WestSide Story March 2017

March 2017 - 2

I INSIDE

Volume 32 • Issue 5 March 2017

ON THE COVER Man of colors | 16

WestSider Phil Snow paints with sunlight. A stained glass artist for more than 30 years, Snow’s creations fill his home.

Sam Jack/WestSide Story

Local students enjoy Carnegie Hall spotlight | 5

Features From the Publisher’s Files.........4 Cook’s Library...............................6

W e s t S i d e S t o r y

Dateline...........................................8 Movie Review.............................10 People & Places.........................11 Focus On Business....................12

Spring Home & Garden Guide | 22

Performing Arts Calendar......18 Wichita Homes..........................26

WestSide Story Editorial

Publisher Paul Rhodes Managing Editor Travis Mounts Graphics Abbygail Brown Reporters/Contributors Sam Jack, Sarah Gooding, Philip Holmes, Jim Erickson

Sales & Billing

Sales Valorie Castor, Briana Bade Billing/Circulation Tori Vinciguerra A Division of Times-Sentinel Newspapers 125 N. Main • P.O. Box 544 Cheney, KS 67025 Phone: (316) 540-0500 Fax: (316) 540-3283

Now in our 32nd year!

The WestSide Story is a monthly newspaper focused on the far west side of Wichita.

It is delivered free to most west Wichita homes within our coverage area, although distribution is not guaranteed. Single copies are available for free in west Wichita Dillons stores and at Times-Sentinel Newspapers.

Email story ideas and photographs to news@tsnews.com. Visit us on Facebook. © 2017 Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Symphony on ice: Music, hockey and ice share a weekend A couple weekends ago, I took in a pair of Wichita’s long-standing entertainment options.

On a Saturday night, my oldest son, Isaac, and I happened onto a pair of last-minute tickets to the Wichita Thunder hockey game. On Sunday, my youngest son, Aaron, accompanied me to the Wichita Symphony’s performance of “Carousel,” where the full orchestra shared the stage with cast members from Music Theatre Wichita for a unique performance of the classic musical.

I found the symphony performance to be comfortable and relaxing, with plenty of...legroom.

Our aging but still venerable Century II was built in a time when every square inch of building was not built with the idea of getting the most out of every last dime.

Intrust Bank Arena (IBA), is a fantastic addition to the city. It has much more bathroom space and snack space than the city’s blue, riverside UFO, but when it comes to actual seats, IBA doesn’t hold a candle to Century II. You see, I’m a tall guy, with somewhat large feet, so it’s a tight fit for me to squeeze into arena seats or airplane rows.

Now, don’t get me wrong in moment here. My experiences at IBA have been very positive. I shared the Thunder’s very first game there with 13,000 of my closest friends. I watched Bon Jovi from the back row of the upper level behind the stage. I’ve cheered on the Thunder numerous times, and had fantastic seats for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s very first exhibition game in Wichita.

But I have a very specific beef with Row H at IBA. Whatever genius was responsible for designing the interface between the removable seats on metal and the permanent seats affixed to con-

Travis Mounts | Managing Editor

crete decided to run a giant plastic bar along the backs of all the Row G seats, chewing up what little footroom there was for Row H occupants.

So, in addition to having my legs cockeyed just to fit between the seats, I had to turn my feet at weird and uncomfortable angles to fit. There were no cupholders. Isaac and I struggled to maneuver the drinks and pizza we bought for dinner.

And to add insult to injury, my beloved Thunder, who are struggling mightily this season, lost 4-2 for their 19th loss in 20 games.

The next afternoon at the symphony was a different experience. The concession lines were slow. The bathroom traffic was illogical and congested.

And we were comfortable.

In Century II’s Concert Hall, the rows of seats were magnificently far apart from each other, with more width across each seat. My legs stuck out in front of me. My feet rested at natural angles. I could feel my toes.

Now, if we could just combine the two events. I would pay money to see a tuba player on ice, using his instrument to shove a flautist into the glass, or watch someone try fire a puck into a timpani drum.

But as a starting point, let’s just take the seating at Century II and place it around a hockey rink. That would be music to my ears...and legs.

March 2017 - 4 W e s t S i d e S t o r y

Cuba is now more accessible for Americans

If you’ve ever We had to declare From the Publisher’s Files dreamed of going to a reason for traveling Cuba, that dream is to Cuba, from one of now a reality.

12 options on the list.

Like many baby We picked “journalboomers, I’ve long istic activity” which been fascinated with seemed wildly approCuba. I was born in priate for an old news 1957, the year that hound like myself.

Fidel Castro’s revOther options include olution was taking agriculture, religious Paul Rhodes | Publisher root. All the history and educational activbetween our two ities, and there’s even countries since then simply left me, like an option called “support for the Cuban many others, with a curiosity that would people,” which we learned was being used not go away. by many American visitors.

So the middle of last year, when my Restrictions or not, Cuba was glad to girlfriend Kim suggested that we should have us there. And we were glad to be consider a winter respite in Florida’s hisvisiting Cuba. toric South Beach area, we extended our All kinds of tour groups are available to vacation plans a little bit farther. arrange travel to Cuba, and those options Ninety miles farther, to be exact. are growing daily. But Kim and I normally At the time, travel to Cuba by U.S. like to arrange our own travel plans, and citizens was just beginning to open up. that wasn’t a problem.

By early October, we were able to book a Once we determined our general categoflight from Miami to Havana, Cuba. Since ry for travel to Cuba, we were able to use then, we’ve learned, direct flights to Cuba that detail to book our flights, and make are now available from several U.S. cities. lodging accommodations. Havana abounds Knowing how quickly the desire to travel with hotels, but we chose to rent an apartto Cuba would grow, Kim and I wanted to ment in the heart of Old Havana, which travel there as soon as possible. Obviously, was where we wanted to focus our travels. visitors from other countries have been We used Airbnb, which has helped us traveling to Cuba with only limited interwith travel all over the U.S. in the past. ruptions, and Americans have been getting For a fraction of the cost of a hotel in there through other, more circumvented, the area where we wanted to stay, we were routes. able to book a comfortable one-bedroom And we were not mistaken. In fact, we apartment with modern conveniences in found Havana to already be bustling with a historic building right across the street American visitors like ourselves, even with from the Capitol of Havana. That historic the travel “limitations” building, modeled after our own Capitol in that are in place.

Washington, D.C., is undergoing a com-

A view down a street in Old Havana, with a newer building in downtown Havana in the background. Kim Swansen/East Wichita News

Paul Rhodes poses for a picture in one of the famous restored antique cars in Havana.

plete renovation to once again house the Cuban Parliament.

From that vantage point, most of Old Havana was within walking distance for us. We used a taxi a few times, a bicycle taxi once (it was outrageously priced compared to a regular taxi) and on our final day in Havana we took a tour ride all over the city in one of the famous restored antique cars that you hear about and see in pictures. Ours was a red-andwhite 1954 Ford Mercury convertible, and was a stylish way to spend an afternoon.

The Cuban people were warm and welcoming, and the country is rich in history, culture and cuisine. I have had some fantastic international travels in my life, and Cuba ranks right up there as one of the best experiences ever in terms of safety and cultural experiences.

In the days ahead, I’ll be sifting through the photos we shot and the notes I made while in Cuba, and sharing more next month. I know a lot of people are interested in what Cuba has to offer visitors, and what it’s like to travel there from the U.S. now that restrictions have been lifted.

Local students enjoy Carnegie Hall spotlight Story

by

Sarah Gooding

Eisenhower High School students have learned the secret of how to get to Carnegie Hall.

Years of training, careful music selection, lots of practice and a lengthy wait after completing the application process provided WestSiders Alyssa Bamberger, Haley Wells and McKayla Lynch the chance to join students from all over the nation and the world in New York City in early February.

“In my head I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh.’ All this preparation and stuff I’ve done since seventh grade up to now has actually paid off,” Wells said. “It was such a cool feeling. I had worked my way up to do this.”

The three performed with about 750 other students selected to participate in the Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series.

To audition, each of the students had to select songs that would showcase their range and abilities and would fill a designated amount of time. The students recorded themselves performing, filled out an application, sent in a deposit and waited to hear whether they would get to participate.

This was all in the previous school year.

“The entire summer, I was saving to do this,” Wells said, with all three girls adding that they didn’t find out for sure they would be going until Halloween.

As it turned out, the holiday had a treat, rather than a trick, for each one.

“I was walking out of school with my friends and I saw I got the e-mail,” Bamburger said, adding she separated herself from the group to check the message. “I did make it, and I was just See CARNEGIE, Page 7

Alyssa Bamberger enjoys a photo op during her early February trip to New York City as a participant in the Honors Performance Series.

This was Bamberger’s second opportunity to participate, and she was joined by classmates McKayla Lynch and Haley Wells.

Contributed photo

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Big city, bright lights

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WestSide Story

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March 2017 - 6 W e s t S i d e S t o r y

Tastes and locations make food memorable Some meals leave an impression recognize her name – she was one of Cook’s Library on us. It may be because of the the contestants on Bravo Network’s food, the company or the circum“Top Chef.” The circumstances of stances. the dinner were amazing and the I still remember fondly the family food was out of this world. The dinners of my childhood. The dessert she served that night was a family stories were passed along rosewater pavlova with a pear and with the mashed potatoes. There cranberry chutney in a hibiscus was laughter and conversation and sauce topped with pistachio flavored a sense that this was just one mocream. Have you ever imagined those ment in a string of family gatherthings in combination? I had not, but Patsy Terrell ings that would stretch into infinity. it was just as delicious as it sounds.

