Fall 2017
Retired competition horses find new jobs with therapists & more
Topeka SR Fall Edition, 16 pages of Senior Stories
Artists as Patrons, Two Great Collections
Winners of the 2017 BrooksFest Youth Poetry Contest
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TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017
FROM THE EDITOR FALL 2017 | VOLUME 11, NO. 4
Editor Nathan Pettengill Art Director/Designer Jenni Leiste Designer Amanda Nagengast
Copy Editor Leslie Andres Advertising Peterson Publications, Inc. Representative publish@petersonpublications.com (785) 271-5801 Ad Designer Jenni Leiste Amanda Nagengast Contributing Jason Dailey Photographers Nick Krug Katie Moore Ann Palmer Scott Stebner Bill Stephens
Welcome to the fall issue of Topeka Magazine, with a special insert of our sister publication Topeka SR. We are excited to be able to present these two publications in one issue, particularly with the lineup of stories that focus on themes of age and youth. Our senior-themed stories bring us articles on an innovative exercise program at Washburn University, a dogwalking partnership with the Helping Hands Humane Society, a volunteer group’s push to record the personal histories of a generation of Volga-German immigrants and an interview with the new leader of Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, the region’s leading advocacy and support group for senior citizens. In Topeka Magazine, we continue that theme with our cover story on the active lives of retired show horses, some of whom now work with area
youth through riding classes or therapy programs. To see this partnership in person is to witness a magical connection between two species at two ends of the age spectrum. The benefit of building a connection across generations is also reflected in our story on an innovative nonprofit youth program that sets up young photographers for personal encounters and a photo session with Topeka military veterans. And it is seen in our interview with poets Annette Billings and Joan Koromante about their process for selecting and honoring a group of middle school and high school writers for a festival celebrating the centennial of Topeka-born Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Whatever your age, we hope you enjoy this issue of Topeka Magazine and Topeka SR.
Contributing Writers Anita Miller Fry Marsha Henry Goff Kim Gronniger Carolyn Kaberline Leah Sewell Christine Steinkuehler Michelle R. Terry Subscriptions $27 for a one-year subscription, including Topeka SR; order at sunflowerpub.com Production Manager Shelly Bryant
Please contact us at topekamagazine@sunflowerpub.com for all comments, subscription and editorial queries.
Topeka Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of Ogden Publications. Ogden Publications 1503 SW 42nd St Topeka, KS 66609
— NAT H A N P E T T E N G I L L , E D I T O R sunflowerpub.com topekamag.com
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TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017
WHAT’S INSIDE FALL 2017 | VOLUME 11, NO. 4
Fall 2017
On the Cover
Retired competition horses find new jobs with therapists & more
Topeka SR Fall Edition, 16 pages of Senior Stories
Artists as Patrons, Two Great Collections
Winners of the 2017 BrooksFest Youth Poetry Contest
Therapy horse Caesar works with clients in Topeka. Photograph by Scott Stebner.
TOPEKANS 10 ARTISTS AS COLLECTORS
Some of the art community’s biggest patrons are artists themselves
L SPECIA N SECTIO
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On the Cover
Pages
Fall/Winter 2017
14 THE GWENDOLYN
BROOKS LEGACY
Celebrating the centennial of a great Topekan
20 SNAPSHOT RECRUITER
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49
An army veteran passes on to younger generations the photo skills and discipline that shaped her life
AN AMBITIOUS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT FOR TOPEKA
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Meet JAAA’s New Leader, Susan Harris
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Selected events for the fall months
OF DOORKNOBS
The delight of small details plays out in this humble, functional piece of hardware
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VENERABLE
Senior horses provide wisdom and patience to improve the lives of others
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Wag and Walk: Dogs and Seniors Team Up
SR02 THE VOLGA
GERMAN STORIES
An ambitious oral history program aims to preserve personal stories of the late 1800s mass migration of German-Russians into the Topeka region
SR06 BETTER THAN EXPECTED
A free community wellness program is benefiting seniors
SR10 A DOG, A SENIOR
... AND A WALK
Topeka organizations team up to offer the health and emotional benefits of a simple, joyful outing
F E AT U R E S 38 THE DURABLE DIGNITY
Ichabod Exercise Program Delivers Results
REDEPLOYED
Five years after founding a national advocacy group, Melissa Jarboe continues to take on new duties and new missions to support military service veterans and the people around them
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Photographs of Volga German ancestors from the collection of Topekan John Reeb. Photograph by Bill Stephens.
SR14 A CONVERSATION
WITH SUSAN HARRIS
The new director for Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging (JAAA) talks about her priorities for serving area seniors
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TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017
TOPEKA TALK
Fall/Winter 2017
AN AMBITIOUS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT FOR TOPEKA
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Meet JAAA’s New Leader, Susan Harris
CASA Home Tour Anniversary As you will read in our November calendar of events on page 36, this year marks the 30th annual Holiday Homes Tour for CASA of Shawnee County. We’re delighted to congratulate the organization on three successful decades. It’s an event that combines some of our favorite aspects—home design and service to the community. Prepared by some of the city’s top designers and home-stagers, the five locations on this year’s tour will offer a range of décor styles and interpretations of home trends. It is a chance to take ideas and easily adapt them for your own home projects. But more importantly, the tour is a chance to celebrate and support the work being done by CASA of Shawnee County, the agency charged with advocating for
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
topekamagazine@sunflowerpub.com
Ichabod Exercise Program Delivers Results
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Wag and Walk: Dogs and Seniors Team Up
10 Years
the interest of youth involved in area court systems. This is work that—because of the privacy that it demands out of respect for the dignity and legal rights of the youth— is often difficult to detail. But it is work that has an impact on lives at a crucial and vulnerable period in their formations. It is work that can literally protect, encourage and nurture our future. In our 10 years of publication, we’ve devoted several stories to homes participating in this tour—and we anticipate more stories in the future related to this event. Of course, this is not the only Topeka nonprofit doing incredible work in our city, but the longevity of the CASA Holiday Homes Tour testifies to the support and goodwill that CASA has earned in Topeka. Congratulations to them.
facebook.com/topekamag
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@TopekaMagazine
This issue marks our final round of the 10-year anniversary cycle. To celebrate, we have been reprinting or revisiting stories and photographs from our first decade of print. Thanks to everyone who has supported our mission of local coverage of the finest events, developments and accomplishments in Topeka.
Topeka SR This edition includes a 16-page insert of our sister publication, Topeka SR, that focuses on the lives and concerns of Topekans sixty-five years and older.
Next Edition The winter issue of Topeka Magazine will arrive in early December. If your home area is not included in our distribution routes, remember that we distribute complimentary copies through the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and other locations. Subscriptions are also available through our publishing company website, sunflowerpub.com.
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TOPEKANS
TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017 STORY BY
Barbara Waterman-Peters |
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Bill Stephens
Artists as
COLLECTORS Some of the art community’s biggest patrons are artists themselves
This woodcut, Porches at Night, by Craig Mindell is part of the Nobo collection.
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
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A
s an artist, I have visited hundreds of regional galleries and almost every exhibition hall in Kansas. We are fortunate to live in a state where great art is displayed at public venues in so many communities. Sometimes, the backbone of these collections comes from private donations. Indeed, another way to view and enjoy visual art is to collect it— and there are many specialized collections in area homes. Often, the biggest patrons and art collectors are artists themselves. My husband and I, both professional visual artists, have been art collectors for many years. Our motivations for acquiring works by other artists are many. And, it seems, this reasoning is shared by other artists who assemble collections and support their colleagues.
Jorge and Pat Nobo
The Nobo Collection Jorge and Pat Nobo seem to have a particular focus on blackand-white images in their collection. Punctuated with an occasional brilliantly colored piece, such as Robert Stackhouse’s Ruby Lawrence, the Nobos’ strong grouping of original prints, drawings and photographs, beautifully mounted on white walls, provides a stunning visual experience. Jorge, a retired Washburn University professor of philosophy, says his interest in the black-and-white motif began early in life when he was living in Cuba and came across a publication with stunning black-and-white illustrations. Pat, an artist who primarily creates prints, also likes the familiarity and richness of black on white. Gradually, their interests were reflected in a growing home collection. Starting with a 1970s purchase of a ceramic pitcher by the late Jack Wright, the Nobos’ holdings are a who’s-who of regional artists and range from paintings to sculpture. “I wish I could have bought more at first,” Pat says wistfully, referring to early budget considerations.
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Why Do Artists Collect? “Everybody collects something,” writes Mark B. McKinley in a 2007 National Psychologist article. As children, we collected marbles, stamps, rocks, or little cars. Maybe we had a special affinity for miniature animal figures, paper dolls, or comic books. As we grow older, our collecting probably moved onto something else as our interests changed, such as sports memorabilia, antique tools or cars, advertising signs, or exquisite old quilts. Collecting goes beyond the gathering of similar or necessary items. We aren’t squirrels caching more of the same nuts for winter. Our survival doesn’t depend on collecting. In terms of collecting art, it is even more curious to ask why artists themselves collect art. After all, they create their own. So why do we do it? Well, even Freud weighed in on that, but suffice it to say we seem to enjoy the quest; the challenge is a source of satisfaction. And, as Antiques Roadshow proves, we are not drawn to gather items simply for their monetary value (that is investing, not collecting) although we are sometimes pleasantly surprised to find out what that value is. Art collections, in particular, are fascinating to share. Each work has a story about the artist, or when and where it was acquired, weaving the collectors’ history into it, too. Living with art is almost like having the artist present. Jorge Nobo makes the case that having art around you assists in “learning how to see.” A work of art is self-contained, yet very much a part of the world; that is, it does not exist in a vacuum but has a context. What is the artist sharing with the viewer? What is here that the viewer might not otherwise have imagined? And a question the viewer should always ask is whether the work appeals or repels, provokes ideas or evokes emotion, invites touch, or, unfortunately, does nothing. Collectors of art do ask these questions (even if unconsciously). And the best art in their collections continues to encourage dialog long after it is collected. So when it comes to why artists collect, I think artists collect the work of other artists not only to support each other but also to enrich their own lives and work.
