Southmoreland on the Plaza - an Urban Inn

Kansas City Bed and Breakfast Romantic Sweetheart Stories

2012-02-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

Enjoy these tales from the winners of our “Southmoreland Sweetheart Story Contest”. Thank you to everyone who submitted their tales of love, romance and memorable life moments in which Southmoreland on the Plaza played a part.

Vicki W. – Kansas City, MO
Two years ago this month, my youngest daughter Emily and her love Richard were in an awkward situation. You see Emily had been diagnosed with Leukemia and I had just been laid off from the job that provided insurance for her.    Knowing they were going to be married anyway, Emily and Richard decided to get engaged and marry to provide her with the coverage for her life saving cancer treatment.

Richard came to our home and humbly and very sweetly asked for our daughter's hand in marriage and showed us her ring. Such a special time for us as parents. We had to move quickly to ensure Emily was able to have the day of her dreams and get her medical insurance coverage. It certainly was not the normal circumstance for a regular wedding, but these two were in love.

First the dress, flowers, cake....then we had to decide on the place.   Emily researched different bed and breakfast venues and found Southmoreland Inn.   We scheduled a visit with the innkeepers for that next Sunday. When we walked in Emily instantly knew this was the place for her to share her vows with her love. She wanted a warm, comfortable, intimate setting and private. We discussed a sit down meal for the family to share together after the wedding ceremony. Richard being the foodie he is, we asked him to pick the menu and he was excited!

March 20th was the wedding day and we were surprised when we woke to a blanket of beautiful white snow!   It was the most beautiful setting at Southmoreland with the snow all around. From the moment I walked my baby girl down the aisle to the toast at dinner, our day was so special and we know it was because of the Innkeepers and Staff at Southmoreland Inn.    We cannot thank you enough for making this day so special for our children.

Lesa W. – Peculiar, MO
The Southmoreland Inn will always be special to me because it played a part in one of the most precious days of my life. I was a single mom with an amazing son in 2006 when we met the beautiful person who would be with us forever. I met my husband in Seattle, Washington after a “set up” by my friend who was trying to arrange this for many years. My son and I both loved him right away.

We met him in 2006 (at the time he had a girlfriend – no my friend was not very good at the match-making thing at first J). A year later, we were back in Seattle and my friend arranged another meeting. “Why” I asked. This time, at the end of the meal, I smiled as I told him that I thought he was a jerk because I had emailed him the year before with a standard “nice to meet you” email that went unreturned. He laughed and loved that I called him a jerk. In fact, when he came to visit me the first time, he wore a T-shirt that read “jerk” on the front so I would recognize him. J It was love from the word “jerk” on. We dated across the miles and were planning a wedding within a month of our first emails to each other once I returned home. We knew it was meant to be and we were excited to just do this. J

Once we shared with my son that we were going to be married, he was happy and asked a question that still brings tears to my eyes “Can I sit at the big table with you guys at the reception?” What?! Then it happened. We devised a special secret. My husband and I met in Las Vegas with my best friend and his sister a few months later and eloped without telling anyone – all the while planning this “big” wedding which would follow months later. We eloped in Vegas, honeymooned in Mexico and then both went back to our individual home states. No one was the wiser. A few months later (in August), we celebrated a beautiful wedding day in Parkville, Missouri. Family and friends came from all over (Alaska to Ohio to California). At our reception, we announced that what everyone was actually gathered for was not a wedding. It was the announcement of the formal adoption of my son by my husband – making us an official family on that day……much more than a wedding day.

We had spent the summer formalizing the adoption so we could surprise everyone that day. Our pastor (who was in on the deal) told the guests that our video would share some details with them that we had held as a surprise all summer – then the video of our Vegas wedding started up with Faith Hill’s “Hey Baby Let’s Go To Vegas” – lots of laughing and smiling – it was awesome! We spent the evening as an official family with all of our extended family celebrating the adoption with us. Then my husband and I (along with our co-conspirators: his sister and my best friend and their spouses) all snuck away to celebrate at Southmoreland Inn. It was a nice place to relax and celebrate what we had all pulled off. It was the most beautiful day and this Inn will always be part of it for us. We spent the night in the carriage house and I will never forget it. Thanks for making the day end as beautifully as it began.     ****I have attached a picture from the reception when people were watching the video of our Vegas wedding. My son is sitting beside me as we celebrate that he has a Dad now.

Stephanie and Brian M. – Bellevue, NEMy husband and I got married on September 11, 1999. This day was the most amazing day of my life, because I was able to marry my best freind and soul mate. Two years later, the day that marked our anniversary, was now a day that would forever be a scar on our hearts and memories.
So many people lost their loved ones, or knew someone who was touched by 9/11, that it seemed like a sin to celebrate our special day on that particular date. Although my husband and I were not touched directly by the tragedy, we had strong feelings about about what had happened. It took eight years before we felt we could celebrate our anniversary and not feel guilty about it.
So, in September 2009, we decided to travel to Kansas City and treat ourselves to an anniversary weekend that we had never indulged in before. We did our research, and everything we found seemed to point us to Southmoreland on the Plaza. We decided to book the William Rockhill Nelson room because the style symbolized my husband's Scottish herritage. The four-poster bed was draped in the most beautiful lace canopy, which made us feel as if we were ensconced in a historical dream. The brick fireplace gave the room a cozy ambience; and the original wood floors transported us to a different era.

