The Maple Issue #1

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www.baldwinmaple.com

AL TIV FES F LEA MAPLE and how the community helped make it possible

BY THE NUMBERS

The Lumberyard Arts Center The City of Baldwin City Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce The Baldwin City Library

Dreaming About

Ice Cream

and The VinlFair

Valley

ISSUE #01

DECEMBER through JUNE

2022

SUPER. SMART. SAVVY. SOLD. Robyn Elder

Clayton Slavens

Denise Bridwell

Whatever you’re looking for in your next home, we can help you find it. Our four local agents are Baldwin City experts, and they’re ready to help you buy or sell your next home. Contact us today! stephensre.com 785-594-2320

Debbie Morgan

Stephesn_half-page.indd 1

10/11/21 10:23 AM

       

Dr. Chris Leiszler

  

4 letter from the publisher

letter from the editor I was raised in the hills and valleys west of Baldwin City. Their tangled timbers, rocky creeks, dusty roads, moody skies and people taught me much about God and living and remain a grounding backdrop to life.

Over the last fourteen years I became more acquainted with the people of Baldwin City and discovered that home is nowhere else. You have shared your lives and kindnesses generously, including opportunities that other map dots refused. First Sara Castaῆeda at Jitters, then Niki Manbeck with the Baldwin City Community News, and now Jenni Leiste and The Maple. I am honored, grateful and overjoyed to be given the privilege of helping tell your stories!

This is truly a community effort as not only are the writers, photographers and staff Baldwin City residents, but also those behind the scenes who brought names to faces and funneled bits of information our way. Thank you to Ken and Jill Robbs, Debbie Grosdidier, Rick Weaver, Sunny Allen, Marie Taylor, Sharon Vesecky, and Lynn Hughes for your contributions of time and knowledge!

To some degree this inaugural issue took charge and shaped itself. A theme of strengthening community, honoring heritage, and passing on wisdom to rising generations weaves throughout its pages. My hope for The Maple is that it will help cultivate meaningful connection for the people of Baldwin City through the power of story.

With great delight, I present to you The Maple, Issue #01

Monica Brovont Editor monica@baldwinmaple.com

wwww.baldwinmaple.com

Welcome to the first issue of The Maple! It has been a crazy road to get this copy in your hands, but we are so excited that it is finally here! As a resident of Baldwin City for over thirteen years, I feel honored to be given the opportunity to provide a platform to tell different stories throughout our community.

The Maple started out as a conversation in the peak of the pandemic and quickly became a reality. The shift from my full-time job to transforming my ‘side hustle’ into a full-time business gave me the opportunity to be a first-time publisher. I have been designing and art directing magazines for fourteen years and am very excited to share my experience and new ideas with the town that I call home.

My coffee obsession introduced me to Monica, a former barista and familiar face around town.

Monica is an incredibly creative wordsmith who was gracious enough to accept an editor position for a magazine that did not yet exist.

Thank you, Monica!

We take pride in the fact that our publication is a gallery of many different works from a wide range of creative local individuals. We are grateful for our amazing contributors who helped make this premier issue possible.

If you have any ideas that you think would make for a great story, please reach out! We would love to hear your suggestions!

I hope you enjoy this first issue!

Thanks a million!

Jenni Leiste

Publisher/Graphic Designer Owner of Design-o-Saur & The Maple jenni@baldwinmaple.com

5 the maple contributors

New!

Monica Brovont

Dana Mullis

Editor/Writer Executive Assistant at the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce ks.girl91@hotmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 3 decades See her writing on pages 18, 26, 30

I

Account Representative Great Plains Promotions Owner & Volunteer Boutique Manager at Lucy’s Corner @ the LAC. I’ve called BC home for: 6+ years greatplainspromo@gmail.com dana@baldwinmaple.com

ade on m e with the vati ossibl nno p

EDUCATION FOUNDATION A

B A L D W I N

www.baldwinmaple.com

C I T Y

P U B L I C A T I O N

21 THE 20

LEAF FESTIVAL MAPLE and how the community helped make it possible

t k ou ls Checsquirre the on page

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BY THE NUMBERS

The Lumberyard Arts Center The City of Baldwin City Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce

2021

EVENT

The Baldwin City Library

ACK FLASHB

The

Dreaming About

Art of

Ice Cream

d The Vinlan Fair

Paul

Valley

Ponchillia

ISSUE #01

DECEMBER through JUNE

2022

Theron P., Avrie P. and Charlotte K. share whoops and giggles over hot chocolate served up in mugs from three of Baldwin City’s coffee shops: Jitters, 133 Coffee and Homestead Kitchen & Bakery. Photograph by Kayla Kohn

Jackie Hostetler

Sarah Beth Houser

Kayla Kohn

Writer Educator within the Baldwin City School District jlhostetler20@gmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 9 years See her writing on page 34

Photographer Crush Model Studio sarahbeth.houser@gmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 15 years See her photos on pages 20, 34

Photographer Kayla Kohn Photography kaylakohnphotography@gmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 14 years See her photos on the cover and page 34

Dr. Frank Perez Photographer fperez@alumni.usc.edu I’ve called BC home for: 7 years See his photos on page 26

Angela Robb

Blake Scott

Writer fureverfurmom@gmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 16 years I also grew up outside of Baldwin and graduated from BHS! See her writing on page 24

Writer blakec_scott@usd368.org Educator I’ve called BC home for: 15 years See his writing on page 20

Keara Torkelson

Meagan Young

Photographer Ktork23@gmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 7 years See her photo on page 4

Photographer M. Young Creative meag.young@hotmail.com I’ve called BC home for: 20 years See her photos on page 30

Lynn Hughes Writer/Copy Editor/City Liason The City of Baldwin City, Communication Director lhughes@baldwincity.gov I’ve called BC home for: 5 years See her writing on page 8

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table of contents

ISSUE #1 FEATURE

PAGE 34

THE MANY MOVING PARTS OF THE MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL A peek beyond the crowd at those who make the festival a reality

PUBLISHER

Jenni Leiste jenni@baldwinmaple.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SPOTLIGHT

IN EVERY ISSUE

12 | ART The Lumberyard Arts Center

08

13 | LIBRARY

2021 LOOK BACK

14 | BUSINESS

18

Baldwin City Library

Baldwin City Chamber Of Commerce

Get acquainted with some of Baldwin City’s hair stylists

EDUCATION

20

DESIGN/LAYOUT

Jenni Leiste WRITERS

Monica Brovont Jackie Hostetler Lynn Hughes Angela Robb Blake Scott Sarah Beth Houser Kayla Kohn Frank Perez Keara Torkelson Meagan Young

