the
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INSIDE Give the gift of community support this holiday by shopping Wichita’s local boutiques and specialty stores. Inside this issue you’ll find holiday recipes and features on some of the most unique shops and activities in Wichita. Whether it’s floral arrangements, desserts or music, we’ve got your local guide to shopping for everyone on your list.
2 4
Survey responses: What’s the best or worst gift you’ve ever received? DIY Christmas gifts on the cheap
6
Your guide to shopping in Wichita’s Delano District
9
An interview with a mall Santa
Illustration by Jillian Clough
Shoppers purchase alternative gifts to aid those in need
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
A shopper looks at items under a tree inside the University Bookstore, which is hosting its annual 12 Days of Christmas sale until Dec. 12.
Bookstore offering annual holiday sale TJ RIGG
REPORTER
@tj_rigg
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Jenny Ploussard shows children decorations that were made in time for the Wichita Alternative Gift Market on Nov. 14 at East Heights United Methodist Church. Thirty-six organizations were at the market to collect donations for their international causes. GRANT COHEN REPORTER @sunflowernews
Wichitans had the chance last month to give the gift of service to those in need around the world. In 25 years, Alternative Gifts International (AGI) has raised more than $27 million for people in crisis around the world. AGI hosted the 21st consecutive market Nov. 14 in Wichita. Thirty-six organizations presented sponsored tables at East Heights United Methodist Church, and gifts were available for purchase to help people around the world. “The participation of local people with the desire to do something good has kept this going strong,” program director Surinder Moore said. “Since the market has been present, I have seen many different
kinds of people from around the world coming to see what we are all about. Wichita is a great place where I see communities coming together.” The market started in 1980 when Harriet Prichard, director of the children’s ministries at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church in California, wanted to demonstrate a new, non-commercial way to give authentic gifts for Christmas. Starting out with five markets nationwide, AGI has expanded its outreach to hosting 325 markets in 43 states. The market also reached other countries including England, Holland, Japan and South Korea. The idea expanded into an annual catalog. Each year, the catalog lists 30 organizations around the world with suggested “gifts” — or services — that people can donate to someone in need.
“
We see it on the news every day, and this is a really unique way of addressing these issues.” SURINDER MOORE Program director
“Everything from giving eye care to wheelchairs around the globe, we all want to see changes in the world,” Moore said. “We see it on the news every day, and this is a really unique way of addressing these issues.” Representatives from the Wichita YMCA Women’s Crisis Center promoted its services and informed shoppers about the location of their Wichita shelter.
SEE MARKET • PAGE 11
If you walk into the University Bookstore in the Rhatigan Student Center, you’re bound to see several sales over the next week and a half. The bookstore is hosting its annual 12 Days of Christmas sale, which includes several products available at discounted prices. The sale kicked off Monday and runs through Dec. 12. It is available only in-store, while other sales are available on the bookstore’s website, wsubooks. com. Retail manager Misti Meneley said the sale is something of a tradition at Wichita State. “We’ve been doing it for several years now,” she said. “Faculty and staff definitely look forward to it.” Meneley described the sale as a snowball sale. Beginning Monday, Wu dolls were available for $14.99, and crew sweatshirts and sweatpants were available for $17.99 each, or two for $29.99. Each day, more items are available for sale, with the sales that began Monday still marked down. “By the time the sale is finished, the majority of the store
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is on sale,” Meneley said. Meneley said the store tries to keep the pending sales a secret until the day they are made available. “We ask that customers either call the store or check our Facebook and any type of social media that we have,” she said. In addition, Meneley said the sale is highly popular with the WSU community. She said customers often call months in advance asking the start date of the sale, which is always the Monday after Thanksgiving. “We prepare for this six to eight months in advance,” she said. While the sale is geared toward students, faculty and staff, Meneley said the bookstore hopes to draw in people from off campus, too. To that end, the bookstore is doing extra marketing in Wichita, including two billboards around the city advertising the sale. “That just lets the general public know, ‘Hey, you can come shop with us. You don’t have to be a student, faculty or staff — you can come shop with us anytime,’” Meneley said.
SEE SALE • PAGE 11
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
PAGE 2 | SHOP LOCAL GUIDE THE STAFF:
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Christians claim ‘war on Christmas’ after Starbucks holiday cup reveal In the wake of some very strong opinions on my last article about the COLUMN BY Christian VICTORIA response to my HENDRICKS opinion piece on the Syrian Refugee crisis, let me clarify that 1. It was an opinion piece; you don’t have to like it or agree with it, but I get to state it. 2. I should have clarified that not all Christians have responded the way(s) I suggested, and for that, I thank you. 3. I am not the spokesperson for any beliefs I hold. They are, again, simply my own singular opinion. It’s that time of year again — the most wonderful time of the year. Shiny red and green wrapping
paper abounds with glee, silver bells chime in the crisp winter cold, roaring fires heat chilly homes and heavenly soft snow falls from a gray-filled sky. It’s also that time of year again for the supposed “war” on Christmas. Allow me to fill my audience in on this idea: there is no war on Christmas. The most recent unnecessarily ruffled feathers come in the aftermath of the coffee giant Starbucks releasing its annual red, holiday cup. This year, the coffee enthusiasts decided on a red, ombré cup without any decorative symbols such as snowmen or Christmas trees. It’s a beautiful cup that exudes elegance and sophistication with its bright cranberry start fading to a dark cranberry finish, perfect for a symbolically colorful representation
Shock-talk
What’s the best or worst gift you’ve ever received? EDNA Junior Many years ago, as a single parent raising three young children, I was surprised by a group of gracious friends and neighbors who made repairs to my car: A new set of tires, battery, oil change, belt replacements, etc. Times had been tight, and I had not been able to maintain
JASON Senior
My favorite gift I ever received would probably somebody else’s worst gift ever received. It was a eye-pad. Not the apple
my car over the past year but it was the only source of transportation I had. Things like that you never forget, and now I pay it forward every chance I can. Thank you God for people like that who offer up themselves and yet never ask for anything in return.
iPad, but a woman’s sanitary napkin with a picture of an eye taped to it. Best. Chirstmas. Ever.
