Northland, MO July 2023

50 YEARS OF THRILLS: Celebrating Worlds of Fun's 50th birthday

SPORTS + RECREATION

GEOCACHING IS A MODERN-DAY TREASURE HUNT

CROQUET IS MORE FUN THAN YOU REMEMBER

A bittersweet transition

Hey there Northland!

It’s me, Jeron! I hope your year is going fantastic and you’re just as excited that it’s July as I am. It’s one of the most popular months of the year! Packed with county fairs, the sounds of locusts, watermelon, and America’s birthday…July is an oasis for many family memories to be made. I’ve been anticipating summer for months and now that it’s here, I want to pause time.

By the way, isn’t Katie wonderful?! I’ve had her own this letter for the past year because let’s be honest…she’s the main talent behind this beautiful piece of work. But I wanted to pop in to say hello but also…goodbye.

It’s a very bittersweet goodbye as this will be my last issue as publisher for Northland City Lifestyle. Bitter because this publication has become a huge part of my life and I have cultivated many great relationships from it. I’ve sincerely enjoyed showcasing small businesses and sharing their journey. I’ve loved bringing our advertiser's business and further branding them in our community. I’ve loved working with our editorial team to create a beautiful product that makes a lasting impression and that can live on coffee tables. And most importantly, shedding light on the many positive things that the Northland holds. But within the bitter lies a great sweetness for my family. After four great years with this magazine, I’m going to be a full-time mom to my three boys.

I’m over-the-moon excited to serve them fully to be strong, brave, and kind men of character. But the decision did not come lightly as I’m driven to make an impact and motivated to accomplish goals. However, my heart is telling me that my goal right now is to put good humans into this world so I’m doing what I’ve always done (as cliche as it sounds)...following my heart.

That being said, one of my very close friends will be taking my place as publisher and it makes my transition much easier knowing it will be in such great hands. I’ll let her introduce herself next month, but until then, please do share our stories and reach out to us with any feedback. We love hearing from you!

The future is very bright for the Northland and I love raising my family here. Even though we may have never met, I hope this letter brings a smile to you and perhaps a little nudge to follow your heart as well Cheers!

JERON TRAPHAGAN, PUBLISHER @NORTHLANDCITYLIFESTYLE

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Jeron Traphagan | jeron.traphagan@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Katie Currid | katie.currid@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Allison Swan | allison.swan@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Diana Lambdin Meyer, Amy Eastin, Tiffany Killoren

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kristin Helling, Picture KC, Hannah Schreiner

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

Kearney Amphitheatre Summer Concert: The Phil Collins Experience

Saturday, August 19th Annual Jesse James Days Festival

September 8th-9th, 15th-17th

Oktoberfest

October 7th

Kearney’s Magical Night & Lighted Christmas Parade

December 9th

The

Being the Northland’s premier provider of health and well-being means something special to us. It’s not about size – it’s about you, and giving you the very best in everything we do.

Extraordinary things happen here, from life-changing moments to uniquely personalized care. From before you arrive to long after your visit, you will feel how much even the littlest details matter to us. We believe good health is a comfort everyone can enjoy, and that’s our commitment to you – delivered with excellence every day.

We are Liberty Hospital, and this is where health happens.

premier patient experience you just won’t find anywhere else.

1: Pirtle Winery pours drinks at the Weston WineFest at O'Malleys. 2: Soca Jukebox performs at the Weston WineFest at O'Malleys on May 20th. 3: Festival goers mingle during the Weston WineFest on May 20th at O'Malleys. Photography by Christine Pirtle

NKCPL's 2023 Summer Reading Program is currently underway. This year's theme? All Together Now.

Go here to register (or stop by the Library, and we can get you signed up!), and start logging your reads to earn rewards and prizes. This year's program runs through August 12, and is open to readers of ALL ages.

For more info about SRP, and to get started, go to  nkcpl.org . Happy reading this summer!

