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LIFESTYLE LETTER

DECEMBER 2021 PUBLISHER

Zach Traphagan | zach.traphagan@lifestylepubs.com ADMINISTRATI VE DIRECTOR

Letter from the Editor

Jeron Traphagan | jeron.traphagan@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Angela Broockerd | angela.broockerd@lifestylepubs.com

DECEMBER IS MY FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR. I love the magical feeling

AD DESIGNER

of the season, the lights and decorations, the gatherings with friends and family

Matthew Endersbe

and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. My son’s birthday is the day after

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Christmas and my birthday is on New Year’s Eve, so the entire month is full of one celebration after the other. As parents, I think many of us try to recreate the wonder that we felt as children during this season. For me, some of my favorite childhood memories of Christmases past include decorating the tree as a family, walking around the plaza and looking at the lights, going to my grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve to celebrate with extended

Jayme Emery CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, LeAnn Parker, Emma Balkenbush, Allison Gibeson, Moriah Schowengerdt CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Janie Jones

family, and of course, the excitement of that first peek at the presents under the tree on Christmas morning. Every bit of it felt so special to me as a child, and now that I am the one trying to create that same experience for my children, I appreciate all the work my parents put into creating such nostalgic moments for us so much more. I can’t imagine how exhausting it must have been for my parents to pull of Christmas for 10 kids with the shopping and making sure gifts were even among all of us and my dad putting toys together late on Christmas Eve, and on top of that, the work that went into preparing food for our gatherings and making sure all of us looked

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

presentable. They never seemed stressed. I am sure they were, but that isn’t what I

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

remember about Christmas at all. All the little special things that made the season

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

so magical added up to cherished memories.

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

I remind myself of that when I am trying to create special family memories for my kids.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

They don’t notice the chaos that goes on behind the scenes, and if they do, it isn’t what they will remember. Whatever your family traditions are that make this season unique for your family will be something that is treasured and most likely passed down to the next generation. It goes by in a blink, so enjoy these moments while they last. 514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

I wish you all love and peace in this holiday season!

Angela Broockerd, Editor

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty ON THE COVER Food Hacks styling by Janie Jones and Angela Broockerd

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES 4

Proverbs 3:5-6 Johnson County Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

via the US Postal Service to some of the Johnson County area’s most affluent neighborhoods. portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Johnson County Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

GET INSPIRED EAT + DRINK SHOP LOCAL City Lifestyle YOUR DIGITAL DESTINATION FOR LOCAL LIVING

INSIDE THE ISSUE DECEMBER 2021

FEATURES 10 Food Hacks For beautiful and easy holiday entertaining

20 More Than Just A Pie 24 Snowflake {Salt Dough} Ornaments Old traditions with modern day trends

20 24

30 Christmas on Bradshaw A local cul-de-sac transforms into a magical Christmas experience

10 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Local Experiences

Culinary Creations

42 Giving Back 46 Realty Report

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LOCAL EXPERIENCES

WINTER AND REVEL WINTER IS A TIME TO ENJOY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHILE USHERING IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Whether you are enjoying one of the many festive activities our city has to offer or spending time with loved ones, the memories made will be cherished.

SEASONAL LIGHT DISPLAYS AND EVENTS + Deanna Rose Farmstead: Deanna Rose Farmstead's digital holiday light display can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car and is something you won't want to miss. 13800 Switzer Rd Overland Park, KS + Sar Ko Par Park: Visit Sar Ko Par Park for a stroll around the lake and you will feel like you escaped to a winter wonderland. Lenexa, KS + Forest Glen Subdivision: Christmas on Bradshaw is a neighborhood in Overland Park that boasts an entire street of holiday lights, music and more. 138th and Bradshaw, Overland Park, Kansas 66062, Overland Park, Kansas 66062 + Overland Park Arboretum And Botanical Gardens: Enjoy a quite walk around the Overland Park Arboretum at this year's Luminary Walk. 8909 W 179th St Bucyrus, KS + Park Place: Enjoy the light strung outdoor ice rink at Park Place in Leawood and take in the sounds of carolers and a visit with Santa. 11551 Ash St Leawood, KS 8

