Shop Local 2022

Holidays 2022 Calendar of events

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

Holiday Craft and Trade Show at the Flinthills Mall, 1632 Industrial Rd.

1 - 5 p.m. Nov. 25 - 27, Dec. 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18, 23

Photos with Santa at Flinthills Mall.

11 a.m. - noon

Saturday, Dec. 3

Jolabokaflod: Christmas Book Flood at Mulready’s Pub, 717 Commercial St.

Bring one wrapped book so no one can see what it is and guests will take turns picking up a wrapped book and bringing it home.

6 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16

Seasonal centerpieces with the Lyon County Extension, at 2632 US 50

Nov. 28 - Dec. 23

Thomas Transfer Calliope will serenade Emporia neighborhoods with music

12:30 - 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Lyon County Festival of Trees benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Flinthills Mall

7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 Christmas Parade in downtown Emporia

7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Dec. 14 - 15

USD 253 Seasonal Celebration at WLW Auditorium, 111 E. Sixth Ave.

7 - 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16

EXILE Christmas at the Emporia Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St.

Small Businesses are the backbone of america

Emporia Main Street emphasizes small business shopping throughout the year, but particularly during the holiday season. Shopping for gifts or gift cards from small businesses boosts the economy and supports the lifeblood of our region. You vote for the community you want with the dollars you spend, and we want a diverse com munity full of successful small busi nesses.

Locally, we know that small businesses provide the unique product and service offerings that are critical to differenti ating our economy from surrounding competitive communities. Entrepre neurs are our volunteer base; they act as community advocates and infor mation resources for visitors. Small businesses owners and employees help form our destination events, generate foundations, and develop regional pride.

Every election season we repeatedly hear that “Small Businesses are the backbone of America,” and there is a lot of truth to that statement. Ac cording to the Small Business Administration 33.2 million small businesses currently operate in the United States. Small business es are responsible for two out of every three jobs created in the past 25 years for a total of 12.9 million net new jobs. Each year, small businesses account for 64% of new jobs as they create 1.5 million jobs in the U.S. annually.

According to American Express, 67 cents of every dollar spent in a small business stays in the local community, and small businesses donate to local nonprofits and community causes at a much higher rate than their big business counterparts (250% more than larger businesses).

Nationally, Gen X has overtaken the top spot in small business ownership with 46% of small businesses. Baby boomers are second with 41%, millennials come in third with 13%, and Gen Z is just starting their small business ownership journey with 1% of small businesses in the United States.

The number of women and minority owned businesses in the United States is increasing, with women-owned small businesses representing 41% of all non-employer U.S. small businesses, and 17.7% of all U.S. small businesses are owned by minorities. Immigrant owned businesses account for 30% of small business growth in the United States.

The Main Street movement is deeply ingrained in small business support. In 2010, the National Main Street Center — through the National Trust for Historic Preservation teamed up with American Express, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Roslindale Village Main Street to start Small Business Satur day. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day, and offi cials in all 50 states participated. Each year Emporia Main Street works with local busi nesses and govern ment to recognize and celebrate the importance of shopping locally.

Botox, Facials, Massages, Waxing, Lash Extensions and More!

Giving Spirit

When making your holiday gift list this season, don’t forget about our local charities and nonprofits. Local organizations give back to our community year round, and the holiday season can be the perfect time to thank them for al l they do. The Emporia Gazette reached out to local charities and nonprofits to see what was on their gift lists this season. Here is your go-to donation list for spreading cheer for the holidays.

THE SALVATION ARMY

• Baby strollers, baths, monitors, etc.

• Educational toys, dolls, puzzles, games, LEGOS

• Bikes, sports balls and equipment

• Brand new children’s clothes, blankets, sleeping bags

• Smaller toys for stocking stuffers (earbuds, keychains, makeup, Hot Wheels)

To donate, call 620-342-3093 or visit them at 327 Constitution St.

ABUNDANT HARVEST

• Garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning

• Christmas gifts for individuals in the men’s shelter (socks, gift cards, baked goods)

To donate, call 620-342-7439 or email at emporiarescuemission@ gmail.com.

EMPORIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

• Cash, real estate, appreciated stocks and bonds and more can be donated to any of the numerous organizations with funds through the foundation.

A full list of ways to donate and funds can be found at emporiacf.org.

ECKAN

• Canned food, clothes, hygiene products.

To donate, call 620-342-4607 or visit ECKAN at 215 W 6th Ave. Suite 204, 205

SHILOH HOME OF HOPE

• Five quart crock pot, pillows, silverware, 33 and 40 gallon trash bags

• Cereal, coffee and over-the-counter medications for adults, children and babies.

To donate, call 620-342-2244

UNITED WAY OF THE FLINT HILLS

• The United Way of the Flint Hills partners with over 20 local organizations, some of which are listed here.

For more information and the full list of organizations supported by UWFH, visit unitedwayoftheflinthills.org/ partners.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE FLINT HILLS/ EMPORIA ANIMAL SHELTER

• Dog and cat treats and toys

• Larger bath towels for cats

• Fleece lap throws for dogs

• Kitty pellets for litter (horse bedding pellets found at Tractor Supply)

• Cleaning supplies (paper towels, Dawn dish soap, large trash and barrel trash bags, Ziploc gallon and two gallon bags, dishwasher soap, and Arm & Hammer sensitive laundry detergent)

• Financial contributions

To donate, call 620340-6345 or email emporiakansasanimalshelter@ gmail.com

STREET CATS CLUB

• Clumping clay litter

• Rescue brand cleaner

• Chicken baby food

• Fancy Feast wet kitten food

• Puppy pads

• Financial donations to the Street Cats Club account at East Emporia Vet Clinic

To donate, contact SCC at info@streetcatsclub.org or 620-366-1215

BLOOM HOUSE

• Toiletries/hygiene supplies

• Non-perishable food items

• Gift cards for clothing stores

• Items from Amazon Wishlist, amazon. com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LWPS8F8QRSJ9/ ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

• Sponsor one of Bloom House’s 15 teens and their families for the holiday season at bloomhouseks.org/yuletide

To donate, call 620-208-1199 or email bloomhouseks@gmail.com

SOS, INC.

• Gift cards • Hygiene products • Monetary donations • Toys, games, fidgets for all ages

• Books for all ages

• Self-care activities, coloring books, journals

For a full list of items and ways to donate, visit soskansas.com/ wishlist

Marinade Directions:

In a bowl, combine Truffle Oil, Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Garlic, Shallots and salt and pepper. Place tenderloin in shallow pan and pour marinade over, turn to coat both sides. Let stand for at least 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature. (Can marinate in refrigerator 3-4 hours just bring to room temperature before browning.) Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a sauté pan, brown all sides and place on foil covered sheet pan and bake in oven 17-20 minutes until tenderloin reaches 145 degrees. Cover with foil and allow to rest.

Sauce Directions: In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, melt the butter, add the Mushrooms, Garlic and Shallots, sauté for 2 minutes. Add the White Wine Vinegar and let cook until almost dry, then add the Beef Stock, Heavy Cream and Cheese. Reduce to a sauce consistency. I serve this recipe with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Glazed Carrot.

Sauté garlic, onions and potatoes in olive oil and 2 Tbsp. butter in cast iron skillet until slightly tender; season with salt and pepper. Stir in Fanestil Party Time Pastrami and spinach; sprinkle top with steak seasoning and cover with grated cheese. In separate skillet, cook eggs over easy with salt and pepper to taste and place on top of mixture. Place in 400 degree oven until the cheese melts, and mixture browns slightly around edge of skillet, approximately 20 minutes. Drain Water Chestnuts

educational toys make debut at Imaginarium

By Shayla Gaulding shayla@emporia.com

t their freshly-opened learning center in downtown Emporia, Melanie Curtis and Dell Jacob have been inspiring the next generation of thinkers and tinkerers through interactive and enjoyable STEM-based programming. Now, the pair are offering a way to bring that educational fun home for the holidays.