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

LORI BARNES

If 2022 had “Hot Girl Summer,” 2023 has the “That Girl” movement. But instead of drinking too much and enjoying the single life, we are focusing on self-improvement. Being “That Girl” means you have your stuff together! She’s an early riser, she’s hydrated, she eats well, she moves her body daily, and practices all the self-care! So, if you live in the Northland, and are on your own personal quest to become “That Girl”, these businesses are here to help!

Our Picks for Your Summer Bucket List

RESTORE HYPER WELLNESS: Whether your goal is to optimize sleep, increase energy or reduce the appearance of aging, RHW is the place for you.

8528 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City, MO

INBLISS YOGA: Get your Zen on with a variety of healing practices and tools this quaint and quirky studio offers!  5106 NW Waukomis, Kansas City, MO

BLUSH BOOT CAMP: Looking to build your bod AND your confidence?

From energizing workouts to personalized balance meetings, this women-only community shines bright. Plus, complimentary childcare! 7024 Elizabeth Street, Parkville, MO

PURA VIDA ACAI CAFÉ: Pura Vida (translating to “simple” or “pure” life)

Acai Café will nourish your body while satisfying your sweet tooth. They also offer Costa Rican coffee! 6203 NW 63rd Terrace, Kansas City, MO

SHOPLEN BOUTIQUE : The latest trends at affordable prices from casual wear to formal dresses. Plus, ShopLen believes every shopping trip is better with a glass of bubbly! 7207 NW 86th Terrace, Kansas City, MO

Scan

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

Lori Barnes | @withlove_lb

When it comes to the Northland, there is no bigger fan than me! I spent over 2 decades living up north, until I met my husband in 2009. We spent 10 years across the river but knew when it was time to raise my daughter, I’d return to my roots! We now reside in Parkville, and I couldn’t be happier with our decision. The Northland is rich in community, culture, and growth! My family and I love spending our free time exploring KC and supporting our local businesses. You can catch our adventures on my Instagram, where I capture all things food, fashion, fitness, and family with love!

Blush Boot Camp

Make Every Day Feel Like Vacation

THIS HOME AT THE NATIONAL IS AN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF KANSAS CITY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMOURA PRODUCTIONS

Spectacular is one of the many words to describe this estate home on the #5 Fairway at The National Golf Club of Kansas City. Inspired by the love of Santa Fe, New Mexico, this custom-built home was designed to let you vacation at home and feel as though you are thousands of miles away. From the stucco exterior to the imported barrel tile roof, authenticity abounds.

The new owner fell in love with this incredible home the minute he walked through the front doors. He saw the potential of what updates would do and

the location on the golf course with the incredible views from every room gave him the incentive to make this home his own. The plans started immediately with over $1.2 million in amazing updates. His builder was contacted and a game plan was put in place for all the interior changes.

The backyard was full of trees and it was this owner’s dream to have a fantastic pool oasis. Several pool companies were researched until the perfect one was found to get plans underway!  A custom gunite pool was built with a ledged entry

Photo by Picture KC

sun deck, jacuzzi, waterfalls, fountains, gas flames, and sprayers. The outdoor kitchen rounds out this perfect entertaining space with a Viking grill on the covered deck, which is pool-level. All of the old landscaping was removed with a new cleaner look and style completed by Jones Brothers Lawn Care. Rock beds were installed with plantings, enormous rock walls, a new sprinkler system, and various trees and bushes.

The entire interior has a new look with a lighter color to enhance the features. A full kitchen was added on the lower level, along with a fabulous climate-controlled wine cellar showcasing custom cabinets. This home at 6521 Ridge Road in Parkville is being marketed by Wolfe-Sweeney & Courtney with Reece Nichols Parkville. wsc.reecenichols.com/ ListingDetails/6521-Ridge-Road-Parkville-MO-64152/2407778

“The new owner fell in love with this incredible home the minute he walked through the front doors.”