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

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CULINARY CREATIONS

FOOD HACKS FOR BEAUTIFUL AND EASY HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

MAKE HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING EASY WITH THESE STYLING FOOD HACKS THAT LOOK IMPRESSIVE BUT ARE SIMPLE TO CREATE. If you don’t have time to bake a dessert but want to serve something that doesn’t look store bought, simply top it with berries, herbs, a sauce or a holiday prop to give it a little something extra. We made a trip to Trader Joes and purchased most of these items, and after some simple assembling and minimal baking, we were able to create a beautiful, eye-catching holiday spread.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

HOLIDAY CHARCUTERIE BOARD Why not create a unique holiday charcuterie board in the shape of a Christmas tree or snowman. It looks impressive and was a quick assembly. For this look, a few trimmed evergreen clippings from the backyard served as a great edging for the board. With a variety of cheeses, berries, nuts and olives, this tasty display makes the perfect statement board. For an added touch, use a cookie cutter to add a cheese star to the top.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE This inexpensive cheesecake was purchased at Trader Joes but definitely needed a little something to make it look festive. Candied pecans (we made ours from scratch but they can be purchased), fresh berries and mint sprigs added color, dimension and interest.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

APPLE TART This apple tart was already really pretty right out of the box, however adding a few toppers made it look like it was made from scratch. Sliced pears, fresh herbs, berries and drizzled caramel added color add a homemade touch to this delicious treat. CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

NAKED CAKE A cake mix, a simple buttercream frosting and a gingerbread house kit is all it took to create this adorable 3-layered naked cake. After preparing the cake layers, simply ice the cake in a thin layer to give an opaque look that reveals some of the cake underneath. This cake was topped with a gingerbread house and coconut flakes to resemble snow.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

DOUBLE CREME BRIE BOARD This double creme brie with truffles can be purchased at Trader Joes and is always a crowd favorite. After baking the brie, add berries and a sauce of your choosing to the top as a flavor enhancer and to add interest. This brie is drizzled with local honey, berries and candied pecans and is served with crackers.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE If you don’t have time to bake a cake but want your store bought cake to look special, add berries and a holiday topper to give it that special flair. Fresh raspberries adorn the top of this cake, and to add cascading fresh berries down the side, toothpicks can be used to hold them in place. Not only is it simple and quick to do, but it turns into the perfect entertaining table centerpiece.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

GOURMET HOT CHOCOLATE If serving a warm beverage for guests to enjoy, consider hot chocolate with burnt sugar rimmed mugs. If creating a hot chocolate bar, provide whipped cream and marshmallow toppings as well as added flavorings such as caramel, peppermint, or make it a boozy hot chocolate with whiskey, Bailey’s or Peppermint Schnapps. CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

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Making an Impact with a Charitable Giving Strategy By Marc C. Shaffer, CFP®, AIF®, EA Principal at Searcy Financial Services, a Fee-Only, NAPFA Registered Advisory Firm

Charitable giving can be done at any level, and it takes all types of donors for charitable organizations to survive. Many donors find themselves with a desire to give, and then make their donations based on their ability to give. But, moving beyond the desire and ability to creating a strategy for giving that is part of your financial plan may help you give more. According to Giving USA’s 2021 report, approximately $471.44 billion was given to U.S. charities in 2020, which was up 5.1 percent from the previous year. This giving was done in the form of individual donations, bequests, foundations and corporate giving. Understanding where and how you’re giving can help you visualize your current impact and help while you’re developing a strategy for maximizing these gifts. There are some decisions to make as you design a charitable giving strategy. These could include: • •

•

What motivates me to give? Does my charitable purpose match my partner’s or do we have different goals? Are we giving equally to shared values? Will I give to multiple organizations or will my giving be more focused?

•

• • •

• •

Is there due diligence I need to perform on the charities I am interested in helping? What is my budget for giving? Will my strategy be similar each year, or will it change? Am I interested in creating a strategy that is fulfilled both during my lifetime and upon my death? How and what will I give? Does my company have a matching program that I can take advantage of?