Imaginarium, a STEM-based learning center that aims to bring science, technology, engineering and math to local children through project-based learning opportunities was founded by Curtis and Jacob — former USD 253 educators with 33 years of combined experience teaching children. The center opened on Aug. 24 and now has taken the next step in its mission “to provide

a space for the next generation of makers, builders, creators, engineers, and entrepreneurs to grow and flourish.”

Starting Nov. 14, Curtis and Jacob began offering STEM-re lated toys in their new gift shop, located at the front of their store in the Emporia Main Street’s Incubator Space at 729 Commercial St.

Curtis said the gift shop will be “full of fun, educational toys.”

“With Imaginarium being a non-profit facility, the profits from the toy sales go right back into Imaginarium and allow us to continue with programming and develop new programming.”

— Melanie Curtis

Melanie Curtis and Dell Jacob with a few of the STEM-related toys available at Imaginarium.

The toys will be for kids and kids-at-heart, with Imag inarium’s gift shop offering something for anyone — from newborns to adults.

“They really range from all ages, infants on up. It’s all hands on discovery type toys,” Jacob said.

There is ‘really there’s no lim it” on age, she added. “Adults like some of these fidget, discov ery types of things too. And beside the discovery toys, there are also games for the whole family and science kits.”

Imaginarium started offering the toys on Nov. 14, most of which are $30 and under.

“I think that would be a pos itive price point for Emporia,” Curtis said.

To accommodate the needs of Emporians bustling to complete their holiday shopping, Imagi narium has also expanded their hours.

“We will have afternoon and evening hours during the week,” Curtis said. “On the weekends we will be open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. - 5 on Sundays for the holiday season.”

With most of their classes be ing offered in the mornings or

evenings, the afternoon hours are new for Imaginarium.

“That will be a change for us, and we definitely want the com munity to know that they are welcome to come in, they are welcome to shop. That’s what it’s meant for,” Jacob said.

Offering educational toys has always been in the books for Curtis and Jacob, and with the holidays approaching, they knew it was the right time to launch their new shop.

“It just was a matter of timing,” Jacob said. “When we first opened for classes we weren’t quite ready or set up for toy sales, but now we are. We’re ready and we would like to launch it before the holiday season.”

“With Imaginarium being a non-profit facility, the profits from the toy sales go right back into Imaginarium and allow us to continue with programming and develop new program ming,” Curtis added.

Most of the toys Curtis and Jacob will be offering come from the Nebraska-based edu cational toy and game manufac turer Fat Brain Toys.

“Their mission is to enrich

families and provide a smarter way to play, inspiring creativity and sparking curiosity,” Jacob said. “And that’s what we do here at Imaginarium, so their toys fit hand-in-hand with what we are doing and we just wanted to offer something more for the community because we don’t have a lot of places to shop for children’s toys.”

In order to obtain the part nership with Fat Brain Toys, Imaginarium had to undergo a screening process.

“I was familiar with Fat Brain Toys because of their store in Kansas City,” Curtis said. “I reached out to the company. We had to go through an interview process to see if we would be a fit for them. After finishing that process, they determined that this would be a good location to sell their products.”

With limited options for chil dren’s toys in Emporia, Curtis and Jacob are excited to be able to offer the educational toys to the community for the holiday season. Imaginarium will also be offering three Fat Brain Toys that made the 17th Annual Toy and Cider Holiday Gift Guide — Trestle Tracks Deluxe, Tugl

Cube and Dimpl Splash.

“We don’t have anything like it in town,” Curtis said. “They are fun. There are a variety of interests. We have lots of dino saur stuff, there’s science kits, we have stuff for people who are interested in outdoor exploring, fidgets, games for the whole family.”

But the toys don’t just make perfect holiday gifts — they are also beneficial for sparking and maintaining curiosity.

“The younger kids, they are in their formative years and so picking up these things can help with the connections in the brain, making those connec tions,” Curtis explained. “Older kids who are excited about things, they will be able to pick up toys that continue to foster their curiosity.”

For more information, stop by Imaginarium at 729 Commercial St., call 620-208-6363, or visit their website at emporiaimaginarium.org.