Wishes

Your Guide to the Holidays

Holiday Bake-Off

Sketching Treasures

Christmas Traditions

Bakers share their Favorite Recipes

Kaitlin Pedersen Sketching Gifts

Take part in Emporia’s Holiday Traditions

Editor’s Note

Welcome to Wishes The Christmas season is a wonderful time of year. From the Christmas decorations, to that perfect snowfall, to family gatherings, to the giving of gifts to others, it is the time when memories are made.

But what also makes this a special time is that everyone has a wish. From the young to old, whether a wish for you or someone else, it is a time of hope and possibilities.

This year, our Gazette staff produced this special holiday magazine for you. “Wishes” is your complete holiday planning guide. From gift ideas, to holiday traditions and recipes there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Area retailers are working hard to earn your shopping dollars and this magazine will give you a glimpse of some of the wonderful businesses and products they have available.

Over the next couple of weeks, we hope you will visit Emporia and area retailers to find those perfect holiday gifts.

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Chris Walker Editor & Publisher

Contributing Writers Morgan Chilson Ben Fitch Regina Murphy Ashley Walker Publisher Chris Walker Art Director Justin Ogleby Advertising Manager Crystal Williams Designers Dan Ferrell Margie McHaley Allison Hartley Phillip Miller Bradley Rice Copy Editors Ben Fitch Ashley Walker

Contributing Photographers Dick Garvey Matthew Fowler Dave Leiker For more information, please contact: 517 Merchant Street Emporia, KS 66801 620-342-4800 Wish Magazine is a publication of

TEG Wishes | 1

Advertiser’s Directory Bluestem Farm & Ranch �������������������������������������������������������41 Bobby D’s Merchant Street BBQ �������������������������������������������45 Brown’s Shoe Fit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Chicken House, Inc. �������������������������������������������������������������16 Citizens State Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 City of Emporia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 City of Olpe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Commercial St. Diner ������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Ek Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Emma Chase Cafe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Emporia CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Emporia Gazette �������������������������������������������������������������31 Emporia Granada Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover Emporia Main Street ��������������������������������������������������������������� 2 Emporia Realty Group �����������������������������������������������������������30 Envi Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 ESB Financial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outside Back Cover Farm & Home Real Estate �����������������������������������������������������36 First Start Rental, Sales & Service �������������������������������������������38 Flinthills Mall Merchants �������������������������������������������������������23 Genesis Health Clubs Emporia �����������������������������������������������46 Griffin Real Estate & Auction Service LC �������������������������������44 Guion’s Showcase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 IM Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Jones Heating & Air. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Kenyon Heights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 King Liquor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 L&L Pets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Longbine Autoplaza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Lore & Hagemann, Inc. ���������������������������������������������������������39 Mark II Lumber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Mathis Physical Therapy �������������������������������������������������������31 Modern Air Conditioning �����������������������������������������������������25 Mr. G’s Car Wash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Newman Regional Health �����������������������������������������������������36 Nik of Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Orange Leaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover PrairieLand Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Prairie Past Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Rhinestone & Rust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Salon Mirage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Schmidt Custom Cabinetry ���������������������������������������������������17 Studio 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Subway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 The Sweet Granada, LLC �������������������������������������������������������15 Town Crier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Brickyard Restaurant & Lounge ����������������������������������������������� 7 Walmart – Industrial Rd. �������������������������������������������������������27 Waters True-Value.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Williams Automotive, Inc. ������������������������������������������������������� 1

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614 Commercial Wishes | 3

Morgan Chilson morgan@emporia.com Armed with a mechanical pencil and an eraser, Emporia artist Kaitlin Pedersen pours life on blank pages, filling their emptiness with the vitality of sleeping dogs, peeking fawns and even Marilyn Monroe.

A doodler from a young age – she swears she focuses better on school and sermons when she is scribbling – Pedersen, 22, never planned an art career.

In fact, chronic health issues since a young age have left her struggling a little for direction. She’s enrolled twice in Emporia State University, but both times was forced to drop classes because of illness.

Then one day, just last February, she was doodling in Coach’s restaurant when Eric McCabe saw her work.

“He loves his dog to death, so he asked me if I would draw his dog,” Pedersen said, referring to McCabe, who is the 2010 disc golf world champion.

So was born a portrait of Labrador Retriever Ralph, who looks as if he’ll jump off the page and lick your face in Pedersen’s completed drawing (you can view it on Facebook). Her photo-realistic artwork is steeped with vibes of energy and liveliness, even when her focus is two boxer dogs, a mother and pup, crashed out asleep.

Also born that day at Coach’s was Pedersen’s art career.

4 | Wishes

Photo by Matthew Fowler Wishes | 5

“During that time, my family said, ‘You’re pretty good,’ and it turned into, ‘Can you do this?’” Pedersen said. She found herself drawing portraits, something she hadn’t really tried before, and even drew a picture of Marilyn Monroe for her godfather.

Word spread. Pedersen’s business, Lead to Life, now has a Facebook page and soon will have a website.

But an even more exciting opportunity came about through her friends. Rex and Debbie Williams were traveling in South Dakota and stopped at the Redlin Art Center. Terry Redlin is internationally recognized for his wildlife and American art.

“I guess they were in line at the cashier and he (Rex) just got out his cell phone, and he was like, ‘Here, look at this,’” Pedersen said. Rex Williams showed off some pictures of Pedersen’s art, even though his wife kept reminding him they were holding up the line.

“It caught the attention of some of the other workers, and then the cashier told him to hold on and got on the phone,” Pedersen recounted.

Eventually, Rex Williams was showing Pedersen’s drawings to the woman who ran the place and they’ve asked Pedersen to submit some of her work for them to see. She’s putting those samples together.

One of the challenges for Pedersen, given the fast-pace of this new business, is determining what she wants her “specialty” to be. She said most artists seem to focus on a subject, whether it’s on wildlife or Western art, and she’s still exploring who she is as an artist.

On her Facebook page for Lead for Life, it’s not so much the varied subject matter that stands out, but the feeling of vitality that lives in Pedersen’s drawings.

The two boxer dogs may both be asleep, but the way they lay across each other makes the viewer feel as if they just finished playing crazily and collapsed in a heap of tired dog joy.

Even her architectural work feels alive. Pedersen said accurately capturing the lines of buildings and landscapes is the most time-consuming work she does.

Most portraits – whether they be of animals or people – take 6 to 10 hours, but more complicated, detailed works can take 16 plus hours.

When she’s drawing, though, she doesn’t really notice the time.

“I tend to go right through and not eat, which is problematic,” she said. “I’ll start shaking from lack of sugar, which is not good for drawing. I can go for six hours and not move.”

Pedersen said she’s experimented with other mediums like painting (“I can’t even paint my nails,” she joked), but finds her true talent in pencil drawing.

She still uses a mechanical pencil, just like she did in high school.

“As time goes on, I’ll probably have to upgrade to art pencils,” she said, laughing a little.

Along with acquiring more professional art supplies, Pedersen is a little overwhelmed by the thought of running her own business. She’s plowing through website design and setting prices for her drawings ($200 and up), and learning the myriad points of business. It’s not, she said, her strength.

No, that lies more in creating emotion on paper, reaching into the heart of a scene or person or animal and exposing that heart with her pencil.

“It sounds really bad, but I like to make people cry – but in a good way,” she said. “I like to preserve memories. Art is timeless.”

