wichita family magazine november 2015

Wichita Family • November 2015 - 1

ENJOYING THE FALL & THANKSGIVING

november 2015

2 - www.wichitafamily.com

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Cost conscious home upgrades for Fall

An essay about being thankful

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10

14

News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

Make holiday meals smooth and special

november 2015

Inside:


Published By:

Lucky 7 Publishing LLC316.295.8465

Publisher:

Todd Vogts

Advertising Inquiries Contact:

Publisher Todd Vogts [email protected]

Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. Wichita Family Magazine is available free, at schools, stores, restaurants, libraries, retailers and local attractions, as well as other places families frequent. For a complete list of where to find Wichita Family, or for subscription rates, email us at

[email protected] or visit our website at www.wichitafamily.com.

Copyright 2015 by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Wichita Family Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Wichita Family is distributed free of charge. The magazine’s advertisers make this possible, so support them! We reserve the right to edit submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication, but we reserve the right to refuse material. Materials will not be returned. Any

editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lucky 7 Publishing LLC.

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Message from the PublisherThanksgiving is upon us, and soon

the sweet, succulent smells of baked turkey and perfectly prepared candied yams will fill the air.

I enjoy most holidays, but Thanks-giving truly takes the top place in my heart due to the meaning behind it.

I love to spend time with my family and friends, and all holidays afford that opportunity. However, Thanksgiving is different. The focus isn’t giving gifts and being materialistic, which brings on a

whole host of anxieties for me. Instead, it is about simply being together and taking stock in what you have. It is about being thankful.

From time to time, ev-

eryone struggles to see the positives in their own worlds, but Thanksgiving is a time to take a step back and really look at what blessings your life is filled with.

It is easy to only focus on the nega-tives, but when gathered around the dinner table with a spread of food fit for a king, I am reminded of all the good in my life. I can let the worries of life slip away and enjoy the company of others over a delicious meal.

I come from a large family, and every year the family tradition for Thanksgiving is basically the same. We gather at grandmother’s house to eat and take part in fellowship. The male’s usually end up outside in her garage watching a football game, cracking jokes and maybe playing cards or a round of cornhole (the bean-bag throwing game).

This year will be different, though. Now that I am married to my lovely wife, there will be two family traditions to take part in. We will have to split

time between both sides of our fami-lies. For some, it might be hard to let go of a tradition in favor of a new one, but I am looking forward to it. After all, her family is now my family as well.

At this point, I’m not sure how our holidays will look. I don’t know the plan for both sides of our families yet, but I am excited for the possibilities.

One other event in November that gets me excited is the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, com-petition. I took part in it a couple years ago, and it was a great experience. To call it a competition isn’t exactly ac-curate because you essentially compete against yourself to write a 50,000-word novel during the month. If you succeed, you get some free swag and the pride of knowing you did it.

If you have any interest in writing, I urge you to give it a shot. Visit www.nanowrimo.org to learn more.

So enjoy this Fall and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Advertising Inquiries Contact:

Publisher Todd Vogts [email protected]

Todd [email protected]


News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

The front of Lawrence Elementary was beautifully decorated while sending a positive message. More than 400 pinwheels were on display in front of the school for International Peace Day. Each student in Jeffrey Dohlman’s art classes created a pinwheel.

Students in the primary grades had lessons on shapes and textures as they created their pinwheels. Students in the upper grades worked with themes of peace and unity in their pinwheel designs.

Lawrence students create Pinwheels for Peace

District administrators and Board of Education members toured the new Southeast High School under construction. While there is still work to be done, those on the tour were excited about the progress.

Principal Lori Doyle said all of the traditions of the old Southeast will move with them. Many symbols of Southeast, including a stuffed buffalo and buffalo statue that are in the library, will be placed in the new building.

The school is scheduled to open to students in August 2016.

District administrators tour new Southeast High School

A student gets a close-up look at the Pinwheels for Peace decorating the front of Lawrence Elementary School.

District administrators look at Southeast’s auditorium under construction. The auditorium will seat 800 people.