After our afternoon arrival, we enjoyed crackers and the most delectable baked brie topped with a fruit chutney. I have yet to find a baked brie and chutney that could compare. That evening, we enjoyed a Brazillian feast at Fogo de Chao, we walked back through the plaza to the inn and were treated to warm chocolate chip cookies and hot tea before bed. Although these delicious treats were tasty and made us feel more than welcome, nothing could compare to the breakfast we were served in the morning; grilled french toast croissants, warm syrup, smoked ham, and fresh fruit, all on the outdoor deck.

Our desire to renew our anniversary and celebrate our union led us to the most amazing bed and breakfast. We have learned that although bad things happen in our lives, we still need to remember and celebrate what brings us together and makes us happy... for me, Southmoreland on the Plaza made our celebration better than we could have hoped for.

Ron and Jackie C. – Overland Park, KSWhen all the wishes in your mind, all the dreams you’ve had, and all the things you’ve ever hoped for, soared into the sky and were reflected in someone’s eyes, then you have found your destiny. The night we came to the Southmoreland, we found our destiny.

For both of us, being married 25 plus years, and divorced, we knew we did not want to spend the rest of our lives alone. We both had dreams about the future, and took the leap to find love with online dating.   Being very careful due to our jobs, one being a teacher and one an FBI agent, we were blessed and found each other. After spending time to get to know each other, our first overnight date was spend at the Southmoreland. There, our story began.

What an amazing place, and what an amazing time we had!! Our love truly began there, Sunday, February 18th, 2007 in the William Rockhill room. We loved the place so much that for Christmas, 2007; we celebrated by staying in the carriage house.   Memories were made there. After that, our love for bed and breakfasts began, and so did our journey into our future.

Since that date, we married, brought together two families who blended very well together, traveled to other bed and breakfasts and found true love. The thought of the Southmoreland only brings smiles to our faces. We look back and remember the lovely wine and cheese during the late afternoon, the warm and tasty chocolate chip cookies before bed, and the wonderful breakfast. Coffee mugs were purchased and are used daily, as the fond memories of the time spent there come back.

With both of us being from Kansas City, and spending time growing up on the Plaza, what better way to start our new lives together, with the story to start at the Southmoreland, a place we can’t wait to return to. Mark and Nancy, thank you for the memories.
With sincere appreciation,

Ashley Byrd P. – Hot Springs, AR
Our Southmoreland Sweetheart Story
In July 2009, my boyfriend Zach Pharr and I planned a trip to KC after having been apart for five weeks while we were studying abroad separately. We had been dating since September 19, 2008, when we met, and we had already been to KC together twice and both loved the city. That summer, we weren’t in grad school, so we decided to plan a cheap trip, staying with some friends to save money.

On July 19, 2009, we planned to hang with our friends before going to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory on the Country Club Plaza. (We have a Cheesecake Factory tradition—we always visit there, even if it’s just for a slice of cheesecake to split.) We went with our friends to a few places before they had to go home to meet with their landlord, which would take a few hours. (I thought it was odd it would take so long.) However, they planned to come back and join us later for dinner.
Our friends did meet us back on the Plaza but decided not to join us for dinner, so we went alone. After dinner, Zach and I had planned to walk around the Plaza before it got too dark, but then he stopped me and said he had a surprise: we were going on a carriage ride! Zach has always planned uniquely romantic surprises for me since we started dating, and I thought this was so sweet. As the sun was setting, we rode around the Plaza and took in the sights.

When the carriage ride was over, I thought we were going back to our friends’ as we started to drive away from the Plaza. However, Zach said he had one more surprise around the corner: we pulled up to Southmoreland on the Plaza! I asked him what we were doing here, and he said that we would be staying there. I was so excited! But being ever practical, I asked what we were going to do without our luggage. Surprise, surprise! Our friends had brought it over when they left us, he said. They were in on the surprise! (I just didn’t know how big of a surprise it would be.)
We went inside and were told all about the charming inn and its lovely amenities. Then we were led upstairs to the Mary Atkins suite, and I was handed the key. I think my body realized what was happening before my mind did because I honestly didn’t pay much attention to what we were told about the highlights of our stay. But I knew you guys treated your guests well and knew to expect something dazzling.

I put the key in the lock, turned the knob, and walked inside. Immediately, I saw two things: a bucket of champagne with a “Drink Me” sign and a box of chocolate-covered strawberries with an “Eat Me” sign. My thoughts? How nice of Southmoreland to provide this for us! (I initially gave you guys all the credit for my surprises from Zach because I was so impressed with your B&B.) Then I turned to the left and noticed an “Open Me” sign on a tiny door and was confused regarding what could be behind that door. Then I realized Zach had yet another surprise for me. (However, I think I still thought the champagne and strawberries came from you! I didn’t recognize the champagne bucket as my own and didn’t pick up on the Alice in Wonderland connection with the signs.)