You may consider gifting appreciated assets and appreciated stock shares. There are opportunities for deducting the stock’s fair market value from your taxes and if the charity is tax-qualified, they may also benefit in the future by not facing capital gains tax on the stock when it is sold. Where Does Cash Fit In? Think about weekly cash donations you may be giving, monthly events you may be sponsoring monetarily, onetime gifts you may be making and all of the other ways you are supplying cash to charities you care about. When you give substantially throughout the year and are only doing so with cash, you may be missing out on the opportunity to reduce your tax liability. If you

gift cash, you will want to understand the deduction limits and realized tax savings. Don’t forget about volunteering! Even if you don’t have funds for every organization you care about, your volunteer hours can be just as valuable. You can even get the family involved in choosing volunteer projects! Working with a financial planner who understands your desire to give can help you make charitable giving part of your plan. What works best one year and fits with current tax rules could change the next year if the rules are changed. You will also want to discuss how your strategy may change throughout the years, if you want to continue giving during retirement, and legacy planning if you want to give upon your death.

It can be beneficial to have someone looking out for these changes and helping you make adjustments to continue maximizing your giving.

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ARTICLE MORIAH SCHOWENGERDT PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

more than just a pie IT IS OFTEN ASKED AT SOME POINT IN ONE’S LIFE, “WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE?” Of course there is a variety of answers to such a deep and personal question. Does legacy equate to dollars in a savings account, traditions passed on to loved ones, morals and values taking deep root, or perhaps all of those things combined? Sometimes, the making of a legacy is found in the small, intimate moments found in our day to day lives. Cooking in the kitchen is something that will forever be part of my grandmother’s legacy. Growing up eating the food she taught my own mom to cook, the taste of her southern cooking cuisine is delectable, and has a way of warming your whole body from the inside out. All made by hand, the wonderful taste of her food came from her

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

love of being in the kitchen. At ninety three years old, Mamaw Pat still makes some of the greatest food I’ve ever tasted. I think it’s important to make note of how legacy’s are created. Intentionality is key. It’s taking time to put down the busy things that consume our day, and carving out space for the small moments spent together with the ones you love. Each year at Christmas time, the task of Christmas cookies lingers in the air. As a mom of three daughters, I know the task involves a great big, fat mess! I also know that if my own mom hadn’t endured the mess with me, I wouldn’t have the memories I have now as an adult. It’s these memories that allows me to also endure the mess with my own children. It’s time spent together, being creative, licking the sweet frosting off of your fingers and laughing when the flour goes flying into the air. These are the moments that last through the generations. It’s these moments that create a lasting legacy. What are some of the things you are doing with the ones you love to create a legacy for your own family? Are you getting in the kitchen with your grandmother, absorbing all the things she can teach you? Are you risking messy situations to laugh and create with your kids? It doesn’t have to be a long list, it doesn’t have to take all of your time. It’s the small, intentional moments that matter the most. Every so often, gather up the ones you love, tell them how much you love them, learn something new together, make apple pie. These are the things that last a lifetime and beyond.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

MORE THAN JUST A PIE (CONTINUED)

Mamaw’s apple pie INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST + 3 c. all-purpose flour + 1 c. butter, cut into 1/2” pieces + 2 tbsp. granulated sugar + 1/2 tsp. kosher salt + 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar + 8 tbsp. ice water (or more, if needed) FOR THE FILLING + 3 1/2 lb. assorted apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala) cored, peeled, and thinly sliced + 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice + 2/3 c. granulated sugar + 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling + 1 tsp. ground cinnamon + 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract + 1/4 tsp. kosher salt + 2 tbsp. butter, cut into small pieces + 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. water (egg wash) + Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

