Northland, MO May 2023

The Fight for Ella-Mae:

Her family turns to the community for help.

ARTS + CULTURE

LOVE OF LOCAL ARRIVES AT KCI

TRAVEL

MARTHA LAFITE THOMPSON’S LEGACY ENDURES AT LIBERTY NATURE SANCTUARY

A Call to Action

Journalism definitely gets a bad rap these days. My job as editor of Northland Lifestyle is still journalism, though it’s often on the lighter side of things – restaurant reviews, places to travel, pretty homes, fun recipes. It’s a joy to put together this magazine for you, filled with colorful pages of what’s going on in our community.

But I do other types of journalism, too. My background is more traditionally in photojournalism, and I’ve done work for newspapers as big as The New York Times and as small as the News-Leader in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (a small daily paper that was my first journalism job!). I’ve covered hard news — crime, fires, flooding, politics — and I’ve been sent out when the news was slow to get what we call “weather features” — kids sledding, people at the pool, the everyday stuff.

My heart has always been passionate about community journalism. While I appreciate the access national newspapers can give, I care way more about the stories that are relevant to the places I live. Sometimes those stories are about kids sledding. And sometimes they’re about kids in need.

This month, we feature a story about Ella-Mae Anstaett, an 8-year-old Parkville girl who was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Batten disease. Her family is in the impossible position of trying to pay for Ella-Mae’s $20,000 medicine out of pocket since insurance won’t cover it. Their community has rallied together to help the family, but the steep price tag on Ella-Mae’s medicine still makes their journey a tough one to navigate physically, emotionally, and financially.

This month, please read Ella-Mae’s story. It may be a tough one to face, but the more eyes we can have on their story, the more likely it is that the family can get the help they need. Perhaps, together, we can ease their burden — even just a little.

Until next month,

KATIE CURRID, EDITOR @NORTHLANDCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Jeron Traphagan | jeron.traphagan@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Katie Currid | katie.currid@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Allison Swan | allison.swan@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Katie Currid, Tiffany Killoren, Diana Lambdin Meyer, MacKenzie Sparks

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jillian Bode, Katie Currid, Hannah Schreiner, Leneahs Unforgettable Images, Kayla Sheer

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Put your passion to work here.

Liberty Hospital & Clinics

When you find the place where you belong, it just feels right. If you are passionate about helping others and supporting a healthy Northland community, come work with us!

At Liberty Hospital, we offer competitive pay, great benefits and flexibility to fit your life. This is where passion and purpose work together, and you’ll know it the moment you walk through our doors.

Visit us online to view openings, hiring events and more. Apply today!

libertyhospital.org/careers

This is where health happens.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @northlandcitylifestyle

1: The Northland Clown Guild drives through the Snake Saturday parade March 11 in North Kansas City. 2: Staley High School's band plays during the Snake Saturday parade March 11 in North Kansas City. 3: St. Andrew Pipe & Drums play on March 11 in the Snake Saturday Parade.

4: People participate in the Liberty Half Marathon & Jewell 5K on March 25. 5: A runner finishes the Liberty Half Marathon & Jewell 5K on March 25. 6: Children run during the Liberty Half Marathon & Jewell 5K on March 25. 7: People participate in the Liberty Half Marathon & Jewell 5K on March 25.

SNAKE SATURDAY PARADE

SNAKE SATURDAY PARADE

SNAKE SATURDAY PARADE

J PUHR PHOTOGRAPHY/ LIBERTY HOSPITAL MARKETING TEAM

J PUHR PHOTOGRAPHY/ LIBERTY HOSPITAL MARKETING TEAM

J PUHR PHOTOGRAPHY/ LIBERTY HOSPITAL MARKETING TEAM

J PUHR PHOTOGRAPHY/ LIBERTY HOSPITAL MARKETING TEAM

Donations Needed for Liberty Hospital TreeHouse 2.0

For nearly 20 years, the TreeHouse has been a home away from home for nearly 50,000 patients. With the launch of Branching Out, a capital campaign, the Liberty Hospital Foundation aims to rally the community together to help support vital updates to the hospitality house such as enhanced programming, increasing availability and occupancy, and pioneering Northland resources to cancer patients as a reimagined resource. Visit LibertyTreeHouse.org to learn more.

