Splurge316! November 2022

Heart &

Find the Heart Diamond in This Issue!

Somewhere in the pages of this month’s issue of SPLURGE! Magazine we’ve hidden a heart diamond that we challenge you to find. In this print version of hide and seek, our little love gem might be in an article, an advertisement, the table of contents or even the cover. If you find this glistening “needle in a haystack,” you may be our winner!

Each month, Mike Seltzer Jewelers gives a prize to the lucky winner! This month’s prize is a beautiful pair of diamond earrings!

October Winner!

Congratulations to Angie Cassity of Wichita!

She received a pair of sparkly star studs from Mike Seltzer Jewelers! Thank you, Mike Seltzer!

It’s easy to play! Here are the rules:

• Find the heart diamond in the pages of this month’s SPLURGE! Magazine.

• Send us a direct message on Facebook or Instagram telling us what page you found it on. (One entry per person, please.)

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

• We will randomly draw a winner on November 15.

Good job to all of those who found the Heart Diamond on page 60 of the October issue.

This is a jumbo version of the heart diamond hidden somewhere in the pages of this month’s SPLURGE! Magazine. Find the heart and you may be the winner! See rules for details.

liable 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.

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Happy 50th Birthday Rainbows!

Rainbows United got their start serving five kids with special needs and their families in the basement of a church. Now they help 4,234 children every year, which adds up to more than 62,000 over the last 50 years.

We’re Thankful for Nonprofits

The contributions of Kansas nonprofits ripple out into the entire community: They employ 9 percent of the state workforce, are a catalyst for building resources, and lighten the load on government services.

Everyday Bubbles for Everyone

What puts the fizz in the bubbly? Guy Bower, the Good Life Guy, explains processes both traditional and modern – all of which produce delightful sparkling wines. As always, he has the best local recommendations.

Injoy Fountain Lights up the ’Ta

This effervescent performer has blazed a trail on the likes of “The Voice” and the tour circuit with Postmodern Jukebox. She returned to her native Wichita to be part of the arts scene, where her passion and generosity are on full display.

Try These CoolWeather Recipes

Here are four recipes to perfectly complement your autumn tablescapes. Bring your house to life with the scents of pumpkin bread, toffee oatmeal cookies, harvest soup and cinnamon swirl buttermilk bread.

THE

Rainbows United Founder

Weir-Enegren with Sophia

Meet the event chairs: Linda Weir-Enegren and Paul and Yeni Enegren

Happy 50th Birthday

Rainbows United, Inc. is celebrating 50 years in the community, providing vital services to children with special needs and their families. The local not-for-profit was started in 1972 by Linda Weir, who at 23 years old believed children with special needs could remain in the community with their families if they had support and training. With the support of her church and several volunteers she founded Rainbows United starting with five children with multiple disabilities. This courageous endeavor gave families hope that their children might walk, talk, learn basic self-help skills and much, much more. Parents learned how to care for their child with special needs, received support from other families and gained confidence to advocate for their child’s unique needs.

Today Rainbows helps more than 4,234 children every year; that’s more than 62,000 children over the last 50 years.

Early childhood interventionists – including speech language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, early childhood special education teachers and social workers plus hearing and vision specialists – provide early intervention services to children under age 3 in the family home. Any parent or caregiver with a concern about their young child’s development is welcome to call for a free screening, and when a child qualifies for services the therapies are provided at no cost. “Families may call at the earliest concern. Our talented professionals can make a huge difference in those first few years of a child’s life, and that helps the entire family,” said Lindsay Kral, vice president of programs and services.

Additionally, Rainbows provides early care and education through Kids’ Point. Childcare is available for children aged 2 weeks through pre-kindergarten at Rainbows’ K-96 and Oliver location. “We provide a safe, welcoming learning environment for children of all abilities at Kids’ Point,” said Michelle Croomes, early care and education coordinator. “It’s especially important for children who are medically fragile, use a G-tube or have other special needs, to have a place where those needs are accepted and cared for. Everyone grows and learns together here.” Early childhood mental health services and autism services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), are also provided through Kids’ Point.

“Where there is no beginning, there can be no hope.”

–

Weir,

A woman helps a child during the early years of Rainbows United.

Family support services for school-age children and youth with special needs are also available. Direct support professionals (DSP) care for kids in their homes when the family needs care, sometimes greeting a child as they come home from school and staying with them until parents finish working. Other times DSPs help out on the weekends and during school breaks when activities take families in other directions.

Rainbows provides targeted case management to help families connect with needed resources like medical equipment and home modifications. The agency also matches children and youth in foster care with specialized foster care families.

“We have an incredible legacy thanks to Linda and her tenacity in starting Rainbows. The need for services continues,” said Gay Kimble, president. “We have talented professional staff members who make a difference for families each and every day. We can’t do it without funding. Fashion Passion is our largest fundraiser of the year and we appreciate everyone who sponsors and supports this important event.”

Fashion Passion 2022 Friday, November 18

Textron Aviation Activity Center

An online auction option is available through RainbowsUnited.org/Fashion-Passion-2022 for everyone to participate and support the event.

Donations are always welcome at RainbowsUnited.org/donate.

“They see your child. They love your child. They want what’s best for your child. They celebrated the victories with us and worked through the trials with us. I credit Rainbows with most of our successes.

– Brayden’s Mom, DeAnne

Thankful for Nonprofits

How Contributions Reach Into the Entire Community

Written by Julie Hying

The role of nonprofit organizations, foundations and boards is vast, and people’s understanding of how they function is often general and limited. The contributions of nonprofits affect our community significantly, and they employ 9 percent of the workforce across the state of Kansas.

“People do not often understand the concept of what nonprofit agencies do or realize the depth of support they can offer, the impact upon the community,” says Cindy Miles, President and CEO of The Kansas Nonprofit Chamber. “Nonprofit organizations function to support community members in need, but as those burdens are lessened, it’s easy to see how that affects the entire community.”

That community support comes in a variety of ways: alleviating homelessness, supporting single mothers, providing childcare, offering mental health services, assisting those trying to break free of substance abuse, screening young children for deficiencies or developmental delays that may need to be addressed, as well as countless other services.

What may not be well known, Miles adds, is how “the work these agencies do alleviates the need to rely so heavily on government assistance. Also, they can have such a positive impact upon the community economically. We want to be a catalyst for building resources and services to contribute to the quality of life in Kansas.”

One example is the public library downtown. The library’s foundation did significant fundraising to build a library that is open to all and widely used. Other cultural arts programs and public parks are also funded by the work of foundations. The police officers’ foundation funds items that the Wichita PD needs but may not be provided for such as vests, cameras and other gear.

Kristin Bogner, another individual who has passionately dedicated her life to helping others, currently serves on three nonprofit boards in the Wichita area and works for The National Association of Secondary Principals, a national nonprofit organization supporting principals and educators (as well as National Honor Society and Student Council endeavors in schools). In years past, Bogner has also worked for two local nonprofit agencies; before that, she educated students as a high school journalism teacher

and has written for a variety of publications. The depth and breadth of her experience has prepared her well for this role that continues to support educators.

Bogner says, “One point of interest for nonprofit board members is the leadership structure that they can provide to an agency, foundation, organization or CEO. This framework establishes support for nonprofits at their most foundational levels so that maximum service can be offered and the most benefits can be shared.”

Through her time with and dedication to nonprofit organizations, Bogner feels that several misconceptions exist, one being that in order to need help, someone has to have made a mistake. “Sometimes life circumstances beyond an individual’s control have created a need or hindrance for that person. Often temporary assistance is provided and someone is able to get back on his or her feet. I’ve witnessed this as well as that individual’s willingness to then pay their blessing forward.