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620-342-3366 • 1201 W. 6th • Emporia, KS • www.ekhomes.com • ekrealestate@cableone.net Wishes | 7

Holiday Bake-off

By Regina Murphy regina@emporia.com

Candies DONNA BAILEY’S OLD FASHIONED PEANUT BRITTLE

GRETCHEN RUSSELL’S COCONUT DECADENCE BARS

1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 cups whole wheat flour 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut, divided 1 cup natural cane sugar (Demerera sugar, brown will work in a pinch), divided 1/2 cup Earth Balance Spread, melted 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/3 cup ground

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2 cups raw peanuts 1 tsp. Oleo 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. soda

ook sugar, syrup and water to soft ball stage (I use candy thermometer). Add peanuts, continue cooking until hard ball stage. Remove from fire and add vanilla, Oleo and soda. Mix well.

Spread in well-greased (with Oleo) large cookie sheet. Spread clear to all sides. Can pull it to make it very thin. Cool completely and break into desired pieces. Makes approximately one pound. Store in tight container.

CLARA HAAG’S HOT CINNAMON CANDY 1 cup white syrup 2 cups white sugar 1/2 cup water

1/4 tsp. cinnamon oil 1/4 tsp. red food coloring oil the syrup/sugar/water mixture to 285 or 300 degrees, then add the cinnamon oil and red food coloring. You can find cinnamon oil at RJ’s Cake and Candy Supply.

Pour into a very well buttered 8-by-8 inch pan and let it cool. When the candy is completely cooled, break it into bite-sized pieces and spread the joy.

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MARGIE COMBES’ SNICKER DOODLES Mix thoroughly: 1 2 3/4 cups sifted cup Crisco flour 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon Sift together and salt stir in: hill dough and roll into walnut-size balls. Roll balls in mixture of 2 teaspoon sugar and 2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Place 2 inches apart on well-greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

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Pies

Cookies

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flax meal (if not vegan, use three eggs, beaten) 4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. butterscotch flavoring (optional, but tasty! Maple is also very good.)

1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 1 cup vegan chocolate chips

ote: this recipe is not just vegetarian; it’s vegan. Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl mix together the flour, half of the coconut, half of the sugar, all of the cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. When thoroughly mixed, pour in the melted Earth Balance and blend well. The mixture should hold together when handfuls are squeezed. If it does not, add water a tablespoon at a time until proper texture. Press this firmly onto the bottom and slightly up the sides of a foil-lined, sprayed 9-x13-inch baking pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until it sets. Remove from the oven and let cool 10 minutes while you prepare the topping.

In a large liquid measuring cup blend the ground flax meal with 1/2 cup very warm water.

Let this mixture sit 5 minutes until it thickens like egg whites. Once thickened, add the remaining sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the vanilla and butterscotch flavors to the flax ‘egg.’

In the same bowl used to make the crust, dump in the remaining coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips. Pour the flax ‘egg’ mix into the bowl and stir well. Evenly pour this topping mix onto the pre-baked crust, spreading to the edges. Bake another 20-25 minutes until the edges begin to brown and the topping is browning and bubbly.

Let these cool completely before attempting to cut into bars or they will crumble!

When you are ready to cut them, remove from the pan using the foil. A sharpened bench scraper works very well to cut the bars evenly.

MR. ANON Y. MOUSE’S UNBAKED CREAM PIE 1 (8-oz.) carton of Cool Whip 1 medium can crushed pineapple, drained

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1/4 cup lemon juice 1 (14-oz.) can Eagle Brand milk 1/2 cup nuts

ix all together and put in an eight- or nine-inch graham cracker crust, or a regular cooked crust. Keep refrigerated when not serving. Alternatives include mandarin oranges or fruit cocktail.

HARVEST FRUIT NUT PIE 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1 orange, zested 1 cup fresh cranberries 1/3 cup raisins 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg Pie crust dough, enough for top and bottom 1/4 cup half-andhalf Sugar, for sprinkling

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reheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, orange zest, cranberries, raisins, walnuts, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well.

Roll out the bottom dough and place it into a 9-inch pan, leaving 1-inch of pie dough hanging over. Pour the pie filling into the crust. Roll out the top dough and cut it with a scalloped pastry wheel into 15 strips. Lattice the strips on top of the pie, then gently fold the bottom crust up over the edges and flute the edges with your fingertips.

With a pastry brush, gently brush the halfand-half over the entire top crust and edges and then sprinkle generously with sugar (or vanilla sugar, if you have it) Bake until apples are cooked, about 45 to 50 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Wishes | 9

Candies

Cookies

ANGELA COMBES’ FROZEN PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening 1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened

1 cup creamy peanut butter 4 Butterfinger candy bars (2.1 ounces each), coarsely crushed

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lace 12 paper baking cups into muffin cups.

In a small saucepan, heat chocolate and shortening over low heat 1 to 2 minutes, stirring just until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Allow to cool slightly; mixture should still be pour-able.

Starting at top edge of each paper cup, spoon chocolate over insides of cups, completely covering inside of each cup with about 4 teaspoons of mixture. Chill cups until firm, about 30 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine ice cream, peanut butter, and crushed candy bars; mix well.

Spoon evenly into chocolate cups.

Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

In large bowl melt white chocolate and chocolate chips. When well blended, add peanuts, a few at a time. Drop from a tablespoon or a Pampered Chef medium cookie scooper, onto waxed paper; let cool. Store in tight container.

ELIZABETH LOCEY’S RUM BALLS 1 cup vanilla 2 Tbsp. white corn wafers syrup 1 1/2 cup pecans 1/4 cup rum 1 cup powdered A little granulated sugar sugar 2 Tbsp. cocoa note on the rum: it’s up to you whether to use white, dark or spiced. Each will impart it’s own flavor. Aged rums are the very best!

Using a food processor, pulverize the vanilla wafers. Remove them to a bowl, then pulverize the pecans. Add the wafers back in along with the powdered sugar, cocoa, and corn syrup. Mix well, and, with the machine running, slowly add the rum. The mixture will form into a dough ball — you may have to add a little more rum to achieve the right consistency, but be careful.

Remove to a bowl and roll into 1/2 inch sized balls. After forming, roll in a saucer of granulated sugar to coat and store in an airtight container until ready to serve. This recipe is good on the first day, but better on day two when it has had the chance to “blossom.”

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10 | Wishes

ANGELA COMBES’ CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX COOKIES 1 (8 ounce) pkg.

1 chocolate cake cream cheese, mix softened 1 cup chocolate 1/2 cup butter, chips softened 1 cup peanut but1 egg ter chips 1 tsp. vanilla eat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla then add the cake mix. Stir in chips and drop onto greased baking sheet and bake 1012 minutes at 375 degrees.

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GRETCHEN’S PERKY PUMPKIN COOKIES 1/2 cup shortening 3 cups sugar 1 can pumpkin 2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 6 cups flour 2 tsp. baking soda 2 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

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1 tsp. Salt For the frosting: 1/2 package (4 oz.) cream cheese 3 cups powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. cinnamon Milk, as needed

ream shortening and sugar in large mixing bowl, beat in next 3 ingredients, Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and gradually beat into the creamed mixture.

Using a cookie scoop, place dough onto a grease cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Gretchen’s scoop holds about a tablespoon and a half, but you can do as little as one tablespoon per cookie or up to 2 tablespoons per cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or until browned. They will hold their plum, round shape and not flatten out. Cool the cookies on a rack and prepare the frosting.

