Sunflower Living Spring 2010 by Sunflower Publishing

Young Dancers and their Dreams

Cozy Inn - Hamburgers Forever

the Symphonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest stars

spring style at the Soderbergs

Salina areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier Magazine on People, Places & Style spring 2010 $3

Underthecover volume 01 / issue 01

Welcome to Sunflower Living! You are holding the first issue of our magazine, a quarterly publication from Sunflower Publishing and the Salina Journal. This premiere issue is the result of many hours of planning, writing, photographing and designing. But more importantly, it is a loving portrait of Salina and the Salina region. This and all future issues of Sunflower Living are the culmination of stories and accomplishments told to us by our friends and neighbors. Sunflower Living focuses on the interesting and inspiring events that are happening around us. We will take you into homes of interest, introduce people of note and bring you the stories behind area businesses and institutions. The heroes in our pages will be dedicated young musicians, veteran ultrarunners, chefs with recipes to share, gifted gardeners, inspired designers and dancers with big dreams. For this issue, on pages 14-15, we’ve tapped some of Salina’s best florists to revive the old tradition of welcome baskets. Their creations—beautiful, sophisticated, alive and engaging—are exactly the types of images that we believe represent the Salina region and the goals for this publication. Let us know what you think about the publication or if you have any ideas for stories that we should be covering in future editions. For now, we wish you a wonderful spring and hope you enjoy the bouquets, the images and the stories in this issue of Sunflower Living. Nathan Pettengill Editor

Publisher Tom Bell advertising director Kim Norwood advertising sales managers Christy Underwood Kathy Malm Linda Saenger for advertising rates and information (785) 822-1449 Sales executives Matt Browne Tina Campbell Brian Green Leah Plumer Jamie Stroda Edward Welch Erica Wiseman Ad designers Jamie Jeffries Natosha Batzler Annette Klein Derek Bergman photographers Jason Dailey Lisa Eastman Larry Harwood Contributing writers Patricia E. Ackerman Melinda Briscoe Chelsey Crawford James R. Godfrey Renee Hardestay Cecilia Harris Sarah Hawbaker Karilea Rilling Jungel Nancy Karst Faryle Scott Production and editorial services for Sunflower Living provided by: Editor Designer Copy Editor Art Director General Manager Coordinator Editorial Comments

www.sunflowerpub.com

Nathan Pettengill Shelly Bryant Susie Fagan Darby Oppold Bert Hull Faryle Scott (866) 655-4262

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Subscriptions to sunflower living $15 (includes tax) for a one-year subscription for subscription information, please contact: Salina Journal Circulation Department Mollie Purcell 333 S. 4th, Salina, Kansas 67401 (785) 822-1467 / (800) 827-6464 ext. 347 mpurcell@salina.com

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

contents

spring2010

Features

sunflower spaces 6 The Marrs on marymount welcome! Florists revive an old tradition

Family life overlaps with public history for a Salina family that renovates and resides in a community landmark

10 post-perfect

a cozy tradition Serving burgers with aroma and taste—plus a side of history—at Cozy Inn

Bringing art and global décor into her surroundings, Sydney Soderberg personalizes her dream home

sunflower resumés 16 Martha & David’s 19 House of sight & sound

local profiles dance dreams It’s exercise and a chance to socialize, but for many young dancers the hours of practice and performance also nourish big hopes

20 gone antiquing

For decades, through changing fads and tastes, and all across the states, this Salina couple have been on ‘the hunt’

for the family 22 symphonic start

For many, the journey of being a musician begins with the Salina Youth Symphony

health & fitness 26 a spring to their stride on the cover:

Three ultrarunners talk about the importance of this season’s training

local flavor 30 spring thaw These three delightful drinks will waken your seasonal senses

out & about The dining room in the home of Sydney and Morrie Soderberg features inviting spring colors.

32 The best b&b Guest Area bed-and-breakfast owners provide tips for getting the most out of your vacation

Sunflowerliving

SunflowerSpaces

The

Marrs on Marymount Family life overlaps with public history for a Salina family that renovates and resides in a community landmark

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

eciding to purchase the grand administration building on Salina’s former Marymount College campus was Don and Mona Marrs’ first step in an ongoing renovation filled with love, labor and history. They took possession of the building in March of 1993 and moved into the 130,000-square-foot structure in July, just as floodwaters began to rise across the Midwest. Don, an architect, and Mona, a full-time homemaker and mother, spent their first summer in the building pumping water out of basement rooms, securing a leaky roof and repairing several of the 800 enormous windows. Their first priority was to establish a secure living space for their four children, Dahx, Ali Ann, Krae and Brahn, who were then ages 5 to 13. They selected the top two floors of the building’s center tower as their new home.

story by Patricia E. Ackerman

photography by Larry Harwood

SunflowerSpaces

“The main and upper levels were totally open spaces where we could stand in the center of the room and see the horizon in all four directions. These spaces functioned as dormitories when the college first opened in 1922,” explains Don. “We had a great architect,” Mona says with a smile, speaking of Don’s professional abilities. “Don’s vision and skills have been the key to our success.” A central wall constructed in the center of the fourth floor divides their large kitchen and formal living room. The four corners of this floor house a day room, a dining room, a guest bedroom and a utility room. The walls of these rooms are filled with antique furnishings and Mona’s extensive collection of religious art. Inside the top floor of the tower, Don designed a central bathroom and shower area with a bedroom occupying

each of the floor’s four corners. After Ali Ann left for college, Mona hired Delphos-based artist Clarissa Thaden to repaint Ali Ann’s southeast tower bedroom in an elaborate castle theme. On a clear day, the view extends as far as 15 miles from each of the Tudor-style bedroom windows. While facing ongoing repairs and renovation, the family has worked to live private lives in a public space. “This is not a normal home,” Mona explains. “We converted a public building into private living space, which has been difficult for some people to accept. People were used to being able to come and go in this building.” Since 1922, Marymount College had served as a home, a place of learning and a place of worship to the Sisters of St. Joseph and thousands of students. The college was closed by the Catholic Diocese of Salina in 1989. Don says that “the years since the college’s closing

The Marymount College administration building, opposite page, has been home to the Marrs family since 1993. Mona Marrs stands in the family’s renovated dining room, above left, one of the rooms on the fourth floor that also contains their kitchen, above center and right.

