Wichita Family Magazine December 2016

GROWN-UP WISH LIST pg. 8

december 2016

BE SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON pg. 4 INCLUDE EVERYONE IN HOLIDAY CHEER pg. 6 Wichita Family • December 2016 - 1

Success

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Todd Vogts

Publisher Todd Vogts publisher@wichitafamily.com

Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. Wichita Family Magazine is available free, at schools, stores, restaurants, libraries, retailers and local attractions, as well as other places families frequent. For a complete list of where to find Wichita Family, or for subscription rates, email us at publisher@wichitafamily.com or visit our website at www.wichitafamily.com.

Copyright 2016 by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Wichita Family Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Wichita Family is distributed free of charge. The magazine’s advertisers make this possible, so support them! We reserve the right to edit submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication, but we reserve the right to refuse material. Materials will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. 2 - www.wichitafamily.com

Message from the Publisher The true meaning of Christmas should not be about receiving gifts. It should be about giving.

Sure, giving could include gifts, but, even then, it shouldn’t be done with the expectation of receiving a gift in return.

Ideally, the giving should be completely selfless, even void of monetary value.

Giving of your time will have a much larger impact than racking up more and more credit card debit in an attempt to purchase the perfect present.

In thinking about giving, my mind takes me to my grandfather, Roland Vogts. Before he died, he lived in a farmhouse north of Canton, Kansas, with my grandmother Maxine. He always gave of himself, especially when it came to Christmas time.

He was instrumental in Canton’s elaborate Christmas light display of my youth, and he also decorated his home.

Many people put lights up around their house, but Grandpa Roland took it to an entirely different level.

He strung thousands upon thousands of Todd Vogts lights each publisher@wichitafamily.com

year, and he rarely repeated the same configuration from season to season.

People would drive from miles around to perform a slow procession past the house and into the roundabout driveway before heading back home. It was magical.

He gave of his time to give joy to others, and it took a significant amount of time.

He sometimes began preparing and hanging lights a couple months in advance, always with the goal of turning on the power shortly after Thanksgiving. The lights he used weren’t the style of today. His were the kind that if one bulb was out, the entire strand went dark. When this would happen, he would meticulously check each bulb until he found the culprit and replaced it.

Grandpa Roland was an artist of illumination. He even hand-crafted decorative pieces — such as a wreaths and angels — which had numerous holes drilled in them so lights could be inserted and the pieces could glow to life.

Grandma Maxine still has a picture of her and grandpa’s house all lit up hanging in her current home. Everytime I visit, I am always drawn to that image. It brings back all sorts of memories and senses of wonder.

As is quickly becoming a tradition for my wife and I, I have decorated my

house in an attempt to try to emulate, even on a much smaller scale, the magic Grandpa Roland created with tiny lightbulbs.

Over the course of this year, my wife and I moved into a bigger house. This left us without enough lights. After several trips to the store, however, the house is all decked out and lit up to my liking . . . for now.

I have bigger dreams for the future. I want to continually add more and more lights to really make our house stand out.

Being a bit of a technophile, I want to eventually turn my street into a destination for other families to come and enjoy, just like Granpa Roland did, but with an injection of tech. I’ve long be fascinated with the Christmas light displays that are programmed to music, played via a radio transmitter.

Until then, I simply hope grandpa can look down upon me and be proud.

Not just proud of my Christmas lights, but proud of the fact I am doing something, even something so seemingly insignificant as decorating my house, that is for others to enjoy and doesn’t inherently benefit me.

This Christmas, I hope to give more than I receive, and I hope to be the light in the lives of others.

I hope you will too.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully Happy New Year.

Wichita Family • December 2016 - 3

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

A

lthough good tidings and joy abound during the holiday season, this time of year can also pose a serious threat to your family, friends and home. The holidays bring an elevated risk for fires and burns, and many Americans may have a false sense of security.

A new survey conducted by Shriners Hospitals for Children(r) shows that most Americans know basic fire and burn safety tips but do not practice them in the home. Failure to implement safety precautions only adds to the danger.

A myriad of seasonal activities puts the action indoors, where families gather for cooking, decorating and other pursuits that may involve an open flame. Unfortunately, enjoying some of those treasured pastimes means the risk of house fires and burns 4 - www.wichitafamily.com

increases drastically.

Many burn injuries and fire risks can be avoided by practicing a few simple safety measures. Shriners Hospitals has provided some practical steps to keep your home and family safe.