Cream the cheese and sugar, then add vanilla, cinnamon and a dash of milk. Keep adding milk until you achieve a good, sturdy frosting consistency. Gretchen says you can add a little food color to tint the frosting orange like a pumpkin, or divide in half and do a batch of green and a batch of red to decorate for Christmas. If you think these cookies are going to be around for a while you might refrigerate them due to the frosting — they’ll taste better, though, if you let them come to room temperature before you eat them.

Pies

MARGIE COMBES’ FRENCH SILK PIE 1 cup butter 1 1/2 cup sugar 4 squares unsweetened chocolate (melted, cooled) 2 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs 1 (9-INCH) pie shell, baked and cooled (I used a baked shell and the Oreo cookie shell.

Both worked great)

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eat butter and sugar until well-blended (fluffy and yellow). Add melted and cooled chocolate and vanilla.

Beat in eggs one at a time, taking 5 minutes to incorporate each egg at medium speed of electric mixer. This step is very important in order to achieve the fluffy light texture. After all eggs are mixed in, pour into baked, cooled pie shell. Chill. To serve top with whipped cream.

LAURENE ALLEN’S LEMON CHIFFON BLUEBERRY PIE Crust: 3 cups graham cracker crumbs 2/3 cup sugar 3/4 cup melted butter Filling: 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup blueberries (divided)

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1 pkg. (3-oz.) lemon gelatin 1 cup boiling water 11 oz. cream cheese (8 oz. + 3 oz.)

1 tsp. vanilla 1 (16-oz.) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

ix the crust ingredients together, and reserve 1/3 cup. Press the reminder into two pie pans or a 13x9x2-inch sheet pan. Sprinkle 1 cup of blueberries over the crusts.

For the filling, dissolve the gelatin with the boiling water in a small bowl, then let it cool.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar, then add in the vanilla, mixing well. Slowly add the dissolved gelatin. Fold in the whipped topping and spread this over the blueberries in the crust. Sprinkle the top with the remaining crust crumbs, and dot with remaining blueberries.

Cover and refrigerate for three hours and serve chilled. Refrigerate any leftovers.

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Wishes | 11

PEAR DATE STREUSEL BARS

SYLVIA LOWDER’S ENGLISH TOFFEE

Holiday Traditions

Breakfast with Santa The long-time Emporia tradition, ‘Breakfast with Santa,’ is held the first Saturday morning in December at the Emporia Public Library.

The joint effort between Emporia Main Street, the Emporia Public Library and the Emporia Arts Council offers young and old the opportunity to share a meal with the man from the North Pole and his wife.

“Essentially, this is an opportunity to get kids and their parents familiar with the library and what they have to offer,” said Casey Woods, Emporia Main Street executive director.

After breakfast, there are opportunities to see small animals from the David Traylor Zoo, participate in arts and crafts, get face paintings and share wish lists with Santa.

The event averages around 500 people per year.

– Regina Murphy

12 | Wishes

2 1/4 cups sugar 1 tsp. salt 1/2 cup water 1 1/4 cup butter 1 Tbsp. white corn syrup 5 oz. almonds,

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blanched and chopped 1 tsp. vanilla 5 oz. walnuts or pecans, chopped 7 oz. Hershey milk chocolate bar

oast the nuts but keep them separated. Cut the Hershey bar into small pieces and set aside. Bring the sugar, salt, water and butter to a boil. Stir in the corn syrup and boil to hard ball stage or 305 degrees. You must stir constantly or it will scorch and possibly boil over.

Once the desired temperature is reached, remove from heat and quickly mix in all of the almonds, vanilla, and half of the second batch of nuts. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet and sprinkle with the chocolate bits, spreading them out with a spatula as they melt.

Quickly finish with the remaining nuts and allow toffee to cool. It can be broken into serviceable pieces with a mallet or small hammer.

1 can (16-oz.) pear halves in extra light syrup 8 oz. chopped dates 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup quick cooking oats

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3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup reduced calorie margarine

rain the pear juice into a small saucepan.

Finely chop pears and add to the pan, along with the dates. Bring to boiling over medium high heat. Reduce heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened; remove from heat and cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Mix the dry ingredients in large bowl, then cut in the margarine until it looks like fine crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of this for topping, and press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the baking pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Spread the pear/date mixture over the crust and sprinkle with reserved dough, pressing lightly. Bake about 30 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

CLARA HAAG’S HOT CINNAMON CANDY

1 cup white syrup 2 cups white sugar 1/2 cup water

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1/4 tsp. cinnamon oil 1/4 tsp. red food coloring

oil the syrup/sugar/ water mixture to 285 or 300 degrees, then add the cinnamon oil and red food coloring. You can find cinnamon oil at RJ’s Cake and Candy Supply.

Pour into a very well buttered 8-by-8 inch pan and let it cool. When the candy is completely cooled, break it into bite-sized pieces and spread the joy.

SHIRLEY MOORE’S SPRITZ COOKIES

l cup soft butter 2/3 cup sugar 3 egg yolks l tsp. flavoring extract (almond or

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vanilla ) OR 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds 2 1/2 cups sifted Gold Medal flour

eat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix the butter, sugar, egg yolks and flavoring thoroughly.

Work in the flour by hand.

Using only about one-fourth of the dough at a time, force the dough through a cookie press onto an ungreased baking sheet in desired shape.

Most cookie presses include plates for the letter “S,” fluted bars, animal and flower shapes. Bake cookies for seven to 10 minutes, or until set but not brown. This makes about 6 dozen cookies, so there’s plenty to share with the neighbors!

BARNEY RUTH’S APRICOT PIE

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell 1 can (17oz.) of apricot halves 1 cup sugar

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3 Tbsp. flour 1 small can sweetened condensed milk Butter

rain the apricots.

Mix the sugar and flour together and sprinkle half of it over the bottom of the pie crust. Arrange the apricots, cut side down, on the pie crust. Top with the rest of the sugar and pour condensed milk over all of it. Dot with butter and bake pie at 350 degrees until the center is set. You can use the “knife in the middle” technique to be sure.

Top holiday Gadgets

iPhone Virtual Video Glasses Dick Tracy’s two-way wristwatch? Remember the Jetsons’ video phone? How about Lara Croft’s single-panel heads-up display? Well, the future is now.

The number one gadget for this holiday season is a pair of Virtual Video Glasses for your iPhone. Or iPod. Or iPad. A 72-inch virtual screen and high quality stereo sound via built-in ear buds create a true dynamic theater enjoyment. The glasses are powered by iPod/iPhone/ iPad, have a low power consumption and support hot-plugging and auto display.

They are a high-tech optical system with anti-vertigo design, are light weight and comfortable.

How many hundreds are you ready to plunk down? Put that money back in your bank: the average online price for iWear is $87. Merry Christmas!

Wishes | 13

LINDA MURPHY’S PEPPERMINT BARK 1 cup of crushed candy canes

2 lbs. white chocolate

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lace the (unwrapped) candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. This is a great opportunity to relieve any holiday stress that might be building up. One of those foot-long peppermint sticks makes almost a cup. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or waxed paper.

Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. Watch it, because if you overheat it, it will turn a light brown and may not set properly. Combine the candy cane chunks with the chocolate and pour mixture onto the cookie sheet, quickly spreading it to about a half-inch thick. Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from the cookie sheet and break into bite-size pieces.