“Another perception is that nonprofits should only work to raise a limited amount of funds. However, the more money garnered means we are able to better and more fully help others, as well as serve the greatest number of people.”

Although many agencies already exist in Kansas, there is room for others. If anyone is interested in starting a nonprofit group or organization, The Kansas Nonprofit Chamber can help you get established.

A volunteer snuggles puppies at animal rescue group Beauties and Beasts.

Volunteers organize clothing in the warehouse at FaithBuilders, a group that provides respite care for children so their parents can work and become self-sufficient.

A Reason to Celebrate National Home Care and Hospice Month

Every year in November, National Home Care and Hospice Month honors the many professionals who work in the fields of home care and hospice work.

Employing approximately 70 clinicians, Home Health & Hospice of Kansas is locally owned and managed by registered nurses who founded the organization in 2005 after they recognized the need within our community for higher quality home-based health services.

Passionate about providing exceptional patient care and support to families, all nurses, aides, therapists and chaplains are certified, screened and highly trained to serve patients with skill and compassion. Families can have confidence, trust and peace of mind that they are choosing the right professionals to care for their loved ones.

Q. What is the mission of Home Health & Hospice of Kansas?

A. Our mission is to “Make lives better.” Our agency is dedicated to providing exceptional, high quality and comprehensive services. We strive to help individuals maintain their dignity and achieve the highest possible quality of life in a professional and compassionate manner.

Q. What’s the difference between palliative care and hospice care?

A. Palliative care is a program that allows the patient to receive support from the moment they are diagnosed with a disease process that is chronic or life limiting. Palliative care is not hospice.

We offer two versions of palliative care. Our first program focuses on the patient who has acute needs that can best be managed with our Care Plus Home Palliative Program. The patient receives care by our Palliative Specialty Home Care Team. The second program, Care Plus Community Palliative Program, is for those patients who need support and oversight as they endure and work through their disease, but do not necessarily need or require home health support. These programs assist the patient and family with management of their disease processes to include symptom management.

Hospice is for patients who have been given a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care includes palliative management of signs and symptoms during their disease progression. These are patients who elect no further aggressive treatments, but would like to have comfort and an improved quality of life.

Ann Houk

Chief Operating Officer

Health

“This company is founded on quality and compassion ... not just for those we serve, but for our team. We want everyone we come in contact with to feel as though we have improved their quality of life.” – Ann Houk, COO

Q. What other services are provided by Home Health & Hospice of Kansas?

A. We provide home health services including but not limited to: IV therapy, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, the Big and Loud Parkinson’s Program, Healthy Mind Program and Breathe Easy Program.

Q. As a respected leader of elder home care services, what factors contribute most significantly to your agency’s success?

A. Our team is what makes us most successful. Our clinical team is well educated and trained to meet our patients’ and families’ needs. From our receptionist to our owner, everyone is vested in the best outcomes for our patients and families.

Q. How are you honoring your staff during National Home Care and Hospice Month?

A. Our staff will have a recognition luncheon and will be promoted on our billboards. We take the time to recognize our staff many times throughout the year, to remind them how valuable they are to this company and our community.

To request information about skilled in-home care services in Wichita and surrounding communities, call 316.869.0015 to schedule a free evaluation.

Where to Find Them

Home Health & Hospice of Kansas

E. Harry Wichita, KS 67207

Written by Julie Underwood Burton

Home Health & Hospice of Kansas staff pose with veterans at their annual veterans memorial service.

CYBER INITIATIVE CELEBRATION

Olive White Garvey Business and Technology Building at Friends University

Sen. Jerry Moran helped Friends University celebrate a $1 million investment initiative for technology, labs and cyber scholarships at an open house on campus recently. Some of the federal funds, requested in a bill by Moran, will help boost Friends’ cyber security program through both improved technology and scholarships for students. Butler Community College students will also benefit from the funds thanks to a five-year cyber security partnership with Friends, along with industry partner StandardUser. For more information, visit friends.edu.

Friends University President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey, Sen. Jerry Moran, Dr. Thayne Thompson

Lais Bosco, Laura Fuller, Rachel Millard, Ethan Harvey

Christina Byram, Mel Whiteside, Kevin Lann-Teubner

Friends University President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey, Butler Community College President Dr. Kim Krull

Melanie Flynn, Andrea Marshall

Dr. Jim Long, Laura Fuller, Brent Castillo

Jessica Boone, Bryce Winslow

Sanya Wiles, Brie Boulanger, Niomi Thompson

Mike Ceramella, Cicely Karst

Paul Attwater, Kim Dugger Attwater, Sen. Jerry Moran

Bill Rinkenbaugh, Christina Byram, Dr. Tom Nevill

Your Kid Could Be on Our Cover!

Gather ‘round, cute kids of all kinds! It’s time to submit photos for the annual SPLURGE! Our Cover, Your Kid contest.

The grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the 2022 December issue of the magazine and receive a certificate for Tobie Andrews Photography. The four finalists will participate in a photo shoot and appear in the December issue.

“It’s a favorite cover for a lot of our readers,” said SPLURGE! publisher Jody Klein. “It’s so fun to work with these kids. I’m thankful that a panel of judges has to pick the winner and not me, because there are so many cute kids in Wichita!”

Here’s how to enter the free contest:

• Download the entry form at splurgemag.com, and email the completed form and a current photo of the contestant to splurgecontest@gmail.com. Entry forms can also be printed out and mailed, along with a current photo, to SPLURGE! at 12828 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67202.

• Single entries only (siblings must be entered separately and pictured individually.)

• Must be between the ages of 6–12. (The 2021 contest featured children ages 1–5.)

• Entry deadline is Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

• For complete rules and regulations, visit splurgemag.com or call the SPLURGE! office at 316.267.3678

What Do Golf Tees and Lollipops Have to Do with RSV?

Written by SPLURGE! Staff

AMR Testing New Vaccine after Long-Awaited Breakthrough

Scientists have been searching for a better RSV vaccine since the 1960s, and they might have what they’re looking for, thanks to a promising scientific breakthrough. Two Wichita research sites have just begun a study on an RSV vaccine that so far has given excellent results. The vaccine is being tested in healthy adults ages 50 and up, and AMR is seeking candidates to take part.

RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages and is concerning for infants and older adults. Currently there is no outpatient treatment for RSV.

Dr. Terry Klein, a partner at AMR (The Alliance for Multispecialty Research), said the initial breakthrough for an improved RSV vaccine came in 2013, and scientists are now testing the result after years of research and development. “The published results have been good and we’ve got some good optimism going,” he said. “There have been no flags raised on safety, and it appears to have the success rate that we’re used to seeing in vaccines going to market.”

In simple terms, the RSV breakthrough had to do with the shape of the protein found on the virus’ surface. The vaccine developed in the ’60s was created to combat that protein, but researchers couldn’t understand why the injection had a negative effect rather than a positive one. In 2013, they discovered why: The protein on the virus’ surface actually changed shape once it engaged in a human cell.

“They identified through 3D modeling what the protein looked like prior to touching the cell and that it was a substantially different look,” Klein said. “Prior to its fusion, the protein had a lollipop shape, but after its fusion it turned into a golf tee shape. We used to go after the golf tee shape – the post-fusion shape. But we’ve found the pre-fusion lollipop shape is a much better target and a safer target.”

AMR is currently taking part in a large-scale study on the efficacy of the trial vaccine. The study at two of the Wichita area’s four AMR sites has just begun, and participants are still being sought. Candidates will be given either the trial RSV vaccine or a placebo, and monitored for a period of time.

