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AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

April 2023 PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

EDITOR

Explore Issue Get out and Get Lost

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

We live in an efficiency and productivity-obsessed age. The trap of believing the only things worth doing are those for which I can make an exact calculation of the time, effort and investment it will cost me. We must leave some room for exploring, for trying new places and things, even for getting lost. This brings to mind my youngest son; he is the definition of explorer. In 2021 he rode his motorcycle across the country on the TransAmerica Trail, a journey from North Carolina to Oregon. Last summer he bicycled from Kansas City to Sedalia on the Katy Trail. Did I mention he did these things by himself!? I never understood his desire to travel and have adventures alone until recently. For the last thirteen years, I have been on a quest to visit every baseball stadium in the U.S. I only have two stadiums left. (Everyone asks which ones are left so I will tell you - they are Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). Last August, my husband and I took our daughter to Toronto. My husband took her to see a soccer game and I attended a Blue Jays game by myself. I won’t lie, I was nervous going into the stadium by myself but ended up having the most amazing time. I sat by a couple who were also visiting from the states and had the same goal of seeing every stadium. I even met some locals who bought me beers! After the game, I walked to Chinatown, shopped, had dinner, and then walked back to our hotel to meet up with my family. The experience was empowering. I called my son to tell him how proud of myself I was for going it alone and to tell him that I now understand why he loves his solo adventures. Our hope is that this issue encourages you to make room for exploration. It can be playing a board game out on the patio, floating a river or finding a fun place to eat that you’ve never been to before in Lawrence. To take that road trip you’ve been thinking about, and to make time for the things that matter most to you, but often come last on the calendar. If April showers bring May flowers, make time to play in the rain! Here’s your reminder to… (and I say this with warmth in my heart) GET LOST!

Linda Ditch | lindaaditch@gmail.com Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com

K AT H Y G R A H A M , E D I TO R

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Bailey Morris CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER

Paul Versluis

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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You juggle a lot in your world.

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APRIL 2023

inside the issue The Explore Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

10 A Farm-to-Table Meal

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Locally Sourced FO O D +B EV E R AG E

Curb Appeal HO ME + DES I GN

Outdoor Adventure FI T NESS

Road Trip T R AV EL

Travel Journal T R AV EL

Kids Corner A RTS + C U LT U R E

Happy Hour FO O D + B EV ER AG E

Opening of farmer’s market season makes it easy to source ingredients direct from the growers

14 Rain Chains

Take Your Downspouts from Drab to Delightful

18 Paddling the Kaw

Make this your summer on the river with Up a Creek Canoe and Kayak Rental

24 Where Did the Tallgrass Prairie Go?

How 150 Million Acres of Grassland Disappeared in the Span of Three Generations

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Thomas Hall - Eagle Aerial Solutions Blue is king of the kayak and his human is Craig Pruett with Up A Creek Canoe and Kayak Rental.

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APRIL 2023

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Kelly White - Vacation Consultant “I am always here for you and your travel needs. I can help you with complete packages and the best choices, you won't have to lift a finger. Just sit back and start dreaming about your upcoming vacation! I look forward to getting to know each one of my clients on a personal level and form life-long relationships by creating exceptional travel experiences with unforgettable memories!” StorkTravelLLC@gmail.com Direct: (913) 703-4330

New Business in Town - Level Up Robots At Level Up Robots, we know kids love robots, and we love how they make learning and mastering critical skills fun! We offer a variety of programs for upperlevel elementary, middle and high school students focused on learning the fundamentals of robotics. The Level Up Robotics team is passionate about the impact STEAM education has on the social, emotional and educational development of kids, and we’ve seen how hands-on learning can engage students. Visit leveluprobots.com.

