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The Golden City M A R C H 2 022

HOMEGROWN CARE • LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED • ALL PRIVATE INSURANCE BENEFITS HONORED When your family is in need of prompt emergency care from injury or illness, our highly trained staﬀ & board-certiﬁed physicians are just minutes away! Topeka ER & Hospital is dedicated to providing our local community with access to fast, quality, and concierge-level medical care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Home and Design

March 2022 PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

Home. It is meant to be a place of retreat, rest, love, and a shelter from the outside world - a place where you can let your guard down and just be. Some homes feel just like that, and some can be filled with conflict and strife. It is never too late to change the climate of our homes. In a world that can be cruel, let the home be a place where we build each other up. Make a continual effort to teach with love, correct with love and express love every day. Take time to enjoy all the small moments with family instead of getting caught up in all the daily tasks that can steal our attention away. Be intentional about being truly present when spending time with our family instead of dividing our attention with our technology or to-do list. Although we usually aren’t perfect at accomplishing these things, it is a worthwhile goal to strive for every day. March is our Home and Design issue. Creating a home that you want to spend all of your time in isn’t easy. The memories that are made within the walls of our home are what last, regardless if our home has the latest trends or if it hasn’t been updated in years. While it is fun to look at beautiful homes and dream about renovations, we all know that the love we share in our homes is truly what matters most. Golden City, in this year’s Home issue, we take a peek inside a non-traditional local home that boasts beautiful designs that I hope will leave you inspired. You will also find stories on local realtors to help you find that perfect new home, and merchants who can help you update your existing home with everything from furniture to water filtration systems. From our home to yours, we wish you love, peace and happiness.

STAFF PHOTOGR APHER S

Thomas Hall | thomas.hall@eagleaerialworld.com Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com STAFF WR ITER S

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

Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER

Jayme Emery

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

K AT H Y G R A H A M , E D I TO R I A L C O O R D I N ATO R @TOPEK ALIFEST YLE

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Topeka City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Topeka area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No 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 Topeka City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

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

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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MARCH 2022

inside the issue The Home Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

18 A Penthouse View

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Maker’s Studio

Decor Trends

Expert Help

Local Limelight

Eat Right

Realty Report

An Art Lovers Dream

26 Family Affair

A Topeka Home Furnishings Store Starts a Second Chapter

32 Drink to Your Health

Bottled Water Quality And Taste Straight From Your Tap

34 Meet the Team at Stone & Story Partnerships are Key

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Kristol Kumar Terry Honeyman and partner Meryce Clemmons’ penthouse view from the twelfth floor of the Downtown Ramada Hotel.

HO ME + DES IG N

HO ME + DES I GN

HO ME S ERV I C ES R EA L ESTAT E

LI FE + C U LT U R E R EA L ESTAT E

CHOOSE NATURAL. CHOOSE TIMELESS.

“There can be joy and peace at the end of life. It deserves the same dignity and respect as the beginning of life. Midland Care Hospice helps provide comfort and peace for patients and their families at a very difficult and personal time in their lives. We can provide an oasis of calm to the patient and focus on meeting the end-of-life needs." - Camille Carson, Midland Care Staff Member

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MARCH 2022

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1: Caroline Bivens loves her remodeled living room, thanks to Heart & Home Design Co. and Refined Construction. 2: Ryan Brinker’s favorite place is the fireplace downstairs. Pets: Cooper and Wednesday love napping there. 3: Say hi to Ashley Wallace and Tobias Harvey.

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MARCH 2022

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Functional Cents - A New Financial Coaching Business As a supplement to working with financial advisors, my goal is to help people get to the root of their money problems and on a path to financial health. Through 1-1 coaching, I strive to educate and empower clients by focusing on budgeting, debt elimination, savings planning, as well as other aspects of personal finance that get overlooked, including focusing on their goals, values and behaviors with money. Contact Jeff Schmidtlein info@functionalcents.com Visit: functionalcents.com

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Topeka ER & Hospital Partners with Hope Restored Treatment Center The service is provided entirely within Topeka ER & Hospital and provides an in-patient hospital stay to medically detox patients from alcohol and benzodiazepines. Hope Restored Treatment Center partners with fully licensed medical facilities such as Topeka ER & Hospital to ensure the safety and care of patients undergoing detox. Topeka ER & Hospital is a 17,700-square-foot micro-hospital featuring 8 emergency beds, 6 inpatient beds, on-site lab including MRI, X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound. topekahospital.com

