Topeka, KS June 2024

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Men - Conquering Challenges, Embracing Success and Defining Their Legacy

Welcome to the Gents edition of Topeka City Lifestyle. Before I tell you about all the fantastic men featured in this month’s issue, I’d like to say Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Dads play a very important role in the lives of their children. From being their heroes, to mentoring and nurturing their minds, to providing the necessities that allow them to grow strong and confident, dads are an essential part of their development. So I bow and salute you all.

My editorial team has done another amazing job in putting together a beautiful, fun, and positive magazine for your enjoyment. I’m excited to share a story about some tips on golf putting from one of our own golf pros Andrew Beckler. Two other stories that are positive reads feature the Combat Air Museum and Cycle Zone Powersports. Both are inspiring reads that explore the manliness of machines, equipment, and toys. You will hear from two men in the medical field who want to educate and encourage us to prioritize our health, something we men can tend to overlook. Lastly, because I love to grill, I wanted to share a special homemade barbeque sauce recipe with you, our readers.

I also want to say thank you to all of our valued business partners in the magazine. It’s the local products and services that you provide that give Topeka, our Golden City, the things we need to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually and live the lives we cherish. When you see the VIP business ads in the magazine, if you’ve got a moment, give them a positive review on Google. It doesn’t cost anything for a review, but it can make a business owner or staff member’s day! And many thanks to those of you who have already given Topeka City Lifestyle glowing Google reviews.

Best Wishes,

BRIAN RODEHORST, PUBLISHER @TOPEKALIFESTYLE

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Sara Schultz | saraschultzstyling@gmail.com

STAFF WRITERS

Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com

Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com

Amanda Knowland | amandalanum@gmail.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumarphotograpy.com

Lindsey Wagers | info@wagersphotography.com

Create Uplift | info@createuplift.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Pat and Gina Neely

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kilo Hobbs, Dave Murray

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

FRIDAY, JUNE 28 - 1 PM TO 6

welcomed if space permits. For additional details contact Irene Haws at 785.249.1913 or topekalions.org. Visit savealife.org/coronavirus for COVID-19 safety protocols.

business monthly

Did Someone Say Pickleball?

The Topeka South Rotary will be hosting the TopCity Pickleball Tournament June 29-30th to be held at Hughes Park. Proceeds will benefit empowering girls/women (period poverty grant), mental health, and Polio Plus. $60 team entry fee (shirts for team members included if registered by 6/22). Each team is guaranteed 5 games. Men's & women's doubles on Saturday. Mixed doubles on Sunday. There will also be a skill shot contest. Registration and more info at topcitypickleball.com

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New Common Consumption Areas for Downtown Topeka & NOTO District

Starting April 15th  Ordinance No. 20474 for Downtown Topeka and the NOTO District became legal. The ordinance allows drinking in public regulated “social drinking zones” where patrons can drink outside of a licensed bar, restaurant, or other eligible establishment that's permitted to sell alcoholic beverages by the State of Kansas and the City of Topeka in clearly marked designated areas between the hours of 8am to 11:59pm, seven days a week. For FAQs visit topeka.org/cityclerk/common-consumption-areas

MICHAEL AND KAREN

PERFECTING YOUR PUTT

ARTICLE BY AMANDA KNOWLAND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREATE UPLIFT

From Topeka’s Greens to the PGA Tour

Andrew Beckler’s golf journey began as a toddler swinging his first toy, a golf club he called “gocker.” Born and raised in Topeka, Beckler’s love for the game was nurtured by his father and the fairways of Topeka Country Club and Western Hills.

“My dad taught me the fundamentals that I still practice to this day,” Beckler says. “He also used golf to teach me valuable lessons about life.”

Beckler’s parents knew early on that he had a knack for golf, which he proved through the early years, competing and finding success in junior golf. He won numerous titles across the state and continued to have success in high school at Washburn Rural. College, however, proved to be Beckler’s first major hurdle.

