Lounge Around - Fall 2022

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MANAGING EDITOR

Ann Niccum

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Anj Riffel

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Trenton Bush

GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN

Kacie Stepp

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Jon Niccum

EMAIL COMMENTS TO

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Meredithe McCormick

VP of Business

DISTRIBUTION (KS)

Baldwin City

Eudora

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Soto

PUBLISHER

KMG

Mark Kern

Writers FALL

To

JENNIFER

MEGAN

KIM GRONNIGER

JAYNI

PRITI

HEATHER PERRY

SYDNEY

FALL FAMILY FUN

AT THE

Orchard Orchard

by Sydney Shrimpton

There is nothing quite as magical as the fall, when pumpkins grow large and hayrack rides are rolling. If you’re in search of the perfect place to make some memories, check out these local orchards.

photos courtesy of pome on the range orchard & winery

POME ON THE RANGE ORCHARD & WINERY

2050 Idaho Road, Williamsburg, KS

Stop by Pome on the Range to experience the essence of fall. There you will find Pick-Your-Own apples and pumpkins, a corn maze and all the apple cider donuts you can eat.

HOURS: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; Noon – 6 p.m. Sunday

SOUTH BALDWIN FARMS

22 E 1700 Road, Baldwin City, KS

South Baldwin Farms is where you want to go for quality products grown in an environmentally responsible way. They have U-Pick apples and pumpkins as well as a play area.

HOURS: 8 a.m. – Noon, Tuesday – Thursday; 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday

PENDLETON’S COUNTRY MARKET

1446 E 1850 Road, Lawrence, KS

Head to Pendleton’s Country Market for U-Pick apples and wagon rides.

HOURS: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday

GIERENGERS FAMILY ORCHARD & BERRY FARM

39345 W 183rd St., Edgerton, KS

With a kids’ play area, a corn maze, pumpkin jump pad and corn pit, Gierengers makes the perfect setting to create some family memories.

HOURS: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday

SUNFLOWER ORCHARDS

16905 W 311 St., Paola, KS

With 2,000-plus trees, Sunflower Orchards provides a great place for families to come for fall photo shoots as they pick their own apples.

HOURS: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

CIDER HILL FAMILY ORCHARD

3341 N. 139th St., Kansas City, KS

Cider Hill family orchard has all the secrets to a successful autumn outing, including U-pick apples and a pumpkin patch, a hayride, firepit and a market.

HOURS: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday; Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday n

Fallis the best time to enjoy the orchards,

where you can harvest some produce while creating traditions. Visit one today!

photo courtesy of pendleton’s country market

photo courtesy of south baldwin farms

FancifulFiction

Meet Young Adult Author Sarah Henning

by P riti L akhani // P hotogra P hy by trenton b ush

While most of us were learning how to bake bread during the pandemic, Sarah Henning, who we first met two years ago in the pages of this magazine, prolifically produced not one, not two, but three Young Adult books. The Lawrence-based author started as a sports journalist, honing the craft of storytelling while interviewing athletes. She also cultivated the thick skin that is necessary to publish in today’s world. She works to write with empathy, hoping her readers will understand what it is to live in a character’s skin.

She knew she always wanted to be a writer, and she always wanted to write books. Books about

strong young women bucking the patriarchy and finding their true paths, much like herself.

“When I worked in sports, I had to prove myself as a petite blonde. I had to show that I knew what sports were about and was often questioned about my knowledge,” she says.

Henning drew upon her own experiences as a gymnast for “It’s All in How You Fall” (published in May on Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). We meet Caroline, a level 10 gymnast who sustains an injury that forces her to leave the sport. Despaired, she turns to her older brother’s best friend (Alex, an accomplished athlete himself) to

help her find a new sport. During a Kansas summer, Alex introduces Caroline to a new sport every week. While spending time together, Alex reveals his crush, another girl on the gymnastics team. Caroline decides to help him, but quickly realizes she’s the one falling for Alex. Will Caroline find herself after losing her identity as a gymnast? Will Alex get the girl?

This book is about more than sports, and athletes, according to Henning.

“It’s about realizing you are more than what you do,” she says. “We all, at one point or another, must recalibrate who we are.”

She also started a YA fantasy series with the “Kingdom of Sand and Sky” trilogy.

The first book, “The Princess Will Save You,” introduces Princess Amarande, and what happens when a kingdom which has enjoyed political stability is suddenly at war due to the death of a king. The heroine, a strong-willed princess who must marry to ascend the throne, refuses to accept societal norms. But instead of sacrificing herself, she becomes the warrior who wins.

“This book spends a lot of time in conversation with the damsel-in-distress trope because even though it’s flipped, it is still in a hyper-patriarchal world. The damsel is the boy, and the savior is the girl. Princess Amarande is a strong female character who must maneuver around the patriarchy. These books are all about the different types of strength women have,” she explains.

The second book, “The Queen Will Betray You” explores the power and limits of love. How do strong women work within and without the confines of a realm ruled by arcane laws? The final installment of the trilogy, “The King Will Kill You” (published in August on Tor Teen, an imprint of Macmillan) rounds out Amarande’s journey to claim what is rightfully hers and donning the cloak of being a change agent for a country that is ultimately a reflection of the will of its people. All this, while defending her kingdom. Oops, sorry, her queendom.

