Lawrence, KS September 2023

Lawrence has Style

Dear Reader,

I hope this letter finds you in high spirits and full of creative energy.

I had the recent experience of visiting Verona, Italy, where fashion and style permeate through the city. While there, my mind was actively envisioning the style of Lawrence, from the architecture to our wonderful downtown shopping options and the myriad of opportunities available to us in our galleries and restaurants, parks, museums and favorite hangouts.

Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of our local style. Style is not limited to the clothes we wear or the way we adorn ourselves; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. From the way we decorate our homes, to the music we listen to, from the books we read to the way we carry ourselves in conversations: Style permeates every facet of our existence. It is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives.

Style is deeply personal and evolves as we celebrate our quirks, passions, and desires. Style is a form of self-expression that communicates who we are, how we perceive the world, and what we value. In this way, style becomes a powerful tool for connection, enabling us to find common ground with others who share our aesthetic sensibilities.

As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. The photo above is representative of style. The three women with me include a fashion designer, a hair designer, and one of my dynamic friends and partners with City Lifestyle. We hope this issue inspires you to forge new paths or perhaps explore familiar ones. There is so much here in Lawrence to uplift your spirits, boost your productivity and ignite your creativity.

We hope you enjoy our stories and photos. Please be sure to visit our website citylifestyle.com/lawrenceks to see even more of the beautiful images taken for this month’s issue!

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Denise DeTommaso denise.detommaso@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Linda Ditch | linda.ditch@citylifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Hollie Blakeney | hollie.blakeney@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Meredithe McCormick meredithe.mccormick@citylifestyle.com

Amanda Brubaker amanda.brubaker@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Jamie Jamison | jamie.jamison@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Nathan Hutchcraft | nathan@fabuluxmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Hollie Blakeney, Sunni Battin, Melinda Briscoe, Kim Gronniger, Linda Ditch

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hollie Blakeney, Morgan Long, Darin White, Anthony Fergola, Susan Wolfe, Kristol Kumar

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

DETOMMASO, PUBLISHER @LAWRENCEKSCITYLIFESTYLE

DENISE

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Eco-friendly Style

High-quality, Sustainable Furniture is Good for Home and Planet

ARTICLE BY KIM GRONNIGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSAN WOLFE

Fifteen years ago, Diane Gercke spent a year researching mattresses for her toddler daughter’s first bed.

“I was surprised that all of the conventional options were filled with petroleum, solvents and fire-retardant chemicals,” she says.

Realizing a need for an area alternative for customers seeking toxin-free mattresses, she opened Eagles’ Rest Natural Mattresses and Furniture in January 2010 with three floor models of Savvy Rest natural latex mattresses. The store now carries three brands of mattresses, all made with natural latex foam, cotton and wool, with 20-year warranties. Mattresses can be customized in up to 50 ways and made differently on each side.

“Sleep is so important to our well-being, and a mattress is the most important piece of furniture you can buy,” Gercke says. “The right mattress can alleviate aches and pains and facilitate that necessary recovery work sleep provides us. Our mattresses feel fabulous, beyond anything most people have ever slept on. Sometimes people come in for a pillow and leave with a mattress because the difference is remarkable.”

Over time Gercke’s added American-made furniture lines offered by other manufacturers, along with lamps, linens, pillows, rugs, and accessories, to satisfy

customers’ appetite for attractive, sustainable products. One exception is a Norwegian line of customizable couches and chairs designed for neck and back support and overall body alignment.

Customers who discover Eagles’ Rest browse and buy mattresses, hardwood desks, bedroom suites, dining room sets and custom couches and chairs, all crafted with eco-friendly elements. In addition to ecological considerations, durability, craftsmanship and comfort are hallmarks of Gercke’s purchasing process and prowess, making the store a regional draw.

“I wanted to sell high-quality furniture that would look good and feel great, manufactured as close to Lawrence as possible to minimize the global carbon footprint overall,” Gercke says. “It’s healthier for customers and the environment to fill a home with beautiful products that don’t have a ton of unnecessary chemicals and are not disposable ‘fast furniture’ that ends up in our landfills.”

Gercke adds, “It’s been gratifying the past 14 years to see our friends and customers out in the community and hear how much they appreciate their purchases.”

Learn more about Eagles’ Rest Natural Mattresses and Furniture at EaglesRestNaturalHome.com.

Senior portraits are such an important part of your senior year and I want to make this experience fun and carefree for you!