Of course, that was not to be - at I’m one of those people who least not with that cast of characters. will whip out my phone for a photo of the food if it’s We won’t get to have Mama’s coconut pie or Mrs. unusual and that was no exception. I was dining that Cooper’s coconut cake again. We might have the recipes, night with people far more sophisticated than me, but but we all know we never have things just right to bring eventually mine was not the only phone being used to back those particular tastes. Or maybe it’s the feelings capture the moment. I’m guessing there are a few dozen that are missing. photos of that dessert now in existence.

Some meals are special because of the food itself. The Although it’s not exotic, I’m delighted to be sharing a first time I tasted fresh mozzarella was in San Francisco. recipe associated with many happy memories for me.

I can put myself back in that restaurant with my friend, Teresa, and feel the creaminess of the cheese contrasted The first thing Patsy Terrell learned to cook was Cowith the crunch of the fresh basil. It’s as vivid as if it conut Pie. She’s still not sure if her Mama was teaching were yesterday. her patience or was just tired of doing all that stirring At other times, it’s a combination. I was recently invitherself. See more recipes and stories at cookslibraryed to a dinner cooked by chef Renee Kelly. You might withpatsy.com.

Coconut Pie (Mama’s recipe) 3 eggs, separated 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup flour 2 cups milk 2 Tablespoons butter 1 cup coconut Salt to taste Mix sugar, salt and flour together into saucepan. Add egg yolks, milk and butter and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the filling is done. When you can stir and the bottom of the pan remains visible, it’s done. Remove from heat and mix in coconut. Pour into baked pie shell and cover with meringue while pie is still warm.

Meringue 3 egg whites Up to 6 tablespoons sugar Vanilla to taste Beat egg whites until frothy; gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.

Add vanilla or other flavoring. Spoon onto pie, spreading to crust edge to seal filling in.

Bake at 325° for 15 to 18 minutes, until nicely browned. Sprinkle some coconut on top before browning if desired.

Continued from Page 5

See HALL, Page 9

WestSide Story

running around the parking lot.”

Wells had a similar reaction.

“I was just in my room chilling and I opened it and saw that I got it, so I was running around my house,” she said.

Lynch was on the road when her notification came through, so she made sure she was safely parked and then checked the result.

“I looked at the e-mail and immediately called my dad and I just started screaming,” she said.

Bamburger participated as one of 250 members of the mixed choir, and Wells and Lynch both were selected as part of the 140-member women’s choir.

A total of 750 young musicians were selected from approximately 18,000 applicants.

A few short months later, with performance music memorized, the girls and their families flew to the Big Apple for a whirlwind five days in early February.

The majority of their time was spent in rehearsals, but some sightseeing was incorporated in the evening hours.

Bamburger, who also was accepted as a performer last year, chose to spend her spare time at Strand Bookstore, which boasts more than 18 miles of books.

Wells, meanwhile, went sightseeing, finding the Balto statue in Central Park, the street where “That’s How You Know” was filmed for “Enchanted” and more.

Lynch, who has dreams of international travel and learning other languages, said she enjoyed seeing the many different cultures present.

“I think what impacted me the most was all the different cultures represented there,” she said. “I’m thinking about minoring in a foreign language because I want to be able to travel to different places. Just seeing all the people from different backgrounds and different countries was a good thing, and it’s something I want even more now.”

Each one was also able to take in a performance of a Broadway musical, and then the performers had the opportunity to be the ones in the spotlight.

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Carnegie

Two four-hour practices each day helped singers from all over the world get on the same page, under the tutelage of renowned directors, and that paid off when the groups finally got to enter Carnegie Hall.

“As soon as you walk in, you go in for a sound check, and everyone’s looking around,” Bamburger said. “It’s really big, but it seems homey. It’s a very peaceful place.”

Wells said that was when she felt the full impact of the event.

“The design of the building is meant for singing, so if it’s quiet you can hear a pin drop,” Wells said. “I actually yawned during our sound check and I literally heard it around the room.

“It was kind of intimidating during the sound check because you see all the empty chairs and you’re like, ‘People are actually going to pay to see us,’” she said.

And they did.

Lynch and Wells said the women’s choir’s acapella piece, about famine in Africa finally being ended by rain, was punctuated by snapping that sounded

March 2017 - 8 W e s t S i d e S t o r y

March 4 – Mega Bonding Through Board Games, a free come-and-go event at Sedgwick County Extension, 21st and Ridge, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Bring your family and friends and connect over board games. For more information, visit www.sedgwick.ksu.edu.

March 12 – The 17th annual wheelchair game, 2 p.m. at Church of the Magdalen, 12626 W. 21st N. The Thunder, featuring Wichita Thunder hockey players, will take on the Plunder. Tickets are $5, kids 12 and under are free.

Wheelchair Sports, Inc., will sell tickets at the March 3 and 4 Thunder home games at INTRUST Bank Arena, behind section 120. The team will be wearing special uniforms on Friday, March 3rd when the Thunder host the Tulsa Oilers.

The team will then wear the jerseys during the wheelchair game and will be auctioning them off afterwards, with the profits benefiting Wheelchair Sports, Inc. Last year’s auction raised over $6,500 for WSI. The Plunder is a group of wheelchair athletes from the area associated with Wheelchair Sports, Inc. WSI provides athletic opportunities for disabled

Dateline

Upcoming events in and around Wichita

individuals. For more information about WSI, visit http://wsi.wcsports.org.

March 14 – Wichita Rose Society, 7 p.m. at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 Amidon. Social meet and greet begins at 6:30 p.m. Rebecca McMahon, K-State Extension horticultural food crops agent, will present “Basics About Soil,” defining the properties of soil and what can be done to provide the best growing environment in your home garden. Admission is free, guests are welcome.

March 16 – Project Beauty monthly meeting, noon at Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th N. Bob Gress, a

naturalist, photographer and former director of the Great Plains Nature Center will be the guest speaker. Lunch is $20. RSVP to Pat Whitney, 3222 N. Clarence Circle, Wichita, KS 67204, by March 13. Guests are welcome.

March 17-26 – Voyage to Vietnam, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture with special dances, fashion shows, food, music, games and more featuring local Vietnamese organizations, groups and vendors. Plus, celebrate Tet, the Vietnamese New Year with the museum’s own re-creation of Tet Festival on March 18. More information at exploration.org.

March 18 – Wichita Genealogical Society monthly meeting, 1 p.m. at Lionel Alford Library, 3447 S. Meridian. “Your Ancestor Mustered Out After the Civil War; What Happened to Him?” presented by Virginia Downing. The men mustered out and went back home, some to families, and some moved on west. The program will look at numerous family records created that may help you locate

him and his family. The meeting is open to anyone and is free. More information is available at www.wichitagensoc.org.

March 28 – Prairie View, Inc., 63rd anniversary dinner. Special guests will be Mark and Nanette Potter, who will present “Victory over depression.” Mark Potter is completing his 19th year as the head coach of the Newman men’s basketball program. Eleven years ago, Potter knew something wasn’t right, and he began a downward spiral into a world of darkness. Potter missed eight games and 25 practices due to severe depression. Since that time, he has been on a crusade to educate people about depression and encourage others suffering from mental illness to seek assistance. Tickets are $20; RSVP with Brandy Beer, 316-284-6443. Proceeds support the mission of Prairie View.

Do you have an item for Dateline?

Email your submission to news@ tsnews.com by the 20th of the month for consideration.

Continued from Page 9

like rain falling when magnified by Carnegie Hall’s acoustics.

“As soon as we finished that song, the audience didn’t immediately start clapping,” Lynch said. “Instead, they just sat there for what felt like a few minutes, and then suddenly they erupted and it was incredible.”

Bamburger said when the audience was clapping following her choir’s performance she tried to simply savor the

Contributed photos

WestSide Story

TOP: Eisenhower High School musicians joined 750 musicians for Carnegie Hall’s Honors Performance Series. ABOVE LEFT: McKayla Lynch takes a selfie while enjoying tourist activities in New York City. ABOVE RIGHT: Jenae Maley and Rachel Wake are 2015 EHS graduates and were members of the Carnegie Hall Young Adult Choir.

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Hall

moment.

“You take a moment and you’re like, ‘I need to remember this,’” she said, adding it is her dream to come back.

“I think just going to New York in general has impacted me,” she continued. “The first time I went I was like, ‘I think I want to live there.’ As the days went by I missed it more and more, and when I went back the second time … I just fell in love with it more.”

(Note: Bamburger, Wells and Lynch were joined by recent EHS graduates Jenae Maley and Rachel Wake, as well as area band and orchestra students for the Honors Performance Series.)

March 2017 - 10

Movie review: ‘La La Land’

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I’m glad people almost bullied me into going to see “La La Land,” because I think it’s a consistently interesting variation on the stereotype musical, and an artifact of its time.

But I don’t see what all the fuss is about.

Maybe the problem is mine: I don’t care about musicals or even about music as such. The numerous echoes of Gene Kelly I spotted persuade me that there must be a lot of references to other musical movies that went clear over my head, and I’m sure those who can recognize more will understand and enjoy more than I could.

But the whole picture looked to me like a succession of episodes in search of a story, the segues and links of which were left to me to supply.

The plot doesn’t puzzle, because it’s mostly the same old stock stuff we’ve seen over and over before; but the ending(s) suggest that there are serious matters to be concerned about that the bulk of the movie skips merrily over without giving us enough detail to let us feel along with the pretty-standard characters enough for emotional involvement. There’s no buildup to the serious matters to let us give a damn.

Which is why I can’t join the chorus of praise for Emma Stone’s Oscar-winning performance. She does extremely well with what she’s given to work with, but there isn’t enough there to make a real character, until the final section, which is too late.