NADINE SHEPHERD’S CATHEDRAL FUDGE 1 (12-oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate chips 1 stick of margarine

1 pkg. multicolored mini-marshmallows 1 cup chopped nuts

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elt the chocolate and margarine in a double boiler or the microwave. Let it cool slightly. Toss the marshmallows and nuts together in a large bowl. Pour the slightly cooled fudge over the marshmallows and mix until thoroughly coated. Ms. Shepherd uses pecans, and I tried walnuts. Lay out two sheets of waxed paper and pour the fudge in a row on each. Use the wax paper to shape a big log, fold over the excess paper and place seam-side down on a cookie sheet. Ms. Shepherd said some people roll them in coconut but she prefers not to. Refrigerate for a couple of hours. When you’re ready to store it, slice thinly and keep in an airtight container.

The slices will look like the stained glass windows you see in a cathedral, hence the name!

SHIRLEY STEADMAN’S CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS 1 (16-oz.) bag pow- 3 cups crispy rice dered sugar cereal 1 stick of oleo or 1 1/2 cups almond margarine bark 2 cups peanut 1/2 cup chocolate butter chips ix the first four ingredients together, roll into bite-size balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Put them in the freezer for 15 minutes, or in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to finish them, set them out while you melt the almond bark and chocolate in a double boiler. Dip the balls in the chocolate using a toothpick, set aside on waxed paper to harden, and cover the hole with a little extra chocolate.

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CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PINWHEELS 3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg, beaten

1 Tbsp. milk 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. peppermint extract 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

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irst, make the cookie dough. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cream butter and sugar in large bowl until light in color. Mix in egg and milk.

Incorporate the flour and mix until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Divide the dough in half and add chocolate and vanilla to one half, mixing well. Add the egg yolk, peppermint extract, and crushed candy to other half of dough and do the same.

Wrap them in plastic and chill for 15 minutes. Roll out each dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Place the peppermint dough on top of the chocolate and press together around the edges. Roll the dough into a log, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice the dough log into 1/2-inch slices. Place cookies one inch apart on cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 13 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove from oven, sprinkle with crushed candy canes (optional) and then move to a wire rack to cool. Very pretty!

TOLL HOUSE PAN COOKIES 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 1 cup butterflavored vegetable shortening

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2 large eggs 2 Tbsp. water 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Toll House semisweet chocolate chips 2 1/4 cups quick oats, uncooked 1 cup chopped dried apple slices or raisins

reheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small mixer bowl. Beat sugar and shortening in large mixer bowl until creamy.

Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture and water. Stir in morsels, oats and apples. Spread batter into ungreased 15-x-10-inch jelly roll pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars and prepare for mailing.

HAROLD RICHARD’S LOW-SUGAR CHERRY PIE 2/3 cup Splenda 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 tsp. salt 4 cups tart cherries, pitted

1 1/2 cups water 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 6 drops red food coloring (optional)

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ombine the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large saucepan. Add the cherries, water and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until thickened them remove from heat. Stir in food coloring if so desired.

Pour the filling into a 9-inch, crust-lined pie plate, add the top crust, sealing at the edges and cutting ventilation hole in the top.

Bake this wonderful pie at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, and serve with a scoop of fat-free low-sugar vanilla bean ice cream!

BRELANA DELONG’S APPLE RHUBARB PIE Homemade Pie Crust: 2 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp. salt 3/4 cup shortening 7 Tbsp. cold water Combine everything in a mixer until a ball forms.

Divide into 2 parts and roll out on a floured surface to 9 inches. Keep covered with a towel until ready to use.

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Pie: 8 Granny Smith apples (or your choice) 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 2 cups fresh rhubarb 1/4 cup sugar 4 Tbsp. butter 1/4 cup raspberry or strawberry gelatin

eel and core the Granny Smiths. Slice them up and put them in a gallon sized zip-bag with the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss until coated. Wash the rhubarb and slice it into half-inch sized pieces.

Blanch in boiling water and drain. Brelana says you can use frozen rhubarb just fine.

Line 9-inch pie dish with one crust. Pour in the apple slices and top with the rhubarb.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup over all that and dot liberally with butter. It’s secret ingredient time! Sprinkle the gelatin over everything — this will help the pie set, sweeten the taste and provide a stunning red color evoking the beauty of rhubarb and shiny red apples (even though Baked they were green and you wi t h peeled them). Cover your Love pie with the remaining crust, cutting a few ventilation slips in it. Bake at 425 degrees for 40 minutes.

Sweeten the Season

with

Place Your Holiday Orders by December 15.

805 Commercial St. • Emporia 620-342-9600 • sweetgranada.com

WE SHIP • Holiday Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10-8 • Sun. 1-4 Wishes | 15

The Olpe

Chicken House since 1958

Top holiday Gadgets

Atari iPad Arcade Console The return of the joystick: Relive the fast-action excitement of all your arcade favorites, like Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command with a retro console that uses your iPad (all three generations) as a screen.

Simply connect your iPad to Atari Arcade, download Atari’s Greatest Hits app for Duo, and you’re ready to share the fun with family and friends anywhere!

Top holiday Gadgets

Air Guitar with Laser Strings

Gift Certificates Family Dinners Catering

It’s a guitar. With lasers.

There is good news for music admiring parents who want their kids to play music right from a very young age. It’s a win-win situation if you like music as well as lasers.

It can be held in one hand, and is long enough for basic fingering. The bulk of the body does not exist; lasers are projected into the space where the resonator should be, and the musician strums the air across the laser paths. There’s a built in speaker and a jack for earbuds or an external amplifiers. Got $20? You got a guitar. With lasers!

Open Monday - Saturday, 11-8 Closed Sunday Best Wishes this Holiday Season

City of Olpe

16 | Wishes

8 E. Hwy 99 • Olpe 620-475-3386

How sweet it is

Wishes | 19

Rachael Richardson places some chocolate treats on a baking sheet.

A

s the Holiday season approaches, the Sweet Granada becomes very busy.

For the past eight years, since the Sweet Granada moved into its location at 805 Commercial St., the chocolate café has made handmade seasonal candy all year around.

For the past three years, all of that candy has been made at a production kitchen in Olpe.

Every day, for most of the day and sometimes into the night, coowner Kim Redeker and her partner in all things delicious, Rachael Richardson, crank the volume on 80s cardio music and get to work.

“We’ve been making the candy all eight years we’ve been open,” Redeker said. “We opened in November 2004, but we extended into the production kitchen three years ago.”

Make candy while the sun shines It’s an on-going, year-round affair, this love for chocolate and sweets. From the business side of things, however, the peak season is between Christmas and Valentines Day. “We make all of the traditional favorites,” Redeker said. “Fresh fudge, we make caramels, all kinds of nut clusters, caramel-nut clusters, truffles, soft centers like creams, dipped Oreos — one of our best sellers. I think we probably have over 100 different items.”

The Sweet Granada has some sugar-free candies for sale as well, but they are not homemade by the Granada company. Around 10 different pieces are bought and brought in from a high-end sugar free line, Redeker said.

Before the production kitchen launched, all those goodies were Story by Ben Fitch

20 | Wishes

being made at the downtown location. While the extension expanded production space from 200 square feet to 1,700 square feet at the kitchen, Redeker said she sometimes misses making candy at the retail location.

“I knew that we were outgrowing our space,” Redeker said. “I think the critical point where I knew that we were going to have to do something was the Christmas season that we were literally running our little fudge kettles 20 out of 24 hours just to keep up with what we needed for Christmas.”

She liked having the candymaking team all under one roof, and the customers liked to watch the candy being made.

