FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BRINGS HOLIDAY CHEER TO DOWNTOWN BALDWIN CITY
Downtown Baldwin City sparkled with holiday tradition on Saturday, December 6, as the community gathered for the annual Festival of Lights, an evening filled with music, shopping, family fun, and the much-anticipated parade. Presented by the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, the event was made possible with the generous support of One Choice Heating & Cooling, title sponsor, and Mediacom, parade prize sponsor.
Festivities kicked off at 4 p.m. with the Festival of Lights Market inside Sullivan Square, giving families the chance to start their holiday shopping early while enjoying a festive atmosphere. Shoppers browsed local gift vendors, snagged unique presents, and even picked out fresh-cut Christmas trees and wreaths, making it possible to check multiple holiday to-dos off the list in one stop.
\As the excitement built, downtown streets closed to traffic and 88.9 Live Radio set up in the heart of the action,
bringing music, games, and prizes to the crowd as families lined the sidewalks, bundled up and ready for the parade. The energy downtown reflected everything the Festival of Lights has become known for—community connection, small-town holiday magic, and shared traditions.
Throughout the evening, community partners added to the festive experience. The Lumberyard Arts Center welcomed visitors with gingerbread houses on display and its ongoing Itty Bitty Picture Show. The Methodist Church hosted a popular soup supper and live nativity, offering both a warm meal and a meaningful moment of reflection. Festival-goers were also treated to performances by an eightpiece Baldwin High School brass band, led by Mr. Stuart O’Neil, whose music filled the night with seasonal cheer.
Inside Sullivan Square, families enjoyed free hot chocolate and cookies, generously sponsored by the Baldwin Education Foundation, Baldwin City Library, Lovely Flower Co., and South Baldwin Farms, while kids
snapped photos and enjoyed the festive décor around the square.
The parade itself was a highlight of the night, featuring creative light-filled entries from local organizations, businesses, and families. Judging this year’s parade were:
Jody and Debbie Fournier — Jody, president of Baker University, and his wife Debbie, who have quickly become an enthusiastic part of the Baldwin City community.
Jamie Davis, co-owner of One Choice Heating & Cooling, along with team member Debbie King, whose continued support made the event possible.
Annette, recipient of the Margaret Boyd Maple Leaf Scholarship, an honor rooted deeply in Baldwin City’s history and the legacy of Maple Leaf Festival founders.
Festival of Lights Parade Winners
Adult Individual Entry
1st Place: Beins/Valentine Family Float
2nd Place (four-way tie):
This category proved to be especially festive and competitive, resulting in a rare four-way tie for second place. Rather than dividing entries into second and third place, all four entries tied for second will receive prize money.
Dorothy Van Cleave, Randy Hendry and Family, Dee Crist and Lucky Charm, Kaylee Eve and Captain
Business Entry
1st Place: Heritage Tractor
2nd Place: Baldwin City Creative Arts
3rd Place: Knights of Columbus
Junior Individual Entry
1st Place: Troop 65
2nd Place: Baldwin City Cub Scouts Pack 3065
USD / Baker Entry
1st Place: Parents as Teachers, USD 348
By the time Santa made his appearance and the final lights rolled down High Street, it was clear that the Festival of Lights once again delivered on its promise: a night where Baldwin City came together to celebrate the season, support local, and create memories that will last long after the lights are packed away.
Mid-America Bank staff brought holiday cheer to the Festival of Lights Parade with their festive gingerbread-themed float, lending big smiles and community spirit to downtown Baldwin City.
BEF CELEBRATES IMPACT, LAUNCHES YEAR-END FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, AND INTRODUCES NEW HALL OF FAME PROGRAM
Since July 1, the Baldwin Education Foundation (BEF) has made a significant investment in local education, providing more than $75,000 in funding to support Baldwin students and staff. These dollars have gone toward college scholarships, classroom grants, school sponsorships, and BEF’s flagship Innovative Project Grant program.
For the 2024–2025 school year alone, BEF funded 45 Innovative Project Grants for Pre-K through 12th grade classrooms, totaling $37,005.67. These grants are designed to foster educational excellence, innovation, and a sense of belonging across USD 348 classrooms and learning spaces.
