Living Life Ranch Healing, Hope and Horses
2024
Corinne’s Creations
Commemorative Air Force Museum
Finding her voice through art
Historic hangar site offers peek into past
Chamber Listing A membership index, community profile and member spotlight
THE
. S E N I F O T G O O DBYE
You juggle a lot in your world. We know life can be a balancing act. That’s why we’re here to help you protect what matters most, your todays and tomorrows. Contact us today.
Sean Snyder 112 S. Elm St. Gardner, KS 913.856.2197 AgentSeanSnyder.com
Russell Otte 10865 Grandview Dr., Ste 2040 Overland Park, Kansas 913.268.4222 AgentRussOtte.com
Securities & services offered through FBL Marketing Services, LLC,+ 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, Member SIPC. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,+* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,+* Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/West Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services. PR-GB-A (7-21)
Outdoor advertising delivers more impressions for less money than any other medium. Give us a call today.
BRANDY WINGERT Cell 913-318-9484
brandywingert@yahoo.com
SUPER LOCATIONS ACROSS EASTERN & CENTRAL KANSAS KANSAS
welcome Dear Readers, Welcome to the seventh annual edition of GE Magazine. In collaboration with the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, we have spent the last year working with people, organizations and businesses in the community, to create another issue that highlights this growing city. Throughout this magazine, readers will notice a common theme of service. While this was not initially planned, it quickly became apparent that Gardner was a city dedicated to serving and helping others. In this issue, meet Corinne Currier, owner of Corinne’s Creations, and learn about the work she’s doing while simultaneously bringing awareness to the autism community. Plan a visit to the Commemorative Air Force Museum and meet the volunteers who keep this historic hangar site alive. And learn about the Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation— another organization that is dedicated to expanding opportunities for those in the USD 231 school district. In our features, read about the businesses and organizations that are giving back to this community in many ways and find out how you can continue to support them.
All the best, Kalli, editor
Living Life Ranch Healing, Hope and Horses
Corinne’s Creations
Commemorative Air Force Museum
Finding her voice through art
Historic hangar site offers peek into past
Chamber Listing A membership index, community profile and member spotlight
2024
on the cover Jayne Hamilton, left, a faith-based, equineassisted learning facilitator, is pictured with a horse named Libby and Melissa Cowan, founder and facilitator of Living Life Ranch. Photograph by Nick Krug
2 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
2024 Editor Designer/Art Director
Kalli Jo Smith Alex Tatro
Copy Editor
Leslie Clugston Andres
Advertising
Angie Taylor
ataylor@sunflowerpub.com Contributing Photographers
Jason Dailey Nick Krug Reeves Photo Co. Brian and Susan Pitts, Pitts Photography.
Contributing Writers
Amber Fraley Bob Luder Debbie Leckron Miller Lucas Shivers
Publisher
Bill Uhler
Director
Bob Cucciniello
GARDNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 109 E. Main St | PO Box 402 Gardner, KS 66030 info@gardnerchamber.com | 913.856.6464 www.gardnerchamber.com President | CEO
Jason Leib
Member Relations
Alyssa Petrik
Member Relations
Stacy Boyajian
GE Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of Ogden Publications, Inc. sunflowerpub.com
3 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Public Water Supplier serving Western Johnson County and northWest MiaMi County
20TH COLLEGE REUNION.
2 YEARS CANCER FREE.
A MILLION POSSIBILITIES AHEAD.
The incomparable human spirit.
Where does the human spirit live? In best-friend group chats? In secrets shared? In things remembered? Maybe there’s no simple calculation. Because, as you show us every day, the human spirit has no limit. AdventHealth’s whole-person care is designed to support you in body, mind — and yes, in spirit — for every memory to come.
AdventHealthOttawa.com | AdventHealthSouthOverlandPark.com
contents
departments 6 community spotlight
CORINNE’S CREATIONS Local woman communicates through art while bringing awareness to autism
12 history
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE MUSEUM
features 24
from the chamber 39
LIVING LIFE RANCH: HEALING, HOPE AND HORSES
WELCOME LETTER
Nonprofit brings refuge to
Chamber of Commerce
Gardner community
30
JOY CLOSET & THE HOPE MARKET Local organizations provide
A greeting from Gardner
40
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In Full Bloom Too and Cordray Roofing
42
Historic hangar site at New Century
CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP LISTINGS
AirCenter offers peek into past
A guide to businesses and services
helping hand to community
18
50
#GE MAG
school
GARDNER EDGERTON SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
53
Local foundation expanding opportunities
COMMUNITY PROFILE
for those in USD 231 school district
All about the Gardner area
5 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
community spotlight
6 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
community spotlight
Corinne’s Creations
Local woman communicates through art while bringing awareness to autism Story by Lucas Shivers Photography by Reeves Photo Co.
C
orinne Currier owns Corinne’s Creations, a one-of-a-kind art business in Gardner. “I started my business in 2014 with the help from my mom, Jennifer,” Corinne says. “I have autism. When I was growing up, I used to draw a lot. Drawing was a way for me to communicate.” Gifted with the exceptionality of autism, Corinne showcases her extreme creativity in her drawings of various characters from pop culture, comics, specific caricatures and representation of people in a way that emphasizes their characteristics. “The most important thing I think I would say to everyone is, do what makes you happy,” Corinne says. “If you have autism or a special ability, have confidence in yourself and you can achieve it. I started going to comic book events to show my drawings. I even was at Planet Comic Con for a few years to get experience.” Throughout school, Corinne found it hard to express herself. She soon realized her drawing abilities helped tell stories through art. “Many individuals with disabilities find employment success in being entrepreneurs, and we share with others how to take our love for certain things and how we can create it into a business,”
Corinne says. “I have friends that paint or create their own popcorn.” GETTING OFF THE GROUND Corinne’s mom, Jennifer Smith, realized the potential ‘job’ and helped launch her business after Corinne finished high school. “I do get help from my mom to manage money and social media,” Corinne says. “She helps me go to various art shows. I sometimes just set up a table in the driveway and people stop.” Several community leaders and business connections helped initially, but it was William Binderup from Elite Comics, who stood out. “I made a drawing for William,” Corinne says. “I took pictures of all his employees and made them into my characters and made a poster of them.” Passionately interested in various mediums, Corinne soon expanded into bookmarks, all types of greeting cards and calendars, mostly printed by J&J Printing in Lenexa. “I meet with my salesperson named Tom Latendresse each year, and he helps me get my calendar produced,” Corinne says. “I feel so important when I sit in the room and show them my art and they take it and produce a calendar. Each drawing tells a story that everyone can enjoy.”
7 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
CREATING A NEW SPACE When the pandemic happened in 2020, the family planned a specialized studio space. “We went to a shed business, and I was able to pick out my own shed, and that is how we started my studio,” Corinne says. “My shed was delivered and built on site. Afterwards, my mom and I added insulation [in the] walls and we painted it pink. We had electricity put in as well.” Corinne curated her décor around a pink chandelier and added a decorative ceiling, carpet and shelves. “I got a small purple refrigerator and an architect’s desk that I can use to create my art,” Corinne says. “I was able to make this my own ‘She Shed’ and be able to keep all of my art and show it to others.” Corinne hosted a ribbon-cutting open house after the shed was complete and coordinated different events for people to come and shop. WORKFORCE STANDOUT Because of her business savvy, Corinne has been asked by several autism organizations to come and speak. “I show how I transitioned into adulthood and how I am working to make my life successful,” Corinne says. “Last year I had a group of special education teachers ask me to do a Zoom meeting to talk to them about
A Place to Play for All
City of Gardner opens first inclusive playground The City of Gardner is proud to announce the completion of its first inclusive playground featuring a play area that is accessible for every cognitive level and developmental stage. The space, located at Veterans Park, 121 W. Pawnee Lane, officially opened for play on October 13, 2023, at 10 a.m. The packed event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and many children of all ages gathered to enjoy the accessible play area. The new playground features several freestanding structures, including a Smart Play Market Cafe, We-Go-Round, We-Saw, friendship swing, and an assisted zip line. Other additions include accessibility enhancements to the walkways, entrances and benches to accommodate wheelchair users. A perimeter fence was also added to enhance safety, according to the City of Gardner news release.
8 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Corinne Currier peeks out from her She Shed where she makes all of her creations come to life.