Oh well, it had to be done, she said. On a Friday in November, the last full day of production, Redeker made 20 pounds of peppermint bark, which is a portion of the to-

Kim Redeker showcases one of the candy gift baskets on sale for this holiday season.

tal 80 pounds of candy that were made that day. It’s not always that much, but it’s probably around a daily average, said Redeker, when Christmas-candy consumption is in full swing.

“I don’t get sick of eating it either,” Redeker said. “It’s been eight years and I still can’t stay out of it.”

The most difficult thing to make are the truffles, said Redeker. As the result of a three-part process, they are more time-consuming. The crew hand-makes the ganache for the inside of the truffles and it has to be molded, dipped and a signature, which is basically the decorative details, has to be added.

The truffles are a crowd pleaser though. Redeker said every season they may have around 20 different truffle flavors.

Still, her favorite item is a large chocolate s’more. Richardson’s favorite item to eat is a caramel choc-

olate pretzel bar — it’s salted and it’s so good, she said.

‘Tis the season for giving One of the things that the Sweet Granada specializes in is gift candy.

The crew makes stocking stuffers, large gift baskets and towers, and specialty items only during this time of year.

“One of the most popular is our divinity,” Redecker said. “We only make divinity at the Holidays. It’s kind of a temperamental candy. It has to be pretty dry weather, so we don’t like to make it all year. It’s a nice association now with the Holidays because we only make it in December.”

The divinity is basically sugar and air. The Sweet Granada makes a soft, chewy divinity with pecans.

In addition, the candy crew makes peppermint truffles, eggnog truffles, candy cane melt-aways and

other items that the customers have come to look forward to specifically, and which are limited to the Holiday season.

As the fall winds down, caramel apples may become more available. For now, however, the Sweet Granada is having a hard time keeping up with them. They use local Granny Smith apples, and — truly, indubitably — caramel. They will continue carrying the caramel apples up until Christmas.

Richardson said she tries to get all the candy dressed up for the Holidays.

“It’s a very busy time down here,” she said.

The staffing is just as seasonal as the candy, but usually there are six to 10 employees making product.

Redeker said she is always looking for people who can make good gift bows. Be warned, however, that if that person were to go to work

Photos by Matthew Fowler Wishes | 21

Holiday Traditions

Art Show at Plumb Place The annual artists open house at Plumb Place, 224 E. Sixth Ave., has always been an opportunity to find unique and special holiday gifts, enjoy hors d’ouevres, punch and wine and is a rare opportunity to see the interior of the historic home, fully decorated for Christmas.

This year’s event will be held on Nov. 30 from 5 until 9 p.m. and Dec. 1 from 3 until 8 p.m. Local artists will show and sell a variety of artworks including drawings, paintings, fiber arts, photographs, jewelry and blown glass.

A silent auction of artworks donated by participating artists is held with all proceeds benefiting Plumb Place, which supports women in need. Admission is free and ample parking is available nearby.

“The funds raised from the silent auction go to materials for the resource center where we teach budgeting skills, financial literacy, resume writing, job searches, our entrepreneurial program and life skills among other things,” said Plumb Place Director Jill Wheeler. “It is truly an honor to open Plumb Place to the public and to our local artists.”

Refreshments are catered by the residents of Plumb Place, one of the skills they learn during their stay. Music, festive holiday decor and access to the many main floor rooms of the house are available to patrons while viewing the creative works of talented Emporia artists.

Plumb Place is a classic Victorian mansion built in the 1870s. It was the home of Emporia founding father and U.S. Senator Preston B. Plumb. The home was donated to the YWCA in 1919 to be used as a home for working women, changing focus to women in need in the 1930s.

Today, Plumb Place is a safe option for transitional and emergency housing for women where they learn valuable life skills and receive help in achieving a successful place in society.

– Regina Murphy

Holiday Advice

Lore & Hagemann:

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

King Liquor:

We want to thank all our customers for a great 2012 and wish you all a safe and joyous 2013.

Mr. G’s Carwash:

Remember a clean car is a happy car, Happy Holidays from Mr. G’s.

22 | Wishes

for the Sweet Granada production kitchen, they would be tying a great many bows.

“We’ll put a bow on anything,” she said.

The Sweet Granada has stocking stuffers that start at $2.50 or $3. They also do large, corporate gift baskets for $100. And there is everything inbetween.

“Most of our gifts are in the range of about $12 to $20,” Redeker said.

The Golden Ticket Redeker said she would have liked the story of her discovery of candy making to be more romantic; instead, it came about as a business opportunity that she and her mother were keen to.

“We really fell in love with the idea of being part of the new arts and entertainment district concept that was just really getting started,” she said.

Eight years ago, the Granada Theatre had just met a capital campaign to refurbish the inside of the theater, and the leadership decided to try and anchor that as the arts and entertainment district in Emporia. The Granada Coffee Co. was doing well at the time, and Redeker couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

“We really came up with a business concept that we thought would be compatible with coffee, with the plans for the Granada Theatre, and in general in an arts and entertainment district,” Redeker said. “Then we had to learn everything from scratch.”

Redeker had never made candy before; never mind that she hadn’t run a cash register. She started with developing a business plan — her education had been in marketing — and she went from there.

The business strategy? To hand make everything.

Aside from the large kettles that are made to melt and temper chocolate, everything is done

by hand — using a fork to dip things, hand roll, poor into candy molds with squirt bottles and there is nothing automated about it.

Richardson said a lot of the recipes are old family recipes that Redeker has collected as well as others she has picked up along the way. If someone submits a good candy recipe, the folks at the Sweet Granada will take a look at it.

“I think it’s a very sentimental thing,” said Richardson as she unwrapped candy canes, getting ready to dip them in a white chocolate coating and Christmas sprinkles. “As children we probably all got candy in our stocking or from grandma or something like that. I think that candy is a very sentimental thing, and no matter how old we are, we can always enjoy it.”

The folks in Olpe recognize Redeker’s vehicle, she said. They know when she is there making candy, and they don’t hesitate to pop in. The production kitchen doesn’t have retail hours, but candy can be bought on the spot. Mostly, however, it is best to visit the Sweet Granada for a Christmas candy fix.

Redeker remembers from her childhood that her grandmother would always have a tin of homemade peanut clusters on the coffee table when she went to visit.

“I think that we automatically are drawn to good memories,” said Redeker. “Christmas is probably everyone’s favorite memory lane. Candy is traditionally associated with that.

“We as Americans, in a very Norman Rockwell kind of way, associate handmade candies with the holidays as a very positive, warm and fuzzy experience. I am really proud of how the Sweet Granada has helped today’s customers still have that.

Let’s face it, we’re a lot busier than we used to be, we have a lot less time to bake at home and to make homemade candies. The Sweet Granada has allowed people, I think, to still have those same things that they remember from their childhood.”

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uring the holiday season one of the best gifts to give is the one that helps others. Here are 12 ways you and or your family can experience the joy of giving this Christmas season:

The Salvation Army Kettle campaign: Drop some coins or cash into one of the several Salvation Army kettles located around town. Donations will be used to assist families in the Emporia area who are struggling with food, clothing and shelter needs. The kettles are easy to find. Just listen for the bell-ringer. Kettles are located at: Walmart, Sutherlands, Walgreens, Reebles North and South, Bluestem, Graves Drug and Price Chopper. Find one today.