ERIKA Senior The best gift I have received, that tops any other gift I’ve received, was from my boyfriend last Christmas. At the time we had only been dating for a few months and it was going to be the first time we ever exchanged gifts ... A few minutes after I had arrived my boyfriend got up from the couch and went to his room. I just assumed he was grabbing his phone charger. Instead he came back with my present and completely surprised me.
In his hand he was holding a baby leopard gecko. My boyfriend is into reptiles and he introduced me to leopard geckos and I grew very fond of them because from a certain angle they look like they’re smiling. When I saw the gecko in his hand I couldn’t help but get really excited and couldn’t stop smiling after he told me it was mine and I got to hold him in my palm. Sad to say my gift to him wasn’t near as exciting as getting a new pet.
ALAINNA Senior The worst gift I ever received was a $50 Coldstone Creamery gift
card from my brother. I’m lactose intolerant. At least he tried.
TANNER Junior Cologne that smelled like baby powder and cleaning agent combined. My aunt gave it to me. It smelled horrendous. It was actually in the trunk of my car and the lid broke off and spilled all
over, forever staying ... with that peutred smell. Thank God I totaled that car. It spilt in my car so I guess I kept it. I would not have refitted it. I [wouldn’t] wish that smell upon anyone.
of the season. And yet, somehow, Christians are offended because reindeer and sleigh bells are somehow the symbols of our faith now. I don’t mean to call out Christians all the time, but really, it is always something. As I have stated many times before, I am a proud Christian. Some of us are reasonable and rational, and yet, the ones who are not seem to speak the loudest for the community, which is why I have talked about us so much. I’m trying to do us a favor. You’re welcome. We look absolutely silly and shallow when we make a lot of noise over something so miniscule. It’s a cup that you throw away when you’re done with it. Imagine a world where we got as upset over police brutality, poor single mothers or lack of funding
for education? It’s embarrassing. We look like children who don’t get their favorite sippy cup. Please, stop. There is no war on Christmas. Dare I say that we want there to be? Have we become a culture so obsessed with fighting that we create drama and “scandal” where there is none? Please, let this be a time for calm reflection, transparent hospitality and warm and welcoming giving that transcends expectation. And please, can we let go of the tired debate on individual sentiments? Whether someone wishes you a “Happy Kwanza” or “Happy Holidays,” can you just be touched that they wished you anything at all? On that note, readers, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Solstice, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year and any other greetings I may have missed.
Gift giving guide: What to buy for each person on your list When it comes to giving gifts, not all of us can be Leslie Knope. COLUMN BY For those JILLIAN CLOUGH unfamiliar with the comedy “Parks and Recreation,” the main character, Knope, has a reputation for always giving the most thoughtful, never-to-be outdone, how-did-youremember kinds of gifts that her friends and family never forget. We cannot always remember exactly what our best friend mentioned one time in April that would be the perfect clue for getting the perfect gift. We can only try to make our loved ones smile and know they are appreciated in our lives. The bookworm friend Do you have a friend who always carries a book wherever they go? He or she loves the smell of books, cannot go a week with out visiting the library or bookstore and appreciates the classics. Try getting him or her a gift from Out of Print Clothing (outofprintclothing.com). It has a wide variety of shirts and items featuring the covers of hundreds of popular books. The literary-themed socks, tote bags and mugs will go over well, too, if you can’t decide which T-shirt your friend will love the most. Watermark Books, 4701 E. Douglas, has a selection of their products, if you want to peruse some locally. The gamer cousin It could be your brother, your sister or your best friend — there’s always a gamer in the gang. Sure they have plenty of game-related accouterment, but they will appreciate the gesture of unwrapping almost anything from Think Geek (thinkgeek.com). It has a Minecraft-themed nightlight that looks pretty cool. If you want to stay local, try The Burrow at 180 S. Rock. They have a wide variety of gifts for geeks, including science-fiction, video game and steampunk-themed gifts. Maybe the geek is a little more on the strange side? Try shopping at Skeletons Out of the Closet, 615 W. Douglas. in the Delano District. They offer strange, interesting, creepy and unique items to delight the weirdest of fancies. The hipster brother If you have a hipster in your life, chances are he already has all the necessary accessories. You could go with anything you find in a
thrift store or antique shop. Anything vintage is likely to go over well. Or try something fun, like “Bar in a Jar.” For this gift as unique as your brother, procure a large mason jar and fill it with tiny shot bottles from the liquor store. Finish the jar off with a little “Bar in a Jar” tag. The gift project will not cost much more than $10, which works for most budgets. The crafty mother She likes to craft. She likes to decorate. She likes to knit sweaters, embroider or scrapbook. If you have a crafty mother, she’s going to appreciate anything handmade. Why not let her try her hand at a different art form? Give her a gift certificate to City Arts, located in Old Town Square, 412 E. Douglas. They offer a variety of classes, from beginner wheel-throwing ceramics to glass blowing. The class schedule varies, offering options to fit different lifestyles. If time is a constraint, try taking her to Pinot’s Palette, also in Old Town Square. You’ll paint together, with supplies provided by Pinot’s Palette and recreate a painting while following along with a teacher. The added fun: you and your mom can drink wine while you paint. The Wichita native For the friend or family member who is from Wichita and full of hometown pride, look into buying a unique Wichita gift from The Workroom located at 150 N. Cleveland, just east of downtown. The shop is full of Wichita-themed items. They include a variety of Wichita flag themed T-shirts, home goods, beauty products and art. Everything is locally made. Looking for more Wichita goods? Stop by Bungalow 26 at 613 W. Douglas, or Lucinda’s at 329 N. Mead. to find beauty products and Wichita-themed T-shirts. The ‘I already have everything I need’ dad Maybe it’s your father, your sister, your best friend — someone has everything they could ever want and need. They are the worst people to give presents to because they already have exactly what they want and need. Things are not going to be the best present. Give them an adventure, instead. Take children to Get Air, 130 New York St., and jump on the trampolines. For the sister who can buy anything, treat her to a massage. Take your dad to the driving range or shooting range. The memories will be better than any wrapped gift.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
