Hi again.  Dottie here, bringing you the inside scoop on a fairly new Kansas City, Kansas venue that you’ll definitely want to check out soon.  On a recent Friday evening, my husband and I traveled five minutes down the road to the Wine Barn Winery.  That’s right- a winery right here in Kansas City, Kansas!  Located just off Parallel Parkway on 119^th street, the winery offers a beautiful, secluded area to sit back, relax on the patio overlooking the water, and enjoy a glass of the Wine Barn’s remarkable wine.

The Wine Barn opened its doors just over a year ago, but the owners and staff appear to have been making wine and hosting tastings for years.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Celeste Mikijanis, who helps run the winery with her husband Brian.  Celeste’s parents own the winery, so I guess you could truly call this a “mom and pop” business.  Maybe that is why the atmosphere seems so homey and comfortable.  Every person we met was friendly, accommodating, and well informed about the business.

The wine tasting experience was quite fun.  Celeste offered us many different types of wines, and I must say they were all great.  Of course, I had a couple of favorites.  If you like a pinot grigio like I do, you will probably like the “Apple Pear.”  Another interesting option was the “Chocolate Raspberry,” which I also enjoyed.  One thing I liked about the Wine Barn’s wine is that many of them, such as “Racing Adventure” are named with a local flavor.  Sampling is free on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and you can purchase a bottle then sit and enjoy it on the patio. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing and with prices starting at just $12 for a bottle, visiting the wine barn on a weekend evening could be a budget-friendly way to unwind after a long week. 

Check the Wine Barn’s website at www.winedottebarn.com to find out more about events in the coming months.  My husband and I left the Wine Barn impressed and we will definitely be going back to help support them in their new business.  I suggest you all go out and give it a try as well.  I’ll see you there!

 -Dottie

Hi all!  Dottie here, and I have been out exploring and getting the inside scoop for you again.  This past week I returned to one of Wyandotte County’s hidden treasures, the Wyandotte County Historical Museum located at 631 N. 126^th street in Bonner Springs, Kansas.  Last summer my children and I went and enjoyed all of the kid-friendly exhibits and had a great time, but this summer I learned that the museum has so much more to offer, especially when it comes to special exhibits. 

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Trish, director of the Wyandotte County Historical Museum and she gave me the inside scoop on some very exciting things to come.  In addition to all the fantastic permanent items on display such as the1903 Metropolitan horse-drawn steam pumper fire engine and the 300 yr-old dug-out canoe used by the Kansa Indians, the museum offers quarterly programs free to the public.  The museum also features changing exhibits throughout the year.  Coming up quickly is the annual quilt show, and one that I am extremely excited about is the upcoming Holocaust exhibit.  This won’t begin until March of 2011, but mark your calendars now.  Parents and teachers, you’ll want to get out to the museum to see artifacts on loan to the museum from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  There will also be special speakers and events surrounding this exhibit. What an amazing educational opportunity for our county. 

Another interesting thing I learned on my recent visit was that there are many volunteer opportunities at the museum. Any history lovers out there?  You might find the Wyandotte County Historical Museum to be just the place to spend some of your free time.  Even students can find volunteer opportunities here, provided that they are at least 14 years old.  What a great way to fulfill those community service hours required by schools while educating yourself at the same time.  For more information on how you can volunteer go to www.wycomuseum.wordpress.com.

Since the Wyandotte County Historical Museum has so much to offer, I’m sure I will be visiting there again soon.  I hope you will, too.  I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Hello again.  Dottie here with the inside scoop on another great Wyandotte County attraction.  This week I had the pleasure of meeting with Joe Brentano at the beautiful Grinter House, which overlooks the Delaware Crossing on the Kansas River.  Not only is the house thought to be the oldest home standing in Wyandotte County, it is also one of the most fascinating.  Stepping through the doors of this elegantly decorated home is like stepping back in time to the days of frontier life.

Some of you may remember that I visited the home last summer, but there have been many updates and improvements since then.  Now the home boasts new curtains, area rugs, and even a new stove, which will allow for cooking demonstrations in the near future.  Joe mentioned a possibility of monthly gatherings where the public can learn more about how and what Annie and Moses Grinter cooked in their home. 

While interviewing Joe, I found out about some opportunities coming soon that you won’t want to miss.  In September the Grinter House is the place to be to learn about life in the mid 1800s.  Applefest will be held Sept 24^th and 25^th and will include historic reenactments, crafters, tours, food and family fun.   Another upcoming event is the Christmas Traditions program offered December 10^th and 11^th.  What better way to get into the holiday mood than to tour the decorated home, listen to Christmas carols, take a carriage ride, and watch some kitchen demonstrations in the Grinter’s home?  I know I plan on taking the family to both of these events.

