Splurge!316 January 2023

Heart & Seek

Here’s how to play:

• Find the Heart Diamond in the pages of this month’s SPLURGE! Magazine.

• Go to mikeseltzerjewelers.com and scroll to the bottom to register your answer.

• Like SPLURGE! and Mike Seltzer Jewelers on Facebook and/or Follow on Instagram.

• A winner will be chosen on January 14. Congratulations to everyone who found the Heart Diamond on page 20 of the December issue. Sarah Creed of Wichita won the drawing and received a pair of diamond earrings from Mike Seltzer Jewelers.

or listed in this

Listings and advertisements

provided by the subject companies, Inspired Koncepts, Inc.

for any inaccuracy, omission or infringement of any third party’s rights therein, or for personal injury or any other damage or injury whatsoever. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement.

Mike Seltzer Jewelers is giving away these Diamond Star Studs to the winner of the January contest!

Happy New Year!

Let’s make 2023 Great!

DIRECTIONS:

Alissa’s Cajun Seafood, Sausage & Chicken Gumbo

Pull out your biggest stew pot! You’ll need it!

1. Cut chicken into 1x 1inch squares, Sauté chicken in 1 Tablespoon garlic and 1⁄2 stick butter.

2. Fry sliced Cajun Andouille sausage in no stick pan without any butter or grease. Cook them on med high long enough to get them slightly black on the edges, they should make their own spicy grease. If they are too lean add oil to fry “them in.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 large bags of fresh or frozen (thawed) jumbo shrimp with tails on (24 oz)

• 3 whole rings of Cajun spicy Andouille sausage, sliced

• 2 large chicken breasts without skin

• 1 stick of butter

• 2 (32-ounce) cartons chicken broth

• 32 - 59 oz of Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix (personal preference for level of spice and consistency)

• 1/2 cup canola oil

• 1 cup all-purpose our

• 2 cups nely chopped yellow onion

• 2 cup nely chopped green bell pepper

3. Save spicy grease and butter from those two meats, set meats aside.

4. In separate pan Sauté shrimp in 1⁄2 stick butter and 2 tablespoons garlic. Only for short time until they turn slightly pink 1-2 min per side. Then add chicken broth and let simmer with tails on for avor for 5-8 min. Remove Shrimp from broth set aside

5. In frying pan add the 1⁄2 Cup canola oil, spicy sausage grease and cooked butter from chicken. Heat all three oils together over medium/medium high heat

6. Add our and stir with wooden spoon or whisk continuously until smooth.

7. Reduce heat to medium low and cook, stirring frequently until roux is a dark caramel color. This will take 20-30 min. Do not burn but needs to be somewhat light brown.

8. Add onion, green peppers and celery (The Cajun Trinity) to the Roux and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.

• 2 cup nely chopped celery

• 1 24 oz frozen bag of sliced okra thawed and drained

• 3 Tablespoons minced garlic or chunky squeeze garlic paste

9. Transfer the roux into a huge stock pot. Add beer, Zing Zang and chicken broth stir in well.

• 1 (12-ounce) bottle amber beer

• 3- 4 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning (Weber brand if you can nd it)

• 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoon dried Thyme

• 3⁄4 cup green onions sliced

10. Add chicken, sausage, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

11. Add shrimp and lump crab at the end and warm up on low - med for 15 min.

12. Add green onions and parsley for garnish

13. Serve with white Jasmin rice.

Can be frozen for future meals.

• 1 16 oz can REAL lump crabmeat (No imitation) It’s expensive but SO worth it!

• 1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley

• Cooked Jasmine rice for side accompaniment

Unruh

Realtor, ABR, GRI, CRS

J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc.

Direct: 316.650.1978 aunruh@weigand.com

Alissa

8

Mr. Wichita

When Fayola Oyatayo lost his banking job in the first wave of Covid layoffs, his irrepressible personality led him to a new career as a marketer, promoter and social media influencer – and a tireless Wichita evangelist.

26

Setting World Records at Age 71

Bill Sindelar didn’t launch his competitive powerlifting career until age 42, and his personal bests were all recorded after age 60. This champion just set two world records at the age of 71 – what will he do next?

62 Get Fit in the New Year!

Watch your fitness wins pile up in January, February, March and beyond, when you follow these top tips for diet, weight loss, sleep and more. These four local experts in health and wellness share all their secrets!

64

Two Table Rock Lake Getaways

Driftwood Lodge and Firefly Cottage in Branson, Missouri, are vacation experiences beautifully decorated for each season, complete with luxurious decks, gorgeous lake views and rock fire ambiance.

76 Pella Q&A with John Noel

You’ve seen the photos of the gorgeous new Pella showroom in east Wichita, now read the story of the man behind it all. John Noel has flown jets and commercial airliners before taking over Pella operations in Kansas.

Mr. Wichita

ICT Marketer Boosts Sports, Personalities, Brands

Written by John Huthmacher

Meet Fayola Oyatayo, the Las Vegas native whose “Mr. Wichita” persona has made him a sure bet with area business owners looking to promote their products or services locally.

Already larger than life at age 27, the 6-foot-4-inch, oldest of three children, born to Steve and Elizabeth Oyatayo is no stranger to name recognition, sporting a 13–14 points per-game average during his final two years of playing basketball at Sterling College in 2016–17. A one-time financial advisor and banker who started off his professional career working on commission, he has recently become a bona fide social media presence here after launching podcasts on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, including “Wichita Life,” “Face to Fay” and a video production and marketing company “Fay Solutions.” Factor in two sideline color commentary host positions for the University of Kansas football and Wichita State basketball programs, and it’s easy to see why his brand has become so readily recognizable so quickly among area residents.

It was after losing his job as a local business banker on March 17, 2020, due to Covid layoffs that Oyatayo’s meteoric rise in popularity began to gain momentum. Working strictly for experience without financial compensation over the next six to seven months, his passion and expertise at promotion became impossible for area businesses to ignore.

His involvement with “Wichita Life,” a podcast devoted to people and events that impact the community, bolstered his social media presence locally. Launched in April of 2020, his third episode focused on local reaction to the death of detainee George Floyd at the hands of police during an arrest, and the subsequent rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. The segment struck a chord with viewers, catapulting his commentary presence to must-see-TV status.

“I used that platform to shed light on the situation,” he said. “I talked to our chief of police, and that’s when that show took off to a whole new level.”

Subsequent partnerships with local and national companies continue to bolster Oyatayo’s star presence. Dressed to the nines in tailored business suits, his charismatic personality has elevated him to soughtafter personality status at events — not only in Wichita, but across the globe. As a grand spokesman he has hosted numerous upscale events for celebrities, universities, companies and international public figures, including the 80th birthday bash of mega pastor Enoch Adeboye in Nigeria in 2021. Listed among his more recognizable business clients are The Walt Disney Company, Kendra Scott designer jewelry, Meritrust Credit Union, TempleLive Entertainment & Events, and Chicken N Pickle restaurant and sports bar.

His sponsorship by JP Weigand & Sons real estate company in Wichita helped to solidify Oyatayo’s social media presence here in 2021.

Johnathan Weigand, director of strategic initiatives for the company, considers him a visionary and asset to his business and the community.

“He’s a dynamic, forward-thinking individual who has a lot of charisma,” Weigand said. “Wichita is extremely fortunate to have a man with his talents in our community. Social media has become so prevalent in the marketplace, and having somebody who is an expert to assist with maximizing exposure and driving traffic always adds value.”

Jacob Wayman is in the process of opening his third Orangetheory Fitness franchise in Wichita. He credits Oyatayo with helping his business to bounce back following a drop-off in membership during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I’m blown away by Fay’s work,” he said. “He knows how to get traction in social media and brings passion in every project he does, even small projects.

“He really understands what vision you have and can make it a reality by putting his own spin on it. All he has produced for us is really gold.”

Active in Christian ministry since childhood, Oyatayo can be found playing drums at church worship services each week at all three Life.Church locations in Wichita.

David Mckinzie, who played football and basketball with Oyatayo in high school, said it was their mutual love for God, media and sports that cemented their friendship from early on. Their “Power of 2” podcast has become a way of life for the two entrepreneurs in their work together.

“We just connect on a lot of things,” Mckinzie said. “We both have the same outlook on life: No.1, keeping God first, and No. 2, huge aspirations in entertainment and media.”

While in high school, the two began promoting and organizing events, planning several school dances, pep rallies and other school activities. But it was Oyatayo’s connections in Washington D.C., forged during his high school and college days through his involvement with the National Prayer Breakfast event, that helped open doors for them to pursue their partnership in media, Mckinzie said. From these connections came opportunities for both men to interview several celebrity athletes, musicians and politicians.

In what is largely perceived by many as an ego-driven profession, Mckinzie believes it is Oyatayo’s “servant heart” that continues to endear him to those he works with: “You don’t find that (modesty) too often in the media industry,” he said. “With the talent he has, Fay could easily be like, ‘I want to be in front of the camera. It’s all about me.’ But he takes the opposite approach and says, ‘I want to help you. Let me walk you through the process.’

“He is a great visionary with great stage presence. He has a great eye for the aesthetic and knows what a commercial social media post should look like. Those things make him him.”

