magazine winter
2011
Welcoming
the Winter Wonderland
$3.00
Dear
Vol. 5 / No. 2
Reader
winter 11
magazine
sHawnee
Editor Katy Ibsen Designer/Art Director Shelly Bryant Copy Editor Christy Little Account Executive Mary Hay 913.631.1611 Ad Designer Janella L. Williams Chief Photographer Jason Dailey Contributing Writers Kim Antisdel Carolyn Glade Dvorak Gloria Gale Vince Meserko Kimberly Winter Stern Kelli White General Manager Bert Hull Publishing Coordinator Faryle Scott
Subscriptions $22 for a one-year subscription to Shawnee Magazine.
Shawnee Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of The World Company. www.sunflowerpub.com
find us on facebook facebook.com/ShawneeMagazine Follow us on twitter @shawneemag
Its small-town feel matched with a deep history results in an ideal place to call home. Our winter issue reiterates what is great about Shawnee, and in a strange twist, also highlights its worldly connections. Helping residents see more of the world is Tour Resource Consultants, a travel agency assisting school and music groups to explore other cultures. Basing part of its operations in Shawnee, Tour Resource employees agree that calling this Kansas community home is just as gratifying as visiting Europe. As we prepared our family story on The Nutcracker events in and around the area, we enlisted the help of one of our profile subjects, Chun Wang. Originally from China, Wang has always had a passion for art and studied in his native land, later moving to Missouri for more education. He eventually settled on calling Shawnee home after a career with Hallmark Cards. Read about his unique journey and enjoy his work both on the front and in the back of the magazine. We also take a few tips from Family Tree Nursery on how to create a fairy garden and small terrarium. These petite and whimsical gardens are the perfect escape for those looking to bring the outdoors in this winter. This season you can escape the winter doldrums with unique Shawnee subjects and a few portals to rest of the world.
Katy Ibsen editor
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For subscription information, please contact: Christopher J. Bell 609 New Hampshire, P.O. Box 888 Lawrence, KS 66044 (800) 578-8748 | Fax (785) 843-1922 Or e-mail comments to shawneemagazine@sunflower.com
Shawnee continues to be a gem among communities in the metro area.
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Contents
winter
2011
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feature 26 The Nutcracker Suite Performances and merriment abound during the holiday season
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illustrations by chun wang
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winter
2011
on the cover Shawnee’s winter scene Welcoming
the Winter Wonderland
$3.00
as depicted by artist Chun Wang.
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departments shawnee living
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Hearts and Space
10 Renovation sensation Interior designer revitalizes a dated Shawnee home with a modern aesthetic
03 Dear Reader 30 Shawnee Event Spotlight
shawnee businesses
20 Traveling with the Band Shawnee business specializes in stress-free concert tour travel
shawnee profiles
health & fitness
Tiny container gardens make a big comeback
What to know about your fitness routine when the cold air blows in
14 Crazy for Terrariums ‌ and Fairies
in every issue
Chun Wang follows his dreams of painting and winds up on our pages
24 The Winter Workout
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Mother-daughter collaboration takes intimate living to a new level
18 Artistic discovery
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Hearts and story by Kimberly Winter Stern photography by jason dailey
space
Mother-daughter collaboration takes intimate living to a new level
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Sandra Jenkins has prepared a lovely continental breakfast: bagels sliced and presented on
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a silver tray; plump strawberries glisten in a bowl. She offers coffee in a proper cup, ensuring your comfort before taking a seat at the glass-topped dining table. On a bright Saturday morning, tasteful entertaining is nothing out of the ordinary for Sandra, Shawnee hostess, whose signature style is gracious, accommodating, warm and calming. Sandra’s demeanor extends to her residence, a three-bedroom townhome that is as delicious a treat to explore as the favors she’s known to share with guests. Zen-like, the home feels less like a place to live and more like a well-appointed sanctuary to relax, refresh and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. When she purchased the townhome in 1995, Sandra was at an emotional low point. Her beloved 44-year-old sister, Valerie, had just passed unexpectedly, and her marriage was ending. For Sandra, who craves serenity and order, the objective in creating a new home was to transform the cookie-cutter structure—decorated by the former homeowners in eyelet and floral wallpaper—into a highly personal space designed to soothe away the worries of the day in an instant. Mission accomplished for Sandra, who readily admits that once she decides to do something, she goes for the gusto. Chez Jenkins, as she laughingly refers to her home with close friends, is more formal than casual, but is simultaneously welcoming and soulful. “My home is a complete representation of who I am,” says Sandra, her eyes surveying the living area from the dining room’s vantage point, stopping at a display of large wooden letters scattered the length of the mantel that spell “Believe.” The word became Sandra’s mantra when she received a stage II breast cancer diagnosis in 2004. True to her strength of character, nothing changed when she endured a brutal chemotherapy and radiation regimen; she continued to suit up and show up at life. “I didn’t miss a day of work, which is just part of my DNA, something I learned from my father,” says Sandra, who participates in breast cancer fund-raising walks and is vigilant about her health. “Coming home to this space was very healing.”