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Photography Ken Doll Photography

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A Farm-to-

Table Me al The opening of farmer’s market season makes it easy to source ingredients direct from the growers

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL VERSLUIS

April is when farm-to-table meals become more accessible with the opening of the vast Lawrence Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings starting on April 8th. The market is located at 824 New Hampshire St. and is open from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Plan to arrive early for the best selection, though latecomers may get deals on the produce farmers don’t want to take back with them. Also, be sure to chat with the vendors. Most are happy to share their expertise, and many have recipe ideas. A Tuesday evening market starts on May 2nd. This market is located at 1141 Massachusetts Street (SouthPark) and is open from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. We love this farm-to-table menu. Start by sipping this signature cocktail, a lightly sweet, pleasantly bitter El Ahumado, served with a small charcuterie board. Next, pass around a platter of grated radishes, crumbled goat cheese, skillet-roasted (or grilled) corn, and shaved zucchini as toppings for individual mixed-greens salad. The main course is Buttermilk Brined Fried Chicken with roasted carrots drizzled with hot honey. Peach Bread Pudding topped with Salted Vanilla Caramel Cream finishes off the meal. Recipes by Sammie Laforce. Enjoy!

BUTTERMILK BRINED FRIED CHICKEN Dried spice mix • 2 tablespoons white pepper • 1 teaspoon ground mustard • 5 teaspoons paprika • 2 teaspoons fresh black pepper • 2 tablespoons garlic powder • 2 teaspoons dried oregano • 2 teaspoons cayenne • 1 teaspoon celery salt • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme • 4 teaspoons onion powder kosher salt Buttermilk Brine • 4 cups buttermilk • 1 bunch fresh sage • 1/2 of spice mixture

DREDGE • 2 cups flour • 1/2 cup cornstarch • 1 tablespoon baking powder Whole cut up chicken or 2 bone-in breasts, 2 thighs and 2 drumsticks

TO COOK: 4 cups shortening Marinate chicken in brine for up to 24 hours. Place chicken in large Ziploc bag and pour marinade over top. Add fresh sage and store in fridge.

LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking rack with a sheet pan for raw chicken and one for cooked chicken. Add remaining spice mixture to flour mixture. Whisk together well. Heat shortening to 350 degrees. (Preference is cast iron Dutch oven) Pull chicken out of buttermilk mixture and let drip. Coat firmly in flour mixture and set on raw chicken rack. Complete each piece of chicken. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 or 3 pieces of chicken in oil and cook 3-5 minutes per side. Place on cooked chicken rack. Put cooked chicken in oven to complete cooking for 15 minutes. Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving!

PEACH BREAD PUDDING • 1 loaf brioche, challah or Hawaiian bread • 5 fresh peaches (or 1 1/2 pounds frozen peaches, thawed) • 2 tablespoons sugar • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 cups milk • 1 cup heavy cream • 5 eggs • 2 teaspoons cinnamon • 2 tablespoons brown sugar • 2 teaspoons vanilla Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Dice peaches. Place peaches, white sugar, and butter in saucepan. Cook until sugar is dissolved and peaches are soft, and then set aside. In a separate bowl, mix all other ingredients together. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan and add peach mixture with brioche pieces and then add milk mixture. Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before cutting. CONTINUED >

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE • 1 cup granulated sugar • 6 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature and cut into 6 pieces • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1 teaspoon salt Heat sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a spatula. Sugar will form clumps and eventually melt into a thick brown, amber-colored liquid as you continue to stir. Once sugar is completely melted, immediately add the butter. Be careful in this step because the caramel will bubble rapidly when the butter is added. Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted, about 2 minutes. If you notice the butter separating, remove from heat and vigorously whisk to combine it again. Very slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup of heavy cream while stirring. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt. Caramel thickens as it cools.

LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

EL AHUMADO BY CORDIAL CRAFT “Spanish for Smoky” by Brandon Burke • 1 1/2 ounces Reposado tequila • 1/2 ounce Aperol • 3/4 ounce lime juice

• 1/2 ounce agave nectar • 1/4 ounces Luxardo cherry syrup • 1 spritz of Mezcal

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER

C UR B A P P E A L | HOM E + DE S I GN

Rain Chains TA K E YO U R D O W N S P O U T S F R O M D R A B T O D E L I G H T F U L

For centuries the Japanese have understood the benefits of the relaxing sound of water on the human mind and body. The rhythmic, constant sound of running water creates a soothing “song” that helps the mind unwind and the body release pent-up stress. That’s why you’ll find rain chains hanging in Japanese gardens and dangling from the roofs of pagodas and temples in Japan. The Japanese call them kusari-doi, which literally translates to "chain-gutter". This ancient idea has made its way to the West and is quickly becoming a favorite for garden enthusiasts and backyard lovers alike. Rain chains are a beautiful way to transport water from rooftops to the ground. Not only do they sound soothing when rainwater runs over them, but they also look beautiful as well.