Henning currently has seven books out, with three in the works. She’s working on the next one, about monsters, real and those that are inside us. While all of her books are Young Adult, the lessons in them are applicable for all ages. n

It’s about realizing you are more than what you do. We all, at one point or another, must recalibrate who we are.”

– Sarah Henning

Author Sarah Henning writes YA fiction with an emphasis on strong female characters.

Embrace the Joy and Inspiration of the Season with Holiday Home Tours

by K im GronniGer // photoGraphy by trenton bush

WHETHER YOUR HOME & HOLIDAY DECORATIVE PREFERENCES SKEW TRADITIONAL OR CONTEMPORARY, YOU CAN FIND INSPIRATION AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY CAUSES BY TOURING RESIDENCES DRESSED FOR THE SEASON. FROM PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER AND FLORIST FLOURISHES TO HOMEOWNER COLLECTIONS OF HANDMADE CRAFTS AND CURATED TREASURES, YOU’LL FIND DISPLAYS THAT WILL DELIGHT YOUR SENSES AND DELIVER IDEAS TO REFRESH YOUR TRADITIONS AND SURROUNDINGS. BY PURCHASING HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS AND GIFTS PROVIDED BY AREA ARTISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TOUR BOUTIQUES, YOU’LL EXPONENTIALLY SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER AND NEEDED FUNDS FOR NORTHEAST KANSAS NONPROFITS TOO.

ATCHISON

PRESLEY PIERCE INTERIORS

HOURS: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 TICKETS: $30 presley-pierce-interiors.square.site

This year’s second annual holiday homes event had a serendipitous start in 2021. A bus tour organizer from Burlington, Kansas, contacted Presley Busenbarrick, owner of Presley Pierce Interiors, to see about visiting his shop and touring his renovated carriage house quarters at the Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum.

Pierce persuaded two friends whose homes he’d decorated for the holidays to participate and arranged with the owner of Jerry’s Again to serve box lunches in the ballroom above the restaurant.

With plans already in place, Busenbarrick offered the event to the public too, drawing about 150 people. Proceeds were split between two local museums.

THE TREND now i S anything

people are really ready

bright , cheery thing S , and color

S people happy

Photos, top and right, Presley Pierce Interiors holiday decor

This year’s tour coincides with the city’s annual Christmas parade. The four featured houses blend new and old architecture, including a historic home site just outside of town.

“Through conversations with customers about their decorating dilemmas and their merchandise selections, we get a sense of their home’s character and style and then sweet talk them into letting us borrow their houses for a little while,” Busenbarrick says.

Whether customers shop for year-round items or seasonal accents, he says, “The trend now is anything colorful. People are really ready for bright, cheery things, and color makes people happy.”

Busenbarrick opened a second store next door in September to accommodate customers who prefer traditional plaids and decorative items with a “woodsy feel” for their home and holiday décor that he calls “a little brother store to Presley Pierce.”

Tickets can be purchased at Presley Pierce. Cost includes a buffet lunch and a soft drink served in the ballroom above Jerry’s Again from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A cash bar will be available for cocktails. Event proceeds support the Humane Society of Atchison.

JOHNSON COUNTY

KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA HOLIDAY HOMES TOUR

HOURS: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 (Cocktails & Candlelight VIP Event); 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 (General Admission)

TICKETS: $100 for Dec. 7 Cocktails & Candlelight VIP Event. $30 in advance and $35 at the door for Dec. 8 General Admission tour kappahomestour.com

Celebrating its 71st year, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Homes Tour will include two residences in Mission Hills, a house in Fairway and another near Loose Park. Participating designers include Nell Hill’s, Studio Dan Meiners and The Little Flower Shop.

A pop-up boutique situated inside the Polsinelli building on the Country Club Plaza will feature area entrepreneurs and artists selling apparel, accessories, art, ornaments, candles, treats and other items during event hours for ticket holders both days. Vendors include Birch Boutique, 74 Harley Street and Art From Architecture.

Proceeds support three organizations: HappyBottoms, which provides diapers and training pants through 60-plus social service agencies; The Children’s Place, which supports the developmental and mental health of abuse and neglect survivors; and Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, which supports educational programming, heritage preservation, scholarships and aid.

Maddy Poletis, event chair, says that although the beneficiaries selected through an annual grant process change each year, the relationships formed among event volunteers and agency staff often continue.

“We develop great relationships with our partners, and many times their employees will continue to volunteer for our event,” she says. “We cherish delivering the proceeds checks and meeting some of the people who receive services. We can see that collectively we’ve all made a difference for people in our community.”

Tour attendees learn a lot about the homes, including architects, builders and landscapers, even the paint colors used. Room information is shared by volunteers or via a QR code for the home.

“We know that people who come through not only want to enjoy the holiday decorations but also learn more about styles and trends they’re seeing that they may want to emulate,” Poletis says.

Given the event’s longevity, she says several homes have been featured more than once, noting that a residence redone in the 1990s and then refreshed decades later will look noticeably different.

