THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW. AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY.
One medical home for those you love. Primary care is different here. Not only are our doctors board-certified, they also truly know you and your family. It’s how we make your medical care feel more like home –and what you can expect from your community hospital. Doctors right here with you.
Dr. Bonnie Cramer during the Stuffy Clinic at the Baldwin City Library
letter from the publisher
The Maple isn’t just a magazine in our community—it is our community. It’s a space where everyone is welcome, where stories are shared with intention, and where we show up for one another. That’s always been the goal—and it’s exactly what we hope you feel as you flip through these pages.
Issue nine…and somehow, the next one marks five years. Truly—how did that happen?
When I started The Maple, I had no blueprint, no guarantees, and no real idea how it would be received or how long it would last. What I did have was a deep love for this community and a desire to celebrate it. This magazine has always been a labor of love—created in the margins of full-time work, fueled by late nights, big ideas, and an even bigger belief in the people who make this place special.
And that “somehow”? It’s not really a mystery. It’s you. It’s the support, the encouragement, the willingness to share your stories, your photos, your businesses, your lives. That’s what keeps this going—and it’s what has shaped The Maple into what it is today.
In our next issue—our tenth—I’ll share more of that story. The story of how The Maple came to be.
This issue, though? I'm pretty proud! The photography, the writing, the heart—it all came together in a way that feels like us. You can tell this team loves what they do, and more importantly, who they do it for.
A heartfelt thank you to our photo editor, Kayla, and our content editor, Monica. Simply put, this magazine would not exist without them. And to every photographer and writer who contributes their time and talent—this is what makes The Maple what it is: a true community-built publication, created by and for the people who call this place home.
We leaned into community as a theme this issue, and it shows. The range of voices, perspectives, and stories adds depth and richness to every page. It feels full. It feels connected.
And of course—we are so excited to feature Lori Gardner on the cover. Lori is truly a pillar in this community, and having her share not only her story but also her recipes inside? That’s something special. (Although I’m still working on getting my hands on that secret ranch recipe…)
Thank you for being here—for issue nine, for the journey, for all of it.
Somehow… and also very intentionally.
Jenni Fish
Publisher/Graphic Designer
Owner of Design-o-Saur & The Maple products jenni@baldwinmaple.com
STAFF
PUBLISHER
Jenni Fish jenni@baldwinmaple.com
CONTENT EDITOR
Monica Brovont monica@baldwinmaple.com
PHOTO EDITOR
Kayla Kohn
kaylakohnphotography@gmail.com
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Keara Torkelson
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Echo Endecott
DESIGN/LAYOUT
Jenni Fish
CONTRIBUTORS
WRITERS
Monica Brovont
Joanna Emig
Jessi Gerber
Jackie Hostetler
Angela Robb
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Kayla Kohn
Dr. Frank Pérez
Pitts Photography
Keara Torkelson
COPY EDITORS
Kristy Hoang
Lynn Meador
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce
Baldwin City Library
Baldwin City Recreation Commission
Lumberyard Arts Center
The City of Baldwin City USD 348
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING?
Reach out to jenni@baldwinmaple.com
The Maple is a bi-annual product which is published by Design-o-Saur, LLC. Printing services provided by Sutherland Printing.
Design-o-Saur, LLC PO Box 637 Baldwin City, KS 66006
Photograph by Charlotte Kohn
Teamwork from Keara and Kayla brought Lori's story to life in photos.
Junk
The drawer
Publisher's Picks JENNI’S TOP PICKS — STAND OUT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GROUPS SHE LOVES.
A FRESH LINE IN BALDWIN
Baldwin City has officially welcomed its own tattoo artist—Pretty in Ink by Bekah, located inside 7th Street Hair downtown. Owner Bekah Elbert brings a fresh perspective and growing experience, quickly becoming a familiar face in the community. After a few visits myself, I can say I love my tattoos. It’s a fun addition to downtown and a perfect example of Baldwin’s growing creative scene.
YOURNEWSPAPERLIVESINBALDWIN
We hear it all the time—“Baldwin doesn’t have a newspaper anymore!” But it does. The Maple Weekly is produced by the same team behind The Maple, bringing you local news every week.
Don’t miss TMW every Monday! Grab a free copy (first come, first serve) at Baldwin City Market, Homestead, the Post Office, or Casey’s—or subscribe digitally and get it delivered to your inbox.
There is also a print subscription if you want it delivered to you! Visit baldwinmaple.com today!
MAY 20
Come out for one of Baldwin’s sweetest traditions! 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The Last Day of School-Ice Cream Social is back, serving up 600+ scoops of ice cream along with fun, activities, and prizes for all ages. It’s the perfect way to gather, cool off, and celebrate together.
Licensed Nail Technician
Greta is quickly becoming Baldwin’s go-to for nails—and for good reason. In less than a year, she’s built a buzz with her creativity and attention to detail.
I gave her full creative freedom on the set above, and she absolutely NAILED IT. If you’re looking to treat yourself or try something new, I highly recommend booking with Greta.
BAKED TO
If you’re hunting for a custom cake, Liz with Frankies Cake n Bake is your girl. From beautifully designed cakes to cookie art that’s truly top of the charts, she brings creativity and skill to every order. You can catch her at local vendor events around town or place an order directly through her Facebook page—either way, you won’t be disappointed.
QUALITY DENTAL CARE
behind and enjoy the serenity of the country, the simplicity of nature, and the amazing spirits that are created within. In
We invite you to leave your busy life behind and enjoy the serenity of the country, the simplicity of nature, and the amazing spirits that are created within.
Our tasting room is nestled in a beautifully renovated classic red barn surrounded by expansive
Our tasting room is nestled in a beautifully renovated classic red barn surrounded by expansive
and heirloom apple orchards. Here we offer our visitors a
We invite you to leave your busy life behind and enjoy the serenity of the country, the simplicity of nature, and the amazing spirits that are created within.
and our dedication to craftsmanship is evident in the nuances of every bottle we create. HANDCRAFTED
AUTHENTIC KANSAS
Design. Build. Home.
345 DESIGN BUILD TEAM
STAGE PIANOS ~ HYBRID PIANOS ~ CONSOLE PIANOS ~ PORTABLE PIANOS
STUDIO ORGANS ~ CHURCH ORGANS ~ THEATRE ORGANS ~ REPLACEMENT PIPE ORGAN CONSOLES
BALDWIN CITY CREATING CONNECTIONS IN
Creating meaningful connections between businesses and community, the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce fosters growth, pride, and collaboration. Through strong relationships, community leadership, and hometown spirit, the Chamber helps keep Baldwin City thriving and supported.
Title Sponsor
1) Best Community Event MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL
2) Best Newcomer BALDWIN CITY DISTILLERY
3) Best in Education – USD #348 PARENTS AS TEACHERS
4) Best in Education –Baker University LITERARY SALON
5) Friendship Award BALDWIN CITY LIBRARY
6) Innovative Marketing Award LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTERBAILEY RICE-BEACH
7) Local Heroes Award CASEY SIMONEAU
7) Business of the Year HOMETOWN CONSTRUCTION
Cheers to Service & New Beginnings
Thank you for several years of dedication and service to the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce and the Baldwin City business community! We look forward to continuing the important work of the Chamber and welcome our new Board Members!
