What's your favorite adventure?
As another summer comes to a close, I hope yours was full of new adventures and happy memories! In this issue of the Mission Magazine, I think you’ll enjoy reading about the adventures of local business owners, an artist, and two Mission middle school students who had an out-of-this-world summer camp experience.
Earlier this year, The Snack Shack moved from their downtown Overland Park location to occupy the former Town Topic restaurant building on Johnson Drive. Owners Rayna Andrew-Tolle and Matt Andrew, along with their son Jack, are excited to welcome new customers in addition to their strong established customer base. The Snack Shack serves up classic and timeless “burger joint” vibes and menu items, but as a vegetarian I very much appreciate the inclusion of a tasty, made-in-house veggie burger option on the menu. We’re pleased to welcome them to downtown Mission!
This issue will also take you on a fun visual adventure with Mission artist Ed Bartoszek. Like me, I’m betting you’ll take one look at his bright and engaging pictures and say, “Hey, I’ve seen these before!” Inspired and motivated by his high school art teacher, Ed’s airbrush paintings start with sketchbook ideas of things from the world around him. Ed much prefers the in-person interactions afforded by art shows and fairs over social media, so next time you stroll past his booth at the Plaza Art Fair make sure to say, “Hi” and highlight that Mission connection.
In the final feature article, two local middle schoolers share their summer space camp adventure at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas. Each year, two Hocker Grove Middle School students are selected to participate in this week-long learning experience with other students from around the state. Anna Randel and Nova VonOntjes not only had the chance to participate in simulated space missions and learn
first-aid, both also spoke of the problem-solving and leadership skills this once-in-a-lifetime experience afforded them.
In August, I had the privilege to join with Councilmembers, Parks, Recreation + Tree Commission members, and neighbors in breaking ground for Phase I improvements to Mohawk Park. Bringing restrooms, a pavilion, and a relocated parking lot, we hope these long-awaited improvements will be the first of many outdoor park upgrades in the years ahead. This month, Mission voters will consider renewing our existing dedicated Parks and Recreation sales tax – “choosing their own adventure” with respect to recreation opportunities and experiences over the next decade.
I continue to be impressed by the unique adventures, experiences, and talents of our Mission friends and neighbors, and am so glad to be able to showcase them in the Mission Magazine. As we head into fall and our final issue of the year, I hope you will take time to try something new in our great City. Try a new restaurant, visit a new business, explore a park, or take a few minutes to connect with a neighbor and remember, life is meant for great adventures. Happy reading.
-Sollie Flora, Mayor
Contents
6 Reliving the good old days
at The Snack Shack on
Johnson Drive
11 Contemporary artist
Ed Bartoszek uses airbrush
techniques and black-line
art to depict vivid scenes,
landscapes
17 City Newsletter
24 Bulletin Board
27 Two Mission students
experience out-of-this-world
summer camp
32 Look back at the Soroptimist
Club of Shawnee Mission
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
Publisher David Small
Editor Denise Elam
Advertising Executive Angie Riffel
Graphic Designer Mike Nickells
Editorial Board Stoney Bogan
Trent Boultinghouse
Cathy Casey
Kate Deacon
Kelsey Gibbs
Kathy Lockard
Mark Raduziner
Laura Smith
MetroMedia, A Town Square Publications Company© 2022
14300 Kenneth Rd., Ste. 210 | Leawood, KS 66224
(913) 951-8413 | www.metromediapublishers.com
Additional copies of the Mission Magazine are available at participating advertisers. You can also view it on the City’s website,
www.missionks.org. To advertise in Mission Magazine, contact Angie Riffel at 913.951.8446 or ariffel@metromediapublishers.com.
If you have a story idea, contact Laura Smith at 913.676.8352 or lsmith@missionks.org.