“Balancing the work load and school work at Kansas State was too much for me,” Beckler recalls. “I was working harder than I ever had at golf and school, but I was getting worse.”

Beckler took a mulligan; he transferred back home to Topeka and Washburn University to revive his game and his dream of playing professionally.

“I went from never winning a college tournament to winning five of 10 tournaments and winning the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award.”

Beckler isn’t the first Topeka golfer to hit the pro tour. 2019 U.S. Open champion, Gary Woodland, has been a source of inspiration for Beckler and his golf game. The two Topeka natives connected when Andrew secured a spot in the U.S. Open in 2022.

“We share a deep love for our hometown, a place that instilled in us a strong work ethic, a resilient spirit, and a commitment to spreading kindness wherever we go. Every time we hear Topeka, Kansas announced on the tee, it sends shivers down our spines.”

Beckler offers this advice to those taking their golf game seriously: develop a solid short game and consistent putting. He shared his top three putting tips:

1 - Manage expectations - Putting is hard. You can hit great putts that miss and you can hit bad putts that go in; that’s golf! At 30 feet, PGA tour players are just as likely to three putt as they are to one putt. These guys are the best in the world and practice their putting every day! If you three putt or miss a short putt, don’t be hard on yourself. Go make the next one.

2 - Focus on speed - Most players I see who struggle with putting do not struggle with hitting it on their line, but with hitting putts with the correct speed. When you have long putts, your goal should be to get it to a place where you can tap it in: two feet or closer. A lot of times three putts are caused by poor speed on the first putt.

3 - Now the fun part, be an athlete! When you crumple up a piece of paper and throw it at the trash can, you shoot like Steph Curry. You saw the target and you let your subconscious take over. Your body knows what to do, you just have to allow it to. The way I get into this flow state is through visualization; I imagine the ball rolling into the hole on the line I have determined at the rate and speed I am intending.

Beckler started a series called “Beverage with Beckler,” where he recaps every tournament round. You can follow along @bigbeckler  (IG), @BecklerTracker (X), and BeverageWithBeckler.com

A FLYING GOOD TIME

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KILO HOBBS AND DAVE MURRAY

A PERFECT FATHER-SON OR FATHER-DAUGHTER INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

The Combat Air Museum in Topeka attracts over 15,000 visitors a year, and it’s no wonder. In addition to the amazing aircraft and aviation artifacts found there, many of its volunteers are military veterans and some have even flown the planes, now on static display.

“We can share a lot of history with them,” says Gene Howerter, the museum’s president and CEO. “There are people like me who were born in 1940 and can still talk about World War II when our family members were involved. People really do like to hear our stories, and believe me, we have a lot of stories. There’s a tremendous educational aspect to be taken away from a museum like this.”

One of the biggest attractions is the computerized flight simulator. Visitors of all ages can sit in the cockpit seat and use the instruments to get the feel of flying everything from a Cessna propeller aircraft to some of the more modern jets. The simulator is in a completely dark room and gives “pilots” a totally immersive experience.

“The flight simulator is one of the best things that’s ever happened to this museum,” says Gene. “Everybody loves it.”

Adds Dave Murray, the museum’s CFO, “You get all the jet noise or the propeller noise as you’re flying along, and of course as you increase your speed, the noise increases simultaneously.”

This simulator is also part of the Young Aviators educational classes held in June and July. There are two sessions of up to 20 children each aged 9 to14.

“There’s never a dull moment,” says Kevin Drewelow, the museum and education director. “We go over the fundamentals of flight and some basic instrument work so the kids have a better understanding of what they’re looking at while on the simulator. We also start teaching them the phonetic alphabet which is critical to communication on aircraft radios. We make little handlaunched gliders as well.”