COMMUNITY

24

COPY EDITORS

FURBABIES OF BALDWIN Compassion and dedication of one family saves two orphaned kits

Jessi Gerber Kelly Banks Lynn Hughes

26

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

CARVING A LIFE How a collision with the Far North reshaped and inspired Paul Ponchillia’s life

The City of Baldwin City Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce Baldwin City Public Library The Lumberyard Arts Center

PHOTO ESSAY

VINLAND VALLEY FAIR ICE CREAM CONTEST A local tradition since 1907

Dana Mullis dana@baldwinmaple.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CHAMPIONS FOR DYNAMIC EDUCATION Local organization a boon to schools

30

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE

heek D o u gs Cw i t h a chat ng fan. you

The Maple is a bi-annual product which is published by Design-o-Saur, LLC. Printing services provided by Allen Press in Lawrence, KS. Design-o-Saur, LLC 810 High St, Ste #6 Baldwin City, KS 66006

Photograph by Sarah Beth Houser

16 | CITY The City of Baldwin City

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

Monica Brovont monica@baldwinmaple.com

YOUR BALDWIN CITY

REAL ESTATE CONNECTION

TERI EDIGER, SALES EXECUTIVE

785-766-4248 | TERI@REECENICHOLS.COM | TERI.REECENICHOLS.COM

8 events

2021 LOOK BACK

FEATURED EVENT

SEPTEMBER 2021

FEATURED EVENT

150+1 CELEBRATION “Happy Birthday, Baldwin City! Happy birthday to you!” The sound of singing fourth graders echoes over the speakers inside Sullivan Square, drawing a round of applause from the gathered audience.

Recorded before the original celebration of the City’s Sesquicentennial met pandemic cancellation, it felt right to bring it full circle this evening.

Balloons and streamers in the city brand colors festoon the long fence. Children run and play or draw chalk pictures and birthday messages on the sidewalk, as adults chat over beer, cupcakes, and tacos. It’s an almost perfect late summer evening in Baldwin City.

The evening’s entertainment roster includes the up-and-coming sister duo Tigerlily.

Following Tigerlily is a group of singersongwriters who have worked with the best and biggest country stars over the years. As the night draws to a close, ending with “I Swear” performed by the songwriter, fireworks fill the sky. A chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs” swells from attendees and happy cheers from the few kids still awake.

It’s just another evening, honestly.

An evening of friends and close-knit community, celebrating the birthday of a dear friend. By Lynn Hughes

STORY ARC FITNESS www.storyarc.fitness

storyarcfitness@gmail.com (785) 615-8677 Serving Douglas County

A modern approach to fitness, customized to fit your lifestyle.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY ACUPUNCTURE • MASSAGE THERAPY

CHIROROCK.COM 785-594-4894 412 Ames St, Baldwin City

BE SEEN. ADVERTISE IN THE MAPLE 8.5”x11” | FULL COLOR | BI-ANNUAL distribution: 4,000 total mailed to every address with a 66006 zip code

To advertise, contact

Dana Mullis | 620.249.2866 | dana@baldwinmaple.com

10 events

2021 LOOK BACK 2021 PAST EVENTS MAY Contractors work to paint the city logo on the west water tower after repainting the entire tower.

Photograph by Rob Culley JUNE Actors fire a cannon during a re-enactment of the Battle of Black Jack. The performance was part of the Santa Fe Trail Bicentennial Celebration. Photograph by Frank Perez JULY The mural committee carries a finished mural out of the Lumberyard Arts Center, on its way to its new home on the Baker Maintenance building at 702 7th Street. Photograph by Frank Perez

MAY 2021

AUGUST Cory Venable flashes a thumbs up posing next to the grill he won in a drawing during the Recreation Commission’s two day Smoke on the Bricks event. Photograph courtesy BCRC OCTOBER Kelly Bethel-Smith and daughters, Riley and Bailey Smith perform at the Baldwin Academy of Dance & Voice Family Fall Festival. Photograph by Frank Perez

JUNE 2021 OCTOBER 2021

JULY 2021

AUGUST 2021

COLDEST BEER IN LOCAL YOUR LIQUOR TOWN STORE 785.594.0514

over 200 ur it e m s in o

Mix & match

916 Ames St, Baldwin City, KS

12

spotlight: ART

NEW PROGRAM! LUMBERYARD LIVE ON HIGH

The Lumberyard Arts Center 718 High St, Baldwin City, KS 66006 (785) 594-3186 www.lumberyardartscenter.org

DID YOU KNOW? LUCY’S CORNER

Big band music, surf music, reggae, alternative, country and folk. The arts center initiated free outdoor concerts June through November in Sullivan Square with National Endowment for the Arts funding and Kansas Department of Commerce Creative Arts Industry Commission grant support. Get ready for additional live local music this winter at the arts center with jazz nights, singer songwriter nights and the Baldwin City Players.

WE SUPPORT THE LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTER BECAUSE THE ARTS BENEFITS EVERYONE AND MAKES BALDWIN CITY A HAPPY, THRIVING COMMUNITY. –Dee & Raymond Crist, Corporate Members, Out West Storage

L

ucy’s Corner, an arts boutique, supports the local economy providing revenue to artists and the arts center. Since Lucy’s doors opened in September 2020, 35 artists have sold their work. Your purchase of cards, jewelry, paintings, scarves, bookmarks, magnets, ornaments, artisan wood products and pottery are one of a kind gifts this holiday season and throughout the year.

WE HAVE A LOT TO OFFER

NEW PROGRAM! BALDWIN CITY PLAYERS

Join community theatre! In partnership with Baker University Theatre, we launched our first production this September with “Lucy Sweet Sullivan and the Petticoat Council.” Our youth theatre camp put on “Alice in Wonderland” in Sullivan Square. Not an actor? We seek production assistance, costuming, set design and more.

There’s a place for everyone.

Lucy’s Corner Gallery Exhibits

Lumberyard Live on High

2021 BY THE NUMBERS

11

15,125

Gallery Shows

Baldwin City Community Mural

10

Number of Items Sold In Lucy’s Corner

1,040

Membership Revenue

$21,850

Baldwin City Community Mural Program

Total Number of Face Masks Created

Art Classes

1

Number of Visitors

589

Number of States Visitors Came From

17

Youth Arts PROGRAMS ART ON THE FARM: Sharron Spence

Scholarship Program Art on the Farm

Photographs courtesy of the Lumberyard Arts Center

Number of Live Local Music Events

Baldwin City Players

spotlight: LIBRARY

20

20

STA TS

Baldwin City Library 800 7th St, Baldwin City, KS (785) 594-3411 baldwin.mykansaslibrary.org

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING STAFF WILL IMPLEMENT NEW DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY IN 2022.