Sunflower paces

[1]

the

[2]

details

Marymount College china

Artwork over bedroom windows

An ornate statue of christ

An exterior statue of Mary

Sunflowerliving

have served as a necessary time of mourning for the loss of that institution.” In addition to focused religious and academic missions, this liberal arts college served as a dynamic cultural hub for the community in the areas of music, art and theater. Since taking possession of the administration building, the Marrses believe they have inherited a responsibility as caretakers for its success. “This building is about permanence,” Don stresses. “So much of architecture today is not built with the same sense of permanence or stature.” “We didn’t purposefully set out to become historians, but we have learned so much through living here,” says Mona. “This has been more than a renovation; we have had to remain sensitive to this building’s spiritual, cultural and historical significance. But the building also needs life in order to honor its history.” For 17 years, the family’s busy lives have echoed throughout the halls of the building. Eldest son Dahx recalls growing up in an exciting home with halls and a gymnasium that could contain games of dodgeball, basketball and floor hockey. “But it wasn’t all fun and games. We had to move around some 300 desks,” he adds. “And I remember helping my dad clean up when the 6-inch sewer pipe broke.” Now married with two sons and expecting a third child, Dahx and his wife plan to return to Salina and take up residence in his childhood home. As they write their own chapter in the building’s history, the Marrs family members have also enjoyed learning about the building’s past. Their own research and reading of books such as Sister Evangeline Thomas’ Footprints on the Frontier taught them a great deal about the building. Members of the Salina, Marymount and Sisters of St. Joseph communities continue to share stories and information. In keeping with their belief that the building needs to be shared, the Marrses have begun to develop its lower sections. In 1994, Don moved his architectural firm into the building’s second floor. Since then, spaces in the north wing of the building have been rented to other business professionals. They currently heat and cool more than 4,000 square feet of occupied space in the historic structure. Spring 2010

[3]

Now that their children are grown, the couple are developing a plan to bring other residents into this historic building. In November 2009, they received permission from the Salina Planning Commission to convert spaces in the south wing of the building into condominiums. By summer 2010, they hope to have a model unit open for viewing. Each space will be custom designed to accommodate individual tenants, and a parking garage will be constructed under the existing courtyard area. “Living here has been a joy but also a huge responsibility,” Mona says. “This building is truly a wonderful place to be.” According to Don, life at Marymount “has been a remarkable journey for our family, and we would do it all again.”

Sunflower paces

“Living here has been a joy but also a huge responsibility.” — Mona Marrs

[4]

[6]

[5]

[7]

[ 1 ] A Tudor-style relief over the main entrance connects the Marrses’ home with its past as a college administration building. [ 2 ] The Marymount College china was hand-painted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. [ 3 ] The southwest tower master bedroom overlooks Salina sunsets. [ 4 ] The north wing of the building now houses professional offices. [ 5 ] The southeast tower bedroom features windows with painted decorations by artist Clarissa Thaden. [ 6 ] Mona and Don Marrs stand in their home’s central living room that showcases Mona’s collection of religious art. [ 7 ] Mona frequently serves formal dinners in the southwest tower dining room.

Sunflowerliving

Sunflower paces

PostPerfect Bringing art and global décor into her surroundings, Sydney Soderberg personalizes her dream home

ydney Soderberg has discovered a way to combine her love of travel with her love of decorating what she calls “the perfect house.” She discovered this house, an elegant cottage in “The Hill” region of Salina, when she attended a reception there hosted by Ray Voscamp, its thenowner. An engineer and architect, Ray had designed the unique two-story, three-bedroom home. Soon, he received an offer from Sydney and her husband, Morrie Soderberg. “We asked that Mr. Voscamp notify us if they ever decided to move because we would be very interested in purchasing it,” says Sydney. When Ray retired and left for California, the Soderbergs bought the 3,000-square-foot home and began the adventure of making it their own. Renovating “perfect” The kitchen cabinets were the first overhaul. Sydney bleached and stained the dark cabinets a much lighter color to provide a brighter kitchen. The couple also remodeled part of the kitchen and dining

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

story by nancy karst

photography by Larry Harwood

Sunflower paces

area to create a wider living space and allow more light to stream in through the many windows. These areas are the focal point for the many gatherings that the couple host, especially during the holidays. Because both Sydney and Morrie, who works as the chief financial officer for Blue Beacon International, come from large families, more than 30 people often converge at their family gatherings. Sydney’s work as a contract researcher also demanded that she create a quiet retreat for her studies. Approximately five years ago, the couple added a somewhat rustic office that allows Sydney to store her books and research information and display part of her art collection. An interesting addition to this office is the exterior glass door that was salvaged from her grandparents’ farm in rural McPherson County.

There are other renovations in the works. “It’s the perfect house,” explains Sydney, “but I haven’t stopped making changes to it since we moved in.” Global influence Part of the appeal of Sydney’s interior decorations is the contrast of Kansas relics such as the farmhouse door with the many treasures she has brought home from her extensive travels. Sydney’s love of travel was passed on from her parents, and in particular from her mother, who visited each of the seven continents, including Antarctica when she was in her 70s. “My parents thought that it was important for us to travel and to see other places and meet other people,” says Sydney. That traveling increased once Sydney’s mother

Providing a bright, cheerful entrance from the back patio, the Soderbergs’ lime green door with rosetinted glass, opposite page, came from a farmhouse owned by Sydney’s family. Decorative plantings of wheat grass, above, sit on an antique pine buffet in the front entryway of the Soderbergs’ home.

Sunflower paces

[1]

“It’s the perfect house, but I haven’t stopped making changes to it since we moved in.” — Sydney Soderberg

became a widow and ventured to England, China and Russia, with at least one of her daughters and grandchildren joining her for each trip. Sydney recalls the trip to Moscow, in particular, reminiscing on Cold War fears before the journey that evaporated once she stepped off the plane. Sydney and her sisters continued their family tradition of joint trips after their mother became unable to endure the long journeys. “I am lucky because my sisters and I do a lot of traveling together, and we travel well together,” says Sydney. “We like the same things.” Alone or with her husband, Sydney has been to numerous countries and continues to plan trips. Her next adventure is to visit South America, including the Galapagos Islands. She also wants to visit India, China, Vietnam, Nepal and Antarctica. From the places she has already visited, Sydney has brought back several works of art to feature in her home. She purchased some of her most cherished items while in Africa when she and Morrie went on an “indescribable” safari in Tanzania. “All day long we were in Jeeps with guides, looking at the animals,” says Sydney. “It was amazing. Ever since I returned home, I have wanted to go back.” A colorful and ornate basket purchased at one of the safari lodges is now one of Sydney’s most treasured items in their home. But perhaps the defining decorative display is a series of elaborate wall hangings of Kuba cloth. This embroidered and appliqué fabric comes from Congo, where the men of the Kuba people use palm plant fiber for the background and the women embroider it with abstract patterning. “I loved the color and the geometric shapes,” says Sydney. Kuba cloth was originally created to serve as ceremonial dress for funerals and other important occasions, but more recently it has become, to some art enthusiasts, a form of decoration for homes. Henri Matisse, for example, used the Kuba cloth to decorate his studio.

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

[2]

[3]

[7]

[6]

the

details

Sunflower paces While many of Sydney’s art pieces are from half a world away, she also appreciates Kansas art. Included in her collection are seven works by Lindsborg legend Birger Sandzén. She also owns a small watercolor painting by Lester Raymer, also from Lindsborg, photographs by Salina native Terry Evans and an oil painting by Robert Smith (also known as R. Bolton Smith) of McPherson. “Each piece of art tells its own unique story, whether it is from a faraway country or from right here in Kansas,” Sydney says. “You just never know what it will be that strikes your fancy.”