Elizabeth Oyatayo said her son’s outgoing personality and faith in God have defined his life’s journey since childhood. Always a hard worker, his high-energy approach and dogged determination seem to serve him well in his social media roles, she said. “He has fought through so many odds, with people trying to discourage him that Wichita is not really (suited) for his kind of personality or the vision he had.

“Fayola has proven himself through his faith, hard work and diligence, remaining consistent in all he does. His personality growing up has truly set him up for where he is today, still growing to the glory of God.”

His reliance on God’s guidance has left his detractors scratching their heads, wondering how a man with limited financial resources and media experience has achieved swift success through seemingly unconventional means. Yet to him, his path has always made perfect sense, a journey fueled by conviction and obedience.

“I didn’t come from a big trust fund or internship,” Oyatayo said. “I did this through faith. People ask me, ‘Where did you come from?’ This is just me doing what I’m doing.”

Though his vision is to eventually parlay his recent media success into a host role with a major network, he fully expects to maintain ties with the Wichita community. His gratitude demands it. “Wichita is a big reason for my success, and I will never ignore that.”

Fayola Oyatayo gets the crowd excited at a recent WSU Shockers basketball game, where he is the official in-game host this season.

Fayola Oyatayo with girlfriend Cara Decker

The Oyatayo family from left to right: mom Elizabeth, brother Leye, dad Steve, Fayola and sister Dami

Hope is Alive

Written by Julie Hying

Two Wichita homes tucked into ordinary neighborhoods are helping men and women not just get sober but to experience a total life change — all within a loving family atmosphere. The two beautiful houses are part of Hope is Alive (HIA), which serves as a bridge between achieving sobriety and returning to a healthy life free from drug and alcohol abuse.

Wichita and Kansas City outreach coordinator Garrison Getchell shares what is at the heart of HIA: “This is a Christ-centered soberliving program that supports those who have overcome addiction as well as radically changing their lives. The program’s strong structure also strives to include a fun, relaxing environment. We think in terms of ‘one day at a time’ to facilitate life change.”

The men’s home, which opened in 2018, is a 7,800-square-foot historic mansion in central Wichita featuring six bedrooms and six bathrooms. On the border of Andover and Wichita lies the women’s 5,200-square-foot contemporary home, which opened in 2019. Each is designed to welcome guests and provide comfort and a sense of security to those who live there.

Newly clean and sober individuals live in the homes while receiving support and education as they make their way from the beginning stages of recovery to a more stable and permanent lifestyle. Getchell says, “It is supremely important for those at this stage of recovery to live in a ‘normal,’ stable home environment so that they feel secure and see what’s possible. Here, mentoring, guidance and support help them continue their sobriety and pursue their dreams. Support is tailored to each individual, involving a plan focused on mind, body and spirit.”

Lance Lang and his wife Ally (whose hometown is Wichita) opened the first Hope is Alive house in Oklahoma City in 2013. Since that time they have opened homes in Wichita and Kansas City in Kansas; Tulsa, Weatherford and Claremore in Oklahoma; and Morehead City, North Carolina. It takes about 12–18 months to complete the program. Hope

Is Alive also has a support group for the loved ones of addicts called Finding Hope.

Former Wichita HIA resident Mandy Robertson was hesitant to move into the women’s house, but today she is not only an HIA graduate, she is the program manager of the Kansas City HIA women’s home. As a 14-year addict, Mandy said she felt like her life had no value. In 2019 she met a few HIA residents at a women’s Bible study and then considered the HIA option for over a year before jumping in.

“Once there, I realized how fruitful and positive my activities and time spent would be,” she said. Residents must work or go to school, and they stay busy with weekly Bible studies, twice-a-week house meetings, weekly church attendance, and outside meetings such as A.A. and N.A. multiple times a week. They cook meals and eat together frequently and have movie-watching nights and game nights. Robertson says that fun is part of the package.

“I am not the same person I was two years ago,” she said. “This is largely due to the sense of community felt within the HIA home and a strong feeling that I did not have to do this alone. I wasn’t just told that I was worth it; I was shown that I am. My leaders instilled in me that I am loved, I’m strong and I’m valuable. Now, as a volunteer, I get to show the women who come after me that they are too. I wholeheartedly recommend HIA to addicts or alcoholics with a willingness to make a radical life change.”

Wichita Researchers Set Sights on Lyme Disease

Written by SPLURGE! Staff

Tick-borne Illness Can Lead to Lifelong Pain, Complications

With 500,000 new cases of Lyme disease every year and growing, Wichita researchers are testing a vaccine that could prevent the potentially debilitating disease. The Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR) is looking for around 100 young candidates to take part in the trial. They’re looking toward a vaccine for children, because children have the most to gain by being protected from a disease that can cause lifelong pain and even disability. “The ones who are devastated the most are the children,” said Dr. Tom Klein of Wichita, a partner at AMR. “They get it at a relatively young age and live their whole lives with suffering.”

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria known as burgdorferi, transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected tick. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash. “It’s terribly important that these people get in within the first few days after a tick bite if a red ring develops around their arms, or if they start getting fever, chills, sweats or body aches in a short time after being bitten by a tick,” Klein said. “If they don’t, then the progressive invasion into the nervous system and to the organs of the body ensues.”

If not treated with antibiotics, the bacteria becomes embedded in the tissues and becomes harder and harder to treat. “The more they’re around, the more aggressive the treatment and the less likely they are to respond to the treatment,” Klein said. “Lyme disease is devastating in its advanced stages.”

Infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system, resulting in extreme nerve pain, arthritis and even psychiatric illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia. “When the brain gets hit it swells, and when the brain swells the nerves don’t function as well and then you get some of those weird, odd mental illnesses that don’t quite fit,” Klein said.

While early diagnosis of Lyme disease is crucial, it’s commonly missed by physicians, because not everyone remembers being bitten by a tick and not everyone gets the characteristic rash that helps identify the disease. Later treatment involves aggressive and prolonged antibiotics.

Ancient Disease, New Hope

Lyme disease is a spirochete, a spiral-shaped bacteria that can cause serious diseases in humans. Autopsies performed on recovered bodies show spirochetes were present more

than 5,000 years ago. Lyme disease itself, however, wasn’t discovered until 1975 when a group of children living in the area of Lyme, Connecticut, developed fevers, sweats, chills and arthritis and were subsequently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Their mothers didn’t believe the doctors’ diagnosis and demanded that the children be tested further. The physicians discovered a common bacteria — spirochetes — which resulted in the first diagnosis of Lyme disease.

There are currently no U.S. licensed vaccines to prevent Lyme disease, but researchers are hopeful that the vaccine being tested at AMR will help prevent the debilitating effects of Lyme disease in the near future. The current study involves healthy individuals ages 5–17 who don’t have Lyme disease. They’ll be monitored for 24 months and receive four rounds of injections: on the first day, the second month, the sixth month and an 18-month booster. A quarter of the study participants will receive a placebo.

“The purpose of the trial is to develop antibodies to the infection,” Klein said. “If your antibodies are big and you can fight it off before it establishes, everybody wins.”

AMR is looking for healthy candidates ages 5 to 17 to take part in the Lyme Disease Vaccine Trial. Candidates taking part in the study will be compensated. If you think you or someone in your household is a good candidate, call AMR Wichita East at 316.689.6635 or AMR El Dorado at 316.600.5127.

Currently Seeking Healthy Young People: Lyme Disease Vaccine Clinical Research Study

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by infected ticks. The most common symptoms of infection are fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain and a characteristic skin rash. Left untreated it can lead to severe headaches and neck stiffness, facial palsy, arthritis, heart palpitations, dizziness or shortness of breath, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and nerve pain.

What will this study involve?

This study will be a series of four injections over an 18-month period. Participants will be monitored for 24 months. Participants will receive a reasonable stipend for time and effort to participate in this clinical trial. Insurance is not required.

Who is eligible?

Eligible participants in the Lyme disease vaccine clinical trial are: • between the ages of 5 and 17 years old • in generally good health • have not been infected with Lyme disease • meet other study criteria

Qualified participants will receive at no cost:

all study-related care

lab work • investigational vaccine or placebo

Lyme Disease Vaccine Clinical Research Study

& ANSWERS QUESTIONS

Q. What brought you to Wichita, and what do you enjoy most about the community?

A. Family brought me to Wichita. Twenty years ago in December 2002 my favorite auntie passed away. I initially came to visit her for a few days and realized that she needed assistance with a few things, and decided to stay to help her out. Little did I know that my auntie would soon pass away in her early 50s from what could probably have been prevented if she’d had appropriate access to medical services. Before my auntie went into the hospital for emergency surgery, I told her, worst-case scenario, I would stay to help my cousin if the surgery was not successful. She never recovered from the surgery and I am still in Wichita.

I have lived in Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area, and they are both large metropolitan areas preoccupied with large city problems. Wichita has a small-town family vibe, and has been a great place to raise my family and to grow up professionally. What I enjoy most about Wichita is the entrepreneurial spirit that is infused throughout our community!

Q. How did you get started in healthcare?

A. Working to provide support to those in need of assistance has always sparked a passion within me. Growing up in extreme poverty on the South Side of Chicago exposed me very early to the disparities prevalent in certain communities. These disparities are often aggravated, and create larger socioeconomic inequalities that eventually affect societal norms for everyone.