SHOP LOCAL GUIDE | PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 | SHOP LOCAL GUIDE
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Students shop local, handmade gifts at craft fair SAVANNAH STEVENSON
REPORTER @sunflowernews
Instead of purchasing items from a thousand miles away, students had the opportunity to buy gifts that read, “Made in Wichita” on the tag. Local vendors from on and off campus set up tables and showcased homemade scarfs, hats, jewelry, blankets and holiday cards last month at an arts and crafts store in the Rhatigan Student Center. Not only did vendors have an opportunity to show off their talents, but the fair also gave students the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts from local merchants. “All pieces are 100 percent unique,” said Hatice Rahn, owner of PaHaRa Jewelry and Designs. “I make each one myself.” When walking in, students found a table full of crocheted hair bows and headbands from designer Kamika Hicks. As shoppers roamed around browsing for gifts this holiday season, Hicks sat crocheting her next product.
Photo by Jessica Green
Sophomore Janae Molinar shops for jewelery during an arts and crafts fair Nov. 19 in the Rhatigan Student Center.
“I’ve done [crocheting] for two years,” she said. “At first it was really frustrating. I remember one time I got so frustrated I stopped and threw all my [products] against
the wall. Now it’s easier and I do it all the time.” Jessica Angelic’s My Light Crafts stood out from the traditional gifts. She sold homemade light covers.
Wichita State’s chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts sold holiday cards designed by members of the group. A sign on the table described the chapter’s
dedication to involvement within the community. Students and local residents can still buy cards at wichita.edu/aiga. “Our chapter is dedicated to being involved in the local design community, thereby enhancing our personal and professional growth,” the sign read. “We are raising funds by selling unique, affordable holiday cards designed by the members of our group.” The Arts and Crafts Fair has made an appearance at WSU for more than 20 years, according to the university’s website. It is put on by Student Activities Council and gives students the opportunity to purchase gifts for loved ones for the holidays, birthdays and special occasions. “My friend actually bought some ear warmers for her mom’s birthday,” said sophomore Kaitlyn Moushey, a shopper at the craft fair. “They were so cute. The gifts at the [fair] are unique and one-of-a-kind, and I think handmade items mean more than something you can get from the mall.”
DIY: Christmas in a jar
Photos by Jessica Green
To begin, pick out an assortment of items that special someone will enjoy for a do-it-yourself Christmas in a jar gift.
When it comes to Christmas, not knowing what to get someone happens more COLUMN BY often than JESSICA GREEN we’d like to admit. But, thanks to some simple and cheap DIY jars, there’s something for everyone. More ideas can always be found online, but some of the best (and easiest) ideas have been included for your convenience: a jar for the women in your life — sisters, cousins, nieces — a jar for the men in your life — brothers, cousins, nephews — and lastly, a jar for parents. Jar #1: Pamper the women ($20) Step 1: Start with an empty jar and paint the lid with your giftee’s favorite color Step 2: Gather all necessary products to complete the jar For this jar, we chose the following: • A manicure/pedicure set (two sets of nail clippers, nail file and cuticle pushers) • Two colors of nail polish and nail polish remover • Aloe socks • Hair ties • Two kinds of facial masks • Peppermint ChapStick • Hershey’s chocolate Step 3: Arrange the gathered items in the jar to make it easy to see everything inside Step 4: Measure out about an arm’s length of ribbon to tie around the lid Step 5: Tie a small bow around the top of the jar. “To” and “From” tags are optional
Jar #2: Pamper your man ($15) Step 1: While the lids on the jars come standard gold, painting the lid green or blue makes it more personal. Step 2: Gather products needed for the jar, and remember, guys are simple so keep the jar simple For this jar, we chose the following: • AXE body wash, deodorant and body spray • Razor • Shaving cream • Loofah • Peppermint ChapStick Step 3: Arrange the items in the jar so it’s easy and looks neatly arranged Step 4: Measure out about two arm’s lengths of ribbon Step 5: Fold the ribbon in half to find the middle, have the middle of the ribbon meet the center of the lid on the jar Step 6: Pull the ribbon down the side of the jar and meet at the bottom of the jar Step 7: Cross the ribbons and tape with invisible scotch tape to keep it in place Step 8: Meet the ribbon back at the top and tie into a bow, “To” and “From” tags optional Jar #3: Pamper your parent(s) ($20) Step 1: Start with a painting it a neutral color to make it personal, or you can leave it gold/silver. Step 2: Gather your supplies For this jar, we chose the following: • Coffee and tea to-go • Bath soak • Single packets of hot chocolate • Eye drops, Kleenex and Advil
Photo by Celeste Thompson
Visitors at Prairie Pines can choose from a variety of different sized pre-cut trees, or can cut their own tree.
Prairie Pines offers tradition spread through decades EVAN PFLUGRADT
REPORTER
@evpflu
Photo by Jessica Green
Package the items into a decorated mason jar for a do-it-yourself, alternative Christmas gift.
