ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL BRINGS CROWDS & SPIRIT
Photographs by Dr. Frank Perez
Baldwin City’s signature fall celebration once again lived up to its reputation as one of the region’s most beloved small-town festivals. The 2025 Maple Leaf Festival drew thousands of visitors downtown over the weekend, filling the streets with the familiar sights, sounds, and smells that make this annual tradition so special.
Despite a brief threat of rain and a few gusts of wind that toppled some
vendor tents, the event went on without a hitch. Crowds enjoyed two full days of live entertainment, local food, artisan vendors, and family activities. The parade, quilt show, and car show were all met with enthusiastic turnout, proving that not even unpredictable fall weather can dampen the Baldwin spirit.
Festival organizers say they couldn’t be more pleased with how smoothly the weekend went. Thanks to months
of planning by the Maple Leaf Festival Committee and the many volunteers behind the scenes, the event once again showcased the best of Baldwin City— its warm hospitality, creativity, and community pride.
Local businesses also reported a strong weekend of sales, with shops, restaurants, and vendors all benefiting from the influx of visitors. Beyond the economic boost, the festival continues to
strengthen community bonds and celebrate Baldwin City’s charm and history.
As another Maple Leaf Festival weekend comes to a close, organizers extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part—from setup crews and first responders to vendors, sponsors, and guests. With this year’s success in the books, excitement is already building for next year’s celebration under the falling leaves.
SWEATS FOR VETS 2025: HONORING
THOSE WHO SERVED
AS VETERANS DAY APPROACHES, THE BALDWIN CITY COMMUNITY IS ONCE AGAIN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN SWEATS FOR VETS 2025, A MEANINGFUL EFFORT TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY.
THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGES DONATIONS OF NEW WARM CLOTHING FOR VETERANS IN NEED, INCLUDING JACKETS, HOODIES, HATS, GLOVES, AND UNDERWEAR. ALL CLOTHING MUST BE NEW, AND BOTH MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SIZES ARE WELCOME. MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED AND WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL ITEMS FROM LOCAL VENDORS.
COLLECTED ITEMS WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE COLMERY-O’NEILL VETERANS HOSPITAL IN TOPEKA ON NOVEMBER 10, IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY.
DONATIONS MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT:
BALDWIN CITY LIBRARY
VINLAND VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH 1724 N 692 ROAD
MARGARET BARNES’ RESIDENCE, 727 E 1650 RD
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO PREFER TO ARRANGE A PICKUP OR WOULD LIKE A DONATION RECEIPT CAN CONTACT MARGARET BARNES AT 913-5224094.
THIS ANNUAL INITIATIVE IS A SIMPLE YET POWERFUL WAY TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PROUDLY SERVED — A REMINDER THAT THEIR SACRIFICES ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
LEST WE FORGET.
COMMUNITY
KANSAS READS TO PRESCHOOLERS COMES TO BALDWIN CITY LIBRARY
The Baldwin City Library and Baldwin Parents as Teachers are joining forces to celebrate literacy, creativity, and community through Kansas Reads to Preschoolers 2025 — a statewide initiative encouraging families to read together.
This year’s featured book, “Little Nita’s Big Idea” by Anna W. Bardaus, tells the story of a young girl whose imagination and determination spark something wonderful in her neighborhood. The story’s themes of teamwork and problem-solving align perfectly with the spirit of Baldwin City’s own early learning community.
Families are invited to attend this special storytime on Wednesday, November 5, with sessions offered at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Baldwin City Library. The free event will feature stories, songs, crafts, and fresh fruit — all designed to help children connect with books in a fun, interactive way.
This year’s celebration also comes at a special time for Baldwin Parents as Teachers, which recently earned Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, the highest recognition a Parents
as Teachers program can achieve. This national honor is awarded to programs that meet rigorous standards for quality and impact, ensuring that families receive exceptional early childhood education and support.