A picture of a young Daniellé, Sandra Jenkins’ daughter, ties the cozy décor together in her Shawnee home.
Service for all of your automotive needs Proudly serving the community since 1937
Dr. Edward A. Nelson, D.D.S., P.A.
Shawnee Endodontics is a dental practice specializing in root canal treatment and is currently accepting patients to its Shawnee office for their endodontic needs. Dr. Nelson is board certified in endodontics and is a specialist member of the American Association of Endodontists. He received his dental degree from the University of Iowa and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 2008.
Dr. Nelson provides the following endodontic services: • Consultation & Diagnosis • Non-Surgical Root Canal Therapy • Non-Surgical Root Canal Retreatment • Surgical Root Canal Treatment • Oral Facial Pain Diagnosis
Shawnee Endodontics is located one block east of the Johnson Drive and K-7 Highway interchange.
donovan’s service 5912 Nieman Road | 913-631-9877
We welcome Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Diner’s Club, American Express and CareCredit. Most major dental insurance plans are accepted. 5407 Roberts Street, Shawnee, KS 66226 913-971-4050 or 913-712-9865 | www.shawneeendo.com
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living
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TOP Sandra’s luxurious bedroom is boosted with rich jewel colors. INSET Daniellé Beitzinger and her mother, Sandra. ABOVE Sandra’s mantra, Believe, on display.
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Comfort and Grace Each floor of Sandra’s townhome boasts remarkable and intimate seating vignettes cleverly carved into the 2,200-square-foot space, mixing antiques, estate sale finds, family treasures and garage sale surprises. Piles of plush and cushy pillows in all sizes, shapes and colors are everywhere as friendly invitations to sink in and stay awhile. The upholstery color palette ranges from luxurious creams and tawny caramel to chocolates and rich plum browns with shots of cranberry and pomegranate red. A wellcurated blending of styles punctuates each room. A French country chair flanks a circa-1900 antique desk in the living room; modern leopard-print-covered chairs paired with a traditional wood pedestal dining table create a cozy conversation area in the sunny breakfast nook; a traditional settee with rolled arms in a hallway is accented with tufted pillows and a whimsical stuffed velvet frog. Walls are filled with art, photographs and mirrors, a -sandra jenkins delightful mix of flea market prints and precious family pictures. Daniellé favors opening small spaces with mirrors, allowing the reflected light to expand and visually hug a room. She also creates gallery collections of framed pieces to make a statement—similar to the large one she’s created on Sandra’s living room wall.
“Daniellé and I are a great team. She thinks dimensionally—I call her up and say I need something for a particular space, and she’s on task.”
She lights a fire every night during the fall and winter in the living room’s wood-burning fireplace. She loves the aroma and dancing flames; it’s another source of peace.
ABOVE A gallery wall brings attention to uniquely framed pieces.
Sweet Dreams The second-floor master bedroom, Sandra’s favorite, is where she and her faithful companion, Shih Tzu Jersey Girl, cuddle. The cherry sleigh bed is topped by a sumptuous chestnut silk duvet embroidered in amber-gold, saffron and green, accented by layers of plump pillows. A large armoire conceals a flat-screen television, and beside the bed is an antique desk that Beitzinger discovered on a shopping trip. Down the hall is a guest room specifically designed for Sandra’s grandchildren, four youngsters ranging in age from 3 to 10. She’s crazy about them, and they’re equally enamored with “Nannies,” a grandmother who dotes on each of them in the most genuine ways imaginable. Ice cream and giggling in bed, large doses of chocolate and turning out the light way too late are hallmarks of sleepovers at Nannies. The room is adorned with framed artwork created by the grandchildren, and Sandra can recite the provenance of each precious piece. Sandra’s playful and magnetic spirit is tangible throughout her townhome. It’s a heartfelt place that this vibrant woman, determined to survive and thrive, uses as a conduit to a life rich with family and friends.