This is your time to celebrate this MILESTONE in your life I am here to make that the easiest possible My sessions feel like fluid conversations Lots of laughter and the occasional moment to take your breath away I am here to make you shine!

Trending Tresses

EFFORTLESS IS WHAT'S POPULAR IN HAIRSTYLES FOR FALL

ARTICLE BY MELINDA BRISCOE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY FERGOLA AND PRESTIGE SALON

Autumn brings a collective sigh of relief after the dog days of summer. The beachwear gets laundered and tucked away until next year. Flip-flops are no longer the favored footwear. And many of us want to make an update to our tresses once the days get a little cooler and shorter.

Hairstylist and educator Breanna Bell of Prestige Salon, says, “There are several terms that are being used a lot right now. One of them is lived in, and the other is effortless. This is a shift from the structured ideals we had in years past. The mindset now is more ease of daily care.”

Prestige Salon owner Breanna Bell (right) with her sister, fashion designer Catherine Bell

Often when people speak of changing their hairstyle in or after September, it’s an alteration of color. Warmer, darker tints are usually favored in the fall. The colors denote an unwinding of the scorching temperatures and a loosening of what can be frenetic about summer.

Bell explains, “Whereas we used to see an all-over color, which can be harsher on the hair, now something called Balayage is gaining traction. It is a technique utilizing natural root color, so there is a natural fade as it grows out. It can be done on all hair types.”

The lived-in movement stresses education toward healthier hair. It centers around giving folks a style they can maintain with relative ease while cultivating stronger hair. After the stresses of summer sun and heat, repair and rejuvenation

are paramount. Many stylists are now using their knowledge to teach their clients to care not only for specific styles but also for hair integrity and growth.

Bell says braids are still very popular as a protective style for clients with curly, textured hair. Of the many types of braids gaining popularity, Dutch Braids are often requested. They are similar to corn rows but are not as tightly braided. And when it comes to cuts, more people are asking for the long bob.

Bell notes that one thing seems to be in style no matter what: “Right now, regardless of cut, my clients almost always ask for some type of face-framing. This can mean bangs or just a few pieces on the side. But even with blunt cuts, women want something that will give their face some softness.”

DECADES OF KU FOOTBALL STYLE

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH

How Uniforms Have Changed Over Time

It’s a crisp autumn day in Lawrence. The stands are full of football fans anxious to cheer on the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The band is playing, and everyone jumps to their feet as the team runs onto the field…

…wearing long-sleeved sweaters, canvas pants, and high-top boots. And no helmets!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

KU Football players from 1905

In the late 1800s, this is what KU fans would have experienced. Football players back then dressed very differently from what we see today. Early football shoes were more like work boots. Shoulder pads were leather and wool concoctions sewn into the player’s jerseys, and the pants were canvas with pads sewn in to protect the knees and thighs. Writer Amy Daughters described

the look in a 2013 “Bleacher Report” article as “players dressed like they were in a Civil War era street fight.”

Since then, uniforms evolved as the sport developed and player safety came to the forefront. Considering in 1905, 23 athletes died from playing college football, upgrades in player protection and rule changes eventually led to the style players

KU DL Tommy Dunn, Jr., C Mike Novitsky and QB Jalon Daniels in the new all-blue uniforms for 2023

wear today. KU Football recently unveiled new uniforms for the 2023 season made by Adidas. These are far different from what players wore more than a century ago.

The most significant distinction between then and now is the helmet. In those early days, players didn’t wear them! However, by the 1890s, they started to think about their well-being. Some wore headgear made of leather straps and moleskin with ear flaps and no facemasks, looking more like aviators than football players.

Helmets didn’t become mandatory until 1939. The Riddell company made the first plastic helmet in 1940 and created the style we’re more familiar with in the 1970s. Facemasks started showing up in the 1950s. Today, companies are studying ways to make helmets safer. Some are styled based on the player’s position on the field and their head’s impact on other players and the turf.

Visually, one significant change in this year’s new KU uniforms is the font for the lettering and numbers. Gone is the Trajan font used since 2007. Instead, everything is in a bold block font. Also missing this season is an all-red uniform option.

The new all-blue look will be the primary home uniform—a blue jersey, pants, and helmet. Details include white stripes outlined in red on the shoulders and an all-caps Kansas in white above the white player’s number, also outlined in red. Plus, each jersey has the Adidas and Big 12 Conference patches.