Helen and John Petterson
“It takes a while to feel entitled to buy art,” Pat states, “but having my own work for sale loosened me up because I saw the sale from the artist’s viewpoint.” “Why do we breathe?” adds Jorge, “Art itself is the reason to collect.” Smiling, he adds, “it makes being indoors more enjoyable.” “We must like the work,” says Pat, listing her criteria for purchasing art. She says often they buy works from artists early in the artist’s career, before the artists become well known. But for their collection, an artist’s potential reputation and worth is always secondary to the work itself. “We still have to like it,” Pat says. Sometimes, when one of them has suggested possibly acquiring a piece, they will walk away to discuss it. “Usually we agree, but once in a while we purchase singly,” Pat explains.
The Petterson Collection Helen and John Petterson started collecting about 1983, starting with a beautiful Joan Foth watercolor. “It reminded me of my grandmother,” Helen remarks. Their approach to their collection reflected their interests and expertise. Helen, who worked at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery at Topeka and Shawnee Public Library, studied photography and
other art media at Washburn University while John, who was a reporter for the Kansas City Star at the time of his retirement, took ceramics courses. “Having academic knowledge helps to realize and appreciate what has gone into” the creation of a work, explains John. “I buy things I wish I could do,” adds Helen. When asked which of them is more likely to collect, they pointed to each other and laughed. “We don’t spend a lot on individual pieces,” says John. Most of their collection is blackand-white photographs and ceramics. Unless it’s a small work, they do discuss a possible acquisition. “We like to have them to view and to touch. Each piece reminds us of something—like having friends,” says Helen. Especially nice is the fact that the couple’s own creative works are in the mix. Soft colors and textures make their home an inviting space for conversation. Their collection continues to grow. The couple visit galleries and attend the Mulvane Art Fair. It’s “something we can do together,” Helen explains. “We lean toward artists we know or know of. Of course, we must like the piece, but we like to support them.”
About the Writer: Barbara Waterman-Peters writes, paints, exhibits, teaches and manages Studio 831 in the North Topeka Arts District (NOTO).
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TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017
TOPEKANS INTERVIEW BY Leah Sewell | PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Scott Stebner
The Gwendolyn Brooks
LEGACY Celebrating the Centennial of a Great Topekan
Adam Lancaster, winner of 2017 BrooksFest high school division poetry contest
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
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his year, the city celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Gwendolyn Brooks, a Pulitzer-winning author and internationally acclaimed poet who was born in Topeka and died in 2000. The official celebrations were held at the Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site and included poetry readings in honor of Brooks. Among these were the winners of a youth poetry contest, financially supported by Topeka Magazine and organized by Topeka poets Annette Billings and Joan Koromante. In the following pages we print the winning poems and include a conversation with the organizers about the legacy of Brooks for Topeka’s youth.
Q+A with BrooksFest Youth Poetry Committee, poets Annette Billings and Joan Koromante; conducted by Leah Sewell (Topeka poet and writer) for Topeka Magazine. Leah Sewell/Topeka Magazine (TM): How did you get involved in organizing Brooksfest? Annette Billings (AB): About four years ago I invited people to come to Gwendolyn Brooks Park on her birthday and read her work or their own work or a combination. It was an eclectic, wonderful gathering of poets. We made up our minds that, each year on her birthday, we’d meet at her park and honor and recognize her. Joan Koromante (JK): I attended a remembrance in Gwendolyn Brooks Park a few years ago. I found a wonderful bunch of people who had a fondness for Gwendolyn and her work, and we discussed how the centennial of her birthday was coming soon. Annette twisted my arm to join the organizing committee. She didn’t have to twist too hard. TM: How did you discover her poetry? Why does it speak to you? JK: She was a fellow poet. I’ve always read a variety of different types of poetry, and she came across my radar and stayed. I like the fact that she’s right to the point. She says what she means and she means what she says. AB: I’ve always had a love of reading that was instilled in me by my mother. I remember [Gwendolyn Brooks’] work standing out to me because she sounded like someone I knew, someone I would talk to on the street, or as a teacher. I love the economy of her words. There’s no fluff or frill at all. TM: What is her connection to Topeka, and how is that significant to you?
i set myself on fire in the hopes you’d be drawn to the flame. By Adam Lancaster Topeka West High School and there are days when it feels as if everything in the entire world can be condensed into the inch between the razor and my skin. did it make you feel better? did it make you feel better? did it make you feel? no, i wasn’t real either way, ghost images on the chalkboard that won’t erase, almost legible, almost meaningful, almost a whole human being. and it’s bitter going down, body warmed copper blood, i can’t get the taste out of my mouth, it sticks thick to the back of my throat where my fingers can’t reach and the lighter can’t burn. a crush—lightheaded and dizzy and puking my guts out, where are all the butterflies? i must have been so in love with myself, to carve such masterpieces into the hollow of my flesh. it’s the romance of the century, my blood and the bathroom tile.
Discrimi-Nation Miguel Maciel Holguin Eisenhower Middle School The land of opportunity where the black and brown are treated cruelly. Discrimi-Nation They are attempting to forbid color in America, wanting to erase the color to make the board white, living under the illusion that no color in sight is going to make everything right, so they must not know, that color, is what, attracts the light. Discrimi-Nation We have been lied to, blinded by their lies, we need to open our eyes and ask ourselves; What do we live in? What do we see in sight? Is it happiness? Or is it sadness? No, we live and should see the madness, a mess, everything unbalanced, take a quick glance and realize we don’t get a chance. Discrimi-Nation
Photograph unavailable, Miguel Maciel Holguin, winner of 2017 BrooksFest middle school division poetry contest
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The Clock King By Mallory Lysaught Shawnee Heights High School Note: This poem is meant to be read to a beat of approximately 75bpm.
40 seconds, go: My name is the Clock King, I sit upon the tower; Listen to the chimes ring Upon the happy hour. Swaying like a pendulum, Rolling like a gong, Marking when I murdered him, Singing my death song. Out pops the cuckoo bird, Chirps for everyone; It’s morning, so say the words— Oh wait, it’s half past one. I’m chortling, so loud and clear, Rocking to the rhyme, One, two, kick a few Just to pass the time. Brazen as a brass-made ring Marring pale thin hands; Slowing, unless something Restarts me, understand. Cold, cruel, kingly sin To turn your mood to sour; My dynasty begins again, I chime upon the hour.
Mallory Lysaught first runner-up, 2017 BrooksFest high school division poetry contest
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
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AB: She was born here, and she may have left as early as six weeks of age. She had no recollection of Topeka and claimed Chicago as her home. But it was important to me that she took her first breaths here in the same town where I lived. She went on to reach all kinds of milestones coming from here, and I’ve always liked to believe that there was some element of Topeka that stayed with her. TM: Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer for poetry. What meaning does that have for you on a cultural level? AB: It fills me with a sense of awe that she was from here, and that she was given that recognition. It didn’t happen a lot back then for women and certainly not for African-American women. Her work deserved that kind of recognition. Her work spoke for itself. JK: It’s important to remember that she didn’t try to hide her blackness. Even though she was relatable from all parts of society, for those of us who share her blackness and her femaleness, it just speaks to you. For her to come along when she did, unabashed and unashamed, has always resonated with me. TM: Brooksfest included a poetry contest for middle and high schoolers from the area. How did that component become incorporated, and why was it important to include young writers? AB: We knew we really wanted to draw in young people. It’s important to recognize the poets coming up. For me, it’s also important to recognize how much of an impact art has on that growing-up process. Also, we wanted to increase the recognition of Gwendolyn Brooks. I feel confident they’re much more aware of her now. JK: If you want to keep poetry alive, you do that by encouraging youth participation. It’s so refreshing to see the world through a child’s eyes and how they express it through poetry. TM: Why should young people care about poetry? Why should we strive to keep it alive when there’s a sense that many people think of it as antiquated? JK: People have been making poetry since we were able to communicate with words. Right after cave paintings came poetic phrases. Poetry gives insight and hopefully brings about change. We’ve got to keep young poets fortified, energized and appreciated. TM: The poem you selected as the winner for the middle school category in the contest was Miguel Maciel Holguin’s “DiscrimiNation.” It’s about racism, a pretty bold topic for an eighth grader. Were you surprised by that?
