SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E
2019
VISITORS GUIDE
********ECRWSSEDDM**** Residential Customer
spring/summer
2019
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SHAWNEE TOWN 1929 DIRECTOR TALKS HISTORY
Thursday, June 6 - Sunday, June 9 Shawnee Town 1929 • 11600 Johnson Drive, Shawnee Kansas
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Welcome
shawnee magazine
SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E
Editor Jean Teller Designer/Art Director Jenni Leiste Copy Editor Leslie Andres Jean Teller Account Executive Ariele Erwine Ad Designers Alex Tatro Contributing Photographers Kevin Anderson Sarah Reeves Contributing Writers Debra DeCoster Jackie Hoestetler Beth Kornegay Publisher Director Production Manager
Katy Schamberger Kari Williams Bill Uhler Bob Cucciniello Jenni Leiste
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
dear reader, Spring! That delightful, delicious time of year we all wished for during winter’s depths has arrived! Not a moment too soon. Without a doubt, we are all ready for a breath of fresh air, the warmth of the sun on our faces, the dazzling colors of Mother Nature, and the smell of blossoms and freshly mown grass. As the temperatures rise, let’s remember how we yearned for this just a few months ago. And though I’m sure we’ll complain when the heat of summer arrives, the warmer temps are just what the doctor ordered. Take a walk. Visit a farmers market. Play catch in the park. Just stand with bare feet and enjoy the feel of the earth. While you’re at it, visit a museum on a sunny day and marvel at life in days gone by. That’s what Shawnee Town 1929 is all about, and we have a glimpse into the living-history museum’s offerings in these pages. Perhaps you’re ready for a new adventure. Visit By B! Boutique for new gift ideas or taste a brew at the new Transport Brewery. Of course, there’s always the Garden Sampler Tour sponsored by The Garden Club of Shawnee, a perfect treat for this time of year. Whatever you decide to do this spring, be kind (like Collier; see p. 32), stay healthy (perhaps a new fitness routine? see p. 28), and enjoy the view in Shawnee. Happy Spring!
President | CEO Chief Operating Officer Administrative Manager Member Engagement Manager Communications Manager
Visit Shawnee
Executive Director
Eric Ely Amy Niemann
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SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E
editor, Shawnee Magazine SHAWNEE TOWN 1929 DIRECTOR TALKS HISTORY
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Kevin Fern
Shawnee Economic Development Council Director, Business Development and Retention Projects Coordinator
Jean
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Ann Smith-Tate Mary Taylor Marlene Shirley Brandon Wilcox Dustin Wolfe
AREA ADOPTS FITNESS CRAZE
spring/summer
2019
On the cover Charlie Pautler is the perfect person to lead Shawnee Town 1929 into the future. As executive director, he helps create a world of discovery at the living museum. Photograph by Kevin Anderson
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Welcome
contents
DEPARTMENTS
8
FREE SMILES!
By B! Boutique, a Shawnee consignment shop, offers welcoming atmosphere and unique gifts for every occasion.
10
A SAFE AND TRUE PLACE
Shawnee Town 1929’s director brings shared history home with programs that inspire and educate.
12
RAISE YOUR GLASS
16
PLANTS, PONDS, PARADISE
A new brewery, the first in Shawnee, opens its doors to a welcoming community.
Take a tour this spring and discover the tranquility of a beautiful garden.
FEATURES
23
28 32
6
TAKE A LOOK AT SHAWNEE TOWN 1929
Exhibits and displays focus on diverse topics such as farms, grocery stores, a typewriter shop, and a funeral home.
HEALTHY LIVES HERE
Meet the people and businesses that help keep Shawnee residents active and healthy
FOLLOWING THE GOLDEN RULE
A rock ‘n’ roll video that went viral leads Shawnee youngster to discover a way to help a friend.
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
19 36 38 SHAWNEE MAP
TRAVEL GUIDE
SHAWNEE EVENTS
SHAWNEE’S
DREAM
IS COMING TRUE
VOTE YES FOR SHAWNEE REC CENTER MAIL-IN BALLOT DROPS MAY 1 — DUE MAY 17
S To see renderings, plans and the survey results go to www.cityofshawnee.org/communitycenter. All you have to do is look for your ballot the first week in May in your mailbox, vote yes, and mail it back by May 17. A vote yes is an investment in healthier families!
hawnee residents like you are at the cusp of a major opportunity to have what you have been asking for since 2003, a first ever state-of-the-art recreational center. On May 1 a ballot will be mailed to you that offers you a chance to invest in the health of every family in the community. By voting yes you will give parents a place to work out after they drop their child off at the ballpark; you will give seniors a safe place to walk or jog in a beautiful natural setting; you will give every resident a chance to invest in a local recreational facility rather than spend their dollars in another town; and your vote yes is a vote for community growth for decades to come. Located east of Woodland Dr. at 61st Street, which is no more than 13 minutes from any location in Shawnee, this 26acre plan includes popular amenities. Residents will enjoy: • State-of-the-art aquatic center with recreational pool • Lap swimming pool, splash pad • Walking/jogging track • Two court multi-activity gym • Fitness center with cardio • Two group fitness studios • Indoor playground • Multipurpose classrooms • Birthday party rooms • Viewing deck As well as amenities unlike any in the region that include: • Outdoor group exercise/classroom area • Indoor turf for soccer • Cycle cross track with direct access to the Clear Creek Trail.
PAID FOR BY CITIZENS FOR SHAWNEE COMMUNITY CENTER
Local
story by Debra DeCoster photo courtesy Sarah Reeves
business
Free Smiles! By B! Boutique, a Shawnee consignment shop, offers welcoming atmosphere and unique gifts for every occasion.
B
eata Foreman has a passion for helping people find the perfect, unique gift in her Shawnee shop, By B! Boutique. A keen listener with remarkable intuition, she often knows exactly what her customers are looking for before they do, whether for a special celebration or for a friend suffering from an illness. “It might sound silly, but I think it is just a gift I have. It is important to me that they find the perfect gift. If I don’t have
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
what they are looking for, sometimes I am able to help them find their gift by suggesting another local shop,” she says. “When you do goodwill for others in the world of business, it is just the right thing to do.” Foreman opened By B! Boutique five years ago and has been astounded that her customers have voted for her shop each year in the Best of Shawnee awards. “I am thankful that our customers took the time to vote. This is a big honor and I am thankful for that,” she says.
