Leavenworth County Living December 2018 by Special Sections

DECEMBER 2018

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• International Christmas Traditions • Vintage Homes Tour

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Santa’s Castle.......................................................Pg. 6 Basehor’s Christmas Season Begins....................Pg. 7 International Christmas Traditions.......................Pg. 8 Wreaths Honor Those Who Served....................Pg. 12 “Newsies”..........................................................Pg. 14 Leavenworth Vintage Homes Tour.....................Pg. 16 Local Girl Host Christmas Lights Contest.........Pg. 18

Holiday Food Drive...........................................Pg. 21 Local Artist........................................................Pg. 22 Couples Lifelong Passion for Wine...................Pg. 24 Tea Time.............................................................Pg. 25 Church Host Free Christmas Meal.....................Pg. 26 Holiday Event Calendar.....................................Pg. 27 Restaurant Spotlight...........................................Pg. 28 LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

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Santa’s Castle slated at downtown church By MARK ROUNTREE mrountree@leavenworthtimes.com

In the run-up to Christmas, Santa Claus will welcome children to his castle during an annual holiday event in Leavenworth. Faith Evangelistic Center, 129 N. Broadway St., will host its fourth annual Santa’s Castle event Dec. 12-14. Santa and his elves will visit with children in the main area of the center, which will be highly decorated for the Christmas season. There also will be a manger scene, puppets and an information table. Downstairs at the center will be Santa’s Workshop that will feature a letters to Santa station, free Christmas gifts store, treats, crafts and a selfie station. Staff also will take photographs of the children. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome to help finance future Santa’s Castle events. The event will be held from 6-7 p.m. each night. There is no age restrictions to attend, but the event is primarily for children. Some of the church’s older children

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Shown are photos from last year’s Santa’s Castle event at Faith Evangelistic Center, 129 N. Broadway St.

This year’s event will be Dec. 12-14.

will volunteer at the event, some dressing up as elves. Jana Holt, youth pastor at the church, said the event usually attracts about 100 people each night. “The kids are so amazing,” Holt said. “This is one of my favorite events.”

a free event like this for Christmas,” Holt said. Holt is one of the coordinators of the annual event at the church, under the direction of Pastor Tomika Patterson. For more information, call the church at 913-682-4492.

Holt said that it can be expensive for parents to get photos taken of their children by a professional photographer. That’s why the church is offering that service for free. “We originally thought about making this a fundraiser, but really we just wanted to bless the kids with

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Basehors Christmas Season Begins By BETH KORNEGAY Special to the Times

Each year in Basehor, the official kickoff to the Christmas season begins with the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree which took place the last week of November. Santa arrived on a Fairmount Township fire truck to greet the children and read “The Night Before Christmas” to them before visiting with each child about their Christmas list. Students from USD 458 entertained the crowd with Christmas carols. Letters to Santa were dropped off, sure to be answered by some of Basehor Community Library’s volunteer elves. Included in that community event was a collection of blankets, gloves, hats and stocking stuffers to benefit local families in need of some extra help during the holiday season through Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services. “It’s an important event for the kids and the community to come together and celebrate the Christmas spirit,”

said Basehor Mayor Dave Breuer. “Lighting Basehor’s Christmas tree is my favorite task as mayor. Now Santa knows where to come!” Located just north of 155th Street and State Avenue, this year’s 13-foot mayor’s Christmas tree was provided by the Wilderson Tree Farm, a local Basehor family business. The Wilderson family has trees planted on more than 10 acres of land and is a Christmas staple for the area. A traditional Christmas tree farm that has made countless holiday memories over the years, guests can take a tractor ride out into the field to select their own trees, weather permitting. Saws are available so the trees can be cut down by each family. Wagons are also stationed in the field to help haul the trees back to the tree shop. Most of the field trees are Virginia pines, which range in size from five to eight feet tall. Free hot chocolate and candy canes are part of the holiday festivities in the tree shop at the Wilderson farm

BETH KORNEGAY

Santa is shown reading a book to children at Basehor’s Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony last year.

where guests can warm up while the trees are being shaken free of loose needles and tied to customers’ cars

– right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Fraser firs, white pine and Scotch pine trees up to 10.5 feet tall are precut and available for purchase in addition to fresh wreaths. The Christmas tree season opened Nov. 23. The farm is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Wilderson Tree Farm is located at 14820 Parallel Road. Only cash and checks are accepted for payment. In the holiday spirit of being thankful, each year the Basehor Chamber of Commerce receives nominations for that year’s Basehor Citizen of the Year award. That honor is given to someone who has made an extraordinary contribution to the community. The winner is announced at the community Christmas dinner, which will be held Dec. 6 this year. Beth Kornegay is a freelance writer covering news and events in the city of Basehor. If you have a story idea, email her at gabi_kansas@yahoo. com

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Brazilian Maj. Flavio Caula Americo dos Reis, Command and General Staff Officer Course student, dresses up as Santa Claus while his niece sits on his lap while celebrating Christmas in Brazil in 2015.

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Shown is the Christmas feast at the home of Brazilian Maj. Flavio Caula Americo dos Reis’ grandmother’s home in Brazil in 2016.