The Baldwin City Parents as Teachers program works closely with local families from pregnancy through kindergarten, offering home visits, developmental screenings, group connections, and resources to help children grow, learn, and thrive. Achieving Blue Ribbon status affirms that Baldwin’s program is among the best in the nation — and this partnership with the library reflects that same dedication to early learning. Together, the Baldwin City Library and Parents as Teachers continue to make reading a joyful community experience — proving that big ideas can start with little readers. For more information, contact Gina Dearing with Baldwin Parents as Teachers at 913-544-4321 or Angie Hightree at the Baldwin City Library at 785-594-3411.
HOMETOWN HALLOWEEN STREET CLOSURE UPDATE
The Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce has announced updated street closures for Hometown Halloween on Thursday, October 31.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for all participants, High Street will now be closed at 6th Street instead of 7th Street.
From 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the following streets will be closed to all parking and through traffic:
8th Street between Grove and the alley between High and Indiana Streets
High Street between 8th and 6th Streets
7th Street between High and the alley between High and Indiana Streets
Those wishing to participate in Trunk-or-Treat can reserve a spot by registering their trunk here: https:// tinyurl.com/5n6ztjvy.
Event details and updates can also be found at baldwincitychamber. com.
For questions, please contact the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce.
COMMUNITY
ELECTION DAY CHICKEN NOODLE DINNER RETURNS
NOVEMBER 4, 2025
HOSTED BY IVES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! THE ANNUAL ELECTION DAY CHICKEN NOODLE DINNER AT IVES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, SERVING UP BALDWIN CITY’S FAVORITE COMFORT MEAL BEGINNING AT 5:00 P.M.
WHETHER YOU PLAN TO DINE IN OR CARRY OUT, THIS LONG-STANDING COMMUNITY TRADITION OFFERS A DELICIOUS WAY TO END ELECTION DAY WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. THE MEAL INCLUDES CLASSIC HOMEMADE CHICKEN AND NOODLES, SIDES, AND DESSERT — ALL PREPARED BY VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT A LOCAL FAVORITE FOR GENERATIONS.
MEAL DONATIONS:
AGES 11–ADULT: $10.00 AGES 10 AND UNDER: $6.00
PROCEEDS FROM THE DINNER HELP SUPPORT THE MINISTRIES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS OF IVES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, LOCATED AT 1018 MIAMI STREET IN BALDWIN CITY, KANSAS.
SO AFTER CASTING YOUR VOTE, SWING BY IVES CHAPEL FOR A WARM MEAL, FRIENDLY FACES, AND ANOTHER TASTE OF BALDWIN CITY TRADITION!
BALDWIN CITY VOTERS TURN OUT FOR LOCAL ELECTION FOCUSED
ON GROWTH AND COMMUNITY
Baldwin City residents are preparing to cast their votes in the 2025 General Election on Tuesday, November 4, marking an important moment for local leadership and community direction. The ballot includes the races for Mayor and City Council, positions that will play a key role in shaping Baldwin City’s growth, infrastructure priorities, and future development.
Earlier this fall, the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce hosted a Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum at the Baldwin Junior High Performing Arts Center. The event provided voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates — Gerald “Gerry” Cullumber and Casey Simoneau for Mayor, and Robert “Bob” Flegal, Jay King, Dan Riney, Susan Pitts, and Peter Wentz for City Council.
Each candidate shared their perspectives on key community topics including infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, transparency in city government, and maintaining Baldwin City’s small-town character while encouraging smart growth. The forum emphasized thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and communication — values that resonate deeply with Baldwin residents.
Voting Information
The 2025 General Election includes several important deadlines and opportunities for advance voting in Douglas County: October 28 – Last day to apply for an advance voting mail ballot.
November 3 – In-person advance voting ends at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
November 4 – Election Day: Polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
(All advance ballots by mail must be postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday, November 7.)
Residents can confirm their registration status, find polling place information, or view advance voting locations and times by visiting the Douglas County Election Office website.
Community Tradition Continues
After voting, residents are invited to gather for the beloved Election Day Chicken Noodle Dinner hosted by Ives Chapel United Methodist Church, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at 1018 Miami Street. The event offers dine-in or carry-out meals, with proceeds supporting community programs and outreach efforts.
TRIVIA OFF THE BRICKS THIS NOVEMBER 22
THINK FAST. LAUGH HARD. EAT PIZZA.