BEF leaders extend heartfelt thanks to the donors, event sponsors, and community partners who make this level of impact possible. “This investment represents our shared commitment to Baldwin students and educators,” BEF representatives said. “Every contribution directly supports meaningful experiences in our schools.”
As part of its year-end fundraising efforts, BEF is encouraging the community to take part in a spirited upcoming event—and a chilly one. The BEF executive director will participate in a “Polar Plunge” during BEF’s Second Tuesday fundraising night on December 9 at Baldwin City Beer Company, located at 520 High Street. The plunge will take place at approximately 7 p.m. using a portable ice bath tub.
For this fundraiser, each donated dollar equals one second in the ice bath. On the second Tuesday of every month during the school year, Baldwin City Beer Company donates 5 percent of sales to BEF. For the December 9 event, all proceeds will be directed to BEF’s “Giving for Good” campaign through the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF).
Directing donations to this campaign is especially impactful. If BEF reaches its fundraising goal, the total raised will receive a 50 percent match from DCCF—significantly increasing funds available for future Innovative Project Grants and expanding resources for Baldwin classrooms.
The Polar Plunge concept has already proven successful. Kelley Bethell-Smith recently completed a Polar Plunge challenge in support of BEF and the Giving for Good campaign. Thanks to the encouragement of donors, BEF Trustees, and friends in attendance, Bethell-Smith withstood the ice water for two minutes and 40 seconds in tribute to Baldwin students and staff. Participation in the Giving for Good campaign again makes BEF eligible for a 50 percent match through DCCF, further amplifying community donations.
In addition to fundraising initiatives, BEF has announced the launch of its brand-new Hall of Fame program, which will celebrate excellence throughout USD 348’s history and community. Individuals may be nominated in one of four areas of distinction: Academics, Arts, Athletics, or Service.
Nominations are open through December 31. Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized on March 27 at the second annual Purple & White “Take Back the Night” Spring Gala. Together, these initiatives highlight BEF’s ongoing commitment to supporting education, honoring excellence, and strengthening the connection between Baldwin schools and the broader community.
COMMUNITY INVITED TO WORKSHOP ON SUPPORTING SINGLEPARENT FAMILIES
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Douglas County Economic Mobility Project will host a community sensemaking session on Monday, Dec. 15, to explore ways to better support low-income and single-parent families. The workshop will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive.
Participants will review data and stories collected through Douglas County Thrives, a community effort that gathered perspectives from low-income and single-parent or singlecaregiver families to inform local policy and practice. This information was collected through a survey circulated this fall.
Facilitators from the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research will lead small-group discussions about survey results and family experiences. Stories highlight both what it means to thrive and what it feels like to simply get by.
In Douglas County, single-parent families, especially mothers, are more likely to face poverty, rent burdens and challenges finding jobs that pay a living wage.
Of the 93 respondents to the survey, 40% identified as single parents. When asked what support made a difference for their family in the last year, 45% replied SNAP/food assistance, 44% cited food banks and 24% indicated utility assistance.
The Economic Mobility Project is part of the anti-poverty work outlined in the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan. Agencies involved in the project include Douglas County, United Way of Kaw Valley, LiveWell Douglas County, K-State Extension Douglas County, DCCCA, Community Children’s Center and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.
“Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a journey,” said Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur, a convener of the anti-poverty work group. “That journey includes moments of hardship, but also of deep joy, resilience, creativity and strength. Whether a story is about a time families were thriving or just surviving, we want to know so leaders, policymakers and community members can better understand how to support families in Douglas County.”
Light refreshments will be available at the workshop.
COMMUNITY
OUR LOCAL HISTORY SERIES RETURNS WITH FOCUS ON THE BEGINNINGS OF BAKER UNIVERSITY AND BALDWIN CITY
The Our Local History Series returns in early January with a program that dives into the shared origins of Baker University and Baldwin City, offering residents a closer look at how a school and a town took shape together along the Santa Fe Trail.
The program, titled “The Beginnings of Baker U and Baldwin,” will take place on Saturday, January 3, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Baldwin City Public Library, located at 800 7th Street. The presentation will be led by Professor John Richards and is based on the book Baker Lands: The Struggle to Start a School and a Town on the Santa Fe Trail by local author Katherine Burke Graziano. As a special bonus, attendees will receive a free copy of the book, while supplies last.
