Mission Hills, KS October 2023

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Cooper Moore | cooper.moore@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Victoria Moore | Victoria.Moore@citylifestyle.com

A Taste of Fall!

Welcome folks to the Food and Drink Issue! It could not have come at a better time. As the weather starts to turn, what more could you want than to add a few extra pounds to get ready for the hibernation that is right around the corner?!? If you are anything like me, you have already had something pumpkin-flavored (Pancakes from a local breakfast spot for me). Fall is the perfect time to throw on a hoodie and some sweats, look through the publication and enjoy the stories and people we are highlighting this month.

Whether it's a short trip down to Louisburg, Kansas to enjoy some donuts and apple cider, a new recipe you want to try at home, or planning your next big event and considering Tom's Travelers to bartend for you, there is a little taste of something for everyone in this issue.

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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(913) BRING BACK YOUR CONFIDENCE!

Natural looking brows created from your bone structure. Located in the heart of Crossroads Arts District. Ask about our "MISSION" special. 10

Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center unveils a makerspace

A new space is officially open for use inside Johnson County's Arts and Heritage Center. Maker and STEAM (Science - TechnologyEngineering - Art - Math) with programming for all ages, including instruction in electronics, hand tools, laser cutting and 3D printing. Find out more and register today on  jcprd.com/1894/Making-STEAM.

catch your eye with their tremendous selections. Mint Luxury Consignment is a mobile consignment shop out of Lawrence, Kansas known for their incredible tastes in high-end fashion and accessories. Their booth will be present the entire weekend from October 27-29 at Holiday Mart's new location, the Sheraton at Crown Center. Buy tickets online by visiting  jlkc.org/events/holiday-mart/.

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fine ART

She's Health Conscious celebrates its launch with a Self-Care Saturday

Indulge in a day of wellness designed to nurture your mind, body, and soul. Gabby Hardesty, founder of She's Health Conscious, is set to host a Garden Party at the Wellness Farmhouse in Spring Hill, Kansas on October, 7 as an introduction to her coaching resources for bringing balance to all aspects of life. Flow through the day attending events, vendor booths and interactive sessions. Tickets are available online for $10 through  facebook.com/GHWSHC/.

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CALL NOW 913.229.5169

CALL NOW 913.229.5169

MIDWEST PRO Handyman & Remodeling is a small business that is thriving and growing simply because what we do. With over 40 years combined experience, we are able to provide numerous renovation and remodeling services while keeping costs low without cutting corners.

MIDWEST PRO Handyman & Remodeling is a small business that is thriving and growing simply because what we do. With over 40 years combined experience, we are able to provide numerous renovation and remodeling services while keeping costs low without cutting corners

We provide FREE CONSULTATION, RENDERING & ESTIMATE.

We provide FREE CONSULTATION, RENDERING & ESTIMATE.

"At Midwest PRO Handyman & Remodeling, if you can dream it, we can build it."

"At Midwest PRO Handyman & Remodeling, if you can dream it, we can build it."

We are committed to keeping all our jobs in-house. So the quality of our work is consistent and reliable. No remodeling is too big or too small. With operations focused on your neighborhood (Roofing, siding, and decking, to indoor renovations like flooring, bathroom and kitchen, and basement) We are a one-stop shop.

We are committed to keeping all our jobs in-house. So the quality of our work is consistent and reliable. No remodeling is too big or too small. With operations focused on your neighborhood (Roofing, siding, and decking, to indoor renovations like flooring, bathroom and kitchen, and basement) We are a one-stop shop.

Louisburg Cider Fest

45 YEARS OF SERVING UP FAMILY TRADITIONS

Open year round, the Louisburg Cider Mill proudly serves and ships its delicious apple cider the same way they have for the last 46 years. But, something magical fills the air every late September through early October. The everyday country store and mill becomes a destination for thousands and transforms into Cider Fest.

A tradition almost as old as the mill itself, the festival draws in folks from far and wide, seeking that fall feeling and craving the taste of Louisburg’s perfect pair–a glass of crisp apple cider and a warm, homemade apple cider donut rolled in sugar.

These staples are two of the main attractions at Louisburg Cider Mill, and it’s no surprise that the hours spent in the kitchen and behind the machines kick up a notch after Labor Day.

“Our production team will be working every day of the week from now through the end of November pressing and bottling,” Marketing Manager Susan Johnston said. “We make our apple cider donuts every day, year round but through the fall months is when we will start making hundreds of thousands of donuts throughout the day.”

Louisburg Cider Mill has also established quite a name for itself outside of Miami and Johnson County lines. Bottled cider has made its way onto grocery store shelves and restaurant menus throughout the Midwest. Its reach has come a long way since 1977 when Emmett and Mary O'Rear were dreaming up a family business.