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Bundle & Save

Bundling your insurance into a single package policy saves time and money. Add life insurance for your family and you could save even more. Contact me to schedule a SuperCheck® today. Yana Ross 6028 SW 29th St. Topeka, KS Office | 785.266.9262 Mobile | 785.215.1102 AgentYana.com

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B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D

Blacksmith Event Centre has a New Owner Melinda Field This venue has a Cocktail Lounge and is built for Private and Public Events. It has everything you need for your perfect event: Reception space, meeting space, catering kitchen, dressing room, audio and visual equipment, free wi-fi, a host team and provides set up and clean up. The cocktail lounge, with the bar top made from the Old Post Office floor, is fully stocked and has craft cocktails designed by Russell MacAbee. Visit blacksmitheventcentre.com.

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A PENTHOUSE VIEW An Art Lovers Dream

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | HOME + DE S I GN

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M AK E R’S ST U D IO | HOME + DE S I GN

Terry Honeyman has three passions in life: Cars, art, and music. He satisfies the first one through a decades-long career selling cars in Topeka, most recently as owner of Honeyman Auto Plaza on South Kansas Avenue. His other two passions are evident the minute you walk into the 8,000 square-foot penthouse he shares with partner Meryce Clemmons on the twelfth floor of the Downtown Ramada Hotel. Every inch of available wall space features a work of art, many with music-based themes. While beautiful, all the artwork takes a backseat to the spectacular view as you enter the living room. Two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city below and the horizon to the south and west. If you're lucky to be there at sunset, the sight is breathtaking. "For me, I never get tired of this view," Honeyman says. "I get unbelievable sunsets. Unbelievable views of storms. The only problem is I always run out of wall space. Too much art." Bold paintings by artists such as Mike Debus, Peter Max, and Robert Cronin hang throughout the penthouse. Several Bill Mack alto relief

sculptures are also featured, including a large relief of actress Marilyn Monroe in the master bedroom. Interspersed throughout are Asian art pieces with striking black, yellow, and red hues. Many of Honeyman's art feature musicians, which isn't surprising since he spent many years in the entertainment business. He owned the TNT nightclub in 1979. Customers lined up every weekend to dance throughout the night, and the male dancers featured on Tuesdays' ladies' night were once featured on The Phil Donahue Show. Honeyman also booked music acts into places such as The Grand Theater and Expocentre in Topeka. Spend any time with him, and you'll hear great stories. There's the one about the Oak Ridge Boys giving him a ride home on their tour bus while traveling from Oklahoma City to Omaha. Another features Tina Turner asking him to get a bucket of KFC for her after her concert at The Grand. And one about how Martin Sheen stayed in his house while filming "A Matter of Justice."

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A friend told Honeyman about the Ramada's 12th floor in 2006 when he was selling his West Topeka home. At the time, the hotel was using it for storage. Honeyman remembers, "When I got off the elevator, it took me 45 minutes to get from the elevator to the windows, and all the windows were covered with bedspreads. But when I pulled them apart and looked out, I knew this was it." Living in a hotel has its benefits. Honeyman can access amenities like the gym, pool, and parking. However, he admits residing on the top floor has drawbacks. For example, when the remodeling started, the only way to get building materials delivered was with a crane through the windows. The new hardwood floors were

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | HOME + DE S I GN

elevated to accommodate the electrical and plumbing without disrupting the rooms below. And those windows? While they provide a great view, they also generate a great deal of heat. Despite all the challenges from 16 years ago, Honeyman is itching to start a new remodeling project in an untouched area of the 12th floor. He plans to create a new living space, possibly tying it into the existing space or making a completely new area separate from his current living area. "I've got this thing I call attainable vision," he says. "It's setting your goals to where they're reachable. You just have to figure out how to get there. Everything that I've ever wanted to do was attainable. I just had to figure out how to get it."

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FA MILY AFFAIR A TOPEKA HOME FURNISHINGS STORE STARTS A SECOND CHAPTER If you live in Topeka, you’ve probably shopped at, or at least heard of, Home at Last. It’s a local furniture store specializing in custom upholstered pieces and trending home decor. One of the best things about Home at Last is that they offer a large volume of furniture, rugs, and home decor items with plenty on display to see, touch, and experience. All of the furniture is customizable with an extensive selection of upholstery fabrics to choose from.