An array of drawings fill her shelves.
how to help prepare students to transition into adulthood and work force.” Corinne says community support is vital. “We can do anything if we put our minds to it, and have proper support and resources, especially for someone with autism or a disability,” Corinne says. “Joining the Gardner Chamber was a great business idea for me. I hope that others with disabilities that are also entrepreneurs realize the benefits.” MADE TO ORDER Corinne’s creative jobs include getting hired for a family reunion drawing. “The client told me about their family, and I drew them as my characters. She then took that drawing and made it into a shirt,” Corinne says. “One hundred shirts were made with my drawing for their reunion.” Customized Christmas, birthday, wedding, thank you, “I love you” and “thinking of you” cards are popular with customers who have asked Corinne to personalize their cards.
Corrine also partnered with a family friend who crochets to make dolls out of her own drawings. “She created the most amazing crocheted dolls and even made hats,” Corinne says. “I sold out of those quickly as people loved them.” THE NEXT STEPS Corinne is currently working on storybooks. “I made four already, but I want to expand,” Corinne says. “Each of my characters has a backstory. I come up with my characters in my head and they are all animals. I try to make my characters inclusive as well. Just like humans, some animals have disabilities, and we must include everyone.” Anyone can schedule a time to come to the shed to shop or receive mailed items from online orders from her Facebook page called Corinne’s Creations at www.facebook.com/ corinnescreations12/. “My calendar is a very popular Christmas gift,” Corinne says. “My holiday cards are popular as well. Each card is drawn, no copying unless [requested] by a customer.”
10 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
HAPPILY EVER AFTER STARTS HERE.
Brooklyn Hall
AT ENRIGHT GARDENS
Serene, Beautiful, Unforgettable
BROOKLYNHALL.COM • 913-927-2217 • 913-927-2218 • EDGERTON, KS
Bruce Funeral Home A Traditional Full-Service Funeral Home
• Cremation • Pre-Arrangements • Monuments 106 S. Center, Gardner, KS 66030 (913) 856-7111 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, KS 66083 (913) 592-2244 Johnson County’s Oldest Continuously Owned Business
11 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Shirley Bruce Brown - VanArsdale Shane Bruce Brown & Scott Douglas Brown www.brucefuneralhome.com
history Brian Von Bevern, public information officer for CAF-Heart of America Wing, is one of three CAF members who regularly fly the PT-13 Stearman biplane. Von Bevern is a retired air traffic controller and has been a member of the CAF since 2009.
12 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
history
Commemorative Air Force Museum
Historic hangar site at New Century AirCenter offers peek into past Story by Bob Luder Photography by Jason Dailey
B
rian Von Bevern is more than ready to chat about his favorite subject. But first, there’s a small task to complete. Von Bevern and two others push a PT-13 single-prop biplane back into Hangar 3 at New Century AirCenter. The plane, built in 1940, was the most popular training aircraft for pilots going off to fight in World War II. On this day, it allowed a local couple to experience the thrill of a ride in a vintage open-cockpit biplane. It also serves as a stark reminder why Von Bevern’s favorite subject of conversation, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), exists. The Heart of America Wing of the CAF, housed in Hangar 3 in New Century, displays other vintage aircraft as well as engines, propellers and other parts. The second level of the hangar contains a museum of military artifacts and meeting space. Von Bevern is quick to point out that the PT-13 is the perfect metaphor for why the CAF was formed. About 10,000 PT-13s were built in the early ’40s, but there are fewer than 1,000 remaining today. Interestingly, the training plane is not unlike the type of aircraft American servicemen flew in World War I, some 25 years earlier. “(World War I) was the war to end all wars,” says Von Bevern, public information officer for the Commemorative Air Force, Heart of America Wing. “The government ceased its war production and ratcheted down its military. Much of its flying inventory was scrapped.” That led to U.S. forces using badly outdated aircraft at the beginning of World War II, Von Bevern says. “From 1935 to 1945, we went from propeller biplanes to jet fighters,” he says. “We went from airplanes flying 80 mph to over 600 mph.”
War weariness led Americans to quickly forget about much of the vintage aircraft that had been instrumental in winning two world wars. By the end of WWII, America had produced nearly 300,000 aircraft. Just 15 years later, almost all the warbirds were gone, and no one was attempting to preserve the history that had shaped the world as it was. BIRTH OF THE CAF In 1957 a small group of ex-service pilots in south Texas pooled their money, purchased a P-51 Mustang and formed an organization with the mission of saving at least one example of every aircraft that flew during WWII. “That’s why they had the slogan, ‘Lest We Forget,’” Von Bevern says. “The idea was to fly them at air shows around the country. Hopefully, people don’t forget about it. That’s our mission, to honor veterans and remember the sacrifices they made.” The organization originally was called the Confederate Air Force, but membership voted in 2001 to rename it Commemorative Air Force to better reflect its mission— to educate, inspire and honor through flight and living history experiences. Today, the CAF, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is headquartered in Dallas and has roughly 12,000 members and 180 operable vintage aircraft in 26 states and four foreign countries. In the late 1970s, after putting on an airshow at New Century, Kansas City-area members of the national organization decided to create a Heart of America chapter. About 30 people signed on and first met in Clinton, Missouri, and later at Richards-
13 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
PT-13 Crew Chief Jerry Sladish can almost always be seen with rag in hand, keeping the airplane looking pristine.
14 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Plan Your Visit The pandemic, which turned the world upside down at the start of 2020, also affected public hours and operations at the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Museum at New Century AirCenter, according to Brian Von Bevern, public information officer of the CAFHeart of America Wing. Since the pandemic, there are no longer regular visiting hours. People can arrange appointments to visit the museum by going to the CAF-HOA website at www.kcghostsquadron.org where they can find a phone number and email address to set up tours for individuals, schools, senior groups or others. Folks also can call 913-9077902 or email hoacafinfo@yahoo.com to request information.
THE BEST PRODUCTS
THE BEST INSTALLATION
THE BEST SERVICE
Building Relationships & Trust since 2005
kcroofing.com | 913.856.ROOF
They also can learn more about the CAF by visiting the organization’s national website at www.commemorativeairforce.org. Membership to the CAF starts at $225 annually for the national organization, $50 per year for membership to the local wing. There is no need to be a veteran or pilot to join. The CAF and museum also accept donations to help offset operational expenses and offer the public rides on its open-cockpit, 1940 PT-13 biplane starting at $299.
100% Family Owned and Operated LOCAL PEOPLE | LOCAL BANKING | LOCAL COMMITMENT
15 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
840 East Main Street | Gardner, KS 66030 | www.patriotsbank.com
The Stearman biplane was the most common of America’s primary pilot trainers during World War II. Built in Wichita, the so-called “Stearman” is actually a product of the Boeing Company.
Gebaur Airport in the Kansas City, Missouri, metro area. An early member donated a PT-19 Cornell— which is undergoing a complete restoration—so the chapter would have an aircraft to fly. Another member, Tom Hall, donated the PT-13 Stearman biplane. In the 1990s, the chapter—with then about 45 dues-paying members—moved to its current location at New Century AirCenter, an old wartime naval training base. ( John Glenn, former U.S. senator and the first man to circumvent the earth in space, learned to fly there.) Volunteers built the hangar in 2000 and helped find and collect many of the artifacts there today. Today, the Wing has 118 dues-paying members. “It’s a great bunch of people with a great mission,” Von Bevern says. “We get a lot back from volunteering. We get to hear stories from veterans nobody else gets to hear. They’ll bring tears to your eyes.” A VIBRANT COLLECTION OF MILITARY MEMORABILIA The upstairs museum space is full of memorabilia, not just from WWII but also from conflicts ranging from that period to present day. Hats, helmets and flight suits sit among dozens of small models of various
warbirds. Placards show photos and tell stories of the wars. Exhibits pay tribute to women who held down the home front and the Tuskegee Airmen, among many others. “I try to set up one new display a year,” says thirdyear museum curator Darren Roberts, who adds he obtains most memorabilia from families of veterans who contact him. “Just about everything in there has a story behind it. My goal is to do QR codes so people can just scan them and get the stories behind the pieces on their phones. “I love the time I spend doing it,” says Roberts, a full-time teacher. “I just wish I had more of it.” The CAF, Heart of America Wing also hosts periodic events—a hangar dance closed out the season in October—and rents the space for events such as birthday parties, weddings and corporate events. The chapter holds meetings at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of every month that are open to the public. There also are open hangar days from May to September. There’s no need to be either a veteran or pilot. “It’s especially gratifying to see how excited kids get when they can touch one of these planes or sit in a cockpit,” Von Bevern says. “It’s immediate, firstperson. It’s an experience instead of just a story.”
16 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Schedule a tour of the museum and its artifacts by visiting www.kcghostsquadron.org.
