Lawrence, KS May 2023

APY*

3.50% HIGH YIELD SAVINGS

Ladies Issue - Never forget how wildly capable you are!

As I am writing this month’s Lifestyle letter, I’m wishing I could include a picture of everyone’s mom. Mothers are very special people.

The above picture is of my precious mom. We celebrated her 100th birthday last August! She is our family’s monarch, queen mother, and best friend to her children, grandchildren, and most everyone she meets.

Recently, I took her to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor came into the examination room and asked, “How’s my favorite centenarian patient?” and she light-heartedly responded, “Baloney, I’m probably your ONLY centenarian patient.” We all had a good laugh.

This month is the Ladies' issue, and it is during the month of May that we take time to celebrate, as a country, mothers, mother-in-laws, stepmothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. But here at Lawrence City Lifestyle, we also want to recognize the beautiful, strong women who build our city and all their roles as well.

It takes a village to raise a child and our village has women who are children’s teachers, business owners, doctors, first responders, pastors’ wives, law enforcement officers, nurses, social workers, counselors and so much more. They are our children’s inspiration, and they are our inspiration as well. This month we thank these ladies for all they pour into our lives and into our Lawrence community.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day, let them know what they are worth to you, and remind them how much you love them.

Sincerely,

KATHY GRAHAM, EDITOR @LAWRENCEKSCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITERS

Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com

Linda Ditch | lindaaditch@gmail.com

Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Thomas Hall | thomas.hall@eagleaerialworld.com

Humbelina Harper

humbe@humbelinaharperphotograpy.com

Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Allison Swan

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Janie Jones

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 Emily Lisenbee

715 Restaurant

ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Uniquely fresh yet oddly familiar

From the shiny disco ball above the entryway, to the eye-catching wall of wine and spirits, to the beautiful open kitchen that allows you to see the kitchen staff hard at work, taking great care to prepare everything on the menu, you’ll notice everything was curated intentionally, even down to the delicate mismatched vintage China plates.

This award winning, locally-owned and operated downtown restaurant is known for its inventive cocktails, extensive wine list and delicious handmade food from Executive Chef Kelly Conwell.

“I went to school at Johnson County Community College and then studied abroad in Germany for a year, going to school and working,” says Conwell. “When I got back, I got my first sous chef position at The Raphael Hotel, where I was an apprentice before I left for Germany. All the changes that have happened in my culinary career have been organic, not necessarily looking for a change, but someone mentions an opportunity, someone reaches out, and things kind of fall into place. I never thought I wanted to

get into pastry. I knew I loved savory cooking and think I wanted to rebel against it…it sounds silly now.”

From there, Chef Conwell became a pastry sous chef at Bluestem, a pastry chef at Jax Fish House, executive pastry chef at Stock Hill, and chef at YaYa’s.

“Matt Hyde, the owner of 715, popped into my Instagram DM’s asking if I would ever be interested in working in Lawrence. CONTINUED >

Executive Chef Kelly Conwell

My first thought was no, but I learned from mentors that it never hurts to have a conversation—if you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never know about new opportunities. So, we met at a coffee shop, and Matt and 715 partner Katrina Weiss and I hit it off. We talked for hours. Then, my husband and I went to Lawrence and had dinner, and everything was just so perfect. The space was beautiful, the food was amazing, the staff was awesome. I think the biggest factor was that I would get to be doing my food again—making specials and getting back into desserts was a big pivot from what I was doing, and I missed it.”

The menu at 715 is constantly changing.

“We have a ton of regulars, so switching the menu up is important to me. They can come in and get the OG things they love, like the Penne Rage or spaghetti, or look on the right side of our menu for specials. I have an amazing talented staff that comes up with dishes that we tweak and create together, putting new spins on oldies but goodies since we opened in 2009.”

Some of 715’s most popular menu items include the crab ravioli made with mascarpone and ricotta filled pasta, butter-poached crab, cognac cream and herbs, and their goat cheese croquettes made with truffle honey, aged balsamic aioli and herbs. Also, the lasagna Bolognese made of braised pork and beef, béchamel, tomato and parmesan is nothing short of life changing. Try the Lumache alla vodka snail-shaped pasta made with tomato vodka sauce, fresh basil, parmesan, and add shrimp—it’s the one pasta Chef Conwell put on the menu and is her personal favorite.

“We try to use as much local product as possible. Two Sisters Farm provides us with our awesome lettuces, spicy greens, arugula, basil and baby kale. Scott, who we get our produce from, has an awesome selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables. He has a great relationship with other farmers and vendors and will send me lists of things that they have a little of, or an immense amount of, during the peak season. I tell him to send me boxes, and we use them for all our specials—that’s what’s so cool and great about printing menus every day.”