A study published in March 2022 by “The New England Journal of Medicine” showed that a single injection of the new vaccine administered to infants under 1 year of age prior to the RSV season was 75 percent effective at preventing them from requiring medical care over the next five months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year in the United States 58,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized due to RSV infection. Meanwhile, more than 177,000 older adults are hospitalized and 14,000 of them die in the U.S. each year due to RSV infection, according to the CDC.

Physicians first isolated RSV in 1956, but little more had been discovered about the virus until the 2013 breakthrough. “Right now clinicians are carrying a lot greater optimism that the vaccine will be effective,” Klein said. “Prevention is certainly the hope.”

How You Can Help

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

Beautiful Skin from Head to Toe

You may have heard about the fantastic results achieved with BBL treatments. We’ve got exciting news for you – we’ve upgraded our BBL to the BBL Hero. The treatment is much faster, there’s less discomfort, and you get more for the same price.

The BBL Hero delivers light energy to stimulate your skin cells to regenerate and restore your skin’s youthful appearance. With this amazing treatment, we can eliminate the visible signs of aging such as age spots, sunspots, freckles, redness and dulllooking skin.

What’s more, with the BBL Hero, we can treat you head to toe! The Hero provides impressive results while you’re more comfortable, and you enjoy little to no downtime.

How does the BBL Hero work?

The treatment uses intense pulsed light to target the pigment within your skin. It flashes specialized light as our laser technicians quickly move it across your treatment area. The pigment is initially darkened, helping you know that you had an optimal treatment. Within the next several days, your body’s natural healing process removes the pigmented cells and replaces them with fresh, new, undamaged cells.

Does it hurt?

Patients can generally tolerate the treatment without any anesthetic numbing cream. You will feel some warmth with each flash of light.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments depends on the severity of your pigmentation concerns. A typical patient requires a minimum of three treatments.

How long before I see results?

This varies depending on the individual, the area being treated, and the settings we use. Most patients begin to see results in two to four weeks.

What is the post care?

It is important to wear a physical barrier sunscreen, clothing, and limit your sun exposure after your treatment.

You deserve expert guidance and exceptional results.

We’re excited to bring you the BBL Hero to treat visible signs of aging and sun damage anywhere on your body, in just minutes, and with little to no downtime. Interested in learning more? Contact PSC Aesthetics of the Plastic Surgery Center at 316.688.7500.

Real Patients. Real Results.

Real Plastic Surgery Center patient Katie explains her first treatment with the Hero for redness on her face.

Tell us about your journey to the BBL Hero Treatment.

Katie: I have all-over redness on my face. When my makeup comes off, my cheeks, chin, and nose are red, and you can really see the vascularity. When I am out in the sun or even drink red wine, my face gets even redder. I really have symptoms of rosacea, and I want to get to a point where I don’t have to wear makeup all the time. This led me to the BBL Hero treatment.

Before After

Describe the day of the procedure.

Katie: It took less than 15 minutes to treat my whole face. The best way to describe it is that it felt a little “spicy,” but it was super quick, and the feeling didn’t linger. The treatment is so fast, I didn’t need any pain assistance. After the treatment, my face felt warm and flushed, and I went right back to work. The next day, I looked 80 percent back to normal. I do have sensitive skin, so I had some residual, very mild inflammation.

When did you notice your results?

Katie: I have noticed a little bit of improvement, and I am really excited to see what my next treatments bring. Because I have such severe redness, I will do two more treatments about two to four weeks apart. Once I have the results I’m looking for, I’ll go into maintenance mode and have a treatment every three months or so.

Do you have advice for people considering the BBL Hero?

Katie: The treatments are so quick and easy and require no downtime. You can do them over your lunch break! I would say, “Just do it.” It’s the best treatment for getting rid of redness, age spots, and making your skin look better.

choices.

important

Q. How did being an NCAA college athlete help prepare you to become a physician?

A. Those are some of my favorite memories, and a time that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I felt like I was constantly on the move and was very busy. I think the biggest lesson I learned was how to juggle multiple tasks at once, while trying to reach the goal of getting into medical school. I had to make other sacrifices with my time which weren’t always easy. As a physician you get pulled in a lot of directions and can have a lot on your plate. Playing a sport, working a job and studying to get into medical school taught me that I could manage my time well and accomplish my goals.

Q. As a Wichita State team physician, do you have any insight on the athletics you can share with the readers?

A. All of the student-athletes at Wichita State are super talented and work really hard at their respective sports. I’ve been so blessed to have gotten to work with elite athletes who have either made it to the next level or been at the top of their sport at the collegiate level. What many people forget is that these student-athletes are still college kids and outside of their sport are very normal people just like you and me. The athletes, coaches and athletic training staff have all been amazing to work with and are some of the elements that I love about my job.

Q. How much of your practice is split between being a primary care physician and being a sports medicine physician?

A. I am in a unique position with my practice, and I’m in a different location several days a week. I am one of two faculty at the Ascension Via Christi Sports Medicine Fellowship and one of the faculty with the Family

Medicine Residency. I am one of the team physicians for Wichita State University and Newman University as well as USD 259 high schools, and provide sideline coverage for many of their events. Most of my time is spent seeing patients of all ages with musculoskeletal pain, injuries and other activity-related issues. I’m also heavily involved in the education of medical students, residents and sports medicine fellows. I still love family medicine, but currently it makes up only about 10 to 20 percent of my practice.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your family. Do you have any hobbies?

A. I am married to my wonderful wife, Casey, and have two beautiful children: Lucy, 6, and Jack, 3. Casey is employed at Koch Industries and works very hard to help provide for our family. We belong to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and love it there. I enjoy spending time with my family and love to be outside when it’s warm. I follow most sports and love to talk about them, but I really geek out on golf.

Q. You’ve been close friends with Dr. Micah Hall since medical school. We want to know – who’s the better athlete?!

A. Haha, great question. Easy answer: Micah. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, including being the starting quarterback. He could land a football on your nose if you asked him to and is a sharpshooter behind the arc. We usually have a pretty even match on the golf course and ping-pong table. I can handle him on the bowling lanes but wouldn’t hold a candle to him on the tennis court.

Alex Melugin’s Healthcare Highlight

by Phoenix Home Care & Hospice

Alex Melugin, Market President of Phoenix Home Care & Hospice

With

Dr. Paul Cleland Family and Sports Medicine Ascension Via Christi

Q& A with Marty Cornejo Partner, Cornejo Holdings

Q. Who are you in a nutshell?

Celebrity Cruises and its Wichita market president, Angel Gomez, present Celebrity316!, where we interview a Wichita mover and shaker to find out some cool things about them and what they’re up to next! Marty Cornejo is a partner, along with brother Ron, in Cornejo Holdings, comprising multiple businesses and investments, including land developments, commercial properties and active businesses. Read on for some fun facts!

A. I am a lifelong Wichitan. My wife Jenae and I have three sons and three wonderful grandchildren with one more on the way! I was brought up in the family business (Cornejo & Sons) which was started by my dad in 1952 and has evolved into many different businesses and ventures along the way.

Q. What was your childhood like?

A. I am the youngest of five boys in our family, and from a young age I can remember tagging along with Mom and Dad as they were growing the business. Dad had a few employees and Mom did the books; we spent our days at the shop working from a young age. I enjoyed whatever Dad was doing, not only because that’s all I knew, but he was who I looked up to and wanted to be like.

My education was the school of hard knocks. We were raised in the Catholic faith and I spent my elementary grade-school days at St. Margaret Mary Parish. Growing up a South City kid, I went on to Mead Jr. High and graduated from Wichita East. I went right to work after graduation, not wanting to miss out on the business Dad was building, nor the paycheck that I had become accustomed to.

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

A. Once I graduated in 1981, we started in the waste hauling business, and I spent the next eight years building it – from door knocking and driving garbage routes to working on equipment – until the business grew to the point that we were able to bring on help. It expanded into a sizable business and was acquired by Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI), a national hauling company, in 1988. This is the strangest job that most people don’t realize I have done.

