Whether you have come from across the globe or from just beyond the county line, we are delighted to welcome you to Douglas County.
We are proud of our communities in Douglas County. We take pride in cultivating safe neighborhoods, exceptional schools, exciting entertainment venues, diverse outdoor opportunities, and a sense of inclusivity and affirmation.
This guide is dedicated to helping you explore and enjoy your new home region. Here, you will find essential numbers and contact information as well as a few recommendations for places to visit and events to attend in your first year.
Thank you for choosing this area of Kansas as your new home. We are honored to have you among us.
EDITOR
Gina DeBacker
ART DIRECTOR
Alex Tatro
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Fally Afani
Carter Gaskins
Jason Dailey
Brandon Kelly
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Amber Fraley
COPY EDITOR
Leslie Clugston Andres
ADVERTISING
Joanne Morgan (785) 832-7264
jmorgan@sunflowerpub.com
DIRECTOR
Bob Cucciniello
PUBLISHER
Bill Uhler
The Douglas County Newcomers Guide is released annually by Sunflower Publishing, publisher of Lawrence Magazine and Discover Eudora. 1035 N. Third St., Suite 101-B Lawrence, KS 66044 (888) 497-8668 www.sunflowerpub.com
REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED
The Douglas County Newcomers Guide strives to help new residents adapt to and enjoy their new hometown. Our recommendations and listings are not comprehensive. This guide will refer you to outside publications and websites for additional information. All data and listings are subject to change. The Douglas County Newcomers Guide cannot assume responsibility for outside information, errors or omissions. Any inaccuracies, changes or additions can be directed to Sunflower Publishing.
Native American cultures come alive through song, dance and centuriesold traditions at the KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival on the Lied Center stage in Lawrence. Photograph by Brandon Kelly on the cover
Each year, the south end of downtown Lawrence comes alive as crowds gather for Art in the Park, a two-day celebration of arts, crafts and community.
Douglas County
What You Need to Know About Douglas County
Residents of Douglas County enjoy clean air, good government, excellent public education, local foods, entertainment districts, Americana downtowns and natural recreation areas.
Affordable home and rental properties range from farmhouses with plenty of acreage for livestock and expansive gardens, to urban lofts at the heart of the downtown communities.
The region’s government institutions and services are proactive and progressive.
Douglas County schools are some of the best in the state, with support for educational values bolstered by the presence of major universities.
While the towns of Douglas County share many resources and work toward common goals, they do not sprawl into one another. Each has a distinct history, character, housing market, economic base, school system and municipal amenities. We hope this guide helps introduce them to you and allows you to begin your own explorations of Douglas County.
Where do people live in Douglas County?
By the Numbers
household income $69,746
Owner-occupied housing units 26,115
Renter-occupied housing units 25,192
Median value of owner-occupied housing $309,400
Median gross rent $1,099
Percentage of home ownership 50.1%
Mean travel time to work 21.8 minutes
Source U.S. Census Bureau
Douglas County Government douglascountyks.org (785) 832-5100
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Services (785) 830-7000
All Douglas County Emergency Services 911 Daily Fire Burn Status for Douglas County (785) 832-5394
Weather Radio Frequencies for Douglas County Alerts
County Health Department ldchealth.org (785) 843-3060
Lawrence Memorial Hospital lmh.org (785) 505-5000
Senior Resource Center for Douglas County yoursrc.org (785) 842-0543
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging jhawkaaa.org (785) 832-0754
Electrical Power—Evergy evergy.com (800) 383-1183
Gas—Black Hills Energy blackhillsenergy.com (888) 890-5554
Douglas County Extension Office douglas.k-state.edu (785) 843-7058
Lawrence
about lawrence
Lawrence prides itself on being a little different. Perhaps the sense of singularity comes from the presence of two universities, the town’s founding ideals, or a unique blend of humble Midwestern affability and cosmopolitan savvy. Regardless, Lawrence is a city that continues to adapt and go its own way.
Founded in the 1850s as a center of resistance to slavery, Lawrence paid the price as it was raided by pro-slavery forces twice, and particularly in 1863, when raiders attacked before dawn, killing 200 people and burning much of the city. But the city rebuilt and thrived as a center of education, agriculture and commerce.