By B! Boutique offers a wide range of décor and gift options, including sports apparel, unique clothing, brightly colored silk flowers, garden pots, hand-painted towels, candles, pottery, jewelry, barbecue items, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts, seasonal gifts, a line of bride and groom items, and home decorating ideas. Foreman displays a limited number of specialty gifts created by local artists. “My mission is to find different and unique things. These things fit in with my
store’s vibe of urban farmhouse. It is important to me to support our local entrepreneurs. My vendors and I have become like family; we work together on their displays and keep in touch on what items are selling,” she says. Foreman grew up in Shawnee and is a wife, mother, educator, and business owner. She spent a decade teaching in the Olathe school district. After the birth of her first child, the family returned to Shawnee because she wanted to raise her children in the close-knit neighborhood she remembered from her childhood. Before opening her store, she started a gift basket business, which continues today. Her gift baskets can be designed for any special occasion, and she works within the client’s price range. She keeps up on the latest home décor trends through television shows on HGTV, and she travels each year to market shows in Dallas. During her first year in business, chalk paint on furniture was trending. “Every Saturday we offer a painting class with the chalk paint. Our customers will bring in a small piece of furniture and they will paint it with our chalk paint. I enjoy helping people with ideas on how they want to do their home décor,” she says. Every two or three months, Foreman changes items around in the store to keep a fresh look. “I love decorating my store and I love designing it,” she says. It took her about a year to find the right storefront for her business. A perk was that the space was empty, so she could select her own colors and design the walls, interior, and counter. “I wanted to be in the community where I live. I wanted it to be like the mom and pop stores, where people came in and you knew them. I wanted to have the old-fashion feeling of neighbors knowing neighbors and business owners,” says Foreman. Her vision for her store is to create a happy and welcoming place for customers to unwind and decompress as they browse. “When someone walks in the door, I welcome them to my store and ask them how their day has been. I feel our world is stressful, and I hope that coming in here they feel happy and the music I play is soothing. Sometimes my customers tell me they come in every week for some retail therapy,” she says, laughing.
From left: Specialty frames are just one of the crafty possibilities in By B! Boutique; Beata says her husband, Gary, encouraged her to open the boutique.
I feel our world is stressful, and I hope that coming in here they feel happy ...
Visit By B! Boutique LLC www.bybboutique.com 6314 Monrovia St. (913) 213-5255 Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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Local
story by Kari Williams photo courtesy Kevin Anderson
personal
A Safe and True Place Shawnee Town 1929’s director brings shared history home with programs that inspire and educate.
C
harlie Pautler’s work as executive director of Shawnee Town 1929 is more than overseeing the historic museum’s daily operations. It’s his way of creating a world of discovery for children—something he treasures from his own childhood. “It’s just a direct link,” Pautler says. “We live in fairly complicated times, and it’s nice to have a place that is seen as safe and a place that is seen as true. A place where
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
history is presented accurately and people can find answers to what they’re seeking.” As such, he enjoys making history accessible, meaningful, and relevant to the public, while also working with the Shawnee Town and Shawnee city government staffs. Pautler’s interest in history and his profession in the museum and historical site fields reflect his upbringing; his father was a “consummate historian” and his mother was a teacher.
“I just grew up in the right era with the right parents who really fostered that interest,” Pautler says. A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Pautler joined the Shawnee Town 1929 staff in July 2012. Previously, he worked at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site in Little Falls, Minnesota, and also spent time in Alabama. “I felt a pull towards the Kansas City area,” Pautler says.
His initial goal when starting at Shawnee Town was to make • All Care Day Child Care Preschool Preschool • All Day Child the location well-known to historians, a benchmark measured by Certified•Teachers • 12 to Kindergarten Certified Teachers 12 months to months Kindergarten inclusion in professional publications and involvement in professional conferences. In his six years with Shawnee Town, Pautler has progressed Early Childhood Little LearnersLittle EarlyLearners Childhood Center offers Center childrenoffers the children the toward that goal. In 2016, Shawnee Town co-hosted the Midwest to explore, create,while and imagine while they develop opportunity toopportunity explore, create, and imagine they develop Open-Air Museums Conference, and, in 2018, it was an “active partner” academically, socially,and emotionally, academically, socially, emotionally, physically. and physically. in bringing the American Association for State and Local History These opportunities in a safe, nurturing environment These opportunities take place in atake safe,place nurturing environment national conference to Kansas City, Pautler says. underofthe guidance of a highly under the guidance a highly qualified, caringqualified, teachingcaring staff. teaching staff. But Shawnee Town’s offerings for visitors began expanding well before he took over. ofthe Eudora the K-10 Corridor. Located just 15Located minutesjust east15ofminutes Eudoraeast along K-10along Corridor. “The museum has morphed from a small collection of buildings that preserved stories and buildings from the 1850s and ’60s to a modern museum that interprets the 1920s and what the ’20s mean to Call 913-254-1818 Call 913-254-1818 to enroll. to enroll. us today,” Pautler says. “And we also provide a great place for families and school children to come.” The importance of Shawnee Town, Pautler says, is that it provides a “safe place” for families to spend time together and “learn about our shared past.” “History isn’t exclusive,” Pautler says. “It isn’t about going to a museum and learning about other people. It’s going to the museum and learning about yourself and your own family.” Pautler says his biggest accomplishment as executive director has been helping develop Shawnee Town’s staff—there are three full-time and 10 part-time employees—and “overseeing all the programs that have deep meaning to our teachers and our general public.” “I know that they’re becoming successful because we get return visitors and return school groups,” Pautler says. School trips occur from mid-September to late October and are booked every day from the beginning of April through the end of the school year in late May, Pautler says. Pautler says Shawnee Town’s “curriculum-driven programs” have made it a destination for schools. “They are coming here because they know that we teach a part of, or many parts of, their curriculum—and not only history, but math and science and government,” Pautler says. Shawnee Town’s most popular programs are Old Shawnee Days, which is run by a committee, and “mission-driven programs,” such as concerts and its living history program. “Those are very family friendly, and living history programs are banner programs that meet our museum mission,” Pautler says. Pautler says two buildings are currently under construction—O.W. Fisher Chevrolet Dealership and Murphy Service Station. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer, with the Fisher Chevrolet building opening by the end of the year and the service station by the end of 2020. Both will be part of the museum’s guided tour, allowing visitors to explore the interiors of the buildings.
www.kslittlelearners.com www.kslittlelearners.com
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Local
seasonal
story by Beth Kornegay photo courtesy Kevin Anderson
Raise Your Glass A new brewery, the first in Shawnee, opens its doors to a welcoming community.
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Lead brewer Tim Squires (right) stirs while Jason Leib pours the mixed grains and hops into a tank at Transport Brewery in Shawnee.
A
nother new business now calls Downtown Shawnee home. Directly across the street from Shawnee City Hall, Transport Brewery opened its doors at 11113 Johnson Drive. Owned and operated by friends Mike McVey and Jason Leib, the idea was born from the duo’s love of brewing. They’ve known each other for several years through homebrew clubs and beer judging. “We both love to make interesting beers that others enjoy,” McVey says. “We recognized the beer desert in northeast Johnson County and decided it was time to help provide an oasis in the area.” The pair had been working on bringing their vision of a brewery to life for more than two years. They soon realized there were legitimate reasons that few breweries were up and running in Johnson County. Property and rent are expensive, and county food rules are prohibitive. Now that food trucks have come into fashion, the food regulations have changed a bit and are easier for businesses—like a brewery—to follow. Knowing they always wanted to locate a brewery in a historical location, McVey and Leib were thrilled to find the small 1900s-era stone building in downtown Shawnee. The historical marker across the street at the entrance to City Hall’s parking lot documents the 1862 raid by William Quantrill on, what was at that time, Shawneetown. Two citizens were killed and 13 were seriously injured when the city was looted and set on fire. The limestone walls inside the brewery once held minié balls from the Civil War era, possibly fired during Quantrill’s raid.
