| Saturday,
August 1, 2026:
We visited several communities in Johnson County, Kansas today, with the
first stop being at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, to photograph the
grave of Hank Bauer. Hank was a three time All Star right fielder, who
played for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics. He also managed
the Athletics in both Kansas City and Oakland, as well as the Baltimore
Orioles, who he lead to their first World Series Championship.
Driving
a short distance north, we visited Second Cup Cat Cafe in Shawnee, Kansas.
They opened in 2022 and as of today, they have placed 1,301 cats for adoption.
Last year we visited and posted about Second Cup when it was in Olathe,
but it moved to this building (which needed much less work) later in the
year. It is a lot of fun for people who come to play with the cats and
enjoy a beverage. For those thinking of adopting, it gives them a chance
to spend some quality, stress free time with the cats before committing
to taking one home. This results in a higher success rate in the adoptions.
The
cats roam freely in the large space and there were 34 cats here today.
We quickly made some friends.
Reservations
are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome if there is room available. An
hour costs $15 for ages 11 & older and $10 for 4-10. It includes one
hot or cold beverage.
Lunch
was at Avelluto's Pizzeria & Ristorante in Mission, Kansas. Originally
Italian Delight which opened another Mission location in 1983, it operated
until 2021. In 2024 it opened with this new name after the Italian deli
D’Bronx at this location closed the year before.
Many
people list this as their favorite Kansas City Pizza. We tried a slice
of pepperoni & mushroom pizza and chicken parmigiana. The large slice
of pizza was only $4.75. Most people find one or two slices to be enough
for a meal.
The
chicken parmigiana is available by itself for $11 or with pasta for $14
and we went with solo. Self serve fountain drinks (Coke products) are $2.75.
The
final stop was at 50th and State Line Road in the tiny community of Westwood
Hills (population 400, .1 square miles) to visit Annedore's Fine Chocolates.
They have relocated twice over the years in the same cool historic building.
MOving into a larger space on the corner in 2014 and back to the original
space at the beginning of the year. They have two other locations in Johnson
County and the candy is made at the one in Shawnee.
They
also make gelato at that location and it is sold, next door to this one
in the Flying Cow.
We
purchased candies which I haven't tried yet and also shared a small bowl
of Peanut Butter Cup and Stracciatella gelato, which was very good.
|
Second Cup Cat Cafe
Avelluto's Pizzeria & Ristorante
The Flying Cow & Annedore's Fine Chocolates
|