Today the city is home to the University of Kansas, a top-tier research university with an idyllic hilltop campus and an easily recognized Jayhawk mascot. Lawrence also hosts Haskell Indian Nations University. Established nearly 140 years ago, the institution had tragic beginnings as a forced assimilation school for Native children grades one through five. Now, Indigenous and Alaska Native people come from across the country for Native-led higher education and Native-centered scholarship.
Massachusetts Street, often called “Mass Street” for short, lies at the heart of the city. It spans the highly walkable downtown district and is dotted with locally owned shops, award-winning restaurants, breweries and numerous live music venues. Nearby sits the Lawrence Public Library, which serves all county residents.
Lawrence’s booming real estate market includes everything from studio apartments to milliondollar luxury homes. Home to several distinctive neighborhoods, the city’s residential and commercial areas connect by short drives, bicycle routes and a municipal bus transportation system jointly operated with the University of Kansas. The city has a municipal airport, a Greyhound bus stop and a historic rail station that serves as a stop on the Amtrak train route running from Los Angeles to Chicago.
There are festivals, parades and events throughout the year, including an annual hot rod gathering, a beloved Fiesta Mexicana, the Free State Film Festival, a top-tier lineup of national acts at the Lied Center and much more.
Art in the Park (left) and the Lawrence Farmers Market draw people to downtown Lawrence for a vibrant mix of local art, fresh finds and weekend fun.
City Offices lawrenceks.org (785) 832-3000
Fire & Medical Department lawrenceks.org/fire_medical (785) 830-7000
Department of Utilities lawrenceks.org/utilities (785) 832-7800
Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture lawrenceks.org/lprd (785) 832-3450
Lawrence Public Library lplks.org (785) 843-3833
Lawrence Transit System lawrencetransit.org (785) 864-4644
Lawrence Chamber lawrencechamber.com (785) 865-4411
Lawrence Journal-World ljworld.com (785) 843-1000
Lawrence Public Schools – USD 497 usd497.org (785) 832-5000
Haskell Indian Nations University haskell.edu (785) 749-8404
The University of Kansas ku.edu (785) 864-2700
THE CASE FOR LAWRENCE
A thriving college town that strikes a balance between sophistication and quirkiness with exceptional schools, public services, green areas and entertainment venues; the home and heart of Jayhawk Nation
The Downtown
Any time of year, this retail, restaurant and livemusic region offers a perfect day (or night) out for the family, couples and city explorers.
Clinton Lake
With sandy beaches, hiking paths, biking skill loop trails, a marina, camping sites, state park cabins, an archery range and more, this reservoir and the land around it are among the region’s greatest natural attractions for sport and relaxation.
Baldwin City
about baldwin city
Beginning as a trail stop on the Santa Fe Trail, Baldwin City caught the nation’s attention in 1856 when staunch abolitionist John Brown led his militia against proslavery forces just 3 miles east of town. Known as the Battle of Black Jack, it is considered by many to be the first battle of the Civil War.
The area began to grow in 1858 with the establishment of Baker University, the oldest liberal arts university in the state.
Baldwin’s real estate market represents a wide range of prices, from affordable starter homes around $170K, to older, more expensive homes neighboring the university, or up to $700K for some in the city’s numerous development projects that might overlook a lake or come with substantial amounts of land.
Baldwin’s traditional city square presents a small but thriving downtown scene with restaurants, coffee shops and a thriving art gallery, the Lumberyard Arts Center. Baldwin is known for its Maple Leaf Festival each October. Throughout the year, Baker University hosts lectures, theater performances and musical concerts open to the public.
The Maple Leaf Festival has been Baldwin City’s biggest fall tradition since 1958.
Eudora
about Eudora
Eudora sits on the eastern edge of Douglas County, between Lawrence and the Kansas City area, and less than 4 miles from the new Panasonic electric-vehicle battery plant.
Eudora’s strong public-school system; its historic downtown; its affordable housing market; its grocery, restaurant and retail venues; and its rich parks and recreation programs make the town a charming, selfcontained community.