“We recognized the beer desert in northeast Johnson County and decided it was time to help provide an oasis in the area.” When deciding on a name, the partners realized that Kansas City has always been a transportation hub and that Shawnee sits at the crossroads of the California Trail and the Fort Leavenworth Military Road. It is also near modern day I-35, Shawnee Mission Parkway, and Johnson Drive, making the brewery conveniently located. The name “Transport Brewery” was the perfect fit. Multiple nearby public parking lots added to the appeal, along with the continuing redevelopment trend in the area. “The local craft beer interest has been extreme,” McVey says. “The ‘Nieman Now’ project should be coming online just after we open, lending to a whole new feel to the area, and we’re excited to be part of that excitement.” “Nieman Now” is a city project updating and enhancing Nieman Road; the brewery is located near the corner of Johnson Drive and Nieman Road. The project will provide better pedestrian and bicycle access and update the stormwater system in the area.
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913-268-4403 www.nalliaschoolofdance.com Classes for all ages All Styles of Tap * Ballet * Jazz * Acrobatics
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Local
seasonal
Transport Brewery is brewing its variety of beers on-site at the rear of the building. It has a six-barrel brewing system that produces brews ready to drink in around three weeks. The system consists of two six-barrel fermenters, two three-barrel fermenters, and one brite tank. A brite tank holds beer after primary fermentation and filtering so it can continue to clarify and carbonate in addition to mature. The brewery will also use a multi-step reverse osmosis water filtering system to allow the brewers to match water profiles with the type of beer being brewed. Initial brews will be a mix of German, Belgian, and American beers, and the menu will include Trop Queen, a New England– style IPA (India Pale Ale); Monksheaven, a Belgian golden ale; a Berliner Weisse sour with cherry and lime called CarHop, and Casa, an amber Mexican Vienna–style lager. So far, the company’s brews have placed or won 25 times in competitions in the U.S. Their first brewing day was January 5. For hungry patrons, Transport Brewery will work with multiple rotating food trucks along with Mad Man’s BBQ, which has a commissary next door. Beer flights of up to six tasters are also available. Transport will make the space available for private events on Mondays and Tuesdays, when the business is typically closed. In addition to the primary space for the brewery, the brewery also took over an adjacent business, and that space will also be available for private events. McVey says the response the business has received from Shawnee citizens as well as from the entire northeast Johnson County community has been overwhelming. The City of Shawnee and the local Chamber of Commerce have both been very supportive. “At this point, our biggest concern is our ability to have enough beer on hand for the thirsty community,” McVey says.
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
From left: Jason Leib multitasks as he prepares a barrel for cleaning while another is being filled with finished beer from a nearby tank; a perfect glass of brew; join Jason Leib (from left), Mike McVey, and Tim Squires in raising a glass to Transport Brewery.
Where and When to Go
Transport Brewery
11113 Johnson Drive 913-766-6673 www.transportbrewery.com 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday Noon to midnight, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday
1 HOUR IN-OFFICE WHITENING instant results
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Local
photo courtesy The Garden Club of Shawnee
tour
Plants, Ponds, Paradise Take a tour this spring and discover the tranquility of a beautiful garden.
the garden sampler tour
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SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
A water fall is just one of the features found in the Harwood Garden.
J
oin this year’s Garden Sampler Tour, sponsored by The Garden Club of Shawnee, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, rain or shine. The tour will feature six unique and beautiful gardens in the Shawnee area. The Harwood Garden features several water gardens, and the area around the pond is landscaped and enclosed by a custom fence. Opening the sea turtle gate, visitors are greeted by another large sea turtle carved of tortoiseshell limestone embedded in a 200-square-foot mosaic rock rug. An LBG (Lehmann Gross Bahn or “Lehmann Big Railway”) garden railway circles a raised garden bed. Another garden, owned by Erin Bockwinkel, on the tour focuses on a xeriscape backyard—no grass!—complete with a pond that is registered as a certified habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. Other unique gardens offer perennials galore, shade gardens, vegetable gardens, and even a fairy garden. All the gardens have seating areas. Proceeds fund the club’s grant program, which provides monetary support for gardening projects at Shawnee schools and churches, and for other nonprofit organizations’ efforts that help fulfill the club’s objectives. Tour funds also help maintain the Shanna Morrison Memorial Rose Garden in West Flanders Park. The tour includes a raffle for prizes donated by local merchants. Objectives of The Garden Club of Shawnee, according to the group’s website, are “to promote general gardening cultural interests; to beautify the community; and to increase awareness of environmental issues.” Tour tickets cost $15 and include maps and directions to all the gardens. Tickets may be purchased on the club’s website or at any of the gardens on the tour. Advance tickets can be purchased at tour sponsors: Johnson County Family Tree Nursery locations, Wild Birds Unlimited, Earl May Garden Center, and Hartman & Sons Hardware, all in Shawnee.
The Garden Sampler Tour features six unique and beautiful gardens in the Shawnee area.
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the Future Giving back to the communities that have helped them grow
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hen you walk in the doors of the new Vision Care Associates, adjacent to the Monticello branch of the Johnson County Library, you’ll notice the facility is designed to help patients from childhood through the teen years and well into adulthood. From the kiddie play area to the beverage station, the practice is geared to help make all ages comfortable. In addition, behind the scenes, the staff has been giving back by providing scholarships to high school seniors interested in pursuing degrees in the health-care industry. “It started with Mill Valley in 2010, we added St. James Academy a couple years later, then De Soto High,” says Chris Arnold, O.D., who is one of the founding partners. “We wanted to do something for this tight-knit, familyfriendly community. Our patients feel like friends, so it’s great watching these kids grow up. Our first scholarship recipient in 2010 is now a nurse at KU Med.” Although students need to have an interest in health care, they don’t have to be a patient. “We have candidates fill out a questionnaire, provide GPA information along with what extracurricular activities and clubs they participate in, and we get to know them pretty well that way. We also consider recommendations from teachers and counselors so we can remain impartial,” says Andrew Franken, O.D., and the other founding partner of Vision Care Associates. Franken’s son, Cade, works part-time at the practice and is in his first year of pre-law at the University of Kansas. “I’m happy for the direction he’s chosen. He gets to blaze his own trail.” Connor Gallentine, O.D., graduated in May from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry, and joined the team in August. He advises high-school seniors to shadow someone in any profession they may be interested in. “Keep your options open and stay broad [rather than narrowing your focus too quickly]. You may have your mind set until you experience it first-hand,” he says. “It’s also important to take part in clubs and stay social for a well-rounded experience in school.”
