wichita family magazine november 2014
DESCRIPTION
Wichita Family Magazine November 2014TRANSCRIPT
wfm 1
Red Rock•B
ella
Luna•Fred
dy’s Frozen
Custard an
d Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In Pig
Out•The
Good Egg•G
reat Wall
•Mead
s Corner•Cinnam
ons
Deli•Ja
sons Deli
•Freddy’s
Frozen Custa
rd and Ste
akburge
rs•Doc
Green’s
•Barn
’rds•M
arble
Slab Crea
mery•B
raums•C
iao Ita
lian Kitc
hen•P
laya
Azul•P
acific
Coast Pizz
a•Pica
sso’s
Pizza•C
innamons
Deli•B
one Fish
Grill•Sp
angle
s•Larr
y Bud’s•T
exas
Roadhouse•
Flying
Moose•W
ichita
Art
Gallery
•Littl
e Feet
Boutique•H
ortons•G
uitar
Center
•Kan
sas Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
Bottom•W
ichita
Collegia
te•Metr
o
Meridian
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eCad
emy•C
ity A
rts•W
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Art
Museum•O
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f World
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Basketb
all•K
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oma Aquari
um•Wich
ita M
aid•L
a
Petite•
Pet Have
n•Royal
Pets•M
int•Lark
sfield Plac
e•Davi
ds Brid
al•Via
Christi
Health•Tan
ganyik
a W
ildlife
Park•
Red Rock•B
ella
Luna•Fred
dy’s
Frozen Custa
rd and Ste
akburge
rs•Sp
angle
s•Pig
In Pig Out•Th
e Good Egg
•Grea
t Wall•M
eads Corner•
Cinnamons Deli
•Jasons Deli
•Freddy’s
Fro-
zen Custa
rd and Ste
akburge
rs•Doc
Green’s
•Barn
’rds•M
arble
Slab Crea
mery•B
raums•C
iao Ita
lian Kitc
hen•P
laya
Azul•P
acific
Coast Pizz
a•Pica
sso’s
Pizza•C
innamons D
eli•B
one Fish
Grill
•Span
gles•L
arry B
ud’s•Texa
s Road
house•Flyi
ng Moose•
Wich
ita A
rt Gall
ery•L
ittle F
eet B
outique•H
ortons•G
uitar
Center
•Kan
sas Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
Bottom•W
ichita
Collegia
te•Metr
o Meridian
•Andover
eCad
emy•C
ity Arts
•Wich
ita
Art Museu
m•Orpheu
m•Cherr
y Oak
s•San
d Cree
k Stati
on•Auburn
Hills
•Crown U
ptown•Music
Theat
er of W
ichita
•Museu
m of W
orld•T
reasures
•Zo
obilee•E
xplorat
ion Place•S
hocker Bask
etball
•Ken
wood Cove•Oklah
oma Aquari
um•Wich
ita Maid
•La
Petite•
Pet Have
n•Royal
Pets•M
int•Lark
sfield
Place•D
avids B
ridal•
Via Chris
ti Heal
th•Tangan
yika W
ildlife
Park• R
ed R
ock•Bell
a Luna•F
reddy’s
Frozen C
ustard an
d Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In Pig
Out•The G
ood Egg
•Grea
t Wall
•Mead
s Corner•
Cinnamons D
eli•Ja
sons Deli
•Freddy’s
Frozen
Custa
rd and St
eakburge
rs•Doc G
reen’s
•Barn
’rds•M
arble
Slab C
reamery
•Brau
ms•Ciao
Italia
n Kitc
hen•P
laya A
zul•P
acific C
oast Pizz
a•Pica
sso’s P
izza•C
innamons D
eli•B
one Fish
Grill
•Span
gles•L
arry B
ud’s•Texa
s
Roadhouse•
Flying
Moose•W
ichita
Art
Gallery
•Littl
e Feet
Boutiq
ue•Horto
ns•Guita
r Cen
ter•K
ansas
Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
Bottom•W
ichita
Colle
giate•
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eridian
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rts•W
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Art
Museum•O
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Aquarium•W
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Maid
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Pets•M