Photograph courtesy of the Baldwin City Library

tech questions

3,812

(From left) Programming Assistant Eva Parkin, and librarians Shara Stephenson and Lisa LaFountain

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XT

With this and many other projects, the library is building toward an exciting future of success and growth for our town. As Baldwin City continues to recover from the pandemic, the library’s services, support, and ability to connect our community will be more important than ever.

grant funding received for technology upgrades in 2021

uses of public internet computers in 2019

NE

Equal access to resources is a core value of libraries, and the Baldwin City Library will soon have an opportunity to put that value into action. The library is beginning its Digital Literacy & Technology Access Project, which builds on Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funding the library received in 2020. The CARES funding allowed the library to add hotspots and Chromebooks for community checkout. However, librarians noted a need for increased skills and comfort level with technology before some patrons are able to use the equipment. The new Digital Literacy project, funded by American Rescue Plan funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Kansas Library Association, will allow technology-enhanced collaboration spaces to be established in the library, facilitating small group learning and digital literacy programming. The funding provides training for library staff and includes something for all ages.

$25,000

downloads of e-content

8,413 982

AT ’ S

T

he Baldwin City Library is a community hub of information and interaction. On any given day, you are just as likely to see patrons looking for housing online or updating their resumes as checking out the latest bestseller.

10,964 wireless sessions

WH

EQUAL ACCESS

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2

technology enhanced collaborative study spaces

6

library staff members trained to help patrons increase digital literacy

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new patron accessible computers and laptops

spotlight: BUSINESS

Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce 719 High St, Baldwin City, KS (785) 594-3200 www.baldwincitychamber.com director@baldwincitychamber.com

WHAT IS A CHAMBER?

T

Historic Destinations, Downtown Events, City-Wide & Tourism Events, Promotional Material Distribution, Chamber Referrals, Chamber Endorsement Materials

A screen for presentations, 12 foot white board and free wi-fi.

Two Mac computers, two desks and free wi-fi.

Local Government and Legislative Updates

he Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization

of local

businesses and Member Workshops, Educational Opportunities for professionals Business Growth, Luncheon partnering Speaker Engagement, Main Street Leadership Training, together “Leadership Douglas County” to forge a prosperous and strong community.

HOW CAN THE CHAMBER HELP YOU?

Monthly Luncheons, Young Professionals, Business After Hours, Annual Awards Banquet

Our location is your information destination for local attractions, historic sites and businesses.

Show your love for our community with Baldwin City branded merchandise available for purchase inside the Chamber.

Ribbon cutting for the “Baker Family Tree” mural.

First 5 copies are free.

Subsequent Black & White copies are 2₵ each and color copies are 40₵ each.

A Website Listing, Member Marketing Opportunities, Email Newsletter Advertising, Ribbon Cuttings, Job Postings and Local Media Advertisement.

WE BELIEVE THAT SMALL TOWN LIFE CAN BE THE BEST LIFE THERE IS. VIBRANT AND INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES DRIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND BOOST QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EACH CITIZEN. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE BALDWIN CITY COMMUNITY THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH INTEGRITY, DEDICATION, AND INNOVATION.

CONTACT US OR STOP IN TO BECOME A MEMBER AND START ENJOYING ALL THE BENEFITS THE CHAMBER HAS TO OFFER.

Photograph courtesy Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce

14

rom ime f, M-F t y n an.-5p.m. i p m

Sto 9a.

niki@imperiumpublishing.com | 316-833-6111 www.imperiumpublishing.com

YOUR HOMETOWN PUBLISHER BALDWIN CITY AUTHORS

Available from Imperium Publishing. www.imperiumpublishing.com

AUTHOR NAME Name of Book Ant Trails Raven ISBN # 978-1-64318-050-2 ISBN # 978-1-64318-081-6 ISBN #: Science Fiction | U.S. $16.99

Home Front ISBN # 978-1-64318-065-6

MELINDA B HIPPLE

ISBN # 978-1-64318-086-1

LORI TROJAN

B A L D W I N C I T Y, K S

Golfing in Heels

Guide to Growing Herbs

L AW R E N C E , K S

AUTHOR NAME

A Jewel A Jewel of a Name of Book Space Cadet Christmas

Our Pandemic Year in Photos

ISBN # 978-1-64318-101-1 ISBN # 978-1-64318-074-8

ISBN # 978-1-64318-090-8

KIRSTEN FLORY

GERARD ARANTOWICZ

JEFF BURKHEAD

B A L D W I N C I T Y, K S

B A L D W I N C I T Y, K S

L AW R E N C E , K S

ISBN # 978-1-64318-055-7

ISBN #:

spotlight: THE CITY The City of Baldwin City 803 8th St, Baldwin City, KS (785) 594-6427 www.baldwincity.org

BALDWIN CITY

Solar Power The solar field is

4

1.2 GWH

Field has been online for

2 YEARS Baldwin City has had Tree City USA designation for

18 years

Baldwin City is one of

3,676 recognized cities in the US

5

Tree Board Members

Roger Boyd, Anne Walker, Erik Bailey, Cal Cink, and Chris Hammill

KANSAS MAIN STREET ACCREDITED PROGRAM SISTER CITY RIVIERSONDEREND, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

(GWH=Gigawatt Hour)

Variety of trees given away each year

15

100+ Trees are given away each year

back/kwh generated for private solar panels

(KWH=Kilowatt Hour)

Baker is a Tree Campus USA as well, for the last

11

years

– one of 7 in Kansas, 392 nationally

City Clerk

Appointed by City Council May 4th, 2021 QUILT CAPITAL OF KANSAS

NEW FACES

TREE CITY USA

Generated per year from city solar field

11.5 CENTS

Amara Packard

SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

QUILT CAPITOL OF KANSAS

acres

Residential customers get

Office – City Hall Phone – 785-594-6427 Email – apackard@baldwincity.gov Years in Baldwin – 27 Years employed by the city – 18

Russell Harding Building Official/Zoning Administrator Hired June 2021

Office – Public Utilities Building Phone – 785-594-6907 Email – rharding@baldwincity.gov Years in Baldwin – 6 Years employed by USD348, prior to city hire – 5.5

Photographs courtesy of the City of Baldwin City

16

Baldwin City’s T-shirt Pro!

620-249-2866 | greatplainspromo@gmail.com Find us on Facebook

Custom Apparel - Individual and Bulk Prints Embroidery - Promotional items & more!

Roundtable Discussion

18

SAME QUESTIONS...

Interviews conducted by Monica Brovont

Get acquainted with some of Baldwin City’s hair stylists.