Christmas traditions vary around the world By KATIE PETERSON Special to the Times

Christmas is just around the corner and the world is suddenly blanketed by snow, full of lights and the sound of Christmas carols. Families are settling in to their Christmas traditions, like sledding, Christmas movies, baking, drinking hot chocolate by a cozy fire with the stockings all hung in a row and waiting anxiously for Santa Claus. For some, it is a time to recognize their faith and celebrate the birth of Jesus. For others, it is a time simply to spend with family. Whatever the tradition might be, it is recognizable nearly anywhere you go in the United States, but what about other countries? Do they celebrate the same way those in America do or do they have their own ideas and traditions of what Christmas is about? Fort Leavenworth is the home of the Command and General Staff College. Therefore, it becomes home to hundreds of international families each year who have their own ways of celebrating perhaps the most recognized holiday in the world. Albania In Albania, there are many traditions that are similar to that in America, but it wasn’t always that way, according to Albanian Maj. Lorena Papa, Command and General Staff Officer Course student, while he was a child in the 1980s. “Albania was still under communist regime and the religion was not allowed to be practiced, so Christmas was not a day off,” Papa said. “I can

88 Leavenworth Leavenworth County County Living Living

recall my grandmother keeping the Christmas tradition alive at home. We woke up early that morning, saying prayers, (dressing) for that occasion. The parents had to go to work and we kids to school. My grandmother used to be home preparing traditional food. The lunch that day was almost dinnertime because we waited for everyone to be home and celebrate together.” During this time, Christmas celebrations were modified as New Year celebrations, the Christmas tree was called the New Year tree and the Christmas presents were given on New Year’s Eve. Santa Claus was called the grandfather of the New Year. “To express the continuation of the legacy, Santa Claus, representing the ending year, on New Year’s Eve appeared transferring his powers to a young boy,” Papa said. Finally, in 1991, following the communism collapse, the holiday was allowed to be practiced freely and now, all major religious holidays are officially recognized days off, he said. Islam and Christianity are the most recognized religions in Albania, Papa said, however, there is extraordinary religious tolerance throughout the country. “The Albanians associate themselves more with their nationality rather than with their religion. A famous quote in Albania is, ‘The faith of the Albanians is Albanianism,’” Papa said. “Christmas is now a public holiday in our country. Government representatives, religious leaders and common people, despite their beliefs, get on televisions, social media or

phone to wish ‘Merry Christmas’ to their Christian brothers and sisters.” Though the traditions in Albania are similar to those in America – church for some, gift-giving, Santa Claus and a family meal – they still have their own traditional touches, Papa said. The traditional meal is usually served earlier in the day for lunch and the traditional food is fish, meat, vegetables, fruits and a traditional dessert, all homemade. Church, while often attended with relatives, is also attended with friends and even non-Christian believers. “We wish each other Gezuar Krishtlindjen, or Merry Christmas,” Papa said. While in Albania they still decorate Christmas trees with lights, they also decorate them with red candles, and their socks, or stockings, with the family members’ names, instead of hanging them on the fireplace or on the wall. The Christmas flower is something found in many Albanian homes, even the non-Christian believers, he said. “Institutions and businesses use Christmas symbols to decorate their facilities, too,” Papa said. “Another tradition in Albania is whoever can afford it, institutions or individuals, help those in need by offering Christmas feasts and donating goods.” However, just like in America, perhaps the most important tradition is the time with family. “Albanians share a wonderful bond with their family members and for us, family values stand above anything

else,” Papa said. “Hence, Christmas in Albania is a family atmosphere. People love to celebrate in the company of as many family members and close friends as they possibly can.” Brazil Imagine Christmas morning. There is snow on the ground, the temperature is below 30 degrees and you’re bundled up in a cozy sweater with a warm cup of cocoa in your hand as the family opens presents. Now imagine it is summer, it is 100 degrees outside and you’re wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sandals. That is Christmas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the hometown of Brazilian Maj. Flavio Caula Americo dos Reis, CGSC student. What does this mean? Ice cream for dessert. Other than the difference in temperature, Americo dos Reis said the Brazilian traditions are similar to those in America, saying many of the traditions are influenced by both American tradition and Europe since Brazil was a former Portuguese colony. This includes the traditional colors of red, green and white, Christmas trees in the home and stockings hung on the wall. They also include Santa Claus in their celebrations to where some families will have one of the family members dress like him, and show up in the middle of the night with gifts in his bag. “I think that parking lot costs in Rio have made Santa Claus change his plans about visiting every house See WORLD, Page 11

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though,” Americo dos Reis said. However, what they love most is celebration. “On Christmas Eve, we normally have dinner with our families and, after that, open the gifts that were placed under the Christmas tree during the previous weeks,” he said. “On Christmas Day, we have lunch together with our families and may wear some clothes or other gifts that we got the day before. Also, we attend Christmas services either in the morning or in the evening.” According to a Religious Landscape Study conducted by the Pew Research Study Center in 2018, after surveying more than 35,000 Americans from all 50 states, 70.6 percent of Americans identified themselves as Christians. In Brazil, more than 90 percent identify as Christians, Americo dos Reis said. “Christmas has a strong religious meaning for us,” he said. “As we do not have a date for Thanksgiving in Brazil, we normally give thanks on Christmas. We also speak to the children about Jesus and how important he has been to our way of life.” Americo dos Reis said he is looking forward to celebrating Christmas

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Shown is a decorated Christmas tree at Brazilian Maj. Flavio Caula Americo dos Reis’ sister’s home in 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

in America this year. “My family and I are very excited to have our first white Christmas in America,” he said. “Let us see if the weather helps us out on that.” So, if you’re out shopping for Christmas presents or just taking a walk and you run into an international friend, ask them about their Christmas traditions. You may be surprised. day, just full of surprises.”

Ellen McDonald is with Mershon & McDonald, LLC. In this Q&A, she talks about the upcoming performance of the Kansas City Ballet. “The Nutcracker” is a Christmas favorite.

audience.

What will be different about this performance at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts?

