Court Awareness - Winter 2023

Journaling

Gratitudes, Goals & Affirmations

by K im G ronni G er // photo G raphy by trenton b ush

Winter resolutions often include tackling cluttered closets and purging pieces that no longer fit or flatter our evolving selves. The same principle can be applied to organizing our thoughts and intentions through journaling.

Three Topeka women share their decades-long experience with habitual reflection honed through journaling to accomplish goals and resolve issues.

Marcia Cebulska

As a preteen, author and playwright Marcia Cebulska wrote about boys she liked and clothes she wanted in a pink leather diary with a clasp, key and gold pen.

“I wrote about stuff that’s really embarrassing now, but my journal was a safe place just for me and that’s still true,” she says. “I can vent, dream wildly about things I want to accomplish and test my ideas.”

The title of Cebulska’s book “Skywriting: A Journaling Guide to Help You Soar!” derives from her desire to encourage people to look upward as well as inward as an antidote to spending so much time staring at screens.

“My grandmother told me to look at the sky because it’s always changing,” she says. “The short weather reports in the book are a way to capture the forecast of how you’re feeling for reflection.”

Cebulska has taken and given journaling classes and seen people who have been stuck move forward. She survived a 7.6 earthquake in 1970 in Chile and later breast cancer, discovered six months after marrying and moving to Topeka where she knew no one.

“My journal was my best friend until I got acquainted with my terrific neighbors,” she says.

Cebulska writes every day before bed, chronicling whatever she’s “irritated or elated about” and always concluding with a couple of lines expressing gratitude.

Jeffrey Ann Goudie

In 1975, Jeffrey Ann Goudie, a freelance writer and book reviewer, began filling a gray bound book with ideas, business expenses, snippets of conversations, quotes and article ideas. She converted to speckled composition books and, most recently, three-subject workbooks, eventually amassing 77 journals.

Although she often jotted down dreams, issues and notes about her travels, her personal reflections didn’t typically rise to the forefront of her journals until early 2020 when she returned home from a trip to Thailand just as the pandemic hit and shortly after her mother broke a hip.

“She went into rehabilitation, and for a year we only saw each other through glass,” Goudie says. “Writing helped me work out my feelings about my experiences.”

She frequently uses colored pencils to make squiggles and doodles to enliven pages along with adding article clippings and book passages.

Goudie agrees with research showing the positive connections that occur in our brains when we write things by hand and how the habit can influence our mental health. She has a journalism degree and has always been drawn to the profession’s record-keeping purpose.

“I once served on a panel about journaling, and the general consensus was that people don’t censor themselves in journals, but I definitely do,” says Goudie, who writes in her journal a couple of times a week when the feeling strikes.

“I went through some very raw family stuff in the 1970s and was amazed at how candid I’d been when I read those journals a few years ago. I hid them in my house so well that now I can’t even find them,” she says, laughing.

Thea Rademacher

Thea Rademacher, author, speaker and president of Flint Hills Publishing, has been journaling since a young age “to express fiery emotions.”

She writes daily in a journal, currently a purple one that came with “a lovely pink pen,” to connect with the divine through a three-fold practice incorporating gratitude, free-flowing thoughts and guided exercises.

“I never liked the notion of having a journaling ‘practice’ because that conveys that this is something you have to get better at instead of just accepting it as a release for yourself,” she says. “Before publishing (Marcia Cebulska’s) ‘Skywriting,’ I wasn’t attracted to guided journals because they seemed like homework, but now I’m surprised by how much value and enjoyment I get from doing the exercises.”

Rademacher likes the tactile sensation of putting pen to paper and derives multiple benefits from her lifelong habit.

“I have a lot of thoughts and ideas, and journaling helps my brain put things in boxes to organize those thoughts, quiet my mind and reduce any anxiety or worry I might have that day,” she says. “It’s a touchstone for putting problems in perspective and a lifeline for me.”

“I have a lot of thoughts and ideas, and journaling helps my brain put things in boxes to organize those thoughts, quiet my mind and reduce any anxiety or worry I might have that day.”

– Thea Rademacher

contemplation:

“Skywriting: A Journaling Guide to Help You Soar” Marcia Cebulska

“Syllabus: Notes From an Accidental Professor” Lynda Barry

“The Artist’s Way” Julia Cameron

“The Untethered Soul” Michael Singer

“Oprah’s The Life You Want Planner & Gratitude Journal"

Oprah Winfrey

Whether you already keep a journal or are curious about starting one, these resources provide an inspirational framework for creative

Jeffrey Ann Goudie

Marcia Cebulska

Thea Rademacher

insurance,

Life can change in a blink of an eye. With life insurance, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing the “what ifs” are covered. Their future is worth protecting. Let’s discuss your options today.

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I know I need life

but I just haven’t gotten around to it, yet.