THE BALDWIN CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HOSTING A NIGHT OF FUN, FOOD, AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION WITH THE RETURN OF TRIVIA OFF THE BRICKS, HAPPENING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 FROM 6–9 P.M. AT THE BALDWIN CITY COMMUNITY CENTER.
THIS LIVELY EVENING INVITES TEAMS OF FRIENDS, COWORKERS, OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND CLAIM BALDWIN BRAGGING RIGHTS IN A TRIVIA SHOWDOWN. GUESTS WILL ENJOY APPETIZERS, GAMBINO’S PIZZA, DESSERT, AND DRINKS WHILE COMPETING THROUGH MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF QUESTIONS THAT PROMISE BOTH LAUGHTER AND CHALLENGE.
TEAM REGISTRATION INCLUDES DINNER AND DRINKS, WITH TWO OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
TABLE OF 8: $280 ($35 PER PERSON) GROUP OF 4: $160 ($40 PER PERSON)
THE EVENT IS DESIGNED AS A GREAT NIGHT OUT AND A FUN WAY TO SUPPORT THE CHAMBER WHILE CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY. SPOTS ARE LIMITED, AND TEAMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE THEIR TABLE.
GRAB YOUR CREW, SHARPEN YOUR WITS, AND GET READY FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT OF TRIVIA, PIZZA, AND BALDWIN CITY PRIDE!
The Native Lands Restoration Collaborative and Douglas County will host two events to collect native prairie seeds at the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve, 184 E. 2000 Road, east of Baldwin City off of Highway 56 near Black Jack Park.
The events will be:
• Tuesday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to harvest native prairie seeds to support local ecological restoration projects and free seed libraries. No experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. Host agencies will provide gloves, tools and education. Participants should wear long pants and sturdy, close-toe shoes. To participate, RSVP by emailing NativeLandsKS@gmail.com so organizers can contact you if the event is rescheduled or canceled due to inclement weather.
BIG HEART SHAPING LITTLE MINDS
Story by Kenzlie Honeycutt, BHS Journalism
The BJHS has welcomed Bailie Hughes as their new seventh grade social studies teacher, even though this is not her first year in the Baldwin district. Hughes formally taught at the Baldwin Intermediate center as a third and fifth grade teacher.
“I have loved my first year at the junior high, it has been really cool to see my former students so grown up and how they have matured, and it has been so much fun to get to see them all throughout the day,” Hughes said.
7th grader Grayson Spurgeon is in Hughes 5th hour class.
“I like learning about the Kansas history and I like my teacher a lot, she’s very nice,” Spurgeon said.
While Hughes has always been in Baldwin for her teaching career, she started as a sub. Hughes subbed in our district for 2 years. And then was also a para for a year in Baldwin. She has stayed in baldwin for her whole teaching career.
“I love teaching in Baldwin,” Hughes said. “I love that it is such a small community and that everybody knows everybody it’s also nice because then I can keep in touch with all of my students,”
Hughes is in her seventh year teaching with hopefully many more to come.
SINGING WITH THE BULLDOGS
Story by Ella Humphries, BHS Journalism
This year, BHS welcomed a new choir director, Shelby Hanna, whose love for music began at a young age and continues to inspire her teaching today.
“I started piano lessons when I was nine years old,” Hanna said. “It was something that came very naturally to me, and I think I decided right then and there that music was an important component of my life.”
Her passion grew through middle and high school, where supportive choir directors nurtured her talents and love for music.
“Ultimately, seeing the compassion that musicians shared was something that I really wanted to be around for the rest of my life,” Hanna said.
Hanna is asked how her first year at BHS has treated her.
“So far, things have been great,” Hanna said. “The students have been so welcoming and many have taken steps to make me feel like family right from my first day. I’m incredibly thankful for that because first years in new buildings are not easy.”
She also praised the administration’s support, noting that it has made BHS “a great place to be.”
When it comes to her teaching style, Hanna believes in building genuine relationships with her students.
“I love to joke and be sarcastic with my kids so they see that I am a real
person,” Hannah said. “In addition to that, I don’t hide my emotions. I try to be upfront to build that trust and remind them that I am a soul that deserves empathy as well,”
One piece Hanna is especially excited about this year is Hope Lingers On, arranged by Andrea Ramsey.