Q. Tell us about a project you’ve got in the works.

A. Any project I’m involved with is the most important to me, no matter how big or small. The most visible locally is ICT21 Industrial District at 21st Street North and I-135. This is moving along at a good pace and is a development I’m very excited about. Visit ict21.com to check it out.

Q. What’s your favorite wardrobe piece?

A. I am a clothes person and like to dress well. My closet is an important room in the house and I enjoy shopping for my own clothes. Shoes, let’s just say, take up lots of space.

Q. Eat in or go out?

A. I enjoy grilling outdoors, and my wife is an amazing cook so I pretty much leave the kitchen to her. Wichita is also lucky to have so many great eating establishments. We frequent Scotch & Sirloin, Chester’s Chophouse, YaYa’s Eurobistro or Newport Grill.

Q. What’s your favorite thing about Wichita?

A. The Wichita community has been so good to me and my family, from business colleagues to all of my friends. This is home! Giving back is something I enjoy doing, with a priority of investing in our community to enhance the quality of life for the future generation and to promote Wichita, which I consider to be a hidden gem!

Chris Angel Gomez

Celebrity Cruises Market President celebritycruises.com

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

Sponsored by

Shaquille O’Neal was the guest of honor at this year’s Hoops 4 Literacy game, Storytime Village’s annual event to promote literacy among underserved Kansas children from birth to age 8. The evening featured free books, activities and an exciting basketball game featuring community leaders and other special guests. The highlight was Shaq’s questionand-answer session, hosted by Storytime Village founder and CEO Prisca Barnes. For more information on Storytime Village and its efforts to increase literacy among Wichita youth, visit storytimevillage.org.

Koch Arena

Gregory Cole and Councilman Brandon Johnson, players in the Hoops 4 Literacy game

Shaq greets kids in the stands

Storytime Village founder and CEO Prisca Barnes with Shaquille O’Neal

Juston White and Angela Buckner, players in the Hoops 4 Literacy game

Halftime sponsor Evergy team: Don Sherman, James Holland, Amber Sims and husband, and Sherri Farmer

Shaq invites students to join him on the court

Storytime Village team

Kyle Ellison with Heroes Academy students who served as ball girls for the game

Michael Lewis, Xavier McDaniel, Lynette Woodard

Storytime Village Board with Shaquille O’Neal: Bishop Wade Moore, Kenya Cox, Prisca Barnes, Joymesia Lee, James Holland, Crystal Aluko

Junetta Everett, representing presenting sponsor Kansas Health Foundation

Written by Amy Palser

‘A Closed Mouth Does Not Get Fed’

Larry Smith has advice for anyone who is in trouble, whether it be a drug addiction or something else. “I think the best prayer starts out with, ‘Help me,’ ” Smith said. “That’s when life starts.”

Smith knows a thing or two about that simple prayer. As a licensed clinical addiction counselor, addicts seeking treatment from Smith said that prayer just before getting help. Those are also the words Smith himself prayed after years of drug and alcohol abuse. Seeking treatment not only set him free from addiction, it set him on a life journey of helping others with addiction.

Smith has had to ask for help in his life more than most people. He is quadriplegic and uses a wheelchair, the result of a rollover accident in 1985 in Norton County, Kansas. He had been riding in a car with a friend who was driving drunk. The friend walked away from the accident with a scratch on his knee; Smith, who was 30 at the time, had a broken neck.

Smith continued to abuse drugs and alcohol after the accident. In 2002 he sought treatment and got clean, and his counselor, Dr. Tim Scanlan, encouraged him to pursue his degree in addiction counseling. So Smith followed his doctor’s advice and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. He has his own mental health and addiction counseling practice, A1 Counseling, and also works alongside Dr. Greg Lakin at Center for Change.

“Larry has worked at Center For Change for over 11 years and the patients love him,” Lakin said. “They continue to stay in contact with him well after they’ve overcome their addictions. He is always positive and he always has a joke – usually offcolor. He’s also a straight shooter with those who want to play a victim role, which makes him very effective at helping others.”

Smith doesn’t like to talk about himself a whole lot. He says he got into social work because he wanted to be in the helping fields.

But Lakin is quick to brag on his friend and colleague, describing him as the definition of selfless. “He works tirelessly on the front lines helping others who have serious addictions, as well as mental health issues. He was also honored as a Healthcare Hero in 2017 because of his work with addicts, as well as his continuing to sponsor and precept others attempting to get their master’s in addiction and mental health.

“He is absolutely inspiring to patients and staff and has helped so many people,” Lakin said. “Addicts can’t go in to see him while they’re feeling helpless or sorry for themselves when he has to have someone dress him every day.”

When asked how his being a quadriplegic affects his relationship with patients, Smith is humble. “Hopefully it lets them know that I’m open-minded, and I’m here to listen and not be judgmental,” he said. “And I try not to be judgmental – I mean, what good does that do you?”

Fighting Fentanyl

Smith said that, while he once hoped to help addicts before they ended up wheelchair-bound like him, now it’s a race against the grave. With over 107,000 fentanyl overdoses in the United States last year, the drug is a terrifying problem that needs to be tackled or it will continue to get worse, he said.

“It’s like playing Russian roulette. Eventually they’re going to end up with a bullet,” Smith said. “They don’t even know they’re taking it until they get a UA (urinalysis). Dealers sell them as Perc 30s and they have everything in them; everything that can kill you is in there. That makes it even more scary that you don’t really know what you’re taking.”

Smith said it’s imperative that people buying pressed pills off the street get treatment for their addiction, because eventually one of the pills will have an extra grain or two of fentanyl that will kill the user. Medication-assisted treatment for fentanyl addiction is extremely successful, and there are even grants available for free treatment.

“But you gotta ask,” Smith said. “A closed mouth does not get fed.”

Larry Smith (center) and other Center for Change staff members pose with the Wichita Police Department’s Mounted Unit.

Enroll in a BlueCare plan today

Our BlueCare plans are designed with Kansas lifestyles in mind. With multiple plans to choose from, you can decide which option fits your needs best.

With BlueCare, you’ll be enrolling in a plan that includes:

•

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that cover you in routine and emergent situations

and hospitals

from the pharmacy you know

Visit bcbsks.com/BlueCareSplurge to learn more about the BlueCare plans available or to start the enrollment process today.

During these Kansas-winter-months, please be aware of how fewer daylight hours may affect you or your loved ones’ wellbeing If you or a loved one are struggling to find joy in the sunshine each day, visit the BCBSKS library of mental health and wellness resources online at anewstateofmind.com.

If this is an emergent situation, call or text the national suicide hotline at 988 immediately.

independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Written by Randy Yeisley | Yeisley Financial Group

Crashes, Taxes and Inflation

This year has certainly been a wake-up call for many Americans. After a long period of prosperity, low inflation and stock market growth, it was easy to become complacent about potential threats to our financial success. That is, until these threats actually materialized. The best strategy for you during these turbulent times is to not let fear drive your financial decisions. It is important to maintain a long-term perspective and not let the headline of the day cause you to make bad decisions about your future.

Crashes

As of the writing of this article (mid-October), the S&P is down about 25 percent year-to-date and the NASDAQ is down 33 percent. Worries about inflation, increasing interest rates and recession have been the primary drivers of the market’s volatility recently, and it is quite probable that we will continue to see turbulence in the financial markets at least for the remainder of this year.

Whenever you are investing in the market, it is important to maintain proper perspective. In other words, if you graph the performance of the S&P over the past 22 years (back to January 1, 2000), you will notice that the dot-com crash (2000–2002) and the financial crisis (2007–2009) are merely blips in the market’s performance, even though each of these crashes were around 50 percent. I’m not saying that market crashes are insignificant, but I am saying that the volatility that we are currently experiencing is normal – it has just been a while since we had to deal with the emotions of it.