Self Care

SUPER MOMS for

by M egan Stuke

Super Mom can do it all. Super Mom works in the home or out of it. She takes food to the school events and treats to the soccer game, and her calendar game is strong. At least most days she keeps that game together. I only have two kids. But between them there are usually several sports, band activities, theater camps and piano lessons happening on the daily. Some days we make it all happen; some days we don’t.

Forget about sitting down at the dinner table. Shoot for once or twice a week if you must. Otherwise, know they will not perish if you feed them an apple and granola bar or even burger and fries. This is not forever. This is for now. Survival and sanity are key.

Pick your priorities. Maybe you don’t make it to every practice. Talk to your coaches and leaders and decide where the attention needs to be day by day. Again, we do our best, but we don’t feel shame when we’ve done our best and still couldn’t do EVERYTHING.

Develop and nurture your network. Community is everything. I’m lucky to have two moms on my street who share carpool duties to and from school sports and activities. I am not afraid to ask for their help, and I’m ready to pitch in for them too. Get comfortable saying, “I can’t do it all today.”

Give yourself AND your kids grace. They’re going to forget their cleats and be too tired for piano some days, and sometimes we all deserve to take a moment for self care -- which is underrated for kids and for grownups. Peace is the priority.

Sage advice for surviving the “kids big enough to have whole lives but not big enough to drive themselves” part of the show

by J ulie D unlap // photography by trenton b ush

PickleballCraze

out of the kitchen!”

This may evoke memories of being shooed away from the cookie dough as a child, but the phrase carries an entirely different meaning to fanatics of pickleball, one of America’s fastest-growing sports that has literally and figuratively redrawn the boundaries of paddle games.

Conceived in Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCollum, the sport has expanded from three dads trying to entertain their kids in a unique way one summer to more than 4.8 million players on more than 38,000 courts nationwide.

“Stay

Leslie Hawley

first heard about pickleball

when we were visiting my sister and brother-in-law in South Carolina in 2018,” says Lawrence pickleball enthusiast Leslie Hawley. “Their community has pickleball courts, and they taught us to play. We had extended family with us aged 8 to 80, and everybody was able to play.”

Leslie and her husband, Blake, continued playing pickleball at home in Kansas casually with friends for a few years, frequenting their local pickleball courts more regularly as COVID restrictions began to ease.

“There are really only a few basic rules that, once you master, hours of fun await,” Blake says.

The simplicity and social nature of the sport have helped propel its popularity exponentially in recent years. The game is often compared to being a cross between tennis and ping pong, with both singles and doubles players matched up on opposing sides of a net. Players wield solid surface paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball back and forth over the net.

“Pickleball is super fun to play and super fun to learn,” says Nikki Weigel, a USA Pickleball Ambassador for Douglas County and board member for the recently formed organization Pickleball Lawrence. Learning the rules of scorekeeping, serving and volleying (example: a non-volley zone – also called the kitchen –extends seven feet from the net on either side; players may not hit from inside this area unless the ball bounces within it first) takes a very short time, but mastering the strategies and techniques help make pickleball a lifetime sport.

“There is endless opportunity to hone and improve one’s game,” Leslie says.

“People compare it to a chess game,” says Weigel, noting that the power, speed and agility that tend to vary by age and gender can be leveled with strategy. This is one of the few sports that allows females to compete against males and older players to compete against younger players when all are equally rated.

Weigel says, “A friend of mine is 77, and she can kick my butt!”

– NIKKI WEIGEL

“We

“People compare it to a chess game.”

Clockwise from top: Tracy Leigh, Gayle West, Nikki Weigel, Leslie Hawley

Currently, roughly 47% of all pickleball players are women. However, the rate of women’s involvement is growing more quickly than men. It is estimated that half of all pickleball players are over the age of 35. “Pickleball can be a lot of things to a lot of people. It can be a social outlet; it can be a youth program; competitive or recreational,” Weigel says.

USA Pickleball supports this wide reach, offering grants to high schools and community organizations, training/certifying referees and sanctioning 153 tournaments last year, including the USA Pickleball National Championships near Palm Springs, California.

In addition to its relatively simple initial learning curve, pickleball can be far more affordable than other athletic endeavors, as equipment usually runs under $100 and local recreation centers and parks often offer court time free of charge. The time commitment is relatively low, with an average game lasting 15 minutes. All these factors make it the lifetime sport of the present and future.

“

Pickleball can be a lot of things to a lot of people. ”

– NIKKI WEIGEL

“Pickleball is very social,” Blake says, “so even if you show up to free play, as long as you let folks know you’re a beginner, they’ll teach, encourage and get you to join in.”

While the Hawleys originally learned to play pickleball as a family activity, they love sharing the sport with each other as empty nesters.