Baldwin City’s month-long celebration of health and wellness is back! This year, local businesses and health professionals are sharing curated tips and resources that showcase the top-notch care available right here at home. The Capstone event on April 25 combines a Vendor Fair with the Community Walk, giving everyone a chance to explore local services, meet experts, and celebrate a healthier, stronger community—together. Sponsored by Amplify Life Center and Baldwin City Metabolic
City Chamber of Commerce
594-3200 www.baldwincitychamber.com
Ashley Kretzschmer, Vice President
Jeff Hill, Financial Officer
Lynn Meador, Organization Committee Chair
Kristin Amburgey, Financial Officer
Chad Gerber, Organization Committee Chair
Josh Temple, Design Committee Chair
Parks,Play &Plenty toDo
Get ready for a season full of fun, connection, and community spirit with the Baldwin City Recreation Commission. From signature downtown events and live music to youth sports, camps, and summer at the pool, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a family outing, registering for a program, or marking your calendar for can’t-miss events, Baldwin is the place to be this spring and summer.
MAY 9
THUNDER ON THE BRICKS
Downtown Baldwin City | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
JUNE 6
SIPS ON THE SQUARE
Downtown Baldwin City | 2-5 p.m.
JUNE 27
INDEPENDENCE
City Golf Course | 4-10 p.m.
SOCCER CAMP: CLOSES MAY 10
TENNIS CAMP & GOLF CAMP: CLOSES MAY 24
YOUTH VOLLEYBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL & FALL SOCCER: OPENS JUNE 22
DOWNTOWN
MEET THE TEAM:
WorthamJessica
Baldwin City’s new City Attorney is no stranger to the community she now serves. Born and raised in Baldwin City, Jessica graduated from Baldwin High School in 2000. Her family's roots grow deep in land near Baker University Stadium and generations who have lived along Tauy Creek.
She attended law school in Texas and built her career there, but returning home was always part of the plan. Now, she’s back—not just as a resident, but in a role that allows her to give back to the place that shaped her.
Public service has long been central to her work, but serving her hometown brings added meaning. She sees this role as an opportunity to use her experience to benefit the people and community she knows well.
What Does a City Attorney Do?
The City Attorney serves as legal counsel for the city, advising the mayor, city council, and staff. The role includes drafting ordinances, reviewing contracts, interpreting laws, and helping to ensure the city operates within legal guidelines.
Much of the work focuses on the bigger picture— reducing risk, avoiding costly issues, and supporting long-term stability as the city grows.
A Thoughtful Approach
As she steps into the role, her priority is listening to both staff and residents. She values understanding different perspectives and evaluates existing processes to see what is working and where improvements can be made.
Her approach balances efficiency with best practices, which helps prevent larger challenges down the road.
Looking Ahead
With Baldwin City continuing to grow, she sees both opportunity and responsibility. Her goal is to help guide that growth while protecting resources and preserving the character of the community she calls home.
City Attorney, Attorney at Law, and Owner of Maple Leaf Law, LLC
The Faces Behind Baldwin City
UPDATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
It is hard to believe we are entering the final weeks of another school year. The year has been absolutely outstanding, and I could not be prouder of our students, staff, and community.
IN THIS ISSUE!
Passionate staff lead the daily work in each building, with amazing students putting it into practice. The continued support of our parents and community motivates and inspires our staff, and we cannot thank you enough.
This year, we have seen our students shine in many ways. Our Elementary Choir, under the direction of Katie Jacobsen, made a trip to Wichita to perform at the annual Kansas Music Educators Conference. For the fourth consecutive year in a row, Baldwin USD 348 Choir or Band has performed at the event. This is remarkable, as over 100 auditions are submitted each year, and our music department has been chosen four years in a row. Our talented students and the fantastic music educators in all of our USD 348 schools are truly a testament to this.
Our winter athletes have achieved some great success, as BHS has crowned two State Champions this winter. BHS senior wrestler Finnley Kellerman secured an individual State Title in Girls Wrestling, capping off a solid 4-year career, demonstrating passion, drive, and leadership along the way. For the first time in BHS school history, the BHS Boys Basketball won the 4A State Championship! Along the way, they handed three undefeated teams their first loss of the season, while defeating the first, second, and third-seeded teams in the State Tournament. On their way to a championship, the boys demonstrated perseverance, determination, and leadership. Hats off to Zack Flowers, the BHS Head Wrestling Coach, and Don Blanchat, the BHS Head Boys Basketball Coach, for the great success of their athletes.
Finally, our schools have been working hard for the past three years to realign our instruction and support for students. Each building has been working to provide and improve our targeted resources to meet student learning needs. In addition, our staff has been working to align the Kansas State learning standards with our instructional resources. The results we have seen have been fantastic! We have not only exceeded the state average regarding graduation rate and attendance rate, but also academically in Reading, Math, and Science! This is attributed to the hard work of our students, staff, and families.
In closing, thank you for all you do to make Baldwin a great place to raise a family. I hope you enjoy this edition of The Maple, where you will learn more about our amazing social workers. There is so much to be proud of, and we are very thankful for the opportunity to teach each child that our families share with us.
Respectfully,
Mark Dodge
Superintendent, Baldwin USD 348 #BaldwinBuilt
Behind every student success story is a network of support—often led by school social workers who meet kids where they are, both emotionally and physically. From counseling and crisis support to providing basic needs, USD 348’s team plays a vital role in helping students thrive. Read more on page 32.
BULLDOGS
MAKE HISTORY
Down nine in the fourth quarter, Baldwin never wavered. The Bulldogs leaned on their experience, chipped away possession by possession, and trusted the process that had carried them all season. In the final minute, a clutch three-pointer by Devyn Wadel gave them the lead for good—securing not just a comeback but a 4A state championship and the first title in Baldwin High School history.
Photograph by Mac Moore, Lawrence Sports
3301 Clinton Parkway Ct., Lawrence, KS 66047 • 785-856-5100 711 Main St., Eudora, KS 66025 • 785-542-2000 401 S. Main St., Suite 103, Ottawa, KS 66067 • 785-856-5100
LIVES HEREFriendship
800 7th St, Baldwin City KS (785) 594-3411
Library Board Chair Mickey Dick along with Ruthie Rodden accept the Friendship Award on behalf of the Baldwin City Library at the annual Chamber Banquet.
www.baldwincitylibrary.org
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10-7 Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-2
Letter from our Director:
Recognized with the Friendship Award at this year’s Chamber Banquet, the Baldwin City Library continues to serve as a place where community comes first. With programs and events that connect kids, families, and seniors alike, the library creates opportunities for learning, friendship, and belonging. This honor reflects the collective efforts of staff, volunteers, board members, patrons, and partners who help make it all possible.
As I’m coming up on my first anniversary as your Director of the Baldwin City Public Library, we’re busy wrapping up another great Summer Library Program But we still have so many more events for children, teens, and adults going on now and into the fall
Our Friends of the Library BookTalk series resumes in September with ghost stories! Not the truly scary kind, but enough to get you ready for Halloween
Local authors Gerard Arantowicz and John Musgrave will be a part of AuthorTalk Storyteller Danny McMillen will be telling stories for Our Local History series And Melinda Hipple will be giving a two-part Haiku lesson We also have our regular programs: Craft Away Your Stress for adults and the Bulldog Afterschool Program and Teen Nite and so much more I encourage you to check out our events page on our website or follow us on Facebook to keep up with everything we’re doing
Programs:
Craft Your Stress Away, Game Time (Bridge), Best Movie Nite, Bulldog Afterschool Program, Teen Nite
Upcoming:
7/29 -8/14 Beyond Selfies & Snapshots photography series with Wayne Jarvis 6-7:30 pm
8/24 AuthorTalk with Gerard Arantowicz 12:30-1:30 pm
9,439
18,878
I want to thank the patrons, volunteers, staff, Friends of the Library, Board of Trustees, and the community for all of your support It’s been a wonderful first year serving you, and I look forward to seeing you soon in the library!