“They purchased the 80-acre piece of land and started their dream,” Johnston said. “Throughout the first year the barn was renovated and held the equipment needed to crush and press the apples, bottle the juice, and make the donuts to serve and sell to the customers right there in the barn.”

The importance of family was woven into the very concept of the cider mill’s beginnings. The O’Rear’s granddaughter Alexis Hebert and her husband Josh continue that same priority today as the owners.

“For a lot of people, it's a family tradition to come to the cider mill every year and just sit around and enjoy the outdoor fall atmosphere,” Johnston said. “What started out as a gathering to enjoy fresh pressed apple cider, cider donuts and listening to music has grown to the handmade craft vendors and food vendors that it is now.”  CONTINUED

These days, Cider Fest kicks off the mornings with a pancake sausage breakfast by the Louisburg Lions Club and different bands and musicians entertain with bluegrass music throughout the afternoon. The craft and food vendors fill our parking lot, and ponies and inflatables are for the children to enjoy.

While much of Cider Fest has changed over 45 years, the purpose for why it was started has only sunk its roots deeper into Louisburg soil.

“This will be my sixth season here at Louisburg Cider Mill, and I've noticed there are a lot of young adults that come here with friends,” Johnston said. “I think what was a childhood family tradition for them has now become their own traditions with their young families.”

Whether the attraction is guided by taste buds or a feeling only fall can explain, a family tradition awaits the oldest or youngest of families.

“For a lot of people, it’s a family tradition to come to the cider mill every year and just sit around and enjoy the outdoor fall atmosphere,”

Tom's Travelers

Tapping into bartending greatness

You truly never know where a browse through Facebook Marketplace will lead. Sometimes, you know what you’re looking for, and other times, an item strikes your fancy out of left field. That’s exactly what happened to Kelsey Brandon in 2015, the moment a unique business concept that has become a popular pick for Kansas City celebrations was born.

Brandon came across a 1996 Cushman Truckster and knew it could be something special, the first of what she calls her “many wild and random ideas.”

“I could totally recreate that into a beverage truck of some sort,” she said. “So I got on the phone with a fabricator, and we built the tap truck."

The idea was instant, but the end result took time. After about a year of work, Brandon was ready to unveil Tom’s Travelers’ first beverage truck to the world.

“I named her Wanda because I wanda buy her,” she laughed. “The idea of the business was to bring creativity to something as standard as bartending service, to bring some extra flare.”

An enhancement to the business itself was the addition of Kelsey’s husband, Kevin. When the couple started dating in 2021, they spent their date nights bartending events together. Kelsey taught Kevin to bartend, and the two would spend their combined tips on an actual date the next day.

“A lot of people ask which one of us Tom is,” Kelsey said. “I have to let them know that neither of us is Tom.”

Tom’s Travelers is actually named after Tom Pendergast, a Kansas City mobster, who drove the course of much Kansas City history back in the 1920s. Kelsey wanted to honor him by continuing the history he started years ago.

When she first began, Kelsey estimates she was booking around 60 events a year. Together, the Brandons have more than tripled the number of events per year!

“It has been a huge reason why it’s been so successful, because I have a partner who supports me and backs me,” Kelsey said. “I mean he can’t golf for the next three months because we have wedding season.”

The couple is constantly growing their business with the influx of interest. Recently, they added mocktail options, mastered kegging cocktails, hired extra bartenders and even welcomed a couple new members to the Tom’s Travelers family–a 1982 Bajaj Tuk Tuk named Penny and a tricycle named Wheelbur.

Penny was bought with the intention of including taps, and Wanda has recently gone through some upgrades. Both trucks require an extra custom and unique touch and lots of learning.

“Building a tap truck isn’t just like going down the street and finding someone who works on cars,” Kevin said. “You have to find a fabricator who has an artistic side to them.”

“Finding someone who can work on them or us learning the maintenance on them has been a big challenge,” Kesley said. “The new one is from India so we have to get on eBay to get parts directly from India. We had to change the starter on Wanda, and learn how to drive manuals for both of them.”

The hard work and constant learning have paid dividends for Kelsey and Kevin, not only in the amount of jobs but also in opportunities. This year has become a major milestone in their business–including bartending the NFL Draft and obtaining their liquor license.

“That was a huge moment for us,” Kelsey said. “Before, the host would provide

everything, but now we can be full service. It’s really opened the door for the complexity of events. It gives us more flexibility in what we can do!”

With Halloween on the horizon, the Brandons are gearing up for a couple of major appearances. They are partnering with J. Reiger for a Halloween cocktail display, and are maintaining their reputation as a favorite drink stop on Halloween night for adults.

“At one point, I looked around and we had 40 people standing in our yard,” Kelsey said. “Now, we are forever known in our neighborhood as the Halloween House.”

