Baldwin City Living Spring Summer 2023

723 Eighth Street Baldwin City, KS 66006

Bus: 785-594-2910

Fax: 888-795-9471

Envision your life with financial security and independence. What does it look like for YOU?

It is truly a privilege to serve clients throughout the United States as their chosen financial advisor. It's a role I take great pride and personal satisfaction from. I've had the honor of witnessing generations of clients and their families make their vision a reality. These personal relationships often begin out of necessity: retirement, a financial life change, career change or inheritance. Money and finances are intimate. Transitions are stressful. Therefore, the process begins with me and my team listening. Our goal is first to understand so we can educate and empower as we partner to help make your vision a reality.

During our one-on-one meetings, we will venture through this process together, assessing your individual needs, developing achievable goals, and implementing tailored solutions for your customized investment strategy. Oh, and we will have fun while we do this because this office loves to laugh and enjoy life! My team is dedicated to

being here with you through every step and to help celebrate your journey. We can do this via phone, web conference or in person at our Baldwin City, KS location. We love technology and our goal is to make things easy for our clients. I enjoy the challenge of

you the freedom to continue focusing on what matters most to YOU.

As a wife, mother, and grandmother I know the importance of planning and preparing for your family’s financial future for generations to come. I am proud to be part of Edward Jones, a company that has been in the business for over 100 years. With the support of thousands of people, tools, and smart technology, we have the valuable resources to confidently set you on a path to your future. Knowing that 7 million investors trust Edward Jones with investment advice, I know our approach allows me to do what I love most - educate, have fun, and protect what you have worked hard for.

I look forward to helping you.

developing complex, high net worth strategies which often require collaboration with other professionals such as CPAs and attorneys but don't worry, our repeatable process means you don't have to reinvent the wheel –we've already done the work and will guide you with empathy, understanding and straight talk. Partnering with a professional financial advisor will allow

Jennifer Financial Advisor

Edward Jones

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Jennifer Hantsbarger AAMSTM, CRPCTM

“As a financial advisor in Baldwin City, my priority is to educate and empower you as we partner to help make your dreams a reality.”

departments

ILENE KIMSEY

18

SUMMER STAYS IN BALDWIN CITY features in every issue

Welcome to the spring and summer 2023 issue of Baldwin City Living

With another issue comes another season, as well as a new year. And as the snow starts to melt and the flowers begin to bloom, the change in the weather echoes in a sense of rebirth and renewal.

The change is symbolic and holds even more meaning for me this year, as March 2, 2023, marks the day I went from Kalli Jo to Aunt Kalli Jo. Those small but meaningful moments mark the ever-changing seasons of life and remind me that as I get older, and hopefully wiser, life’s beauty is all around us and I look forward to embracing those changes.

Baldwin has embraced changes this year as well. In this issue, find out about the recently opened business known as The Sticks Boutique; meet the Baldwin City High School students who came together this year to address the stigma surrounding mental health; learn about Baldwin’s treasure, Ilene Kimsey; and meet the mural artists responsible for Baldwin’s latest public art creations. In our feature, discover summer stays in Baldwin, perfect for a weekend getaway.

A special thanks to Catie Gwennap, Ilene Kimsey, Christina Malicke, Cydney Novotney, Kit Harris, Mark Dodge, Jeannette Blackmar, Meg Cundiff, Ruth Goldey, Andrea Morris, Debi Taylor, Peyton Warwick and all of the businesses and leaders in Baldwin City that help make this magazine possible.

KALLI, EDITOR

GUIDE TO BALDWIN CITY

Editor Kalli Jo Smith

Art Director Shelly Bryant

Ad Designer Alex Tatro

Advertising Joanne Morgan (785) 832-7264

jmorgan@sunflowerpub.com

Copy Editor Leslie Clugston Andres

Contributing Nick Krug

Photographers/ Mikayla Michael Illustrators Reanna Roach

Meagan Young

Contributing Bob Luder Writers Debbie Leckron Miller

Lucas Shivers

Elizabeth Walters

www.sunflowerpub.com

Publisher Bill Uhler

Director Bob Cucciniello

All material and photographs copyright Sunflower Publishing, 2023.

Baldwin

by Meagan Young

THE STICKS BOUTIQUE

Boutique owner brings functional and affordable fashion to Baldwin

Catie Gwennap was born with a spirit for entrepreneurship. From T-shirt printing to selling jewelry on Facebook, Gwennap has always had a passion for business. Although Gwennap found success with customers online, she has dreamed of owning her own brick-and-mortar shop since having her daughter in 2016. But as a stay-at-home mom of two, a storefront was not something she saw in her near future. This all changed last year when Gwennap turned 30. As her kids got older, Gwennap realized her goals were attainable.

“I kind of just did this life reflection, and … I felt I hadn’t accomplished anything, like any of my dreams that I really wanted to accomplish,” Gwennap says.

In September of 2022, Gwennap’s boutique clothing shop, The Sticks, opened inside Sunflower Juice and Fitness. The initial lease was only three months, but the business quickly outgrew the shared space. Now located on Ames Street, Gwennap’s business continues to grow.