Rain chains are a wonderful addition to any home or garden. But don’t be fooled, besides sounding and looking beautiful, these decorative chains serve a practical purpose as well. They can replace typical downspouts on gutters to safely direct water from the roof to the ground below. And unlike downspouts, rain chains are clog-resistant, so leaves, sticks, and acorns aren’t a problem. Rain chains come in two main types - link and cup styles. Link styles feature a similar decorative link throughout the chain. Cup styles feature small containers with holes in the bottom connected by links. The cups are spaced every six inches to a foot and catch the water as it flows down. Cup-style rain chains can move more water than the link style, but otherwise, there is no real advantage to either style. Both are beautiful and functional. CONTINUED >

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

When it comes to catching the rain at the bottom of the chain, you have several choices as well. You can choose a decorative basin made of resin, ceramic, or concrete. If you’d like to collect the water to reuse it in other areas of your garden, you can choose a rain barrel. Or you can create a French drain to move the water away from the foundation underground. French drains can be topped with decorative gravel for a beautiful, natural look where the water simply disappears into the ground.

C UR B A P P E A L | HOM E + DE S I GN

One of the best things about rain chains is how easy they are to install. Simply remove the downspout, and insert the gutter bracket (most rain chains come with a bracket to connect them to the gutter system) which is basically a V-shaped hook. Then simply attach the chain. If you need more length, (perhaps you are hanging the rain chain from a second-story roof ) you may need to attach an additional chain. Measure from the bottom of the gutter to the ground. Subtract 2" for the V-hook and subtract for any object that might be placed under the chain (like a basin or barrel). Then you’ll know if you need to purchase more than one chain. You can secure your rain chain at the bottom as well, but it’s not always necessary. Thanks to their popularity, there are as many choices of rain chains as there are personal preferences. From elegant copper, to fun and whimsical, to bright and colorful, you’re sure to find one you’ll fall in love with. You can find them at garden centers, nurseries, home improvement stores. Start shopping now so you can hang your rain chain in time for the April showers!

“For centuries the Japanese have understood the benefits of the relaxing sound of water on the human mind and body. The rhythmic, constant sound of running water creates a soothing “song” that helps the mind unwind.”

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

Make this your summer on the river with Up a Creek Canoe and Kayak Rental

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | F I TNE S S

Craig Pruett, Becca Spencer and Blue

PADDLING THE KAW ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL EAGLE AERIAL SOLUTIONS Almost two decades ago, friends Craig Pruett and Ron Miller were enjoying martinis and discussing life. The two had met while Pruett worked for the city of Lawrence. Miller’s grandchildren were the same age as Pruett’s kids and enjoyed hanging out together. Miller had even started calling Pruett “Puppy,” and he was known as Uncle Ron. That fateful evening, Miller asked, “Hey, Puppy. Can you get ahold of a canoe?” When Pruett said he could, Miller replied, “We’re going to make this the summer of the canoe.” “It was my first experience on the river,” Pruett remembers. “I’d gone to KU, been in Lawrence for years, but never out on the river. I’m literally wearing lace-up work boots and jeans. We started floating down the Delaware River. When we came out of the Delaware confluence and hit the Kansas River, I was like, this is just amazing!” The two started taking their kids out on the river, and then friends went with them, too. Afterward, they’d buy pizza and go to Miller’s home in Perry, where they would put out a tip jar and

ask everyone to contribute what they thought the float trip was worth. “It was a terrible business model,” Pruett laughs. The friends eventually established Up a Creek Canoe and Kayak Rental. The goal is to highlight the fun of being on the river with the motto, “If you have a bad time, it’s your own fault!” “It’s a great way to raise kids and be out in the environment and also to bring awareness to this thing called the Kaw, or the Kansas River, and what a great resource it is for us,” Pruett says. Up a Creek (UAC) rents out both kayaks and canoes. You can pick up the equipment or pay extra to have them do the drop-off and pick-up. Use of the rivers in Kansas is free. UAC has agreements with some private property owners to allow them access to the Kansas River in areas where community access is limited. The company holds single-day float trips, from sun up to sun down, and sunset floats where you paddle to a certain point, get out and start a campfire, watch the moon come up, CONTINUED >

