Issuu

N OV E M B E R 2 02 1

We Are The Golden City!

TOPEKA ER & HOSPITAL

Thank You!

We give thanks this season to our patients, our staff, and everyone in our community who has helped us to become Topeka’s 5-star ER & Hospital. Discover the wonderful “difference” that is Topeka ER & Hospital. WE ACCEPT ALL PRIVATE INSURANCE. IN-NETWORK BENEFITS. OUT-STANDING CARE. 6135 SW 17th St. | Topeka, KS 66615 | (785) 670-6760 | TopekaHospital.com

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

NOVEMBER 2021 PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Give Thanks OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE IS ALL ABOUT THIS SEASON OF BEING THANKFUL. As the autumn air turns crisp and the leaves reveal their true colors of crimson, gold, and orange, I am reminded that change is good. The seasons flow one into the next, ushering in an exciting and unknown tomorrow, while leaving us wistful for the safety and familiarity of yesterday. Today is ultimately all that is certain and I most certainly have much to be thankful for today. I'm thankful for my family, and especially my husband Brian Rodehorst, publisher of

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@lifestylepubs.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Alison Beebe | topcityflavorista@gmail.com AD DESIGNER

Rachel Chrisman L AYO UT DESIGNER

Emily Lisenbee CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Baldani, Linda Ditch, Kelsey Huber CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Thomas Hall, Kristol Kumar, Miranda Hazim, Meredith Graves, Janie Jones

this magazine, who trusts me to create quality content. I'm thankful for our talented staff who make this publication not only possible, but beautiful. And I'm thankful for our Golden City community and people like Andre Banks, whom you will meet in this edition...people who make this Golden City just a little brighter and shinier every day. We hope you enjoy meeting the people of Topeka, from everyday heroes like Andre Banks, to local photographer Thomas Hall, to Tammy Thiessen of Thiessen Design & Construction. Everyone in our community plays a part in making our city great, and we’re honored to be able to introduce them to you. In this issue, you will also find some holiday-themed ideas, including recipes and tablescapes to make your Thanksgiving celebration both tasty and tasteful!

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

May the gratefulness of the season be in your heart and may it make you thankful for all

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

of the blessings you have today. Savor the joys of today, keep tomorrow in your sights,

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

and tuck the sweet memories of yesterday deep in your heart where time cannot find

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

them. God bless you and happy Thanksgiving!

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Kathy Graham, Editor

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

ON THE COVER Red Door Home Store - Design by Jane Koger

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL 4

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

Proverbs 3:5-6 Topeka Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Topeka area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Topeka Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE NOVEMBER 2021

FEATURES 14 Behind the Lens Capturing Moments in Time

16 One Can One Kid Helping the community one can at a time

20 From the Ground Up Designing and building beautiful and functional homes

26 16

26 Autumn Table Setting How to Create a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board

DEPARTMENTS

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Local Experiences

Artist’s Palette

Hometown Hero

20 Renovate & Refine 26 DIY 30 Inspired By 32 Realty Report 34 Culinary Creations

BE INVOLVED TOPEKA P R OV I D I N G M E N TA L H E A LT H & S U B S TA N C E U S E DISORDER RECOVERY SERVICES SINCE 1967

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CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

GOOD TIMES

The Wedding of Alec to Mary Kate! Wedding Planner - Veil Events, Lindsay Kooser, Church - Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Venue - Topeka Country Club, Photo - Meredith Graves Photography, Florist - Blooms on Boswell, Makeup - Beautiful You Makeup - Ashley Kellner, Hair Onyx Salon - Heather, Transportation - Cortez Transportation

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Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

Real People. Real Stories.

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CHOOSE NATURAL. CHOOSE TIMELESS.

ENJOY THIS SEASON OF

THANKFULNESS

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AROUND TOWN and the Midwest section. There are only three golf professionals who win the award annually. Congratulations Levi and the Golf Shop Staff in their nomination.

TOPEKA COLLEGIATE LAUNCHES NEW STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2026 In anticipation of the school’s 40th anniversary next year, Topeka Collegiate launched a new strategic plan to guide the independent school’s priorities over the next five years. The Strategic Plan outlines three action-oriented pillars to drive the work of the school: Educate, Connect and Sustain. “Thanks to the thoughtful contributions of faculty, staff and

CONGRATULATIONS TO LEVI LAMMING

parents, we’ve also updated our school’s mission statement as part of the new strategic plan,” said

Topeka Country Club’s Head Golf Professional,

Dr. Lyn D. Rantz, Head of School. The updated

Levi Lambing, PGA has been nominated for the

mission statement is, “to inspire and prepare every

Midwest PGA 2021 Merchandiser of the Year -

student for a successful future through academic

Private Award. Levi and his team have doubled

excellence, active citizenship, and humanitarian

merchandise sales over the last two years by

ideals.” Topeka Collegiate has formed a speaker’s

introducing top-of-the-line clothing and equip-

bureau for local organizations interested in the his-

ment for men, women and children. This is a very

tory, legacy and impact of the school. To request

prestigious award among the PGA of America

a speaker, email sayhello@topekacollegiate.org.

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Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

NEW PARTY BUS!

HOLIDAY LOCATION CHANGE

Cortez Transportation has added a 2019 Grech

For the holidays Lilly Grace has moved their

Limo Bus that has a 19 passenger capacity. For your

inventory into the Ash Boutique downtown store

next event or excursion, call Cortez Transportation.

location at 921 S Kansas Avenue. Visit them online

Contact Tami Cortez cortez@corteztc.com

at shopashboutique.com or call for more informa-

Phone: 785-233-5466 www.corteztc.com

tion (785) 438-2345.

- THANKFUL DR. JULIE C. SWIFT | TOPEKAPERIO.COM | 785.233.1756 | INFO@TOPEKAPERIO.COM | 3100 SW HUNTOON ST, STE 103, TOPEKA, KS 66604 CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

LOCAL EXPERIENCES

THANKFUL THIS MONTH, WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING, A TIME TO REMIND OURSELVES OF THE BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN OUR LIVES. November is an opportunity to spend time with the ones we love during this holiday season and give more of ourselves to those around us. Article by Linda Ditch

CAFÉ CRAWL + Dialogue Coffee House provides a wide variety of hot and cold espresso drinks and tasty pastries while giving jobs to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 4009 SW 29th St., Topeka, Kansas 66614 + Milk & Honey Coffee Co. is the only locally-owned independent coffee shop on Topeka’s east side. Check out their coffee drinks, sandwiches, and baked goods. 2200 SE 29th St. , Topeka, Kansas 66605 + The two Classic Bean locations serve European-style coffee and espresso drinks made with fresh roasted beans, as well as gourmet made-to-order sandwiches featuring fresh bakery bread. 2125 SW Fairlawn Plaza Dr Topeka, Ks + The Steam Engine at Barrington Village offers espresso-based drinks, drip coffees, fruit smoothies, chai tea, hot teas, assorted pastries, sandwiches, and create-your-own breakfast sandwiches. 5660 SW 29th St Shawnee, Ks + Juli’s Coffee and Bistro is a popular downtown cafe. Along with coffee and espresso drinks, they serve house-made pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads. 911 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66612 12

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

scan for more city-wide tips

Independent Living • Assisted Living Home Plus • Memory Care • Respite Care

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ASH BOUTIQUE M-F 10-6 • Sat & Sun 10-4 2841 SW 29th Street • 785-272-9344

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CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

ARTIST’S PALETTE ARTICLE SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY THOMAS HALL

BEHIND THE LENS CAPTURING MOMENTS IN TIME

PHOTOGRAPHER THOMAS HALL BELIEVES IN DELIVERING THE BEST RESULTS POSSIBLE AND ALWAYS MAKING SURE HIS CLIENTS GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT. Luckily for us, he has been providing many of the photographs you’ll find in this magazine since January 2021. “Thomas is Mr. Perfection,” says Editor, Kathy Graham. “He gets unbelievable pictures with his drones. His photos are a work of art and I value him greatly. I am so thankful for his talent.” To see more of his work, go to his websites at www.eagleskypics.com or www.eagleaerialworld.com. 14

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements or prior results obtained. CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