Left to Right: Chris Arnold, O.D., Connor Gallentine, O.D., and Andrew Franken, O.D.
22414 W 66th St, Shawnee, KS 66226 | (913) 441-3937 | www.shawneevca.com
Out & About
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PARKS AND MORE
SHAWNEE
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K A N S A S
Find a recreational outlet perfect for you and your family. Visit Stump Park with a walking trail, playground, shelters, and athletic fields. Or find your way to Mill Creek Streamway Park with its 14 miles of walking and biking trails, including the Gary L. Haller Trailer, designated a National Recreation Trail and stretching from Nelson Island on the Kansas River, crossing through Shawnee before it ends in Olathe. And don’t forget the equestrian trails at Mill Creek and Shawnee Mission Park.
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Shawnee Golf and Country Club Stump Park Mid-America West Mid-America Sports Complex Kansas City Ice Center Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball Mill Creek Streamway Park Starwood Park Shawnee Mission Park The Theatre in the Park Tomahawk Hills Golf Course Holiday Inn Express & Suites Courtyard by Marriott Hampton Inn Comfort Inn & Suites Fairfield Inn & Suites B&B Theatres/Music Theatre Kansas City The University of Kansas Health System Park Lanes Swarner Park Veterans Park Johnson County Library Thomas A. Soetart Aquatic Center Civic Centre 22 PowerPlay 23 Caenen Castle 24 Old Shawnee Town Herman Laird Park 25 Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City Splash Cove 26 City Hall 27 Downtown Shawnee 28 Overland Park Regional Medical Center - ER of Shawnee 29 Pioneer Crossing Park 30 Centra Care Urgent Care Shawnee 31 SkyZone 32 Jaycee Park 33 Listowel Park 34 Shawnee Mission Health
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PLAY TIME! Looking for a place to have some family fun? Need a spot for your family reunion or a child’s birthday party? You’ll find what you’re looking for in Shawnee. Visit Park Lanes for bowling and more; find your way to PowerPlay for carnival rides, a rousing game of laser tag, or old-fashioned bumper car warfare; or escape to SkyZone, where you’ll defy the law of gravity by soaring through the air only to make a soft landing amid a pool of foam squares, or by reaching for new heights on the trampoline court.
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MUSIC AND MORE
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Discover movies and musical theater as well as other live performances at B&B Theatres/ Music Theatre Kansas City. The music theatre is celebrating 25 years of delightful stage performances for children of all ages, and you can experience live productions on a movie stage with B&B Live! And don’t forget the movies!
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LIVE THEATER Take advantage of The Theatre in the Park performances this year, and experience the largest outdoor community theater in the U.S. Encompassing 10 acres in Shawnee Mission Park, the theater welcomes hundreds of aspiring actors to audition each year for that year’s slate of performances.
Holiday Inn Express 114 Rooms holidayinnexpressshawneeks.com/
Hampton Inn 127 Rooms bit.ly/HamptonInnShawnee
913-400-2509
913-248-1900
Courtyard by Marriott 90 Rooms marriott.com/mcism 913-631-8800
Comfort Inn & Suites 67 Rooms bit.ly/ComfortInnShawnee 913-962-5555
Take a Look at Shawnee Town 1929 Exhibits and displays focus on diverse topics such as farms, grocery stores, a typewriter shop, and a funeral home. Photos by Kevin Anderson Delve into the past with a trip to Shawnee Town 1929, a local museum focused on exhibits, collections, programs, and events that allow a visitor to experience the farm community that was Shawnee in the early 1900s. The museum is expanding, and now is the perfect time to visit.
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Truck Farming
By Debra DeCoster
The Belgian truck farmers’ role in Shawnee history has gone untold for decades. Truck farming played an important role in the formation of the Shawnee Township as area farmers used smaller trucks to provide seasonal fresh vegetables for restaurants and markets in Kansas City and across the Midwest. “We wanted people to know the truck farmers’ stories and their role in our local history,” says Charlie Pautler, Shawnee Town museum director. Shawnee Town 1929 recreated a 1920s truck farm by relocating a two-story farmhouse to the museum’s property. The home originally sat at 75th Street and Quivira Road on 106 acres of land. In 1926, Victor and Erma DeCaeny purchased the property and began their truck farm. “Shawnee truck farming was at its peak in the 1920s. When visitors come here, not only do they get a tour of the house, they also visit the market shed, where the produce was brought in from the gardens, washed up in the concrete sinks, then bundled in bushel baskets for the city market,” Pautler says. Shawnee Town museum staff have interviewed people who grew up in the 1920s working on a truck farm. Their stories helped the staff furnish the house and learn about the day-to-day operations of such a farm. Walking through the farmhouse is a step back to an early 20th-century lifestyle without electricity, indoor plumbing, or running water. The DeCaeny home was lit with oil lamps, and water had to be hand pumped at the sink. They heated the house with a coal-burning stove, and at night used lanterns to light the way to the outhouse. “We have many visitors say this reminds them of their grandmother’s home when they were a child,” Pautler says. Each spring, a garden of chard, squash, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, beets, kohlrabi and zucchini is planted on the museum grounds. These vegetables reflect the produce the DeCaeny family would have planted. From March through October, school children and other visitors can help gather eggs, plant seeds, or help to harvest vegetables from the garden. “This exhibit helps to show school children where our food comes from, how it is grown and prepared for stores,” Pautler says.
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Undertaker’s Collection
By Kari Williams
Shawnee Town 1929 features an undertaker building, which exists, in part, due to the contributions of the town’s now-deceased funeral director, Gene Amos. “[Shawnee Town has] one of the best, comprehensive funerary collections in the country because of Gene,” says Pautler. Amos built, owned, and operated the original E. Paul Amos Funeral Home, which opened in 1946. The building currently on display opened in 2016, but that initial shop, Pautler says, housed Amos’ personal collection. Roughly onethird of those items, which Amos “deeded” to the museum, currently are on display. “With the undertaker shop, you get to explore the changing nature of funerals and the way we observed the passing of an individual and how the ceremony changed,” Pautler says. “So in the 1920s, a lot of funerals had moved out of the home and had moved out of the church even.” Undertaking, Pautler says, had become “such a big business” that people were starting to attend school to learn about it and earn certification from the state. “It was just the beginning of the modern funeral home industry,” he says. The undertaker building features a preparation room, which Pautler says includes embalming equipment and a preparation table. “[The table] is quite moving to see … up close. [It’s moving for] just the fact that they [tables such as this one] were used to prepare people for funerals almost a hundred years ago,” Pautler says. “A lot of the equipment has not really changed that much. [The pieces we have] were valued and appreciated by Gene Amos.” Amos’ collection made up the bulk of Shawnee Town’s collection until 2015. At that time, two other collections were donated to the museum as staff prepared to open the undertaker shop. The shop also has a virtual exhibit through Shawnee Town’s website, which features pieces from Amos’ collection not currently on display.
