Emporia living 2017

Spring 2017

INSIDE

Restoring bikes, reviving hope Next Generation Meet Emporia’s next generation of family businesses calling Emporia home

El Marmol

Serving up a taste of home

Conrad Wempe

Handcrafting heirloom furniture.

As your agent, I’m committed to understanding what’s going on in your world so I can deliver options, service and support that fit your needs.

Options.

The more we get to know one another, the better I’m able to offer insurance and financial services options that help you protect what’s important and get you where you want to be.

Service.

I’m backed by the longstanding reputation of an industry leader.

Choosing State Farm® gives you access to flexible payment plans, 24/7 / 365 support and one of the largest claims organizations in America. We work together to look out for you, help protect your interests and help you reach your goals — all you’d expect from a good neighbor.

Strength.

State Farm® has helped customers realize their dreams for more than 90 years. I’m happy to carry on that tradition and commit to helping you plan ahead with financial products, life, auto and homeowners insurance.

• Proudly serving State Farm® since 1981 • Emporia State University — BSB 1979 • Legion of Honor Qualifier • Honor Agent Qualifier • National Convention Qualifier • Millionaire Club Qualifier • 2017 Chairman Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce • Vice President Emporia Enterprises • Past Chair — Emporia & Lyon County Area Planning Commission • Emporia State University Athletic Club Service Award

Euler Insurance Agency Inc Pete Euler, Agent LUTCF

Mon.-Fri. 9:00am to 5:00pm Evenings by appointment 920 Commercial P.O. Box 605 Emporia, KS 66801-0605 Bus: 620-342-6272 Res: 620-343-6364 Fax: 620-342-3602 pete.euler.b6wt@statefarm.com pete@peteeuler.com

PUBLISHER

Chris Walker E D I TO R

Ashley Walker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jessie Wagoner Melissa Lowery

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P H OTO G R A P H Y

Jason Daily Brian Pitts Chris Walker D E S I G N & L AYO U T

Picante Creative A DV E RT I S I N G S TA F F

Cassi Ellis-Olinger Ronda Henery Tayler Lyons Leann Sanchez P RO D U C T I O N D E S I G N

Margie McHaley Kelsey Barker Dan Ferrell Phillip Miller Katie Potter C O P Y E D I TO R S

Zach Hacker Ashley Walker C I R C U L AT I O N M A NAG E R

Karen Amos ONLINE

emporiaksliving.com FAC E BOO K . C O M /

emporialiving TWITTER

@emporialiving For more information, please contact: 517 Merchant Street Emporia, KS 66801 620-342-4800 Emporia Living Magazine is a publication of

TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 Editor’s Note 8 Advertising Index 10 Hidden treasures

Take a look inside the new Lyon County History Center on Commercial Street.

22

Chase County Community Calendar for 2017

24 Handlebars

58 Fashionable

Mohn Standard, Emporia’s newest men’s clothing store, offers fashion tips for men

66

Coffey County Community Calendar for 2017

68 TyBoss takes off

Emporian Tyler Bosiljevac is a teacher by day and a musician by night

76

Madison Community Calendar for 2017

78 Next generation

Profiles of six Emporians who are carrying on the family business

92

Olpe Community Calendar for 2017

24

of Hope

An Emporia company takes on the mission to give and fix bicycles to children in need.

36 El Marmol

Heading off the beaten path to a family-owned Emporia staple.

46

Council Grove Community Calendar for 2017

48 A legacy

36

48

with wood Emporia’s Conrad Wempe has made a career out of his passion for woodwork

56

North Lyon County Community Calendar for 2017

On the Cover: Matt Brown stands in front of kids after giving away 10 bicycles at an orphanage in Matamoros Mexico [Photo by Chris Walker.]

4 | EmpoRia Living

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to our fifth anniversary edition of Emporia Living Magazine!

The magazines are one of the fun projects we get to share with the community. Sit back and relax. Here is a sampling of the stories you will find on the pages ahead: *The Lyon County History Center has more than 200,000 items in its collection.

We give you a sneak peek at some of the rare, interesting items that are not on display to the public. *Emporia is known for its Mexican food restaurants. We take you to South Avenue and showcase one of the Mexican restaurants which you may not have been to. *We travel with Matt Brown to the poorest parts of Mexico and watch as his foundation, Handlebars of Hope, give away and repair bikes for those in need. *We introduce you to six Emporians who are working as the next generation of their family businesses while calling Emporia home.

*Conrad Wempe is known for making finely-crafted home furnishings. We give you a peek into his workshop and showcase some of his heirloom furniture.

These stories and magazines would not be possible without the support of our advertisers. Please support the advertisers you find in Emporia Living with your shopping dollars.

These magazines will be distributed free to every doorstep in five counties. If you have a friend who does not live in the area, please pass a copy on to them so they can see all the great things happening in Emporia and surrounding communities.

Chris Walker Editor & Publisher

Spring 2017 | 7

ADVERTISERS INDEX 12th Avenue Baptist Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 96.1 The Wave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Ad Astra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Adams Homestore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Aldrich Apothecary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 All in Fitness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Amanda’s Bakery & Cafe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 American Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Bobby D’s Merchant Street BBQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Broadview Towers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Brown Bennett Alexander Funeral Home. . . . . 23 Cable One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Carpet Plus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Chase County Chamber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Citizens State Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 66, 76 City of Emporia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Classic Paint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Cliff’s Super Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Clint Bowyer Autoplex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Coldwell Bankers Emporia Real Estate. . . . . . . . 45 Commercial St. Diner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Corner Garage & Tire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Cottonwood Falls Collectibles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Council Grove Chamber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 CrossWinds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 EK Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Emporia Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . 39 Emporia Dermatology & Skin Care Center. . . 7 Emporia Main Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Emporia State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 ESB Financial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside front cover Evergreen Design Build. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Farmers & Drovers Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Flint Hills Community Health Center. . . . . . . . . . . 72 Flint Hills Roofing & Gutter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 The Flint Hills Shopper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Flint Hills Technical College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Food 4 Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Grand Central Hotel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Gravel City Roasters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Griffin Real Estate & Auction Service. . . . . . . . . 23 Handlebars of Hope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Hannah Orthodontics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 The Hearing Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Hill’s Pet Nutrition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Innovative Vein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Internal Medicine Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Jones Heating & Air Conditioning. . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Kansas Maid Frozen Pastries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 KansasLand Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Kari’s Diamonds & Bridal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Life Care Center of Burlington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 The Liquor Maze. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Lizzie Blue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Longbine Auto Plaza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Longship Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Lyon County State Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back cover Lyon County Title, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Modern Air Conditioning, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Mohn Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Mushrush Family Meats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 National Teachers Hall of Fame. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Newman Regional Health. . . . . . Inside back cover Olpe Meat Locker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 The Olpe State Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Paint Date & Decor Event Studio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Pioneer Bluffs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Pitts Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Plumbing by Spellman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Prairie Band Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PrairieLand Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Ray’s Apple Market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Regional Development Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Reynolds and Anliker Eye Physicians & Surgeons. . 31 Rhinestones & Rust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Rolling Hills Bar & Grill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Ryan Kohlmeier, DDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 S&A Telephone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Schankie Well Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Seamless Data Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 State Farm Insurance, Pete Euler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sutherlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Tallgrass Antiques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Team Hope World Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Thomas Property Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Thomas Transfer & Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Thompson Family Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Topeka Ear Nose & Throat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tyson Fresh Meats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 United Country Real Estate/Great Plains Auction. . 47 USD 251 North Lyon County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 USD 252 South Lyon County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 USD 253 Emporia Public Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Valerie’s Gifts & Such. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ValuNet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Vektek, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Wagner Automotive General Service. . . . . . . . . . 76 Waters TrueValue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 White Corporation Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Williams Automotive, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

T

10 | EmpoRia Living

Hidden Treasures A number of treasures were unveiled for the public to enjoy when the Lyon County History Center opened its doors on Dec. 3.