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I Gave it a Room By Anne Brandon Washburn Rural I gave it a room to stay in I locked the door and threw out the key It grew every day in secret It started to spill underneath the door frame I tried to block it There was knocking on the door Luring me to go in I fought to stay out The knocking continued as it spilled under the door I desperately tried to stop it It knocked louder and louder And I gave up I opened the door And it consumed me It closed the door behind me Now we sit in silence In the dark room With a locked door and a missing key We’re friends now My depression and I So, I gave it a room
Kaylee Anne Brandon, first runner-up, 2017 BrooksFest middle school division poetry contest
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
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AB: No. They live it. Quite frankly, if they’re at all self-aware, they have experienced discrimination by that age. And then, to have the courage to write about it, that’s not something you find even with older poets. You have to be willing to put yourself out there with those types of subjects. TM: Why is it considered an act of courage for a young person to write about societal issues? JK: It’s not the proper thing to do. You’re not supposed to complain. You’re certainly not supposed to point out where adults are falling down. As a kid, it’s just something you don’t do. Poetry allows them to express what they see that can be improved and do it in a safe way, and in a way that’s accessible for other people. TM: How do you get kids to engage with poetry? AB: One of the things I’ve found useful, when I’m talking to middle and high school kids, is to invite them to tell me about the poetry in their lives. I remind them that their favorite song is poetry set to music. TM: What advice would you give specifically to kids who are growing up in Topeka? Why should the fact that Gwendolyn Brooks is from here matter to them? AB: There is a richness in all of our lives, whether that life is lived in Topeka, Chicago or wherever. There’s a depth to the ordinary, because all our lives are intriguing if you look at them closely. We should be proud of the warmth, honesty and resilience in Topeka. The fact that you’re from Topeka doesn’t need to be an apology. JK: That’s right. Because Topeka is rich in history. Topeka has been on the map historically, and there is a wealth of talent in this town. Just as with Gwendolyn, there are a number of people who have become world renowned coming from Topeka. AB: Where you’re from may define your beginning, but where you go defines your journey. A person can travel to have a huge impact, or hugely impact the place where they started. Going or staying doesn’t determine your success. Gwendolyn Brooks is an example of the extraordinary, and reminds us to make the most of where we wind up.
About the Writer: Leah Sewell is the author of Mother-Ghosts and Birth in Storm. She’s the founder of Microburst, Kansas zine of art and politics, an Arty Award recipient for excellence in literary arts, instructor of English at Washburn University, and mother to two wily youths.
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TOPEKANS
TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017 STORY BY
Kim Gronniger |
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Bill Stephens
Snapshot
RECRUITER An army veteran passes on to younger generations the photo skills and discipline that shaped her life
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
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Yolanda Taylor guides student Madison Smith through a photo shoot.
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n 1979, Yolanda Taylor finished her business degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and quickly encountered workforce realities. “I came from a small town, and the job market was dismal when I graduated,” she says. “I did administrative work for the school board, and the members essentially just wanted me to make coffee—and I didn’t know how.” So she took her fate into her own hands. She joined the army, completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and found herself with a specialization choice of being either an electronic warfare interpreter or a photographer. She chose photography, a vocation she continues to practice and pass on four decades later.
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“I was interested in photography when I was younger and remember going through family albums sitting at the feet of my paternal grandmother,” Taylor recalls. “When I first started taking pictures, I thought about those black-andwhite images and tried to imitate some of the poses in my work.” As a U.S. Army photographer, she received extensive training at the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. She and her colleagues from all branches of the military enjoyed frequent field trips to the mountains to experiment with aperture settings, lens options and film speeds before exploring dark room development techniques to see whether their representations of people or pinecone-strewn trails portrayed their subject matter in the best possible light.
Victor Padilla
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer Trevor Padilla
“My students get involved in the community and push past their comfort zone …” Her first official assignments were grip-andgrin ceremonial shots at Fort Riley. She continued photographing as a hobby after she moved to Washington, D.C., and then to Topeka with her son, Jevon (now a veteran as well), and her daughter, Erika. In Kansas, Taylor put her photography on hold as she worked as a veterans’ representative for the Topeka Workforce Center. But in 2008 a serendipitous opportunity to teach a class for kids at the Central Park Community Center renewed her interest. The students’ enthusiasm and aptitude inspired her in 2010 to create Heavenly Visions Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides students not only photography skills but also exposure to community and cultural events for which they receive donations to shoot. The student photographers range in age from 8 to 18 and number 6 to 14 at any given time. They have taken pictures for a variety of organizations such as the Military Veteran Project, Ronald McDonald House, the Topeka Symphony and other nonprofits, working 36 events during the past year.
Terry Crowder
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer ZaMia Stewart
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“My students get involved in the community and push past their comfort zone because they have to communicate with people at the events they cover,” Taylor says. “Their involvement brings an additional benefit too because they become more familiar with all the things Topeka has to offer.” The program has received funding from Capitol Federal Foundation and the Blanche Bryden Foundation. Through grants from Best Buy and the Women’s Fund, Taylor has been able to provide a range of cameras for students to use, from inexpensive Panasonic cameras for beginners to sophisticated Nikon cameras for savvier students. After shooting images, the students share their prints with the group as each photographer explains the story behind an image and receives feedback from colleagues. In an age when anyone with a cell phone can take a selfie or zoom in and out with ease to get a desired shot, Taylor believes that equipping students with photography fundamentals and traditional, high-quality cameras will serve them well in multiple ways. “They can use phones to take photos, but learning how to manually set up a shot gives them an advantage,” she says. “There’s value in having them gain knowledge in a particular area because it stretches them and puts them up a notch knowing that they can master something that can sometimes be a little complicated.” Someday Taylor hopes to make Heavenly Foundations a full-time focus. “I love working with kids and helping them cultivate their talent with photography, and I’ll continue to do it until God calls me home,” she says.
About the Writer: Kim Gronniger is a professional communicator and writer who photographs, mostly her family, friends and adventures, from her home in Topeka.
TOPEKANS
John Milliken
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer Jacob Smith
Bud Dingman
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer Lily Dingman
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
The Veterans Photography Project On Veterans Day 2018, the Yolanda Taylor’s Heavenly Visions Foundation youth photographers plan to release their latest project, a photo-book of Topeka-region veterans. Seven students have begun taking photos of up to 50 veterans, who will be featured with their stories compiled in a questionnaire format. “The project is an opportunity to honor area veterans for everything they’ve given to our community and country through military service and to honor them for the many ways they continue to contribute,” Taylor says. In her professional position, Taylor promotes Roll Call Topeka, a local effort that encourages veterans seeking employment to use the Topeka Workforce Center as a resource. With the book project underway, Taylor is offering complimentary photo sessions to entice veterans to participate in both initiatives and provide students with more practice opportunities. “The students love learning about why these men and women joined the military, what they did while they served and what they’re doing now,” says Taylor. “I can tell you from my experience of having them interview me about my service that they aren’t shy about asking questions.” Some of the veterans to be profiled include Cameron Taylor, a mentor at the Topeka Rescue Mission; Terry Crowder, a Vietnam veteran retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. All proceeds from the book will benefit the nonprofit Heavenly Visions Foundation. Previous projects include a portrait book of Topekans age 70 and older and a photo essay by Taylor of the Topeka African-American community. Both are part of the permanent collection in the Topeka Room at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. “Seeing kids respond to the work and seeing people in the community respond to their creative efforts in turn is gratifying for all of us,” says Taylor.
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TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017
Cameron Taylor
John Milliken
Annett Bynum
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer Verrontae Perry
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer Logan Haley
Photographed by Heavenly Visions Photographer Madison Smith
Heavenly Visions Foundation For more information on joining or supporting the Heavenly Visions Foundation, go online at heavenlyvisionsfoundation.com or write to Yolanda Taylor at yyotylr@hotmail.com.
The group generally meets 2 or 4 evenings a month for 90 minutes. Sessions begin with an hour of training and conclude with a communal meal that Taylor prepares or purchases.
“I want to get to know my students better, and I want them to know one another better,” she says. “It’s fun to see them grow from year to year as people as well as photographers.”
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TM ANNIVERSARY
TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017 STORY BY
Anita Miller Fry |
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Jason Dailey
Editor’s Note: As part of our 10-year anniversary celebration, Topeka Magazine has been returning to stories that we published in our first decade and visiting again with some of our favorite Topekans to see how their world has changed since we last talked with them. In this edition, writer Anita Fry revisits Melissa Jarboe, whose life story and work were featured on the cover of our fall 2014 edition.
REDEPLOYED Five years after founding a national advocacy group, Melissa Jarboe continues to take on new duties and new missions to support military service veterans and the people around them
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
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elissa Jarboe, 38, founded the nonprofit Military Veteran Project in 2012 to carry on her husband SSG Jamie Jarboe’s dying wish to care for his soldiers. She serves as an adviser for U.S. Senator Jerry Moran’s Military Service Academy Board and is a board member of the Military Relations Council of the Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Jarboe recently was named to the Veterans PostTraumatic Science and Policy Coalition in Washington, D.C. The coalition’s mission is to improve treatment of service members and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and facilitate the development of PTSD drug therapies by securing federal institutional support and funding for PTSD research at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. In the three years since Topeka Magazine sat down with Melissa Jarboe, her Topeka-based nonprofit has experienced phenomenal growth, in part because of its social media presence and growth across the nation. We met with Jarboe again to discuss the changes and new goals for her group and for herself. Anita Fry/Topeka Magazine (TM): What’s been happening with you and with the Military Veteran Project? Melissa Jarboe (MJ): I’m still founder and CEO of the Military Veteran Project. We have two individuals that we’ve been waiting on for a CEO and a vice president of development. We want to bring those two individuals into the Military Veteran Project. We’re waiting for one to retire from active duty and the other to complete a federal term. TM: What will that change mean for you? MJ: That I can raise my children. I’ll be able to step back and enjoy the simplicity of life, and that’s what I’m really looking forward to. I’ll probably step into a public relations role and still do a lot of the meet and greets I do now, the public speaking. TM: You recently were named to the Veterans Post-Traumatic Science and Policy Coalition. Have you started serving on that? MJ: Yes, I didn’t hesitate on that one. I was in Washington, D.C., and I testified (to the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee) on Jamie’s birthday. It opened a lot of doors and helped me see what we need to do and what we need to do to connect. I’ve been blessed with great connections and that’s all occurred after Jamie passed away, to be able to link up for the overall mission. TM: Has Military Veteran Project changed? MJ: Definitely. Three years ago there was so much need. I had a hard time saying no to people. We had veterans dying, veterans committing suicide, all these issues that I just knew we had to fix. Our board stepped in and we received some guidance from Sen. Dole and others, and then zeroed in on a mission of military suicide prevention through research and alternative treatments.