Save room for dessert inspired by Conwell—certain words will jump off the menu and make you smile, like the Not So Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies and the Sprinkle B*tch coconut cake made with pineapple cream filling, white chocolate buttercream, toasted coconut and sprinkles, which can be ordered breakup style, à la Mode. Don’t miss the warm dark chocolate soufflé cake made

“715 is both uniquely fresh yet oddly familiar—it’s almost like eating at your favorite restaurant, but for the very first time.”

with dark cherries, toffee, Madagascar vanilla ice cream and white chocolate. Trust me, order it all.

“The overarching idea that we try to focus on is the honest belief that going out to eat is special. Decisions we make about the menu content, menu design, music, lighting, even things like the way the flatware feels in your hand... all of this matters. How do we like to be treated when we

are guests somewhere? It doesn’t matter if you work in the back of house or front of house, we all want to feel special when we go out and provide that same attention to all of our guests.”

715 is located at 715 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence. For more information, visit 715mass.com

The Gift of Letter Writing

A Lost Art that Needs to be Found

ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

There is a lost art in letter writing that I wish to hold onto. In this speedy world where anything can be done lickity-click, a handwritten letter takes time and shows thoughtfulness. Much like a fingerprint, a person’s handwriting - as elegant or clumsy as it may be - is as much a piece of them as the color of their eyes or the sound of their voice. The handwriting of a loved one that has passed or the writing of a child that time has aged will forever be treasured because of who they are, not how beautiful the calligraphy.

I invite you to join me in handwriting a letter to someone you care for this month. Mother’s Day is a

wonderful reason. It could be as short as a sentence, as practical as a favorite recipe, or as light-hearted as a joke. Whatever is written, write it in your own handwriting as a gift to be treasured by the person you give it to.

WAX SEALS

Since a handwritten letter is a gift then the envelope should be treated like wrapping one. Sealing a letter with a wax stamp is a beautiful way to turn a standard paper letter into the gift that it is.

Supplies needed

1. Wax Sealing Stick

2. Sealing Stamp

3. Match or Lighter

How to apply a wax seal

1. Light the wick and hold the stick parallel to the work surface.

2. Let wax slowly drip into a coin sized circle onto the paper. It’s tempting to angle the stick down to increase the speed of drips but avoid this as pieces of soot will fall into the wax and discolor it.

3. Blow out the flame and set the stick aside.

4. Press the sealing stamp onto the melted wax. Hold for a few seconds before lifting away. If it sticks, gently rock the seal back and forth to release.

*Wax seals are able to be sent through the mail but you may consider an additional outer envelope to protect it from potential damage.

LuxuryPop-Up Picnics

These Picture-Perfect Parties Are Popping Up All Over

ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER

Luxury pop-up picnics. They’re the newest trend in parties and they’re popping up everywhere. Originally inspired by the pandemic, which made outdoor gatherings one of the only ways to safely get together, these fun and fabulous themed events started popping up all over the country. Some entrepreneurs turned luxury pop-up picnics into new business models, while others simply hopped on the bandwagon with personal celebrations. Either way, pop-up picnics are a fun and unique way to celebrate just about anything.

So what does a luxury pop-up picnic entail? First, you need a reason to celebrate. Pop-up picnic themes have included birthdays, engagements, bridal and baby showers, gender reveals, anniversaries, retirement parties, and more. Really any event is a great excuse to throw one together.

The most important step is choosing a theme. Your theme will help guide your decisions on everything else. The five main elements include a table, seating, food, drink, and decor. The table setting is what really defines your theme. Choose a

tablecloth, plates, glasses, napkins, and some sort of tabletop decor (vases, balloons, lanterns, etc.) that reflects the theme. Playful or posh, eclectic or elegant, the table will immediately communicate the vibe you’re going for.

When it comes to food, you can make it fit the theme as well. Food can be simple and homemade or catered. You can feature all appetizers, all desserts, or whatever seems right for the type of celebration you’re having.

The most wonderful thing about pop-up picnics is that they can literally pop up anywhere - in a park, a backyard, a beach, poolside, a specific venue - like a winery or outdoor restaurant (with permission from the owner obviously). The sky’s the limit.

How to Host a Pop-Up Picnic

So you want to plan a pop-up picnic. Here are some items you’ll have to decide on:

SEATING - decide on seating and either bring a table and chairs or use something at the venue. Your table can be low to the ground on a blanket with pillows for seats, a traditional wooden picnic table, rectangular folding tables, or round tables placed close together.

