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JANUARY 2024

Meet Mayor Lily Energizing Wichita with the Power of ‘We’

IN THIS ISSUE: Lives Well Lived Wichita Asian Association Choosing the Right Designer

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Notes From the Publisher & Staff Saying goodbye, looking ahead Starting a new year is a great time to refresh, renew and look ahead. Goals, organization, resolutions, habits – they’re all about making a better life for the future. But peering forward also has a way of making us look back. We look back at things for which we are grateful. We tally successes and failures. We are thankful for new life – and we grieve over those we’ve lost. In this issue, as we do many Januarys, we are looking back on Lives Well Lived. Here are just four of the many amazing Wichitans who made an impact on the world and who, although no longer with us, are still making a difference in our lives every day by their legacies and the lessons they taught us.

Publisher/president Jody Klein with new grandson, Rudy.

Nancy Knapp was a friend to so many, including Jody. Nancy was a joy to be around; she was fun and caring and bright. She experienced a lot of heartache in her life with the death of her husband, her children and later her fiancé. But she still had hope and joy in spite of it, and her faith in God never wavered. She will be missed. Angela Wright was another amazing soul and one of Amy’s dear friends. She was the ultimate “inviter;” she never wanted anyone to be excluded. She loved her husband and her boys so much, and she filled the world – and her Facebook page – with positivity. She was loved by so, so many. We leave 2023 behind with many fond memories and some tears. And at the same time, we rejoice in the new. Jody has a new grandbaby, Rudy, and Amy has a new nephew, Dean. So we look ahead, taking with us into 2024 the lessons of those who lived so well. Happy New Year to you all. XO, Jody and Amy

Vice president Amy Palser with new nephew, Dean.

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JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

FEATURES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Lily Wu with boyfriend Stephen Clark

Lily Wu When Lily Wu’s family moved here 30 years ago from China by way of Guatemala, her dream was to be a TV reporter. After a 12-year career in television, she’s entering a whole new chapter — as mayor.

For 43 years this organization has been sharing the rich and diverse cultures, heritage, businesses and artisanship of the Asian continent with the city of Wichita.

We reflect on four beloved community members and their legacies: Nancy Knapp, Nestor Weigand, Sandy White and Angela Wright will be remembered for their kindness, character and vibrant individuality.

This nonprofit was founded in memory of Remington Young, an all-star cheerleader at KU who took her own life. Love Like Remi advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention among student-athletes.

Snagging an interior designer referral from a friend is only the beginning, according to Dawn Tucker. Here she shares how to avoid cookie-cutter design and express your own unique flair.

Wichita Asian Association

Lives Well Lived

Love Like Remi

Choosing the Right Designer

ON THE COVER

Mayor-elect Lily Wu with her “daughter” Aspen, a Samoyed, outside City Hall Photography: Darrin Hackney Photography

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Woven into Wichita

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Incoming Mayor a Newcomer to Politics, but Not the City Written by Paige Feikert

Lily Wu will never forget spring of 1993. More specifically, she remembers April 2 of that year, the day she and her family arrived in Wichita from Antigua, Guatemala. The family of four — Lily, her two parents and her younger brother — moved in with her grandfather in southwest Wichita. By this time, 8-year-old Lily was already fluent in Spanish and her parents’ native Cantonese, but she didn’t know English. “I remember that very first day going home crying to my mom. I begged her to take us back home, but she reminded me this is our new home,” Wu said of her first day at Lawrence Elementary school. What happened next speaks to the tenacity Wu has carried throughout her life — from a newcomer in America 30 years ago, to a political newcomer unseating Mayor Brandon Whipple in the November 2023 election. The 8-year-old Wu decided that, not only would she quickly learn English, she also determined she would help guide her family through the unknown. “I knew my parents would be working, and my brother is younger than me, so I knew that I would have to take a leadership role in helping my parents navigate this new country with the language,” Wu said. And that’s what she did. With the help of teachers in the ESL program at Lawrence Elementary, Wu graduated from the program and finished elementary school at her neighborhood school of Rea Woodman. From there, she attended Truesdell Middle School, where Wu was connected with school psychologist Stephanie Sorensen, who encouraged her to explore new opportunities. “Had it not been for [Sorensen], the trajectory of my life would have been completely different,” Wu said. “And that’s why I say Wichita is so special, because it’s the people here that really care.”

Lily Wu poses at Mid-Continent Airport on April 2, 1993, upon arriving in Wichita from Guatemala.

integrated marketing communications. She then spent some time at the University of Hong Kong earning her master’s degree in journalism.

Making a Difference Wu has been woven into Wichita since she was just a teen, whether through her volunteer work at Exploration Place and Diversity Kansas, hosting a public television show, “Kidding Around Wichita with Lily Wu,” her work and advocacy for the Wichita Asian Association (WAA), and various nonprofits in Wichita. She’s served on the boards of Diversity Kansas, Visioneering Wichita, Orpheum Theatre, Botanica Chinese Garden of Friendship, WAA, WSU Alumni Association, Barton School of Business Alumni Advisory Council, and Steve Clark YMCA.

Sorensen encouraged Wu to apply for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at East High School, into which she was eventually accepted. Her education and community involvement throughout high school propelled her to apply for the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship at Wichita State University, one of the most prestigious scholarships in the state. Wu was one of only two students to receive the scholarship the year she applied. “The Gore Scholarship gave me a chance to not have the burden of thinking about finances and helping my family,” said Wu. “My parents did not save for college … so the Gore Scholarship really is a lifesaver for someone like me.” Wu became the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college, eventually graduating from WSU with two degrees: one in international business, the other in

The Wu family – Carlos, Anna, Lily and Wing Wu – in Guatemala in 1992

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Above all, Wu wants to encourage people to get involved in the community of Wichita. She notes that Wichita City Council meetings often have limited attendance; that is something she aims to change. Wu says that everyone has a role in setting the direction of the community, not just those elected to positions in the local government. “It’s the power of ‘we’ that I want to energize Wichita with, that we can all be part of the solution,” Wu said. “In this new era, we’re all going to be part of it together.”

Lily Wu spent 12 years as a television reporter and news anchor, first for KAKE, then for KWCH.

Not to mention, Wu is a recognizable face from her 12-year career as a local television reporter and news anchor for KAKE and KWCH — a career that is rooted in her biggest challenge as a new American immigrant. While she was still in the ESL program in elementary school, Wu remembers her grandfather watching the 6 o’clock news on KSN followed by “Wheel of Fortune’’ every night, and she was always nearby. “I say that I had formal in-classroom teachers, and out-ofclassroom teachers, and those were the folks on TV,” Wu said. “When I was little my dream was to become one of those reporters that I saw on channel 3.”

Perhaps it was fate that the Wichita mayoral election landed in 2023. This, combined with a lifetime of public service, created the perfect opportunity for Wu’s next chapter. On April 2, 2023, exactly 30 years after arriving in Wichita, Lily was once again with her family, this time announcing her run to become Wichita’s next mayor. “It was so special, because we were celebrating what it means to be a Wichitan, what it means to be an American,” Wu said. At just 39 years old, Lily Wu has a story with many chapters: a Chinese-American woman, an immigrant, a Wichita Public Schools graduate, a WSU Shocker, a former president of WAA, a community volunteer, a successful journalist, and now Wichita’s next mayor. “Not one label defines who I am, the label that I have is my name: Lily Wu.”

Wu’s parents are originally from China and immigrated to Guatemala prior to starting a family. Wu has always shared her pride in her Chinese heritage, propelling her to become part of the WAA at a young age (and serving as its president from 2015-2016). She attended the organization’s main event, the Wichita Asian Festival, for many years, eventually participating in the event as a performer. Now she is part of the festival’s organizing board. “Asian Festival is that one night when all these cultures come together. We don’t have a common language; our commonality is that our heritage is from the continent of Asia,” Wu said. “I’ve always loved Asian Festival because it is an opportunity … [people] don’t even have to leave the city of Wichita and they get exposure to Asia.”

Blazing Trails When she is sworn into office on January 8, Wu will become the first Asian-American mayor of Wichita, and just the fifth woman to hold the position. She took 58 percent of the votes in the November election, winning the seat Whipple has held since 2020. “Throughout this entire campaign, one of the things I’ve really enjoyed is helping inspire the next generation to see that anything is possible, especially in Wichita, Kansas,” said Wu. Wu has made her priorities as Wichita’s mayor clear: focused efforts to support public safety and efforts to boost the local economy. “Talking to her as she made her decision [to run for mayor],” recalled Sedgwick County Commissioner Pete Meitzner, “I was really glad she decided to run. I just believe she’s going to do good.” 10

Lily Wu with her parents, Wing and Anna Wu, and brother Carlos Wu at her election night party.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Lily Wu and WAA Empower Asian Women Written by Paige Feikert

For the first time in its history, the city of Wichita will be led by an Asian-American woman — a milestone that’s exciting for the Asian community in Wichita. It’s also exciting for the Wichita Asian Association (WAA), an organization near to the heart of incoming Mayor Lily Wu. “Lily is counted among the many hardworking and passionate people who have helped with the Wichita Asian Association in the 43 years that it has been uniting Asian cultural groups in the city,” said WAA incoming president Sonalli Kurlekar. Best known in the community for its popular Wichita Asian Festival, WAA focuses on sharing and promoting Asian culture, heritage, businesses and artisanship from across the continent of Asia with the Wichita community.

Thousands of people attend the festival every year and have done so for more than four decades. “Most of us come from different countries as a parent and we’re passing down that legacy,” Kurlekar said. “Asia has a very rich cultural history, and we want to pass that down to the next generation.” Founded in 1981, WAA hosts and participates in other cultural events in partnership with several local community organizations throughout Wichita. The organization has multiple boards dedicated to planning volunteer and outreach work for WAA members. Kurlekar says she wants to focus her efforts as president of WAA on strengthening collaboration within Asian communities, growing the outreach and education of Asian cultures, both within the Asian community in Wichita and outside of it. “I think we need that advocacy now to make sure that Asian voices are heard throughout our community,” Kurlekar said. If you’re interested in becoming part of WAA, you can find information on the Facebook page or on their website, wichitaasianassociation.com.