Liberty Hospital

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

MACKENZIE SPARKS

Grab your gal pals and plan a relaxing or upscale day, weekend, or GNO (Girls' Night Out!) with any one of these local experiences fit for the females.

Our Picks for The Gal Pals

ZONA ROSA TOWN CENTER: Shop at my favorite boutique Pink Dinosaur, eat at the newly-updated 54th Street and finish your day at Draftcade! 8640 North Dixson Avenue, Kansas City, MO

VENTANA GOURMET GRILL: Downtown Excelsior Springs is perfect for a GNO. Shop at Style by Ry, have dinner at Ventana, and grab drinks at Dubious Claims Brewery. 117 West Broadway Street, Excelsior Springs, MO

MISC: Misc. has fun trivia nights or even cocktail classes where you can learn to make their yummy pop-up drinks. 1447 Gentry Street, North Kansas City, MO

CHICKEN N PICKLE: Pickleball, giant Jenga, life-size battleship, outdoor patios, and delicious food are all waiting for you at Chicken N Pickle!  1761 Burlington Street, North Kansas City, MO

BAR K: Head over to Bar K to soak in some patio weather, cold drinks, and food all while letting your dog have a fun afternoon. 501 Berkley Pkwy, Kansas City, MO

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR MacKenzie Sparks | @kenziecrossingkc

MacKenzie has a local blog page, Kenzie Crossing KC, which you can follow along with on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and even her blog site, kenziekrossingkc.com. She lives in Olathe with her family, but grew up in Lawson, Missouri. MacKenzie loves visiting new places in and around Kansas City and sharing those experiences and fun places on her blog.

Zona Rosa Town Center

Jillian Bode

Office: (816) 584-4179

Mobile: (615) 414-5123

CAnderson@capfed.com

NMLS #: 1713785

ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER

PRESERVING HISTORY

A3G ARCHITECTS WORK TO SAFEGUARD THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF LIBERTY

Aimee Gray remembers when she was studying architecture at Andrews University and she and her fellow students were taught that the buildings they would build in their careers would likely have a short lifespan.

“They were telling us that we should anticipate that the buildings we were designing would have a 40-year lifespan,” says Aimee. “Wow, that is crazy. That means I will design buildings that will be torn down in my lifetime.”

That didn’t sit well with Aimee, the owner and principal architect at A3G Architects, a woman-owned and fully female-staffed architectural and interior design firm based in historic downtown Liberty. Her goal is not only to build things that last but to preserve the history of her community. A3G Architects works on all sorts of projects, ranging from commercial to residential and including new builds, but Aimee has a soft spot for historic preservation.

“It’s a very American mentality,” she says of the teardown nature of modern American construction. “That just doesn’t make a lot of sense as far as the amount of embodied

energy you have in a building and everything that went into constructing it. If we can improve that and find a way to repurpose buildings versus tearing them down, it seems much more practical to me and better stewardship of our materials and our environment.”

Aimee has been working in architecture for 23 years. She is one of three sisters whose names also begin with A (hence the A3 in A3G) and architecture seemed like a natural fit for her from the beginning.

“I had a strong interest in both math and science while being a natural creative so it was a good fit for me,” says Aimee. “I liked the blend of art and physics. To me, architecture is practical, livable art.”

Aimee really enjoys the challenge of historical preservation.