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | F I TNE S S

and then paddle off under the full moon. Pruett, a certified yoga instructor, leads two-hour floats where you paddle to a sand bar, get out, and go through a guided yoga and meditation class. “I love being outside and then being able to share it in such a manner that it’s pretty cost-effective for a family to come out and have an adventure,” Pruett says. All skill levels are welcome on the float trips since the Kansas River is a low-flow class one river. However, Pruett still wants people to have at least some swimming experience. All of the kayaks are entrylevel models. The broad base makes them more stable and not easy to flip. Pruett advises, “The canoes are great, but I always push people to get into the kayak because it’s a more balanced creature. It sits in the water better, you sit in the water better, and you’re the captain. You don’t have someone sitting in the back steering you the wrong way. If you’re watching yourself and watching out for others around you, it’s really a grand day.” For people who purchase a kayak, Pruett recommends taking it to a local lake or swimming pool before going into the river. He says, “Get into your kayak and test it out. Toss yourself over. Get some experience in it because once you get on the river and you’re moving, having water and currents push you, you want to be aware of what the experience is. Then, when you do get on the river, take some general precautions. Wear a life vest. Take some water with you. Educate yourself. YouTube is great for many things, and go to the Friends of the Kaw website. And then go out and really enjoy it.” Miller stepped away from the float trips a few years ago, so Pruett doesn’t get called Puppy nearly as much. He says with a smile, “The name doesn’t get thrown around as much as when he was screaming at me a quarter mile away on a sandbar, ‘Hey Puppy, hold up!’” “Kansas is unique. Unlike Colorado or some other states, we get to use this water at no-fee costs. And if you’d ultimately like to use us, we’d be happy to take you out there.” Visit upacreek.biz. CONTINUED > AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

“It’s a great way to raise kids and be out in the environment and also to bring awareness to this thing called the Kaw, or the Kansas River, and what a great resource it is for us.”

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | F I TNE S S

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R OA D T R IP | TR AVEL

ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE

WHERE DID THE

Tallgrass PRAIRIE GO

“What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a question never again to be answered, and perhaps not even asked.” - Aldo Leopold renowned conservationist of the early 1900s "Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play." The words to this classic folk song were written by Dr. Brewster M. Higley of Smith County, Kansas, back in 1874. Sometimes called the "unofficial anthem" of the American West, in 1947 it became the official Kansas state song. Who would have thought that between the time those words were written and the time it became our state’s song that the land referenced,150 million acres of tallgrass prairie, would be all but gone? What happened to the tallgrass prairie? Between 1850 and 1910, the tallgrass prairie, which got its name from the native grasses that reached six to eight feet tall, was slowly converted into farmland. The rich soil was perfect for farming. With the introduction of mechanized farming equipment in the first half of the 20th century, farmland spread at an ever-increasing rate. By the late 1950s, this “ocean of grass” as the pioneers described it, was essentially gone. CONTINUED >

HOW 150 MILLION ACRES OF GRASSLAND DISAPPEARED IN THE SPAN OF THREE GENERATIONS AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

What wasn’t cultivated, was converted to pasture for livestock. Accounts vary, but the amount of tallgrass prairie remaining today ranges from about 4% to 13%. Kansas contains about 80% of the remaining tallgrass prairie in the U. S. The Flint Hills in Oklahoma and Kansas (3.8 million acres) is the only intact remnant of this once expansive grassland. This prairie remains only because the steep slopes and shallow, rocky soil were unsuitable for farming. Efforts are underway to prevent further loss, increase awareness, and create tallgrass conservation easement programs in Kansas. One of the best places to see this prairie and learn more about its history and preservation is the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve (180 acres of prairie) located about 90 miles southwest of Lawrence where you can enjoy bus tours, hiking, and, if you’re lucky, actually see the buffalo roam! The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, Kansas, is the U.S.'s only national park unit dedicated to the tallgrass prairie, privately owned by The Nature Conservancy and co-managed with the National Park Service. Take a self-guided tour of the ranch. Stephen F. Jones named his ranch the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch for the springs found on the hill west of the house. The house was built on a hillside with a two-story exposure on the upper side and a three-story on the lower level. The three-level limestone barn measures 60 feet by 110 feet and is built into the hillside. It originally was roofed with 5,000 pounds of tin and sported a very large double-header windmill. Other outbuildings make up the ranch complex.