17 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
WELCOME TO
YOUR NEW BANK We deliver financial solutions for life and everyday banking conveniences. Come by and see us at any of our branches – more than 20 locations in Greater Kansas City.
arvest.com/switch Member FDIC Minimum deposit required to open a checking account. Fees and restrictions may apply.
GES Foundation board members left to right: Julie Dean (Hill), Jeff Miller, Laura Carpenter, Carrie Fredericksen, Tony Taylor, G.A Buie, Tim Brady, Todd Adrian, Candace Moorehouse, Jason Jones, and Josh Kindler. Not pictured, Ashley Stewart and Jeremy McFadden.
Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation
Local foundation expanding opportunities for students, families and teachers
Story by Amber Fraley Photography by Brian and Susan Pitts, Pitts Photography
GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
18
school
Gardner 1/4 pg ad.qxp_Layout 1 11/4/22 1:40 PM Page 1
school
616 Main • Gardner Dine In • Carryout • Delivery
(913) 884-4444 Lunch Buffet Monday - Friday 11am - 1:30pm
S
ince 1991, the Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation has been collecting funds and working with local businesses to provide scholarships for the students of USD 231. During the pandemic, the foundation had to pull back on its activities, but the board also had time to discuss how to move the fund forward. Foundation president G.A. Buie describes the board as a “dynamic group of people,” all with keen interest in improving the school district. They include teachers of all grade levels, local businesspeople who are also parents with kids attending schools in the district, school board representatives, and even the school superintendent, Dr. Brian Huff. “Not much had gone on with the board except the scholarships, and we looked around and wondered how we could be more dynamic with the organization,” explains Buie. “We knew we could accomplish much deeper and richer
19 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
GambinosPizza.com
connections than just scholarships. It’s really about building a partnership with the community.” Buie says the board was aware other school districts were raising and using private dollars in creative ways, but the Gardner Edgerton board wasn’t quite sure how to make that happen in their own community. That’s when they decided to bring on Tim Brady as an executive director in 2022. Since then, Brady has delivered the expansion and vision the board was looking for. As a former teacher, Brady is keenly aware of the unique financial needs of teachers and students. He also knows those financial needs often can’t be met through public dollars—but private dollars can go directly to teachers and students who need it. “It’s about giving teachers and students unique opportunities,” says Brady. Those opportunities are available to all teachers and students within USD 231 and have translated to thousands of dollars in scholarships for students to attend colleges, universities and vocational-technical schools, as well as teacher grants and even an emergency fund for students with unique needs. For instance, the 2022–2023 school year posed an interesting challenge when the school district needed to hire several new teachers. The foundation was able to step in, sweeten the pot for new hires and fill the spots. “We hired about 80 new teachers this year in our district, and most of them were right out of college,” explains Brady. New teachers need classroom supplies that public money simply doesn’t pay for. “It’s expensive to start your career in education,” Brady emphasizes. “What we did was give each of them $500 to get started. They could spend it any way they wanted, and it was money well spent.”
20 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Top: GES Foundation board members come together on October 26, 2023, to discuss future plans for the organization. Middle: Left to right: G.A. Buie, Foundation president, Todd Adrian, Julie Dean (Hill), Candace Moorehouse, and Tim Brady, executive director. Bottom: Board members Jeff Miller, Todd Adrian, and Tony Taylor, attend the October 2023 GES Foundation meeting.
Visit Their Website To help the foundation with their important work, scan the QR code or go to their website at www.usd231. com/o/foundation. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Spring Swing Scramble on April 15, 2024, and the, cornhole tournament in October 2024.
21 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
“It was a way to say welcome to our family—we appreciate you and support you. It was a great way to advertise our district and recruit teachers.” At the beginning of this school year, the foundation was able to distribute $20,000 in Teaching and Learning (TAL) grants to 15 different teachers in the district. “They might have a project in mind, or supplies they need, or some specific item they’d like to have for their classroom for specific needs,” explains Julie Dean, a foundation board member. “Teachers put together a report of what they needed, and why they needed it, and we went over those and were able to award them the money.” There’s also a smidge of positive competition involved, Buie notes. The TAL grants awarded ranged from $200 to support an after-school computer-coding club for third and fourth graders, to $4,000 for instructional resources to boost students’ reading skills in grades 5 through 8. One TAL grant went to support biodiversity improvement projects for high school biology students, which included testing the quality of the water of the campus retaining pond with the goal of cleaning it up, as well as introducing more biodiversity to the GEHS grounds. Partnering with the community has been essential to the success of the foundation, both with individuals and local businesses. To further engage the community as well as raise funds, the foundation holds two fundraisers every year—the Spring Swing Scramble 18-hole golf tournament, cosponsored by the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, and a family-friendly cornhole tournament with live music and concessions in the fall. Volunteers and local business helped make the first cornhole tournament a success, with CJ Designs Backyard Shenanigans donating the cornhole boards and bags, and Price Chopper providing concessions. However, the We Care fund is perhaps the most personal of the programs the foundation has recently launched. The We Care fund allows the board to provide emergency funds to any student who is in urgent need. Funds might go to a family that needs to pay their heating bill, or for a student’s new eyeglasses, or to help a student pay for a trip related to their education. The fund has assisted local families experiencing everything from lack of employment to medical debt. This school year the We Care fund was supported by a generous donation from NextEra Energy Resources, as well as proceeds from the second-annual cornhole tournament. Top to bottom: New USD 231 teachers receive $500 as a welcome gift to the community. Classified staff members from Edgerton Elementary attend GES Foundation’s Thankful Thursday event at KC Wine Co. Volunteers help serve lunch at the GES Foundation and Chamber golf tournament.
22 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Offering Only the Best in
service OF JOHNSON COUNTY JULIE DEAN, VPMARKET/LOAN OFFICER
(913) 884-2155
NMLS: 1660453
Mid-AmericaBank.com
BALDWIN | GARDNER | LAWRENCE | WELLSVILLE | EUDORA (COMING SOON)
8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS JCPRD.org/Museum • 913-826-2787 BRING IN THIS AD FOR 20% OFF MUSEUM ADMISSION! (Up to 4 people) expires 12/31/24
Jayne Hamilton, left, a faith-based, equine-assisted learning facilitator, is pictured with a horse named Libby and Melissa Cowan, founder and facilitator of Living Life Ranch.
24 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Living Life Ranch: Story by Elizabeth Walters Photography by Nick Krug
Healing, Hope and Horses
NONPROFIT BRINGS REFUGE TO GARDNER COMMUNITY
25 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Sessions revolve around equine-assisted learning, a therapeutic approach where horses are instrumental in teaching essential skills such as acceptance, kindness, tolerance, patience and more.