CARPET - TILE - VINYL PLANK - HARDWOOD - LAMINATE - NATURAL STONE

Five Decades of Fun

WORLDS OF FUN CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS SUMMER

ARTICLE BY DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WORLDS OF FUN

Back in the 90s, my family hosted a foreign exchange student from the Netherlands. On one of her first days in our home, she and other foreign exchange students went to Worlds of Fun.

She came home sick to her stomach and with an awful pain in her neck, but she was deliriously happy. She had discovered the Zambezi Zinger and had done nothing but ride the roller coaster an estimated 62 times and eat corn dogs, a delicacy new to this European teenager.

We lost touch with our foreign exchange student over the years, but we’ve thought about how much fun it would be for her to return to Kansas City this summer for the 50th anniversary of Worlds of Fun and the return of the Zambezi Zinger.

The original Zambezi Zinger

It’s a celebration for fun lovers from literally around the world.

Worlds of Fun was Lamar Hunt’s idea. In partnership with Jack Steadman, his original plan was 500 acres, a park that might rival Kansas City’s other inspirational genius – Walt Disney. They broke ground in 1971 and on May 26, 1973, Worlds of Fun opened with 20 rides. Today, the park is 243 acres and has 64 rides. The original Zambezi Zinger operated until 1997 and was sold to an amusement park in South America.

The Zambezi Zinger returning to thrill us this summer is the same design, but bigger and badder. The original was 57 feet high and riders sat single file in a bobsled-type cart. The new Zinger is 74 feet tall, 2,482 feet long and goes 45 mph. Riders sit side by side.

Janet Scott Canseco, who now lives in Parkville, was a senior at Truman High School in Independence when Worlds of Fun opened. Although she already had a part-time job, she thought it would be great fun to work the summer at this new place.

“I loved working the Zinger because where I stood was under a canopy so it was shaded and cool,” Janet says. “After we got off work, we just stayed and rode rides until the park closed. It was the best job ever.”

Despite her cool, shady space working at the Zinger, Janet realized that working in ticket sales allowed her to work in an air-conditioned space, so that’s where she spent the summer of 1974. Now she takes her grandsons to WOF and is looking forward to riding the Zinger with them when they are tall enough.

The new Zambezi Zinger

Terry Hurley was also a senior in high school in 1973 when he saw a call for auditions for performers in Worlds of Fun’s new theaters. At the time, Terry’s dream was to make it to Broadway, singing and performing in musicals. He made the cut — one of only two teenagers to be chosen for a musical review called Twentieth Century Sing at the Tivoli Playhouse.

“It was a very heady experience for me,” says Terry, now retired as an in-house attorney for the Sprint Corporation and living in North Carolina.

“It was a lot of fun that first summer because everything was new and somewhat experimental and we had to figure things out on the fly,” he says. “That job helped me grow up a bit and develop confidence that has helped me all my life.”

One of the highlights of the summer was a visit from Lamar Hunt. “He came backstage and shook each of our hands and I remember him being very gracious.”

Lisa Mall has a Lamar Hunt story, too. The Clay County woman worked from 1988-91 at Worlds of Fun. One night, as she was loading guests on the Zinger, two men appeared in line in suits, which was kind of weird. As a safety precaution, it was her job to make sure guests stayed behind the yellow line.

She made the announcement several times, speaking more firmly each time. Everyone obeyed, except for the two men in suits. They just smiled and kept talking.

“I yelled at Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman,” laughed Lisa. “I didn’t know who they were, but I hope he was impressed at my efforts to ensure safety.”

Lisa continues to visit Worlds of Fun on a regular basis and cherishes the memories from her favorite job ever.

“To this day, I can’t stand the smell of funnel cakes or hot asphalt, thanks to my time at Worlds of Fun,” laughed Laura Watilo Blake, a 1988 Oak Park High School graduate who worked

The original Zambezi Zinger

a variety of WOF positions from 1984-87, as did her sister Lenore, who now lives in Maui.