There is much to delight audiences of all ages. The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman with Clara, the Prince and Dr. Drosselmeier features Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and enchanting choreography by Devon Carney, artistic director of the Kansas City Ballet. In addition, all performances at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will be accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony, conducted by Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau. For the child in all of us, there is magic and enchanting characters with costumes and special effects guaranteed to thrill.

Partnering with Autism Speaks, Children’s Mercy Hospital and Breedlove Family Foundation, Kansas City Ballet is pleased to present a sensory-friendly performance of “The Nutcracker” for children, families and adults with sensory sensitivities, autism spectrum disorder or other special needs. Appropriate changes will be made to this performance to create a welcoming and safe space for all in attendance. What makes this performance sensory friendly? •Reduced sound levels •Half-lit house lights •Relaxed house rules – you can get up and move around, use electronic devices and talk freely during the performance •Designated quiet spaces •Trained staff, ushers and volunteers to assist patrons We are delighted to be working with the Kansas City Symphony to provide live music for this performance while remaining sensitive to the needs of our

How does the story of “The Nutcracker” touch the hearts of children and adults alike?

How can people find out more about the play and get tickets? Tickets may be purchased by telephone, in person at the Kansas City Ballet box office located at the Bolender Center, 500 W. Pershing Road, or online at www.kcballet.org Tickets also may be purchased at the Kauffman Center box office and website. Visit the Kansas City Ballet website for more information about performance times, seating options and parking. – Rimsie McConiga

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Wreaths honor those who served By MARK ROUNTREE mrountree@leavenworthtimes.com

Military veterans will be remembered and honored for their service once again Dec. 15 as part of the annual Wreaths Across America initiative. Wreaths will be laid at the graves of veterans at Leavenworth National Cemetery,150 Muncie Road in Leavenworth. Wreaths also will be laid at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, 395 Biddle Blvd. The event begins at 11 a.m. at each cemetery to coincide with the starting time of all other cemeteries across the nation that are having a Wreaths Across America event. This year’s theme is “Be Their Witness.”

12 Leavenworth County Living

Wreaths Across America is celebrated once a year at more than 1,400 cemeteries in the United States, at sea and abroad. Numerous volunteer organizations and civic groups, as well as Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts, participate in the event each year with fundraising efforts and by laying the wreaths on graves. “Everybody who shows up can participate,” said Diana Pitts, coordinator for the event at the fort cemetery. “It’s open to the public.” Pitts said approximately 7,500 wreaths will be laid at the fort cemetery. There will be a short ceremony and wreath laying at the flag pole at the fort cemetery. Pitts said people are invited to say a

few words about a family member who was in the military who is interred at the cemetery. The military installation will be open to the public Dec. 15 for the event. Visitors will need to show their driver’s license. Michelle Cebe, event coordinator at Leavenworth National Cemetery, said approximately 5,000 wreaths will be laid there on Dec. 15. She said Lt. Col. Eloy Martinez from Fort Leavenworth will narrate the program prior to the laying of wreaths. She said it is hard to estimate how many visitors will participate in the event. “You can just show up and help,” she said. Cebe said volunteers will place a

wreath on a grave and speak the name out loud of the veteran interred there and thank them for their service. The wreaths used in the event come from a wreath company in Columbia Falls, Maine. Last year, 1.5 million wreaths were laid in cemeteries in the U.S. and abroad. Wreaths Across America events are held rain or shine. “They stood for us, so we can stand for them,” Pitts said. About one month after the event, the wreaths will be retired, recycled or disposed of. Pitts said she takes some wreaths home to her rural Leavenworth County farm and recycles them into animal feed. People wanting to donate to Wreaths Across America can do so online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org Click on the tab “Sponsor Wreaths” to donate. Online donations for the event are due by Dec. 3.

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Shown is the cast of the musical “Newsies” at Leavenworth High School.

MARK ROUNTREE/LEAVENWORTH TIMES

Leavenworth High musical ushers in new era SUBMITTED TO THE TIMES

The performance of the Disney musical “Newsies” in November at Leavenworth High School marked not only the opening of a new season for the school’s theater program, but a new era. In March the school’s theater program was one of only 50 in the nation to win a R.I.S.E. America grant for $10,000 from NBC and the Educational Theatre Foundation. In their grant application, Leavenworth requested funds to replace the stage floor in the auditorium, which was beginning to show its age. Winning the grant, which covered a portion of the floor cost, generated positive attention throughout the school community. In the words of theater program director and Thespian Troupe director Jennifer Morgan-Beauchat, it created “a buzz about theater here like never before,” resulting in additional support from the Leavenworth Unified School District to provide the rest of the funds needed to pay for the floor upgrade.

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As the good news about winning a national grant spread throughout the community, Matt Dedeke, the school district’s director of facilities, and the team installing the floor noticed the walls in the auditorium were wellworn. Dedeke also realized the care and appreciation that Leavenworth High School’s theater department had for the space, and recognized the timing to make other updates prior to opening night of the fall musical. With the support of the Leavenworth Board of Education, additional upgrades to the auditorium included new stair treads and floor covering on the stairs leading to the stage, new paint, carpeting repair and replaced house lighting. The Board also approved new microphones, including a traveling wireless system for the theater program’s touring productions. Once the new stage floor was installed, the students began to practice their tap dance on the new floor. Another person inspired by the developments at his alma mater thanks to the R.I.S.E. America grant was Mason Frasher, an International