Wu, the daughter of Chinese-born immigrant parents, defeated incumbent Mayor Brandon Whipple and will be sworn in on January 8. Kurlekar said Wu has always supported and empowered local Asian women through her work with WAA. “It’s an exhilarating and proud feeling seeing one of us there as the mayor,” said Kurlekar, an epidemiologist originally from India. Wu’s Chinese heritage led to her interest and involvement with WAA, including two years as its president. “I didn’t set out to inspire,” Wu said of her November 2023 victory, “but I hope that this inspires people to see that anything is possible.”

Sonalli Kurlekar

The Wichita Asian Festival is held every October featuring performances, food and an academic and cultural scholarship pageant. Wu has volunteered her time for the past 20 years, including serving as emcee and planning and executing the festival, particularly the pageant. “We have a lot of young people who have Asian heritage who don’t speak the language,” Wu said, “or they don’t know how to connect to their ethnic heritage, and it’s been my passion to help people celebrate where they came from.”

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

With

Rachael Rivero, APRN Kansas Care Connect

Q. Why did you get into healthcare, and what made you choose the nursing route?

A. When I was a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian because I

loved animals and medical-related TV shows. However, when I started college, I enrolled in business school — at the time, I had been working in insurance and banking. I quickly got bored, though, and wasn’t sure I was on the right path. A family member encouraged me to think about nursing because it’s very versatile. Since I had an interest in the medical field, I figured why not? So, I switched gears and applied to nursing programs. Luckily, I was accepted and graduated from Newman University.

Q. Why did you decide to go the extra step and become a

nurse practitioner? A. During nursing school, I worked in the hospital setting and tried out a few different specialty areas of interest. I ultimately fell in love with the intensive care unit (ICU). While I loved being an ICU nurse, the physical demands were not something that I could sustain long-term. I was interested in digging deeper into the medical side of patient care, so graduate school to become a nurse practitioner seemed like the best plan for me. After graduating, I found myself in a specialty that allowed me to still work in the ICU. It ended up being a perfect match.

Q. How can people take advantage of these services? A. Ideally, our goal is to partner with Kansas physicians to

provide our services to Medicare patients on their behalf. By offering our services, this opens a new revenue stream for the practice without requiring increased workload. It will actually offload work from the clinic. However, we can provide our services independently for those who wish to use our services but don’t have a physician who partners with us. All they need to do is contact our office at 316.370.2406, and request a consultation. Once enrolled, we schedule a monthly remote check-in and become a direct contact for anything healthcare related. We can help with scheduling, record reviews, health concerns, referrals to community resources, health education and more.

Q. Tell us about your new venture. A. Through the years, I have listened to many patients voice

frustration regarding healthcare, especially when they have multiple providers. This led me to start looking into ways to help ease these frustrations. That’s when I discovered Medicare’s chronic care management services. I couldn’t find any local companies that provided these services and wasn’t familiar with many offices that were actively running a program. So, I decided to start my own business, Kansas Care Connect, LLC. Our mission is to connect the dots in healthcare to simplify and optimize patient health. We act as a resource for patients and their providers by helping facilitate communication and collaboration with their care team between office visits. We create a holistic care plan to keep everyone on the same page, and keep it up to date. We also provide tools to interact with patients on a regular basis and remotely track and monitor vitals. We started enrolling patients in August and have been growing every month.

Q. You are married to a physician and we all want to know — who gives your kids stitches if needed?

A. Neither. They wouldn’t let us if we tried! We are just

mom and dad to them. Plus, I don’t know if that would be worse for them or for me. I have offered to give them shots, but the kids usually choose to stick with the pediatric professionals.

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JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

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Lives Well Lived During January, one of the darkest months, we remember a few of the leading lights who’ve departed our community in the past year. Nestor Weigand, Nancy Knapp, Angela Wright and Sandy White were all unique individuals, but each one of them projected a generosity and optimism that lifted everyone around them, in both personal and business spheres. These four will be missed, but their light shines on in the memory of all who knew them.

NESTOR WEIGAND Written by Joe Stumpe

A lot of influential people got their first impression of Wichita from a gentlemanly realtor named Nestor Weigand Jr. Weigand, who served as president of the Kansas Association of Realtors in the 1970s, became president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in 1988 and president of the International Real Estate Federation in 2001. “He went all over the country promoting Wichita, Kansas, and what an amazing place it was,” his son, Johnathan Weigand, said. “Then he went all over the world — Paris, London, Brussels, Prague. People who’d never heard of Wichita heard of it because of Nestor Weigand.” Weigand died in November at age 84 after a battle with metastatic melanoma. Realtor Magazine called Weigand a “giant” in its obituary of him, noting that he led NAR “during a milestone in fair housing history.” He was the group’s president when the federal Fair Housing Act of 1988 was signed into law, “extending discrimination protections to people with disabilities and families with children,” the magazine reported. Weigand attended Catholic schools here, then earned a finance degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1960. He served in the Army Reserves before joining J.P. Weigand & Sons in 1961. The business is one of the city’s oldest, having been founded by Weigand’s grandfather in 1902. With $625 and a 1951 Packard — the latter a gift from his mother — Weigand embarked on his life’s work, becoming president and CEO of the firm in 1983. “As far as in the organization, he’d say we hire and work with character but we train skill,” Jonathan Weigand said. Weigand rarely forgot to congratulate colleagues on a birthday or real estate closing. With clients, his son said, “It was all about finding good partners. It was unequivocally relationships.”

“Nestor was a firm believer that anything you’re passionate about, you need to understand all the mechanics and inner workings on what it takes to get to the finish line,” his son said. Bradley Fair and the Innovation Campus at Wichita State University are two of many local developments that bear his influence, but his business dealings and reputation stretched from California and Texas to Washington, D.C. As president of NAR, he met with Ronald Reagan and was in the Rose Garden when Reagan signed the Fair Housing Act into law. Weigand formed close friendships with NAR members across the country and encouraged them to become active politically. He ran for political office once, narrowly losing a 1990 challenge in the Republican primary to incumbent Gov. Mike Hayden. Weigand contributed to numerous community efforts, serving on boards of Music Theatre of Wichita, Wichita Symphony Society, Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce and Fourth National Bank. He was most proud of serving on the board of Wesley Medical Center for 40 years, including a term as its chairman. He was known for his suits and ties, sense of humor, story-telling and curiosity. He relaxed with a glass of red wine, a book or game of backgammon, and was as comfortable on the patio at Newport Grill as he was in a booth at Ty’s Diner (which set out a burger, candle and bottle of grape Crush in his honor).

Nestor Weigand Jr. with his sons, Nes, Stephen and Johnathan Weigand.

Prominent east-side developer George Laham remembers Nestor hiring him at Weigand fresh out of college 1986. The two continued to work together after Laham started his development company. “Nestor always led the company with an ‘integrity first’ culture, which in part is why the company has been around for over 120 years. You don’t see that very often.”

Weigand is survived by his three sons, Nes (Laura), Stephen and Johnathan; former spouse, Luann; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations can be made in his honor to HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley, which cared for him; Empowered, an educational nonprofit; and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

NANCY KNAPP Written by Julie Underwood Burton

A life well-lived is one filled with purpose and meaning, and those words define lifelong Wichitan Nancy Knapp. Described as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, one of Nancy’s main purposes was to provide a solid foundation for her two grandchildren, Kayleigh and James, who she cherished with all her heart. According to many, Nancy was their safe haven of unconditional love and support. Her sudden death on Sept. 14, 2023, was a shock to her many friends, family members and acquaintances. She was preceded in death by her husband, her two children and, later, her fiancé. In true fashion, Nancy persevered, not only focusing on her beloved grandchildren, but spending much of her time devoted to the Wichita community and her alma mater, Wichita State University.

Nancy Knapp poses with former Shockers coach Greg Marshall in 2018.

“Nancy was a shining example of a life well-lived,” said her sister, Judy Morris. “She was devoted to her family and friends, and her grandchildren were the light of her life.” At Nancy’s memorial service, her brother, Michael LeBlond, shared how music was always in his sister’s soul; she proclaimed her life — including highlights, dreams and even disasters — framed by different stages and ages of music. Many Wichitans know Nancy as she grew up on north Bluff Street in College Hill and lived most of her adult life across from the College Hill Park swimming pool. She graduated from WSU in 1988 and built a career in the health insurance industry. She was also quite successful as a Mary Kay consultant and Monat Market Partner, forming lifelong friendships and achieving numerous honors in those roles.

Nancy Knapp poses with her niece Jaci Weber and Judy Morris at a Shockers game.

Throughout her life, she supported many of Wichita’s civic causes and was active in Designing Women, the Junior League, Mark Arts, P.E.O., Chapter EM and Sunflower Friends. As a devoted Shocker basketball fan, Nancy was extremely excited to receive a well-deserved honor as the Mel Hambelton Ford Fan of the Game in January 2018. Rarely did she miss a game. An unknown author once wrote, “A life well-lived is a precious gift of hope and strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place.” Nancy’s passion for serving her friends and community was never-ending, and she had a way of making everyone feel special. Her personality, natural charisma and laugh were infectious. “People have mentioned to me how Nancy would light up the room with her presence and her smile,” Judy said. “She was truly a blessing to all of us in her world.” Nancy’s family said she was truly a wonderful woman whose impact will be forever felt by those who loved her. Her ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive and love, they said, will be forever treasured by everyone she knew. Most importantly, she leaves behind the gift of optimism, the belief that anything is possible to achieve with a smile and a chuckle; and her faith in God, trusting this is but the first chapter in the book of life.