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TM ANNIVERSARY
TM: How have you focused on military suicide prevention? MJ: We looked at a lot of our cases; we had 2,600 people we helped in that two-year period. More than 2,000 had attempted suicide and 1,800 of them were undiagnosed traumatic brain injury. We looked at the majority of what we did and what our success was in. It was in suicide prevention. We were able to use alternative treatments depending on the individual. We heard all of these cries for help. A lot of it (the treatment) is what I did with Jamie when he was in the hospital. It was doctors from Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins that helped me understand what was wrong with my husband. They helped me understand that his brain had gone through a traumatic event when he was shot, but not only that, it was his third time in action. These men and women are trained how to go war and trained what to do, but it’s not in our budget to help them in how to come home. We can’t just give narcotics and medicines; we have to heal the brain. We have to condition it. We may not be able to heal it the same way it was before the injury, but we can try. TM: How does your role with the Washington coalition play into your work with MVP? MJ: That’s basically creating a stepping stone so we can help change the departments of Defense and Veterans Administration’s alternative treatment approach and research approach for men and women returning home, to create the change we want to see. TM: What is MVP’s membership? MJ: We’re still 100 percent volunteer. We’ve got over 600,000 on our email blast list. We can create change in a matter of minutes. And on social media we have the capability to reach millions. TM: Last time we talked you were handling several social media sites. Are you still doing that? MJ: I don’t do everything, but I definitely oversee a lot. We now have 17 social media pages alone on Facebook for different advocacy actions. And we have Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for different programs. We have the Topeka Veterans Parade, Military Hometown Heroes of Topeka, Save A Warrior Challenge, Military Suicide Awareness, Ride 4 the Fallen. We’ll launch another initiative before the end of the year. All of these work under the Military Veteran Project.
#JarboeWay Melissa Jarboe has grown her organization through social media and continues to be one of the group’s most active and visible presences online. We asked her what hashtags she would create to describe her role with her nonprofit group and for herself in general. Here are her suggestions: #VoiceForVeterans #WomanOnAMission #YouControlYourLife #empowerment #mommy #PancakeMornings
TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Fall 2017
TM ANNIVERSARY
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
Upcoming Topeka MVP Events Military Hometown Heroes of Topeka Banner Unveiling SEPTEMBER 8, 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. Downtown Topeka Business District
TM: Do the social media sites provide the same information? MJ: All are managed by different directors. An example is Military Suicide Awareness, managed by Kelly Uvanile in Florida. Each day she gets submissions about men and women who have lost their lives to suicide and then she’ll post them out to social media to make people aware. TM: What veterans’ events are being planned for this fall? MJ: We’ve got a festival surrounding the Topeka Veterans Parade. We’ll start with a pancake breakfast where people, civilians, pay it forward so the veterans can eat for free. We want to unite the civilian and military community, so we’re going to do a fun run. We also have the Hometown Hero project. We will have 34 banners of active duty or retired military that will be hung in downtown Topeka Sept. 11 through Nov. 11. This is going to be something for people to see the faces and the cost of freedom. TM: With all that you do with MVP, how do you have time for anything else? MJ: I’m an incredibly fast multi-tasker, and I have a great team of volunteers. TM: Outside of MVP, what’s going on in your life? MJ: I’m in the process of adopting two more children, my niece and nephew. I’ll have a total of three girls and a boy. When I’m not traveling, I’m that mom who is home with the kids. I’m up in the morning and making a hot breakfast.
TM: You walk a fine line between having to be a public person, and also wanting your privacy. How do you handle that? MJ: Anything I do is public, and whenever I go out to an event I am representing Military Veteran Project and my family and representing Jamie’s memory. It’s been a hard thing to maintain my privacy. That affects my family, too. I’m in a long-term relationship now and it’s sometimes hard to go out. I want people to realize I’m still human; people think I’m super-human. TM: How do you feel about where you and Military Veteran Project are today? MJ: It’s amazing and incredible how it has grown. When I started this, I had no idea what I was doing, but I think staying on mission and focusing on everyone around me, no matter what, I just kept to it. I go back to Jamie, back to him teaching me what unconditional love, devotion and dedication to my country was. We literally created all of this change.
About the Writer: Anita Miller Fry has been scouting stories about Topeka and Topekans for a number of years - and still learns something new from each person she meets.
Unveiling of 34 banners that will be displayed through the downtown Topeka area Sept. 11 through Nov. 11. Banners will recognize and honor Topekans who are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or are veterans.
5th Annual Topeka Veterans Parade and Salute Our Heroes Festival NOVEMBER 11, 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. Downtown Topeka
Pancake breakfast 8–11 a.m. Super Hero Run Walk and Crawl (see information below) Opening Ceremony prior to start of parade Parade at 11 a.m. Festival includes breakfast, fun run, vendors, food trucks, kids’ carnival, and live music. It provides an opportunity for the public to show support for those who serve.
Super Hero Run, Walk and Crawl NOVEMBER 11
Downtown Topeka—900 block of S. Kansas Ave., near the Harry Colmery Park
Registration 7–9 a.m. Adult start time at 9:30 a.m. (Four laps around the Capitol) Super Hero Mini Run, Walk, Crawl (Any age; strollers and dogs welcome) start time at 10 a.m.
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AN AMBITIOUS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT FOR TOPEKA
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Meet JAAA’s New Leader, Susan Harris
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Ichabod Exercise Program Delivers Results
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Wag and Walk: Dogs and Seniors Team Up
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Topeka SR | Fall/Winter 2017
STORY BY Carolyn Kaberline PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bill Stephens
THE VOLGA GERMAN
STORIES An ambitious oral history program aims to preserve personal stories of the late 1800s mass migration of German-Russians into the Topeka region
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t his home in the Oakland neighborhood, John Reb pulls out a picture album that contains photographs of his parents and siblings as well as many family records, including citizenship papers and a family tree dating back to 1738 that covers the eventual migration of his family, ethnic German Russians (also known as Volga Germans) to America. Pointing to various photos, Reb tells how his grandfather’s brother was the first of the family to arrive in the United States from Kamenka, Russia,
and how his own grandfather, who had served in the Russian army, followed, arriving a few months later. He tells the story of how his grandfather later sent for his wife and five children, and how they came to this country. Eventually, the family arrived in what is now Topeka, and in 1927 Reb, the youngest of 10 children, was born next to the railroad tracks, in a house behind Porubsky’s store. He remembers how his mother would cook family meals on a wood stove and how he didn’t learn to speak English until
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he went to grade school; he also tells of the family moving to a GermanRussian area near Ellis during his high school years and then back to Topeka after his dad retired in 1947. He also remembers how no one spoke German in public during World War II but would often get together and sing German songs and go over their customs to keep in touch with their past.
The St. Joseph Archive Need more information on the Volga Germans in the area? The Northeast Kansas Chapter of the AHSGR maintains a large library of “a few hundred volumes,” according to Denise Grau, who along with her husband, Michael, is currently indexing the materials, which include videos, maps, recordings of traditional songs and a history of the Germans who came from Russia. Although this library is usually housed in St. Joseph’s Church, it has recently been kept in the Graus’ home due to the work on the church. It will be returned to the church as soon as remodeling is complete; materials can then be accessed during chapter meetings. The Topeka Genealogical Society, located at 2717 SE Indiana, also contains materials of interest as does the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library at 1515 SW 10th Street. Other information can be found by contacting the national AHSGR Headquarters at 631 D St. Lincoln, NE 68502 or www.ahsgr.org/ or the Northeast Kansas Chapter at www.ahsgr.org/?NortheastKansas.
“WE WANT TO INTERVIEW 14 OR 15 OF OUR E L D E R F I R S TG E N E R AT I O N MEMBERS.” –Eileen Davis
It is memories and legacies such as these that the Northeast Kansas Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) is seeking to preserve through an oral history project funded by nearly $6,000 in grants from the Kansas Humanities Council and the Kansas Historical Society. “We want to interview 14 or 15 of our older first-generation members,” Eileen Davis, president of the Topeka Branch of the AHSGR, says. “They were born here, but their parents came from Russia. Most of these are in their upper 80s and 90s.” The group has also talked to the only remaining original immigrant, a member of what they call the “zero generation,” Catherine Geist Burghart, who was born in Russia and is now 105.
Davis says that by tapping the family histories and memories of the first-generation members of the group, the project will allow them to find out more about what the trip to the United States was like, the circumstances under which they left Russia, what their early lives here were like, what prejudices they faced, and how they overcame those prejudices. Helping them with the project is Vera Brown, herself a native of Russia, who found out about the organization when she was teaching an Osher class on Russian culture and was asked about Catherine the Great and the Volga Germans. “I knew we had ethnic Germans in Russia, but I didn’t know we had such large numbers,” she says, adding she was even more surprised to find people in Topeka so proud of their German-Russian heritage. This ethnic group traces its history back to Catherine the Great, who was born in Germany in 1729 and later married Peter III, the emperor of Russia. After his assassination in 1762, Catherine came to power. One of her first official acts was to invite foreigners, especially Germans, to settle in Russia. The Germans brought modern European economies and provided a loyal settlement along the nation’s southern border. Catherine the Great, in turn, offered them land, exemptions from tax, and the military and freedom to retain their language and religion. The German communities flourished under the tsarina, but they began to experience persecution within two generations. This tension was exploited by American railroad agents who were looking for settlers to populate the areas along their lines and planned
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L i fe PL an C om m u ni t y
routes. Since many of the German Russians were farmers, they were attracted to Kansas and other central states where the climate and soil were similar to their lands in Russia. But though much of the broad history of the group is known, many of the personal details have never been recorded or shared. Brown explains the grant money will be used to buy equipment to record the interviews and transcribe them to text. “We want the records to be accessible to all,” she says. “The text will make it searchable, and the state archives do a good job of crossreferencing. We don’t know what future generations will be interested in, but the historical society has the capabilities to keep the records available regardless of what future technology holds.” Brown explains that interviewers will work in pairs and will be trained by the Historical Society through webinars. When the project is complete—the target date is December 1—there will be a presentation to the public. Final copies of the project will be placed with the historical society as well as with the chapter’s own archives. A copy of the project will also be sent to the national headquarters of the AHSGR located in Lincoln, Nebraska. “This project will have a big impact,” Brown says. “It is already generating a lot of interest. In addition, it is teaching me so much about Kansas and my new home in relation to Russia.”