This session will explore the challenges, decisions, and determination that shaped the founding of Baker University and influenced the early development of Baldwin City. By examining land,
leadership, and community vision, the presentation highlights how education and settlement were deeply connected in the area’s earliest days.
The Our Local History Series has previously covered a wide range of local topics, including early settlers and founding families, the role of the Santa Fe Trail in Baldwin City’s growth, historic buildings and landmarks, and the individuals whose leadership helped shape the community. Each program adds another layer to Baldwin City’s story, helping preserve and share its rich past with new and longtime residents alike.
The January 3 program is free and open to the public and is brought to the community by the Baldwin City Public Library in partnership with the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society. History enthusiasts, Baker University supporters, and anyone curious about Baldwin City’s beginnings are encouraged to attend this engaging and informative event.
A HOLIDAY PAUSE—NO NEWSPAPER
DEC 29 & JAN 5
As we head into the heart of the holiday season, we’ll be taking a two-week break while Baldwin City enjoys its traditional quiet stretch between Christmas and the New Year. With fewer events on the calendar and a slower pace around town, we’re taking the opportunity to step back, recharge, and spend some extra time with our families.
As part of this break, we will not publish on December 29 or January 5. Our New Year’s issue will be published on January 12, and we’re excited to kick off 2026 with fresh stories and community updates.
We’ll still be popping up on social media during the break, sharing local moments and a little holiday cheer — so be sure to follow along to see what we’re up to.
Thank you for another wonderful year of community connection and support. We’ll see you soon!
EVENTS
Dec. 12
Holiday Open House
Baldwin State Bank, both locations, 9 am – 4 pm
Dec. 12
BES PTO Movie Night
USD 348 Primary Center Gym Doors Open: 6:45 pm, Movie Starts: 7 pm
Dec. 13
Ugly Sweater Fun Run
Lumberyard Arts Center 9 am check in, 10 am race, 10:45 am hot cocoa
Dec. 13
Saturday Morning Cartoons
Baldwin City Library 9 am – 10 am
Dec. 13
Holiday Hustle Market
USD 348 Primary Center 10 am – 2 pm
Dec. 15-19
Jingle Bell Rock
Baldwin City Hosted by Baldwin City Recreation Commission
Dec. 16
Heritage Holiday Event Heritage Tractor, 4-7 pm
Dec. 16
Candle Making
Baldwin City Beer Company with Baldwin Wax + Wick, 5:-8 pm
Dec. 17
Active Adults Field Trip Coordinated by Baldwin City Recreation Commission, 4-11 pm KC Repertory Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and dinner at Café Trio
Dec. 18
Widow/Widower Support Group
Baldwin First United Methodist Church basement, 2-3 pm
Dec. 19
Free Donut + Coffee Homestead Kitchen + Bakery, 9 am – 10:30 am
Dec. 19
Santa is Coming to Amplify Life Center
Amplify Life Center, 603 Ames St., 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Dec. 19
Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Showing Baldwin City Library, 5:30 pm
Dec. 20
BCCA Winter Performance
Baldwin Performing Arts Center, 4 pm
Dec. 21
Pictures with Santa Hosted by Wooden Spoke Wooden Spoke, 309 Ames St., 9 am
KANSAS-BASED MIDWEST HEALTH ACQUIRES 15 ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES
Topeka, Kan. (Dec. 9, 2025) – Midwest Health, one of the region’s largest senior living providers and a proud Kansas-based company, has completed the largest acquisition in its nearly 50-year history – adding 15 assisted living communities across the state.
Previously operated as Vintage Park, the communities will now join the Homestead Assisted Living family. This strategic expansion adds about 600 apartments and more than 315 employees to Midwest Health’s growing network, which now serves about 4,000 seniors daily and employs more than 3,800 team members across six states.
“This acquisition is a milestone for our company, expanding our footprint in Kansas,” said Brett Klausman, President of Midwest Health. “We’re proud to be headquartered in Topeka and even more proud to grow our presence right here at home. With the help of our financial partner, Capital Federal, we’re supporting Kansas seniors and creating jobs for Kansans. We’re investing in the future of our state while caring for our neighbors.”