8/28 & 9/11 Haiku series with Melinda Hipple 5:30-7:30 pm
9/18 Our Local History with Danny McMillen 6-7:00 pm
11/6 AuthorTalk with John Musgrave 6-7:00 pm
Enjoy membersonly discounts & benefits!
Jordan Olsen, Agent
Baldwin City, KS (785) 766-2508
JOlsen@FarmersNational.com
Where CREATIVITY COMES TO LIFE
Creativity takes center stage this summer at the Lumberyard Arts Center. With a full lineup of youth classes, theatre opportunities, community art projects, and special events, the Arts Center continues to be a place where imagination grows and the community comes together.
ART EXPLORERS
June 22-25
Grades K-2: 9-9:45 a.m.; Grades 3-5: 10-10:45 a.m.
3D PRINTING & MODELING
*Free Registration thanks to Clearwave Grades 6-8: July 11; 1-4 p.m. TEEN ART CAMP
JUNE 1-5 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
ART JULY 7, 14, 21, & 28 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
BC PLAYERS YOUTH SUMMER THEATRE
Day Camp culminating in a performance Camp: Jun 8-12, June 15-19; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Performance: June 20; 7 p.m.
Crochet & quilting classes throughout the summer
Join the fun on July 17 during the 3rd Friday Market with a low-key community scavenger hunt designed to highlight Baldwin’s murals. It’s a simple, family-friendly way to explore downtown, discover local art, and see the murals in a whole new way.
During Open Studio: Wednesdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m.–12pm (through May 30)
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE ARE PARTNERS OR ADVERTISERS OF THE MAPLE.
AGRITOURISM/FARMS
AD ASTRA ALPACAS
168 E. 1700 Rd. 785-691-8265 grampaca168@gmail.com adastraalpacas.com
HORNBERGER FARMS
620-380-1392 hornbergerfarms@gmail.com
MADL FARMS
1840 N. 1st Rd., Wellsville, 66092 785-423-1585 peachmadl@gmail.com madlfarms.com
VINLAND VALLEY NURSERY
1606 N. 600 Rd. 785-594-2966 amyalbright@vinlandvalleynursery.com vinlandvalleynursery.com
ARTS AND CULTURE
BALDWIN CITY CREATIVE ARTS 711 High St. 913-302-1104 angela@bccreativearts.com bccreativearts.com
LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTER 718 High St. 785-594-3186 director@lumberyardartscenter.org lumberyardartscenter.org
ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES
HOMESTEAD OF BALDWIN CITY
321 Crimson Ave. 785-553-7994
MktgHomesteadOfBaldwinCity@ midwest-health.com midwest-health.com/baldwin-city
SUNFLOWER CARE
HOMES OF BALDWIN CITY
424 Washington St.
785-594-2603
sara@sunflowercarehomes.com sunflowercarehomes.com
AUTOMOTIVE
GREGG BRUCE AUTO AND PERFORMANCE
601 High St. 785-594-4088 greggbruceauto@gmail.com greggbruceauto.com
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
BALDWIN CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 501 719 High St. 785-594-3200 director@baldwincitychamber.com baldwincitychamber.com
EUDORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 725, Eudora 66025 admin@eudorakansaschamber.com eudorakansaschamber.com
GARDNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
109 E Main St. Gardner 66030 913-856-6464 info@gardnerchamber.com gardnerchamber.com
LAWRENCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
President/CEO: Bonnie Lowe 718 New Hampshire St. Lawrence 66044 785-865-4411 blowe@lawrencechamber.com lawrencechamber.com
OTTAWA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
109 E. 2nd St. Ottawa 66067 785-242-1000 chamber@ottawakansas.org ottawakansas.org
WELLSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 472, Wellsville 66092 785-816-0406 wellsvillechamberofcommerce@ hotmail.com wellsvillechamber.org
BALDWIN CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 719 High St. Baldwin City KS (785) 594-3200
www.baldwincitychamber.com jenni@baldwincitychamber.com
CHURCHES
FAMILY CHURCH
415 Eisenhower St. P.O. Box 247, Wellsville 66092 785-261-0484 familychurchxyz@gmail.com familychurch.xyz
IVES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1018 Miami St. 785-766-2973 iveschapelumc.org
WORDEN CORNERSTONE CHURCH
294 E. 900 Rd. 785-594-7598 office@wordencornerstone.com wordencornerstone.com
CLUBS/NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
BALDWIN CITY BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN P.O. Box 503 baldwinbpw@gmail.com
BALDWIN CITY ROTARY CLUB
P.O. Box 385 785-766-5849 amy@livingspacellc.com
DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
900 Mass. St. Ste. 406, Lawrence 66044 785-843-8727 chipblaser@dccfoundation.org dccfoundation.org
FRIENDS OF THE BALDWIN CITY LIBRARY P.O. Box 565 785-594-3411 friendsofbaldwinlibrary@gmail.com baldwin.mykansaslibrary.org
FRIENDS OF BALDWIN CITY CREATIVE ARTS
P.O. Box 119 816-809-0784 creativeartsfriends@gmail.com
LAWRENCE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB 1515 High St. 785-691-7247 info@lawrencemodelrailroadclub.org lawrencemodelrailroadclub.org
MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 564 785-766-2587 booths@mapleleaffestival.com mapleleaffestival.com
SANTE FE TRAIL HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. P.O. Box 857 785-424-0595 santafetraildouglas.org
CONSULTING
CAREER ADVANTAGE
P.O. Box 532 785-865-8528 ashley@careeradvantageresumes.com careeradvantageresumes.com
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BALDWIN CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION P.O. Box 4 785-766-1306 dhill@mid-americabank.com
EDUCATION
BAKER UNIVERSITY
615 Dearborn St. P.O. Box 65 785-594-8309 president@bakeru.edu bakeru.edu
BALDWIN CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 348 715 Chapel St. 785-594-2721 usd348.com
BALDWIN EDUCATION FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 67 785-594-2721 ext. 111 bef@usd348.com bef348.org
BALDWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - INTERMEDIATE CENTER
100 Bullpup Ln. 785-594-2446 usd348.com/schools/besic
BALDWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL –PRIMARY CENTER
500 Lawrence St. 785-594-2444 usd348.com/schools/bespc
BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL 415 Eisenhower St. 785-594-2725 usd348.com/schools/bhs
BALDWIN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
400 Eisenhower St. 785-594-2448 usd346.com/schools/bjhs
DWAYNE PEASLEE TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER
2920 Haskell Ave., Ste. 100, Lawrence 66046 785-856-1801
kevin.kelley@peasleetech.org peasleetech.org
RAINBOW EXPERIENCE PRESCHOOL
115 6th St. 785-594-2223 rainbowexperiencebaldwin@yahoo.com rainbowexperiencepreschool.org
EVENTS FACILITIES
BALDWIN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
800 7th St. 785-594-3411 director@baldwin.lib.ks.us baldwincitylibrary.org