Obviously, pumpkin spice flavors will come into play soon, and Tom’s Travelers uses Louisburg cider for some of their fall cocktails. Collaborations are important to their business, but really, it’s a love for their city and the people in it that drives their passion for serving and entertaining.

“I thoroughly enjoy Kansas City. I like that it’s a small-town feel, but the city is growing and that’s very exciting for us,” Kelsey said. “I think that’s my favorite part about owning the bar business, the people that I get to meet and the experiences we get to have because of it.”

Kelsey has come quite a long way since bartending in college and dreaming of business ideas on Facebook. But no matter how much success Tom’s Travelers sees in its lifetime, one thing is for sure, she will never stop dreaming.

“I think I thrive on putting myself in very uncomfortable situations and forcing myself to grow,” she said.

Whether the next step is a future event space with cocktail classes or expanding business to nearby cities, Kelsey is setting her main sights on the one thing she has always wanted.

“For now, I want to make Kansas City as strong as possible. Brancato’s is a huge name in Kansas City, so if we can be the Brancato’s of bar, that would be pretty cool.”

THE FLAVOR OF FALL

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. They can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While they aren’t a cureall, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.

APPLE GALETTE WITH CARAMEL DRIZZLE

Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/4 cup iced cold water

Filling:

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices

• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Caramel sauce

• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans

Crust:

(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)

Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling:

Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Assemble and Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice-cream.

ELEVATED GRILLED CHEESE

This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• 1/4 red onion, sliced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Sliced sourdough bread

• 1-2 tablespoons butter

• 4 ounces Brie, sliced

• Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam

• 1 Granny smith apple, sliced

• Arugula

• Thinly sliced ham, optional

Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add as well. Top with slice of bread and grill on skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

APPLE CHUTNEY

This Indian-inspired dish is the perfect fall topping for pork chops and also pairs nicely with ham. This is so easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the aroma of fall.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cups Granny Smith apple, chopped

• ¼ cup pecans or walnuts

• 1/3 cup apple juice

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat butter in saucepan, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has cooked down and the apples are tender. Serve over pork chops. Enjoy!

APPLE CRISP A LA MODE

This fall classic is the perfect treat for a cozy fall dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

• 6-8 apples, peeled and sliced

• ½ cup dark brown sugar

• ¼ cup flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:

• ¾ cup flour

• ¾ cup dark brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ cup cold butter cubed

• 1 cup oats

• ¼ cup pecans, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease pie plate or baking dish. Mix all filling ingredients together and place in baking dish. Prepare topping by combining the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in butter using a fork or pastry cutter. Stir in oats and pecans and sprinkle over filling until covered. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with caramel drizzle and vanilla ice cream.

Do The Monster Mash With These Fall-Focused Cocktails Perfect For Halloween Festivities

spook - tails

ARTICLE BY SAM LAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

• 2 ounces cachaça (Brazilian sugar cane rum, silver rum can be substituted)

• 1 ounce Galliano liqueur

• 1/2 ounce lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce brown sugar & cinnamon syrup

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• fresh nutmeg

Combine all ingredients except for the nutmeg in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Strain through a mesh fine strainer into a martini glass or other decorative glassware without ice. Shave fresh nutmeg over the top as a garnish and enjoy!

TOASTED MALLOW

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka

• 1 1/2 ounces chocolate liqueur

• 1/2 ounce Frangelico liqueur

• graham crackers

• marshmallows

Combine all ingredients except for the graham crackers and marshmallows in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag to make a fine powder. Coat half of a martini glass with your crushed graham crackers and strain your cocktail into the coated martini glass. Layer the top of the drink with marshmallows and toast with a crème brûlée torch. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN BRAIN PURÉE

• Milk

• Mint cocolate chip ice cream

• Halloween Oreos

• Gummy worms

Crush 5-8 Oreos inside a plastic bag. Layer the bottom of a glass with half of the crushed Oreos to make a nice base. Add 2-3 scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream and fill the rest of the glass with cold milk. Add another layer of crushed Oreos to float on top. Finish with 2-3 gummy worms around the top and enjoy!

CANDY CORN BOURBON

• 2 ounces bourbon

• 1/2 ounce brown sugar & cinnamon syrup

• 2 dashes of orange bitters

• 5 candy corns

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin. Muddle the candy corns inside the shaker tin, add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Strain through a fine mesh strainer in an old fashioned glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with a piece of candy corn on top of the ice cube and enjoy!

DIRT + SQUIRMS (KID-FRIENDLY!)

Feed Your Soul

Food is exciting to cook, and satisfying to eat but is it enjoyable to read? Novels where food is prominently featured can be a veritable feast for the eyes. Food imagery, also called gustatory imagery, adds depth to a novel, providing a springboard for all kinds of descriptive and symbolic language. Different dishes can transport a reader to new regions of the world, reveal a character’s culture, or symbolically deepen the meaning of a text. So, dive into this list of autumn reads and don’t forget to save room for seconds.