“I think the challenge and the interest in historic projects are that you want to try to preserve as much of the natural historical elements as you can, while not replicating things to match it but to contrast and complement the historic,” she says. “So sometimes there’s a tendency

ROW 1

LEFT: A3G's office building at 110 N. Main Street

RIGHT: A3G's staff in their kitchen

ROW 2

LEFT: The kitchen in the Kansas Street residence

RIGHT: Kansas Street residence restored by A3G

ROW 3

LEFT: The Madison Miller residence

RIGHT: The Madison Miller residence

ROW 4

LEFT: A new construction home that A3G designed on Reinking Road

RIGHT: The kitchen of the new construction, historically-inspired build on Reinking Road

to want to come in and replicate a historic design and its elements, but really, that’s not the goal of historical preservation — it’s to preserve what is historically valuable, and then complement it with things that are modern.”

Aimee enjoys honoring history but also modernizing buildings for use today. Her own office building, an 1869 three-gabled Gothic-style building in historic downtown Liberty, has had many purposes over the years. She says the architectural style of their office is quite unique, and she enjoyed renovating the building for commercial use. Some of her favorite elements in the building include the hand-turned stair rail and the brick chimneys throughout.

“It’s something that if we don’t put effort into preserving, it’ll just go away,” says Aimee.

Aimee doesn’t just work on preserving historic buildings as her job, though. She’s especially passionate about preserving the history of her community and has held many positions on Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc., working to keep downtown Liberty’s square vibrant and a great place to visit, live and work. She’s currently a design chairwoman and knows that it’s important to maintain the downtown’s buildings and culture.

‘It’s very easy for people to come into Liberty and never come into downtown Liberty,” says Aimee. “Unless there’s an effort put in by the community to keep this area vibrant, these communities are just dried up, empty storefronts. It’s really a huge effort on everybody’s part to keep things viable and to keep people coming downtown.”

Aimee and her team have worked on multiple historic preservation projects in downtown Liberty, such as the Madison Miller house and 232 W. Kansas Street. It’s such a good fit for Aimee’s firm, with their blend of passions for historic Liberty and preservation builds.

Her team has also loved working on historically-inspired projects, like a new build for a family on Reinking Street who wanted a more compartmentalized floor plan for their young family rather than the modernized open-concept floor plans that are popular in new construction today. She says she often gets feedback from women and wives on projects that they love working with A3G, as they find her team helpful in navigating the very masculine world of construction. Aimee prides herself on listening to her client’s needs and creating a design that brings the owner’s vision to reality, not an ego-driven design.

Here’s to hoping we can see Aimee’s new architectural projects standing for hundreds of years, much like the ones she works so hard to preserve today.

“It's something that if we don't put effort into preserving, it'll just go away.” —Aimee

ABOVE: The Madison Miller residence

LOVE OF LOCAL ARRIVES AT KCI

The one million square foot terminal has 22 food concepts and all but four are local to Kansas and Missouri. Of those four, one is the very first Big Chicken, a concept by NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. But otherwise, you’ll find local names like Bo Lings, Pigwich, Urban Cafe and Parisi Coffee, among others.

THE NEW AIRPORT IS A SHOWCASE OF LOCAL ART, HISTORY, AND FOOD

ARTICLE BY DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILLIAN BODE

As Northlanders, we’ve always been rather proud of and protective of the airport. It’s ours, right? It’s literally our backyard.

But now, as the new airport terminal comes to life, the Northland is showcased in a way that simply did not happen in the 50 years the former terminals welcomed visitors and locals to Kansas City.

“We are thrilled to be part of something so big and so important to Kansas City and to be an ambassador for Platte County,” says Kit Lacy, co-owner of Jowler Creek Winery.

Lacy is talking about Grapes and Grains, a bar on Concourse B featuring all local beverages. McCormick Distillery in Weston has created a single barrel that will only be sold at the airport. Only Kansas City area beers are on tap in the various restaurants.

“It is pretty surreal to see our product being displayed on such a large scale,” she says. “It’s exciting that this city chose to partner with so many great local businesses.”

And lots of barbecue. Kansas City has the distinction of being the only airport in North America with a barbecue smoker in the terminal. But the operators of that smoker have a fun story, unique to Kansas City.

In coordination with the people at OHM, a St. Louis company that develops and operates more than 100 restaurants in 12 airports, the Kansas City Barbeque Society hosted a competition in June 2022 at Worth Harley Davidson on Prairie View Road, less than five miles from the airport.