W
hen asked what inspired the Living Life Ranch initiative, owner Melissa Cowan jokes, “Well, my life.” Growing up in Olathe, Cowan explains that her journey with her first horse was deeply intertwined with the traumatic experiences of her childhood. Having a mother with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and an abusive grandfather left lasting emotional scars. However, amid the darkness, Cowan found solace when she was gifted Lobo, a quarter horse Appaloosa, at 16. “That horse helped me release anxiety and stress, and I didn’t know it at the time,” Cowan says. In 2016, Cowan’s experiences with horses inspired her to leave a 37-year corporate career in telecommunications to pursue Living Life Ranch. Now, Cowan’s refuge for individuals grappling with mental health and trauma is in its eighth year of operation. “We started utilizing horses for mental health to help people just like that horse helped me,” Cowan says. Sessions at the ranch revolve around equine-assisted learning (EAL), a therapeutic approach where horses are instrumental in teaching essential social skills such as
acceptance, tolerance, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and compassion. In addition to this method, faith principles are also instrumental in the healing process at Living Life Ranch. Jayne Hamilton, the faith-based, equine-assisted philosophy facilitator at the ranch, works under the Elaine Davis Faith-Based Equine Assisted Philosophy model to create a spiritually enriching experience for participants. Hamilton explains Davis’ work, citing research about how horses intuitively seek congruence between the client’s outward expressions and their inner emotions. Hamilton says that this ability gives immediate feedback to the clients and allows the horse to detect discrepancies in a person’s emotional state. “The horse can’t read your mind—he doesn’t know the word anxiety—but he can read the energy,” Hamilton elaborates. As for the religious aspects of the Elaine Davis program, Hamilton makes certain that guests of all faith backgrounds are welcome to experience the horses. Faith is incorporated in the sessions by celebrating the
26 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
relationship between humans and horses that God created in nature. “We allow the horses to be at liberty, which means rarely are they haltered. We allow the horses free choice to pick what human they work with,” Hamilton says. “Supernaturally, we believe it’s the Holy Spirit. God picks the horse that the human needs to work with.” Although all nine of the horses at the ranch are rescue animals, Hamilton and Cowan note that none of them has endured physical abuse. Each horse has been deemed safe to interact with humans despite not having undergone any training. “You don’t have to have a trained horse to do this,” Cowan says. “They just know what to do.” “If I have a client coming in who’s working on boundaries and this horse is pushing on them and all over them, I teach them just a few little skills about how to keep this 1,200 pound horse out of their bubble,” Hamilton says. “Their confidence gets so high. They’re like, ‘if I can partner with this horse to stay out of my bubble, how can I do that in my real day-to-day life?’” Living Life also advocates for traditional therapy avenues alongside the equine-based learning. Hamilton emphasizes the ranch’s core mission, which is to provide solace and peace to individuals facing distress, with healing as a natural byproduct. “We’re for counseling. We believe in counseling,” Hamilton assures. “We’re not necessarily going after trying to fix you. Our goal is for [clients] to experience some peace in the chaos and out of that, their healing takes place.” The ranch partners with Building Bridges Ministries, an Overland Park–based mental-health initiative. Sherrie Pucket, the founder and president, says the group supports 15 local nonprofits by providing mental health services. Pucket’s team is made up of licensed professional counselors. A certified clinical trauma specialist herself, Pucket acknowledges that equine learning can be complemented by traditional therapy for clients who require a deeper exploration of root causes of trauma. “We have seen incredible breakthroughs in so many different areas just by [clients] going to Living Life Ranch and working with Melissa and Jayne,” Pucket says. “They do things that we could not accomplish in a counseling office, and I’m sure it’s vice versa. Sometimes they want to start off working with the horses, but they need counseling.” Building Bridges is dedicated to working with diverse communities and adopting a holistic approach to the healing
Visitors find peace and healing with equine-assisted learning.
27 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Programs In-Depth
process. Pucket says Living Life Ranch was the missing piece in her organization. She says the horses’ intuitive ability to sense emotional cues creates a sense of calm that allows clients to experience peace without verbal communication. “It’s a wonderful pairing,” Pucket says. “When I first started our mental health program three years ago, I thought we’ve got to have equine therapy. Melissa and Jayne are an answer to prayers.” Cowan and Hamilton say they are grateful for their clients’ open-mindedness throughout the process. Many individuals arrive at the ranch with no prior knowledge of equine-assisted learning, but their willingness to embrace the experience and commit to the sessions drives improvement. Living Life recommends new guests to begin with a minimum of one session per week for six weeks. Cowan jokes, “Most people, once they come for the first time, they’re like, ‘Can I live here?’” Gardner resident Stephanie Gootee has been taking her 12-year-old son to Living Life since 2021. Gootee can testify to the ranch’s equine applied learning techniques. After two years of sessions, she says her son’s confidence has skyrocketed. “As a parent with a child who has experienced trauma in his life, I can say this place is the real deal,” Gootee says. “He has told me many times that the ranch is his safe place, and he feels good every time he comes out.” After noticing a positive change in her son’s behavior, Gootee opened herself up to the ranch. “Every time I pull into the ranch, I feel the sense of love and the presence of Jesus,” Gootee shares. “Being around the horses has helped build my confidence, and I have a place to go when needing to process my own feelings at times.”
28 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Living Life Ranch holds five types of programs, varying from individual sessions to corporate team-bonding. However, one collaboration stands out—a partnership between the ranch and Arista Recovery. Together, Melissa Cowan and Jayne Hamilton bring four horses to the rehab facility to use equine learning techniques to work with victims of substance abuse. Arista has welcomed the four-legged visitors; the center even built a corral and dedicated space for a pasture to accommodate the weekly sessions. Chris Atkins, a case manager at Arista, admits he was initially hesitant of the ranch’s techniques. “I’m three years clean and sober from alcohol, so in the back of my mind, I’m always going to be an addict,” Atkins says. Despite his uncertainty about the equine therapy program, Atkins was blown away after his first class, he says. Atkins has been amazed at the science behind the healing sessions. “At times it’s like, seriously, a horse can sync its heartbeat to mine because its heart is bigger than mine? Knock it off,” Atkins jokes. “But then you see him in the fields and stuff like this, and you don’t doubt it for a second.” As a staff member, Atkins has witnessed several breakthrough sessions in the program. He shares a particular anecdote about a client who struggled with an initial fear of the horses. “This client was standing with treats on a plate and as all three horses had her cornered in the pen, which is the most vulnerable place and the most dangerous place to be—between the horse and the fence,” Atkins recalls. “Choosing the most dangerous place to be with all three surrounding her and facing her, and she shooed all three of them away and did not move, did not budge, wasn’t crying. She looked like a strong, secure, confident woman.” When asked about her remarkable transformation, the client reveals her motives: “This represents my children, my family, and I will never let anything come between them anymore.
YOURYOUR HOME DESERVES HOME DESERVES THE THE BEST PROTECTION BEST PROTECTION
Insurance is proudtotoannounce announce AmericanAmerican Family Family Insurance is proud we’ve been named one of the best insurance we’ve been named one of the best insurance companies in the nation by Forbes. companies in the nation by Forbes.
HOME Contact meYOUR today and get the DESERVES protection you deserve. Contact me today and get the protection you deserve.
THE BEST PROTECTION
Timothy Miller, Agent American Family Insurance is proud to announce T Miller and Associates Inc we’ve been named one of the best insurance Timothy Miller, Agent companies in the nation by Forbes. Gardner, KS
Mental Health Services in Johnson County In addition to providing services for Living Life Ranch, Building Bridges Ministries also works with the following Johnson County–area organizations: • Anchor Her • Rended Heart • Firm Foundation • Good Dads • If Not for Grace • G.R.O.W. Grace Restores Overcoming Women • Young Women on the Move • KC United • SOAR • The Single Mom KC • Upchurch Foundation • Advice and Aid • House of Hope • Urban Scholastic Center • Collektive Company
29 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
T Miller and Associates Inc Contact me today and get the protection you deserve. (913) 856-6177 tmille7@amfam.com Gardner, KS Timothy Miller, Agent (913) 856-6177 T Miller and Associates Inc tmille7@amfam.com Gardner, KS American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating (913)Companies, 856-6177 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2021 19714 – Rev. 12/21 – 17294378 tmille7@amfam.com
American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2021 19714 – Rev. 12/21 – 17294378 American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2021 19714 – Rev. 12/21 – 17294378
Experience You Can Trust From Professionals That Care Real estate is a valuable investment. Let us help you make an educated decision about the house you will turn into a home.
Call Us Today or Visit Our Website For More Information Tiffany Bergonzoni 913-205-8425 royalicskc@gmail.com • Mike Dandurand, P.E. InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector royalinspectionskc.com
Joy
Closet
& The Hope Market Local organizations provide
helping hand to community
Story by Debbie Leckron Miller | Photography by Reeves Photo Co.
30 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Lois Barber, board member for Joy Closet, smiles for a photo.
31 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
W
hen area households struggle to provide food, clothing, shoes, home and hygiene goods and other necessities for their families, two Gardner missions are there to help. Thanks to Joy Closet and The Hope Market, those in need have a place to turn.
Top: Joy Closet’s beloved volunteer and cashier, Doc (Bob) Knoche. He serves the community at 95 years old. Bottom: Volunteers and board members sort through inventory.