“Our program focuses on how theater changes lives and now the city has opened its arms to that reality.” -Jennifer Morgan - Beauchat Honor Thespian and former Thespian Troupe president at Leavenworth, who is currently majoring in music at Northwestern University. Frasher wrote a grant request to Northwestern which covered bringing in an expert to teach current students tap technique in preparation for “Newsies.” Morgan-Beuchat describes the students dancing on the new floor as “sheer joy. The sound, the look, the texture, they were in awe at first, almost afraid to walk on it. The pride in using the stage has changed how they practice, perform, and treat the auditorium on a daily basis.” She adds, “There is a new sense of pride, worth, and validation, not just with our theater kids and program, but

districtwide. We received a R.I.S.E. America grant, that is a huge deal. Our program focuses on how theater changes lives and now the city has opened its arms to that reality.” At a post-performance reception and celebration, Morgan-Beuchat expressed her gratitude to the crowd which included representatives from the district’s facilities and custodial staff, Leavenworth Board of Education, Leavenworth Public Schools Education Foundation, Ken Adams, executive director of the Kansas Alliance for the Arts in Education, Joyce Huser, Fine Arts curriculum director for the Kansas Department of Education and current national president of SEDAE, Janet Waugh, Kansas State Board of Education, newly reelected Rep. Jeff Pittman, named the Legislator of the Year for the Educational Theatre Association, and his wife Holly, Hans Weichhart of the Educational Theatre Foundation; Sarah Koehn of Kansas Thespians, Marc Longbrake, programming director, and Liz Zellner, education coordinator for the Omaha Film Festival.

Leavenworth Vintage Homes Tour Dec. 9 By MARY ANN BROWN Special to the Times

The annual Leavenworth Vintage Homes Tour is scheduled for Dec. 9 from 1-6 p.m. The tour benefits the Leavenworth County Historical Society in its operation of the historic Carroll Mansion Museum. Planning for the annual event, now in its 27th year, begins in January of every year to ensure the muchanticipated tour offers a unique and enjoyable experience in the First City of Kansas. Tour headquarters is the home of the Historical Society, the 16-room Victorian Carroll Mansion Museum at 1128 Fifth Ave. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and today provides not only a step back in time to the Victorian Age in Leavenworth, but serves as a local research center and repository of early Leavenworth County history. It is here that our unique local history has been collected and shared for nearly 65 years. In 1964, Miss Ella Carroll, the last of the Edward Carroll family to reside here, donated her 16-room Victorian home to the Historical Society. While the home only saw four families in residence here, it was the

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A tour extra this year will be an exhibit “Scenes of Early Leavenworth and a Vision for the Future” at the Carnegie Arts Center Lofts, 601 S. 5th St. Carroll family for whom it is named. They made it their home for 77 years and witnessed much of the history that occurred in Leavenworth. On tour day, the museum will open at 11 a.m. for ticket pick-up, tours and the sale of traditional holiday breads. The museum gift shop will also be open. Live entertainment is provided throughout the afternoon and one might also catch a glimpse of Father and Mrs. Christmas. This year’s tour lineup includes homes that are located in designated

historic property districts in Leavenworth. All homes are rich in local history and harken back to Victorian days in a modern setting. The home at 317 N. Esplanade St. is in the North Esplanade Historic District, composed of 14 residences on four contiguous blocks with a commanding view of the Missouri River and the park. The area between the Esplanade and the Missouri River bluff has always been a park, while the west side has always been a residential neighborhood. The district is popular because of its tranquility in a quality residential neighborhood. North Esplanade Park was platted in 1854 as a city park, “The Esplanade,” and is considered the oldest city park in Kansas. The first houses built here for the workingman were relatively small, along with some boarding houses. Beginning in the 1860s, larger

homes were built by a more prosperous class of people comprised of owners and managers of the developing commercial and industrial operations of Leavenworth. North Broadway Street, designed to become one of Leavenworth’s premiere residential boulevards, is located in the 1858 Western Addition of Leavenworth, on the west side of the original town. Its 80-foot wide street was considered among the widest thoroughfares laid out in the city during the 19th century. Large lots encouraged the building of bigger and more expensive homes with shotgun style homes built on the cross streets. The home at 501 N. Broadway St. was built by Paul E. Havens, local banker, for his daughter Bess and her husband, D.R. Anthony II, in 1896 just prior to their marriage. The See HOMES, Page 17

HOMES from Page 16

Havens’ grand Italianate/Classical Revival home (built in 1868) is located next door at the north end of the block. Anthony’s father was Col. D.R. Anthony, brother of famed suffragist, Susan B. Anthony. The Colonial Revival home at 420 Arch St. is always a tour favorite. Built by Louis and Ada Vanderschmidt in 1921, the home was first featured on a Leavenworth homes tour in 1975. Mr. Vanderschmidt was a partner with William Small in the operation of a three-story dry goods store on Delaware Street. Always the optimist and local booster, he had faith in the future of Leavenworth and the financial stability of the country. Past residents and owners of the modified Queen Anne-style home at 503 Marshall St. reads like a who’s who of Leavenworth’s small business owners. The home, built in 1899, was actually the second or third building on the site and is named for Dr. Samuel E. and Mary Johnston, who owned the property for 20 years from 1898 to 1918. While an active participant in local and state dental associations, the local YMCA and deacon in the Congregational Church, Dr. Johnston is credited with being the founder and first president of the local Rotary

Club. A quiet, reserved gentleman of the highest ideals, he labored earnestly for the success of the club and gave of himself unsparingly to that end. For this year’s tour the Trinity United Methodist Church at 321 N. 6th St. is featured. In the territorial days of Leavenworth, many settlers of German ancestry came to Kansas from throughout the German-speaking world. They came for economic, political and religious reasons and consequently had an impact on Kansas entering the Union as a free state. These settlers represented numerous religious denominations