“We have so many repeat visitors, some affiliated with our organization and many not, and it’s fun to overhear their conversations about their memories about what a particular home once looked like,” she says.

WE KNOW that people who come through not only want to enjoy the holiday decoration S but al S o learn more about S tyle S and trend S they ’ re S eeing that they may want to emulate .”

– MADDY POLETIS

LAWRENCE

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

HOURS: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 TICKETS: $35 lawrencehabitat.org

Health Care Access began the first holiday homes tour here 18 years ago before transitioning it to Lawrence Habitat for Humanity in 2019.

The 2022 tour features eight homes selected for easy access, curb appeal, architectural variety and location. Homeowners often volunteer their residences after taking the tour, and local designers and committee members familiar with houses that might pique the public’s interest pitch ideas for participants too.

“We strive for a mix of home styles and sizes so we can appeal to a variety of tastes,” Stacie Schroeder says.

One Habitat home is selected each year.

“This way we can show about 400 people firsthand what we do

so they can see what helping their neighbors accomplish their dream of homeownership looks like when we ask for donations,” she says.

“In 2019, we featured a historic home on Ohio Street that underwent a massive renovation that included converting a cistern into a bathroom and adding a wine cellar in the basement,” Schroeder says. “Sometimes you have to see something to believe what’s possible.”

Homeowners showcase their own decorations reflecting simple elegance, traditional treatments and eclectic interpretations.

“A Habitat participant decorated a black Christmas tree, and it was one of my favorites,” Schroeder says. “She also bought her family holiday pajamas every year and placed a set at the end of each bed for the tour.”

While some homeowners have displayed Santas and snowmen, others have shared angel collections and holiday Lego sets.

“One of our homeowners this year is known for having multiple Christmas trees that her grandchildren help decorate, and another creates trees with felt and feathers,” Schroeder says.

Tickets will be available online and at Hy-Vee and the Lawrence Habitat ReStore, which will be open during tour hours. In addition to perusing ReStore’s inventory of home-improvement items donated by individuals and businesses, visitors can buy pre-packaged cookies baked by volunteers and locally made holiday wreaths and inventive artwork.

“Last year an artist turned a farmhouse window into a holiday wreath wall hanging,” Schroeder says.

All tour proceeds support Habitat for Humanity programs, including homeownership efforts as well as critical repair services and interior and exterior projects to help qualified individuals age in place.

Lawrence Holiday Home

TOPEKA

CASA OF SHAWNEE COUNTY

HOURS: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20 TICKETS: $20 in advance, $25 at the door casaofshawneecounty.com

In its 35th year, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Shawnee County’s “Homes for the Holidays” tour will feature College Hill, Westboro and Lake Sherwood residences.

The tour showcases not only the homes’ architectural elements but also the professional design expertise of three local businesses – Blooms on Boswell, Porterfield’s and The Linen Tree – enlisted to add greenery and other seasonal touches to complement homeowners’ holiday heirlooms.

Peg Dunlap, co-chair of this year’s event, credits David Porterfield, a perennial participant, with the idea for creating the agency’s signature event for raising money for CASA of Shawnee County’s initiatives to help abused and neglected children navigate the court system. He will collaborate with Linda Lee, a local interior designer and participating Westboro homeowner with her husband, Craig Woodbury.

Reliant on a couple of dozen committee members and another six dozen docents, the event typically hosts more

than 1,000 individuals drawn both by curiosity about the featured houses and the cause itself.

Debra Billingsley, executive director of CASA of Shawnee County, says, “The event really drives awareness about our agency and the work we do to help children dealing with very difficult circumstances. Our agency is completely funded by grants and donations, so the funds allow us to continue to operate.”

“We always include statistics in our tour booklet and show how donations really do make a difference,” Dunlap says. “We make sure everyone who leaves has paper in hand with the important information about why we’re doing this event and who benefits.”

The booklet also includes homeowners’ sweet or savory holiday recipes.

“I always look forward to seeing what our families suggest that I can make too,” Dunlap says.

New this year is the Sweet Treats Bakery at Heart & Home Design Co. at Brookwood Center where ticket holders can give a freewill donation for a variety of cookies, quick breads and candies made by volunteers and holiday-themed gnome notecards designed and donated by Bonnie Launey.

Tickets can be purchased online and at each featured residence, the three participating vendors, Hy-Vee and the Red Door Home Store. n

Linda Lee and Peg Dunlap, Topeka

The Holiday Checklist

STOP THE MADNESS!

by Megan Stuke

THE SHORT LIST:

✔ Presents for kids, significant other, family, co-workers, dogs, cats, cousins, friends, white elephant party, mailman, UPS person, teachers and that one old family friend who never stopped sending you gifts even though you haven’t seen them in 27 years.

✔ Cute and creative wrapping paper, bows, tape, labels, scissors, pen for adorable gift presentation.

✔ Treats for the staff at the work holiday gathering.

✔ Random parties thrown by friends, colleagues and organizations to which you belong. Make food and have outfits. Hire babysitters.

✔ Decorate the house with trendy items.

✔ Hang the lights outside.