Surrounded by rich farmland, Eudora has a farmers market and boasts nearby wineries, orchards and pumpkin patches. If you are considering making Eudora your home, you can dive into the real estate market where starter homes begin at around $200K, with more luxurious fivebedroom homes and generous property sizes also on the market.
Eudora City Hall cityofeudoraks.gov (785) 542-2153
Eudora Fire & EMS Department cityofeudoraks.gov/67/fire (785) 542-3653
Consolidated Fire District #1 – Station 131 (785) 542-2800
Eudora Parks and Recreation cityofeudoraks.gov/76/ parks-recreation (785) 542-3434
Eudora Community Library eudoralibrary.org (785) 542-2496
Eudora Public Schools – USD 491 eudoraschools.org (785) 542-4910
Eudora Chamber of Commerce eudorakansaschamber.com
Eudora CVB domoreineudora.com
IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT A June town festival with 125 years of tradition, this annual event includes a carnival, parades A good percentage of Eudora gathers downtown on the first Thursday of each month from May to October for food trucks, vendors, free
The CPA Picnic is a beloved three-day event that draws Exceptional public school system and generous real estate market with easy access to larger metropolitan regions, and all within a self-sufficient community the case for eudora
Lecompton
Chosen by readers of KANSAS! magazine as one of the state’s Top 5 small towns, Lecompton sits on the northwestern edge of Douglas County and is rich in history and nature.
The city was the capital of Kansas Territory in the years leading up to the Civil War. The town’s historic sites include Constitution Hall, the Territorial Capital Museum and the 1850s Democratic Headquarters.
Lecompton has a very affordable real estate market with homes starting below $150K, but its most tempting opportunities may be the chance to buy rural homes with plenty of land. Public school students in Lecompton attend elementary school in the city and an upper-grades school shared with the neighboring town of Perry. Lecompton also boasts some of the most scenic river views, with a beautiful access point and a picturesque road winding along the river bluffs to Topeka.
Lecompton City Hall lecompton.org (785) 887-6407
Lecompton Volunteer Fire/EMS 911
Consolidated Fire District #1 – Station 151 (785) 887-6221
Perry-Lecompton Public Schools – USD 343 usd343.net (785) 597-5138
Vintage cars, live music and local beer come together at Lecompton’s annual Vintage Iron Revelry in historic downtown.
Territorial Days A
Territorial Capital Museum
The museum creates festive holiday displays and contains several items of local history, but is perhaps best known for its dedication to documenting Bleeding Kansas of the 1850s, and how these events played out in Douglas County.
Dr. Ann Novosel, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Dr. Malani Kuiper M.D., F.A.A.P.
Gretchen Wells APRN
Dr. Kristen Jacobs M.D., F.A.A.P.
MAP lawrence
Post Office/Libraries Hospitals
City Government Museums Schools/Universities
Golf
Hiking Points of Interest Info
Transportation
Old
Lawrence East Lawrence Oread West Lawrence
Old West Lawrence
East Lawrence Oread
West Lawrence
North Lawrence Pinkney
Sunset Hills
Quail Run
Indian Hills Prairie Park
douglas county RESOURCES
a guide to organizations and places to help you discover and enjoy your new hometown
Clinton Marina has been a hub for Lawrence boating excursions since 1986.