“Pickleball is very social. ”

– BLAKE HAWLEY

But perhaps one of the greatest aspects of pickleball is how it brings people together.

“We enjoy pickleball as a couple because it is something we enjoy equally,” says Leslie of playing with Blake. “An unexpected benefit is how many new people we’ve met since we started playing a lot of (recreational) pickleball. These are all people we would not have otherwise met, and it has been really enjoyable.”

Weigel agrees.

She says, “When I get on the pickleball court, I feel joy. Almost everybody is smiling. It’s like being a child again at recess on the playground. And what better feeling is there than that?”

“When I get on the pickleball court, I feel joy. ”

– NIKKI WEIGEL

No partner? No problem!

Pickleball players are very friendly and eager to share their passion with new players:

1. Head out to almost any open play by yourself.

2. Explain you’re a beginner and let an experienced player take you under her wing.

3. Rotate in every chance you get –you’ll be hooked in no time! n

Tracey Lien

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: TRACY LIEN

All That’s Left

unsaid

by

What does it feel like to live under the myth of the model minority, to be a conditional citizen and to feel like your home country is embracing you with one arm while pushing you away with the other? This is the question author Tracey Lien hopes to answer in the debut novel “All That’s Left Unsaid,” which takes place in Cabramatta (a suburb of Sydney, Australia) in the 1990s during a heroin epidemic

Cabramatta’s population is primarily Asian, with 75% constituting people from Vietnam, China and Cambodia. During the ’70s, servicemen brought heroin to Sydney from Southeast Asia, and Cabramatta soon became a distribution point for Australia. This coincided with the arrival of refuges from Vietnam, many of whom were young, victims of war and desperate to escape. This “perfect storm” led to the rise of gangs, drugs and violence, making Cabramatta a war zone in the ’90s, and a backdrop for a novel about what it means to be an outsider.

Lien hopes to make a connection with her readers so they can understand the mix of what it means to grow up marginalized and poor, with overworked and underpaid parents struggling with untreated or undiagnosed PTSD and loneliness. And what it is to have to shoulder the burden as the next generation to be perfect, never complain and work hard – harder

than everyone else – because on some level, your status as an equal citizen when you are an immigrant or refugee is never really guaranteed.

As a teenager in Australia, Lien often read a magazine called Dolly (akin to Teen Vogue), voraciously consuming the human-interest stories, which she still recalls.

“Those stories connected with me. They taught me, changed the way I thought, saw the world and behaved,” she says. “To this day, I can still remember details from articles I read back in 2002. I realized then that this is a profession, a job that allows me to connect with a reader and change the way that they see the world and the way they behave, and maybe change the way that they think, even in some small way.”

Hooked on storytelling, she began her career as a journalist, writing human interest stories for the Los Angeles Times.

P riti L akhani // P hot ogra P hy by a L ison g rasso

Lien then sharpened this narrative in Lawrence, living in the “Barmuda Triangle” while earning an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Kansas.

“I remember how much her writing sample on her application stood out,” Moriarty says professor Laura Moriarty, her advisory at KU. “Her prose, even then, was vibrant and detailed, and she had a great ear for dialogue. While she was here, she soaked up every opportunity for feedback and inspiration, and she was tireless about revision.”

While at KU, Lien won a Langston Hughes Award, and her short stories began getting published.

“She remained so wonderfully supportive of her fellow writers in the program,” Moriarty says. “By the time she turned in her revised novel as her thesis, I knew publishers would be fighting over it, and I was right! We all miss her here, but the whole department is delighted by her welldeserved success.”

In October, Lien paid a visit to current creative writing students at KU, hoping to inspire them. She recalled that one of her favorite things to do while she was a student involved her trips to a local bookstore.

“I was at the Raven Bookstore every week. I would swing in, and I would look every Tuesday at the books that came out in the new fiction display table. As a creative writing grad student, you can’t help to hope that maybe one day your book would be there,” she says. While back in Lawrence in October, she saw her book on that same Raven table.

“I just stood there and stared at it for a bit. I looked at the company it was in. Obviously, no one who was there had any idea who I was. I was just someone who was standing for a really long, time at that table,” Lien recalls. n

“All That’s Left Unsaid” was chosen to be on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for 2022. It will be on a lot of tables at many bookstores. If you see a woman standing and staring at it, it may just be Lien.

Tracey Lien

Goldmakers Fine Jewelry

The Glam Guide to

SPECIAL OCCASION JEWELRY

by H eat H er P erry // PH otogra PH y by trenton b us H

Sometimes an occasion calls for an icy finish. Whether you’re dressing up for a night out or attending a lavish wedding, jewelry is the finishing touch that turns a look into a moment. We consulted expert jewelers to determine what’s trending, what’s timeless and what’s worth the big splurge. Here are some tips:

INDULGE YOUR OUTFIT..