BALDWIN GOLF ASSOCIATION 1102 Main St. 785-979-9491 jake@baldwinstatebank.com baldwincitygolf.com
LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTER
718 High St. 785-594-3186 director@lumberyardartscenter.org lumberyardartscenter.org
THE LIGHT CENTER
1542 Woodson Rd. 785-255-4583 info@lightcenter.info lightcenter.info
FINANCIAL SERVICES
BALDWIN STATE BANK
721 High St. 112 8th St. 785-594-6421 baldwinstatebank.com
JC GRASON
716 8th St. 785-594-1054 baldwin@jcgrason.com jcgrason.com
KANSAS STATE BANK
602 Ames St. 785-594-7500 mykansasstatebank.com
MID AMERICA BANK
802 Ames St. 785-594-2100 mid-americabank.com
NEW FRONTIER TAX & BUSINESS SERVICES
810 High St. Ste. #3, 785-594-1204 newfrontiertbs.com
TRUITY CREDIT UNION
3400 W. 6th St. Lawrence, 66049 785-766-1384 audra.fussell@truitycu.org truitycu.org
FOOD AND DRINK
BALDWIN CITY BEER CO. 520 High St. 785-594-3535 baldwincitybeer@gmail.com
BALDWIN CITY DISTILLERY 1747 N. 200 Rd. 913-484-4046 glynis@baldwincitydistillery.com baldwincitydistillery.com
HOMESTEAD KITCHEN + BAKERY 719 8th St. 785-766-3442 lori@homestead.cafe
NONI’S CATERING Ottawa, KS 785-214-0060 franca420@yahoo.com
UPLIFT COFFEE SHOP
112 6th St. 785-424-0466 upliftcoffeeco@gmail.com upliftcoffeeshop.com
WOODEN SPOKE
309 Ames St. 785-594-2222 woodenrestaurant@gmail.com
FRIEND OF THE CHAMBER
Baldwin First United Methodist Church
Gerald Sanden
James Wilson
Josh Temple
Roger Boyd
FUNERAL SERVICES LAMB-ROBERTS-PRICE FUNERAL HOME
712 9th St. 785-594-3644 ericprice.lrp@gmail.com lamb-roberts.com
PRAIRIE CITY CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
207 E. 1600 Rd. prairiecity.cem@gmail.com santafetraildouglas.org/prairie-citycemetery
GOVERNMENT
DR. ERICA ANDERSON Douglas County Commissioner 785-766-6809
CITY OF BALDWIN CITY, KANSAS 803 8th St. 785-594-6427 baldwincity.gov
HAIR SERVICES
SIMPLY STYLE FAMILY HAIR CARE
609 High St. Ste. A 785-764-0442 simplystyle2001@gmail.com
STANDARD GROOMING SUPPLY
616 High St. 773-807-7192
douglas@standardgroomingsupply.com standardgroomingsupply.com
THE VIBE HAIR STUDIO
215 Ste. A, Hwy 56 785-331-5999 vibesalon215@gmail.com vibehairstudio215.glossgenius.com
HEALTH/WELLNESS
AMPLIFY LIFE CENTER 603 Ames St. 785-594-4894 baldwin@amplifylc.com amplifylc.com
BALDWIN CITY DENTAL
Dr. Chris Leiszler 414 Ames St. 785-594-9834 cleiszlerdds@sunflower.com baldwincitydental.com
BALDWIN CITY FITNESS
814 High St. PO Box 644 785-594-1245 baldwincityfitness@gmail.com baldwincityfitness.com
BALDWIN CITY METABOLIC MEDICINE
705 High St. 785-434-9399 info@baldwincitymetabolicmedicine.com baldwincitymetabolicmedicine.com
BERT NASH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 200 Maine St. Ste. A, Lawrence 66044 785-830-1765 shoadley@bertnash.org bertnash.org
I360MD, LLC FAMILY MEDICINE | WELLNESS
705 High St. 913-430-1751 drbowman@i360md.com i360md.com
OMGROWN YOGA AND WELLNESS COLLECTIVE 816 High St. P.O. Box 846 785-816-0207 omgrownyogacollective@gmail.com omgyc.com
THE LIGHT CENTER 1542 Woodson Rd. 785-255-4583 info@lightcenter.info lightcenter.info
HEATING AND COOLING A & H HEATING AND COOLING 785-594-3357 info@ah-air.com ah-air.com
ONE CHOICE HEATING AND AC 785-393-9329 clint@onechoicehvac.com onechoicehvac.com
HOME MAINTENANCE/ CONSTRUCTION ARCH AND GABLE
424 Indiana St. Lawrence 66044 785-418-2311 design@archandgable.com archandgable.com
GREAT PLAINS CONSTRUCTION 785-842-6617 greatplainsconstructionks.com
HOMETOWN CONSTRUCTION 785, LLC
Roofing, siding, windows, & gutters contractor 785-979-0043 hometownconstruction785@gmail.com hometownconstruction785.com
WHEATFIELD FLOORING
785-424-3696 wheatfieldflooring@gmail.com
INSURANCE
FARM BUREAU
FINANCIAL SERVICES
714 8th St.
785-594-1055 kelly.neufeld@fbfs.com fbfs.com/find-an-agent/kellyneufeld
INTEGRITY MIDWEST INSURANCE LLC
3301 Clinton Parkway Ct., Lawrence 66047
785-856-5100 clint@integritymw.com integritymidwestins.com
KIM HOWER & ASSOCIATES
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE
10404 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park 66212 913-649-2002 khower@amfam.com amfam.com/agents/kansas/overlandpark/kimberly-hower
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CLEARWAVE FIBER
153 W. Warren St. Gardner 66030 877-293-2973
april.cain@clearwavefiber.com clearwavefiber.com
IT SERVICES
BENNETT BEAM
CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT
913-731-8525 jerry@bennettbeam.com bennettbeamconsulting.com
WILDMAN WEB SOLUTIONS 2029 Becker Dr., Ste. 100M, Lawrence 66047 785-330-9032 bewild@wildmanweb.com wildmanweb.com
JUNK REMOVAL
KB JUNK REMOVAL 913-263-3634 kbwehavejunk@gmail.com
LEGAL SERVICES
MAPLE LEAF LAW LLC
Jessica Wortham, Attorney at Law 719 High St. P.O. Box 33
785-608-2113 jessica@mapleleaf.law mapleleaf.law
LIBRARY
BALDWIN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
800 7th St. 785-594-3411 director@baldwin.lib.ks.us baldwincitylibrary.org
LODGING
THE LIGHT CENTER 1542 Woodson Rd. 785-255-4583 info@lightcenter.info lightcenter.info
MANUFACTURING
CUSTOM MOBILE EQUIPMENT
439 E. High St. 785-594-7474 sales@versa-lift.com versa-lift.com
RICE PRECISION MANUFACTURING
401 E. High St. 785-594-2670 accounting@rice-precision.com rice-precision.com
MEDIA/PRODUCTION/ PUBLISHING
BALDWIN CITY MADE BY GREAT PLAINS PROMO 707 8th St. 785-594-5171 greatplainspromo@gmail.com
DESIGN-O-SAUR
jenni@baldwinmaple.com design-o-saur.com
FULLY PROMOTED
536 Fireside Ct., Ste. C, Lawrence66049 785-856-5160 chad.dick@fullypromoted.com Fullypromoted.com/locations/Lawrence-ks
THE MAPLE
Community Publication jenni@baldwinmaple.com baldwinmaple.com
THE MAPLE WEEKLY
Weekly Community Newspaper jenni@baldwinmaple.com baldwinmaple.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
KAYLA KOHN PHOTOGRAPHY kaylakohnphotography@gmail.com kaylakohn.com
PRINTING/SIGNS
360 DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS
derekb@360documentsolutions.com 785-201-4765 360documentsolutions.com
REAL ESTATE/RENTALS
BALDWIN CITY
WPROPERTY MANAGEMENT
785-813-1293
baldwincity4rent@gmail.com baldwincity4rent.com
BALDWIN RETIREMENT
APT COMPLEX
1016 Orchard Lane
785-594-6996 brac@housingforbaldwin.com housingforbaldwin.com
GOLD LEAF SENIOR LIVING
700 Firetree Ave.
785-842-5494 (Property Manager)
LIVING SPACE, LLC
715 High St. Ste. A P.O. Box 385
785-766-5849 amy@livingspacellc.com livingspacellc.om
REAL ESTATE
BALDWIN LAND COMPANY PO Box 616 785-766-7500 jeffhill86@gmail.com
HAYDEN OUTDOORS
REAL ESTATE
Shad Sheldon 785-821-2666
shad@haydenoutdoors.com
Penny Sheldon 785-821-2011 penny@haydenoutdoors.com haydenoutdoors.com/agents/pennysheldon
REECENICHOLS
PREFERRED REALTY
5120 Congressional Cir., Ste. 500, Lawrence 66049 lawrence@reecenichols.com 785-856-6200 lawrence.reecenichols.com
STEPHENS REAL ESTATE, INC.