– Catholics, Evangelicals, Methodists, Presbyterians and Jews – all who established German congregations here. The church on the corner of 6th and Osage streets, just across the street from what was then the first Jewish synagogue in Kansas (now the Temple Apartments), was dedicated in 1862, offering services in German and stood for 50 years, becoming a landmark of the city. A unique feature of this century-old church are the 26 stained glass windows, dedicated to early German settlers and church members in Leavenworth. A tour extra this year will be an exhibit “Scenes of Early Leavenworth and a Vision for the Future” at the Carnegie Arts Center Lofts, 601 S. 5th St. On display in the central hall of the Carnegie will be photographs from the museum’s collection of 30,000 glass plate negatives taken by pioneer

photographers in the early days of Leavenworth. The collection is considered to be one of the rarest in the United States, depicting the building and growth of a Midwestern town covering a century of time. While no apartments will be open for viewing, the Carnegie, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a perfect setting for the display of early Leavenworth historical prints. Tour tickets are available for a donation of $15 prior to the tour and $20 on tour day by visiting the Carroll Mansion Museum, Candle Queen, The Pot Rack and the Leavenworth Antique Mall in Leavenworth or Kelly Law Office in Tonganoxie. For online ticket sales and additional tour information, visit www.leavenworthhistory.org The tour goes on regardless of weather and the locations may be visited in any order.

Leavenworth County Living 17

Local girl to host Christmas lights contest By RIMSIE McCONIGA rmcconiga@leavenworthtimes.com

Christmas is Stevie Sharkey’s favorite holiday. The 10-year-old, like most kids her age, eagerly awaits opening her presents on Christmas, but she’s a natural-born giver and making others happy during Christmas is her No. 1 priority. One of her favorite holiday activities is giving money to the Salvation Army bell ringers. In 2017, Stevie decided that since Christmas light displays not only make her smile, they also dazzle and delight her. She wanted to make sure she could encourage as many people in the local area to decorate as much as possible in order to bring joy to other viewers. She decided to take matters into her own hands and award the most beautiful exterior light display in town with a prize. “We were driving around looking at Christmas displays one night and wondering why Leavenworth doesn’t have a contest,” said Stevie’s dad, Tom Sharkey. “Stevie said she wanted to make a trophy for the winner and that’s how the idea was born.” When judging time draws near as Christmas Day approaches, Stevie, a fourth-grader at Lawson Elementary School, will be ready. Her parents,

18 Leavenworth County Living

Tom and Amber Sharkey, will drive her through town from Metropolitan Avenue to Eisenhower Road and from Esplanade to 20th streets to view the light displays. “We will show her all the beautiful light displays that we can, and she will choose her favorite one to be the winner and hand them a trophy that she will make out of clay and a gift card,” said Tom. Stevie says the 2017 contest was well worth her time and effort. “It was a huge success. We had like 130 people following my Facebook page. The Rogers family won. I was so excited! Mr. Rogers said he was so happy that people appreciated his lights,” she said. This year Stevie is starting early to get the word out so hopefully more people will put some lights up around town and get into the Christmas spirit. “I want to see even more lights around Leavenworth,” says Stevie. “It was so fun driving with my family to see all the lights and pick a winner.” To choose the most beautifully decorated home in the local area, Stevie said she is looking for lots of pretty, colorful lights, plus a lot of Christmas spirit. Her mission of choosing the most dazzling light display is secondary, however, to her primary goal of generat-

ing enthusiasm in the community. “I hope it makes people happy and brings smiles to everyone’s faces,” said Stevie. After Stevie narrows the field of decorated homes she will choose the most dazzling. She will then post the winning house on her special holiday decorating Facebook page. She will then present the handmade trophy and gift card to the lucky winner. Stevie takes decorating very seriously. And making her own home festive and pretty is important to her. She devotes a lot of time to the details that go into creating beautiful, decorative scenes. She draws, colors and cuts out decorations that she creates to hang up and helps set up the lights both inside and outside. Her favorite use for lights is putting them on the Christmas tree and making them into Christmas characters. She loves art in school and has used what she has learned to make artistic decisions on the best holiday decorations around town. She loves to sculpt and paint with her mom, and is determined to become an artist when she grows up. “This year’s winner will be announced Dec. 21,” says Tom. “The Friday before Christmas. The prize will be

another hand-made trophy by Stevie, plus a $25 gift card, possibly more. Last year we did $15 but thanks to donations from Corbett Fowler and Sandy DeAltonaga, we gave out a $50 gift card. Very awesome. Be sure to like and share Stevie’s Second Annual Christmas Light Contest on Facebook. Follow to find out where all the great Christmas light displays are located, who is up in the running and to see who wins.” Stevie’s parents believe that her entrepreneurial skills at this age are a good indicator that big things are in her future. “She is definitely a leader,” said Tom. “She has a huge heart and is very outspoken. She has a lot of potential and her mom and I are very proud of her. She always makes us proud. Her holiday spirit is contagious. She is just full of love and we love her too.” The joys of Christmas are many for Stevie. She likes getting presents but there are many other things that make her even happier. “My favorites are visiting with family and driving with my family looking at Christmas lights,” said Stevie. “Also seeing happy faces around the world, seeing Santa (by the way, he is real) and snow. I hope it snows.”

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Basehor club hosts holiday food drive Suzanne Fehseke is the coordinator and member of The 4 Winds Mahjongg League. In this Q5, she talks about helping with the Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services for a holiday food drive.

elementary students and rent/utilities assistance. The Basehor community is very caring and always willing to help with donations of food, time and money.

4. Do you think it’s important for all communities to help their fellow residents and ensure that people who are struggling have food for themselves and their children? Absolutely, we should all spend time in our lives “giving back.” Sometimes people just need a little helping hand to get past the road block that keeps them from helping themselves.