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al•Via C
hristi H
ealth•Tan
ganyik
a Wild
life Park
• Red
Rock•Bell
a
Luna•Fred
dy’s Frozen
Custard an
d Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In Pig
Out•The G
ood Egg•G
reat W
all•M
eads C
orner•Cinnam
ons Deli
•Jasons D
eli•Fred
dy’s
Frozen C
ustard an
d Steak
burgers•
Doc Gree
n’s•B
arn’rd
s•Marb
le Sla
b Crea
mery•B
raums•C
iao It
alian
Kitc
hen•P
laya A
zul•P
acific C
oast P
izza•P
icasso
’s
Pizza•C
innamons D
eli•B
one Fish
Grill
•Span
gles•L
arry B
ud’s•Texa
s Road
house•Flyi
ng Moose•
Wich
ita A
rt Gall
ery•L
ittle F
eet B
outique•H
ortons•G
uitar
Center
•Kan
sas Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
Bottom•W
ichita
Collegia
te•Metr
o Meridian
•Andover
eCad
emy•C
ity Arts
•Wich
ita
Art Museu
m•Orpheu
m•Cherr
y Oak
s•San
d Cree
k Stati
on•Auburn
Hills
•Crown U
ptown•Music
Theat
er of W
ichita
•Museu
m of W
orld•T
reasures
•Zo
obilee•E
xplorat
ion Place•S
hocker Bask
etball
•Ken
wood Cove•Oklah
oma Aquari
um•Wich
ita Maid
•La
Petite•
Pet Have
n•Royal
Pets•M
int•Lark
sfield
Place•D
avids B
ridal•
Via Chris
ti Heal
th•Tangan
yika W
ildlife
Park• R
ed R
ock•Bell
a Luna•F
reddy’s
Frozen C
ustard an
d Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In Pig
Out•The G
ood Egg
•Grea
t Wall
•Mead
s Corner•
Cinnamons D
eli•Ja
sons Deli
•Freddy’s
Frozen
Custa
rd and St
eakburge
rs•Doc G
reen’s
•Barn
’rds•M
arble
Slab C
reamery
•Brau
ms•Ciao
Italia
n Kitc
hen•P
laya A
zul•P
acific C
oast Pizz
a•Pica
sso’s P
izza•C
innamons D
eli•B
one Fish
Grill
•Span
gles•L
arry B
ud’s•Texa
s
Roadhouse•
Flying
Moose•W
ichita
Art
Gallery
•Littl
e Feet
Boutiq
ue•Horto
ns•Guita
r Cen
ter•K
ansas
Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
BottomW
ichita
Colle
giate•
Metro M
eridian
•Andover
eCad
emy•C
ity A
rts•W
ichita
Art
Museum•O
rpheum•C
herry
Oaks•S
and C
reek S
tation•A
uburn
Hills•C
rown Uptown•M
usic Th
eater
of Wich
ita•M
useum of W
orld•T
reasures
•Zoobile
e•Exp
loration Plac
e•Shocker
Basketb
all•K
enwood C
ove•Oklah
oma
Aquarium•W
ichita
Maid
•La P
etite•
Pet Have
n•Royal
Pets•M
int•Lark
sfield Plac
e•Davi
ds Brid
al•Via C
hristi H
ealth•Tan
ganyik
a Wild
life Park
• Red
Rock•Bell
a
Luna•Fred
dy’s Frozen
Custard an
d Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In Pig
Out•The G
ood Egg•G
reat W
all•M
eads C
orner•Cinnam
ons Deli
•Jasons D
eli•Fred
dy’s
Frozen C
ustard an
d Steak
burgers•
Doc Gree
n’s•B
arn’rd
s•Marb
le Sla
b Crea
mery•B
raums•C
iao It
alian
Kitc
hen•P
laya A
zul•P
acific C
oast P
izza•P
icasso
’s
Pizza•C
innamons D
eli•B
one Fish
Grill
•Span
gles•L
arry B
ud’s•Texa
s Road
house•Flyi
ng Moose•
Wich
ita A
rt Gall
ery•L
ittle F
eet B
outique•H
ortons•G
uitar
Center
•Kan
sas Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
BottomW
ichita
Collegia
te•Metr
o Meridian
•Andover
eCad
emy•C
ity Arts
•Wich
ita
Art Museu
m•Orpheu
m•Cherr
y Oak
s•San
d Cree
k Stati
on•Auburn
Hills
•Crown U
ptown•Music
Theat
er of W
ichita
•Museu
m of W
orld•T
reasures
•Zo
obilee•E
xplorat
ion Place•S
hocker Bask
etball
•Ken
wood Cove•Oklah
oma Aquari
um•Wich
ita Maid
•La
Petite•
Pet Have
n•Royal
Pets•M
int•Lark
sfield
Place•D
avids B