DAVID LASKOWSKI

Barber and owner of Ski’s 1890s Barbershop 813 Eighth Street

JENNY THOMAS

stylist and owner of Seventh Street Hair 809 Seventh Street

JULIE MURRAYLUMLEY

Stylist, face painter and owner of Salon on 56 208 Baker Street

WHAT TOOL CAN YOU NOT DO WITHOUT?

WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER’S HAIR WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO STYLE OR CUT?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WITH HAIR?

I don’t need anything but scissors to cut hair. I don’t know how barbers cut hair back in the day with the old fashioned clippers.

They had carpal tunnel before carpal tunnel was invented.

Dumb and Dumber because they have such bad hair cuts.

I would like to make them look better.

I like to braid a lot, but now that I only cut hair, it’s the Fade. They are tougher to do. You have to be pretty good at it or it looks like a bowl on somebody’s head.

Scissors, blow dryer, curling irons, products, all of that. It’s quite a list but number one, I absolutely have to have scissors.

Rapunzel. She has so much of it and there are so many options that could be done. I think that would be fun and I love Tangled.

It’s one of my favorite movies.

Color is fun because it’s something that can change and it gives a person a whole new look. I also like to do up-dos. It’s usually for an event of some kind, like prom or a wedding, and there’s a party atmosphere.

I think the same style can be done on five different women and it looks different on each of them.

Scissors and comb. It would be really hard to cut hair without scissors.

Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians. I enjoy her hair because it’s different.

Coloring hair. I love to create the formulas and change somebody’s look by changing their hair color.

Roundtable Discussion

...DIFFERENT ANSWERS

19

AS A CHILD, WAS HAIR IMPORTANT TO YOU?

IF YOU COULD INVENT SOMETHING TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN YOU WAKE UP EACH DAY?

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM CUTTING HAIR?

I didn’t really think about it.

I thought I was going to be an airplane pilot. Of course every kid in the ‘70s wanted to be a pilot.

I can’t think of anything to make it easier, but I always imagine that someday somebody will invent a bizarre machine that would make hair stick out from the head. A barber could put the perfect angels on it and some wild thing would cut it perfectly, in the exact shape wanted.

Retirement, but I already retired once and usually barbers don’t retire.

They just fade away and die. I like cutting hair and talking to people. It’s really not a job compared to when I worked in the operating room. Owning this is my retirement: it’s easy and there’s no stress.

Listen to people, don’t be too judgmental, try not to get too involved, and don’t talk about politics. When people get their hair cut they really tell you their life story within a hair cut or two.

I was the one who would do other’s hair, even in class if I had the chance.

A seat or way to fly or float around people. A challenging aspect of my job is standing a lot and my back hurts.

Enriching people’s beauty and their lives.

It’s not really changing their life but at least it might help them feel better or feel like they look better.

Basically moderation.

And color isn’t forever.

I tell my clients, I can always cut shorter but I can’t ever put it back.

My number one thing right now is my daughter. I always love to see her get up and smile. She’s my whole world, and my husband, of course. I like coming to work and being creative.

Be humble because you don’t know what’s going on in somebody’s life.

Sometimes you are the only person they have to talk to, or you’re making them feel better when they’re really down.

People tell me a lot of things as their stylist, but sometimes the person in my chair is going through a lot more than I realize.

It was. In high school I had really long hair and brushed it all the time. I cared more about it in high school than when I was a little older.

An easier way to manage the supplies and how they arrive. It’s hard right now to get a full line of product.

I don’t like picking up supplies on my day off but if I order online, it takes two weeks to get here.

EDUCATION

Baldwin City Education Foundation

Champions for

dynamic education

Photography by Sarah Beth Houser

20

F

ounded in 2003, the Baldwin Education Foundation has a long standing history of making projects and improvements possible in the USD 348 school district.

Since then, they have awarded nearly $200,000 in grants to applicants, and funded countless projects for teachers. They gather their budget by running various annual fundraisers, community donations, and an alliance with Baldwin State Bank which provides custom Bulldog debit cards. Their mission is to improve educational opportunities by funding innovative and dynamic ideas which teachers want to bring into the classroom. It is needed now more than ever.

Teachers who apply for BEF grants are approved by the foundation’s board. Past projects include field trips to the Kansas state capitol, high-framerate cameras designed to capture proper athletic form, mock drive-in-movie presentations for parents, yearly student scholarships, a greenhouse at the Junior High, tickets to student business conventions, publishing the Avant, an arts and literature magazine, and adaptable, online teaching content programs. The Foundation also gives a yearly $2,000 discretionary donation to each school building in the district, and serves as executors for both the Brenda Shawley and Merle Venable memorial scholarships for Seniors.

By all accounts, it is a stressful time for our local educators. Teachers are forced to juggle the academic growth of every student with the newly emphasized necessity of everyone’s health and well-being. Out-ofthe-box solutions to classroom problems are quickly becoming a necessity. Teachers looking for cutting edge curriculum, educational programs, hardware, electronics, or any other products that might not be covered by school budgets have a problem. How do they fund them? The Baldwin Education Foundation offers help. Teachers have an opportunity to receive up to $750 of support from the BEF.

The BEF provides supplies, both personal and school related, to students in need. This aspect of the charity is especially laudable since Covid has complicated the finances of many working families. Thus a trifecta of donation levels is completed: donations to organizations and administrations, donations to teachers, and donations for individual students.

Executive Director Rick Weaver says “If you are trying something creative, new or different in the classroom for which you don’t have the funding, you have a good chance to be chosen by our board.” Any teacher that sets out to improve teaching or learning is eligible. Last year there were twenty-two approved applications. “Our main mission,” says Weaver, “is supporting Baldwin kids and teachers.”

Erik Bailey, a Baldwin Jr. High teacher who has used the Baldwin Education Foundation several times over the years, gives nothing but praise to the program. “I think it’s an incredible program. I have been very fortunate to be on the receiving end of a number of grants” he says.

When Bailey first became a 7th grade reading teacher, he received a grant for Kindles to help his students with their reading. It created an avenue for students who were more excited about technology than books to have a different way to interface with reading. “I love the Kindles because

Story by Blake Scott

Local organization a boon to schools

EDUCATION

Baldwin City Education Foundation

21

“The s tuden ts ge t reall y exc ited abou t Gim Kit and a sk to use it often .”