1. Suzie what is the The 4 Winds Mahjongg League? How long has the league been playing Mahjongg and how many members are there? The 4 Winds Mahjongg League is a collection of men and women from all around the Basehor area that love to play Mahjongg. We began playing in 2012 and have grown to about 50 active players. 2. What does the league do in November and December in coordination with the Basehor Community Library? And why did the members decide to start this charitable act? Many of our players are volunteers for Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services. Along with the Basehor library and its extraordinary commitment to the community, a holiday food drive for BLAS seemed like a perfect way to support a worthy organization. Our league has had one every November-December since 2012 and the Basehor community

SUBMITTED

Shown are Diana Weaver, director of the Basehor Community Library, Glenda Briscoe and Jeff Bohndorf, Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services directors/administers, and Suzie Fehseke, coordinator of the 4 Winds Mahjongg League.

has responded overwhelmingly. We were receiving food in October and we didn’t even have our bucket out yet. 3. How does the Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services provide help

and support to residents? What do you like best about being part of the Basehor community? BLAS provides support through the food pantry, Adopt-A-Family at Christmas, Backpack Buddies for 45

5. How can people help you to collect food and distribute it? Who should they contact? People can collect food at their work or church, or have school drives or private donations. If anyone has food to deliver, they can bring it to the food pantry between 5-6 p.m. on Thursdays. We are located by the Basehor United Methodist Church. Donations may be sent to BLAS, PO Box 314, Basehor, KS, 66007. – Rimsie McConiga

Leavenworth County Living 21

Local artist paints pet pebbles By RIMSIE McCONIGA rmcconiga@leavenworthtimes.com

Lansing artist Roberta Simanowitz loves animals and painting. So several years ago she decided to combine the two and start her unique pet painting business called Roberta’s Pebble Pets and Portraits. She never imagined that her hobby would become a very popular, and sought-out way for people to get personalized portraits of their beloved fur babies. She began by painting generic pictures of birds and animals on small, smooth rocks to sell at fairs and festivals, but people soon started asking if she would paint their dogs and cats on rocks, from photos. “The business later expanded into acrylic paintings of pet portraits on 6” ceramic tiles, which have been much more popular and are more fun to paint,” says Roberta. “The tiles allow me to include much more detail and realism than I can with a small rock, and make it possible to paint a person with the pet, or two pets together, or other pets such as birds and horses. I paint for the fun of it,

SUBMITTED Shown is Roberta Simanowitz and some of her work

and the joy of knowing how happy it makes people who receive my rocks and tiles of their pet.” Her paintings also give her the opportunity to help local animal welfare groups. “It gives me the means to donate to organizations close to my heart,” says Roberta. “I divide all my earnings between Leavenworth Animal Welfare Soci-

ety and Operation Wildlife, and more recently I also added HOPE Inc. to my donation list.” Her paintings are ordered through a Leavenworth business, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Designs, and examples of her work, instructions for ordering, and contact information can be found at her new website, https:// robertaspebblepets.blogspot.com. Her paintings have been ordered by customers in 14 U.S. states, and England. She says that Christmas orders are already coming in but there is still time for her to paint more. Many of the orders for her tiles are made after a pet’s death, when pet owners want to honor and remember their fur babies by preserving their images. “It’s hard for me, sometimes, to

look at photos of their happy little furry faces as I paint and not feel sadness for their loss,” says Roberta. “Every pet is a special life that deserves to be remembered, and I hope that their painted rock or tile brings back wonderful memories for their people and helps in some way with the grieving process.”

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Couple follows lifelong passion for wine By RIMSIE McCONIGA rmcconiga@leavenworthtimes.com

Traveling with the military and growing up in an Italian family with a long history of wine making have given Bryan and Gina Zesiger a lifelong appreciation and love for wine. So much so that the couple recently opened their own store, Z & M Twisted Vines Wines and Winery has opened at 620 Cherokee St. “Wine is something that we both loved in our own lives before we met and has only gotten better as we have set off on this twisted journey,” says Bryan. “Wine became a passion project for us,” says Gina. “Something we worked on, brainstormed about and began to create amazing flavors and combinations that we had only dreamed of.” From their first date, is was clear that they had a shared love of great wine. “We got the crazy idea that maybe we could make our own,” says Gina. “We had no idea that what started out as something to meet our own wishes would turn into something much bigger. Our love for wine is much like

our love of life – traditional meets a modern flare. Our love for great wine collided with our passion to try new things and explore the twisted side of our taste buds. We love twisting flavors and seeing what amazing things we can create. The more wine we made, the more people loved our flavors and wanted to try it.” The wine is handcrafted in small batches and the Zesigers use a combination of locally sourced produce and produce grown in their own vineyard. “We are passionate about living local, buying local and drinking local,” says Bryan. Their vineyard is a magical place to them. They use eco-friendly, responsible practices to ensure that we are providing a high-quality product, as naturally as possible. They believe that they are lucky to have land to call their own and it is important for them to take care of it and respect it. “We know that by taking care of our land and produce we are able to create wine that is unlike anything on the market. We know that when you care about what you are doing

