A Hello From Our Editor

When shopping for the holidays or other special occasions, think Kansas first.

In last year’s winter issue, we gave readers a small taste of ways to shop Kansas for the holidays. This year we provide a holiday gift guide filled with affordable Kansan-created items, including items for pet lovers (like myself, as you can guess by my photo). Supporting small businesses by shopping local this time of year is the ultimate way to give.

Western wear is having a renaissance. Made popular by movies and TV shows like Yellowstone, authentic traditional styles of Western gear are in high demand. Writers Debbie Miller and Bill Stephens sat down with two Kansas makers, Ryan Martin and Lil Grizz, who handcraft Western wear using vintage techniques and traditional equipment. Each has a long list of clients that includes Hollywood elite.

Have you heard that persimmon seeds in the fall are known to predict what kind of winter we’ll have? Cut open the seed and you’ll be greeted by the shape of either a knife, fork, or spoon. A fork calls for a mild winter, a knife means extreme cold, and a spoon predicts heavy snow. It’s making the rounds on social media that this year a spoon has been widely seen. Dust off your sled or snow tube, and head for a popular, safe sledding location featured on page 17.

This issue is always special because it both closes out a year and welcomes the next. It’s a bridge. Our editors and contributors have already hit the ground running on stories for 2023. In February we’re hitting the road, looking for those popular destination dining spots—meals that are worth the drive. If you have a recommendation, we’d love to hear it—email us at Kansas.mag@ks.gov.

Until next year, wishing you and yours a warm and happy winter season.

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KansasMagazine (get spotted; use #kansasmag to tag us) ANDREA ETZEL

EDITOR, KANSAS! MAGAZINE