One of my favorite parts about the Grinter House is the fact that so many stories have been preserved and passed down by the family. Not only do you leave the house learning about the time period, you also have a sense of knowing the people who lived in the house. Joe does a great job of weaving the personalities of the Grinters into the tour and that is something you definitely want to experience for yourself.  If you’d like more information about the Grinter house, check out the website at www.kshs.org/places/grinter/.  I’m sure you’ll find that it is a place you want to visit.  I’ll see you there! 

-Dottie

Hi everyone. Dottie here, and once again I have found a fantastic place in Wyandotte County to take your kids that is both fun and educational.  I recently spent some time at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. You may remember that I visited this diverse center last year with my family and had a fantastic time viewing the exhibits, exploring Farm Town USA, and of course, riding the train through the lush scenery of the grounds.  Of course, all of those opportunities are still there, but this time I learned even more about what the Hall of Fame has to offer.

I was able to speak to Ann, who took a break from giving a group a tour, and she gave me the inside scoop about some interesting-sounding upcoming events.  In August be sure to watch for the Agriculture Center’s 50^th birthday bash. The month of October brings you two special events to enjoy at the Agriculture Hall of Fame. On October 16^th you’ll be able to attend the ever popular annual International Lineman’s Rodeo and on October 30^th take the kids out for Trick or Treat on The Farm.  November 13^th offers a Harvest Celebration, and of course, starting in December you just can’t miss Santa’s Express which runs the 11^th, 12^th, 18^th and 19^th. 

In addition to all of these amazing events, the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame also has many facilities that can be rented out for private use.  Every time I’m there I think about how unique and beautiful a wedding would be on the grounds.  The location is ideal for receptions, family reunions, or with a 200 seat auditorium, even business meetings or presentations.  I never knew there were so many different ways to take advantage of this cultural gem we have right here in Wyandotte County.  You can find out more about the programs at www.AgHallofFame.com.

Whether you just want to take the kids out to explore, or rent out the facilities for a private event, you need to get out and experience the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame for yourself.  I know I’ll be going back soon.  I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Hi all.  Dottie here again, and this time I’ve returned from a trip to a magical kingdom.  Not literally, but I did just get to experience a little bit of interactive dragon slaying by checking out MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge for you.  I spoke with Sara at one of the only MagiQuest locations in the area and she gave me the inside scoop on this fascinating, interactive game.

MagiQuest is a role-playing game in which you can totally immerse yourself.  In MagiQuest, you are the main character in the story and as you solve magical challenges throughout the resort with your magic wand, you will find many clues and receive advice from various characters about how to gain powers and move to higher levels of the game.  A wave of the wand brings the various video screens or animated objects to life. You can even dress the part of your character, as the MagiQuest shop sells many different costumes and accessories to complete the look of any great knight, princess, or wizard.  As Sara gave me a tour and let me try the game for myself, I noticed many families getting in on the action together.  I enjoyed watching a father help his son slay a dragon while his mother looked on and cheered.  MagiQuest is truly fun for the whole family.

One thing you might not know about MagiQuest is that it, along with the Northern Lights Arcade and Howl in One mini-golf course, is open to the public.  That’s right; you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy any of these activities.  So, if you are looking for a way to create some family memories, but don’t have time for an overnight stay, drive on over to the Great Wolf Lodge.  An evening round of mini-golf on their 18 hole course is a great way to spend an evening.  If you are looking to beat the heat, then the inside activities of the arcade or MagiQuest could be your answer.  No matter what you choose, you and your kids are sure to have a great time.  I know I did.  For more information go to www.greatwolf.com/kansascity.

I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Hi all.  Dottie here once again with the inside scoop on summer fun.  This past week I met a woman named Vickie who told me all about the Unified Government’s Parks and Recreation department.  We met at the beautiful Wyandotte County Lake where I was impressed by the beautiful scenery.  Here you can boat and fish for a small permit fee, but there are also several buildings and shelters that you can rent for special occasions.  With stunning views and wide open spaces, the lake seems to be the perfect place for any large group to gather.

The Parks and Recreation department isn’t all about the lake though.  I found out that this department is in charge of several other attractions in the area as well.  Sunflower Hills golf course is one place that you should all check out.  Not only does it offer a beautiful 18 hole golf course, but you can also sign children up for golf lessons or leagues.  What a great way to introduce your child to one of America’s favorite past-times.