Artifacts which had previously been hidden away due to lack of space have now been unearthed.

For years, these items have been hidden in cramped corners and tight shelves in a museum much too small for the number of artifacts the Lyon County History Center has accumulated over the years.

The previous location was much too small to display even a fraction of the 200,000 artifacts. Now, with 26,000 square feet with which to work, the history center has an opportunity to reveal the treasures buried for so long.

W R I T T E N BY J E S S I E WAG O N E R PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON DAILEY

Spring 2017 | 11

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hose treasures are quite diverse and some may say a bit odd — a mummy foot, minus the body, for example. A glove belonging to Buffalo Bill is included as well as a sliver of wood from the Mayflower. There is a brick from George Washington’s home and even a swatch of carpet from George and Martha Washington’s church.

“The mummy foot, we have the documentation,” curator Lisa Soller said. “The mummy foot is pretty cool. That is the number one favorite artifact among children.”

Some of those items arrived at the History Center years ago with provenance or documentation outlining their history — others arrived on the doorstep with no information included. Soller said before the history center obtains any new artifacts, they must meet criteria and come with provenance, though the practice hasn’t always been in place.

“We had an exhibit that we named “Is It Really?” that was filled with these artifacts,” executive director Greg Jordan said. “That sliver of wood could be from the Mayflower.

We know the Mayflower made two trips and then the wood

12 | EmpoRia Living

was used to make barns. It is very possible that sliver of wood was used in a barn. But we don’t know for certain because it didn’t come with documentation.”

Most often the story behind the artifact is just as intriguing — if not more so — than the actual item. Samuel Mudd was a physician who was imprisoned for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. The Lyon County History Center has a medical bag that is said to have belonged to Mudd. Learning more about the medical bag, how it arrived in Kansas and why make the artifact even more valuable.

“The stories are so valuable,” Soller said. “We want to know how the artifact was used and by whom. We want to know the history of the item, how it impacted their life. Did they use it in their work? Was it a gift? Is it from our area? All of those stories make the artifact come to life for our visitors.”

During renovations of the new history center building, several new artifacts were actually uncovered. The items were found hidden in rafters and other forgotten places. A brand new pair of jeans still in their packaging and other artifacts from Montgomery Ward are included.

Before items are donated to the Lyon County History Center the following questions must be considered: •

Does the donor have ownership/title of the item?

•

Is this a donation or purchase?

•

What is the condition of the item?

•

Does the Society have the resources to properly care for the item?

•

Will the item harm the existing collection?

•

Is the item historically significant and relevant?

•

Is provenance well documented?

•

Are there moral, legal, and/or ethical implications to be considered?

•

Does the item support the existing collection?

•

Will there be donor restrictions?

•

Is the item a duplicate?

•

Does the item support the Society’s mission and conform to collection policies?

Spring 2017 | 13

Left to right – Tin flag from WWII that would attach to vehicle license plate (donated in 1987 by Mary Kretsinger). Buttons from Kansas Federation of Women’s Club and the Kansas Democratic State Committee (donated by Laura French). Pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes from WWII. Small tin of Between the Acts Cigars with blue tax stamp from 1926.

In 1984 the American Legion donated several items. Among them was a badly rusted WWII hand grenade and a WWI German nose trip mechanism dated 1917.

The military collection dates back to the Civil War and includes weaponry and ammunition including this cannon ball.

14 | EmpoRia Living

Lens from studio camera

This lead book was donated in 1952 as part of the Wilhite-Fowler Collection. Made by a prisoner at Kansas State Penitentiary at Lansing, Kansas.

Inscription indicates the prisoner was remorseful and sorrowful for his crime.

Bamboo milk carrier was found in trench after the Battle of Santiago in Cuba during the Spanish American War.

Spring 2017 | 15

16 | EmpoRia Living

Most often the story behind the artifact is just as intriguing — if not more so — than the actual item.

Each of those uncovered treasures are now on display in the history center serving as a prime example of forgotten bits of history.

With 200,000 artifacts currently in the collection, one may think the history center wish list is full.

That assumption would be wrong.

Jordan and Soller said there are several items they wish to add to the collection. Any additional items must meet the criteria and come with documentation.

“We would like to add objects from the Latino community that reflect their history in this area,” Soller said. “Objects for our transportation exhibit that reflect automobiles and aviation, WWII M1 Garand and an aluminum Christmas tree.”

Jordan also points out that it is time for the history center to begin obtaining Vietnam War-era artifacts so history and stories of Vietnam veterans are always remembered.

Spring 2017 | 17

Various apothecary bottles.

Two large bottles in back row were from the vacated drug store in Bushong, Kansas. Donated in 1980

by Paul E. Baldomini.

18 | EmpoRia Living

This authentic mummy’s foot was found in 1934 in the Valley of the Kings near Karnak and Luxor, Egypt. It is estimated to be 3300 years old. The foot was sent to Dr. Orville Mosher, Jr. when he was a history professor at the Kansas State Teacher’s College, by special permission of the Egyptian government.

Left to right clockwise.

Three slivers of wood once belonging to John E. Hinshaw.

First sliver is from the oldest house in America located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Piece is dated 8-18-1924. The next sliver of wood is from a beam of the Mayflower. Yes, that Mayflower. The last sliver of wood is from the ship “Old Ironsides” also known as the USS Constitution. In 1927 the ship went under a major renovation that lasted nearly three years.

Spring 2017 | 19

“It is time to add those Vietnam-era items,” Jordan said.

“Many of those guys are aging and in ailing health and we want to make sure their stories and experiences are not forgotten.”

Soller and Jordan encourage community members to come enjoy the diverse collections now on display at the Lyon County History Center. The history center is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday.

20 | EmpoRia Living

Greg Jordan and Lisa Soller

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CALENDAR 2016

JUNE • Every Friday Night 7:30pm “Emma Chase Friday Night Music” in Cottonwood Falls APRIL • April 1, 11:00am – 5:00pm Brick Road Rumblers Car Show along Broadway Street in downtown • Cottonwood Falls • April 1, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch • April 1-23, Symphony in the Flint Hills 2017 Field Journal Art Show at Symphony in the Flint Hills • Gallery • April 7-8, Schoolhouse Market Days in Saffordville Schoolhouse • April 8, 12:00-9:30pm Flames in the Flint Hills at Flying W Ranch (rainout date: April 15) • April 8, 5:00-8:00pm Mary Gordon Artist Reception at The Bank Art Space in Matfield Green • April 22, 10:00am3:00pm Modern Pioneers at Pioneer Bluffs • April 23, 1:00-5:00pm Chase County Earth Day Celebration at the Millstream Resort

in the Flint Hills Juried Art Show at Symphony in the Flint Hills Gallery • April 28-29, Honing your Horsemanship Clinic at Flying W Ranch • April 29, Spring Contra Dance (TBA) • April 29, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch (Sunset Ride) MAY • Every Friday Night 7:30pm “Emma Chase Friday Night Music” in Cottonwood Falls • May 6, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch