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Like Mother, Like Daughter Daniellé Beitzinger, Sandra’s daughter and a freelance interior designer, partners with her mother to transform the once-blah townhome into a unique reflection of a life well-lived. The ongoing collaborative effort is one that Sandra cherishes, a byproduct of the close relationship she and Daniellé share. “Daniellé and I are a great team,” says Sandra. “She thinks dimensionally—I call her up and say I need something for a particular space, and she’s on task.” Sandra doesn’t like to shop, but when she sees a piece that resonates, she often purchases it, knowing that Chez Jenkins is always in motion. “It’s a work in progress,” she says. “Daniellé and I constantly shift things.” Skillfully balanced arrangements on tabletops, shelves and mantels showcase Sandra’s intuition of what works together to create calm, not clutter. One of her favorite decorating accessories is the cherub, and at last count 15 statues in varying heights, sizes and poses grace tables throughout the townhome. Daniellé’s talent in choosing fabrics, textures and striking pieces of furniture complements her mother’s eye. “I inherited my mother’s sense of style,” says Daniellé, whose own home struts an air of interior confidence and has been featured in design articles. “Growing up, our home was always show-ready. It impacted me as a young woman.”
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Renovation story by Gloria Gale
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photography by jason dailey
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sensation Interior designer revitalizes a dated Shawnee home with a modern aesthetic
After living in a house for 17 years, there’s a gnawing realization that things begin to look tired. “It was a case of the blahs,” says Virginia Gross, referencing the interior of her family’s Shawnee home. She and her husband, Mike, agreed they needed the help of a professional to accomplish an update with a modern look. “We are both lawyers, so we deferred to Kathleen Ramsey to step in and take the lead on this project from start to finish,” says Virginia. Kathleen, based in Lenexa, is a professional interior designer and Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She met with the family and discovered the couple was well-traveled and preferred interesting, exotic fabrics, dark colors and a more sophisticated look. Her task would involve adding drama with fresh paint colors, restructuring two fireplaces and replacing furnishings where appropriate. Eighteen months later, Kathleen’s clients are enjoying their fresh, new surroundings. “The rooms have the same physical dimensions, but the decorating is completely different. Though modern, it’s overwhelmingly comfortable—we’re very pleased with the results,” says Virginia.
Interior designer Kathleen Ramsey, left, and busy mom Virginia Gross created a home décor that is functional and modern.
Martin Family Dentistry, P.A. Steven K. Martin, D.D.S. Alan J. Martin, D.D.S. Philip H. Martin, D.D.S.
Serving the Shawnee community for over forty years. Founded in 1964 by, our father, Dr. Gorby R. Martin. We offer a variety of cosmetic services, including all-porcelain crowns and veneers to reshape and restore your smile. We use Cerec technology to create custom ceramic restorations.
Before
After
Other dental services include—cosmetic fillings, root canals, extractions, dentures, cleanings, periodontal procedures and implant restorations. We strive for patient comfort and satisfaction to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Anna
Shawnee Mission Northwest
photosbykeri.blogspot.com
over years
20 creating beautiful smiles.
Located in the heart of downtown Shawnee! (913) 631-4373 | 6130 Nieman Road | Shawnee, Kansas 66203
www.drmartindds.com
7505 Quivira Lenexa/Shawnee 913-268-5559 | www.HannahBraces.com
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www.villagewestliquors.com | 913.721.5288 | 11010 Parallel Parkway | Kansas City, KS 66109
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Popping Decor Soon after the family bought the house in 1994, they painted the wooden cabinets in the kitchen white. Then the couple upgraded the countertops from solid core to sealed granite and installed new stainlesssteel appliances. The kitchen remained the same until Kathleen stepped in changing the wall color from hohum beige to a bold charcoal gray. “Surprisingly, after we painted the walls in the hearth room this charcoal color, the room really popped,” says Virginia.
A Space for Everyone
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Over the years, the layout of the four-bedroom house worked nicely for the Gross family. “The bedrooms are situated on the second story, and the public rooms are on the main level. I didn’t tackle the foyer or dining room but started my work in the hearth room,” says Kathleen.
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Warm and Cozy Bland and traditional were two words that defined the living room. “Like the hearth room, this room had a white mantel with a forgettable tile surround. I painted the mantel a deep brown and added dimensional tile for texture. Virginia found a graphic museum-quality print at Spivey’s in Westport to hang above the fireplace. Two gold club chairs complete the area that now has a modern presence,” says Kathleen.
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Easy Updates The impetus for beginning this renovation stemmed from remodeling the mantels on the see-through fireplace between the living and hearth rooms. “I didn’t need two traditional mantels and wanted something different,” says Virginia. “I removed the builders’-grade wooden mantel in the hearth room and covered the entire fireplace wall with a beautiful fossil-laden stone tile. In order to add interest and visually break up the wall space, I added a horizontal stripe of tile midway,” says Kathleen. The hearth room was painted the same charcoal gray color as the kitchen to integrate the two areas. “We didn’t buy any new furniture for this room since our existing furnishings now look great,” says Virginia.