LATTICE PIE CRUST + Roll out second disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. + Cut dough into strips. + Lay 6 strips vertically and evenly spaced on top of the filled pie. Use the longer strips in the center of the pie and the shorter strips on the ends. + Fold every other strip (3 in total) all the way back so they’re almost falling off of the pie. Lay one of the 6 unused strips perpendicular on top. Unfold the 3 vertical strips back so they lay over the perpendicular strip. You have 5 strips left. + Fold the other 3 vertical strips back. Lay one of the 5 unused strips perpendicular on top. Unfold the 3 vertical strips back so they lay over the perpendicular strip. You’re now beginning to see the beautiful woven pattern! + Repeat with last 4 strips, weaving the strips over and under one another. + Fold the excess dough that lays over the edges of the pie back and pinch them with the bottom pie crust. Flute the edges of the pie, then brush with egg wash and sprinkle with a little coarse sugar. This adds a lovely sparkle and crunch! + Refrigerate unbaked pie for 30 minutes prior to baking. This is an often overlooked step, but cold dough is guaranteed to hold the lattice shape. + Place pie onto preheated baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375º and bake until golden and bubbly, 40 minutes more. (If edges begin to look dark, cover with foil.) + Let cool on a wire rack at least 2 hours before serving.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

DIRECTIONS + Make crust: Place flour and butter into freezer for 30 minutes before starting crust process. + In a large food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add butter and pulse until pea-sized and some slightly larger pieces form. With the machine running, add vinegar, then ice water into feed tube, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough starts to come together and is moist but not wet and sticky (test by squeezing some with your fingers). Mixture will be crumbly. + Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, form into 2 equal size balls, and flatten into disks (making sure there are no/minimal cracks). + Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until dough is very cold, at least 2 hours. + On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12” circle. Drape over lightly greased (with cooking spray) 9”-x-1.5” pie dish and gently press to fit (don’t stretch). Refrigerate 30 minutes or freeze 10 minutes. + Make Filling: In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Transfer apple mixture into the crust-lined pie dish. Dot all over with butter. Assemble + Bake Pie + Preheat oven to 425º with a large baking sheet on the middle rack.

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER

Snowflake {Salt Dough} Ornaments

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

OLD TRADITIONS WITH MODERN DAY TRENDS

MAKING SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS IS A HOLIDAY TRADITION THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE I WAS A KID IN THE ‘80S, BUT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN AROUND EVEN LONGER THAN THAT!

SALT DOUGH, OR DOUGH ART AS WE REFER TO IT IN OUR

good reason—it only requires three ingredients, and the festive end

FAMILY, IS A SIMPLE YET BEAUTIFUL WAY TO ADORN SPACES

product will last for years to come. We still pull out the salt dough

AROUND THE HOLIDAYS. Making salt dough ornaments is a hol-

ornaments I made as a kid and place them on our tree each year. I

iday tradition that we have been doing since I was a kid in the ‘80s,

love that old traditions can live throughout the decades as we find

but the process has been around even longer than that! The use

ways to reinvent them with current day trends. That is exactly what I

of salt dough is as old as dirt, or I guess I should say as old as clay.

did here with these lovely Snowflake Salt Dough Ornaments. I hope

Even so, salt dough has made a comeback in recent years and for

you follow along to make some yourself this holiday season.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

SNOWFLAKE {SALT DOUGH} ORNAMENTS (CONTINUED)

USE A COOKIE CUTTER TO CREATE SNOWFLAKE SHAPES

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

SA LT

D OU GH R ECIPE

SALT DOUGH RECIPE *Makes about 12 ornaments Supplies Needed + Rolling Pin + Cookie Cutters (optional) + Plastic or Metal Straw + Cookie Sheet + Parchment Paper + Lettered Stamps + Acrylic Sealer + Bakers Twine Ingredients + 1 cup All Purpose White Flour + ½ cup Table Salt + ½ cup Water (give or take) + 4oz White Acrylic Paint Step-By-Step 1. Mix together flour and salt. Add ¼ cup water and paint (if you want a white dough, otherwise you may leave it out). Stir to mix. If needed, slowly add more water until you reach a pizza dough consistency. Finally, remove dough from the bowl and knead on a floured surface until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Add more flour if too sticky, add more water if too dry. 2. To make ornaments, use a rolling pin to roll dough to ½ to ¼ inch thick. 3. Use a cookie cutter to create snowflake shapes. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top of each snowflake to allow a space to thread your twine after baking. 4. Place ornaments on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours until dry. Flip ornaments every 30 minutes for a faster bake. 5. Once cooled, add decorative touches with lettered stamps, acrylic paint or Sharpie markers. Finally, spray one side of the ornament with an acrylic seal. Let dry, flip and spray the other side. 6. Once dried completely, thread twine through the hole created before baking. Hang from your tree or add to your gift boxes as gift tags. For more DIY’s and seasonal styling ideas, visit me at silvertoothhome.com. Happy Holidays!