• June 1-5, Symphony in the Flint Hills Juried Art Show at Symphony in the Flint Hills Gallery • June 1-3, 8:00pm Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City • June 3, 2:00pm Flint Hills Rodeo Parade at Swope Park, Cottonwood Falls • June 3, 7:00-11:00am Fly-In Breakfast at Cottonwood Falls Airport • June 3, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch • June 3, Dirty Kanza 200 • June 3, 5:00-8:00pm New Artist Reception at The Bank Art Space in Matfield Green

• June 10, Contra on the Green, time and location (TBA) • June 10-11, Folklife Festival in Cottonwood Falls on the Chase County Courthouse lawn • June 17, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch (Photographers Day) • June 24, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch JULY • Every Friday Night 7:30pm “Emma Chase Friday Night Music” in Cottonwood Falls • July, Saturday Music Matinee at Pioneer Bluffs (TBA) • July 1, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch • July 2, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch • Independence Day Celebration, Swope ParkCottonwood Falls (TBA) • July 8, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch

• June 4, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch

• July 11-23, Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills at Symphony in the Flints Hills Gallery

• May 13, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch

• June 9, River Suite on the Historic River Bridge in Cottonwood Falls

• July 15, Limestone Classic Disc Golf Tournament at Swope Park

• May 13, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch (Sunset Ride)

• June 10, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch

• May 20, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch

• June 10, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch (Sunset Ride)

• July 29, 5:00-8:00pm New Artist Reception at The Bank Art Space in Matfield Green

• May 20, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch (Sunset Ride)

• June 10, Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event, Geary CountyDeer Horn Ranch

• May 1-31, Symphony in the Flint Hills Juried Art Show at Symphony in the Flint Hills Gallery

• May 27, 9:00-11:00am Kids Farm Animal Day

• July 30-August 3, Chase County Fair in Cottonwood Falls

• April 25-June 5, Symphony

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• August 1-3, Chase County Fair in Cottonwood Falls

• September 16, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch

• August 5, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch

• September 16, Trail Ride at the Flying W Ranch (Sunset Ride)

• September 23, Flint Hills Ranch Rodeo, Strong City Rodeo Grounds

• September 23, Dirty Kanza “Race The Chase” in Cottonwood Falls

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Handlebars

Hope

“I just want to help people and luckily I have a boss that feels the same way.”

Those words, spoken by Justin Orzel, describe himself and his boss, Matt Brown, owner of High Gear Cyclery.

If Orzel was looking to help others, he found the right fit in the company of Matt Brown and his wife Stephanie.

The Browns’ commitment to helping others has morphed from a single mission trip to Mexico into the creation of the non-profit, “Handlebars of Hope.”

Written by Jessie Wagoner Photography by Chris Walker

Matt and Stephanie had an interest in mission work — sharing their love of Christ with others.

The couple also has a passion for cycling. An opportunity arose in July 2014 to go to Matamoros, Mexico, with their church. The trip — organized by Jason and Angela Cathcart — gave them an opportunity to share their faith and take a few bicycles along to share.

“In countries with a lot of poverty, a bicycle is a real tool,” Matt Brown said. “We ride for pleasure, but they ride to survive.”

On the first trip, the couple hosted giveaways and provided bikes for children and adults. They witnessed the extreme poverty of the area and saw the joy on the faces of those receiving bikes. The sights and emotions the couple soaked up on their first visit only fed their desire to do more to help others.

“We took another trip and took 50 bikes,” Matt Brown said, “All because the people of Emporia were so generous. They donated bikes and we fixed them up and made another trip.”

The Browns also took some experienced staff members from High Gear Cyclery along with them. Dylan McEwin and Justin Orzel joined them to help share the bikes and teach the people receiving them how to make minor repairs. Matt Brown said he was particularly touched when Orzel took his old mountain bike to share with a youngster in Mexico.

“It was a pretty powerful moment when I saw a kid on Justin’s old bike,” Matt Brown said.

“To see something that meant so much to him being used by someone in need — it just made me feel good.”

Orzel said he was just happy to share the bike and grateful he never sold it. He simply wanted “someone to enjoy it as much as he did.”

After several trips to Matamoros delivering bikes, the Browns decided they wanted to do more. So much so they made the commitment to re-locate to the

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area for three months this winter. Matt and Stephanie, accompanied by their young daughter Mezzi, are now living just across the border from Matamoros and traveling to villages in Mexico each day to share bikes while also doing mission work.

“We felt like we needed to do more and we could do more and we have great employees that run the shop while we are gone,” Matt Brown said. “It’s hard work, but so rewarding to see how happy the people are and thankful.”

The couple travel back and forth, attempting to be back in the U.S., before nightfall each evening. Now that they are present each day, they have been able to increase their missionary work and have began to lead bike rides with locals — seeing familiar bikes in use each day.

For Stephanie, seeing the response when the bikes were given away reaffirmed her desire to continue making a difference. She has also been touched by the generosity of the people. For people living in such extreme poverty, she said they always want to share the little they have with the Browns.

“They want to share with us; they are so generous and welcoming,” Stephanie Brown said. “They want to cook for us and share a meal. And it is so great to see little kids get bikes. It is adorable. But on one trip, we were drawing names and it

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Spring 2017 | 29

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From left to right. Missionary Irma Lopez, Missionary Claudia Hernandez, Pastor’s Wife Citlali Paulin and Pastor and Director Juan Javier Hernandez. Missionaries Matt and Stephanie Brown and Mezzi.

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was actually for an older gentleman, and he just went running up to the front, and just grabbed the first bike he could get his hands on. He was almost in tears, holding his hands up to the sky.”

The couple plans to continue sharing the hope through the creation of Handlebars of Hope. They are in the process of setting up a 501c3 to help expand their efforts. McEwin is quick to point out Handlebars of Hope isn’t just focused on helping those in Mexico but is also actively involved in helping people in the Emporia community.

“We don’t just go to Mexico,” McEwin said. “We do a lot for the Emporia community as well. We help international students with their bikes, we work closely with the rescue mission and have provided bikes to the men there. Bikes can be life-changing no matter where you live.”

To stay up to date on the progress of Handlebars of Hope visit ridehighgear.com/handlebarsofhope/.

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El Marmol: A taste of home Written by Jessie Wagoner Photography by Jason Dailey

“The Little Purple Place,” affectionately called by some, has been serving up authentic Mexican food for more than a decade.

According to the owners of El Marmol, located at 713 W. South Ave. in Emporia, Manual Romero and his wife, Araceli Jaramillo, the restaurant is actually serving up a taste of home.

“My dad always says this is his home,” Mindis Tovar, daughter and faithful employee at El Marmol said.

“It will get busy and he will say, ‘My home is full.”’

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The Super Burrito The family, originally from Mexico, began to immigrate to the United States in the 1980s.

First, Manual Romero made the trip and then his wife and children joined him. Additional family members also made the journey. With them they brought their dedication to working hard and recipes for their favorite authentic dishes.

“They make everything from fresh ingredients,” Tovar said. “They won’t use canned tomatoes and all the the tortillas are made by my mom. It takes a little longer, but we want things to be fresh and authentic.”

After 10 years in operation, the family can easily identify customer favorites. The Super Burrito ranks at the top of the list among customers. The Super Burrito consists of a large

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homemade tortilla filled with rice, beans, meat, lettuce, tomato and special fresh-made sauce.

Tovar insisted the food is always delicious, but the homemade sauces and salsa is the key to making the food taste even better.

Some customers, like Tyrone Banks, even purchase salsa in bulk so they can take it home to enjoy between visits.