Tres Chic “I knew the bump-out area needed something dramatic. Kathleen suggested we paint it a deep tan color and replace our functional but nondescript original furniture,” says Virginia. “We decided on making this room distinctive with an industrial chic feel. The paint helped, but the addition of a custom-designed wooden table I designed with a metal edge in conjunction with finding an eye-catching wrought-iron chandelier pulled the space together,” says Kathleen. The final touch: “I loved the drapery fabric,” adds Virginia. “It was back-ordered for months, but I’m glad I waited. It gives this room an imported, more international feel.”
A Place to Escape
Rest Before Virginia found Kathleen, she worked with interior designer Renee Grissom. “Grissom helped us replace our iron bed in the master bedroom with a modern, platform bed. We really love the padded headboard, making it easy to read in bed,” says Virginia.
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The Grosses decided to improve their builder-grade bathroom but had a few parameters. “We wanted to keep the terra cotta floor with metal inserts, existing vanity and wall mirrors,” says Virginia. “I found a crackled glass tile that came in several colors for the shower and bath area that was the perfect colorway. I decided to paint the vanity a dark brown and add a contrasting lighter Cambria countertop. Instead of keeping the old Hollywood bulb lighting over the mirrors, I replaced the fixtures with contemporary deco style lighting. A beveled border was added to the mirror for sparkle, and a large arched faucet replaced the old plumbing at the jacuzzi tub,” says Kathleen.
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local
profiles story by Kimberly Winter Stern
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photography by Jason Dailey
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crazy for terrariums ‌
and Fairies Tiny container gardens make a big comeback
local
profiles
It’s a busy Saturday afternoon at Family Tree Nursery in Shawnee—typical for this popular garden center
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that is a headquarters for many who love to dig in the dirt to decorate their yards and homes with nature’s beauty. Amid the blur of shopping carts piled high with seasonal plants, bags of potting soil, peat moss and colorful containers, is Family Tree Nursery (FTN) employee Sandy Gibson. The petite blonde, outfitted in an apron and jeans, hair pulled back in a ponytail, is deep in conversation with a customer. Gibson, manager of the tropical plant department, points to pots of myrtle and other low-profile plants, her face animated as she explains how to build the perfect terrarium. Gibson explains FTN’s simple mission. “We strive for success,” she says, smiling at a regular shopper who waves on approach. “We educate people on how to enjoy plants and gardens and use them in decorating their environments.” She is FTN’s pied piper of a current décor craze—terrariums. She is a cheerleader, a teacher and even a mentor for customers who flock to the garden center hoping to create one of the small, verdant worlds that have experienced a contemporary makeover from their cousin born in the ’70s. According to Gibson, the modern terrarium is more likely to be petite and elegant, planted in an interesting vessel like a Frenchinspired, hand-blown glass cloche rather than the kitschy and sometimes supersized greenhouses built in a fish tank or clunky apothecary jars. Terrariums sit on tables or hang, a plus for smallspace dwellers. And Gibson assures novice-terrarium-enthusiasts that while green thumbs and crafty sides aren’t essential in pursuing the hobby, a sense of fun and adventure are. “Imagination is important,” says Gibson, who grew up in a family of horticulturists, including a great-grandmother who cross-bred African violets. “Sometimes that’s the best skill in making a terrarium.” Gibson leads workshops at FTN several times a year that are lively how-to sessions for building the perfect terrarium and its popular offshoot, the enchanting fairy garden. Miniature landscapes of plants and charming accessories such as 3- to 5-inch tall figurines, Lilliputian-sized benches, fences and garden tools create the delicate composition of fairy garden appeal to children and adults. “I discovered the fairy garden concept while reading a magazine several years ago and brought the idea to the owners of FTN,”
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OPPOSITE Sandy Gibson of Family Tree Nursery shows off a terrarium, the latest trend for indoor plants. ABOVE Adding to the whimsy of these delicate creations, better known as fairy gardens, are fairies.
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profiles natural surprise The terrarium’s history is often traced back to London where in 1829, physician and amateur botanist Nathaniel Ward kept a fern in an enclosed glass jar, protecting it from the city’s heavily polluted air. The plant thrived in its accidental microsystem, and considered an innovative discovery, was displayed at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. The concept was useful for the era’s sea travel—people could safely bring home tropical plants on an extended boat voyage where fresh water typically wasn’t available. Today’s terrarium is an aesthetic jewel for urban dwellers and homeowners seeking to add a bit of a nature inside.
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“Plus the indoor gardens give a sense of peace to a room,” says Sandy Gibson of Shawnee’s Family Tree Nursery.
