As we rapidly approach my 350th column for this wonderful weekly newspaper, we’ve covered politics, and family, and silliness. If there’s been one constant theme, however, through these articles, it’s been my affection and fondness for QuikTrip.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the new Platte City QuikTrip and it was like walking into the future. The space. The kitchen. The cleanliness. The roller food. A+ to all involved. (It would’ve been A++, but it’s still in that weird little triangle spot that makes it complicated to get in and get out.)
This new QT comes on the heels of another place that I get unhealthy food coming to an end. Last week was also the last for Kelso’s Pizza in North Kansas City.
I’ve never had a real “true bar” to go to. But Kelso’s was as close as it got. The bartenders knew my name and knew that I was usually picking up a pizza to go and that I’d have a beer while I waited. The buffalo heaters were the stuff of legend. Sadly, after 50 years in operation at Northtown and other locations (I remember going to the one in Metro North) they closed operation fairly suddenly.
Kelsos was never known for its swift service and the restaurants in Northtown have always been better at location than swift food delivery, but Kelso’s was a great place to watch a Royals game and have a slice. Rest in peace, Kelsos.
And while we’re paying homage to North Kansas City, let’s not be remiss about giving credit to the Northtown Girls Basketball Team who won the 5A State Tournament last week by defeating Jefferson City 34-25. Platte and Clay counties are certainly no strangers to state titles. You’ve got North Platte and Platte County’s history in football and baseball. You’ve got Park Hill and PH South’s history in basketball, and then there’s that one school north of 96th street that is called Staley.
But for Northtown, founded in the early 1900’s, this would be the first ever team sport state title – in anything. Likely the reason they didn’t win a state title in baseball in the late 1980’s was due to me being cut from the freshman baseball team, but let’s not take away from the achievement by Chandler Prater, Lajayda Boyland, Coach Jeff Lacy and the rest of the squad on their achievement.
Finally, you can count one more taxpayer to the federal tax rolls — or at least tax filer. Luckily, I’ve got the great John Hiner to handle my massive wealth, but this past week, I walked my 16 year old through filing his first tax form. “Why do we have to do this every year?” he asked.
I didn’t have the answer. Truth is, there’s no real good answer. Maybe Hiner will have one. Best I could come up with is that it’s to fund the repair of potholes. Probably. Maybe. He is getting $27 back from the government which I was going to have him buy us some Kelsos pizza. But I guess we can’t have nice things – so he’ll probably just spend it on a tank of gas at QuikTrip.
(Keep up with Chris Kamler and his massive wealth on Twitter where you’ll find him masquerading as @TheFakeNed. You’ll also find him on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube)