At Home Living 021117

planting season

Saturday, February 11, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

How does your garden grow?

Seedlings are a good start

page 6 n Jamie Kidd on pruning, page 2 n Area Realtors receive awards, page 3 n Ivan Weichert on International Home Builders Show, page 5 n Using artwork in home decor, page 8

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2 | Saturday, February 11, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Time to prune woody plants nears It’s getting to be that time of year again. Come on, did you really think you could avoid pruning time? You did last year — yes, you — and look at what you have to clean up now.

Deciduous trees and branches that are dead, dying or broken can be pruned anytime. Mid-February to mid-April is ideal, however, for pruning most woody plants. The plants are still dormant, and it’s easier to see what you’re doing without all the leaves in the way.

Pruning now also shortens the wound exposure time before the plant wakes and begins the healing process.

Pruning can improve plant health, open up views,

JAMIE KIDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu

improve the appearance of the plant, create special forms, encourage flowering and fruiting, control size, and clean up water sprouts and suckers. All of these will improve the curb appeal of your home.

Well, let’s get cracking, hacking, sawing, etc. Here are some simple things you should know. n Prune to promote plant health. Remove

UPCOMING EVENTS

n “Recycled Materials,” a free presentation on how to use fun and unique items in the garden and landscape, will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. The presentation is part of the monthly gardening teaching events by Extension specialists and Master Gardeners that will be offered this year at the library. n The Shawnee County Extension office is offering “From Llamas to Lodging,” a one-day workshop on the limitless possibilities of agriculture-based businesses, including the cottage industries of U-pick berry farms, pumpkin patches, vineyards/wineries, barns for weddings, etc. The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Ravenwood Lodge, 10147 S.W. 61st St. Registration is required. Call (785) 232-0062 for more details. branches that rub together.

They leave wounds for disease and insect entry.

Remove any branch growing into the center of the tree. n Prune to protect people and property. Have hazardous trees taken down. Prune out weak or narrow-angled tree branches. Prune branches that obscure vision at intersections. For security

purposes, prune shrubs or trees that obscure the entry to your home.

Remember: Don’t prune near electrical and utility wires. Contact utility companies or city maintenance workers for this job.

When to cut

Spring flowering trees and shrubs bloom on last year’s wood. If maximum flowering is to be enjoyed,

prune immediately after they have bloomed. Examples are azalea, flowering plum or cherry, forsythia, juneberry, lilac, magnolia and early-blooming spirea.

Summer flowering trees and shrubs bloom on this year’s wood. Prune these plants in early spring or during winter. Examples include barberry, burning bush, dogwood, honeysuckle, smokebush and sumac.

Some trees will bleed clear sap if they’re pruned during late winter or early spring. This “bleeding” isn’t harmful. Trees that show this tendency, such as birch, maple and walnut, should be pruned during mid-summer while they’re in full leaf. This helps to pull the sap into the canopy instead of draining from the tree.

How to prune

The first step of pruning is getting the right tools. n Bypass-type hand pruner. This will make cuts up to ¾ inches. n Lopper. This is a pruner with long handles for greater leverage. The tool can make cuts up to 1½ KIDD continues on 4

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Area Realtors honored at annual awards banquet Marion Hawks receives associations Realtor of the Year Award The Capital-Journal Marion Hawks, of Hawks Real Estate Professionals, was named Sunflower Association of Realtors Inc.’s Realtor of the Year at the organization’s annual awards and officer installation banquet on Jan. 28 at Prairie Band Casino and Resort.

Hawks, with more than 30 years of real estate experience, has served terms as president and president-elect of SAR and has completed a term on the Topeka Multiple Listing Service Board. She was instrumental in the merger of the Emporia, Northeast Kansas and Topeka boards in 2015.

She also volunteers with several association committees and community events.

Ashley Garret, of Fidelity

State Bank, received the Distinguished Affiliate Award for her work as a volunteer with such association community projects as the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka initiative, United Way Day of Caring and the SAR Secret Santa Project for first-year teachers.

Janet Carter, of Carter Realty, was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for her service to fellow Realtors and the association.

Lisa Christopher, of Keller Williams, received the Distinguished Associate of the Year Award, based on several criteria, including Realtor code of ethics, effort and time spent furthering good real estate practices, cooperative spirit and activity in SAR. Outside of her real estate business, Christopher is involved in several charitable

endeavors, including Harvesters, Meals on Wheels and raising money for the Youth Lives Topeka Christmas Fund.