About the Writer: Carolyn Kaberline is a teacher and journalist whose writing appears regularly in Topeka Magazine and Topeka SR.
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Topeka SR | Fall/Winter 2017
STORY BY Marsha Henry Goff PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bill Stephens
BETTER THAN
EXPECTED A free community wellness program is benefiting seniors
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r. Park Lockwood’s smile grows broader as he presents the results of a three-month fitness program to members of his East Topeka seniors group. An associate professor at Washburn University (WU), Lockwood has been leading this group as program coordinator for the WU Moves Program, an overall health program with exercise, nutrition and stress management. Going over the data, Lockwood notes this group’s regular exercise and nutritional changes resulted in higher numbers in strength, endurance, oxygen uptake and HDL (good cholesterol). Lower numbers were
achieved in weight, blood pressure, glucose, resting heart rate and BMI (body mass index). Lockwood’s data aligns with what class members were feeling when they recorded an improved sense of health from the beginning of the program. Bob Fulton, for example, has documented his weight loss from 280 pounds to 229. He began losing weight on his own before joining WU Moves and then dropped an additional 30 pounds. He enrolled in the program with his lady, Mary Corcoran, who had heart bypass surgery in 1997 and likes WU Moves because “it keeps me going.”
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The program continues to run, thanks largely to Lockwood and his student assistants, who interact with participants daily. They also assess the health and well-being of the seniors at regular intervals (baseline,
“ EX ERCI S E I S EVEN MO RE I MPO R TA NT F O R S ENI O RS BECA US E A S WE A GE, O UR HEA LTH NATURA LLY DETERI O RATES . ” –Park Lockwood
About the Writer: Marsha Henry Goff, editor of the JAAA newsletter Amazing Aging, is an author and journalist who has written extensively about senior issues.
1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year into the program). The information is analyzed to show the results of the program and to help create more effective programs in the future. Lockwood initiated the program in 2010 in Lawrence at the request of Health Care Access and then received a grant of $33,000 from the Topeka Community Foundation. During the next five years, through trial and error, he perfected his model and moved the program to Washburn in November 2016 after securing an internal $10,000 grant, which is used to pay student workers and purchase needed equipment. Free and open to the public, WU Moves Community Wellness Program is not just for seniors although nearly half of the participants fall into that category.
“Exercise is even more important for seniors,” Lockwood states, “because as we age, our health naturally deteriorates.” To slow that deterioration, he emphasizes the need to maintain a healthy weight, aerobic fitness and muscle strength and to lower stress levels and eat healthy. And seniors in the program point to results beyond medical data. One senior participant, Larry Wynne, has a health goal to “get out of this wheelchair” after suffering a stroke a couple of years ago. His efforts are evident in increased strength and his ability to stand for longer periods. Nancy Babcock likes the stationary bicycle and the steadily increasing number of minutes she is able to ride. Sylvia Vaughn is a fit senior—and intends to stay that way. Dorcelyn Miller says WU Moves has helped her lose weight and limber up so she can do more and walk longer on the treadmill. She says she is meeting a lot of people and making lasting memories. Sonia Cay looks a good 20 years younger than her actual age, and she encourages everyone who mentions how young she looks of the need to exercise. “I love this program and the opportunity to come out here. It’s keeping me young and it’s done a lot for me.” Lockwood says he is pleased by the “better than expected” results, as shown through the data collected on the preliminary stages. “Almost every measurement has clinically and statistically improved. I didn’t expect this as there are usually some issues in most larger, complex, health studies and programs,” he explains. “It is rewarding to know that many people are benefiting from this program.”
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Topeka SR | Fall/Winter 2017
STORY BY Michelle R. Terry PHOTOGRAPHY BY Katie Moore
A DOG, A SENIOR
… AND A WALK Topeka organizations team up to offer the health and emotional benefits of a simple, joyful outing
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aunita Price is petting the head of a lapdog who is returning her affection by covering Price’s face with kisses. The interaction prompts Price to recall other pets she has had in her life before concluding, “There is nothing better than a dog.” Price and her new friend were brought together through a unique program begun approximately two years ago. This was when Topeka’s Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS) began teaming up with area senior organizations to enable area seniors and shelter dogs to enjoy walks together
in a safe environment. It is an innovative program that organizers from both organizations say has benefited people and dogs. The logistics of the program came into place when Bill Acree, CEO and president of HHHS, helped land a one-time grant of $14,000 to complete an indoor walking track with seating for volunteer dog walkers. With this in place, the organization began hosting senior volunteers who are paired with shelter dogs and spend approximately one hour walking and socializing with the animals.
Topeka SR | Fall/Winter 2017
“BY WALKING AND INTERACTING WITH THE DOGS, THEY ARE SOCIALIZING THE ANIMAL AND GETTING THESE GUYS READY FOR A NEW HOME.” –Mandi Stonebraker
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Staffing enough volunteers for the weekly program has been an ongoing issue, but the program is a priority for HHHS, which relies on volunteer power from Washburn University to provide a social work student to help oversee the activities. Part of the effort to sustain the senior initiative includes networking with senior centers and retirement communities. Kathy Votaw, executive director of the nonprofit senior center League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), immediately saw this project as an opportunity to enhance LULAC’s work in the “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives” wellness initiative, which is funded in part by the city, county and Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging. With Patsy Cline crooning a tune over the loudspeaker in a community room full of older adults, Votaw shares her perspective on the benefits of partnering with HHHS. When people grow older, Votaw explains, their perspective in life narrows to a smaller scale, perhaps because they feel society no longer considers them productive or because they are overwhelmed with illness or worry. The dog-walking program, Votaw notes, enables seniors to expand horizons by assisting HHHS in preparing animals for adoption. Mandi Stonebraker, the mobile adoption director for HHHS, says her organization is grateful for the senior volunteers. “By walking and interacting with the dogs, they are socializing the animal and getting these guys ready for a new home.” Research shows that pets can reduce anxiety in people—especially senior citizens who battle isolation, depression and medical issues. Exercising these dogs is a fun way for older individuals to forget their troubles, remember the days when they had pets, and when their children were small. Many seniors have had to give away their pets. There is a danger of falling with a dog under foot, and the cost associated with feeding and care may be out of reach for some individuals. Walking the dogs at their own pace in a controlled and safe environment provides moderate exercise to increase mobility, lessen stress, and reduce blood pressure. LULAC community member and volunteer dog walker Thomas Caballero says the strangers he meets and friends he makes are the best part. Cabellero has participated every month and was a charter walker when the program started. His ocean-blue eyes sparkle when he says, “I just love the people.” Back on the walking track, as the volunteers and staff watch the seniors and dogs walk together, Acree shares a story about a man who used to come on Thursdays. This gentleman was a veteran, then fighting a war against dementia; the Senior Dog Walk was one of his few outings. In an hour’s time, the former serviceman would walk the dog, play fetch and exercise himself by stretching, reaching, and bending. Onlookers watched as the stooped-over man transformed into a young person playing with his pet. At the end of the walk, the veteran shared a poignant moment and words that Acree continues to quote when explaining the purpose of the program. “If there were anything better than a dog, God would have kept it for himself.”
About the Writer: Michelle Terry is a registered dietitian whose day job involves keeping people healthy through wellness, prevention, and chronic disease management. When she’s not working or wrangling her family, she is running, doing yoga, or managing an unruly garden.
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Seniors Pets
Research shows that companion animals, such as cats and dogs, can help improve physical and mental health. Animals provide friendship for people living alone and may help fill the void left by family living far away. Studies also indicate that owning a pet is associated with increased walking and exercise and grants a better survival rate for people who have had heart attacks. According to a 2006 study at the University of Maryland, pet owners have fewer health complaints, use fewer medical services, and have a better cardiovascular risk profile. With these benefits in mind, it may seem like adoption is a logical choice. Still, there are items to consider when deciding whether to adopt a pet.
Safety Considerations: According to the CDC, between 2001–2006, an estimated average of 86,629 fall injuries each year were associated with cats and dogs. Older people fall with greater frequency than younger people, and pets may compound the danger. In general, keep pathways clear of clutter and make sure you are mobile enough for adequate pet exercise and care. Financial Considerations: Owning a pet requires sufficient financial resources. Consider the costs associated with routine medical and dental care, grooming, feeding and boarding. In Topeka, the HHHS can provide you with an estimate and help you determine if a pet would strain your finances. Choice: If you choose a dog, find a breed suited to your lifestyle and home. Consider the size of the breed, active traits and exercise requirements. It might be better to consider a different type of pet suited to your temperament and activity level. Pet Adoption Support: Research the
adoption organization you will use. Do they provide ongoing guidance and support after the pet goes home with you? You may require additional resources and pet aid should you or a family member require hospitalization or a lengthy rehab stay.