HOMETOWN HERO L I N DA D I T C

OTO G R A PH YM

DA H A Z I M

ONE CAN ONE KID

| PH

E CL

HELPING THE COMMUNITY ONE CAN AT A TIME

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

his plan on Facebook, requesting people private message him to nominate families in need. Within two hours, he had families for all the dinners. At Christmas time, Banks found unsuspecting restaurant servers and gave them an over- the-top tip. Then, in June, he heard about the owner of a tree service who was off work while going through cancer treatment while trying to support a family with six children. The charity gave them $600 in groceries to help. ANDRE BANKS STARTED SAVING ALUMINUM CANS

“Everyone talks about doing God’s work,” Banks says. “I think

ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN HE REALIZED HE COULD

ultimately God’s mission is to have everybody love one another

CASH THEM IN TO TREAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.

and give back. This is just my little portion of doing God’s work

“I had ‘em, and I was throwing them away,” he explains. “Kids were always coming over getting popsicles, or the ice

because at the end of the day, when I make it to the Pearly Gates, I want to hear, ‘Job well done.’”

cream man would come by. I used to live off of 21 st and

Soon, Banks plans to connect with some of the larger employ-

Pennsylvania. It was a lower-income area. I’d cash the cans

ers to collect cans in breakrooms. He hopes to use the proceeds

in, and I’d get them some snacks from the ice cream man. It

to set up scholarships and give out awards to community nurses

was pretty fun.”

and teachers. As a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan, he would like

Then one day, Banks realized he could do this on a much larger scale. While driving between jobs as a

to team up with the organization to surprise some kids with a player meet and-greet and watch a game.

plumbing estimator for Pat Plumbing, Heating, and Air,

“I think One Can One Kid could be huge,” Banks says. “Ideally,

he came up with the concept of One Can One Kid as

I’d like to see it across the United States and globally. It’s such

a way to recycle aluminum cans and give back to the

an easy concept. You’re saving cans and giving back to your

community. Today, people throughout the city are saving

community. People don’t want a handout. They want a hand up.”

cans to donate to the cause.

To donate cans to One Can One Kid, call or text Banks at

Patrick Grogan, owner of Pat Plumbing, Heating and Air,

785-608-6324 or email onecanonekid2021@gmail.com. You

gifted Banks one of the company’s older vans to use for One

can also follow the organization on its Facebook page. (https://

Can One Kid. Decorated with the charity’s new logo, Banks

www.facebook.com/One-Can-One-Kid-105166721881837)

uses it to pick up cans whenever he’s called. “It gets people back to really believing in humanity again. Once people get their faith back in humanity, then you start to see change go on. There’s too much hatred in the world and not enough love going around. We need a whole lot more of that love,” says Banks. Last year, One Can One Kid’s first project was a collaboration with Center Stage Salon to offer free back-to-school haircuts. Banks says, “Lookin’ good is feelin’ good. Going back to school that first day is already hard enough. You gotta look great so you feel great.” The next project was giving away five smoked turkey dinners for Thanksgiving. Knowing people were struggling because of the COVID pandemic, Banks posted

CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

Lifestyle Publications - Hospice November 2021.pdf 1 10/11/2021 8:12:31 AM

It’s an all too common situation. A family is at the bedside of a loved one who is seriously ill and nearing the end of life. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done and what the patient would have wanted.

Often, by waiting too long to learn about possible options, like hospice care, people end up spending difficult days in the hospital or the emergency room and opportunities to be with loved ones at home are lost.

CMY

When a family is coping with a serious illness and a cure is no longer possible, hospice provides the type of care most people say they want at the end of life: comfort and dignity. One of the best ways to make sure you and your loved ones benefit fully from hospice, is to talk about it before it becomes an issue.

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RENOVATE & REFINE

FROM THE

GROUND UP DESIGNING AND BUILDING BEAUTIFUL AND FUNCTIONAL HOMES

A HOME SHOULD BE A SANCTUARY, A PLACE WHERE WE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY. Of course, we want it to look beautiful, but at the same time function well for our family’s particular lifestyle. ARTICLE SUE BALDANI

Thiessen Design & Construction in Topeka is now designing

PHOTOGRAPHY

and building homes from the ground up. Tammy Thiessen, with her

KRISTOL KUMAR

background in design, along with brother Daniel Carson, a general contractor, and sister Kelly Hernandez, an architect, are combining their expertise to design and build custom homes that fit a family’s needs while also providing a gorgeous aesthetic.