Fall in love with food-centric fiction

Stanley Park

True crime fans and foodies alike will enjoy this beautifully written novel. The novel follows a Vancouver based chef, Jeremy Papier and his failing bistro. As Papier tries to hold his dreams together, his homeless father drags him into a real-life, 1940s “cold case” investigation. The novel mindfully uses the investigation as well as Papier’s commitment to locally grown foods to pay tribute to Vancouver’s landscape and history.

The School of Essential Ingredients

Love is in the air at this Monday night cooking school. The novel follows a cast of hapless students as they are instructed in both the kitchen and in life by the school’s owner, Lillian. Lillian is the group’s fairy godmother as she hands out morsels of advice and challenges the students with advanced recipes. A cozy read, be prepared to fall in love with the decadence of the school’s dishes as well as the sweet message that lingers long after you put down the book.

A Moveable Feast

Published after his untimely death, A Moveable Feast is Hemingway’s memoir. A love letter to 1920s Paris and the literary movement, Hemingway charters the reader through his early years there, one cafe at a time. Along the way, familiar characters like Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald float in and out. This no-frills prose will stick to your ribs and leave you satisfied.

The Sol Majestic

If you love science fiction, this big-hearted, culinary space opera is sure to hit the spot. The story follows impoverished Kenna, an aspiring guru who hungrily wanders the cosmos until he wins dinner at the galaxy’s most renowned restaurant, The Sol Majestic. A novel that is both fun and thought provoking, Steinmetz uses striking food imagery to explore what truly excites the spirit.

OCTOBER 2023

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 1ST - 31ST

Pumpkin Hollow

DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN'S FARMSTEAD | 9:00 AM

Grow your family fall bucket list with a trip to the little fall town of Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Open for the whole month of October, take a horse-drawn hayride with your kiddos to the hay slide and pumpkin picking patch. Purchase your tickets on the property and read more online at  artsandrec-op.org/farmstead/pumpkin-hollow/.

OCTOBER 6TH - 7TH

KC Oktoberfest

CROWN CENTER | 4:00 PM

Kansas City Bier Company presents the city's largest traditional Oktoberfest, featuring two days of authentic German-style celebration, food and drink. Located in the heart of Crown Center, this festival is sure to transport you to the streets of Munich through musical entertainment and your taste buds. Get your tickets online at kcoktoberfest.com/tickets/.

OCTOBER 6TH - 8TH

Halloween Vintage Revival at Bella Patina

BELLA PATINA | 8:30 AM

Your one stop shop for this year's fall and Halloween decor! For one weekend only, Bella Patina opens its doors in the West Bottoms for Halloween Vintage Revival, 25,000 square feet of vintage, antique, repurposed and handmade furntiure, decor, art, and clothing. Learn more and shop in advance on facebook.com/BellaPatinaKC/events.

OCTOBER 7TH - 8TH

Weston Applefest

WESTON'S MAIN STREET | 10:00 AM

Hit the road for a day in Weston to enjoy one of the best picks around for a fall-filled adventure with the family! Weston's Applefest is a two day celebration to usher in harvest season. Watch the parade on Main Street and shop until you drop for all things apple. Read more about what to expect on westonmo.com/applefest2023

OCTOBER 7TH

Night at the Arboretum

OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS | 5:00 PM

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket! Experience the arboretum after hours for a night of stargazing during the Draconids meteor shower. Bring your flashlight for the trails and your appetite for a s'mores roast over the fire. Entrance is included with the cost of admission. Learn more on opkansas.org/.

OCTOBER 28TH - 29TH

Boo at the Zoo

KANSAS CITY ZOO | 9:30 AM

The Kansas City Zoo hosts a daytime Halloween extravaganza! Dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat around the grounds with the entire family. Trick-or-treat bags will be provided. Enjoy fun fall activities, including a pumpkin-toss, photo ops, and more! Entry is the cost of admission. Discover more on the zoo's events page kansascityzoo.org/event/boo-at-the-zoo.

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/MissionHills

It’s Pumpkin Bread Season

The Perfect Recipe For Some Autumn Comfort

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda and baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.

3. Combine the oil, butter, and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.

4. In a mixing bowl (with a paddle attachment), beat the pumpkin, sugar, and eggs until combined.

5. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the liquid ingredients. Let this process take about 1 to 2 minutes so the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

6. Using a spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet and slowly fold until the ingredients are blended.

7. Prepare a 10 x 5 loaf pan by buttering it really well and then adding a strip of parchment paper to the bottom and up the sides for easy removal.

8. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour. The bread will be fully risen in the center, like a loaf. Make sure it’s fully cooked and brown on the top otherwise it will fall in the middle once removed from the oven.