The Salvation Army Angel Trees: Choose a card — or two, or three — from one of the Angel Trees located around town and discover the joy of shopping for a child or teen in town who may not otherwise have something special to open on Christmas morning. Angel Trees are the perfect way for children to learn the joy of giving. Take them along to choose and shop for their own Angel.

Adopt-A-Family: Be a blessing to an entire family in town, by providing their Christmas meal and/or the gifts for under their tree. Call The Salvation Army immediately for more information: 342-3093.

Donate to the United Way annual fund raising campaign: A sure-bet for giving, the United Way supports many agencies in town like SOS, Big Sisters Big Brothers, Emporia Child Care and Camp Alexander, among others. Its goal this year is $586,500. The campaign wraps up the end of December. Give today.

Abundant Harvest: A hot supper is hard to come by for many people in Emporia. That’s why Abundant Harvest serves a free meal to anyone who needs one four nights a week at 1028 Whittier. Volunteers and funds are always needed. Contact 620-342-7439 or go to emporiamission.org to give online.

Shiloh Home of Hope is a non-denominational, residential home dedicated to women and their children who are experiencing crisis in their lives, giving them a safe and loving place to learn the purpose and plan for their lives. To make a donation to Shiloh go to shilohhomeofhome.org or send a donation to PO Box 748 Emporia, KS 66801.

Food for Students: Help provide a weekend to-go bag of food for students in Emporia who come from food-insecure households. Check out the list of food that goes into the Food For Students to-go bags at www.emporiagazette.com/foodforstudents and drop off your donation at The Emporia Gazette.

“Stuff the Truck:” The Salvation Army will have its truck in the Walmart parking lot on December 8. Patrons are invited to pick up a shopping list from the truck and then go shopping for coats and toys. The items will be distributed to the community at the Toy Shop/Food distribution at the Lyon Count Fairgrounds Dec. 18-21.

Mitten Trees: Warm a heart and a hand by donating some mittens, hats, gloves and scarves to those in need. Find a mitten tree at Town Crier, Cargill Pet Food, and Mels Tire.

Project Warmth: The Christmas season may not be warm and cozy for those in need. But with the help of Project Warmth, a project organized by 96 One The Wave and other local businesses, blankets, coats and other winter accessories will be given to area residents who need them most. For drop-off locations call: 342-3093.

DeLane Drive Toy Drive: Enjoy your Christmas light gazing all while giving toys to kids in need. Drive through the annual DeLane Drive light extravaganza in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day and give Santa your donations. Watch The Gazette for dates and times of Santa’s arrival on DeLane Drive.

Finally, it’s amazing what a simple act of kindness can do. Whether it’s in word or a deed, to a neighbor or a stranger, giving — not getting — is where the spirit of Christmas is found. Even if it’s not on this list, find your own way to spread the Christmas joy this year!

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Wishes | 25

Holiday Advice

Dick Garvey/Emporia State University

Jones Heating and Air:

Be sure that your furnace maintenance is up to date! Don’t be left in the cold with a house full of company.

Bluestem Farm & Ranch:

Shop at Bluestem Farm & Ranch for all holiday needs.

Orange Leaf:

“Wishing you a very Happy Holidays from The Emporia Orange Leaf Family”

ESB Financial:

Before you start shopping, develop a realistic budget. Consider your income, subtract your normal monthly expenses, and then add any savings to whatever cash is left over. If you need to use your credit card, think about what you can afford to pay back in January. Don’t forget costs beyond gifts, like postage, gift wrap, decorations, greeting cards, food, travel and charitable contributions.

Farm & Home:

The holiday season is such a special time of year!

It is a time for celebrating, reflection and for giving thanks. We at Farm and Home welcome this opportunity to express our gratitude to our clients for a wonderful year and wish you all “Merry Christmas” and a “Happy New Year”!

Walmart

Layaway is back. Pay for that big electronic item a little at a time and pick it up by December 14th.

26 | Wishes

Williams Automotive:

Give the gift of your time and your love this Christmas season. Williams Automotive wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year.

L&L Pets:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, thank you for a great 30 years in business.

are “wrapping challenged,” send them to local merchants that have gift wrapping available.

Tip 5: If you don’t know where to find something in town, contact the Emporia Main Street office. E-mail, Facebook, give us a phone call or stop by the office. I bet we can help you find what you are looking for right here at home.

Bobby D’s:

We hope everyone gets what they wish for this holiday season.

Catering is available for Holiday Parties! Gift certificates make the perfect stocking stuffers!

Tired of cooking, we now have an expanded menu that includes steak.

Main Street:

Modern Air:

Town Crier:

Tip 1: To avoid duplicate gifts, buy something unique from a local business or local artist.

Tip 2: If you want something special for that special someone, talk to the local small businesses where they currently shop. You’ll be amazed at the insight that local merchants have.

Tip 3: Remember that you can give the gift of experiences to the people on your list. If you have a music lover, buy some concert tickets to a show at the Granada Theatre. If you have someone that loves art, buy admission to an art class at the Emporia Arts Council. If you know someone that loves to Barbeque, purchase BBQ Cooking Class Tickets from Waters. Check out the Community Connections Catalogue at Flint Hills Technical College and purchase class tuition for the Start Your Own Business Class for your budding entrepreneur. Great gifts aren’t always tangible “things”.

Tip 4: When sending people out to shop that

“With the spirit of the holidays and promises of a new year, we would like to give thanks to our many customers for letting us keep them warm and comfortable. THANK YOU, from our family to yours!”

First Start Rental:

Thank you for your business in 2012 and Wishing everyone and their families a safe and happy holiday!

Commercial Street Diner:

Happy HO HO’S to all our customers, may your stockings be heavy!

Schmidt Custom Cabinetry

“Thanks for a successful year in our new location in Olpe! Wishing you many wonderful moments during the Holidays and in the New Year!”

Give the gift everyone wants

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Order Chamber Gift Certificates at 342-1600

Merry Christmas Shop Emporia First!

FREE City Maps & Guides at 719 Commercial Street www.emporiakschamber.org or 620-342-1600

28 | Wishes

SHOP LOCAL • BUY HANDMADE Classes, Pinterest Parties & Private Bookings in our Art Lab, just ask!

Vintage clothing, jewelry, milk paint, fine art, home decor, custom furniture & much more!

Home to over 75 local artists & crafters

Wishes | 29

Holiday Traditions

The Nutcracker Ballet Each holiday season Emporia gets a treat: a dance recital by students of Sherry’s Dance Workshop. Owned and operated by Sherry Davidson, she rotates three shows: dances set to traditional holiday music, “The Christmas Attic” with music by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and “The Nutcracker.”

Davidson has been doing The Nutcracker since the 1980s and this year’s production will include professionally painted backdrops. Her students are the performers.

“This year some ESU theater students will be performing as well and many dance parents are involved,” She said. “I’ve got ages 4 through 50, and this year I have the largest cast ever.”

The performance is narrated so that all will enjoy the story as well as the dancing. Dancers perform to a compact disc recording of the beloved Tchaikovsky Ballet.

The Nutcracker is a particularly exciting production for all those involved.

“They work hard. I even have kids right now looking at what parts they could be the next time The Nutcracker is performed. They’re always working ahead and excited to grow old enough to try the more challenging parts.”

The Nutcracker Ballet will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 in Albert Taylor Hall, Plumb Hall on the campus of Emporia State University.

Admission is free.

“Everyone likes to see the little ones get up and dance,” Sherry said. “A lot of the parents and grandparents particularly come at Christmas to share this family classic with their children.”