Initially, I started my career working to help underserved children gain access to higher education. I transitioned to the mental health realm, working to provide access to prevention and early intervention services for children and families impacted by drug and alcohol abuse, the criminal justice system or the child welfare systems. During the past twelve years, I have been leading a local community health center that provides access to multidisciplinary services to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Each of these roles are aligned with my personal commitment to serve others and provide a level of access to compassionate and loving support that respects the dignity and worth of each individual.

Teresa Lovelady President & CEO HealthCore Clinic

Q. Tell us about the HealthCore Clinic and how people can learn more.

A. HealthCore Clinic is a community health center with an intentional vision of “promoting a healthy community!” The clinic provides an integrated approach to healthcare. Access to medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, food pantry, physical fitness facility and other enabling services are integrated to provide an unprecedented level of access to care and compassion for our community. No one is turned away from services regardless of their insurance status. All services are provided on a sliding fee scale and most insurance cards are accepted. To get connected to the family healthcare you deserve, please visit healthcoreclinic.org or call 316.691.0249. We look forward to serving you!

A. Loving on my family, securing resources for the HealthCore Clinic family, working toward my Doctorate in Business Administration at Newman University, and serving on various volunteer community boards absorb a lot of my time. Yet in my limited spare time, I enjoy traveling to beaches located miles away from the touristy path, while appreciating local traditions and cuisine unique to those areas.

Alex Melugin’s Healthcare Highlight

Q. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

With

Alex Melugin, Executive Vice President/Partner

Teresa and son Miles

Spotlight on Youth Mental Health

Early Intervention

Prevents Future Addiction and Saves Millions

While the need to treat mental health concerns will never go away, imagine a Wichita where preventing mental illness receives the support that it deserves.

Half of all mental illnesses begin to manifest by the age of 14. In other words, if you or someone you love ever lives with a mental illness — as 160,000 Wichita-area residents do every year — there is a 50/50 chance that symptoms of that illness were already showing in their early teens. In recognition of that, the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas (MHA) operates an entire division of our 30plus programs annually to prevent those early mental health issues from turning into illnesses later in life. Given timely, sustainable and age-appropriate coping skills, young people have the opportunity to deal with what is happening in their lives in a healthy way, rather than turning to addictive behaviors or living with these early symptoms as they progressively worsen over the years.

Wichita’s manufacturing sector knows what you undoubtedly do as well: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Proactively preventing an issue in the first place is always cheaper, easier, faster and more efficient than trying to fix it retroactively after it appears. And the same is true for mental health. If even 20 percent of our current mental illnesses were prevented, Wichitabased employers would save an estimated $445.9 million in lost productivity every year, and reduce employee turnover by nearly 10 percent.

But the ability to create this regional transformation hinges on funding. And as a private not-for-profit, MHA relies on you. Thrive Restaurant Group, Foulston Construction and Novacoast are just a few of the companies who support our work on behalf of their employees and customers, to say nothing of the households that invest in this cause individually rather than through a business. Please consider offering your “ounce of prevention” by calling our development office at 316.651.1241.

To offer your support or to speak with someone at MHA about how we can serve your family or company, call 316.651.1241 or visit mhasck.org.

Thank you to Angel Culver, Realtor with JP Weigand & Sons, for her gracious support of this column and the MHA mission.

Written by Eric Litwiller MHA Director of Development and Communications

from

If you’re thinking of buying a new house or refinancing your home in 2023 let us start the process now. Being pre-approved takes the stress out of your home-buying experience.

Make Home Bank & Trust your first call for a no-obligation consultation and see why so many people choose our team. You're going to feel right at home with Home Bank & Trust because we don't have customers, we have family.

Visit us at www.homebank-trust.com to learn more

Botanica

Grace Warner, Kendall Nickel, Cheyanne Warner, Jessica Warner, Michaela and Savannah Gooden

The Hunt family

Sherri Luthe, Reid, Janie and Lane Noll, Julie and Zoe Larson

The Ouellette family

Megan Daugherty and Mason Nickel

John and Brandyn Rathman

The Corley family

Vanessa Evans, Dr. Justin and Michaela Gooden, and Kenzie Corley

Pam and Dawn Ordoyne, Hailey Tipton and DJ Skinner

Sarah Cheatum, Ann Welch and Coco Bontrager

Dr. Lowell Ebersole and Dr. Justin Gooden

Juan and Danielle Rios with William Johnson

Written by Randy Yeisley | Yeisley Financial Group

Will You Have Enough in Retirement?

America is facing a serious retirement crisis. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a whopping 49 percent of adults aged 55 to 66 have no retirement savings! That means that many Americans are not financially prepared to retire. The average Social Security retirement benefit is only $1,630.93 per month. And, according to the Social Security Administration, social security income is the sole source of income for 25 percent of Americans over age 65, and it is more than 50 percent of the income for 52 percent of Americans over 65.

HIGHER EXPENSES

Many people wrongly assume that their expenses will go down substantially when they retire, but the truth is that your expenses don’t really change that much. It is true that you will no longer be saving money in your 401(k) or other retirement accounts, but how many other expenses will cease just because you no longer work? It has been our experience that most people don’t want a pay cut when they retire. After all, most of us become accustomed to our lifestyle and we don’t want to change that lifestyle just because we are retired. For many retirees, household spending actually increases after retirement. In fact, spending increases for the first four years of retirement for over 40 percent of retirees. Think about it — what do you have more of once you retire? Time. And all of those things you’ve always wanted to do once you retire cost money.

PLANNING IS KEY

So how do you answer the questions of whether or not you will have enough money to retire at your current lifestyle or if you can retire at the age you want? You find out by doing a comprehensive financial plan. That is the only way that you can have a high degree of certainty about achieving your retirement goals. The sooner you start planning, the better. By age 50, you should have a clear plan for the age you plan to retire, how much money you need to save and invest, how much income you can have in retirement, how you will deal with potential long-term care expenses and what would happen to your income if your spouse died prematurely. As you get closer and closer to retirement, you should continually update your plan to ensure that you are still on track to meet your retirement goals. The longer you wait to prepare a plan, the less time you have to affect changes necessary to achieve your goals.

SOCIAL SECURITY OPTIMIZATION

When should you draw your Social Security benefit? Many people are tempted to draw it too soon. Sometimes, this stems from a fear that Social Security won’t be around for them, but this is unlikely to occur. The less you have saved, the more you will need to depend on Social Security. Therefore, it is important to optimize the timing of claiming your benefit. This is an important decision, so don’t make a knee-jerk decision based on fear. Instead, quantify the impact of various filing ages as part of your comprehensive financial plan.

BOTTOM LINE

With recent market volatility, many people are concerned whether or not they will have enough money to retire. When people are fearful, they have a tendency to make poor decisions. Be cautious of financial advisors who try to prey on your fears to entice you to purchase some financial product. There is no perfect financial product. The key to having a successful retirement is to do proper planning. Seek the advice of a fiduciary advisor who is skilled at preparing comprehensive financial plans. Let us know if our firm can help. We wish you great success in 2023!

Randy Yeisley is a local, independent investment advisor and is the founder and president of Yeisley Financial Group, Inc., located in northeast Wichita. He can be reached by emailing advisor@yeisleyfinancial.com or by calling 316.719.2900.

A name you can trust

By Nataliya Biskup, MD, Amy Sprole, MD, and Joseph Spaniol, MD Nousette Jefferson Photography | Instagram: @njeffphoto

A New Year for Weight Loss, Wellness, and Body Contouring

The New Year is here, and for many, that means making resolutions for health, wellness and weight loss. The goal is choosing resolutions you can follow through to completion. This is where your partners at the Plastic Surgery Center come in. We know there’s nothing better than moving through the new year healthier and looking and feeling your best. When you feel better about yourself, you’re happier and more confident; you feel stronger and you’re more productive at work.

If you want to put your best self forward, feel healthy on the inside and the outside, and meet your goals for 2023, we can help you evaluate and reach your weight loss objectives in the New Year. You’ll find several options, including Orbera, ESG and TOR, all provided by our weight loss team. Once you reach your goal weight, a body contouring treatment can complement your results. Our weight loss procedures naturally lead many patients to consider body contouring procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast lift, arm lift and thigh lift.

In addition to weight loss, you’ll find wellness offerings, including weight loss drugs, wellness infusions and injectable vitamins supported by our new dietician partners at Healthy Green Nutrition. With our targeted approach to wellness and weight loss treatments, you have access to an extensive menu of solutions. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect.

Weight Loss Procedures

If diet and exercise have left you frustrated each time you step on the scale, these weight loss treatments may be just what you’re looking for. Performed by our plastic surgeons, these procedures include:

Orbera is a weight-loss balloon that helps patients eat less. It’s a safe, non-surgical, non-invasive, non-permanent, incision-free, weight-loss balloon and program that includes support and coaching.

Endoscopic suture gastroplasty (ESG) is also non-surgical. We take a normal, large, stretchy stomach and tighten it into a narrow sleeve shape, so patients eat less to feel satisfied. ESG also comes with aftercare support and coaching.

Transoral outlet reduction (TOR) is a minimally invasive procedure for patients who regain weight after gastric bypass surgery. Patients who have this procedure report feeling full earlier when

eating and may lose weight and maintain their weight loss years after surgery.