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ARTICLE BY EMMA BALKENBUSH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

C H R I S TM AS

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

Christmas on Bradshaw

EVERY

HOLIDAY

SEASON,

BRADSHAW

STREET IN OVERLAND PARK TRANSFORMS FROM AN ORDINARY CUL-DE-SAC INTO A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE. Cars line up for miles for their turn to drive through the 13-house display decked out in thousands of holiday lights, hand-made props and holiday music to add an extra special touch. Every year the display gets bigger, better and has something new.

The journey to the street-wide creation started

A lot of work goes into creating the magic, and

in 2013 when Jim created a large Christmas dis-

when Jim Haskett sees the joy on a child’s face

play on his own house with the blessing of his

as they marvel at the lights, all of his hard work

wife, Gina. His creations continued to grow year

has paid off.

after year and began catching the attention of

“I can’t even really describe it because they are just so happy,” Jim says. Jim has had a love for Christmas decorations for as long as he can remember. “I’ve always hung

other neighbors. “I just started making bigger and bigger props, and I would take my old props and put them in other people’s yards,” he says.

lights up ever since I was a little kid,” he says.

In 2016, several neighbors wanted to be a part

“Even when I lived by myself I still would put up a

of the magic and offered up their yards to house

Christmas tree.”

props and lights. Before he knew it, almost everyone on the street was involved in the display, and a new sense of community was formed. “It really brought us all together, and we started having little block parties and would discuss what we might do,” he says. While Jim does the majority of prop creation, Gina says other neighbors have begun coming up with their own special ideas to contribute. “We’ve got a lady on the block who is an artist, and she is painting props, and last year she made a selfie station,” Gina says. Creating “Christmas on Bradshaw” is a yearround project. Jim hand-makes every single prop from scratch and relies heavily on retrofitting. He sees every new year as a challenge. “Last year was the first year that I sat back going, ‘you know, if I can’t get anything else done, this show looks pretty darn good the way it is,’” he says. “But of course I can’t stop.”

EXPERIENCE

A LOCAL CUL-DE-SAC TRANSFORMS INTO A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

CHRISTMAS ON BRADSHAW (CONTINUED)

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

This year, Jim’s 20-foot-tall Christmas tree will have three times the amount of lights on it, and many of his props will be even bigger. His display wouldn’t be the same without the coordinating holiday music. Jim says his neighbor’s son, 14-year-old Olathe East freshman Emerson Prather, has become his second-in-command in helping with the display’s programming, doing “quite a bit” of the music sequences. Over the last few years, the number of families coming out to experience the display has increased significantly. Jim says he could even see the traffic on Google Maps in 2020. However, Gina says drivers are almost never sitting still. “They are usually moving through at a pretty decent pace, and people are pretty respectful of each other,” she says, adding that she loves that the display creates an escape from the negativity of the world. “This gives everybody that chance to turn that all off and be happy.” Although they weren’t able to do it last year, Gina says her family’s favorite part about the display is handing out candy canes to people in cars. She said it’s a chance to see the holiday spirit up close. “Just the laughter and all the happiness that you hear is pretty remarkable,” she says. Jim agrees that going out and interacting with people enjoying the display is the best partl. “I think the slumber parties and the big SUVs and vans is heart-melting. These little kids are just in their pajamas and are just in awe.” The Christmas on Bradshaw display will be open for drivers through early January. As soon as the decorations start coming down, Jim is already coming up with his vision for the next year. To visit Christmas on Bradshaw, head over to the Forest Glen subdivision at 138th and Bradshaw.

