Leavenworth’s vintage eateries offer a taste of the good ol’ days

Homer’s Drive In, which opened in 1931, and NuWay Drive In, which opened in 1934, are two of the oldest restaurants continually operating in the state of Kansas. They offer casual dining and comfort with their original vintage atmosphere, serving good, home-cooked meals at an affordable price – something everyone enjoys.

Homer’s Drive In specialties are breakfast, hamburgers, tenderloins, shakes and malts. Homer’s features an old-fashioned, drive-up window where your order is taken and delivered by a waitress. It’s a place to enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, served with a smile.

NuWay Drive In features loose meat, steamed burgers, fries, onion rings, hand-breaded tenderloins, shakes, malts and more. Loose meat burgers, Frito pie, fried pickles & quick service are all available at a good price! This vintage eatery also features a drive-up window similar to Homer’s, serving excellent BBQ cooked on-site and out-of-this world homemade donuts, NuWay is your destination. Donut flavors include strawberry basil, lemon lavender, Fruit Loops, glazed, bear claws, frosted, twists and more. Ribs and meats are smoked on-site and can be ordered as a meal or in larger quantities.

Both restaurants offer good food, service and prices, a piece of Leavenworth history! Both restaurants are open seven days a week. They offer a nostalgic atmosphere, historic photos of the Leavenworth area and a comfortable place to meet up with family and friends. You’ll enjoy!
– Submitted by Wendy Scheidt

September 2022 … 

Running Rabbit Antiques celebrates 14th anniversary

Running Rabbit Antiques & General Store in Higginsville will celebrate its 14th anniversary in September.

Owner Sandy Wescott, who started the business, has turned the day-to-day operation of the mall and its 50+ dealers over to her son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Christy Wescott.

Dale and Christy are dealers themselves, having inherited their love for antiques and all things vintage from Sandy and her late husband Jerry. They continue to operate the Running Rabbit with the same eye toward quality antiques and collectibles, a friendly shopping experience and excellent customer service.

To celebrate the Running Rabbit’s 14th year in business, there will be an Open House and Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Running Rabbit Antiques & General Store is located at 509 Fairground Ave. in Higginsville, and is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
 – Submitted by Tammy Kleoppel

September 2022 … 

Enchanted Frog’s Free Flea is the place to be

Enchanted Frog Antiques has plenty of deals available to shoppers both outdoors and indoors throughout the month of September.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, you’ll enjoy finds, friends and food aplenty at the Frog’s Free Flea Market at I-35 and Exit 40 in Lathrop.

Check out gently used treasures while enjoying a BBQ dinner. The event runs from dawn to dinnertime.
In the days both before and after the Free Flea, Enchanted Frog presents its regular Lucky $7 Days – shoppers receive $7 off one item worth $25 or more. Lucky $7 Days for the month of September are Sept. 3-5 and Sept. 23-24.

For more information, call Enchanted Frog at 816-740-6933.

September 2022 … 

Bring your senses of adventure, fun and
community to Raytown’s Festival of the Trails

Raytown’s Festival of the Trails will step off on its second annual observance Saturday, Sept. 10. The event is a commemoration of the three westward pioneer trails that wound through what became the Raytown community. It also celebrates the Rock Island bike and hiking trail that opened last year.

Many of the activities will take place at the Rice-Tremonti Home, 8801 E. 66th St., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission to the site is free, but donations are appreciated. A full day of family fun is planned with games and crafts for the kids, tours of the historic home and a huge craft fair on the grounds. Historical interpreters will represent the Buffalo Soldiers, the African American cavalry units of the 19th century, and Sophia White, an enslaved woman, whose cabin still stands. The Missouri Free Trappers will be camped on site.

The Windy Hollow Historical Band will perform. A blacksmith with demonstrate his skills and there will be a wool-spinning demonstration. Food trucks will be present, and the Friends of the Rice-Tremonti Home will hold a bake- and ice cream sale.

Activities are also scheduled at Abiding Faith Church, 6700 Raytown Road, where the Buffalo Soldiers will provide interpretations, 4-5 p.m. Food deals are on the menu all day at Crane Brewing, 6515 Railroad St., and at the NewzRoom Café, 6020 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Raytown’s Greenspace, 10009 E. 62nd St., will come to life at 4:30 p.m. for live music by Nick Schnebelen, food offerings and kids’ games until 8:30 p.m.

Raytown’s Second Annual Festival of the Trails is supported by the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce, Raytown Parks and Recreation Deptartment and the organizations mentioned above. For more details go to Raytown’s Festival of the Trails Facebook page or call the chamber at 816-353-8500.
– Submitted by Leigh Elmore