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INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, TRANSCRIBED AND EDITED BY Marsha Henry Goff
Susan Harris had 14 years, 13 of them under the leadership of former Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging ( JAAA) director Jocelyn Lyons, to observe the rewards and challenges faced by the region’s leading nonprofit senior support and advocacy group. Once Lyons put to rest Harris’ worries whether she—as a single mother to a young child—could handle the job while giving her daughter the childhood she wished her to have, Harris applied for the position when Lyons announced her retirement in 2016 and handed her position to Harris in the summer of 2017.
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H
SUSAN HARRIS The new director for Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging (JAAA) talks about her priorities for serving area seniors
“The opportunity to further expand Jayhawk is what really appealed to me about the job. It was the only way that I would be able to help make real changes,” Harris says. “Until that point in my career, I had always had programs that I was specifically in charge of, but the policies were already there. I didn’t have the chance to delve in and develop and explore new programs, and the opportunity to do that has always excited me.” Harris says she has a “pull” to help. “It’s always been a part of me. I started in the helping field at a young age in high school working with three children who had Down’s syndrome.” We sat down with Harris in her Topeka office during her third week as JAAA’s executive director to talk about the status of seniors today and her priorities in moving the agency forward. TOPEKA SR (SR): How do you
define “seniors”?
SUSAN HARRIS (SH): Well, within
the context of our work at Jayhawk, the federal government defines senior as anyone 60 years or over. If you are 60 or over, technically you’re a senior.
We all know that age is how you feel, but I think defining it specifically by the age within the work we do is what we need to do. However, within that age group you’ve got seniors who are very, very active, seniors who are frail, the whole spectrum of issues. SR: When we were teenagers, we hated to be all grouped together, and it is the same way with seniors. SH: And we as the area agency on aging need to be careful not to do that. There’s a whole gamut of what you see on that spectrum of seniors. We have to be careful we’re not pigeonholing. SR: Today’s seniors are working
longer. Do you think it is because of need, because they want an outlet or because they are healthier? SH: It’s a combination of all three. In many cases, there is a need for the additional income. A lot of folks stop working and they’re limited to just their Social Security or their pensions or what they’ve been able to save. Oftentimes, that’s just not enough. So we see a lot of seniors where it’s really a financial need. They have to go back to work. Their Social Security or pension may pay the bills, but working gives them pocket money to have a life. SR: It is easy to outlive what looks like is going to be a good retirement income. SH: Yes, and then we are healthier and living longer, and seniors want to remain active because studies show that continuing to be active and being out and about—not retiring to the couch—is a lot healthier and better for seniors. And sometimes it is the want; they want something to do that may be along the lines of their previous employment, but may
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be something new and different. When my grandfather, an airline mechanic for TWA, retired, he got a job as a skycap at the airport just to have something to do, to meet people—he was a skycap for Mohammad Ali—and he got some great stories and it gave him some pocket change. SR: You have said that people regard Jayhawk as serving only low-income seniors. Is it hard to get the information out there that you serve all seniors regardless of income? SH: I think CHAMPSS [a senior meal program in cooperation with restaurants and grocery stores across Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties] is getting it out there as well as our Medicare counseling services. Those are the two main services that get seniors in our door. They’re brand new to Medicare, just turning 65, or they are 60 and they’re heard about the CHAMPSS program from their friends. Our demographic for CHAMPSS is not necessarily low-income individuals—it’s moderate to higher income individuals and more active folks—so I think that’s getting them into the door and letting us introduce them to the great programs we have that they may need down the road.
Part of the problem is that some of our helping agencies have a misunderstanding of Jayhawk only helping low income folks, and that is not who we are. We know that, but it is difficult getting into the community and the other helping agencies’ mindsets that, with regard to Jayhawk, if you have a senior age 60 or older
and they need assistance with anything, we’re the place to go. We want people to understand what we offer before they are in crisis mode. We struggle with crisis mode because we know they didn’t grow old and frail overnight. Planning ahead is going to be key for that aging population that is coming. Even I, as an almost 40-year-old, need to be thinking 20 years down the road. What do I need to make sure I’m stable for retirement? What if I had mobility problems? What might I need for my home to make it livable in my 60s, 70s, 80s? SR: Is there still a wait list for Senior Care Act? [SCA funds provide services on a sliding scale for seniors who do not qualify for Older American Act (OAA) funds, which are solely for the use of low-income seniors.] SH: There is, but because of the legislature’s $2.1 million restoration, our hope is that we can restore some of the services to those whose services were reduced when we had that big funding cut. Then, once we’re able to look at services we can restore, will we have enough allocations from that restoration at the state level to take additional off that wait list? We may still be running a wait list even after we receive our dollar amounts we will be working with. SR: I would like to talk about
where you want to take Jayhawk.
SH: I have very lofty ideas, but
three weeks in and having things kind of thrown at me, I feel I need to regroup a little—being new and not completely aware of all the
policies and procedures—and do a review to ensure we are doing what we need to do and doing it appropriately and correctly. I want to bring more folks to our agency before they have that crisis need and determine what services we have that could be important to the more broad senior population as opposed to those who are homebound or frail. I think we need to become more advocacy-related. We are limited in what we can do because of the guidelines with the federal and state dollars, but we can do more advocacy alerts, getting seniors more involved in policy that is affecting them. We’ve always joked that we’re a well-kept secret and I don’t know if that is necessarily a joke. There are still a lot of folks who don’t know about Jayhawk. And I’d like to see people view Jayhawk as an opportunity to utilize our services and support to do some of that pre-planning— especially for those folks who have saved and have done well for themselves—for retirement. They’re going to outlive that money so we need to tap into those folks that aren’t low income and help them understand we have programs that will help them stretch what they have worked so hard saving. They most likely will still outlive their money, but it will take longer to do that. SR: You have expressed interest
in restoring some of the programs that have fallen by the wayside. SH: Yes, for example, Elder Friendly is a program where secret shopper senior volunteers
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go out and review businesses, looking at it through the eyes of a senior: Were the businesses friendly? Was information easy to understand? Did I feel like I got taken advantage because of my age? There are a lot of businesses out there that are not reaching a demographic they could be benefiting from reaching and that the seniors could benefit from that business or service. Even before I was offered this job, I was trying to revamp our internal volunteer program because we do have customers who have needs for shoppers or friendly visitors. Unfortunately, we do not have a strong bank of volunteers, so we cannot meet every need with a volunteer. In the Topeka area, the RSVP (retired senior volunteer program) is no longer run by United Way. I hope ramping up our volunteer opportunities will be helpful, especially that RSVP program where we’d connect a senior volunteer with another senior who needs some type of service. SR: Do you believe you have
found your niche in serving seniors? SH: With the aging population, there’s a sense of understanding coming from the person I’m trying to help. It may be an urgent need, but they understand it’s going to take time. Seniors express more patience than other populations I’ve worked with. There’s a sense that I am doing good and I can see the gratefulness and the thankfulness of the folks I’ve helped. Seniors have so much history, so much knowledge, so much love to give.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER FEATURED EVENT
Topeka Symphony Orchestra Season Opener September 30
White Concert Hall at Washburn University
Continuing its tradition of themed concert seasons, the city’s symphony orchestra opens the 2017—2018 season as “The Revolution” season—a tribute to musical scores, composers and individuals from history that redefined the world’s standards. The opening concert features works from Bach, Mozart and Mendelssohn that relate to the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Pianist Gabriela Martinez joins as guest performer. The Venezuelanborn performer is a firstprize winner of the Anton G. Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Dresden and a semifinalist at the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
September 1 (and first Friday of every month)
First Friday Art Walk Various locations | Topeka’s monthly gathering and showing of art for display and purchase. For venue map and times, go online at artsconnecttopeka.org.
September 1—3 Shawnee County Allied Tribes Traditional Intertribal Pow Wow
Lake Shawnee | The 27th annual gathering of Midwest Native nations with dancing on the first two days and a religious service on the final day. Children 11 and under admitted free with adult supervision. For tickets and more information, go online at shawneecountyalliedtribes.org.
September 8—10 Huff ’n’ Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally
Lake Shawnee and up there, in the air above you | Topeka’s 40-plus year traditional hot air balloon rally returns to the skies of the capital city with evening glow launches, events for children and launching of dozens of balloons. For more information, go online at huff-n-puff.org.
September 11 To the Stars Through Difficulties – author talk
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library | Writer Romalyn Tilghman discusses her novel about Carnegie libraries and their impact on American culture. For more information, go online at tscpl.org.
September 14—17 Friends of the Library Book Sale
Kansas Expocentre | Stock up on books on range of days, from member-only night to final discount bag sale day. For more information, go online at tscpl.org
September 15—16 Topeka Pride Festival
Various locations | Drag shows and community gathering to celebrate diversity in the capital city. For more information, go online at topekapride.org.
Photographs from top: Courtesy Lisa-Marie Mazzucco, Bill Stephens and Shutterstock
September 16 Great Topeka Duck Race Lake Shawnee | The 22nd annual fundraiser sponsored by the Topeka Sertoma club and benefiting a range of Topeka charities and nonprofits. Thousands of rubber ducks are launched in a race across Lake Shawnee, with winning ducks bringing their backers prizes including diamond rings, cash prizes of $1,500 and more. Get your duck and learn more online at duckrace.com/topeka.
September 16 Kansas Mariachi Festival
Topeka Performing Arts Center | Join the block party and tequila garden to celebrate traditional and contemporary mariachi music. For ticket reservations and more information, go online at topekaperformingarts.org.