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

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W I N T E R’ S REVEL YOUR GUIDE TO A SIMPLE AND STYLIZED NEW YEAR’S SOIRÉE ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

FOLLOWING CLOSELY ON THE COATTAILS OF AUTUMNAL AND WINTER HOLIDAYS, THE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR CAN OFTEN BE OVERLOOKED DUE TO AN UNDERSTANDABLE DESIRE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SEASON. But, a holiday that celebrates past memories and the opportunity for both new experiences and a fresh start shouldn’t lack any of

the glitz of its celebratory predecessors. Round out the final days of the year reminiscing on or saying goodbye to the experiences—good and bad—of the previous 12 months with a simple end-of-the-year gathering that isn’t lacking any of the glamour.

THE DRI NK S

Champagne has long been a traditional drink to toast to the new year. Keep it simple but step up your game with your own DIY Champagne cocktail bar. Consider stocking your bar full of custom Champagne or bubbly choices, festive mixers like cranberry juice or rosemary simple syrup and unique garnishes like fresh fruit and herbs or decorative ice cubes with edible flowers.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

WINTER’S REVEL (CONTINUED)

THE DECO R There’s no need to go out and buy a ton of additional decor when you just decked the halls (quite literally) with holiday ornamentation. Make those decorations work as hard as you did by repurposing all the greenery, pine cones and wood place settings you just couldn’t say no to. Throw in some neutral napkins, some natural twine and some dried orange peels for a woodsy (and fragrant) twist.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

THE SNACKS

Keep your guests happy with the perfect cheese plate. Consider how many people you’ll be serving, whether you’ll be serving before or after dinner and what cheeses you’ll want to include. According to WineFolly.com, sparkling wines pair best with creamy, sticky cheeses due to the high acidity and carbonation. WHAT YOU NEED + Cheese board or serving plate + Assortment of cheeses (We recommend Brie, Port Salut, Muenster, Camembert or Gruyere) PUTTING IT TOGETHER Cheese is best served at room temperature, so be sure your cheese has time to rest prior to serving. Slice the cheeses and arrange artfully on your cheese board with labels for each. Consider providing separate serving knives for each cheese to avoid any mixing of flavors. Add any additional bites you’d like and enjoy!

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

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Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

Inspired by Community

It’s time to think

locally

ADVERTISE WITH US

to deliver your message to the most affluent families in our community. lifestylepubs.com/advertise CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

GIVING BACK

Gratefully

GIVING AWAY AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR, LIFESTYLE PUBLICATIONS IS GIVING $300,000 TO RECIPIENTS IN NEED THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON AND BEYOND... AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

THEY NEED YOUR HELP FINDING THOSE RECIPIENTS. ARTICLE ALLISON GIBESON

Last year’s giveaway campaign culminated in the distribution

PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

of $250,000 throughout the year to recipients from across the country who had various needs. When the company opened nominations, they were flooded with submissions. Community members such as judges, Anna Sarol

police officers, teachers, mentors, social workers and readers like you nominated community members who were facing hardships. As the eyes and ears of the community, these readers and stakeholders were able to help identify people who might have otherwise gone unnoticed or unrecognized. One such nominee was Anna Sarol. About six years ago Anna was paralyzed in a gymnastics accident when she was a freshman in high school, but until last year she did not have a stairlift in her home. The stairlift was made possible when Lifestyle Publications gave her family $10,000 and made sure it was installed. “Stairlifts don’t come at a feasible price, and unfortunately our insurance denied coverage,” Anna says. “I watched my community come together to help me get this equipment to my house, and words can’t explain how appreciative my family and I are.” The money for Anna’s stairlift was part of the giveaway campaign from the company during the 2020 Christmas season that benefited more than 80 recipients. Among those recipients were single mothers, families with children who were facing illnesses, individuals impacted by the loss of a job, unexpected deaths and more.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

Another nominee was Kathy*, an aunt who is raising her two nephews and niece. The children came from an abusive situation involving violence, drugs, and neglect. Kathy, a single parent, worked tirelessly to provide for these children, but the family was still living in poverty despite her working seven days a week. Additionally, Kathy lost her housecleaning job during the pandemic and resorted to selling tamales to help pay the rent. When a case manager with a Big Brothers Big Sisters foster youth mentoring program heard about Lifestyle’s campaign and call for nominations, she quickly thought of Kathy.