“It just kind of blew up like we didn’t expect it to,” Gwennap says.

Story by Elizabeth Walters | Photos by Meagan Young

The daughter of a cattle farmer, Gwennap grew up on 200 acres in Bennington, Kansas. Gwennap’s upbringing translates into her inventory, with her merchandise reflecting a functional Western aesthetic. Gwennap is not the first to bring country style to Baldwin City, but she says she believes her first-hand experience growing up in a rural community sets her stock apart from other businesses in town.

“People need functional fashion, not just Western fashion, but functional work fashion,” Gwennap says. “I work on furniture, and I build, and I work with power tools and stuff like that. I still want to look cute, and I still want to feel good about myself and confident.”

Gwennap also says that coming from a modest background has driven her to keep her prices affordable. When she was growing up, the more expensive fashion trends were not always accessible to her family, Gwennap says.

“Fashion kind of played into who I became as an adult because I never had what everyone else had when they were growing up,” Gwennap says. “A big part of the store is offering really good prices.”

Her store was originally dubbed Craft Couture, but Gwennap felt the name didn’t fit her brand. After contemplating a name change, Gwennap says she recalls a joking dig referring to her hometown as “the sticks.” From there, the new name was born.

“I grew up in the sticks,” Gwennap says. “I owe everything I am to where I come from.”

Gwennap moved to Baldwin City in 2016 after finding out she was pregnant with her firstborn. As a full-time mom and selfproclaimed introvert, she felt like she had never fully integrated herself into the community. But that didn’t stop locals from showing up once the new boutique opened.

“I feel like for people [not] knowing my name, or knowing anything about me, there was a lot of support up-front,” Gwennap says.

One of Gwennap’s biggest supporters is her eyelash stylist, Cindy Hoehn. A small business owner herself at Lashes by Cindy, Hoehn says she and Gwennap understand each other’s struggles.

“We run ideas past each other all the time,” Hoehn says. “We’re both a sounding board for each other.”

“I WORK ON FURNITURE, AND I BUILD, AND I WORK WITH POWER TOOLS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I STILL WANT TO LOOK CUTE, AND I STILL WANT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF AND CONFIDENT.”

–Catie Gwennap

Hoehn says she was always confident that Gwennap’s ambitions would pay off.

“I told her to go for it [open a storefront] if that’s what she thought because I knew she would be successful,” Hoehn says.

Gwennap has big plans for the future. In 20 years, she says she would like to build a commercial building to rent out affordable spaces for other small businesses.

“I have select businesses I have in mind and industries to come in and rent spaces from my building that are not audaciously expensive, so that small businesses and small families can get started and build their own dreams,” Gwennap says.

Shop the The Sticks online at www. shopthesticks.com or visit the shop in downtown Baldwin at 215 Ames Street.

THE ART OF UPCYCLING

A farm girl at heart, Gwennap has always had a knack for manual labor. Rather than managing stables, she now turns her talents to furniture upcycling.

“Furniture is a passion of mine. I would do it whether I was making money or not,” Gwennap says.

The backroom of The Sticks acts as a warehouse for Gwennap’s second-hand flips. Upon opening the boutique, Gwennap realized it would be most efficient to move her studio to the store.

Gwennap says she specializes in structural changes to furniture.

“I’ll see a piece and I’ll be like ‘man, I really wish it looked like this,’ or ‘I wish it was built like this to begin with’ and I’ll just start chopping it up and make new lines and just design it differently,” Gwennap says.

Gwennap is thrifty with her finds, snagging most of her items off Facebook Marketplace or even off the side of the road. She says she finds joy in bringing out the beauty other people don’t see.

Most of the boutique’s furniture gallery is sold online at www.shopthesticks.com/ collections/furniture-gallery, but Gwennap also displays her pieces in store.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Gwennap, a mother of two, works hard to bring affordable, trendy clothing to Baldwin City. The store offers an array of jewelry and other accessories. The backroom of The Sticks acts as a warehouse for Gwennap’s secondhand flips. Gwennap’s clothing lineup is influenced by her rural upbringing.

It doesn’t matter how many houses we sell. What matters is your house, whether you’re buying, selling or both. What matters is us putting in the time to understand your needs and how best to meet them. That’s our approach. Looking for an agent who knows Baldwin City? Contact Robyn or Denise today.

Robyn Elder Denise Bridwell

ILENE KIMSEY

A life that led back to Kansas

Ilene Kimsey believes in you. More to the point, she believes in the power of you having unshakable faith and that you bring unique value to the world and those you love.

Those words and their meanings were instilled in Kimsey through a childhood growing up in a large, loving family; through educational pursuits that took her from Kansas, west to California, and then further west to Hawaii where she learned the spirituality of its Indigenous people; through Dorothy in the classic tale The Wizard of Oz; and even through the passing of her own mother.

They are the values and beliefs she uses in helping others through Kimsey Counseling, her wholistic counseling practice in Baldwin City, as well as work she does with other organizations in Lawrence and Kansas City.

“Each of us is a unique being and creation,” says Kimsey, who brings 40 years of experience in the fields of human and spiritual development to her practice. “To have a safe space to recognize that and move on from that point is important to me.”