There’s really no occasion that can’t be celebrated with a pop-up picnic. Some themes have included, romantic dates, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, wedding showers, gender reveals, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or a surprise wedding proposal.

There really are no rules. Just make sure people have somewhere to sit, relax, and eat. The only real challenge is making sure the tables are already at the venue or that they are portable enough to transport them to the venue.

FOOD AND DRINK - you can have the food catered, you can pack sandwiches and chips in a picnic basket or cooler, or you can break out a fancy pre-made charcuterie tray. It all depends on the type of food you want - fancy and frou-frou or simple and snacky.

TO ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH, create a large sign with a message on it to set the tone. It can be an easel set up on the ground or a sign hung from a tree limbwhatever works best. Be creative!

A PHOTO BACKDROP is a great idea if you want to go over the top. Luxury pop-up picnics are all the rage on social media, so having a spot for a great photo-op will give guests a fun way to share their experience online.

If a luxury pop-up picnic sounds great, but you’d rather have someone else do all the work, check around. There are companies that specialize in these picnics who can take care of it all so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. Either way, it’s a fun way to make a celebration unique and memorable. So find an excuse to celebrate and plan a luxury pop-up picnic of your own.

An Inclusive and Beautiful Bridal Boutique

Eat, sip and enjoy the experience of saying YES to the dress

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY

All brides want to feel special when searching for and choosing that perfect dress. The experience should be everything they have ever dreamed about. At J.Lynn Bridal in Lawrence, owner Jena Lynn Dick and her staff make the whole process a memorable and enjoyable part of the wedding journey.

“We offer three different bridal appointments,” she says. “We do a free 60 minute appointment, but then we also offer a 90 minute appointment that includes beverages like sparkling water, hot tea, champagne, and mimosas. Our ultimate package is the VIP appointment, which is also 90 minutes and includes these beverages, but also boasts a charcuterie board full of fruits and other sweets, which changes depending on the season.”

All of the appointments are for a bride and up to four guests, although they can expand

a bit depending on the circumstances. Each bride gets her own consultant and a designated bridal suite. The bridal consultant takes the time to get to know the brides and their families and friends who they’ve entrusted to bring along with them.

The consultants, Martha Rose and El Runyan, who is also the store manager, are very supportive, patient and kind. They will talk with the brides and find out what they like and what they don’t like, and then have them try on dresses with different styles and in various silhouettes, especially if it’s the first time they’ve ever tried on dresses.

“We never want to rush the decision and always welcome them back for another appointment,” says Jena. “If and when they do decide on a dress, they can then try on veils and other accessories. We are a specialty

CONTINUED >

Jena Lynn Dick/Owner with Martha Rose and El Runyan

bridal boutique, so as long as we have four or five months until the wedding, we can customize and order the dresses in their sizes, colors, and styles.” If not, the store can also sell gowns off the rack if need be.

J.Lynn Bridal carries wedding attire for the entire party, including bridesmaids gowns, mothers of the bride dresses, and grooms wear. “Another one of our specialties is tuxedo and suit rental,” she says. “We handle the measurements and can do special orders. And, because many of our grooms like to keep their wedding suits, they can buy them from us.”

There’s a fun tradition when a bride says yes to her dream dress or when a groom says yes to his perfect suit. “Soon after we opened the store 10 years ago, one of my bridal consultants found this little gong in a second-hand music store in downtown Lawrence,” says Jena. “So, the bride and groom get to bang the gong once their choices are made. We believe it brings them good fortune.”

She and her staff also want to ensure that everyone who comes in feels comfortable, whatever their style or shape. The gowns are available in a wide range of sizes from zero to 32. “Designers have become very inclusive now, which I very much appreciate,” says Jena. “I want this to be a joyous time, a happy time, and women especially tend to get all caught up on sizes and weight, and you just don’t want to taint that moment with these issues.”

A good amount of the shop’s customers come from Kansas City, even though there are 20 plus bridal boutiques located there. As an independently-owned small business run by someone who was born and bred in Lawrence, Jena understands the demographic, the style and the price points of the region better than most.

J.Lynn Bridal, which is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has been awarded the Knots Best of Weddings every one of those years, and has been inducted into its Best of Weddings Hall of Fame. Visit JLynnBridal.com .

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Beautiful Blooms and Bouquets

BRING SOME LIFE AND COLOR INTO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE

As an artist, Cary Engle loves the process of creating beautiful and appealing designs. In his case, it’s with flowers. “I’m dealing with color, with design, and with composition every day,” he says. “Those are all the things that an artist would deal with in a painting or anything else they’re doing.”