education
Baker University (785) 594-6451 bakeru.edu
Baldwin City Public Schools – USD 348 (785) 594-2721 usd348.com
transportation
Lawrence Transit System (785) 864-4644 lawrencetransit.org
City of Lawrence/University of Kansas transport services
Lawrence-Douglas County Bike Plan (785) 832-3155 lawrenceks.org/mpo/bicycle_planning
Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center (785) 856-1801 peasleetech.org
Eudora Public Schools – USD 491 (785) 542-4910 eudoraschools.org
Haskell Indian Nations University (785) 749-8404 haskell.edu
Resource guide, info and maps to commuter/ recreational cycling
Senior Wheels (785) 727-7876
Lawrence Public Schools – USD 497 (785) 832-5000 usd497.org
Perry-Lecompton Public Schools – USD 343 (785) 597-5138 usd343.net
University of Kansas (785) 864-2700 ku.edu
dgcoks.gov/senior-resource-center/ senior-wheels-and-transportation County-wide, low-cost senior transport program
Independence, Inc. (785) 841-0333 independenceinc.org Wheelchair-accessible door-to-door weekday transport
recreation
Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture 1141 Massachusetts St., Lawrence (785) 832-3450 lawrenceks.org/lprd
Baldwin City Recreation Commission
712 Chapel St., Baldwin City (785) 594-3670 baldwinrec.org
Eudora Parks & Recreation 1630 Elm St., Eudora (785) 542-3434 cityofeudoraks.gov/76/parks-recreation
Public pools/lap swimming in Lawrence (785) 832-7946 lawrenceks.org/lprd/aquatics
City of Lawrence operates an outdoor and indoor aquatic center
Eagle Bend Golf Course (785) 748-0600 lawrenceks.org/lprd/eaglebend 18-hole public golf course
dining
Restaurant listings
Review blogs and comprehensive listing of area restaurants explorelawrence.com/restaurants
shopping regions
Downtown Lawrence downtownlawrence.com
Plethora of trendy, local and delightful shops and restaurants
North Lawrence
Antiques and rare home goods centered on 500–800 blocks of Locust Street
South Iowa Street, Lawrence Big-box national chain stores
23rd Street, Lawrence
Variety of national chains and locally owned stores from Massachusetts to Iowa Street
arts
Cider Gallery cidergallery.com Fine art gallery
Haskell Cultural Center & Museum haskellhistory.com
Haskell Indian Nations University history museum
Lawrence Arts Center lawrenceartscenter.org
Galleries, classes and performances
Final Fridays explorelawrence.com/final-fridays
Monthly exhibits and activities in galleries and art venues
Lumberyard Arts Center lumberyardartscenter.org
Baldwin’s home for traveling/local exhibits
Phoenix Gallery phoenixgalleryart.com
Downtown Lawrence art gallery
SeedCo Studios seedcostudios.com
Working art studios/gallery
Spencer Museum of Art spencerart.ku.edu
University of Kansas art collection/galleries
Wonder Fair wonderfair.com
Experimental art gallery
theater performance
KU Theatre kutheatre.com
University and professional actors’ theater troupe
Lied Center of Kansas lied.ku.edu
National and international musicians and performers on stage
Theatre Lawrence theatrelawrence.com Community theater venue
events
Event listings in Baldwin City baldwincitychamber.com/events
Event listings in Eudora domoreineudora.com
Event listings in Lawrence explorelawrence.com
Event listings in Lecompton lecomptonkansas.com/category/ upcoming-events
Lawrence Journal-World event listings
ljworld.com/public-record/datebook
news sources
Lawrence Journal-World ljworld.com
Region’s oldest, largest local news source (newspaper and online) for Lawrence and Douglas County
Kansas Public Radio kansaspublicradio.org
University of Kansas public radio station
Eudora Times eudoratimes.com
Seasonal, online news coverage of Eudora by University of Kansas student journalists
Lawrence Times lawrencekstimes.com
Independent online news
Kansas Reflector kansasreflector.com
Independent statewide news
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade (above) and Art in the Park have long histories and strong support in Lawrence.
health
Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health)
325 Maine St., Lawrence (785) 505-5000 lmh.org
County’s health and emergency services hospital
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
200 Maine St., Suite A, Lawrence (785) 843-9192
bertnash.org Mental health services
Community Developmental Disability Organization — Cottonwood Inc.
2801 W. 31st St., Lawrence (785) 842-0550 cwood.org
Connecting people of all ages with developmental disabilities to area services
DCCCA Inc.
3312 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence (785) 841-4138 dccca.org
Prevention/Treatment of alcohol and drug problems
Visiting Nurses
200 Maine St., Suite C, Lawrence (785) 843-3738 kansasvna.org
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or text HELP to 988 hqkansas.org
Trained crisis counseling
Independence, Inc.