KCBS invited 36 teams to participate. The only qualification was that competitors live within 60 miles of the airport, had participated in three competitions in the past year, and were members in good standing of the KCBS.

The winner of the competition received $25,000 and a one-year lease in Concourse B. It’s the thing dreams are made of. Brad Colter and Breana Via of Grain Valley had both worked in restaurants as teenagers, but they had only been participating in competition barbecue events for about 18 months.

“We had a five-year plan that maybe would lead to bottling our sauce and rubs, but this has blown away that plan,” says Breana, an elementary teacher in the Lee’s Summit School District.

The day-to-day operations of Smoke ‘n Magic on Concourse B is managed by OHM, but Brad and Bre oversee recipes and more. Their

products are for sale in the airport, as well as a Bloody Mary mix the team has created.

“The airport now smells likes Kansas City,” Bre says. “You step off your flight and the first thing you smell is barbeque.”

The Made For Kansas City Barbeque Contest will be repeated every year for the remainder of the 15-year lease with OHM. The public is invited to the contest June 9-10 at Worth Harley Davidson.

“This is, without a doubt, the most bespoke food and beverage program in a North American airport,” says OHM Executive Vice President Richard Chinsammy. “When we say local, we mean local.”

In addition to local restaurants at the airport, there are 10 retail outlets operated by the Marshall Retail Group out of Las Vegas. The company created a reproduction of the City Market that carries snacks and other goodies. A Made in KC Marketplace on Concourse A includes only products from local vendors such as Christopher Elbow and Growing Days, among others.

One of the more celebrated aspects of the terminal is the art found throughout, including the parking garage stairway. The $5.6 million worth of art makes it the largest such project in Kansas City history. More than 1,900 artists submitted proposals, 28 were selected and 19 of those are from Kansas City.

“A lot of my work includes the concept of travel, and I wrote about that in my proposal,” says Kathy Liao, a former art teacher at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph.

A native of Taiwan, Liao traveled frequently through the previous terminals and is humbled to be a part of such a meaningful project. “I’m still processing the whole experience because it was such a huge project to be a part of,” she says.

“Hello and Good-bye” located at gate B-63, captures the anticipation of travel, as well as the memories of destinations and their people. “I’m thrilled that this will be a part of Kansas City for such a long time.”

Platte County gets another shot of celebrity with an exhibit on the history of the land on which the airport was built.

Between the people movers on the way to the B gates is an interactive space that recognizes the native people of the region before there was a state of Missouri and a Platte County. One panel details the founding of Platte County in 1838, 17 years after Missouri became a state. Another panel highlights the Civil War in Platte County.

“Hello and Good-bye” by Kathy Liao

Across the walkway is another exhibit on the history of aviation in Kansas City, starting with the original airport in the Fairfax district, through the downtown airport to the development of the three-terminal airport in 1972. Considerable attention is given to TWA’s presence in Platte County beginning in 1931.

An important change for locals is the traffic flow. When picking up friends or family at the airport, you are encouraged to wait in the designated cell phone lot until their flight has landed and they have retrieved their luggage. The curb space is not as lengthy as the old terminals and there simply isn’t space for everyone waiting.

Another tip: Plan a flight soon, allowing you the opportunity to explore past the TSA checkpoints. Come early to explore and when your flight returns, don’t be in a hurry to leave. Stay around and have a drink, a meal or just take a selfie in front of the new digital fountain.

This is our airport. Celebrate!

A Legacy of Love

Martha Lafite Thompson's love of the outdoors has endured at the nature sanctuary bearing her name

ARTICLE BY TIFFANY KILLOREN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

Lafite .

With origins in Gascony, France, the word is derived from la hite, which means hillock or small hill. How appropriate that the name is associated with a beloved nature sanctuary near Liberty that is dedicated to the memory of a woman who preserved its beauty for generations to come. The Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is approaching its 50th year and is built on the vision, faith, and dedication of those who share the vision of its namesake.

