event. Join friends and neighbors for a weekend of fun and entertainment the whole family can enjoy: music, carnival, contests, games, parade, crafts, shopping, food and so much more. Free event at Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., (913) 248-2360. www.oldshawneedays.org June 21 – Garden Party Shawnee Town 1929’s sixth annual Garden Party features an afternoon of tea cakes, crafts, games and old-fashioned fun for young ladies, mothers and grandmothers. Tickets are $18 per person (or $15 for Friends of Shawnee Town members). Children must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m.-noon, Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., (913) 248-2360 for reservations. June 28 through July 6 – Flags of Freedom Honor those who protect and preserve our freedom with this magnificent event. The City of Shawnee and the City of Merriam sponsor the Flags for Freedom, a patriotic display celebrating our freedom and honoring veterans. More than 2,000 American flags will be displayed in downtown Shawnee and downtown Merriam. www.shawneekscvb.com
July 11 - Summer Concert Series Kicking off in July at Swarmer Park (63rd and Lackman), the Summer Concert Series offers live music and great food for those interested in music on the lawn. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and lawn games. Concert begins at 7 p.m., and dates include July 25 (Stump Park, 47th and Woodland) and August 8 (West Flanders Park, 55th & Nieman). www.shawneekscvb.com
August 2014 August 16 – K-9 at the Cove Join the city at Splash Cove with the four-legged friends in your family before the end of the season. With proceeds benefiting local pet charity organizations, this event will give you the opportunity to have a fun play day at the pool with your dog. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. Sessions available at 9, 10, 11 a.m. and noon. www.shawneekscvb.com August 24 – Tour de Shawnee Get in the action with this annual bicycle tour. Choose from a 12-mile or 24-mile route. The tour will begin and end at Power Play Family Entertainment Center, Shawnee Mission Parkway and Pflumm. The event benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. www.shawneekscvb.com
September 2014 September 7 – Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck and Bike show Looking to show off a classic hot rod, or even a brand new, tricked-out car or motorcycle? Downtown Shawnee is the place to be. The ninth annual Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck and Bike show will fill the streets downtown. Pre-registration forms can be found at Hartman Hardware (11018 Johnson Drive) and Encore (11006 Johnson Drive). Food and drinks will be available from downtown vendors, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Johnson Drive and Nieman Road. www.shawneekscvb.com September 20 – Friends of Shawnee Town Craft Fair Shoppers can browse through 100 craft booths featuring handmade jewelry, food, woodworkings and other artisan items at this 39th annual event. A $1
All dates and times are subject to change.
donation to benefit Shawnee Town will be accepted at the gate. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., (913) 248-2360. www.shawneetown.org September 26-27 – Shawnee Great Griller’s Blues & BBQ Contest Enjoy some of the best barbeque in the Midwest and activities for the whole community to enjoy. Slides and games for kids will be set up on 6 p.m. Friday. At 10 a.m. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St. www.shawneegreatgrillers.com
October 2014 October 3 – Oktoberfest The Shawnee German-American Club’s 20th Annual Oktoberfest is intended for the whole family. The celebration will include German food, beverages and a raffle with multiple prizes to benefit a local charity. All events are open to the public, and admission is free. 5:30 p.m., Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive. October 4 – Scarecrow Festival Celebrate the autumn season at the annual Scarecrow Festival, presented by the Shawnee Downtown Partnership. Festivities include a scarecrow contest, pumpkin-carving contest, pumpkin pie contest and activities for the kids. 9 a.m.-noon, Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive. www.shawneekscvb.com October 10 – John Glaser Memorial 5K Honoring the heroic acts of a Shawnee firefighter, the community continues to gather and celebrate those who have given their life for our friends and neighbors. Begins at the Shawnee Fire Station 71. www.johnglaser5k.com October 11 – NeighborWood Get your free tree fix this fall with NeighborWood (tree giveaway for the first 100 families). This celebration will be hoppin’ with the latest and greatest on tree care, composting, backyard habitats and rain barrels. The Parks & Recreation Department will celebrate Arbor Day in the City of Shawnee with the annual proclamation and tree planting to commemorate the event. Some registration required, call (913) 7426403. 9 a.m.-noon, Listowel Park, 71st and Quivira. October 25 - Holiday Treasures Craft Festival Beat the crowds this holiday season and pick up some unique, hand-crafted holiday gifts while you’re at it! Check out the annual Holiday Treasures Craft Festival. Admission is free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive. www.shawneekscvb.com
October 25 – Historical Haunting Bring the whole family to Shawnee Town for an evening of hayrides, trickor-treating, costume contests and more. Entrance and activities are free. The Optimists will be selling snacks at the Ghoul Cafe. 6 p.m.8:30 p.m. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St. www.shawneetown.org
November 2014 November 11 – Veterans Day Celebration The City of Shawnee, along with VFW Post 10552, American Legion No. 327, Knights of Columbus, Civil Air Patrol-Kansas City Composite Squadron No. 034 and the Sons of the American RevolutionMonticello Chapter invite you to join them in honoring all men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. 4-5 p.m. Veteran’s Tribute Park, Johnson Drive and Pflumm.
December 2014 December 6 – Christmas Around Town Get into the holiday spirit at Shawnee’s annual community Christmas celebration—in and around the downtown area and Shawnee Town. The evening includes local carolers, carriage rides, Christmas tree lighting, hand painting and even a visit from Santa. Food, fun and entertainment abound. 4:30-7:30 p.m., downtown Shawnee. www.shawneekscvb.com
February 2015 TBA – Cinderella’s Ball Hosted by Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department, the 14th annual Daddy & Daughter Date Night, welcoming princesses and their princes to Cinderella’s Ball. Daddy (grandpa, uncle, etc.) and daughter may attend Friday or Saturday night at Prince Charming’s castle and enjoy a dinner, dancing, prizes and a special commemorative picture. Tickets are $40 per couple and include corsage, dinner, dancing and mementos. Additional guest is $20 each (suggested ages 5-13). Space is limited. Register at www.shawneeconnect.org. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive.
March 2015 TBA – St. Patrick’s Parade Whether you are Irish in truth or in spirit, don’t miss the Shawnee St. Patrick’s Parade, a great family event for spectators and participants. The parade begins at 1 p.m. along Johnson Drive, from Monrovia east to Nieman Road. At 4:30 p.m., plan to watch the 23rd Annual Duck Race along Turkey Creek. 1 p.m., downtown Shawnee.