“It’s exciting to be upgrading our uniforms,” says Jalon Daniels, starting quarterback and Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve had those same blue uniforms. These are a little more skintight, so it’s going to be easier for us to be able to get away from a defender.”

Defensive lineman Tommy Dunn, Jr. adds, “For me, it fits very nice. That’s upgraded from my old uniforms. Like JD said, they are skintight, so the offensive lineman won’t hold on to us. It’ll be easier to make a move, get vertical and sack the quarterback. The other jerseys wouldn’t move with you, so this is way easier.”

An all-white option will be the primary away game uniform. In this style, the stripes and numbers are blue with a red outline. The helmet is white with a blue stripe down the middle and red accents. Both helmet styles feature the Jayhawk logo.

One noticeable difference between the uniforms of old and the ones today is gloves. Players in the past didn’t wear them, and not all players wear them today, including Daniels. He says the feel and grip on the ball is better without gloves. Conversely, defensive lineman Tommy Dunn, Jr. wears them to protect his hands and fingers while fighting through the opponent to sack the quarterback.

Center Mike Novitsky falls in the middle. He says, “I don’t wear a glove on my right hand, so I can feel the ball when I snap it to JD. But I wear one on the left to protect it for blocking.”

Fans will first see the new uniforms in action on September 1st against Missouri State at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, also known as “The Booth.”

Daniels says, “I’m a big fan of these uniforms and excited to see how they feel when we play.”

For more photos of KU football uniforms, old and new, go to citylifestyle.com/lawrenceks

KU QB Jalon Daniels in the new all-blue uniform

MEET THE MAKERS

LAWRENCE ART IN THE PARK SNEAK PEEK

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLIE BLAKENEY

LORI GEORGE MATT ROMAN

Matt Roman of Resurrected Woodworks considers himself a lifelong woodworker. He creates heirloom quality household and art pieces out of scavenged lumber, much of it from trees removed due to urban sprawl. His furniture, household goods, vessels, and sculptures are beautifully crafted. Learn more at www.resurrectedwoodworks.com

Lori creates expressionist florals and abstracts with vivid colors and layers. Working primarily in acrylic, she often incorporates pastels, collages, and paint pens. She also teaches free art tutorials on Let’s Make Art and Olive and Archer’s Unbound program. Learn more at www.lorigeorgeart.com

JEN FOSTER

Jen creates intricate pen and ink drawings influenced by the chaos and symmetry in everyday life. Negative/positive space, perspective, and tonal gradients guide much of what she creates; clean, straight lines alongside tangled, organic elements add contemplative depth to her art. Learn More at www.jenfosterink.com .

REBECCA BANCROFT

Everywhere she looks, Rebecca sees bots waiting to be reunited with heads, appendages, and bodies. It has become her mission to rescue these parts, reassemble them, and release completed robots into the world again. Made of vintage metalware, each bot has its own name, story, and personality for you to bond with. Meet them at www.thebotconnection.com .

ALLISON ICE

Allison’s jewelry transforms familiar childhood elements into bizarre objects and unexpected wearables. Her creations whimsically question and satirize the human experience. With an MFA from KU, Allison’s talent shines. Her work is truly original. You can learn more at www.icebyallisonice.com

NICO NICO

Chef's Table: The Eldridge House Grille

ARTICLE BY DENNIS SNEED

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN LONG

Step into timeless tradition and modern luxury at The Eldridge Hotel. We've perfectly balanced versatile menus and different vibes to cater to your taste. The Eldridge House Grille awaits you with a modern American menu filled with favorites from enticing Kansas City hand-cut steaks to seafood specials and pasta dishes to die for. Our extensive cocktail list is the cherry on top of an unforgettable dining experience.

Whiskey Smash

Created by Monte Parish, Bar and Restaurant Manager

ingredients

• 2 oz J. Rieger Whiskey

• 1 oz Lemon Juice

• 1 oz Mint Simple Syrup

• Lemon peel and mint, for garnish

directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker.

2. Fill with ice.

3. Shake and strain into a double glass with a whiskey stone.

4. Garnish with Lemon peel and mint.

Clam Chowder

ingredients

• 2 cups clams-large (about 8 clams)

• 2 potatoes-diced -- large

• 1 1/2 cups onions-sliced

• 1 cup bell peppers - chopped

• 1 cup celery stalks - chopped fine

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 tablespoon accent seasoning

• 1-quart clam stock

• 2 tablespoons clam base

• 1 cup tomatoes-whole - chopped

directions

1. Steam clams in one quart of water in a large kettle. Save liquid to use as clam stock.

2. Dice the clams. Cook the potatoes separately in two cups of boiling water for 5-10 min. Drain.

3. In a large pot, sauté the onion, peppers, celery, and paprika in butter until the vegetables are tender, about six minutes.