The students also get to tour the museum and the Kansas Army National Guard property next door. The Black Hawk helicopters are a big draw. “We then go to my old Air National Guard unit with the KC-135s refueling aircraft tankers of the 190th and take a tour of the airport’s control tower. The kids are always fascinated by that.” One young girl, after a tour of the control tower, decided that she wanted to become an air traffic controller.

“We’ve had a couple of other kids who have gone on to bigger and better things,” says Kevin. “One is in his third year at the Air Force Academy and another is heavily involved in the Civil Air Patrol in Lawrence and intends to go on to become a commercial pilot.”

The students also visit the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority Fire Department. “When the kids get to grab a fire hose on the truck and squirt it, that’s one of the highlights of the trip.”

Children who visit the Combat Air Museum often have someone in the family who had served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan, he explains. “It’s a great opportunity to hear about family members’ previous experiences, see some of the aircraft they were involved with, and how they helped make a difference.”

The museum also holds Scout Aviation Merit Badge classes. “It’s a very intensive course,” says Kevin. “We make sure they get through all the basic requirements and then the group usually has dinner here and sleeps overnight in our big cargo helicopter in the hangar.”

A number of years ago, the museum partnered with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education and the Kansas National Guard Museum to hold an annual Girls in Aviation Day, which usually attracts about 300 girls and their family members.

Girl Scouts and other young girls come out and meet women who fix, fly and support military, civilian, and law enforcement aviation. “Young girls get to see women who are working in aviation and leave here knowing that they can do anything boys can do in a flying machine,” he says.

As part of its focus on education, the museum also hosts a large number of school tours throughout the year.

“Topeka is not a large city and for this museum to have existed for 47 years in a town of this size is really remarkable,” says Dave.

The Combat Air Museum is located at the Topeka Regional Airport at Forbes Field. It’s a great place to spend Father’s Day with the kids, and to also visit and take classes to learn about aviation.

CombatAirMuseum.org

ARTICLE BY AMANDA KNOWLAND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREATE UPLIFT

Health Prioritizing Men’s

ADVICE FOR A FULLER LIFE FROM HEARTLAND HEALTH & WELLNESS

Matthew O’Shea and Kenneth Troupe, longtime co-workers and college classmates from Topeka, turned a workplace watercooler idea into a business partnership. Their dedication to healthcare led them to establish a medical clinic - Heartland Health & Wellness - where programs are individualized and tailored to the patient. From weight loss to testosterone replacement therapy, their mission is to provide affordable, cost-effective medical care aimed at helping individuals live a robust and happy life.

TCL - Why do you think men tend to avoid seeking healthcare?

HHW - It’s well documented that compared to women, men are less likely to seek preventive care and usually pursue care only after a significant health event has already occurred. The golden question is ‘why’ and there is no single answer. As providers with over 30 years of combined healthcare service, we know preventative health care is essential and leads to significant improvements in longevity. The first step to breaking the norm is finding a practitioner, building a trusting relationship, and taking control of your health. Ask a friend, relative or colleague if they have any recommendations for a clinician. If they have none, book an appointment as a new patient with a provider close to your area. Treat your first visit like a date. If you do not feel a connection, move along

and keep searching until you find a provider that feels like an old friend.

TCL - What are the most common issues men begin to experience as they age?

HHW - Father time is undefeated and even the manliest of men will fall victim. As men age some of the most common issues occur such as hair loss can start before you’re legally able to drink, testosterone starts to decline after your 30th birthday, and 18% of men have some type of erectile dysfunction by the age of 50. But there is hope depending on the cause, hair can be restored, testosterone can be replaced, and we can remove the dys from dysfunctional. Some other common issues include pain/ arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, anxiety/depression, and prostate issues. Routine healthcare and screening are important to identify a problem early and start treatment to prevent bigger issues in the future.

TCL - How often should a man be seen for a physical exam?

HHW - Periodic visits may be more frequent for those with chronic health conditions. In the absence of chronic disease, we suggest men under the age of 49 visit their provider every 3 years for a health maintenance exam. Men over 50 should be seen yearly.