Nancy Knapp with her grandchildren, Kayleigh and James Nguyen, at James’ high school graduation.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

ANGELA RAZOOK WRIGHT Written by Julie Underwood Burton

Stefanie Bluml says most people don’t get the pleasure of knowing someone as wonderful as Angela Wright, but Stefanie was doubly lucky: She got to work every day with her best friend. “I would meet her at the gym at 5 a.m. in the morning and we would work out, go home, rinse off, and meet back at the office where we got busy and got work done — and had fun doing it,” said Stefanie, who is COO at Answer Advantage in Wichita, the answering service Angela founded and owned. Since Angela’s death on Oct. 2, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, Stefanie said it feels good to be at the office every day. “She worked so hard for this company that we need to carry on her legacy. That gets me through most things, just kicking it into gear for Don and the boys.” Angela leaves behind her husband, Don, and three boys, Keaton, Brecken and Croix, who were the joy of her life. As a beloved wife, Angela shared an incredible love with Don, whom she met in 2002. They celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in February 2023 — a milestone that coincided with Angela’s 50th birthday and the pair’s appearance on the cover of SPLURGE! Magazine as Wichita’s Sweetest Couple. “I have never met another couple who lifted each other up as much as those two lifted each other up,” said Casey Sigg of Wichita, another of Angela’s best friends, who met the Wrights about the time Angela and Don started dating. “Everything was ‘Honey Bunny, …’ They gushed about each other so much, and that honeymoon never ended in 20 years.” Before meeting Don, Angela modeled for media, including Venus catalogs, ”American Swimwear” magazine and “Fit” magazine, landing on multiple covers. Fitness was always a passion, and many Wichitans know Angela for her popular workout classes at the East YMCA. In the February 2023 SPLURGE! article, Angela said she and Don would start their day with a workout at least three times a week, and those joint workouts helped them stay emotionally and physically strong as a couple. Friends said Angela’s company, Answer Advantage, thrived in a competitive industry because of Angela’s dedication to excellence and exceptional customer service. Her staff said she was “a constant source of support,” a “true cheerleader,” and “an inspiration to many,” among many other tributes. Stefanie said the company’s ability to carry on without Angela, difficult as it is, proves her effectiveness as a leader. “That’s what a good leader does,” she said. “Each of us here at the office plays an important role in keeping the business going without her, and we all miss her terribly. We loved her very much.” Casey said the same is true of Angela’s family and friends; they are able to carry on because of who she was and how much she had poured into their lives. “When somebody is as big of a presence and a light as Angela, even when they are not physically with you, because of the way they lived, and because the things they said and did left such an impression, you know exactly what she would say, you know exactly what she would do, and you know what she wants you to continue to be,” Casey said. “And her boys, they want to continue to live the way that Angela led them to live. They are definitely carrying her torch.” Angela Wright’s team at Answer Advantage is carrying on their leader’s legacy.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

SANDY WHITE Written by John Huthmacher

A familiar voice among Wichitans, silenced by cardiac arrest on Aug. 28, lives on in his work as a longtime disc jockey, musician, sound man and voice actor. Sandy White, 62, achieved local celebrity status as guitarist and vocalist of his cover band, Ten Day Wish, alongside his wife of 33 years, Tanya White. The group, which disbanded in 2020, frequented the Wichita music scene for more than 30 years. Boasting an ample body of work as a voice actor, Sandy’s professional reel included voice-overs for the World Wrestling Federation, car companies, pinball and video game characters, seminars, and web sites. He is perhaps best known for his role as the voice of the Spangles Restaurant hamburger chain and decades of radio work, including lengthy stints with rock radio stations T95 and 104.5 The Fox. “He was kind of laid back, but could be very outgoing once you got him started,” Tanya said. “He didn’t have a huge ego and never bragged about himself, (but) I always bragged about him. He was more of a listener until you put him in front of a microphone, then it was a different story. That’s when the switch turned on and he became Sandy the performer.

Another entertainer who crossed paths with them was actor and musician Gary Busey, known for his starring role in “The Buddy Holly Story.” Busey recruited Ten Day Wish as backing His hard-hitting guitar style and gentle nature left a lasting band for his performance in the Tallgrass Film Festival impression on Tanya when the two first met at her friend’s following the release of the film in 1978. He would later wedding in 1987. It didn’t take long before his signature deep join them onstage for an unexpected reunion appearance voice, exhibited in subsequent phone conversations, began to in Wichita, where he borrowed Sandy’s black hollow Drop win over her heart, she said. Top Anderson guitar for the performance. Sandy’s go-to “He was a very good instrument in later years, the unique guitar featured the guitar player, but also couple’s anniversary date as its serial number. very gentle, sweet, His love of cats and dogs kept the family’s home filled kind and nice,” she with pets for most of their married life. According to Tanya, said. “When I talked to him on the phone, her husband counted dog walking among his favorite daily activities. his voice was just so comforting and “He was very compassionate about animals,” she said. friendly.” The feeling was clearly mutual: “We adopted the sweetest Following their dog in the world — our corgi mix, Sandy Dog — about 12 marriage in 1989, years ago,” she said. “She died just two weeks after the couple eventually Sandy died.” Sandy White performing with his wife Tonya. settled in Wichita, Appropriately, recordings made by Sandy in his home studio where Sandy was tapped to serve as disc jockey at T95, were among songs featured at his memorial service, Wichita’s premiere rock station at the time. He garnered several Tanya said. awards at the station, voicing and editing commercials while “He did many recordings of different songs at home, things serving as the station’s production director. he wrote and produced,” she said. “When we first met, he It was during this time he and Tanya founded their band “Exit recorded me singing an a cappella version of ‘Amazing Grace.’ Stage Left,” which eventually morphed into “Ten Day Wish” We used that and four of his instrumentals at his memorial — an anagram of Sandy’s name. “We did a lot of cool things,” service. Not everyone knew that side of Sandy.” Tanya said. “We opened for a lot of bands — Pat Benatar, Blue Oyster Cult, and Robin Trower to name a few — and met a lot of famous people.” JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

GIFTS OF MUSIC GALA Petroleum Club Board members and guests of Music Youth Partnership celebrated at the first Gifts of Music Gala. MYP pays professional musicians to mentor students in music education in lower income middle and high schools. It also provides instruments to kids and follows them on their musical journeys through high school graduation. Donate an instrument by taking it to Damm Music, 8945 W. Central in Wichita, or give financially at musicyouthpartnership.org. Board members Becker Truster, Cathy Grant, Lisa Branine, John Probst, Tim Welicky, Jan Fox-Peterson, Claire Woody and Rob Simon

Allen and Charlene Laramore, Dana Hamant, and Allison and Greg Keith

Mary Ellen Conlee, Rob Simon and Diane Gjerstad

Ben Mitchell and Denise Hunter-Mitchell

Dale Goter, Lori Linenberger, Celeste Racette, Eric Bruce, and Rachelle and Bret Goter

Daniel and Caroline Jones, and Amy and Brian Palser

Dawn, Alex and Doug Welicky

Doug and Carolyn Pringle, Margery Nagel, and Barrie Couture

Friends University flute choir

Lisa Branine, Jan Fox Peterson and Nanda Jones

Mike Prahm, Jeanette Vogel, Susan DuPerier, Rita Prahm and J. Vogel

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Flint Hills National Residences is a carefully planned community wrapping around the Tom Fazio designed and nationally recognized Flint Hills National Golf Club. Home sites from 1/3 acre to more than 1 acre combine with generous common areas to create the perfect environment for every phase of life. Few places rival the natural beauty of this 640-acre private retreat. Club Estate home sites beginning at $75,000 and Park Estate home sites beginning at $190,000.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

With

Dr. Terry Klein

Partner at Wichita Research Facility AMR Written by Caroline Jones

It’s winter, which means snuggling up by the fire, drinking hot chocolate, spending time indoors with friends and family — and spreading viruses. Your loved ones between ages 2 and 18 are especially at risk for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. RSV can also have severe effects for people with cerebral palsy, congenital heart disease, or lung disease such as asthma. Instead of letting anxiety, concern or unexpected illness ruin 2024, turn to Dr. Terry Klein and his team at AMR as they develop a new RSV vaccine. Getting involved in this study can help protect the joy of this new year and many more to come.

Q. What is RSV? A. RSV infects the lungs and respiratory tract, which is

a set of passageways in your body that carry air to and from your lungs when you breathe (including your mouth, nose and throat). RSV usually causes mild cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat and headache.

Q. Who is usually most affected by RSV? A. On average, 10 percent of the U.S. population have had a medically attended RSV infection, and most children have been infected with the virus by the time they are 2 years old. Adults and older, healthy children can get more mild cases of RSV, but severe cases are common in young children and adults 60 years and older. A person in one of these age groups with a chronic heart or lung disease and a diagnosis of RSV can have more serious complications like pneumonia, difficulty breathing or persistent lung damage.

Q. What is this study about? A. We are developing an RSV vaccine that really focuses on safe and effective prevention of severe complications. We want this vaccine to be available to those who need it most so they can avoid hospitalization and infection from the virus. While companies in the U.S. have been working on RSV vaccines for years, this vaccine utilizes a slightly different method that has already been successful in participants 60 years and older. Instead of helping the immune system attack the virus after it’s entered the body and changed shape, this vaccine battles the virus in its original shape, making it a much better protective agent.

Q. Who is a good candidate for this study? A. For this study, we are looking for participants ages 2 to 18, and we are especially looking for people in this age group at a higher risk for RSV because of a chronic lung and heart disease. Because this age group is at such a high risk for the virus, we are making sure that this vaccine will protect them in the most safe and effective way.

Q. What will the process look like for participants? A. This study will occur in our El Dorado location and will last for six months. Participants will receive only one injection of the vaccine at the beginning of the trial, but they must attend return visits over the rest of the six months.

How to Participate

To participate in AMR’s RSV study, call 316.867.6329.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

WE ARE YOUR ANSWER!!! ANSWER ADVANTAGE YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR PHYSICIAN’S ANSWERING SERVICE Offering customized answering service to fit your practice.