ridal•
Via Chris
ti Heal
th•Tangan
yika W
ildlife
Park R
ed R
ock•Bell
a Luna•F
reddy’s
Frozen C
ustard an
d Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In Pig
Out•The G
ood Egg
•Grea
t Wall
•Mead
s Corner•
Cinnamons D
eli•Ja
sons Deli
•Freddy’s
Frozen
Custa
rd and St
eakburge
rs•Doc G
reen’s
•Barn
’rds•M
arble
Slab C
reamery
•Brau
ms•Ciao
Italia
n Kitc
hen•P
laya A
zul•P
acific C
oast Pizz
a•Pica
sso’s P
izza•C
innamons D
eli•B
one Fish
Grill
•Span
gles•L
arry B
ud’s•Texa
s
Roadhouse•
Flying
Moose•W
ichita
Art
Gallery
•Littl
e Feet
Boutiq
ue•Horto
ns•Guita
r Cen
ter•K
ansas
Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
BottomW
ichita
Colle
giate•
Metro M
eridian
•Andover
eCad
emy•C
ity A
rts•W
ichita
Art
Museum•O
rpheum•C
herry
Oaks•S
and C
reek S
tation•A
uburn
Hills•C
rown Uptown•M
usic Th
eater
of Wich
ita•M
useum of W
orld•T
reasures
•Zoobile
e•Exp
loration Plac
e•Shocker
Basketb
all•K
enwood C
ove•Oklah
oma
Aquarium•W
ichita
Maid•L
a Peti
te•Pet
Haven•R
oyal Pets
•Mint•L
arksfield
Place•D
avids
Bridal•
Via Chris
ti Heal
th•Tangan
yika
Wild
life Park
• Red
Rock•B
ella
Luna•Fred
dy’s
Frozen
Custard
and
Steak
burgers•
Span
gles•P
ig In
Pig Out•Th
e Good
Egg•G
reat
Wall•M
eads
Corner•Cinnam
ons Deli
•Jasons
Deli•Fred
dy’s Frozen
Custard an
d Steak
burgers•
Doc Gree
n’s•B
arn’rd
s•Marb
le Sla
b Creamery
•Brau
ms•Ciao
Ital-
ian Kitc
hen•P
laya
Azul•P
acific
Coast Pizz
a•Pica
sso’s
Pizza•C
innamons
Deli•B
one Fish
Grill•Sp
angle
s•Larr
y Bud’s•T
exas
Roadhouse•
Flying
Moose•W
ichita
Art
Gallery
•Littl
e Feet
Boutiq
ue•Horto
ns•Guita
r Cen
ter•K
ansas
Human
e Socie
ty•Sere
nity•H
ealing
Waters•
Foggy
Bottom
Wich
ita Colle
giate•
Metro Meri
dian•A
ndover eC
adem
y•City
Arts•W
ichita
Art Museu
m•Orpheu
m•Cherr
y Oak
s•San
d Creek Sta
tion•A
uburn
wfmwichita family
magazine
BAKERS KEEP FAMILY, FAITH DURING HOLIDAYS 201
4
november 2014
RESULTS OF THE 2014 BEST FOR FAMILY READER’S CHOICE AWARDS
2 wfm
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Contact Marcus [email protected]
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wfm 3
wfmwichita family
magazine
The results of the 2014 Best for Family Reader’s Choice Awards are in
Dr. Brett Begnoche is in and has useful information for you
6
8
10
12
News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools
Family of WSU’s own Ron Baker keeps faith, family at the forefront during holiday seasons
november 2014
Inside:
Photo by Kate Hagans
4 wfm
Year round learning • Field trips • Pre-k curriculum • Project based learningTypical and special needs children welcome • 2 weeks - Pre-kindergarten
High Quality Early Childhood Program
Call (316) 260-4673 for a tour.Kids’ Point • K-96 & Oliver
WW
W.W
ICH
ITA
FAM
ILY.
CO
M wfmwichita family
magazine
Copyright 2014 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.
published by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC
316.295.8465
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.
Follow us on
@wichitafamily
wfm 5
Message from the PublisherFirst and foremost, congratulations to all the
winners of the 2014 Best for Family Reader’s Choice Awards. The people have spoken, and they did a fantastic job!