And, presumably in effort to include all the cliches they can think of, the moviemakers include half a dozen episodes we expect to be the end because they have been ends in other movies, which leads us to wonder whether this particular movie is ever going to end at all.

All along, there are the currently fashionable red herrings, I suspect intended to suggest the complicated worldview we are all forced to take in the continual presence of smartphones and globalization, but in a little fluff of a movie like this, these are just distractions in need of development.

Like the many airplane landings in “Sully,” they may be intended to remind us of things that could have or should have happened.

If you’re not in thrall to old ideas, “La

Movie Review

Jim Erickson

La Land” has a lot to enjoy. The ending may be too realistic for the rest of the movie, but it is neither pessimistic nor a mere loose end. There is a general spirit of optimism and good times, with the camera swooping and dancing almost as much as the characters do.

The whole thing is visually gorgeous, from settings to costumes in solid colors. The endless succession of movie posters don’t always seem appropriate, but they do remind us that “La La Land” is not taking place in our real world, but rather in the world of Hollywood romantic comedy.

Editing is sometimes playful, suitable to the general spirit. And you will almost certainly enjoy the musical more than I could. I don’t remember when a movie has been so often recommended to me as just plain fun; I wish I could have seen it that way.

Matthew McConaughey’s “Gold” seems to have been seen by almost nobody but me, and is not worth many words. Its rags-to-riches and back again is repeated often enough to dilute any sense of an ending.

It shares with Jennifer Lawrence’s “Joy” the implication that the good life can be lived only at the bottom of the economic heap, because the people get colder and more selfish the higher you climb. McConaughey’s character seems unable to lose his initial better qualities and harden himself the way Lawrence’s Miracle Mop inventor could.

As an actor, McConaughey strains too hard to keep some heart in this cold-blooded world, and for once is not much fun to watch.

“Gold,” even more than “La La Land,” is afflicted with false endings, and the chicaneries of the financial world are more disheartening than enlightening.

The whole picture is a bit of a downer.

• Allison Pieschl, a graduate of Maize High School, was in the cast of “Tomato Plant Girl,” performed Feb. 25-March 1 by students at Butler Community College. The play shows youngsters the value of friendship and character. The play demonstrates bullying, understanding right from wrong and compassion. The characters also examine gardening and nature. The show was performed at various schools in Butler and Greenwood counties, and a public performance was staged Feb. 25 on the El Dorado campus.

• Midland University has recognized the outstanding achievements of students with the announcement of the fall 2016 president’s list and dean’s list. Overall, 361 students were honored. WestSider Tyler Stedman, a biology major, was on the dean’s list. To qualify for the president’s list, students must complete coursework with a semester GPA of 4.0. In order to qualify for the dean’s list, students must complete all coursework with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

• WestSider Molly Goltl is part of the select 43-member wind ensemble from Concordia University in Nebraska that will be touring March 2-12, with stops in Missouri, Illinois and Florida.

The ensemble will perform concerts at churches and high schools in six cities on their 10-day tour. Concert cities are St. Louis; St. Charles, Mo.; Centralia, Ill.; Rockledge, Fla.; Winter Haven, Fla.; and Oviedo, Fla. This year’s tour program includes “Rejouissance” by James Curnow, a stirring setting of “Amazing Grace” by Frank Ticheli, Thomas Knox’s setting of “God of Our Fathers” that was written for the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan and John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The program will also include music by David Holsinger, Leroy Anderson, Robert W. Smith and Jay Bocook. The University Wind Ensemble is chosen from the 85-member University Symphonic Band, which was formed in 1906 and is the oldest continuing musical organization at Concordia.

• Bishop Carroll Catholic High School has announced that the National Merit Corporation has named two Bishop Carroll students as National Merit Finalists. Seniors Jeffrey Birch and Nathaniel Lies are now National Merit Finalists and have the opportunity to be awarded one of the approximately 7,500 National Merit Scholarships. The scholarships are available this spring and total over $33 million.Jeffrey Birch

is the son of Matthew and Kelly Birch.

Nathaniel Lies is the son of Linda Lies and the late Joseph Lies.

• Roger Williams University has announced that Maria Kiewel of West Wichita graduated with an A.S. in paralegal studies in December 2016.

• Sally Olmstead was named to the St. Olaf College dean’s list for the fall 2016 semester. The list recognizes students with a semester grade-point average of 3.75 or higher. Olmstead, a performance major from Maize High School, is the daughter of Calvin and Mary Olmstead.

• Heidi Bingenheimer, a native of West Wichita, received a MS-Biomedical Engineering degree from the University of Iowa at the close of the fall 2016 semester.

• Collin T. Kasitz was named to the dean’s list at William Jewell College for the 2016 fall semester. Kasitz was a sophomore accounting and business administration major during the fall semester at the college, located in Liberty, Mo. • More than 4,500 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have been

named to the dean’s list for the fall semester of the 2016-17 academic year.

WestSiders on the dean’s list include Spencer Jones, biochemistry major; Reid Jones, computer science major; Kristen Jones, accounting major; Wakon Lee, nutrition and health sciences major; and Emily Turner, elementary education and special education major.

• Savannah Bender of West Wichita was one of six undergraduate researchers from Emporia State University who presented their work on the first-floor rotunda of the State Capitol in Topeka on Wednesday, Feb. 15, as part of Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol.

Undergraduate students from each of the state’s public universities presented their research. This event was intended to showcase the quality and diversity of undergraduate research being conducted at state universities and highlighted the role that higher education can play in strengthening the Kansas economy and workforce. Bender, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major, presented “Air, Water, and Soil: Student Civic Engagement Projects from an Honors Chemistry II Course.”

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WestSide Story People and Places

See PEOPLE, Page 15

WestSide Story

March 2017 - 12

Featured this month

W e s t S i d e S t o r y

Focus On Business is a monthly feature offered to area advertisers. If you would like your business featured here, please contact our sales office at (316) 540-0500.

Jimmie’s Family Diner................... Page 13 Wichita Grand Opera..................... Page 14

We’re Having A Party!!

Times-Sentinel Newspapers, LLC

Publisher of the WestSide Story, is celebrating its

25th Anniversary In celebration, we will be hosting a

Reader Appreciation Day › Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Tanganyika Wildlife Park › Reduced Admission to Tanganyika, Gates Open @ 10:30 am › FREE Lunch Served by Times-Sentinel Newspapers (First 800 Guests) › Drawings for prizes!

SAVE the DATE! Watch for details next month!

WestSide location continues dining tradition If you’ve never been in, or if it’s been awhile, the folks at Jimmie’s Family Diner invite you to visit them at 2121 N. Tyler Road. The location opened in 2016.

waffles, made-to-order omelettes, and the Joey’s Benny – a unique twist on Eggs Benedict, featuring eggs and sausage on an open-faced biscuit, all smothered in cream gravy.

Beyond breakfast, Jimmie’s features a selection of burgers that will bring you back again and again, and a chicken fried steak entrée that is a true hand-breaded delight. And don’t leave without sampling one of the shakes that helped give the diner its notorious reputation. Jimmie’s serves a full menu all day, pancakes for dinner or meatloaf for breakfast.

When the Davidson family came west last year to open the Jimmie’s Diner at 21st and Tyler, Mary Schmidt, a veteran of 17 years and T. J. Scott, Kitchen Manager for the whole Jimmie’s operation came along. Mid summer, Brooke Hoffman, who has been with Jimmie’s Diner since 2012, assumed the role of General Manager; then Daniel Paine and Raul Lopez joined the WestSide team. Daniel and Raul have worked together since 1989 at the Rock Road Jim-

mie’s. T.J.’s kitchen team pride themselves on keeping the food moving fast while maintaining a high level of quality.

“This location was a big challenge, and it didn’t happen overnight,” said Joe. He admits that even with the best of preparations, the new WestSide location wasn’t ready for the onslaught of customers it had early last year. Brooke, Mary, T. J., Daniel and Raul have more than 60 years of combined experience with Jimmie’s.

“Come back in and try us again,” said Joe. “Early on, we had our problems, but we overcame them and we are extremely proud of this team.”

And if you haven’t experienced Jimmie’s Diner yet, come in and see what you’ve been missing – including the soda fountain.

Hours for the West Wichita location are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. The restaurant stays open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

For more information, visit www.jimmiesdiner.com, or check out their Facebook page.

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

At Jimmie’s Family Diner in West Wichita, you’re getting more than just the food you ordered.

You’re also getting a slice of Wichita history dating all the way back to the White Castle hamburger stand operations of the 1920s and 30s. And, you’re getting service from a crew with years of experience in the Jimmie’s Diner family of restaurants.

“We’ve blossomed into more than just hamburgers,” said Joe Davidson, managing partner of the Jimmie’s Family Diner operations in Wichita. The family-owned-and-operated group of restaurants boasts three locations – the original Jimmie’s Diner on North Rock Road, the second location at George Washington Boulevard and Harry Street, and now the third Jimmie’s Diner location at 2121 N. Tyler Road in West Wichita.

But first, let’s get back to the hamburgers…

While White Castle was in its heyday, entrepreneur Jimmie King was a part of the operation. In 1938, he purchased the Wichita branch of the chain, and changed the name to Kings-X. A new Wichita tradition was born as the King family moved into full-service family restaurants.

The Kings’ son, Wayne, built and opened Jimmie’s Diner on North Rock Road in 1987 as a tribute to his father, Jimmie. In 2007, Jimmie’s Diner and Kings-X was sold to fellow Wichitans Jack and Linda Davidson. A year later, son Joe Davidson joined the family business.

“I started as a soda jerk and worked my way through the business,” said Joe. “We’re known for breakfast all day and our soda fountain. We bring in high-quality ingredients and we sell atmosphere.”

