ission Hills had quite the exciting beginning. J.C. Nichols, (developer of the famous Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo) envisioned Mission Hills as a neighborhood for his “upscale” clientele who were moving in during the Plaza’s beginning. It remains this style of area today.

At first, Nichols worried that these clients didn’t want to be on the Kansas side of the state line. However, that quickly changed as the wives of the elite wanted to get their kids away from alcohol and booze was prohibited on the Kansas side. Mission Hills grew and in 1914, Nichols wanted to develop the Mission Hills Country Club. But again, alcohol was not allowed in Kansas. He solved the issue by building the golf course in Kansas and the clubhouse on the east side of State Line Road in Missouri. Problem solved! To this day as you drive south on State Line Road, just south of Shawnee Mission Parkway you will see the golf course to the right (Kansas) and the Clubhouse to the left (Missouri).

Mission Hills, KS

Submitted by
Elaine Bennett
RE/MAX Realty Suburban
Shawnee Mission, KS

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hen I first moved from the “Big City” to Petoskey, friends and family were concerned about all of the culture that I would miss out on. Things like museums, plays and concerts were mentioned repeatedly. The truth was, that I rarely participated in these events due to budget limits and the distance that was often involved. They were great special events but not a regular feature of my life. I was already doing without.

Since moving to Petoskey, I have enjoyed picnics at Concerts in the Park where I listened to musicals, international children’s choirs, jazz, blue grass, chamber music, you name it. I was enthralled to hear a Russian violinist play some of the world’s most difficult pieces at Bay View Auditorium. I have watched neighborhood children grow from elementary productions to professional presentations of major musicals and plays. The Petoskey Steel Drum Band is a nationally recognized “tour de force”. The Crooked Tree Arts Center showcases local artists and world class exhibits. All in all, my life is richer here in Petoskey because my friends and neighbors value excellence in the arts.

Petoskey, MI

Submitted by
Donna Lively
RE/MAX Lighthouse
Petoskey, MI

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aturday is my favorite day for a road trip. My husband and I decided on a trip to Wesson, which is about an hour drive from my home. Our first stop was in the Beauregard Community just north of Wesson on Hwy 51 where my third great grandparents are buried. The cemetery was full of history with graves marked back to the early 1800’s.

We noticed a directional sign to Lake Lincoln State Park. The last time I had been there was in high school – a long time ago! The drive is absolutely beautiful – the topography is hills, pastures and heavy wooded areas. The road leading to Lake Lincoln was a couple of miles out in a very rural area. The park is a hidden treasure and secluded. It cost $4 to enter the park which is okay because we have to take care of our state parks. The lake is surrounded by walking trails, camps, RVs, tents and cottages. There is an ample amount of bath houses, and a picnic area for the children. I noticed signs everywhere that said, “watch out for alligators”! Of course, the park was fairly empty except for a few fishing boats – great hideaway for the winter months to hibernate.

Our next stop was at the Mill Town Mall. On entering the old mill factory, the smell of fresh popcorn drew us in. The building was once an old factory and is full of antiques of every kind from vendors who rent small spaces to sell their wares. The traffic of shoppers is plentiful and always a long line to the one seat bathroom behind an old wood door and latch. The beaded wood throughout the building is gorgeous! The vendors are set up downstairs and upstairs and it will take plenty of time to see it all. Overall, it is well worth the trip to see this mall in Wesson.

After we left the mall, we drove just a little piece north on Hwy 51 to a diner that looked like it had been there since the 1950’s. The walls were adorned with antique toys and pictures of Elvis. It was a treat! The menu had a variety of food items. The waitress recommended hamburger steak and their variety of salads. We stuck with the hamburger and fries. Of course, I had to have onion rings too. In the South, when you eat something that is really, really, good – you might hear, “Oh, my God”. Well, I said it! The onion rings are fresh battered and fried – could have made a meal off of them! To top it off, we chose a chocolate sundae for dessert. They also have malts, root beer floats, ice cream, and fresh baked cookies. I will definitely be back to the Hwy 51 Diner!

It was a full day of sights in Wesson. The town is well maintained, and the old homes there are stately. Just one more beautiful small town in Mississippi you must see!

Wesson, MS

Submitted by
Tammy Strickland
RE/MAX Southland Real Estate
McComb, MS

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ituated on the Westbank of the Tchefuncte River just north of the Madisonville draw bridge sits Friends Coastal Restaurant. Friends was a quaint and much beloved pit stop for the many that enjoy spending time on the water in Madisonville and the surrounding waterways. Many would pull up and tie off the boat and stop in for a snack, a drink and the latest gossip from the river.

In 2012 Friends suffered a catastrophic storm surge from Hurricane Issac. Fast forward to August of 2013 just as plans were about to be enacted to rebuild Friends the structured suffered a fire that destroyed the remaining structure.

Many who had loved and laughed over a cool drink at Friends worried that their favorite watering hole had been lost forever. Well, here we are in the spring of 2015 and those worries have dissipated like the thunder clouds on a muggy Louisiana afternoon. Friends Coastal Restaurant has returned. Only now the long lost friend that has returned is that of a matured more focused version of its old self. The new friends now will boast over 25000 sq. feet and can accommodate up to 300 guests. A more refined menus and drink list will accompany the open dining area that will double as an event venue. Plans are in the works for a docking area and river level deck and bar so you can pull your boat right up and grab a bite. Patrons will be able to tie one on while you tie off.

Welcome Home, Old Friend!

Madisonville, LA

Submitted by
Nate Walker
RE/MAX Alliance
Mandeville,  LA

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