Counting Blessings in Our Golden City
It’s the most wonderful time of the
e return of e Pennant's Mistletoe Pop-Up! Opening November 19th.
Counting Our Blessings
November has a way of slowing us down, doesn't it? The air turns crisp, the days shorten, and we're reminded to take stock of what truly matters. This year, gratitude has taken on an even deeper meaning in my own life.
Our family has celebrated a whirlwind of blessings already in 2025. Three of our four children were married this year - yes, three! With those celebrations, all four of our kids are now married. It's a strange and beautiful milestone to reach as a parent watching each of them step fully into their own lives. As if that weren't enough joy for one season, our son who was married two years ago just had a baby boy - our very first grandchild. Becoming a Grammy has opened my heart in ways I never could have imagined, and it has only deepened my appreciation for the fleeting, beautiful moments that knit together our lives.
Through all of it, Brian and I have looked at each other so many times this year with the same expression: awe. Awe at the blessings of family, the joy of watching our children build lives of their own, and the wonder of holding a grandson for the very first time. It is humbling and heart-filling all at once.
As I reflect on these personal life events, I'm also reminded of the steady support and kindness of our Golden City community. This place, our neighbors, friends and the small businesses we love, is more than where we live. It's where we gather, and grow together. For that, we are profoundly thankful.
In this issue, we lean into gratitude - whether it's found in a cozy meal, a moment with family, or the small rituals that make everyday rich. My hope is that as you turn these pages, you'll be reminded of your own blessings and the reason your heart feels full this season.
With a grateful heart,
KATHY GRAHAM, EDITOR @TOPEKALIFESTYLE
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITERS
Linda Ditch | lindaaditch@gmail.com
Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com
Amanda Knowland | amandalanum@gmail.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tara Helton | theupside@taraheltonphotography.com
Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com
Lindsey Wagers | info@wagersphotography.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Brown Patton, Koshia Silver
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
A Topeka Periodontic & Pediatric Dentist Receives Prestigious Honor
The International College of Dentists, USA Section recognized two local dentists at their 91st annual convocation on September 13th, 2025, in San Diego, California. The International College of Dentists (ICD) is the preeminent honor society of the world's outstanding dentists "Serving Others." Both, Dr. Julie Swift and Dr. Laura Vaughn, exemplify the core values of integrity, leadership and service and were inducted as Fellows.
As the leaves change and the families come together, we’re reminded of all we have to be thankful for. Here at Burgess Construction, that includes our amazing customers who trust us with their home. This Thanksgiving We’re Grateful For You
From our family to yours, wishing you a warm and happy Thanksgiving!
A HEART FOR HOME
A Topeka Adoption Attorney Provides a Fresh Take on Foster Care and Adoption
ARTICLE BY KELSEY HUBER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY
November is National Adoption Month. We sat down with Lisa Williams, an adoption attorney in Topeka, to learn more about adoption, foster care, and helping kids find a forever home.
Lisa has always had a heart for children. She began her career as a teacher in Missouri. But she also had an interest in law. When she came to Kansas, the teaching requirements were very different, so since she was going back to school, she decided to pursue a career in law instead. She graduated with her law degree from Washburn University in 2014.
From the moment she took an adoption class in law school, she says, “The bells and whistles went off. This is what I wanted to do.” She has been practicing primarily adoption law since graduating. “I still get to serve kids, but in a different way. I’ve finalized a little over two hundred adoptions,” Lisa said with an underlying sense of pride. That is a remarkable number for a solo practitioner.
Last year, she took her passion one step further by founding Shape of My Heart Adoptions, a licensed private child-placing agency. In its first year, the agency helped complete seven private adoptions and assisted numerous birth mothers with resources and support.
Lisa’s heart for this work is personal as well as professional - she is adopted herself. Her own experience fuels her belief that adoption can change, and even prevent, the need for foster care. “I am a firm believer that adoption is a preventative measure for foster care, frankly,” Lisa shared. “Sometimes, parents really want to keep their children, but realize they are not in a position to do so. Without the resources to raise them, those children would most likely end up in the foster care system. Adoption is a much better option for those children.”
“Plus, today’s adoptions are much different,” she pointed out. “Back when I was adopted, it was very secretive, but today, open adoptions are the norm. The natural parents can still maintain some sort of a relationship with the child as long as it’s in the child’s best interest. I think that’s just better for both.”