2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence (785) 841-0333 independenceinc.org
Independent living resources for disabled
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging
2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence (785) 832-0754
jhawkaaa.org
Tri-county resource center for seniors and senior programs
KU Child & Family Services Clinic
Dole Human Development Center
1000 Sunnyside Ave., Suite 2021, Lawrence (785) 864-4416
kuclinic.ku.edu
Affordable mental health care for children and families
KU Psychological Clinic
340 Fraser Hall 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence (785) 864-4121
psychclinic.ku.edu
Affordable mental health care
Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department
200 Maine St., Lawrence (785) 843-3060 ldchealth.org
Community health program center
Willow Domestic Violence Center
1920 Moodie Rd., Lawrence (785) 843-3333
willowdvcenter.org
Domestic crisis; prevention and support
The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade is one of the only completely horse-drawn parades in the United States.
douglas county EVENTS
a seasonal guide to some of the annual favorites in your new home county
The KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival transforms the Lied Center into a space where intertribal celebrations meet educational outreach.
Lawrence Restaurant Week
January
LAWRENCERESTAURANTWEEK.ORG
Restaurants across Lawrence create special prix fixe menus for this food-focused event.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March
LAWRENCESTPATRICKSDAYPARADE.COM
This parade through Downtown Lawrence has gone on for nearly 40 years and continues to grow bigger, better and greener with each celebration.
KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival
April
POWWOW.KU.EDU
KU First Nations Student Association and community partners host a day of dances, performances and presentations to honor the numerous Native nations represented on campus. Events are free and open to the community.
Farmers Market
April–November
What’s the first sign of spring? Fierce, crack-of-dawn competition for that first good crop of kale and those freshly baked pies. Starting in April, the farmers market season includes regular venues in Eudora and Lawrence, where the state’s oldest continually running market expands into a thrice-weekly event as the season reaches full bloom.
Lawrence Busker Festival
May
In one of the most unusual festivals in the United States, each year Lawrence closes down several sections of downtown streets to host acrobats, daredevils, trapeze artists, pogo-stick prodigies and many more talented, athletic street performers. Shows are free and open to the public; donations go directly to the artists after each show.
Free State Festival
June
FREESTATEFESTIVAL.ORG
Lawrence’s cinema festival brings a week of screenings, art installations and musical performances.
Lawrence Pride
June
LAWRENCEKSPRIDE.COM
Lawrence’s celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with parades, drag performances, local vendors, food trucks and—most importantly—a safe and inclusive space for all.
Lake Season
All Summer
When the summer heat arrives, Douglas County heads for the water. For some, that is Lone Star Lake in west-central Douglas County; for others, it is a canoeing or kayaking expedition on the Kaw River; and for many it is Clinton Lake with its beaches and marina that launches sailboat and pontoon boat adventures, as well as jet skis and other watercraft. You can rent from providers or join an expedition led by Friends of the Kaw if you don’t have your own.
CPA Picnic
June
EUDORACPA.ORG
A citywide street party with games, carnival rides, music and more celebrating the heritage and community of Eudora.
St. John’s Mexican Fiesta
June
STJOHNSFIESTA.COM
A celebration of the city’s Mexican American community that centers around St. John’s Catholic Church in downtown Lawrence. The two-day event features food tents along with musical and dance performances.
Juneteenth
June
LAWRENCEKSJUNETEENTH.ORG
A celebration honoring the heritage and perseverance of the Black community in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Douglas County Fair
July–August
Running late July to early August, this is the place for funnel cakes, tribute bands, whirly rides, bright lights and one cool county. DGCOUNTYFAIR.COM
Civil War on the Border
August
The Watkins Museum of History hosts an annual series of lectures, tours and other events to commemorate the 1863 attack on Lawrence and Douglas County by Confederate guerrilla forces and the legacy of the Civil War on the region’s history and character. This is one of the region’s most popular and best-attended historythemed events.
Territorial Days
September
LECOMPTONKANSAS.COM
To celebrate Lecompton’s pivotal role in the fight for Kansas’ entry into the Union, the city offers up some good old-fashioned parade fun. Enjoy a full day of carnival games, food trucks, bike races, pancake feeds, baseball games, lawn mower races, live music and even a parade.
Haskell Indian Art Market
October
Held annually during the second full weekend of October, this market is one of the region’s largest venues for authentic Native crafts, jewelry, artwork and more. Held on the grounds of the Haskell Indian Nations University, the market also treats guests to musical performances and Native dances in full regalia.