Before you start the bling hunt, take a close look at what you’re wearing. What are the colors and fabric? Is it classic or daring? Consider the occasion you are dressing for before accessorizing.

Bernadette Zacharias, co-owner of Goldmakers Fine Jewelry in Lawrence, attests that party outfits should have an element of celebratory sparkle.

“Sparkly dresses are often best left barenecked with a long coordinating chandelier earring and complementary cocktail ring,” she says. “Another cold weather party look is a black turtleneck with a ballgown skirt or silky trouser, and that calls for a dramatic necklace maybe with a coordinating cuff bracelet.”

Depending on the event, you might want to forgo bright colors or flashy designs that will draw attention away from your face if photographed. Zacharias suggests long, swingy earrings for elegant party pics.

Bernadette Zacharias

Goldmakers Fine Jewelry

TREND FORWARD

Get ahead of the local fashion scene if you want to turn heads. Vogue’s Spring 2023 Jewelry Trends Report emphasizes top styles bursting off the runway: DIY-looking bohemian earrings, body chains and a resurgence of the Y2K punk aesthetic.

Zacharias says the bold appeal of Art Deco never goes out of style: “Think about ‘The Great Gatsby.’ Find inspiration in bubbly champagne and twinkling lights.”

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend for everyday trendsetting, according to Dave and Gloria Horn, new owners of Donaldson’s Jewelers in Topeka.

“Diamond studs and a simple gold necklace are perfect for everyday wear and will go nicely with every outfit. No need to worry about tarnishing or losing its sparkle day to day,” she says.

Dave and Gloria Horn Donaldson's Jewelers

Donaldson's Jewelers

DRESS IT UP

It’s also worth considering utility. Pearls work overtime with the ability to dress up a pair of jeans or add elegance to evening wear, according to Jacque Egnatic, owner and bench jeweler of McKibbon Jewelers in Bonner Springs.

“Plain hoop earrings go with everything, but inside-out hoops are a great way to add some style,” she suggests, adding that layered necklaces and stackable bracelets and rings are popular. “The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing jewelry is to make sure that the mounting and stones work for the occasion that you are purchasing it for. If you are buying an emerald ring, keep in mind that it is a super soft stone and can easily chip or break. Therefore, it’s not a good stone to wear 24/7.”

CONTINUED P. 36 »

The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing jewelry is to make sure that the mounting and stones work for the occasion that you are purchasing it for.”

– JACQUE EGNATIC McKibbon Jewelers

Jeweled Legacy

REPURPOSE

Restoration is a popular trend at Jeweled Legacy in Shawnee. Owner Renee Huff transformed a father’s cufflinks into his daughter’s new earrings, rehabilitated and copied an heirloom signet ring to gift to two children and pulled stones from a family ring to reset into a wedding band.

“I think COVID gave people more time to reconnect, and people are holding onto that feeling with jewelry,” Huff says.

Pairing jewelry with menswear and suits is an androgynous way to play with nostalgic style.

“I really like full knuckles of big rings with a suit or blazer,” Zacharias says. “Larger, post-style button earrings in brushed gold, paired with one of grandpa’s gold rings, will take the look in another direction with a nod to ’80s power-suiting. This can also be a great opportunity to wear a family brooch that is usually really hard to find a way to wear.”

The Huffs Jeweled Legacy

MAINTAIN

It’s just as important to maintain your jewels as it is to hunt them down. Having stones checked at least every six months will ensure they are mounted tightly. And take note of chemicals in everyday products like hairspray, lotion, perfume and cosmetics. They can permanently damage the surface of some delicate gems like pearls and turquoise.

Horn recommends cleaning colorful gems with a soft brush in warm water with mild dish soap.

“Be sure to rinse your jewelry in a glass of water to remove cleaning solutions since you risk losing loose stones – or even an entire piece of jewelry – if you rinse directly in the sink,” she warns.

GIVE GLAM

When it comes to special occasion gift giving, don’t skimp on quality. The investment ensures that the piece will last longer and stay beautiful over time. Choose jewelry with stones that are cut precisely and symmetrically, and make sure the metal is solid and won’t bend or break easily.

Egnatic recommends birthstone jewelry for a meaningful gift: “It’s always in style, and when picking it as a gift, it gives a more personalized meaning.”

Zacharias encourages monogramed pinkie rings: “They are unisex and easy to personalize.” She adds, “Small, interesting post earrings are really fun for people with extra piercings.”

MOST IMPORTANTLY...

Be yourself – it’s always in fashion. Prioritize pieces that are authentic and comfortable so you can shine bright no matter what the occasion. n

NEW YEAR NEW YOU...

by M elia Stockha M

It’s that time of year again.