Lisa does not shy away from recognizing the foster system’s flaws. She notes that even removal from a home for 24 hours can leave a lifetime imprint of trauma, and that children often cycle through multiple placements, increasing those feelings of abandonment.
“You don’t know the impact you
can
have - a warm
bed, a caring voice, an advocate in a courtroom. You may not see the full ripple, but for that one child, you offer something irreplaceable…hope.”
She says in many cases, a fit and willing relative might be available, but locating and supporting that connection is not always prioritized. She argues that when relative placement is not viable, the time spent in foster care should be minimized.
The average time a child spends in foster care in Kansas is two years; however, the average length of stay varies significantly by permanency outcome: 11 months for reunification, 42 months for adoption, and 41 months for emancipation or adult transition. She considers those times far too long.
She’s seen heartbreaking extremes: children with more than 75 placements, children who age out of the system feeling abandoned, siblings torn apart for lack of a willing adoptive family. But what keeps her going are the moments when children find a permanent home through adoption.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
1. Consider volunteering as a CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate). A CASA volunteer is a consistent voice for a child in the legal process. Social workers change, attorneys change, but a CASA can remain the steady presence that child sees throughout the case. 2. Become a foster parent or adoptive parent. Steps include home studies, background checks, and training to ensure children’s safety, and typically take 6-12 months. 3. Advocate for systemic change. Ask your local representatives to support policies that shorten foster care timelines, increase support for kinship placement, and increase funding for child welfare services.
Lisa’s work reminds us that every child deserves a place to belong, and together, we can help them find that forever home.
In Lisa Williams’ office hangs a shadow box displaying her “Gotcha Day” dress. It is the dress she wore home on her adoption day.
“My mom gave it to me a few years ago,” Lisa said. “I didn’t even know she still had it. It’s important to me because it marked a new beginning for me and for my parents, and it shows both adoptive and expectant parents that I understand where they are. Whether you are looking to adopt a child or need help finding a wonderful home where your child can thrive, I can make those connections.”
BY
ARTICLE BY KOSHIA
LEGACIES BUILT Through Generosity
Joseph Reid helps families align finances with values that last generations.
If you spend just a few minutes with Joseph Reid, it’s clear his world isn’t organized around spreadsheets or charts — it’s organized around people. One afternoon, he and his wife might be helping a new family celebrate the arrival of a newborn by participating in a church meal train. Another day, they are adopting a family in need for the United Way Christmas Bureau. And sometimes, when it makes sense for his clients, he’s quietly guiding clients toward donor-advised funds, a tool that can turn generosity into a lasting family legacy. It’s in these moments both big and small that Joseph’s belief becomes clear: wealth is not just measured by what you accumulate, but by how you use it to lift others.
“Our time and our treasures are not really our own but borrowed blessings,” Joseph says. “Living generously is how we connect to a higher purpose. My wife and I want our kids to see that generosity isn’t something you do once in a while, it’s a way of life.”
That philosophy carries over into his role at Link Wealth Strategies, where Joseph helps
families and individuals throughout Topeka shape financial plans that reflect not just their goals, but their values. He makes it a point during new client conversations to ask about current or future giving. While many people expect to discuss retirement or investments, giving is often overlooked. “Sometimes clients don’t think they’ll ever be able to give meaningfully,” Joseph explains. “But once we start the conversation, they realize generosity can look different for everyone and with the right tools, their giving can make a bigger impact than they ever imagined.”
Those tools are where Joseph and the Link Wealth Strategies team shine. Unlike firms that focus only on investment performance, Link works hand-in-hand with trusted tax professionals, in fact they share an office building with two. This collaborative approach ensures that financial and tax strategies are aligned which often means a client’s generosity can be both heartfelt and highly effective. “It’s not just about a tax deduction,” Joseph emphasizes. “It’s about structuring giving in a way that amplifies every dollar, making the impact even greater for the client while helping our community.”
The firm’s holistic philosophy is one reason Link Wealth Strategies stands out in Topeka’s crowded financial landscape. By considering the whole picture, retirement planning, wealth transfer, philanthropy, and tax strategy Joseph and his colleagues help clients feel confident that their resources are working in harmony. It’s a process that goes beyond dollars and cents to touch on legacy, purpose, and values.