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Family Grocery Stores
By Debra DeCoster
Fresh vegetables and meat, canned goods, candies, and freshly baked pies were some of the items local housewives found at Garrett’s Grocery in Shawnee during the 1920s when mom-and-pop grocery stores dotted the landscape of many neighborhoods across the country. Floyd and Lulu Garrett opened their store in 1914 and operated on Johnson Drive until about 1970. Eventually, they turned the everyday operation over to their three sons, Roland, Howard, and Gene. Today, a replica of the Garretts’ store sits inside Shawnee Town 1929. “Our store gives visitors a glimpse into what the grocery stores were like before chain stores came into existence,” says Pautler. As visitors step into Garrett’s, their footsteps echo on the wooden floor. They are drawn toward the tall shelves of Campbell soups, Van de Kamp’s pork and beans, and many other canned goods sold in the 1920s. It’s easy to recall the days when fresh vegetables sat in wicker baskets near a scale, children stood at the glass case wondering which piece of candy they could talk their mother into buying, and the scent of freshly baked pies wafted from the display case. In the early years of operation, the store kept its perishables in an icebox kept cool by blocks of ice that were delivered daily. Shoppers were able to purchase their items and put them on a tab, and the owners knew every customer who walked through the door. “The grocery store is a heavy hitter with our audiences because you go in and there is a plethora of reproduction canned goods and packaging with 1920s labels. When visitors walk in and see the rows of canned goods, there is a moment of silence; then you hear them say ‘wow,’” Pautler says.
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Typewriter Shop By Kari Williams
Shawnee Town 1929’s typewriter repair shop allows visitors to return to the past through one of the city’s native residents, J.P. Yotz. “More than interpreting just the person who owned the individual shops, we chose businesses that told a bigger story about not only Shawnee, but life in the 1920s,” Pautler says. A World War I veteran who worked as Shawnee’s city clerk and “owned a lot of real estate,” Yotz was a “colorful character” to explore, Pautler says. The replica typewriter repair shop opened in 2015; Yotz’s original shop was located in the heart of downtown Shawnee during the early 1900s, closing in the mid-’30s. The typewriter shop in Shawnee Town offers the opportunity
to talk about Yotz, the role of women in the early 20th-century workforce, the shop’s position as a mail-order-only repair business (unusual in those days for a repair shop, although companies such as Sears & Roebuck were doing huge business in that arena during the time), and the area’s changing technology, among other topics. “The biggest value for that interpretive space is talking about work roles and how they changed or didn’t change for women,” Pautler says. Many times with museum interpretations, the staff takes an object or artifact that symbolizes a trade or industry and adds information; the typewriter is one such iconic artifact, he says. The shop, according to the director, is a “great place” to explore the role of women in
the workplace “because women had so few opportunities in the 1920s. You could be a mom, a teacher, a nurse, a secretary.” In the secretary pool, he says, “women would begin and end their careers as secretaries, whereas a man could start as a secretary and end up as the president of a company. … This is where we talk about the female sphere of the work world,” Pautler says. The shop also features machines that show the stages in technology development. Other than typewriters, including a working typewriter on which visitors can compose notes, the shop features repair tools, adding machines, and “a ton of broken typewriters, which is actually what you would have seen on the shelves [in the 1920s],” the director says. sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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HEALTHY LIVES HERE
MEET THE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT HELP KEEP SHAWNEE RESIDENTS ACTIVE AND HEALTHY STORY BY KATY SCHAMBERGER PHOTOS BY KEVIN ANDERSON
Johnson County made headlines last year when a study by SmartAsset proclaimed it the healthiest county in Kansas. As reported by the Shawnee Dispatch, SmartAsset, a financial technology company, used three factors to determine the rankings: length of life, healthy behaviors, and healthcare access. Considering the wide variety of health and fitness activities and outlets available in Shawnee alone, it’s not surprising that Johnson County residents are among the state’s healthiest. From boutique gyms and CrossFit to Tai Chi and yoga, here’s a closer look at some of the people and businesses helping Shawnee residents stay active and healthy.
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Dheeraj Singiresu of Olathe works a punching bag at EverFit. SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
EVERFIT
Dawn Rattan, founder of EverFit, knows a thing or two about running a business. She helped open a family business, Village West Discount Liquor, in Kansas City, Kansas. While working at the store, Rattan learned of an opportunity to open a gym, which gave her a chance to realize a longtime passion. “I’ve always loved fitness, I’ve always loved to move,” she says. Rattan also knew how powerful movement can be after watching family members navigate a variety of health issues. “I wanted to fight [those issues] with eating right and being healthy,” she says. In March 2015, Rattan opened EverFit. The boutique gym is a smaller, more personable alternative to big-box gyms. It includes a full array of fitness equipment but focuses on classes and variety. “I want to offer options,” Rattan says. “We have a lot of basic classes like cycling, boxing, yoga, and TRX [an exercise system using a suspension trainer and one’s own body weight], but we also do a lot of mash-ups, pop-ups, and specialty classes. I think variety is what keeps your body and mind engaged.” In addition to a packed schedule of weekly classes, EverFit hosts fun and informative fitness events. Friday night events like Boxing for Beer (to be held in April) combine fun, exercise, and socializing. Rattan also invites speakers to share information about healthy behaviors including veganism and intermittent fasting.
SWEAT KC
Ever get the urge to spend time alternating between cardio, strength training, and … drumming? Or what about piloxing, a blend of standing Pilates, boxing, and dance? These classes and more await at SWEAT KC, a Shawnee fitness boutique owned by Megan Thieman. The business offers more than 25 weekly classes under one theme: “Work. Play. Get Fit.” SWEAT KC classes are led by instructors who help make students of all skill levels feel welcome. There’s a good reason that Thieman refers to SWEAT KC as her second family. SWEAT KC offers innovative class formats like Pound, Piloxing, and Piloxing Barre as well as familiar workouts like Zumba, Tabata, and Turbokick. Thieman’s staff also includes a nutritionist and personal trainer. That gives SWEAT KC students a chance to work individually with these on-staff experts to identify and reach their fitness goals. The friendly, challenging atmosphere of SWEAT KC keeps students coming back for more, which has helped the business grow its physical space since opening in 2012. Toward the end of 2018, SWEAT KC debuted an updated interior created by fellow Shawnee business, Jackson Home Repairs. SWEAT KC’s latest addition is a new TRX studio, equipped with TRX strength equipment for a full workout using bodyweight suspension training. sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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SOLUTION 1 CROSSFIT
Just how popular is CrossFit? A 2016 article by CNBC reported 13,000 CrossFit gyms worldwide, more than Starbucks’ U.S. locations. Shawnee-based Solution 1 CrossFit is one of those gyms. The always-changing format of CrossFit can help students better prepare for life in general. “When people come in, they don’t know what the workout is until they see it on the whiteboard,” says Solution 1 Crossfit owner J.R. Kuchta in a Shawnee Dispatch article. “CrossFit prepares you for the unknown and the unknowable.” Workouts at Solution 1 CrossFit typically blend a mix of cardio and strength training. A sample workout of the day (WOD, for short) might include rowing, power cleans, and burpee box jump-overs. For those interested in CrossFit but leery about what to expect, the business offers a free introductory session to help students understand the Solution 1 approach, as well as learn basic movements. Solution 1’s weekly class line-up includes daily occurrences of the CrossFit WOD. Students have the option to further challenge themselves and build their strength and skill level with classes like Complex Conditioning or Explosive Endurance, an option for those who want to boost their 5K, 10K, or triathlon training. There’s a communal aspect to Solution 1 that many students find appealing. Students can gather for special events like Friday Night Lights, an evening workout followed by a potluck, or students can test their strength and endurance at competitive events like the CrossFit Open.