“This funding allowed the children to have a small Christmas tree for the first time ever. Kathy was able to pay her rent and utilities for three months, and the children were able to experience a holiday season in peace without financial stressors.” CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

“When I shared the news that Kathy was selected and would be receiving $3,000, she cried, screamed, and was in disbelief,” the case manager said. “She immediately wanted to give back to me and the donor by providing endless tamales. This funding allowed the children to have a small Christmas tree for the first time ever. Kathy was able to pay her rent and utilities for three months, and the children were able to experience a holiday season in peace without financial stressors. They experienced Christmas like their peers, which filled them with such pride as it was something they have wished for all their lives.” The case manager says the lesson is clear – when we give back to others, we truly gain so much more in the process. She said she was filled with overwhelming joy when she saw the children’s faces filled with smiles and a Christmas tree in their home for the first time. In addition, the aunt’s expressed desire to give back to others made the giving cycle full circle. In yet another case, Emily* who worked as a janitor at a school, was a recipient. She was struggling to afford simply buying groceries for her children, let alone providing them with a fun Christmas. Before the ongoing difficulties of the pandemic even started, a tornado destroyed the school she worked at just a couple weeks before the initial shutdown in March 2020 which impacted her income as the students attended a nearby school after the building was hit. The whole town was struggling as 220 people were injured and five were killed because of the tornado, and everyone needed encouragement. Emily was incredibly surprised and grateful to receive assistance from the giveaway. The leaders of Lifestyle Publications believe God has blessed them, so they want to be a blessing and encouragement to others. With this year’s giveaway being increased to $300,000 to give away throughout the year, it’s clear this is an opportunity to change many lives in the same way Anna’s was changed. “As a 2020 recipient of the Christmas giveaway, I am forever grateful I now can access my basement independently,” Anna says. “Locating a fully accessible household in my area is nearly impossible, and living in a state that experiences tornado warnings means finding a way to get to my basement by myself is crucial. Not only this, but I also now have the option of utilizing another level of my house to hang out with friends and family.” *Names changed for privacy

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GIVE AWAY $3OO,OOO This year the company will have nominations for the giveaway open from December 1-15, 2021. To submit a nomination, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. The leaders of Lifestyle Publications believe God has blessed them with their company’s continued success, so they in turn wish to be a blessing and encouragement to others as they increase the amount of this year’s giveaway to those in need to $300,000 for the year.

Nominate HERE! Follow @citylifestyle on Instagram

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

REALTY REPORT REALTY REPORT

NEIGHBORHOOD

JOHNSON COUNTY

LIST PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/LIST

DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

MISSION HILLS

$2,999,999

$2,850,000

95%

4.1

HALLBROOK FARMS

$2,750,000

$2,500,000

90%

6.3

INDIAN HILLS

$2,249,000

$1,900,000

84%

5.3

ESTATES OF PRAIRIE GLEN

$1,725,000

$1,736,200

100%

304

6.3

INDIAN HILLS

$1,500,000

$1,655,000

110%

3.1

ESTATES OF PRAIRIE GLEN

$1,499,000

$1,550,000

103%

4.1

TOMAHAWK CREEK ESTATES

$1,500,000

$1,471,000

98%

257

3.2

LEAWOOD HILLS

$1,395,000

100%

4.1

REINHARDT ESTATES

$1,395,000

$1,375,000

96%

3.3

LEAWOOD ESTATES

$1,399,000

$1,375,000

98%

6.1

Information compiled is from Heartland Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and includes properties listed and sold in the area from multiple brokers. STATISTICS from 09/01/2021 TO 09/30/2021. * DOM=Days on Market

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

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Christmas traditions at Midland Holiday Pines FAMILIES AROUND THE KANSAS CITY AREA TAKE A TRIP OUT TO THE SHAWNEE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM EVERY YEAR ARTICLE BY EMMA BALKENBUSH PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

"I t 's a lot of work, but I enjoy when t he f amilies come out and t hey bring t he children," Philip says. "I also don' t see any grumpy people when t hey're out at a Christmas t ree f arm. T hey're h appy and gl ad t o be t here." FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES ACROSS THE

Keep in mind, it takes at least seven years for

UNITED STATES, THEIR HOLIDAY SEASON

the planted seedling to grow into a sellable tree.