• Peppermint ChapStick • Zipfizz energy flavoring for water • Butterscotch candy Step 3: Arrange the items in a jar and make the small items easily accessible Step 4: Measure out about two arms lengths of ribbon Step 5: Fold the ribbon in half to find the middle, have the middle of the ribbon meet the center of the lid on the jar Step 6: Pull the ribbon down the side of the jar and meet at the bottom of the jar Step 7: Cross the ribbons and tape with invisible scotch tape to keep it in place Step 8: Meet the ribbon back at the top and tie into a bow, “To” and “From” tags optional
A few miles outside Wichita in the city of Maize, a local farm continues to deliver a taste of tradition just in time for the holidays. For some, the holidays just aren’t complete without a real Christmas tree. Bob Scott owns Prairie Pines, a holiday destination for many local families in the Wichita area. Prairie Pines has been serving the area for more than 40 years. With the popularity and convenience of artificial trees, the owners said they’ve seen a bit of a dip in business. Yet, customers keep coming back. “We’re an entertainment farm,” Scott said. The farm has incorporated elements including a dinner theatre and a Santa Claus for children to meet and take pictures with, but the main attraction stands to be the farm’s homegrown Christmas trees. The trees vary in size and range from 4 feet to the farm’s tallest trees, which come in at more 20 feet tall. Prairie Pines gives customers the opportunity to either make their selection from pre-cut trees or travel out and cut their own tree on the farm’s property. Though artificial trees offer an
easy and convenient alternative, other purists claim it’s the experience that matters. “I think Christmas is about family and spending time together,” said Sarah McLaughlin. “Picking out a tree is a great way to unite our family.” McLaughlin and her family have been coming to Prairie Pines for four years. It’s through the branches of a fresh-cut pine that the McLaughlins feel they experience a true Christmas spirit. “Christmas starts with family,” McLaughlin said. “It’s through the tree that we come together as one and celebrate.” A real Christmas tree has been a holiday tradition that she hopes to extend to her own family. Sarah’s father began bringing home real Christmas trees when she was just 2 years old. “The feeling of Christmas never really sat in until Dad came home with a tree strapped to the roof of the car,” she said. McLaughlin, now 26, said she expects nothing less than the same for her own children — a daughter, 4, and son, 1. “It’s a tradition I hope I can carry out to my own family for generations to come,” McLaughlin said. Prairie Pines is open 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
SHOP LOCAL GUIDE | PAGE 5
Seasons greetings: Warm up with festive holiday foods
Photo by Jessica Green
Warm up the season with butternut squash soup and creamy hot cocoa.
Holiday food gatherings are coming. With Thanksgiving over and winter fast approachCOLUMN BY ing, friends and JILLIAN CLOUGH families have already started gathering together to celebrate with food. Turkey, mashed potatoes and pie can only be enjoyed so many times before the flavors mesh together and become one monotonous taste. Try changing up the flavors this year with something a bit different.
Butternut squash soup • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 carrot, diced • 1 celery stalk, diced • 1 onion, diced • 4 cups cubed butternut squash • 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme • 4 cups vegetable broth • 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/2 tsp. pepper 1. In a large pot, heat the oil. Add the carrots, celery and onion, and sauté for about three minutes. 2. Add the butternut squash, thyme, vegetable broth, salt and pepper. 3. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes. 4. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup. 5. Garnish the soup with a little paprika and green jalapeno slices to add some festive color and texture.
Creamy hot cocoa • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 1/3 cup hot water • 1/8 tsp. salt • 4 cups milk (Almond milk, soy milk or regular milk) • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa, sugar, water and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for one minute. 2. Stir in the milk and heat; be careful to not let the mixture boil. 3. Remove from heat, add the vanilla extract and then serve. This recipe yields five cups of cocoa. To add a little bit more to the creamy hot cocoa experience, set up a “make your own” decorating station with peppermint sticks, marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, etc. Cinnamon and brown sugar bread pudding • 2 whole French bread loafs • 4 pieces of white bread • 2 cups milk • 1 can condensed milk • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1 cinnamon stick • 1/4 cup raisins • 1 tbsp. vanilla 1. Tear the bread into small pieces and spread them in a baking dish 2. Mix all the other ingredients together in a medium bowl. 3. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread, making sure the bread is almost completely covered. 4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. It should be copper in color when coming out of the oven. 5. Let the bread pudding cool. To give it more time to set, make the pudding the day before serving.
Courtesy Photo
A vegan Thanksgiving meal as prepared by Krysti Weddle, who attended classes at Wichita State in the early 2000s, on Thanksgiving day. Weddle regularly cooks her own Thanksgiving meals for she and her husband, who are both vegan.