32 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
JOY CLOSET Founded by the First Presbyterian Church of Gardner, Joy Closet opened in 2013 in a rented gas station garage. Families and individuals could get donated clothes for free. “Then we decided, besides just providing clothing, let’s become a thrift store, too, where people can come and shop,” explains Joy Closet co-manager Ginger Crist. “Most communities have either a clothes closet or a thrift store, and we have both combined. It’s the best of both worlds.” The nonprofit expanded in 2021 to its current brick building on the east side of Gardner. Once a tire center, today’s spacious showroom is filled with clothes, coats and shoes for men, women and children, along with an array of home goods— silverware, cookware, towels, bedding, jewelry, toys, and pet supplies. Seasonal selections also rotate in, including costumes for Halloween, Christmas décor and prom dresses. Joy (which stands for Jesus, others, yourself)) Closet serves Gardner and Edgerton, and branches out to Olathe, Wellsville, Baldwin City and Spring Hill. Available at area churches and schools, Joy Closet vouchers let the area’s families shop for free. “We’re really known for our free vouchers,” Crist says. “No questions asked—anybody in need can get a voucher.” One per household, vouchers can be used one time a month to get 20 free items, including clothing, coats, gloves, shoes and bedding, and 10 books, which count as one item. The organization also provides free clothes to area schools, nursing homes, homeless shelters and hospital emergency rooms. “Schools often need clothes in their nurses’ offices,” Crist adds. “Also, one of our volunteers is a nurse and takes supplies to her ER, and other volunteers are involved with the homeless and gather clothes weekly for homeless groups.” To start the school year, teachers get books at no cost, and all year long teachers can pick up free supplies. Joy Closet gives back to the community in
Left to right: Jan Loser, volunteer for The Hope Market, stocks the shelves. Melissa Prins, founding director for The Hope Market, smiles for a photograph. Food and pantry items line the shelves.
another way. Any tips collected during the payment transaction or from a tip jar on the counter go to a designated cause, such as the local Special Olympics team or Secret Santa. For those who are shopping and buying goods in the thrift store, prices are minimal and simple: for instance, all adult clothes are $3, and kids’ clothes are $1.50. “We’re the lowest-priced thrift store around,” Crist says. “We even beat garage-sale prices.” Shoppers range from families and the elderly to school-age kids who love to come and buy a toy for a quarter. Sales and needs are brisk—there were 1,770 transactions at the store in August. Every item for sale is donated and dropped off at Joy Closet. “We prefer people bring donations during business hours (and receive a tax donation form). If you can’t, then bag and tie your items and drop them off in the blue bins at the store,” Crist advises, adding that they don’t accept furniture or other large items. “We don’t pay staff and we keep our prices low, but we still have overhead to pay,” she adds. “But the amount of donations we get is phenomenal and keeps us rolling.” Eighty-two volunteers, along with Crist and co-manager Cindy Rollf, who have been with Joy Closet since its start, as well as a nine-person board, run the operation. Although First Presbyterian Church is the founder, the workers and team are from many denominations. What’s most rewarding about being involved? “We love our volunteers and just become a little family,” Crist concludes. “But most heartwarming
are the people who come in and truly need help, and leave in tears, saying they were able to get something they’ve never been able to have before.” Indeed, “a place of joy!” as one shopper praised in a review. THE HOPE MARKET The name on the Main Street building tells the story. Inside The Hope Market, senior citizens on a fixed budget and families trying to make ends meet all find smiling faces, helpful hands, food to stock their kitchens and, most of all, blessings and hope. With her husband, Chad, and their four children, Melissa Prins launched the market in December of 2020, shortly after moving to Gardner from Utah, where she managed a food pantry. In Gardner, she saw a similar need and lack of food resources. “There was rental and utility assistance here, but nowhere anyone could go to for food assistance. We just really wanted to fill that gap,” Prins explains. Not without its start-up struggles, The Hope Market found its first location at the ARC Community Space on Main Street, where it was open every other Friday for those in need. “For one year, we hauled in nearly 7,000 pounds of food and supplies every other Friday for families to pick up what they needed,” she recalls. The food and supplies were kept in storage, so volunteers brought it to the community space on Fridays, set up shelving and stocked the shelves, then returned it to storage at the end of the one-day market. “It was the hardest thing ever,” Prins notes.
33 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Toys line the shelves at Joy Closet.
Where to Find Them
“My husband thought I was crazy, but he knew it was something I felt very strongly about,” she says. “Seeing the families in Utah who were struggling finally find a space where they felt accepted was so rewarding. Now, to offer those things for families here, it’s a blessing for us to do that.” In January 2022, the pantry found a more permanent home at 233 E. Main Street, where it’s open three days a week. Anyone needing nutritious foods and personal hygiene items can stop by. There are no income requirements or application process. No one is turned away, and everything is free. “Neighbors,” as customers are referred to, come mostly from the Gardner, Edgerton and Spring Hill areas. Their numbers have increased from 60 families per month to 620 per month today and range from senior citizens to military veterans to families and single parents who have lost food stamp eligibility. Prins, a school bus driver in Gardner in addition to her pantry responsibilities, also is available for emergencies. “The phone number for the market is my personal number. The local sheriff, police department and school social workers know they can contact me any time they have a family needing assistance.” Households can pick out 60 to 70 pounds of food once a week. Volunteers are on hand to help them find what they need, ranging from baking supplies, canned goods, breads and cereal to frozen meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Hygiene and home cleaning items are also available. Volunteers even help carry the brimming boxes to people’s cars. “Our goal is to greet everyone with a smile and treat them as family,” Prins says. All the food and new home and hygiene necessities, such as shampoo, soaps and towels, are donated by the community, as well as some from Harvesters Community
Joy Closet
975 E. Lincoln Lane, Gardner (913) 856-8868 Hours Monday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday: Closed Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday: Closed
The Hope Market
611 E. Main Street, Gardner (801) 358-0656 New location!
34 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday: 5–8 p.m. Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 9–11 a.m. Friday: Closed Saturday: 9 a.m.–noon Sunday: Closed
Tradition Starts Together
J AY H A W K C H E C K I N G . C O M MEMBER FDIC | CENTRALBANK.NET | (913) 856-7715 © Central Bancompany 2023. The official Jayhawk Debit Card is issued by The Central Trust Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. All University of Kansas and Jayhawks trademarks and copyrights used by permission. The University of Kansas is not a lender and is not responsible for the use of any debit card. All rights reserved.
Left: Volunteer Elizabeth Moffatt holds a bag of donated items. Center, left to right: Karen Elliott, board member, Lois Barber, board member, Ginger Crist, board member and manager, and Cindy Rolf, board member and manager, stand outside the thrift store. Right, top to bottom: Married couple Jan and John Loser volunteer for The Hope Market weekly. Essential items find space on the shelves at The Hope Market.
Food Network, Papa John’s and Walmart. Donations are accepted during open hours or by appointment. Items in demand include baking supplies, cake and pancake mix, along with side dishes such as rice or pasta mixes. Perishables are also accepted. “We are blessed by a lot of local farmers who had extra tomatoes, zucchini, asparagus and other produce they gave us,” Prins says. “There’s no food that we don’t take.” The entire operation is privately funded. Donors pay the rent and utilities each month, and a crew of 50 volunteers helps run it. Churches and businesses also provide workers. “There’s been such an outpouring of support,” Prins says. Special events throughout the year include a backpack giveaway in August and Thanksgiving baskets in November. To start this school year, The Hope Market gave away new backpacks filled with school supplies to 207 children. And last Thanksgiving, 240 families received baskets containing everything needed for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. A chili supper and silent auction fundraiser helps pay for the annual Thanksgiving event.
Beginning in early December, Prins and her team will be moving to a new location at 611 E. Main Street. The new location is set to open its doors on December 7, 2023. “It’s a much bigger space than the one we have now,” she explains. “We want to also be able to offer classes on self-reliance, such as cooking, financial or whatever stresses people are going through so they can do better for themselves.” Another reason Prins was in need of a larger location: “We can only get 10 people at a time in our building, so a line forms out front. There’s still a lot of stigma involved, and I don’t want those in line to feel uncomfortable standing outside along Main Street.” For Prins, she’s thankful and constantly amazed by the community support for the program she started nearly three years ago. Most rewarding though, “To be able to come here as out-of-towners and be accepted by the local community, and then have people that rallied behind us and made this what it is today. Thinking of where we’ve come from, I’m in awe as we look forward to our next space and the next services we can offer our neighbors.”
36 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
SERVICES • Pet Supplies • Basic Bath • Deluxe Bath • Deluxe Groom Grooming prices based on animals weight
New Location, Same Great Service 245 Stone Creek Drive • (913) 605-1125 • cfoster@GPSGrooming.com
Convenient Banking
Checking & Savings • Personal & Commercial Loan Options Business Banking & Treasury Management Services Mortgages, HELOCs and More! Try a transaction at our Interactive Teller Machines located inside Walmart. Talk to a teller on the screen during extended hours of service! Come see us at
1725 E. Santa Fe
Inside Walmart Supercenter or our Commercial & Mortgage Lending Office at
205 N. Moonlight Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender
www.centralnational.com
welcome letter
member spotlight
Welcome to the newest issue of GE Magazine! Our stories in this 2024 edition have a theme of serving others. From helping solve food insecurity, to an inclusive playground, to aiding students and teachers in the community, to honoring those who served all, we are proud of the spirit of giving that permeates this community. We are honored to serve our members as well at the chamber of commerce and hope you’ll support those who have invested in our community. Community investment is a broad theme in Gardner, with a major state highway reconstruction finally completed, and infrastructure projects like power and water that, while mostly hidden from view, will increase the capacity for Gardner to grow into the future. We are building for the future at the chamber as well. By launching the Leadership Gardner program, we are helping build capacity for the challenges that will come with that growth. We’ll continue to champion the Destination Downtown plan, which received a major boost by the approval of the historic tax credit program designation, which should spur upgrades and redevelopment to complement the reinvestment that has already begun. The chamber will continue to pursue bold ideas to make this community a desirable place for residents and for businesses looking to grow or relocate, striving to offer amenities that are attractive to their workforce. Thank you again for supporting the work we do on their behalf.