D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E + DE S I GN

The showroom is full of great pieces, hand-selected and ready for fast delivery. The store even features a unique section of giftables like baby clothes, candles, witty greeting cards, and more. It’s the perfect place to find that special heartfelt hostess or shower gift. What you may not know is that Home at Last almost closed its doors last fall. But fate, and another local Topeka business owner, had other plans. Tammy Thiessen was a loyal customer at Home at Last. She launched her local

ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL

company, Thiessen Design + Construction, in March of 2018. The innovative business model combines her skills in interior design with the construction skills of her brother, Daniel Carlson, the general contractor. By joining forces, they offer a turnkey solution so homeowners can build a home from concept to completion. Having sourced a lot of her home furnishings from Home at Last, Tammy was extremely disappointed to hear that the owner would no longer be able to operate the store. “It was such a great store, unlike any other in Topeka. I hated to think of Topeka without it,” Tammy said. But her entrepreneurial spirit got the best of her. “The more I thought about it, the more it made sense,” Tammy explained. “Home

at Last was the perfect fit for our company.” After talking with her husband and brother, they hatched a plan to purchase the store. Enter, Tammy’s husband, Brett Thiessen. Brett had been working in the corporate world. “I had a team scattered across the country. But seeing what Tammy was building over the past few years, watching her interact with this team of people and making those local connections on a daily basis…I really craved that kind of connection,” he admitted. So when the opportunity arose to buy the Home at Last store, it was an easy decision. “It just seemed like a natural and obvious expansion of the business,” Brett added. So Brett stepped up to manage the operations side of Home at Last. “We were so happy we could keep it here and offer this unique space to Topeka residents,” Brett shared. “Reconnecting to the local community, working with family, and keeping a company like Home at Last a part of the business landscape…it’s been a home run!” Tammy shares his enthusiasm. “Topeka has so much momentum!” Tammy exclaimed. “We moved here 12 years ago and it’s been amazing to see the transformation just in that short amount of time. We are excited to be part of this town, part of creating a city that welcomes new people and offers these kinds of services. It’s fun to live in a city and community that we can be proud of.” Visit Home at Last on Facebook or Instagram: @homeatlastco CONTINUED >

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E + DE S I GN

“RECONNECTING TO THE C O M M U N I T Y, W O R K I N G W I T H FA M I LY, A N D KEEPING HOME AT L A S T…I T ’ S B E E N A HOME RUN!” - BRETT THIESSEN MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

WE HELP KEEP YOU HEALTHY AND HAPPY D R . J U L I E C . S W I F T • 7 8 5 . 2 3 3 .1 7 5 6 • TO P E K A P E R I O.C O M

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DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH Bottled water quality and taste straight from your tap ARTICLE BY SUE BALDWIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR While we all know how essential water is in our lives, not all water is created equal. Taking into account the popularity of bottled water, it’s clear that many people don’t exactly like the water that comes out of their taps. Although it tastes great, buying bottled water can get expensive, create plastic waste, and be quite a hassle to lug home. Fortunately, there’s a much better solution. “Culligan Water of Northeast Kansas can install a water filtration system underneath the sink,” says Jacob Hammontree, general manager of its Topeka facility. Its compact units easily fit under a sink and can be installed in as little as an hour to an hour and a half. If you can’t spare any space, Culligan also offers a tankless system. Another option, ClearLink PRO™, uses wireless technology that allows you to switch your main faucet from unfiltered to filtered tap water at the touch of a button. Whichever option you choose, all will use reverse osmosis technology. “Using a reverse osmosis system takes your average tap water that you're getting from your municipality or your rural water areas and completely purifies it down to bottled water quality,” says Jacob. The main contaminants in water, he explains, especially with a municipal supply, are chlorine and chloramines. Although these are added to water to kill bacteria, they’re not necessarily the safest things to consume. There are other contaminants you don't want to be drinking, he says, such as synthetic compounds known as PFOAs and PFOSs. “These can get into the water supply very easily and because they’re so small, they’re very hard to remove other than through reverse osmosis.” Jacob adds, “With Culligan’s water filtration system, the water goes through three filters including a semipermeable membrane and removes these and other impurities. This gives you the purest water possible and it tastes just how water is supposed to taste - like there's nothing in it.” With its innovative system that uses the most advanced technology available, it’s much more effective than carbon filter pitchers and faucet filter attachments. And all you have to do, he says, is change out the filters every year.