“I stop in Emporia at least twice a month to get a Super Burrito and salsa,” Banks said.

“I’ve never found any other salsa that even compares to what I can

get at El Marmol. You couldn’t ask for a nicer family to buy from and I appreciate how consistent and friendly they are.”

Customer Katrina Williams says the Super Burrito is her go to order when she visits El Marmol but she also enjoys the tacos.

“When I was in college we would go to El Marmol after we went to the bars and I swear to this day that the Super Burrito prevented a super hangover the next morning,” Williams said with a laugh. “The Super Burrito is my favorite item on the menu but the

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"My dad always cooks the menudo."

—Mindis Tovar

tacos are wonderful too. You can tell the food is authentic and made fresh. Delicious.”

The menudo, which is prepared each weekend by Romero, is also a customer favorite. Using an old family recipe, Romero makes almost 200 pounds of menudo each weekend. Customers now purchase the menudo by the pot full to have for family dinners. Tovar said they regularly have customers from Topeka and Kansas City who call ahead to make sure there is menudo to be had.

“My dad always cooks the menudo,” Tovar said.

“People think it is my mom, but he does all the menudo each weekend. It is the best; customers love it.”

Customers also love the sense of community

Spring 2017 | 43

"Be ready to work hard every day," El Marmol offers. The building originally housed a grocery store and customers regularly share their memories of coming to the store. The relationships the family has developed with customers is one it cherishes. They relish in sharing memories and food with each person who walks through the door.

“We hear stories from customers and like that a lot,” Tovar said with a smile. “They tell us about coming to the old grocery store or share their memories of food back home.

They tell my dad how much they love his food because it tastes like home and his eyes just light up. I admire my parents so much.

They have worked hard and the community seems to appreciate it, too.”

As Romero reflected on 10 years of successfully operating El Marmol, he considered what has led to that success. Authentic recipes and fresh ingredients are important. Treating customers with respect and welcoming them into his “home” are also key.

But when it comes down to it, Romero offers one tip to success: “Be ready to work hard every day,” Romero said before heading back to the kitchen to prepare another authentic meal.

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COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER

JULY

GROVE CALENDAR 2017

• Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 5:30-7 pm

• Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 5:30-7 pm

• 1 - City Lake Independence Day Celebration

• 16 - Community Wide Garage Sales

• 3 - Wilsey 3rd of July Celebration

OCTOBER

• 4 - Council Grove 4th of July APRIL • 6, 13 - Lenten Lunch, Congregational Church, 12 pm

• 6-7 - Statewide Crappie Tournament

• 9 - Kaw Mission Program, 2 pm, “Kansas, Kaw and Lincoln” - John Voehl, reenactor

• 7-13 - National Tourism Week

• 28-30 - Seth Fest

• 31 - Halloween Parade

• 7-8 - Sante Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo

MAY

• 15 - Spring Crank Up! Tractor Show, Alta Vista

• 1 - Fall Ranch Rodeo

NOVEMBER

• 14 - Ladies Night Out • 22-31 - Morris County Fair

• 7 - Kaw Mission Program

• 29 - Lake Association Steak Fry, 4 pm

• 4 - Candlelight Charm • 24 - Santa Arrives

AUGUST

• 27-29 - Cottonwood 200 JUNE

• 25 - Holiday Open House • 25 - Santa on the Santa Fe Trail

• Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 5:30-7 pm • 5 - Daylight Summerfest

• Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 5:30-7 pm

• 5 - Youth Rodeo

• 1-3 - Flint Hills Rodeo • 16-18 - Washunga Days

• 3-5 - Gathering in the Grove

• 26 - Evening on the Riverwalk

• 25 - Small Business Saturday DECEMBER • 2,9,16 - Santa on the Santa Fe Trail, Chamber Office

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48 | EmpoRia Living

legacy with

WOOD CONRAD WEMPE Tucked away in an unassuming metal building on the West side of Emporia, Conrad Wempe spends his days turning blocks of wood into functional art. For the past 25 years, Wempe has been meticulously handcrafting furniture out of his shop at 615 Graham Street and gaining a following of passionate clientele.

Written by Melissa Lowery Photography by Jason Dailey

Spring 2017 | 49

W

empe is primarily self-taught. He took basic Wempe is primarily self-taught. He took basic woodworking, architecture and sheet metal classes in high school, “and every art class I could.” But his formal training in woodworking ends there.

After high school he was a golf course superintendent then quit to go to college for landscape architecture before shifting his focus to drafting.

He enrolled in the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) degree program at what was then Flint Hills Area Vocational Technical School. It was while studying CAD that Wempe built his first piece of furniture.

“I needed a nice-sized desk to put my computer on,” he recalled.

“So I built one.”

Wempe’s late wife, Joyce, “saw something” in him while he worked on that project and encouraged Wempe to continue woodworking. At first he worked out of his garage, repairing and refinishing pieces for people, but soon realized that designing and building furniture was where his heart lay.

“Joyce knew that,” he said. “It was her idea to open up a business in the first place.” C&J Woodworks was born.

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“My idea of furniture is that it has to be usable, but you ought to be able to walk into the room and feel the warmth.

It should beckon to be touched.”

For 10 years Wempe spent his nights and weekends in his shop while working as a draftsman for Kansa Corp during the day. After a buyout at the company, Wempe decided to go into building furniture full time.

A devotee of Greene & Greene, a pair of architects from Pasadena, California, who were prominent during the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century, Wempe began designing pieces in that style.

“I can visualize how things need to be done”, he said, “so I started turning out different pieces inspired by them but with my own adaptations.”

True to the style, all of Wempe’s original pieces are constructed with wood pins, not a single nail or screw is used. He

favors ebony pins and inlays to contrast with the solid white oak and mahogany wood he likes to build with, highlighting the lines and cloudlifts that are Greene & Greene trademarks.

Wempe’s reputation for quality design and refinishing grew quickly. He exhibited pieces at various art and furniture galleries, and clients began calling. Most of his work is commissioned, allowing Wempe to collaborate with his clients to build exactly what they want.

“I can build anything in any style, although most of my clients want pieces in Mission style” he said. “My idea of furniture is that it has to be usable, but you ought to be able to walk into the room and feel the warmth. It should beckon to be touched.”

Michael and Jeanne Slusher of Topeka met Wempe at an art show in Mulvane and liked what they saw. They now have nearly a dozen of Wempe’s pieces, including two beds, a sideboard and six dining room chairs.

Wempe is currently building a dining table to finish that set.

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“In 2003, we built a 4,000 sq foot home finished in Stickley,” Michael Slusher said. “We have Mission style, quarter-sawn white oak furniture throughout the house, collected over years. Whenever I can’t find the piece I want, I go to Conrad. We have many original Stickley pieces, but I think Conrad’s work is probably better. It definitely holds up to Stickley.”

In 2014, Wempe had the honor of restoring a part of history when the organizers behind the Evel Knievel Museum project approached him.

Wempe restored the legendary stunt man’s personal furniture, a chair and an ottoman, while completely rebuilding a matching couch that had been lost.

The pieces will be on display at the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas, when it opens later in 2017.

Senator Nancy Kassebaum is another repeat customer. She called on Wempe to refurbish several items of log furniture passed down from an ancestor that had been neglected for years. He also built original furniture for her, including one of the most unique pieces he’s been asked to design.

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Spring 2017 | 53

“I built a table done to her specifications just for building puzzles,” he said. “It’s very cool, very fancy, and it’s just for the family to gather around and build puzzles.”