“This is a treble piece with percussion, and the energy the girls bring to the table is awe-inspiring,” Hanna said. “Not to mention, the message of the piece is also super important.”
Looking ahead, she shares her
goals for the school year:
“Personally, I just want to get my feet underneath me and learn the ropes of the new job to be more comfortable in the future,” Hanna said. “For my students, my goals are to help build up good humans, I have always prided myself on being a teacher first, and a choir director second. First, we must know how to be good people. Second, we can make good music together.”
EVENTS EVENTS
27
MAKE A PLAN TO SURVIVE THE FOOD ‘MARATHON,’ SAYS K-STATE EXPERT
Story by K-State Extension news service MANHATTAN, Kan. – Americans are about to enter the food and party marathon.
Kansas State University family and consumer sciences specialist Sharolyn Jackson said Halloween kicks off a more than three-month span – ending with the Superbowl – in which the temptation to over-indulge is high.
“We are constantly making decisions about food, and we don’t often have control over what is being offered,” Jackson said. “Sometimes coworkers bring items to the workplace that tempts us to eat more than we planned on. We have events and dinners and parties and we don’t always know what type of food will be served, so it can be hard to plan ahead.”
Jackson notes that, on average, Americans gain 1-2 pounds during the holidays, though some may gain five times that much.
“That in itself is concerning, but most of the time they’re not losing that weight after the holidays,” she said. “It just accumulates year after year, and over time, that has a real negative effect.”
Jackson said there are three keys to staying healthy through the marathon:
Plan to stay active. Find time for physical activity, even if you aren’t able to do as much as previously.
Plan for what you’re going to eat. Make healthy choices, but enjoy your favorite holiday foods, as well.
Plan to stick to your regular sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.
All three, she said, are equally important.
“Physical activity is something that you need to put in your schedule so that it’s more apt to happen,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be the same type of physical activity routine that you have the rest of the year. Maybe it’s for a shorter amount of time, but make sure you are not getting out of the habit.”
One idea is to incorporate walking with shopping: “Do five laps inside the mall or down the block before doing your shopping; maybe do some window shopping while you walk around. Or,
check out what stores are there.”
In addition to cardiovascular strength, Jackson said walking or other similar activity helps to reduce stress often associated with the harried pace of the holidays.
As for holiday parties and dinners, Jackson said “we all struggle with those.”
“Make a plan before you go. Maybe you will start with fresh vegetables or things that are lower in calories. Go for the non-calorie beverages first, such as water, iced tea or even diet soda.”
Jackson also suggested taking a smaller plate, especially in buffet lines, that encourages taking less food. Take a look at what’s on the buffet before you starting filling your plate so you can plan your plate accordingly.
“And eat slowly,” Jackson said. “Often times we’re so geared up and wanting to eat fast. Try to savor each bite. Before you go back for seconds, wait 10 minutes so that your stomach has a chance to signal to your brain that you are full, if indeed you are.”
There’s no need to completely skip desserts, she adds, but be realistic. “Think about smaller portions. Share a piece of pie with someone else. Learn to accept smaller portions.”
Jackson said healthy eating can also be guided by what has been called the ‘enjoyment curve.’
“It’s not research-based, but it makes really good sense to me,” she said. “There’s a point where we just keep eating and eating because it just tastes so good and we’re enjoying it. Then there’s a point where we’ve just gone too far. We’ve pushed that enjoyment curve to where it’s not enjoyable any more, and in fact you might be miserable.
She adds: “During the holiday season, in particular, food is more than fuel for our bodies. Food represents many things, like tradition, culture, family, connection and love. We associate favorite holiday foods with special people, so allow yourself to feel that connection and enjoy it. Focus on the meaning of the traditions and feelings about the people you associate with specific foods, more than the food itself.”
COMMUNITY
KANSAS OFFICIALS WARN OF NOVEMBER DISRUPTION IN FOOD BENEFITS AMID BUDGET IMPASSE
by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — The state Department for Children and Families renewed a warning the federal government shutdown could delay or halt food assistance to 188,000 people in Kansas during November.