KU Homecoming
October
KUALUMNI.ORG
The University of Kansas celebrates fall with its annual homecoming football game along with parades through campus and downtown Lawrence.
Maple Leaf Festival
October
MAPLELEAFFESTIVAL.COM
Baldwin City’s generous canopy of trees takes center stage at this two-day festival, held on the second weekend of October. In addition to experiencing the natural beauty of the fall leaves, guests can enjoy musical performances, craft booths, food stalls, a quilt show, marching bands and a parade.
Zombie Walk
October
LAWRENCEZOMBIEWALK.COM
One of Lawrence’s growing holiday traditions. Zombie Walk invites anyone to come dressed up in zombie attire to parade (limp, moan, stagger) through downtown Lawrence. Interaction with spectators is part of the fun, as this is the most nonthreatening, considerate mob of zombies to ever shuffle down the street. Proof? Nobody is ever eaten, and participating zombies donate cash or canned goods to a designated charity.
Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
December
LAWRENCECHRISTMASPARADE.ORG
This event features dozens of authentic horse-drawn carriages parading down Massachusetts Street and greeting thousands of residents and guests who line the route for miles. Bring blankets, hot cocoa and a well-charged phone for all your holiday photos and videos.
Cuisine, Community and Lots of Cookbooks
Natasha Olliso loves vintage cookbooks. Not to brag, but she owns 120 of them. She loves to sit down and flip through the pages to see how cooking trends have evolved over the years. Even if she would never recreate the recipes, they’re interesting to read about. It helps that she grew up in a family of restaurateurs and has been cooking since childhood.
“I guess I was born into it,” she says.
A year and a half ago, she founded the Lawrence Cookbook Club, bringing together people who love to cook and eat for one common goal: making, trying and tasting new recipes.
To get the club started, Olliso created a Facebook group, posted on a local Lawrence Facebook page to recruit members, and asked for ideas on where the club could meet. She had seen other cookbook clubs pop up on her social media feeds and loved the idea.
“It sounded like something really fun to do,” she says.
Carolyn Kumpe was one of the first to respond. A chef herself, she not only wanted to join but also offered to host the monthly gathering at the cooking school she owns in downtown Lawrence: COOKshop on 8th.
The club has been there ever since and shows no signs of stopping.
Each month, the group selects a cookbook. Olliso chose what the group would cook from at the very first meeting. Heartland: The Cookbook (Andrews McMeel, 2011) by Judith M. Fertig was the perfect choice, she says, because it focuses on farm-to-table meals that are simple to source locally.
At the end of each meeting, members
draw names to decide who will pick the next cookbook. That person then curates a selection of recipes from their chosen title— everything from appetizers and entrées to soups, desserts and sometimes cocktails. They post photos of these recipes to the Facebook group, allowing members to look them over and claim what they want to cook for the next gathering.
When meeting night arrives, everyone brings their dishes potluck-style. The group prioritizes proper preparation and keeping dishes at the correct temperature. Thankfully, food safety is rarely an issue—the members of the Lawrence Cookbook Club take their cooking seriously.
“It’s a great thing to meet different people in the community,” Kumpe says. “It’s all about cooking, community, sharing food and making new friends.”
Over the past year, Kumpe grew so impressed with the Lawrence Cookbook Club’s members that she eventually hired some of them to teach at her shop. Olliso, whom she met through the club, now works as a manager, teaching classes and helping with day-to-day operations.
The club has attracted cooks and foodies of all ages.
“A lot of us own a lot of cookbooks we know we’ll never get through,” Olliso says. “This is an opportunity to get a good look at one and decide if it’s good or not.”
Once everyone fills their plate, they take turns describing what they made and explaining any adjustments along the way—whether that be because they couldn’t find a certain ingredient and had to make a substitution or that they simply made a mistake.
HOW A LOCAL COOKBOOK CLUB IS BREAKING BREAD AND BUILDING BONDS
STORY BY AMBER FRALEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON DAILEY
When the Lawrence Cookbook Club gathers, members bring their dishes potluck-style for a shared feast. At a recent meeting, a potful of Greek meatballs and orzo stole the show.