Every Jackson Elementary student worked to give back to the community by having a school-wide community service project packaging meals for Numana. The students and staff packaged 20,000 meals during the day. Every time they made enough meal packets to fill a box, a student rang a gong and everyone cheered. The PreK students decorated the boxes for the meals.

All the meals they school packaged will be used to feed hungry families in Kansas.

Anderson receives U.S. Flag from Derby VFW Riders

Anderson Elementary had some special guests to give them a special gift.

The Derby VFW Riders presented the school with a new U.S. Flag to hang in the school’s storm shelter.

The VFW Riders arrived in style on their motorcycles

while students lined the school’s driveway holding patriotic pictures and messages.

When the VFW Riders unveiled the school’s new flag, the students said the Pledge of Allegiance and the school’s motto as a thank you.

Anderson students say the Pledge of Allegiance to thank Derby VFW Riders for their new U.S. Flag.

Jackson students and staff packaged 20,000 meals for Numana during the school’s first school-wide community service project.

Students in the primary grades had lessons on shapes and textures as they created their pinwheels. Students in the upper grades worked with themes of peace and unity in their pinwheel designs.

Lawrence students create Pinwheels for Peace

Jackson students make

meals for Numana

A student gets a close-up look at the Pinwheels for Peace decorating the front of Lawrence Elementary School.


If you’re looking for ways to im-prove your home but don’t have the budget for a full-scale renovation,

look at upgrades that add instant value with a smaller investment.

Projects that enhance existing features or add new functions to the home are smart ways to spruce up the aesthetics and improve livability without breaking the bank. In between extreme weather seasons is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects, so this fall consider some small-scale projects that can make a big impact on your home.

Revitalize worn woodwork. Noth-ing ages a home’s appearance faster than tired, weathered woodwork on the front porch or back deck. These structures are typically major focal points of a home’s exterior, so spruc-ing them up can go a long way toward transforming the overall aesthetic. A fresh coat of stain or paint is a mini-mal investment to bring fresh life back

into your entryway or backyard living space.

Pull out a new kitchen look. If changing out the cabinets isn’t an op-tion, you can still create a new look with a minimal investment. Wipe down cabinets thoroughly and apply a coat of paint to make them look their very best, then look for subtle changes that bring a wow factor, such as new hardware. Simply changing out dated pulls for a more contemporary look in a new color can bring a new mood to the room. Clear away clutter and add some fresh accessories for a whole new look.

Punch up the power. Adding func-tion can be as valuable as aesthetics when it comes to enjoying your home to the fullest. When bad weather or other factors interrupt your power sup-ply, a standby generator lets you run appliances such as air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers, lights and electronics, minimiz-

ing the inconvenience of a power out-age. For extended outages, a genera-tor can even save money, preventing unexpected costs from spoiled food or hotel stays. Hooked up to a home’s existing propane or natural gas line, a standby generator system, oftentimes called a home generator, switches on by itself when power fails. Models such as Briggs & Stratton’s newly rede-signed 12 kilowatt standby generator provide whole-house power in a small footprint that maintains curb appeal. Plus, the price point of standby gen-erator systems is continuing to drop because power management systems like Symphony(r) II continue to get smarter. Symphony II power manage-ment, which can be included with all Briggs & Stratton generators, auto-matically balances the power needs of a home’s electrical loads - including high-wattage items. Therefore families get uninterrupted, whole-house power with a smaller - and, thus, more af-

fordable - standby generator. For more information about the entire line of Briggs & Stratton standby generator systems, visit www.powernow.com.

Look at new lighting. The light-ing in a room has a significant impact on its overall feel: a bright, airy room exudes energy while a dimmer, soft illumination evokes a cozy impression. Changing up the lighting can com-pletely transform a space. Use window treatments such as drapes and blinds to control natural light and lend a stylish addition to the room. Floor and table lamps are ideal for more subtle task lighting, while overhead fixtures can make a stronger statement.