Alternative options for holiday meals TJ RIGG
REPORTER
@tj_rigg
Krysti Weddle has prepared “veganized” Thanksgiving meals for several years now. Weddle, a Wichita native living in Portland, attended classes at Wichita State in the early 2000s, but did not receive a degree. Sometimes, Weddle prepares Thanksgiving meals just for herself and her husband, Mark. Other times, friends come over to their house for meals. But the menu is always the same. The meal preparation, however, is a little different because the Weddles are both vegan. One of the staples of a vegan Thanksgiving is Tofurky, Weddle said, which is the brand name of an American vegetarian turkey replacement. In addition, a vegan Thanksgiving can consist of all the classic side dishes, too. “I like to do all of the classic
things, but veganized,” Weddle said. “I make stuffing. I usually make a pumpkin pie, some mashed potatoes and gravy. In some years past, I’ve done some sweet potatoes with marshmallows.” Weddle said the preparation time for a vegan Thanksgiving typically takes her two to three hours with an additional two to three hours of cooking time. One of the main benefits of cooking her own meal is ensuring she can control the quality of food. “For a vegan, that’s really important because you want to make sure no animal products are getting in there,” Weddle said. In addition, Weddle said she controls how much oil or sugar goes into her meal if she cooks it herself. “It really allows me to be able to control the aspects of the food and make sure that it works for our vegan lifestyle,” she said. Weddle usually buys ingredi-
ents for all meals at her local Natural Grocers. “It’s a great store with high quality ingredients,” she said. She said she probably prepared enough food for four people this Thanksgiving for about $100. Other options On the flip side, some families prefer to purchase readily made meals from a store and local Dillons marketplaces provide that service. Nicole Kirkhart works in the deli department at the Andover Dillons, which she said offers boxes of food for families. The Andover store served between 30 and 50 people who opted for the boxes this Thanksgiving. The cheapest option contained a turkey with some side dishes. As more side dishes are added to the box, the price increases. Customers can choose which option they want when they order it in advance.
SEE MEALS • PAGE 7
PAGE 6 | SHOP LOCAL GUIDE
www.thesunflower.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
DELANO SHOPPING IN
Shop local in Wichita’s Delano District, home to delectable sweet shops, unique home furnishing stores and specialty boutiques for everyone on your shopping list.
Photo by Jessica Green
The Delano clock tower was officially lit with Christmas lights Nov. 21 in the center of Wichita’s Delano District.
Trinkets from Bungalow 26 warm the home REPORTER
BRENNEN SMITH
@brennen19_26
Walking into Bungalow 26, customers are greeted by a sign that says: “Hi gorgeous … we’re open.” The small shop is full of shelves and tables full of soaps, lotions and candles that invite the customer closer with “smell me” stickers stuck to the tops of jars. Bungalow 26, located in the Delano District on West Douglas Avenue in Wichita, was recently named the 2015 Local Gift Shop of the Year by readers of the Wichita Eagle, according to owner Kelsey Metzinger. The shop offers many trinkets used for home decoration and interior design. Products for bath and body and men’s grooming, fragrances and hand-crafted jewelry are also available. Metzinger said the shop’s name is meant to evoke warmth and character. The shop also has a collection of novelty items not found in other Wichita shops.
“It’s kind of a gift boutique, she said. “You can come in here and pretty much buy a gift for anybody in your family here … all year round.” The unique items in the shop range from chocolate chip and bacon pancake mix to yoga mats and shirts that say “Yoga for President 2016.” There are also dog products, soaking salts for the bath and pillow spritz to help lull users to sleep. “It’s just a really eclectic mix of stuff,” Metzinger said. “Just funky stuff, I mean, it’s just different.” Metzinger wrote on the shop’s website that she has always had a profound love of anything relating to home. Metzinger decided to start a new section of items for men called Brett’s Bad Ass because her husband Brett said her lip balm was too girly. The section includes lip balm, beard oil, mustache wax and hand salve. Metzinger said many big, burly men will come into the store,
“
Photo by Tarun Bali
Bungalow 26, a locally owned boutique at 613 W. Douglas, was recently named Local Gift Shop of the Year by readers of the Wichita Eagle. It specializes in home decoration, trinkets, jewelry and bath items.
many of them in overalls, and she knows to direct them to the beard oil. A wooden desk is nestled into a back corner of the shop and
stacked with jars and tops for candles. Many of the in-store items, like soy candles, are put together in this area or at the front desk where Metzinger sits
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and greets customers. “I pay attention to every single person that walks into the door,” Metzinger said. She said many other items in the shop, including fragrances imported from France and soap from Belgium, can only be found in metropolitan areas in America. Bungalow 26 doesn’t offer any special Christmas items or deals, but there are still many gift options to choose from, Metzinger said. Jennifer Bolinger, a customer, said she liked the shop because there are many affordably priced, unique items that are made locally. “I bought some really unique Christmas ornaments that I haven’t seen anywhere else,” Bolinger said.
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SHOP LOCAL GUIDE | PAGE 7
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Family-inspired dessert at Sugar Sisters Bakery
Photo by Tarun Bali
Kayla Steele, co-founder of Sugar Sisters Bakery, shows off cupcakes made at the bakery, 917 W. Douglas Ave.
The majority of our business is call-ins,” she said. She arrives at the bakery around 7:30 a.m. and she immediately turns the oven on. She then spends the day whisking, egg-cracking, mixing, prepping, decorating and tending to the store, where everything is made fresh daily. “Lately, I’ve been coming in around 9 a.m. because I am currently potty training my son,” she said as she glanced at a picture frame on the counter of a 2 year old rolling dough. “You’ve got to start ‘em early,” she said, laughing. Among the many creations, the best selling item, she said, is the salted caramel cupcake. “That is definitely the top-selling item of anything, but they’re all really good,” she said. “ Any of the cupcakes are good and any of the bars … Notice the Mississippi mud cupcake, peanut butter, carrot cake and of course our Grandma’s strawberry cake,” she said pointing to each of the assortments. Not a huge caramel person herself, Steele said she loves the strawberry cupcake and black tie cake — a mixture of dark chocolate cake and buttercream. The classic white cupcake, another top-seller that is actually wedding cake, isn’t vanilla, but a pure egg-white base with almond. For the holiday season, Sugar Sisters will have all of its regular creations and goody bags filled with cookies, bars and a mixture of holiday treats for customers to grab as a quick gift. Though every treat is made fresh daily, Steele said those that are left unsold are never ignored. “Our neighbors love us.”