Body Contouring Procedures

After you reach your weight loss goals, you may find your skin and tissues lack the elasticity to conform to your healthier, reduced body size. When you have surgical body contouring after your significant weight loss, our surgeons remove excess sagging skin and fat while improving the shape of your underlying support tissue.

The result? You look better and more proportioned, with smoother contours. All our plastic surgeons are highly qualified to perform your body contouring procedures. They include:

• Tummy tuck to correct the apron of excess skin that hangs over the abdomen

• Breast lift to correct sagging or flattened breasts

• Arm lift to correct sagging of your upper arms

• Medial thigh lift to correct sagging of your inner thigh

• Lower body lift to correct sagging of your abdomen, buttocks, inner, and outer thighs

Wellness Treatments

For all patients before, during and after a weight loss procedure, it is important to make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle to ensure long-term success. In addition to weight loss drugs, we offer the following with our dietician partners at Healthy Green Nutrition.

IV hydration therapy helps patients get an immediate, maximum absorption of vitamins, nutrients and fluids directly into the bloodstream. The effects are fast-acting, and people feel rehydrated, energized and refreshed.

Functional nutrition testing identifies problems to help patients overcome chronic conditions and live healthier lives.

Nutraceutical and supplement support are dietary supplements made from food, isolated nutrients, or food-like substances to augment health.

Functional hormone testing reveals hormone imbalances in men and women so we can customize hormone and nutritional therapies. If you have a hormone imbalance, you may notice fatigue, weight loss or gain, insomnia, loss of libido, hot flashes, changes in hair and skin, and menstrual irregularities.

Lipo B injections promote weight loss, increase energy levels, detox your liver and boost your metabolism.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you’re interested in discussing your wellness and weight loss options, your first step is a consultation at the Plastic Surgery Center with one of our highly trained and experienced team. We can tailor wellness, weight loss and body contouring treatments to your unique goals! Call 316.688.7500 today to schedule your appointment.

You deserve expert guidance and exceptional results. Plastic surgery involves many choices. The most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust. Expect exceptional results when you have your plastic surgery performed by the highly skilled plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Center.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S CATTLE BARON’S BALL

Doc Hangar

Jason Boyd Band

Harbinger Concrete crew

Brian and Amy Palser, Elyse and Luke Schwertfeger

Chuck and Amanda Simons, Terry and Jody Klein, Cathy Mitchell, Peggy Williams and Sundie Campbell

Jared Keatts and emcee Lisa Teachman

iHeartMedia and Big Al of Davis-Moore Auto Group

Maxey Wiggins with family and friends

Decarsky Foundation crew

Driven Wealth Strategies crew

Anthony and Mimi Wakim, Lindsey Miller Hall and Christian Kentling, Tasha and Martin Park

Alexis Dukes, Allie and Erick Lain and Kris Archibald

Cargill crew

POWER

For semi-retired farmer-rancher Bill Sindelar of Wichita, putting a little extra weight on his own shoulders has been a way of life for as long as he can remember.

Sindelar, 71, is a five-time world powerlifting champion who recently set two world records. Though he lifted weights in high school in his hometown of Howells, Nebraska, he didn’t launch his competitive career till age 42. Today he can be found practicing his craft at Steve Clark YMCA on the Wichita State University campus.

During his most recent competition at the USA Powerlifting Nationals in June in Las Vegas, Sindelar set four American records and two world records. His marks were: 502 pounds squat, 398 pounds bench (a world record), and 478 pounds deadlift, with a top overall total of 1,378 pounds (also a world record).

His personal best records, all recorded after age 60, include 595 pounds squat, 429 pounds bench, and 595 pounds deadlift, with a total best of 1,581 pounds.

Dr. Greg Lakin of Wichita met Sindelar at the gym, but it was a while before he learned he was working out with a record holder. “Bill asked my friend Doug Kellerby and me to help spot him on heavy lifts. We couldn’t believe how strong he was,” Lakin recalled. “Then we later learned he was in his 70s! We worked out with him every day for months before we learned he held American powerlifting records, and was training for the world competition again. Incredibly humble. We watched it on TV when he set a new world record in combined powerlifting.”

START ING AT 40

The second of four siblings born to Lumir and Anna Sindelar, he began weight lifting as part of his athletic training regimen while competing on the school’s football and wrestling teams through his graduation in 1969. He abandoned the practice following a one-year stint with the McCook Junior College football team to devote himself entirely to raising his family of three children – Karen, Julie and Dan – with his wife Pat, and growing the family business started by his parents.

Written by John Huthmacher

It was his desire to better assist his son Dan through his many athletic pursuits that drove the 40-something father to recommit himself to a weight training program.

“When I started the business and my family, I didn’t have a lot of time,” he said. “My children played high school sports, and when my son was coming up, I thought, ‘I need to get back into shape’ and started working out.”

Working in partnership with his brother, Joe, the two men succeeded in growing the family’s farming and ranching businesses into thriving operations. From their humble beginnings, the businesses grew from 300-400 head of cattle and 300 acres of corn and soybean farming into Cedar Hills Cattle Company and LBJ Farms – operations that today boast 15,000 cattle and 6,000 acres of farmland.

GOING COMPE TITIVE

It was during this run of growth that Sindelar decided to take on the additional challenge of competitive powerlifting, after entering a powerlifting event in Fremont, Nebraska, at age 40. It was there he found himself drawn to the sport, which involves competing in three separate events: squat, bench and deadlift. The three combined scores determine the winner in each respective age division.

While in Fremont, Sindelar’s chance encounters with a devoted powerlifter and subsequent recruitment by the head coach of Team USA Powerlifting began what has been nothing short of a life-altering journey, which has included national and international powerlifting engagements as both competitor and sanctioned referee.

Among his powerlifting events are participation in world tournament destinations in South Africa, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Japan and Canada.

LOOKING AHEAD

For a man who has battled debilitating back issues since high school, Sindelar’s lengthy run in powerlifting has seemed

nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed in high school with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, the deformity kept him from serving in the Vietnam War. And though it still causes him distress to this day, he is thankful to have stumbled upon powerlifting, an activity he believes has helped to make his condition easier to manage.

As he ponders the feasibility of traveling to Australia to compete in this year’s world powerlifting championship, it will be Sindelar’s body that will ultimately determine just how long he will continue to compete. As nagging back and knee injuries continue to exact their toll with each lift, he’ll be gauging his scheduling plans from one tournament to the next going forward, grateful for the decades of success he has already enjoyed in a sport that very nearly passed his way undetected.

“When I think back, from not even knowing the sport existed to going through all the ranks as a referee and winning world championships, it’s really mind boggling to me,” Sindelar said. “I’ve made so many friends nationally and internationally, and when I look back at everywhere I was able to go, I never would have gone to these places otherwise.”

CELEBRITY CRUISES HOLIDAY PARTY WAVE

Dondra Ritzenthaler and Amanda Jeffries

Linda Thach, Amanda Jeffries, Megan Barbe, Alex Treadwell, Greg Bentley, Chris Angel Gomez, Dondra Ritzenthaler

Dana Hamrick, Crystal LaRue, Athena Paschal and Tanya Richard

Senior Stars

Leadership team

Terrikka McCoy, Alishia Buendia, Shannon Burke, Zoe Wright, John Clark and Jordan Johnson

Buffy Loftin, Alfreta Mason and Miricia Gnapp

Diane Aldrup, Oty Curt, Alex Tredwell, Nate Hermes, Caity Herod and Mauricio Angulo

Jo Purcey, Michelle McNorton and Hannah Jimenez

Cara Hollis, Arlyssa Willis and Erin Brown

Christiana Chaput, Desiree Farmer, Mallory Maley and Ashlyn Goldston

Jalonee Hopkins and Ronniece Larkin

Q& A with Helen Galloway

Q. Who are you in a nutshell?

Celebrity Cruises and its Wichita market president Angel Gomez present Celebrity316!, where we interview a Wichita celebrity and find out some fun facts about them! Helen Galloway is owner of The First Place, one of Wichita’s favorite specialty shopping stores that will celebrate its 50th birthday this year. At age 95, the beloved Helen continues to work in the store daily, helping both new and longtime customers at the 9,000-square-foot space at 2929 N. Road Road.

Q.

What’s your favorite wardrobe piece?

A. I’m just a very ordinary woman who loves doing ordinary things. I run a business and I love it. I have wonderful women who surround me every day in the store and they make my life very comfortable. I came to Wichita after graduating from Colorado Women’s College in Denver, and have been here for quite some time.

Q. What was your childhood like?

A. I came from a small town called Burden, Kansas, and had a wonderful life there. I had a large, marvelous family who helped run that small town, and my father was interested in helping the city grow. He actually fed that wonderful town during the Depression when so many people were having a tough time.

Q. Who was your favorite teacher in school?

A. Mr. Sharp, I can say that. He was the most conservative human I had ever known. At that time he would tell me about the Communists in Russia. My father would say, “Don’t worry, honey.” As it turns out Mr. Sharp was right on.

Q. What’s the most unusual job you’ve had?

A. I haven’t had many jobs, except in high school I worked at the drug store in Burden. I never got paid but it was certainly a lot of fun.