Explore a new floor. Over time, the rich pile of new carpeting loses its inviting spring, and once-sharp grout lines fade and crumble. If a thorough cleaning still leaves your flooring looking drab, it may be time to ex-plore alternatives. Replacing heavily worn carpet in high traffic areas with a more durable option such as wood or tile may not only improve the look, but also prove a smart investment as it wears better in the future. If you still enjoy the look of your tile, consider removing and replacing the grout, then sealing it to protect the finish. Don’t feel beholden to the original color; a new shade can introduce a whole new color dimension to the room.

Making updates to your home is a natural part of ownership and a good way to protect and grow your invest-ment. Fortunately, making a big differ-ence doesn’t always have to come with

Adding function, such as a generator, to your home can be just as important as aesthetic improvements.


ing the inconvenience of a power out-age. For extended outages, a genera-tor can even save money, preventing unexpected costs from spoiled food or hotel stays. Hooked up to a home’s existing propane or natural gas line, a standby generator system, oftentimes called a home generator, switches on by itself when power fails. Models such as Briggs & Stratton’s newly rede-signed 12 kilowatt standby generator provide whole-house power in a small footprint that maintains curb appeal. Plus, the price point of standby gen-erator systems is continuing to drop because power management systems like Symphony(r) II continue to get smarter. Symphony II power manage-ment, which can be included with all Briggs & Stratton generators, auto-matically balances the power needs of a home’s electrical loads - including high-wattage items. Therefore families get uninterrupted, whole-house power with a smaller - and, thus, more af-

fordable - standby generator. For more information about the entire line of Briggs & Stratton standby generator systems, visit www.powernow.com.

Look at new lighting. The light-ing in a room has a significant impact on its overall feel: a bright, airy room exudes energy while a dimmer, soft illumination evokes a cozy impression. Changing up the lighting can com-pletely transform a space. Use window treatments such as drapes and blinds to control natural light and lend a stylish addition to the room. Floor and table lamps are ideal for more subtle task lighting, while overhead fixtures can make a stronger statement.

Explore a new floor. Over time, the rich pile of new carpeting loses its inviting spring, and once-sharp grout lines fade and crumble. If a thorough cleaning still leaves your flooring looking drab, it may be time to ex-plore alternatives. Replacing heavily worn carpet in high traffic areas with a more durable option such as wood or tile may not only improve the look, but also prove a smart investment as it wears better in the future. If you still enjoy the look of your tile, consider removing and replacing the grout, then sealing it to protect the finish. Don’t feel beholden to the original color; a new shade can introduce a whole new color dimension to the room.

Making updates to your home is a natural part of ownership and a good way to protect and grow your invest-ment. Fortunately, making a big differ-ence doesn’t always have to come with

a big price tag attached.

Plan Ahead to Save

Before embarking on a home im-provement project, there are several steps a homeowner can take to manage the time and expense while making the effort run more smoothly:

1. Regardless of the type of project you’re planning, research the pos-sibilities before you get started. From comparing prices to evaluating styles and features, knowing all your avail-able options will help ensure you make right choices for your needs.

2. When evaluating appliances or equipment, pay attention to variables

that may affect the overall project cost. For example, installing a generator with a power management system like Symphony(r) II from Briggs & Strat-ton, can help meet your home’s backup power requirements with a smaller, more affordable generator. This can potentially knock hundreds if not thousands of dollars off a generator purchase with a little research ahead of time to find the right-size generator needed for a home. An online calcula-tor tool at www.powernow.com can help match homeowners with the best generator for their individual needs.

3. Determine a budget, and stick to it. Be realistic and remember that a little more investment upfront may buy quality that will save money on repairs and replacements down the road. Another good rule of thumb: add at least 10 percent buffer to help cover unexpected expenses.

4. Assess whether the project is something you can tackle on your own, and whether time or ability may impede your progress. If you need to enlist help, gather estimates and check references for at least three contractors.

5. Set expectations for yourself and your family about how long the project will take. If you’re working with a contractor, get a time projection in writing, as well as a written agreement about what happens if the project runs past deadline.