✔ Plan the extended family gathering. Be aware that no matter what the plan is, someone isn’t going to like it.

✔ Take the kids to look at the lights. Bring hot chocolate.

✔ Family dinner/gift unwrapping. Make something everyone likes and do it from scratch so they know you love them.

✔ Assemble complicated toys at 2 a.m. Don’t forget treats for the big guy and the reindeer.

✔ Order holiday cards. Get professional family portraits done complete with planned outfits. Address, stamp, mail.

✔ Have festive wearable accessories.

✔ Decorate your office or cube.

✔ Constantly check your budget.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

This is probably a fraction of what a lot of us do come November and December. It’s exhausting, and it’s scary. I’m usually not a very nice person by Dec. 20, but I’ve found a system to manage it.

1 GIVE UP

Do less. Probably no one will notice. Also, it’s not a competition. Wear the same outfit all month. Use a selfie for your holiday card and send it out digitally, if you must do one at all. Reuse last year’s gift bags. Skip a few parties, avoid Instagram like the plague, give the teachers your love and a gift card to the liquor store.

2 DO THE THING YOU LOVE –AND DO IT WELL

I love cooking, so I focus on the family dinner. I go all out. Homemade bread, homemade lasagna noodles, favorite sugar cookies for dessert. I’m not cooking for every single event. That’s what a Dillons’ shrimp ring is for. But I’ll do that main event for my partner and my kids. I also happen to love wrapping presents and my girlfriends, and I unabashedly will take in all manner of cheesy holiday movies, so we do that while I wrap. It’s truly enjoyable.

3 NORMALIZE BEING SHAMELESS

You cannot shame the unshameable, and most of that is stuff we do to ourselves anyway. If you take the pressure off you, I promise your friends will see it, admire it and follow suit. n

Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services. PR-LI-B (2-21)

I

Charitable Gifting and You

Provided by Christopher A. Adams

Are you making charitable donations at year’s end? If so, you should know about some of the financial “fine print” involved, as the right moves could potentially bring more of a benefit to both you and your chosen charity. Keep in mind, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice. Make sure to consult your tax, legal, or accounting professionals before modifying your charitable gifting strategy.

Evaluate the Impact

How can you maximize the impact of your gifts? First, consider giving to a qualified charity with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Also, visit CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org, or GiveWell. org to evaluate a charity and learn about how effectively it utilizes donations. If you are considering a large donation, it is often wise to ask the charity involved how it will use your gift. If you’re still working, you may want to check with your employer. Some companies match charitable contributions made by their employees, an often-overlooked opportunity to give back.

Itemize to Optimize

To deduct charitable donations, you must itemize them on I.R.S. Schedule A. So, you’ll need to log each donation you make. Ideally, the charity will provide you with a form to document proof of your contribution. If the charity does not have such a form handy (and some do not), a receipt, a credit or debit card statement, a bank statement, or a canceled check can work. The I.R.S. may want to know three things: the name of the charity, the gifted amount, and the date of your gift.1 Remember, itemized deductions may only have tax benefits when they exceed the standard income tax deduction, so be sure to check on the standard deduction amount for your tax filing year.

The content is developed from sources believed to be

information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG

to provide information on a topic

be of interest.

LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm.

and

information and should not be considered a

purchase or sale of

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.,

Show Your Appreciation

Many charities welcome noncash donations. In fact, donating an appreciated asset can be a tax-savvy move. You may wish to explore a gift of highly appreciated securities. Selling securities can lead to taxable event. As an alternative, you or a financial professional can write a letter of instruction to a bank or brokerage, which can facilitate authorizing a transfer of shares to a charity.

This transfer can accomplish three things:

• You can manage paying the tax you would normally pay upon selling the shares.

• You may be able to take a current-year tax deduction for the full fair market value of the shares.

• The charity gets the full value of the shares, not their after-tax net value. This can be a winning strategy all around.2

A Policy of Giving Back

Do you have a life insurance policy? If you make an irrevocable gift of that policy to a qualified charity, you can get a currentyear income tax deduction. If you keep paying the policy premiums, each payment may become a deductible charitable donation. (Deduction limits can apply.) If you pay premiums for at least three years after the gift, that could reduce the size of your taxable estate. The death benefit may be transferred out of your taxable estate, in any case.3

You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments. Several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder also may pay surrender charges and have income tax implications.

Nice is Nice

RECIPES FROM THE CÔTE D’AZUR

by Jayni Carey // photography by trenton bush

Last fall, my husband and I vacationed in Nice, the lively French city on the beautiful Côte d’Azur. It is blessed with abundant sunshine and, even in early November, the temperature hovered around 65 degrees.

Though Nice is French, it feels half Italian. For a time, it was part of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, which eventually became part of Italy. In 1860, Nice was reunited with France, but that’s another story. The happy result is that the cuisine reflects the dazzling flavors of Provence, Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Every dining experience is a delight.

Salad greens are grown in Southern France, so naturally, restaurants on the Côte d’Azur have a variety of ultra-fresh salads on their menus. As the seasons change, menus change, and by November, the light summer salads evolve into heartier ones

to match fall appetites. I ordered a salad at a small bistro that really woke up my taste buds: grilled artichoke hearts and cherry tomatoes tossed with the local mesclun de Nice, a lively mix of five or more types of lettuce. A garnish of crispy lardons and generous shavings of Parmesan cheese was the perfect finishing touch.