This year’s winners are all excellent establish-ments, and if you are among the many people who cast a vote, pat yourself on the back for voting well.
Every winner should be proud they uphold the values of strong families and healthy households.
Wichita Family read-ers are watching, and they clearly appreciate it.
Speaking of strong families and healthy households, this month’s feature high lights a family
you all are probably familiar with but don’t know. It is the family of Wichita State University’s outstand-ing male basketball player Ron Baker.
As you probably know, Baker, wearing No. 31 on his jersey, plays guard for the Shockers, and he hails from Scott City, located in western Kansas.
The Bakers were kind enough to share about their lives and give some secrets about how their family stays close to each other, especially during the basketball season that is tipping off.
As a proud WSU alumnus, I was so excited for the opportunity to speak with the Bakers.
I also used to live in western Kansas, so I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to help show Wichita Family readers a little slice of a great part of the state.
People from western Kansas, such as the Bakers, are superb folks, and I think that really shows in
what they had to say.Besides the basketball season starting, November
also means it is time for Thanksgiving, and I have to say it is one of my favorite holidays.
What’s better than spending time with those you love and eating delicious food?
You simply don’t find the same materialistic attitude with Thanksgiving as you could during Christmas.
The focus is on family. Sure, you might need to run out to score some
killer Black Friday deals, but don’t forget to spend quality time with your family. After all, once that new television loses its picture quality or a newer video game console comes out, you will still have your family. Those are the people that will always be there for you. Don’t take them for granted.
Have a fantastic Thanksgiving!
Photo by Kate Hagans
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HEDNews and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools
Southeast students take part in the ground-breaking celebration of their new school.
Students, staff and community members celebrated the start of construction for the brand-new Southeast High School, the largest and final project that will be completed as part of the $370 million bond issue passed in 2008. A ground-breaking ceremony was held Monday, September 29 at the site of the new school near Pawnee and 127th St. East. The event highlighted the beginning of a new school and the continuation of the proud traditions Southeast High School has held since 1957.
Hundreds of guests came to the celebration, including Southeast alumni and former school staff. Guests were welcomed by Southeast’s cheerleaders, dance team and pep band.
Superintendent John Allison, Southeast Principal Lori Doyle, Board of Education President Sheril Logan, State BOE member Kathy Busch, and Student Council President Chris Vuong shared their excitement about the new building. Southeast’s students cheered as they heard the specifics about
their new school, especially having a football stadium.
“At Southeast, our slogan is ‘The Best of the Best’,” said principal Lori Doyle. “We have the best students, we have the best staff and in two years we will have the best facility.”
The school is scheduled to be ready for students at the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year.
WPS breaks ground on the new Southeast High School
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HED
McCollom hosts Walking School Bus
First-grade students at Enterprise Elementary learned about fire safety with help from South High School students. The Enterprise students visited South’s Fire Science class to learn about staying safe in case of a fire. The students participated in different activities including crawling through a tunnel, learning to Stop, Drop and Roll, creating an
escape plan and putting on firefighters’ gear.
“We learned to make sure there are ways to get out of the house and how we have to crawl to get out and feel the door to make sure it’s not hot,” said Trey Wright, first-grade student at Enterprise. “It was fun.”
This is the fourth year South hosted the fire safety activities for Enterprise students.
Enterprise students learn fire safety from South students
McCollom Elementary students, staff and parents are promoting walking to school with their new Walking School Bus program. With support of a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the school set up walking routes for students to walk as a group with an adult volunteer as the “driver” of the Walking School Bus. The group picks up students along the route on the way to the school.
The more popular option is parents drop their children off at Country Acres Baptist Church and students walk to
McCollom with an adult volunteer. The route is about 1/3 of a mile.
“We’re trying to change behavior and promote a healthy alternative to get to school,” said Ed Czepiel, coordinator of the Walking School Bus. “Also we are trying to cut down on the congestion around the school at the beginning of the day.”
McCollom’s Walking School Bus will take place every morning until the end of November and will continue again in the spring.
McCollom’s Walking School Bus encourages students to walk in groups along designated routes with an adult volunteer.
South Fire Science students help Enterprise students put on firefighter gear as part of the fire safety activities.