Her counseling work uses an educational and wholistic approach—“whole” meaning body, mind and spirit—to shift focus away from anxiety, despair, low selfesteem, or being stuck in limiting habits and attitudes to making clear, positive, life-giving choices.

Story by Bob Luder | Photos by Nick Krug

Ilene Kimsey, owner of Kimsey Counseling, pictured outside of her home in Baldwin City.

“Together [with my clients], we can take a look at how to make that shift to realizing and recognizing our own value, how each step brought you to this one,” Kimsey says.

To learn her background is to know Kimsey was practically born for this work.

Living in the land of Oz

Kimsey was raised the third of seven children in Manhattan, Kansas. Her mother was one of 9 children.

“My mother’s mother passed when she was 7,” Kimsey says. “Family was essential. Love, faith, supporting each other was a big part of life.”

Her father, she says, was raised in a much smaller family on a farm during the Dust Bowl. He left home and moved to Goodland, Kansas, after the eighth grade and worked to put himself through high school and then college at what today is Kansas State University. Her parents met on a blind date, quickly fell in love and married.

“The seven Kimsey kids were a product of their love, which was verbalized and expressed every day,” Kimsey says. “They didn’t compare us to one another.”

Kimsey says she enjoyed a very active lifestyle growing up and always had an adventurous streak that was sparked the first time she saw the classic motion picture The Wizard of Oz

“That whole story of Dorothy knowing there’s something more behind the rainbow,” she says. “I was born into that energy.”

That led to Kimsey writing a book, Golden Wizdom beyond the Emerald City: A Conscious Journey to Wholeness

After graduating from K-State with a bachelor of arts in family and child development, that adventurous spirit took her to Colorado and Dodge City, Kansas, before she headed to Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California, where she earned a master’s in human development. Several stops in the middle of the country later—Emporia, Kansas; Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota—led her to Hawaii.

“In 1983, my mother passed,” she says. “That was really a turning point for me. When something like that happens, it opens a whole new dimension for yourself. Hawaii was a dream I had most of my life. I moved there in 1986 and put myself back together in a new way.”

JEANINE ROSS

“EACH OF US IS A UNIQUE BEING AND CREATION. TO HAVE A SAFE SPACE TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND MOVE ON FROM THAT POINT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.”

–Ilene Kimsey

Kimsey earned a Ph.D. in esoteric studies from American Pacific University in Honolulu. Perhaps more important, she gained a deep understanding of the culture and values of Indigenous Hawaiians.

“I have a heart and soul connection to Hawaii,” she says. “I resonate deeply with the Indigenous people and their qualities. They’re connected to all of life.”

A gift to Baldwin City

Kimsey moved back to Kansas to be closer to family in 2011 and relocated to Baldwin City in August of 2018.

In addition to her practice, 90% of her clientele is local she says. She has also been involved with the Maple Leaf Festival committee, working tirelessly to preserve its history; has worked with local youth empowerment programs; and lead a wellness series with Om Grown Yoga & Wellness.

“[Ilene] is someone who gives graciously in a variety of ways to the community,” says Jeannette Blackmar, executive director of the Lumberyard Arts Center. “During [Covid-19] times, she gave a generous number of hours to creating ‘Face Masks for Baldwin City.’ She is someone who gives with spirit for everything she takes on. Baldwin City is very fortunate to have her expertise and kindness.”

Wendy Conover, library director for Baldwin City, has worked with Kimsey on numerous projects over the years including the Maple Leaf History project, community mural program, as well as the creation of Baldwin City Kansas United (BCKU)—an organization that promotes wellness, diversity and inclusion.

“I’ve never met anyone else quite like Ilene. Which is so perfect because one of the core ideas Ilene operates under is that each person’s unique self makes a difference to the world. Her unique self certainly makes a difference, and she does this so beautifully by honoring who she is and being herself,” Conover says. “The projects she leads or works on are done with such quality, richness and care. She is someone you always want on your team, and we’re so lucky to have her in our community.

To contact Kimsey and learn more about the counseling services she offers, visit www. kimseycounseling.com.

TOP Kimsey holds up a meaningful photograph of her having fun with nieces and nephews. BOTTOM Kimsey takes a walk down memory lane, pointing out old photographs that tell the stories of her parents and her as an infant.

MEET THE

MURAL ARTISTS

A tour of history and charm in Baldwin City

Support local artists by visiting Lucy’s Corner located inside the Lumberyard Arts Center. Open Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Interested in selling your work? Email Jeannette Blackmar, director of the LAC, at director@lumberyardartscenter.org to discuss the application process.

Story by Lucas Shivers

To energize and engage residents in local points of interest, one of Baldwin City’s latest murals, titled A Tour of History and Charm, brings together the community’s past and visions for the future.

Local artist Christina Malicke, who headed the newest mural installation located inside the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, describes it as a mix of past and present events that have a connection.

“In history, past events are connected to weave our present place in time,” she says. “With timeless and graceful imagery, select chapters of Baldwin City’s fascinating story are represented with simple shapes and colors.”

Motivated by the chamber’s new office at 719 High Street, the Baldwin Community Mural Committee commissioned the work in April 2022 as a colorful way to present tourism assets.