Other awards included: n Rising Star Awards (MLS sales of more than $1 million in first 12 months of membership): William Ackerly and Barbara Williams, both of Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair; Brian Ellis, Maria Salomon and Rachael Haynes, all of EK Real Estate/Emporia; Joseph Schmidtlein and Kelli Higgins, of Berkshire Hathaway Homes First; Tyler Frank, of Hawks Real Estate Professionals; John Schuetz, of River Ridge Real Estate.

Kristan Seymour, of Beoutdoors Real Estate; Amber Smith and Kelly Hughes, both of RE/MAX Associates of Topeka; Meg Heston, of Realty

Executives Preferred Advisors Inc.; Tracy O’Brien, Roger Burdiek, Greg Pert, Christy Emperley, Melanie Gordon, Darin Stephens, Stacey Leafstedt and Patrick Moore, all of KW Legacy Partners. n Master’s Club Bronze Award (lifetime sales of at least $32,657,000 and five-time Million Dollar Club member): Wade Wostal and Patrick Anderson, both of RE/MAX Associates of Topeka; Patrick Habiger, Carol Holthaus and Cole Boling, all of KW Legacy Partners; Kimberly Bates, of Valley Inc.; Chris Simone, of Realty Professionals; Debbie Gillum, of Hawks Real Estate Professionals. n Andy Anderson Silver Award (lifetime sales volume of $65,314,000): Pia Friend, of REALTORS continues on 9

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Kidd: Use three-cut method to remove large branches, prevent tree injury Continued from 2

inches in diameter. n Hedge shears. They are meant for pruning hedges and usually cut succulent or small stems best. n Hand saws. This tool is for cutting branches from 1 to 4 inches in diameter.

They’re usually curved with tri-cut or razor teeth. n Small chain saws,

which are available for rent and are used on larger branches. Never use chain saws to reach above your shoulders, or when you’re on a ladder.

Second, you’ll need a method, which can be selective or non-selective. n Selective, or thinning out, means only certain branches are chosen to be pruned. Pruners and lop-

pers are used to thin out a tree or shrub. Cuts are made about ¼ inch above a bud facing out from the center of the plant. n Non-selective, or heading-back, means all branches are cut without regard to location of lateral branches or buds. Hedge shears are used to make non-selective cuts on a formal hedge.

Hedges also should be selectively thinned out to promote growth lower in the plant. This prevents a see-through hedge with an overgrown top. Hedges should be shaped to be narrower at the top and wider at the bottom to allow for more sunlight penetration.

Large tree branches should be removed using the three-cut method.

n The first cut is made 1 foot from the main stem on the underside of the branch to be removed. Cut about halfway through or until the saw binds. n The second cut is made on the top of the branch slightly beyond the first. When the second cut nears the first one, the branch will fall. n The third cut is then

made close to the branch collar, or the wrinkly skin where the branch is attached to the stem. Don’t cut into the branch collar, which the tree needs to heal over the wound.

If the three-cut method isn’t used on large branches, the falling branch likely will tear the bark as it falls, resulting in considerable injury to the tree.

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Construction industry sees decline in workforce

By Liz Montano

Special to The Capital-Journal

Streamlined toilets and updated lighting options, along with the industry labor shortage and adopting new compliance codes, were just a sampling of subjects on the menu of the 2017 International Home Builders Show.

Topeka Home Builders Association president and CEO Ivan Weichert was at the event Jan. 10-12 in Orlando, Fla., which drew industry leaders from around the world.

Q: What were some of the more notable take-aways from the convention?

Weichert: The show was a combined effort of the National Association of Homebuilders and the Kitchen

TOPEKA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Address: 1505 S.W. Fairlawn Road Information about membership or upcoming events: Visit www.thba. com; email thba@thba.com; or call (785) 273-1260. and Bath Association and offered several different sessions on dealing with national regulations and codes and the best ways to build for sustainability and energy savings.

One of the important issues was a vote by the board of directors to adopt a new national green standard that go above and beyond today’s codes.

Q: What were some of the other issues addressed?

Weichert: One of the biggest issues, as a result of the 2008 recession, (is) about 40 percent of the construction jobs across the country were

obliterated. Then, companies held off hiring for several years, which created a real gap in attracting talent.