[4]

[5]

[8]

Fireplace in master bedroom

Iron and blownglass lamps in dining room

Kuba cloth hangings

rug in sitting room

horsetail plantings

[ 1 ] The Soderbergs’ home stands on “The Hill” section of Salina. [ 2 ] A walnut rolltop desk in the Soderbergs’ living room was brought to Kansas on a covered wagon by the family of Sydney’s paternal grandparents. [ 3 ] Morrie and Sydney Soderberg sit in their office area, a portion of the house they added approximately five years ago. [ 4 ] A 1924 Birger Sandzén oil painting hangs above a work that has been in Sydney’s family for many years though the artist’s identity remains a mystery. [ 5 ] The home’s dining table is set to welcome guests. [ 6 ] The front entrance includes a small courtyard. [ 7 ] The home’s open kitchen space features the cabinets that were Sydney’s first project after she and her husband bought the home. Bleaching, staining and preparing these cabinets took “most of that first summer,” recalls Sydney. [ 8 ] Sunlight pours in through windows near the dining area.

decorative miniature baskets

Sunflowerliving

Welcome! story by nathan pettengill

photography by lisa eastman

Florists revive an old tradition

ike a handwritten letter or a home-baked birthday cake, a welcome basket is one of those treasured relics of the past. The idea and sentiment behind it never went out of style, but the care and thought that goes into a welcome basket seem too often lost in our fast-paced lives. We think it is time to revive this increasingly rare—but wonderful—tradition. To mark the arrival of Sunflower Living, we are featuring three welcome baskets from local florists. These bouquets were designed with our magazine in mind, but they also provide good ideas for gifting to new neighbors, new colleagues and new friends. We are delighted to join the greater Salina community and to share our welcome with you.

“Kansas Magic” Designs by Cunningham This bright, bold customized design features various sizes and tones of the state flower. The sunflowers are definitely the show-stopper, but their abundant golden hues are brilliantly complemented by touches of goldenrod and hypericum and caged with steel grass.

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

“Welcome Basket” Pettle’s Flowers

With all the unloading and work that come with moving into a new home, a new neighbor might welcome this basket as the favorite thing to unpack. A gerbera daisy and a fern plant provide some new life while chocolates, corn bread mix, soup mix, a scented soy candle, a hand towel, wooden spoons and a decorative bowl provide a practical touch.

“Welcome Home!” The Flower Nook

This bright, delightful basket combines flowers and foliage for an arrangement with a sweeping motion that views well from any angle. It features sunflowers, circus roses, gypsy dianthus, Green Trick dianthus, yellow daisies and purple statice flowers. The blooms are joined by salal, plumosa fern, variegated oregonia, lily grass and galax.

Sunflowerliving

SunflowerResumés

artha Brown and David Petty both had their first jobs in retail. Although they actually met earlier, it was through their work that they became friends and, in 1995, business partners. Martha and David were determined to open a store that, in their words, “re-re-created itself ” every day. In April 1997, the Paperie, the Spotted Mule and Laurie Ann’s Décor joined under the umbrella of Martha & David’s Inc. to open at 108 S. Santa Fe in Salina. Here, customers find a diverse assortment of objects from corsages to clothing, jewelry to pet portraits and art glass to coffees. When asked to describe their business, Martha and David point to their motto: “We are about wants and desires. There is not one thing in here that you need.” David adds: “You can go anywhere and get the staples of life, but you just need to go somewhere and get the extra stuff—the frosting— and that’s what we’re about. Here, it’s about the experience of life.”

Martha Brown and David Petty Occupation: Co-Owners - Martha & David’s Inc. Job Location: 108 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina Name:

Birthplace:

Salina

Where did you attend school?

David: Salina Central High School Martha: Sacred Heart High School

Martha Brown and David Petty

What are your outside Interests?

David: Gardening. Design. Art. Being on the board of the Salina Art Center Martha: Dumpster diving (laughs). Antiques. Flea Markets. Scav-

What is your “range” of customers?

enger. Finding unusual things.

David: I’d say half-Salina and half-

What is your most “Interesting area?” Things that people might see and just step back for a second look: Expensive Clothes

Crazy Clothes

Bronze Dogs

out-of-town. We get very many from western Kansas … a lot of people turn off I-70 and end up in here. What would you say is the theme of your business?

Martha:

David:

We go to market and you never know what we’ll bring back. We’ve had expensive clothes, crazy clothes from all over, bronze dogs from England, and everything.

It’s “Downtown Salina Needs.” It’s the small-town feeling that people need. The need for something different. David: We have a great quote we go by: “We are about wants and desires. There’s not one thing in here that you need.” Because it’s about the experience. You can buy things anywhere, but here it’s about the experience factor.

What is one nearly forgotten “department store” product you would like to see come back in fashion?

David: Men’s and women’s hats. 16

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

story by James R. godfrey

photography by Jason Dailey

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Resumés

Sunflower

“P

robably just too ignorant to know any better,” is Tom Headlee’s self-effacing summary of his business philosophy. If that statement is true, then ignorance might be Tom’s key to success and a model that any entrepreneur might wish to follow. Tom set up the House of Sight & Sound in 1973, filling his shop at the corner of Ash and Santa Fe with waterbeds and 45 rpm records. Five years later, he moved it to the corner of Santa Fe and Ellsworth, where his store earned a reputation among those within a 50-mile radius as the source of music, movies, vintage clothing, jewelry, figurines, gag gifts and a vast assortment of odds and ends. Tom’s mild, laid-back personality is obvious to his family, staff and all who enter his shop. He thinks his employees probably stick around because he’s not a “bossy boss.” As a young boy Tom dreamed of becoming an archeologist, but he has seen his visions of bones, dust and discovery replaced with guitar solos, musical messages and melodic ingenuity. For generations of “the House” customers, it’s good he figured out exactly where he needed to be.

Tom Headlee Occupation: Owner - House of Sight & Sound Job Location: 1300 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina Name:

My first job was working at a:

Five & Dime

Tom Headlee

What did you want to be when you grew up?

what is the typical house of sight & sound customer?

Rodeo Clown

Metal-loving grandparent - 20% Heard the song and had to have it - 20%

Archaeologist

Committed classic rocker - 20%

Deep Sea Fisherman

Woodstock generation - 20% Wrangler-wearing cowboy/cowgirl - 5%

I still haven’t figured it out yet. Probably an archaeologist. Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin get into a bar fight. Who wins and what’s the secret weapon that does the job?

Probably AC/DC for consistency...because they did what they wanted.

Misunderstood in tattooed eyeliner - 5% Suit-wearing Harley rider - 10%

The greatest guitarist of all time is ___________________, even though some think it is/was ____________________.

That’s a good question. I liked Hendrix’s style, but there was a lot of talent out there. I’m reluctant to answer that. Some people say it’s supposedly Django Reinhardt. My prediction for the big musical breakthrough in 2010 is:

There are musical breakthroughs every day. story by renee hardestay

photography by lisa eastman

Sunflowerliving

localProfiles

Gone Antiquing For decades, through changing fads and tastes, and all across the states, this Salina couple have been on ‘the hunt’

acations for Doug and Deanna Clemence have never focused on theme parks, tourist sites or even visits to relatives. Instead, their family has gone antiquing. “We’ve never taken a trip in our life that hasn’t been antique-oriented,” says Deanna. “When the kids were little, we traveled all over the U.S. and picked things up as we went. We’ve hauled iron birdbaths, flowerpots and urns that we’ve had to pack around the kids. We had the trailer and the van, and every night we would have to unload and repack because we had bought something. There have been things we’ve had to leave behind because we didn’t have room, and it about killed my husband to leave them.” Doug has been antiquing since he was in his early teens, which adds up to 55 years of traveling to flea markets, antiques shops, and garage and estate sales in search of anything old, haggling with the seller to get the best price and finding a place in the van to bring the object home. Many of the these items were picked up when traveling to popular flea markets in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Pennsylvania, and to nearly every state in the country at one time or another. Before their two boys entered elementary school, Deanna recalls, the family made three or four trips to the East Coast each year in search of precious old items.