600 Lawrence Ave., Lawrence 66049 785-841-4500
Chris Earl chrisearl@stephensre.com
Oliver Minnis oliverminnis@stephensre.com
703 High St. Robyn Elder 785-331-9898 robynelder@stephensre.com stephensre.com
RECREATION/ENTERTAINMENT
BALDWIN CITY RECREATION COMMISSION 712 Chapel St. 785-594-3670 matt@baldwinrec.org baldwinrec.org
BALDWIN GOLF ASSOCIATION 1102 Main St. 785-979-9491 jake@baldwinstatebank.com baldwincitygolf.com
SHOPPING/RETAIL/GIFT
BALDWIN CITY MADE BY GREAT PLAINS PROMO 707 8h St. 785-594-5171 greatplainspromo@gmail.com baldwincitymade.com
BALDWIN FEED COMPANY 1600 High St. 785-594-3351 bfeed92@yahoo.com
DRYGULCH LEATHERWORKS 623-670-3915 drygulchleatherworks@gmail.com
EVRY'TANG AND MORE 215 US 56, Suite B 816-507-2606 evrytangandmore@gmail.com evrytangandmore.com
QUILTERS’ PARADISE 713 8th St. 785-594-3477 quiltfabsupply@yahoo.com quiltingfabricsupply.com
SOLAR
SOLAR PLANET INC 785-331-7510 info@solarplanetinc.com solarplanetinc.com
STORAGE FACILITIES
OUT WEST STORAGE 1704 High St. 785-418-2770 gatorhorsedee66@gmail.com
VETERINARY SERVICES
BALDWIN VETERINARY CLINIC 412 Ames St. 785-594-5457 baldwinvetclinic@gmail.com petcare.vettersoftware.com/logi
50+ Thriving at
Activities and events in Baldwin City that keep adults 50+ active, connected, and involved
Story by Jessi Gerber
Photographs Courtesy of Baldwin City Recreation Commission
Rhonda Sherlock (L) and Cindy White (R) joined a BCRC 50+ outing to Lidia's restaurant in Kansas City, MO.
(Right page, from left) LeRoy and Mary Homan, Cindy White, Stuart and Rhonda Sherlock, Jean Reynolds & Betty North
Residents aged fifty and older make up twenty-eight percent of Baldwin City’s population, according to data from Census Reporter. Fortunately, Baldwin City offers a wide range of opportunities for older adults to stay active, engaged, and connected.
The BCRC 50 Plus Program
Tailored specifically for adults fifty and older, the Baldwin City Recreation Commission (BCRC) 50 Plus Program features weekly social activities, local trips, and community mixers. From card games at the Baldwin City Community Center to visits to noteworthy regional destinations, the program provides a dedicated space for older residents to socialize and stay engaged with the community. Program information is located on BCRC's website, and printed newsletters are available at the BCRC office inside the Community Center.
Connection Through Shared Experiences
I had the pleasure of joining a group for dinner at Lidia’s Restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri, through the BCRC's Adult Field Trips. When I asked participants what drew them to the event, some said they wanted to try the restaurant after watching Lidia on television, while others simply wanted to get out and enjoy the company. The conversations we had made it clear that connection is the common thread. Several participants shared they had lost a spouse, family members, or close friends, and these outings help fill those gaps. More than the destination, it is the companionship that matters most.
Shaunacee Wilkinson, recreation supervisor, transported the group to and from Kansas City. The conversations flowed throughout the ride and over dinner. As a Baldwin City transplant myself, it was especially meaningful to listen to lifelong residents share stories about the connections they’ve built and the lives they’ve lived here—stories I could have listened to all day.
A Weekly Tradition
This connection is also found at the weekly card game of Hand and Foot, held every Tuesday and Thursday from one to four p.m. When I stopped by and asked participants why they continue to return week after week, they glanced around the table and simply said, “For this.” It isn’t the cards that keep them coming — it is the company. One player jokingly added that she suspects she was invited back because someone had to keep score, a comment that drew laughter from the group.
Watching them, I recognized something familiar: friends gathered around a table, coffee cups nearby, gently teasing one another. It felt like a hopeful glimpse into my own future. I can only hope I’m still surrounded then by connections as strong as the ones I witnessed that afternoon.
Learning and Connection at the Library
The BCRC is not the only option for senior-focused programming. The Baldwin City Library offers Pitch every other Friday and game time on Thursday afternoons, along with a variety of adult programs including Not Your Typical Book Club, Tech Time, Craft Your Stress Away, Our Local History, and AuthorTalk. According to library director Lisa LaFountain, programming for older patrons serves a purpose far beyond entertainment. These initiatives support lifelong learning, social connection, and overall health, while helping prevent the isolation and loneliness that often affect older adults. By fostering community engagement, libraries play a critical role in ensuring seniors remain informed, empowered, and connected.
Movement, Wellness, and Community
Although Om Grown Yoga and Wellness does not offer a program exclusively for seniors, the ten a.m. Mindful Movement classes held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have organically formed a strong community of older adults. According to
co-owners, Sandy Chapman and Lora Rimmer, yoga for seniors is less about achieving “pretzel-like” flexibility and more about preserving the functional freedom needed for an active, independent life. While the physical benefits support balance and mobility, the practice also provides emotional and mental support by calming the nervous system and fostering clarity and resilience.
Creativity at the Arts Center
Similarly, the Lumberyard Arts Center does not offer programming specifically designated for adults fifty-five and older, yet many of its adult programs (such as afternoon art classes, the weekly open visual arts studio, and the weekly open textile arts studio) are attended primarily by individuals in that age group. These programs are intentionally scheduled in the afternoon to align with seniors’ availability and to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment.
Jeanette Blackmar, director of the Lumberyard Arts Center, emphasized that these spaces play an important role in healthy aging. Participants benefit from social connection and shared learning and mental stimulation, while hands-on activities such as painting and sewing support dexterity and joint mobility. Just as important are the emotional benefits: reduced stress, a sense of accomplishment, and meaningful social interaction. For some participants, these gatherings represent one of their few regular social connections each week.
“Some of our open visual studio artists have been coming together weekly for more than sixteen years,” Blackmar said. “They can be who they are in this space and that’s special.”
Community in Everyday Moments
Of course, these are not the only places where connection happens. On any given morning at Homestead Kitchen + Bakery, familiar faces gather over coffee and conversation. During one visit, I handed my baby to a kind woman at a nearby table without hesitation. That simple moment captured the heart of what these programs and spaces represent: community, connection, and belonging. Isn’t that what we are all striving for?