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FOOD!Best RestaurantSpangles
Restaurant Atmosphere Red Rock
Local RestaurantsBella Luna
Bang for the BuckFreddysSpangles
BBQ Pig In Pig Out
Breakfast The Good Egg
ChineseGreat Wall
Coffee ExperienceMeads Corner
Café Cinnamons DeliJasons Deli
HamburgersFreddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
Healthy Food Doc Green’sBarn’rds
Ice Cream Marble Slab CreameryBraums
ItalianCiao Italian Kitchen
MexicanPlaya Azul
Pizza Pacific Coast PizzaPicasso’s Pizza
2014
THE RESULTS ARE IN!In the last few months, Wichita readers have been placing their votes online for their favorite family venue’s and services. WFM is proud to announce the winner’s of the 2014 READER’S CHOICE AWARDS!
And th e w inne r s a r e . . .
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continued on page 11
SandwichesCinnamons Deli
Sea FoodBone Fish Grill
Sports BarLarry Bud’s
SteakTexas Roadhouse
SHOPPING!AntiquesFlying Moose
Art Gallery Wichita Art Gallery
Children’s StoreLittle Feet Boutique
FurnitureHortons
Musical Instruments Guitar Center
Woman’s ClothingFoggy Bottom
SCHOOLS!SchoolsWichita Collegiate
Alternative SchoolMetro MeridianAndover eCademy
ENTERTAINMENT!Art ExhibitCity ArtsWichita Art Museum
Concert VenueOrpheum
Golf CourseCherry OaksSand Creek StationAuburn Hills
Live TheaterCrown UptownMusic Theater of Wichita
MuseumMuseum of World Treasures
Non Profit EventZoobilee
Place to take the KidsExploration Place
Sports ExperienceShocker Basket Ball
Water ParkKenwood Cove
Weekend GetawayOklahoma Aquarium
ZooTanganyika Wildlife Park
OTHER FAVORITESCleaning ServiceWichita Maid
Child CareLa Petite
10 wfm
Call us in the Morning, We’ll get you in Today... GUARANTEED!
Chuck Pierson, DDSBrett Begnoche, DDSDavid Koepsel, DDSJason Edwards, DDS
SaturdayAppointments
Same Day
Dentistry
EmergencyAppointments
AdvancedTechnology
9339 East 21st. St N Wichita, KS 67206
wichitafamilydental.com
Services:Implants FillingsInvisalign DenturesSedation CrownsBraces Root Canals
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with braces or
Invisalign
BACK TO SCHOOL
SPECIAL!
Premier Provider of
Follow us on
@wichitafamily
Did you know that the most common causes of accidental tooth trauma are falls, car accidents and sports injuries? Yes some of these misadven-tures may be impossible to avoid, however, wearing proper protective gear like mouth guards and helmets can significantly reduce the risk. With sports like basketball and football in full swing, please remem-ber to take the appropriate precautions. — Dr. Brett Begnoche, DDS
Doctor’s Orders
wfm 11
300 N. McLean Blvd. • Wichita, Kansas 67203
Details at www.exploration.org
Included in general museum admission, free for members.
NEW National Traveling Exhibit
A Peculiar Carnival of Parasites!
Pet GroomingPet HavenRoyal Pets
PhotographerMint
RetirementLarksfield Place
Wedding ServiceDavids Bridal
Assisted Living
Via Christi Health
Pets
Kansas Humane Society
Day Spa
Serenity
Healing Waters
continued from page 9
Monday, November 3, 2014, 3pm- Opening Session: Underground: Find the Light to Freedom by Shane Evans
Mueller Elementary , 2500 E. 18th N., Wichita, KS Featuring renowned, author & illustrator Shane Evans
November 15, 2014, 4pm - Second Session: Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
Maya Angelou Library, 3051 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS Guest: Wakeelah Mutazammil-Martinez, Council of Elders
November 22, 2014, 4pm - Third Session:
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema, Maya Angelou Library, 3051 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS
Guest: Dr. Mildred Edwards, KAAAC
November 29, 2014, 4pm - Fourth Session: Oral Traditions: A demonstration and background
of the oral tradition of the African American community Book: Hip Hop Speaks to Children by Nikki Giovanni
Maya Angelou Library, 3051 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS Guest: Jean Pouncil- Burton, Wichita Griots
November is Family Literacy Month. Parents and children are invited to join Storytime Village, Inc. in a book talk series that will get the entire family excited about reading through award-winning children’s books, humanities themes and open discussion.