In 1911, life in Liberty, Missouri, was bustling and eager to keep up with the changing times. William Jewell College had already been established and the sinking of the Titanic was still a year away. Although Ford’s popular Model-T was embraced by those with the means and desire to approach life on four wheels, a little girl was born who would grow to prefer afternoons in life surrounded by horses and open air.

Martha was born on December 25, 1911, to Roger and Annie Lafite. Roger, originally from France, served in its Forestry department, passing down his love for the outdoors to little Martha who had a special connection with horses from an early age. Martha’s upbringing was definitely not typical of the times; her parents were very well-traveled and – whether by genetics or nurturing – instilled a certain level of wanderlust and free-thinking in their daughter.

Growing up in Liberty and eventually graduating from Liberty High School in the late 1920s, Martha found a perfect partner in Omar Thompson, the owner, and operator of a greenhouse and nursery in the area. The two wed, not yet realizing that their mutual love for the land and its preservation would become a passion that only grew stronger with the passage of time.

The first chapter of the story began when Omar and Martha purchased over 50 acres

of land in the 1950s. Quite popular with friends and among the emerging Kansas City social scene, Martha organized get-togethers with friends on her property to watch birds and enjoy the peace that came with a warm summer wind and the rhythmic sway of prairie grass at dusk.

Although dedicating her land to a nature sanctuary was always her plan, she wasn’t able to see it through entirely before her death from a stroke in 1975. Thanks to the dedication and those she left behind, they were able to work with William Jewell, the ErnestShepherd Youth Memorial, and the Burroughs Audubon Society to incorporate a non-profit and raise capital to build a Nature Center in 1988. The Missouri Department of Conservation also purchased over 40 acres of land and leased it to the sanctuary to expand its footprint and create a new partnership.

Anne Nickel, president of the sanctuary’s board, feels a special connection to Martha. When Nickel learned that

Young Martha. Historic photos courtesy of the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary Martha and her father, Roger Martha on a horse

she had documented her life from 1933 to 1937 in a journal, she knew she had to share Martha’s story with the public. After extensive research into her history and memories captured by Martha’s own hand, Nickel worked to create an exhibit full of photos, interesting facts, and excerpts from the journal that visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy in the Nature Center now through the end of May.

Describing Martha as “independent and unconventional for her time,” Anne attributes her carefree spirit and determination to a rather nontraditional upbringing. Martha’s parents eventually divorced and she traveled the United States and many parts of the world with her father, undoubtedly bringing a love of diverse cultures back with her when returned to Liberty. “I think she was strong-willed,” Anne says, based on her reading of the journal. “She cared about what people thought but wasn’t going to conform. She followed her heart.”

Now, 112 years after Martha’s birth, her dream of a nature sanctuary is alive and flourishing with 100 acres of land and four miles of scenic walking trails, some of which Martha mapped out during her lifetime. It’s heartwarming to think how she would feel knowing children celebrate their birthdays on this land, scouts go on

adventures and a piece of land so precious to her is now a destination for excited field trip goers and those who need to press pause on their busy lives.

“I think she was a fun person who lived a full life,” says Executive Director Michael Sandy. “She was passionate about getting this set up as a nature sanctuary.”

Although her presence is felt throughout the property, a tribute to Martha and her legacy stands proudly in a plaque attached to a pink granite rock close to the picnic area. Written in both English and French to honor her heritage, it reads: “Her generosity and foresight made this sanctuary possible.”

As an only child with no children of her own, Martha’s land and hope for the future were at the heart of what she left behind. “She had to decide, who is going to inherit this?” Anne says. “ We inherited her land and it’s on us to keep her vision alive.”

You can see the exhibit on Martha Lafite Thompson through the end of May and explore the property at 407 N La Frenz Road in Liberty while you’re there. The Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is made possible only through corporate and individual donations. You can read more about the nature sanctuary and Martha or donate at naturesanctuary.com

“SHE HAD TO DECIDE, WHO IS GOING TO INHERIT THIS? WE INHERITED HER LAND AND IT’S ON US TO KEEP HER VISION ALIVE.”