–Sunn

y A ll e n

22

EDUCATION

Baldwin City Education Foundation

they are technology, but they are also free from ancillary distractions like games.” Bailey has also used the grant program to fund a student field trip to Lecompton, which tied into a Kansas History unit, purchase class copies of books by authors in his curriculum, and for educational trips to the Harry Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. Bailey says the grants helped him get the students to places they wouldn’t normally see, and to afford educational supplements, like maps, to expand the scope of the field trips. Bailey continues, “The Foundation is thoughtful about how it spends its money, and it’s fun to see the list of grants awarded to teachers every year. The work the other teachers are doing always blows me away. It’s a great way for teachers to showcase themselves.” There are other organizations doing great things in our schools, like the local booster clubs, but the Education Foundation seems to be the one that is most focused on the classroom, giving help where the rubber meets the road.

In the classroom, where our youth spend the bulk of their time, the impact of one teacher’s vision cannot be overestimated. Field trips and supplemental learning activities are opportunities which many students would never be able to duplicate in their normal lives. A teacher who takes his or her class to a play that enriches a reading assignment not only makes that assignment come alive, but also provides a memory that could foster a love of literature or theater for some of those students. A teacher who takes a class to the Capitol building might plant the seeds of political science in a young mind. Teachers who integrate new technologies can change the perspective of students who think school is boring. USD 348 faculty have done all of these things and more, and the BEF has helped make them all possible.

o

2021 B

LEFT Students in Jesse Austin’s USD 348 Junior High PE Class practice their core exercises. His class received a TV and an iPad stand from a BEF grant. Video Delay is an app the students can use to watch themselves complete core exercises and then evaluate their technique.

Me mbe

rs

ard

PAGE 21 Lily Ann Breedlove, Kennedy Powell, Olivia Callihan and Olivia Ware use an interactive vocabulary app in Sunny Allen’s Communication Arts class. Sunny received a BEF grant which helped purchase the premium subscription for GimKit, an online program designed by two high school students which builds vocabulary skills in a gamified way.

Rick Weaver (Executive Director)

Jeff Hill (President)

Dr. Jeremy Rodrock (Treasurer)

Susan Butell (Secretary)

Carrie Barth

Jana Craig Hare

Paul Dorathy

Blake Glover

Kelley Bethell-Smith

Kimberly Harvey

EDUCATION

Baldwin City Education Foundation

23

El Gigante and Baldwin’s famous dancing dog, and a The sound of merriment could be heard downtown on hugely competitive Cornhole tournament. the overcast, first Saturday in October 2021. High Street was blocked off between 6th Organizers spent months and 7th streets to make room planning the event, gathering for The Baldwin Education volunteers and sponsors, and Foundation’s fund raising spreading the word. They chose Brat-Fest and Silent Auction. the date because it settled Kids’ games with prizes nicely between the Baldwin donated by local retailers City community staples: Da lined the street while patrons Bash and The Maple Leaf gathered at the grilling Festival. The goals for the Bratstation for hot dogs and Fest were to raise awareness bratwurst. On the overhead A successful fundraiser for Baldwin of the BEF and funds for local speakers, raffle winners Education Foundation schools in a fun way. Though were announced every the cloudy weather threatened ten minutes. Excitement permeated the air. a rain-out, the event went off with no more than a few If you missed this opportunity sprinkles. “The weather caused all kinds of stress, but we to support the organization, lucked out,” said BEF Director Rick Weaver.

Nearby, in the Lumberyard Arts Center, a silent auction personal donations can still be made by contacting Rick had been set up with bidding open on donated items such Weaver (rweaver@usd348. as sports memorabilia, gift certificates, and vouchers for More than 700 hot dogs and brats were sold, and the com), and more fundraising free tax preparation. Outside, attractions were scheduled day’s events amassed an estimated $4,000 in profits for events will be forthcoming throughout the day -- the appearance of two Kansas City the charity. It was a festive day for kids and supporters throughout the year.

Chiefs cheerleaders, a dance off between local celebrities and a good day for Baldwin schools.

Brat-Fest 2021

Photography courtesy of the Education Foundation

Bratfest Quick Facts

$3,585

$3,825 Total

collected from the silent auction

$240

in donations

53

Items in the silent auction

El Gigante a.k.a. Julio Dos Santos. Played for Rick Weaver at Baker University. He is 7 feet tall. He told Mr. Weaver, “I haven't seen you in ten years. You take me to lunch and I end up dancing on a stage!” Currently works as a successful tech man for a large business in KC.

Who is El Gigante & the Dancing Dog?

The Dancing Dog a.k.a Sommer Brecheisen. She is a special education teacher in Lawrence. She performed in several Baldwin productions and is a drama/acting graduate of Drury University. She hiked the Continental Divide trail with her boyfriend, Luke Weaver, a few years ago. According to Mr. Rick Weaver she is “smart, a great teacher and adventurous.”

COMMUNITY

THE FURBABIES OF BALDWIN

Story by Angela Robb

Photography courtesy of Brandi Potter

24

Rescuing

Acorn& Oakley Compassion and dedication of one family saves two orphaned kits

M

aking a difference takes time and compassion when it comes to rescuing wildlife. Through the encouragement of friends, Brandi and Tress Potter took in two baby, gray squirrels in March of 2021. They hoped to help them survive and eventually thrive outside, where they truly belonged. The babies, Acorn and Oakley, were found all alone on a sidewalk next to the chopped down tree containing their nest. Their mother was nowhere to be found and these two babies needed immediate intervention if they were to survive. The Potters became instant fur parents to these sweet furry babies and named them Acorn (boy) and Oakley (girl).

In the first few weeks, Acorn and Oakley had to be fed every three hours with a syringe filled with puppy formula.

To make sure they ate, Tress took them to work with him during the day and Brandi handled their overnight feedings. Their first home was a cozy, towel lined box but they preferred to spend as much time as they could curled up in the Potters’ shirt pockets!

Brandi and Tress have three kids who loved having the squirrels around and helped the first few weeks by watching over them. However, it was important to the Potters that Acorn and Oakley were not handled too much. When the time came to release the squirrels into the great outdoors, they would need to be as independent as possible to survive.

When Acorn and Oakley reached sixteen weeks of age, Tress built a small house for them in a small tree in their front yard to transition them outside.

“We spent a lot of time sitting outside with them,” said Brandi.

She often found Tress up on a ladder leaned against the tree, feeding them snacks. Once they were acclimated to being outside full time, Acorn and Oakley would frequently come down to the human house and dash back and forth on the front windowsill to say hello and get the Potters’ attention. They were hungry and ready to be fed pumpkin seeds or cashews! They have since built their own nest in a large oak tree next to the smaller tree, and are often seen scampering around on the limbs.

Tress and Brandi said that Oakley is a little diva and didn’t appreciate not getting all the attention so she would act out.

Now that they are grown and independent, she still loves to visit and enjoy some nuts and seeds while Acorn is more cautious.