Zach told me I should open it. I found a “Love Me” sign atop a shadow box filled with photos and little keepsakes from our time together. I picked up the sign and the shadow box and saw something else behind it. After some time, I set down the shadow box and looked at the “Marry Me” sign that had been hiding behind the shadow box. Finally, my future husband blurted out, “Please say yes!” which I did a thousand times over!

At this point, I had been treated to so many surprises on what was supposed to be a thrifty trip. But Zach told me to pick up the sign for the last surprise, a diamond solitaire ring that shines like a snowflake, which he put on my ring finger. After rejoicing with more squeals and hugs and kisses, we spent the rest of the night discussing how he had pulled off the proposal (with our friends’ and your help!), drinking champagne on the balcony, calling family and friends, and planning our wedding for September 19, 2009—exactly two months after his proposal and one year after we met.
We had a Wonderland-themed engagement, and we had a Wonderland-themed wedding in the library of the town where we attended school together. On the night we met, we had immediately connected over our shared love for similar music, movies, and books, including the Victorian fairy tale by Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. So my husband had planned the absolute perfect way to propose to me—a way that embodied so many things that make us, us. The Mary Atkins suite has a collection of teakettles, which I collect and is part of the reason why Zach chose this room. (For Christmas that year, Zach gave me an Alice teapot, and I gave him a gift certificate for high tea at a hotel on our second trip to KC.) On July 19, we did not look our best after gallivanting all over town in the summer heat—poor Zach had been sweating bullets!—so the following day we took our engagement photos in our room, even using the small space where the shadow box and ring were hidden!

The 19th has always been a very special day for us: we celebrated our first Christmas together on December 19, 2008; we got our marriage license on August 19, 2009; we signed the lease for our first off-campus apartment on November 19, 2010.

What I mean by all of this is that Southmoreland on the Plaza provided perfect means in the perfect place at the perfect time for my husband and I to decide to spend the rest of our lives together. He would have not been able to carry this off without you guys (and our friends—thanks for letting them in)! We have now been married for over two years, and we have been through many ups and downs, highs and lows, laughter and tears since we have been together. But every day I am thankful he asked me to be his wife because every day with him is magical and full of wonder. Even more than our wedding day, the day Zach asked me to marry him with a sign and a shadow box at Southmoreland is the most wonderful day of my life.

Thank you for making our engagement so special and for letting us share our story.

P.S. I really loved your chocolate pillow mints. A wrapper from one is now pinned in our shadow box to remember that special day!

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Kansas City Bed and Breakfast Recipes - Fresh Blueberries with Mango Lime Puree

2011-05-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

As you are anticipating
an abundance of fresh
blueberries you might
find this recipe worthy
of a Sunday brunch or
dessert after dinner:

MANGO LIME PUREE

Ingredients:
16 oz mango, cut into chunks (fresh or frozen)
Zest and juice from two limes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 pint fresh blueberries

Instructions:
Combine Mango, lime juice, lime zest, cream and sugar in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour puree into champagne glasses, top with fresh blueberries and serve. Serves 6.

Puree can be made 2-3 hours ahead of time and chilled in the refrigerator. When ready to serve remove from the refrigerator, blend to mix and serve. This recipe also pairs nicely with fresh blackberries or a combination of berries.

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

For the Love of Food - Southmoreland Test Kitchen; Lamb Chops with Lemon and Tzatziki

2011-05-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

Well, I am a bit behind on my postings especially those related to my monthly commitment to cook the cover recipe from Bon Appetit magazine. This truth smacked me in the face a moment ago when I picked up the mail and saw the BA June issue and realized that the April blog was still fermenting. One reason for my delay, in my rationalized mind, is my anticipation of enough mint being available from my garden to fulfill this particular recipe.

Lets step back a few months and rediscover the lamb chops that were featured on the cover of the April issue. We invited three friends to help as taste testers. Kitty who is becoming a trusted fixture at the test table and Mike and Chrissy. Chrissy is an unbelievably good cook and I was a bit intimidated with her at the table. With her presence in mind, and my A-game a must, I trotted off to McGonigles Meat Market, my special occasion butcher, to ensure I was on solid footing. While slightly expensive (I was reticent to even divulge the price when I got home) the chops were beautiful. I loved the marinade in this recipe. It was a fresh herb rub with oregano, mint and shallots. After the lamb sits "en-rub" in the fridge for several hours it is topped with a lemon vinaigrette, sits for a bit longer and then is grilled quickly and served. Easy right?

We followed the recipes pairing suggestions and topped the lamb chops with tzatziki, and added horta (braised greens with honey and vinegar) and brown rice as sides. The meal was delightful. The recipe was easy to follow and even though the marinating takes a significant amount of time, prep is minimal (the most time consuming part is getting the rub on the individual chops). One word of caution is to be mindful of the fat content of the chops and ensure you have a something available should dousing be necessary.