Q. Do you have any side projects?

A. I’ve served on many boards in Wichita: the food bank, Center for the Arts, all of these kinds of things. They’re all very gratifying. But I have loved being able to put together this wonderful organization called Women of Wichita and we have given away a lovely amount of money. We give away every penny and we have never bought a stamp out of that money. We have given away $1.8 million to this wonderful city we help every day.

A. I wear black every day and have for many, many years. Probably a lot of reasons why I wear it. I love watching young girls in all of their hot new fashions but I’m probably rather ordinary.

Q. What’s your favorite Wichita restaurant?

A. Aside from McDonald’s — because I love the frozen Cokes — I love Georges, Walt’s, Bagatelle, Chester’s — I could keep naming. They’re all wonderful. In fact this town is overcome by wonderful people. I think we all love to help so many of the places in town.

Q. Do you have a favorite song?

A. There’s different songs for different events. For a religious song, “In This Very Room” is a beautiful song, and if you ever heard the words you would love it. I tell you, I love Frank Sinatra and I listen to him on my radio every day. And I love all of the great numbers he made popular.

Q. What’s your favorite thing about Wichita?

A. I have loved watching it change as I have grown old — and I mean old. And honey, I love being involved where I can see that we all help each other in life. And certainly as I have grown older I think it’s so important that we do help each other.

Celebrity

Chris Angel Gomez

Cruises Market President celebritycruises.com

Sponsored by

Celebrity Cruises (NYSE: RCL) is ranked on Forbes’ list of best employers for 2021!

LABOR DAY PONTOON BOAT PARADE

The Moorings on Crystal Lake

Judges Renee Erickson, Brenda Landwehr, Larry Shrader, Peggy Banta

Prehistoric Pontoon

Dan and Linda Bruring, Belinda and Sheldon Preskorn

Hawaiian Luau

Fire Truck

Titanic

Bumblebee

Splish Splash

Halloween Trick or Treat

Wizard of Oz

Crystal Lake Fire Department

Sunday Funday with Hef

Written by Amy Palser

For Former Actor, Living Clean and Sober an ‘Incredible Blessing’

John Olson’s opioid addiction began like the addictions of so many others — with pain in his body that seemed unmanageable without painkillers. “I needed a hip replacement but I didn’t do it for eight years, so I got on a pretty healthy regimen of pain medicine prescribed by doctors,” said Olson, 69. “They worked great for arthritis and my hip pain. But it got to where I was using dangerous amounts of it.”

The drugs were affecting his mood, causing troubles at home and resulting in less-than-stellar efforts at work. The problems caused by the drugs were reminiscent of an earlier time in Olson’s life when he got caught up in drugs and alcohol while working as an actor in Hollywood. Back then, his wife threatened that she and the kids would leave if he didn’t get clean, so he went to an AA meeting and never touched drugs or alcohol after that.

The opioids, though, were a different story. Olson knew he needed more than a meeting. He checked himself into a drug treatment hospital, but a friend and former addict who worked at the hospital suggested outpatient treatment might be a better fit for Olson. That’s when he crossed paths again with Dr. Greg Lakin, who had been Olson’s physician before Lakin left his family practice to open Center for Change. Center for Change is an outpatient treatment center for those with addictions to opioid, heroin, fentanyl or pressed counterfeit pills.

Olson said it was exactly the treatment he didn’t know he needed. “I went there and met some great people,” he said. “The way they do things was great. Just the way they handled things in general was so good; you could tell they really cared about the residents and patients. They’re not just in it for the money.”

Olson was able to break his addiction with the help of Suboxone, a prescribed drug that blocks the effects of opioids and curbs cravings. When used in combination with therapy and education, opioid addicts have had great success in breaking the addiction cycle for good.

One of the things Olson appreciates most about being drugfree is the clarity of mind he experienced. “The fog is lifted. You don’t think you have a fog when you’re taking pain meds and opioids like crazy, but you do,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to go to bed and get up and your head’s clear. It’s so good to feel the effects of a cup of coffee. Everything is better.”

Acting Career

Olson grew up in Lindsborg, Kansas, and went to Kansas State University for a degree in journalism before heading to Hollywood to pursue acting. He had bit parts in dozens of shows during the 1970s and ’80s. “The first show I was on was ‘All in the Family.’ There was a crooked politician in one episode and I was his assistant,” he said. “The last show I was on was ‘Murphy Brown’ in an episode where we were on an airplane that we thought was going to crash.”

Most of his income came from television commercials, and he also worked part-time in television production — mostly on game shows like “Jeopardy!,” “Break the Bank” and “TicTac-Dough.” But though he loved his time in Hollywood, the culture was very conducive to heavy drug and alcohol use, and it was taking a toll on his family. Not long after he got clean attending AA meetings, Olson, his wife and two young boys were ready to leave Hollywood and moved to Kansas when a job opportunity arose.

Today, he is a salesman at Hatchett Hyundai West where he has worked for the last 16 years. “I never thought in a million years that I would love it so much,” Olson said of his job, adding that he looks forward to going to work every day. “Living clean and sober is just an incredible blessing for me.”

For more information: Center for Change 316.201.1234 centerforchangeks.com

John Olson posing in an audition photo for a Lone Star Beer commercial in 1978. In the commercial he was delivering beer in the desert to an oasis cafe.

DINE AND DONATE WITH FAITHBUILDERS

The Hudson

SPLURGE! crew

Kayisa Cooper, Marie and Dan Masterson, Ashley and Logan Schrag, Jody and Tony Resnik, Mike Johnson

Holly Bane, Jamesia Ellis, Kayisa Cooper, Susan Schrag

Michael and Peggy O’Donnell, Kayla Kelly, Missy Tucker and Danielle Janzing

St. Francis Ministries

The Dixon family and friends

Linda Esterline, Andrea Dixon, Randy and Adriene Rathbun, Monica Ledell

Donnelly-Mills & Hobson Law Office

The Tarantino family and friends

Andrea Craig and Kristin Woodward

Butler Community College women’s basketball team

Jessica Gilkey, Eliane Daghfal, Lori Goebal, Letiffanie Mumford, Megan Graham

FASHION PASSION TO BENEFIT RAINBOWS UNITED Textron Aviation Activity Center

Ashley Graber, Tenille and Michael Schwanke, Tori Pedruzzi and Annika Wooten

Camille Ogden, Allison Grace, Julie Lair and Abi Griffin - Lyndon’s

Ami Schlader, Cathy Mitchell, Jessika Mayer, Angela Pirner, Jody Klein, Natasha Park, Amy Palser, Lindsey Hall

Barbara Waitt, Karen Clothier and Rhonda Rickert

Fashion Passion event committee

Chrissy Norrander and Dawn Hazlewood

Rebecca Hayes, Tia McNeal and Sierra Berends

Sasha Enegren, Rainbows United founder Linda Weir-Enegren, event chairs Paul and Yeni Enegren

Emily Aride, Leslie Elving, Gregg Snyder, Shelly Cannady

Bud and Val Learned, Gabriella Robertson

Cam Johnson, Ron Allen, Pat Schoonover, April Bittle, Megan Madsen and Christine Allen

Dan and Jana Day, Margaret Shook, Jocelyne and George Laham

Jim and Jo Walters, Belinda Tummons and Michelle Kuhns

Adam and Stacey Pogue

Erica Combs, Sue Doonan, Jackie and Pat Gearhart, Jim Walters and Kenny Doonan

Paul and Adriana Gray, Kevin Pham, Mandi and Neil Edwards, Addi Lowell and Marquez Sams

Gene and Gay Kimble, Mike and Amy Simpson

Johnathan Weigand, Kassidy Watkins, Lynnea Smith and Paul and Adriana Gray

Aharon Hoopes, Melissa King and Crystal McDonald

Shane and Sarah Phillips, Tony and Sara Streich

Trae Beck, Allison Trumpp, Laurel Anderson, Renee and Ryan Smith

Lance and Lindsay Kral, Susan Harsh

Mike and Kim Mann, Kristen and Zach Woodburn

Stephen Clark and Lily Wu

Brilliant style combined with a pragmatic approach, the Paramount Real Estate Group brings together over 50 years of collective real estate experience having sold over $350 million in volume and counting! Stephanie Jakub, Janet Foster and Lisa Anderson are three top producing Realtors who have been individually recognized for numerous accolades and ranked in the elite top 2% of Wichita metro Realtors.

In an industry where often the experience is impersonal and transactional, the Paramount Real Estate Group is dedicated to providing a tailored real estate concierge experience to assist you in navigating every aspect in executing a seamless real estate experience from start to well after completion! Whether you are looking for expert negotiating skills to buy a new home or up to the minute online marketing skills to sell your property for top dollar, the Paramount Real Estate Group is taking their service and clients to the next level. Their innovative marketing strategy, always ahead of the curve in this ever changing digital age, creativity, detailed processes and impeccable communication lead to an exceptional experience and remarkable results.

The focus on an “all-encompassing” client experience incorporates the “full-service” model of the Paramount Real Estate Group including proven buying and selling strategies, new home construction, interior design implementation, staging services, photography and commercial investing. The Paramount Real Estate Group, backed by Wichita’s most trusted real estate brokerage for 120 years, JP Weigand & Sons, Inc with their mutual commitment to excellence will far exceed the current industry standard in YOUR next real estate experience. Call the Principals of Paramount Real Estate Group today to make your dreams become your reality!