— Family Features

Subtle changes, such as a coat of paint or new hardware, can give your kitchen a fresh, new look and feel. (courtesy Getty Images)

Replacing carpet with a more durable option, such as wood, can add a new dimension to any room. (courtesy Getty Images)


Make holiday meals smooth, specialA holiday meal shared with family and friends is a

special occasion, and it calls for special touches in the kitchen.

Cooking with olive oil is one way to achieve exceptional flavors that taste as good as they are good for you.

Extra virgin is the highest quality of olive oil, meaning that the acidity level of the oil is low.

Options range from light flavor profiles to more tradi-tionally robust extra virgin varieties, depending on the type of dish you’re planning.

Extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidants, polyphenols and no cholesterol, making it a great addition to (or substi-tution for butter in) recipes savory and sweet.

The strong flavors of Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil are best suited for marinades, pastas and salad dressings.

Alternatively, the smooth, fruity taste of new Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil is ideal for more subtle preparations such as sauteing, sauces and stir-frying.

Keep these tips in mind when shopping for olive oil:• Select the oil for quality, not color. Olive oils come in a range of colors, from dark green to a light golden color, due to the type of olives included in the oil. • Look at the label for quality indicators. For example, Pom-peian is the first and only national brand to carry the U.S. Department of Agriculture Quality Monitored Seal for extra virgin olive oil, reflecting rigorous testing for sensory, qual-ity, purity and origin to ensure a quality product in every bottle.• Look for a bottle that’s dark in color. This helps prevent oxi-dation, keeping oil fresher, longer. Keep oil in your pantry, away from heat and light.

Find more tips and recipes for a delicious holiday meal at pompeian.com.

Pork Tenderloin Braised with Cranberries, Shallots and Apples

Servings: 4- 2 pork tenderloins (2 pounds)- Sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)- 6 tablespoons Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil- 12 medium whole shallots, peeled- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 3/4-inch thick slices- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped- 1/2 cup Pompeian Burgundy Cooking Wine- 3/4 cup cranberry juice- 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Heat oven to 400 F.Season pork tenderloins with salt and pepper. In large

skillet over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of Pom-peian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add tenderloins one

at a time and brown well on all sides. Transfer to medium-size, non-reactive baking pan.

Add 2 more tablespoons of Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil to skillet. Stir in shallots and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Transfer shallots to baking pan. Add apples to skillet and brown on all sides. Transfer apples to small bowl and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in skillet and add garlic and thyme. Cook garlic until golden, then pour in cooking wine. Bring wine to a boil, scraping brown bits at bottom of pan. Add cranberry juice and cranberries. Bring back to a boil, then pour liquid over pork in baking pan.

Transfer baking pan to oven, cover and braise for 15 minutes. Add apples to pan, cover and braise another 10-15 minutes, or until thermometer inserted into pork registers 155 F. Transfer pork to platter and return pan to oven for 10-15 minutes more, until shallots are tender.

Cut pork into 1-inch thick slices and spoon shallots, apples and cranberry-wine sauce over pork.

— Family Features


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Make holiday meals smooth, special

at a time and brown well on all sides. Transfer to medium-size, non-reactive baking pan.

Add 2 more tablespoons of Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil to skillet. Stir in shallots and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Transfer shallots to baking pan. Add apples to skillet and brown on all sides. Transfer apples to small bowl and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in skillet and add garlic and thyme. Cook garlic until golden, then pour in cooking wine. Bring wine to a boil, scraping brown bits at bottom of pan. Add cranberry juice and cranberries. Bring back to a boil, then pour liquid over pork in baking pan.

Transfer baking pan to oven, cover and braise for 15 minutes. Add apples to pan, cover and braise another 10-15 minutes, or until thermometer inserted into pork registers 155 F. Transfer pork to platter and return pan to oven for 10-15 minutes more, until shallots are tender.

Cut pork into 1-inch thick slices and spoon shallots, apples and cranberry-wine sauce over pork.

— Family Features


With flu season approaching, parents may be brac-ing for an outbreak at their children’s schools, but adults are also highly susceptible at work and in

other public places. Now is the time for families and busi-nesses to take steps to prevent and protect against the flu.