Jim Klausman, CEO and co-founder, added: “Midwest Health has always believed that great care starts locally. The services these communities provide are essential – especially in rural areas where both access to health care and jobs are needed. With our network of tools and resources, all our communities will continue to provide outstanding support for decades to come. This is the definition of Kansans caring for Kansans, and we are in it for the long haul.”
The newly acquired communities are located in: Atchison, Baldwin City, Gardner, Hiawatha, Holton, Lenexa, Louisburg, Osage City, Osawatomie, Ottawa, Overland Park, Paola, Tonganoxie, Wamego and Wichita.
Founded in Topeka in 1977 by Jim Klausman and Butch Eaton, Midwest Health has grown into a leading senior living provider with more than 100 communities across six Midwestern states. The company’s Kansas roots continue to guide the company’s core initiatives: advocating for seniors, supporting working families through job creation, and delivering high-quality care to thousands of residents each day.
DOUGLAS AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES SEEKING INPUT ABOUT RECYCLING, TRASH SERVICE OPTIONS
Douglas and Jefferson counties are updating their joint Solid Waste Management Plan, which outlines how trash, recycling, organics and other materials are managed in both urban and rural areas.
The revised plan will evaluate current systems and facilities, compare existing programs with potential alternatives, identify strategies to improve efficiency and support long-term environmental sustainability.
community needs and set priorities for the plan. The City of Lawrence will conduct a separate survey in early 2026, and those results will be incorporated into the joint plan.
MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact: Ali Ellis, Marketing Director aellis@midwest-health.com | 785.228.7977
Douglas County invites residents of Baldwin City, Eudora, Lecompton and rural areas to participate in a Community Solid Waste Survey to help identify
“We are working together to update this plan, which is required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Douglas County Sustainability Manager Kim Criner Ritchie said. “We encourage residents to take the survey to help us better understand the needs of our communities.”
The survey is available at https://etci.us/4o1atZX through Wednesday, Dec. 24.
About Midwest Health: Midwest Health is a family-owned and operated senior living network with more than 100 communities across Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois. Founded in Topeka in 1977 by Jim Klausman and Butch Eaton, the company is a pioneer in senior living and remains dedicated to providing compassionate, dignified care. Learn more at www.midwest-health.com.
Existing Midwest Health communities are marked in blue; new communities are yellow. For a detailed view, visit bit.ly/MidwestHealthLocations
SUBSCRIPTION UPDATE
Kansas-Based Midwest Health Acquires 15 Assisted Living Communities
The Maple Weekly will remain free for public pickup at Baldwin City Market and the Post Office (first-come, first-served).
Topeka, Kan. (Dec. 9, 2025) – Midwest Health, one of the region’s largest senior living providers and a proud Kansas-based company, has completed the largest acquisition in its nearly 50-year history –adding 15 assisted living communities across the state.
Home delivery subscriptions are now $30 per year. The $5/month option ends January 1, 2026.
Online subscriptions will auto-renew at $30/year unless canceled. For help, email Jenni@BaldwinMaple.com
Previously operated as Vintage Park, the communities will now join the Homestead Assisted Living family. This strategic expansion adds about 600 apartments and more than 315 employees to Midwest Health’s growing network, which now serves about 4,000 seniors daily and employs more than 3,800 team members across six states.
“This acquisition is a milestone for our company, expanding our footprint in Kansas,” said Brett Klausman, President of Midwest Health. “We’re proud to be headquartered in Topeka and even more proud to grow our presence right here at home. With the help of our financial partner, Capital Federal, we’re sup porting Kansas seniors and creating jobs for Kansans. We’re investing in the future of our state while caring for our neighbors.”
Jim Klausman, CEO and co -founder, added: “Midwest Health has always
KANSAS TO BOOST ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE WITH SHARE OF $72M GRANT
Story by Anna Kaminski, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA
— Two years ago, Kansas ranked dead last in a national assessment of mental illness and access to behavioral health care.
In 2025, that ranking rose to 18th in the nation, and state officials say the shift is a A $72.5 million grant recently awarded to Kansas and two other states is expected to push the state’s progress further by bolstering access to quality behavioral health care.