Janet Foster, REALTOR® Principal jfoster@weigand.com 316.371.3920 janetfoster.weigand.com

Stephanie Jakub, REALTOR® & Designer

Principal sjakub@weigand.com 316.706.3858 stephaniejakub.com

Lisa Anderson, REALTOR® Principal landerson@weigand.com 316.518.0028 lisaanderson.weigand.com

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Aspen Boutique

Patty Cowan and Viki Demoret

Jean and Kathy Fahrbach

Brenda Johnson, Julia Hardenburger and Emily Ibarra

Bruce Rowley and Kirk Filbey

Mimi Wakim, Jody Klein, Kim Azaria and Natasha Park

Julia Hardenburger, Mariah Campbell, Allison Baker, Beth Ashby, Emily Ibarra and Jennifer Barber

Paul and Carolyn Williams

Elaine Baker with Annie and Debra Pirtle

Gina and Grace Kohn

Barbara Kieffer, Allison Baker, Karen Rariden, Nikki Witte and Jennifer Drace

Allison Baker and Gigi Tsontos

Bruce Rowley and Allison Baker

Bling Derby 2100 N. Rock Road Derby, Ks 67037 316.358.0564

WINTER OPEN HOUSE Spa MD

Stacy McCarty and Sheri Fleming

Michelle Abbott and Leeanna Herman

Allison Placzek and Kirsten Bender

Heather Robinson, Jennifer VanScoyk and Joanie Boughfman

Natasha Park, Jody Klein and Lindsey Hall

Morgan Kelley and Olivia Kite

Shirley Lefever, Allie McNeil and Shannon Pierce

Jane Hurtig, Wayne and Cindy Todd

Jennifer Brackeen, Chad Towndrow and JoJo Reid

Michaela and Justin Gooden, Dr. Paul and Sarah Cheatum

Dawn Ordoyne, Mitzi Fecht, Jessie Mercer, Cassidy Randleas, Dr. Paul Cheatum, Julie Helms and Karen McPhee

Cathy Mitchell and Beth McGilley

New

1 SculpSure system’s 1060nm wavelength technology has a high affinity for subcutaneous adipose tissue.

2 The laser raises the temperature of adipose cells between 42° and 47°C, damaging their structural integrity.

3 Over the next three months, the body naturally eliminates the disrupted fat cells.

4 Disrupted fat cells are permanently eliminated from the body and will not regenerate.

3049 N Rock Rd

Wine and Spirits With the Good Life Guy

New Year’s Diet Resolutions and the Pleasures of the Vine!

If you are like most folks, you may have had your fill of holiday cheer and used the turning of the calendar as a starting point for a new diet regime to lose weight. Welcome to the club; losing weight is one of the most frequent New Year’s resolutions, and the resolution most often broken.

No matter what diet you are following, the bottom line is less food and more activity. How does wine consumption fit in a diet plan … does it fit at all? Alcohol has calories and, like any consumable, should be taken in moderation. Wine, of course, has calories, but in many cases fewer calories and carbohydrates than other adult beverages.

Written by Guy Bower

With that in mind, you may also want to consider some of the other health benefits associated with moderate wine consumption. You’ve no doubt heard of the “French paradox” and the apparent positive contribution to overall cardiovascular health that regular, moderate consumption of red wine can have.

“Wine Spectator” magazine recently had an interesting article about a study from the State University of New York finding that moderate drinking generally did not result in a fatter stomach or the phenomenon known as “beer gut.”

These researchers interviewed more than 2,300 men and women in detail about their drinking habits over the previous 30 days and their overall lifestyle, including smoking, exercise and diet. They also measured the participant’s body-mass index and “abdominal height” — the distance from the spine to the top of the stomach. A literal “beer gut check” if you will.

They found that wine drinkers had the smallest average “stomach curve” compared to non-drinkers. A key part of this

study was amount and frequency of consumption. Those who went all week without drinking and then splurged on the weekend did not fare as well as those who were regular moderate drinkers. The study concluded that “frequent light to moderate consumption was linked with less fat,” and those who fell in this category had smaller abdominal height, or less “beer gut.”

Good friend Gene Ford, a noted authority on the health benefits of drinking and author of “The Science of Healthy Drinking,” sums it up concisely. “Alcohol can cause gains when consumed in excess. Moderate consumption does not cause weight gain, and alcohol consumers were leaner than abstainers!”

As Robert Mondavi was fond of saying, “Wine has been with us since the beginning of civilization — it is an integral part of our culture, heritage and the gracious way of life.” So then, what do you do? I suggest that you don’t lose sight of the other benefits of a glass or two of wine with your health-conscious meal. That you try to eat smaller portions, exercise a little more and continue to enjoy the Good Life. Now if I can just follow my own advice! Try some of my lower alcohol and low-sugar wine suggestions, and Happy New Year to you and yours.

Gazela Vinho Verde, Portugal, $9 Gazela tastes like citrus, green apple and lemongrass with balanced acidity. Its gentle fizz makes it perfect for celebrations of all sorts.

ABV 9%

Cupcake Lighthearted Pinot Grigio, California, $10

Refreshing citrus aromatics that lead into bright, crisp flavor of lemon and honeycrisp apples. The finish is long with hints of white nectarine and apricot.

ABV 8%

Simple Grape Pinot Noir, California, $14

Full of spice and red and black fruit notes of cherry and blackberry with smoke and cedar. Round and complex on the palate, with a rich, long finish.

ABV 13.5%

Guy Bower is host of The Good Life radio show airing every Saturday, 12–1 p.m. on 98.7/1330 KNSS, featuring special guests, book reviews and a wine of the week.

50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION National Catastrophe Restoration Inc.

NCRI celebrated its 50th anniversary with a company-wide surprise party for owners Patricia and Nicholas Easter. Started out of the Easters’ home in 1972, the company now serves the entire United States with offices in Wichita and Olathe, Kansas. They specialize in catastrophe

both

Christy Maupin, Megan Allen, Marla Sellers and Mary Salva

Romaine De La Rosa, Norma Mendez, Cody Mills, Theresa Davenport, Shay Secondine and Jason Reynolds

McCoy, Carl Jr. and Kim Maxson, Justin and Karley Maxson, Shirley and Carl Maxson Sr., Cherylyn Maxson, Jordan Maxson and Brooke Bullock

Ron Davis, Pete and Tara Vang, and Kyle and Stacie Becker

Jordan Maxson, Brooke Bullock, Carl Jr., McCoy and Kim Maxson, Patricia and Nicholas Easter, and Karley, Miller and Justin Maxson

Dale and Brenda Smith, Laura and Brandon Patel, and Danny and Shanda Enegren

Rodney and Melinda Reeves, Reuben and Cristy Kerbs, and Steve Wilhelm

Ryan Shinkle, Omar Luna, Glenn Clackum, David Enriquez, Kyle Hirschfeld, Jaymie Mitchell, Corey Richards

Kirstin Rickert, Bradley Lymer, Sylvia Martinez, Julianne Berumen, Linda Fletcher, Rebecca Mercado, Gloria Gracey and Coren Rhinehard

Brad and Jacqueline Robison, Eric Goettling, Stephanie Davis, Sasha St. John, Jennifer Gonzalez

Alice Neal, Ted Campbell, Linda and Larry DeTienne, Pattie and Fred Longan

restoration and recovery for

commercial and residential properties, providing solutions for fire, water, storm and mold and providing construction services. Visit ncricat.com for more information.

Get Fit for 2023!

Written by Alexis Evans

Top Tips for Getting in Tip-Top Shape

Are you ready to make your resolutions a lifestyle? Many begin January ready to get healthy — whether through fitness or maintaining a healthier diet — and, no surprise, they often fall off this goal by week three. Here, local health and wellness experts share some tips to make your health goals a reality!

Dr. Emily VinZant, Owner of Doctor MomE

First things first: My first tip, hands down, is don’t try to change everything at once. If you’re looking to lose weight, changing what and why you eat is the biggest bang for your buck for weight loss. Only add in exercise, sleep and hydration when you’re close to your weight loss goals.

Eat for life: You will be eating the rest of your life. Choosing foods that energize and work for you is more important than following strict diet rules.

Go for the goals: If you’ve got a lot of weight to lose, you’ve got to start by creating goals that motivate you for the days when the scale doesn’t move like you want it to. If the goal is too distant, you’ll lose motivation way before you get there. Join the Doctor MomE free Reach Your Healthy Weight in 2023 challenge, January 4–6, if you’d like to learn how to set goals that motivate.

Dr. Emily VinZant is a family physician, obesity medicine doctor, host of The School of Weight Loss podcast and owner of Doctor MomE weight loss coaching. Visit doctormome.com or @dremilyvinzant on Instagram.

Kalene Hoffman, Owner of Bodybar Pilates in Wichita

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard or stressful. It’s all about mastering the following basics, and giving yourself grace to do what you can each day.

Move it: This doesn’t have to be super complicated; it can be as simple as setting a daily walking goal, and slowly increasing your distance or pace to challenge yourself. I recommend adding some kind of resistance. This kind of training is beneficial to everyone!

Veg out: Keep it simple: tons of water and vegetables every day. Even if you have to hide the veggies in a smoothie, find a way to get them in. Also, try to limit sugar intake as much as possible.