4. Add flour and accent, stirring well so that the mixture does not brown.

5. Add clam stock, clam base, potatoes, & clams. Allow to simmer for 15 min. Add tomatoes and simmer for 5-10 min.

Shrimp Stroganoff

ingredients

• 6 large shrimp peeled and deveined

• 3 tbsp. of butter

• 1 cup of mushrooms

• 2 tbsp. of dry sherry

• 2 tbsp. of all-purpose flour

• 1/8 tsp. of black pepper

• 1/4 cup of chicken

• 4 oz of sour cream

• 2 tsp. of minced parsley for garnish

directions

1. Preheat a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Shell and devein shrimp; rinse with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

3.  Cook shrimp in two tablespoons hot butter or margarine (1/4 stick), stirring frequently, until shrimp turns pink and tender, about three minutes.

4. Remove shrimp from the bowl with a slotted spoon, and add one more tablespoon of hot butter to drippings in the skillet.

5. Add mushrooms and sherry; cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are tender. In a cup, stir flour, pepper, chicken stock, and one cup of water until blended; stir in mushrooms.

6. Cook mushroom mixture, stirring constantly, until sauce boils and thickens slightly. Reduce heat to low; stir in sour cream until blended.

7. Return shrimp to skillet and cook over low heat, stirring, until shrimp is hot; do not boil. Pour Stroganoff into serving bowl over rice or pasta, and garnish with parsley.

Autumn Style

Three Massachusetts Street Stores Show Off Fashion for Fall

You have been warned! What you’re about to see might make you want to add some adorable new styles to your wardrobe. This fall, there is so much to adore when it comes to the fun and funky. And the best part is these styles are also very functional.

ARTICLE BY MELINDA BRISCOE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

Clothing with a Western flair, monochromatic matching sets, bold floral patterns, and plenty of knits make the different outfit combinations endless. The colors can be muted fall tones, but there are also deep, vibrant hues.

Shawna Swanson of Swanson’s at 700 Massachusetts is feeling the fashionable flair in her store. Bold colors are all the rage. Reds, blues, and greens are a departure from the light-colored athleisure looks of spring and summer. She also made note of some items that are mixable and matchable with what you may already have in your closet.

Swanson's

Eccentricity

A few doors down, Eccentricity owner Morgan Fellers talks about what she’s excited to see this fall. There are equestrian- and western-inspired clothing, many great prints, and crocheted and knitted pieces. These are quality items that ladies will be able to look fabulous in for years. Fellers also points out that little extra things can make an outfit pop.

“We have an oversized cashmere sweater that is pure fall, and I can see myself wearing that every Saturday,” Swanson says. “I also love the reversible robe and the black sweater by Codice that can be paired with what you probably already have in your wardrobe.”

“Layered jewelry and statement accessories never go out of style,” she says. “Pieces in our shop, like handbags by Consuela, a company based in Austin, Texas, along with bags from Pranee, which are handmade in Thailand, are really eye-catching.”

Swanson's

Eccentricity

Swanson's

Weavers Department Store, at 901 Massachusetts, also has plenty of prettiness for the season. Their racks are reflective of what’s trending with bolder, brighter colors. Burgundies, mustard yellows, and indigo blue look

Eccentricity’s Fellers sums up fall fashion this year: “Many people do want to be on trend, but they also want to have unique pieces that make sense for their own personal style. Clothing and accessories that are well made and meant to last are important for many women to own because they can go back to them again and again, creating different looks.”

For more fashion images, visit our website at citylifestyle. com/lawrenceks .

beautiful on their blouses, skirts, and dresses. Knits are also found in various forms throughout. Fun sweaters from Wooden Ships paired with Democracy jeans are a great go-to outfit for ladies who want to get things done, be comfy, and look good all at once.

“Activewear will always be an important part of our inventory,” comments store owner Joe Flannery.

Eccentricity

Weavers

Weavers

ART GALLERY STYLE

One-of-a-Kind Pieces Makes for Unique Home Décor

ARTICLE BY SUNNI BATTIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARIN WHITE

Art adds that something extra to your home. Beautiful pieces showcase your personal style, are a great conversation starter, and create vibrance and mood for a room. Three galleries in Lawrence - Art Love Collective, Phoenix Gallery, and Cider Gallery – can help you discover your art style and select the perfect piece for your décor.