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says Gibson. “They supported me, and I’ve since helped countless customers build their own.” Shawnee resident and gardening enthusiast Dee Seigle introduce her four granddaughters, ages 4 to 13, to the pleasures of fairy gardens several years ago. She enrolled them in a workshop at FTN, and the quintet has learned from Gibson how to design the perfect fairy garden. “It’s a wonderful tradition and fun to do together,” says Seigle. “It’s something special to share.” According to Gibson, the fairy garden’s whimsy lies in the choice of plants and the architecture of the garden itself. Unlike terrariums that are geared to enhance interiors and -sandy gibson require plants able to thrive in medium-moisture climates, fairy gardens are planted outdoors in containers, such as weathered clay pots or window boxes.
“I discovered the fairy garden concept while reading a magazine several years ago and brought the idea to the owners of FTN.”
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profiles Gibson helps people choose everything from appropriate plants and succulents for the type of container they want to other materials such as moss and charcoal. “Terrariums connect nature to indoors, and fairy gardens become part of a larger garden outside,” she says. She helps people choose everything from appropriate plants and succulents for the type of container they want to other materials such as moss and charcoal. A terrarium’s ability to fit into any décor—modern, traditional, rustic, French country—is another reason for its popularity. “A terrarium can be tailored to any interior,” says Gibson, adding that they’re also budget-friendly. “You can have a nice terrarium for $30. I encourage people to use found objects from home in their designs, too—shells from a vacation, an interesting piece of salvaged wood.” Gibson credits her parents with giving her the inspiration to enjoy plants. “Plants make you happy,” she says. “As a hobby, just like sports, cooking or music, they help de-stress your life. I’m carrying on a tradition. Getting your hands dirty, using your imagination and seeing instant results are gratifying.” Gibson excuses herself to conduct another impromptu aisle class on building a terrarium with a customer who admits they don’t have a clue where to start. “That’s okay,” soothes Gibson. “We’ll start at the beginning.”
Get more information on Shawnee Family Tree Nursery’s terrarium and fairy garden classes. (913) 631-6121
Flu Shot $20*
*Payment in full required at time of service. One coupon per person.
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profiles story by Carolyn Glade Dvorak photography by Jason Dailey
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Chun Wang follows his dreams of painting and winds up on our pages
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Shawnee resident Chun Wang uses one form of nature to define the other when he creates his works of art, whether he’s painting in the Flint Hills, his native China or on the deck in his backyard. In search of the right colors, lighting and composition, he strives to have his paintings reflect his feelings. “Nature is always my inspiration,” he says. “I always try to seek some spirit in my object that share, conform or relate to my personality, mood or aesthetic preference.” He will take days of painting in the same spot outside at the same time of day to capture the right lighting for a piece but also work in his basement studio to get the look he wants. Photographs are sometimes used for reference, and those scenes combine with real-life scenes. “I like to paint from real life. It’s the best way to communicate with nature. You can get the excitement, intuition and spontaneity,” he says. “But I have the freedom to be able to set up and arrange my painting to catch the mood of the scene.” Chun is a painter, illustrator, graphic artist and ceramicist, but he has found oil painting to be his passion as he can best use the oils to express his emotions. His representational style easily connects with those viewing his art. “He has a real understanding of composition,” says friend and fellow artist Donna Yeager of Overland Park. “He’s able to tell the story in a painting very well. That’s not easy to do.”
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profiles Chun’s expertise has come with time and experience. His interest in art began in high school in Nanjing, China, where he would collect pictures and copy them to learn on his own. It was not enough, though. “I knew that if I really wanted to do art, I would have to study it systematically,” Chun says. However, growing up in the midst of China’s Cultural Revolution, when college admission was limited to select people from worker, soldier and farmer, Chun instead went to work for an art business in his hometown. When universities finally began to open up in the late 1970s, he was accepted at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, where the styles of drawing and painting being taught were very traditional with a heavy Russian influence. Chun graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics and over the next several years expanded his experiences by developing commercial sculpture and design, planning art shows for the Jiangsu Artists Association, People’s Republic of China, and managing freelance book cover designs and illustrations. Still wanting to continue his studies in art, Chun began applying at colleges in the United States. “I just wanted to see and do more things,” he says. The United States “was more open, there was more freedom.” He was accepted at several universities in the U.S. but chose the University of Missouri-Columbia because of its financial aid. Chun obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting and graphic design in 1995 and over the next 11 years worked as an illustrator for Hallmark. During this time he also continued to refine his skills as a painter in oils and obtained his U.S. citizenship. Today Chun works exclusively on his paintings and illustrations. He has been in several shows, including the Art Westport show, Art in the Park in Lawrence and Buttonwood Art Space in Kansas City, Mo. This year he received “The Best of America” recognition from The National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society for a still life of a vase of flowers. Chun does not plan to slow down. He and Yeager currently teach classes at Buena Vista Studio (4301 W. 51st St.) in Roeland Park. He continues to learn and be inspired by nature, the “old masters” and fellow artists. “Painting is my passion,” he says. “So I will always paint and improve my skills.”