– Regina Murphy

Top holiday Gadgets

Remee Mind Control Dreaming Mask Sometimes you come across a gadget that seems just a bit surreal. Perhaps you saw the idea in a Bond movie and you thought to yourself that maybe some day in the far away future we might actually have something similar. What is hard to believe is that some of what you thought was creative sci-fi imagination, is heading our way right now.

How about mind control, ever think that would happen? Check out Remee, a special REM enhancing sleep mask that is supposed to help steer you into lucid dreaming.

That’s right. Control your dreams. So fly, race cars or play the perfect round of golf. Seriously, what would you choose to dream about if you could?

G R E m o r f s y a d li o h Happy ! o o t e r a e w , y d a e When you are r

30 | Wishes

Bring John Deere Home for the Holidays Prairieland is the place for official John Deere Toys, Tools, Apparel, Collectibles & Gifts.

1744 County Road F • Emporia, KS 620-342-5000 • 888-753-0103 www.prairielandpartners.com Wishes | 31

Holiday Traditions

A Chase County Christmas

The Chase County Christmas Celebration, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, has always been a wonderful, day-long event for families to enjoy. Beginning with the fruitcake toss at the Cottonwood River and going all the way through the lighting of the courthouse at dusk, there are multiple opportunities for children through grandparents to find something they like, from Strong City to Cottonwood Falls to Matfield Green.

There’s shopping, open houses, a memory tree at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, a holiday homes tour ... this year the parade will be before lunch, and afterwards Camp Wood will host families for games and other activities.

Some might choose to visit Pioneer Bluffs near Matfield Green for hot apple cider and cookies and tours of the Rogler Prairie Heritage Center, the renovated 1916 granary, or go to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve ranch house, Spring Hill Ranch. Historic characters will be decorating the tree, cooking, and reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Horse-drawn carriage rides, hikes along the walking trails, hot chocolate and a little chat with Santa in the historic Chase County Courthouse foyer paired with the annual Lion’s Club biscuit and gravy breakfast and the Masonic Order soup supper all create a comforting transition to the December holiday season.

– Regina Murphy

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Happy Holidays

from Mr. G’s Car Washes

3 Great Locations 101 S. Commercial St. 1901 W. 6th Avenue 716 E. 12th Avenue

Gift Cards Available

ays from Salon Mir d i l o H y age Happ

Mindy Engle

Kelly Baker

Open: Monday thru Friday 9am-6pm Saturday - by appointment only

Danielle Johnson Commercial St. 620-343-1557 Wishes | 35

“When the Hustle and Bustle Gets You Down”

Express Care

For your health care needs without an appointment.

Newman Express Care Holiday Hours Dec. 24th 5:00pm – 10:00pm Dec. 25th CLOSED Dec. 31st

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Jan. 1st

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Mon. – Fri. 5:00pm - 10:00pm Sat. – Sun. 10:00am - 4:00pm

Care provided includes:  Treatment of minor medical conditions  Sore throats  Earaches  Lacerations  Sprains/strains  Minor on-the-job injuries  Physicals  Colds/congestion/flu

Care provided includes: • Treatment of minor medical conditions • Sore throats • Earaches • Lacerations • Sprains/strains • Minor on-the-job injuries • Physicals • Colds/congestion/flu

Holiday Hours Dec. 24th 5:00pm-10:00pm Dec. 25th CLOSED Dec. 31st 5:00pm-10:00pm Jan. 1st 1:00pm-6:00pm

Normal Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 5:00pm-10:00pm Sat.-Sun. 10:00am-4:00pm

2720 W. 15th Ave. • Emporia, KS 66801 • www.newmanrh.org 620-343-7828 • Located in the southwest corner of Flinthills Mall 2720 W. 15th Ave. • Emporia, KS 66801 • www.newmanrh.org 620-343-STAT • Located in the southwest corner of Flinthills Mall

Wishing you and yours a Joyous Holiday Season!

Front row: Barbara Burum, Rental Property Manager, Karen Whitmore, Norma Watson • Middle Row: Jackie Wall, John Flott, Gail Hancock, Jerry Olmsted, Becky Baumgardner • Back Row: Judy Turner, John Sandstrom, David Goldsmith, Bruce Andrews, Greg Schwien, Closing Agent

From all of us at

Farm & Home Real Estate

36 | Wishes

Holiday Traditions

The Seasonal Celebration For over three-quarters of a century, Emporia’s school children have presented a concert of holiday music for the community. Prior to 1993, this was the Christmas Program; it is now known as the Seasonal Celebration.

“It would be difficult to find a school program anywhere else in Kansas — or perhaps the nation — that could equal the way Emporia children celebrate the season of peace and hope,” wrote Gazette Editor John Lechliter in 2007.

“The Seasonal Celebration ... is more than a showcase of talent. It’s one of those precious few intangibles that give Emporia its identity.”

The 77th annual Seasonal Celebration will be Dec.12 and 13 in the W.L. White Auditorium inside the Civic Building at Sixth Avenue and Mechanic Street. The annual program features Emporia students in grades six through 12 performing vocal and instrumental holiday music from around the world.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. both nights and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission will be $3 at the door for school-age children and adults.

Preschool children will be admitted free. No tickets will be required.

A dress rehearsal at noon Dec. 13 at the auditorium will be open to the public at no charge.

As Lechliter wrote: “Emporia children will for the rest of their lives have good memories of performing in the Seasonal Celebration. Parents will always remember seeing their children shine.

“It’s easy to take traditions for granted. This is a treasure handed to us by generations past. It is our privilege to cherish it — and our gift to pass on.”

– Regina Murphy

e r o M

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Photo by Dave Leiker

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First Start Rental Sales & Service M-F- 7:30-5:00 SAT- 8:00 - 12:00 38 | Wishes

Check out one of our two locations: 2026 W. 6th Ave • Emporia, KS (620) 343-0983 115 Main • New Strawn, KS (620) 364-1983

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620-343-1991 • 318 E. 6th • Emporia Wishes | 39

Holiday Traditions

DeLane Toy Drive The U-shaped roadways of Diane Avenue, Darlene Way and DeLane Drive is the perfect holiday drive-through, thanks to the many, many residents there who decorate their homes and even line the streets with luminaries.

2012 will mark the 29th year for a specific two-night event for the annual DeLane Drive Toy Drop, an Emporia favorite tradition.

In 2011, the neighborhood homes were covered with Christmas lights, the yards filled with amusing vignettes and both sides of the road were lined with over 300 luminaries. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15, the community is asked to bring a little something with them when they come to see the lights.

“The community has been overwhelming,” said Sharon Allemang, whose house at 2307 DeLane Drive was the location of the toy drop in 2011. “... We think every year we have such a fantastic year that we can never beat it, but it seems like every year it gets better and better. It’s a community effort and it’s a neighborhood effort.”

Organizers are ready to collect toys, even bicycles, and money from the drivers or pedestrians enjoying the scenery. The vast variety of toys goes to S.O.S. and the Salvation Army, and the monetary donations for S.O.S. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are always available to wave at the children and give a quick word and candy cane.

“I played Santa Claus last night,” Emporian Damon Leiss said in 2011. “Just the look in their eyes. Of course they know you are Santa and know they are giving Santa something to help out. I explain it goes to kids whose parents can’t afford to do this.”

“We want to make sure everybody has something under the tree,” Linda Dieker said. “Every little kid should be able to have Christmas.”