All of the Jimmie’s locations have the look and feel of a classic diner. Servers dress the part, with the girls in poodle skirts and guys in white hats and ties.

Breakfast favorites include the famous Kings-X

13 - March 2017

Jimmie’s Family Diner

FROM LEFT: Jimmie’s Family Diner serves up old-fashioned shakes from their soda fountain.

Jimmie’s chicken fried steak is a hand-breaded delight.

For breakfast, try the Monte Cristo omelette with a side of hash browns.

WestSide Story

A jukebox helps create the atmosphere of a 1950s diner.

March 2017 - 14 FOCUS ON BUSINESS

WGO spring season offers three ways to be part of ‘grand’ Story

by

Sam Jack

When company founders Margaret Ann Pent and Parvan Bakardiev began working to launch an opera company in Wichita more than 15 years ago, they could have settled on a name like “Opera Wichita.”

Instead, they decided to join a handful of U.S. companies that highlight the word “Grand” in their names: Wichita Grand Opera.

“Grand opera” is an important sub-genre within the broader world of opera, generally indicating works like “William Tell” and “Turandot” that deploy imposing sets and large performing forces to depict largescale emotions or moments of historical crisis.

When Wichita Grand Opera named itself, it was making a bold claim that the company would gather the resources and community support needed to mount such operas. And it did, in the years that followed, performing both beloved and rare works of composers such as Verdi, Puccini and Gounod.

But “grand” also has a broader meaning for the company. It means showing the Wichita and Kansas community a positive reflection of itself. Wichita Grand Opera’s first-ever spring season offers three unique opportunities for Wichitans to be part of “grand.”

written to be performed in a sanctuary using a mix of professional and amateur singers, musicians and dancers.

“He focused on a Biblical story that was familiar and beloved by his audience,” Bakardiev said. “And he invited the children and adults of the town to help tell it.”

The audience that saw the premiere, at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Orford, came away knowing they had witnessed something special. “An unforgettable experience,” one critic wrote.

Bakardiev has presented “Noah’s Flood” several times during his long career as an impresario, and he is looking forward to bringing it to the sanctuary of Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8 p.m. Friday, June 9. A smaller core of professional singers and musicians will join forces with a larger cast of children and adults who were chosen through open auditions.

Toast the town at Wichita Grand Opera’s Champagne Ball, May 6.

Princess Aurora greets her suitors in Tchaikovsky’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” April 23.

WestSide Story

Parvan Bakardiev said. “Every company, and most every performance, included both arts. That was our inspiration to promote and present this great Russian company.”

The performance is a perfect start to a romantic evening, Bakardiev said, and children are always thrilled to meet a real prima ballerina at intermission or after the show.

The first is the most familiar to Wichita arts patrons: Russian National Ballet Theatre continues its longstanding relationship with WGO by performing Tchaikovsky’s fairy tale ballet “The Sleeping Beauty,” April 23 at 6:30 p.m.

“The Sleeping Beauty” is the most beloved of the classic Russian ballets, thanks to its combination of virtuosic dancing and glorious music.

“In the so-called ‘golden age’ of grand opera, in 19th-century Europe, there was no separation between ballet and opera,” WGO president and CEO

Next will be WGO’s first-ever Champagne Ball, 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Hyatt Regency.

The Opera Ball has long been a highlight of Wichita’s annual social calendar. This year, by making its ball part of its spring season, WGO aims to create a participatory event that will evoke such spectacles as the Vienna Opera Ball and the Met Gala.

“You don’t have to go to Vienna or the Met,” Bakardiev said. “You can be part of that right here in Wichita. Dress to the nines, meet your friends and get an introduction to Wichita Grand Opera.”

“A party without champagne is just a meeting,” the saying goes. In addition to quaffing the signature bubbly, ball-goers will enjoy a three-course dinner accompanied by champagne drinking songs, bid on a variety of luxury live and silent auction items, and dance to the music of Matt Johnston.

The spring season concludes with another first for the WGO and for Wichita: a new production of Benjamin Britten’s lovable opera, “Noah’s Flood.”

By the time Britten wrote “Noah’s Flood” in 1958, he had left his seaside English hometown behind.

Operas such as “Peter Grimes” and “Billy Budd” had made him an international sensation. Yet he wanted to create an opera that would both connect with and ennoble villagers like the ones he grew up with.

He came up with what he called a “church opera,”

An illustration of Noah overseeing animals boarding the Ark as the storm approaches in Britten’s “Noah’s Flood,” June 9 & 11.

“It’s miraculous that one of the best operas of the 20th century is also one where parents and children can make music together,” he said. “The productions I’ve been involved in are all ones I cherish.”

Single tickets to “The Sleeping Beauty” range from $37 to $85, while general admission tickets to “Noah’s Flood” are $35. Individual tickets to the Wichita Grand Opera Champagne Ball are $200, a portion of which is tax-deductible. Patrons can save up to 20 percent through season subscriptions or group orders.

For more information about the 2017 Season, visit WichitaGrandOpera.org. For tickets, you can call the WGO Box Office at 316-262-8054, purchase online at SelectASeat.com, or buy them in person at the Century II Performing Arts Center.

Continued from Page 11

• The Wichita State University Cohen Honors College has announced nine recipients of the Koch Scholars program for the fall 2017 semester. Selected from approximately 100 applicants, these nine recipients will each be awarded between $30,000 and $50,000 during their four year attendance at WSU. This competitive scholarship program targets high school seniors enrolling in the College of Engineering or the W. Frank Barton School of Business. Scholarship selection is based on high academic achievement including GPA and test scores, work, volunteer and leadership experiences, an essay and an interview process. Koch Scholars will be honored at a luncheon on Friday, April 7, at Koch Industries. The Koch Scholars program is made possible by a $1.54 million pledge from Koch Industries and the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation. The fall 2017 semester marks the third freshman class to participate in the Koch Scholar program. The list of students honored included one WestSider, Mary Aruskevicius, a finance students who attends Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.

• Approximately 5,400 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the fall 2016 semester. The students, from KU’s Lawrence and Edwards campuses and the schools of Health Professions and Nursing in Kansas City, Kansas, represent 91 of 105 Kansas counties, 48 other states and territories, and 39 other countries. Following are the WestSide students who earned distinction: Shelby Clothier, Jacob Dennis, Andre Louis, Adam Misasi, Alexander Wehking, Marie Osterhaus, Garrett Swearingen, Brianne Grier, David Meyer, Christina Williams, Jordan Wright, Nico Mendoza.

• Shannon Lauber has been hired to the position of deposit service manager at Credit Union of America. Lauber will be located at CUA’s main location at 711 W. Douglas. She has a degree in human resource management from Wichita State University and over 10 years of previous experience in the financial services industry.

Melissa Gattenby is now serving as branch manager and Jeremy Holt is now serving as assistant branch manager of the West Douglas branch. Gattenby transfers from her role as deposit service manager, also at the West Douglas location. She has been with Credit Union of America for 10 years.

Holt transfers from the CUA branch located at 212 S. Ridge Road, where he had been serving as the assistant branch manager. He has five years previous experience with the organization.

Brian Isham has been promoted to the position of assistant branch manager at 212 S. Ridge Road. Isham previously served as a financial service representative with Credit Union of America and has four years previous experience as a senior assistant manager. Tam Lively has been hired to the position of real estate loan officer.

Lively joins the mortgage department located at Credit Union of America’s main location.

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WestSide Story

• Bishop Carroll Catholic High School has announced that long-time assistant coach Dusty Trail has been named the new head football coach at Bishop Carroll. Trail and his wife, Wendy, have three children; the oldest will be a freshman at Bishop Carroll this fall. Trail joined Alan Schuckman’s staff in 1995 as assistant football coach and physics teacher. He has been Carroll’s offensive coordinator for 22 years and has been an integral part in developing the team into one of the most successful programs in the area, winning the KSHSAA State Championship twice and finishing second twice.

Trail played collegiately at Hutchinson Community College and at Fort Hays State University. Before coming to Bishop Carroll, he was a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State for four years and coached high school football in Texas for two years.

“I am excited for this opportunity,

West Wichita Family Physicians, P.a.

1 5 - M a r c h 2 0 1 7

People

even though it’s a little daunting to follow a coaching legend like Alan Schuckman. With that being said, the goal of this program will never change.

We are always working toward forming our players into good Catholic young men who will positively contribute to this community,” Trail said.

March 2017 - 16 W e s t S i d e S t o r y

Stained glass artist Phil Snow and his wife, Janice, are pictured in their home’s dining room. Phil likes to use multi-colored glass to give his creations a painterly effect.

Glass artist paints with sunlight W

Story

and

photos

by

Sam Jack

estSider Phil Snow sees the world through rose-colored glass – not to mentioned blue glass, green glass and every other color of glass there is.

His stained glass creations fill most of the window frames in his home, creating a swirl of colored light that shifts and changes throughout the day and night.

He first became a stained glass artist more than 30 years ago, but he has upped both the complexity and scale of his work since retiring.

His wife, Janice, joked that she sometimes has to remind Phil to come up from his basement workshop for human necessities like food and sleep. But she is proud of her husband’s accomplishment, and is a fan of

the windows that turn their home into a magic lantern.

“For me, it’s so much more interesting than just buying curtains or blinds,” she said. “I really do enjoy it.”

The steps involved in making a stained glass window or panel are simple to describe, but tricky and time-consuming to execute, according to Phil. The first challenge is to come up with an idea; Phil usually creates original designs instead of working from patterns made by others.

Since he really devoted himself to stained glass, inspiration has been striking at odd moments.