With workers missing as much as a week after falling ill with the flu, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attributes as much as $7 billion in losses for U.S. businesses each year as a result of workers’ sick days and lost productivity. Combine that with lost wages, missed school and sporting events, and the overall hit to your per-sonal health, and the toll is higher yet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention esti-mates between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year depending upon the severity of the flu season. People at high risk for developing flu-related complications include children under 5, adults 65 or older, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care centers, and people who have medical conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease and blood disorders.

“Influenza is a serious viral infection, and the toll on public health each year related to influenza is significant,” said Dr. John Hanlin, vice president of public health and

food safety at Ecolab. “Fortunately, there are a number of important measures that you, your family and your business colleagues can take to reduce the risk of influenza.”

Getting a flu vaccine and taking anti-viral medications as prescribed if you do contract the flu are two ways the CDC advocates stopping the spread of flu germs. Another vital factor in protecting yourself from the flu is preventing its spread.

The flu is a respiratory infection accompanied by fever and often respiratory complications that is transmitted from person to person, either through personal contact, or through contact with a contaminated surface. Individuals who have contracted the virus are contagious at least one day prior to displaying symptoms, and up to seven days after they first appear.

In addition, the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, and up to 12 hours on cloth, paper and tissues. Properly cleaning and disinfecting can minimize the chances of individuals contracting the virus from a contaminated surface.

Prevent contamination

To properly clean, disinfect and protect your environ-

ment, know that you should:• Clean any visible soil from surfaces before disinfecting.

When cleaning and disinfecting, work from top to bottom and from cleaner to more heavily soiled surfaces.

• Thoroughly wet the surface with a U.S. EPA registered disinfectant and follow label instructions. Choose disinfec-tants effective against the flu virus, such as Ecolab’s line of disinfectant products, which are available for institutional and industrial use.

• Disinfect frequently touched hard surfaces often, including tables, chairs, light switches, door handles and restroom facilities.

• Give special attention to frequently touched surfaces in food preparation areas, as well as the restroom, includ-ing light and air control switches, faucets, toilet flush levers, door knobs and handrails.

• Avoid touching public items that sustain heavy use, such as elevator buttons and push plates on doors, with your hands.

Proper hand hygiene

Hand-washing is also essential to preventing an influ-enza contamination. Proper hand-washing helps remove most bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, so they can’t be spread to others. The CDC recommends these steps:

• Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.

• Rub hands together to lather the soap. Clean the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.

• Scrub for at least 20 seconds.• Rinse well under clean, running water.• Dry with a clean towel or air dry.• Before using hand sanitizer, remove any dirt from

hands with soap and water. Apply product to palm and rub hands together until it disappears (15-20 seconds).

Education is the first step in promoting effective hand hygiene. But the real challenge is motivating others to wash frequently and follow protocols day in and day out.

• Use soaps that are gentle on hands. Formulations that

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images


food safety at Ecolab. “Fortunately, there are a number of important measures that you, your family and your business colleagues can take to reduce the risk of influenza.”

Getting a flu vaccine and taking anti-viral medications as prescribed if you do contract the flu are two ways the CDC advocates stopping the spread of flu germs. Another vital factor in protecting yourself from the flu is preventing its spread.

The flu is a respiratory infection accompanied by fever and often respiratory complications that is transmitted from person to person, either through personal contact, or through contact with a contaminated surface. Individuals who have contracted the virus are contagious at least one day prior to displaying symptoms, and up to seven days after they first appear.

In addition, the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, and up to 12 hours on cloth, paper and tissues. Properly cleaning and disinfecting can minimize the chances of individuals contracting the virus from a contaminated surface.

Prevent contamination

To properly clean, disinfect and protect your environ-

ment, know that you should:• Clean any visible soil from surfaces before disinfecting.

When cleaning and disinfecting, work from top to bottom and from cleaner to more heavily soiled surfaces.

• Thoroughly wet the surface with a U.S. EPA registered disinfectant and follow label instructions. Choose disinfec-tants effective against the flu virus, such as Ecolab’s line of disinfectant products, which are available for institutional and industrial use.