Kudos to Chrissy for perfecting a lovely Lemon Panna Cotta with Lemon Marmalade for dessert. I am certain it was quite an effort but so worth it!!

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

For the Love of Food-Southmoreland Test Kitchen

2011-03-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

After last month's successful attempt at the delicious fudgy walnut brownies found on the cover of Bon Appetit, I decided to attempt the cover recipe each month. Imagine my excitement when I saw the most recent cover and a cheesy delicious crock of mac and cheese. I love macaroni and cheese! Homemade mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food to me (the blue box -- not so much) and hearkens back to Friday nights during lent when my mom was frantic to find an acceptable meatless entree to serve the masses.

Since Nancy is not fond of cheese I decided to attempt this recipe while she was visiting with her mom and sister in Miami. Dear friends, Kitty and Kelly, agreed to serve as guinea pigs for the evening. They are always good company and I knew they would help me make an honest assessment. The recipe is not traditional mac and cheese. It is more of a hybrid between mac and cheese and the pimento cheese spread my mom used to fill a celery trough. I found the recipe actually quite easy to throw together. One interesting component of preparation is that rather than creating a cheesy roux on top of the stove you create a sauce in the food processor. hmmm

The taste was really quite good. It was tangy from both the cheese, the peppadews and the peppadew brine which is used in moderation. The three of us agreed that the crunchy topping (how can you go wrong with toasted panko, Parmesan and butter) was a delightful surprise. Unfortunately, we didn't feel that the recipe was as cheesy and we expected and overall it was a bit dry.

If you're a traditionalist then you may not want to try this especially if you only treat yourself to mac and cheese once in a while. But, I would incorporate the toasted panko-parmesan-butter topping because it does add a flavorful crunch. If you are more adventurist and like a bit of spice then you should give it a whirl.

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

2011-02-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

NEW LOCAL EATERY
We support small business, and know our guests do, too! During your stay at Southmoreland, make sure to support locally owned, independent restaurants. We’ll happily provide recommendations! Consider this new venue:

Westport Cafe and Bar a casual Paris-style Bistro that offers an American menu with classic French inspiration and preparations. Simple, quality ingredients are braised, grilled, poached, confit, or cured in the same old-world techniques that have been practiced by the French masters for years.

Try the Arctic Char, a favorite of Mark's (on the verge of obsession), and sip a Pimm's Cup (Nancy's choice).
Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Kansas City Bed and Breakfast Recipes -- Bacon Tomato and Feta Fritatta

2011-01-26T08:01:00.000-08:00

Mornin'! Here's the chef at Southmoreland on the Plaza, with another scrumptious breakfast entree recipe. This fritatta smells so savory, so rich, that guests hustle down the stairs for their slice! The secret to preparing a satisfying fritatta? Cook the bacon and the vegetables first before adding your eggs. Keep this recipe in your tickler file and try it the next time you host family & friends for breakfast or brunch. It's a crowd pleaser. Come visit our Kansas City Bed and Breakfast for your own little slice of heaven!

INGREDIENTS
9 Eggs
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
5 Dashes Red Pepper Sauce (we use Tobasco)
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 lb. Bacon
2 Tomatoes Diced
1 Cup Crumbled Feta
2 Tbs. Chopped Fresh Italian Parsley (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. In a blender combine eggs, cream, Tobasco, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Cut bacon into small pieces and place in a 12" pan over medium heat. Cook bacon until browned. Drain off excess fat and return the skillet to the fire. Add tomatoes to the bacon and continue to cook until the liquid from the tomato has thickened. Pour egg mixture over the tomato and bacon. Cook until the edges barely begin to set. Using a spatula move the firm edges of the egg toward the center of the pan. Sprinkle the feta over the top and place in the oven. Cook in the oven for approximately 10 minutes or until eggs are set. Let rest before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Serves 6 (entree) 8-10 (appetizer)

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Country Club Plaza Winter Ice Fest

2011-01-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, January 22nd is the 8th Annual Winter Ice Fest, held for the first time ever on the Country Club Plaza. Watch as 20 Teams compete to create the best ice sculpture LIVE on the streets of the Plaza.

Ice carving begins at 11 am, with prizes awarded to the winning sculptures at 2:30 pm. Starbucks will be on hand offering free coffee sampling.

The event takes place on Nichols Road between Broadway and Central.

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Kansas City Events -- Another American Asking and Telling

2011-01-20T05:45:00.000-08:00

Nancy and I had the pleasure of attending the KC Rep's current production of "Another American Asking and Telling". The one man show written and performed by Marc Wolf was both heartwarming and troubling. Regardless of your political persuasion you can't help but feel deeply for the 10 - 15 characters that Mr. Wolf adeptly portrays. The show runs through February 6, 2011.