Standing in front of a collection of painted dishes, Doug Clemence holds an example of RS Prussia porcelain. These widely admired items initially piqued Doug’s interest in collecting antiques.

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

story by Cecilia Harris

photography by jason dailey

But their adventures have not been without mishaps. Once, coming back from Abilene, they were hauling a large wooden post office sorting box. “We were bringing it home and lost it off the truck,” Deanna says with a laugh, although it wasn’t funny at the time. Despite bouncing down the road, the heavy piece remained intact with little damage. Doug credits his stepmother with inspiring his love for antiques—and antiquing. She asked him to search for certain items she wanted during his travels as a young man in the carpenter trade. “She was into Persian rugs and high-grade furniture,” Doug explains. “I got interested in different things, like fishing equipment and guns, then it was anvils, and now it’s signs.” In reality, Doug loves anything old. “He could be dead tired and I could say ‘antiques’ and he’s ready to go,” Deanna says. Over the years, the family has collected “a little bit of everything,” Deanna says. It now fills two warehouses and serves as inventory for the family business, Treasure Chest, which is the result of all those antiquing adventures. There are old kitchen utensils and a carousel bear. There’s a 5-foot-tall coin-operated music box from the 1800s. There’s an anvil that weighs more than 300 pounds and a huge wooden hall tree so heavy it took five men to move it. They have farm equipment, including an old tractor, and dozens upon dozens of signs, some of which are tractor and feed company signs reminiscent of Doug’s years in farming. “We know people who were tearing down barns and have found — Deanna things and brought them in,” Deanna says. “Just the other day a friend found a box of signs that were in perfect condition.” Antiquing is often about knowing the right people who can find the right object at the right price. And after more than a half-century of buying, trading and selling antiques, Doug knows a lot of people. Many bring items to the Clemences’ doorstep. Their shop at 418 N. Broadway Blvd. is filled with Victorian furniture and RS Germany and RS Prussia porcelain, some of the first items Doug admired. Deanna hunts for pieces of her great-grandmother’s silver and delights in collecting red satin Gone With the Wind lamps. Nearly 25 of these oil parlor lamps light up her life. Like most serious antique dealers and collectors, the Clemences now do most of their buying and selling online. But the couple still travel to a flea market in Canton, Texas, about once a month and make an occasional trip to other states in search of antiques. Over the years, they have also found items at local estate and garage sales, and sometimes even on the side of the road in a trash pile. “You just don’t know what you’re going to find where,” Deanna says. “You don’t know what’s around the corner— that’s the joy of the hunt.”

localProfiles

“We’ve never taken a trip in our life that hasn’t been antique-oriented.” Clemence

The Clemences’ personal collections spill over into their store inventory of porcelain and furniture items such as this woodframed mirror, top. Though the exterior sign at the Clemences’ store advertises antiques and jewelry, the couple have followed and stocked a variety of antiques as trends and tastes have changed through the years. Deanna Clemence, bottom, stands with one of her red satin Gone With the Wind lamps. Sunflowerliving

for theFamily

Symphonic Start For many, the journey of being a musician begins with the Salina Youth Symphony

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

story by Karilea Rilling Jungel

photography by larry harwood

for theFamily

musician, according to Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, is a “person skilled in the science of music, or one that … performs on instruments.” But that definition seems to imply you either are or are not a musician—and leaves out something essential. As those who “perform on instruments” know, being a musician requires commitment and dedication to the process of learning, of practicing, of becoming a better musician. And for many young musicians in Salina, that process begins with the Salina Youth Symphony. A program launched by the Salina Symphony in 1961, the Salina Youth Symphony is actually three separate symphonies for more than 150 musicians of various levels and ages. The symphony’s performances emerge from regular two-hour Saturday practice sessions. On one of these Saturday afternoons, parents usher eager young musicians into the Kansas Wesleyan University Pioneer Hall. Whispers are contagious among the children while musical director and conductor Ken Hakoda finishes an ongoing choir practice. They then take over the room, moving into position, holding their instruments reverently, each one with a personal story to tell on her or his journey of becoming a musician.

They then take over the room, moving into position, holding their instruments reverently…

LEFT: Ken Hakoda, conductor and music director, runs the Salina Youth Symphony through rehearsals at the Kansas Wesleyan University Pioneer Hall. ABOVE: Jacqueline Sanchez plays violin with the Salina Youth Symphony’s Preparatory Orchestra. ABOVE RIGHT: Music directors select scores that challenge young musicians while still being appropriate for their developing talent. RIGHT: Maria Bonilla hopes her early experience with the symphony will lead to a life of musical performances.

“Just keep playing” Jacqueline Sanchez is a graceful, reserved 10-year-old who, in the last four years, has shared a friendship with Phyllis Wilbur, whom she met through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. At Phyllis’ suggestion, Jacqueline began the violin four years ago and added the cello to her repertoire one year ago. Jacqueline’s soft voice expresses a commitment to “just keep playing” with the Preparatory Orchestra, even though she is not sure where her music might take her. A favorite memory of Jacqueline’s is playing at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure for Halloween and dressing up as a vampire for the performance. Even though Jacqueline prefers not to practice in front of her parents, Eliseo and Maria Sanchez enjoy watching her perform at the symphony concerts. “A beautiful sound” It was her grandmother who called Maria Bonilla’s parents about summer group lessons, sharing a newspaper article about the youth symphony that indicated all Maria, then 4 years old, would need to know was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and her ABC’s in order to audition. At first, Maria’s mother says they weren’t sure if the violin was the right choice because her daughter’s practice sessions sounded “like there were baby seals dying.” But as Maria improved, her parents were pleased with the decision. Now, at age 8, Maria begins her fourth year with the Preparatory Orchestra and has played in several symphony concerts. “I like to go to concerts and listen to the music,” says Maria. “I think it is a beautiful sound.” She also loves to perform, describing “a bubbly feeling” she gets when she plays just right. Maria wants her music to take her to big cities and different countries. Parents Marie and Adam Bonilla think music scholarships Sunflowerliving

for the amily might be in their daughter’s future. Maria simply hopes to emulate the style and success of the violinist from the legendary classic rock group Kansas. “So I wanted to do it” Of the nine Peterson children, the four eldest ride from their home in Lindsborg with their parents Kathy and Norman each week to rehearse in the Preparatory Orchestra and Junior Youth Symphony. Telea, 14, is the Junior Youth Symphony’s concertmaster. As first chair violinist, she makes sure her A string is in tune, then indicates to her section to tune in with her note. Telea believes this experience has enhanced her leadership role at rehearsals and at home. Sophia, 12, also plays violin. When asked why, she says, “Telea did it, so I wanted to do it.” But she’s found her own role in the orchestra and says she looks forward to playing orchestra in school as well. Sophia plans on learning to play the guitar and drums and hopes to earn music scholarships. Isaac, 10, says the Preparatory Orchestra helps him play the cello “a lot better” and has given him valuable lessons. He recalls being “a little bit nervous” before his first concert, but he hopes to continue with his music and wants to learn how to play bass guitar. Joshua, 8, believes music “is challenging, especially the fingering,” and imagines that “it might bring me a scholarship.” Just a little taller than his cello, he says he and his siblings spend approximately five hours or more per week practicing. “Music is really fun!” he says. “You look back on accomplishments and realize [practicing] wasn’t hopeless.”