SERVE Coming Home to
From small-town roots to a lifetime of service, Gerry Cullumber returns home to serve Baldwin City as mayor
Story by Jessi Gerber
Photographs by Dr. Frank Pérez
Gerry Cullumber and his wife, Cindy, are happy to be able to serve and steward the town they love.
For all his decades in law enforcement and leadership roles across Kansas, Gerry Cullumber has always defined himself by something simpler than titles: home. That sense of rootedness, of belonging to a place and the people in it, has guided him from a small-town childhood to a career spent serving communities, and now, back home in Baldwin City, into the role of mayor.
Cullumber’s connection to Baldwin City stretches back more than twenty-five years. Though his career once took him five hours northwest to serve as police chief in Norton, KS, he never truly left. He maintained his Baldwin City residence throughout those years, returning home whenever he could, sometimes every couple of weekends, sometimes for longer stretches when schedules allowed. “This has always been home,” he says plainly.
Born and raised in Linwood, Kansas, a town of about 300 people, Cullumber grew up with the rhythms of smalltown life that he would later come to cherish. “Everything I thought I hated about a small town when I was younger,” he says with a laugh, “is exactly what I wanted as I got older.” For him, Baldwin City represents what he calls a “bicycle town”—safe, welcoming, and built on relationships.
Cullumber always knew he wanted to be a police officer. As a child, he rushed home to watch Adam-12, idolizing TV cops Reed and Malloy. That childhood certainty became a lifelong vocation. After starting his career with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, he served nearly twenty-five years with the Lenexa Police Department, eventually retiring as a lieutenant. Along the way, he held leadership roles in Edwardsville, KS and Gardner, KS before becoming chief of police in Norton, where he spent six years.
His time in western Kansas left a lasting impression, not only because of the people he served, but because of the challenges they faced. Cullumber speaks candidly about the lack of mental health and social service resources in
rural communities, particularly during and after COVID-19. “We do people a disservice when those supports aren’t there,” he says. “And law enforcement ends up being the safety net.”
Despite a career defined by difficult decisions and long hours, Cullumber is quick to credit others, especially his wife, Cindy. The two met years ago while working at Shawnee Medical Center, where he was a janitor and she was a unit clerk. They dated for seven years before marrying. “Not soon enough,” she jokes now, a line he repeats fondly. Of their marriage, Cullumber says simply, “The greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.” The couple has one adult son and are now proud grandparents, which is a major reason they settle fully back in Baldwin City.
Their marriage is perhaps best illustrated by a story the couple now tells with ease and laughter. They say their marriage was defined early on by a plate of eggs. Shortly after they were married, Cindy served him a full breakfast: eggs, bacon, ham, and hash browns. When he looked at the eggs and remarked that they weren’t made the way his mother cooked them, Cindy calmly picked up the plate and scraped it into the trash. She never fried him eggs again.
Years later, when Cindy finally asked his mother how she managed to cook eggs without crispy edges, she learned the truth: she never had. The story has since become a favorite family legend, even inspiring limericks, and serves as a lighthearted reminder that their marriage has always been grounded in humor, honesty, and knowing when to let things go.
Away from public service, Cullumber’s interests reveal a thoughtful, curious nature. He and Cindy are avid antique collectors, with a particular love for flea markets and small-town antique shops. They even maintain spaces at the Lone Elm Antique Mall in Olathe. His personal collections include vintage advertising, gas and oil memorabilia, and carefully researched World War II artifacts—items chosen not for value
alone, but for the stories behind them. Cullumber is also a devoted reader, drawn to history, biographies, and military studies. One of his most prized possessions is a medal group belonging to a World War II fighter pilot. He researched the artifact extensively after acquiring it at auction. “Understanding who someone was, and what they lived through—that matters to me,” he says.
“I want people to look around one day and say, ‘Look what we’ve accomplished.’ This town deserves that.”
Those same instincts shape his approach to leadership. Cullumber credits much of his professional philosophy to mentors such as former Lenexa Police Chief Ellen Hanson, whom he describes as “remarkable.” He continues to seek counsel from a small circle of trusted advisors, practicing what he calls “threedeep leadership.”
Looking ahead, Cullumber sees his role as mayor as both listener and steward. His early priorities include meeting city employees, strengthening relationships with local businesses and Baker University, and helping residents feel more connected to their local government.
For Cullumber, the goal isn’t sweeping change for its own sake. It’s steady improvement, visible care, and renewed pride. “I want people to look around one day and say, ‘Look what we’ve accomplished,’” he says. “This town deserves that.”
After a lifetime spent serving others, Gerry Cullumber has come full circle— back to the kind of town that shaped him, ready to help guide it forward.
STUDENTS Showing Up for
USD 348 social workers support students in and beyond the classroom
Story by Jackie Hostetler
Photographs by Keara Torkelson & Kayla Kohn Photography
KASEY BOSSARD
MICHEL BONHAM
CYDNEY NOVOTNEY
When a student walks through the school doors carrying more than just a backpack, whether it’s anxiety about friendships, upheaval at home, or a need as basic as breakfast, school social workers are there to help shoulder the heavy load.
Throughout USD 348, four social workers serve students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, each tailoring their approach to the developmental needs of their building. Their work spans far beyond what many might expect, from one-on-one counseling to connecting families with housing resources, mental health therapists, and even meeting physical needs such as clothing and food. They collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to ensure every student has what they need to succeed.
Kasey Bossard
Kasey Bossard wears two hats at USD 348, school social worker at Baldwin Junior High and the district’s McKinney-Vento Liaison, ensuring students experiencing homelessness or alternative housing have full access to a public education. Her days include meeting with students one-on-one, leading lunch groups, providing classroom support, and connecting with community partners.
Working with the tween/early teen group has always been Bossard’s preference. Junior high is a time when students seek more independence while needing connection more than ever, and Bossard works to balance both.
"This is a unique time in their lives and can often be difficult navigating the pressures of becoming a teenager. There are social-emotional and academic pressures, but they always know how to make things fun," says Bossard.
She also serves as the staff advisor for Sources of Strength, a student leadership club aimed at improving school culture.
Ashleigh Minks
Ashleigh Minks works with students who have socialemotional goals written into their Individualized Education Plans through the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education (ECKCE). She meets with students individually and in small groups, helping them develop coping strategies, understand emotions, and build skills for navigating social situations.
“A day in the life of a special education social worker can be sporadic,” she explains. “We do our best to stick to a schedule but need to be flexible to help out students during difficult times in their day.”
Michel Bonham
With eighteen years in the district, Michel Bonham, LMSW, is the longesttenured social worker in USD 348. At the Baldwin Intermediate Center, she spends much of her time working with students oneon-one or in small groups, while collaborating closely with teachers, administrators, and families.
“Every day poses a variety of challenges,” Bonham says. Her approach is collaborative and reflective, with a focus on “problem solving and skill building around emotional regulation, social relationships, and selfadvocacy.”
As students grow more independent, Bonham helps them develop tools they’ll carry into junior high and beyond.
Cydney Novotney
Now in her eighth year at Baldwin High School, Cydney Novotney, LMSW, collaborates with teachers and administrators on student mental health and co-sponsors Student Council.
The challenges Novotney encounters reflect the pressures of adolescence, including depression and anxiety, grief and loss, academic expectations, peer and family conflict, social media safety, and dating struggles. What families may not realize is how varied her support can be.
“Sometimes this means helping a student get breakfast when they are running late. Other times it means helping them get access to a
shower and clean clothing,” Novotney explains.