Also bear in mind that market crashes can provide opportunities for those who are prepared. If you have cash sitting on the sidelines or if you have safer investments that didn’t experience any losses (fixed annuities and indexed annuities, for example), then now could be an excellent time to buy into the stock market and take advantage of growth in the coming recovery period.

Taxes

The U.S. national debt broke $31 trillion for the first time in history. Our government’s spending is out of control. For fiscal year 2021, the federal government spent $2.8 trillion more than it received in revenues. Take a look at page four of your Social Security statement – by 2034, Social Security will only be able to pay 78 percent of your benefits unless Congress changes the law. The only viable solutions that the federal government has is to

cut expenses or increase revenue. Based on the government’s history, cutting expenses is not likely. That means that the only option left is to raise taxes.

You need to have a tax strategy as part of your retirement planning. The best option is to have a tax-free source of income in retirement to protect you against unknown tax increases. Roth IRAs are the most commonly known tools to achieve this, but there are other strategies to provide you with tax-free income in retirement. If you are not considering taxes in your long-range plan, your retirement lifestyle could be in jeopardy.

Inflation

Inflation has persisted in the 8–9 percent range for much of this year. At least that is the official year-over-year inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, I suspect that you have experienced much greater increases in the costs of goods and services that you actually purchase. For example, the price of eggs has almost doubled over the last year and the cost of gasoline has at least doubled over the last two years. And now we are being told that our Thanksgiving turkey will cost twice as much this year. We haven’t seen these levels of inflation for 40 years.

Many people are shopping at discount stores more than ever before. Scott Patton, Aldi’s VP of National Buying, said that “Aldi’s U.S. store sales growth this past year was driven by 1 million new customers.” Aldi has seen an increase in middleand high-income shoppers as well, referring to households making $50K–100K per year as middle income. Inflation is taking a bite out of everyone’s budget this year, and you need an investment strategy that can help you keep up with inflation.

Bottom Line

Keep in mind that every single market crash in your lifetime has been followed by a recovery period, and what we are experiencing right now in the stock market is not that unusual. Inflation, however, hasn’t been this high in a generation, so now more than ever, it is important that you have an investment strategy that gives you an opportunity to keep up with inflation, while mitigating your downside losses. And you also need to plan for a larger tax bite in the future. Generalized investment recommendations would be very dangerous in times like these – it is a much better solution to prepare a customized long-term plan and then stress test it with potential future crises. Seek out a financial planner that you can trust and let them help you navigate these uncertain times.

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.

name you can trust

What to Buy the Fashion Lover

Written by Lauren “L” Mercado

As Small Biz Saturday and Black Friday approach, boutiques are prepping for the year’s busiest season. Have you started your gift list yet? Even in the rush of frantic holiday shoppers, associates can usually pinpoint you, the shopper who is genuinely at a loss of what to buy, and the most complicated person on your list: the fashion lover.

Maybe you’re the husband in a hurry or a sweet parent shopping to find the perfect gift for their fashion-loving child. I asked fashion lovers what gifts they would like this season to help point you in the right direction! I ran a poll on my social media and gathered the results, plus a few tips to help you make this year’s gift perfect.

If you’re a fashion lover, my number one tip is to leave this magazine page on the kitchen counter. If you’re viewing this digitally, share it on your socials!

The poll had two questions: “When you receive a fashion gift, would you rather receive clothes, shoes, jewelry or a purse? The next question was: “Would you rather receive a gift card or the gift itself?” The results read that 70 percent of people wanted jewelry or a purse this season, and 72 percent said they would like a gift card to buy the items themselves. With this critical information in mind, here are a few holiday shopping tips for your fashion lover.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE GIFT CARDS

When we give a gift card, we might fear that in doing so we’ll lose the thoughtfulness of the gift. However, according to the poll, 72 percent of fashion lovers said they would rather receive a gift card. There is a way to give a gift card and keep that personal touch. You can do this by including a handwritten letter with the card. Write about how much they mean to you and why you chose that specific gift card for them.

DESIGNER BAGS AND ACCESSORIES

Your fashion lover is most likely into designer items because of their design. Designer bags and accessories are always an excellent idea for a few reasons. These pieces stand out, last a long time, and can elevate their style. Don’t worry, “designer” doesn’t mean you have to opt for the $5,000 Chanel bag either. Accessories like hats, belts and wallets are just as fashionable as statement bags. Hot designer items this season are the Louis Vuitton OnTheGo tote, the C Hardware Reversible Belt by Coach (or anything by Coach right now, really), a fun designer AirPod case, or a Hermès padfolio for work. Bonus! These gifts usually come wrapped to perfection, making the unboxing experience magical for us fashion lovers.

JEWELRY

How can you go wrong with jewelry? I don’t think you can. Timeless jewelry is a gift that keeps on giving because of its versatility; you can wear a nice piece of jewelry many times. Dainty jewelry pieces, especially name or initial necklaces are popular this season. Local boutiques Carolyn Sayers Fine Jewelry and Aspen Boutique have an incredible jewelry collection.

Lauren “L” Mercado is a stylist and owner of Social Style. Follow her on Instagram at @styleby.elle

Sophia is wearing Mustard Roots Boutique

Lily is wearing The LBD

Jenna is wearing The LBD

Kayden is wearing Mustard Roots Boutique

Henry Rainbows United founder Linda Weir-Enegren

Nourish Notes

Making menus happy for everyone at the table

With the end of the year comes the fun and excitement of the holidays. We look forward to family gatherings, parties and company events where we can celebrate and indulge in some of the tastes and flavors of the season.

While it’s meant to be a joyous time, hosting or helping with an event can bring with it the stress of planning the menu – especially if that menu must cater to someone with a special diet. If you’re the one with specific food requirements, you may have already learned to navigate these special days that center around food. But it can be burdensome if one of your guests has food sensitivities or intolerances.

We might be concerned about where to find gluten-free and/or dairy-free breads, side dishes and desserts. It is becoming a little more common (even from local vendors) to find these types of options, and that’s a huge help. But depending on where we are looking, finding minimally processed, ready-made items can be a challenge.

Heading to the kitchen and making food with fresh and organic ingredients is a wonderful idea, but not always realistic. During the holidays our already busy schedules can be jam-packed, so taking the time to make something from scratch can feel like we are adding to the pressure.

I have personal experience in eliminating gluten and dairy from my lifestyle, and that means being the one to bring dishes/desserts to share at family gatherings. I can’t tell you how many times I wished I had somewhere I could go to pick up a dish that’s made fresh, fits my diet requirements, and pleases all the palates at the table.

At Nourish ICT we are excited to say this service is now a reality. Whether it’s a brunch or a dinner, we are pleased to offer items through the holiday months that give more options, save time, cater to the food sensitivities of our loved ones (or our own), and are also nutritious and delicious.

We would be happy to help you plan one dish or many for your event and guests. Just let us know in advance the date and some details and we can help make your menu a happy one for everyone.

Chicken Shawarma Bowl

Taste of Wichita

Wichita’s Premier Dining Event

Junior League of Wichita is happy to announce that their one-of-akind dining event, Taste of Wichita, is returning for a third year. Take your taste buds on a culinary journey around the city this November 4–13, and fundraise for a fantastic cause!

Taste of Wichita is back by popular demand after two successful years. This year, enjoy ten days of fine dining options in Wichita that are sure to please and delight any palate. Try out a new restaurant, or dine at your favorite spot and help support the Junior League of Wichita. During the event, participating restaurants and bars will have special menu options at an affordable price. This year, the event also includes cocktail specials and small bites, on top of the traditional course offerings. All you have to do is visit a participating restaurant or bar and order from the Taste of Wichita menu. A percentage of the proceeds from each menu item will be donated to the Junior League of Wichita.