The twinkle of the holidays has faded away, and the “new you” you pledged to be as the calendar flipped to 2023 is waving at you in the rear-view mirror – that’s if she was able to show up at all. Your brain met your best intentions with mild disinterest or utter disdain, and at this point you’ve got a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing those resolutions through.

Okay, so I don’t have statistics to back that up, but in my experience as a productivity coach I can tell you with authority that these grandiose declarations of change almost always go nowhere. There is literally a phenomenon called the “January Gym Rush” that accounts for these unfulfilled resolutions – people flock to the gym at the first of the year and are gone within weeks.

Sound like you? No? Liar. We’re all guilty of wanting to change, declaring things will be different this time, and then retreating in shame when we fail. We should all take solace in knowing we’re not alone. But if it’s so predictable that we suck at following through on commitments to change, shouldn’t we be better at it by now? The short answer is “kinda.”

1

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when taking on these challenges is trying to replicate a successful change because they see their own, or someone else’s success as a template for all change endeavors

In reality, no two changes are alike. Every time we want to start (or stop) doing something, we need to take a step back and review our current situation. Here are a couple questions I’d encourage you to consider:

Am I trying to be like someone else?

I’d love to blame “social media influencer” culture for this phenomenon, but the Debbie Gibson hat I tried to pull off in the 1980s is a good example of how striving to be like others isn’t a new concept (and it’s rarely a successful one). Far too often I’ve seen people covet what others have. They see someone behaving in a way that they see as “correct,” and they spend an exorbitant amount of time, energy and money trying to replicate it. News flash friends: You’re not them. (A stylist once told my mom, “You’re never going to look like Meg Ryan.” I think we both took that to heart.) Pretending to be like someone else is exhausting, and I guarantee you will burn out fast

For lasting change to happen, you have to first embrace who you are and what works for you.

We need to stop trying to fundamentally change who we are at our core. If you’re not a morning person, you’re not going to get up at 5:30 a.m. to get on the treadmill. You just won’t. It doesn’t matter what some fitness guru says. If you’re not a 5:30 a.m. person, you’re not going to be a 5:30 a.m. person. Instead, think about when you do have energy. Is it 10:47 in the morning? Great. 10:30 p.m. Sure. It doesn’t matter what time it is. If you don’t have the energy, you’re setting yourself up for disappointmen

Make it easy for the real you. Not the you that you wish you were.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t check out a new idea. Maybe you’re a 5:30 a.m. person and you never realized it. But if you feel like you’re sliding back into a behavior you wanted to stop doing – or falling off the proverbial wagon after starting a new routine –considering if you’re working against your natural instincts might help you find a better way.

You get to choose.

So why not take another crack at those changes you wanted to make? Or here’s an idea … don’t. Instead, how about you resolve to meet yourself where you are? Maybe your “new you” could be a version of you who is kind to herself. Choose to change out of a healthy headspace rather than a place of selfloathing, or you can choose not to change. It’s not a requirement. You’re doing great.

INTERESTED IN MORE IDEAS ON LIVING YOUR MOST PRODUCTIVE LIFE?

Stockham’s book “The Productivity Spectrum” offers a fresh perspective on how to get over your obstacles so you can achieve what you set out to do. The book won’t tell you your business or try to make you more like someone else. Instead, it will help you discover the most productive you that you can be. n

Melia Stockham has over 15 years of experience in professional development specializing in productivity, work engagement and positive psychology interventions for organizations and individuals. She is an executive coach, consultant, researcher and author. Her research has been featured by the International Leadership Association and the National Decision Sciences Institute. She’s also spoken to audiences across the country on making the best out of their time and energy.

Am I working for myself or against myself?

Soothing

Winter Healing with songwriter

Ashley Davis

Sounds

With her new album, “Songs of the Celtic Winter II,” Celtic singer and songwriter Ashley Davis provides a harmonious ode to the beauty of the season.

The Lawrence native is rightly described as a creative force. While her music is inspired by a range of cultural backgrounds, Davis’ Midwestern upbringing was key to developing her inherent storytelling capabilities.

“I attribute my success heavily to being raised in Kansas – a ‘no fences’ mentality,” Davis says. “I’ve never found myself pinned in to any labels or boundaries in what I can do with my music, my art. Everything is and was possible. I attribute that heavily to my relatives who came before me.”

Davis has traveled the world, creating her own sound –one steeped in both Irish tradition and her native Kansas roots. She has produced nine albums, each with its own unique blend of styles.

“Many Irish tunes that you’ll hear in Ireland are also played in a different way in Old Time or Bluegrass sessions,” she says. “So having both backgrounds, it was fun to blend the two in my own way.”

“Songs of the Celtic Winter II was released in November, 2022. The album contains many layers, with acoustic instruments and vocals creating the lilting melodies.

