Flyover People Small Towns:
Paxico, Kansas
Kansas Stories at the Electric Cat Cafe
This year has an April full of Saturdays and The Electric Cat Cafe in Paxico has Kansas Stories scheduled for each Saturday. On April 2, 2005, Dave and I trekked to Paxico in northeast Wabaunsee County and spent a few hours Each small Kansas community is different, of course. We've been to a lot of them. But I don't know that I've felt as welcomed in any of them as I did in Paxico. |
Betty Wilson "Tickling the Ivories" Windows Media Video |
One of the delights of visiting Paxico was hearing Betty Wilson play the piano. If you want to experience quintessential Kansas, here it is -- ordinary people being who they are. The notes of the harshly-tuned piano echoed off the cement floor and occasionally Betty stopped and started over. She sang and played songs like "Happy Days are Here Again" and "Home on the Range." This is it. This is real life.
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Linda Geffert and Janice Levering tell and read stories about the Orphan Trains that came from the east coast from 1856-1930. "There are 5-6,000 stories that could be told about Kansas orphan train riders," Linda said. |
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The energetic Ron Etter is co-owner of the Electric Cat Cafe along with Linda Geffert. The restaurant features quiche, salads and sandwiches, including vegetarian and vegan offerings. 785-636-8911 or electriccatcafe@aol.com |
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It's worth the trip to Paxico just for the pie: buttermilk-pecan. |
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Looking down Newbury Street in Paxico from Mill Creek Antiques occupies most of the building in view. Seven antique stores in Paxico draw big crowds on weekends. Travelers pull off of I-70 or come from the region to shop. |
About two miles away, is the Cathedral of the
Plains. Its twin spires can be seen for miles.
See photos of the church at Newbury.
All Content Copyright 2004, 2005 by Cheryl Unruh
Text by Cheryl Unruh | Web Design: Dave Leiker
Photography by Cheryl Unruh & Dave Leiker