EXP E RT H E LP | HOM E SE RVI CE S

Photo by Kristol Kumar

Since 1921, the Culligan name has been synonymous with better water. Today, the company offers a multitude of services including water quality testing, water softening systems, and bottled water delivery for residents and businesses. Jacob is proud to say that what really makes the company stand out though is its high level of customer service. To find out more, go to topekaculligan. com/products/reverse-osmosis/.

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Meet the

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Team at Stone & Story

PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY

Forming partnerships is the key component to growth for Stone & Story Real Estate Group. The first was between husbands Darin Stephens and Brian Laird, married in life and partners with the business they formed in 2015. The following year, they partnered with Annette Stahl, a Realtor and designer who worked with Dultmeier Homes on new construction projects. Fast forward to 2021. Stone & Story partnered with Realtor Sara Fox and her team, specializing in real estate north of Topeka. "Stone & Story's background in marketing and aggressive company growth was evident in all of their past endeavors," Fox says. "To then witness in person the balance of that with their compassion for their clients and respect for others in the industry, well, it pretty much stole our heart!" Stephens adds, "Sara Fox and her team bring the expertise, local knowledge, and experience I was looking for to expand our business." CONTINUED >

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | R EA L E STATE

Darin Stephens

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Brian Laird

Sara Fox

Abby Dunford

Dee Ellis Annette Stahl

Brittany DeBarge

Lance Royer

Ian McAsey

Susan Rhule

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | R EA L E STATE

Kelli Higgins

NOW, GET TO KNOW THE STONE & STORY REAL ESTATE GROUP:

Margie Grace

Pam Trusdale

• Annette Stahl, Realtor and Designer: "My mission is to use my love of design to inspire connections and discoveries, create joyful vibrations, so people are inspired to follow their heart to create their dream life." • Sara Fox, Realtor and Team Leader: "We are in an industry where we are welcomed into the most personal part of our clients' lives. Trust me. I recognize the true honor given to us in being able to do so." • Brian Laird, Realtor and Director of Creative Services: "What I enjoy most is the team of people we have built that I get to work with every day in some capacity, watching them grow and write their own new stories and careers." • Kelli Higgins, Realtor and Marketing Director: "I love to see a buyer's eye light up when they find the right home! I also love that this career is always changing and different. Helping people through the chapters of their life is so rewarding!" • Brittany DeBarge, Realtor: "I like the friendship I have among all of the other agents and staff. I also appreciate the image and quality of ethics that Stone and Story worked hard to achieve." • Abby Dunford, Realtor: "Initially, I loved how this team gives back to the community. I watched them volunteer to help clients and local business owners because they care. Now that I work alongside them, I love how our team feels more like a family." • Dee Ellis, Realtor: "What I like most is the feeling of happiness after helping someone to accomplish their goal, whether selling or buying. Especially helping first-time homebuyers get their first home." • Margie Grace, Realtor: "The way the entire staff treats people makes you feel appreciated and heard. They are a class act and want to give the ultimate service to all. I am extremely thrilled to be a part of the team!" • Ian McAsey, Realtor: "I chose to work in real estate because I enjoy helping other people reach their goals. Helping people identify their goals and then finding out how we can make it happen is the best job I could ask for." • Susan Rhule, Realtor: "It is my goal to work with clients from all walks of life. I take great pride in helping both buyers and sellers realize their dreams." • Lance Royer, Realtor: "I was in law enforcement for 30-plus years. I got in that career to help people, and I became a realtor to help people in a different way. To find a home they love." • Pam O'Toole Trusdale, Realtor and Transaction Coordinator: "I remember some of the frustrations we had when we were building, buying, and selling a home. I explain every step along the way to relieve any anxiety and make it an exciting experience for all of us." For more information stoneandstory.com.

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Masonry done the modern way. One dream at a time. (785) 845-6068 • www.modernmasonryllc.com • chriscazier@modernmasonryllc.com

The Topeka CounTry Club TO

P E K A C.C EST. 1905

Love Where You Play! Join Today! www.topekacc.org (785) 354-8561 MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

Daphne Oz: Beautiful Evenings at Home Emmy-winning TV Host & NY Times Bestselling Author Shares her Dinner Hosting Favorites

New York Times bestselling author Daphne Oz talks about her newest book, “Eat Your Heart Out: All-Fun, No-Fuss Food to Celebrate Eating Clean,” which launches in April. We sat down with Daphne Oz to learn more about her journey to home entertainment.