Davis recorded this album with the purpose of healing people following the trauma and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am also a reiki master (a Japanese form of energy healing), and through that I’ve seen the massive influx

of people working on issues that surfaced during that isolation,” Davis says. “And what I realized was I wanted to create an album that just helped soothe and settle people from the beginning to the end.”

And soothe it does. The 10-song record contains captivating melodies that warm listeners from the inside-out.

“I create music with only one intention,” Davis says, “and that is to help people heal whatever needs healing.” n

You can purchase the album at:  www.ashleydavisband.com/holiday-shop

by Sydney S hrimpton // photo S courte S y of A S hley dAvi S

Extraodinary Interior Design

hoke-ley.com

Mid-century Modern

A LOVE FOR MID-CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

Architect Roy Ley has had an affection for mid-century modern design for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Nebraska, his family lived in a meticulously designed midcentury ranch house filled with Danish Modern furniture and collectibles. He was infatuated with the expansive surfaces of glass opening to nature, the sheltering roof plane and the expressive wood structure in which he grew up. This environment, in part, inspired Roy to study architecture at the University of Nebraska and then pursue a career in Seattle, a city rich with mid-century design landmarks.

GOOD BONES

Returning to the Midwest in 2016 after a decade-long stint in Seattle, Roy, now an owner at Hoke Ley Architecture and Design in Lawrence, Kansas, came across a recently listed 1957 mid-century modern home nestled on a wooded, urban lot. He had not yet moved to Lawrence, so he tasked his business partner to visit the house and update him on the condition. His business partner’s initial advice was to walk away: the house had “good bones” but the single-owner home had not received significant updates in its 60-year lifespan. It had flooded previously due to a frozen pipe and was in disrepair inside and outside. Worse yet, the color of the house was green, which

happens to be Roy’s least favorite color. Instead of heeding the advice, Roy saw potential and purchased the house sight-unseen.

AN EXTENSIVE RENOVATION

Over the course of the next two years, the 1,260 square foot concrete slab-on-grade Mid-Century Modern home underwent an extensive renovation to modernize the interior and exterior surfaces and systems while preserving the charm and essence of the original structure.

Beginning with the exterior, the restoration included total replacement the roof system with integrated gutters and custom downspouts over the main home, covered entry porch and carport. New cedar fascias were installed and all the wood trim was hand scraped, filled and painted. Additionally, the exterior of the house required the partial replacement and repair of the siding and tuckpointing the brick fireplace and exterior wall. After the structural modifications to the brickwork were completed, including rebuilding the chimney above the roofline, it was capped by a period-appropriate black metal chimney shroud. Louvered screens below all the exterior windows were completely restored and provide a passive method for ventilating the home in the summer. Of course, the entire house

article + photography courtesy of hoke- ley architecture and interior design studio

received a much-needed paint color change to complete the reformation, utilizing a dark grey base with Terracotta Red accents, giving a nod to the earthy color used frequently by Frank Lloyd Wright in his later works.

LESS IS MORE

Honoring the simplicity of the original layout, minimal changes were made to the floor plan. A much needed second bathroom and laundry room were added, replacing the original furnace room and entry coat closet. The kitchen, once a dark and uninviting space, was completely reconfigured, walls were removed to make way for an open island connecting the kitchen to the living room and nature beyond. Custom walnut cabinets, quartzite and steel countertops and Louis Poulsen pendant lights provide a modern yet authentic feel to the space. Integrated Bocci outlets blend seamlessly into the backsplashes creating a clean and uncluttered aesthetic.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

Upgrading the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems proved very challenging due to the lack of a crawlspace or an attic. The original HVAC system consisted of a forced air furnace with under slab terracotta pipe “ducts” which had debris and tree roots growing inside many of them. These were abandoned and the original mechanical system was replaced with a high efficiency, ductless VRF system using concealed cassettes located in the ceilings of the closets and bedroom hallway. Not only was this an energy efficient upgrade, but the removal of the furnace also provided the necessary space for the second bathroom and laundry room. New wiring was installed in the existing light trough, then fished through the hollow roof beams and down through the columns between windows, enabling him to update the entire electrical system with minimal impact on the interior walls. The main sewer pipe running down the central hallway was paper thin from 60 years of use and had to be completely replaced resulting in four-foothigh piles of dirt throughout the living room and kitchen.

PRESERVING THE PAST

Period-specific interior surfaces were preserved and refinished, where possible, or respectfully and beautifully upgraded when not. The textured cedar wall paneling was painstakingly preserved and restored. Oiled steel pipe columns replaced the original painted wood post, instilling a sense of grounding to the house. The original pickled cedar ceiling and beams were the only surfaces left completely untouched and were highlighted through the installation of new LED strip lights in the original light trough running through the center of the home.