“This initiative represents a pivotal opportunity for Kansas to lead in behavioral health innovation,” said Laura Howard, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, in a Nov. 18 news release.
Kansas, Illinois and Michigan will share the $72 million over the next three years. The Washington, D.C.-based National Council for Mental Wellbeing will administer the funds, which come from the Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie.
The national council will use the grant to help states establish or expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which offer 24/7 crisis care, counseling, case management, outpatient services, psychiatric rehabilitation, treatment planning and mental health care for veterans.
The grant will focus on building a range of services, including crisis care, outpatient mental health and substance use services, primary care screening and monitoring, community-based mental health care for veterans, and partnerships with community organizations such as law enforcement, schools and homeless shelters.
Connie Ballmer said in a national council news release that community behavioral health clinics have been successful in addressing community behavioral health needs, especially those of kids and families.
“Access to comprehensive, high-
quality care provides people with the opportunity to achieve stability,” Ballmer said.
A 2024 study of Kansas clinics found that establishing community behavioral health clinics, which expanded upon existing services, increased annual visits from about 24,000 to about 42,000. The state’s annual costs also increased, rising from $52 million to $74 million, according to data from the state aging and disabilities department. However, the study hypothesized clinics may result in $5 million in costs avoided from would-be emergency room visits and $42 million in costs avoided from inpatient stays.
Kansas has 26 clinics. The state Legislature passed a bill in 2021 to certify and fund those clinics, a move regarded as one of the most significant changes to mental health care in Kansas in decades.
Community behavioral health clinics first opened in 2017 when a federal project established 66 clinics in eight states. More than 500 clinics now exist in 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. They are largely funded by Medicaid.
Cara Sloan-Ramos, a spokesperson for the Kansas department, said it’s unclear how recent federal Medicaid changes could impact the state’s community behavioral health clinics.
“The state knows that federal policy changes are coming,” Sloan-Ramos said, “but the precise financial and operational impact on Kansas CCBHCs remains undetermined.”
The 2023 assessment that ranked Kansas last among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., cited youths with substance use disorders, adults with any mental illness and adults with serious thoughts of suicide as major factors for the state’s low ranking.
The state’s future efforts will focus on behavioral health workforce shortages, rural access to care, financial longevity, quality services and expanded partnerships to better coordinate wraparound care.
KANSAS LOOKING AT THREE BIDDERS FOR $10 MILLION CONTRACT RELYING ON AI TO FIND GUNS IN SCHOOLS
TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s special budget committee revealed the attorney general’s office continues to work toward awarding a $10 million contract to a private vendor for deployment of artificial intelligence and use of security cameras to spot gun-wielding intruders in public schools.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed a budget bill in April that included funding for technology that promised to identify unconcealed firearms in school buildings so alerts could be forwarded to school staff and law enforcement officers. In October, three companies submitted bids through the Kansas Department of Administration. On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Kris Kobach said a contract hadn’t been issued.
Under state law, the attorney general’s office was directed to make certain the system was installed in schools by the end of December and operational at the close of February.
Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said the initiative was embraced by the Legislature at the same time a popular program offering state-funded school-security grants to districts was dropped.
“We no longer have funding in the Department of Education for safe and secure schools,” Pettey said. “But we do have this funding source … but nothing has been appropriated? Schools would like to have safe and secure funds, but they don’t have any option now except through this program.”
Bids on the Kansas firearmidentification contract were submitted by Gades Sales Co. of Wichita; CIS Data Services of Springfield, Missouri; and ZeroEyes of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Financial details of
those company proposals haven’t been made public.
The idea of relying on AI to pinpoint unconcealed weapons in schools and possibly thwart mass shootings has been debated in Kansas since ZeroEyes hired lobbyists last year to convince legislators to award it the contract to operate an enhanced security system for benefit of Kansas schools.
Lobbyists for ZeroEyes pitched the idea of directly earmarking state funding to ZeroEyes or establishing contract provisions matching ZeroEyes’ marketing materials so rival venders would have difficulty landing the contract.
Kieran Carroll, chief strategy officer for ZeroEyes, told a Kansas House committee in February 2024 that covering 1,300 school buildings in Kansas with ZeroEyes’ technology and delivering 24-hour monitoring of two dozen cameras in each school would cost the state $8.5 million annually.