Budget gridlock in Congress could jeopardize distribution of $34.4 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aid to Kansans. SNAP benefits flow to 93,000 households in the state each month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture advised in a letter, DCF said Tuesday, that states were not to begin processing November benefits under SNAP unless a budget deal was completed. The correspondence sent to all states by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services said lack of an agreement by Oct. 28 would leave SNAP without resources to provide food benefits next month to 42 million people across the United States.
Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefit processing would begin Oct. 28 so money could be posted to Kansas benefits cards from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10.
DCF Secretary Laura Howard said her department could make benefits available to Kansans within 72 hours of a resolution in the budget standoff.
Local resources:
• Food pantries in Lawrence
• Free meals in Lawrence
“As soon as an agreement is reached, or the federal government finds an alternative funding source, and DCF receives approval from FNS, we are prepared to act quickly with contracting partners to get benefits out to Kansans,” Howard said.
The U.S. House passed a resolution that would keep the federal government open through Nov. 21, but the U.S. Senate has yet to approve a comparable measure.
DCF said potential disruption in SNAP would coincide with outset of the holiday season, a traditionally busy period for food banks working with needy families. Lack of SNAP aid in November would occur as children had fewer days in school with access to meal programs.
The federal budget conflict began Oct. 1, but DCF said SNAP benefits in October were distributed on schedule in Kansas. The state agency said recipients of SNAP should use October benefits as normal.
DCF said those enrolled in the food program should continue compliance with reporting requirements and recertifications.
Locations of food banks or pantries in Kansas can be obtained through kansasfoodsource.org or Harvesters. org. United Way’s 211 hotline or website, 211.org, can connect Kansans to community resources.
Story
27
STAYING A STEP AHEAD: RECOGNIZING AND PREVENTING MODERN SCAMS
Story by Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Scams are becoming more advanced and widespread, targeting Kansans through phone calls, emails, text messages, and even artificial intelligence (AI).
During a recent Living Well Wednesday webinar hosted by Kansas State University, Ed Burr, investigator with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, shared tips on how to identify fraudulent activity, protect personal information and respond safely if targeted.
Burr emphasized that scams can happen to anyone, regardless of age or experience.
“These scammers are highly trained and very good at what they do,” he said. “Their goal is to make you act quickly and emotionally before you have time to think.”
Listen to a portion of the Living Well Wednesday presentation by Ed Burr, as heard on the weekly K-State podcast, Sound Living
Common Scams and How to Stay Safe
One of the newest and most alarming tactics involves AI-generated voice cloning. Burr shared the story of a woman who answered a call she believed was from her grandson — only to discover the voice was a scammer using AI technology.
His advice: families should establish a code word to verify a loved one’s identity in unexpected calls.
He also warned against falling for computer lock or tech support scams. Victims may receive a message claiming their computer has been hacked or locked and that they must call a provided number or speak with a supposed FBI agent.
“The best thing you can do is hang up, shut down your computer and unplug it,” Burr said. “Never click links, download attachments, or sign into bank accounts when prompted.”
If you believe you’ve been
targeted, contact law enforcement and your bank immediately. Burr noted that once money is transferred to scammers, recovery is extremely difficult.
Online and Social Media Risks
Burr said scammers are increasingly using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and dating sites to lure victims into conversations that eventually move to other, less secure platforms.
He also urged people to be cautious when buying from online marketplaces and to verify who they’re communicating with.
Burr highlighted the prevalence of romance scams, in which fraudsters build emotional connections over time to gain trust and eventually request money. These scams, he said, are often orchestrated by organized groups in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia and India.
“These operations are highly organized, and they thrive on emotional manipulation,” Burr said.
Protecting Yourself
Burr encouraged Kansans to:
Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or “wrong number” texts that quickly become personal.
Verify credentials before investing money or sharing information; check with the Kansas Securities Commission or the FBI’s consumer resources.
Avoid making decisions under pressure or through emotional appeals.
Stay educated about emerging scams and talk openly with friends and family to reduce stigma or embarrassment.
“Scammers prey on trust and emotion,” Burr said. “Education and awareness are the best tools we have to stop them.”