Unexpected inspiration Editor’s Note: Chun Wang was commissioned to illustrate characters from The Nutcracker for this winter issue.
Illustrating individual characters from The Nutcracker took a little time, says Chun Wang. He was familiar with the ballet suite The Nutcracker by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky because while living in China, he listened to the music. But because Christmas is a Western custom, the story was not well-known. Heading to the internet, Chun researched the story, images of the characters and began to draw. He considered what he felt each would look like and took into account requests from the editorial staff of Shawnee Magazine. Once the initial drawings were complete he finished with acrylics on illustration board. “The final characters were done in a kind of simple way; I put my style into it,” he says.
“From this beautiful character, I imagine that people remember the feeling they had of a magic Christmas as a child,” Chun says.
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He enjoyed drawing all of them, but Clara is his favorite.
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Chun Wang
www.chunwangstudio.com
opposite page Accomplished in plein air painting, Chun Wang is also versed in illustration, graphic arts and ceramics.
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traveling
band
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Shawnee business specializes in stress-free concert tour travel story by Vince Meserko
photography by jason dailey
Playing music thousands of miles from home
in front of an audience of strangers may seem like a nerve-rattling experience. When you factor in the rigors of international travel, the potential for scheduling mistakes and the added responsibility of being in charge of 100 high school students, you end up with an experience that seems destined for trouble. For Jim Moyer, however, the entire scenario is actually free of stress and absent of any problems, and for that, he thanks a Shawnee company for making it possible.
Moyer, a choir director and high school teacher in Fairless Hills, Pa., has used Tour Resource Consultants, a Shawnee-based travel agency, to help him plan international and domestic concert tours for his choirs over the past 13 years. The company helps plan both European and domestic tours for music and academic groups as well as for the common leisure traveler. According to the company’s website, TRC’s clients have performed in South America, North America, Europe, Central America and Australia, as well as venues like St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. The company has eight full-time employees, six of whom are experienced tour consultants, in addition to a financial director and air travel specialist. Moyer is quick to credit TRC’s track record of success for contributing to his own peace of mind in what could otherwise be an incredibly taxing experience. “As a music director my job is to prepare the choir to sing well and not do all the preparations for arranging the tour bus, paying the entrances for going to museums, arranging the meals and setting up hotels,” Moyer says. “If I was doing all that I don’t know how I’d have the choir prepared to sing.”
The staff behind Tour Resource Consultants helps make a difference in the exposure of musical groups looking to tour the world.
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businesses It is TRC’s commitment to detail that impressed Moyer when he first met owner Maury Schulte. Moyer had become disappointed with other travel agencies that often overlooked important travel details, were difficult to reach when problems arose and treated their clients with a hands-off approach that created an impersonal distance between agency and client. Schulte, a longtime Kansas City resident, states that the move to Shawnee was an easy choice. The company moved its office from Colorado in 2007, and the increased revenue generated by the move allowed Schulte to open a second office in San Diego. “The office space was affordable, certainly less expensive, a better quality than we had in Colorado, and we have a real community of friends with the neighboring businesses around us,” Schulte says. He has been able to extend this personal touch not only to the surrounding Shawnee community, but also to the clients themselves. “You get to work with someone from the company, and that person follows you all the way through the tour so you have that personal contact,” Moyer says about TRC. Not only is the support more personal, but the foundation of the agency is also uniquely positioned to deal with musicbased clients. Schulte studied music education, has a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and earned a postgraduate degree in singing from the Royal College of Music in London. -maury schulte “We are about musicians serving musicians. We are singers and conductors who are planning trips for other singers and conductors. When you are planning a trip you have to have the point of view of a musician in order to plan a trip for a musician,” Schulte says. Such an approach helps avoid common problems associated with international travel. While a conventional tourist may take a seven-day trip and stay in seven different hotels, such an approach is ill-suited to a touring concert schedule. “We center ourselves in one place and make music in the whole region. That’s a very different point of view than the overthe-road travel industry point of view,” Schulte says. The “centering” approach also helps travelers avoid long bus trips and the packing and unpacking that comes with the constant switching of hotel rooms, which Moyer appreciates. “We want to minimize travel so we can maximize what we see and do while we are there,” he says. Besides keeping the lodging close to performance spaces, Schulte tries to cater his planning ideas to the specific tastes of the choir director. He also
“We want to minimize travel so we can maximize what we see and do while we are there.”