“It fosters a sense of belonging and renews vitality in the community,” Malicke says. “I am very honored to have my artwork chosen for this project. It has been such a joy to have such support and great praise for the final product, and I am so thankful for the opportunity.”

The mural also depicts the most historic and well-known locations in and around Baldwin City.

MARY WISCOMBE

Mary Wiscombe Agency

818 Ames St.

Baldwin City, KS 66006

Office: 785-594-7400

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Access Anytime: 1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326)

“We are brimming with pride as the recipient of the beautiful mural created by Christina Malicke,” says Lori Trojan, previous executive director of the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce and Baldwin City Main Street. “Christina’s design and creativity allow the mural to come alive and represent the vibrancy of our community.”

The mural is one of the latest installments of the Baldwin City Mural Program, says Jeannette Blackmar, executive director of the Lumberyard Arts Center.

“After moving, the chamber had a nice spot that needed a mural to promote Baldwin City,” Blackmar says. “What a great way to tell the story and capture the unique essence of the spirit of Baldwin City. We are thrilled to have Christina’s vision come to life, radiating a welcoming joy for all those visiting Baldwin City.”

Meet Christina Malicke

As a local, Malicke’s deep commitment to Baldwin City matched easily with the vision of the local mural.

“As I worked on sketches and ideas, my desire to properly represent this community grew and grew into a full passion project,” Malicke says. “I pulled out locations that I thought would make for interesting

“WITH TIMELESS AND GRACEFUL IMAGERY, SELECT CHAPTERS OF BALDWIN CITY’S FASCINATING STORY ARE REPRESENTED WITH SIMPLE SHAPES AND COLORS.”

–Christina Malicke

and invigorating imagery. I made various sketches and did several rounds of brainstorming for the general layout of locations.”

The specific locations featured in the mural—— Baker University, the public library, and Sullivan Square, to name a few—were chosen because of their deep history, importance to the community and its development, and visitor interest.

“I chose to look upon Art Deco as my muse,” Malicke says. “To me, this art style speaks of exuberance and progress, which reflect Baldwin City. It also incorporates stylized depictions, bold geometric forms and bright colors.”

From her initial sketches, she created a digital version to which she made final adjustments and created a color palette.

“Using my projector, the image was projected and traced onto the wall,” Malicke says. “After that came the painting, and this took the greatest amount of time. The separate labels for each location are vinyl cutouts and were the last thing to be applied.”

The total time on the mural tallied up to more than 185 hours.

Meet Ainsley Weiss

Ainsley Weiss, a Baldwin City High School sophomore at the time of the mural’s installation, was selected as the arts apprentice for the mural.

Weiss served as an ongoing volunteer for the Lumberyard and showed interest in expanding her art experiences.

“I got started and connected through my high school art class, and I thought the mural sounded interesting,” Weiss says. “I wrote about my past experiences designing musical sets, and I was the art student chosen. It was amazing and fun to be part of it.”

Learning so much beyond painting, Weiss reflected on the life advice to continue art as a career.

“I saw what to expect with pursuing careers in art and how to set expectations for budgets and times on projects,” Weiss says. “Basically, I got a lot of start-up advice. I think the most challenging part was definitely painting at the same rate as Christina. It took me a little longer, and I had to try to keep up with how quickly and well she worked.”

Weiss found that arts create vibrancy in a community to engage people visually.

“I really want to pursue art in any way that I can in the future,” Weiss says. “I don’t have a specific thing, but I want to do it in some way like mural commissions or graphic design.”

NEW MURAL ALERT!

BALDWIN CITY LIBRARY’S HARMONY GARDEN MURAL

Check out Baldwin’s most recent mural in downtown Baldwin. Designed and created by mural artist Meg Cundiff and installed in early January 2023, the Harmony Garden mural sits at 800 7th Street.

UPCOMING MURALS

• Homestead Kitchen & Bakery expected completion late spring 2023 – 719 8th Street

• Om Grown Yoga – 2023, 816 High Street

• Oakwood Cemetery – 2023, 300-398 N 200 Rd

MEG CUNDIFF

A Q&A WITH THE HARMONY GARDEN MURAL ARTIST

What does this mural encompass? Nature, happiness, and joy with just enough detail and inspirational quotes to draw you in. It’s a little treasure hunt of messages, bugs, animals and flowers.

What was the process for creating this piece? Wendy Conover, [director] of the library, knew she wanted a harmony garden area, so it was easy to collaborate. We asked the community for words that describe the library, which are incorporated in the mural. Hopefully a wild-flower area for kids to enjoy is coming as well. There’s no set formula for a timeline from design to finish; lots of challenging hiccups usually happen, as did here. Wendy was so patient.

Who all helped contribute to this piece? Wendy Conover, whose beautiful idea it was and who pulled it all together; Baldwin City Public Works helped us with the concrete and installation of the musical instruments; the lovely anonymous persons who donated the musical instruments; my friend Bob Dannhauser, who helped me build and design the structure to paint on; and Howard and Kevin Stultz, who helped us get it transported and installed on the brick wall. There were a lot of incredible volunteers in Baldwin City.