“I love this,” Ken Hakoda says. “I like the different age groups. … It is fun Many families have more than one child in the Salina Youth Symphony, but the Peterson family is contributing four young musicians including, clockwise from top left, Isaac, Joshua, Telea and Sophia. OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: Jared Rawlings conducts the Salina Symphony Junior Youth Orchestra. OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: Ken Hakoda is conducting his sixth season with the Salina Symphony and the Salina Youth Symphony programs.

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Spring 2010

to focus on kids who are committed. They rise above the occasion.”

Opus 1 … the first step So how does a young musician join the symphony? Entry into one of the Salina Youth Symphony’s orchestras is determined through an audition process at the beginning of each school semester. These are open to children from elementary school to high school ages, though exceptions are made for younger musicians with playing skills. Salina Symphony executive director Adrienne Allen encourages all interested musicians to apply because the symphonies are divided based on skill level. Musicians accepted into the orchestra are expected to attend approximately 10 rehearsals per semester. A one-year registration fee, used to cover a portion of orchestra expenses including the services of music director Ken Hakoda and assistant directors Lindsay Ladman and Jared Rawlings, is set at $100 per student. But scholarships and financial support are available. “Students are not turned away if they cannot afford it,” says Hakoda.

Health&fitness

A Spring to Their Stride Three ultrarunners talk about the importance of this season’s training story by nathan pettengill

photography by lisa eastman

ost everyone welcomes spring. After all, what’s not to like about warmer weather and more daylight? If you are a runner, eager to get out around town without sloshing through snow and ice, those spring days are even more welcome. And if you are a serious longdistance runner in the Salina region, springtime doesn’t just mean a more pleasant outing—it means freedom to put in the miles and hours for a season of races. It means ditching the treadmill, leaving behind the fears of frostbite, saying goodbye to tire-splashed slush and reacquainting yourself with daylight. Springtime means the race is on. Charlene Jones If it weren’t for University of Kansas and Kansas State University basketball games, Charlene Jones

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Spring 2010

might have done in her treadmill. That treadmill, she explains, is “mindless; it has control of you.”And those televised games have helped make this past winter of treadmilling bearable for the Lincoln runner. Jones has been racing for some 25 years since she saw an ad in the Salina Journal for a “fun run” and decided to give it a shot. She ran from her farmhouse down to a nearby post and back. The next day she went a bit farther. And then a bit farther the day after and so forth until she was certain she could complete the 2-mile course. “I came back pretty full of myself that I had run two miles without stopping,” recalls Jones. Since that milestone, she has raced in marathons, trail runs and countless 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer events. She also founded the Sunflowerliving

&fitness

Health

Charlene Jones Favorite route: When Betty’s restaurant in downtown Barnard was open, I would run 9 miles down there on Fried Chicken Day, eat and then catch a ride back. Running buddy: Buddy, her mixed-breed dog Running tunes: I don’t listen to music [when I run]. I just want to be able to go out and think and run. I like to keep it simple and enjoy the solitude. Motivation: When I first started running, I just wanted to see how much faster I could go, how much farther I could go. I won’t be going faster now, by any means. I’ve mellowed a lot and now run for the joy and health of it.

Dustin Birdsong Favorite route: Around Coronado Heights Running buddy: Biggs, his golden retriever Running tunes: Anything from AC/DC to Miley Cyrus. Motivation: I can only go so many days without running, and then I just get that itch. Running gives me time to think, to balance, to think about where we’re going as a family, where I’m going with my career, to separate everything out with no outside surroundings.

phil sheridan Favorite route: The trails around Kanopolis Lake Running buddy: Charlie, a 60-pound standard poodle Running tunes: I have some 600 to 700 songs on my iPod. It’s a nice distraction. Sometimes, though, you just have to turn it off. Motivation: I enjoy going out running. I guess that’s the part that most nonrunners don’t connect with. If I wanted an excuse not to run, there’s always an excuse. But I don’t need one.

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Spring 2010

Springtime doesn’t just mean a more pleasant outing—it means freedom to put in the miles and hours for a season of races. Post Rock Classic Run in Lincoln and directed it for 20 years with help from fellow runner Becky Cheney. A bit reluctant to confirm her age (perhaps in deference to the slower whipper-snappers who eat her dust in the races), Jones does acknowledge that she’s quite often the oldest runner in any regional race. Jones notes she will be proud to cheer on her daughter-in-law, granddaughter and grandson (all active long-distance runners) once she hangs up her shoes, but she has no plans to quit running for now. This spring, Jones plans to keep herself in shape for six or seven competitive races, closing out the season at the Horsethief Canyon Trail Run in September. Then it’s back to the winter treadmill routine, watching the Jayhawks and Wildcats hoop it up. Dustin Birdsong Sharing the duties of raising four kids with his wife while also working more than a full-time schedule means Dustin Birdsong takes his training runs whenever he can—usually late at night or just before dawn. “Since September or October, all my runs have been in the dark,” says Birdsong. Getting in regular runs is crucial for this 28-yearold Lindsborg-based runner aiming to complete his first 100-mile race. “Not a whole lot of people can say ‘I ran 100 miles in one day,’” explains Birdsong. “That’s the thrill.” A veteran runner, Birdsong finished his first marathon at age 16 and continued running in numerous 5-kilometer and longer distance races. With this experience and level of fitness, Birdsong’s main challenge in preparing for the 100-miler race isn’t the physical barrier, but simply finding sufficient training time. Birdsong talks about working out a daddy-runner “minimalist approach,” which he describes as “the least amount [of running] I can do so I can still spend time with my family.” Noting that ultrarunners tend to peak later in life than marathoners or competitive 10K runners, Birdsong is confident that his best seasons are still ahead of him. “It takes a long time to train. And a lot of people are like me—they want to be an ultrarunner, but they

have kids and a job,” says Birdsong. “It will be easier as time goes on … or that’s what I tell myself at least. Phil Sheridan Spring is the season when Phil Sheridan steps up his running routine, but the slower tempo imposed by winter isn’t all bad for this ultrarunner from Ellsworth. “It’s good to take time off once in a while,” he explains. “You can really burn out on running if you don’t rest.” After some 25 years of competitive racing, this 53-year-old runner has completed numerous marathons plus 50-mile, 100-kilometer and 100-mile races. Sheridan picked up extreme long-distance racing after he realized that marathons “got to be like real long 10K races, and not as much fun.” That was in the early 1990s, when two friends convinced Sheridan to try a 50-mile race they were organizing in Salina. Since that run, Sheridan has been drawn to long-distance trail and mountain course races. Sheridan says almost any runner capable of doing a marathon could physically take on the challenge of a 100-miler. The only significant barriers are mental and technical. “A lot is in your head,” explains Sheridan. “If you think you can do it and if you eat, drink and treat yourself properly, then you probably can.” But if runners want to keep competing in extreme long distances, he says they have to understand pacing. “Most road racers burn out at 100 miles of training per week,” says Sheridan. “You’re talking about training 10-15 hours plus, and you just can’t run that level without something breaking down. … It’s hard. It’s a challenge.” For Sheridan, who is coming off knee surgery last year, the warmer spring weather will help him prepare for yet another racing season. “My knee won’t last forever,” he assesses, “but I’m still going to be active to some extent. There’s no way I can just sit around and not get out.”