For more information or to report a scam, visit the Kansas Attorney General’s Office website or contact local law enforcement.
COMMUNITY
KANSAS HEALTH, AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS WARN ABOUT PRESENCE OF INVASIVE ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK
Story by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA —
Kansas officials issued a public notice after testing confirmed the invasive Asian longhorned tick was identified in Franklin County and posed an emerging threat to animal and human health.
It was the first known detection in Kansas of the prolific tick, which afflicts wildlife, pets and livestock. The tick is a hazard for cattle as it infects red and white blood cells and causes weakness, fever, loss of appetite or death.
The reddish-brown tick is known to carry a variety of pathogens and has proven efficient at establishing populations in new areas due to its ability to reproduce without mating. In Asia, the tick has transmitted a virus causing human hemorrhagic fever.
“Right now, our concern is mainly for cattle,” said Gregg Hanzlicek, a Kansas State University professor and associate director of the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. “But like any tick, people should take precautions: wear long sleeves, use insect repellent and check for ticks after being in grassy or wooded areas.”
He said the report didn’t mean Kansas had a widespread population of the tick, but the public should be aware of the insect and diseases they carry.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said laboratory analysis identified the tick after it was found on a dog in Franklin County.
“We’re still learning about this tick and the ecologic role that it currently
plays and may play in the future in terms of disease transmission to humans,” said Erin Petro, KDHE’s public health veterinarian. “While the human health implications are uncertain, this tick has serious implications for animal health.”
The Asian longhorned tick was initially found in 2017 in New Jersey, then spread westward to more than 20 states. Kansas was the most recent documented location. Kansas animal health commissioner Justin Smith, of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, said the agency had monitored migration of the tick since it was confirmed in neighboring states.
“Now that it has been identified in Kansas, we have been in contact with accredited veterinarians across the state to remind them to be alert for this tick and to ensure they understand the risks,” Smith said.
In 2024, KDHE piloted a program to create a tick surveillance network. Participating veterinary clinics submit tick samples from animals in their care to KDHE. One of these partners submitted the sample identified as the Asian longhorned tick by KDHE and confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
COMMUNITY VOICES WHERE REAL LIVES
Some places feel real. You know it the moment you walk in, before you notice the furniture, before your eyes adjust to the light. There’s something honest in the air. It might be the faint scent of bread baking or the sound of floorboards creaking in all the right places. Maybe it’s the way objects don’t match perfectly yet somehow belong together.
Homes, like people, carry truth in their presence. Homekeepers can sense when a space is lived in and loved, shaped by real hands and unhurried days. It doesn’t have to be fancy or flawless; perfection often hides the very soul of a place. A real home reflects its inhabitants, their habits, their humor, and their history.
Authenticity in a home isn’t about design; it’s about integrity. It’s the patina on a wooden table, the handwritten note on the fridge, the warmth that lingers after company leaves. These quiet markers make a place feel true because it’s not performing. It’s simply being.
University of Florida psychology researcher Ashley Krause calls this “place authenticity”, the unique essence that feels genuine, alive, and connected to its history, culture, or community. That feeling of genuineness often mirrors something in us. When a place feels true to itself, we, too, feel more at ease in our own skin. Krause notes that the connection between place and person runs deep.
Take Baldwin City, for example. It’s the difference between a town polished up for tourists and one that shows its history through worn bricks, a quilt draping a fountain, hand-painted signs, sounds of greeting each other, and the fire department’s public water sprays when the days are hot. It’s a feeling that comes from the honesty of a place, its sights, smells, and rhythms aligning with its identity.
That genuineness often mirrors something in us. When a place feels true to itself, we feel more at ease in our own skin. Krause notes that the connection between place and person runs deep: “A place can become a source of continuity, stability,
and identity,” she says, refuge from the sameness that fills so much of modern life. It’s what it means to curate a home where people, family, friends, or guests feel nurtured without words.
You’ve likely felt it before: stepping into a place and sensing, almost immediately, that you belong there. Sometimes it’s a faint feeling, like a thread tugging at the heart. It might come through a smell, a sound, or the way light slants through a window. These details, often unnoticed, root a place in your senses. Architecture, local craftsmanship, familiar voices, even a wall plaster’s crack all blend into a quiet chorus that says, you’re home.