What do you love most about working on these projects?   I’ve done two murals in Baldwin City, one on the back of the Lumberyard Arts Center [known as Fall for Baldwin City], and the other the library’s Harmony Garden mural. I absolutely adore doing anything in Baldwin City. The city, businesses and residents are so amazing, generous and appreciative. It’s great to add art and color to any environment, but especially here, it adds so much personality and joy to everyone who passes by. Who doesn’t need more of that?

Mural artist, Christina Malicke, stands next to her newest mural creation inside the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce.

BaldwinCity

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 BE WELL BALDWIN CITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

BCRC Sham-Rock Hunt

GINNY BARNARD/ USD 348 BHS Garden

WILD IVY CAFE Herbal Tea Workshop

AUTUMN WEISS & CYDNEY NOVOTNEY

BHS Girls Night Out

POTTER’S COTTAGE SCHOOL

Activity Circuit at the 2023 End of School Ice Cream Social

REGAN DODD/BAKER U Rythm & Movement

BALDWIN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY Seed Library

BALDWIN STAR Mental Health For Young Children

KARA LEE/USD 348 Primary Center Skate Program

BCK UNITED Teen Kick Off Night

LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTER

Coloring Books & WOW Wednesdays

THE LIGHT CENTER Grief Workshop

VINTAGE PARK Movement Classes

BALDWIN PROFESSIONAL WOMEN Community Garden Work

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STRONGER AS ONE

BHS students work together to take down the stigma

Baldwin High School SPEAK club students, along with the girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams, came together at the start of the new year to end the stigma surrounding mental health.

The event known as Stronger as One: Take Down the Stigma was a weeklong school-wide series of events focused on mental health awareness. Events throughout the week included distributing ribbons; creating morning announcements; designing and selling T-shirts; creating mental health tips for other students; hosting a silent auction with 15 donated themed baskets from clubs, families and community members; and dual wrestling meets from the girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams.

From these events, organized under the slogan “Build Someone up Today,” students raised $1,700 to donate to the Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters.

“At the end of the day, students couldn’t believe they did that; with the amount they raised and see the impact across the school,” says Cydney Novotney, a social worker in her fifth year at BHS. “They’re already talking about next year [and creating] even bigger ideas.”

The dual wrestling meet was hosted on February 7, 2023, and featured the girls’ team taking on Tonganoxie, and the boys’ team against Anderson County and Perry-Lecompton.

“Wrestling is a highly individual sport, but this event shows how [important] it is to cheer each other on and be part of the team with all of the strong support around mental wellness,” Novotney says. “We turned students’ desire to have a themed meet into more with organized actions, and the events unfolded from there.”

While BHS is known for its emphasis on the importance of mental health, Novotney notes it was the students who wanted to pull together

Story by Lucas Shivers | Photos courtesy Mikayla Michael and Reanna Roach

BHS girls’ wrestling team cheers each other on at the Stronger as One: Take Down the Stigma dual wrestling meet.

a fun activity and positive message surrounding mental health.

“Our kids have an opportunity to see how much power they have in a voice to set the stage for what happens in our school,” Novotney says.

A deeper meaning

Kit Harris, who’s been a teacher and wrestling coach for 28 years, shared that the Stronger as One: Take Down the Stigma event took on extra meaning to commemorate a student lost to suicide two years ago.

“A beloved member of our state championship girls’ wrestling team took her life tragically in 2021, and so our team has been very sensitive to the topic of mental health,” says Harris. “Some members of the girls’ team wanted to do this wrestling event devoted to mental health awareness with some positive messages and a helpful purpose.”

Steve Devore, the CEO of Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters, came to see the BHS events and met with students to recognize how special it was for Baldwin to focus on mental health and wellness.

“From the nine million ideas, we narrowed it down to the [Kansas Suicide Prevention] Headquarters because they had helped us so much in 2021,” says Novotney. “They focused on how to survive a loss of a friend and loved one. They came into our school for an entire year to help.”

Mark Dodge, superintendent of schools for Baldwin USD 348, says he is proud of BHS staff and students.

“I could not be more proud of Cydney and Kit, along with the students for planning this event,” Dodge says. “We have to normalize this conversation and support one another. The students who planned this event have done just that. They are not just saying the right things; they are doing the right things. These students have demonstrated the type of leadership that inspires others and creates change.”

In ongoing professional development sessions, BHS teams talked with staff and students about the need to acknowledge that it is okay to not be okay and to ask for help.

Several BHS students stepped up to help with the events. Bridan Butell created social media graphics and flyers; Audrey & Allee Darnell organized sign-making with all members of the girls

“SOME MEMBERS OF THE GIRLS’ TEAM WANTED TO DO THIS WRESTLING EVENT DEVOTED TO MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WITH SOME POSITIVE MESSAGES AND A HELPFUL PURPOSE.”

–Kit Harris

wrestling team, and Lily Brecheisen, Gracie Hildebrand and Nora Prather provided morning announcements for the week and pre-meet announcement before the dual.

Other students, such as Harper Schoendaller, organized the silent auction baskets. Greta Davis provided face painting; Tatum Davidson, Prather and many other members of the team helped write out positive message cards, and the BHS choir members provided a beautiful national anthem.