• Disinfect frequently touched hard surfaces often, including tables, chairs, light switches, door handles and restroom facilities.

• Give special attention to frequently touched surfaces in food preparation areas, as well as the restroom, includ-ing light and air control switches, faucets, toilet flush levers, door knobs and handrails.

• Avoid touching public items that sustain heavy use, such as elevator buttons and push plates on doors, with your hands.

Proper hand hygiene

Hand-washing is also essential to preventing an influ-enza contamination. Proper hand-washing helps remove most bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, so they can’t be spread to others. The CDC recommends these steps:

• Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.

• Rub hands together to lather the soap. Clean the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.

• Scrub for at least 20 seconds.• Rinse well under clean, running water.• Dry with a clean towel or air dry.• Before using hand sanitizer, remove any dirt from

hands with soap and water. Apply product to palm and rub hands together until it disappears (15-20 seconds).

Education is the first step in promoting effective hand hygiene. But the real challenge is motivating others to wash frequently and follow protocols day in and day out.

• Use soaps that are gentle on hands. Formulations that

irritate skin may dissuade even the most dedicated hand-washer.

• Be a role model and wash your hands following the same high standard you set for your family and coworkers.

• Continuously reinforce that protection starts with pre-vention, and hand-washing is critical to prevention.

Extra care in the kitchen

Because flu and cold viruses can spread easily to foods and beverages, it’s especially important to promote hand-washing in the kitchen. The Food and Drug Administration suggests:

• Plan food preparation activities to reduce the number of times hands need to be washed.

• Use soap and water, which is more effective in remov-ing foodborne pathogens than hand sanitizers.

For additional information on how Ecolab can help you and your business prepare for the flu season, visit ecolab.com/pages/flu.

— Family Features

6 Ways to Minimize Exposure to the Flu

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

3. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

4. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer frequently.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images


It’s not an uncommon Thanksgiving scene: the football game is off, or at least muted, the little people chew the food they snuck to their little table before the prayer,

and the big people squirm in their big chairs as they try to think up a not-so-quaint reason to be thankful; stomachs growl, aunts and uncles nod and murmur agreement at reports like, “moms,” and “a roof over our heads,” and “fel-lowship.” And everyone hopes the blessing on the food will

be said before sentimental cousin Rosie starts to count her many blessings.

Once the food and drink and gravy begins to flow, and the television breaks the remaining silence, all the resistance and dread fades into only a slight annoyance.

We know we’re thankful, but why is it so hard to say it? Is it the closeness of family members who have been ruffling our feathers since the first hello? Is it that the same person who just gushed thankfulness about a trifle has forgotten to thank us for daily kindnesses?

It’s all the more difficult because we’ve known Novem-ber is coming, and we know what that means. The pressure multiplies as we anticipate practicing and remembering thankfulness that has been pushed away. Or maybe we’re not thankful, and the thought that we should be repulses us.

So I wonder, what makes us struggle to be thankful?Behind all the talk, there at the bottom of some corner in

ourselves, is dependence. And the thought of gifts — things unearnable.

All the rest of the year haven’t we been striving to achieve a raise, or work off the last of our waist, or create something original? Didn’t we work harder than our sloth of a brother? Yet, there he sits licking the turkey fat off his chubby fingers, ignorant of his childishness.

It’s that puffy feeling, the one that makes the head swell and the pulse quicken when others describe the gifts they’ve been given, that blocks our giving of thanks.

And why should we be thankful for the things that we know we deserve? We’ve worked hard, put in countless hours, and wrestled with the anxiety of failure. And we won.

We’re independent. How could anyone around this table know just how independent we are? How hard we’ve worked, how long we’ve pushed on with no one understand-ing, no one even noticing?

But then, hopefully, we see it, another familiar scene: Grandpa tries to push himself up from the rocking chair, but sits back with a grunt. “Here,” says the grandchild near-est, and holds out a hand. And in the other room a baby cries. On the T.V. a teammate is helped up and off the field, one leg rendered useless.