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Jennifer Rice knows that customer service is key when you have groups halfway around the world.
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makes an effort to ensure that the performances themselves are wellattended, since the groups are so often performing for locals. “A lot of tour companies set you up to sing somewhere and there might be a dozen people there. It’s certainly better to sing for a couple hundred people,” Moyer says. Schulte’s own musical background helps guarantee that the venues will be appropriate and that there are plenty of opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue among musicians. “We try to not only take a group of musicians and show them another culture, but we interact our group with groups that are like-
Tour Resource Consultants www.tourresource.com
minded in another culture,” Schulte says. Even though these groups may speak different languages, they all speak the language of music, according to Schulte. “Between food and music they find a way to communicate with another. It’s amazing how much communication can happen in that way,” he says. Schulte, who will often accompany the touring groups on their trips, says that while he enjoys the travel himself, sometimes the best part of the job isn’t the travel perks. “I love traveling with and leading a group, but we have other staff who also lead trips, and I love it when a group is traveling for 10 days with another staff member and we don’t hear a peep from the group. It means we have done our job well,” says Schulte. “I wish I could live to be 170 years old,” he adds. “Because I’d do this every day for the rest of my life.”
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Three siblings play at the Johnson County Museum’s Kidspace exhibit. (Dispatch photo)
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The
Winter Workout What to know about your fitness routine when the cold air blows in story by Kim Antisdel |
photography by jason dailey
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Gone are the days of playing baseball until dark and swimming under the stars until your fingers appear like prunes. Winter is officially here. While it’s wonderful to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket, the frosty season has a way of adding a few things we may not want—pounds. These uninvited guests settle in around our hips, or cold and flu symptoms attack during the holidays. With the right tools and nutrition, this season doesn’t have to snowball into an unhappy, out-of-shape attitude. Follow these tips to say goodbye to extra winter bulge and hello to a healthy body and mind.
“If you do start to feel crummy take some zinc and vitamin C.”
Kick it out Physical exercise is one of the best ways to keep extra pounds at bay. Unfortunately, with snow on the ground, it may not be possible to head out for a run or take a leisurely swim in the pool. Angie Wilson, a group exercise instructor for Punch+Boxing Fitness in Shawnee, encourages kickboxing workouts to peel back pounds and create fun at the same time.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Shelly Murray of Your Wellness Connection suggests eating right during the winter can keep you healthy. Angie Wilson, who works at Punch+Boxing Fitness, suggests a strong cardio workout to stave off the winter pounds. Mary Horvatin, owner of Yoga Fix Studio, finds solace in yoga to keep winter blues at bay.
Breathe in the good A high-powered kickboxing class can certainly get the heart rate jumping, but for a softer approach to fitness, yoga hits the jackpot every time. Mary Horvatin, owner of Yoga Fix Studio in Shawnee, has seen yoga go from a small following to a full-on fitness revolution. “Everything about yoga is positive,” Horvatin says. “There is no wear and tear on the joints. Yoga is reparative to the body while at the same time truly challenging. And you can do it every single day.” For the freezing winter months, Horvatin encourages people to try hot yoga. “As a society, we do not sweat enough.” Horvatin says. “Doing a hot yoga session in 106-109 degree heat immediately makes you sweat, and you get a head start on flushing toxins out of your body. When you begin the yoga session, you’re able to work safely since your body is already warmed up. Plus, coming into a hot room from outside negative temperatures feels pretty great.” Like kickboxing, yoga can be practiced at home or with a group. Participating in a group session does have its added benefits, though. “When you’re sharing practice with 20-30 people, it keeps you honest,” Horvatin says. “Your instructor or someone near you can see if you’re doing a posture incorrectly and help you fix it. We learn from each other.” Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for trying yoga is the one thing every person can relate to—stress. “We’re all stressed out about things,” Horvatin says. “Family, work, everything. With yoga, it’s 90 minutes to turn off your phone and focus on yourself, focus on your strength and flexibility. Doing something good for yourself makes you better for those that depend on you.”
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An ounce of prevention Common winter issues such as illness, fatigue and weight gain can actually be avoided with preparation and forethought. Shelly Murray, holistic nutritionist for Your Wellness Connection in Shawnee, explains it’s as easy as thinking ahead. “Prevention is key,” Murray says. “It’s obvious, but people tend to forget to wash their hands. It’s so huge. Wash your hands before you eat, before you touch your food, anything. Wash, wash, wash. And if you do start to feel crummy take some zinc and vitamin C.” In addition, proper nutrition plays a big part of keeping your body clear of colds and flu. “A diet high in vegetables will help ward off illnesses,” Murray says. “Shoot for 6-11 servings of vegetables per day, especially the green variety: kale, bok choy, watercress, collard greens, spinach. Get a variety. These greens have great cancer-fighting properties as well.” Murray also debunks the -shelly murray myth that fruit is something to avoid because it will cause weight gain “Fruit is packed with antioxidants,” she says. “While it’s true that fruit does have sugar in it, I’d rather see someone reach for berries than a big piece of cake or a muffin. It’s when you’re overeating fruit that it becomes a problem. Two to four servings per day is plenty. Add in beans and good-quality meat protein, and you will feel a difference.”