While attending college for a degree in graphic design, Cary began working part-time at a florist. At first, he was just delivering flowers, but soon, he was expertly putting together floral arrangements. After graduation, the owners hired him to manage one of their stores, where he happily stayed for 12 years. But, after getting married and having a family, he left for the corporate world. However, the world of art and flowers lured him back.

“I helped some friends who had bought a flower shop, and when I came home, I told my wife Susan that I had to get back into it,” says Cary. “I missed being around all the creativity. So, we pooled our resources and, in 1993, opened Englewood Florist in downtown Lawrence.”

“We really appreciate our local customers. Without them, we wouldn't be here. When we made our move to North Lawrence, the community welcomed us along with the clients that we've made all over town.”

“We all have specialty artistic backgrounds. We have a nice mixture of people and provide great customer service to our clients.”

Along with a wide variety of fresh flowers, floral arrangements and bouquets and plants, the shop also does fun cookie and balloon bouquets. There are premium chocolates as well as custom jewelry made by their daughter Jennifer on display too. “She also has an art degree and she’s very creative,” he says. “She helps us out during the holidays.”

Emily, who used to be an art teacher in Lawrence, coordinates the interesting and educational classes offered. “We’re teaching floral design classes and just held a spring wreath class.”

Another staff member, Alex, handles weddings and other events, while Kelly does the everyday orders. “The people who work here weren’t just plucked off the street to work at a flower shop,” says Cary. “We all have specialty artistic backgrounds. We have a nice mixture of people and provide great customer service to our clients.” The shop has been voted “Best Florist in Lawrence” by the University Daily Kansan and has made the top spots on the Best of Lawrence list.

Flowers bring so much joy and life to any room, and when he hears people say, “Oh, I don’t want flowers because they just die in a few days,” he doesn’t understand it. “When you go out for dinner and spend $150 for a nice dinner, how long does that last?”

Flowers can thrive longer if the right care is taken. For example, buy in season; keep them in a cooler environment – heat takes all the moisture out of the petals; and recut the stems and change the water every day, making sure it goes to the top of the container.

This past March, Englewood Florist & Flower Delivery celebrated its 30th anniversary. “I’m proud of that,” says Cary. “We really appreciate our local customers.  Without them, we wouldn’t be here. When we made our move to North Lawrence, the community welcomed us along with the clients we’ve made all over town.”

Visit

Adventure Awaits

Chance Adventure Co gives families the freedom to hit the open road in classic style.

Kelley and Sam Chance have it figured out when it comes to spending quality family time together with their two young sons, Sully, 9, and Grady, 7. They literally took a chance in 2013 and bought Stella, a 1984 Airstream Excella, as a renovation project. One family camping trip and they were hooked. Now they are true vintage Airstream enthusiasts.

They sold Stella, but the “silver bullet” calling never left and Chance Adventure Co was born. Sam had talked for years about renovating and renting Airstreams.

ARTICLE BY JUDY GOPPERT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLEY PHOTO

“Once the pandemic hit, it was now or never,” Kelley says. “We welcomed Carolina into our family, a 1983 31’ Excella, and she’s been rocking out camping trips with us and our clients since early last year. In 2020, she traveled to Yellowstone, Glacier, the Badlands, Upper Peninsula in Michigan, Indiana Dunes, Kannapolis, Kansas and more. Georgia, a 1978 31’ Sovereign Land Yacht, is currently being renovated from the frame up.”

They will be adding to their fleet soon and are adding an Airstream Renovation Workshop on their Tonganoxie property. They also have the Chance Adventure Co shop, loaded with outdoorsy inspired items.

Adventure is a part of life for this active couple, who live on 10 acres. They have horses, garden, hike, bike and explore.

“By far, our favorite thing to do as a family is travel and spend time outdoors. We hiked the three miles roundtrip, 480-foot climb to Delicate Arch when the boys were 8 and 5, biked through the Badlands, kayaking Lake Michigan. We’ve had so many incredible experiences connecting the four of us, and connecting us to nature via camping,” she says. “The boys have learned a deep appreciation and love for Mother Earth, to navigate the terrain using a compass or their own wits, to identify and care for the flora and fauna around us, and they’ve gained so much confidence and courage through it all.”

Each trailer is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each rental. Airstreams are available for rental for road trips, or they can deliver and set up at local locations.

“There’s something magical about those silver trailers, especially the old ones. They have such character, and many stories within their aluminum walls,” she says. “Making them a part of our family story just made sense.”

“There’s something magical about those silver trailers, especially the old ones. They have such character, and many stories within their aluminum walls.”