In May 2024, Gov. Laura Kelly used line-item authority to veto the budget measure dedicating $5 million to a gun-identification initiative that favored ZeroEyes. The bill limited dollar-for-dollar matches from the state to school districts that signed up with ZeroEyes.
The governor said the result would have been “a no-bid contract” that wrote ZeroEyes’ technology into state law without proper consideration of alternative companies.
The Republican-led Legislature responded during the 2025 session by authorizing expenditure of $10 million for a firearm-detection program available to all Kansas public school districts. This version of the AI funding plan wasn’t vetoed by Kelly and led to the ongoing contract bidding process.v
COMMUNITY VOICES WINTER WELLBEING
DEAR HOMEKEEPER
By Cat Henry
The winter solstice, on December 21, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. While winter itself won’t be over for a while, daylight begins its slow return from here on out. An in-law, a gardener, always smiles on the 22nd, saying, “One day closer to spring!” That’s really the heart of the solstice, the assurance that even on our shortest days, the light is already returning.
Currently, holiday lights help us overlook the long, dark nights. Once they’re taken down, you may feel the darkness differently, more sharply, or get post-holiday melancholy. Our internal clocks drift in the low light, making sleep more restless, leaving us tired, irritable, or out of sorts. This is normal. It’s simply your body searching for rhythm again.
A diagnosable form of depression following a seasonal pattern is identified as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), commonly known as winter blues. Symptoms include persistent low mood, lack of motivation, tendency to withdraw socially, oversleeping, irritability, and changes in appetite. Treatment suggested is light therapy, counseling, Vitamin D, and lifestyle adjustments.
Our shorter days (even though the same cycle of daily hours) pale in comparison to the extended darkness or polar nights of northern Europe, Canada, Alaska, and the Arctic Circle. In those regions, the sun can remain below the horizon from October through April because of the Earth’s tilt.
These northernmost people channel Hygge, the word for the Danish obsession
of getting your cozy on.
Consider building small comforts that soften the edges during this upcoming time after all the Fa-La-La-La-La, La-La-La-La. This upcoming time is sometimes categorized as ordinary time when our routine returns. A quiet house lets you hear your own thoughts. You can reset yourself. A calmer schedule enables the body to rest. The lull makes space for the soul to catch its breath.
Homekeepers can begin planning small things for winter well-being now, once the holidays are over. Warm gloves, soft scarves, cozy socks, or any tactile comforts you enjoy indoors can make a surprising difference. Here are some suggestions from a hygge list to consider: Adjust lighting, consider using special full-spectrum lamps, use your fireplace more, or light candles; Spend time outdoors daily, bundling up and walking around the block; and
Rely on community gatherings for warmth and connection, like hosting a casual, cozy potluck dinner. Some people invigorate with cold water plunges in the winter. Not me! The first time I slipped into a hot tub was in the middle of winter, snow falling, starry night above. I was hooked. With no hot tub of my own, I take long baths (read hydrotherapy) cracking a window for cooler air to contrast with the hot water. It’s subtly refreshing that meeting of temperatures, the warmth relaxing me while the coolness wakes my senses. It’s the opposite of sensations that can coexist and make each other more noticeable, more alive, bringing out the best in each other.
It isn’t just water temperatures; you can experience this in cooking by experimenting with different spices in your recipes.
E.B. White wrote that on days when warmth is the most important thing to the human heart, the kitchen is the place to find it. Pots of simmering soups, stews, and beans, and the making of bread (sweet or rosemary-spiced) bring contentment. Home-cooked comfort food is always welcome, but it seems especially essential in winter.
This is a time to explore the books you’ve been putting off, engage in a new habit like learning how to knit or crochet, pick up an instrument like a guitar or ukulele or piano to learn (I’m tuning my piano and again will try to learn to play), draw out and plan your future spring garden, or set up an area to build a LEGO Modular Set. It’s time to get your tactile mojo on.
With you in the keeping, Cathenry.ch@gmail.com
P.S. Even after the longest night, the light is already returning.