What we found ... (is) nearly one-third of the people employed in construction are within a decade of retirement. And in the generation that follows — the millennials — the potential workforce is only half the size of what we used to have for construction workers.

Q: What‘s the solution to that problem?

Weichert: The National Association (of Homebuilders) has a division called the Homebuilding Institute,

dedicated entirely to training young people across the country. We do the same thing locally. We just had our state board meeting.

What we told the board, and what we told legislators ... is we need them to protect tax credits and the money that’s made available for technical training — money that would be going to such places as Washburn Technical Institute.

We’re working with Washburn Tech, in close collaboration with Topeka homebuilders, to develop what we’re calling a construction academy. Instead of just training someone in one particular field, such as heating and air conditioning, the construction academy would take people through the basics of resi-

dential construction, so they have a flavor of plumbing, electrical and carpentry — a more rounded education.

We sponsored about 30 disadvantaged students last summer to attend the construction academy.

Right now, I would say, just about any company that’s part of our organization would hire someone today if they come through with some basic skills. And we’re talking, can you read a tape measure? Can you show up on time? Can you pass a drug test? We’re not looking for someone who’s been in the construction industry for a while, because there frankly aren’t that many out there. We’re also going to be working with local businesses (and) advertising, and we’ll have information

at the (Topeka) Home Show coming up next month for people who may be looking for work. (The Topeka Home Show is March 10-12 at the Kansas Expocentre.)

Q: Can someone interested in a construction job contact THBA for information?

Weichert: Definitely. They can come by the office, and we can direct them to companies we know are looking for help.

Q: What about products?

Were there some especially cool new inovations at the convention this year?

Weichert: There were new toilets without visible tanks; the flushing mechanisms are inside the walls. Many new options in ceramic floor and ceiling tiles, and new paint products that have greater last-ability.

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Growing seeds indoors can yield savings Soil temperatures, light important for growth

By Whitney Carnahan

Special to The Capital-Journal

Planting seeds is a great way to get a jump on the gardening season and save some money.

Instead of buying mature plants for $1 to $3 a pop, you can buy 50 to 100 seeds and get several plants for the same price.

If you get your seeds from a reputable company and treat them right, you could be awash in tomatoes or peppers this summer, not to mention squash, broccoli and a veritable salad bar of plants.

This is the time of year to think about buying seeds and making sure you have the right materials and a home for all the plant trays and pots.

When choosing what to plant, one thing to think about is the season in which the plants grow best.

“There are three distinct growing seasons in Kansas for us — spring, summer and fall. You can have cool-season crops and warm-season crops,” said Cameron Rees, general manager at Skinner Garden Store Inc., 4237 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road. “Broccoli doesn’t do well in warm weather. It’s very tolerant of frost and cold weather. As a result, broccoli goes in the garden early, and it’s probably ready to be pulled out right before the tomatoes are planted. As a result, it’s better to start broccoli seed earlier in the year.”

Also, think about what kind of soil and available space you have. It’s easy to buy a lot of seeds, but harder to estimate their fully grown size.

“Tomatoes have two dif-

ferent growth habits — indeterminate and determinate,” said Marcia Henry, of The Henrys’ Plant Farm, 248 N. 1700 Road in Lecompton. “The indeterminate varieties will keep growing throughout the season and can be more than 6 foot tall. The determinate varieties stay shorter. They still need a cage, but it depends on the variety. Celebrity is a popular determinate variety.”

In addition, many larger plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, can spread, some to 24 to 36 inches.

Also, Henry said, “you need to know what you’re going to use the fruit for, whether that’s canning or slicing.”

If you’re not sure what kind of soil you have, that’s OK. “You can get a soil test done through the Extension office, and that’s always a good idea,” Henry said.

For more information on getting your soil tested, go to shawnee.k-state.edu/ lawn-garden/soil-testing. html.

When you get your seed packet, make sure to check its back for information about the number of days until harvest. For example, if the packet says it takes 90 days from planting to harvest — let’s say in mid-August — you’ll need to have the plant ready to put into the ground three months earlier, or mid-May. That means planting the seeds indoors at least six to eight weeks before that, or mid- to late March, said Jamie Kidd, a Shawnee County Extension horticulture agent. Each type of seed has a different date range to harvest, so you’ll need to mark your calendar to make

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When planting seeds, the first thing to consider is the soil you’ll use. Although mixing potting soil with peat moss might be suggested, it’s best to use a soil specifically for seeds. sure you plant each type of seed at the right time.