If boating and golf aren’t your thing, you could attend a concert  at Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone. Maybe you could drop in at one of the area’s many historical museums such as the Agriculture Hall of Fame or the Wyandotte County Museum, both of which are located in Wyandotte County Park.  Before speaking with Vickie, I never knew that the Unified Government Parks and Recreation had so much to offer.  I think I could probably fill my entire summer visiting all of these area attractions.  There are really too many to list in one short blog, so if you’d like to know more, visit the website at www .wycokck.org/parksandrec  where you are sure to find something that interests you.    I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Hello.  Dottie here and I have another fantastic scoop for you about one of our local attractions.  I had the honor of meeting with Chris, the marketing director for Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark and I found out that it is much more than a bunch of waterslides. Chris filled me in on the concept of “transportainment” (transportation + sport + entertainment) which means that several attractions are linked by a flowing river, minimizing the time spent in line and allowing guests to travel throughout the park without leaving the water.  What better way to spend a hot summer day than floating on a raft in the refreshing water? 

Speaking of water, it takes about two million gallons of it to fill the attractions at Schlitterbahn, but the park is by no means wasteful.  On the contrary, Schlitterbahn makes a huge effort to conserve the water they use.  They use a water reclamation system, which means that once the attractions are initially filled, the water is filtered, treated, and reused over and over.  The park is also mostly landscaped with native trees and shrubs which require less water than annual plants, and during dry patches, the decorative fountains that aren’t critical to the operation of the attractions are turned off. 

Water conservation isn’t the only measure Schlitterbahn takes to protect our environment, though.  They also practice the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle.   You’ll notice the beautiful polished wood tree trunk columns, wood siding, park signs and countertops as soon as you enter the park.  These are made from trees that were cleared from the property during the construction process.  You’ll also see recycled railroad cars, refurbished tubing, and even a repurposed water storage tank.  It is clear to see that Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark cares about the environment.

 Besides being an attraction you can feel good about attending, Schlitterbahn also offers affordable fun for the family.  Parking is free and you can take in your own picnic basket full of goodies to last you and your family through the entire day.  Of course, you can also buy snacks and meals from the many concession areas if you’d rather, and the prices there are reasonable as well.  Tubes and life vests are free for your use while at the park, so all you need to do is show up and be prepared for fun.   I know I plan on going back to experience the unique blend of river rafting and water slides. 

I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Hi, everyone.  Once again, I have just had a great time in Wyandotte County.  My family and I recently headed down to downtown Kansas City, Kansas to experience Junefest, which is the kick-off to the Second Friday Art Walk series that I investigated for you last year.

I was amazed at how many different things there were to see and experience as we walked the blocks of downtown KC, KS.  Belly dancers, musicians, and artisans filled the streets.  We saw remarkable clothes, purses, jewelry, and many different varieties of artwork.  We were even able to stop and watch artists creating paintings right there on the street. 

My son and husband really enjoyed the car show while my daughter and I were partial to the purses and jewelry.  All of us, though, enjoyed the many types of food to be found.  A snow-cone and limeade helped us cool off, and some gourmet pizza from Wheat State Pizza helped curb our hunger after all of that walking. 

As always, I am impressed with the variety of culture and activities that Kansas City, Kansas has to offer.   If I’ve learned anything from last summer to now, it’s that you don’t have to go far to experience fantastic summer fun.  Now that I’ve experienced June Fest, it seems that summer is really finally here.  I’m sure I’ll be getting the scoop on many more Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas attractions, so keep following.  I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Hi everyone.   I apologize for getting this blog up a little late but back in May I attended the Great American BBQ at Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone and had a wonderful time.  You may remember my adventure there last summer, where I attended as a spectator, but this year was an entirely different experience.  Of course, the atmosphere of fun and festivity was still obvious, but this year I got to witness some of the hard work that goes into actually entering the contest.

I was able to shadow a BBQ team called “Piggys Going Postal” and experience first- hand how much actually goes in to creating a BBQ masterpiece, see my inside scoop interview below.  Dan and his team showed me the ropes as they prepared their chicken, ribs, and pork for the judges and raced it to the judging tent.  Because there is a specific time frame in which to get the meat to the judges, things can get pretty intense.  Presentation is part of the judging, too, so the food not only had to taste good, but look good, too.  Fortunately, Piggys Gone Postal was a fun loving group who showed us that hard work and fun can go hand –in-hand. 