39
GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
chamber listings
community snapshots
community profile
Raelee Wright, Chair
Gardner Chamber of Commerce
Jason Leib, President/CEO Gardner Chamber of Commerce
109 E. Main St | PO Box 402 Gardner, KS 66030 913.856.6464 info@gardnerchamber.com www.gardnerchamber.com
member spotlight
Featuring...
In Full Bloom Too In Full Bloom Too is a design studio featuring fresh flower designs, along with gifts and home decor. The local business proudly serves the Gardner, Spring Hill, Edgerton and southern Olathe communities. Located at 325 East Main St., the company recently celebrated their fifth year in the Gardner community. The staff ’s daily focus matches their shop motto, “Live each day in full bloom.” They are proud to be a business where customers can always count on a smile and genuine customer service.
40 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
member spotlight
Cordray Roofing Cordray Roofing is a licensed class-A contractor specializing in roofing in the Gardner area. Additionally, they are an Owens Corning Platinum preferred contractor with an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Established in May 2005, the business first specialized in multiple types of construction projects including decks, basement finishes, additions, complete remodels and roofing. Eventually, they found their niche and now specialize in only roofing. Throughout the years Cordray Roofing has completed large projects including apartment complexes, university buildings, hospitals, churches, and shopping centers. Smaller jobs include homes and residential additions. They pride themselves in treating their customers with honesty and respect, along with providing quality workmanship. Recently, the company renovated an old commercial property on Main Street and is proud to have called it home for the last few years. In 2023, the company was named the Gardner Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.
41 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
membership listings Listings highlighted in blue are GE Magazine advertisers.
Aircraft Sales Heaven Aviation Consulting (816) 616-6940 www.meadaircraftsales.com
Airport Johnson County Airport Commission
(913) 715-6000 www.jocogov.org/dept/airportcommission
Animal Shelter Prairie Paws Animal Shelter (785) 242-2967 www.prairiepaws.org
Apartments Horizon Trails Apartments (913) 605-1060 www.horizontrails.com
Lincoln Townhomes (913) 856-6980 www.lincolnth.com
Nottingham Village Apartments (913) 938-5155 www.wilhoitliving.com/property/ nottingham-village
The Reserve at Moonlight
(913) 884-3986 www.thereserveatmoonlight.com
Treadway at New Trails Apartments
(913) 686-9030 www.treadwaynewtrails.com
Attorney The Law Offices of Stockton and Kandt , LLC (913) 856-2828 www.stocktonlaw.com
Auto Repair Bret’s Autoworks
(913) 856-5169 www.bretsautoworks.com
www.gardnerchamber.com
Bus Service
Winters Automotive & Transmission
(913) 856-4646 www.wintersauto.com
First Student
(913) 856-5650 www.firststudentinc.com
Bakery/Coffee Shops
Catering
Groundhouse Coffee
(913) 856-5711 www.groundhousecoffee.com
ACA Catering
(913) 882-6142 www.acaofficecatering.com
Bank
Betty’s Pies & Cobblers
(913) 221-4592 www.bettyspiesandcobblers.com
ARVEST Bank
(913) 953-4100 www.arvest.com
Chris Cakes, Inc
(913) 893-6455 www.ChrisCakes.com
Capitol Federal
(913) 652-2431 www.capfed.com
Cosentino’s Catering
(816) 744-2146 www.cosentinoscatering.com
Central Bank of the Midwest (913) 856-1056 www.centralbank.net
Central National Bank - Walmart (913) 856-2136 www.centralnational.com
Central National Bank Mortgage & Commercial Lending (913) 856-3218 www.centralnational.com
Mid America Bank
(913) 884-2155 www.mid-americabank.com
Patriots Bank
(913) 856-8809 www.patriotsbank.com
Billboards
Panera Bread
(913) 397-8383 www.panerabread.com
Cellular Equipment and Services Verizon Gardner
(917) 884-4418 www.verizon.com
Child Care Little Building Blocks
(913) 856-5633 www.littlebuildingblocks.com
Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center
(913) 856-4250 www.kingofkingsks.org/OpenArms.html
Wingert Billboards (913) 318-9484
Brewery
Chiropractor
Transport Brewery
Beck Chiropractic & Acupuncture
(913) 766-6673 www.transportbrewery.com
Building Materials Deck & Rail Supply LLC
(913) 884-3335 www.deckandrailsupply.com
(913) 605-1223 www.beck-chiro.com
Jeurink Family Chiropractic and Wellness (913) 856-4595 www.drtobi.com
Winters Chiropractic Center (913) 856-8135 www.doctodd.com
42 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Church Divine Mercy Parish
(913) 856-7781 www.divinemercyks.org
Faith Chapel
(620) 282-1315 www.gardnerfc.church
First Baptist Church
(913) 884-7228 www.gardnerfirstbaptist.com
Grace Baptist Church
(913) 856-2880 www.gracebaptistgardner.com
King of Kings Lutheran Church (913) 856-2500 www.kingofkingsks.org
New Life Community Church (913) 856-5683 www.newlifegardner.com
Restoration Church
(913) 717-5556 www.restorationgardner.org
Cigar Lounge Ash and Anvil Cigar Lounge (913) 558-8074 www.ashandanvilcigars.com
City Office City of Gardner
(913) 856-7535 www.gardnerkansas.gov
Civic Organizations Gardner Grange
(913) 558-5261 www.grange.org/gardnerks68
Gardner Lions Club
(913) 449-5522 www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/ gardnerks
Gardner Rotary Club
(913) 206-4968 www.gardnerrotary.org
GFWC Athena Club (913) 980-4104
Johnson County Fair Association (913) 856-8860 www.jocokansasfair.com
membership listings
www.gardnerchamber.com
Kiwanis Club of Gardner (913) 963-3126
Commercial Real Estate Big Water, LLC (913) 406-4688
The Bristol Groupe
(785) 838-4888 www.bristolgroupe.com
Commercial/Residential Developer Grand Street Development, LLC (913) 712-8440 www.GrandStDevelopment.com
Grata Development (913) 732-4778 www.gratadev.com
Community College
Construction Contractor
Johnson County Community College
Koch Construction and Remodeling
(913) 469-8500 www.jccc.edu
Anthem Concrete Coatings
Johnson County Government
Bergida Enterprises, LLC Synergize Consulting, LLC
Johnson County Park and Recreation District
(913) 353-5966
(708) 972-2846 www.synergizeconsulting.solutions
Corporate Interiors
Penny’s Concrete, Inc.
(913) 441-8781 www.pennysconcrete.com
(913) 715-6800 www.jocoelection.org
(913) 715-0430 www.jocogov.org/dept/boardcounty-commissioners
Consulting
(913) 944-0853 www.anthemconcretecoatings.com
Concrete Supplier
Johnson County Election Office
(913) 815-3969 www.kochconstructionkc.com
Concrete Products & Services
County Office
Spaces, Inc.