A HOME FOR AN ART COLLECTOR

The restored home now serves as a backdrop to display Roy’s own collection of MidCentury Modern art and artifacts. Due to the extensive windows and limited wall space, display opportunities are limited and had to be creatively integrated into the architecture of the home. Acting as a gallery, the hallway connecting the main living areas to the bedrooms is curated with vintage architectural renderings and prints. The primary bedroom showcases restored wood paneling and ceilings with authentic George Nelson wall sconces. Custom white oak shelving was installed in the secondary bedroom to hold the owner’s large collection of MCM Salt and Pepper shakers.

Honored by the local preservation society, the home now serves as a defining structure for Mid-Century Modern architecture in its region. It also serves as a sort of homecoming for Roy as a mini version of the residence he grew up in. It provides him with a highly designed midcentury modern respite of his own. hoke-ley.com

Increase Storage & Organize with a

BUTLER’S PANTRY

by K atie H o K e // p H otograp H y by trenton b us H

WHAT IS A BUTLER’S PANTRY?

Located adjacent to the kitchen, the butler’s pantry acts as the workhorse behind closed doors while allowing the kitchen to remain neat and tidy. More than just a simple closet with wire racks, this space is often just as beautiful and refined as the main kitchen. The room provides extra cabinetry and countertop space to help with meal prep, storing dry goods and housing large countertop appliances.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Commonly found in large historic homes, the Butler’s Pantry almost went extinct in the 1930s during the Great Depression when many estates closed their doors as they no longer had the funds for a household staff. The creation of the “modern kitchen” was a result of smaller homes being built to suit the needs of the rising working class after World War II. However, these kitchens were typically tucked away in a small room disconnected from the rest of the living spaces and not focused on entertaining. The butler’s pantry made its resurgence in the early 2000s with a rising demand for the kitchen to be the heart of the home, open to both the living and dining rooms, and once again serving larger estates that often had catered parties. Now that the open living concept is prevalent in all sizes of homes, the butler’s pantry has become a staple of modern kitchen design.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BUTLER'S PANTRY

The size and features of your butler’s pantry will be based on how much room you have, how you will use the space and your budget.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS

+ Ample countertop space with cabinets below to house occasional-use countertop appliances and provide extra space for food preparation.

+ Dry food storage which can consist of open pantry style shelves or 12” deep cabinets.

+ Upper cabinets to store extra dishware, large platters and serving trays.

+ Floating shelves should be used sparingly but create a great opportunity to display special dishes or canisters.

+ Natural light, ideally through incorporating a window or skylight into the space to keep it bright and cheery.

+ Luxury amenities, adding a few of these items can elevate the butler’s pantry to prep kitchen status, and most aren’t expensive or difficult to add.

+ A second kitchen sink is very handy if you plan on using the space to prepare food and beverages.

+ Additional appliances like a dishwasher, wine/ beverage refrigerator, second refrigerator and freezer, microwave and second wall oven.

+ Coffee station or espresso bar, either built in or free standing.

+ Liquor and barware display and storage.

WHY THEY ARE THE HOTTEST NEW TREND IN KITCHEN DESIGN

The open kitchen layout is a trend that is here to stay. Anytime guests are over, they naturally congregate in the kitchen. While the open kitchen is great for engaging with family and friends, it doesn’t allow for much storage or a place to keep the mess of food prep out of sight.

“Clients who enjoy cooking and entertaining always ask us to create kitchens that marry functionality with a really refined, showcase aesthetic,” says Caleb Amundson, Interior Architect with Hoke Ley Architects. “The best way to accomplish this is to minimize the visual clutter of items that typically live on the countertop and are often just used for breakfast prep like coffee pots, blenders and toaster ovens. In many ways, we’re really divvying up spaces based on function more like a commercial kitchen. It not only makes more sense for the way people really use their space, but also keeps things nice and tidy.”

Daily, the pantry can be used as a coffee station, prep kitchen for slow cooker meals, a place to store and use countertop appliances, storage of dry foods and additional cold food storage. For special events or entertaining, the pantry allows the homeowner to prepare food and stage finished items out of sight until they are ready to be served. Imagine preparing a holiday feast and not having to scramble to clean up your main kitchen before the guests arrive!

HOW TO PLAN FOR ONE IN YOUR HOME

Adding a butler’s pantry to a home is best done during the early phases of design, whether for a new build or remodel. The pantry should be located next to the kitchen with easy access to where the cars are parked and can even be combined with a mudroom.

“We always ask clients about their process of parking and unloading groceries to better understand where the butler’s pantry should be located. For this client, we wanted to provide easy access to the pantry whether they parked in the driveway or the garage. This meant that the pantry worked best in an internal space without access to natural light. We suggested large glass pocket doors and the relocation of a skylight, which make it a warm and pleasant space to be in. The doors have the added benefits of maximizing floor space, containing pets in the mudroom and keeping views out of the pantry while entertaining,” Amundson says.