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

When a previous client approached Tammy last year about designing and building a new home in Topeka, it gave the team the perfect opportunity to expand on their services. “We have designed homes before, but this is the first time we fulfilled the construction side of it,” says Tammy. The home, located in Clarion Lakes, was completed in July. “Already knowing the clients was a huge plus,” she says. “What’s really neat about starting on a new build is that we can really get to know the family intimately. We get to solve problems for them and that’s my favorite thing.” The 4000-square-foot home with one-and-a-half stories has three bedrooms, including two primary bedroom suites, an office, dining room, living room and large eat-in kitchen.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

RENOVATE & REFINE (CONTINUED)

A really unique part of the home is the fully functioning back hall. “There is a butler’s pantry, a dog washing station, and a gorgeous mudroom,” says Tammy. “So, it’s very functional and beautiful.” The home boasts amazing craftsmanship, along with many interesting details. There are incredible arches throughout, and an abundance of warm floor finishes such as clay tiles and brick that give the house a lot of character. “We’re extremely happy with the results,”

says

homeowner Melissa

Elliott, who shares the home with her husband Jared and daughter Reese. “All the finishing touches such as the tile selections and lighting have made it feel unique and special and gives it warmth. We just recently moved in and it already feels homey.” Since the house is located among others in a neighborhood, Thiessen Design & Construction worked hard to create an oasis that allowed a lot of natural sunlight to stream in, while also being private so the family did not feel exposed. 22

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

“The front of the house has a large full entry, an office, their dining room and then their guest primary suite,” says Tammy. “The back of the house has their kitchen, breakfast nook, and living room, so even though they are in a neighborhood, no one can see into their living spaces, which I think I love the most about the house.” Melissa and her family appreciate all the thoughtful details that went into their new home. “When you work with Thiessen, you not only get the construction but the design,” adds Melissa. “We had another home custom built a few years ago with another builder, but we didn’t have that one person who coordinated the end results. This time, we had a designer who helped with every little selection to make sure that everything worked together in the end.” Thiessen Design & Construction has already broken ground on its second new build and has a third one lined up. For more information on what they can do for you, go to tdesigncompany.com.

CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

Designing homes from concept to completion. KITCHEN B AT H WHOLE HOME REMODELS NEW CONSTRUCTION FURNISHING D EC O R AT I N G www.tdesigncompany.com

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Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

AXE & ALE

Sometimes real estate decisions aren’t based on location but timing. Contact me to learn more.

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CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

DIY

Autumn Ta b l e S e t t i n g PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

HOW TO CREATE A GORGEOUS CHARCUTERIE BOARD TABLESCAPE: LEANN PARKER WITH @SILVERTOOTHHOME

grapevine wreaths. These simple additions add per-

Gathering with the people we love is a gift whether

sonality and warmth to any autumn table. Follow these

we find ourselves eating off paper plates or fancy

directions for how to prepare outdoor accents (because

dishes. Even so, adding beautiful accents fosters

dirt and bugs are the only ones not invited to the table)

meaning to the moments shared and can be just as

and you will have a stunning tablescape that costs you

easy to pull together. In this tablescape uses touches

only a leisurely walk around your neighborhood and a

of the outdoors with real leaves, pinecones and

passing chat with a neighbor, if you are so lucky.

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

HOW TO: PRESERVE PINECONES Bake pinecones to remove any tiny critters, dry up the sticky sap,

prep the space by placing leaves in a single layer on wax paper. Brush

and give the pinecone a beautiful glossy finish. Preheat the oven to 250

one side of the leaf with a thin coat of Mod Podge using a foam brush.

degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and lay pinecones in rows allow-

Let dry for 30 minutes or until the white coat turns clear. Flip leaves

ing space as they expand when baked. Place in the oven for about 30

over, brush the other side and let dry again. Use leaves by scattering

mins. If pinecones were gathered on a damp day, it might take longer.

them around the table or frame as art for the gathering space.

Keep a close eye and pull them out when the house smells of pine trees and your pinecones go from a matte to glossy finish. To use simply scatter around the table or use as place-setting card holders as shown here.