When we returned home, the taste of this salad still tugged at my memory. Good quality mixed greens are always available here, but the fresh baby artichokes you find on menus in Nice are not easy to come by. Look for packaged grilled baby artichoke hearts in olive oil, but marinated artichoke hearts can be substituted successfully. In place of lardons cut from slab bacon, I use hickory smoked bacon strips.

SALAD GREENS WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS, CHERRY TOMATOES & BACON

INGREDIENTS

5 ounces mixed salad greens (or as much as desired)

RED WINE VINAIGRETTE

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 bacon strips, chopped

1 10-ounce package tapas-style grilled artichoke quarters in olive oil, or a 12-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts

12 cherry tomatoes, halved

6 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shredded INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse, drain and refrigerate the salad greens until 15 minutes before serving.

VINAIGRETTE: Pour the vinegar into a small bowl, add the salt and pepper and whisk to dissolve the salt. Whisk in the olive oil and set aside.

Fry the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-low heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet. Remove 12 artichoke quarters or hearts from the oil or marinade, drain and cut in half lengthwise. Heat the pan drippings over medium-high heat and sear the artichoke pieces for about 10 seconds each side. Transfer them to a plate. Repeat with the tomatoes and transfer them to the same plate.

To assemble the salad, place the mixed salad greens in a large salad bowl. Add the bacon, warm artichokes and tomatoes. Drizzle as much of the vinaigrette as desired over the salad. Toss to coat and divide among six salad plates. Garnish each with a sprinkle of the shredded cheese.

Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.

As a nod to Italy, I serve this salad with spaghetti topped with a hearty meat sauce. A blend of highly seasoned Italian sausage and ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce creates a harmonious balance of flavors.

The sauce is a recreation of a ragù I enjoyed in an Italian restaurant in Vieux Nice, the charming historical part of the city. n

PASTA WITH SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

1½ pounds Italian sausage, mild, medium or hot (Scimeca’s preferred)

8 ounces ground beef (85% lean)

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ cup finely chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 28-ounce Italian plum tomatoes, chopped, liquid included

1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes

½ cup dry red wine

½ cup water

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 bay leaf

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using mild Italian sausage)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

16 ounces spaghetti

½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet, brown the sausage and ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Skim off the accumulated fat and discard. In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat, add the onion and cook until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in the tomatoes, red wine, water, herbs and spices. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender. Skim off excess fat. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Stir in 1 to 2 cups of the meat sauce to coat the spaghetti. Place servings in pasta bowls and top with additional meat sauce and grated cheese.

Makes 6 servings.

O h . M y .

GOURDS

LET GOURDS SHINE IN FALL DISPLAYS

Want to put the extra wow in the arrangements for a fall dinner party? Pair miniature gourds with decorative lighting!

Miniature gourds are lesser-known cousins of miniature pumpkins that are typically used to add color and interest to fall displays. They fit perfectly with dried flowers, flint corn, mums and other fall classics.

illUminate miniatURe gOURdS witH One Of tHRee eaSy metHOdS:

1. Turn them into tea light holders.

2. Use them as containers for melt-and-pour wax candles.

3. Transform them into gourd string lights

»

by Jennifer Smith // photography by trenton buSh

SUPPLIES NEEDED

• Miniature gourds

• Craft knife and small scoop

• Light source: tea lights, candle making supplies or string lights

tea ligHt HOldeRS

Set gourds on a flat surface and determine the best location for the tea light on each individual gourd. Use carving tools to create a cavity around this point that is large enough to hold a tea light. Insert light.

diy candleS

Start with the same process as before but hollow out the interior. Follow steps for melt-and-pour candlemaking using the gourds as containers.

StRing ligHtS

Hollow out each gourd. Use the knife or a drill to create holes in the outer flesh. Place gourds and the light string so that one or more lamps from the string are inside each gourd and light is visible through the holes.

Like carved pumpkins, fresh gourds shrivel over time after their interior is exposed to air. Carve them within a few days of their biggest event(s) to keep them looking their best.

Dried gourds are also suitable for use with string lights. They are a little harder to carve, but the insides hollow out naturally during the drying process. Dried gourds have a very long shelf life. Larger gourds are often dried for use as birdhouses, intricate carvings, painted crafts and more. n

Salut Wine and Cocktail Lounge

VINTAGE VIBES COZY COCKTAILS

SPEAKEASIES, COCKTAIL LOUNGES, WINE BARS & TASTING ROOMS

The concept of a contemporary microbrew and cocktail lounge in Topeka is a culmination of years of friendship, food and good conversation, according to Katie Sonderegger, co-owner of Salut Wine and Cocktail Lounge. Katie and her husband, Marc, alongside their friends Larissa and Matt Slimmer, dreamed of opening a place where one could enjoy a glass of their favorite drink and feel like they’re in a cozy living room rather than a restaurant. Once the ideal historic Westboro Mart location became available, the couples kicked off their adventure.