Wempe’s most popular pieces are rocking chairs.

Grandma’s Rocking Chair is a sturdy, low-backed adaptation of a rocking chair that belonged to his grandmother. His tallbacked rocking chair is more traditional in size, but bears the hallmarks of Greene & Greene style with a Mission back and ebony pins. Each chair takes roughly a week to build, and Wempe said he can’t make them fast enough.

“I can’t keep those rockers in stock,” he said. “They aren’t fancy, but as soon as people sit in one, they love it.”

Love is a word that comes up frequently when Wempe talks about his work. He recalls again that his wife saw the passion for woodworking in him first and thanks to her, here he is 25 years later “playing” in his shop and pursuing his dream.

“She knew, this is what I was meant to do,” Wempe said. “For some reason I was given the gift of being able to do this. I put my soul into every piece of furniture that I build, from the simple to the elaborate, and I love what I do.”

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MONTHLY • 3rd Saturday of Every Month - NLC Community Breakfast (Allen) MAY - OCTOBER • Fridays, May - October, Americus Farmer’s Market OCTOBER • 2nd Weekend in October - Americus Days DECEMBER • Americus Lighted Christmas Parade

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1301 West 12th Ave, Suite 202 • Emporia, KS • 620-342-2521

Mohn Standard owner, Tim Mohn, has dedicated his store to only carrying fashions that are made and produced in the United States.

A Tim Mohn

new business opened on Emporia’s Commercial Street to bring new fashions to men. But these aren’t just any fashions — these fashions are only made in America.

Store owner Tim Mohn likes the fact the products he carries are a better quality and will last longer, but also helps grow American businesses.

“It’s all American-made, well-made, responsibly-made,” he said. “Employees are getting paid and it’s creating and sustaining jobs in the United States.”

Emporia has not had a men’s fashion store downtown for years, and Tim is happy to provide one to the community.

Mohn Standard carries pants, shirts, denim, hats, socks and accessories.

In our feature, Tim highlights some items to consider when men are wanting to improve their fashion.

Fashionab Written by

Chris Walker

Photography by Brian Pitts

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ble

CustomfromMohn Standard Ball cap, Ebbets Field Flannels Save Khaki United Work Shirt, Made in New York Made by Mayhem Belt Throne Masses 2.0 Watch Left Field Made NYCinCharles Atlas Jeans, Brooklyn NY

Want to Visit: Mohn Standard 716 Commercial St Emporia, Kansas www.mohnstandard.com

Spring 2017 | 59

Custom Mohn Standard Ball cap

Save Khaki United Supima Cotton Tee Save Khaki United Light Twill Khaki Chino Made by Mayhem Belt Throne Masses 2.0 Watch

60 | EmpoRia Living

Shawn Honea, left, wears a shirt made of Supima cotton. Supima is cotten that is grown in the United States. Bobby Thompson, right, wears a shirt made by Glass House in Brooklyn, NY. Spring 2017 | 61

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Mohn Standard carries leather goods made by Mayhem.

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COFFEY COUNTY CALENDAR 2017

JUNE • 1st Saturday - Lebo Citywide Garage Sale • 2nd Saturday - Burlington Cruise Night • LeRoy Homecoming • Strawn Fest JULY

MONTHLY • 3rd Saturday of Every Month - American Legion Taco Super MARCH • First Saturday - Odean Sergeant Memorial Fishing Tournament at Ye Olde City Park • March 10 - Women in Ag Meetings at the Kelley Park 4H Building (Burlington) • March 25 - Coffey County Business Expo (Burlington High School)

APRIL • April 15 (Saturday before Easter) - Easter Egg Hunts (Burlington, LeRoy, Waverly, Gridley) MAY • Senior Honors Banquet • American Legion & Auxiliary Memorial Day CelebrationIndependence Day Celebration, Swope Park-Cottonwood Falls (TBA) • July 8, Cattle Drive at the Flying W Ranch • July 11-23, Opera APRIL

• Fourth of July Celebration (Gridley) • Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks Display (Lebo) • Weekend before Fourth of July - Bob Ellis Memorial Truck & Tractor Pull • July 14 (2nd Friday of July) - Waverly Ohio Days • Coffey County Fair (Burlington) • Annual WildBlue BBQ & Expo AUGUST • 1st Saturday - Burlington Citywide Garage Sales

SEPTEMBER • September 8-10 - Coffey County Outdoor Kansas for Kids - John Redmond Reservoir Riverside West Campgrounds • September - LeRoy Homecoming OCTOBER • 1st Saturday Waverly Craft Fair • Burlington Taste of Fall Festival • New Strawn Halloween Party • Halloween Night: Gridley Trunk or Treat NOVEMBER • November 18 - Christmas Craft Festival - Burlington Middle School & Burlington High School DECEMBER • 2nd Saturday - Christmas in Lebo Celebration • Holiday Home Tour • Christmas On Us

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TyBoss takes off If you ask TyBoss, Tyler Bosiljevac, music makes life better.

As he prepares to debut his album, Human AF, life and music are both taking off.

Tyler, a devoted husband to wife, Stephanie, and father to three active children, Addi, Karli and Kaden, may seem like an unlikely musician. He teaches history at Emporia High School and busily chauffeurs children to and from activities. Yet, his music runs through the center of it all.

“Music is just a part of life — it makes everything better,” Tyler said.

His musical career began as a child — learning to play various instruments — and even playing in a high school band. Most live performances include Tyler playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time. It has taken him some time to perfect the skill, but he believes it adds to the show.

Written by Jessie Wagoner | Photography by Brian Pitts

Spring 2017 | 69

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CDs Tyler Bosiljevac has released. His newest album released on Feb. 24.

“Music is just a part of life — it makes everything better.”

“The guitar and harmonica aren’t natural,” Tyler said. “It’s challenging. It is not natural. But I needed to add something and I like how it adds that different element.”

Describing his music is also a challenge. Rock, funk, country — assigning a genre may be required by iTunes, but Tyler isn’t a fan of being boxed in. Rather, he lets the music lead the way and enjoys being unique.

His third album was released on iTunes recently to a warm response among his fans. An official release party was held on Feb. 24 at Mulready’s so fans could be introduced to the music live and leave with their own cd in hand.

Human AF follows The Funk Files and Sea of Grae. Fans say

the personal nature of Tyler’s music is what draws them in.

A favorite among fans is “Hold On” featured on Sea of Grae. The song is also special to Tyler as it was written for his wife and performed on their wedding day.

“I wrote the song for our wedding and it is still a staple on most of my set-lists,” Tyler said.

Bryan Williams, executive director of the Emporia Granada Theatre said, “ I really like his song, “Hold On.” He wrote it for his wife for their wedding, which is great, and I always love a song that has a story behind it.”

Life is what gives him the content of the songs he creates.

He writes his own songs and has amassed a collection of 39 songs over the years. Everything from the street he grew up on to a day spent outside inspires him. Each song carries a special meaning to Tyler and makes it difficult to pick just one favorite.

“Berkley Road is about growing up here in town,” Tyler said. “It’s the street I grew up on.

That is the one that most people relate to. And for a fun song I like SheDance.”

The writing comes in waves — snippets here and there — which Tyler said he quickly jots down in notebooks that cover his house. A memory will spark a song, a moment of appreciation is translated into a tune. Then

Spring 2017 | 71

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those notebooks of lyrics turn into the melodies Emporians have become accustomed to hearing at performances throughout town.

