At Lifestyle Publications, we have had the great pleasure of showcasing the Leawood community for 10 years. The residents, businesses, city government and places of worship are the reason this community is so exemplary. We have laughed, cried, been inspired and challenged to do better by sharing your stories, and it has been our honor to be a small part of it.
We have heard from so many of you over the years about how sharing your neighbors’ stories have inspired you in one way or another. Here is a peek at looking back 10 years at some of our favorite feature articles and also some of the growth the city of Leawood has experienced. Thanks for the memories, Leawood, and here is to many more!
2009
Mayor Dunn and her Family
Mayor Peggy Dunn and husband, Terry Dunn, share about their 30-year tenure as residents of Leawood. We learn about their family, their passions, some of their accomplishments and a little bit about what they like to do for fun.
Beauty Abounds in the Parks of Leawood
A round-up of some of Leawood’s favorite parks and what they offer is shared with readers. Included in the roundup are Brook Beatty Park, City Park, Aquatic Center, Tomahawk Creek Park, I-Lan Park, Gezer Park, and Ironwoods Park.
Leawood Stables is a Fan Favorite
Jeffrey Sharons tells us about how he brought Leawood Stables to the corner of 135th and Mission Road.
Gezer Park Opens at 133rd and Mission Road (October)
Averbach Piece “Stones and Steps” dedicated at Gezer Park (October)
Blanco Sculptures (“Run Red Run” and “For the Goal” Dedicated at City Park (April)
“Porch Lights” dedicated at Somerset and Lee (May)
Recycling Initiative begins in all City Parks
First rain garden installed at Brook Beatty Park
2010
Introducing the Sheridan Family
Jim and Stephanie Sheridan, Leawood residents and owners of Sheridan’s Frozen Custard, share their love of frozen treats and how they wanted to recreate a favorite, family-owned custard business that Jim frequented as a young child in upstate New York.
Leawood Mom-Preneurs
Meet six Leawood women have turned a hobby or passion into a career and thrived as Leawood entrepreneurs. Mindy Gray, Cathy Knudsen, Denise Clark, Beth Stedry, Kristen Vreeland and Leslie Reichel share about their hard work and determination.
Grand Opening of the Ice Park in Park Place
Park Place boasts a place for residents to gather and enjoy the many amenities and shopping opportunities in the area.
Accepted Gift of “My Mind” – Michael McLanahan (at Ironwoods Park)
Given gift of “The Bull” – Gadi Fraiman
2011
Lifestyle Transformation for Local Family
After experiencing great loss and hardships, Elaine and Rob Munyon of Leawood, become the recipients of the Lifestyle Publications Total Transformation award and received a total home remodel from Leawood Lifestyle and area businesses.
Movie House Memories
Local brothers, Brian and Ben Mossman, turn local movie houses into big dreams and are responsible for turning Johnson County into one of the strongest art film markets.
Leawood student, Carrie Hudson, is given spirit of philanthropy award.
Hudson, a cancer survivor, raised thousands of dollars holding Alex’s Lemonade Stands, and she also participated in a “Just like You” film.
Church of the Nativity in Leawood Celebrates 25 years
“Cloud Gate” (Jessie Small) installed at I-Lan Park
Historic District II established in north Leawood
Oxford Township Signage installed at Ironwoods Park
City agrees to purchase 45 additional acres to be added to Ironwoods Park
2012
Bubba Starling signs with the Royals
At age 19, Bubba Sterling, KC’s draft pick, looks forward to the future to be called up to the Royals. He shared that he is taking a hands-off approach to spending after receiving a club record multi-million dollar signing bonus but bought a vehicle for both of his parents. “They supported me all those years, so I thought it would be nice to do something for them.”
Seth Sinovic comes home to play for Sporting KC
Professional soccer player and Leawood native, Seth Sinovic, didn’t have to think twice about coming back to KC to play for Sporting KC. After his time playing at Rockhurst High School and Creighton University, Sinovic played for New England before coming back home.
AMC Corporate Headquarters Opens in Park Place
Purchased Art on Loan piece “Introspection” – Larry Young
Art on Loan “Guardian” – Stretch
City starts planning for new Fire Station #1
2013
Bluestem Chefs bring Dining Experience to Leawood
Chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts expand to Leawood and open up Rye in Mission Farms
Biking for Baseball
Four young men pedal 11,000 miles over 165 days and through 27 cities to attend every ballpark during the 2012 season. They visit KC for the Allstar game, which made these KC natives happy to be at their home stadium for such a big game and were invited on the field to meet the players.
One Nineteen is renamed to Town Center Crossing
Leawood Parks and Recreation celebrates 40 years
Park Place residences constructed
2014
Leawood Police Ride to Honor Fallen Comrades
Leawood police officers honor fallen comrades by riding in the Police Unity Tour and raising funds to go toward maintaining the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Local residents and businesses ban together to help sponsor officers Butler, Anderson, Yoder and Slenker.