Sunflowerliving

LocalFlavor

Spring Thaw These three delightful drinks will waken your seasonal senses

s winter melts away and the warmth of the spring arrives, I always open my windows to hear the birds and feel a fresh breeze. In the kitchen, I put away the hot chocolate and hot teas that comforted me all winter and look for something light and refreshing to drink. Normally I would turn to my favorite, iced tea, but this year I have discovered new drinks that capture the meaning of spring. From a fresh-fruit health drink to exhilarating cocktails, all three of these drinks are original creations from Salinans who share a love for the crisp, seasonal taste.

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Spring 2010

story by Chelsey Crawford

photography by lisa eastman

LocalFlavor Mom’s Spring Burst Smoothie Cheryl Ingermanson A health nut and fantastic home cook, my mother is always trying new recipes in her kitchen. One of her latest is a fruit smoothie she invented last spring as a pick-you-up after an intense workout or an on-the-go breakfast. She also tested the sweet-tasting drink on her grandson and realized she had stumbled upon the perfect post-nap snack. The natural fruit ingredients make it a wonderful substitute for the standard milk-and-cookies treat. After Mom made this drink for me, I decided it would be an ideal boost after my daily jogs. Here’s the recipe for you to make at home.

Spring Burst Smoothie 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped 2 ripe bananas, sliced Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes, and serve.

111 Island Punch

111 Island Punch One shot (1.25 ounces) citrus vodka (Jonathan recommends Absolut Citron) 1¼ shot (1.6 ounces) Island Pucker Punch schnapps ¾ shot (.9 ounces) Triple Sec top off with 7UP or Sprite Fill a 14-ounce rock glass with ice. Pour ingredients (in any order). Stir. Top off with the soft drink. Garnish with a cherry and a slice of lemon and lime.

Jonathan Dong When Jonathan decided to open 111 Ultra Lounge, he was aiming for a nonsmoking, mature, sophisticated environment. Three years later, his concept is thriving and Jonathan finds himself busy keeping up with his success. “The hours sometimes get to me, but I love interacting with the people who come in,” he says. “There are always the regulars, and then we have new, interesting people that stop in every night.” One of the new arrivals this spring is an original drink that Jonathan created for Sunflower Living and will feature in his lounge. I am more of a wine and beer sort of girl, but I was sold on this cocktail after taking one look at its light bluish hue that just screamed spring. A fantastic, vibrant mix of sweet and sour, this drink is perfect for a night out or an evening at home while enjoying the good weather with friends.

Sakerita Jason Caolin Jason is part of the family-owned Daimaru Steakhouse in Salina that specializes in authentic Japanese food. Paying homage to Japanese traditions, Jason created this variation of a Sakerita. Even though there is quite a bit of alcohol in the mix, the drink leaves the impression of a fruity blast of pineapple and orange. Jason says the fruit juices bring out the sake’s flavor. That taste is complemented by the drink’s frothy texture.

Sakerita 2 ounces sake (Jason recommends Gekkeikan) 2 ounces brandy ½ ounce sour mix ½ ounce Triple Sec 1½ ounces orange juice 1 ounce pineapple juice squirt of grenadine Combine liquids in cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds before pouring into a 16-ounce rock glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime slice. Sunflowerliving

out&about

T Best B&B Guest The

Area bed-and-breakfast owners provide tips for getting the most out of your vacation

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

story by Faryle scott

he smells of bacon sizzling, homemade cinnamon rolls baking and coffee percolating waft through the air, begging you to crawl out of the comfort of your bed. Once up, you find your way to the kitchen, where your hosts are bustling around and setting the table. It’s the perfect start to your bed-and-breakfast vacation. Chances are that if you have decided to stay in a B&B, it’s not because you were looking for a spot close to the roar of the interstate. You likely have chosen a bed-and-breakfast because you want to enjoy being pampered in a comfortable, homey environment. To help you enjoy these getaways as much as possible, we contacted local bed-andbreakfast owners for their ideas on getting the most out of the experience. Soak in the quiet atmosphere Bed-and-breakfast locations are purposefully set aside from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Breakfasts, for example, are about—imagine this—good food and conversation rather than finding a spot to wolf down some cereal while listening to a talking head shout the latest stock reports from a widescreen television. Enjoy this refuge from the daily rush: Lay off the urge to check your email, give your cell phone a rest and let the B&B atmosphere work its magic. “A bed-and-breakfast is a great place for quiet reflection and rest from way too much stimulation,” says Kay Kindall, who owns Trader’s Lodge in Wells with husband Neal. Find the perfect match Because B&Bs are locally owned, each has a unique approach and specifications. They are also able to set their own policies and

photography by larry harwood

out&about

Simple Haven Bed and Breakfast 615 27th St. Wilson (866) 514-2744 www.simplehavenbandb.com

Grandma’s Room at the Simple Haven Bed and Breakfast, opposite page, features photographs of the owner’s grandmother, Nellie Heyen, as well as family afghans and quilts. Rosie’s Room, top left, is a tribute to the mother of bed-and-breakfast owner Susan Curtiss, top right. Susan and her husband encourage guests to ask about these personal touches and to leave their impressions in a guest book, above, that they keep at the entrance.

may or may not be able to accommodate special requests. Be sure to call ahead and go over any considerations you might have. As for pets and children, some B&Bs welcome them and others do not, so ask when placing reservations. “Few of the inns I know can accommodate pets,” says Kindall. “And some prefer no small children because of all their valuable antiques.” Enjoy a history lesson Most bed-and-breakfasts have a lot of history attached to them. For example, Adrian Potter, who with husband Jay owns Abilene’s Victorian Inn, likes to tell guests about the story behind their inn, which was built in 1887 and has been operating as a bed-and-breakfast since 1992. At Trader’s Lodge, the Kindalls have rooms that feature historical artifacts. Most innkeepers like to show off their homes as well as the many antiques and finds they have hidden in them. Ask and you shall receive Chain hotels have dozens, if not hundreds, of guests at one time, while bed-andbreakfast homes host a handful of guests for each night, and the owners are generally more available to see to everyone’s needs. “Let us know if you need anything,” says Potter. “More pillows, ice, heat or A/C, or if something is broken or not working.” “We can’t correct a problem if we don’t know about it,” adds Kindall. Make new friends A hotel corridor is meant to be a corridor. There you pass other guests with a polite nod. A cozy B&B kitchen is meant to be a kitchen. Sunflowerliving

out&about

Here, you pass bread and share stories. “Be social and willing to make new friends,” says Potter, who urges her guests not be afraid to use the downstairs areas to play games, read and socialize. Guests from all over the world frequent bed-and-breakfasts in the Salina area. Last year, Susan Curtiss, who owns Simple Haven Bed and Breakfast in Wilson with her husband Joe, had guests from Ireland, Indonesia and France as well as from all over Kansas. “Each and every person has a story to tell if you simply start listening,” Curtiss says.