CITY LIFESTYLE: SHARE WITH US YOUR BACKGROUND AND THE INFLUENCE IT HAD ON YOUR JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY. DAPHNE OZ: I was born in Philly, raised in New Jersey, and now

my husband and our four kids and I live in Florida. I spend a few days each week working in NYC taping our new syndicated talk show, The Good Dish, covering everything delicious in daytime.

CL: WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR HOSTING A MEMORABLE DINNER PARTY AT HOME? DO: When I entertain, my general approach is: Abundant

Simplicity. Appetizers are generous piles of a few different things – olives, hunks of parmesan, spiced nuts, torn bread with herby oil to dunk in, sliced Persian cucumbers with a pool of labne or Greek yogurt, olive oil, and flaky salt for dipping. I look for recipes that are simple or that I’ve made 100 times before that are always crowd pleasers and leave me plenty of time to enjoy my company. The whole point of a beautiful evening together is to make sure you, the host, are relaxed and comfortable, because your guests will take their cue from you.

EAT R IGH T | L IFE + CU LTURE

CL: WHAT INSPIRED YOUR NEWEST COOKBOOK AND WHAT CAN WE GET EXCITED ABOUT? DO: In “Eat Your Heart Out: All-Fun, No-Fuss

Food To Celebrate Eating Clean” I share the techniques I’ve used to get my mind, energy and body back on track after each pregnancy or anytime I’ve needed to reboot good habits. It is a collection of 150 recipes free from gluten and refined sugar that have consistently helped me lose weight without ever disappointing my demanding tastebuds—or making healthy eating feel like a job I don’t need or want.

For foolproof recipes and entertaining tips for your next dinner party, scan the QR code below.

Photography Kensey Taylor MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / TO P E KA

FE BRUARY 2 0 2 2

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Topeka. N E I GH BO RH O O D

LIST PRICE

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Capricorn Woods #3

$283,900

$288,900

102%

Aquarian Acres #9

$297,900

$289,900

97%

Shadywood West #8

$279,900

100%

West Hills Sub #2

$274,900

$280,000

102%

Shawnee County

$265,000

$280,500

106%

Spy Glass Summit

$285,000

100%

Spy Glass Summit

$275,000

$296,000

108%

Shawnee County

$285,000

$275,000

96%

Cherry Creek North

$239,900

$250,000

104%

Spring Park

$250,000

100%

Westwood Place

$275,000

100%

Westbrook

$235,000

$250,000

106%

3 3

Shawnee County

$538,000

$517,500

96%

Meadow View

$259,900

$260,000

100%

Briarwood

$265,000

$273,500

103%

Wanamaker Woods

$299,900

$299,000

100%

Sherwood Estates

$349,900

100%

Sherwood Estates

$325,000

$320,000

98%

Sherwood Estates

$335,000

$304,000

91%

Shawnee County

$385,000

$390,000

101%

Greenwood Estates #2

$385,000

$393,000

102%

Bridle Path Acres

$325,000

$340,000

105%

Shawnee County

$589,000

$550,000

93%

Clarion Lake

$579,500

$570,000

98%

Deerbrook

$349,900

$330,000

94%

This reflects a 30 day time period prior to our print deadline. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and not a complete list of all activity. *DOM=Days on Market

From your vision...to reality

WE BUILD MORE THAN NEW HOMES, WE BUILD NEIGHBORHOODS. Annette Stahl 785-383-3157 | annette@stoneandstory.com | www.dultmeierhomes.com

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | R EAL E STATE

We want to help you prepare your home and/or just cleaning it up and out from a cold winter! SCAN ME WITH YOUR PHONE

Darin Stephens Brittany DeBarge 785-250-7278 785-364-6205

Abby Dunford 785-608-8408

Brian Laird 785-670-0043

Susan Rhule 785-364-6928

Ian McAsey 785-851-9365

Sara Fox 785-364-0424

Lance Royer 785-845-6618

Margie Grace 785-305-1686

Annette Stahl 785-383-3157

Kelli Higgins 785-817-9255

Pam Trusdale 785-608-5117

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CUS TOM FUR N I T UR E | CUR AT E D DECOR I T EM S | CUS TOM A R T

Curating the Clean and Approachable Look of Thiessen Design

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