Local Mom founds Just Like You Films
Johnson County mom, Jen Greenstreet, founds Just Like You Films after her daughter’s friend suffered massive burns to her leg. These movies capture real life stories and reveal how much more we are alike than different.
Brook Beatty Park developed (October)
Leawoof Dog Park Opens (October)
“Variance” (Albert Paley) installed on Tomahawk Creek Parkway (October)
Church of the Resurrection new sanctuary/expansion
Justice Center Opens
Mission Farms expansion
City adopts first Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan
2015
Donald Ross “Scribe”
Donald Ross Scribe and wife, Alisa, share about their art that has transformed many midtown neighborhoods and metro hospitals with colorful murals and soft sculptures.
Mission Farms Boasts Brookside Vibe
Realizing that Johnson County was lacking what midtown and Brookside had in great restaurants, serving great food in a communal location, commercial real estate broker, Doug Weltner, dares to put a vision on the table. Mission Farms is a collaboration of a developer, chefs, and restaurateurs to bring great food and atmosphere to Leawood.
Leawood Historic Commission Dedicates Historic District
Historic Commission establishes Lee Farmhouse Road Historic District
Camelot Court expansion
2016
War Hero
Vietnam War Hero, Wilburn Meador, is honored for his service to our country.
Big Slick: Behind the Scenes
Lifestyle Publications sits down with the sisters of the big 5 celebrities that bring Big Slick to KC every year. These celebrity sisters share a behind-the-scenes look at their enormous involvement in the event and what it takes to pull it all off.
St. Theresa's Celebrates 150 Years
“Point Defiance” art on loan installed (October)
KCOI expansion
2017
Professional Tennis Player, Jack Sock
Blue Valley North graduate, Jack Sock, shares about his success on the court in the world of professional tennis and at the Olympics.
Inspirational Leawood Women
We pay tribute to five influential Leawood women, Kimberley Davis, Eva Reynolds, Andrea Ramsey, Ann Carter and Barbara Cusick. Each woman was nominated by the Leawood community to be honored for their attributes that make them stand out.
Veterans Community Project
We highlight the Veterans Community Project which is a veterans village of tiny homes in Kansas City Missouri. Many Leawood residents have been part of donating and volunteering their talents, and we share how to get involved.
All Inclusive Playground Opens at City Park
Expansion completed of Ironhorse Clubhouse (June)
St. Lukes Micro-Hospital – 133rd and State Line Rd.
2018
Not Home for the Holidays
We highlight some of our favorite Leawood neighbors and civic leaders who spend their holidays serving our community rather than enjoying their holiday at home with their families. Among those honored are police officers, fire fighters, EMT staff, nurses and 911 dispatchers.
Seven Days
Mindy Corporon has brought hope and love out of tragedy through her foundation, Faith Always Wins Foundation and a weeklong series of events known as Seven Days—Make a ripple, change the world. After losing her son and father in the Jewish Community Center shooting, she felt called to bring people together one ripple at a time.
Leawood Movers and Shakers
We celebrate Leawood movers and shakers in our issue honoring local women. We learn about the contributions of Peggy Dunn, Katie Fitzgerald, Janet Fournier, Gayle Jagoda and Jen Bjorem.
Tenth year of Cocherl family to give college scholarships to local students
“Dancers” (Ewerdt Hilgemann) installed on Roe Avenue
“Point Defiance” art on loan purchased (October)
Johnson County Wasterwater expansion begins
“Weight of Your Heart, Weight of a Feather (David Dahlquist and Matt Niebuhr) installed at Justice Center (June)
Three Hallbrook Place approved
Leawood Rotary Tree Grove project phase 1 (Ironwoods)
2019
Art Around Leawood
We learn about the mission of Leawood's Public Art Program to integrate highly visible art that can be enjoyed for generations to come. We share a sampling of these works of art that include Dancer (Tango), Growing, Variance, Faith, Point Defiance, and Avanim Vetseiadim (Stones and Steps).
Big Sonia
We introduce mother and daughter duo, Sonia Warshawski and Regina Kort. Sonia, a Holocaust survivor, shares about her experience of coming to Kansas City after the Holocaust and about learning the importance of sharing her story. As one of the last Holocaust survivors in KC, Sonia continues to teach and speak publicly about the horrors of the Holocaust as well as through her documentary, Big Sonia.
“Walking Woman” (Michael Stutz) installed on Tomahawk Creek Parkway (June)
“Inspiration” (Rita Blitt) sculpture accepted as gift (to be installed on Tomahawk Creek Parkway and College Blvd.)
Original Shops at Somerset and Lee (first shopping area in Leawood) dedicated (May)
Redevelopment of Ranchmart north
Fairways of Ironhorse opens (151st)
Park Place expansion (east end)
New street banners installed throughout the City.