Call us today 316.687.5056 or visit our website AnswerAdvantage.com

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Slide-out Shelves Closets & Storage Solutions Home Repairs & Updates And Much More! Owners, Phil & Shelley Davis Proudly Serving Wichita for over 18 years!

www.HarmonyHomeConcepts.com JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Showroom by appointment 21

Written by Jessika Mayer

Love Like Remi Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention in Student-Athletes

Love Like Remi vice president Carmen Johnson, a close friend of Remi’s family who considered herself Remi’s “second mom,” said for high school students, mental health issues are seen as a weakness. ”I have a friend whose nephew played on a local football team and struggled with depression. His mom said he would be ridiculed and get less play time if anyone knew,” Johnson said. She said a serious stigma exists when it comes to star studentathletes and mental health, making it taboo to even talk about. It’s one of the things the foundation hopes to change. They started by focusing on students at the college level, but soon found the need was just as great in elementary and middle school. Currently their focus is on raising funds to place student advocates in all five Maize elementary schools in coordination with the Pando Initiative – an effort they hope to have fully funded by the middle of 2024. Remi attended and graduated from the Maize High School district. Remi’s mom, Amy, knew the program had success in other local school districts and helped form the connection between Wichita’s Pando Initiative and the district. The Pando Initiative hires and trains full-time Student Support Advocates as positive role models for students and to bring students, families and the community together. According to Johnson, the Maize district has already identified 35 students in each elementary school who have a significant need, from home support and self-confidence to bullying.

‘We don’t want Remi’s death to be in vain. We want students of all ages to know there is help out there and where to get it.’ — Carmen Johnson The last person most people would think struggled with mental illness was Remington Young. Remi was a beautiful young woman with a bright future: an all-star cheerleader in middle and high school in Maize and cheer captain by her sophomore year of college at the University of Kansas. But the life of this star athlete ended tragically when Remi took her own life in 2022. In the wake of her death, family and close friends started the nonprofit organization Love Like Remi with the hope of saving others from the same tragedy. “All aspects of Remi pointed toward a happy, healthy and cheerful life, and that is the way she wanted it to be,” says a quote on the organization’s website, lovelikeremi.com. “If you asked 100 people to describe Remi, depressed most likely would not have been a descriptor used by any individual. To others she was a light, a lifeline and a saving grace, but behind closed doors she was a girl fighting a very dark disease.” The mission of Love Like Remi is twofold: to help remove the stigma of mental illness in students – especially student-athletes – so that they can get the help they need, and to support students facing pressure to perform in sports, academics and society. They also want to honor Remi’s legacy by sharing this message with students: “You are loved, help is always available, there is hope, and your life is important.” 22

The advocates assist in the student support role by partnering with administration and school counselors. “The goal,” Johnson said, “is to try and identify and catch those students who are struggling with mental health issues early, and help them with coping mechanisms before they get to high school. The goal is to have Student Support Advocates in every elementary school in the Maize district.” Love Like Remi is halfway to its $150,000 goal to fund the initiative, with hopes of raising the remaining $75,000 by May 2024. “We don’t want Remi’s death to be in vain,” Johnson said. “We want students of all ages to know there is help out there and where to get it. To know it is not worth dying for because tomorrow will be better. We want Remi’s legacy to live on.”

How You Can Help To donate to Love Like Remi and help put a student advocate in local schools, scan this QR code.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Looking to Buy?

In a shifting market, knowledge and experience matter.

Amelia Sumerell

316-393-6161 amelia@plazare.com Conveniently located at 9191 E. 21st St., northeast of Bradley Fair

Deb Gardner

316-734-2511 dgardner@plazare.com

©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

EAGLE SCOUTS IN ACTION Eagle Scout brian nastase Written by Caroline Jones

Brian Nastase had no idea that joining Eagle Troop 395 in Omaha, Nebraska, as a child would lead to a Class of 1987 27-year career in Scouting. As the Scout Executive and CEO of the Quivira Council here in Wichita, Nastase has a unique perspective on this incredible program’s ability to unite children and their families. “Scouting has gone from a boy program to a family program, one which the entire family can participate in. It provides such a unique opportunity to pull families and communities together, and my goal is to create stronger Scouting with that unparalleled adventure that can just change lives and families.” A parent of three independent adult children, Nastase has watched Scouting impact his boys and family for years. “There isn’t a week that goes by that we don’t all talk about those experiences and talk about growing up in Scouting, achieving things, failing at things we thought we were going to be successful at, and really having that bounce-back attitude,” he said. “It’s really happened for my family. Having three boys go through the program has been great for my wife and I and really gives us faith in the future.”

He plans to encourage Wichita Scouting family involvement in a whole new way this year with the first ever HighQ camp experience at Quivira Scout Ranch on June 23-29. “As a parent, you will go to camp with your son or your daughter, and you get to experience everything they get to experience right alongside them and their friends. When parents get involved like this, they get back to that childlike mentality and realize with their children how much they can enjoy life. It’s just as much fun being a leader in Scouting as it is being a kid.” This unique opportunity is designed to help families overcome their daily challenges in an adventurous and fun environment. “The No. 1 struggle for families is time,” Nastase said. “I would love to see more families take the little amount of time they have and get engaged and involved with their children to create those memories and bonds that keep them closer as a family as they get older.” 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! For more information about Scouting go to quivira. org. If you are interested in joining Scouting or have an Eagle Scout in Action you think deserves honoring, call us at 316.264.3386.

THE FLINT HILLS GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY facebook.com/QuiviraCouncil

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

quivira_council198

www.quivira.org

REAL PLASTIC SURGEONS. REAL RESULTS.

Real Patients. Real Results. Our 48-year-old patient says her procedures (Orbera, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and breast lift) got her just where she wanted to be. It was instant gratification!

Explain your journey:

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

Invest in Yourself This New Year Is this the year you want to be healthier, feel stronger, lose weight and be more confident? We can help! With our targeted approach to weight loss and body contouring treatments, you have access to an extensive menu of solutions. Here’s a brief overview.

Weight Loss If you struggle with weight loss, these treatments may be just what you’re looking for. Orbera is a weight loss balloon that helps patients eat less. It’s a safe, minimally invasive, non-permanent, incision-free, weight-loss balloon that includes support. Endoscopic Suture Gastroplasty (ESG) is minimally invasive. 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. Transoral Outlet Reduction (TORe) is a minimally invasive procedure for patients who regain weight after gastric bypass surgery. Patients may lose weight and maintain their weight loss years after surgery. Semaglutide suppresses your appetite, increases your energy levels, and helps you lose weight.

Ali H: I originally visited the office for a breast augmentation consult and saw the Orbera marketing in the lobby. I’ve had five children and have been struggling with weight loss, especially because of perimenopause, so I asked about Orbera. At that point, we created a whole treatment plan to meet my goals. I had my Orbera balloon placed in September 2021, and removed in June 2022. I lost about 25 pounds. Unfortunately, I found out later that I had cancer and needed surgery, so I waited to have a tummy tuck and breast augmentation until this October.

How were the treatments?

Ali H: Orbera was tough in the beginning, but after that it was okay. My surgeries were a piece of cake. I was back at work in four days and I never had much pain. I did get some things to help me be comfortable after surgery, including a shower chair, a recliner, and a bar to help me roll over in bed. I was back to regular activities within three weeks.

When did you notice a change?

Ali H: With Orbera, I noticed my weight loss over time. Visually, after my surgeries, the difference was immediate! After about a week and a half, my clothes didn’t fit, so I raided my daughter’s closet for her size 0 jeans.

Are you happy with your results?

Ali H: I am super happy! It was a real confidence booster, and I can’t wait for swim season. I look and feel great. The best part is my husband and I are like newlyweds and can’t keep our hands off each other.

Do you have advice for people considering any of these procedures?

Ali H: Don’t put it off. I wish I had done it a long time ago, because losing weight as we age is challenging. Invest in yourself. Also, if the cost is too much, check out their Care Credit for monthly payment options. In addition, prepare for surgery and make sure you have the tools and support you need. Focus on yourself and your recovery.

Body Contouring Procedures include: • Tummy tuck to address the apron of excess skin that hangs over the abdomen. • Breast lift to correct sagging or flattened breasts. • Arm lift for sagging of the upper arms.

Before - left

Before - front

Before - right

After - left

After - front

After - right

• Medial thigh lift for sagging of the inner thigh. • Lower body lift to address sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, and inner and outer thighs

Ready to Invest in Yourself? Your first step is a consultation where we tailor your wellness, weight loss and body contouring treatments to your unique goals! Call 316.688.7500 today.

Plastic surgery involves many choices — the most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust. Expect exceptional results when your procedures are performed by plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, like Dr. Sprole and Dr. Spaniol. These specially trained doctors have at least six years of surgical training and experience, with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

316.721.4334 · 2759 N Tyler Rd · Wichita, KS 67205 · houlikfamilydentistry.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Pioneering Excellence in Wound Care Written by Alexis Evans / Photography by Mariah Schnitker

Their approach goes beyond just wound healing; the team at MK Wound is committed to bringing joy and comfort to patients. “We understand the emotional impact of wounds and the challenges patients face, and our goal is to not only provide medical expertise but also to build relationships and friendships that make the healing journey enjoyable,” says Gooden. Their commitment extends beyond the facility’s walls — recognizing that not all patients can visit them in person, they have specialized teams ready to reach patients wherever they are. Whether at home, in facilities, rehabilitation centers or hospitals, MK Wound delivers the most advanced wound care with precision and compassion. The providers, nurses and support staff at MK Wound are not just professionals; they are healers on a mission, working collectively to care for both the physical wounds and the emotional well-being of patients. “Wound care is a specialty that demands meticulous attention, and at MK Wound and Limb Preservation, we take enormous pride in our handpicked team,” says Gooden.