“We always tell our students that people want to hear from them,” says Novotney. “Kids want to hear from other kids.”

SPEAK Club

Novotney sponsors a student-initiated and student-driven club called Students Promoting Engagement Action and Kindness (SPEAK), an organization committed to fostering mental health awareness and education on the BHS campus.

“We get to tell our peers [students] about mental health and grow as leaders,” says Novotney.

The school uses curriculum from Sources of Strength, which, according to its website, is “a youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse.” It offers tools to prevent adverse outcomes by focusing on wellbeing, help-seeking, resiliency and belonging.

BHS students have certainly responded to the program.

“From meeting after school and weekends, I just funneled their energy,” says Novotney. “We picked a few of the strongest ideas for Stronger as One: Take Down the Stigma.”

On the day of the dual, students wore their best mental health message on their clothes with raffle prizes at lunch.

“The girls’ wrestling team really stood up for the entire school to learn at the Stronger as One: Take Down the Stigma events,” says Novotney. “I hope they’re able to see that even more clearly [and] know the incredible positive impact they’re having.”

MENTAL HEALTH TIPS FROM BHS STUDENTS

1) Make social connections, especially face-to-face, a priority; meet friends in person rather than messaging.

2) Talk to someone you trust about issues weighing on your mind. Sometimes just talking about a struggle helps alleviate stress and worry.

3) Track gratitude and achievements with a journal. Include three things you are grateful for and three things you were able to accomplish each day.

4) Take 30 minutes to go for a walk in nature. You can listen to your favorite music or podcast or practice a mindfulness technique: bring focus to the types of animals, birds or plants that you see.

5) Relax in a warm bath. Try using essential oils such as lavender to ease nerves and prepare for a good night’s sleep.

6) Try an old hobby you used to enjoy. Remember that thing you loved to do as a kid? Here’s a push to try it again, no judgment!

7) Get in touch with an old friend. Make time to reconnect over the phone or, even better, in person. Remind this person of why they have a special place in your heart.

8) Prioritize sleep and create a simple but healthy sleep routine. Be sure to minimize or eliminate screen time at least an hour before bed.

9) Cut back on social media. Set limits on your phone or delete apps off your phone to decrease access to social media.

10) Drink water. Being properly hydrated is key to overall wellness. Drinking enough water can alleviate fatigue, headaches and irritability.

Kaleigh Griffith providing face painting for kids during the dual wrestling meet.

April 5

BALDWIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK CONFERENCE

Rice Auditorium

Beginning at 11 a.m., join and support business owners, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders for the inaugural BEDO Conference.

April 12

THE AVANT RELEASE PARTY

Lumberyard Arts Center

Support and celebrate the Baldwin High School 2023 art and literary publication known as The Avant, 5–7 p.m. at the Lumberyard Arts Center.

April 18

DIALOGOS SCHOLARS SYMPOSIUM

Mabee Hall and Collins Gym

Baker University presents its annual celebration of student scholarship from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Participant registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Mabee Hall with presentations beginning at 8:30 a.m.

April 21

3RD FRIDAY FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET

Downtown Baldwin Head downtown to support local food, art and music at this community-driven event. Sign up online at www.baldwincitychamber. com to become a vendor.

April 21

LUMBERYARD LIVE ON HIGH

Lumberyard Arts Center

Lumberyard Live on High presents singersongwriter round from 7–9 p.m. at the Lumberyard Arts Center.

May 4

GRAD GRILL Alumni Center

Baker University’s Alumni Association hosts a party for 2023 graduates, 4:30–6 p.m.

May 6

THUNDER ON THE BRICKS

719 High Street

Cody Anno State Farm presents the inaugural Thunder on the Bricks car show. This family-friendly event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks and an impressive vehicle lineup.

May 6

CONCERT MOVIE SERIES

Sullivan Square

Baldwin City Recreation Commission presents a concert and movie in Sullivan Square. Music from The Champagne starts at 7 p.m., and Top Gun will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m.

May 19

END-OF-SCHOOL ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Sullivan Square

Kick off the beginning of summer with The Maple and Potter’s Cottage School, 4–6 p.m., in Sullivan Square. This year’s event will include free ice cream and additional events.

May 19

LUMBERYARD LIVE ON HIGH

Sullivan Square

Lumberyard Live on High presents  the Kaw Tikis in Sullivan Square starting at 7 p.m.

May 19

3RD FRIDAY FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET

Downtown Baldwin

Head downtown to support local food, art and music at this communitydriven event. Sign up online at www. baldwincitychamber.com to become a vendor.

May 21

BAKER UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

Liston Stadium

Commencement will be held Sunday, May 21, at Baker University’s Liston Stadium. The undergraduate ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., and the ceremony for graduate students will begin at 4 p.m.

June 3

167TH BLACK JACK BATTLE REENACTMENT

Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park History lovers can take part in the annual Black Jack Battle reenactment in honor of the Battle of Black Jack, fought on June 2, 1856. More information to come.