Laura now lives in Ohio, not far from Cedar Point, owned by the same parent company as Worlds of Fun. Her 9-year-old daughter is finally tall enough to ride the coasters at Cedar Point, but Laura has not taken her.

“Kinley’s first theme park and roller coaster experience is going to be Worlds of Fun and the Zambezi Zinger,” Laura said. They’ll be visiting Kansas City this month.

And in one of those twists in life, Laura’s daughter is adopted from Colombia and Laura, a travel writer, has contributed to the Lonely Planet guidebook covering the country. She plans to take Kinley to ride the original Zambezi Zinger now located in Quindío, Colombia.

Worlds of Fun’s 50th – truly a celebration around the world.

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

50 Nights of Fire

For 50 nights straight, starting June 24 and ending Aug. 12, Worlds of Fun hosts a fireworks display that includes drones and original music created for the anniversary season.

Worlds of Fun 50

Visit the lobby of the Tivoli Theater for a temporary museum installation on the history of WOF. From the drafting table the park was designed on to the original lead car from the Orient Express and lots of memories from guests and employees, there’s a fun story.

For more information, visit worldsoffun.com/entertainment

The new Zambezi Zinger

ARTICLE BY AMY EASTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER

A Modern-Day Treasure Hunt

AN INTRODUCTORY GUIDE TO GEOCACHING

One of my family’s favorite things to do is go geocaching. Geocaching is like a modern-day treasure hunt. We use an app to look up various caches, or containers, hidden anywhere and everywhere from downtown Kansas City to our favorite trails and playgrounds. Then we find them, log our names, and put them back. My kids love hunting for “treasure” and I love seeing all of the creative ways people have hidden caches around our city.

WHAT’S INSIDE A GEOCACHE?

Geocaches can vary in size. We have found some as small as a pill or screw before. These open so you can pull out a small rolled up sheet of paper called a log. The log is a space for you to write your name and let people know you found the cache.

Every geocache contains a log, but many of the larger caches have “swag” as well or small tokens, toys, or stickers you can trade out. If you take swag, you’re supposed to exchange it so that others will have something to take as well. Once you find a cache, you can also log it in the app and let people know what you thought of the geocache.

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“My kids love feeling like we’re on a reallife treasure hunt. I love that we can do it as a family, work together as a team, and have fun outdoors.”

Castle Northmoor

“One of the best-ranked geocaches in the whole state is right here in the Northland at Castle Northmoor. Although it is privately owned, the owners allow the geocache to be on their property and people to come to search for it.”

Exploring Line Creek Triple Falls

HOW TO GET STARTED

Download the “Geocaching” app for free. There is a free version and premium version. I recommend starting out with the free version because it will give you access to the easiest geocaches. Then you can see if you like it. The harder geocaches often require solving puzzles or multiple steps before you can find them.

Pull up your location on the app and look for geocaches near you or near where you are planning to go. Some areas will have no caches — others will have many. I always check the log to see if caches have been found recently. If multiple people have marked it at DNF or “did not find,” then the cache has probably been lost. If it’s been found recently then it is probably a good cache to look for. I recommend reading the description before you go so you know what to expect.

Once you’re near the cache’s location, you can hit “navigate” in the app. It will direct you toward the geocache and let you know how many feet away you are from it. If you cannot find it you can click on “hint” and get another clue.

BE PREPARED

Many geocaches are hidden in interesting, hardto-reach places. Some require bushwhacking, going off trail, or even bringing a TOTT (tools of the trade, like a ladder). Always wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty or torn. In the spring through fall, wear bug spray. Some geocaches are hidden just off the trail or are accessible. Read the descriptions thoroughly to determine which caches are the best for you.