The MK Wound & Limb Preservation team

MK Wound and Limb Preservation Clinic Redefines Healthcare Standards In the heart of Wichita, Kansas, a transformative force in healthcare is at play: MK Wound and Limb Preservation Clinic, founded by the visionary Dr. Justin L. Gooden. This innovative clinic is not just a medical facility; it is a beacon of hope, a promise of healing, and a testament to Gooden ’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

In the realm of healthcare, MK Wound stands apart as a testament to Gooden ’s vision, the dedication of the team, and their commitment to redefining the standards of wound care. If you seek more than just standard treatment, and are ready for a true healing experience, MK Wound and Limb Preservation Clinic is ready for you. Seek your transformative healing experience with MK Wound at mkwound.com.

Gooden ’s trajectory from the plains of Scott City to the forefront of wound healing began with a stellar academic foundation. His pursuit of excellence, honed through a surgical residency in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and further refined in emergency medicine at Wesley Hospital, culminated in a profound passion for wound healing and limb preservation. After eight dedicated years with Mid Kansas Wound, Gooden embarked on a bold mission: to establish a freestanding clinic that would set new standards in healthcare. This clinic now stands as a symbol of hope for patients seeking not just care but an extraordinary healing experience. The journey started within the walls of Wesley Hospital, and their strategic partnerships with Wesley and neighboring hospitals form the backbone of their commitment to comprehensive wound care. “At MK Wound and Limb Preservation Clinic,” says Gooden, “our focus extends beyond treating wounds; we strive to address every aspect influencing the ability to heal, with the goal of preserving limbs and preventing amputations.” Recognizing the vital need for timely care, MK Wound has expanded their capacity with a new center, designed to cater to the diverse needs of patients. Their team, comprised of surgeons, physicians, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses, collaborates seamlessly to offer the most advanced wound care available in Wichita and surrounding areas. “One of the challenges we identified prior to our move was the urgency of seeing patients promptly. Time is of the essence in wound care,” says Gooden. Their new center is meticulously designed to ensure they exceed the expectations of patients, providing them with both the medical care and emotional support they need. 28

Dr. Justin Gooden and wife Michaela

Where to Find Them MK Wound and Limb Preservation Clinic 10346 East Stonegate Lane Wichita, KS 67206 316.910.0024 mkwound.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

• Laser Tattoo Removal • Laser Hair Removal • Emsculpt Neo Body Sculpting • Micro Needling with Radio Frequency • CO2 Skin Resurfacing • Vaginal Rejuvenation • Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment • UltraLight Red, Blue and Green Light Therapy • inHarmony Sound Lounge • BrainTap

• Coming soon! Infrared Saunas

520 S Holland, Suite 203 · Wichita, KS 67209 · 316.351.4240 · wichitalaserclinic.com · wichitalaserclinic@yahoo.com

It's a new year, don't let the foot pain of 2023 follow you into 2024.

1819 N Greenwich · Wichita KS 67206 · 316-269-FEET(3338) · Fax 316-264-5516 · www.CKPA.net JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

BRAVERY BALL TO BENEFIT WICHITA’S LITTLEST HEROES Crestview Country Club

Marc Milleson, Briana Gallegos, Mary Runyan and Skye Milleson

Shane and Dawn Tucker, and Casey and Abe Dreiling

Aaron McMillan and family

Alexa and Jake Burns, and Andrea and Sean Pinegar

David Lemonnier, LaShona Jones, Brianna Baskerville, Briana Gallegos and Lesley Roat

Don and Sheri Payne, and Chandler and Zach Wellner

Jody and Shawn Tieking, and Lela and Tomas Hernandez

Kelsie and Braden Cole, and Corrina and Mike Zalcman

Larry and Edith Shellman, Stephen Reed, Michelle Schock and Luis Acosta

Mid Kansas Auto Auctions team

Rob Synder, Brianna Baskerville and Susan Peters

Shawn and Brandy Calef, and Katie and Jeff Coykendall

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Written by Caroline Jones

Center for Change is Transforming Wichita Kurt Uses Past Addiction to Help Others “Both of my parents were chronic addicts, and you would’ve thought — after witnessing that my whole childhood — I would’ve stayed totally away. It’s crazy how things work out.” Originally from Denver, Kurt moved to Wichita at a young age when his father was offered an engineering position in town. As a teenager, he started smoking marijuana, which served as the gateway to years of opioid addiction. “For a long time, I was what you might call a functioning addict,” he said. “I was able to keep my job, but the job was all wrapped around earning money so I could go out and feed my habit. I was able to blend that in with my day-to-day life, but it finally caught up with me.” During this time, he began drinking and driving, which quickly led to a DUI conviction that changed his life. “I realized I needed to find a better way to live, because I didn’t want to lose my wife,” Kurt said. “It’s amazing how relationships with the ones you love can change the way you live. They’re really hard to keep when you’re using, but they can help … it sure helped me in the long run to have somebody to stand behind me in those times.” Though Kurt and his wife ended up separating, he said they are very close today and have remained good friends. Desperate to reconnect in his relationships with his family, Kurt called Center for Change on a hotline, and they have helped him remain clean for the past 12 years. “Center for Change taught me that you have to learn to ask for help. You have to have help sometimes, especially when you’re dealing with addiction.” Kurt was especially thankful for his counselor at Center for Change, who stayed right beside him for almost 20 years. Because of his combined addictions to opioid pills and methamphetamine, Center for Change doctors prescribed Kurt methadone, a powerful drug often used to lessen the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal. “Methadone helps take the edge off, and it allows me to carry on my life day-to-day without being inebriated,” he said. “It also allows me to see other people in the world that are like me, which is so important. When you have something like that in front of you and around you and talking to you, it makes you feel like you’re not alone.” Kurt has slowly weaned down his methadone prescription and hopes to get off the drug soon. He is excited to “use day-to-day life to stay above the water.”

When he’s not working or helping his friends and family, Kurt (who asked to remain anonymous for this article) loves spending time with his cats, Effie and Whinnie, his best friends. Finding better ways to live has included working hard and helping others. Kurt regularly attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings and said they are “very helpful for taking a good look at yourself.” At Center for Change, he is known for encouraging others, taking recovering addicts to treatment and meetings, and bringing in people who still struggle with addiction. “That’s been one of my best remedies: to show people that there are better ways to live.

Though he has been clean for over a decade now, Kurt has struggled with his past. “I felt really guilty for a long time, but talking to God in prayer really helped with that. People say, ‘Oh, you gotta go to church on Sunday.’ Every day is church for me. I use every day to pray and find better ways to live without using.” JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

For more information: Center for Change 316.201.1234 centerforchangeks.com

GRAND OPENING AND OPEN HOUSE Lux Mami Friends and clients helped celebrate the grand opening of Lux Mami Aesthetics and Wellness, 127 W. Central Ave., Suite 950 in Andover. The clinic for functional and aesthetics medicine and wellness is led by owner Laura Moreno, CEO, CNP, a COVID/long COVID and weight loss specialist since 2020 and a PDO thread facelift specialist. Services include medical weight loss, injectables, nonsurgical nose jobs, IV therapy, PDO thread lifts, VI peels and functional and regenerative medicine treatments. For more information call 316.358.9900 or visit luxmami.com.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

Owner Laura Moreno

Brian Book and Carolyn Kaplan

Carolyn and Bob Kaplan

Heather Kanapp and Laura Moreno

Heather Kanapp, Laura Moreno, Aaron Huslig, Carolyn Kaplan, David Calderon and Kurt Yowell

Laura Moreno and Heather Kanapp

Laura Moreno, Shelby Boso, Jessica Ohman and Kristen Hillen

Mahesh Volesiya, David Calderon and Asif Ameen

Aaron Huslig, Laura Moreno and Kurt Yowell

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Andover’s Only Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic

New Year! New You! New Year Special- Lux Mami Makeover Package

Botox 20 units Only $199

IV Regeneration Infusion $150

Weight Loss Consult $100

GLP1 Medication $200/mo

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Good Hair Days Written by John Huthmacher and Amy Palser

Wichita Woman Hopes to Help Others Love their Locks Again Robyn Sullivan is a strong and confident woman who enjoyed a fruitful career as a project manager at Spirit AeroSystems and raised two successful children. But she becomes emotional when she talks about 15 humiliating years of struggling with thinning hair — and the 10 joyous months since she found a simple and life-changing solution that gave her a full head of hair again.

Sullivan Hairwear stylist Alli Russell and owner Robyn Sullivan

expensive platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP) to stimulate hair growth with no success.

It’s why helping other women with hair loss has become a passion for Robyn and was the impetus for a new business she started with husband Greg. Sullivan Hairwear offers hair-toppers made from real human hair that easily clip onto existing hair, giving the appearance of full hair on top, as opposed to typical extensions that deliver length or volume to the bottom of hair.

“After years of saying, ‘I hate my hair,’ I searched out the topper solution,” she said. With instant natural results, Robyn felt beautiful and whole, not to mention 10 years younger. She wanted to deliver the same feelings to women in the Wichita area, so she and Greg went on a search for a wholesaler where they could bring high-quality toppers to market, and Sullivan Hairwear was born.

In a newly remodeled east-side salon space, Robyn and lead stylist Alli Russell help women find the right topper based on their hair color, style and needs. The process is met with kindness and empathy over a glass of bubbly or spa water; Robyn knows what it’s like to be on the other side of the chair. And she knows that, although hair loss is embarrassing and not talked about, the American Academy of Dermatology says 40 percent of women have visible hair loss by the time they are age 40.

“The other thing that’s so fun about this is I can be out the door in 20 minutes,” she said. “The gift of time was the surprise gift.” With multiple hair color options available in different lengths and volumes, they work to blend the client’s natural hair with the topper. “Once they decide, we trim it, style it, and send them out the door full of confidence and looking absolutely gorgeous,” Robyn said. “Clients often shed tears of joy as they look at themselves with full hair, something they thought they might never be able to do.”

“For women who are thinning or balding on top, this is a pretty traumatic and horrific experience for them,” she said. “I spent many years trying to hide my shiny scalp from peeking through. I had taken all the vitamins, additives and supplements that I could and nothing worked.”