DANIELLE PREWITT
MANAGING EDITOR @danimal902
A small bakery in the Delano District was quiet as Kayla Steele stood patiently behind a countertop. The almost -20-year-old overlooked the fresh baked creations that rested in the display cases—creations she herself made earlier that day. Steele is one of the four sisters that run the Sugar Sisters Bakery, a family -owned and operated business selling cookies, cupcakes, brownies, bars and other sweet treats. Making everything from scratch, these goods stem from family recipes, prompting the sisters to open up their own shop of creations. The sisters, Kristine, Katie, Kyla and owner Kelli, tend the store where old black and white pictures of each young sister hang on the right side of the wall. “We opened up this location about four years ago after we closed the one on the east side,” Steele said. “After some hard family stuff that happened, we downsized and relocated to Delano. We heard downtown was popular with the parades, the history and traffic, so we decided to come here.” Steele has worked at the current location for four years, where she deems herself the decorator. “I am mainly the baker, but I am more of the decorator … cupcake decorator, cookie decorator, cake decorator,“ she said. She manages the shop twice a week by herself and whenever needed. She said traffic slows during the winter. “We get a lot of walk-ins in the summer when it’s nice out, but when it’s cold like this we rarely get any, especially on a Monday or Tuesday.
Photo by Tarun Bali
Spektrum Muzik, a record shop, has been in Delano for one year. Owners are planning holiday sales for shoppers looking for vintage records as a holiday gift.
Spektrum Muzik: Recorded gifts to ring in the holidays MARISSA CAMPBELL
REPORTER
@soupitup13
As you drive down Douglas Avenue through the Delano District, there are many eclectic local shops for people who do not want the usual holiday gifts from Target or the mall. One local shop is a record shop, Spektrum Muzik, at 905 W. Douglas Ave. Although it’s been open for three years, it’s been in the Delano District for one year, and the business keeps growing. Co-owner Phil Ross said he and his fellow owner decided to open the shop because of the lack of availability of records in Wichita. “We couldn’t find the records we were looking for in town, and we both like records, so we decided we might as well bring the music we want to Wichita,” Ross said. Between buying and selling new and used records, the
owners are busy. The store also had exclusive Record Day albums and deals throughout Black Friday weekend, and will continue to have promotions until Christmas. “I love shopping here because I usually come in with an intention to buy a specific record but leave with more than one,” said customer Jake McKenney. “The employees will tell me about new music, as well, and that’s always really cool.” One of Ross’ favorite parts about working in the store is selling records that he didn’t necessarily think people would
“
MEALS
FROM PAGE 5
“It comes already made,” Kirkhart said. “It’s already cooked, you just have to reheat it.” The store packaged each box after receiving the prepared ingredients from a warehouse, and then customers can pick up their box anytime, he said. The boxes were available for purchase until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Kirkhart said the Andover Dillons
Whether it’s mainstream music or underground stuff, I like to see people broaden their horizons when it comes to choosing new music.” PHIL ROSS Co-owner
buy. “Whether it’s mainstream music or underground stuff, I like to see people broaden their horizons when it comes to choosing new music,” Ross said. “I feel like that can be done easier in a record or music shop than by just listening to the radio or buying and streaming online.” With a broad clientele, Ross said local shops foster a better community relationship, and he said he thinks it can make towns more unique. He, along with customers of Spektrum Muzik, agreed that people should shop local more often than going to large retail outlets. “The customer service seems to be better in local shops, in my opinion,” McKenney said. “There’s also more interesting things to look at because usually local, small businesses don’t carry a lot of mass produced items you find in Wal-Mart. It’s just more unique and interesting.”
experienced the heaviest traffic of customers picking up boxes the day before Thanksgiving. If customers simply wanted to buy individual ingredients, they could have done so, Kirkhart said. The cold-food aisle had side dishes available and the meat department sold turkeys and hams, she said. “The boxes were just a quick and easy way to say, ‘Here’s all the stuff you need, all you need to do is take it home and reheat it,’” Kirkhart said. Resources For those who want to cook their
own holiday meal, the Internet is a great resource, Weddle said. “Especially if they are wanting to cook vegetarian and vegan options, the Internet is such a great resource to find veganized recipes for pretty much anything you want to make,” she said. For anyone looking to have a vegetarian or vegan Christmas meal, Weddle encouraged people to look for ways to make items vegetarian -and vegan- friendly. “There are ways to veganize all the classic recipes,” Weddle said. “Vegan cooking is easy, and it’s not as expensive as people think.”
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SHOP LOCAL GUIDE | PAGE 9
A look inside the life of a mall Santa BRENNEN SMITH
REPORTER
@brennen19_26
The Santa Claus at Towne West Square has been listening to present requests for 13 years, but he first realized he wanted to work as a Santa 16 years ago. He happened to be growing a beard out to show his grandson what he would look like with facial hair. At the same time, the priest at his church was looking for a Santa Claus to go carol with the youth group at a care home. “I had the beard and they elected me to go,” Claus said. “It was a lot of fun so [I thought] I might as well do it [as a job].” The identity of Santa Claus will not be revealed in order to protect the imagination of children around the world. In order to get a job with The Noerr Programs — the corporation that choreographs Santa experiences at many malls in America — Claus said he had to have a natural beard and hair and act like he had a little sense. Having Santa’s physique also helps, he said. Claus trims his beard two to three times a year to keep it in good shape. Audrey Jenkins, the set manager and Santa’s helper, said many Santas have to use a certain shampoo to keep their beards milky white. “Usually when it gets close to Christmas they go ahead and use that white-white because it blends in with their vest and everything,” Jenkins said. “Naturally [their beards are] going to be a greyish white — there is a difference in the colors.” After getting the job, there are
keys to being a good Santa. “[Have] a smile on your face,” Claus said. “Be good to the kids. Try to understand why they’re saying what they’re saying.” One seven-year-old girl had asked Claus to keep her parents together. “That kind of gets to you,” Claus said. “She was old enough to know what was happening but she didn’t know what to do about it.” He said he told the girl he would do what he could but she would have to go to a higher power than Santa Claus. Claus said the hardest part about being Santa Claus at the mall is getting acquainted with a new family every time. As a grandpa to 23 grandchildren and a great grandpa to 32 great grandchildren, much of being Santa Claus comes naturally to him. “It gets to be a way of thinking,” Claus said. Even at home with family, Claus said the jolly Santa laugh, “ho-hoho,” just comes back. He said his family has supported him as Santa Claus, and in the past when they have gone to care homes his wife would dress as Mrs. Claus and three of his grandkids would go as his elves. Claus said he enjoys holding the babies in his arms for pictures. “[All ages] are a lot of fun, though,” Claus said. His favorite part of being Santa is seeing the kids’ faces light up in excitement, Claus said. He also continues to go to care homes to give presents to the elderly. “Old folks at care homes get more of a kick out of it than the kids, I think,” Claus said.
