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A field trip with a syndicate of 4th graders discovered new a few new aspects of this local sports museum that were not uncovered on the last visit.  With that group in attendance, along with 100 others from another school, the court and the activities felt much different than on awards night with The Firm several years ago. The upstairs was basketball chaos for quite a while.  Taking a cue from the staff, the crew started their adventure with the basketball activities littering the ground floor, until they could properly add their statement to the mix upstairs.  Some were found enjoying a feature documentary on the sport and the teams, while others searched for their favorite stars in the Hall of Fame, when they weren't passing the ball, slam-dunking in the short court, shooting one free throw after another, or taking a stab at television broadcast journalism. The Hall provided other bits of intrigue for them too, with banners, posters, medals, and the Ferris Mowers NABC...

Looking to catch up with a local point of interest, we headed to the south part of town to look in on the Overland Park Arboretum this Mother's Day.  It was a perfect morning for the excursion.  Temperatures lingered in the teens Celsius with overcast skies, until sometime around 1 pm.  The sun finally began to breakthrough about then, for a more steamy afternoon. A friend had recommended this spot a few years ago.  Living very close by, he enjoyed walking there every evening and encouraged us to come for a visit.  The whole masked hysteria began shortly thereafter and it fell of the radar. The walk around the grounds proved quite interesting, with a variety of trails for every taste.  A diverse selection of plants littered the air in all directions, just beginning to show their colors. The first of June should manifest a spectacular display. A massive model railroad display reflected the history of the area and old Overland Park, before boom times.  I...

Wandering north to the small town of Lawson found larger than life kites flying.  The event was to have been under a partly cloudy sky, but the weather proved itself uncooperative.  Steel gray skies dominated the day, with a cold wind keeping things at a barely tolerable state. The lake was choppy, though scenic in its simplicity and, the 2.5 km hike around the lake, refreshing. The event likely would have drawn many more to the space on a sunny day.    Food trucks stood at the ready for the throngs, ultimately left patiently waiting in the cold. Kite-building activities could not be located, though a variety were available for purchase at what seemed much higher than market value.  Future dates under more copacetic conditions will likely amass a more excited event. . . . further reading Kite Day at Lawson Lake

The birthday of a friend offered up the opportunity to see Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers perform in an intimate setting.  It had been a long time since catching this act and it was no less enjoyable than ever.  Fun music!  Fun times. . . .  further reading Bob Walkenhorst

  An entirely random invitation piqued interest in this event, held at Staley High School in the northland of Kansas City. Friendly faces and tasty treats were made available, but the main event proved to be the dancing.  Nearly every nation was represented through small presentations of song, dance, and cultural display. The Germans were one of the loudest, and for many, the most fun.  Children duplicated their stomping rhythm and swinging motions below the stage, giggling the entire way.  . . . further reading Northland Ethnic Festival (eeckc.org)