Depending on the size of the home, the pantry can be very large to house full-size appliances, or it can function just as well in a space as small as 6’ x 7’. The key is to allow for ample countertop space and dry storage. A rule of thumb is to provide countertops that are 2’ deep by a minimum of 5’ long and dry storage that is 12” deep x 4’ long. Avoid using deep cabinets or closets as they create a stacking effect causing you to lose sight of the items stored in the back.

Essential to any modern kitchen, the butler’s pantry is making a comeback as one of the most useful rooms in a house. Large or small, the butler’s pantry allows the hardworking storage and preparation spaces to be hidden behind closed doors, while the kitchen can remain a visible, clean and beautiful statement for the house. n

Editor’s Note: Katie Hoke is Principal/ Owner at Hoke Ley Architects

What’s for Pud, Luv?

by J ayni C arey // photography by trenton b ush

“What’s for pud?” is the British way of asking, “What’s for dessert?” Mo Godman, my English friend from Birmingham, makes the best desserts of anyone I know. Over the years, I have been the lucky recipient of many of her tasty treats. When the weather turns cold, my hands down favorite is Mo’s recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding.

The classic version of this very British dessert calls for a date cake, but Mo makes a spicy gingerbread which is less sweet and marries perfectly with the rich toffee sauce. Once the baked gingerbread has cooled, slices are placed in a baking dish, drizzled with the sauce and baked until hot and bubbly. A cup of tea or coffee is the perfect accompaniment to this incredibly satisfying dessert.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

•

GINGERBREAD

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

2½ cups sifted all-purpose flour

1½ teaspoons soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup molasses

1 cup hot water

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add the beaten egg. Measure and sift the dry ingredients together. Combine the molasses and hot water. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture alternately with the liquid, a small amount at a time, and beat well after each addition.

Pour the gingerbread batter into a 9x9x2-inch baking pan lined with wax or parchment paper. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

• TO SERVE

•

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING SAUCE

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup*

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 fluid ounces (scant 2/3 cup) heavy whipping cream

Heat the butter, brown sugar and golden syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. When the sugar has dissolved, allow the mixture to bubble gently for 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat if necessary to prevent burning. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly stir in the vanilla extract and cream. Cool briefly.

• TOPPING OPTIONS

heavy cream sweetened whipped cream vanilla ice cream

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut half of the gingerbread into thick slices and place them in a greased baking dish, leaving no spaces between the slices. (Freeze the remaining half for later.) Pour the sauce over the slices. Bake for 15 minutes, until the gingerbread is hot and the sauce is bubbly. Serve warm with heavy cream, sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Serves 6-8.

TIP

Make extra sauce to drizzle over the gingerbread just before serving!

* Gingerbread recipe is adapted from "Brer Rabbit's Modern Recipes for Modern Living."

** Lyle’s Golden Syrup is available at specialty stores or wherever British products are sold.

Helpful Retirement STRATEGIES for Women

Provided by Christopher A. Adams

PREPARING FOR RETIREMENT can look a little different for women than it does for men. Although stereotypes are changing, women are still more likely to serve as caretakers than men are, meaning they may accumulate less income and benefits due to their time absent from the workforce. Research shows that 31% of women are currently or have been caregivers during their careers. Women who are working also tend to put less money aside for retirement. According to one report, women contribute 30% less to their retirement accounts than men.1,2

These numbers may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to be a statistic. With a little foresight, you can start taking steps now, which may help you in the long run. Here are three steps to consider that may put you ahead of the curve.

1 | Talk about money. Nowadays, discussing money is less taboo than it’s been in the past, and it’s crucial to taking control of your financial future. If you’re single, consider writing down your retirement goals and keeping them readily accessible. If you have a partner, make sure you are both on the same page regarding your retirement goals. The more comfortably you can talk about your future, the more confident you may be to make important decisions when they come up.

2 | Be proactive about your retirement. Do you have clear, defined goals for what you want your retirement to look like? And do you know where your retirement accounts stand today? Being proactive with your retirement accounts allows you to create a goal-oriented roadmap. It may also help you adapt when necessary and continue your journey regardless of things like relationship status or market fluctuations.

3 | Make room for your future in your budget. Adjust your budget to allow for retirement savings, just as you would for a new home or your dream vacation. Like any of your other financial goals, you may find it beneficial to review your retirement goals on a regular basis to make sure you’re on track.

1. Transamerica.com, 2021; 2. GAO.gov, 2021

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate 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 Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

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., a Registered Investment Adviser. DM Bruce Associates and Cambridge are not affiliated.

Christopher A. Adams may be reached at 785-832-2600 chris@dmbruce.com

Retirement may look a little different for women, but with the right strategies – and support – you’ll be able to live the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.