Soil savvy

When planting seeds, the first thing to start with is the soil. You might get all kinds of recommendations, such as mixing potting soil with peat moss, but it’s best to use a soil specifically for seeds, Kidd said.

“I would not suggest using peat moss. It’s very tough to keep wet after it dries. Use a seed starter mix. It’s a potting soil, but this doesn’t have the bigger lumps and sticks in it,” she said.

Also, don’t plant the seed in dry soil. To create the correct wet soil for seeding, pour the seed starter soil mix into a 5-gallon bucket.

Then pour in some water until you get the right mix.

“When you take a hand-

ful and squeeze it, if you have no drips, it’s too dry.

If you have water running out of it, it’s too wet. If the water comes out in a drip, drip, drip — it’s just right,” Kidd said.

Next, put the wet soil into your planting container of choice. This could be a seeding tray that has several pods in it, clay or plastic pots, or recycled household items, such as yogurt containers or pie pans. Regardless of the type of container, it must have good drainage.

“You have to plant in wet soil,” Kidd said. “The soil shouldn’t be more than three-fourths of an inch to 1 inch deep. You have to keep it moist the entire time the seeds are germinating.”

The best way to do this is to use a spray bottle to mist the soil with water, she said. Check the seeds morn-

ing and night to make sure they are maintaining a good moisture level. Check the soil by taking a pinch from the container — if it no longer feels moist, it needs more water.

Also, the temperature of the soil is important. Check the back of your seed packet for specific temperature needs, but most seeds need a soil temperature of 65 to 75 degrees to germinate — a level most homes don’t reach or maintain, especially at night, Kidd said.

One way to get around this is to have a heating pad under the seed tray.

“You can buy a simple one for $20,” she said. “It should be big enough for the entire seed container. Leave it on just until the majority of seeds germinate, then take it off. Otherwise, the seeds will rot.”

You also could make your own heating mat with spare wood and tube lighting. If you’re looking for a warmer place in your home, “a lot of people toss them on top of their refrigerator,” Rees noted.

You’ll need a clear plastic lid of some kind to create a rainforest effect with the mist and the heat, Kidd said.

This also helps the plants germinate. Many seeding trays come with lids, or you can make one using what you have around the house, such as 2-liter soda bottles or plastic wrap.

Light’s important

Finally, all plants need light, and newly seeded plants need a lot of it.

“You do not have to have grow lights. Grow lights

SEEDS continues on 7

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Seeds: 40W cool-white fluorescent tubes best Continued from 6

are gimmicks,” Kidd said.

“A cheap shop light works just fine. However, the light needs to be about 3 inches above the plant.”

When shopping for lights, look for two 40W coolwhite fluorescent tubes, as well as a metal shop light fixture. They’re sometimes sold near, but not next to, each other in home stores.

Outside light is about 2,500 foot-candles, Kidd said. A foot-candle is the measurement of light a candle gives off in order to read a book about a foot away. Homes have an average light source of 100 to 250 foot-candles — hardly enough for growing anything but house plants, which are generally harvested from dark forest floors. As a result, shop lights are necessary to get the right amount of light.

To make sure the shop lights are at the right level during growing, use chains to adjust the height. If you can’t adjust the light, elevate the plants to the light, and readjust the distance as the plants grow.

Once the seeds germinate, make sure to remove the heating pad, Kidd said.

However, be more gradual about weaning the plants off the lid, exposing the plants to a little more air each day so as to not shock them.

The first leaves the seedlings will create are seed leaves. The second set are its true leaves. When the true leaves show up, you can transplant the seedlings into slightly larger pots.

“When transplanting, you’re going to hold the seedlings by the leaves, not the stems,” Kidd said. “Your fingers can crush the stems very easily. Holding by the

leaves, shake them gently to separate, and then place them into 2-inch-deep soil in containers, such as sixpack seed pots or similar containers.”

Again, make sure the soil is wet and to mix the soil with water first before filling the containers. You can fertilize at this point, too.

“Only do half the recommended strength, and fertilize about every two to three weeks,” Kidd said.

All in the timing

Many gardeners debate the best time to plant.

“Generally, it’s not warm enough until about Mother’s Day, because that’s when we have the least chance of frost,” Kidd said.

Also, it doesn’t do any good to get a jump-start outside, especially if the soil is still cold.