The hand-tied, luxury human hair toppers only need to be washed every 20 to 25 wearings. Clients can service their toppers themselves or leave the task of refreshing to trained staff. Robyn hopes to work in cooperation with her clients’ regular stylists (clients with toppers still continue having their natural hair trimmed and highlighted by their regular stylists) and offers a professional referral program in which stylists will be compensated for recommending Sullivan Hairwear to their clients with thinning hair. “It’s crazy that nobody talks about it. But I want to spread the word that this is a great option for a very common problem,” she said. “It’s truly a joyful, joyful thing.”

Before

After

Robyn used to spend 90 minutes a day on her hair, powdering her shiny head and coaxing the thinning strands into hiding her scalp. She said she’d cry if she saw a photo of herself, realizing just how unsuccessful her hours in front of the bathroom mirror were. She even underwent three rounds of 34

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Where to Find Them

Sullivan Hairwear 10111 E. 21st St. N., Suite 403 Wichita, KS 67206 316.444.0018 SullivanHairwear.com

The Cozumel Prairie Plan by Craig Sharp Homes 1506 E Bluesage Ct. at Flint Hills National Residences

• $1,000,000 • 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths • 17-foot ceilings in Great Room • 20-foot glass wall opens to covered deck • Outdoor fireplace • 10-foot kitchen island with waterfall edge • Spacious walk-in pantry • Oversized 4-car garage with storage • Short walk to Flint Hills National Golf Club • Special assessments paid off in 2022 • Andover schools

BRAD MINEAR 316-393-2001 brad.minear@flinthillsresidences.com flinthillsresidences.com JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Win a 2024 Lexus RX350 $100/Ticket

Scan to Purchase & Learn More

Raffle made possible by George & Jocelyne Laham and The Walser Auto Campus.

An Evening of Food, Poetry & Music! Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Scotland's National Poet

2024 Robert Burns Dinner

2132 N Rock Road #104 Wichita, Kansas

Rules available online. Lic. #RAF000234

Luxury convenience & technology packages.

Month of January

20% OFF Any One little black dress. SAM EDELMAN DRESSES, PISTOLA DENIM, CHINESE LAUNDRY, MARLYN SCHIFF, AG DENIM, FIVE AND TWO JEWELRY, SEE YOU SOON, TED BAKER, RAILS BAILEY 44,

Saturday, Jan. 27 Doors open at 6 pm, Dinner at 7 pm First Presbyterian Church 525 N. Broadway

To purchase tickets, visit Wichitacaledonian.com Or call 316.530.4974

FRENCH CONNECTION, LAVENDER BROWN, AMANDA UPRICHARD, TART, VELVET HEART, MAURITIUS, PAIGE JEANS, HUDSON JEANS, 7 FOR ALL MANKIND JEANS, JOE’S JEANS, GREYLIN, LOVE TOKEN

316.440.0772 | Find Us On facebook.com/thelbdetc Presented by The Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drums and the Scottish American Military Society

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

THE LBD, ETC. 316.440.0772

Location - Holiday Bowl, Augusta, Kansas Photography - Darrin Hackney Photography Models - M&I Models Styling - Jody Klein and Amy Palser Hair/Makeup - Crave Beauty Academy Hair - Alissa H, Kaitlyn B, Catherine Z, Alaina A Makeup - Juli R, Miya R, Rubi G, Sandy G JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

MARKETPLACE 67010

316.358.0894

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

ASPEN BOUTIQUE

316.682.6784 JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

4730 E. Douglas 683.2411 CarolynSayresFineJewelry.com Open Tues. - Sat.

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

8803 E. Churchill Cir. ng

n Pe

• $550,000 • Wilson Estates-Bristow • 4 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • Patio Home • Full Brick/Tile Roof • Walk-Out Finished Basement • Screened Deck

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HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Marketplace 67010 in Augusta

Misty Nix, Diana Burress, Tonya Scott, Cali Anderson and Libbi Skaer

Amy Hall and Debbie Kennedy

Angel Ryed, Tonya Scott, April Johnson and Jennifer Collins

Braxton Hubbart and Hallee Burgardt

Cheryl Wilson and Diana Burress

Deborah Patrick and Nicole Lichlyter

Kathy and Brad Brown

Lorri Robert, Amy Lowe and Holly Wilson

Mariah Schnitker, Tonya Scott, Jody Klein, Debi Mullins and Lindsey Hall

Patrice Grauberger and Cheryl Wells

Shane and Tonya Scott

Melanie Tennyson and Tricia Brown

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

A DESTINATION BOUTIQUE

HOME + CLOTHING + GIFTS + MORE

601 State St, Augusta, KS 67010 Phone: 316.358.0894 Hours: Monday - Saturday 10a - 6p

Expect the Unexpected! The Marketplace 67010 is a unique boutique-style, destination shopping experience! You will find Consuela handbags, jewelry, gourmet foods, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Bar, home decor, men’s unique gifts, women's fashions, baby and kids clothing and so much more.

INTERESTED IN MODELING? SCAN THE QR CODE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.modelsandimages.com FOLLOW US MARKETPLACE67010.COM

IG: @modelsandimages FB: @modelsandimagesagency

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Aspen Boutique

Amy and Mia Markel, and Irene Roswurm

Anitra and Hayley Hufman

Annie and Debra Pirtle

Aspen Boutique staff members Jennifer Barber, Josette Levasseur, Emily Ibarra, Allison Baker and Trish King

Barbara Kieffer, Jennifer Drace, Nikki Witte, Allison Benedict, Karen Pariden and Gigi Tsontos

Becky Rolph and Irene Roswurm

Gigi Tsontos, Sandy Wolter, Brent McNulty and Marty Golden

Julia Hardenburger, Emily Ibarra and Beth Ashby

Kim Azaria, Jody Klein, Lindsey Hall and Angela Pirner

Kirk Filbey, Anne Frey and Allison Baker

Marylynn Oliver and Jennifer Pitt

Patty Porter and Marilynn Taylor

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

shopthevaultcollection.com Curated Fine Furnishings Tues - Sat 10AM - 5PM Sun - Mon Closed

4737 E Douglas Ave (Douglas & Oliver) Wichita, KS 67218 (316) 351-3580

ring in a

Per unit thru January 31, 2024

2146 N. COLLECTIVE LN, SUITE 110, WICHITA, KS 67206 316-260-4100

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Thanks Wichita for Making

SPARKLE Your Favorite Jewelry Store!

Jewelry Design · Jewelry Repair Stone Setting · Ring Sizing · Watch Repair Battery Replacement and MORE!

2023

jewelry store

Mon 1 - 5pm · T - F 10am - 5:30pm · Sat 10am - 4pm 540 S Rock Rd. · Eastgate Shopping Center, Kellogg & Rock 316.305.2233 ·SparkleWichita.com 46

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

SoldOnAmelia.com 316-393-6161

1016 E. Rosemont Ct. r ls ve hoo o d c An al S r nt Ce

• $519,900 • Crescent Lakes • 5 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 2 Fireplaces • Storm Shelter • Covered Composite Deck • Fenced Lawn • Irrigation Well • Generator ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Ready to Master Your Path to Weight Loss? The weight loss program for women in the overweight and obese categories who've tried it all. Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Start Living Use my expert level tools to ditch diet rules, exercise challenges, and endless supplements and create the path that works for you.

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emilyvinzantmd.com JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

CELEBRATION OF THE OPERA AND FRIENDS Home of Peter and Erika Salmeron

Alyssa, Kim, Luis, Monica and Olivia Salmeron

Ann Ross, Ashley Ruckman, Andrea Baker and Dennis Ross

Erika Salmeron, Emily Nguyen and Peter Salmeron

Ashley and Luke Harnish

Erika Salmeron and Yrma Yrausquin

Featured band TUMBAO

Leo and Patricia Gorrochotegui

Luisa Taylor and Matt Ohm

Mimi and Tony Wakim with Andrea Baker

Peter and Erika Salmeron, Gino and Marsha Salmeron, Monica C. Salmeron

The Echeverria family

Wichita Grand Opera

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Happy New Year From All of Us at Crave Beauty Academy!

New Year’s Specials

20% off Hair Color, Facials, Pedicures and Retail!

Must be booked by January 31, 2024

Gift Cards Available

Call the academy to set up an appointment today! Complimentary consultations are always available. 3804 W Douglas Ave · Wichita, KS 67203 · 316.943.5516 · CraveBeautyAcademy.com All services performed under the direct supervision of licensed instructors. For Consumer Information of median debt and other consumer facts, please visit www.cravebeautyacademy.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Spa MD

Sarah and Dr. Paul Cheatum

Audrey Richardson, Stephanie Johnson, Gwen McKay, Jennifer Brackeen and Mary Bogdanovecz

Amburly and Hannah Clifton

Bayley and Kelly King

Debi Pufahl, Lucy Cunningham and Patrice Grauberger

Diana VanRiper and Angie Thomas

Jennifer Brackeen, and Michaela and Brooklynn Gooden

Lindsey Hall, Jody Klein, Michael O’Donnell, Patricia Thompson and Teri Monteferrante

Mary Bogdanovecz and Ashly Hays

Myriah Nicholson, Jennifer Brackeen and Avery Mayfield

Nikki and Myndy Brandes

Tina Smith and Maureen Chilcott

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

4 Locations Across Kansas Dodge • Emporia East & West Wichita

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

BE AESTHETICS EXTRAVAGANZA AND REBRAND ICT Eye

Regan Stilwell, Dr. Jennifer Burgoyne and Dr. Jamie Speth

ICT Eye and BE Aesthetics staff

Venezia Garcia, Dr. Jennifer Burgoyne and Kenia Garcia

Karina Escobar, Brittany Branscum, Maritza Heckel and Carolina Morales

Dr. Jamie Speth, Kassandra Tucker and Desi Viner

Dr. Jennifer Burgoyne, Jennifer Meridy and Tierra Galbreath

Jody Klein, Lynne Silver, Lindsey Hall and Dr. Jennifer Burgoyne

Kim Azaria and Dr. Jamie Speth

Patricia DePriest and Cathy Devlin

Prime IV - Tori McGinnis, and Cody and Lacey Beard

Rebecca Bunting, Lynne Tinker and Jeanne Tiller

Sue Boots, Sally Robson, Nancy Lusk and Harriett Van Bebber

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Start the New Year with Hydrated Skin. Purchase a Skinvive Treatment and get 20 units of Botox for FREE! 9300 E 29th Street North suite 315 316.425.9925 beautifuleyesllc.com

BLING in the New Year!