The Sondereggers always loved to travel. They took a trip to California wine country for their honeymoon and fell in love with the laid-back yet upscale vibe of the restaurants there. They dreamed of opening a place like that in their hometown of Topeka, so people wouldn’t have to travel to Lawrence or Kansas City to find that type of atmosphere. During the COVID pandemic, they spent many evenings around firepits with the Slimmers discussing the idea.

“Marc’s love of culinary adventure paired with my love of just plain adventure have inspired us to pursue this exciting new business,” Katie says. “Matt loves a good beer, while Larissa enjoys a glass of vino. Both hold a connection to their dear old dads in the libation of their choosing. These two empty-nesters just want to create a local establishment where folks can go and enjoy a classic cocktail, microbrew, unique wine and good conversation.”

The couples believed Topeka was ready. So they set out to create their own little slice of California in Kansas. The result is Salut – a warm and inviting space where people can come to enjoy good food, good wine and good company.

Try a sampling of small bites with the grazing board and pair it with the crowd-favorite hot artichoke spread. For drinks, you can’t go wrong with classics like the Hemingway Daiquiri or Brown Derby, but there are other unique options.

by HeatHer Perry // PHotograPHy by trenton busH

Our signature cocktails have been wildly popular and were created by some of our Kickstarter backers. They are all based on a classic cocktail with a twist,” Katie says.

In addition to the lounge, there is also a basement speakeasy. As soon as you step into the Principal’s Office, you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The dimly lit lights and vintage lounge seating create an intimate and alluring ambiance, and the schoolthemed cocktails are a fun twist (a nod to Larissa’s 25 years in education).

The vintage record player is the finishing touch and really sets the tone for the whole space. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax with friends or enjoy a romantic evening out, the Principal’s Office is worth checking out. It’s only open 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday evenings, so plan ahead for the elusive experience.

Proposals to create a weekend brunch are brewing, as well as monthly supper clubs – a great way to get to know other foodies in the area. The upcoming expanded wine list will give everyone a chance to explore their palette.

“We hope to become a Topeka staple with a combination of regulars and visitors wanting to try something new,” Katie says.

Salut’s California-inspired oasis might just be the perfect place to unwind and escape the stresses of the day. Reservations for both the restaurant and speakeasy are highly recommended, but bar, lounge and patio seating is available for walk-ins. Reservations can be made through the website or Facebook page.

SALUT WINE & COCKTAIL LOUNGE

3119 S.W. Huntoon St., Topeka, KS salutwinetopeka.com

Katie Sonderegger and Larissa Slimmer

Looking for other gems

you can sip on delicious

ambiance?

sure

of the options below.

DRASTIC MEASURES

Nieman Road, Shawnee, KS

THE HEY! HEY! CLUB

Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO

THE BOURGEOIS PIG

Ninth St., Lawrence, KS

TOM’S TOWN DISTILLING CO.

Main St., Kansas City, MO

THE KNOX

S.W. Sixth Ave., Topeka, KS

WINE DIVE + KITCHEN

741 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS

GOAT & RABBIT

1804 W. 39th St, Kansas City, MO

VERDIGRIS BAR

5245 W. 116th Place, Leawood, KS

9TH & STATE

1717 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, MO

SUBIACO WINE BAR

515 Commercial St, Atchison, KS

KS

Nightlife

photo courteSy of 9 th & State

Subiaco

verdigriS bar photo courteSy of aaron leimkeuhler

MANAGING THE UNIQUE ‘ UPS & DOWNS ’ OF WOMEN’S HEALTH

by Julie Dunlap // photography by trenton bush

Creating and following a plan for gynecologic health as an adult can be as confusing and frustrating as learn ing to insert that first tampon. Luckily northeast Kansas is home to some of the most cut ting-edge prevention, screening and treatment available in the nation for cancers specific to the female body, and access to that care is often an easy phone call away. Read on for the latest protocols and share this with friends; it just might save a life.

BECOME THE EXPERT ON YOU

Throughout her 30 years of practicing obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Sandra Stites, Chief Medical Officer at Vibrant Health in Kansas City, KS, has strongly encouraged patients to pay close attention to the way their bodies feel as they change over the years.

“Know your body,” says Stites, emphasizing that the first vital step to optimal healthcare is for patients to feel confident and empowered

to notice and communicate any changes to their healthcare providers.

Because the last formal health education most adults (who do not pursue careers in the healing arts) receive likely comes from a semester-long high school health class, decades later such ana tomical terms might retreat to the deep recesses of the brain. While polite company often defers to terms like “The Girls” or “The Lady Parts” when referencing the upper and lower female anatomy, healthcare providers generally do not. Knowing and being comfortable using the correct termi nology is the first step in gynecologic health.

DOWNSTAIRS

“Vagina” and “uterus” may seem rather straight forward, but there is much more going on down there than that. Exploring the lower half of the female body from the outside-in, the first stop is the vulva, i.e., the outer area typically contained in (most) bikini bottoms. The term “vulva” en compasses the labia majora (where hair can grow), labia minora (smaller, smoother, more central) and the clitoris (just north of the urethra).