Of course, if you aren’t a contestant in the BBQ, there is still much to do.  My family and I took a quick break from the cooking and checked out the fun.  We rode some rides on at the carnival, played some games, watched a band, and of course indulged in some of the treats that were being offered as samples.

In the end, Piggys Going Postal didn’t win the top prize, but I can attest to the fact that their food was excellent and if I would have been a judge I would have awarded them grand prize based on personality alone.  They welcomed me into their group and taught me a lot about barbeque, all the while making me laugh and filling my family and me with great food.  Thanks Dan and Piggys Going Postal for your awesome hospitality!  I hope they return to the Great American BBQ next year, because I plan to.  I’ll see you there!

-Dottie

Inside scoop interview with Dan:

Dottie:  What brings you to the Great American BBQ?
Dan:  The 0pportunity to have a great time with friends, about 38hrs of sleep deprivation, maybe a little cocktail or two and hopefully some good food at the end of the day.

Dottie:  What’s unique about the Great American BBQ?
Dan:  One of the things at the Great American BBQ is, year in and year out, the volunteer support is awesome and the Great American BBQ folks are so helpful.  You never have to wait for someone to drive by to get water, ice or whatever you need.   The teams really enjoy the event and their needs are always met whether it’s electrical, water, or ice, it’s a really well run event.

Dottie:  What got you into the BBQ contest?
Dan:  We used to have some businesses in New Mexico, and down there the equivalent of barbecue tournaments is chili festivals.   My wife and I would go around to these festivals, taste the red and green chilies, similar to this where you have 30-40 teams competing.  There’s always great food and good conversations.  We got into it, started walking around barbecue tournaments to check out the different cookers and asking questions, and finally my wife Trish was nice enough to let me buy a cooker and that’s how we started.

Dottie:  How long does it take you to prepare for a contest?
Dan:  For an average tournament there’s at least two to three days of prepping, getting all your stuff together, everything from seasonings to cleaning your rig.  A day before the contest, you make camp. And then cook for about 30hrs or so on the actual days of the event.  Then another two days afterwards to clean up and put everything away.  It’s really about a whole week for every tournament.

Dottie:  Is there a prize to be had?
Dan:  None that we’ve seen so far (laughs), but there’s pride in competing with your friends and the other teams, who beat who, and a lot of personal one-on-one competitions.   We have been fortunate in that last year we placed second in the ribs category.   Last week we took eighth in chicken and tenth in brisket in another tournament.   So every now and then the judges are liking our food, but our friends never dislike our food so we’re always happy.

Dottie:  And lastly, what is your advice for spectators, why should they come out to the BBQ?
Dan:  Well if they’re cook wanna-be’s, this gives them the opportunity to come out and look around.  Almost every team will invite you into their camp.  They might not show you the last secret ingredient but they’ll tell you how things work and give you great tips on cooking.  And besides that it’s just a good time, you get to taste a lot of wonderful food.  It’s a fun family experience, it’s just Americana.

Hi, it’s Dottie and once again I’m bringing you the inside scoop from one of the great attractions in Wyandotte County.  My most recent adventure took place at the Legends at Village West in Kansas City, Kansas.   Now I’m sure many of you have been to the amazing T-Rex Café, but I’m here to tell you there’s more to it than just dinosaurs. 

I had the privilege of meeting with Paul Edgerton, who was kind enough to answer my many questions about his job at T-Rex.  You see, Paul is one of the key players in taking care of all those gorgeous fish tanks that you all enjoy when you visit.   The many tanks are filled with all kinds of colorful fish, including sharks.  I was lucky enough to witness a live feeding when I was there, and boy did those sharks chow down.  See for yourself on my video. 

While we all love the tanks, there are many other educational opportunities at T-Rex as well.  You can go there to eat, of course, and the menu offers a wide variety of salads, pastas, seafood, steaks, and chicken, but there is so much more to do.  Kids and kids at heart can enjoy the Paleo Zone, where they can practice their excavating skills, pan for precious stones, or play games on an interactive Paleo screen.  What child wouldn’t delight in the Dino Store, where they can build and personalize their very own dinosaur? 

Parents and teachers should investigate the educational programs, and big groups are always welcome.  If fact, since T-Rex is located right off major interstates, it is convenient for touring groups and motor coaches, and T-Rex Café has options specifically geared toward these types of groups. 

So, if you are looking for a one-stop dining and entertainment experience, you should give T-Rex a try.  Plan on staying for awhile, because it’s not just a meal, it’s an adventure.  Until next time…..

-Dottie