September 23 Aaron Douglas Art Fair
Aaron Douglas Art Park, 12th and Lane streets | Community wide art fair and music celebration in honor of Topeka-born artistcomposer Aaron Douglas. For more information, go online at aarondouglasartfair.com.
September 23 Movie on the Lawn: The Rescuers
Capitol | Free family-friendly movie showing on the grounds of the Kansas State Capitol. For more information, go online at downtowntopekainc.com.
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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
OCTOBER FEATURED EVENT
FRUGAL HOUSE October 20—22
The lofts at 718 Kansas Avenue
Some of Topeka’s top designers stage 3 lofts with repurposed and donated furniture for a merger of upcycling and chic home styles. The lofts at 718 Kansas Avenue, owned by Deborah and Randy Clayton, are currently under reconstruction— so the show is a design staging and a peek into one of the city’s newest downtown living residences. Participating designers include 4 Girls Garage, Portico, Bedsprings and Burlap, Beauty from Ashes and Sagacity Design Décor. Their design displays are available for purchase. The event, now in its second year, is a fundraiser for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Youth Ensembles. Tickets will be available at area Dillon’s, Hy-Vee, NOTO and other locations. Tickets and more information is available through the website topekasymphony. org/pages/frugal_house.html.
October 2
Season Opener, Topeka Festival Singers White Concert Hall, Washburn University | Topeka choral ensemble opens its 34th season with songs dedicated to countering hate and violence. For more information and ticket reservation, go online at topekafestivalsingers.org
Photographs from top: Frugal House, Kari Bedford, Mother Earth News
October 6
October 20—November 4
Topeka Performing Arts Center | You live in Kansas, but you haven’t seen the legendary rock band Kansas in concert? This must be remedied. For more information and ticket reservation, go online at topekaperformingarts.org/ events.
Topeka Civic Theatre | Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery stage adaptation comes to Topeka. For tickets and more information, go online at topekacivictheatre.com.
October 7
Washburn University | See the Bods take on (and defeat, of course) the Mules from University of Central Missouri. For tickets and more information, go online at wusports.com.
Kansas concert
Capital City Jazz & Food Truck Festival Downtown Topeka | Free jazz concerts and chance to purchase dinner from any of 20 or more food trucks while you listen. For more information, go online at downtowntopekainc.com.
October 13—November 2 Topeka Dia de los Muertos
Various locations | City’s sixthannual celebration of Chicano heritage, focusing this year on theme of family. Culminates on November 2 with community parade and vigil. For more information, go online at topekaddlm.com.
October 14
Ben Bedford in concert Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas | Illinois singersongwriter performs as part of the Last Minute Folk Concert series. For more information and ticket reservations, go online at lastminutefolk.org.
October 18
United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants Topeka Performing Arts Center | Celebrated military performing troupe provides a free concert. Four tickets available per registration; to reserve tickets, go online at topekaperformingarts.org/ events.
Dial M for Murder
October 21
Washburn University Homecoming
October 21—22
Mother Earth News Fair Kansas Expocentre | Owned by the same parent company that publishes Topeka Magazine, Mother Earth News—the nation’s leading homesteading publication— brings two days of talks, hands-on-demonstrations and vendors focusing on sustainable living. Tickets and more information available at motherearthnewsfair.com/ Kansas.
October 26
Boo it Downtown Candy Crawl Downtown region | Familyfriendly trick-or-treating with downtown merchants providing treats for youngsters in safe environment. For more information and times, go online at downtowntopekainc.com.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER FEATURED EVENT
CASA HOLIDAY HOMES TOUR November 17—19 Various Locations
Topeka’s annual Holiday Homes Tour to benefit CASA—the agency that advocates and cares for youth whose families are going through court proceedings—marks its 30th anniversary this fall with a special lineup of homes and designers for the tour. David Porterfield, owner of Porterfield’s Flowers and a volunteer designer throughout the history of the event, serves as honorary chair for a five-home tour that features work by his design team plus contributions from Protico, artist Milissa Kingman Rau, Red Door Home Store and M. Street Interiors. The event opens on November 17 with a patrons’ party and continues with a weekend tour of the homes and the CASA boutique, a popup store for the event featuring the work of more than 25 area artists. All proceeds support the work of CASA. For tickets and more information, go online at casaofshawneecounty.com
Photographs from top: Katie Moore, Shutterstock (2)
November 3— December 31
November 11
South Wind Art Gallery | See the annual exhibition of original artwork no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches by area and national artists. Most works are for sale, providing affordable art for the holidays. For more information, go online at southwindartgallery.com.
Various locations | Citywide events to honor veterans and those currently serving the nation. Events include a pancake breakfast, a run/walk event, parade, children’s carnival, live music and more. For a full listing of events, go online at militaryveteranproject.org.
Holiday Miniature Painting Show
November 4 China Circus
Topeka Performing Arts Center | Branson-based acrobatic troupe arrives for a night of performance. For tickets and more information, go online at topekaperformingarts.org.
November 9—12 Blizzard Bash
Kansas Expocentre | One of the nation’s premier traveling demolition derby shows. For tickets and more information, go online at ksexpo.com.
November 10—January 7 Topeka Competitions 33
Sabatini Gallery of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library | See the annual juried competition of threedimensional artwork that attracts regional and national artists. For more information, go online at tscpl.org/gallery.
November 10—11 Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays
Topeka Performing Arts Center | Build gingerbread homes, see professional creations and tour the holiday market. All funds go to TPAC’s children’s educational programs. For more information, go online at topekaperformingarts.org.
Fifth Annual Topeka Veterans Parade and Salute Our Heroes Festival
November 23-December 31 Winter Wonderland
Lake Shawnee | Annual Topeka show of holiday light displays in a drive-through setting. Entry proceeds benefit TARC. For more information, go online at winterwonderlandtopeka.com.
November 24-December 23
Hunchback of Notre Dame Topeka Civic Theatre | Popular musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel. For tickets and more information, go online at topekacivictheatre.com.
November 25
Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade Downtown Topeka | Start the holidays with the official community tree lighting and a parade with hundreds of entries. For more information, go online at downtowntopekainc.com.
November 25—26 Chocolate Nutcracker
Topeka Performing Arts Center | Topeka-based arts organization and dance troupe It Takes a Village presents its Midwest tour reinterpretation of a holiday ballet classic. For more information, go online at itav4arts.org; tickets through topekaperformingarts.org.
FEATURES
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The Durable Dignity of Doorknobs
46 Venerable
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The durable dignity of
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
in eS Kr t ug einkuehl r e an dA nn Palmer
The delight of small details plays out in this humble,functional piece of hardware
ist hr C y ick Story b yN b y Photograph
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“God is in the deta i l s.” This q u ote is ofte n a t t ri b u te d to m o d e rnist a rc hite ct Mies va n d e r Ro h e. An d w hi l e h e p ro b a b l y wa s n ot th e fi rst p e rso n to say th ese wo rd s, th e id e a reso n a tes with m a ny a rc hite cts, p rese rva tio nists, a n d oth e rs w h o a p p re cia te histo ric b u i l d i n g s. Deta i l s, i n d e e d, a re th e es se n ce of th e b est a rc hite ct u re, w h eth e r i n a c l a s sica l ca th e d ra l o r i n o u r ow n h o m es.
A short timeline of doorknobs in the United States 1600s: Wrought-iron thumb latches were used on post and beam construction entrances.
1700s: Surfacemounted mechanical locks began to appear.
1820s: Pressed glass
Late 1700s: Knobs
1838: Some 95% of
began taking round or egg shapes.
knobs become most common knobs.
American doorknobs are imported, mainly from France and England.
1840s: “Mercury
Glass” knobs begin to appear; they are created with a coating of silver nitrate.
1850s: Plain
porcelain black and/or white knobs become fashion as mortise locks appear (locks with mechanisms built into doors).
Fall 2017 | TOPEKA MAGAZINE
Take for example, doorknobs. These functional elements are never confused with spectacular architectural wonders, but the craftsmanship that once went into them is a perfect example of the artisanal work of a bygone era, a time when it was not only accepted but expected that everything, even the utilitarian doorknob, should be beautiful. Whereas modern homes typically have uniform hardware throughout, older homes typically featured hardware and doorknobs of different styles and from different manufacturers. “Hardware is the jewelry of the building,” says Joy Coleman, a preservation architect with Treanor Architects. Coleman notes that in older buildings, the hardware such as doorknobs could be ornate in the display regions and less elaborate in the service and less formal areas of the structure. Sometimes older buildings do not reflect the tradition of ornate hardware because they have been renovated multiple times and brought into compliance with modern building codes. This is the case with the Kansas State Capitol, one of Coleman’s recent projects. Originally, the east and west wings featured late 1800s Eastlake-style hardware, and the north and south wings had a somewhat art deco design from the 1910s. “In older buildings, a lot is lost because a building upgrades and the owners think that everything has to match, and in the case of public buildings, to be ADA compliant,” says Coleman. It is, however, possible for historic buildings to keep original fixtures in place. Coleman has found governing groups that oversee compliance will often allow the retention of original hardware—or some of it—if it is considered to be a defining characteristic. If it is not possible to keep the hardware, Coleman has found it possible to match the style, shape and finish of the original. Many old buildings often have graveyards of building materials, known as “attic stock,” where discarded originals are kept. Coleman has found many treasures such as original doors, hardware and other items over the years and suggests that restoration projects begin with an inventory of these materials. While doorknobs may not be the first thing people notice or remember about historic locations and homes, they can be delightful additions to a project. Doorknobs greet and see out visitors; they are one of the details of a structure that speak to its purpose, its constitution and its interaction with the people who will encounter it.
1870s: U.S. knob
production expands. Over 2,200 different doorknob patterns emerge.