“The angel that I did in the window here, it came to me as I was driving,” he said. “I

pulled over, and the rough draft was done on the back of a Sonic coupon. I always have a pen with me, and back in the day when I traveled quite a bit, I had a cassette recorder.”

Next he draws the pattern at actual size, on paper, and starts to plan the color scheme and figure out how he will cut out each piece.

The colored glass comes in sheets, so one challenge is to get the most out of what you have. Scraps and odd-shaped bits inevitably get left behind, and Phil files them away for potential later use.

To cut the glass, Phil uses a tool that feeds lubricating oil to the cutting surface. He does not cut all the way through, instead scoring See GLASS, Page 21

1 7 - M a r c h 2 0 1 7

ABOVE: This pair of windows in the Snows’ bedroom marked the start of a more ambitious phase in Phil Snow’s career as a stained glass artist.

WestSide Story

TOP: In his basement workshop, Phil Snow uses a light box to transfer a design from paper onto a glass sheet.

March 2017 - 18

Through March 25 – “East Side/ West Side Story,” Mosley Street Melodrama. Written by Carol Hughes.

Tickets for dinner and show $30, $26 for seniors/children; show only, $20.

Call 316-263-0222. Uncensored version, March 4 at 11:15 p.m. Cost $20; rated “R,” nobody under age 17 admitted.

Through March 26 – “Golden Girls,” Roxy’s Downtown. A theatrical parody of the beloved series starring John Bates, Tom Frye, Kyle Vespestad, Monte Wheeler. Tickets $20-$30. Call 316-265-4400.

W e s t S i d e S t o r y

March 3-5 – “Honk!” performed

by Music Theatre for Young People.

Shows at 7:30 p.m. March 3 and 4, and 2:30 p.m. March 5, at Mary Jane Teall Theater inside Century II. Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, available at www.wichitatix. com. Tickets at the door are $15. Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters.

The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother’s protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about him-

The WestSide Church Directory

This empty seat…

…is for you and your family

tain. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, the play pays respects to the authors old South Boston neighborhood and its insurmountable class divide. Performances at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday March 12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19. Tickets $14, $12 for seniors/students/military.

Special opening night ticket price of $10 on March 8. Call for reservations, 316-686-1282.

Performing Arts Calendar

March 2017

self, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out that being different is not a bad thing to be. For more information, visit www.mtypks.org or call 316-2626897.

March 5 – Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestra spring concert, 3 p.m. at Century II. General admission tickets $15, $8 for youth 13-18. Visit www. wichitasymphony.org.

March 8-19 – “Good People,” Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Foun-

March 11-12 – Friends University Singing Quakers Home Concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for students and seniors. The 70-voice choir will present “There Is Sweet Music,” performing music from the group’s annual tour. The performance will be inside Sebits Auditorium in the Riney Fine Arts Center, 2100 W. University.

March 11-12 – “Von Oeyen Plays Grieg,” Wichita Symphony Orchestra.

Shows at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m.

Sunday. Tickets $20-$65. Visit www. wichitasymphony.org.

March 12 – “Hiding Placing,” by

Worship at the Church of Your Choice Aldersgate United Methodist Church - 7901 W. 21st St. N. (west of Ridge Rd.), (316) 722-8504, www. aldersgatechurch.org. Sunday morning services at 8:00 a.m. (traditional), 9:30 a.m. (blended), and 11 a.m. (traditional).

Wednesday night activities. Nursery available for all services. Sunday school each week at 8:15 a.m. for adults and at 9:30 a.m. for all age groups. Youth group and youth worship on Sunday evenings. Bible studies, children’s activities, and different fellowship events available throughout the year.

Asbury Church – Administrative Offices - 2810 W. 15th St., Wichita (one block north of 13th on St. Paul) (316) 942-1491. Two locations across the Wichita Metro Area. Sunday Services: Central Campus – 15th & St. Paul. Traditional Service at 8 a.m., a Praise Service at 9:15 a.m. and a Blended Service at 10:45 a.m.

West Campus – 119th & Pawnee.

An Upbeat Praise Service suited for the whole family at 10:45 a.m. Visit www.asburychurch.org to learn more about Asbury’s many family-centered ministries. Asbury Counseling Center information can be found at www.

AsburyCounselingCenter.com For HIS Glory Church – 2901 W. Taft St., Wichita • (316) 794-1170 • Worship Sunday 11:00 a.m. •

Ballet Magnificat, 6:30 p.m., Countryside Christian Church, 1919 S. Rock Road. A ballet about Corrie Ten Boom, a woman who hid Jews during the Nazi occupation in the 1940s. Tickets are $10 at the door, or call the church office at 316-686-7206.

March 15 – Jazz Combo Showcase, 7:30 p.m., staged by the Friends University jazz program. Special guest artists are vibes performer Gregg Carroll and saxophonist Dr. Arthur White, who will join four jazz combos from Friends University and the Goddard High School jazz combo.

The performance will be inside Sebits Auditorium in the Riney Fine Arts Center, 2100 W. University. Tickets are $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and students. For more information, call 316-295-5677 or email finearts@ friends.edu.

March 21-23 – “Once,” presented by Theater League, Century II. This tale of a Dublin street musician won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical. Tickets start at $35; visit www. wichitatix.com. Show is rated PG.

neighborhood church just around the corner.” Email: swede132@sbcglobal. net; Website: heritage4u.net.

ChurchForHISGlory@gmail.com • Family integrated full Gospel church Hope Christian Church – Meeting where all ages worship and study 10:30 a.m. Sunday mornings, NEW LOCATION - 1330 E. Douglas.

God’s word.

Worship is casual and encouraging.

Goddard United Methodist Church Online at www.hope4wichita.org and – 300 N. Cedar, Goddard; (316) 794- on Facebook. Pastor Mark McMahon.

2207 • 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Worship • markm@hope4wichita.org. 316-648Children’s church during both services 0495.

• Nursery Available • 10 a.m. Sunday School • Josh Gooding, Pastor • West Heights UMC – 745 N. Westlink Haley Bieter, Youth Pastor • Children’s Ave. (Just north of Central on Westlink); (316) 722-3805, Email: westheights@ Pastor, Nicole Rbya westheightsumc.org. Sunday services Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. (Traditional/ – 8021 W. 21st St. N., Wichita; Blended); Sunday school 9:15 a.m.; (316) 721-8096; Saturday 5:30 p.m. Wednesday meal (during school year) Spoken Worship; Sunday 8:45 a.m. 5:30 p.m. fun classes and study for all Contemporary Worship; 11 a.m. ages; nondenominational preschool, Traditional Choral Worship; Church host to the Shepherd’s Center of School - Children 9:50 a.m., Adults 10 West Wichita providing dynamic a.m.; Children’s Chapel 8:45 & 11 a.m. activity for the Classic Generation, full children’s programming, and an Harvest Community Church – active youth program challenging Worship at 8340 W. 21st in Wichita today’s generation, website: www.

Sunday at 10:30 a.m.; Senior westheightsumc.org. pastor Rev. Dr. Dave Henion; www.

Pathway Church – Westlink Campus, wichitaharvest.com.

Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 9 am & Heritage Baptist Church – Corner 10:30 am • Café Campus, Sunday at of 135th St. & 13th St. N., Wichita; 10:30 am • 2001 N Maize Rd (21st (316) 729-2700; Sunday School 9:45 & Maize), Wichita • 316-722-8020 • a.m.; Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.; Goddard Campus, Sunday at 9:30 Evening Worship 6 p.m.; Wednesday am, 11 am & 5 pm • 18800 W Kellogg, Adult Bible Study/Prayer Time 7 p.m.; Goddard • 316-550-6099 • www.

Wiseguys 3 yrs.–6th grade 7 p.m.; pathwaychurch.com • Following Jesus/ Nursery provided at all services. “Your In Community/For Others.

The Altar – 321 S. 162nd & West Maple, Goddard • 316-550-6777 • www.thealtar.church • Pastor Marty Freeman • Sunday Service 10 am, Wednesday Service 6:30 pm • Nursery & Children’s Service Provided • Radical Worship. Radical Obedience.

Trinity Reformed Church (RPCNA) – Come glorify and enjoy God with us. 3340 W. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67203 • Sunday worship 9:30 a.m.

• Sunday School 11 a.m. • Evening services 5 p.m. • Pastor Adam King • www.trinityrpcna.org • 316-721-2722 Westwood Presbyterian Church – 8007 W. Maple, Wichita; (316) 7223753; “Simply making disciples who walk with Jesus, grow to become like Jesus, and live for Jesus by loving others.” Worship Sunday 9 a.m. with Praise Team, 10:30 a.m. with Choir; Fellowship and coffee between worship services; Sunday school for all ages 9 a.m. Nursery open 8:45-11:45 a.m.; www.westwoodpc.org.

Rolling Hills Community Church (Church of God, Cleveland, TN) – 8605 W. Maple, Wichita; (316) 7221251; Sunday Christian Education Classes 9:30 a.m.; Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Recharge Service 7:00 p.m. Pastor Mark Ingram; www.rhcc.church and Facebook. ‘We love God, love people, and help people love God.’ Come join us.

March 26 – Delano Jazz Orchestra concert, 3 p.m. at West Side Baptist Church, 304 S. Seneca. The orchestra will perform big band jazz tunes from artists like Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson.

Local jazz trumpeter Scott Strecker will be the featured soloist. Admission is free, donations are accepted.

Do you have an event for the Performing Arts Calendar? Email East Wichita News at ewn@eastwichitanews. com.

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March 23-April 9 – “Life Could Be a Dream,” The Forum Theatre Company.