“I’m sure we’ll eventually have some more one day, as my wife will always take in babies,” stated Tress. Acorn and Oakley touched the hearts of the Potters which shows that compassion always has its rewards.

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DO SQUIRRELS TALK? • Squirrels communicate by chattering which can sound like chirps, barks, screams, and purrs.

• They wag their tails to alert other squirrels if they see something dangerous or suspicious.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SQUIRRELS? • Provide you with laughs as they are natural entertainers.

• Forgotten nuts in the winter will sprout and turn into trees!

• Ground squirrels aerate the soil for plants to thrive.

• They eat insects and scraps.

WHAT IS THE SQUIRREL POPULATION IN BALDWIN CITY? After attempting to find out the squirrel population, we figure there is at least 3 squirrels per person. The population is 4,752 which makes about 14,256* squirrels residing in Baldwin City. Many of them vacation on Baker campus when school is in session. *These are satirical

numbers created by The Maple.

SHOULD I RESCUE A SQUIRREL? Good Question! Unfortunately we cannot help you with that one. But, you can reach out to these guys!

Operation Wildlife 23375 Guthrie Road Linwood, KS 66052 owl-online.org (785) 542-3625 opwildlife@aol.com

TAX PREPARATION SERVICES

State and Local Tax Tax Planning and Preparation W2 and 1099 Preparation and Processing newfrontiertbs.com 785-594-1204 | 810 High St | Baldwin City KS M-Th 9:00am-3:00pm or by Appointment

SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES

Bookkeeping Payroll Business Formation Tax Resolution

Story by Monica Brovont

Photography by Dr. Frank Perez

26

COMMUNITY

The Art of Paul Ponchillia

Carving

aLife How a collision with the Far North reshaped and inspired Paul Ponchillia’s life

P

aul Ponchillia carves a life from exploration, art, and stones.

He and his wife, Jimmy moved to the Baldwin City area three years past to be closer to family.

Paul, an Inuit style sculptor, grew up on the mid-west prairies and has spent several decades exploring the lakes, rivers and woods of Minnesota, Canada and Greenland.

With a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology, hunting, kayaking and being an outdoorsman is not just a hobby for him, but a lifestyle.

Paul’s first meaningful encounter with sculptures happened in Elkhart, Indiana. Recently blinded at the age of thirty by a duck hunting accident, he attended rehabilitation. The people in charge took the students to an art exhibit with many stone carvings. “I looked at them, meaning with my hands of course, and they were marvelous,” Paul remembers. He could tell what these sculptures were, even their details, which proved a life altering discovery. This exhibit sparked his interest in stone carving but it wasn’t until he encountered the Inuit’s style that his carving niche took flight.

How can a blind person see? Sight is located at the back of a human’s brain in an extremely sensitive spot. The area of touch is much smaller and located on this side of the brain. When a person becomes blind, the brain switches the sense of touch to the location of sight.

“Basically when I touch something, I see it just like I would have when I had sight,” Paul explains.

COMMUNITY

The Art of Paul Ponchillia

“Ba

sica

27

lly I to whe uch n som I se eth e it ing jus , I wo t like uld hav e w I ha hen d si ght .”

–Pa u lP onch

illia

28

COMMUNITY

The Art of Paul Ponchillia

In the early 1980s Paul encountered a book, The Last Kings of Thule, in which Jean Malaurie details his experience living among the Inuit people. They were transitioning between their traditional nomadic lifestyle and creating hamlets set up by the government. Intrigued by the Inuit culture, he began planning a trip to visit the far north.

Paul’s Arctic journey launched in 1988. “It’s a very rare place on earth,” Paul says, “not just because it’s wild but also because it’s easy to be alone there. It’s even different from the forests of Colorado because there are huge stretches where no one lives. It’s an untouched, magical place to me.” That part of the world is a silent wilderness, unlike any other. Twice he has gone to the top of Greenland, a two week trek with forty miles of kayak paddling. There, the calving of glaciers and creaking of enormous icebergs flipping end for end is the only disturbance of silence. That first trip triggered many others, but more importantly, the far north gave back to Paul a zest for living life.

He discovered not only an enchanting, tranquil world but also the beauty of Inuit carvings. Newly blinded, he felt lost, but in finding these carvings he instantly recognized the possibility of starting over.

Stone carving figures heavily in Inuit history and culture. For at least 3,000 years the nomadic people have carved simple figures from serpentine rock, a type of soapstone which lays atop the northern ground. These sculptures originally served practical purposes such as hunting decoys, trail markers and religious objects. In the mid 1700s, as whales became scarce along the Atlantic coast, the English Whalers began haunting the Arctic shores farther and farther north in search of their prey. The Inuit’s interaction with these foreigners revealed a market for selling and trading their carvings. This trading continues today but the market has changed. They no longer do business with roaming whalers, but rather master carvers sell their works to art enthusiasts and collectors. Coop stores scattered throughout Canada and Greenland offer many carvings as well but these are done by young people just learning to carve and not the fine art pieces. The Inuit style focuses on form and shape without considerable detail. Soapstone, marble and alabaster are the most commonly used stones. Sculptured subjects are often musk ox, caribou, bears and inuksuk.

Inuksuk is a combination of two Inuit words meaning “man” and “substitute.” Put together, they have a new meaning: “to act in the capacity of a human.” They are cairns shaped to mimic a human. The people of the North commonly use them for marking trails, as yard or roadside decoration and every trail has a large one telling the traveler he has entered the Arctic Circle.

Caribou are the primary food source for people who live on the land. They traipse across the Tundra in massive herds. One such herd crossing a road will delay motorists for hours. Caribou are the primary food source for people who live on the land. When hunting, the clever Inuit strategically place inuksuk in rows. The caribou, thinking they are humans, shy away from them and fall prey to the hunter’s ambush.

Paul’s first sculpture of significance resides in his living room. The graceful whale is carved from serpentine purchased on his first trip to the far north near Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic.

PAGE 26 Paul shows some of his carvings he is working on while explaining the carving process.

PAGE 28 Left: Two inuksuk carvings and an Inuit man.

Top Right: Carving of an Inuit man fishing with a spear.

Bottom Right: Paul shows a work in progress.

COMMUNITY

The Art of Paul Ponchillia

29

To view or purchase more of Paul’s work, visit:

arcticstonecarving.com

Types of Stone Paul uses

Many other works keep it company: a char carved from a broken wood stove top, a fish he carved in Florida, and a sculpture called “Midnight at Bear Glacier”, a representation of a night camping on Bear Glacier one Greenland summer. His sculpture career includes teaching about the art with workshops and lectures.