1885: Wooden knobs become common.
1896: Machine
process for steel locks introduced; spring locks and deadbolts become common.
1900s: Improved
ball bearing designs incorporated into doorknob mechanisms
Doorknobs’ Biggest Fan The character of Aunt Clara from the television show Bewitched was known for her forgetfulness and fondness of doorknobs. Coincidentally, the actor who portrayed her, Marion Lorne, collected doorknobs in real life and would use her doorknobs as props in the show. She amassed a collection of more than 1,000 of them— some rare but none known to be magical.
1910: Cut glass
doorknobs emerge
1920: Beginning
of City Beautiful movement and ornate doorknob patterns
1930s: Great
Depression ushers in lower-cost production and standardization of knobs
Sources: Antique Hardware Price Guide, H. Weber Wilson; Decorative Hardware: Interior Designing with Knobs, Handles, Latches, Locks, Hinges, and Other Hardware, Liz Gordon and Terri Hartman; The Antique Doorknob, Maud Crawford; 150 Years of Builders’ Hardware, Maud Crawford.
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At the Charles Curtis House The Charles Curtis House boasts several historic doorknobs. From the Mallory Wheeler company, this octagonal design with delicate tracery first appears in the company’s 1882 catalog. From the P&F Corbin company, this quatrefoil design is sometimes referred to as the “Antique Star.” This particular knob is a variation that appears first in the company’s 1881 catalog. When Don and Nova Cottrell purchased the Charles Curtis home, they discovered that many of the original doorknobs were gone. Over the years they have replaced the current knobs with knobs similar to what may have been original.
Topeka Doorknobs in the Wild
At the Topeka Cemetery
At Crosby Mansion Known as the “Argos” or “Volo,” this circa-1905 knob by Yale and Towne features radial symmetry.
Manufactured by Russell and Erwin, this circa-1900 “Amarat” knob at the Crane home of the Topeka Cemetery is made of cast and wrought iron and features a gadrooned border with scrolling floret and foliage design. The Crane home underwent a major renovation between 1885 and 1895 according to drawings that appear to have been done by Seymour Davis and are in the cemetery’s collection. This coincides with the year that Dr. Crane, cemetery founder, died, and his son, David, took over and moved into the house. Lisa Sandmeyer, Topeka Cemetery director, believes that the door and the doorknob were part of that renovation.
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At Grace Cathedral Many faceplates survived the fire that destroyed much of the cathedral in 1975. The congregation salvaged the hardware and returned it to use.
At the Columbian building This is an example of inverted knob design, an arrangement where the keyhole is above the knob and that was often found in hotels and, to a lesser extent, offices. This set is thought to have come from the Muleback hotel in Kansas City and was manufactured by Corbin circa 1930.
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At Topeka High School Construction of Topeka High began in February 1930 and finished in the late spring of 1931—the height of the Great Depression. The doorknobs at Topeka High were a custom design made by the P&F Corbin Company of New Britain, Connecticut. This Gothic, six-fold design may have been created by the Williamson architectural firm, which designed Topeka High, or perhaps the talented designers and craftsman at the hardware company did the design work. It is difficult to say, but the design appears in the 1937 Corbin catalog. Custom-designed hardware was common for larger, prominent buildings, and manufacturers did reuse designs. The Gothic pattern is repeated throughout the building, in the stairway newel posts, on the arched ceiling in the entrance and other places.
At the Topeka Room of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Yale and Towne Company’s Meridian pattern, circa 1910, was once on the front doors of the Stone house—the mansion that stood in what is now a parking lot just east of Seventeenth and Gage streets and that was razed in the late 1980s. The doors and doorknob were a gift to TSCPL from Historic Topeka.
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Venerable Senior horses provide wisdom and patience to improve the lives of others Story by Carolyn Kaberline Photography by Scott Stebner, Bill Stephens and Katie Moore
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iowa, a 28-year-old paint mare, stands quietly in the aisle of a barn as a 10-yearold girl dips a brush into a tray and begins to write across Kiowa’s body. The feel of the brush and liquid seems neither to startle nor bother Kiowa, who knows this is part of her work in an innovative program.
“We take a fun activity like painting and make it into a therapeutic activity where kids can learn about themselves,” says Chris Moran, the clinical director and founder of the Health and Healing Academy (HAHA). This 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Topeka-based group relies on mature, calm horses such as Kiowa for core aspects of their service. “In this case, we take the parts of the horse and assign certain attributes to them,” explains Moran. “We then ask the client to write the answers to certain questions on those parts.” Under the direction of therapist Katie Hunter, the young client is asked to write something her family has taught her about values on the mare’s legs, something she likes to show others about herself on the horse’s shoulders, things that make her happy on the horse’s chest, what a perfect life would look like on the horse’s barrel, the names of the people who protect her on the horse’s hind quarters, and the names of the people who support her on the mare’s back. She is then asked to list the things she hides from others under Kiowa’s mane and how she lets steam off under the mare’s forelock. Once this is finished, Hunter will discuss the exercise with the client before washing off Kiowa. While Kiowa enables her 10-year-old partner to discuss complex thoughts and feelings about herself and the world around her, another horse is assisting a 15-year-old client with a different exercise.
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Caesar, a 23-year-old Belgian draft horse owned by clinical consultant Leslie McCullough, is playing a game of “Follow Me” in HAHA’s indoor arena. The rules of the game are simple: the teen must get Caesar to follow her wherever she goes without the teen having any physical contact with Caesar. For a while, all goes well as Caesar follows the teen around the perimeter of the arena and past the end doors leading to grassy paddocks. However, as two new people enter the arena, Caesar’s attention wavers, and he begins to graze just outside the south arena doors. The teen tries her best to get the gelding’s attention once more. At first, she has no luck; however, once she relaxes, the gelding turns his attention to her again and is soon following behind once more as they zig-zag across the arena. When the game is over, a counselor will sit down with the teen to evaluate what has happened. If all has gone well, the work with Caesar and Kiowa will have allowed the clients to discover something about themselves during their interaction with the horses. “Horses will reflect what we feel inside,” Moran says. “We use that to our advantage.” And while the humans process what has happened, Caesar and Kiowa will be resting. These two therapy horses came to their positions after active lives. Kiowa, owned by HAHA barn manager and head trainer Lisa Bruner, was used for jumping, trail riding, barrel racing and working with cows. Caesar had competed in dressage and jumping competitions. But only as they grew older did they become ideal therapy horses. “Their maturity, their been-there-done-that and seen-it-all attitude allows us to know when they are dealing with a client’s anxiety or reacting to something they should be afraid of,” Bruner says. “A horse’s unique characteristics of being prey animals make them very in tune. They are living, breathing, feeling feedback machines.”
“Horses will reflect what we feel inside.”
—Chris Moran
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What’s Old Age for a Horse? The lifespan of a horse depends on many factors, including breed, heredity, health and care. Most horses, however, could be considered senior citizens when they reach 20. “At that age some are still in excellent health, and some begin to have health issues at 18 or 19,” says Topekaregion equine veterinarian Mark Pierce. But that does not mean a horse should automatically be retired at 20. A horse’s ability to work, compete in shows or do other activities depends on his or her condition. “If they have arthritis, they may need special medicines,” Pierce explains. “Older horses often have eye issues, so it’s important not to outrun their visual capabilities. Chronic parasitism is also an issue. Senior horses should be wormed every three or four months.” Other common problems faced by senior horses are the same ones that plague humans, Pierce says. Among these are osteoarthritis, digestive problems, dental problems, cardiac issues and all types of cancers. With horses living longer these days due to better care, Pierce, who also raises paints and quarter horses, says about 10–15 percent of his practice is made up of geriatric horses. “With proper care, today’s horses can live much longer,” he says. “The oldest horse I’ve treated was 42, but in one of my classes at Texas A&M, I heard of a horse that lived to be 62.”
Calm, wise P.J. Across town, at Rocking V Ranch, another senior horse is allowing novice riders to experience the joy of being on horseback. Here a 22-yearold palomino named P.J. is flawlessly following directions called out by instructor and owner Ingrid Vandervort. “I bought him when he was 11 and my daughter, Jordan, was 6,” Vandervort says of her former national champion. “I made him a promise that if he took care of my kids, I’d take care of him. He’ll never be for sale.”
Currently, P.J. provides four different low-intensity lessons. Vandervort says his calm nature makes him an ideal ambassador for new riders. “I think old horses still have a lot to give even though they can’t show at the upper levels anymore,” says Vandervort. “P.J. makes riding easy for folks. He gives confidence to adults and children, even if they have had bad experiences with horses in the past.”
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Leaders At CJ Quarter Horses south of Topeka, a group of retired show horses spend their time together. “These horses are retired because their owners quit riding them, with some beginning to show some physical issues,” says ranch owner and trainer Chuck Sperry. “Like any athlete, they get old and are physically unable to work at the same level.” However, even if retired and slower than they once were, the horses are perfect for riding, says Sperry’s daughter, Jessica Streit. She notes that senior horses already know how to ride and won’t be confused by novice riders who accidently give the wrong signals. “The horse may get frustrated at times and may not be confident in what the rider wants him to do, but they won’t hold a grudge, and the rider can learn from his or her mistakes,” Streit says. Toward the end of the day, Foxy—a 29-year-old buckskin and former show horse—leads a group of younger horses and friends out of the corral and into a perfect grazing spot to nibble tall blades of grass. They are, by some standards, a group of senior citizens enjoying fewer demands on their lives. But each day they also disprove that folk song about “the old gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be” because today’s equine seniors become more valuable with age in therapy, riding lessons and leading others to the sweeter spots of life.
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