YOUR WELLNESS CONNECTION
The path to healthier living is often a journey. And just as individuals evolve their lifestyles and habits, Dr. Michelle Robin, DC, has grown her business from Robin Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center to Your Wellness Connection. “Your Wellness Connection came into life because I was trying to stay well,” Robin says. “And I wanted to bring in the people who help me stay well.” The center officially became Your Wellness Connection in 2005. Now, the state-of-the-art facility resembles a onestop shop for health and wellness. Even the name itself speaks to the mission behind Your Wellness Connection: “a reflection of our intention to serve each client—to connect them to their wellness,” as stated on the website. Services at Your Wellness Connection range from acupuncture and massage therapy to nutrition and reflexology. The facility also offers a variety of classes and workshops. Gary Huff teaches beginning and intermediate Tai Chi classes. Huff earned the title of Tai Chi Master from Grand Master Chen Zhenglei, a 19th-generation descendant from the Chinese family that created Tai Chi. Robin and Your Wellness Connection even work with local businesses to offer one-day wellness retreats that include guided meditation and yoga, healthy meals, wellness treatments, and group discussion. “I think most people have a desire to be happier in their lives,” Robin says. “We’re just trying to encourage people to live [healthier], happy lives.”
OM WELLNESS
In an increasingly hectic and technology-driven world, the chance to slow down and literally unplug during yoga is more appealing than ever. Research compiled by TheGoodBody. com, shows that one in three Americans have tried yoga at least once. And from 2012 to 2016, the number of Americans who practice yoga rose by a whopping 50 percent. In Shawnee, yoga first-timers and aficionados alike have a welcoming home at Om Wellness. Owned by Sudha Govindan, a native of India who’s been around yoga all her life, Om Wellness offers an inviting mix of basic and advanced classes to help students of all skill levels find strength, peace, and calm on their mats. Yoga Basics, held several times throughout the week, is ideal for both beginners and ongoing students. Participants gain a deeper understanding of yoga poses with a focus on basic yoga elements like alignment, balance, flexibility, and breathing. Om Wellness offers classes that help build on that foundation and deepen a practitioner’s skills. Mixed-level yoga classes, for example, focus on moving from pose to pose while linking breath with movement. No matter what class students take, the focus at Om Wellness is on positivity and compassion. It’s fitting, then, that Govindan calls Om Wellness “the feel-good yoga studio.”
From top: Participants in a recent competition at Solution 1 CrossFit; a class works on a ab exercise routine at EverFit KC; Tai Chi class members (from left) Lolly Buston, Gerry Cousins, Roxie Hein and instructor Gary Huff work together in movement.
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FOO FIGHTERS
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Collier shows off his Foo Fighters T-shirt and his guitar from the band’s front man Dave Grohl.
g n i w o l l
n e d l e o l G Ru
o Fthe
A rock ‘n’ roll video that went viral leads Shawnee youngster to discover a way to help a friend. story by Jackie Hostetler photos by Sarah Reeves
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Collier and Bo
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ules are rarely associated with the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, but young Shawnee Mission rocker Collier Cash Rule makes it a habit to follow the most important rule around: “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” In fact, at the age of 10, Collier has extended more kindness than some do in a lifetime. What started out as a must-see concert ended with Collier doing his part to raise more than $10,000 for a friend in need. When rock super group the Foo Fighters made its way to Kansas City last October, Collier’s mission was simple. A text sent to his mom, Jen Rule, stated, “I will die if I don’t get to go.” So Jen made it happen. The pair were hardly strangers to the rock scene. Jen had taken Collier to his first concert at the age of 8, the AC/DC Rock or Bust Tour, about the same time Collier began guitar lessons. After rocking out from afar for most of the evening, Collier and a friend ventured a little closer to the stage in search of the perfect photo opportunity, with permission from his mom, of course. “Collier sent me a text that asked if they were being very polite and using good manners, would it be OK to stay down there for the encore,” Jen recalls. From about 12 rows back, just within sight of them, Jen granted permission. When the house lights came up after the final song, Jen could see Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl addressing someone in the audience. “As soon as I saw him (Dave Grohl) say, ‘Oh, you want to play?’ I couldn’t see who he was talking to, but I knew it was Collier.” Before Jen could make it down to the stage, the crew had already lifted Collier up over the gates and on to the stage. “I was very nervous, and my shoe fell off as I went over the gate,” Collier says. But neither nerves nor a wardrobe malfunction were enough to stop Collier from stealing the show. As evidenced by a widely
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circulated video, Collier played in front of an audience of thousands like an old pro. Outfitted with Grohl’s guitar, Collier rocked the Kansas City Sprint Center with a medley of Metallica songs, Grohl growling along in harmony. The Rules left the concert that night with an experience of a lifetime—and Grohl’s guitar. When word of the young guitar prodigy spread, media outlets from across the country began to contact Jen and Collier. Rolling Stone, The New York Post, and Access Hollywood were among many to feature the story. Collier did not let his overnight stardom go to his head, or go to waste; instead, he used the attention to provide a platform to help his good friend, Bo Macan. Bo’s father, John, grew up alongside Jen, leading to a lifelong friendship between Bo and Collier. But Bo’s childhood has not been typical. He has a rare disorder, so rare in fact, that the doctors have coined it “Bo Syndrome.” Bo has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and chronic lung disease, among other issues, all adding up to major medical expenses. The Rules were in the process of organizing a fundraising lemonade stand to help out. “We had already planned the lemonade stand prior to the moment with the Foo Fighters, so it really just was kind of a perfect storm,” Jen says. Collier and Jen approached Bo’s family with the idea to direct all the attention Collier was receiving toward an account at GoFundMe, a crowdfunding platform that allows individuals to raise money for a number of causes, to aid with Bo’s medical bills. Jen says, “I told Bo’s mom, ‘if we start this, I think it could be really amazing, but based on how the Foo Fighters moment spun out, it might be somewhat out of our control.’” With the blessing of Bo’s family, Collier created a video urging his fans, from Pakistan to Brazil, to support his friend. “This is where you come in, rock ’n’ roll people,” Collier says in the video. “Are you with me?” Collier’s efforts paid off in a big way. The GoFundMe account far exceeded the original $10,000 target by raising upward of $18,000. “We took a risk, and it ended up being a pretty incredible thing to be a part of,” Jen says. The Shawnee area and surrounding communities rallied around the cause and turned out for the original lemonade stand fundraiser organized by the Rules. Again, they raised a significant amount of cash to help Bo and his family. As for Collier, since that serendipitous night with the Foo Fighters, he’s had the opportunity to play several live shows, meet local rock legend Johnny Dare, and even record a song. So, what’s next? After accruing fans around the globe, receiving a nod from Rolling Stone, and rocking out in front of thousands, what could possibly be left on his bucket list? Ask Collier and he’ll tell you, “I want Bo to be out of the hospital, for good.” Kindness rules.