Shows at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. $25 for Friday-Saturday shows, $23 for Thursday and Sunday. The show is about Denny and the Dreamers, a fledgling doo-wop group preparing to enter the Big Whopper Radio contest. Shows performed at The Wilke Center, First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Purchase tickets online at www.forumwichita.com or call 316618-0444.

WestSide Story

March 2017 - 20 W e s t S i d e S t o r y

First-year teachers win Horizon Awards Two Maize Public Schools teachers were recently among 32 recognized as the most-outstanding first-year educators in Kansas.

Michael Russell and Alexis Schirmer each won Kansas Horizon Awards sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education. Russell teaches at Complete High School Maize, the district’s alternative high school program, while Schirmer teaches at Vermillion Elementary.

Russell and Schirmer shared some of their thoughts on the award, and on starting out as a teacher, with the WestSide Story. Their responses have been condensed.

What have you learned in your first year of teaching? What was most surprising or challenging?

Russell: The most important item that I think I have learned is that often times students just need someone to be there to support them. I think I was surprised to see how resilient the students are. Many of them have had struggles that I have never had to deal with in my own life, but they continue to come to school and work hard to become successful.

Schirmer: You learn for curriculum, but you also learn about each and every

student. I think the most challenging thing I learned was just how important it is to reach the students’ hearts in order to reach their minds. You learn about what is popular in the kids’ lives so that you can create lessons that appeal to them. You learn about what the kids are passionate about and what they can’t stand. You learn about anything that could impede their ability to learn.

I spent a year coming up with ways to make learning more accessible to each and every one.

What does getting this recognition from the state of Kansas mean to you?

Russell: We have two prior winners in our school. I am the third. We have a staff of five teachers, (so) I was a little nervous about not getting the award.

Winning the award is a reflection on our staff, school and district.

Schirmer: Anytime you put that must passion and care into anything, recognition is always meaningful. There are many days in which you feel like you might be failing the students (like when you see their faces during a division lesson), so it has been an amazing reminder during those times that I can See TEACHERS, Page 31

Michael Russell poses for a photo with his Complete High School colleagues.

Continued from Page 16

the line he wants and then snapping excess glass away.

“Once you start, you don’t stop, and once you touch that blade to the glass, you don’t raise it up, because the glass is going to break – either where you wanted it to, or where it wants to,” he said. “I love the sound when you hear it scritch, and you know you scored it good.”

Grinding tools help smooth out any gross imperfections, but the material can sometimes be stubborn.

“The pieces need to fit pretty perfectly, (but) ‘perfect’ is not a word you’d use in stained glass,” Phil said. “The last piece I did, I literally had a magnifying glass and was going over the joints, but in fact you use the 4-foot rule. Stand back four feet, and look at it. Nobody is going to look with a magnifying glass.”

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Glass

To give 30 or 40 glass fragments the rigidity of a single pane, Phil carefully solders the joints on one side, then gently flips the piece over and does the same again.

All told, a single window can require two solid weeks of painstaking work.

His latest commissioned project, a window five feet long and a foot-and-a-half wide, took even longer and required him to develop new techniques.

“We were nervous about turning it over without messing it up, and Phil ended up building a special platform we used to haul it up out of the basement,” Janice said.

Phil makes smaller glass pieces – butterflies and vases – to give to his friends. He said he feels fortunate to have found a craft that he enjoys so much.

“I thought that when I retired, I would work around four hours a day. In fact, I had it planned out: I was going to do 10 until noon, then do 2 until 4.

But I can work 12, 14, 16 hours at it,” he said.

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WestSide Story

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March 2017 - 22

WestSide Story WestSide Story

WestSide Story

HOME AND GARDEN

A simple spring cleaning checklist (StatePoint) It’s the time of year to roll up your sleeves and do some spring cleaning. Experts point out that it’s helpful to streamline the tools you use to do the job and the tasks you seek to accomplish.

“An all-purpose cleaner and a tough degreasing agent can be used in so many areas of the home,” says Jeff Devlin, a licensed contractor who’s appeared on several home improvement television shows. Devlin’s first tip: look to reduce the number of products in your cleaning arsenal. “Along with high-quality sprays and cloths, I use one all-purpose cleaner that also contains degreasing ingredients.”

Devlin offers these different strategies for critical areas of your home.

• Stove and range hoods: While you should be cleaning these areas regularly after food preparation, take this opportunity to conduct a more thorough cleaning. Spray cleaner directly on the mess for up to two minutes. Wipe clean with a sponge or cloth. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

• Sinks and countertops: Sinks and countertops can be a trap for food, grease, grime and soap scum. Generously spray non-porous surfaces with your cleaner then rinse with clean water.

• Stove exhaust filter: The grease buildup that col-

lects on the stove’s exhaust filter can be a tough nut to crack. In a sink basin, mix 8 ounces of a concentrated multi-surface cleaner and 1 gallon of hot water and submerge the filter. Place the filter in a sink or dishpan and pour in concentrated cleaner to cover. Allow the filter to soak for 30 minutes. Drain the dishpan and rinse thoroughly with hot water.

• Floors: Give your floors a mopping. Mix 4 ounces of cleaning solution with 1 gallon of warm water.

Apply with mop or sponge.

• Garbage cans and diaper pails: Bags often leak nastiness into the bottom of the garbage can, which can easily be missed when quickly replacing the bag.

Turn your cleanser’s nozzle to spray and generously cover the can. Wipe or brush any areas that have any residue. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

• Showers, tubs and tile: Use your cleaning agent at full strength and generously spray surfaces directly.

Allow it to penetrate the soap scum for up to two minutes. Do not allow to dry. Wipe away with a coarse sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

• Toilets: Let’s face it. This isn’t anyone’s favorite job but it has to be done. Turn that nozzle to spray and generously spray the outside of the toilet. Wipe clean with a paper towel, then give a quick rinse.

• Patio: For patios, outdoor furniture, concrete, vinyl fences and siding, use the same cleaner outdoors: simply spray, then wipe clean with a cloth or sponge and rinse surfaces with clean water. While you’re at it, consider removing grease and grime from tools, engine parts, tires, sports gear and lawn equipment.

For efficiency, consider cleaning solutions that don’t require pre-cleaning.

A simple spring cleaning checklist can help you finish the job more quickly.

fill up the empty space.”

Another area Blakeslee recommends to clean in the spring is the refrigerator.

The fridge can be a tricky appliance to clean because of all of the drawers and shelves.

“Unplug your refrigerator first, and then take everything out,” she said. “If you can take the shelves and drawers out, that makes it a lot easier to clean.

Always refer to your manual for your appliance to make sure that you’re using the right type of cleaning product for that appliance.” Blakeslee also recommends vacuuming dirt and dust from under and behind the refrigerator.

While working in the fridge, remember to check the expiration date on baking soda, which can lose its odor control effectiveness over time. Also be sure to check expiration dates on all food items in the fridge, and discard those that are past the expiration date or not safe to consume.

tivities don’t have to only take place in the spring. Spread these tasks out over a few weeks, she said. These suggestions are most effective when done regularly and not just in the springtime.

More information about food safety in the home can be found online through the K-State Research and Extension Rapid Response Center or by visiting any local extension office in Kansas.

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In addition to the refrigerator, it’s also important to clean other appliances, especially ones that are used to cook food.

“Don’t forget your oven and microwave,” Blakeslee said. “Clean these appliances as you go, because spills are going to get baked on and harder to clean.”

Something that is often forgotten is the grill. Grills can collect a lot of food residue, and if not cleaned regularly, can affect the taste of food cooked on the caked surface.

“Take a look at the inside of your grill. If you can take the grill plate off, you can soak it in some soapy water to try to get some of that burnt food off,” Blakeslee said. “After you’ve taken the food off the grill, let it burn a little longer, and that helps burn off the food residue. Use a wire grill brush to help clean grill grates.”

Remember that spring cleaning ac-

HOME AND GARDEN

Warmer temperatures and greener lawns signal the arrival of spring, which means it’s also time for spring cleaning.

This activity is dreaded by some and revered by others, but a large portion of Americans will participate in some form of spring cleaning. A 2013 study by the American Cleaning Institute revealed that 72 percent of Americans partake in spring cleaning annually.

With so much to potentially clean, it can be difficult to decide where to start. K-State Research and Extension associate and food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee suggests a popular gathering area – the kitchen – as a good place get the spring cleaning under way.

“I would suggest starting with the cabinets,” Blakeslee said. “Clean everything out. Look for packages that have any damage to them, that are leaking or spilled onto the shelf. Give them a good wipe down with a damp cloth.”

Blakeslee added that if those spills are left unattended, there’s a good chance they’ll attract bugs.

Once the kitchen cabinets are clean, homeowners and renters have an opportunity to reorganize their cabinets. Creating places specifically for canned soups or vegetables can help make cabinets much easier to navigate, according to Blakeslee. Check “use by” dates, and organize them so older foods are pushed toward the front and will be used first.

“There are many types of stacking systems and shelves available, if you have wasted space above the canned foods or packaged goods in your cabinet,” she said. “Buy extra shelves, and

23 - March 2017

Make way for spring cleaning

March 2017 - 24

Creative gardening tips for spring

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(StatePoint) Gardeners often focus on the science of their hobby: how much water and sunlight their plants need and how to improve soil quality and keep pests at bay. But there can be a lot of artistry behind the craft as well – from how you harvest and enjoy flowers to how you convert unused spaces of your home into a viable indoor edible garden.

Put your creativity to good use this spring season by gardening with style.

For those who don’t have an outdoor garden or yard, the dream of enjoying your own freshly picked fruits and vegetables may seem out of reach. However, the nooks and crannies of your home can be creatively rendered into productive growing zones. And experts say that nearly all homes can support indoor gardening.