Seasonal Decor Live Christmas trees need water daily. However, according to the survey, less than half of Americans perform the task. A dry tree can ignite in seconds, making tree fires one of the most dangerous types. Well-watered trees significantly reduce this risk. Set a reminder to add water daily to keep your tree safe and supple throughout the season.

Choosing the right place for your tree involves many variables. As you

select the perfect vantage point, remember to keep trees away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents.

Consider using wickless or flameless candles. There are numerous inexpensive options that cast a warm, flickering glow so you can enjoy the ambiance of a lit candle without the risk.

Lights and Electricity Before installing decorative lights on a house or a tree, closely inspect each strand for frayed wires, bare spots and excessive kinking or wear. Discard and replace any lights that show signs of damage, which can pose a fire hazard.

Nearly half of survey respondents admitted they overload electrical out-

lets. During the holiday season, when you are likely to have more decorations, lights and other electrical items in use, take extra care to prevent overburdening an outlet and use certified surge protectors and power strips.

Exposed electrical cords and uncovered outlets can attract the attention of inquisitive children. Take care to secure cords out of reach and cover any outlets not in use.

Despite the obvious risk of leaving lit candles unattended, 27 percent of Americans admit to this practice and 25 percent of respondents report leaving them in reach of a child. If you must use a flame-burning candle, do so only while you are in the room and extinguish any lit candles if the room will be vacant.

Cooking Safety According to the U.S. Fire Administration, holiday cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires in the month of December. With more cooking during this time, the risk of house fires and pediatric burns increases drastically. Outturned handles can be easily grasped by curious hands or snag on clothing or aprons and potentially scald a youngster underfoot.

Be sure to turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, out of children’s reach.

Follow the lead of nearly 50 percent of Americans who know to keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby when cooking to help extinguish a fire.

Use electric appliances on a countertop, safely away from the sink or other water sources, but remember to avoid using an extension cord to supply power to kitchen appliances.

For more information, activity books for kids, tip cards and additional tools for families, visit beburnaware. org.

Turn Up the Heat Safely During cooler weather, many households increase reliance on natural gas for heat. Entertaining during the holiday months can also raise natural gas usage. However, natural gas can be dangerous and even deadly.

Help minimize the risk of a natural gas leak with these tips: • Leave the house immediately if you think you smell natural gas; call your gas company or 911 for assistance once you are safely away.

• Teach every member of the house how to recognize the slightly sweet,

sickly smell of natural gas. Some compare it to the smell of rotting eggs or food.

• Schedule annual service by a qualified professional for all appliances, gas lines and other gas-consuming elements of your home.

Expert Pediatric Burn Care Since the 1960s, Shriners Hospitals for Children has been a leader in burn care, research and education. During this time, the survival rate has doubled for children with burns over more than 50 percent of their bodies. Today, patients with burns over 90 percent can survive and go on to lead full, productive lives.

The state-of-the-art burn facilities are staffed and equipped to provide reconstructive and restorative surgery for healed burns, as well as treatments for other various skin conditions.

With 22 locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Shriners network of hospitals provides advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. Learn more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

— Family Features

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Wichita Family • December 2016 - 5

7 Ways to Include Everyone In the Holiday Cheer

H

olidays bring get-togethers filled with music, food and conversation. However, for those who experience hearing loss, the season often takes on a whole different sound. Those with hearing loss often end up feeling isolated from the festivities, but there are ways you can make sure they feel comfortable joining the fun.

A survey* by Rayovac, which was conducted online by Harris Poll, found that 56 percent of Americans say talking and catching up with family members is their favorite part of family gatherings, but nearly one out of every five (19 percent) say they have experienced difficulty communicating with someone who is hard of hearing.

If you’ll be escorting a family member with hearing loss to a holiday event, be sure their hearing devices are in good operating condition with batteries that are able to power all of the device’s features, like Rayovac. The hearing aid battery company has also introduced the Gift of Hearing this holiday season, a campaign in which a portion of proceeds from its battery sales benefit the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

This holiday season, make the most of the opportunity to share quality conversations with loved ones who have trouble hearing by following these simple tips from Shari Eberts of livingwithhearingloss.com: • Get their attention before speaking by saying their name or tapping them on the shoulder.

• Give some context as to the topic of the conversation to help them infer.

• Make sure they can see your lips. Stand in a well-lit area and be sure you are facing them directly, with your hand away from your face while talking.

• Know that background noise can provide difficult distractions. If you’re hoping for more than a passing greeting, find a quiet place where you can visit comfortably.