Abilene’s Victorian Inn 820 NW Third St. Abilene (888) 807-7774 www.abilenesvictorianinn.com

Check the clock Whether it’s check-in or breakfast, make sure you are on time. “We may be in the shower, running the vacuum or not even home if you come early,” says Kindall. “A few guests have caught me in various stages of, shall we say, ‘unreadiness’ when they arrived an hour or two early.” Also, talk with your host about when you will be ready for breakfast. While some B&Bs have a set serving time, others will move times around a little. Just be sure you aren’t late so you can enjoy your breakfast as your host has intended. However, Curtiss mentions that she loves when guests come down a little early for breakfast and ask if they can help in the kitchen. “Many great conversations have come about while chatting in the kitchen while preparing breakfast,” she says. Tailor your menu Bed-and-breakfast owners take great pride in their cooking and baking—no stale hotel muffins here—and the chefs can accommodate food allergies or preferences. But they need to be told about them. “If you tell me you like everything, mean it,” says Curtiss. “You might be in for a surprise the next morning at breakfast and find that icky green stuff that you hated as a kid has made its way into the main course.”

Amanda, top left, a server at Abilene’s Victorian Inn, presents a tray of breads and pastries from the kitchen of owner and chef Adrian Potter. The inn’s parlor, top right, is decorated with Victorian-themed items and accessories. Owners Jay and Adrian Potter, above, encourage guests to socialize and enjoy the community space that is part of their B&B experience.

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Spring 2010

Give thanks Bed-and-breakfast owners work hard to create a welcoming and enjoyable environment in their homes. Be sure to thank them. “Just treat your innkeepers as you would friends who have invited you over,” says Kindall, who mentions that leaving a thank-you note goes a long way in showing how much you enjoyed your time at her bed-and-breakfast. “The best guests make me feel at home,” adds Curtiss.

Traderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lodge 210th Road Wells (785) 488-3930 www.traderslodge.com

Kay Kindall, top, prepares the table at Traderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lodge. She and husband Neal decorate their bed-and-breakfast rooms, such as the Plains Indians room shown above, with historic and handmade items.

Other local bed-and-breakfasts C&W Ranch 4000 S. Halstead Road Smolan (785) 668-2352 www.cwranch.com

Seasons of the Fox 505 N. Second St. Lindsborg (800) 756-3596 www.seasonsofthefox.com

Endiron Estate 100 S. College Ave. Salina (785) 452-9300 www.endiron.com

Rosberg House 103 E. State St. Lindsborg (888) 215-5234 www.rosberghouse.com Sunflowerliving

Cozy Tradition Story by

Melinda Briscoe La

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

Photography by

rry Harwood

erving burgers with aroma and taste—plus a side of history—at Cozy Inn

If you live in Salina, you are familiar with the place. You drive

past it as you head into work, stop by the public library or go to pay your water bill at the City/County Building. You walk by it on a lovely spring day during an afternoon of downtown bargain hunting. If you are of a certain age, you can remember it while you attended Roosevelt-Lincoln Junior High School, which is only two blocks to the south and, therefore, often downwind from that smell that made you hungry for soft little hamburgers instead of the chicken Ashlee Bishop, Nicole Bishop, Nic DeTurk and Brad Billings (bottom picture, from left) re-create an iconic Cozy image circa 1940 of (top picture, from left) Clyde “Shorty” Kellams, Bob Kinkel, John Schwermen and Chet Biechley.

a la king they were serving in the cafeteria for lunch. If you are a Salinan or have ever been one, you know the Cozy Inn—and you know its aroma. Sunflowerliving

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

If you are a Salinan or have ever been one, you know the Cozy Inn—and you know its aroma.

Steve Howard, left, inherited a business and decades of tradition when he became the sole owner of Cozy Inn. The small eatery offers a small menu, allowing the cooks to concentrate on the items that have made Cozy famous—their hamburgers, top right. Andrea Howard, Steve Howard, Jake Vermillion and Matt Jackson, right, serve customers from behind Cozy’s seven-stool counter.

Steve Howard is owner and manager of the Cozy Inn hamburger restaurant. A farm boy from north-central Kansas, Steve has held a variety of jobs in his lifetime: bartending, managing a fast-food chain and working for the Salina school district as a custodian, to name a few. If you ask about his personal history with the restaurant, Steve will tell you: “It just fell into my lap.” It was through a series of events as well as a few good friends that he purchased a piece of the pie in 2007, but it wasn’t until July 2009 that he became the sole owner. Did he buy the place out of fondness or sentimentality? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Steve never visited the Cozy Inn until after he finished high school and wasn’t aware of the storied history of the little restaurant. “I noticed they were a good hamburger, but as far as knowing how long they’d been in business, I don’t remember any of that,” he acknowledges. Little has changed aesthetically at 108 N. Seventh St. since the restaurant opened in 1922. The stark white exterior is offset nicely by the bold red that frames the windows and doors. Inside, there are seven barstools at the counter where customers can dine. Pictures of the Cozy Inn through the years hang on the wall. There is one in particular of four former employees from several decades ago looking friendly but rather self-assured. Did they know that they were involved in creating and cooking such iconic morsels? They must have. They look proud. These guys must have wanted their food to not only permeate people’s clothes with the pungent grilled onion aroma but remain a mainstay in people’s hearts as well. Brad Billings, a Cozy Inn cook for the past two years, inherited this tradition. He knows all about making Cozy burgers as well as keeping love in his life. In fact, he knows how to maintain a balance between the two, which keeps peace in his household. Shortly after he gets home, he takes off his cook uniform and puts it in a special hamper—one with no holes—that has Sunflowerliving

“Everybody has a story to tell about the Cozy Inn.”

— Nicole Bishop

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Spring 2010

been designated only for Cozy Inn clothing. “When we do the wash, we have to do a Cozy Inn load and a regular load,” Brad explains. “Otherwise everyone else’s clothes will smell like Cozy burgers.” He cannot use the same accessories outside of work either. One time he wore the belt that he had on at work when he and his girlfriend went out for dinner, and everyone around him commented about how he smelled like Cozy burgers. Even though the constant comments from others about Cozy’s oniony aroma become a bit monotonous, Brad takes it all in stride. “It gets a little old after a while, but no big deal,” he says with a casual tone. Besides, the whole separate load of wash thing is a sensible compromise when you consider the alternative originally suggested by his girlfriend. “At first she told me I needed to change outside,” Brad laughs. Now back to that old picture hanging on the Cozy Inn wall. In that picture, the first person you’ll probably notice is Clyde “Shorty” Kellams standing on the far left, next to three of his taller, yet similarly dressed, co-workers. Shorty’s heritage is more than tasty little sandwiches. On this day, in whisks a girl in her late teens, coming by to grab her paycheck. Her name is Nicole Bishop and she is the great-granddaughter of the fellow in the picture. Nicole’s reason for working under her great-grandfather Shorty’s watchful eye is actually quite practical. “I was looking for a job at the time, and I’ve always like Cozies,” she explains. “So I just stopped in here randomly and asked if I could fill out an application.” That was nearly three years ago. Since then, she has come to know Shorty a bit better from stories relayed to her by older customers who stop for lunch. “I ask a lot of older gentleman if they know any of the Bishops or the Kellamses, and they’ll say: ‘I remember Shorty Kellams that worked here,’ ” she says. “So I always hear older people tell stories about my great-granddad, and it’s refreshing because I never got the chance to meet him. He died before I was born.”