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Fireplace Rooms -- Kansas City Bed and Breakfast

2011-01-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

It looks like cold weather has settled in for a while forcing our thoughts to ways in which we can warm our souls. Having grown up in Southern California, and considering myself a bona fide desert rat (I am probably a dessert rat too but that's a different story), I dread many winter rituals. Bulking up with a coat, hat and gloves -- CAN I LOSE ANOTHER PAIR -- the dryness of forced air, trying to jog on a sheet of ice are all met with dread and consternation and don't get me started on shovelling...its an art form at the Inn. However, one winter ritual I have embraced is a fire in the fireplace. Sitting by a crackling fire, reading a book or watching a movie and sipping a cup of cocoa or coffee is a welcomed treat.

Many of our guest rooms and common areas at Southmoreland on the Plaza feature fireplaces which are stocked with wood mid-October through mid-April. Four guest rooms (William Rockhill Nelson, Colonel Robert Van Horn, Satchel Paige and the George Kessler Carriage House) have wood burning fireplaces ready to be lit when guests return for the evening. Guests who have chosen rooms without a fireplace can enjoy the warmth of a fire in one of our common areas located throughout the first floor of the Inn.

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Tried and True Waffles - Recipes From Southmoreland on the Plaza

2010-05-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

Recently I read an article testing modifications to waffle batter in order to achieve a light crispy texture. The two modifications of note were the use vegetable oil instead of butter and incorporating club soda as part of the liquid. So, I thought I was test my own version. For those of you who currently have the Southmoreland "Tried and True" cookbook, I modified the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake recipe found on page 71 to come up with the following waffle recipe:

Ingredients
2 C Flour
4 T Sugar
1 T Baking Powder
1 t Baking Soda
1/2 t Salt
1 1/2 C Buttermilk
1/2 C Club Soda (or any sparkling water)
2 Eggs
4 T Vegetable Oil
1 T Vanilla Extract

Procedure
Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to blend. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients to the wet and fold until well combined but still slightly lumpy. Ladle batter onto a generously greased hot iron and cook until golden brown. Place cooked waffles on a cooling rack and into a warm oven until ready to serve. Serve with warm maple syrup or strawberries and whipped cream.

Mark Reichle and Nancy Miller Southmoreland on the Plaza

Kansas City Events - Brookside Art Fair

2010-04-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Brookside Art Annual, a significant Kansas City event, is celebrating its 25th year on April 30, May 1 and 2, 2010. Located in an eclectic neighborhood in the center of Kansas City, Brookside is just minutes from our Kansas City Bed and Breakfast. This is the first art show of the year and draws over 70,000 people from the entire region. The focus of the show is on ART! This community loves art shows and it consistently ranks in the top 25 shows according to Art Source. Art Source quote "This is a very pleasant, national caliber event attracting an affluent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable clientele."

The Brookside Art Annual is produced by the Brookside Business Association. It is a non-profit organization of merchants working to promote and improve the community in the heart of Kansas City. Dominated by quaint neighborhoods, the Brookside neighborhood becomes the center of the Midwest art community each May. The Brookside Art Annual is known for its festive atmosphere, hospitality, convenience, and has become a must-attend event for artists and art seekers alike.

The location for the show is at 63rd and Brookside between Main St. and Wornall.

Art Fair Hours:
Friday, April 30, 5pm-9pm
Saturday, May 1, 10am-9pm
Sunday, May 2, 11am-5pm

Starlight Theatre - 2010 Broadway Series Lineup

2010-04-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Tickets are available for Starlight Theatre's Broadway Series with performances starting June 22, 2010 and running through September 12, 2010. Located in Swope Park, Starlight is a short, 10 minute, drive from Southmoreland on the Plaza your Kansas City bed and breakfast. Here is a listing of this year's performances:

Little House On The Prairie The Musical
June 22 - June 27, 2010 at 8:00 PM 2 hrs. 35 min.
The inspirational stories of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, one of the most beloved literary celebrations of pioneering America since Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book of her classic series 75 years ago, take on a brand new frontier in this uplifting new musical. Melissa Gilbert, who we embraced as “Laura” for 10 years in the much-loved television series, is all grown up and stars as “Ma.”
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Dreamgirls
July 20 -25, 2010 at 8:00 PM 2 hrs. 22 min.
Catch the dream! Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s singing girl group and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. DREAMGIRLS features the unforgettable hits “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only” and “Listen.”
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Networks Presentation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast
August 10 - 15, 2010 at 8:00 PM 2 hrs. 30 min.
A tale as old as time, true as it can be. The eye-popping musical spectacle of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has captured the hearts of more than 35 million people around the world. A smash hit on Broadway, this classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Don’t miss the romance and intrigue of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Great family show! Suitable for all audiences.
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The Producers
August 23 - 29, 2010 at 8:00 PM 2 hrs. 45 min.
Outrageous, hilarious, unexpected and a sure-fire hit! Debuting on Broadway in 2001, this Mel Brooks musical quickly racked up a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical. THE PRODUCERS follows the adventures and misadventures of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, who set out to produce a full-fledged flop – and fleece their investors in the process – but unwittingly wind up with a hit on their hands. These two schemers will sing and dance their way through the greatest show biz scam there ever was! This show is not suitable for children or patrons who are offended by sexual references and Mel Brooks’ comic vulgarities.
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Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
September 7 - 12, 2010 at 8:00 PM 2 hrs. 20 min.
From Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road, RAIN follows the Fab Four from their earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late ‘60s and their long-haired hippie, rooftop-rocking days. A multimedia, multidimensional experience, RAIN fuses historical footage, memorable television commercials, 1960s highlights and live camera close-up zooms. All the Beatles music and vocals are performed totally live! Bring your family and friends and sing along to such favorites as “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Come Together,” “Can’t Buy Me Love” and more! Great family show! Suitable for all audiences.