The sculpting process for Paul and the tools he uses is much like any other sculptor. One difference is his method of scaling a project. To carve a new subject, he first finds a model from which to scale his sculpture. He does this by measuring the model with his finger widths, rather than a ruler, than increases his own work by a percentage. “People think, ‘This guy’s really fantastic’ but if someone spent time with a blindfold on, they would be able to do it too. You can tell a lot by touch if you know how to do it,” Paul modestly explains. That may be technically correct, but he has undoubtedly been given a talent for carving. “I’ve had some great experiences and they’re not done yet,” he says.

There are basically three kinds of stone that people carve: soap stone, alabaster and marble. Soapstone is ground up to make talcum powder. Its particles are very fine. Wood stoves are also made from it. If its wood stove quality, that means its excellent and easy to carve because it doesn’t have any impurities in it. Alabaster is what dry wall is made of and its particles are bigger.

Marble particles are the biggest. Each stone can be soft or very hard and any color. I prefer alabaster; it requires less work to finish.

Serpentine is a rock common in the Arctic and can be found laying on the surface of the ground. The Natives discovered that thousands of years ago, I’m sure. Many Inuit style carvings are made from it and it sells at a higher price. I usually look for some impurities because they make the stone interesting.

Story by Monica Brovont

Photography by Meagan Young

30

PHOTO ESSY

Vinland Valley Fair Ice Cream Contest

(Clockwise from left) An eager line forms, waiting for the ice cream tasting to begin; a contestant cranks a freezer of ice cream for her rival. “With the kindness of strangers we pulled off a decent entry and I made it through a total fiasco!” says Tricia Lyons.

PHOTO ESSY

Vinland Valley Fair Ice Cream Contest

Churning

together A local tradition since 1907, the Vinland Fair is unlike most fairs with a focus on community connections, time honored traditions and good natured competition. Some chalk its attraction up to nostalgia, others its sense of constancy and home. Chicken and noodles, livestock shows, foot races, skill based competitions and tractor pulls have held their own throughout the century, but the homemade ice cream competition is arguably the star of the event.

31

Tricia Lyons from Lawrence hand cranks her Vanilla ice cream entry.

PHOTO ESSY

Vinland Valley Fair Ice Cream Contest

Clockwise from left: Cadence Haney (left) from Ottawa won third place with her Roasty Toasty ice cream. Ken Robbs from Vinland Valley with Chocolate Salted Caramel that won first place; Three young ladies prepare to serve up their ice cream entry to the judges.

“T

here’s always a line from the barn door clear down to the food stand,” Jill Robbs begins. She refers to 7 p.m. Friday, when ice cream sampling starts.

“One year there was a terrible thunderstorm,” her husband, Ken Robbs chuckles. “The grounds were deserted. Seven o’clock arrived and there was suddenly a long line.”

Throughout the couple’s ten successful years of competing, two significant changes have occurred.

One is method. Jill leans forward in her chair, “Anymore, when you walk into the barn at five o’clock, it sounds like bumblebees.” It’s all those electric motors droning incessantly onward. The Robbs prefer hand

33

cranking their freezers. Ken looks thoughtful, “For tradition. It’s more back to basics and it freezes to a harder consistency. We all tease about the salt in your sweat making it better!”

Soon after the Robbs started competing, their children asked to help crank in exchange for sample rights. Then the competition took a turn. Their grown children found confident independence and entered against Ken and Jill. Four years ago marked their first triumph! “Kristen made her own vanilla, and we thought that gave her an edge,” Ken’s words trail off into silence as he knows his offspring have won with other flavors since then. The couple doesn’t mind being licked because family connection is the primary benefit. A third generation is involved now. Joash, 4½, sits atop the bucket while the adults crank.

Unable to recall her choice for 2021, Jill telephones her niece, Cadence Haney, a first time competitor. They conclude it was Chocolate Salted Caramel. “That means I must have beat you and John out,” realizes Jill. “No need to rub it in,” grumbles Cadence’s husband Jesse from the background. Jill smiles. “You see how it goes?”

The Many Moving Parts of

The Maple Leaf Festival

A PEEK BEYOND THE CROWD AT THOSE WHO MAKE THE FESTIVAL A REALITY WORDS BY JACKIE HOSTETLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLA KOHN & SARAH BETH HOUSER

Dr. Ivan Boyd, a biology professor at Baker University, as well as Dr. Charles Doudna, Bill Horn, Leo Smith, and C.R. Whitley are credited with starting the festival as a celebration of a successful harvest. The festival, which began as a small community event inspired by the changing foliage, has grown by leaps and bounds over the years.

Held ever year during the third full weekend of October, the festival features craft exhibits, food, performing arts, a parade, and a number of other family-friendly activities.

In October of 2021, an estimated 30,00035,000 visitors graced the streets of Baldwin City, resulting in one of the most successful festivals on record.

Attendees travel from across the region, or even the country, to partake in this unique celebration. This festival may appear to be seamless to the casual observer, but a closer look reveals the many moving parts, and people, which allow the Maple Leaf to flourish.

Maple Leaf Festival Committee & the Parade

T

he Baldwin City Maple Leaf Festival, known simply as “Maple Leaf ” to locals, celebrated its 64th season in October 2021, though there is some debate of exact dates among longtime residents. There are tales of a few initial participants planting the roots of the festival in 1957, but nothing was officially on the books until 1958.

Volunteers

35

heek D o u gs Cw i t h a chat ng fan. you

D

oug and Samantha Cheek have played an important role in Maple Leaf festivities for, at least, the past decade. Residents of Baldwin for the past sixteen years and married for the past 29 years, the Cheeks are the resident “go-to” couple for everything Maple Leaf.

“Maple Leaf runs like a well-oiled machine. The committee is just in charge of all the nitty-gritty stuff,” says Samantha of her role as co-chair on the Maple Leaf Festival Committee. “The city knows their part. The vendors know their parts. The volunteer organizations know their parts. It’s just all of the little things in between that the committee takes care of.”

The Maple Leaf Committee is composed of around ten individuals, each in charge of a different aspect of the festival. They meet on the first Thursday of every month.

Their unofficial season ends with the Maple Leaf in October but starts right back up again just a few weeks later in November as they begin preparing for the next festival.

Doug Cheek, who began as self-proclaimed “head of parade security” quickly moved up in ranks to parade announcer. In the early years Doug, who happened to be stationed next to the announcement center, didn’t need a microphone to keep patrons moving in an orderly fashion.

It was natural progression that led Doug to his role as the official voice of the Maple Leaf. This past year marked Doug’s tenth year as announcer, a job he shares with fellow Baldwin resident, Leigh Anne Bathke.