May your New Year SPARKLE & SHINE

The Kendra Scott Collection has arrived! NOW HIRING

For career opportunities check our website www.blingglamour.com or email bling.district@gmail.com

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Bling Greenwich 2684 N. Greenwich Court Wichita, Ks 67226 316.260.3626

Bling New Market 2441 N. Maize Road Suite 407 Wichita, Ks 67205 316.252.8429

Gift cards available

25 stores in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Tea Tidbits

With Tiffinie Irving Founder and Owner, Tea Place Co.

This self-confessed “tea junkie” took a break from simmering and sipping to share highlights on her leaf-infused road to becoming an entrepreneur.

About Tiffinie

As a lifelong educator, I’ve worn many hats, from teacher to principal and school district administrator. My love for learning has been a constant, driving me to explore new topics and delve into the fascinating world of tea.

From Coffee to Tea Connoisseur

I’ve never been a coffee drinker! My go-to beverage has always been a comforting cup of iced or hot tea. The journey began with black tea, but my curiosity bug led me to research various types of teas, their origins, and the incredible benefits of drinking tea.

Tea Place Co., a Blend of Passion and Purpose

My love for consuming tea naturally merged with my passion for helping and educating others about teas. This inspired me to create Tea Place Co., an online store specializing in premium, delicious loose-leaf teas.

Unique Approach to Tea Selection

What sets Tea Place Co. apart is our commitment to making tea selection easy. We’ve taken the guesswork out of choosing teas by organizing them based on the times of day. From powerful morning blends to caffeine-free nighttime companions, we’ve got the perfect tea for every moment.

Global Partnerships for Quality

Tea Place Co. is special because we partner with sources that directly obtain leaves from farmers worldwide. Our collection includes not only classic teas, but also specialty household blends, ensuring a diverse and high-quality selection.

Seasonal and Meaningful Blends

Our menu evolves with the seasons and special occasions. I find joy in creating unique blends, each holding a special meaning. Take, for example, “Goodnight Moon,” a bedtime tea that transports me to those cherished moments sipping on a cup of tea while reading one of my favorite bedtime books to my daughter.

Tea: The Second Most Consumed Beverage

Did you know that tea is the second most consumed beverage globally, right after water? It’s popularity is not just a testament to its taste, but also its cultural and health significance.

The Healthy Choice

Tea is more than a tasty beverage; it’s a healthy choice. At Tea Place Co., we believe in promoting not just a delightful tea experience but also a healthier lifestyle.

Tea for Every Mood and Moment

At Tea Place Co., we believe there’s a tea for every mood and every time of the day. As a self-proclaimed “tea junkie,” I take pride in helping others discover and integrate the perfect teas into their daily routines.

The Rhythms of Tea

Personally, I enjoy my mornings by sipping a delicious black tea as I prepare for my day ahead. Later, I love walking my dog and then returning to enjoy a fruitful chilled blend to cool down. And at the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than a cup of chamomile to help me relax and wind down.

Join the Tea Journey

Embark on a tea journey with Tea Place Co. Our commitment to quality, uniqueness, and a personalized tea experience awaits. Let’s explore the world of tea together, one cup at a time. 56

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Where to Find Them Tea Place Co. Shop online teas: teaplaceco.com

CATERING FOR EVERY OCCASION! ∙ Weddings ∙ Holiday Parties ∙ Corporate Events ∙ Business Meetings or Lunches ∙ Church & Not-For-Profit Events ∙ Sporting Events & Fundraiser Opportunities ∙ Parties for Any Occasion

Big or Small, We Can Do It All! Full meals, pick one or all; Bone-in Chicken, Tenders, Sandwiches & Sides. For appetizers or cocktail hour try our Nuggets, Tenders or Wings. Make your wedding or event a hit with help from the Popeyes team!

For a customized catering order, email Catering@arjhmgmt.com and a catering professional will contact you immediately. Or download our Popeyes App for a self-select catering experience.

Love that Chicken from

Now Open! 818 N. McCloud Cir. #203

Specializing in premium loose-leaf teas to enjoy any time of the day. Every day.

D L O

• Highlands at Terradyne • 1 ½ Story • 3 Bedrooms • 3.5 Bathrooms • 2 Master Suites • Finished Basement • 2 Car Garage

TeaPlaceCo.com Tiffinie Irving, Owner

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Commercial Cooking Services

Commercial food equipment repair, installation, and fabrication services for the smallest of food trailers to the largest of restaurants.

316.295.3452

Ryan Nash, owner

Keeping Our Customers Cooking! 330 N. Washington St., Wichita CommercialCookingServices.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

SoldOnAmelia.com 316-393-6161

1920 N. Timberwood g

d en

• $2,495,000 • Oak Creek • 7 Bedrooms • 7 Full & 3 Half Bathrooms • 6,232 sq. ft. • In-ground Pool • Pool Bath • Outdoor Kitchen • 4 Car Garage • Sports Court • Gated Community ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Relationship Workshop

GS Business Services

Individual & Small Business Tax Returns. All Tax Returns include Audit Assistance and ID Theft Restoration Coverage. Gregory Spencer 316.347.5809 GSbusinessServices.com

icttherapyworks.com JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

SPLURGE! CLIENT PARTY WITH SANTA Home of Jody and Terri Klein Thank you to all of our fantastic clients! You’re the reason we exist and that we keep on doing what we do! Our goal is to share your fantastic products, services and organizations with the Wichita community so we can help build your business each and every time someone opens up a SPLURGE! magazine. We’re grateful for a full and prosperous 2023 and we’re excited for the possibilities that await us, hand in hand with our awesome advertisers. If you want to see your business in our pages, call 316.267.3678 or email amy@splurgemag.com. Jody and Terry Klein

Brian and Amy Palser

Becky Trickle, Amy Palser and Paris Cunningham

Bruce Rowley and Allison Baker

Cali Anderson and Tonya Scott

Daniel and Caroline Jones

Dawn and Shane Tucker

Dennis and Ann Ross

Former Boy Scouts Sherdeill Breathett, Hillard Cozine and Brian Nastase

Holly Bump, Jody Klein, Amy Palser and Dawn Tucker

Tobie Andrews and Mike Carroll

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Hillard, Carolyn and Ashley Cozine

Jackie and Darren McGilbray

Jason Rowe with Santa

Jeannie and Dr. Ben Weaver

Arianne Gross and Nicole Campos

Jody Klein and Joana Cleary

Michelle Post and Kristin Schelin

Joy and Tom McGraw

Judee Smith and Stephanie Lowry

Kim Azaria and Alan Nelson

Mervin and Shirley Schrag

Jody Klein, Paul Attwater and Amy Palser

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Mitch and Teri Gee

Nicole Campos and Dee Hodges

Rick Rekoske and Stacy Gash

Shawna and Tim Bulloch

Shenel and Jeremy Smith

Sherri and Dr. Greg Lakin

Stephanie Greer and Travis Unruh

Suzi and Pete Meitzner, and Felicia Rolfe

Tasha Park, Holly Bump, Jessika Mayer, Dawn Tucker and Lindsey Hall

Tiffany Lapore and Jared Mendez

Tim Thompson and Joe Parten

Holly and Ritchie Bump

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

New Year! New You! HAVE YOU TRIED THE WEIGHT LOSS SHOT? Sign up for weight loss in January, and get 4 Evolve X sessions for free as well as a month supply of Lipo-B!

Services offered include: Aesthetics / Botox / Fillers / Lasers / IV Therapy / Morpheus 8 / Weight Loss / Feminine Restoration / Hormone Optimization

316.358.9780 · 1701 E. Madison Ave., Ste E · Derby, Kansas · EnhancedWellnessDerby.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

mitchgeecreative.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Care Esthetics

Dr. Marquez Sams, Mandi Edwards, Lynne Graham, and Stephanie Greer

Staree Patton, Shelby Hermreck and Kristi Brown

Lindsey Berry, Lynne Graham and Kierstin Chanvong

Mandi Edwards with Octavia, Leighton and Kierstin Chanvong

Mandi Edwards, Stephanie Hodge and Lindsey Berry

Sydney Miller, Cameren Bartlett, Jenni Cepeda, Elena Turner and Reanna Doyle

Shelby Hermreck, Lynne Graham and Stacee Patton

Dr. Marquez Sams, Mandi Edwards, Rylee Veach and Lindsey Berry

Stephanie Greer, Reanna Doyle and Lynne Graham

Megan Marshall, Mandi Edwards and Lindsey Berry

Sydney Miller, Elena Turner and Kristi Brown

Trava Hoover and Mandi Edwards

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

JANUARY 15, 2024

Volunteer Join us in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., by participating in the National Day of Service. Help build Little Free Libraries at WSU’s GoCreate! These Little Free Libraries will be distributed across the State of Kansas. Connect with your community!

Interested in volunteering? Visit StorytimeVillage.org! JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

NATIONAL COMPETITION SEND OFF CELEBRATION Miss Kansas and Miss Kansas’ Teen Two state pageant winners were sent off in style to the next round of competition in Florida at a reception with family, friends and supporters at Botanica. Courtney Wages of Wichita, a Wichita State University graduate, was crowned Miss Kansas 2023 in June. Erin Rolfe, a senior at Wichita Collegiate School, won the title of Miss Kansas’ Teen 2023 in March. The two will compete at Walt Disney Theater in Florida Jan. 6-14 for the national titles. Visit missamerica.org for how to watch.