Visitors Guide Shawnee
19 36 38 SHAWNEE MAP
TRAVEL GUIDE
SHAWNEE EVENTS
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T R A V E L
DOWNTOWN SHAWNEE AZTEC THEATRE
11119 Johnson Drive (913) 207-4148 Facebook: AztecShawnee Recently renovated, the theater offers a single screen and a seating capacity of 250. It originally opened in 1927 as the Mission Theater, and plans include showing classic films, holding film festivals and holiday specials, and providing an event space for the community.
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.
DOLL CRADLE
10910 Johnson Drive (913) 631-1900 dollcradle.com
FARMERS MARKET
(May–October) 11110 Johnson Drive, City Hall (913) 248-2360 cityofshawnee.org
HARTMAN HARDWARE 11018 Johnson Drive (913) 631-7592
SHANANIGANNS BOUTIQUE 11006 Johnson Drive (913) 549-8793 Facebook: shananiganns
SHAWNEE TOWN 1929
11501 W. 57th St. (913) 248-2360 shawneetown.org Shawnee Town 1929 is an outdoor museum depicting a farm town community in the 1920s.
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.
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WONDERSCOPE / CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF KANSAS CITY
5700 King St. (913) 287-8888 wonderscope.org A leading, quality family destination. With a world-class design Wonderscope provides dynamic, interactive experiences. It provides a friendly, convenient and accessible environment for young children. A place where your family will find wonder, joy and magic.
AROUND SHAWNEE B&B THEATRES / MUSIC THEATRE KANSAS CITY
16301 Midland Drive (913) 954-4671 / movie line (913) 341-8156 / Music Theatre KC bbtheatres.com/shawnee-18 mtkc.org
BY B! BOUTIQUE 6314 Monrovia (913) 213-5255 byBboutique.com
FAMILY TREE NURSERY 7036 Nieman Road (913) 631-6121 familytreenursery.com
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.
NIGRO’S WESTERN STORE
10509 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 631-2226 Facebook: nigroskc
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.
POWERPLAY
13110 W. 62nd Terrace (913) 268-4386 powerplaykc.com
G U I D E SKY ZONE
BATES CITY BBQ
VINTAGE IN KC CREATIVE ARTS
THE BIG BISCUIT
6495 Quivira Road (913) 213-5900 skyzone.com/kansascity 12045 Johnson Drive (913) 915-8200 vintageinkc.com
EAT & DRINK SHAWNEE Downtown Shawnee BIG BAM’S BURGERS 5930 Nieman Road (913) 962-1230 bigbams.com
CASA LATINA
11200 Johnson Drive (913) 248-4411 casalatinarestaurantekc.com
OLD SHAWNEE PIZZA 6000 Rogers Drive (913) 631-5716 shawneepizza.com
SERVAES BREWING CO. 10921 Johnson Drive servaesbrewco.com
SUSHI MIDO
6010 Nieman Road (913) 322-8888 sushimidoks.com
TRANSPORT BREWERY 11113 Johnson Drive (913) 766-6673 transportbrewery.com
Around Shawnee ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD
10816 Shawnee Mission Parkway eatandys.com
BAR WEST
7174 Renner Road (913) 248-9378 Facebook: barwestkc
BARLEY’S KITCHEN & TAP SHAWNEE
16649 Midland Drive (913) 268-5160 barleysbrewhaus.com
6493 Quivira Road (913) 962-7447 batescitybarbque.com 12276 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 912-7350 bigbiscuitrestaurant.com
BLIND BOX BBQ
13214 W. 62nd Terrace (913) 268-4227 blindboxbbq.com
CHEN’S KITCHEN
7166 Renner Road (913) 268-1668 chenskitchenshawnee.com
COUNTRY CLUB CAFE 21911 W. 66th St. (913) 441-2444 cccshawnee.com
CAFÉ EQUINOX
7036 Nieman Road (913) 631-6121 familytreenursery.com/cafeequinox
DOS REALES
6453 Quivira Road (913) 962-5014 dosrealeskc.com
EGGTC.