(913) 894-8900 www.spacesinc.com
(913) 438-7275 www.jcprd.com
Dentist Baxter Orthodontics
(913) 856-4465 www.baxterorthodontics.com
43 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Photos by Clay Swanson Photography and Marjorie Colleen
membership listings Gardner Dentists, LLC
(913) 856-7123 www.gardnerdentists.com
Imagine Dental
(913) 856-6171 www.mygardnerdentist.com
Distribution & Fulfillment Centers Amazon Fulfillment www.amazon.com
Excelligence Learning Corporation (913) 303-8411 www.excelligence.com
FedEx Ground
(913) 856-1880 groundwarehousejobs.fedex.com/ groundwarehousejobs
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation (918) 540-7973 www.hopkinsmfg.com
UPS
(913) 541-3740 www.upsjobs.com
Walmart eCommerce
(913) 603-6068 storejobs.wal-mart.com/ HiringCenter
Doctor Office CenterWell Senior Primary Care (913) 547-1710 www.centerwellprimarycare.com
Olathe Health Family Medicine - Gardner
(913) 856-5577 www.olathehealth.org/gardner
Donuts Daylight Coffee & Donuts
(913) 884-8400 www.daylightdonutskc.com
Electrical Contractor Chapman Electric, LLC
(913) 575-1612 www.chapmanelectrickc.com
www.gardnerchamber.com
Employment/Staffing Services
Fireworks Retailer Pyro Papas Fireworks (913) 787-2219 www.pyropapas.com
ProLogistix
(816) 730-8278 apply.prologistix.com
Fitness Center
Engineering
Olathe Family YMCA
(913) 393-9622 www.kansascityymca.org/locations/ olathe
GBA
(913) 492-0400 www.gbateam.com
Entertainment & Attractions
Florist In Full Bloom Too
(913) 800-1850 www.infullbloom-gardner.com
KC Pumpkin Patch, LLC
(913) 484-6251 www.kcpumpkinpatch.com
Food Trucks
Event Venue
Smoke n Seoul
(646) 515-2519 www.smokenseoul.com
The Turner Barn
(913) 558-6495 www.theturnerbarn.com
Funeral Home
Warren Place Venue
(913) 972-2169 www.warrenplaceevents.com
Bruce Funeral Home, Inc.
(913) 856-7111 www.brucefuneralhome.com
DIRECTORY/LISTINGS
Farmers Market
General Contractor/ Construction Manager
Gardner Farmers Market
(913) 717-6485 gardner-farmers-market.business.site
Financial Services Edward Jones - Aaron Wyant
National Catastrophe Restoration, Inc. (913) 515-0369 www.NCRI.com
(913) 856-6233 www.edwardjones.com
Edward Jones - Pete Carr (913) 856-8846 www.edwardjones.com
Frontier Community Credit Union (913) 651-6575 www.frontierccu.org
Golf Course Great Life Golf Gardner (913) 856-8858 www.gardnergolf.com
Grocery Store Cosentino’s Price Chopper #117 (913) 856-8380 www.mypricechopper.com
Prime Capital Investment Advisors
(913) 340-8012 www.pciawealth.com/blog/teammember/taylor-yaw
Hair Care/Salon Design Co. Salon
(913) 856-5464 www.facebook.com/designco. gardnerks
Colour Closet
(785) 845-9809 www.CourtneyColourCloset.com
44 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Hardware Store Westlake Ace Hardware
(913) 856-4536 www.acehardware.com/storedetails/18561
Health Insurance Health and Wellness Advisors LLC (913) 205-4802 www.hwadvisors.org
Truly Affordable Health Insurance
(785) 214-4089 www.TrulyAHI.com
Heating and Cooling Hickman Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. (913) 856-7730
Jack Harrison Heating & Air Conditioning (913) 308-3131 www.jackharrisonair.com
Santa Fe Air Conditioning (913) 856-5801 www.santafeair.com
Hospital AdventHealth South Overland Park
(913) 373-1100 www.AdventHealthKC.com/ SouthOP
Olathe Health
(913) 791-4200 www.olathehealth.org
St. Croix Hospice
(913) 354-5511 www.stcroixhospice.com
Hotel Gardner Super 8 (913) 856-8887 www.super8.com
Hampton Inn and Conference Center
(913) 856-2100 www.gardnerconference.com
membership listings Insurance Agency Allstate
(913) 856-9969 www.allstate.com
American Family Insurance - Tim Miller
(913) 856-6177 www.timmilleragency.com
Farm Bureau Financial Services (913) 856-2197 www.fbfs.com
Farmers Insurance Havener Agency
(913) 844-3200 agents.farmers.com/khavener
Farmers Insurance Robert K Kelly Insurance
(913) 856-3816 agents.farmers.com/ks/gardner/ robert-kelly
Joe Oldham’s State Farm Agency (913) 856-6124 www.joeoldhamagency.com
MJH Insurance & Financial Services (913) 856-0002 www.mjhins.com
Insurance and Financial Services New York Life
(913) 271-7450 www.newyorklife.com/agent/ apeacock
Internet Service Provider Clearwave Fiber
(877) 293-2973 www.clearwavefiber.com
KwiKom
(800) 379-7292 www.kwikom.com
Landscaping Curby’s Lawn and Garden (913) 764-6159 www.curbyslawn.com
www.gardnerchamber.com
Lawn Care
Military
Travis Hutton Lawn and Landscape, Inc. (913) 710-5771 www.facebook.com/ TravisHuttonLawn
Legal Services LegalShield
(913) 788-0589 mmcruse.wearelegalshield.com
Stern & Mauck, LLC (913) 674-5222 www.smlawkc.com
Logistics & Distribution Centers
U.S. Army
(816) 729-2353 www.goarmy.com
Mobile Home Community Conestoga
(913) 755-9464 www.conestogakansas.com
Mortgage Lending Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company (913) 375-0116 loans.sierrapacificmortgage.com
Moving and Storage
ColdPoint Logistics Warehouse, LLC
Moving Proz
Manufacturer
Museum
(913) 229-3800 www.coldpointlogistics.com
(913) 251-9037 www.movingproz.com/kansas-city/ gardner
AAC Enterprise
Commemorative Air Force
Dot’s Pretzels
Gardner Historical Museum, Inc.
TradeNet Publishing, Inc.
Lanesfield Historic Site
(913) 515-3216 www.aacenterprise.com (701) 566-8520 www.dotspretzels.com (800) 884-7301 www.tradenetonline.com
Marketing
(913) 907-7902 www.kcghostsquadron.org
(913) 856-4447 www.gardnerhistoricalmuseum.com (913) 715-2575 www.jcprd.com/435/LanesfieldHistoric-Site
Newspaper
Strategy Marketing Agency
(913) 440-0672 www.strategynewmedia.com
Mechanical Contractor
The Gardner News
(913) 856-7615 www.gardnernews.com
Nonprofit Organizations
BCI Mechanical, Inc.
(913) 856-6747 www.bcimechanicalinc.com
Med Spa Rejuvenate Medspa
Abdallah Shriners
(913) 362-5300 www.abdallahshriners.com
Community Blood Center
(913) 645-5815 www.rejuvenatemdspa.com
(816) 213-2728 www.savealifenow.org
Gardner KS Pride, Inc.
(785) 418-9005 www.gardnerkspride.com
46 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Living Life Ranch
(913) 731-5579 www.livingliferanch.org
Safehome
(913) 432-9300 www.safehome-ks.org
Sleep In Heavenly Peace (913) 269-8950 www.shpbeds.org
The Hope Market
(801) 358-0656 www.thehopemarket.org
Optometrist Drs. Hawks, Besler, Rogers & Stoppel, O.D (913) 856-6360 www.hbreyecare.com
Paint Retailer Sherwin Williams
(913) 856-7888 www.sherwin-williams.com
Party Planning The Tipsy Tavern
(913) 208-0306 www.facebook.com/tipsytav
Pet Supplies Gardner Pet Supply & Grooming (913) 605-1125 www.gardnerpetsupply.com
Pharmacy Walgreens
(913) 884-7912 www.walgreens.com
Photographer Adams Pro Photo
(913) 515-4390 www.adamsprophoto.com
Physical Therapy Olathe Health Rehabilitation Services - Gardner (913) 324-8680 www.olathehealth.org/ rehabgardner
membership listings
www.gardnerchamber.com
SERC Physical Therapy (913) 856-7927 www.serctherapy.com
Plumbers/Plumbing Heartland Plumbing Inc.
(913) 856-5846 www.heartlandplumbing.com
Printing Shawnee Copy Center (913) 268-4343 www.sccink.com
Promotional Items Russell-Hampton Company (913) 254-0500 www.russellhampton.com
Southwind Advertising
(913) 515-4390 www.southwindonline.com
Public Safety Fire District #1, Johnson County, Kansas (913) 424-3868 www.jocofd1.org
Johnson County Sheriff ’s Office (913) 715-5800 www.jocosheriff.org
Real Estate Crown Realty
(913) 215-9004 www.crownrealty.com
Keller Williams Diamond Partners Inc.
Rental Property
(913) 322-7500 olathe.yourkwoffice.com
Master Management
Keller Williams Realty Partners / John Tramble Jr.