The actual vagina is the approximately threeinch-long internal tunnel leading from just inside the labia minora into the pelvis. The end of the vagina connects to the cervix, which is the open ing to the uterus. If the cervix could be compared to a thick, pliable opening to a drawstring bag, the vessel of the bag itself would be the fundus, or the upside-down, pear-sized part of the uterus.

Knowing your body and following the latest protocols are vital to optimal health.

The inside of the uterus is lined with endometrial tissue that replenishes and either sheds each cycle or supports a fertilized egg from implantation through pregnancy. It is the magical organ that can cause monthly cramping or grow a whole human being.

In this way, it is extremely different from a regular drawstring bag.

Moving right or left from the top of the uterus are the fallopian tubes, one on each side, reaching four to five inches in length to the ovaries, pecan-sized glands that store and release eggs and hormones from puberty through menopause.

Tiny but mighty, the ovaries typically take turns releasing eggs each month through the fallopian tubes in search of the right sperm for fertilization. (Spoiler alert: Most of the time, they do not.)

UPSTAIRS

Given that breasts are visible in a full-sized mirror and much easier to see than the lower region, there is generally less mystery about them. The tiny opening in each nipple leads to milk ducts and glands inside, surrounded by breast tissue that can vary greatly in density, with breast tissue and lymph nodes extending into the armpit.

But no matter the size or shape, they all deserve the same care and attention.

THE CARE AND KEEPING OF YOU

Maintaining a healthy second and third base hap pens in different ways at different ages, and the ear lier women start paying attention to those areas, the better armed they are to recognize changes that may require medical intervention. Recommendations vary slightly between medical associations, but most agree that regular gynecologic exams should begin by the age of 21, depending on health history and sexual activity.

Pap smears (or Pap tests, named after the scientist, George Papanicolau, who developed the procedure nearly 100 years ago) often get a bad rap, but what they may lack in comfort, they make up for in their ability to detect cervical cancer.

The patient lies face up on an exam table with her feet in stirrups and her bot tom exposed at the very edge of the exam table. The healthcare provider moves like a ninja, slipping a spec ulum (think: a small pair of salad tongs that gently open) into the vaginal canal and, guided by good lighting and a clear view, collects cell samples from the outside and inside of the cervix using a teeny, tiny brush.

“The Pap test identifies cervical cancer at an early stage; the cells change long before they turn into cancer,” Stites says. “You can start to see those cells become abnormal before they actually turn into cancer so you can treat it.”

Cervical cancer is currently the only gynecologic cancer with an FDA-approved vaccine. Gardasil, a series of injections typically recommended for patients ages 9 to 45, guards the body against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cer vical cancer.

“With Gardasil, we have seen the number of cervi cal cancers absolutely plummet,” Stites says.

Typically a PAP smear is followed by a manual pel vic exam, where the healthcare provider assesses the cervix, inner vagina, uterus and ovaries for size, pain and other abnormalities by palpating around them from both inside the vagina and surface of the pelvic area. The manual pelvic exam is helpful in detecting

Dr. Sandra Stites photo courtesy of vibrant health vibranthealthkc.org

Is it pleasant? No. Does it take very long?

Also no. Is it important? Absolutely.

symptoms which may not otherwise present in daily living, especially for patients who are tuned in to changes in their bodies.

The healthcare provider will also likely perform a clinical breast exam, using both hands to palpate around the breast from the nipple into the armpit.

This is one exam people can -- and should -- perform on themselves at home each month as well. The National Breast Cancer Foundation states that 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by patients who feel a lump.

Stites emphasizes that patients should never be hesitant to contact their practitioners after finding an unusual lump, saying, “If you’re doing your examinations on a regular basis, it’s enough to say ‘it’s different than the way it used to be’ for us to pursue further testing.”

The earlier patients begin performing a Self Breast Exam (SBE), the better.

“I start them as soon as I see them, at age 18,” Stites says. “I recommend that because I like to build muscle memory. I want them to hear me say that year

after year so they share it with their roommates in college, and it just becomes a habit.”

While statistics may show breast cancer to be most common after 40, her patients who begin these exams early in adulthood not only sharpen

Jennifer Hawasli, MD/LMH Breast Surgeon

their skills and know their bodies better, but they have a better chance at catching the lumps that may otherwise not be found until it is too late.

“My youngest patient with breast cancer was 26, and she found it herself,” says Stites, noting that under all standard recommendations, the lump would not have been found in time by routine mammogram. “If you’re healthy, you’re only going to see me in the office once per year. And that only gives me one opportunity in a year to check your breasts. If you’re consistent with when you do it according to your cycles, you’re more likely to get a similar feel each month.”

GET THAT MAMMOGRAM

While the SBE can provide an excellent external assessment each month, an annual mammogram creates a detailed map capable of detecting abnormalities at their earliest stages of development. Guidelines vary slightly depending on a person’s health and family history, but most healthcare organizations agree that a baseline mammogram for other wise healthy women with no known increased risk for breast cancer be performed at or after 40 years of age.

Like the Pap smear, this is not an event most patients look forward to. Also like the Pap smear, this process is quick and impactful, and finding the right provider can make all the difference in the world.