She and colleague, Autumn Weiss, created the BHS Needs Closet, which is a growing resource stocked with food, spare clothes, hygiene products, and school supplies and is available to any BHS student. Donations from Worden Cornerstone Church, Baldwin First United Methodist Church, the Baldwin Education Fund, teachers, and parents support the closet.
Melissa McGill
For Melissa McGill, school social worker at the Primary Center, no two days are ever the same, but each one starts with the same ritual.
“One of my favorite parts of the day is starting outside in the fresh air, greeting students as they arrive,” she says. From there, her role takes her in countless directions, working with students individually and in small groups on everything from social skills and anxiety to anger management and family transitions. She supports staff through professional development sessions focused on coregulation and mindfulness.
“Students at this age communicate so much nonverbally and through play because they don’t yet have the language to express everything they are going through,” she explains. Beyond emotional support, McGill helps families locate resources for food, transportation, utility bills, and professional referrals. Her message to parents is simple.
“If a parent needs a resource or help with anything, call the social worker. It’s our job to listen to the needs and help connect you with the resources.”
Joy Mapes
Joy Mapes serves Baldwin High School students receiving specialized education services through the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education (ECKCE). She works with students who have socialemotional goals in their Individualized Education Plans, meeting with them individually and in groups to strengthen skills such as coping strategies and understanding the perspectives of others.
Like her colleagues, Mapes emphasizes flexibility in her work to meet students’ needs throughout the school day.
Their advice for parents mirrors that of their district
counterparts: communicate often and remember that you are one of the most important people on the team.
How Parents Can Connect
If there's one message USD 348's social workers want families to understand, it's simply to reach out. Whether a child is struggling with emotions, behavior, peer conflict, or a need at home, these professionals are here to help.
The district’s student support team has compiled a family resource newsletter with links to local services. Families can access it at:
app.smore.com/n/qm8pa
As McGill puts it, “I truly believe that kids do well if they have the skills to do well. It’s our job as adults to help them learn these skills. Please reach out if you or your child is struggling.”
MELISSA
JOY
FARMERS See You at the MARKET!
A weekly tradition rooted in community
Story by Angela Robb
Photography by Kayla Kohn Photography
Along High Street in downtown Baldwin City, local vendors can be seen setting up their booths in front of Sullivan Square. They are displaying and selling their homemade and home-grown wares. Here, the community is gathering, making connections and new friendships, and supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs. It is a place to share tips on gardening, baking, canning, and even making dog treats. The Baldwin City Farmers Market is more than buying local; it is the Baldwin City community making memories.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have a farmers market in our community and access to fresh, local goods. I look forward to seeing what’s new each week and visiting my favorite makers,” Kristin Amburgey, a regular visitor to the market, shares.
For over twenty-five years, vendors have been setting up regardless of the weather conditions. Back in the early 2000s, a couple of popular vendors sold goat’s milk and homemade goat’s milk ice cream. The ice cream sold by the cup for $1.00, and they sold out every Saturday. Customers can still expect to see an abundance of local delights! The market may be smaller than those in nearby towns, but its size has not hindered its assortment.
“I enjoy the variety of baked goods, meats, vegetables, fruits, flowers, and soaps! We are a very lucky community,” says frequent customer Angela Hightree.
David Donohue walks down to the market every Saturday morning. “It is a sad day when there are no breakfast burritos,” he says.
The Baldwin City Farmers Market runs every Saturday from April through November, from eight a.m. to eleven a.m. On any given weekend, anywhere from five to fifteen vendors attend, depending on the growing season.
Here, vendors of all ages learn about running a business, including what sells best. How to package and display products, engage customers, and keep track of sales. Ashley Hornberger’s three sons frequently help out at Hornberger Farms and the market. They have learned firsthand about the struggles and successes of running a farm and small business, including how to count change and interact with people in positive ways. “I think our farmers market is one of the best parts of small town living,” Ashley says. “I invite you to check it out!" Check social media and the community bulletin boards for more information as we get closer to market season.”
Linda Hoffman has been a vendor since 2000 and observed firsthand the positive impact of the community connecting while shopping. She has made everlasting friendships over the years while selling her wares: cinnamon and pecan rolls, sweet breads, and canned jellies, jams, and salsas. She sees the start of each year's market as a new beginning for the year. “Come all and have yourself a ball! Vendors always welcome!” she says.
The youngest vendor is eleven-year-old Kassity of Pepper’s Pantry, who sells homemade dog treats. Her entire family is dog obsessed, and they love making connections with dog owners and, of course, their dogs. “The Saturday morning market is for everyone. You can be a well-established business owner or a fifth grader selling dog treats,” says Kassity’s mother, Brandi.
“The Saturday morning market is for everyone. You can be a well-established business owner or a fifth grader selling dog treats.”
-Kassity’s mother, Brandi
A select few vendors remember bringing their kids to help, and now their grandchildren help and hang out. For many of the vendors, the market is more than an income. It is where they socialize, engage, and interact with friends, neighbors, and customers. There are also many questions to answer about everything from beekeeping to modern agriculture.
Jill Boyle says, “I love that some of our vendors have continued to produce and sell the products that their family (mom, dad, aunt) started. Many vendor booths consist of multi-generational family members.”
Becoming a vendor is easy. Just show up! Bring a table to display your products and a chair to take a load off in between customers. Keeping it informal keeps it easy and fun! There are no fees or registration required. However, vendors are responsible for anything necessary for their business, such licenses, taxes, and insurance. If there are questions, Ashley Hornberger is the contact person.
The community is encouraged to become a part of this long-standing weekly tradition. Enjoy the morning with friends and find out why people keep coming back every weekend. It's a tradition that shouldn't be missed!
“The one thing I want people to see when they come to a farmers market is how dedicated these vendors are to this process,” Charlene Hannon says. “Thought goes into their products and there are many different age groups represented. I love seeing young kids all the way to the older (me) vendors interacting and sharing common goals. Try to make at least one market this season!”
(Left) Brandi, Kassity, and Pepper Farley make dog treats which they sell at the market. (Top, right) Jill Boyle shares beauty with the community, offering fresh, locally grown flowers—each bouquet made with care and creativity.
Finding Relief in Baldwin
Personalized care, advanced treatments, and a focus on lasting results
Story by Joanna Emig
Photographs by Pitts Photography
The Maple #9
Pain. It’s a universal feeling. We have all experienced the sensation, whether it presents as a pinched nerve, a stubbed toe, or a paper cut. It’s unavoidable, yet often short-lived. But what about those times when it doesn’t stop hurting? When you’re suffering day in and day out for the foreseeable future? In the face of hopelessness, Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine is a place of hope and relief. With flexible scheduling and no referral needed, Dr. Madl and Nurse Kelsey are here to help.
Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine is headed by Dr. Adam Madl who specializes in interventional pain management, regenerative pain medicine, and metabolic health dysfunction. He offers joint injections for the back, knees, hips, and more, along with hormone treatments. But Dr. Madl isn’t just interested in managing pain—he’s interested in connecting the dots and treating the source. Dr. Madl spends four days a week working at hospitals in the area where he treats patients for pain after a brief consultation, but regrets not being able to do more. At BCMM, he is able to take the time to meet with patients and address any underlying causes. “We want to educate people on the pathology that they have,” Dr. Madl says.
“We want to educate people on the pathology that they have.”
In order to give patients the best outcome possible, Dr. Madl has honest conversations about all the options available to them, while managing expectations for each treatment. He wants to bring awareness to evidence-based treatments, while being clear about whether or not they are covered by insurance, since that is what most patients prefer. They also offer cash-pay options, but those are not as popular. He guides his patients to consider injections instead of surgery with a high failure rate, or surgery with a higher success rate than alternative treatments.