Funding Provided by For more information call 316-350-4511
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Living in a national spotlight could change anybody, especially when that spotlight is cast due to an undefeated regular season in
college basketball. To make matters worse, the team in questions is one few know where it is located or what its mascot, Wu Shock, is.
However, for the family of Wichita State Univer-
sity’s Ron Baker, the spotlight isn’t a big deal, even though the media would make you think otherwise.
Growing up in Scott City, in the plains and prairies of western Kansas, it would be easy for Ron to get a big head. It could even lead to him and his family growing apart, but Ron’s father, Neil Baker, said that isn’t the case.
“I think Ron’s status has made us an even closer family by means of the time we get to spend to-
gether,” he said.Ron’s mother, Ranae Baker, said her son has
handled the extra attention well.“He realizes it’s all part of it,” she said. “He is
pretty humble, and we have tried to instill that in all of our children.”
Ron learned to deal with the media, Neil said, by watching interviews on television and by listening and watching WSU Head Coach Gregg Marshall.
“Ron was brought up just like the majority of all other kids in western Kansas,” he said. “Respect yourself and respect others. Treat others like you want to be treated. Western Kansas is a great place to raise a family for the fact that you’re friends with so many people, and every one of them is there for you when you need them. Western Kansas taught Ron that no matter what your goals in life, you can’t accomplish them without family and friends.”
Ranae said growing up in western Kansas helped shape Ron.
“I think growing up in a rural community helps you understand the importance of helping others and learning to work hard,” she said. “Our commu-nity is so supportive of us and of all people, both in good times and bad. He was taught to work hard at whatever he was doing and to respect others.”
Neil said maintaining a strong family has always been a priority for him and his wife.
“When all five of us get together, which is not very often, we like to go out for dinner or lounge around the house on a Sunday and watch the Kan-sas City Chiefs play,” he said.
Healthy HouseholdFamily of WSU’s own Ron Baker keeps faith, family at the forefront during holiday seasons
By Todd Vogts
Audrey, Sloan and Ron Baker pose for a photo following a Scott Com-munity High School football game Sloan played in. (Photo by Ranae Baker)
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Those five include, Ranae said, 21-year-old Ron, 20-year-old Audrey who is attending Kansas State Uni-versity, and 17-year-old Sloan who is a senior at Scott Community High School. Any time they are together, they have certain activities they all like to take part in, Ranae said.
“We golf, play cards, go to the movies, or go to the gym,” she said.
Neil said one activity he enjoys most is one of their holiday routines.
“The neatest tradition we have go-ing is during Easter, and that is Ranae still has all three kids hunt Easter eggs,” he said.
Those moments together are important to the Baker family, which makes handling the holidays a prior-ity.
“We usually have a hard time getting everybody together during Thanksgiving, but in the past we have been lucky that everything falls together to celebrate Christmas,” Neil said. “It gets pretty hectic during Thanksgiving and Christmas, trying
to make all the stops in Kansas City where my brother lives, St. Mary’s where Ranae’s brothers and sisters live, and my family in Utica. Lot’s of miles, but we usually get it accom-plished.”
Ranae agreed and added Christmas usually includes a gift exchange.
“And Thanksgiving might consist of a big meal and movies or hunting at our house,” she added.
Regardless of what they do, Ranae said they put the focus on their chil-dren and simply make it work.
“We just schedule it around all of their schedules,” she said.
Scheduling the family time is made even more difficult due to the fact Ron plays basketball several hours away, but Neil said the drive gives him and his wife time with each other.
“We have always enjoyed watching our kids whenever they’re competing. Ron is just a little further down the road,” he said. “Road trips to WSU definitely gives my wife and I some bonding time. Ranae gets caught up
on her sleep, and I get to drive.”Ranae said the number of road
trips they make depend on their avail-ability, as they attend “pretty much ev-ery home game and weekends that we cane drive. We also have gone to all post-season games if it didn’t conflict with our youngest son’s games. We are used to the drive living in western Kansas. It’s nothing for us to drive four to six hours to get places.”
Neil agreed.“Depending on where and when
Sloan is playing, we usually make ev-ery WSU home game and a few away games,” he said.
Giving Sloan the attention he deserves and not letting him be over-shadowed is something the Bakers said they actively keep at the forefront
of their minds. Neil said it has had an affect on his youngest son.
“I think it has been a bittersweet experience for Sloan,” he said. “At first, Sloan put a lot of pressure on him-self, thinking he needed to fill his big brother’s shoes. With a little guidance from his family and friends, Sloan has started building his own path and is doing well.”