BEST PLACES TO GEOCACHE IN THE NORTHLAND

Our favorite places to geocache in the Northland are spots where we can find multiple caches within walking distance of one another. My favorite spots are Atkins-Johnson Farm, Line Creek Trail, and Happy Rock Trail.

One of the best-ranked geocaches in the whole state is right here in the Northland at Castle Northmoor. Castle Northmoor is a handbuilt tower constructed in 1983. Although it is privately CONTINUED >

owned, the owners allow the geocache to be on their property and for people to come to search for it. It’s truly a unique spot with a great view of the city. The cache is a fun find.

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GEOCACHE?

Geocaches are hidden across the country and the world. My family loves pulling up the app when we’re traveling or anywhere new to see if there is one hidden nearby. We have had some great adventures and found some cleverly hidden caches.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GEOCACHE?

Although we geocache all year, it is one of our favorite winter activities because there is less bushwhacking and it gives our family a way to be outside and have something to look for when there are fewer bugs, plants, and animals to see.

WHY DO WE LOVE GEOCACHING?

My family loves geocaching because it takes us to new and interesting places within our hometown. We have found unique spots that we wouldn’t have gone to otherwise looking for the cache. My kids love feeling like we’re on a real-life treasure hunt. I love that we can do it as a family, work together as a team, and have fun outdoors.

For more tips on getting outdoors with kids and outdoor locations in Kansas City and the Midwest follow @everdayoutdoorfamily on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok or check out my website, everydayoutdoorfamily.com .

FIT READING IN TO ALL OF YOUR SUMMER ACTIVITIES

ARTICLE BY TIFFANY KILLOREN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

MAKING THIS SUMMER A PAGE TURNER

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY IN WESTON

Summer schedules are in full-blast mode, and a healthy mix of fun and chaos often takes families from sports to parks to pools and everything in between. Along with sunscreen and snacks that don’t melt in the heat, books are a must-have for leisurely afternoons or downtime between games. Not only is a good book a great alternative to mindless screen-scrolling time, but it sets a great example for kids that a good story can add to anyone’s summer adventure.

A HOT READING LIST

Not all necessarily in the just-released category, the below are a few options for readers of any genre this summer and will keep you engaged while passing time at the pool, on road trips, or in the airport terminal.

A Bit Beachy : Typically based in Nantucket, even Elin Hilderbrand’s book covers want us to escape to a beach with lounge chairs and striped umbrellas. A sweet, compelling, and heartfelt

story about a mother’s love,  Golden Girl is a quick and easy read with beautiful character development that is easy to come back to when busy schedules don’t allow for hours of uninterrupted reading time.

Sun & Suspense : True suspense lovers don’t wait until Halloween season to enjoy a good mystery or story with a darker flare. Ruth Ware is a go-to for suspense that stops short of scary. All of her books involve an engaging mystery with twists and turns that make you want to turn the page. Her most recent,  The It Girl , takes you to Oxford and a murder that haunts a friend group years after they left their college years behind.

Traveling Tales : Those of a certain age will associate Andrew McCarthy with his roles in Pretty in Pink (Blane –  swoon) or St. Elmo’s Fire (the struggling writer), but he is an accomplished author and recently came to Kansas City to discuss his book,  Walking With Sam . A heartfelt memoir about his 500-mile hike along the Camino de Santiago in Spain with his 20-year-old son, this story is a beautiful tribute and introspection into the relationship between parent and child and will make you want to hold onto those summer days with your kids a little tighter.

Stranger than Fiction :  Killers of the Flower Moon  is the true story of the murders of an Osage Nation family as part of a plot to possess their land. A story you must read to believe, there’s no doubt why it was made into

Little Free Library

a movie set to be released later this year. Part history and part mystery, this story will keep you engaged no matter where you take it this summer.

BOOKS, AUTHORS & LEARNING – OH MY!