W.D. Gay Rentals
(913) 653-8640 john-tramblejr.kw.com
Kirk Home & Land Compass Realty Group
(913) 244-5480 www.compass.com/agents/nancykirk-matthew
(913) 856-6487 www.ForRent.WDGay.com
Willow Chase - Twin Homes
(913) 938-5532 www.willowchasetwinhomes.com
Residential Home Builder Rausch Coleman Homes
Layton Real Estate
(913) 433-0208 www.rch.com
(785) 883-2379 www.laytonre.com
Prestige Realty and Associates (913) 428-9594 www.prestigerealtyhome.com
Sue Bates - Platinum Realty (913) 706-7284 www.movewithplatinum.com/ suebates
Susan J. Lowe, Keller Williams (913) 927-3416 slowe.kwrealty.com
Rehabilitation Hospital Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital (913) 856-8747 meadowbrookrh.com
(913) 856-3888
Restaurant Blazers Restaurant
(913) 856-6565 www.blazers-restaurant.com
Fronteras Mexican Restaurant (913) 884-2303 www.fronteraskc.com
Goodcents
(913) 856-4611 www.goodcentssubs.com
Goodcents (Edgerton)
(816) 797-8756 www.goodcentssubs.com
Panda Express
(913) 392-8969 www.pandaexpress.com
Perkins Restaurant
(913) 884-4700 www.perkinsrestaurants.com
Pizza Hut of Gardner, KS (913) 884-6116 www.pizzahut.com
Planet Sub
(913) 605-1068 www.planetsub.com
Sonic Drive-In of Gardner, KS (913) 856-5111 www.sonicdrivein.com
Retail Bomgaars
(913) 884-6767 www.bomgaars.com
Mattress by Appointment Gardner (913) 219-6357
Walmart Supercenter of Gardner (913) 884-8004 www.Walmart.com
Roofing & Construction Cordray Roofing
(913) 856-7663 www.kcroofing.com
H&H Roofing and Restoration LLC
(913) 940-3373 www.hhroofing.com
47 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
GARDNER GOLF COURSE
15810 S. GARDNER RD. GARDNER, KS 66030 | 913-856-8858 | www.gardnergolf.com | facebook.com/GardnerGolf
membership listings Platinum Roofing, LLC
(816) 565-1202 www.platinumroofllc.com
RV Sales Olathe Ford RV Center (913) 856-8145 www.olathefordrv.com
School Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation
(913) 856-2031 www.usd231.com/o/foundation
USD 231
(913) 856-2000 www.usd231.com
Security Systems & Training SafeDefend, LLC.
(913) 856-2800 www.safedefend.com
Senior Living Bethel Estates of Gardner
(913) 856-4107 www.wheatlandinvestmentsgroup. com
Vintage Park at Gardner
(913) 856-7643 www.vintageparkassistedliving.com
Sign Shop and Design Sign Here, Inc.
(913) 856-0148 www.signhereinc.com
Skilled Nursing Care Meadowbrook Rehabilitation South
(913) 856-6520 www.meadowbrookrh.com
Skin Care and Cosmetics Relax Skin Studio
(785) 317-7209 www.relaxskinstudio.com
www.gardnerchamber.com
Social Services
Unite Private Networks
(816) 260-1931 www.uniteprivatenetworks.com
Johnson County Developmental Supports
Thrift Store
(913) 826-2626 www.jocogov.org/dept/ developmental-supports/home
Joy Closet
Southwest Multi Service Center
(913) 715-6653 www.jocogov.org/facility/southwestmulti-service-center
Solar Energy
(913) 856-8868 www.facebook.com/ JOYClosetGardner
Tile Installation Shaw Stone and Tile (913) 602-4489
NextEra Energy
Title Company
(561) 694-6221 www.nee.com
Security 1st Title
(913) 938-5340 www.security1stks.com
Specialty Retailer Corinne’s Creations
Trash Removal Service
(913) 221-4592 www.facebook.com/ CorinnesCreations12
Gardner Disposal Service
(913) 856-3851 www.gardnerdisposalservice.com
Prairie Center Meats
(913) 238-9597 www.prairiecentermeats.com
Travel Agency
Storage
Dream Makers Vacations LLC
(913) 927-0078 www.dreammakersvacations.com
Attic Storage Gardner (913) 856-5757 www.attic-storage.com
Trucking
T-Shirt Design & Printers Design 4 Sports
(913) 938-5393 www.design4printing.com
Tax Preparation Troutt Beeman & Co., P.C. (913) 764-1922 www.tbco.net
Five Star Trucking, LLC
(913) 390-8384 www.fivestartrucking.com
TransAm Trucking, Inc. (913) 538-4172 www.transamtruck.com
TSL Companies (402) 895-6692 www.4tsl.com
U-Pick
Technology Consulting Strategy Tech Agency
(913) 440-0672 www.strategytechservices.com
Telecomm. System Consulting
Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm (913) 893-9626 www.goberryfarm.com
KsFiberNet
(316) 712-6030 www.ksfiber.net
48 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Utility Evergy
(816) 556-2200 www.evergy.com
Kansas Gas Service
(800) 794-4780 www.kansasgasservice.com
Water District #7, Johnson County (913) 856-7375 www.water7.com
Veterinarian Gardner Animal Hospital (913) 856-6255 www.gardnerah.com
Oakbrook Animal Hospital
(913) 884-8778 www.oakbrookanimalhospital.com
Stepping Stone Animal Hospital (913) 938-6977 www.steppingstoneah.com
Website Design Buzzfish Media
(913) 208-0349 www.buzzfishmedia.com
GraphixTech
(913) 449-7935 www.thegraphixtech.com
Winery KC Wine Co.
(913) 484-6251 www.kcwineco.com
OVER 65 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MORE THAN 30,000 HOMES BUILT TOP 22 HOMEBUILDER IN THE USA 4.7 OUT OF 5 OVERALL AVID RATING 2-10 HOMEBUYERS WARRANTY HOMES FROM THE LOW $300's MULTIPLE FLOORPLANS AVAILABLE
RCH.com 844.4RC.HOMES
community snapshots
#GEMag Here’s a peek at a few community events celebrating heritage and happenings around Gardner, Edgerton and New Century. We’d love to see how you celebrate your community! Send your photos to info@gardnerchamber.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue. Photos courtesy Gardner Chamber of Commerce, City of Gardner and Todd Riggins Frozen in Time Photography
50 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
community snapshots
51 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Care for life. Feeling good makes living your life to the fullest possible. So no matter what your healthcare needs, Olathe Health is here for you with expert primary care that works for your busy life. Call us today, or schedule online 24/7.
Now part of The University of Kansas Health System
• Family Medicine • Urgent Care • Telehealth appointments
29475 W. 189th Terrace, Gardner 913-856-5577 olathehealth.org/gardner
• Early morning, evening and weekend hours • Dedicated Virtual Care clinic
GARDNER KANSAS
Community Profile Gardner, Kansas, is located just 30 miles southwest of Kansas City and is the ideal location to start a business or settle down with your family. As one of the fastest growing cities in Kansas, this vibrant and progressive city has a high quality of life, affordable housing, excellent schools and perfect proximity to road, rail and air transportation.
53 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
Approximately 53.7% of the area’s residents are in the “Peak Earnings” (45 to 64) cohort which is higher than metro and national averages
Estimated that families make up 72.9% of the area’s households
Average value of homes in the trade area is $243,991
Younger than the metro and national average by nearly 5 and 6 years, respectively
Median household income is higher than metro and national averages
Compared to $280 million in 2019 *data provided by CERI, Inc.
54 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
A Smart Move
Gardner, Kansas is one of the most rapidly growing communities in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Gardner is a historic community with a keen vision for the future. Its roots stretch back over 150 years to its founding in 1857 along the route of the Santa Fe and Oregon/California Trails. Gardner is committed to maintaining its traditional smalltown values while focusing on providing for future growth and development.
,
109 E. Main Street P.O. Box 402 Gardner, KS 66030
120 E. Main Street Gardner, KS 66030
913.856.6464 www.gardnerchamber.com
913.856.7535 www.gardnerkansas.gov
56 GE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com
EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY
FULL TIME
MULTIPLE SHIFTS AVAILABLE!
WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATES WANTED
$1,500 Sign-On Bonus – Pay up to $22/hr – Quarterly Profit Sharing – Monthly Cash Incentives – Medical Insurance Day One – Generous Paid Time Off - Paid Holidays & Personal Time – Wholesale Employee Discounts – 401k with Employer Match - Performance Recognition – Tuition Reimbursement For an on the spot interview stop by 1A Auto Kansas Fulfllment Center in Olathe: 15250 S. Green Rd Olathe, KS 66061 or apply online TODAY:
www.1aauto.com/careers