Overall, Ranae said seeing Ron’s success has been good for the other two children.
“I think they enjoy being able to go watch him play, and it’s exciting that we go to places we wouldn’t normally go. I would say it motivates them to be as successful as he is, but in their own way.”
The younger Baker children aren’t
The Bakers sit in their family home. (Photo by Ranae Baker)
14 wfm
the only ones who feel the affects of having Ron as part of their family. Both Ranae and Neil said it has had an effect on them.
“We have so many people who rec-ognize us when we are in Wichita, and they always thank us for bringing Ron to Wichita. The support and kindness is nonstop,” Ranae said. “People stop us on the street, especially during the season, just to tell us how exciting it is to watch someone they know on TV, and to tell us how proud they are of their hometown kid.”
Over all, though, Neil said it hasn’t
altered their daily lives.“I don’t think it has changed how
we live,” he said. “We’re too busy to change now.”
Part of their busy lives includes being educators and coaches. Ranae teaches Kindergarten and currently helps coach volleyball and softball. She has also coached basketball previously. Neil teaches strength and conditioning at the local high school and is the head baseball coach.
Sports make up a big part of the Baker family.
“Athletics are some of the best foundations for preparing a person to become a hard working, productive citizen,” Neil said. “Your outcomes rely solely on the effort you put into the preparation.”
Ranae echoed those sentiments.“It’s what keeps us going,” she said.
“There are so many life lessons within athletics that I feel our children have learned from.”
Both Neil and Ranae said they have coached their children in various sports.
“I coached Ron in junior high sixth grade basketball at Healy and all four years of baseball in Scott City,” Neil said. “Sloan has played three years of baseball for me and will play this spring.”
Ranae said sometimes the dynamic of coaching her own children was interesting.
“I was probably harder on them than the others because I wanted them to do things right so they didn’t form bad habits, and I hated when they didn’t play hard,” she said.
Growing up, Ron didn’t necessarily
show exceptional, all-around skill in basketball, Neil said.
“He was always very competitive,” he said. “I’ve witnessed lots of tears shed after losses, but I think maybe he has outgrown that. I would say his exceptional skill in basketball grow-ing up was his court awareness. Ron picked a lot of his skills up from sim-ply watching and studying the game at a very young age, whether it be in person or on TV. Oh yeah, and he spent countless hours in the gym.”
He also was a skilled baseball and football player, Ranae said.
“He was really pretty good at any athletic skill he did,” she said.
Once Ron began to show more of his basketball skills, the Bakers did what they could to foster it.
“We dedicated weekends to tour-naments and camps and practices,” Neil said. “It took organizing and coaching traveling teams.”
Ranae said he always loved to play the game and always watched it on television, and he also had good lead-ers to follow.
“He has had good coaching from day one, but he was a three-sport athlete in high school,” she said. “He didn’t decide to play college basket-ball until he started growing after his sophomore year.”
Outside of sports, faith also holds a special place within the Baker family.
“All three of our kids grew up in the Catholic religion, and they have learned that if all else fails, say a prayer,” Neil said.
Ranae said their religion is very important to them.
“I just feel that all things happen
for a reason, and you deal with them as best you can, whether it be positive or negative,” she said. “Without expe-riencing both, you have that much less experience with what real life might throw at you.”
No matter what their children are involved in, the Bakers said they show support by being there for all their activities and telling them they are proud of them.
“You have to find a positive in whatever is going on,” Neil said.
Being their no matter what is especially important during the busy holiday time.
“Just do the best you can to make it work,” Ranae said. “Be flexible so that you can spend time together. It might not be tradition, but it’s family.”
Neil suggested staying organized.“Highlight all of your activities on
the calendar and don’t miss any of them,” he said. “Family comes first.”
As for this year’s WSU basketball season, both Neil and Ranae said they are enthusiastic.
“I’m so excited,” Ranae said. “It makes the days go by so fast knowing that you have a game to go to, both Scott City games and WSU games. I predict a great year.”
Neil agreed.“It’s a very exciting time of year
for the Bakers,” he said. “We get the pleasure of watching the Shockers, the Scott City Beavers, and going to visit Audrey in Manhattan and maybe catching a few Wildcat football games. I think the Shockers will be just as good as they were last year, so you better get ready.”
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