“Kickboxing is excellent for staying, or getting, in shape,” Wilson says, but reminds participants that it isn’t supposed to be simple. “You’ll get out what you put in,” she says. “If you’re working hard, expect to burn from 700-800 calories per hour.” This workout doesn’t stop at burning calories; it’s more about achieving overall fitness to keep you functioning at your best. “We tend to focus on one part of our bodies that we hope to improve,” Wilson says. “But you can’t approach a workout and say, ‘I’m going to slim my thighs.’ A bazillion crunches isn’t going to give you a six-pack, either.” You must have cardiovascular and resistance training in order to define your body. “Kickboxing does both,” she says. As an added bonus, kickboxing is a workout that can be done at home. “You can do a few classes and take the workout home to your living room,” Wilson says. “Put on a pair of 16-ounce gloves at home and go hit something, probably a pillow. Just do something!”
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Nutcracker Suite the
Performances and merriment abound during the holiday season illustrations by Chun Wang
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Magic in the metro
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A few Nutcracker events pepper the season in Kansas City. The Kansas City Ballet has been The Nutcracker powerhouse. Creating a tradition for families and ballet enthusiasts for years, the performance is a symbol of the holiday season in Kansas City. Running December 3-24. www.kcballet.org The Nutcracker Tea Party is an annual event sponsored by the Friends of Overland Park Arts and is considered Overland Park’s premier holiday event. The Legacy School of the Arts Dance Company will perform a one-hour version of the holiday classic, shopping will be available at an on-site boutique along with a silent auction, and children can enjoy the tea party and take pictures with the dancers. December 3-4. www.stemssoiree.com/arts/ The Kansas Nutcracker at the Lawrence Arts Center is a Midwestern play on the storied performance. Celebrating the Kansas sesquicentennial, the performance has fused the treasured Christmas ballet into Kansas’ first year of statehood in 1861. Performances set for December 9-11, 16-18. www.lawrenceartscenter.org
Dream come true
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In 10 to 15 years, you might just see Catherine Doherty’s name in lights, or at least on Kansas City Ballet’s list of company dancers. Doherty, a fifth-grader at Belmont Elementary, has been dancing since she was 3 years old, and her practice has paid off. This season will mark her third performance in the Kansas City Ballet’s version of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Dotherty’s roles have included an angel, a soldier, and this year her role is bunny, a part she takes very seriously. “I get to yank on the rat’s tail and play a drum,” she says with excitement. After auditions, she had to wait two weeks for a confirmation email telling her whether she got a part. “I was nervous the first two times I tried out for The Nutcracker,” Doherty says. This time around, though, Doherty and her dancing shoes were busy rehearsing for Tom Sawyer, the ballet’s October production. “ This time I wasn’t too nervous,” Doherty says. Was it the hectic schedule or the fact that she, at age 10, is a pro at rehearsals? Either way, she is thrilled to be a part of this production and takes every opportunity to learn and improve. In addition to her personal goals of improving her dancing skills, Doherty loves learning from the other dancers. “I like watching other dancers and the choreographing of new parts,” she says. “I am very fortunate to dance. I hope to progress to be a company dancer.” - Kelli White
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Nutcracker Play
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The wonderment of The Nutcracker is a joy for children and the start of many family traditions. This season, bring the magic home with these beautiful paper dolls created by Shawnee artist Chun Wang. Find the rest of the cast on Facebook. www.facebook.com/shawneemagazine
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The Farmstead at Shawnee Town
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W
inter has never felt so cold until you dive into the waters at the Shawnee Mission Park Swim Beach for the 2012 Polar Plunge. Supporting the Special Olympics of Kansas, the event has begun to attract some loyalists who are out to prove they can bear the cold waves for a good cause. This year’s event includes a 5K race and Post-Plunge Party. Registration required online or day of. Plunge occurs at 11 a.m. January 28.
Shawnee Mission Park Swim Beach 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS
www.ksso.org/kansascity
Photograph: ShutterStock
sp tlight
Saturday, January 28
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Event is subject to change. E-mail your upcoming events for the calendar to shawneemagazine@sunflower.com
The Polar Plunge