TCL - What are your top recommendations for preventative care?

HHW - Our top recommendations for preventative care would be:

• Cholesterol screenings for all men 35 years and older to prevent cardiovascular disease

• Diabetes: annually with labs

• Blood Pressure: annually

• Adult immunizations: stay current

• Stay up to date on vision screenings

• Tobacco cessation for all ages for prevention of lung-related illnesses and cardiovascular disease

• Excessive alcohol cessation for all ages to prevent liver disease

• PSA lab for prostate cancer screening starting at age 50

• Abdominal ultrasound for aneurysm screening: ages 65-75 if you have smoked 100 cigarettes or more in your lifetime

• Colonoscopy for colon cancer screening: age 45 for general population; If you have a first degree relative with colon cancer, start screening 10 years prior to that family member’s age at diagnosis

• Lung Cancer: Low dose CT for adults ages 50 to 80 years who have a 20-pack-per-year smoking history, currently smoke, or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening can be stopped when a person has not smoked for 15 years.

TCL - Why is it important for more men to make health a priority?

HHW - Males experience a much higher mortality rate than females at all stages of life from conception to advanced age. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in American men, with cancer coming in second place. A lot of the major risk factors for CVD are modifiable. These risk factors include: diet, smoking, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, physical activity, and diabetes. Men also face unique health issues like prostate cancer. Routine medical care for men can help with longevity and quality of life as we age. If men make their health a priority, they can decrease the statistics and extend this roller coaster ride we call life.

Visit heartlandhealthtopeka.com.

Powersports A PASSION FOR

Sometimes the Road to Success Requires a Little Off-Road

ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY WAGERS/WAGERS

Jon Haas, owner of Cycle Zone Powersports in Topeka is what you would call a serial entrepreneur. “I’ve always liked building things,” Haas said. His main business, HME, Inc., supplies structural steel all over the country. Then there’s Topeka Foundry & Iron Works, Topeka Foundry Commercial Door, Haas Crane and Equipment Rentals,

Peak to Peak Engineered Railings, JJH Properties, and the list goes on. “But Cycle Zone is kind of the oddball in the group,” he said. “For me, it’s not that business that’s focused on making money and growth, although that’s important in all businesses, but you want your city, your hometown, to be a destination. You want to have something that people can be proud of and excited about … a fun place where people can find their hobby, or share their passion with family and friends. That’s what Cycle Zone is to me.”

Haas bought Cycle Zone in 2012. “I started riding dirt bikes in college and I was a regular customer at Cycle Zone. I got to know other people who enjoy it and I became part of that community. The owner was looking to sell but wanted to keep it alive with a local owner, so he reached out to me.” Since then, the business has grown. They started with three employees and the original building of 5,000 sq. ft. But as you’ve heard, Haas likes to build things. So their current shop has two more buildings with another 30,000 sq. ft. and an expansion in the works which will bring the total square footage to 46,000.

Today, Cycle Zone Powersports carries just about any outdoor vehicle you can think of - ATVs, sideby-side UTVs, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, and even a line of lawnmowers and tractors. They are the exclusive full-service authorized Yamaha, KTM, Can-Am, Sea-Doo, Bad Boy Mowers and Tractors, CFMoto, Stark electric motorcycle, and Tracker Boat dealer in Topeka. They also provide parts, accessories, and service. “We try to offer top-end products for the racer who wants the ‘race ready’ top-of-the-line machine as well as more economical machines that everyone in the community can afford and enjoy,” he said. “Great quality, but maybe not quite at the price of the high-end race machines. We have easy financing too. We want people to be able to afford to have a little fun!”

While it’s not his largest business, Haas says Cycle Zone is one of his toughest. “It’s tougher than the ones where we make products and build things. Cycle Zone is about building relationships and building the community. Parents bring their little kids in for their first dirt bike,” he reminisced. “Sometimes it’s a Christmas present. Sometimes it’s Junior’s big race. There are a lot of cool things that we get with Cycle Zone that we don’t get with the other businesses. We get to be a part of a community.”