Visit nps.gov/tapr/index and make it a day trip.

R OA D T R IP | TR AVEL

photo courtesy of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

Sleep Inside, Outside 3 Incredible places to (literally) sleep under the stars

Photography by Amangiri, USA

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | T R AVEL

It’s always magical to spend a night sleeping under the stars. In decades past, adventure seekers have packed the SUV or camper with tents and gear for ‘roughin’ it’ in the great outdoors. But the swanky and exploding category of luxury outdoor hotels is something to investigate for an unforgettable, next-level experience. For those who prefer glamping rather than pitching their own tent fireside, here are a few options that incorporate sweeping views and a unique

opportunity for travelers to be more authentically embedded in the landscape of the place they’re visiting. These resorts have bucket list-worthy rooms that capture the best of both the luxury resort experience and the outdoors. Whether you crave the dry heat of the remote Utah desert or the luminous beauty of the Northern Lights, we’ve curated a short list of some places you *must* check out.

Photography by Amangiri, USA

Amangiri, Utah In southern Utah, Amangiri is a five star resort perfect for an adventurous weekend in the desert. However, it is the simple rooms built to emphasize the beauty of Canyon Point that truly make it an incredible place to stay. Each suite has an outdoor lounge and fireplace with private pools or rooftop terraces available too. Don’t miss a dip in the ‘gram-worthy pool, which wraps around the landscape’s curved dunes and arid plateaus. CONTINUED >

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza The Spanish island Ibiza boasts lush pine forests, hidden calas (cove beaches) and Hacienda Na Xamena, a resort suspended on a cliff 600 feet above the Mediterranean. Guests flock to its spa for the eight saltwater thalassotherapy (seawater as a form of therapy) lagoons, which are linked together with waterfalls. Swim to the edge of the pool and drink in the sweeping sea vistas. Photography Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza ©

Photography by Pacuare Lodge

Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica This jungle hideaway is so out there, you have to whitewater raft down a river or ride a gondola to get there. A network of hanging bridges connect the villas, which have thatched roofs, plantation teak wood floors, rattan furniture and private plunge pools. In the evening, zip 400 feet down a cable for a meal at the Nest, a platform at the top of a ceiba tree, then take a night-time stroll along romantic pathways lit by candles and lanterns.

Photography by Pacuare Lodge

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | T R AVEL

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AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

Easter Activities Have fun with your kids with these Easter activities

1. Painting Easter Eggs

4. Make an Easter Egg Tree

Bring out the colorful paint and brushes! Decorate your Easter eggs with the brightest colors and unique designs.

Cut out paper Easter eggs and color them and use ribbon to tie them to a tree. You can either decorate a tree in your yard or you can collect a few branches and make a DIY tree decoration.

2. Egg and Spoon Race This game is fun for all! Play the Egg and Spoon Race by placing an egg on a spoon and see who can reach the finish line first without dropping their egg.

5. Easter Bunny Cupcakes Bake yummy Easter themed treats! Don’t forget to decorate with jelly beans and chocolate eggs!

3. Jelly Bean Guessing Game

6. Easter Bunny Goody Bag DIY

This game is fun and challenging! All you need is a jar and jelly beans. Fill your jar to the top with jelly beans and have your kids guess how many jellybeans are in the jar.

Take a white paper bag, cut out and glue on ears, and draw a bunny face! Use this goody bag to surprise friends with Easter goodies.

ARTICLE BY BAILEY MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

K I D S COR N E R | A RTS + CULTURE

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L AW R E N C E KS

COCKTA IL CLUB

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIFE N LIGHT

Enjoy this refreshing cocktail for a soft, round and subtly sweet taste with a fruity fresh kick.

HAKU LYCHEE MARTINI ingredients: • 2 oz. HAKU® Japanese Craft Vodka • 1 oz. house made lychee simple syrup

directions: 1. Combine ingredients 2. Shake vigorously over ice 3. Strain and serve up in a chilled martini glass 4. Garnish with a lychee

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