HOW TO: WRITE PLACE CARDS Handwriting guests’ names on place cards gives an extra personalized touch. Start with writing the name with pencil

HOW TO: PRESERVE LEAVES

(an eraser is your friend), then trace with a thin tipped sharpie.

Gather fallen leaves and test for dryness. Look for mostly dry, not

Finally, go over all the down strokes with a thick tipped sharpie

brittle or limp. If too limp or fresh then press between books on parch-

to create a hand lettering effect. Watch the how-to video on IG

ment paper for a few days before proceeding. When ready to begin,

@silvertoothhome. Happy Gatherings!

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

DIY (CONTINUED)

These simple additions add personality and warmth to any autumn table. HOW TO: CREATE A GORGEOUS CHARCUTERIE BOARD By Food Stylist Sarah Juenemann of @GrazingKC GrazingKC.ORG

Cheese- Build the foundation of your board with cheese. Add your softest cheese as a full block and pre-cut your hard cheeses by crumbling or slicing.

SHOPPING LIST: + 3-4 fine cheeses (a variety of soft and hard) + 1-2 cured meats ( like salami and prosciutto) + 2-3 season fresh fruits + 1 dried fruit + Nuts + Olives

Charcuterie- Fold salami into quarters and lay the salami throughout the board building around the cheese. Color- Add pops of color such as fruit and olives throughout the board. Crunch- In the remaining gaps on your board add crunchsuch as nuts and crackers. Garnish your board with fresh herbs and enjoy grazing!

+ 1 Jam/honey/mustard + 1-2 types of crackers + Fresh herbs for garnish

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

Wine: Amigoni Urban Winery In Kansas City MO

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INSPIRED BY BEN HIGGINS TALKS COFFEE, HOPE & HUMANITY, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THANKFUL

Living a Purposeful Life

PROBABLY BEST KNOWN FOR BEING LEAD #20 IN THE BACHELOR, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO BEN HIGGINS THAN BEING ONE OF AMERICA’S REALITY TV SWEETHEARTS, SUCH AS HIS DEEP PASSION FOR MAKING MOVES TO “MULTIPLY GOOD IN THE WORLD.” PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED 30

Since his time on The Bachelor, Ben has taken the opportunity to use his fame to create not one, but two inspiring podcasts, publish a successful autobiography, while also elevating awareness of his “for-purpose” Generous Coffee brand. We sat down with him (virtually) to reflect on all that he has accomplished in this season of “thankfulness.”

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

CL: WHAT DOES THE TERM ‘THANKFUL’ OR ‘GRATEFUL’ MEAN TO YOU?

Plus, we believe that people enjoy drinking life-changing coffee that has a story behind it over their regular cup of coffee.

BH: It may sound corny and cliche, but when I think of gratitude, it’s an every day break to look at where my life

CL: WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE

sits and to be thankful for the friends and family around

BACK IN THEIR COMMUNITY?

me and the things that I am able to be a part of.

BH: I think everybody can figure out what they can do in their local communities by asking the same question: What is it around me that makes me the

CL: TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD

angriest? Maybe it’s people without homes, maybe it’s animals or the environ-

OF OR INSPIRED BY?

ment. What emotional pull is it? Go after that.

BH: I just want to be a part of really cool stories that I believe are good and healing. And my filter on whether

Plus, you can do that sitting on your couch drinking a great cup of Generous Coffee.

they are good or not comes from my faith. I just want to be a part of loving others and loving God well.

With over 1.2mm Instagram followers, Ben Higgins is co-founder of @generous_ coffee_, author of #AloneinPlainSight, host of @hopestillwins, and co-host of @

CL: HOW DID GENEROUS COFFEE BEGIN?

almost_famouspodcast.

BH: The idea came in July of 2017 and we launched in January of 2018. When the show [The Bachelor] happened, our fundraising increased 500%, but we also knew that it probably wasn’t going to last. We asked ourselves how we can make this more sustainable, and we came up with the idea that we could start a for-profit business and call ourselves “for-purpose.” We donate 100% of our profits to non-profits.

We believe that people enjoy drinking lifechanging coffee that has a story behind it over their regular cup of coffee.

CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

REALTY REPORT

NEIGHBORHOOD

TOPEKA

ORIGINAL PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/ORIG

DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

Rockfire at the Lake

$330,000

100%

Shawnee Est

$252,980

$287,000

113%

Clarion Woods

$369,900

$340,000

92%

Wanamaker Meadows

$295,000

$300,000

102%

Sherwood Estates #7

$265,000

$270,000

102%

Meadow Brook

$264,500

$256,605

97%

Sherwood Estates #63

$375,000

100%

Shawnee County

$365,000

100%

Hickory Creek

$379,900

$349,900

92%

Sherwood Estates

$299,000

$305,000

102%

Wanamaker Woods

$315,000

$305,000

97%

Shawnee County

$800,000

100%

Sherwood Park Sub #7

$345,000

$350,000

101%

Shawnee County

$398,500

$452,700

114%

Moyer #2

$340,000

100%

Sterling Chase #1

$399,900

100%

Sherwood Park

$440,000

$393,000

89%

Clarion Woods

$445,000

$430,000

97%

Shawnee County

$479,900

$385,000

80%

265

$2,295,000

$1,900,000

83%

108

Brian's Addition #3

$452,000

100%

Sherwood Estates #22

$269,000

$263,079

98%

Cherry Creek N

$265,000

100%

$1,500,000

100%

$349,900

$354,000

101%

McFarland Farm Estates

McFarland Farm Estates Kankis Square

This reflects a 30 day time period prior to our print deadline. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and not a complete list of all activity. *DOM=Days on Market

From your vision...to reality

WE BUILD MORE THAN NEW HOMES, WE BUILD NEIGHBORHOODS. Annette Stahl 785-383-3157 | annette@stoneandstory.com | www.dultmeierhomes.com 32

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

Darin Stephens 785-250-7278

Annette Stahl 785-383-3157

Brian Laird 785-670-0043

Lance Royer 785-845-6618

Pam Trusdale 785-608-5117

Kelli Higgins 785-817-9255

Abby Dunford 785-608-8408

www.stoneandstory.com

CULINARY CREATIONS A TASTY TWIST ON TRADITION

ARTICLE LINDA DITCH

BACON-W RAPPED TURKEY WHEN CREATING A THANKSGIVING DINNER MENU, TURKEY IS TRADITIONALLY THE PRIME ATTRACTION. A golden-brown bird takes center stage on most holiday tables. However, a flavor twist can bring new life to roasted turkey, especially if some diners are not big fans of this time-honored main dish. Bacon-wrapped turkey may just do the trick. Thanks to the bacon, there is no need to brine or baste the bird. It creates a crispy skin that also infuses the tender meat underneath with a lovely smoky flavor. Perhaps best of all, the process is relatively simple, which is perfect on such a busy day in the kitchen. Rub the turkey inside and out with the butter mixture. Tuck the BACON-WRAPPED TURKEY

onion and celery inside the turkey, and then tie the legs together

Serves 10 to 12 people

with kitchen twine.

+ 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Wrap the legs and wings with bacon, tucking the ends under-

+ 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage

neath the bird. Next, lay the remaining bacon strips across the

+ 1 teaspoon dried thyme

top of the turkey breast. (You can create a lattice pattern with

+ 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

the bacon on a piece of parchment paper and then transfer it to

+ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

the turkey if you want a more decorative effect.) Trim the edges

+ 1 (12- to 15-pound) turkey

to fit if necessary.

+ 1 large yellow onion, quartered

Pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of the roasting pan

+ 2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch long pieces

under the turkey. Place the pan in the oven and roast the turkey

+ 1 1/2 pounds thick-cut bacon (20 to 24 slices)

for 30 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and continue roasting for another 2 to 2 1/2 hours, depending on the

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Remove all but one

size of the turkey. (It takes approximately 15 minutes per pound

oven rack, placing it in the bottom third of the oven.

to roast a turkey completely.) Cover the breast lightly with foil if

In a small bowl, mix the butter, sage, thyme,

the bacon gets too dark. The turkey is done when the internal

poultry seasoning, and salt. Remove the giblets

temperature reaches 170 to 175 degrees in the thigh (away from

and neck from inside the turkey and place the bird

the bone) and 165 degrees in the breast. After removing the tur-

breast-side up on a rack in a large roasting pan.

key from the oven, allow it to rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Topeka Lifestyle | November 2021

Unlock your child’s

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