Lesson Tutor: Go Eat Your Homework! Kansas City

The Broadway musical “Oklahoma” did almost as much for Kansas City fame as it did for the state of Oklahoma when the lanky cowboy Gene stepped up to sing about the up-to-date and “dream-like” Kansas City. He was quite sure Kansas City was the perfect city – full of comforts, entertainment, and modern transportation, having gone “about as fur as they (could) go.” Certainly Kansas City has surpassed the seven-story skyscraper, theater, and “gas buggies” mentioned in these Rodgers and Hammerstein lyrics, but Gene’s observation that the city offered comforts, entertainment, and modern accomplishments would still ring true today.

From Downtown Kansas City to the suburbs, the unique atmosphere of a big city, set where the trail bosses and covered wagons once wound their way to California, captivates the visitor within the whirlwind of a tumbleweed of opportunity. Legendary bank robbers Jesse and Frank James settled into the place they made “home” about twenty minutes north of the city. The Jesse James Farm and Museum are monuments to the wild beginnings of this western town.

But Kansas City history takes us back to a time before the cowboys. In the country Club Plaza, tourists can stroll along streets much like those in Spain with houses that have tiled roofs and
ornate ironwork. The visitor is surrounded by fountains, sculptures, and murals in this lovely Spanish sector.

And what of modern growth? Gene just thought Kansas City had gone as far as it could go! Take the Crown Center, for instance, where Hallmark Cards has its international headquarters. Exhibits and activities abound, as well as the finest of restaurants. And let’s not forget Kansas City barbecue! Just what did you think the “KC” stood for in K.C. Masterpiece anyway?

Museums and other attractions also bid the visitor “come see.” In 1999, the city’s historic train station was renovated to become Science City – a huge building full of  museums, science centers, and theaters. The Arabia Steamboat Museum displays cargo from a boat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856. The Gem Theater and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum also top the list of places to check out.

Then, of course, there’s Kansas City jazz. Jelly Roll Morton got folks started with a little bit of “blues and moves” in his “Kansas City Stomp.” And it just went on from there – blues, bee-bop, and country. Roger Miller explains it all as he casts himself as the “Kansas City Star,” a rhinestone cowboy, “wearin’ pistols and a hat.” And so, my dear Gene, while Kansas City may have “gone about as fur as they can go,” it’s hard to shake the image of a tall drink-of-water cowboy riding through on his way to Californey …

But what’s so bad about that?

Assemble the following ingredients:
3 cups beef broth
¼ cup white vinegar
½ cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup honey
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon sage
1 ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon turmeric
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon salt

Blend all together in a large saucepan and simmer for 1 hour, stirring often.

Assemble the following ingredients:
Ears of tender young sweet corn
Softened margarine or butter
Thin, nonflammable wire

Remove outer husks from corn. Turn back inner husks and remove silk from corn. Spread corn with margarine or butter. Pull husks back over corn and tie with nonflammable wire.

Place on grill approximately three inches from already-hot coals. Cook 30 minutes. Use tongs to turn corn several times during cooking. Serve while hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

One city/two states – Kansas City, Kansas is contiguous with Kansas City, Missouri. Do you know what the word “contiguous” means? Look it up! It’s a great word!