“It’s not any good to put your tomatoes out in April,

because the soil is too cold.

My tomatoes planted on Mother’s Day will beat yours planted in April anytime,” she said. “Seeds need a certain temperature of soil, and for tomatoes and peppers, that’s a higher heat.”

However, if it’s still cold in mid-May, wait.

“It takes time for soil to warm up,” Rees said.

“Warm-weather plants aren’t going to grow well if the soil temperature is cold.

If you have a frost, it’s likely to kill them.”

When it comes to challenges with planting and growing seeds, Kidd said watering is the hardest thing to do.

“You have to keep it moist, but not soggy,” she said. “There shouldn’t be a dry surface going on. Improper watering is the No. 1 killer.”

Still not sure what the

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Most seeds need a soil temperature of 65 to 75 degrees to germinate — a level most homes don’t reach or maintain, especially at night. One way to get around this is to place a heating pad under the seed tray. best course of action is? Ask questions.

“There’s so much information that it can be overwhelming,” Rees said.

“We’re all gardeners. We enjoy gardening and sharing information.”

Rees and Henry agree

that the local Extension office is a good source.

“There’s information on every vegetable. You can download a pamphlet on each one, and it’s free,” Henry said. “Also, go to your local greenhouse. People are always willing to help.

Growing machine could be next must-have home appliance

By Debbie Arrington The Sacramento Bee

Uri Zeevi is used to skepticism. People hear about his Seedo indoor home cultivator and they’re astonished.

“Nobody has seen anything like this,” he said from his office in Israel.

“It’s really new, just coming onto the market.”

But someday, indoor home cultivators may be as common as dishwashers or backyard gas grills — indispensable home appliances that changed the way people live.

Without sunlight, outdoor space or experience, anyone could grow tomatoes, strawberries, gourmet lettuce and herbs year-round inside a home cultivator.

OK, maybe this ranks more with wine fridges than dishwashers in terms of popular appliances, but it’s an intriguing idea.

“The goal of our company is to make growing plants easy and accessible to anybody,” said Zeevi, Seedo’s president and CEO. “We also want to make it affordable.”

The plant that potentially could make Seedo an instant hit is cannabis.

New laws in California and other states make home cultivation legal with restrictions.

Initially, Zeevi and his cohorts planned to introduce Seedo for sale in February. But after a demonstration video of the machine leaked out to the public, they had to push back their release date to

summer.

“One of the extras from the video posted it on his Facebook page, and it went viral,” Zeevi said. “We were quite amazed by the response to that exposure.

We didn’t have high expectations; we were planning on producing low quantities. Now, we’re completely renegotiating everything, so we’ll be able to meet initial demand.”

Zeevi recently visited California to meet with potential manufacturers.

About the size of a minifridge, the Seedo home cultivator will be offered online only by the company and cost more than $1,000, but the final price tag is still being tweaked, too.

Indoor gardening — particularly of food — is on the rise. It’s a popular trend

among millennials, who want fresh micro-greens and favorite herbs grown in their own kitchens.

Other hydroponic devices are appealing to that market. For example, the Urban Cultivator — praised by Martha Stewart and used by her test kitchen — grows eight varieties of herbs and micro-greens simultaneously indoors in the same space as a 24-inch dishwasher. It’s billed as a “fully automated kitchen garden” and costs about $2,800.

Zeevi envisions his home cultivator as a universal growing machine, producing tomatoes and peppers in winter or cilantro and strawberries in August. Its interior lights are more intense than those used for herbs and micro-greens,

allowing it to grow flowering plants with success.

“It grows tomatoes very nice,” Zeevi said. “From seed, a cherry tomato will start bearing after 60 to 90 days. Then, you can harvest 15 to 20 ripe tomatoes every day for 60 days.

Strawberries are great, too; they’re fresh, full of flavor and (grown) without pesticides. It’s foolproof.”

The idea behind Seedo started with lettuce, he explained. The cultivator’s inventors started in the hydroponic lettuce business, producing thousands of heads indoors under lights in controlled conditions.

What if that same concept could be scaled down for home use, one technician wondered. After much experimentation, the Seedo home cultivator was

born.

“Growing hydroponically, it’s science,” Zeevi explained. “It’s very precise. … This is a machine, so there’s no place for mistakes.”

The self-contained unit needs little attention, he said. Through a tube system, water is added as needed without opening the door or disturbing the plants. Fans circulate fresh air into the unit, so plants can breathe.