Sleep to win: Set good sleep habits for both bedtime and waking up. Eliminate screen time for at least an hour before bed, read a book and go to bed at a decent time. Maintain that routine every day of the week, not just weekdays.

Love yourself: Take time to check in with yourself every single day. Use this time to make sure that the things you’re doing are in alignment with what is most important to you. Make it fit: The moment fitness becomes stressful or out of alignment with your needs is when it will never become a part of your lifestyle. Find a way to make movement, nutrition and other healthy habits an enjoyable part of your daily life. Above all, stay consistent, and slowly you will see results.

Kalene Hoffmann opened Bodybar Pilates in April 2022. For more info about Bodybar Pilates, Visit bodybarpilates.com/studios/eastwichita or @bodybareastwichita on Instagram.

East Wichita Bodybar

Kerri Garcia, Owner of Keto

On With Kerri

Watch your words: Using the word “cheat” will sabotage your progress more often than not. A cheat meal turns into a cheat day, that cheat day becomes a cheat weekend, that cheat weekend becomes a cheat month and so forth. Instead, try using a more positive term like “pleasure meal” or “carb-loaded meal.” Enjoy that little break and jump back in there. Don’t eat the whole pizza, but enjoy the appropriate serving size and get back to healthy and fuel-driven food choices with the next meal.

Listen to your body: When you learn what foods fuel your body rather than simply feed it, your body naturally starts needing less food to run efficiently. There is no need to starve yourself when transitioning into a healthier lifestyle. Slowly reduce your serving sizes over time and simply pay attention to feelings of hunger and fullness. Listen to your body. Eat when it tells you that you need food and not when the clock says you should be eating.

Fast forward: Fasting has a natural homeopathic benefit. We were not meant to consume and process three meals and four snacks a day. With the wrong type of foods consumed, your body will actually have spikes and crashes of insulin all day, causing your body’s natural mechanics to swing like a pendulum rather than a hum in a steady, balanced rhythm. Reducing carbs and removing sugars maintains your body’s natural homeostasis and keeps your tummy full longer.

Kerri Garcia is owner of food store Keto On With Kerri in Derby. Visit ketoonwithkerri.com or @ketoonwith on Instagram.

My goal as a BODi coach is to help women not just make it through January, but make their new healthy life a lifestyle! Here are some of my best tips that I give to my clients as they are starting out.

Finish well: Make a fitness plan and set an end date for yourself. It feels so good to be a finisher! When you hit the end date, set a new plan and a new goal.

Buddy up: Designate a workout buddy for daily accountability. Even if you can’t physically workout together, you have someone to check in with.

Keep it simple: Starting with simple goals is going to be so much more sustainable than changing your whole life around. It takes 90 days to create a lifestyle, so create sustainable, long-term goals that fit into your lifestyle.

Fad-free: Steer clear of diets and fads; eliminating food often means quicker weight gain when you bring that food back in. Focus on changing lifestyle versus diet and on making weight loss and health fun!

Sarah Brooks has been a virtual fitness coach for 10 years through BODi. Visit @sarahbrooks7 on Instagram or email coachsarahbrooks7@gmail.com.

Sarah Brooks, Virtual Fitness Coach at BODi

Home at the Lake

Two Unforgettable Venues on Table Rock Lake

provides two additional king masters with private baths, along with another bedroom featuring two queen beds and a private bathroom. Two bunk rooms feature seven twin beds. These allow for a total of twenty-five travelers to relax and rest in comfort.

Similarly and with smart home sublime ease, Firefly Cottage also features spacious living, dining and cooking areas, both indoors and out, where vacationers can gather and enjoy meals, games, viewing opportunities and great conversation. Like Driftwood, its amenities are superior, including a fully stocked kitchen with incredible cookware and also free grocery delivery. Large laundry rooms make a load full of clothes, towels or swimwear a breeze to keep up with while enjoying the stay. Firefly Cottage comfortably hosts ten guests. Both vacation locations feature indoor heated pools as well as outdoor pool areas. Basketball and pickleball courts sit adjacent to a playground. Like Driftwood Lodge, the lake view is serene and calm, but also enticing with boating, fishing, jet skis and other lake activities available just a few miles away at State Park Marina. Additionally, the excitement and wonder of Silver Dollar City awaits mere moments away. This entertainment mecca and amusement park is something truly unique for families to enjoy any time of the year.

To book an amazing stay at Driftwood Lodge or Firefly Cottage, visit BransonLakeLodge.com or email reservations@bransonlakelodge.com.

From time to time, families and individuals desire a getaway, a great destination that features comfort and style, provides relaxing spaces and natural beauty — a place to find fun and make memories with family and friends. In the past several years, Frank and Lisa Long have collaborated with architects and designers to create a unique and special vacation experience, a home away from home at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri. Driftwood Lodge and Firefly Cottage offer casual elegance and an unforgettable stay along the banks of a beautiful 47,000-acre lake.

Located in Branson, Missouri only five minutes from the strip and three minutes from State Park Marina, Driftwood Lodge is a mountaintop house nestled in an upscale community that features a gorgeous lake view from its back multi-level, luxurious decks. Those spaces provide comfortable seating, rock fire ambiance, cooking and dining amenities along with a hot tub for early morning and late night relaxation. The interior of the home is designed for luxury and comfort, beautifully decorated for each season. A contemporary smart home system allows music to be played in each room, along with the seamless control of lights, temperature, television and more. There are several gaming areas offering shuffleboard, pinball and vintage video games.

Ample bedroom accommodations include two main-level master bedrooms with private baths and a bunk room with adjacent bath that easily sleeps four individuals. The upper floor boasts three beautiful masters with two large baths. The lower level layout

Driftwood

Firefly

Written by Julie Hying

Photos by Jared Hoffpauir

ANDOVER TO BENEFIT ANDOVER

Crestview Country Club

Amy Ellis, Julie Prater and Leslie Wessel

Jerry and Karen Brown, Traci and Chris Holder

Jace and Lexi Giannetti, Nicole and Justin Nickel, Lauren and Kyle Fritzler

Michael Meyer, Scott Wilson, Bradley Dyer Jr. and Natasha Dyer, Shannon Bohm

Bailey and Blake Langley, Aunna and Nelson Escalante

Andover Central Boosters

Jeff Wetta, Rick and Abi Griffin, Garrett and Lauren Grier, Stacia Wetta

Montana Hills of Andover

Chris Graham, Nicole and Chad Castleberry, Nick and Allie Kerr

Gavin and Brecken Morel, Rachel and Michael Mastio

Amelia Bardwell and DiAnne Graham

Alice Collins, Susie Wilson, Crista and Stan Smith, Maddie Wilson, Britton Stutts and Jill Lachenmayr

Fresh on the Scene

SPLURGE! Welcomes New Businesses and Happenings to Wichita

Written by Karen Long

Paris Baguette

Wichitans have been impatiently awaiting the opening of Paris Baguette at 9780 E. 21st Street N., and now the wait is over. Franchisee Mike Issa says the response to their grand opening on November 10 “has been amazing. The first four days we were flooded with customers. To talk to our guests and hear their reaction to everything was something I cannot describe. It was unbelievable.” Issa (not the Scotch & Sirloin Mike Issa) and his partner, Moe Touffaha, were themselves enthusiast patrons of Paris Baguette in New York City, and loved it so much they decided to bring the concept to ICT.

From baguettes and bread to cakes and croissants, the store is a wonderland of pastries, desserts, sandwiches and a full beverage menu, including espresso drinks, hot teas, cold brews, frappes and smoothies. No longer do Wichitans in search of Pain au Chocolat or Choux Cream Bread have to drive to the nearest Paris Baguette in Texas. They can find Croque Monsieur and Feuillete au Chocolat right here at the corner of 21st and Webb Road.

Cakes can be purchased by the slice or whole, and include such confections as Strawberry Soft Cream Cake, Blueberry Yogurt Cake and New York Cheesecake to name just a few. Issa says his favorite is a seasonal offering, a tropical mango cake. The two partners are already hard at work seeking just the right location for a west-side store.

Paris Baguette hours are 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. Catering is available.

Sky Lounge

Is the Sky Lounge an event venue with a law firm attached, or law offices fronted by an event venue? Yes to both. Delano’s newest event space, in the building formerly occupied by Aero Plains Brewing, opened for public reservations in November, and response has been taking off. Jon Voegeli, partner with Slape & Howard law offices says, they’ve already held a few events “for causes that we hold dear, and those went over very well,” including hosting the Kansas Trial Lawyers, the Dragon Masters and an election night watch party for Lynn Rogers.

By day the space functions as a reception area; during nights and weekends the reception desk is rolled away so the backlit bar and wall-sized aircraft mural can take center stage. The 2,300 square-foot space can accommodate up to 150 people, and boasts amenities such as a wet bar, bright natural lighting through two garage doors, audio visual options and plenty of parking. “It’s a fun spot,” says Voegeli. “It’s in a great location for these types of events, centrally located, and Delano has really been taking off in the last few years.”

Voegeli says they decided to preserve the front space for a couple of reasons: “Number one, the bar is concrete. But more important than that, I think it’s nice for clients to see a human side of the law profession. And this gives us the ability to have a little bit of fun.”