• Enunciate as you talk, but avoid the temptation to speak overly slowly. Instead, speak at a moderate but steady rate.

• Be patient and be prepared to repeat or rephrase your comments.

• Remember that if you are feeling frustrated, your partner in conversation may be, too. Keep your sense of humor so you can enjoy the holiday together.

Learn more about The Gift of Hearing campaign, and 6 - www.wichitafamily.com

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

find hearing aid batteries designed with the latest technology in mind, at Rayovac.com.

— Family Features

Holly, Jolly Recipes for Merry Mornings This holiday season, make your mornings merry and savor time with loved ones visiting from near and far with festive recipes like Christmas Tree Waffles and Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole.

“You don’t have to get up early to impress guests with a holiday breakfast,” said Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens. “Take waffles, simply add green food color to the batter then dust with powdered sugar ‘snow’ to resemble Christmas trees. Or prepare a cinnamon roll casserole the night before. Soak cut-up challah bread in milk and cinnamon overnight, bake until golden in the morning.

Finish off with a drizzle of cream cheese frosting.”

For more Christmas tips and recipes, find McCormick on Pinterest and Facebook, and visit McCormick.com

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar Mix eggs, 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, 3 teaspoons of vanilla and baking powder in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add bread cubes; toss to coat well. Pour into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Cover. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350∞F. Remove casserole from refrigerator. Mix melted butter, brown sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon cinnamon in small bowl until well blended. Drizzle over casserole. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla in small bowl until smooth.

Slowly stir in remaining 3 tablespoons milk. Drizzle over casserole before serving.

Christmas Tree Waffles Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 2 cups waffle mix 1 1/3 cups milk 1 egg 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract 15 drops McCormick Green Food Color confectioners’ sugar mini candy-coated chocolate pieces

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 12

Preheat round waffle iron. Spray with no stick cooking spray. Mix waffle mix, milk, egg, vegetable oil, vanilla and food coloring until blended.

Pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto center of hot waffle iron. Close lid. Cook about 5 minutes or until no longer steaming. Carefully remove waffle. Repeat with remaining batter.

Break each waffle into 4 triangles. Layer 3 triangles on a serving plate to resemble a Christmas tree. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Use candy-coated pieces to decorate tree as ornaments.

— Family Features

12 eggs 1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons milk, divided 2 tablespoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon, divided 5 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract, divided 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 loaf challah or brioche bread, cubed 1/4 cup butter, melted Wichita Family • December 2016 - 7

~ A Holiday Essay ~

Grown-Up Christmas List A

By Kendall Vogts

s Christmas somehow continues to sneak up on us, I have been asked several times what my Christmas list includes. I can think of a number of treasures that I think I really want, but as I continue to get older, grow in my profession, and, as my marriage ages, I am finding that the things I want, I either buy for myself or realistically talk myself out of.

When it comes to my family’s traditions, the adult couples draw the names of another couple, and then we all buy gifts for the nephews and niece.

As an adult, it is quite easy to sift through my list of possible wants and think to myself, “This is crazy, I could get this for myself, if I really needed it.”

Or, “Who am I and what have I done to receive these gifts?”

One of my favorite Christmas songs

is “Grown-up Christmas List” sung by Amy Grant. In the lyrics, Amy wishes that: “No more lives torn apart/That wars would never start/And time would heal all hearts/Everyone would have a friend/And right would always win/And love would never end.”

I must admit, that just like Amy, these are really the things that I want.

So, in the spirit of grown-up Christmas lists, here is mine: 1. I want my students to know they are loved by me and by a saviour who loves them more than anyone ever could.

2. That my students would fully understand that the people they are, who they truly are, is enough. They don’t need to act a certain way, or put up a front. Their true selves are beautiful!

3. That people, all over, would just be nice to each other; genuinely nice!

4. That our world would be a place that

isn’t scary and isn’t full of such awful conflicts.

5. And finally, that everyone would get to experience, at some point in their lives, the feelings of 100 percent pure joy!

I am so excited to see and experience the blessings that the Christmas season brings. I know that along with receiving a couple of goodies off my want list, I can be actively working towards checking off a couple items from my grown-up list.

We live in a time where genuine niceness, love, and joy are gifts that anyone would be lucky to receive.

Keep this in mind as you go about preparing for, and celebrating this holiday season with those closest to you!

Kendall Vogts lives and teaches in Central Kansas. She is married to WFM publisher Todd Vogts.

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