“Seedo is hermetically closed, so disease and pests can’t get to plants when they’re inside (the unit),” he said. “You just leave them alone. The plants are saying, ‘Don’t bother me; I want to grow!’ ” All the gardener has to do is add water — and wait for harvest.

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Use mirrors, trays for wall displays

By Mary Carol Garrity Tribune News Service

You can fill your room with beautiful furniture and accents, but it won’t look finished until the walls come alive with artwork. If you have blank walls or beautiful pieces of art stored away that you’ve never hung, make that your next project.

You’ll be blown away by how putting a few pieces up will give your spaces personality and style, and make your home a warm reflection of you. To help you get started, here are a few ideas for interesting art arrangements created by Dillon, the artwork coordinator at Nell Hill’s. n A wall of trays.

Artwork encompasses much more than framed paintings. Trays, platters and dishes are among my favorite things to hang on the wall. To hang trays, thread a bit of wire through the handles or cutouts on the sides of the tray. Or, use plate grippers.

Tip from Dillon: The secret to dec-

‘‘

You’ll be blown away by how putting a few pieces up will give your spaces personality and style.” mary carol garrity

orating with trays, plates and platters is to group together a variety of sizes and shapes. Start by placing the larger pieces in the middle, then fan out from there. n A celebration of memories.

One of the chief aims of artwork is to reflect the unique personality of those who live in the home. One of my favorite things to do when I visit people is to see their artwork and accents, to get a glimpse of the things they care about most.

For many of us, our families are paramount in our lives. So consider making a gallery that features photos and other memorabilia that tell the story of your family, past and present.

Tip from Dillon: To hang a gallery, Dillon suggests you start at the middle then work your way out. Lay the pieces on the floor and move them about

until you have an arrangement you like. Take a photo with your phone so you can replicate the layout on the wall. Dillon rarely lines up the frames when he arranges collections. Instead, he likes the groupings to feel a little more random. n A flash of mirrors.

I love using mirrors as art. They add brilliant beauty to a room, bouncing light and opening up the space.

Add a mirror to a collection of art.

Hang one over your mantel or above a buffet. Or, cluster a group of smaller mirrors together to make one headturning display.

Tip from Dillon: To create a 3-D effect, Dillon suggested layering one mirror on top of another, using longer nails for the mirrors on the top layer so they can easily rest over those below.

tribune news service

If you’re thinking about redecorating, consider making a gallery that features photos and other memorabilia that tell the story of your family, past and present.

Find the career you’re searching for!

Tip of the Week: plants clean air

NASA scientists researching ways to create suitable space station habitats also have studied how houseplants can purify indoor air and remove harmful household toxins.

All indoor plants can purify the air to some degree through the photosynthesis process, but some plants were found to be more beneficial than others.

Those plants include: aloe vera, baby rubber plant, bamboo palm, Boston fern, pygmy date palm, English ivy, Gerber daisy, dragon tree, moth orchid, peace lily, philodendron, snake plant and spider plant.

Source: sustainablebabysteps.com

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Realtors: New officers, board installed at annual meeting Continued from 3

Pia Friend Realty; Liesel Kirk-Fink, of Kirk and Cobb Inc.; Erica Lichtenauer, of Countrywide Realty; Janelle Moses, of Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair. n Gold Sales Achievement Award (lifetime sales volume of $97,971,000): Karey Brown, of Realty Professionals Preferred Advisors; Rick Nesbitt, of Berkshire Hathaway Homes First. n Platinum Sales

Achievement Award (lifetime sales volume of $130,628,000): Marion Hawks, of Hawks Real Estate Professionals; Mark Rezac, of Kansas Commercial.

Installed as officers were: Jamie Sauder, of Coldwell Banker/Emporia, president; Roger Hower, of Kellerman Real Estate/ Holton, president-elect; Luke Thompson, of Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair, treasurer. Carrie Calhoun, of ReeceNichols

Topeka Elite, immediate past president; Board of directors are: Greg Armbruster, of RE/MAX Associates of Topeka; Anthony Bunting, of Countrywide Realty; Dave Mahon and Lisa Christopher, both of Keller Williams Legacy Partners; Laine Hash, of Berkshire Hathaway Homes First; Gary Nantz, of Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair; Sheila Schwalm, of Heartland Realty/Hiawatha; Jeff Williams, of EK Real Estate/Emporia.

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