THE ROSE
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
By Jeanine Ross
The holidays can be a lonely time for some people without family or someone to share that special kind of love with. It may seem like everywhere you look, there are lovers holding hands or whispering sweet secrets to each other or sharing a tender kiss. It could make some angry or lonely, or sad. It may even cause them to make ridiculous declarations to themselves like, “I don’t care about love, it’s too much work,” or I’m better off just like I am because nobody can hurt me,” or even “All those lovers are setting themselves up for heartache, but not me.”
I feel so sorry for them when I hear things like that. Everybody wants to love and be loved. It’s in our DNA, and anybody who says differently is lying to themselves. It’s so sad.
A few days ago I heard a song I hadn’t heard in years. It is a classic song, sung by Bette Middler that is hauntingly beautiful, and when you listen to it, you cannot hide. The simple yet powerful truth in the words are so profound it traps you in its honesty and vulnerability, and nobody, I mean nobody, sings it better than Bette Middler. If you’ve never heard it or if you don’t know who Bette Middler is, look her up on the internet and listen to this song. I’ve shared the lyrics with you here, but listening to her sing it, will tear at your heart. I introduce to some and provide a reminder for others to “The Rose”…
“Some say love, it is a river; that drowns the tender reed. Some say love, it is a razor; that leaves your soul to bleed. Some say love, it is a hunger; an endless, aching need. I say love, it is a flower; and you, it’s only seed.
It’s the heart, afraid of breaking; that never learns to dance. It’s the dream, afraid of waking; that never takes the chance. It’s the one who won’t be taken; who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying; that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely; and the road has been too long. And you think that love is only; for the lucky and the strong.
Just remember, in the winter; far beneath the bitter snow. Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love; in the spring, becomes the rose.”
Everybody wants love, and everybody is worthy of love. Don’t let the difficulty in finding it or keeping it turn your heart to stone. Stay open and ready, and honest and love will find you. Let your willingness to be vulnerable be the sun that opens “The Rose” in you.
So, if you really want your life to change for the better, it begins by “Thinking Outside the Box.”
COMMUNITY
SANTA IS COMING TO BALDWIN CITY!
If it feels like Santa has been everywhere lately, that’s because he has. Baldwin City has gotten a few visits from the man in red this holiday season — and there are still a few chances left to catch him before Christmas.
Santa first made appearances earlier this month at the Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Baldwin City Recreation Commission at the new Community Center, where families enjoyed a warm, festive morning filled with smiles, photos, and holiday joy. He was also spotted throughout Festival of Lights on December 6, popping up at
the Festival of Lights Market, greeting visitors and posing for photos before taking his place in the Festival of Lights Parade. After the parade, Santa didn’t head back to the North Pole just yet — he spent time greeting families near Baldwin City’s Christmas tree, soaking in the glow of the season and a crowd full of bundled-up kids.
And good news — Santa’s calendar isn’t full just yet.
Families will have three more opportunities to visit Santa in Baldwin City before Christmas:
Tuesday, December 16 | 4–7 p.m.
Heritage Tractor, 915 Industrial Park Road
Heritage Tractor will host a free, family-friendly holiday event featuring Santa, hot chocolate, candy canes, and festive cheer. Guests can also enjoy 10% off toys and apparel, making it an easy stop for both holiday fun and shopping.
Friday, December 19 | 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Amplify Life Center, 603 Ames Street
Santa will stop by Amplify Life Center for an afternoon visit focused on family photos, Christmas wish lists, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This is a community event open to everyone — no appointment or patient status required.
Saturday, December 21 | 9 a.m.
The Wooden Spoke, 309 Ames Street
Santa’s final Baldwin City visit of the season will take place at The Wooden Spoke, offering a cozy, morning meet-and-greet perfect for families looking to celebrate locally.
From the Community Center to Sullivan Square, down the parade route, and beside the city Christmas tree, Santa has made Baldwin City one of his favorite stops this year. With just a few days left until Christmas, these upcoming visits offer one more chance to say hello, snap a photo, and keep the holiday magic going.
(Left) Parents, teachers, and staff from USD 348 gathered with Santa during the Festival of Lights Market, taking a festive break to celebrate the season together in downtown Baldwin City; (Right) Santa shared smiles and holiday cheer with families during a 2024 Santa Experience at The Wooden Spoke, one of Baldwin City’s favorite seasonal stops.