– Regina Murphy

your e C i v r e s l l u f salon Gift s C e r t i f i C a tlee availab Open Monday thru Saturday 40 | Wishes

2607 West 18th Ave • Emporia (Located behind Sutherlands)

620.342.5393

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Emporia, Kansas

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Holiday Traditions

Angel Trees

Emporians have big hearts and they always seem to come through in the holidays season when the need is greatest.

Each December for at least 10 years, Angel Trees have gone up in area businesses as part of the Salvation Army gift drive for children. Families who have limited resources with respect to food and clothing, perhaps utilities and housing, cannot afford gifts. They apply to the Salvation Army for help to provide their children with something nice, something needed and maybe even something fun for Christmas.

Approximately 600 children are listed among all the trees, with a description of what they could use and a few wishful items, too. Citizens remove this information from the tree, go shopping, and then provide the gifts to the Salvation Army, which then ensures the children receive wrapped presents to open Christmas Day. Many families use this opportunity to teach their children about poverty and the joys of giving to others.

“With the economy, there are so many needs and families are finding themselves unable to provide for their kids the way they want to,” said Rose Colunga with Emporia’s Salvation Army. “This way, we can help them make sure the kids have something under the tree.”

– Regina Murphy

42 | Wishes

Top holiday Gadgets

Fog Ring Blaster

Want to blow smoke rings without having to smoke? Put on your Flash Gordons and pull out your Zero Blaster. Blast 2- to 6-inch fog rings up to 14 feet away. With the safe and non-toxic Zero Blaster, you can launch fog rings across the room, at the dog, your bratty sibling ... all while getting a free physics lesson.

Top holiday Gadgets

Retro iPhone Rotary-style Headset Tired of trying to hold your super thin iPhone on your shoulder by crinking your neck as tight as you can? You need the Retro iPhone Rotary Style Headset.

Simply plug this rubberized receiver into your iPhone’s headphone jack and never have to walk around looking at life sideways again. It’s super easy to set up and use. It even comes with the old-school coiled chord for you to twirl your finger in for that ‘true’ nostalgia…flop down on your tummy, kick your feet in the air and yak-yak-yak to your hearts content without needing a chiropractor.

Top holiday Gadgets

NFL Logo Toasters Start your game day off on the right foot and create your team logo on the family’s toast. This toaster brands slices with one of 32 team logos, including the Chiefs.

An official team logo is on the side of this ovoid two slice toaster with adjustable settings for desired toasting levels. It can even toast frozen bread, waffles and English muffins.

White or wheat, just skip the jam, unless it’s Chief’s red.

Wishes | 43

M

y r r e

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s a stm

From Chase County Griffin Real Estate & Auction Service LC “We specialize in real estate sales and farm/commercial liquidation auctions.”

“Your Satisfaction is our top Priority.”

305 BrOAdWAY COttOnWOOd FAllS, KS 66845

Heidi Maggard, Sales

RiCk & NANCy GRiffiN Broker & Auctioneer

Office: 1-866-273-6421

www.griffinrealestateauction.com

Chuck Maggard, Personal Property Manager, Sales

235 Broadway Cottonwood Falls (620) 273-6389 www.bankcsb.biz

317 Broadway, Cottonwood Falls, KS (620) 273-6020 www.emmachasecafe.com Winter Hours: Tues - Sat 9am- 2pm; Sun 8am-2pm Dinner Every Friday night 5 to 8pm with Live Music at 7:30pm

Prairie PastTimes Antiques & Crafts

220 1/2 Broadway

Made in the Kansas Flint Hills

Cottonwood Falls, Ks Open april 1 -December 31 Annually monday through Sunday

Celebrating 11 Years Catering available for Holiday Parties!

Expanded Menu, now including steaks! Served 5 pm - 9 pm using ONLY Cerified Angus Beef® grilled properly and to your liking

Evening Specials Served after 5 pm Mondays

Brisket Dinner — Thick slices of hand-carved smoked brisket with choice of two sides

Wing Dinner — Ten large smokes wings, flash fried and

sauced. Served with seasoned French fries.

Tuesdays

Bucket Dinner — BobbyD’s slow-smoked ribs & seasoned French Fries

Wednesdays Smoked Meat Loaf Dinner Thursdays Rib Tip Dinner — Slow-smoked rib tips with choice of two sides

Fridays

Prime Rib Dinners — BobbyD’s special smoked Prime Rib with choice of two sides. Served with horseradish and/or au jus upon request

Catch of the Week — Smoked/Grilled Fish with choice of two sides.

Served with lemon wedge & homemade dill sauce.

GIFT CErTIFICATES MAkE THE PErFECT STOCkING STuFFEr!

Saturdays

Smoked Chicken Dinner — 2 & 3 piece chicken dinners with choice of 2 sides

Meats sold by the pound.

Ask for BobbyD’s carry out menu.

607 Merchant St. • Emporia, KS 66801

620-342-1990

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm

Top holiday Gadgets

Beer Box Cowboy Hat

Top holiday Gadgets

iPhone Pinball Magic Console

Be the pinball wizard this Christmas.

No goofy glasses or platform shoes are required. All you need is an iPhone. Pop it into this cute, cute, cute mini-pinball machine. Pinball Magic’s outer components include flipper buttons, a ball launching plunger and a credit/selection button.

Inside, an oscillating LED indicator and animated backbox light the flippers, pop bumpers, drop targets, rollover targets, graphics, spinners, ramps, kickers, gates and diverters.

The pinball apparatus launches via a 30-pin connector — which means the iPod Touch will work, too — and its mini legs fold for easy transport and storage.

Holy frijoles! Download the app and thumb it!

46 | Wishes

Ever wear an 18 pack on your head?

Do it in style with an officially licensed beer box hat, made from an 18 pack of your favorite brew. The inside of this weatherproof hat has an elastic band to allow this hat to fit most sized heads as well as add comfort.

The Keystone for you and your Buds to live the High Life. There’ll be no moping in your Molson. Look cool in your Coors.

Top holiday Gadgets

Polly the Insulting Electronic Parrot When the first words describing a gift are “rude, obnoxious, politically incorrect and not-for-children,” you know someone in your life needs this gift.

This seemingly innocent bird is Miss Manner’s worst nightmare!

Every time you walk by the motion-activated parrot, Polly lets rip with one insensitive and rude wisecrack after another. Really rude. Don’t say you have not been warned.

Included with Polly is a perch, so you can hang Polly almost anywhere the kids don’t hang out.

Happy Holidays

From our Staff to your doorstep Gazette

TEG

48 | Wishes

5

Daysof Christmas

It’s A Wonderful Life

Dec. 19th, 7:00 pm Dec. 22nd, 1:00 pm Dec. 23rd, 7:00 pm

$10 - Balcony • $150 - VIP Table

Dec. 18th, 7:45 pm Dec. 22nd, 7:00 pm

Christmas Vacation

Saturday, December 29th • Doors Open at 6 pm Ernie Biggs Dueling Pianos 7 pm - 10 pm Celebrity Auction 10 pm - 11 pm DJ Matt Kosinski spinning Vinyl 11 pm - 1 am

Dec. 18th, 5:30 pm Dec. 23rd, 1:00 pm

$6 per show or $15 for a pass to see all 5

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Join us for ALMOST

Elf

Dec. 17th, 7:45 pm Dec. 22nd, 4:00 pm

NEW YEAr’S EVE

Home Alone

Dec. 17th, 5:30 pm Dec. 23rd, 4:00 pm