Mammography Supervisor at LMH Health in Lawrence, KS, Julie Anno, recommends finding a mammography center that is accred ited in mammography by the American College of Radiology, which is common for most centers in the region. Centers may also have additional accreditations.

“LMH also has accreditation in their mammography biopsies as well as breast ultrasound and breast ultrasound biopsies,” Anno says.

The breast center recently added another diagnostic tool, the Tyrer-Cuzick Score.

“For all of our screening mammogram patients, we take a fam ily and personal history of cancers and gynecologic history and put it into a tracking system that gives them their lifetime risk (called the Tyrer-Cuzick Score) of developing breast cancer,” Anno says.

“When the radiologist reads their images, they take that score and weigh it against how dense their breast tissue is.”

ACA-qualifying insurance plans are required to cover 100% of preventative care screenings, including annual wellness exams and

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

Julie Anno MBA-HCA, RT (R)(M) Mammography Supervisor

recommended gynecologic exams and mammograms. Uninsured and underinsured patients can access this same care for limited to zero cost by contacting their local health departments for referrals to clinics that provide these screenings on a sliding scale.

CANCER CARE IN NE KANSAS

Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast can cer in her lifetime; 1 in 35 will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer; 1 in 78 with ovarian cancer; 1 in 142 with cervical cancer. Each of these cancers initiates in its own organ or gland. Though they can metasta size to different organs, they are each composed of their own type of cancer cells and maintain their own genetic code unique to their area of origin, and each one has its own unique treatment plan.

While no one ever wants to receive this diagnosis, oncology patients in Kansas can take comfort in knowing they have access to top-notch treatment right here at home. In July of 2022, the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Kansas City achieved designation as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Care Center, one of only 53 in the nation.

Seventeen hospitals, health systems and medical centers in Kansas and Missouri are now members of the Masonic Cancer Alliance (formerly the Midwest Cancer Alliance), which works with the KU Cancer Center to enhance the ability for its practitioners to deliver advanced cancer care to patients across Kansas and Western Missouri. This regional network allows patients more local access to the highest levels of cutting-edge research, edu cation and treatment available through the KU Cancer Center.

For more information on the MCA, visit: masoniccanceralliance.org

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

The Breast Cancer Health Equity Task Force and Community Advisory Board for Project BRA, facilitated by the MCA, can bring a mobile mammography unit to your church, gathering or other community group. The Friendto-Friend events are evidencebased programs designed to make mammograms accessible to all communities in the Greater Kansas City Area.

CONTACT: kansascancerprojects.com

MAMMOGRAPHY 101

Whether you are prepping for your first mammogram or your 20th, here are some tips from Julie Anno, Mammography Supervisor at LMH Health:

DO make your appointment today (and encourage a friend to join you).

DON’T worry … technology has come a long way in the last 20 years and the process is much more comfortable and accurate.

DO arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork, and have a doctor to list who can receive the report.

DON’T wear dresses, if possible, as you will be undressed from the top on up.

DO take a shower. You will be asked to wipe off any deodorant.

DON’T DELAY! Call your local mammography center or health department today. n

DRUGSTORE MAKEUP for the win

by Megan Stuke // illuStration by k acie Stepp

I am late to the party, as usual. It’s come to my attention that we tend to step off the fashion train somewhere in our early 40s, and for the rest of our lives dress, do our hair and makeup the same way we always have into perpetuity. Or, maybe that’s just me. Regardless, I’m fighting it. It turns out – again, news to no one but me that products are ridiculously expensive, and there are so many to choose from, it’s dizzying. To that end, I offer you these products that I believe are as good or even sometimes better than their name brand competitors. If you can get it at the drug store, do it!

5-Minute Must-Haves

If you’re in a pinch, lip and mascara will suffice. Here are my favorite go-to products that work better and last longer than any of the expensive things I’ve tried.

WINKY LUX GLIMMER BALM

pH Color Changing Lip Balm with Vitamin E

This is a little higher price than I usually prefer, but on this one, it’s worth it. And it will last.

ESSENCE LASH PRINCESS CURL MASCARA

For Dramatic Curl & Volume

This is my favorite most beautiful mascara in the whole world. Pretty, long, non-clumping lashes. It doesn’t irritate my very sensitive eyes, either

Quick Contour

Everyone wants to contour, right? Seems complicated, though, and we don’t have all day. Here’s my favorite:

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP WONDER STICK Highlight & Contour

This product hits both your highlight and contour needs. It’s compact and portable, unlike a lot of bulky contouring palettes. Because it’s a stick, it’s easy to apply accurately and it blends beautifully

Clean Sweep

I have always applied my makeup with my hands or with the spongy applicators included in my drugstore makeup. I’m intimidated by the bazillion applicators and brushes available, but I’ve settled on one that makes a real difference. Applying foundation with a proper brush gets me even coverage and uses far less product overall than I was using before.

REAL TECHNIQUES

Blend + Blur Foundation Brush

It feels smooth on my skin, is comfortable in my hand and makes the whole process cleaner, even if I’m using inexpensive foundation n

Brianna

Patton

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