Did Nicole feel like she was carrying on Shorty’s legacy when she got hired at Cozy Inn? “Somewhat,” she replies. “Especially now that the picture where we are replicating the 1930s photo is hanging up too.” Nicole’s grandmother, Kay Bishop, might agree. Kay is Shorty Kellams’ daughter and, as Nicole tells it, “I told my grandma that I got a job here, and she started crying because she was so happy. She said it brought back a lot of memories for her.” And what if, in the future, Nicole’s great-grandchild comes to her and tells her that he or she has just become Cozy Inn’s newest employee? Would future customers tell her progeny about “greatgrandma Nicole’s” time behind the counter? That probably goes without saying, because, as Nicole aptly puts it, “everybody has a story to tell about the Cozy Inn.”

OPPOSITE TOP: “I always try to find an excuse to buy a sack of Cozies anytime I’m going through Salina,” says Michael Barnett, a resident of Enterprise. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The Cozy Inn’s neon sign brings customers to the restaurant’s late-night walk-up window. ABOVE: Nicole Bishop discovered stories from her family’s past by serving at the same counter where her great-grandfather worked. RIGHT: Kylee Campion, left, and Jaylinn Dent enjoy a meal at the counter.

Sunflowerliving

dance dreams Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exercise and a chance to socialize, but for many young dancers the hours of practice and performance also nourish big hopes

Story by Sarah Hawbaker Photography by Larry Harwood

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

Sunflowerliving

good number of young girls at some point early in their lives proclaim they will grow up to be a ballerina. There is just something in dance that appeals to girls and leads them to classes, recitals, tutus and hair buns. Kristal Huehl thinks she has the answer: “Dancers are pretty; they have pretty costumes.” From her experience working as the owner and director of Prestige School of Dance, Kristal says young girls are simply drawn to this beauty. “The way a ballerina leaps and turns across a stage—girls want to be able to do that,” she explains. “Of course young girls don’t think about the training aspect. They just see beauty.” Nicke Stevenson, whose daughter Casey is in Prestige’s senior troupe, notes how babies seem to rock in rhythm to music they hear. She believes that dance is a natural instinct for children. With her daughter, Nicke says, “It was just never a question whether to put her in dance because it was obvious she loved to dance.” Casey has been taking dance classes since she was 3 and still holds the dream of becoming a professional dancer someday. Now 14, she spends more than 12 hours each week in the studio; dancing has become something more serious than a childhood dream. Combined with schoolwork, the schedule can be overwhelming. Casey admits she gets nervous before performances and the thought of college auditions scares her. But dancing is still mostly fun, even serving as a stress-reliever. “When I’m dancing, everything on my mind just goes away and I don’t have to worry about it,” she says. And when she finishes performing and watches others dancing on stage, Casey longs to again be the one in front of the crowd. Pre-performance jitters can get the best of anyone. Lauren Aldrich, an 18-year-old dancer with Dance Elite, says she still gets nervous before taking the stage. “But I tell myself, ‘Lauren, you danced in front of 70,000 people at a Holiday Bowl, you can do this.’” She says the night before a performance she will lie in bed and count through the moves in her head. Like Casey, Lauren thrives off the way dance makes her feel. “When the music turns on, I’m a different person,” she says. Lauren does pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap and hip-hop. Lyrical and hip-hop are her favorites, although they are near-opposite styles of dance. “With lyrical you get to be a different person. The song tells a

Casey Stevenson, on previous page, performs at the Prestige School of Dance. Allie Wentzel, above, practices with friends at Prestige. Lauren Aldrich, left, stretches before dancing at Dance Elite.

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

“When the music turns on, I’m a different person.”

—Lauren Aldrich

story and it’s really emotional,” explains Lauren. “With hip-hop you give every ounce of energy that you have.” In addition to training at Dance Elite, Lauren is captain of the Salina South High School Peppers dance team and recently was a part of the ensemble of South High’s performance of Curtains. She has danced for 14 years but says she has never experienced burnout. Part of it may be because dancing at the studio, on the dance squad and in a play are all different types of dancing, she says. Although dance is a huge part of her life, Lauren doesn’t plan to pursue it much after graduating in May. She will attend Kansas State University and study in the physical education program, joining the dance team if her studies allow. Looking back on her experience as a young dancer, Lauren says the best thing has been her relationships with the other dancers. She has danced with the same four girls for eight years and refers to them as her “sisters.” The friendships made through dancing are important to even the youngest of dancers. Prestige dancer Allie Wentzel, 8, says her favorite part of class is getting to meet new friends and spend time with them. But there is no denying that dance at almost any age can be time-consuming. Even Allie, who is a member of the Junior Company at Prestige, spends more than five hours each week in the studio. Lauren says a common saying among dancers is, “I can’t. I have to dance.” Allie’s mom, Marcie, says the time she spends at the studio is worth it due to the confidence dancing and performing in front of a crowd have given her daughter. At the same time, she realizes Allie “might change her mind [about dancing] tomorrow. And if she does, she does.” Confidence is only a small part of what these young girls learn from dancing, Kristal says, because dancers also learn work ethic, coordination, leadership and the ability to work with others. All, of course, are life skills that the dancers can apply outside the studio. For the majority of young dancers, dance is simply an extracurricular activity that gives them a chance to spend time with friends, do something they love and get some good exercise. But the time, dedication, energy and passion involved in dance also brings them close to a dream.

Aldrich laces on her slippers before dancing, above. Jackets and an inspirational message, left, greet visitors at the Prestige School of Dance.

Sunflowerliving

Parents as dancing partners When children dance, parents will be their partners. They will be at practices, as well as recitals, watching and encouraging their children. But what’s the best way to support a young dancer, to nurture dreams and balance logistical realities? Here’s some advice from dancing pros.

Let them dance in their own space Young dancers need time and space away from parents to develop. Kristal Huehl, owner and director of Prestige School of Dance, says dancers concentrate better and learn more effectively when they don’t have distractions at lessons. And parents who constantly peek in on lessons are a big distraction. Mari Elmer, owner and director of Dance Elite, also explains that the presence of parents can confuse young children who might not understand who should be giving instructions. Have confidence by being selective “Especially for the young ones, it’s important to do your homework and find a studio that has good credentials and people you totally trust,” Kristal says. Once you establish that trust, it’s much easier to drop off your children and let them grow. Master the basic steps Vivette Ashen-Brenner, director of Vivette’s Dance Studio, says parents should simply bring their dancer to class on time, prepared with all their “gear” and dressed appropriately. She adds that it’s also important for parents to read all notes sent home so they know what’s going on and to pay close attention to deadlines. Casey Stevenson practices at the barre in the Prestige School of Dance.

Sunflowerliving

Spring 2010

Don’t forget the big picture Cheer on your dancer’s big dreams. Vivette advises parents that the most important thing is to “love and support their dancer with all their heart.”