Clients often find that these conversations spark something deeper. Giving becomes more than an afterthought; it becomes a defining part
of their financial plan. For some, that means creating a donor-advised fund or making charitable gifts in a tax-intelligent way. For others, it means showing the next generation what it looks like to live generously. “Legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind,” Joseph says. “It’s about the example you set along the way.”
What makes Joseph’s approach unique is not only his experience, but his heart. He listens closely to what matters most to his clients and helps them find practical ways to align those priorities with their financial strategies. “Money is important,” he says, “but it’s not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is using what you have to make life better for those around you.”
In the end, Joseph Reid and the team at Link Wealth Strategies are reminding families across Topeka that wealth transcends money. When paired with generosity and thoughtful planning, it becomes a powerful tool, one that shapes legacies, strengthens communities, and connects us all to something greater.
Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
What do you think makes Topeka special?
For me, it’s the diversity of our people and stories we share. I’ve lived in Topeka for over 30 years and remain humbled by the richness of our many remarkable people and their histories. Would you be interested in having your life story highlighted on LastingLegacyOnline.com and our Facebook page?
As the holidays approach, this is a unique opportunity for you to give back to family and friends. Thanks to the Kay McFarland Living Trust, you can read her story and share yours on a safe and secure platform. Chief Justice McFarland understood the importance of living fully and commitment to community.
In conjunction with the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden (https://topekazoo.org/kay-mcfarland-japanese-garden/), we invite you to share your living history. Each one of us makes Topeka special.
Let’s celebrate the good amongst us.
Elaine Schwartz, Trustee, the Kay McFarland Charitable Trust Contact: eschwartz@lastinglegacyonline.com
Scan for more information
INDEPENDENT LIVING PLUS
This Topeka Retirement Community Allows Residents the Freedom to Do as They Please
Walk through the doors of Arbor Court Retirement Community, and it's obvious how the word community applies. Just outside the main doors, a woman enjoys a cup of coffee and a book while sitting on an outdoor bench. Inside, some residents are gathered in pairs working on puzzles, while others play cards or enjoy a chat. The tables in the restaurant-style dining area are set for the next meal, and the open great room is ready for a class, performance, or presentation.
Arbor Court is an independent-living community, which makes it more like an apartment building with gathering spaces and upscale amenities. There are studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments available. Residents come and go as they please. Many of them still drive, but there is a bus that will take you wherever you need to go. Most residents continue to participate in the activities they enjoyed before moving in, but they are also welcome to join the ones offered to everyone. Or, they can enjoy alone time if they wish.
ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY
"The whole concept of independent living is, for seniors especially, kind of misunderstood," says Jodi Fritts, the Arbor Court Business Development Coordinator. "They think that it's more like assisted living. Here, they still have that independent apartment, and each one has a full kitchen, but meals are also provided in the morning and at noon. There's no maintenance. The housekeeping is included. So, they still have that sense of independence here but also get some help."
Arbor Court is designed for people 55 and older. Residents enjoy living in comfort thanks to the 24-hour staffing and security, free laundry facilities, housekeeping services, exercise programs, indoor and outdoor family areas, and a beauty salon and barber shop.
Those extra amenities are the reason Dennis Ary moved in two years ago. The retired Washburn Rural High School biology and genetics teacher says, "My wife, Virginia, was starting to have health issues, and I didn't have time to rake the leaves, clear the gutters out, and so forth. I felt my time was needed for her while she was here."
“There are so many nice people, and the people who take care of us are absolutely wonderful.”
Dennis enjoys filling his days reading books, researching his family's life during the Dust Bowl era, and visiting with his neighbors. He drives both around town and to Kansas City for events. He plays bingo occasionally, as well as balloon volleyball, and attends the Sunday night church service event, although he attends his own church in the morning.
He notes, "There are so many nice people, and the people who take care of us are absolutely wonderful. That's what makes it nice here. It's like I have a lot of cousins. And when I step in the door of my apartment, I think, 'Oh, I'm home again.' It's just a safe, wonderful place to be."