Photo by Jessica Green
Santa Claus takes a break Tuesday from visiting with children at Towne West Square.
Great Harvest Bread Co. builds their foundation on more than just bread CONNER CLAPHAN
REPORTER
@clapdaddy1
The smell of homemade bread baking in the oven greets customers as they walk through the doors of Wichita’s Great Harvest Bread Co. Tim Heeren, owner of the bakery located at 535 N. Woodlawn, said he wants his customers to feel like part of a family. Family has always been important to Heeren. He and his wife, MariAnn, have four sons, and they have all grown up in the bakery, working behind the cash register or tossing dough in the kitchen. Tim and MariAnn used to live in Chicago. “When I was working up there, we shopped at a Great Harvest there, and my wife is from the Wichita area, so we decided to move back here to raise our family,” Tim said. Since then, Tim has seen his 21-year-old bakery building grow from 1,200 square feet to 4,500 square feet. With the expansion, he also houses the local Young Life offices in the same building. “When we moved over to this location, we decided it was just a great fit, the ministry,” he said. “The vision that Young Life has for what they do out there in the community parallels what we believe here at Great Harvest.” Matt Shepherd, Wichita Young Life area director, described it as
Photo by Tarun Bali
Great Harvest Bread Co. has been in business for 21 years and has nearly quadrupled in size. The store, located at 535 N. Woodlawn, sells a variety of breads, including stuffing breads and cinnamon rolls.
“perfect timing” when he was looking for a building for their offices. “I love how available we are to the public,” Shepherd said. “I love that people can swing by and say ‘hi’ in our office space, get some coffee,
whatever they need and be available to people.” Even during the holiday season, Great Harvest Bread Co. is looking for more and better ways to please its customers. “We make such a nice variety of
breads during the Thanksgiving holiday,” Heeren said. “We make stuffing breads and cranberry orange breads and Virginia rolls in addition to all of our other staple breads.” During the Christmas holiday
season, the company brings out even more product variety. “We really expand our line even more, making different kinds of breads,” Heeren said. “We’ve got a lot of different holiday breads where there’s really not any availability for them anywhere else.” A local group of six men hold their Bible study at the Great Harvest Bread Co. every Tuesday morning. “They got good food and a really nice meeting area and really nice people who work here, too,” said Greg Kahrs, one of the members of the Bible study group. Kahrs and his group have met at Great Harvest for three years. Another member of the group, Larry Paarmann, retired electrical engineering professor at Wichita State, called it the best bakery in town. “They have really good food here, really good breakfast and the best cinnamon rolls in town if you can eat a whole one,” Paarmann said. According to its website, the Great Harvest Bread Co. vision statement is to “uphold the legacy and integrity of the Great Harvest brand.” But to Heeren, it’s more than just that. He wants all of his customers to enjoy their fresh products and feel welcomed in the Wichita community.
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PAGE 10 | SHOP LOCAL GUIDE
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SHOP LOCAL GUIDE | PAGE 11
Beards Floral Design caters to the eccentric REECE BURNS
SPORTS EDITOR
@reeceburns14
Seven years ago, Matthew Eover opened Beards Floral Design on East Central Avenue. Eoever has a rich history in the flower business. He started out working part-time as a flower delivery man while he was in school studying design. The exposure he experienced with international flower designers led him to consider and eventually pursue the floral industry. Ten years later, he opened Beards with the help of his family, friends and mentors. Upon visiting Beards, shoppers will immediately notice Eoever’s and some of the other four staff members’ impressive, well-kept facial hair. Eoever said he started growing his own beard 12 years ago, but the reason he christened his store Beards was more practical. “‘Beards’ is an original name,” Eover said. “It has six letters which really works for design, almost everyone that works here has a beard and the logo really works and helps with creating our brand.” Eover prides himself with having unusual designs and stocking more diverse and
unusual botanical material. While the entire staff is credited with the designs from the store, Eover himself draws a big influence from the eastern designers, particularly the styles from Japan and eastern Asia, rather than the usual European designs. Eoever also said he believes that their family-business style service sets them apart from other floral shops. “We are “A lot of shops focused a lot cut off delivery on turnaround at 1 or 2 p.m. If time,” Eover said. “A lot of someone calls shops cut off us at 5 p.m. delivery at 1 to deliver, nine or 2 p.m. If times out of 10 someone calls we can do it.” us at 5 p.m. to MATTHEW EOVER deliever, nine times out of Owner 10 we can do it.” Beards also caters events, corporate parties, weddings and funeral arrangements. “We take funeral services very seriously because we see it as helping to honor people,” Eover said. The shop has two blanket delivery routes and focuses their work on unusual and seasonal selections. Beards is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Photo by Celeste Thompson
Beards Floral Design offers lots of choices for the holidays, and is located close to campus at 5424 E. Central. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
New ‘Nothing Bundt Cakes’ brings sweet treats to Wichita CHANDLER OCHOA
REPORTER
@chandlerwilli11