The Fight for Ella-Mae

Alison Anstaett knows what it means to fight. She battled breast cancer at age 29, when her daughter, Ella-Mae, was not even 2. She remembers fighting for Ella-Mae back then, and she’s ready to do it again — though this time, it’s Ella-Mae who is fighting a disease. In August, Ella-Mae, 8, started second grade at St. Therese, a Catholic school in Parkville. Ella-Mae loves gymnastics, Disney princesses,

and art and her mother says she’s exceptionally cuddly and sweet. She’s described as a bit on the shy side, with a heart of gold. So Alison was surprised when she started getting feedback from her teacher that Ella-Mae was having behavioral problems in class.

All of this was new to Alison. She was also told that her daughter was struggling with her vision — she couldn’t see the board and A PARKVILLE FAMILY TURNS TO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEIR DAUGHTER

ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LENEAHS UNFORGETTABLE

IMAGES

was holding her books close to her nose. Ella-Mae had her vision checked within the last year, showing everything was fine, but Alison decided to take her back to the optometrist to get to the bottom of things.

Little did Alison know that this was just the beginning.

“Right then and there, we knew something was wrong because she couldn’t even see the giant E [on top of the eye chart] on the highest setting that they had,” says Alison of their optometrist visit.

The optometrist said she had macular degeneration in her eyes, which usually affects the elderly, and referred Ella-Mae to a specialist at Children’s Mercy. The specialists recommended genetic testing to figure out if there was something else going on. In January, the test results told the Anstaetts that Ella-Mae had CLN3 Batten disease.

Batten disease is so rare that it didn’t even come up on the genetic testing panel that Alison had run when she was pregnant. It’s estimated that there are only 14,000 cases worldwide, affecting 2 out of every 100,000 children.

“It’s a pretty scary one to look up,” says Alison. “Vision loss is usually the first sign and most go completely blind by age 10. Then, seizures start to develop and then a cognitive decline, dementia, Parkinson’slike symptoms, eventually loss of all speaking ability, followed by [loss of] motor function, and then it’s 100% fatal.”

Ella-Mae’s diagnosis was a devastating blow to the Anstaetts. The family has only had months to adjust to their new reality and wrap their minds around what it means for their daughter. Immediately, they turned to medicine to see what could be done.

The family was told about a drug called miglustat, which is currently prescribed for other genetic diseases such as Gaucher disease. Right now, miglustat is in the second phase of clinical trials to treat Batten disease and is showing good promise. It has been shown to slow the progression of the disease, sometimes even stopping it.

Going on the medicine would be a lifetime commitment for Ella-Mae. But because miglustat is not FDA-approved for use in treating Batten disease, the Anstaett’s insurance won’t cover it.

“So far, we’ve raised about $30,000 [as of April]. But that would be only a month and a half’s supply. And I don’t want to start her on it and then not have enough funding to keep going with it.”

The Anstaetts held a fundraiser in April to raise money for Ella-Mae’s medicine. The fundraiser was at The Suburban restaurant in Leavenworth, the hometown of Ryan, Ella-Mae’s dad, and featured a barbecue dinner with a raffle and auction. Local businesses donated cookies and cakes, and friends, friends of friends, and businesses donated items from autographed Len Dawson photographs to Sporting KC tickets — even a 7-day stay in Cozumel. They sold over 200 tickets and the family was overwhelmed with support from the community.

“I’m honestly at a loss for words and overtaken by emotion like an emotional rollercoaster,” says Alison about the outpouring of support from the community. “Grateful. Blessed. Hopeful. It’s hard to put how you feel in words and give it one feeling or sentence. It’s so beautiful to see the amazing outreach. I never wanted to be put in this position. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. But we are here. And I can truly feel we are not alone in this. And that’s what keeps us going.”

“I never wanted to be put in this position — it’s every parent’s worst nightmare. But we are here. And I can truly feel we are not alone in this. And that’s what keeps us going.”