“Whatever the size of your home, there will be a selection of edible plants you can grow indoors, as long as you have some natural daylight filtering in,” said Zia Allaway, author of “Indoor Edible Garden: Creative Ways to Grow Herbs, Fruit and Vegetables in Your Home.” “The areas where plants will grow can be windowsills, beneath a skylight or even in a dark, unlit area if you install grow lights.”

In “Indoor Edible Garden,” Allaway offers step-by-step directions for everything from creating suspended shelves and hanging jars for growing herbs to mounting edible orchids onto bark and

displaying them on walls. She points out that those embarking on indoor gardening should first evaluate the level of time they can commit.

“Just remember that unlike other projects in the home, such as decorating and cooking, all gardening projects require some aftercare. So, if you have a busy schedule, choose crops that will tolerate less watering and feeding.”

While your flower garden is likely a beautiful work of art in and of itself, you can spread the joy by harvesting your flora and bringing the beauty indoors. Floral arrangements add vitality to any interior space.

“For me, every arrangement starts with the container. Think about what mood or style you want to evoke, and remember, anything can be a container as long as it can be made watertight,” said Rachel Siegfried,” author of “The Flower Book: Natural Flower Arrangements for Your Home,” which explores 60 flowers, bloom-by-bloom in portraiture, including quick-reference profiles and tips.

Siegfried recommends that, when selecting flowers for your arrangement, pay attention to shapes, textures and colors to achieve good balance. Start with a primary focal flower and build out with a couple of secondary focals, a final flourish, and foliage.

For her part, she relies on instinct. “I get a ‘buzz’ when I find a good combination,” she said.

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the budget and then make the whole remodeling process as relaxing as possible,” said Rachel. “Great customer service is the cornerstone to our success. My clients know I will take care of them and their space won’t look like everyone else’s on the block.”

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call Kitchen Tune-Up at 316-558-8888.

Be sure to check out the company’s extensive BEFORE/AFTER portfolio on Facebook! When you visit the local Kitchen Tune-Up Facebook page, be sure to ‘LIKE’ Kitchen Tune-Up, Wichita.

HOME AND GARDEN

If you’re ready to transform your kitchen, it’s time to call Kitchen Tune-Up. Now that the new year is in full swing, Kitchen Tune-Up has been busy freshening up the look of homes all across Wichita. With spring fast approaching, your home could be next.

Kitchen Tune-Up owners Adam and Rachel Phillips offer a variety of renovation and remodeling services, and can create the space you’ve always dreamed about.

On this recent project, the experts at Kitchen Tune-Up were able to give a timber homestyle a whole new direction with their take on an industrial chic look.

Traditional knotty alder was enhanced with a new truffle color stain. Granite that is honed instead of polished gives the kitchen countertops a soapstone feel without the maintenance.

“For more design interest, we used painted maple in bisque with a dark glaze so that it would contrast with the dark cabinetry, and also give the kitchen a feminine touch,” said Rachel.

A solid granite sink and a copper hood are stunning accent features in this beautiful new kitchen. Storage abounds in the many cabinets, with accessories including the long buffet and wine storage in the adjacent dining room.

Kitchen Tune-Up has set the standard for remodeled kitchens in Wichita since the local franchise was launched in 2005. The company’s services range from One-Day Restoration or “Tune-Up” of cabinets or any interior wood surfaces, to cabinet refacing projects to complete custom kitchens.

Rachel and her husband Adam took over the business last year from Adam’s parents, continuing a family tradition of excellent service and fantastic results for kitchen spaces.

“My goal for each customer is to design the most amazing space possible for

25 - March 2017

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The upside of downsizing

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At some point in life, there may be a time when you will want to consider downsizing. We normally think of downsizing for retirees, but it is not exclusive to that group. Perhaps your living situation has changed or maybe you just want to simplify things. In a way, “downsizing” is just decluttering on a very major scale.

The biggest challenge with downsizing is that over time we tend to accumulate a lot of stuff. For most, it’s much easier to accumulate than divest. But, there are limits to what a household can store, and if you are moving to a smaller home there may even be tighter limits. The goal is to go through the accumulated belongings and to figure out what items are most important to you now. The tricky part is when one speculates about the possible future need of an item. Let’s face it, we all find it difficult to get rid of something we MIGHT need later.

The logical starting points are the storage areas: attic, basement, closets, sheds, and drawers. This is probably where you can shed the most unneeded items and really gain momentum on the whole downsizing project. Chances are, if you haven’t used it by now, you are not going to do so.

This sorting project requires quick decisions about what to do with these items.

Basically it’s a “stay or go” proposition and then what to do with the “go” items.

There may be things that go straight to the dumpster. Other items you may like to pass on to family, friends or charity. And there may be yet other things that you would like to sell. However you decide to part with these items, be sure you have predetermined stacks, boxes, or areas to sort as you go. Avoid having a “not sure yet” pile as you will end up getting bogged down and possibly duplicating your work.

Once you get that rolling, you will need to assess your actual needs and current lifestyle as it relates to your day-to-day activities. Make note of what you actually use as opposed to what you might use in the future: items for hobbies you have yet to begin and restoration projects you plan to start “sometime” should be the first to go. Be realistic. Depending on your new living situation, you may not even need many items you are storing now. If you are moving to a community setting, many services may be provided. Yard tools and exercise equipment, for example, may not

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Philip Holmes | Interior Designer

be necessary if services and facilities are available.

The next step is to measure your furniture and see how it works with your new floor plan. It will be important to see what you actually have to work with in a smaller setting. You can experiment with graph paper or a CAD program to see what works best. Since you will be using less furniture, try to use pieces that can do double-duty if possible. A chest may need to multitask as storage.

A dining chair may need to double as an occasional chair. And, if you have furniture sets, it’s okay to break them up and keep only the pieces you need.

One area often neglected is the storage areas of the new place. These areas include closets and cabinets as well as the kitchen area. In the kitchen/dining area, you may not need all the pots, pans and dishes if you are not serving for large groups. The same idea is true for linens. Using off-site storage is always an option but not usually convenient. You may just need to get creative or simply reevaluate what it is you actually need. Hanging on to too much can defeat the purpose of downsizing.

Besides the step-by-step mechanics of downsizing, there is the more human side of the process. Downsizing can be both physically and emotionally overwhelming.

Right or wrong, people get emotionally attached to their belongings. Getting rid of things that are full of memories or just things that you like having can be tough.

The flip side is that divesting your home of unused and unneeded items can be very liberating as well.

Downsizing equates to simplifying your lifestyle. It is a lot of work and it does require a certain mental toughness. The result will hopefully be a positive one with less stuff to keep track of and more time for things that are more important and enjoyable.

Replacement wood flooring is a big trend this year and porcelain tile that looks like wood.

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appointments with the Gross Tile team at the Delano Showroom, located at 1528 W. Douglas, by calling 316-7731600.

Right now is the perfect time to launch that home improvement project you’ve been dreaming about. If it’s new flooring you’re wanting, Gross Tile carries one of the largest selections of wood, laminate, tile and carpet options in the city.

“Solid, three-quarter inch hardwood flooring is the big trend right now,” said Mark. A popular option has been Armstrong’s American Scrape flooring, providing clients with a high-quality, American-made product that is both beautiful and cost effective.

“This flooring will last forever, and will never go out of style,” said Mark.

Cathy said clients are choosing hard-

wood flooring for a variety of reasons.

“Some are doing it because this is the last go-around for remodeling for them, and they want to do it right,” she said. “Some are wanting to sell their home and increase its value. And some are trying to eliminate allergy problems.”

In all cases, hardwood flooring is less expensive than tile, said Mark. And for customers who want other options, Gross Tile also carries wood laminates

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Literally.

With spring just around the corner, owners Mark and Cathy Gross already are well into a busy time of year. And right now, one of the big trends for 2017 is solid wood flooring as a replacement option for major remodeling projects.

“You should see my warehouse,” said Mark. “It’s loaded up with wood flooring for the projects we have scheduled right now.”

Gross Tile is busy with both residential and commercial jobs, and has opened a new showroom location in the Delano District. The new showroom provides an additional location that is convenient for clients from all across the city. Clients can now book

HOME AND GARDEN

Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling carries a full line of Armstrong solid wood flooring.

The American Scrape flooring line offers high-quality, American-made options.

Gross Tile also is recognized as a leader in bathroom remodeling work, especially in the area of custom, curbless showers. Each year, Gross Tile designs and builds at least two dozen curbless showers, and the results are always dramatic.

Curbless showers have become an industry standard, and the Gross Tile team has been designing and building shower systems with zero-grade entries for the past five years. With no ledge or edge to step over, curbless showers are easy to enter, can provide handicap accessibility, and are easier to clean and maintain.

“We are able to build these one-of-akind curbless shower systems right into the home’s truss system, so we don’t have to raise the level of the flooring,” said Mark. “We take out the subfloor, rebuild the trusses and build the shower system from the ground up, so to speak.”

Mark said every new curbless shower project is a challenge for him, and he loves the opportunity to help customers bring their dreams to life. Gross Tile also utilizes Schluter shower systems, which provide innovative and water-tight installation solutions for customers.

“When you see the level of satisfaction that a custom-designed project can provide for a customer, it really makes you want to get right into the next job,” said Mark. “And it always means a lot when one project leads to another with our customers.”

For more information about everything Gross Tile has to offer, call 316-773-1600, or stop by the main showroom at 10680 W. Maple, near Maple and Maize Road. You can also find more on the company’s website, www.grosstileremodeling.com, and on Facebook.