We can try and block it out, close our eyes to it all, and we do try. The reminder that we, too, are dependent upon another — whether long ago, or now, or in times to come — sinks in and stays.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten that the depth of our dependence is unknowable; even the breaths we take are not our own. We didn’t conceive existence. No matter how little or how much we have, it is all a gift.

And so we give thanks.

Ian Anderson is a teacher, a husband, and a dad. He lives with his family in Central Kansas. Occasionally, he tweets here: @ian_writes.

By Ian Anderson

The Root of Thankfulness~ A ThAnksgiving EssAy ~

On a recent trip home, I was talking with my mom while she was baking in the kitchen. With the season of everything homemade, rich, sweet, salty,

mashed, and creamy upon us, I am reminded of my experi-ences in the kitchen with my mom and older sisters.

I am the youngest of three girls, and have never been the one heading up the goings on in the kitchen, but I have al-ways been the one to help when asked, ask questions about the recipes, listen to the conversations going on, and watch, very impressed, as the older women in my life bring life to the simplest ingredients.

During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, I am reminded of how continually blessed I am by those experi-ences in the kitchen. I also feel extremely blessed to have grown up in the location and decade that I did. It was a much simpler time, even though there were many techno-logical advances taking place, and crimes being committed, I was unaware of these goings on.

That is unlike the experiences of my students that I see on a daily basis. They grow up in a rough area, the advances in technology, crime, and issues of society are daily a part of their lives. There is not one “issue” that my students are

By Kendall Vogts

Baking Up Memories~ A FAmily in ThE kiTchEn EssAy ~


The Root of Thankfulness

• Plant a garden. • Go to a farmers market.• Fix a tractor. • And more!

Young children will discover the world around them and find out how country and city living

are more alike than we may think.

For Children Ages

5 and Under

300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita, Kansas 67203316.660.0600 • www.exploration.org • #KansasKidsEP Included in general museum admission, free for members.

On a recent trip home, I was talking with my mom while she was baking in the kitchen. With the season of everything homemade, rich, sweet, salty,

mashed, and creamy upon us, I am reminded of my experi-ences in the kitchen with my mom and older sisters.

I am the youngest of three girls, and have never been the one heading up the goings on in the kitchen, but I have al-ways been the one to help when asked, ask questions about the recipes, listen to the conversations going on, and watch, very impressed, as the older women in my life bring life to the simplest ingredients.

During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, I am reminded of how continually blessed I am by those experi-ences in the kitchen. I also feel extremely blessed to have grown up in the location and decade that I did. It was a much simpler time, even though there were many techno-logical advances taking place, and crimes being committed, I was unaware of these goings on.

That is unlike the experiences of my students that I see on a daily basis. They grow up in a rough area, the advances in technology, crime, and issues of society are daily a part of their lives. There is not one “issue” that my students are

blind to. So when I compare my heartfelt kitchen experi-ences to the ones they might have, I am saddened.

Many of my students cook out of necessity. They are the “adults” and must provide for younger siblings. Others of my students will never know of the homemade delicacies that I have tasted because of a lack of family funds or a lack of passed down cooking knowledge from past generations. Finally, the conversations that my students witness in their households will not create fond memories. They are wit-nesses to fighting, cursing, and problems of their guardians are placed on their shoulders.

I want nothing more than for my students to have beau-tiful memories of the holiday seasons. Keep this in mind as you enter this time of thankfulness.

We are blessed by the time we have with our loved one,s and memories that might be labeled as simple or unneces-sary to create, really carry a heavier weight than you would image. Take the time. Let your kids help when you need it. Let them ask questions about the recipes. Let them listen to happy conversations, and let them watch, very impressed, as you bring life to simple ingredients.

Kendall Vogts lives and teaches in Central Kansas. She is married to WFM publisher Todd Vogts.

By Kendall Vogts

Baking Up Memories~ A FAmily in ThE kiTchEn EssAy ~

16 - www.wichitafamily.comWest side of Wichita in Goddard

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wichita family magazine november 2015

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