The Cheeks report that recovery from such an event can take some time. “It’s not necessarily the festival that is so exhausting.” says Doug. “ It’s the week leading up to it. There’s an event every night, setting up the booths, organizing parking, setting up tram stops and bus stops, and then tearing all that down the evening after.”

“We try to look over all the positives of the weekend.” adds Samantha “And two weeks later we start all over.”

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J os hu a T ay lo r w av es fr om a pa ra de fl oa t.

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The City and the Public Works Department

Safety

36

E

veryone who attends Maple Leaf likely has a special memory of the festival, whether that be the parade, or the music, or the deep fried Oreos. But there are a number of unsung heroes who may not be present in memories but are ever-present at the festival.

The fire department, the police department, electric line crews, and the power plant all play an active and vital role in creating a safe and orderly festival atmosphere.

Many, if not most of the booths, require power, which means an additional 116 electrical outlets downtown, as well as the power to run them. Costs for such a resource are donated by the city of Baldwin.

With so many visitors to the festival, all safety protocols are beefed up for the weekend, requiring additional fire and law enforcement staffing, as well as numerous plans to keep Baldwin safe.

Patrons from near and far can rest easy with the knowledge that safety is at the forefront in the planning and organizing of all aspects of the festival.

Rare is the attendee who doesn’t walk away from the festival with some new treasure. Home decor, yard art, jewelry, and more are all available as Maple Leaf keepsakes.

Baldwin City’s Police Chief, Mike Pattrick

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Vendors Janey Greene, Off the Wall Art

O

ne vendor, Janey Greene, has the opportunity to make the most of her hometown during the festival.

Greene is the owner and proprietor of “Off the Wall Art”. She specializes in acrylic on canvas, and she’s been a Baldwin City resident for the past 16 years.

Greene began her business ten years ago after retiring from a career in education. She’s been participating in the Maple Leaf every year since.

“People always ask me to describe my style.” says Greene. “It’s different. It’s a combination of whimsical and abstract.”

This seems to be a good combination for Greene, as she reports a lucrative 2021 festival season. Not only does Greene participate in

the Maple Leaf, but several other area events, including festivals in Lenexa, Overland Park, and Weston, MO. Greene also shows at a number of galleries ranging from local, in Lawrence, Kansas, to coastal, in Laguna Beach, California.

But the Maple leaf holds a special place in Greene’s heart.

“I always do Maple Leaf.

It’s my hometown show,” says Greene. “ It’s just so Americana. It’s a small town but a huge show. And the parade is absolutely charming.”

Lamp by Kyle Fish, owner of Lit Lamp Co.

El Patron

Food

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O

ne of the big draws to Maple Leaf are the numerous culinary delights. Of course, the festival features all of the tried and true favorites, such as funnel cakes, kettle corn, and hotdogs, but it also provides an opportunity for Baldwin to highlight some of its local cuisine.

El Patron, located on 8th street, runs a storefront location all year round, but sees a special boost in business the weekend of Maple Leaf.

Owner Noel Ortiz opened up the Baldwin City restaurant nine years ago, followed by a second location in DeSoto, Kansas, five years later.

He needs all hands on deck during Maple Leaf weekend, with employees from both locations pitching in to make the festival a success.

Ortiz sets up a booth just outside of his store and offers a tasty, but limited, menu of nachos, burritos, tamales, and tacos. Not to worry if you have a hankering for enchiladas, the full menu is available inside.

Ortiz and his staff begin in the early morning hours by preparing copious amount of chicken, ground beef and tortillas, to be served later to festivalgoers. Pans of food are transferred all day long from the kitchen inside the storefront to the booth outside.

“It’s good business that weekend,” says Ortiz. “Long days, but it’s worth it.”

ashiers P e r eoz nc’ s C l u b k n i a Fr the L ck. from food tru

A WORK OF CHARITY There are a number of volunteer and charity organizations that play a big role in the festival each year. The Boy Scouts, high school sports and civic organizations, and a number of local churches depend on funds raised at the festival to help support their goals and missions throughout the year.

Leading the charitable charge is Baldwin City’s local branch of the Lion’s Club.

Each year, the Lion’s Clubs

helps to satisfy festival crowds by providing golden, fluffy funnel cakes.

According to Kansas Lion’s Band Foundation member and past Lion’s Club President, Dr. Frank Perez, the Maple Leaf Festival is the largest fundraiser for the club.

“The money that we raise from funnel cake sales goes right back into our community,”

Says Perez. “For example, our club helped purchase a vision screening device for our Baldwin Schools. In addition to this purchase, our club helps our school nurses every year with the screening process for each student. Additionally, our club helps with highway clean up and the Harvesters Foodbank, to name a few activities.”

Go on, indulge in that funnel cake. It’s for charity, after all!

39

Quilts!

The Maple Leaf Quilt Show and The Maple Leaf Quilters’ Guild

P

erhaps Maple Leaf is most wellknown for its showcasing and selling of artisan crafts of all kinds, with its crown jewel of the arts lying in the annual quilt show.

The Maple Leaf Quilt Show,

which began in 1973, was spearheaded by a small but resourceful group of local women. At the head of this group was Enola Gish, who remained the driving force behind the quilt show for the first twenty-five years.

“It’s really neat to go to the quilt show and see the array because we have everything from master quilts to somebody’s first quilt,” says Vesecky. “The beginning quilters are usually so excited to display their quilts.”

Gish and her friends petitioned the Maple Leaf Committee for permission to hold the show, as well as a request for a $25 donation to defray the cost of presenting the show. The committee granted both.

The first show consisted of two rows of quilts displayed on scavenged and borrowed blackboards, screens, and lumber. Enola’s husband, Lowell, spent two nights with the quilts to ensure their safety.

And, according to Vesecky, the quilt show is all about display.

In the years since, The Maple Leaf Quilters’ Guild has carried on the tradition of the annual show. In the 2021 show, approximately one hundred quilts were on display. Many of the quilts were created by the Quilters’ Guild, but other participants are welcome too.

Next October, as people peruse the transformed streets of our hometown, blazing brightly in all its autumnal glory, remember that there just might be more to the festival than played meets the eye. e dis

“It’s not a juried show. It’s a just-for-fun show.”

From the vendors to the parade to the food to the arts, there is much that goes into making The Maple Leaf Festival the success that it is.

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Ronda Widener and Florence Milliman, members of The Maple Leaf Quilter’s Guild.

“Many of the quilts initially came from all over the eastern part of the state. Some are made by local people who don’t belong to the Quilters’ Guild,” reports former Quilters’ Guild Chairperson and owner of local quilting shop, Quilters’ Paradise, Sharon Vesecky.

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