ISN’T COMPLETE WITHOUT A TRIP TO THEIR LOCAL CHRISTMAS TREE FARM.

“It’s not a fast process like some normal farm operations,” Philip says.

Families around the Kansas City area take

Mowing around the trees and keeping the

a trip every year out to the Midland Holiday

grass short is crucial, as well as keeping a close

Pines in Shawnee, driving from all over the

eye out for insects or fungus growing on trees.

Kansas City metropolitan area to select and

The Wegmans work with entomologists at

cut down the perfect tree.

Kansas State University to make sure their trees

The farm’s owners, Philip and Judy Wegman, began selling trees in 2002. They love that the

are free from any harmful critters. They also make a point to use a minimal amount of chemicals.

job allows them to be a part of such a special

There’s no shortage of jobs to be done around

Christmas tradition for all the families they’ve

the farm during the year. All the hard work pays off

grown to know and love.

when the Wegmans get to see their customers.

“It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy when the fami-

“Some of them are almost family,” Judy says.

lies come out and they bring the children,” Philip

During the weeks leading up to the farm’s sell-

says. “I also don’t see any grumpy people when

ing season, all of the trees that are cut from the

they’re out at a Christmas tree farm. They’re

field to be sold go through a manicure session to

happy and glad to be there.”

give them the perfect look. They’re put through

The retired husband and wife both come from

several machines that shake off dead needles

an agricultural background and say they “love

and condense the branches so they fit nicely in

watching things grow.”

a trunk, on top of a car and through a doorway.

The work to create the magical tree farm happens all-year long. While the farm has nearly

The meticulous work continues by measuring the height of every single tree that will be sold.

3,000 trees, they aren’t all ready to be sold at

“When a customer comes to the tree farm,

the same time. In the spring, stumps of trees

they don’t have to wonder how tall is this tree,

sold the previous year must be cut down and

how much is it going to cost,” Judy says.

replaced with a new seedling. Philip says it’s

Philip says Midland Holiday Pines is what he

crucial to keep down weeds around the trees,

calls a “choose and cut” Christmas tree farm,

which helps keep insects away.

which means customers can go out into the field

In the first or second week of June, all of the trees

and use a handsaw to cut down their own tree.

must be sheared, which creates the Christmas tree

“We also order a number of pre-cut trees that

shape. “Otherwise it will not look like a Christmas

don’t grow in this climate here in Kansas, such

tree, it will look like a wild bush,” he says.

as Fraser firs and balsam firs,” he says, adding CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AT MIDLAND HOLIDAY PINES (CONTINUED) that the trees brought in that are already cut are opened so families can find exactly what they’re looking for. “Trees are kind of interesting,” Judy says. “One tree may be beautiful to one family and ugly to the next, and we all have a different point of view.” From the tree’s height and weight to the stability of its branches, there’s a tree for everyone at Midland Holiday Pines. Judy says one of her favorite parts of the job is watching kids play hide-andseek and run through the farm having fun. “They have a jolly good time, and they argue over which tree is right, and family dynamics become interesting.” Over the years, the Wegmans have come to know hundreds of families who come back year after year. “We’ve seen one girl go from a 3 or 4-year-old to a 24-year-old,” Judy says. “We have some families that have been with us from the very beginning.” When the tree-selling season comes to a close, the Wegmans are tired but make sure to select their own tree and decorate it for Christmas. They’re thankful to every customer who chooses to start their holiday season at their farm. “We greatly appreciate you, and we enjoy seeing you each year and catching up with what’s going on in your lives,” Philip says.

Johnson County Lifestyle | December 2021

BRING ABANDONED CHILDREN FROM THE SLUM TO SAFETY AND INTO THE LOVING ARMS OF CARETAKERS THAT WILL EDUCATE, LOVE AND RAISE THEM TO BECOME FUTURE LEADERS IN THEIR GENERATION.