About Junior League of Wichita

The Junior League of Wichita (JLW), part of the larger Association of Junior Leagues International, is a women-led organization committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Junior League members, reflecting a wide range of backgrounds, interests and professional pursuits, work together to identify unmet needs, forge effective coalitions and serve as catalysts for lasting community change.

Mark Your Calendars for Taste of Wichita!

Make sure to add an extra date night, girls’ night, family dinner out, or curbside order to your plans from November 4 through 13. We can’t wait to eat, enjoy and fundraise with you all!

Lots of New and Exciting Options to Pick From

There are many new and returning restaurants and bars participating in Taste of Wichita. You will recognize some of Wichita’s favorite older establishments on the list such as the Artichoke, and many new names like Doma. From Mediterranean offerings at Meddys to cocktail hour at Botanic at Grow, to fine dining options at Vora and 6S Steakhouse; there are options for everyone. Visit tasteofwichita.org for a full list of restaurants and to see their menus.

Supporting the Local Economy and Fundraising for Our Community

By collaborating with local restaurants and bars, Junior League of Wichita is not only able to raise funds for our community and awareness for their causes, but also to help bolster the Wichita economy.

Seafood pasta, Vora

Martini flight, Botanic at Grow

Succulent Chicken Shawarma, Meddys

Written by Alexis Evans

Q. What led you to begin Lori’s EmporiYum?

A. Throughout my life, many have told me I need to open a restaurant because I love to cook and people like to eat the food I make. Pre-Covid, I was making moves to open a restaurant, and that quickly got put on hold because of the way the restaurant industry tanked during that period. Fast forward to June 2022: my husband Darren and I saw this building space open and the idea came to me to open a specialty food and treat store. The idea was always in my back pocket, and through some careful planning, brainstorming and tweaking –as well as tons of help from our family – we were able to open on September 3. I really wanted to bring something new and fresh to Augusta, a sort of emporium of interesting and unique foods and flavors.

Q. Tell the readers a little about your family, kids and hobbies

A. My husband Darren and I have a blended family of three children: one son on my side and my husband’s two daughters. Our kids were a big part of putting the store together, and each kid was able to put their own “stamp” on the store. We own a fiveacre farm in south Augusta with chickens, goats, turkeys and cats – all of which keeps us on our toes! The chickens in particular are so fun, as they have a lot more personality than you would expect, and of course we have named each one. I also enjoy cooking and I love cooking for people!

Q. What is your favorite type of customer to see in the store?

A. I love the ones who ask my advice on how to use ingredients they’re unfamiliar with. I love the idea that they are using my ingredients to try new things. I also love the kids who come in and are excited to see interesting food and beg their parents to try something new. It’s fun to see kids so young expand and develop their palates!

Q. Do you have any popular seasonal products?

A. Right now, customers are all about Popcorner products from the Wichita-owned company, and all things pumpkin spice. We also offer gluten-free, keto, and vegan ready-to-eat meals, and I have enjoyed getting to know the different types of people who take advantage of those.

Q. How does Lori’s EmporiYum get involved in the Augusta and Wichita communities?

A. I currently work at Spirit on the second shift, so I personally am able to do lots of volunteering through them.

I think it is incredibly important for people to be involved in their community and to be all around civic-minded. We recently hosted four local teachers and a children’s author on September 10 to do a book signing, and that was an awesome community event. I hope to pursue using the store as a conduit for doing good works and getting more involved with the community.

Q. What is something you’d like your customers to know about your store?

A. It delights me to see people come in and enjoy the store as much as I do. I enjoy seeing customers explore new foods and tastes, and see their eyes twinkle and light up when they find something they really love. We have something for everyone, and we are constantly getting and offering new products. I strive to keep my offerings fresh for people from all lifestyles, and we work hard to maintain a welcoming presence in my store!

Where to Find Them

of Lori’s

Wine and Spirits With the Good Life Guy

Everyday Bubbles for Everyone

While there’s not enough space here to give you the full story of Champagne or sparkling wine production, I’ll strive to give you a brief overview with emphasis on some great tasty bubbles that won’t break the bank!

Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne, France, which is located just northeast of Paris. Furthermore, Champagne can only be made using chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier grapes that are produced in the traditional method or méthode champenoise. The traditional champagne production method promotes a second fermentation in the bottle.

Still wines destined to become bubbly are generally picked early with low sugar content. The juice is fermented normally and is usually very dry and somewhat austere. You can make sparkling wine out of most any combination or variety of grape. This wine is then ready for secondary fermentation.

The key differentiator is secondary fermentation. By adding a mixture of yeast, sugar and wine called the liqueur de tirage in a closed environment, still wines become effervescent. When the secondary fermentation begins, the carbon dioxide released by the yeast has nowhere to go but into the wine, making it bubbly. What distinguishes the finished product is where this secondary fermentation takes place and how long the wine is aged with the dead yeast cells, called lees.

Less expensive bubbly wines are not usually produced using the traditional method. The wine can be carbonated just like soda, or secondary fermentation can take place in a large, closed stainless tank. The latter is called the Charmat process. The Charmat sparkling wine is transferred from the pressurized tank directly to the bottle. Less labor and expense with a similar outcome.

I have had some great bubbles regardless of the method used to trap the carbon dioxide! What makes sparkling wine fun is the festive opening, pouring and the resultant bubbly mouthfeel that we enjoy. Perfect as an aperitif or with most any food, sparkling wine is not just for special celebrations. It can and should be enjoyed year-round, with or without food, and makes any gathering a celebration any time of year. The wines I have recommended come from some highly awarded producers. Only the Barefoot bubbly is made using the Charmat process, the rest are all produced in the traditional method.

Written by Guy Bower

I hope you’ll add some of these to your Thanksgiving, holiday, or everyday table, and that you, your family and friends enjoy The Good Life!

NV Barefoot Bubbly Brut, California $12

Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée is the driest sparkling wine in the portfolio. Vibrant bubbles lift notes of sliced apple, juicy peach and zesty kiwi, leading to hints of toast on a crisp, refreshing finish. It has tiny bubbles that persist in the glass, an elegant, crisp mouthfeel that lingers.

ABV 10.5%, WE 88

NV Gruet Brut, New Mexico $20

This brut offers a crisp and full-bodied sparkling wine, brilliant with ultra-fine bubbles. A wonderful, fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors with crisp acidity, complemented by a touch of yeast on the delightfully long finish.

ABV 12%, TP 91, WS 90

NV Roederer Estate Brut, Alexander Valley, California $33

Attractive notes of citrus fruits, fresh dough, cashew nuts, star fruit, apple and fresh biscuits on the nose. The palate is dry with a lovely creamy texture, amazing finesse and sophistication, followed by an assertive and refreshing finish.

ABV 12.5%, JS 94, WA 93

NV Balfour Hush Heath Estate Classic Cuvee, Kent, England $45

This blend uses grapes from Hush Heath’s newest vineyard, planted in 2002, for a fresh, fruit-forward style. It is a well-made wine with a fresh, fine mousse and crisp acidity. There’s lemon balm, white flower and green apple notes, plus a hint of red berry fruit on the tight palate.

ABV 12%, WA 90, WE 90

Wine

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.