In the meantime, little things like being brought dinner by friends or having a neighborhood dance party in their driveway keep them going and keep their spirits up. A lot has been hard about Ella-Mae’s diagnosis, but the bright spot is the blessings of friends and the charity of those who hear about Ella-Mae and feel compelled to help. The family hopes to continue spreading awareness of the disease and to keep raising money through

other fundraising events so they can eventually get Ella-Mae the medicine she needs.

If you would like updates on Ella-Mae or would like to reach out to the Anstaetts, you can follow their journey at Ella-Mae’s Endeavor or email Alison at ellamaesendeaver@gmail.com.  You can also read more about Batten disease or donate to Batten disease research at bdsrafoundation.org or beyondbatten.org

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Play a Family Board Game

If Mom likes strategizing, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don’t have to let her win just because it’s Mother’s Day.)

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Get Theater Tickets

Go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events.

Invite Her To High Tea

Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.

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

APRIL 29TH THROUGH MAY 14TH Spring Parade of Homes

11:00 A.M.

The Parade of Homes returns to Kansas City featuring hundreds of homes by some of the area’s finest builders, such as Owen Homes. Homes will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. Free parade guides will be available for pickup at the KCHBA and at all parade homes. For more information, please visit KCParadeofHomes.com

THROUGH THE END OF MAY

The Legendary Lafite: Rediscovering Martha and Her Enduring Legacy

MARTHA LAFITE THOMPSON

NATURE SANCTUARY | 9:00 AM

Liberty’s first lady of nature, Martha Lafite Thompson, opened her heart and land for everyone to enjoy. Now open her journal to experience the legendary woman behind the legacy.

Feb 7 to May 31, 2023 / Tu-Sat / 9am5pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

MAY 12TH

Friday Night Concert: Goddess of the Rock

MACKEN PARK FESTIVAL

SHELTER | 6:00 PM

Friday Night Concert is a Summer Concert Series on the second Friday of the month, May through September from 6 pm to 9 pm. Free and open to the public. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets and join us at the Festival Shelter in Macken Park to sit back, relax, and listen to live music.

DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO CHOOSE?

Franchising with us means making money and time for your life.

For over 75 years, Oakhill Day School has provided the Kansas City Northland with student-first academic offerings that fit every family's needs. Experience firsthand the variety of options that Oakhill can provide for your family. Whether you need an early childhood program for your child's first years of school, well-rounded K-8 academics, or flexibility for your busy high school student, we will help you find YOUR perfect fit.

Academics from infancy to adulthood

On-site learning & social-emotional support for students

Dedicated teaching staff

A close-knit community with a family feel

MAY 13TH

Northland Mother’s Day 5K

ENGLISH LANDING PARK IN PARKVILLE | 7:00 AM

This running event is a fundraiser for Equal Start, which raises money to purchase school supplies for all children in need in Platte County schools.

MAY 13TH

Polish Pottery Festival

SHORT STREET IN WESTON | 10:00 AM

It’s all about food, music, dance, history, artisans, vendors, and, of course, the Polish Pottery! Fun for the whole family, so come celebrate with us! The Festival takes place inside Renditions Polish Pottery Shop and outside on Main and Short Streets in Historic Weston, Missouri.

MAY 20TH

Weston Wine Fest

O’MALLEY’S PARKING LOT | 11:00 AM

Come join us at the 7th(ish) annual  Weston WineFest  presented by  Pirtle Winery. Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than a festival of wine! Come and enjoy live music and taste wines from 9 different wineries from around the area. The event will be held in the adjoining space with our friends at the Weston Brewing Company.

JUNE 3RD

Weston Roots Music Festival

VENUES THROUGHOUT

DOWNTOWN WESTON | 2:00 PM

Come to the first Weston Roots Music Fest! We are offering a day of entertainment with Americana, folk, and bluegrass music. We wish to bring people together with authentic music, delicious food, and fun activities. Families are welcome at this event. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are $25.

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