A new cake is in town, and Wichita State alumnae Kristin Khosravipour is ready to make Wichita a little sweeter. Nothing Bundt Cakes, located at 21st and North Rock Road in the Tallgrass Shopping Center, plans to open its doors Dec. 10, but Khosravipour is already exposing Wichita to the round, cream-cheese topped confections. Becoming a manager of a cake shop was not the first idea she had in mind after graduating in May with a degree in strategic communication, but one bite of cake quickly changed her mind. “I’ve tried all of the flavors, and I have probably eaten a whole cake as of now,” Khosravipour said. Now, Khosravipour drives around town in what she likes to call her “bundt-mobile,” giving everyone a sneak-peak of the new treat. Her favorite flavor out of nine is the “chocolate chocolate chip” after it is chilled in the refrigerator, but she also enjoys a warm cinnamon swirl cake. Khosravipour soon realized that she was not the only one who “could not stay out of the cake.” Nothing Bundt Cakes started in 1997 and is the 11th top growing franchise in the nation as of March. It hopes to open more than 60 stores during the next two years. While making hundreds of cakes in one batch and putting in
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Kristin Khosravipour, a WSU alumna and store manager of the new Nothing Bundt Cakes, sits in a company vehicle outside the store, which is scheduled to open Dec. 10 at 2035 N. Rock. Nothing Bundt Cakes sells hand-decorated cakes adorned with inspired decorations and signature frosting.
12-hour days during almost a month of training in the corporate office in Addison, Texas, Khosravipour returned to Wichita inspired with the company and the product. “Consistently we have a great product,” she said. “The recipe is like foolproof. It is making me drool thinking about the cakes.” But she soon learned it is not all about the cakes that makes the
MARKET
FROM PAGE 1
“The more people that know that we are available the better it promotes the services of [the center],” said Amy Knutsen from the Women’s Crisis Center. Wichita State’s Pre-Med Student Association sponsored a booth called Project Hope. The project’s goal it to help Nepal’s sick and injured, including sending medical supply bags to people in desperate need of healing. Their booth featured a poster board filled with pictures about a voluntary mission trip to help Nepal’s people. They sold homemade wristbands with quotes hooked onto them to raise money for the medicine bags. Jennifer Tran, a Wichita State pre-medicine student, said having the booth presented at the Alternative Gift Market helped increase awareness and spread the word about what the organization was doing, and also encouraged people to do their part to help. “In just this year there were two earthquakes alone in the area,” Tran said. “Over eight million people were affected and so far in the past six months, [Project Hope] was able to help over 231,000 people.”
franchise successful. “Every single person in this company cares not only about the cake, but the people receiving the cake and the people making the cake,” she said. Nothing Bundt Cakes started in the home of two friends in Las Vegas who loved to bake. As their small business began to grow, they had to turn off their ovens and figure out a business plan.
By the end of the day, the organization had raised more than $30,000 in funds to help people in need. “My ultimate goal is to see alternative gifts be present in communities coming together,” Moore said. “You just need two to three people to come together to start up a conversation about our program and what they might give for the holidays. So far, we are making great progress for the future.”
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
A shopper looks at a tag during the Wichita Alternative Gift Market on Nov. 14 at East Heights United Methodist Church.
Khosravipour said the company still strives to make every cake and bakery taste and feel like a home-baked good. Besides cakes, the bakery also has gift items and party supplies for sale, making it a one-stop shop. One of Khosravipour’s favorite parts is that the cakes are customizable and affordable. A customer can have a tiered, 10-inch cake or a gluten-free, bite-sized bundt cake, and there are 40 designs to go on top. A small, personalized cake called a “bundlet” is wrapped with cellophane paper and ribbon and costs $5.99. It can be personalized with black and gold ribbon for a Shocker fan, the birthday boy’s favorite color or green and red for the holidays. Every month the bakery features a special flavor. January is a chocolate turtle cake. Out of all the flavors and various sizes, one ingredient always stays the same. “The cream cheese frosting is out of this world,” Khosravipour said. “It goes well with any of the cakes.” Khosravipour took a box of small, cupcake-like bundtinis for her family to try, and the next day not a crumb was in sight. She said it gives her joy to share good food with the people she loves. “I think that the product that we have is unique enough and of a certain quality it will be accepted no matter where it is from because it is that good.”
SALE
FROM PAGE 1
Another perk for students and faculty is the bookstore’s new rewards program, which benefits students with a Shocker ID. Each purchase paid for with a swiped ID gains rewards. Five percent of each purchase goes toward the rewards program, Meneley said. “It’s virtually like any retail establishment,” Meneley said. “They earn points every time they shop, their points accumulate and then they can use the dollars that they have incurred toward any future purchase.” Jeanette Bergkamp, a graduate student in the physics department, said she was surprised when she was asked for her Shocker ID when she purchased an item from the bookstore Monday. She had not heard of the rewards program. “It sounds like a good program for other people that’ll use it,” Bergkamp said. “I don’t know much about it, but it sounds like it could really help students, especially if they’re buying expensive textbooks there.” Bergkamp said she is not a frequent shopper at the bookstore, but would likely take advantage of the rewards program if she shopped there more often. “It seems like students that use it will probably benefit from the program,” she said. The rewards program applies to any item in the bookstore, including the items on sale during the 12 Days of Christmas sale, Meneley said. “If they’ve earned it, they can use it,” she said.