Live in the Lot, Radius, Mulready’s and Brickyard 20 Ale House are common show stops for Tyler. Williams said Tyler is comfortable on stage and always receives positive feedback from the audience.

“Tyler is a lot of fun live as he puts a lot of passion in his music and it comes across in both his playing and signing,” Williams said. “He plays a good mix of his own originals as well recognizable covers, so it’s easy for fans to engage with him.”

In addition to writing his own music and performing, Tyler also does all his own recording and even designs his own album covers.

The album cover for Human AF is a replication of a painting he created. The ability to incorporate all of his interests makes his musical career all the more fulfilling.

Tyler enjoys performing and has plans for a busy spring and summer as he debuts the newest album. His songs highlight places and experiences common to Emporia — something fans enjoy — and is a priority for Tyler. He is proud of Emporia and wants to represent his home well.

“Whenever I perform I wear a shirt associated with Emporia, I want to wear local stuff,” Tyler said. “Maybe a Radius shirt or Dynamic Discs. I want people to know where I’m from and I want to support the community like the community has supported me. I like to brag on our town.”

David Traylor Zoo of Emporia Come Visit the Zoo! The zoo is open from 10am to 4:30pm.

Bio facts and outreach animals can be viewed in the Zoo Education Center from 1-4pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Call (620) 341-4365 if you have any questions. Hope to see you soon!

Emporia Municipal Golf Course 1133 S Highway 99 Emporia, KS 66801 (620) 343-5610 www.emporiagolfcourse.com

www.zoo.emporia-kansas.gov

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Whether your project is big or small, Emporia’s One-Stop-Shop for Development Services is the place to go for a wide variety of permits.

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Committed to providing...

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individualized programs and navigation assistance for patients and families through local community resources. We’re powered by volunteers and community members who help with fundraising, event coordination, and spreading our message by acting as the voice of the foundation in their communities. In 2017, the Foundation’s mission has evolved to help those experiencing strife as well as assisting in the navigation process.

Team HOPE World Foundation Powered by Volunteers - We’re proud to say that 100% of all donations stay local and fund Team Hope’s mission.

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Hari Studios focuses on each person individually. It is about quality not quantity. Individuals interested in attending a class must pre register due to limited space.

Kundalini yoga, known as the yoga of awareness, is a fast and effective way to clear the mind, energize the body, and uplift the spirit. Kundalini yoga classes use rhythmic movements in conjunction with deep stretches, breathing techniques, meditation, and mantras. Individuals see and feel the results quickly, feeling energized, relaxed, and uplifted after each class.

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MARCH • Spring Break Staycation sponsored by the Main Street Mommas.

MAY • Summer Kick Off - Sponsored by the Main Street Mommas.

OCTOBER • Fall Fest sponsored by the Main Street Mommas.

DECEMBER • Christmas Open House.

• Christmas with Kids sponsored by the Main Street Mommas.

JUNE • Dirty Kanza 200 Race Checkpoints & Community Activities.

• Madison Days (Friday - Sunday), Second weekend in June.

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Next Generation calling Emporia

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WRITTEN BY JESSIE WAGONER

n the following pages we celebrate Emporia’s next generation — one that is calling Emporia home, striving to make the community a better place, and working in their family businesses.

Emporia’s foundation was built on private businesses. We celebrate those who have decided to stay in Emporia and continue their family’s work.

There are several dozen family-owned businesses in Emporia. On the following pages, we profile five. They represent diverse types and size of businesses, but they all share a common bond: Working in a family business is challenging and rewarding at the same time.

Challenging, because being a family business has never been harder. There is relentless competition from national companies, increasing technology demands, the need to stretch every penny further and have to do more with less.

Rewarding, because you get to work with your family and each generation adds a little more to advance the business.

We celebrate every business that calls Emporia home and especially those with Emporia’s next generation.

“Emporia being a small community allows businesses and families the ability to easily build relationships.”

PHOTO BY BRIAN PITTS

78 | EmpoRia Living

Jerid Thomas

Business: Thomas Transfer Family: Kara, wife Children: Paige Thomas, Jayden Thomas

Education: Emporia High School / Emporia State University

How long have you worked in the business? I started sweeping floors and cleaning up packing material when I was 16.

What are your job duties? When you work for a family business, you do not have the luxury of having a job description.

How many generations has the business been in the family? My great grandfather bought Max Lunch truck stop in 1945.

What did you learn from working with family? Nepotism is a funny thing; it is a blessing and a curse.

Working in a family business gives you a lot of freedom and advantages that you wouldn’t ordinarily have, like being able

to take off when you want and not having to start from scratch.

It gives you the opportunity to build on what was built before you. The curse is, you are always working. The business becomes the common factor that everyone has in common so it is what tends to be the center of every conversation, making it difficult to disconnect.

What have you enjoyed the most?

Unfortunately, I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now that he is gone, but having the opportunity to work with my father was probably the biggest gift he could have given me. Watching him navigate this industry, his ability to network and his negotiating skills are attributes that I play over in my head as I sit at his desk and strive to move this company forward.

What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? The biggest change I made was to downsize our organization from three locations to two so that it was more easily managed. Having access to the world’s largest moving network affords us the opportunity to accommodate moves around the world without having multiple locations, so it made sense.

What do you enjoy about Emporia for both business and/ or family? Emporia being a small

Jerid Thomas,

community allows businesses and families the ability to easily build relationships. In large corporations and cities you can easily be looked over or become just a number in a large system.

We enjoy doing business in Emporia because a handshake still has value in a community that knows your history and reputation for over 60 years of service.

Thomas Transfer Spring 2017 | 79

Amy and Lauren Ringler

Amy and Lauren Ringler, Midas Touch Golden Tans

80 | EmpoRia Living

Business: Midas Touch Golden Tans

How long have you been in the business? Amy: Well, Dad opened the salon in 2002 and I was here right after school that first day. I was a senior in high school.

What are your job duties?

Amy: Anything and everything that needs to be done. Anything that Dad can’t do at this point.

Darrell: She’s the manager.

I am the maintenance man and navigator.

Amy: As far as the day-to-day operations, at this point, he’s kind of passed the torch to Lauren and I. He’s still here to make sure that the business runs accordingly. We kind of take care of marketing and HR. We take care of the customer relations and have a lot of fun on the front end of things. He still does most of the financials.

Darrell: When Amy graduated college she asked if she could stay on here as manager and I said, ‘With my blessing.’ Then a couple years later Lauren came in. That’s when I kind of stepped back.

How many generations has the business been in the family?

Amy: Two. My sister’s daughter, Delta, is 4 and she’s in here after preschool now and after day care.

She’ll play around and greet the customers and have fun with us.

So, the next generation’s coming, I guess.

PHOTO BY BRIAN PITTS

What did you learn from working with the family?

Amy: You’ve gotta learn to get along. Business hours are never over. There are many dinner conversations that circle around issues that we’re having at the salon, family vacations that are

interrupted by phone calls with, ‘This broke. How do we fix this?’

Mom and Dad took their very first ever vacation when we were finally old enough — Lauren and I — to take care of the salon. They went down to Key West, their very first vacation. I had to call them and tell them the salon flooded.

I got to work one morning and the whole back half of the salon was flooded. I don’t know what vacations and off-time are because you never really clock out.

Lauren: I would like to say patience, but that still doesn’t help. It’s the best. It’s also very challenging. I love how close my family is. Working with Dad and Amy every day, we’re always on the same page, but nobody can push our buttons like the three of us. It gets rough sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What have you enjoyed the most?

Darrell: The closeness, for sure.