Miss Kansas Courtney Wages and Miss Kansas’ Teen Erin Rolfe

Andy McFayden and Joseph Shepard

Lily Wu, Angela Moore and Jeremiah Guillot

Miss Kansas Courtney Wages with her parents, Robert and Angela Wages

Miss Kansas’ Teen Erin Rolfe with her parents, John and Felicia Rolfe

Amelia Phommachanh, Lakshmishree Sivakumar and Annika Wooten

Amy Palser, Erin Rolfe, Courtney Wages and Felicia Rolfe

Gabriella Altenor, and Janae and Jaci Kelly

Miss Capital City HaLena Lykins, Stephanie Harris and Lisa Perez Miller

Miss Kansas Courtney Wages with Austin Ragusin and Cindy and Kevin Jantzen

Miss Wichita Gabrielle Altenor and Miss Air Capital Bailey Smith

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

THANK YOU...

2023

to all of our customers in Wichita and the surrounding areas for voting for us!

VOTED BEST APPLIANCE REPAIR! We strive every year to keep our prices affordable and the quality of our service high. We not only want you as a customer today, but for many years to come.

WEST 316.722.2011 · EAST 316.618.0434 · DERBY 316.788.9275 AffordableInHomeApplianceRepair.com

new year

YOUR HOMETOWN FLOORING SUPERSTORE

NEW FLOORS SALE

best flooring store

SAVE 10% OFF OR SPECIAL FINANCING

(RETAILERS’ CHOICE OF OFFER)

O N S E L E CT F LO O R I N G STYL E S I N C LU D I N G S H AW. January 1 - January 31, 2024

316.267.2512 · www.jabaras.com · 1816 N. Broadway St. Wichita, KS 67214 · Mon - Sat, 9am - 5pm JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

With

Jared Mendez

Owner/Artisan ATD Maintenance

Written by Amy Palser

Putting Artist’s Spin on a Classic Wall Treatment Venetian plaster not only adds beauty and value to your home, it is a customized feature that will stand the test of time. Jared Mendez’ team has over 30 years of experience in both traditional Venetian plaster — which resembles marble — and more bold, artistic looks like glass, cement and metal. The treatment is as lasting as it is lovely. Unlike sheetrock, it is extremely durable and holds up to wear and tear, even for centuries — just look at the Venetian plaster walls in European cities.

Q. What is Venetian plaster? A. Venetian plaster is a classic wall treatment that

originated in Mesopotamia. It involves applying multiple thin layers of plaster to create a smooth and polished finish with depth or texture. The multiple coats of wet plaster made from lime, marble dust and other minerals dry between each layer, and finally are polished and then sealed. It often looks like polished marble, but you can actually give it any finish, from shiny to textured to matte.

Q. What is it you find so appealing about Venetian plaster?

A. It’s a really timeless and elegant look. But it can also be

wild and exciting. That’s one of the things that’s so fun about it is that I can match any aesthetic. For example, I can do a glass-like finish for something really modern, or a bold finish like gator print. One of my favorite things to do is make a wall look like concrete when it isn’t concrete. A matte black Venetian plaster is really popular here. I can even make it look like steel. In bigger cities, where they’re pushing the boundaries of design, Venetian plaster is a popular wall finish due to its varied and unique look. My overall goal is to find customers who want the latest and greatest and something that’s unique to them. Besides being beautiful, Venetian plaster also has health benefits, believe it or not. Because we’re using lime-based plaster, it extracts humidity from the room. So the air quality is greatly improved by Venetian plaster. You also have no risk of mold or fungus growing on it because of the lime. It’s one of the reasons it’s been used in Mediterranean and tropical climates for centuries.

Q. How did you start learning this trade? A. My dad was a contractor so I’ve been doing construction

work my whole life. My dad had guys who did plaster, and one time I watched a guy do plaster for a whole week and I was mesmerized. When I was stationed overseas in the military I would visit these gorgeous buildings that have been there hundreds and hundreds of years, and I would see Venetian plaster on the more elegant buildings. I just thought it was beautiful and obviously much more lasting than sheetrock. I started learning Venetian plaster from others and assisted on jobs and gained probably 5,000 hours of experience. A year-and-a-half ago I started doing my own jobs

Q. With so many finishes, how does the customer choose? A. I like to sit down with my customers and have a

conversation about their style, their likes and dislikes and what their goals are. Some people know exactly what they want and I can get the project in my head and go from there. I like to customize a 2-by-2-foot sample so customers can see what the finished product will look like. It’s an exciting process. One of my team members has done Venetian plaster all over the world and specializes in more traditional treatments which has allowed me to branch out and do some really artistic things. The sky’s the limit!

Where to Find Them

ATD Maintenance 316.835.0005 atdmaintenancellc@gmail.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

9438 E. Cross Creek Ct.

• $925,000 • Lakepoint • 5 Large Bedrooms • 4.5 Bathrooms • Loft • Multi-tiered Deck • In-ground Concrete Pool with Pool House • Irrigation Well

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

35 years in business

Call for a FREE Winter Special estimate! Mention this ad and receive 10% oﬀ!

JANUARY

CLEARANCE SALE

EMPLOYEE CARPET INSTALLERS + 0% FOR 12 MONTHS SPECIAL FINANCING

TRANSFORM YOUR HOME NOW!

EAST

WEST

NEW MARKET

13th & Greenwich

Maple & Ridge

29th & Maize

shop in-store or online at HortonsCarpets.com 72

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Design

Dawn Tucker is a design consultant and owner of DTConsulting LLC in Wichita. Reach her at dawn@splurgemag.com.

Distinctly by Dawn Written by Dawn Tucker

Tell Me Your Story, I’ll Design … Did I choose the right designer? This has been a question that I have not only been asked a lot but have, in return, asked. The one mistake, or rather most common mishap, is when friends seek the advice of other friends. Allow me to explain. Things like social media can be a blessing or a curse when it comes to asking not only close friends but the community the notorious (and I believe most popular) question: “Who did you use?” or “Who do you recommend?” While I absolutely encourage this and love the collaboration of pulling together a community – speaking as someone with over a decade of experience – it may work well, but you are doing yourself a big disservice if that is where you stop this design hiring train. As a former stylist, home stager and design business owner, the one thing I always recommend is to take some time and find your person. Find the person who sees what you describe and brings you ideas to create the space that you will not only be proud to showcase but, most importantly, feel like it is all yours. This space needs to make you feel at home, and bring you peace and comfort. The right designer will have a talent for understanding your desires and your budget. I understand that, unlike some TV shows, (no names mentioned) most of us don’t magically have an extra $1,000–$10,000 lying around. I’m going to fill you all in on a big designer secret. Most experienced designers dislike going into a home where all the client wants to do is copy or recreate something down to the smallest detail – aka cookie-cutter design. Again, before I upset any apple carts, allow me to explain. We all encourage you to be 74

inspired by other design photos, TV shows, and friends’ places and spaces, but we designers are humans with a natural creative nature. We love the challenge of digging and finding what brings our clients happiness, all the while pulling out more and more creativity from within. While we understand that remodeling, construction and designing can be very messy, we have the gift of seeing right through that chaos and the beauty it will ultimately be in the end. So, if I could give you one piece of design advice to start 2024 it would be this. I, as a design creative, value you — and while you may not enjoy design, we do. So, write down some questions, make some notes, and yes, even print some pictures. Be diligent in setting up interviews with different designers in town and see who speaks your language. Who seems to be on the same page as you? And most importantly, who shares the same energy and vibe you want to create? After all, as Winston Churchill says, “We shape our homes, then our home shapes us.”

Creatively yours,

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

SoldOnAmelia.com 316-393-6161

3104 N. Willow Creek g

d en

• $500,000 • Sienna Ranch • 5 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 3,707 sq. ft. • Rose Hills Schools • True Walk-Out Finished Basement • Backs to Tree Row ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Schedule a FREE 15-Minute Consultation merv.bvpower@gmail.com · 620-217-1123 bvpower.solar/partner/mervin-schrag/

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

TEAM CHRISTMAS PARTY Rusty Eck Ford

Pam and Les Eck

Ali Atkinson and Mike Mumaw

Cassidy and Matt Brownly, and Justin and Veronica Steinke

Dianna and Steve Griner

Heather and Matthew Guerra, Jason Smith and Ashley Reust

Jennifer Deschner, Troy Stuart, and Rolinda and Terry Sample

Lauren and Cody Snapp, and April and Paul Hazelwood

Mark and Debbie Kern, Janine and Rob Driggers

Patrick and Sarah Dimitt, Michael Davis, and Rachel McCabe

Richard and Nicole Williams, Amy and Chad McCoskey, and Chad McCoskey Jr.

The body shop crew

Vicky McMillin and Monya Jackson

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

Same Family, Same Location!

Design Work by Buffy Dugan with All Colors Considered

Family owned and operated since 1950. Harry Street Carpet now has fourth generation family members who work in the business. Whether it's new carpet throughout your home or a full kitchen or master bath remodel, we have your needs covered!

Carpet, Tile, LVP, Vinyl, Laminate, Granite/Quartz, Cabinets. We offer installation on all products we sell!

211 W. Harry · Wichita, KS 67213 · 316-262-7715

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

NO WS CH EDU LI

202 4P RO JEC TS!

New Year New Space! Space is filling up quickly for 2024! Call now to schedule your consultation 316-733-7080 By Nahid Holmes | Design Source Interiors

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

SCAN ME!

Visit our furniture store & design showroom Mon-Sat 10am-5pm! Shop our beautiful & unique pieces in-stock & ready to deliver. Custom pieces also available!

Weatherstone Place 736 N. Andover Rd., Andover KS designsourceinteriors@gmail.com facebook.com/DesignSourceAndover JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

JANUARY 2024 · splurgemag.com

WISHING YOU A PROSPEROUS YEAR FULL OF GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

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