Haas’s love of the outdoors and recreational vehicles is also evident at his home. “Some people call it a compound,” he laughed. “We’ve got pickleball and dirt bike riding and side-by-sides and there’s just a lot of different things to do there. I add something new just about every year.” Between Haas and his wife, they have nine children

and seven grandchildren. His son Taylor and grandson Lincoln (age four) are featured in the photos. “I hope it keeps the kids coming back,” he added.

The big kids seem to like his motocross track too. “It’s like that movie Field of Dreams,” he explained. “‘If you build it, they will come,’ because I have racers and enthusiasts randomly call up, ‘Hey, can we come out and ride your track?’ And it just keeps growing and growing. There’s a group of us old guys that come over on Sundays. We should be planning for retirement, but we just wanna ride. We usually talk a little smack and have a lot of fun!”

So if you’re looking to get outdoors and create some connections with your kids or have fun with friends, stop by Cycle Zone Powersports at 2921 NW Hwy. 24 or visit Cyclezone.com

realty report

WEDNESDAYS

Evergy Plaza "Live @ Lunch" by Morris Laing Law Firm

Evergy Plaza Downtown @ 630 S Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS

Live Music!  Food & Beverages!  A true downtown experience that brings delicious food, an exciting splash pad, and excellent music to enjoy on your lunch hour. 11am - 1pm

THURSDAYS

Evergy Plaza "Eats & Beats" presented by Envista Credit Union

Evergy Plaza Downtown @ 630 S Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS

Where live music and excellence meet. Bringing top notch bands to the heart of downtown for the benefit of the community. Make sure to come prepared with an appetite and be ready to rock. Opens at 6pm and the headliner starts at 7:15pm. Presented by Envista Credit Union, sponsored by KSNT and Cumulus Media. 6pm - 9:30pm

MAY 31ST-JUNE 15TH

Topeka Civic Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's The Gods of Comedy

TCT @ 3028 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, KS

SYNOPSIS -  Daphne and Ralph are young classics professors who have just made a discovery that’s sure to turn them into academic superstars. But something goes disastrously wrong, and Daphne cries out in panic, “Save me, gods of ancient Greece!”…and the gods appear! A pair of screwball deities encounters the carnal complexity of college coeds, campus capers, and conspicuous consumption.

Dr. Susan Rollenhagen

Dr Jessica Mai

USING THESE TIPS YOU CAN MAKE A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE BARBECUE SAUCE.

A good barbecue sauce is comprised of a variety of the same six components. The key is to discover what style you enjoy most, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Oh, and taste often during the preparation process to adjust if so desired.

SOMETHING SWEET

This can be honey, cola, molasses, preserves, brown sugar, or syrup. This caramelizes as you cook, bringing those smoky, sugary flavors.

SOMETHING TANGY

Think vinegar, mustard, or citrus. This is what brings the zing to your sauce.

SOMETHING SPICY

This provides your heat: a hot sauce is a great choice. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 teaspoon for every cup of sauce you’re making.

SOMETHING LIQUID

It can be beer, water, chicken stock, soda, or wine. Start with about 1/2 a cup and see what happens.

SOMETHING TOMATO

You’ll most likely use ketchup, but you can also use tomato paste.

THE SPICE COMBINATION

This can depend on your liking and taste and can include anything from onion powder to garlic powder to chili powder to allspice to cayenne pepper to mustard powder to liquid smoke to cumin to Worcestershire sauce and more. Start with a teaspoon of salt, and keep tasting as you experiment with your desired spices.

HOMEMADE

BBQ SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups ketchup

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

• 5 tablespoons brown sugar

• 5 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 tablespoon  black pepper

• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder

• 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Recipe and information courtesy of Pat Neely and Gina Neely.