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and produce a high-quality product it speaks for itself. Being the winemakers, we are closely involved with the process from purchase and growing of produce to the winemaking process. This involvement allows us to offer a better handcrafted product.” The vineyard is equipped with a specialized irrigation system that is replenished by rain water, which the Zesigers say minimizes their footprints. No harsh chemicals are used and the couple has learned that the best tool for keeping weeds out is by spreading newspapers. The wine is crafted and bottled on sight at the store. They will host private Prohibition Bottling Parties where groups of up to 20 people can participate. “Our original stone cellar dates to 1876. It would be a crime not to put it to good use,” says Bryan. “Our Prohibition Bottling Parties will provide an intimate setting to learn about the winemaking and bottling process. Party goers get to experience the bottling process first-hand and leave the party with the wine they bottled. Our Secret Prohibition Cellar is also home to our Secret Cellar Gatherings, but you’ll have to know the code to learn more about that.” The Zesigers believe that hard work is essential to a good life. Bryan’s military background and Gina’s Italian roots have given them a long history of believing that with hard work they can create something to be proud of. “Growing our own grapes is an extension of this belief,” says Gina. “We know that the work we put into our crops matters. This is the same way we feel about purchasing our produce from local farmers whenever possible. We know that there are many hard-working farmers in our community who have high quality produce available. It only makes sense that we would take advantage of the amazing resources that are in our backyard. We believe in this community.” Each batch is handled with care at the perfect temperature, bottled and stored

in the perfect environment and checked on regularly by the cellar masters. Their wines are inspired by their life experiences and will change as the available produce and seasons change. Experiences from Bryan’s time in the military shows up on the labels and flavors. They have three specialty lines of wine: Farm to Table offers a fresh, Earthy feel that refreshes the palate. “This line has wines ranging from our classic Harvest Moon white wine, to our more twisted Slice of Pie wine, which plays on everything there is to love about fall and pumpkin pie,” says Bryan. Blacked Out offers rugged, coffeeinspired notes, which Bryan says will re-define your palate for coffee and plays with the combination of wine and coffee in a mouth-watering way. Burlesque is a dessert wine which is described by the Zesigers as a vibrant, silky and sexy wine that is also a little dangerous. “Check out the labels to understand Burlesque. It’s a perfect treat to end the night with the sweet tastes of chocolate,” he said. “Each line of wine purposefully represents who we are.” Bryan and Gina believe the secret to good wine is in their willingness to twist the rules. And they don’t follow trends because they believe great wines and great winemakers aren’t afraid to step outside what has always been done in a quest for amazing wine. “We aren’t afraid to live a little twisted,” says Bryan. For those who are skeptical of trying “twisted” wines, Bryan and Gina say they are normal people who drink unusual wine and they will gladly help introduce the right vino for their individual customers. “This isn’t a snobby wine bar, this is a true Midwestern Farm to Table wine experience,” says Gina. “We are real people who want to drink fun wine. All the normal rules that people think apply about wine might not apply here.” Wine tastings and other events will be something they offer regularly to give customers the opportunity to experience unique flavors. “We are excited to be directly across from Haymarket Square,” says Bryan. “We have been welcomed by everyone we have had a chance to talk and share our story with.” The winery’s website is www. ZMtwistedwines.com and it is on Facebook at Z&M Twisted Vines Wines and Winery.

Large selection available at Queen’s Pantry Teas By RIMSIE McCONIGA rmcconiga@leavenworthtimes.com

Queen’s Pantry Teas has been part of the Leavenworth community for almost 20 years. The store, which carries unique British goods, has offered local residents the chance to shop for items that for the most part, would not be found in the area, such as one of the largest selections of tea in the Midwest. The store was recently honored by being featured in the national, award-winning publication, TeaTime Magazine. The magazine was focusing on tea stores in the Kansas City area and contacted Queen’s Pantry Teas’ owner Kathy Gentzler and her husband, Kevin, about featuring the store in their fall 2018 issue. Kathy thinks the story will be a great way to bring a greater awareness to local businesses in Leavenworth. “Small community businesses thrive on word of mouth. Every time we have new shoppers come to the shop we always encourage them to stay in town and shop around at the other local stores,” she said. In 2011, when Kathy’s oldest daughter was working at Queen’s Pantry Teas, which was then owned by Anita

“Right now we have 165 loose teas and about 100 different boxed teas,” -Kathy Gentzler Maynard, she was told that the store would likely be closing and suggested that Kathy and Kevin consider buying the shop as a family business. “We thought and prayed about the idea and decided it fit our family and what we wanted to do,” says Kathy. “So we made the plunge.” Kathy isn’t surprised that when the shop first opened with six jars of loose leaf tea and a few shelves of groceries from the U.K. that Leavenworth embraced this British store and it continued to grow over the years. “I think people appreciate being able to find a good quality assortment of teas,” she said. “It is a much different experience being able to come into the shop to see and smell the teas before you buy them. Also we always have teas to sample when you come into the store. Add to that you can find some unique British goods and candies and

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other gift items for special occasions and the shop just fills a niche in the area. Those differences in our business have helped it to have staying power in Leavenworth over the years.” A deli, tea room and full-service restaurant were added, but about 10 years ago the shop went back to only selling British goods. But over the years, the retail choices have grown and the shop carries many different items including teapots, a selection of china cups and mugs, British candies and groceries, hand-knitted scarves, candles and cards. Customer favorites include the Dunoon mugs, Washi tea tins and matching accessories along with many sweets and British cookies. Kevin is a retired Army veteran and teaches at the Command and General Staff College. The Gentzlers moved to Leavenworth in 2008. A large number of the store’s customers are people who serve in the military. “That love of travel and adventure in the military community helps,” says Kathy. “We certainly do have a portion of our clientele that are still serving in the military as well as many retirees. But a large portion of our customers are folks who appreciate good tea, like to try new things and, of course, we have plenty of Anglophiles, those who

love all things British, and a number of expatriates as well.” Tea is one of the store’s specialties and a wide variety is available. “Right now we have 165 loose teas and about 100 different boxed teas,” says Kathy. “Our best selling loose leaf teas are Cinnamon Orange Spice, Carrot Cake Rooibos and Queen’s Birthday Cake. We carry a wide selection of tea accessories such as tea infusers, disposable paper infusers, tea timers and tea cozies.” Studies have shown that tea contains antioxidants and has less caffeine than coffee. Tea may reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes. Tea could also help keep bones strong and boost the immune system. Americans are discovering the invigorating varieties and health benefits of teas from around the world. Kathy thinks more Americans are catching up with the worldwide tea drinking trend. Tea is now the most popular beverage in the world after water. Kathy says she enjoys the many challenges that have come up over the years because they have pushed her to learn more about the industry and gain new skills. For now, she is anticipating the fast-approaching holiday shopping season and the opportunity to help people add some British treats to their Christmas festivities.