Cordon

J.P. WEIGAND

AGENTS EVENT Chester’s Chophouse

Johnathan Weigand, Tini Rufus, George Laham

Jim McIntosh, Matthew McClure, Dan Touchatt, Marty Moody

Herb Krumsick, Nestor Weigand, Grant Tidemann

Jeff and Jill Howard

Austin Swisher, Jeralynn Howell, Noel Moore

Jessica Mitchell, Christi Royse

Anita Tidemann, Leslie Myers

Marty Moody, Dan and Ashley Touchatt

Ben Gartner, Herb Krumsick

Kevin Howell, Randy Johnston

Ashley Touchett, Calvin Klaassen, Joseph Myers

Mike and Lynn Loveland

Best Body Shop staff

Best Body Shop owners

Clay and Barbara Hoberecht

Damon Ross, Tate Bontrager

Merry Bauman of Wyldewood Cellars

Clay Hoberecht, Sally and Craig Tatro

Tyler Hatker, Tracie and Scott Reida

Featured artist Eileen McNeill

DJ Magnum

Jayson Killinger, Jess Tower, Darlene Killinger

The Wood family

Samantha Torres, Kyle Worthington

Amie and Ian Clendenin

Injoy Fountain

Her Name Says It All

Written by Natasha Park

Her smile and expressions are ticklish and contagious. Her confidence and humility are perfectly balanced with her exceptional talent and experience. Her presence truly radiates awe, playfulness and being real. To visit with her is like washing the mundane with inspiration and laughter, as if finding a living fountain of joy.

Maybe you remember her from “The Voice’s” Team Kelly, or on tour with Postmodern Jukebox. Perhaps you attended Music Theatre Wichita’s ”42nd Street” where she played Maggie Jones, or witnessed her transformative performance in “The Color Purple” at Roxy’s Downtown.

“After playing Celie in ‘The Color Purple’ the musical, I was left completely vulnerable. I had no choice but to feel everything. The way I hear music is different now. I’m not just going through the motions of singing or performing. I want you to feel what I feel.”

Injoy Fountain was born and raised in Wichita. She attended grade school at Wichita Collegiate School and graduated from East High. She then moved to New York City for ten years and graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). There she performed in a band with four-time Tony nominee Condola Rashad, all the while on and off Broadway. She also traveled to the Edinburgh (Scotland) Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts and media festival. There she performed in “Rent” the musical under the direction of Anthony Rapp.

Not only is Fountain gifted, she is generous: She happily involves herself in local charitable events for the Sunflower Clinic, Model Mayhem, GLSEN and the Wichita Family Crisis Center.

What keeps this larger-than-life talent active and supportive in her hometown?

“I love the fact that Wichita is full of arts! That’s why I came back!” Fountain proclaims. It’s not uncommon to see her in an MTWichita production at Century II and the following week striding the boards at Roxy’s Downtown and Mosley Street Melodrama.

When it comes to evolution needed in the Wichita arts scene she says: “I would love to see more female musicians and equal pay for musicians.”

Fountain is as talented as she is passionate, and as wise as she is encouraging, saying “Never give up. A ‘no’ is always a redirection to your ‘yes.’ Create your own seat at the table. Be human. Really polish your gift. Be well rehearsed. Be original.

“To all of my friends for always supporting me, to my team and investors, and all the musicians trying to make it out here on their own, and of course my kiddo Odessa, thank you!”

Injoy Fountain on “The

Injoy Fountain with daughter Odessa

Emily VinZant, MD

WSU softball team

Lauren Lucas and family

Larry and Kirsten Teague with family and friends

Mady Espinosa, Camryn Compton, Tony Urban, Bailey Urban, Kevin Jones, Zoe Jones, Addie Barnard

Elizabeth Economon, Presley Bell, Brent Kemnitz, Nicole Pendley, Kristi Bredbenner

Kenzie Schopfer and family

Chris Spall, Brent Kemnitz, Alex Johnson

For the memory of Pattie McCullough

Alex Aguilar and family

Lainee Brown and family

Kevin and Jennifer Saal, Pam Palmer

Deck the Halls for

Midian Shrine Hosts

If you’re a Christmas decor lover, you won’t want to miss the eighth annual Midian Shrine Feztival of Trees, November 18–22 and 25–27. Each year organizers decorate dozens of Christmas trees in different themes – from traditional trimmings and fancy frills to sports teams and children’s themes.

“Our event has all kinds of Christmas trees in all shapes and sizes. Each tree is decorated with a different story and theme – and they are all elaborate,” said event chairwoman Terri Wells. “There are also bookcases, shelving units and other items decorated with holiday ornaments.”

While the trees are a joy to peruse, the best part is that you may get to take one of them home. Buy a raffle ticket for $1, or 25 tickets for $20, then use your tickets to vote on your favorite tree. A raffle drawing at 3:30 p.m. November 27 will decide the winner of each of the trees. There are anywhere from 25 to 40 trees to be raffled off, plus gift basket raffles.

While you’re there, grab a bite to eat at the Snowflake Cafe, get a treat at the Sweet Shoppe, and do some Christmas shopping at the Feztival Marketplace. Don’t forget to grab a selfie with Santa!

“If you love Christmas, you have to visit the Feztival of Trees,” Wells said. “It is a gorgeous way to kick off the holidays. You have to see it in person to truly enjoy this beautiful, Christmassy wonderland.”

Proceeds from Feztival of Trees benefit Midian Shrine, helping them attain their philanthropic mission of providing specialized pediatric care at the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The Shriners Hospitals provide treatment for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, club feet, scoliosis, and cleft palate reconstruction. Care at Shriners Hospitals is provided at no cost to the patient and their family, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

The Midian Shrine currently provides medical care to about 400 children in southern Kansas. The Shrine has been a part of the Wichita community since 1909 and has over 2,000 members in its 43 units across the southern Kansas region, including Eureka, Liberal and Garden City.

“For over 100 years the Shriners have helped children receive the medical care they need at no cost to the family,” Wells said. “It is tear-jerking to hear the families’ stories. The Shriners take the financial stress off of families, allowing them to focus on their kids and help their children heal.”

Cause

Feztival

November 18–22 and 25–27

Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday 5–8 p.m. Admission $5 (unlimited re-entries)

Children 10 and under: Free

Midian Shrine

N. Topeka Wichita, KS 67202

Find them on Facebook: Midian Shrine Feztival of

AUTUMN &

Jackie McCallon, Debbie Donaldson, Rhonda and David Hamilton

Olivia Black, Chase Dempsey, Scott Hill, Peter Qiu, Jennifer Hill

Cassandra and Chad Bryan

Ross Link, Teresa Veazey, Jennifer McConachie, Vanessa Whiteside

Ashlyn Funston, Lacey Wellemeyer, Ashton and Trent Garman, Grant and Kelly Glasgow, Stephen Yowell, Drew Gannon

Mae Smith, Dawn Truman, Carolyn Timsah, Richelle Knotts

Sharon Robertson, Whitney West, Nancy Wolford, Peggy Harrison

Ed and Diane Dunn, Rick and Monica Nutt, Diana Montecalvo and John Chalaris

Steven Mahey, McKale Woffinden, Amanda Stiebens, Suzanne Wilde, Jesse Stiebens

Autumn and Art event volunteers

David and Beth Weldon, Gabe and Erin Parham

Vanessa Hathaway and Don Grant, Jody and Terry Klein

SCOUTS

Eagle Scout Class of 1966

Joe Rothwell’s Boy Scouting experience had a bit of a corporate flair to it, thanks to Scoutmaster Paul Dillon. The Dillons Food Stores executive was an active leader in Boy Scouts in his hometown of Hutchinson from 1955 to 1980, and Rothwell was one of the lucky participants in Dillon’s active group.

“The way he ran the troop was that every six months you moved up in your advancement, and if you didn’t meet those milestones you were politely asked to leave,” Rothwell recalled. “When I was 25 or 30, it dawned on me that he [Paul Dillon] ran that Scout troop like you would run a business. Everything was on pace to meet a goal.”