CIDER GALLERY

In May, the Cider Gallery marked its 20th anniversary in a building at least 140 years old. Executive director Jennifer Burkhead says style is a fitting term for the gallery.

“First, our curator, Jeromy Morris, is infinitely talented in recruiting artists and curating the shows,” she says. “Second, the style of the building lends itself to many different types of art shows and private events.”

To view the artwork on exhibit requires an appointment for a tour, though the gallery is open to the public on Final Fridays, a monthly art exhibition on the last Friday of the month. The pieces are also available on the gallery’s website.

ART LOVE COLLECTIVE

The newest gallery in town, Art Love, is a vibrant space full of colorful art. Co-founder Hollie Blakeney says they opened the space because they saw a gap in the art scene in Lawrence.

“There are many, many artists, but there was no space focused solely on local artists,” she said. “Art Love is a gallery space where local artists can sell their work. We also have art studios, professional development courses for artists, and help artists develop and market classes they teach onsite.”

The artwork in the gallery ranges from stickers for a couple of dollars to sculptures worth thousands. Ninety percent of the price goes directly to the artist.

PHOENIX GALLERY

In the 1990s, the Phoenix Galley began as a co-op for artists who wanted to collaborate on a space to display and sell art. Over time, it moved to local, private ownership. Like Cider Gallery, Phoenix also launches a new exhibit on each Final Friday featured for the following month.

“We love artists,” says Rochelle Marsh, gallery director. “Every day, we are amazed by the skill and creativity they exhibit, and it is a great privilege that we can bring our artists and customers together.”

Art Love Collective

Cider Gallery

realty report

A sample of recently sold properties in Lawrence, Kansas.

This data is a sampling of sold properties from June 2023. Source: Lawrence MLS.

The Beauty of Music

IT'S MORE THAN JUST SOUND

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA DITCH AND PROVIDED BY BEAUTIFUL MUSIC VIOLIN SHOP

The beauty of music comes from more than just the notes. Instruments have an artistic appeal that makes walking into a music shop like entering an art gallery. The lines, shapes, and colors make these musical pieces lovely to look at, touch and play.

Step into Beautiful Music Violin Shop, and you understand the name. On the walls are numerous violins displayed like works of art. The store’s artisans, known as luthiers, are renowned for their restorative work, tonal setups, and bow repair and re-hair services. They bring back to life not only violins but also violas, cellos, and basses.

Owner James Hanson (J.J. to his friends) stumbled into violin repair. He started out learning to build and repair guitars. Afterward, he decided to try the violin repair program and fell in love with the instrument.

“I wasn’t a violin player at all,” Hanson says. “I was just a lover of instruments and intrigued by instrument making…. I consider the violin to be one of the most honest instruments. It will tell you when you’re doing something wrong. It’s a very difficult instrument to play, but once you learn how to play it, it is the most freeing. It’s tucked between your chin and shoulder, almost on your throat, vibrating on your chin. It’s almost like a direct musical connection to your soul.”

At Supersonic Music, owner Derek Sharp makes stunning drums under his Tree House Custom Drums label. His styles range from rock and pop glitter to world drums’ warm, handmade look. His workshop is in the basement of the Supersonic Music shop in Topeka, but he sells his work in both the Lawrence and Topeka shops and online.

Sharp’s drum-making career started in high school. He cleaned and repaired used drums, then sold them to make extra money. After buying Supersonic Music, a customer, who was unhappy with the slow progress of another drum maker on his custom set, gave Sharp a push to start making drums from scratch.

Sharp remembers, “I spent nine months making two drum sets, taking copious notes, and trying different experiments. And I made stuff to make tools to make drums. That was in 2001, and as far as I know, he’s still using the drums today.”

Since then, Sharp’s drums have shipped to every continent except Antarctica. They’ve gone to military groups, traveling Broadway musicals, universities, symphonies, rock stars, college professors, hobbyists, and high schools and middle schools.

Check out Sharp’s artistic work at SuperSonicMusic.com and TreeHouseDrums.com . Information about Beautiful Music’s stringed instrument repair services is found at BeautifulMusicViolinShop.com

Repair work at Beautiful Music Violin Shop

Tree House Custom Drums

Violin repair at Beautiful Music Violin Shop

A Tree House Custom Drums set ready for sale at Supersonic Music