To check Sky Lounge availability and request your event date, fill out the booking form at skyloungewichita.com.

Photography by Michael Carroll Jr.

Photos courtesy Sky Lounge

EAGLES HONOR BASH Boy Scouts of America

Missy and Lance Doll, Braden McCurdy, Jason and Lindsey Hess, Tara and Tyson Bean

Stacie White, Sherdeill Breathett Sr., Michael Cartrell

Mel Hambelton Ford

Dakota Velazqez, Melissa Compton, Emily and David Smith

Doug and Brooke Hebert, Amy and Brian Palser Jacob Sands, Matthew and Lisa Catlin, Josh and Kari Gordon, John Foster

Paul Attwater and Kim Dugger Attwater, Ron and Renee Ryan

Susan Taylor, Scott and Jana Smith

Mike and Renee Brand, Shannon and Jeremy Hurt

Mindy Sutherland, Jane Foster, Lindy Sands

Ramshorn Resources

Joe and Devon Rothwell with Paul Attwater

Scott Hartley’s Eagle Scout project may be long gone, but the values he gained while working toward his Eagle rank are something he’ll have forever. Hartley, the artist behind nationally-known Infinity Art Glass in Benton, Kansas, said Scouting gave a shy kid confidence and steered him in the right direction. When it came time to complete his Eagle Scout project, the young art lover charted out the sprawling Andover High School, hanging large hand-drawn maps throughout the building. “I think there may have been six of them; they were at the entrances and a couple at the center to make it easier for visitors to get around,” he said. The project was time consuming but well worth it, he said, adding that the maps went the way of the old Andover High School building after the new school was built in 2020.

Like his Eagle Scout project, creating things that are both artful and timeconsuming has become Hartley’s life work. After working for a few years as a high school biology teacher, he had an opportunity to assist a glass artist and put his

biology degree to work in a much different capacity. “Here I am 23 years later,” he said.

He and wife Gwen own and operate the combined glass workshop and art gallery on Benton’s main street. Known for colorful, twisting and flowing pieces whose parts intertwine, Hartley’s art is sold at galleries across the country, and he frequently travels to art shows in major U.S. cities to display his work. At the recent Eagles Honor Bash fundraiser for Quivira Council, Hartley donated one of the event’s premier live auction items: six interlaced blue glass pieces that together represent the mountain peaks that Scouts must scale, both literally and figuratively. Hartley said the relationships built with fellow Scouts and leaders are one of the best parts of Scouting. “With all the time you spend with them you really get to know them, especially when you’re out camping; there’s not much distraction out there,” he said. “You were hiking and camping and earning merit badges side-byside with your friends. It was a really good experience for me.”

Quivira Council and Morgan Stanley are proud to bring you Eagle Scouts in Action, a monthly showcase of community leaders who are banding together to make a difference in our community!

If you are interested in joining Scouting or have an Eagle Scout in Action you think deserves to be honored, call us at 316.264.3386.

THE FLINT HILLS GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY

Scott Hartley

Botanica

David Snell group

Matt, Teagan, Elizabeth and Brooks Voegeli

Lisa Anderson, Rhonda Castrisos, Sandy and Teven Wendt

The Atherton and Smith families

Jana Linneburg, Kevin, Jeralynn, Evelynn and Hazel Howell

Anne, Michael, Addy and Emerson Weninger, Kat Speer

Lyndsey and Trey Gould

The Rudisill family

Karen Blank, Kim Moss, Sherry and Jeff Thomas

Leroy and Kay Goodknight, Cali and Tiffany Voran, Scott Stremel

Ryan Farrell, Jon Weigand, Lee Cole, Arlan Newell

Ben, Lisa, Emily and Kate Anderson, Margie and Phillip Slavens

With John Noel

Owner and CEO Pella Windows & Doors of Kansas

Written by Julie Underwood Burton

Our individual worlds can be shaped by many things, whether it is a conversation with friends, a country’s tragedy, or just that one beloved uncle who believes in us. John Noel’s career path is a truly remarkable journey.

A. Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, with five brothers and sisters, it became almost a rite of passage for my siblings and cousins to work for our uncle who owned a Pella distributorship in southeast Nebraska. I was a warehouse deliveryman and general laborer and worked on and off for my uncle, all the way from high school through college years, when he needed me, and sometimes when I needed him.

A. Two college fraternity brothers, ahead of me by one year in school, inspired my career choice to join the Marine Corps. They had joined and as I learned more from our conversations about the opportunities to fly, I immediately knew becoming a pilot is what I wanted to do. As luck would have it, all three of us ended up flying the same aircraft, the Harrier.

warehouses and nine showrooms when I bought the franchise. Within a year as the new CEO, I made a strategic decision to move Pella’s headquarters from Hutchinson to Wichita and consolidated the warehouses into one location. We knew if we were to do things right, we would be forced to move again. Just last year, our staff nearly doubled, growing from 45 to 70 employees across the state and we recently relocated our headquarters into our new 56,000 square foot building in east Wichita within the Webb Industrial Park. Our new facility provides 42,000-squarefeet of warehouse space equipped with modern dock facilities and administrative offices, plus a new 2,000 square-foot showroom.

Q. What excites you about your new facility?

A. After becoming a student pilot and training others to fly the Harrier, I eventually separated from the Marine Corps to fly commercial jets and was hired by United Airlines in early 2000. I was living in Denver with my wife when the tragedy of 9/11 happened, and I continued to fly for United. Eight months later, I was furloughed, along with approximately 35 to 40 percent of United’s pilots. Immediately, the Marine Corps reactivated me and put me right back at Cherry Point as an instructor pilot again.

Q. Why did you choose Wichita for Pella’s Kansas headquarters?

A. Prior to my involvement with Pella, there was a north Pella operation out of Topeka and a south Kansas operation out of Hutchinson and Wichita. The north bought out the south, but they never merged physically. I believe there were three

A. Our formula for success is to hire great people, communicate to them the commander’s intent and let them do what they do. My strategy sounds like it came from a leadership book, but I was taught to identify the commander’s intent, brief your staff about the mission, and then let their ingenuity and motivation carry the day. Our success isn’t about the growth and new building; it’s about our staff having the space and resources to provide the value-added services equal to the great Pella brand.

Q. The Pella brand runs in your blood. Tell me about your history with the company.

Q. What inspired you to join the Marine Corps after college to fly jets?

Q. How did 9/11 impact your career in aviation?

T e s t e d f o r E x t r e m e s D e s i g n e d f o r y o u r h o m e

W I N D O W S A N D D O O R S O F W I C H I T A

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

Wichita officials helped cut the ribbon on the new showroom of Pella Windows & Doors of Wichita. CEO and owner John Noel spearheaded the transition to the new location at 4055 N. Toben St., featuring a beautiful showroom where customers can see many of the doors and windows Pella has to offer. The new facility also features nearly 30,000 square feet of warehouse space to ensure the store always has in stock what customers need. Visit pellabranch.com/kansas to learn more.

Pella Windows & Doors of Wichita

Owners Betsy and John Noel

John Noel with Crossland Construction and GLMV Architecture

Steve Wiggins, Cody Deringer, Rusten Weaver, Blaine Williams, Kyle Slay, Tami Crawford, Brittany Westmoreland, Rita Foley, Derek Debarea and Jason McClure

Ella Ediger, Jaymee Rothrock and Tim KliewerSwindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd Accounting

Brandon Sims, Jason Morton, Dena Wilkerson, Lance Slieff, Andee Higgins and Phil Weaver

Jennifer Cabrera, Linette Carroll, Donna Simmons and Jess Brearton

Dominick Willoughby, Ted Bennett, Michael Weaver, Adrian Becerra, Dontrell Kinchion, Gee Leggio, Dave, Keith Likins and Nico Rogonzinski

Karen Hurley, Rod Holter, Maddie Butler, Charissima Albright and Lori Dean

Jim Knight, Becky Tuttle, Debbie Burch, Dusty Buell, Roy Turner and Pete Meitzner

Mayor

Brandon Whipple and Jim Knight

Brad Painchaud, Lori Dean, Chris Drach and Joe Sauer

The Women’s Network invited Wichitans to help fund its efforts to empower women to achieve economic independence at a fundraising event at Mark Arts. The group’s Dress for Success program provides a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Providing interview and employment clothing with the help of a personal shopper, Dress for Success helps women in every stage of their job-seeking path. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, visit womens-network.org.

Mark Arts

Women’s Network team - Martha Mulnix, Amber Beck, Brittany Vuu and Kirstin Saathoff

Janet Stanley, Lenda Hezlop, Jan Thomas, Susan Ade and Donna Brower

Sierra Pacific team - VIP sponsor

Cargill team

Christy Wright, Lisa Teachman and Stephanie Gaskill Jakub

Credit Union of America team - Madison Key, Morgan Hawkins, Andrea Richardson, Shelby Johnson and Brianna Blackford

United Way of The Plains team

Kendra Moody, Kristen Townsend, Victoria Kloepper and Emily Stewart

Dianne Cork with Cameron and Morgan Dawson

Maddox Defense team

Be Inspired - event committee

Happy New Year from

By Nahid Holmes | Design Source Interiors

MEDICAL

SURGICAL

TECHNOLOGY

EMERGENCY

DIAGNOSTIC &