Kansas City Bed and Breakfast - History of Southmoreland on the Plaza

2010-04-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

SOUTHMORELAND ON THE PLAZA, AN URBAN INN opened as an Inn on July 3, 1990. The original house had about 4400 square feet and was built in 1913 for a man named Leo Snider. He and his young wife lived here for about one year. Mrs. Snider died in childbirth and Mr. Snider sold his home immediately thereafter.

From about 1914 until 1998, the house and property were titled in women’s names, an unusual phenomenon for the time. Among those to own the property were Emma Kirkpatrick, Lydia Craig (known for her wedding cakes), and Agnes and Evalina Buis.

The Buis sisters purchased the property in 1948. They were school teachers at E.B. White Elementary School which sat at the current location of the Plaza Branch of the Public Library. (You can see a picture of the school on the collage which hangs in the hallway by the back door of the Inn). They could not afford to live in the house as a single family dwelling, so they turned it into a duplex, taking out the central staircase, reconfiguring the downstairs rooms into an apartment, adding a staircase from the driveway to access the second floor and adding a kitchen in the area on the second floor which is now the hallway to the Loose room.

They lived on the second floor (and their brother, the ne’r-do-well Uncle Sandy, sometimes lived on the third floor) until 1989 when Agnes sold the property to Susan Moehl and Penni Johnson, the founders of the Inn. Evalina was known to have been a huge K.C. Royals fan who, in her later years, occupied the room that is now the William Rockhill Nelson room, sitting by the open front window with the games blasting on the radio. She had passed away by the time Penni and Susan met the remaining Miss Buis, Agnes.

Susan (an MBA with ten years at Hallmark) and Penni (a Partner at Blackwell, Sanders law firm) had been looking for Inn properties on the coast of Maine for two years. They had wanted to purchase a turn-key, seasonal property. While their search netted properties that could be purchased, the short season in Maine would not provide a living income, even for two hardworking women who were going to “do it all” themselves.

They decided perhaps they needed to build their own place and, if that were the case, they should do so in an area with which they were familiar. So, the two women returned to Kansas City, took stock of their home from the standpoint of the locations they felt could support sufficient business, and began to poke around the Plaza for historic properties that might be candidates for purchase and development.

Susan and Penni are fond of talking about the serendipity that surrounded their discovery and the development of Southmoreland. They were north of the Art Institute one day, waiting for a realtor to look at a property, when a gentleman from the neighborhood walked by. His name was John Harris, a retired accountant who had lived in the area for years. He had played in the house as a child. He struck up a conversation with the women and, ultimately, told them of a property on 46th street that he knew to be for sale. They drove down the hill, pulled up in front of the house and thought it looked just like an Inn. They took down the number on the sign, called the realtor, and made an appointment to see the property the next day.

Meeting the 94 year old Miss Buis was a thrill. Penni and Susan would later hear many tales about all of the developers who had been trying (for almost 30 years) to get there hands on this property. When the women first saw the property, the Ritz Carlton group was interested in purchasing it for a five story parking lot should they decide to develop their hotel on the properties across the street. When Miss Buis learned of the idea to turn the property into an Inn, it meant her home would be saved and her little blue-eyed face lit up like a Christmas tree!

Though structurally quite sound, the property hand not been updated in years. Miss Buis was living in “decayed elegance” with original Bingham paintings of her grandparents in her living room, now the Kathryn Winstead and Thomas Hart Benton rooms. (She would later allow the women to have professional photographs made of these Bingham paintings so they could continue to hang in the house. They are upstairs in the George Caleb Bingham room).

It was while visiting with Miss Buis in her dining room, now the Colonel Robert Van Horn room, that Susan learned that Miss Buis’ family was from Dallas, Texas and had been playfellows of Susan’s mother’s family for two generations! Serendipity! Miss Buis and her other sister, Ms. Tate (wife of Winston Tate who started the Country Club Bank) would make a daily pilgrimage to Leona Yarboroughs, then in Fairway, for the daily blue-plate special, and then to Ms Tate’s house to watch the soaps. She had not lived in the Fairway house for years---she lived at the Raphael Hotel---but this was their habit.

Thankfully, Miss Buis had the original blueprints of the house so blocked staircases were re-discovered, the original central staircase could be replicated, the plumbing could be found, and the original identity of all the rooms could be determined since so much had been changed in 1948. For example, the August Meyer room was the original kitchen and the public bath downstairs was the butler’s pantry.