When a patient requires treatment, he cannot provide, Dr. Madl is quick to point them to other excellent care providers he is connected to in Baldwin and surrounding cities. “We want people to see us as a central hub where they can get sound medical advice,” Dr. Madl says, “[and] put them in touch with people who can treat them well,
DR. PAIGE BOWMAN & i360MD
Dr. Paige Bowman owns her own practice under the same roof as Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine. i360MD balances traditional patient care with modern medical knowledge and innovation with a focus on personal care and transparency. She operates on a membership basis that comes with rare perks such as house calls and after hours availability.
“At the heart of my practice is the Gold Rule of medicine: to treat every patient and their family as I would my own."
if [we] cannot provide it.” He doesn’t recommend anyone he wouldn’t send his own family to.
Dr. Adam Madl grew up in Baldwin City. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at KU Med where he met his wife, Kelsey, who also worked there. The Madl’s live north of town and their three kids attend school in Baldwin. They love the community and want to be a wellness resource for its members.
Nurse Kelsey is most likely the first face you’ll see at Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine. She operates a one-woman show, processing patient intakes, handling check-ins, phone calls with insurance, and assisting in procedures. Dr. Madl jokes that she “does everything but place the needle,” and that certainly seems true. In addition to this, she is trained in health coaching, setting goals and offering accountability in one-on-one sessions, as well as providing beauty treatments such as Botox, PRP injections, and microneedling. Kelsey wants to provide a space free of judgment, focusing on goals that help her patients sleep better, move better, and feel good overall. Kelsey says, “If you expect [your body] to function well, you have to treat it well.”
Since opening Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine in November, the Madl’s have
become familiar with their patients, taking time to consider lifestyle and other factors contributing to pain, and ensuring they have the most requested treatments. Dr. Madl notes that the treatments they have done so far have had excellent results. While offering patients a variety of treatments himself, Dr. Madl also encourages physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, and general healthy living as a way to address pain.
The Madl’s have felt welcomed by the community as a new business, as well as supported by other existing businesses. Dr. Madl feels he has a good working relationship with other medical care practices in town, as well as collaborating with those in Ottawa, KS and Gardner, KS. This spring they look forward to cosponsoring the Be Well event with Amplify Life Center, and are current members of the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce.
Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine hopes to provide an additional option to locals, saving them from driving to Lawrence, KS or even Kansas City, KS. In a clinic where both Dr. Madl and Nurse Kelsey have important roles, their collective goal is to serve the community and help it grow towards health and wholeness. Dr. Madl puts it well when he says, “We want better for Baldwin.” And they are well on their way to accomplishing just that. So, if you’re in pain and local to the area, relief is just around the corner.
Made from Scratch
What started in a home kitchen grew into a hometown staple, rooted in faith, family, and a whole lot of flour
+ RECIPES
+ Cookies
+ Broccoli Soup
+ Chicken & Noodles
+ Egg Noodles
Story by: Monica Brovont
Photography by: Keara Torkelson Art Direction by: Kayla Kohn
Bakeries have always felt like home to Lori Gardner, but doing hair for twenty years meant owning a bakery wasn't on her to-do list.
Throughout high school, Lori enrolled in Home Ec and served as the vice president of the Future Homemakers of America. After she and her husband, Kelly, adopted four of their six children, she cooked most of the family's meals from scratch to keep everyone healthy and happy.
Lori started milling her own flour, and one thing led to another. Next thing she knew, she was selling baked goods from the back of her Suburban and meeting customers in parking lots. This naturally evolved into vending at the Olathe Farmers Market and selling to her church's coffee bar. “And then,” she recalls, “I needed a storefront.”
Homestead Kitchen and Bakery opened in 2016. Lori's days begin at 2:30 a.m. in the kitchen at 719 Eighth Street, mixing up yeast dough. It's her favorite thing to bake. “It's fun to see it start from the basic ingredients, then it rises and turns into something different,” she explains.
The single storefront has doubled to include a Lenexa, KS location and a fresh perspective on success. She partly credits her perseverance and consistency, but says the Baldwin City community is also a significant contributor. “I don't know what I was doing in the beginning, but the people kept returning and gave me so much grace.,” she says
She planned to open her first storefront in Gardner, KS. “But I felt led here, and here we are, and that was the right choice. God has been very good to me and provided and provided with amazing employees and amazing community,” she reflects.
Routine and flexibility work easily side by side in Lori Gardner’s way of managing life and the kitchen. While they may seem like they don’t quite fit together, they’ve proven to be a successful way to avoid possible chaos.
She's not a casserole person, hasn't used a crockpot in forever, and doesn't like recipes with lots of steps. She enjoys preparing a variety of dishes, often cooking by intuition and sans recipe. “Baking, though, I stick to a recipe,” she clarifies. “Cooking, I am all over the place.”
Even experienced cooks make mistakes. Sometimes the biggest failures result from the simplest mistakes. Forgetting the salt or baking soda can ruin an entire batch of cookies. “I've done that so many times,” Lori says. “I have systems in place now for double checking, but it still happens once in a while.”
“I don't want it to be just about a donut. I want it to be about an experience."
Cooking for a family of eight may not be easy, but it can be simple, and for Lori, completely worthwhile. “Just get away from processed foods. It's so, so bad for you, and so expensive. Even if it's simple, just try some things. If it
doesn't work, either try it again or ditch that and move on to something else,” she says. Some of her tips include: meal planning, thoroughly reading the recipe before cooking, choosing simple dishes, and acquiring a few reliable recipes. “You don't want to be doing something new every other night,” she advises.
The Gardner family has grown to include spouses and grandchildren. Sunday evenings the family gatherings are accented by food. Chicken strips are always popular. “I tend to repeat [those] even though it's a ton of work,” she says.
Food is a love language that Lori understands well. Some of her favorite moments include small children's delighted eyes peeping over the counter while choosing a sweet treat or adults texting pictures of the baked goods to family at home. “What do you want me to get?” they ask.
“I don't want it to be just about a donut,” she explains. “I want it to be about an experience. I want people to just be happy having come in.”
ChocolateChip Oatmeal Cookies
ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 ½ cup rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
method:
1. Cream together the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl.
2. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until incorporated, then stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Chill the dough for 1 hour or overnight.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
Broccoli &Cheddar Soup
ingredients:
6 tbs unsalted butter
1/3 cup diced white onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken stock
1 celery stalk, finely diced
3 cups fresh broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste method:
1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and celery and cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2–3 min.
4. Stir in the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper (start with 1/2 tsp of each, then adjust to taste).
5. Add broccoli, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
6. Stir in the milk and simmer for a few minutes until the soup thickens.
7. Remove from heat and add shredded cheese, then adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Chicken &Noodles
ingredients:
Egg noodles:
2 large eggs
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbs milk
2 cups all-purpose flour Soup:
3 tbs butter
2-3 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup each of diced onions, carrots, and celery (or more!)
2 quarts chicken stock Salt & pepper to taste
method:
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and salt until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 cup of flour until fully incorporated, then gradually add additional flour, one small spoonful at a time, until the dough forms a ball but remains slightly sticky.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead with well-floured hands for 3–5 minutes, or until no longer sticky; let rest for 10 minutes.
4. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface until very thin (less than 1/4 inch thick or paper-thin), then cut into long strips using a knife or pizza cutter.
5. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter, add onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes.
6. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil, then add cooked chicken and noodles and cook at a gentle boil for about 5 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cozy in Historic Baldwin City