It starts with things that carry a story, an heirloom quilt, a weathered table, a chipped mug that belonged to someone you loved. Each piece, however ordinary, becomes a marker of continuity, whispering where you’ve been and who you are. It can’t be faked by copying someone else’s aesthetic or filling a room with things made to look old. It must be lived in. I once was told that if a décor piece speaks to you but doesn’t match your decorating scheme, get it! Your personality will pull it off.
Resist the pull of sameness. It’s tempting to decorate our homes by imitating what we see online or in magazines, but authenticity asks for patience. Like slow decorating, it unfolds over time. The pieces you choose, the colors you love, the arrangement of books and blankets, these quiet decisions form a home that reflects your spirit, not a borrowed one.
The most authentic homes hold laughter and conversation, welcoming both friends and solitude, and a faint smell of something simmering on the stove. Ordinary things become the soul of a home, anchors of belonging where relationships flourish.
Authenticity, like belonging, can’t be rushed. It forms slowly, through care and presence, through the willingness to let your home reflect who you are becoming. Over time, the walls begin to tell your story—the one that can’t be mass-produced or copied, because it’s written in how you live.
With you in the keeping, Cathenry.ch@ gmail.com
P.S. Cultivate your home to feel genuine, grounded.
LISTENING FROM THE INSIDE
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
By Jeanine Ross
Listening is one of those things that is impossible to describe. We do it every day, all day, but if we had to describe what the actual act of listening is, it’s impossible! We’ve been told that listening is something we do with our ears. How often have you heard “listen more than you talk, that’s why you have two ears and one mouth?” But have you ever wondered how people without the ability to hear, listen?
Well, let’s define listening. The dictionary says listening is to give one’s attention to sound. Does that mean people without the ability to hear sound can’t listen? Of course not. It means they learn to listen in a different way. Have you ever thought about what that means?
Listening is such a complex thing to describe, but when you truly listen, it gives you feelings. It resonates in your heart and in your emotions and even in your intellect. Listening has the ability to evoke feelings of love, compassion, understanding, and even awe.
Listening encompasses so much more than hearing with your ears. Listening means opening your mind, your heart, and engaging your intellect to truly comprehend what is being expressed. That requires you to listen from the inside. Yes, you use your ears, but they are only needed to bring what you’re listening to inside you. It is inside that the real listening begins, and on the inside where real comprehension takes place.
For the most part, we have forgotten how to listen. We use our ears to hear, but we don’t allow what we hear to settle inside, where we truly comprehend. I believe that is the issue in today’s world. Everybody wants to be heard, but nobody wants to truly listen, and
if we don’t listen, nothing is ever resolved! We just keep shouting over each other, demanding, accusing, and threatening! Is it any wonder that there are so many unresolved issues? Somehow, truly listening has become the enemy, and is seen as a weakness or passivity to be scorned. There has been a shift in our collective awareness. It has shifted from wanting to understand and resolve to ‘my way or the highway!” We’ve collectively developed a “hitthe-road-jack” mentality that takes no prisoners! And look where it’s gotten us. We are at each other’s throats about everything! Everybody from the president down is yelling insults and lies and saying horrible things designed to hurt whoever those toxic words are hurled at. And why? Because we have stopped listening. We have stopped engaging our hearts and minds and compassion and replaced them with hatred of anything that is not like us! But we all have the ability to fix it!
Let this be your call to sanity! Begin in your own home, with your family and friends. Give the gift of listening with your heart and mind, and allow the words you hear to move you from “waiting to speak” to understanding what is meant by what you hear. We can change the direction of our nation, collectively, but we have to put the energy into it. Nobody else can do it for us, not the politicians, not your president, not your congressman, but you! You have to be the hero in this scenario. You have to show your children that you are not a sheep, following the herd to slaughter. They need to see what it looks like to do the right thing, no matter what everybody else does.
My challenge to you is to listen from the inside and let that energy bring peace to you, your home, and our world.
So, if you really want your life to change for the better, it begins by “Thinking Outside the Box.”
DEAR HOMEKEEPER
By Cat Henry