Renovation and building of the Inn began in October 1989, but not until Susan and Penni marched their loan application dog-and-pony show to nineteen banks to fund the project. The house looks pretty much the way it did when Susan and Penni first saw it, at least from the front. The Inn now has over 11,000 square feet in the main house and the carriage house is a new structure. The kitchen and everything above it is the new part. Of course, a total renovation of the original structure was done, eleven bathrooms were added, some rooms reconfigured and all of the utilities and services were redone. The back deck, pond and barbeque were built in 1993. The veranda dining room was originally an open air space, but was enclosed in 1993. The addition of this space has facilitated the Inn’s growing corporate retreat business.

Nancy Miller and Mark Reichle, MBAs from Syracuse University and Vanderbilt University, respectively, met in 1990 living outside of Detroit, Michigan, where they worked as human resource managers for Ford Motor Company. They were married in 1996 and very soon afterward began considering ways to spend more time together. They sat down independently and generated lists of what they might do if they left the corporate world. Most items focused on entrepreneurial forays in the human resource field and other more traditional business ventures. However, they had one outlier on each of their lists: to own and run a bed & breakfast.
They had never discussed this possibility in the past and it became a bit of a joke between the two. The fantasy soon took root as they spent all of their free time investigating the industry, taking innkeeping classes, and reading everything they could get their hands on about financing and identifying appropriate properties.

They generated a second list, the “If we are going to leave it all” list. Mark and Nancy knew they would be gaining a much desired way of life, but they would be giving up a lot, too. If they were going to make such a radical shift, the property had to fit the bill. Their property would have to be in an active, vital urban area with plenty of happenings and attractions available to their guests, as well as to themselves. According to their calculations, at least ten rooms were required to support them. Since they intended to make a clean break of things, the inn would have to be a turn key operation with pleasing aesthetics and décor. Most importantly, they wanted a location in the middle of the country. They knew they would no longer have the opportunity to travel much, so the Inn had to be conveniently located for both sides of the family. Mark is from Holtville in southern California and Nancy is from Cheektowaga, New York, just outside of Buffalo.

The “plan” was to stockpile funds, continue to research properties, and make a purchase in 2007. While reviewing properties in 1997, they saw an ad in Country Inns magazine for what turned out to be Southmoreland. The magazine had incorrectly located the Inn in Mississippi, so Mark and Nancy were surprised to find out it was actually in Missouri when they first made contact. The “plan”, it seemed, might be pulled ahead a decade!

Initial information was sent to Cincinnati, their home at the time, for review and a decision was made to come to Kansas City to see the property in May of 1998. The anticipation that all four people felt cannot be described. Penni and Susan were ready to sell the Inn, but only to someone who would treat it the way it should be and carry on the tradition of excellence they had attempted to establish. Mark and Nancy had been disappointed for two years with the responses they had gotten when making inquiries of other properties. Coming to look at Southmoreland was a “lark” on the one hand, but with the added excitement and anticipation of a possible new life in a new city. After months of conversation on the phone, when the day finally came to meet, all were thrilled and none were disappointed. It truly was a match made in heaven.

After days of touring both the Inn and the city, and hours of conversation over breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Mark and Nancy returned to Cincinnati to assess their visit and see what the future might hold. Serendipity would once again show its hand. While on a visit to Detroit for Ford, Nancy came across a single page in a newly published book that discussed taking assets held in retirement accounts and rolling them over to fund the purchase of a new business enterprise, without the typical penalties for early withdrawal. The possibilities of such a financing arrangement made purchasing Southmoreland more plausible for such a young couple.

So, Mark and Nancy decided to return for a second visit, that time with Nancy’s folks, Norma and Roy Miller; and then a third visit in October, marked by an incredible rain storm and the last Plaza flood. Despite the lousy weather and the great adventure of navigating a flooded Brookside Boulevard, Mark and Nancy decided that life at Southmoreland was part of what they wanted in their future. Back to Cincinnati they went to resign from jobs, sell their home, pack up the dog, Phantom, and find their way to Southmoreland by November 1998! Meanwhile, Susan and Penni moved out of the carriage house so it could be painted and made ready for Mark, Nancy and Phantom.

Southmoreland thought it was in heaven with four owner/innkeepers in place from November 1998, though the closing in December all they way to Valentine’s Day of 1999. Penni and Susan were sincerely generous when sharing their knowledge of the Inn and Kansas City, and made great efforts to serve as tour guides for restaurants, points of interest, and regional locales. Some might think this sort of overlap and training time to be overkill, but more than one long standing guest shared their appreciation for the seamless nature of this ownership transition.

Mark and Nancy have not only continued the fine tradition of outstanding service to both leisure and business overnight guests, but have increased the volume of weekday corporate retreats. They have added nightly homemade sweets to the menu of amenities for guests. In 2000, they moved out of the carriage house and into the main Inn in order to convert the space to luxury guest quarters, the George Kessler Carriage House Suite. They are also growing a lively special occasion business that caters to small groups and allows Mark to expand his gourmet cooking beyond breakfast.

Southmoreland continues to be among the premier Bed and Breakfasts in the country. It was voted as one of the Top Ten Small Businesses of the Year in 1998 by the Chamber of Commerce and has been a member of the Select Registry (formerly the Independent Innkeepers Association) since 1992. The Midwest Travel Writers Association named Southmoreland “A Gem in the Travel Industry”. It has been featured in locale and national press, including The New York Times, Gourmet, Southern Living, Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, Travel and Leisure, and has twice been showcased on The Food Network. The Inn has been an urban oasis for thousands of guests, providing service, respite, and many fond memories. Mark and Nancy look forward to offering the hospitality of Southmoreland for years to come.

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art - March Events and Exhibits

2010-03-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

March is a magnificent month! Celebrate the capstone of our 75th Anniversary year with a visit to our new exhibition Magnificent Gifts for the 75th.

Magnificent Gifts on View This month, we celebrate the Kansas City community's generosity with an exhibition of anniversary gifts. Magnificent Gifts for the 75th features 130 of the nearly 400 gifts and promised gifts made in honor of this momentous occasion including paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, glass, furniture and more. Get your tickets today.

Collection Highlight: Kanzan
The works of art in Magnificent Gifts for the 75th have transformed eight areas of the Museum's collection. This month's highlight is a promised gift to the Decorative Arts collection. Kanzan depicts a legendary Buddhist poet who embodies Zen freedom and spontaneity. Artist Akio Takamori has said that the jovial monk is like an "outer ego" for himself as a middle-aged man, with childhood on one side and old age on the other. Viewers of all ages and backgrounds can place themselves both in the role of and in relation to the monk with the engaging twinkle in his eye. See Kanzan in the exhibition. Get tickets online.

Exploring Egypt
Before ancient Egypt became the topic of blockbuster movies and mystery novels, the only vision many westerners had of the region was from photographs. Exploring Egypt: 19th Century Expeditionary Photography presents photographs taken by artist-adventurers who went to great lengths to photograph the ruins of Egypt. This exhibition will guide you on a visual tour of the Nile, highlighting popular sites including the pyramids at Giza and the Great Sphinx. March 6 to July 18. Admission is free.

Visions of VeniceThe Museum's first exhibition devoted to glass, Venice. 3 Visions in Glass explores recent pieces by three of the leading artists working in glass today. Combining tradition and innovation, these artists have produced unexpected forms, effects and moods. Visually dazzling and compelling, some pieces include abstracted brilliant cityscapes, while others are more contemplative and evocative of the watery city of Venice. March 6 to Aug. 15. Admission is free.

SOUTHMORELAND ON THE PLAZA RECIPE OF THE MONTH - Carrot Walnut Muffins

2010-03-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

We’ve received raves about our yummy carrot nut muffins, introduced to Southmoreland by Mark’s mom Betty, and oodles of requests for the recipe. In honor of the 63^rd Annual Carrot Capitol Festival held last month in Mark’s home town of Holtville, California, we offer this recipe for your enjoyment.

Ingredients

1 ½ C Flour

1 ½ t Baking Soda

¼ t Cinnamon

¾ C Sugar

½ t Salt

2 Eggs, Beaten

½ C Vegetable Oil

1t Vanilla

1 ½ C Grated Carrots

1 ½ c Chopped Walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a standard muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, sugar and salt. In a separate bowl combine eggs, oil, and vanilla. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry. After a few strokes fold in the carrots and walnuts being careful not to over mix. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until muffins are golden brown and tester inserted into the middle comes clean. Let muffins cool and remove from tins. Makes 10-12 muffins.

Another Great Season at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre –“ Bus Stop” Runs Through April 3

2010-03-13T16:57:00.000-08:00

Guests at our Kansas City Bed and Breakfast frequently ask us to brief them on events occurring here in KC. One of the joys of Innkeeping is sharing our enthusiasm for the city by offering suggestions about what guests can do and see during their visit. We are thrilled when we find a Kansas City gem that we can pass along to our guests and friends. Once such pearl is the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Under the direction of Eric Rosen, "The Rep" has consistently produced critically acclaimed productions ranging from light musicals to dramatic plays.

Recently, we took in "Broke-ology" with our friends Kitty and Kelly. While the two prior productions we saw were met with mixed reviews, "Broke-ology" was a unanimous favorite. It is a realistic, heartfelt story especially poignant to siblings dealing with aging or ailing parents. Locals take particular pride in this production because it was written by 31-year-old Nathan Louis Jackson from Kansas City, Kansas. "Broke-ology" is showing at the Sprint Copaken Stage downtown continuing its run through March 21.

The Rep's most recent production, "Bus Stop" opened on March 12 and will run through April 3, 2010 at the Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus.

Enjoy a leisurely early dinner on the Country Club Plaza, take in one of these great Kansas City events, and return to the respite of Southmoreland on the Plaza - an Urban Inn.