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Locally Speaking Kansas City

All things local to the Kansas City metro and beyond

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recent posts

  • Preserving Our Family History: University of Arkansas, Special Collections.
  • The Art of Making Something Once: Jane Signorelli’s One-of-a-Kind Jewelry
  • A Little Blue Magic: A Cyanotype Class in Lawrence
  • Lew Roht and the Little Big Band: A Kansas City Jazz Story
  • From Alchemy to AI: A Journey Through Knowledge

about

This is a blog to learn more about the Kansas City and surrounding communities.
Kristy Johnston is a retired educator, with a passion for continue learning.

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  • Hidden Treasures: The Fascinating World of Lady Charlotte Schreiber’s Playing Card Collection

    September 21, 2026

    The playing card collection of Victorian collector Lady Charlotte Schreiber offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of European art and culture. Preserved in volumes at the Spencer Art Reference Library, the collection includes historic cards that were used not only for games, but also for storytelling, education, religion, politics, and artistic expression. As part…

  • Meet Carol: The Quilt Appraiser Preserving History One Stitch at a Time

    August 31, 2026

    Some people make quilts. Others collect them. Carol has spent more than 30 years helping preserve their history as one of the region’s few certified quilt appraisers. After taking two family quilts to Carol for appraisal, I became curious about how someone finds such a unique profession. Her story is one of lifelong learning, patience,…

  • Why Peace Like a River Always Makes Me Think of My Mother-in-Law

    June 15, 2026

    More Than a Favorite Book Some books entertain us. Others stay with us because they remind us of someone we love.For me, Peace Like a River is one of those books. Published in 2001 by Leif Enger, it was one of my mother-in-law’s favorites, and over time I’ve come to understand why. While the novel…

  • Kansas City Ceramic Artist Cathy Broski on Building a Life in Clay

    June 8, 2026

    When ceramic artist Cathy Broski built her studio in the early 2000s, she funded it one art fair at a time. “We broke ground at the end of 1999,” she said. “I would go out and do an art fair, come home, pay the contractor, and then do the next thing.” Before moving into her…

  • A Hidden Gem in Historic Independence Square: Gilbert & Whitney Co.

    June 1, 2026

    In the heart of downtown Independence, you’ll find a renaissance of charming shops, unique boutiques, and inviting restaurants. Although I grew up in the area, I have to admit that I hadn’t visited downtown Independence in years — and I was truly missing out. On a sunny afternoon, my husband and I made the short…

  • My Stories Growing Up in Kansas City: Who’s Kid is This?

    April 13, 2026

    Summer’s at the Pool When summer rolled around, my little brother and I would spend every moment at our local swimming pool. The pool was part of a recreational center that had everything—a go-cart racetrack, miniature golf, an arcade with pinball machines, and, of course, the pool. Fearless Fun My mom never learned to swim,…

  • Meet Kansas City’s Illustrator Melissa Dehner

    February 15, 2026

    I met Melissa Dehner, one of the most talented illustrators and artist in Kansas City, through my husband. He hired Melissa as a freelance artist to create powerful illustrations for the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. She designed an amazing image for the museum of a dragon for the Lunar New Year…

  • Welcome to Locally Speaking Kansas City

    February 23, 2023

    Hello world this is a test post to this site. More to come shortly.

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