And now, you also can book an appointment at the new Gross Tile Delano Showroom. Just call 316-7731600 to schedule a time to meet with a member of the Gross Tile team.

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Gross Tile tackles all home remodeling projects

March 2017 - 28

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Garden-to-table tips for growing and cooking your own produce (StatePoint) Nearly 50 percent of fresh fruits and 20 percent of fresh vegetables in the US are imported, according to FoodSafety.gov. This means that your food traveled long distances to get to your plate. To better enjoy fruits and vegetables, many families are now growing their own at home.

Want to know exactly where your food is coming from and have the freshest possible flavors within arm’s reach? Bring “farm-to-table” dining into your everyday life by creating your own garden. Follow these tips to grow and harvest fruits, veggies and herbs at peak ripeness to enjoy in simple, healthful meals.

When starting a garden, it’s important to have a plan. Find a spacious area with plenty of sunlight to help plants take root and flourish – whether that’s in your backyard or a nearby community garden. For cooler climates, raised garden beds are highly recommended. These allow fruits and vegetables the space needed to expand their roots and hold in water. For hot, arid climates, create an in-ground garden, as it holds in moisture better, requiring less irrigation.

Selecting what to grow is your next challenge. Herb gardens are perfect for those with limited experience or limited space. Herbs like basil, cilantro and chives are easy to maintain. Most herbs can withstand changing climates, meaning you can cook with fresh herbs year-round, adding them to nearly any meal to increase depths of flavor and allow you to “play” with your food.

Having access to a variety of fresh produce lets you expand your menu at home while keeping it healthy. Many items found in simple salads, like carrots, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and other leafy greens are considered “beginner crops.” Certain berries are also easy to cultivate. If you’ve ever tasted a ripe, just-picked strawberry or a fresh, juicy tomato, you’ll know that it’s worth the effort to grow these items yourself!

Having a high-quality blender can make transforming your harvest into vibrant meals easy. A good blender can be used to chop, purée or juice any ingredients that may come from your budding garden.

Put new spins on old family recipes. Next time your kids ask for spaghetti and meatballs, try spaghetti with roasted vegetable sauce. Made with fresh garden ingredients, including Roma tomatoes, carrots and fresh basil leaves, this robust sauce will become a staple in your weekly meal rotation. You might even want to try it on top of spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles to take advantage of more nutritious, fresh-grown produce. Try something new and create sweet potato soup with seared tomatillos using fresh jalapenos, poblanos and tomatillos from your garden. Or dress up a less-than-exciting salad with a brightly flavored strawberry vinaigrette, using fresh strawberries and herbs.

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and drip irrigation.”

And SSI Sprinklers has a dedicated team of service technicians who keep an eye on systems installed at homes.

“We service all systems, whether we installed them or not,” Goodwin said.

“We service all brands of equipment.

And in our retail center, we carry only professional-series parts so that customers who want to work on their own systems can rest assured they’re getting top-grade parts.”

Most important, said Goodwin, is his staff ’s knowledge of sprinkler systems.

If you need a part to repair your system, “We recommend that customers take pictures of the parts they need and the problems they’re having,” he said. “From there, we can help solve the problem.

“We also have maintenance programs that give peace of mind, knowing that you’re not going to forget to call in for your winterization until after it’s frozen,” said Goodwin. “We have different levels of maintenance programs from ‘Spring Start-up to Winter Shut-down’ to a monthly visit to make any controller adjustments or sprinkler servicing.”

SSI Sprinkler Systems is conveniently located at 7330 W. 13th in Wichita. For more information, call 722-9631 or visit SSI’s Website at www.ssisprinklers.com.

Lawn mowing offers youth an opportunity to earn summer income, and an upcoming workshop will help provide basic knowledge and safety skills for youth considering this type of venture this summer.

The Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and K-State Research and Extension in Sedgwick County will host two sessions of a youth lawn mowing clinic on Wednesday, March 22, at the Extension Education Center at 21st and Ridge in Wichita.

Session times are 9:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.-3:30 p.m. The

cost is $10 for advance registration through March 10, or $15 for those registering after that date. Youth in fifth through ninth grades may attend.

The course will offer information to acquaint youth with types of lawn grasses and their proper care, as well as lawn mower safety, mower maintenance and business practices. Upon completion, each youth will receive an information packet, business cards and a certificate of completion of the clinic.

Participants may register on line at http://sedgwick.ksu.edu, or call 316660-0100 for more information.

HOME AND GARDEN

Whether you’re looking for professional help from start to finish on your sprinkler system or want to service/repair it yourself, SSI Sprinklers in west Wichita is your one-stop answer.

SSI Sprinklers has Wichita’s largest and most complete retail center for supplies to work on any sprinkler system. And with more than a century of combined years of sprinkler installation and maintenance experience, SSI Sprinklers can design and install a complete watering system for any home. SSI Sprinklers also can update older systems with more cost-effective equipment.

“Our retail center carries everything a customer needs to repair a sprinkler system,” said Jerry Goodwin, who launched SSI Sprinklers in 1981 with his wife Sally. “And our retail center has been part of the business from the very beginning.”

Jerry Goodwin and his staff are knowledgeable in the latest technological advancements in sprinkler systems, and can install complete systems that are as water conscious as possible.

“There are new and improved products to help conserve water,” said Goodwin. “These include better rain sensors, pressure-regulating sprinkler heads, improved nozzles for sprinklers

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As spring arrives, many people turn their attention to the outdoors.

Gardening is a pastime that can unite individuals in ways that they might not have imagined. Regardless if someone gardens for fun, for food, for a deeper connection with something or another reason altogether, it is important to get the most out of the experience.

“Vegetable gardening is probably the most common hobby that we have nationwide, as well as statewide,” said Ward Upham, horticulture specialist and Master Gardener coordinator with K-State Research and Extension.

“This is something that not only is pleasurable but also can help reduce the food bill.”

The first thing gardeners should consider when selecting what to plant is if they will eat what they plant.

“After deciding you will eat what is in your garden, you should take into account what your family likes,” he said.

“You also have to consider how much space you have. If you have a small garden, something like a watermelon may take up the whole garden.”

Some plants take so long to grow that it is best to start them inside versus planting them as seeds directly in the garden. In some cases, if these plants were originally planted as seeds in the garden, by the time they produced, the growing season might be over.

Examples of these kinds of plants are tomatoes and peppers.

“The No. 1 plant nationwide, as well as in Kansas, is tomatoes,” Upham said.

“Other things that we can grow well include peppers, some of the cool-season crops such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, as well as radishes and peas.”

However, cool-season crops should be planted early in Kansas because of the eventual heat of the summer, he added.

Radishes, peas and beans are typically grown in home gardens from seeds. Onions, however, can be grown from either sets or young plants.

Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are

normally grown from plants. Lettuce can be grown from either a plant or seed.

Upham said it’s best to select a plant that is stocky and healthy. When a plant grows tall and spindly, it usually suggests it has been grown under poor lighting. A stocky plant will withstand Midwestern winds more effectively.

Once a garden is planted, with seeds, plants or both, make sure the soil stays moist and weeds don’t take over.

“Once the soil gets warm, you may want to consider mulching the area around the vegetables to keep weeds down,” Upham said.

For gardeners who plan to fertilize the soil before planting, it’s best to have a soil test done, add necessary nutrients and then till the fertilizer into the soil prior to planting.

Sometimes, however, vegetables need to be “side-dressed” after planting, which involves giving a plant an appropriate amount of nitrogen down a narrow furrow alongside a row or around an individual plant as it grows, depending on its needs, he said. Tomatoes, for example, are typically sidedressed roughly two weeks before the first tomato ripens. Then a gardener would treat the plant two weeks after the first tomato ripens and finally a month later.

Consider how much space a plant will take up once planted and when it needs to be planted.

Continued from Page 20

keep pushing on, and things will end up OK. How did your students and colleagues react?

Russell: The students all made individual cards for me, and the staff brought cookies for everyone to eat. We are all part of a big family, and it was certainly a special day for all of us.

Schirmer: I had several parents who told their student before I shared the good news, so it was super fun to hear my students come in saying, “You won an award?” It has been so reaffirming that I am in the correct building and the correct district. I really have found my home-away-from-home here.

What drew you to teaching al-

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Vermillion Elementary School teacher Alexis Schirmer, center, is pictured with principal Michael Dome and vice principal Marney Hay after learning she won a Horizon Award.

3 1 - M a r c h 2 0 1 7

Teachers

ternative high school/elementary school students?

Russell: Honestly, I had no idea I was going to teach in an alternative school.

I student taught and live in the Maize district, so I was looking to stay close to home. The only job opening that I was able to apply for in the district that year was at Complete High School. As soon as I set foot in the door, I knew this was the place for me. Students greeted me at the door, gave me a tour of the school, and asked me about what I thought of the school.

Schirmer: I did not originally go into teaching when I first started college. I found myself quickly feeling like the fields of study I was looking at would not provide me with enough challenge or a way to make a truly meaningful career. I worked with children before, and I knew I enjoyed being creative, so I started my journey into education and never looked back. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me and education.

What would an Abundant Retirement look like to you?

Would it mean...

Having confidence that you have enough money for your lifetime?

Becoming the person you want to be?

Doing the things you want to do?

Being with the people you want to be with?

Making the difference you want to make?

Having more free time, more money, and more fun?

Building in protection for contingencies?

Now is your chance to sign up for Your 1-Minute Retire Abundantly E-Newsletter.

Call (316) 689-0900 or email to service@CoeFinancialServices.com

Financial advisors Jim DeKalb, left, and Richard Coe help build strong and lasting relationships through application of one or more processes designed to help you accomplish what is important to you.

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