“It’s good to talk about it before [we eat],” Olliso says. “While we’re eating, we talk about if it’s good or not good or what we could’ve done differently.”
The member who chose the cookbook brings a copy that the other participants can peruse. Sometimes the results are fantastic, like the banana split cake that Olliso still dreams about. Other times, disappointing.
Olliso remembers the time she forgot to add the rest of the flour to a dish. She didn’t realize her mistake until it was already in the oven. And then there was the horror of the night they ate popcorn cookies.
“There is no reason to mix the two,” she laughs. Success or mistake, it doesn’t matter. Sharing what you’ve made is an adventure either way.
Most potlucks have a theme. The group has tried cookbooks from all parts of the globe, including food from South America, Taiwan, Mexico and the Middle East. One month, they even brewed recipes from a Harry Potterthemed cookbook.
“I have always enjoyed cooking,” says Donald Bronec, who has attended every meeting except the first. “I started with my mom as a kid, so I’ve been around cooking since I was really little. When I was on my own in college, I cooked for myself.”
Bronec also enjoyed cooking with his late wife, Carolyn. Recently, the club whipped up a batch of popular soup recipes that Carolyn developed while working at an Overland Park café in the 1980s.
The Lawrence Cookbook Club has given Bronec new friends and helped him keep that connection to his wife—all while letting him put his impressive cookbook collection to good use.
“I have over 100 cookbooks at home. We collected them for many years,” he says. “Every dish I’ve made for this club is one I’ve never made before.”
And that, perhaps, is the point. The Lawrence Cookbook Club doesn’t just cook what they know. They revel in the unknown, then share it around a table. Because what they serve best isn’t food.
It’s community.
Plates loaded, the Lawrence Cookbook Club takes turns sharing their dishes, and the occasional kitchen disaster. These peanut noodles and turkey skewers and the meatballs on page 28 come from Family Circle: Our Best Recipes (Meredith Corporation, 2007).
3 Savory Soups
The Lawrence Cookbook Club recently whipped up soups from Carolyn Bronec’s time at an Overland Park café in the 1980s.
Potato
Dill Soup
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
• 1 to 2 carrots
• 1 celery stalk
• ½ small yellow onion
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• Salt and white pepper, to taste
• Optional: toasted slivered almonds or chopped pecans, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Finely chop carrots, celery and onion in food processor, then sauté in butter. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for 5 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan, cook potatoes in chicken broth until done. Remove potatoes from broth, then pour broth into the roux mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk milk into the rouxbroth mixture until fully incorporated.
3. Add the potatoes and heat thoroughly; do not let it come to a boil.
4. Sprinkle in dill weed. Thin soup with more chicken broth if necessary. Season as desired with salt and white pepper.
5. Garnish with toasted slivered almonds or chopped pecans.
Broccoli & Cheese Soup
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
• 1 bunch fresh broccoli
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 pound grated cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Diced tomatoes, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Clean and cut broccoli florets from stalks. Set stalks aside.
2. In a saucepan, cook florets in chicken broth until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Cook stalks in the same chicken broth until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon, purée in a food processor and set aside.
4. In a separate saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the butter and flour to make a roux. Cook about 5 minutes.
5. Add milk to the broth, then slowly pour into the roux, whisking continuously. Cook until thickened.
6. Add puréed stalks and mix well. Add florets and heat thoroughly, making sure not to boil. With heat turned to low, slowly add the grated cheese, whisking after each addition. Don’t overcook, as the cheese will separate.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with a smattering of diced tomatoes.
Gazpacho
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
• 4 fresh tomatoes, peeled
• 2 fresh cucumbers, peeled
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cups tomato juice
• 3 tablespoons wine vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon crushed garlic
• Optional garnishes: croutons, chopped chives, celery, green onions, lemon or lime slices, sour cream
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a blender or food processor, process all ingredients until smooth. Chill thoroughly before serving.
2. Garnish each serving with croutons and offer condiments such as sour cream, chopped chives, celery, green onions and slices of lemon or lime.
You Need — and the Ones You Want
A smarter way to use the equity
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