As a result, the members of Troop 301 in Hutchinson achieved Eagle rank before they entered high school. “His thinking was that by the time you reach ninth grade, you’re going to be involved with activities that might interfere with Scouts. It was a very well-planned-out, organized way of running Scouting.”

Rothwell said he didn’t realize that Dillon ran his troop differently until he met Eagles from outside Troop 301. “In college I met guys who didn’t get their Eagle badge until they were a senior in high school, and I thought, ‘What’s that all about?

must have been goofing off!’ ” he said with a laugh. “For us it was a race to make sure you were staying on task and getting as many merit badges as you could. It wasn’t pressure, just clear expectations.”

Rothwell said it was a great troop that kept him busy and taught him many life skills. Dillon had land north of town, so campouts were frequent. More than anything, Rothwell said, his Scouting experience taught him from a young age the discipline of taking the necessary steps toward meeting a goal, and being organized, focused and prepared in that endeavor.

“I took that all the way up through retirement,” said Rothwell, who was president and CEO of Advance Catastrophe Technologies. “Now I’m enjoying life and my grandkids, and traveling and playing lots of golf.”

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 honoring, call us at 316.264.3386.

Joe Rothwell

HANGAR OPEN HOUSE

Locally owned Mid-Continent Aviation Services (MCAS) welcomed friends, family and colleagues to an Open House to see their new 31,500-square-foot hangar on the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport campus. The event featured local food and beverage trucks, DJ Carbon and presentations from local business proponents of the MRO. For more information visit mcasict.com.

Kelly Lousch family and friends

Charlene and Monte Brunner

Richard Brandon, Brian Schomp, Nathan Pledger, Isaiah Inglese

The Steffen family

Bryan Frye, Becky Tuttle, Dave Vander Griend, Pete Meitzner

Lisa Sanders, Linda Burroughs, Kadie Sanders, Deb Botefur, Jill Mitchell

Steve Vander Griend, Lynnea Van Wagner

Wichita Airport Authority

Sam Davenport, Linda Burroughs, Matt Nevil

The Esterly family, Sam Stewart, Jill Mitchell

Andrea Gambill, Lisa and Sam Stewart, Ethan and Mindy Oppriecht

Autumn at Home

Another prime location to feature favorite items is the mantel or perhaps atop a shorter bookcase. A perfect place to create candle glow, the elevated location draws the eye upward and provides a unique place for display. Large prints or an ornate mirror can be hung or angled to rest on a wall to anchor the area, and smaller items or holiday favorites can be prominently displayed in front. Homes become cozy as candles offer soft, seasonal light, a dancing flicker on the evenings that begin earlier this time of year. Pumpkin spice, cinnamon twist, caramel vanilla latte, and candy corn and marshmallow all taste of the autumn season. Lingering scents create warmth and a soothing, peaceful atmosphere. Aromatic baked goods also boast pleasing hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, maple and other fall flavors. These scents often bring pleasant memories to mind and set the mood for autumn and the holidays enjoyed in October and November.

Aside from outdoor living spaces and decks, porches as well as mature oaks and maples provide a perfect place to add decorative touches. Pumpkins and gourds add bursts of color and interesting textures. Mums bloom in abundance and can weather the cooler fall temperatures to provide flowers throughout the season.

They greet trick-or-treaters as well as those gathering for Thanksgiving, a beautiful autumn welcome.

Written by Julie Hying Illustrations by Elyse Schwertfeger

In autumn, the landscapes of our homes can be just as beautiful and bountiful as the changing nature outdoors. Living spaces are enhanced as we incorporate natural elements like pine cones, pressed leaves, interesting gourds and pumpkins. Small areas come alive with shape and color. Even large areas can be decorated to create an intimate, inviting ambiance. One key to seasonal decorating lies in appealing to the senses: creating displays that are visually appealing, filling our homes with scents of the season, sharing sweet and savory dishes with family and friends, draping cozy throws and blankets on furnishing, and choosing sounds like a crackling candle, a fall fire or possibly soothing, soulful music.

A designed tablescape provides a visual focal point for any room. Hues of gold, orange, rust, and earth tones invite the fall’s natural shades into the home and establish harmony between the beauty outdoors and the coziness within. Choosing an array of materials in varying shapes and heights creates interest: colored glass, sheer fabric, small works of art, old books, photographs, candles are all inspired choices. Grouping items in clusters of two or three also adds visual unity to the arrangement.

Seasonal wreaths can make a bold visual statement and invite guests into our homes. The looks may be reflective of the current season, of a specific holiday or even just feature a favorite color scheme. Muted materials like twigs, burlap, even buffalo check or plaid bring a rustic or cabin feel. Silky or sheer ribbons allow for other elements to pop. Floral accents add visual, textual and seasonal style.

Harvest Soup

1 lb. ground beef

½ diced or shredded yellow onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 ½ cups water

2 cups chopped (peeled) sweet potatoes

1 cup chopped red potatoes

1 ½ cups chopped butternut squash

1 tsp. steak seasoning

½ tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. black pepper

1⁄8 tsp. ground allspice

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 tsp. butter

In a large stock pot, brown ground beef and onion.Once browned, clear a small spot in the center ofthe pot. Melt 1 tsp. butter and sauté minced garlicfor one minute. Add the water, all potatoes, squashand seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat andsimmer for 20 minutes, or until vegetables aretender. Yields 6 servings. Recipe can be doubledwith ease.

Cinnamon Swirl

Buttermilk Bread

2 cups flour

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 ½ tsp. cinnamon, divided

1 ½ cups sugar, divided

1 cup + 2 Tbsp. buttermilk

¼ cups oil (olive, coconut or vegetable)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

Glaze

¼ cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. milk

½ tsp. vanilla or maple extract (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, 1 cup sugarand ½ tsp. cinnamon and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisktogether wet ingredients and add to mixed dry ingredients. Inanother small bowl, blend ½ cup sugar and 2 tsp. of cinnamonand set aside. Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Smooth withspatula. Sprinkle ¾ of the cinnamon and sugar mixture over thebatter. Spoon remaining batter into a loaf pan and smooth itout. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture over thetop. Run a butter knife through the batter in a zigzag patternedfrom one end to the other several times to create a swirl look.Bake 55–65 minutes. Allow bread to cool for 10 minutes. In asmall dish or class measuring cup, whisk together powderedsugar and milk. Drizzle over the top of the bread.

Pumpkin Bread

4 eggs

3 cups sugar

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 cup oil (canola or coconut)

1 16 oz. can pumpkin puree

3 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

Oatmeal Cookies

2 ½ cups flour

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup toffee bits

1 cup pecan bits

1 cup white chocolate chips

4 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

¼ cups coconut oil (heated)

Preheat the oven to 325. In a bowl, cream togetherbutter, oil and sugars until light and fluffy. Stir inone egg at a time. Add the vanilla and beat until allof these ingredients are completely incorporated.

Sift in flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda andcinnamon into wet ingredients and mix well. Add rolledoats, toffee chips, pecan bits and white chocolatechips and stir until mixed throughout. Place roundedtablespoons of dough onto a parchment lined bakingsheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until well done in thecenter of the cookie. Remove from the oven andallow cookies to cook for 2 minutes on a baking sheetbefore transferring them to a wire rack to coolcompletely.

Note: Cookies will be chewy ratherthan crisp.

⅔ cups water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease three loaf pans and set them aside. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.

Add oil and pumpkin; cream together. Combine flour and soda; set aside. Add alternately with water to the mixture, and using an electric mixer, blend until smooth. Pour equal amounts in the three loaf pans. Bake for 60 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.

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By Nahid Holmes | Design Source Interiors