Local Reads: Parkville Coffee is known for its great coffee, quiche, and adorable local author book nook in the upstairs sitting area. An author herself, owner Kristin Helling has started hosting monthly local author readings and signings at the coffeehouse for those looking for a new book. These informal events are a great way to learn about interesting reads, support local writers and grab a latte at a beloved Parkville business. Follow Parkville Coffee on social media to keep up to date on events.

Libraries: Libraries are known for their summer reading programs to entice kiddos to keep up with their reading during school break, but afternoons at the library aren’t just for kids. Have a vacation planned that needs some research?

Robert Long Foreman speaks at Parkville Coffee. Photo by Kristin Helling

Parkville Coffee's book nook.

Photo by Kristin Helling

Robert Krenzel reads at Parkville Coffee. Photo by Kristin Helling

Want to keep your kids’ brains engaged and in learning mode? Incorporate reading into a weekly routine where you research a place, event, or other bucket list item and discuss it over dinner. It can make a trip to the library a little smoother if there’s a game plan and something to look for.

If you want to add a little Zen to your summer routine, the North Kansas City Public Library is offering yoga sessions, including weekly yoga in the park sessions throughout August, as well as sewing and crafting classes. This is the time to stop reading about new hobbies and actually

“NOT ONLY IS A GOOD BOOK A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO MINDLESS SCREEN SCROLLING TIME, BUT IT SETS A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR KIDS THAT A GOOD STORY CAN ADD TO ANYONE’S SUMMER ADVENTURE.”

try them! If you have an inner artist wait ing to come out, they will also be hosting a tiny art show for folks of all ages to showcase their work.

Freebies: Looking to do something a little different this summer? Build a Little Free Library in your neighborhood and ask for your neighbors’ help keeping it fully stocked. Or, how about a weekly poolside book chat with friends to help the hours pass while the kids cannonball one another and toss a beach ball around?

There’s a lot of summer left so make these next few chapters the best!

Not Your Grandmother's Game

A Parkville couple wants you to know that croquet is more fun than you remember

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

It’s likely that Ellie Griffith never saw herself having a croquet-themed wedding before she met her husband, Matt. The two met through an online dating website and Ellie recalls looking at his profile and asking herself, “Who the heck plays croquet?!”

But their first date was on the croquet court in Matt’s backyard, which is where they later hosted their own wedding four years later, complete with a 10-ft croquet wicket/wedding altar that Matt built out of PVC pipe. They both now live in the house in front of the court at Kactus Creek Croquet Club — their home and business.

Yes, Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Parkville is actually in Matt and Ellie’s backyard. Every Tuesday, when the couple hosts their open night, people come to play croquet on the short hybrid Bermuda grass in their backyard and sit on their back porch, which can be seen through the couple’s kitchen window. Families, couples, and groups of friends come to play croquet at $5 a person — a fun, inexpensive night out that’s increasingly rare these days.

Clearly, Matt and Ellie are very much into croquet. But the game they play might look a little different from the one many of us grew up playing in our grandparents’ backyards. At Kactus Creek, they teach a variation of what is called golf croquet, which they call “fun golf croquet,” which is simpler and without the penalties of regular golf croquet, and simpler than 9-wicket backyard croquet (the version most people are familiar with).

“Almost everybody goes, ‘I didn’t know croquet could be this much fun,’ because they’ve not played this game,” says Matt. “The other game’s not as much fun because it’s a lot more complicated. That’s really our goal. We’re going to try to get it promoted throughout

the country because I want kids and families to start playing croquet again and this game, our little fun game, [fun golf croquet,] is the easiest way to get people to play because it doesn’t take very long.”

Matt and Ellie actually compete, playing golf croquet professionally. Matt has played internationally in the Golf Croquet World Championship multiple times since 2015 and Ellie is a national doubles champion in her division and will be trying out for this year’s world championship in Australia, which Matt will be competing in.

But Matt and Ellie’s passion lies in introducing people to their favorite sport and trying to revive the pastime that they believe is sort of fading away.