June 16

FREE STATE BRASS BAND

Sullivan Square

Enjoy a summer concert by Free State Brass Band starting at 8 p.m. in Sullivan Square.

PHOTO Nick Krug

June 23 & 24

VARIETY SHOW—BALDWIN CITY’S GOT TALENT

Sullivan Square

Baldwin City Players presents “Variety Show— Baldwin City’s Got Talent.” The event kicks off at 7 p.m. in Sullivan Square.

July 1

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Baldwin City Golf Course

Celebrate Independence at the Baldwin City Golf Course with live music, food trucks, beer garden, Kids’ Zone and fireworks. Festivities at 4:30 p.m. with fireworks beginning at 10 p.m.

July 7

LUMBERYARD LIVE ON HIGH

Lumberyard Arts Center

Lumberyard Live on High presents jazz night with Mire Pral beginning at 7 p.m.

July 13

ART OF FASHION RUNWAY SHOW

Lumberyard Arts Center

Spend the night at a runway show in downtown Baldwin. Event starts at 7 p.m. at the LAC.

July 21

3RD FRIDAY FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET

Downtown Baldwin

Head downtown to support local food, art and music at this community-driven event. Sign up online at www.baldwincitychamber. com to become a vendor.

August 18

LUMBERYARD LIVE ON HIGH Lumberyard Arts Center

Lumberyard Live on High presents singer-songwriter round, 6–8 p.m., at the Lumberyard Arts Center.

August 25 & 26

SMOKE ON THE BRICKS

Downtown Baldwin

Rice Precision Manufacturing presents the 5th annual Smoke on the Bricks barbecue contest. Events open to the public kick off Friday at 4 p.m., with live music beginning at 6 p.m. Additional Saturday events to be announced.

September 9

CONCERT MOVIE SERIES

Sullivan Square

Baldwin City Recreation Commission presents a concert and movie in Sullivan Square. Music from the Down & Dirty Trio starts at 7 p.m., and We Are Marshall will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m.

September 15

3RD FRIDAY FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET

Downtown Baldwin

Head downtown to support local food, art and music at this community-driven event. Sign up online at www.baldwincitychamber. com to become a vendor.

September 23

ADULTS-ONLY CARNIVAL

Sullivan Square

The Maple presents the second annual adults-only carnival, 6–10 p.m. Play oldschool carnival games for your chance to win amazing local prizes and experience food trucks and concessions with no kids allowed.

September 24

KIDS’ CARNIVAL

Sullivan Square

After many requests, a Kids’ Carnival has been added. Bring the whole family to experience the fun from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This inaugural event will include prizes, food trucks, concessions and more.

Summer

in Baldwin City

Discover historic and refurbished homes for your next getaway

Looking to book a home away from home for an overnight stay? Then settle in to one of Baldwin City’s diverse Airbnb lodgings for a short-term stay or a longer-lasting experience.

Hosts are happy to share their spaces at historic homes, a refurbished cottage, rural farmhouse and even comfy covered wagons along the Santa Fe Trail. Simply book online (you’ll find the properties on www.airbnb.com), and enjoy a weekend escape, family vacation, work trip or a rah-rah getaway spent cheering on the Baker University Wildcats.

You can rent the whole house, not just private rooms, at four out of five of these Airbnbs, which are conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Baldwin City and the Baker campus.

Story by Debbie Leckron Miller

Photos by Jason Dailey

Baldwin House with the Peach Floors

This property’s name hints at something unusual inside the Victorian home. Indeed, floors painted peach, funky art throughout and a hippie pad in the third-floor attic are anything but conventional.

Debi Taylor grew up in this grand 1907 residence and added her own distinctive flair during renovation in 2018.

“I’d say it’s kind of boho Victorian,” she says about the look. “I used my art throughout—it’s very eclectic, with lots of color and out of the norm.”

Every room is full of surprises, she says, from hippie-costumed mannequins to plates depicting each U.S. state, broken into pieces and made into a glittery kitchen wall mosaic.

“Many people leave here thinking they’ve stayed in a little eclectic art museum,” Taylor adds.

And, of course, there’s the peach kitchen and attic floors.

“I didn’t want to replace the old funky linoleum that was there, so I painted it—peach!”

Five bedrooms (accommodating 11 people), spread over two floors, are available to enjoy. Other options: the attic hippie pad for groups and a fair-weather, screened sleeping porch (not climate-controlled).

“It’s magical to be staying there when a storm comes in,” Taylor says. Outdoor options include a spacious front porch, backyard patio and grill, big yard for playing croquet and two tandem bicycles to ride.

Olivia’s House

Built in 1903 as the Baker University Delta Tau Delta fraternity, this three-story showpiece also served as a sorority and boarding house

through the years, before becoming home to the Dr. Ray and Olivia Jones family in 1963. Daughter Ruthie “Jones” Goldey tends the family manse today and welcomes guests inside to experience the Victorian grandeur.

“It’s like a living museum of my parents’ life, decorated very eclectic with all their antiques and collections,” she says.

Two libraries, for instance, contain “very old books,” Goldey says, including British classics that date to the 1500s. And, bedrooms have names and respective décor, such as the African Safari Room with hand-carved animals from the Joneses’ African travels and handpainted plates from Denmark telling the story of the “Ugly Duckling” in the Swan Room.