7182 Renner Road (913) 631-4400 eggtckc.com
ESPRESSO YOURSELF
6487 Quivira Road (913) 709-8324 Facebook: EspressoYourselfToday1
FIREHOUSE SUBS 6415 Quivira Road (913) 631-0033 firehousesubs.com
FRITZ’S RAILROAD RESTAURANT 13803 W. 63rd St. (913) 375-1000 fritzskc.com
GRAND WOK
15810 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-8668 grandwokks.com
HEREFORD HOUSE SHAWNEE 17244 Midland Drive (913) 268-8000 herefordhouse.com
T R A V E L HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL 13342 West 62nd Terrace (913) 248-7600 huhot.com
JAKE’S PLACE
12001 Johnson Drive (913) 962-5253 jakesplacebar.com
JOHNNY’S TAVERN
13131 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 962-5777 johnnystavern.com
JOSE PEPPER’S BORDER GRILL & CANTINA 16605 Midland Drive (913) 631-1011 josepeppers.com
KNUB’S PUB
5386 Roberts St. (913) 441-5682 Facebook: knubspub
MCALISTER’S DELI
11330 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-3354 mcalistersdeli.com
MINSKY’S PIZZA
7198 Renner Road (913) 631-0059 minskys.com
NICK AND JAKE’S
22220 Midland Drive (913) 914-8535 nickandjakes.com
PAULO & BILL
16501 Midland Drive (913) 962-9900 pauloandbill.com
PEGAH’S FAMILY RESTAURANT 11005 Johnson Drive (East Location) (913) 962-6700
5354 Roberts St. (West Location) (913) 422-3600 pegahs.com
PINE & BAMBOO GARDEN
10915 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-9545 pinebamboogarden.com
SAKURA SUSHI TRAIN 7474 Nieman Road (913) 962-6361 sakurasushitrain.com
SHERIDAN’S LATTES & FROZEN CUSTARD
13655 W. 63rd St. (913) 268-9999 sheridansfrozencustard.com
SOMBRERO’S MEXICAN CANTINA 22702 Midland Drive (913) 441-6700 sombreroskc.com
SUTERA’S PIZZA
22716 Midland Drive (913) 667-3000 suterasshawnee.com
TWISTED
22030 W. 66th St. (913) 441-0444 twistedfresh.com
TANNER’S BAR & GRILL 22374 W. 66th St. (913) 745-8100 tannersbarandgrill.com
THE OTHER PLACE SHAWNEE 22730 Midland Drive Shawnee, KS 66226 (913) 441-0094 theotherplace.com
STAY IN SHAWNEE Hotels
G U I D E
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES 17346 Midland Drive (913) 400-2509 hiexpress.com
RV Parks WALNUT GROVE
10218 Johnson Drive Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 262-3023 walnutgroverv.com
EMERGENCY & MEDICAL EMERGENCY 911
CENTRA CARE SHAWNEE
11245 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 268-4455 centracare.org/Kansas
HAMPTON INN
16555 Midland Drive (913) 248-1900 hamptoninn.com
13817 Johnson Drive (913) 631-5200 cityofshawnee.org
FIRE DEPARTMENT
6501 Quivira Road (913) 631-1080 (nonemergency number) cityofshawnee.org
POLICE DEPARTMENT
5850 Renner Road (913) 631-2150 (nonemergency number) cityofshawnee.org
10310 W. 63rd St. (913) 227-8400 hcamidwest.com/service/ emergency-care
SHAWNEE MISSION HEALTH PRAIRIE STAR
SHAWNEE INFO
16550 Midland Drive (888) 236-2427 marriott.com
CITY OF SHAWNEE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
OVERLAND PARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER—ER OF SHAWNEE
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES (OPENING JUNE 2019)
11110 Johnson Drive (913) 631-2500 cityofshawnee.org
7405 Renner Road (913) 588-1227 kansashealthsystem.com
9100 W. 74th St. (913) 676-2000 shawneemission.org
17250 Midland Drive (913) 631-8800 marriott.com
CITY HALL
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM / KU MEDWEST
COMFORT INN & SUITES 16510 Midland Drive choicehotels.com (913) 962-5555
CITY SERVICES
VISIT SHAWNEE
15100 W. 67th St., Suite 202 (913) 631-6545 visitshawneeks.com
SHAWNEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
15100 W. 67th St., Suite 202 (913) 631-6545 shawneekschamber.com
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE (888) 497-8668 sunflowerpub.com
sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE
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S H A W N E E
MAY 2019 May 1 MAY DAY SPRING FLING
May brings springtime, which includes nice weather and family fun! Come to the Shawnee Civic Centre for spring themed games and crafts. For access to indoor play and rides, children tickets are $2 in advance and $4 day of the event. 13817 Johnson Drive
May 4 SHAWNEE OPEN HOUSE
Learn more about the City of Shawnee as government officials open the doors of city hall to the public. Spend some time with various city departments including Shawnee Police and Fire. City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive
May 11 FARMERS’ MARKET OPENS
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
May 25 POOLS OPEN
Splash Cove and the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center open for the season, delighting families across the area. Open May 25 through August 11. Splash Cove, 5800 King Ave., (913) 631-7177; Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Dr., (913) 631-0054
JUNE 2019 June 5 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
June 6–9 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. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., (913) 248-2360; oldshawneedays.org
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E V E N T S
June 7
August 25
October 26
SPLASHTACULAR SUMMERDAYS AT THE POOL
30TH ANNUAL TOUR DE SHAWNEE
HOLIDAY TREASURES CRAFT FESTIVAL
Come join us to celebrate the summer on June 7, July 4, and August 2. These days will include concession stand deals, coordinated games and prizes for winners from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Splash Cove, 5800 King Ave., (913) 631-0054, 13805 Johnson Drive
June 26 JAMMIN’ ON THE GREEN
Bring your lawn chairs, coolers, and a picnic dinner to enjoy the concert series at the bandstand at Shawnee Town 1929. Shows on June 26, July 31, and August 29.
June 28 PARKED! MUSIC, FOOD TRUCKS & FIREWORKS!
Get ready for a fun evening with friends and family from 5–10 p.m. at Stump Park, 4751 Woodland Drive.
JULY 2019 June 29–July 6 FLAGS 4 FREEDOM
Honor those who protect and preserve our freedom with this magnificent event. The City of Shawnee and the City of Merriam sponsor Flags for Freedom, a patriotic display honoring veterans. More than 1,500 American flags will be displayed in downtown Shawnee and downtown Merriam.
AUGUST 2019 August 9 SUMMER CONCERT IN THE PARK Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy live music and great food. Concert begins at 7 p.m. at West Flanders Park (55th & Nieman).
August 17 K-9S AT THE COVE
Join the city at Splash Cove with your four-legged friends 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.
SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Get in the action with this annual bicycle tour. The tour will begin and end at PowerPlay Family Entertainment Center, Shawnee Mission Parkway and Pflumm. The event benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
SEPTEMBER 2019
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
September 21
October 26
44TH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF SHAWNEE TOWN ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
HISTORICAL HAUNTING
Shoppers can browse through 100 craft booths featuring handmade jewelry, food, woodworking, and other artisan items at this annual event. A $1 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; shawneetown.org
September 27–28 25TH ANNUAL SHAWNEE GREAT GRILLER’S BBQ CONTEST Enjoy some of the best barbecue in the Midwest and activities for the whole community to enjoy. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St.; shawneegreatgrillers.com
OCTOBER 2019 October 4 OKTOBERFEST
The Shawnee German-American Club’s 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 5 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, pie contest and activities for the kids. 9 a.m.–noon, Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive
Bring the whole family to Shawnee Town for an evening of hayrides, trick-or-treating, costume contests and more. Entrance and activities are free. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St.; shawneetown.org
NOVEMBER 2019 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 Revolution-Monticello 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. Shawnee Civic Centre
DECEMBER 2019 December 7 CHRISTKINDLMARKT
Get into the holiday spirit at Shawnee’s annual community Christmas celebration—in and around the downtown area and Shawnee Town 1929. The evening includes Christmas tree lighting, Santa, entertainment and hot chocolate from 2–6 p.m.
MARCH 2020 March 15 ST. PATRICK’S PARADE & CELEBRATION
Whether you are Irish in truth or in spirit, don’t miss the Shawnee St. Patrick’s Parade & Celebration, a great event for spectators and participants. The parade begins at 1 p.m. along Johnson Drive from Monrovia east to Nieman Road. Be sure to attend the Heroes Pull and at 4:30 p.m., and plan to watch the Annual Duck Race at Herman Laird Park.
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