Leavenworth County Living 25

Church to host free Christmas meal weeks. Any leftover food will be donated to the Alliance Against Family Violence. Carry-out meals are available by calling the church ahead of time. There will be no delivery of meals by the church. Coyle said the annual free Christmas meal is actually the brainchild of her son, Kurt, an Army veteran who came up with the idea 11 years ago. Coyle said approximately 15 church members volunteer their time cooking, serving, cleaning up and visiting with By MARK ROUNTREE mrountree@leavenworthtimes.com

Members of a Leavenworth church will spend part of their Christmas day feeding people. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2101 10th Ave., will hold its 11th annual Christmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 25. The event is free. “We think this is a great service to the community,” said Pat Coyle, one of the organizers of the event. “We look forward to it every year.” Coyle said the Christmas meal is open to the public.

“It’s doesn’t matter your faith, your income, where you live,” she said. “If you want a Christmas meal, we will feed you as much as you want.” She said flyers have been distributed around Leavenworth to advertise about the event. Flyers have been dropped off at homeless shelters, employment offices, the Eisenhower VA Medical Center and other locations. The meal will consist of turkey, ham, salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, sweet potatoes, fruit, rolls, desert and a beverage. The food has been donated by church members during the last several

attendees at the annual event. Coyle said approximately 125 people attend the Christmas meal at the church each year. “The reaction has been really positive,” she said. “I think people really like the fellowship.” The event will take place in the fellowship hall at the church. For more information, call 913-7751930 or 913-682-7474.

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SUBMITTED

Thein Han, owner of Family Bistro & Sushi Bar

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28 Leavenworth County Living

Disclosure Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company*, Western Agricultural Insurance Company*, Farm Bureau Life Disclosure Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. Company*, *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial ServicesFarm M198Bureau (4-18) Life Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Western Agricultural Insurance Company*, Disclosure Disclosure Disclosure Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Western Agricultural Insurance Company*, Farm(4-18) Bureau Bureau Property Casualty Insurance Company*, Western Agricultural Company*, FarmM198 Bureau Life Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. Company*, *Company providers of FarmInsurance Bureau Financial Services FarmFarm Bureau Property &&Casualty Insurance Company*, Western Agricultural Insurance Company*, Farm Bureau

Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Bureau Farm Bureau Financial Services Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Financial Services M198M198 (4-18)(4-18)

Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services M198 (4-18)

Holiday Art Gala set for first Friday in December By MATT NOWAK Special to the Times

One of the nicest Christmas holiday events in the Leavenworth area is the annual Art Gala sponsored by the Leavenworth County Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association. This year will mark more than 35 years of this affair, although I must say that it has grown from a relatively small affair into a major gala event. Way back then, it was usually a Sunday afternoon gathering upstairs in the ballroom of the Carnegie Library or Arts Center. Members brought finger foods and we displayed our latest creations that we brought in that day and then took home after a few hours. Today, you can experience a much more inclusive event that takes a few days to set up on portable art screens, pedestals and tables, or hanging on the walls in the much larger Heritage Center on Delaware. Not just club artists, but any regional artists are welcome to participate in this event and you are welcome to offer your work for sale. If you are a potential buyer, you will find nearly 100 pieces of art available in nearly every medium including traditional hanging art in oils, water colors, pencil, pen and ink, pastels, etc. You may also find something in woodworking, carving, jewelry, weaving, painted gourds, painted silk scarves, mosaics, stained glass, etc. We never know until the last minute who will bring what so it is always a nice surprise when we set up a few days before the event, which has been set as the first Friday in December. We choose to run the gala from 5-8 p.m. so that people could stop in on the

Lynette Hayes

Theresa Cleaves

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Rosa Rosello

way home from work. You can enjoy some of the food and drinks and the live music then stick around or choose to eat downtown and still get home early. This is a great event at which you can see some of the kinds of art our local artists are creating. The art does tend to be traditional and nothing that is judged to be potentially offensive is permitted in the show, but that does not

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mean that it is boring. Our local artists are quite creative and produce some beautiful works. Surprisingly, you do not have to expect to see a winning ribbon on a piece before it sells. In fact, for the artist, I find it advantageous to enter several pieces as I have sold pieces of both woodworking and a hand-woven shawl or two that have sold that did not

Children do coloring at the event.

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win any ribbons. Actually, I did gift a shawl that won a ribbon a few years ago to a friend in Montana who has been involved as a lead actress in at least five movies filmed in Montana in which she has worn that shawl. Since we do also attract artists and their friends from the greater Kansas City region, I feel that this is the perfect opening activity of the Christmas season for the city of Leavenworth to show off what we have. This is our little once-a-year equivalent of the monthly First Friday affairs in the Crossroads District where people show up to be seen as well as to see the art. So, dress up or come as you are to Leavenworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Holiday Art Gala and enjoy the music, food, people and art. In my opinion, this is the place in Leavenworth to be seen on the first Friday in December. Matt Nowak is local artist in wood, weaving, felting and oils and lives in Lansing.

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Leavenworth County Living 29

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