Five bedrooms host nine guests on two floors. The living room with its red velvet furniture and baby grand piano, and the oversized round table in the kitchen are favorite gathering places.

“Dad was a minister and held church in the living room when I was a kid,” recalls Goldey, who grew up here. Another popular retreat: the big screened-in front porch.

Maple Leaf Cottage

This beige 1970s home might appear like the other story-and-a-half residences common around town. But inside, a recently completed renovation gives it a sparkling, modern look, including refinished oak floors and a new open floor plan that joins the living room, dining room and kitchen (updated with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops). There’s room for eight people in three bedrooms on the main and second floor. For fun: arcade games in the basement family

Baldwin House with the Peach Floors

Airbnb owner, Debi Taylor, grew up in this 20th century Victorian home.

Olivia’s House

Built in 1903, this three-story home, now an Airbnb, originally served as Baker University’s Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

room and a covered patio for grilling and outdoor entertaining on the spacious corner lot.

“We want it to be comfortable but updated,” explains owner Andrea Morris about the remodeling. “I went for simple so guests can relax and have space for just enjoying time together with friends and family...and not feel like they’re going to break something,” she laughs about her “simple” goal.

Pets are welcome, too, inside both the fenced-in yard and home. “It’s very petfriendly because people like to travel with their pets,” she says.

Covered Wagons along the Santa Fe Trail

Along the Santa Fe Trail sits two covered wagons that are available for overnight stays.

Located on the grounds of The Lodge of Baldwin City’s motel and RV park, the two stationary wagons come with beds, bathrooms, heating and cooling and an outdoor fire-pit seating area. Inside, under the rounded canvas roof, wood floors, walls and furniture are reminiscent of wagons that once traveled through these parts—except fancier!

From here, take a drive to explore the Santa Fe Trail through Douglas County, the nearby historic Palmyra Well used by Santa Fe Trail travelers and Battle of Black Jack sites. Visitors can drive the

route and at least five miles of the actual trail. Download the Freedom Frontier app and enjoy a guided tour of 13 sites along the route.

Lazy-V Ranch

A gravel road leads to the highest peak in the rural Vinland Valley, where the Lazy-V farmhouse oversees a 65-acre lake and open prairie.

“The bonfire pit in the back yard is the perfect place for spectacular valley views of the sunset and starry nights,” says owner Peyton Warwick.

Guests (room for 12 in three bedrooms) settle in to the remodeled ranch-style home for a countrified experience, starting with the farmhouse decor: antiques, period furniture and paintings, cherry oak floors and a large walnut table to congregate around.

“We want people to feel like they’re stepping back in time into a Kansas farmhouse,” Warwick says. “It’s cozy, very fitting for the setting and feels like you’re in a prairie home.”

That setting quickly draws folks outdoors for a cup of coffee on the front porch swing, a stroll out back to the lakeshore and the sunset finale.

“This highest peak gives the prettiest panorama,” Warwick concludes.

You can rent the whole house, not just private rooms, at four out of five of these Airbnbs, which are conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Baldwin City and the Baker campus.

Your Very Own Airbnb

Things to consider about the licensing aspects of opening a new Airbnb listing

The popularity of Airbnb listings has been on the rise over the past few years. And while regulations are still catching up with the private rental market, there are some general guidelines for best practices and for new hosts to consider.

The number of Douglas County short-term rentals rose from about 150 in 2017 to more than 220 as of today. They include homes, rooms, additions, and rural farms. Renters come both for major city events, such as the Maple Leaf Festival, and for regional happenings, such as University of Kansas basketball games.

The regional market could also reflect emerging national trends, such as the “work from anywhere” movement. In this trend, guests who work remotely choose to immerse themselves in a location for a longer time for a combination of a working retreat and vacation, according to Andrea Johnson, the director of marketing and communications at eXplore Lawrence, an organization that also works to promote tourism throughout Douglas County.

Regulations for Airbnb rentals are not always specifically codified in law, but most municipalities regulate rentals and bed and breakfast establishments in some manner. Even if regulations are not entirely clear or enforced, those who rent out properties could be responsible for any accidents or injuries to guests, and they might

want to consider an official license, permit, and inspection process to bolster their insurance and protect their liability.

Baldwin City does regulate bed and breakfast establishments under Article 26 of the 2010 Zoning Regulations Guide. While there is currently no document specific for an Airbnb license, a general private residence rental license would involve 1) determining a property’s zoning district, 2) approaching the planning commission, 3) receiving a safety inspection from the building department and 4) receiving a city license. This could be a process of two to four months.

New Airbnb properties in unincorporated Douglas County need to abide by county regulations, which currently require a conditional use permit approval by the Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners’ decision considers input from the building code department as well as any public comment, according to county planner Karl Bauer. The county is currently revising laws governing shortterm rentals and might have a draft of new proposals for consideration by summer 2023.

For property owners whose properties are within Baldwin City, the first step in applying for a shortterm rental conditional use permit is to contact the city’s zoning administrator, Russ Harding, by email: rharding@baldwincity.gov

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