A few doors down from Dennis lives Carol Kelly, who moved into her one-bedroom apartment in 2019. She explains, "I came here temporarily and liked it. My husband passed away about seven years ago, so I was alone in a nine-room house. I was afraid to be there by myself, so I decided to move here."
Each day, Carol has breakfast in her room, and Dennis accompanies her to and from lunch. Her daughter, Andrea Graham, serves as the community's executive director, and she checks on her during the day while also respecting her independence. Carol also participates in bingo three afternoons a week. .
"I just love this place," Carol says. "I love the people and the food. It's just really nice."
To learn more about what life at Arbor Court has to offer, visit their website at arborcourt-topeka.com. For a tour, call Jodi Fritts at 785-273-6847.
thanksgiving cornucopia
How To Decorate Tables With Noteworthy November Flair
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
Whether traditional or modern, formal or fussfree, Thanksgiving centerpieces set a memorable ambiance for November gatherings.
• An old dough bowl or wood trencher makes a great low centerpiece when filled with seasonal pumpkins, gourds, pinecones and flowering branches.
• Fill a stoneware sugar bowl with seeded eucalyptus, chrysanthemums and pears.
• Use one or a nest of baskets, floral foam and some blooms to craft a themed stunner.
• Incorporate family heirlooms by using an inherited (or thrifted) antique teapot, surrounded by other vintage finds.
• Stack two cake plates on top of each other with bite-size edibles; add other, shorter floral arrangements in pitchers or vases, if desired.
• Add soft candlelight with rustic textures of wood and lots of fall color via an assortment of fresh and faux gourds, silk sunflowers and dried seed pods.
use vintage finds
deliciously edible
Make an edible bread cornucopia, ‘horn of plenty,’ for the Thanksgiving table using refrigerated bread or pizza dough, a plastic bottle mold and aluminum foil. Wrap the bottle with foil, make a tail at one end and then layer adjoining strips of dough on the foil. Brush cornucopia with melted butter, remove the plastic bottle and bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes on the lower rack, or until it turns a golden, shiny brown. Fill with sweet or savory nibbles, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, gourds, nuts, rosemary breadstick twists or even cookies, for an impressive centerpiece that’ll keep guests happily munching while they wait for the main meal to begin.
realty report
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
ANNA-MARIE HERINK
HAYDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:
I was raised in Topeka and have attended Catholic schools my entire life. My family has always been centered around faith and service, and I've spent several years working with Catholic Charities. I plan to complete my Girl Scout Gold Award, before attending Iowa State University to study horticulture and foreign language. My goal is to one day manage our family farm land in Clyde, Kansas and/or work at a large arboretum.
3 things to know about Anna
1. I am currently working summers as a centerwide teacher at my old preschool. My former teacher is now my boss!
2 I am in my second year of Hayden’s Dungeons and Dragons (DND) club and I absolutely love it. I play the role of a ranger.
3 I, along with my best friend, started Hayden’s Color Guard team during my junior year. We are now both captains.
This Senior Spotlight Made Possible By
Photos provided by Hayden HS
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NOVEMBER 8TH
MercyMe Coming To Topeka!
Stormont Vail Events Center | 7:00 PM
Experience an evening of uplifting music as Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum band MercyMe comes to Topeka! Known for hits like ‘I Can Only Imagine’ and ‘Greater,’ this concert will be emotionally charged and an inspiring live music event. Don’t miss one of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music. Special guests Natalie Grant and Sam Wesley on the MercyMe Live 2025 tour!
NOVEMBER 12TH - 15TH
Blizzard
Bash Coming To Topeka!
Stormont Vail Events Center
Prepare for four days of nonstop smashing, crashing, and bashing at the World's Largest Indoor Demolition Derby! Blizzard Bash returns to Landon Arena at SVEC, featuring over 300 drivers from across North America competing for a massive prize money in multiple vehicle classes. It's a fun spectacle that is guaranteed to be the most destructive fun you’ll have all year!
NOVEMBER 15TH
Topekarama Coming To Topeka!
Stormont Vail Events Center | 10:00 AM
Come out to Topekarama, Topeka’s own comic and pop culture fest! This ultimate fan convention is a treasure for collectors and enthusiasts, featuring comic books, vintage and new toys, gaming, vinyl records, and original artists. Whether you’re hunting for a rare collectible or just looking to immerse yourself in the world of fandom, this is the place to be!