The seminars, the trade shows — when we go to Las Vegas and Nashville — you can’t beat that.

Amy: I think because it is a family business, there’s none of the corporate hype. We might be a family on the backside of it but everybody that works with us is part of the family. I joke all the time that we don’t hire, we adopt. That’s probably my favorite thing. From the autonomy standpoint, you come up with an idea. It’s so awesome to see an idea turn into a yoga studio. I don’t think you get to do that if it’s not a family business.

Lauren: I think, the number one thing with me is building relationships with not just family, but friends. Anybody that started working here even 15 years ago, they remain part of our Midas family. We’ve held onto those friendships. I don’t know how

many hundreds of people we’ve met and are now part of our network because of that.

There’s a lot of surprise things that happen here like, today, we have three old Midas vets that just popped in to say ‘Hi.’ That just kind of brightens your day. Darrell’s really good about surprising us with things like afternoon Dairy Queen runs.

That’s always been, like, top of the list for everybody.

Not just employees but customers, too, have become important to us and friends of ours even outside of the business.

My husband hates going to places like Walmart with me. He’s like, ‘You know everybody.’ I’m like, ‘There’s Kathy. She tans on the super bed.’ That happens all the time.

What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? Amy: Never feeling like you have it figured out. We go to conventions and seminars and trade shows. We’re always looking for the latest technology, adding new equipment, new services — constantly growing.

What do you enjoy about Emporia both for business and/or family?

Amy: I don’t think there’s a better place to raise a family or to be a part of. I looked at moving quite a few years ago and just never could. Family is too important.

Lauren: I love it. I feel like it’s got a small town feel. My husband’s from Lebo. He thinks that’s small town. Like I said, I go to Walmart and I feel like I know everybody.

My daughter, she’s got the biggest personality and she knows no strangers, so she already runs this place. I wouldn’t pick any other place to raise a family.

Spring 2017 | 81

“Emporia is an incredibly giving, inclusive and safe community.“

Stuart N. Symmonds Business: Symmonds & Symmonds, LLC

Family: Rodney & Lois Symmonds; sister Charisse Arndt; brother Peter Symmonds

Family in Business: Rodney Symmonds & Robert Symmonds (father and uncle)

Education: University of Kansas, B.S. Accounting, 2009; Washburn University School of Law, May 2012

How long have you worked in the business? Four-and-a-half years What are your job duties? Attorney How many generations has the business been in the family? 2

What did you learn from working with family? I have learned a vast amount of legal and practical information working with my dad and uncle. Their experiences and insights from decades of practicing in the community are invaluable. I have also learned the value of hard work and zealous advocacy for our clients.

What have you enjoyed the most?

I’ve enjoyed getting to represent and help people and businesses in our community. I’ve enjoyed seeing my family and friends on a daily basis. I’ve also enjoyed not only living in this great community but also having a chance to give back to it and be involved with some of the organizations that make Emporia a great place to live.

What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? Our firm strives to

Stuart N. Symmonds, Symmonds & Symmonds, LLC

provide the best professional services for each of our clients that we can. Technology is the biggest change to our profession.

Instead of libraries, we now subscribe and have online databases with massive amounts of information. As a member of state and national professional associations, I get information on events as they happen from all around the country almost immediately. We want to make sure that we have the technology and resources that best serve our clients.

What do you enjoy about Emporia for both business and/or family?

PHOTO BY JASON DAILEY

82 | EmpoRia Living

My wife and I both grew up in Emporia. We’ve both lived other places but have always called Emporia our home. Emporia is an incredibly giving, inclusive and safe community. I cannot think of a better place to raise a family.

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Taylor Euler

Taylor Euler, State Farm Insurance

84 | EmpoRia Living

Business: State Farm Insurance

What have you enjoyed the most?

Family: Parents, Pete and Leslee

It would have to be the dynamic of getting to be with and work with my dad every day — it is very enjoyable. We have our moments of father and son butting heads, but for the most part it’s very enjoyable. Having the opportunity to learn from someone that has been doing this for so long doesn’t come along very often, so I cherish it each day.

Euler and twin sisters Kara and Katee Euler,

Education: Emporia High School, Class of 2009 Emporia State University, Bachelors of Science in Communications

How long have you worked in the business? May will be four years.

What are your job duties? To sell insurance to new customers but also provide great customer service for the insurance customers we already have.

Helping customers keep their bills current, answering coverage questions and managing the office.

the second generation. My dad has worked for State Farm in some capacity for over 35 years.

He has some time with the company.

have been pretty foolish if I had tried to change anything just because he has been so successful.

I do think the one dynamic I have been able to bring is using the technology we have in the office now. He isn’t as accustomed to the technology because he wasn’t born and raised with it. I’m able to use the technology a little better and bring some new-school flavor. Other than that, I haven’t made any changes. I follow in his footsteps and try not to screw anything up.

What did you learn from working with family? I learn something

What do you enjoy about Emporia for both business and/or family?

How many generations has the business been in the family? I am

new every day. But the biggest thing I’ve learned from my dad in the last four years is how to deal with people and genuinely care for them. Every customer we have in our book of business is unique in their own way, so to have the ability to adapt to those personalities. So watching him from a distance and being in the office with him, I’ve been able to see that he does a great job of and I strive to get better every day.

PHOTO BY BRIAN PITTS

What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? When I came in I would

I’ve lived here my whole life and don’t know anything different from Emporia. I enjoy Emporia, the small town feel. When you walk into a grocery store or restaurant everyone wants to say hi or shake hands and have a small conversation before you finally get to your table. I think the friendly family atmosphere of the community is what I really like. I look forward to raising a family here one day. The community is so accepting and loving and caring. That goes into business, too. We strive to provide the best customer service out there because we genuinely care about our customers and community.

“We strive to provide the best customer service out there because we genuinely care about our customers and community.”

Spring 2017 | 85

Jodie Hollern Business: L & L Pets Family: parents, Lane and Lisa Hollern; older sisters Jenna and Jamie.

Education: Emporia High School Class of 2009

How long have you worked in the business? It will be 13 years on Feb. 21. That is just being on payroll.

I remember doing stuff as a little kid if the baby sitter canceled and I had to go to work with Dad. I remember feeding and watering the birds especially.

What are your job duties?

I pretty much run the shop when my dad isn’t there. A lot of customer service, ordering and receiving shipments and meet with representatives about new products. Then, obviously the normal stuff like cleaning cages, water change the fish takes, feed and take care of the animals and train staff.

Jodie Hollern, L & L Pets

86 | EmpoRia Living

PHOTOS BY BRIAN PITTS

How many generations has the business been in the family? My mom and dad opened the store 35 years ago in October. When my dad first opened it, he had help from his parents — they would come in and help him run it. He also hired one of his sisters who worked there for a little bit. Both my sisters worked at the store and I’ve stuck around and am still working there.

What did you learn from working with family? Customer service — my dad has really instilled customer service in me. How to treat people, how to keep customers happy and going out of our way to help someone. That is very important to him and he has really instilled that in me and both my sisters.

What have you enjoyed the most?

I have enjoyed the friendships I’ve made. I’m still friends with past employees and I’m now really good friends with a lot of our regular customers. A lot of them I’ve celebrated my birthday with and spent time with. Honestly, I don’t think I would have met these people had I not been working at the pet shop.

What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? Trying to get my dad to adopt social media. We have a Facebook page and an Instagram. It all just bewilders him, so I run it and post any specials and pictures of things.