“There are tons of people across the country that still play croquet — you don’t hear about it because it’s mostly just family,” says Matt. “You know, some family groups, they only know the backyard version. They don’t know that there are actually three other games besides the backyard game.”

Matt and Ellie say anyone can play golf croquet, which they liken to a combination of pool and chess. They usually recommend the starting age to be 8 years old but love that it can be played by much older people and people of different physical abilities and body types.

“The nice thing is you don’t have to be an athlete,” says Matt. “You can be heavy, skinny, short, tall. It doesn’t matter.”

And while it’s a sport, Ellie and Matt both keep coming back to the game because it’s not just about one’s athletic skill, but it’s also a mental game that requires a lot of thinking ahead.

“There are tons of people across the country that still play croquet — you don’t hear about it because it’s mostly just family,”

“It’s more of a mind game — strategy,” says Ellie. “Execution, of course, is important. But the person a lot of times that wins in this game is the better strategist.”

“It being a strategy game is why I stayed with it so long,” adds Matt. “I like it so much because I like the mental part of the game.”

If you’re interested in learning to play croquet, you can go to Kactus Creek Croquet Club every Tuesday between late May and October. The court is open from 7-10 p.m. and it’s $5/person to play. The Griffiths recommend not bringing huge groups to their open night, and four people can play a game at a time. You can also rent out Kactus Creek Croquet Club for private events.

kactuscreek.com

kactuscreek@gmail.com

Ellie and Matt Griffith

Ellie and Matt's wedding.

Photo courtesy of the Griffiths.

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events

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

JULY 8TH

KC Wide Open Disc Golf

Pro Tour Block Party

STOCKSDALE PARK IN LIBERTY | 5:00 PM

Join in the fun of the KC Wide Open stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour at Stocksdale Park with a block party in downtown Liberty! The event will include disc golf demonstrations, interactive games, music, food and brews. For more information, check out the Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc website.

JULY 14TH

Friday Night Concert

MACKEN PARK | 5:30 PM

Listen to a performance by Scotty & Deann and Carl Worden Band. Friday Night Concert is a Summer Concert Series on the second Friday of the month, May through September from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets and sit back, relax, and listen to live music.

JULY 15TH

Your family’s comfort is important to us here at Gladstone Furnace & A/C Co. That’s why we only install the very best Heating, Air Conditioning, and indoor air quality products available in Kansas City, MO. Our trained and seasoned staff is fully equipped to handle your HVAC equipment and indoor air comfort questions and needs.

(816) 452-0400 www.gfac1948.com

Dog Days of Summer Craft

Beer Crawl

DOWNTOWN LIBERTY | 1:00 PM

Enjoy an afternoon sampling 25+ craft brews and browsing the shops in historic downtown Liberty. Tickets include a sampling glass, wristband, tasting notes, map, beer samples, and snack stops. Hosted by Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc.

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

JULY 18TH AND JULY 27TH

Platte County Youth Explorer Series

VARIOUS LOCATIONS | 8:00 AM

From 8 am - 4 pm, youth ages 8-12 will enjoy fun camp activities. July 18 is an outdoor adventure at Platte Ridge Park and July 27 is gardening at Barry Park. Register under events at v2.4honline.com. The event is free. If you're not a 4H member, create a free participant profile. Contact Laura Evans at evansla@missouri.edu with questions.

JULY 19TH-22ND

Platte County Fair

PLATTE COUNTY

FAIRGROUNDS | 5:00 PM

Attend the 160th Platte County Fair and see 4H events, the carnival, mutton busting, the rodeo, demotion derby, live music, karaoke and more!

JULY 28TH

Popcorn in the Park

LIBERTY COMMUNITY CENTER

| 6:00 PM

Bring your family and friends, along with your blankets and lawn chairs, and come enjoy a free movie, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, on the big screen, under the stars. Fun and games start at 6 pm with the movie beginning around 8:30 pm.

Want to be featured?

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