I think that has helped quite a bit. When I post specials, we have people come in and say they saw it online. We have our store cat, Lily, and she is the star of the show. Almost every post features Lily.

What do you enjoy about Emporia for both business and/ or family?

I like how Emporia seems to be growing. I like that it is growing but still has a small town feel.

A lot more people are noticing Emporia from out-of-town and out-of-state.

Business: Evergreen Design - Build

Family: Sasha (wife, pharmacist manager at Walgreens), and Juliet (daughter, 1 year old)

Education: Kansas State, Construction Science and Management with a minor in Business. Graduated 2007.

How long have you worked in the business? I have been in the business my whole life.

I started working summers on the construction crews when I was 13. I did that for a few years, and then moved into the office once in high school.

I continued working summers and weekends with my father through college.

What are your job duties? I am the vice president of Evergreen.

John is the president. I run the company and oversee all the aspects of the company.

My main duties include sales, estimating, overseeing design, overseeing the construction of projects, customer relations, etc.

How many generations has the business been in the family?

Two generations. John started his original company in 1976, Hastco, and sold that in 2005. In 2010, Hastco left Emporia, and we started a new company together, Evergreen Design/Build. I have a lot of satisfaction in building our company together. John had the experience, vision, and knew what steps we needed to take to be successful. I appreciate that greatly instead of just building upon John’s years of hard work.

What did you learn from working with family? I think working with family is not for everyone. A lot of families can’t work together, it can be difficult and stressful. A large part of our success is two-fold. We have worked together my whole life, so you know expectations well — also, you have to be able to separate work from home.

Working with family offers opportunities that you don’t have at a normal business. You are held to a higher standard. Family expects more from you. They are also more honest and critique you differently than with a normal employee. I believe this has helped hone and refine my skills so I can run an efficient construction company with great employees and great projects that we are proud to add to Emporia.

What have you enjoyed the most? Overall working with John throughout my life has been a lot of fun. The opportunities that are offered with a family business — especially a second- or third-generation business — are endless. From the people I meet and interact with, projects that we have worked on, places we have worked and places we have traveled to, always makes each day different and exciting.

It has allowed us to grow and bond on a different level than father - son. It has kept me close with my family and I greatly appreciate that, especially as I grow older and am starting to raise a family of my own. The time that we can spend together, as a family, is very valuable, and this would be more difficult if we didn’t work together.

Justin Mallon What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? There are several big changes that we have had to implement throughout my career. Probably the largest is the transition from John making the decisions in the company to myself. This did not happen overnight, but slowly over several years, he became less involved in the daily activities and I took them over. Customers who John has worked with since he started in the 70s now work with me.

We still talk every day to bounce ideas, projects and problems off one another. This helps a lot.

We have to continually evolve our company to stay ahead. It’s way too easy to keep running your business the same as the past.

“It’s a great feeling to have visitors in Emporia enjoy our town as much as we do.”

What do you enjoy about Emporia for both business and/or family?

Emporia is a great place to have a business and a family. I enjoy having relationships with so many of the other business people in Emporia. The majority of my business relationships turn into friendships, which adds a lot of enjoyment — building projects for your friends.

Emporia is an easy town to be involved in. We have so many great organizations that allow us to be passionate for causes that we find important. I enjoy being able to go anywhere in Emporia and know someone. This would not happen if I lived in a large city.

Every year there are new places to shop, eat and events to attend. It’s a great feeling to have visitors in Emporia enjoy our town as much as we do.

I am very thankful for the support of Emporia throughout the years because without the community’s support, growth and success, our company would not be successful!

Justin Mallon, Evergreen Design & Build

PHOTOS BY BRIAN PITTS

Spring 2017 | 89

Stan Grimwood

Stan Grimwood, Mark II Lumber

90 | EmpoRia Living

Business: Mark II Lumber Family: Crista Grimwood, wife, daughter Avery, 10, and son Aiden, 6.

How long have you worked in the business? Ever since high school What are your job duties? Sales How many generations has the business been in the family? 2 What did you learn from working with family? Learning how my dad has worked with and developed lifelong customers.

We meet different people in here every day and it has been nice to work with people that want to do a good job. We have great customer service, we treat our customers very fair and we have good prices.

What have you enjoyed the most?

There are so many parts of my job that I enjoy. Working with my dad every day is the best thing. It makes our family a lot closer. We are already close and do a lot of activities together, but working together makes us even closer. It is fun for me because I get to see my dad every day; some people don’t get to do that, some people’s parents live out of state or out of the country and they don’t get to see them. Getting to see my dad every day is a big benefit and why I stayed here.

What have been your biggest changes to keep the business growing? Keeping up with the times and the new products that are coming out. Making sure

we are in the trends on things, staying up-to-date with current products.

Customers come in now with so many different building products that they have seen on the internet. So we are gaining knowledge on new products.

That has been an interesting transition. It’s usually the salesmen coming in peddling the product and they still do that, but the customers are researching more and come in with different ideas. It is a good thing. It has opened our eyes to some great products.

What do you enjoy about Emporia for both business and/or family?

I’d say business and family lay hand-in-hand for me in Emporia.

The small community allows my wife and I to raise our family in a small town and still have different opportunities to go to and do.

I don’t think I would do well in the big city — too much hustle and bustle. Emporia is pretty laid back. Work during the day and go do our activities at night and still get home in a decent time to get the kids to bed. On the weekend we can have fun and come back to work Monday morning and get back to work.

“The small community allows my wife and I to raise our family in a small town and still have different opportunities to go to and do.”

PHOTOS BY CHRIS WALKER

Spring 2017 | 91

OLPE

KANSAS

CALENDAR 2017

MONTHLY • Tuesdays after school All God’s Children - Non Denominational Children’s Bible Study at the Olpe United Methodist Church.

• Olpe United Methodist Church Fellowship Meal - 3rd Saturday of each month except May and December.

JUNE • June 16th & 17th - Eagle Creek Saddle Club Ranch Rodeo.

JULY • July 7th - 9th - Olpe Downhome Days, visit olpedownhome.com.

Custom Slaughtering • Retail Meat Case Deer Processing

USD #252 Southern Lyon County Proudly Supports our Students!

PRIDE • TRADITION • EXCELLENCE

OLPE MEAT LOCKER, LLC Rex Turner Owner

114 Westphalia Olpe, Kansas 66865

620-475-3375

OLPE STATE BANK Long Term Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans Available for Greater Lyon County Area

202 Westphalia, Olpe 620-475-3213 www.olpestatebank.com

NEEDS YOUR HELP! INSTANT OATMEAL GRANOLA/ BREAKFAST BAR SMALL JARS OF PEANUT BUTTER MAC & CHEESE (ADD WATER ONLY) FRUIT CUPS CRACKERS BAGS OF BEANS OR RICE (DRY) READ TO EAT TUNA/CHICKEN SALAD (PACKETS ONLY, NO CANS)

Food for Students provides a bag of food each week to school children who do not have enough food over the weekends. About 300 bags are given away each month.

You can help in one of two ways: either purchase any of the following items and drop them off at The Emporia Gazette or give a cash donation that all will buy food.

TEG 517 Merchant • Emporia, KS • 620-342-4800

To find out how you can help, visit www.emporia.com/foodforstudents or call 620-342-4800.

Handlebars of Hope is a bicycle outreach ministry designed to give hope to those in need locally and globally.

If you would like to help support Handlebars of Hope by donating a bike or by making a donation please call (620) 342-4977 or stop by High Gear, 520 Commercial St, Emporia, KS 66801