Life + Culture

Independent Living Plus

This Topeka Retirement Community Allows Residents the Freedom to Do as They Please Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Kristol Kumar Photography Walk through the doors of Arbor Court Retirement Community, and it's obvious how the word community applies. Just outside the main doors, a woman enjoys a cup of coffee and a book while sitting on an outdoor bench. Inside, some residents are gathered in pairs working on puzzles, while others play cards or enjoy a chat. The tables in the...

Finance + Legal Services

Legacies Built Through Generosity

Joseph Reid helps families align finances with values that last generations. Article by Koshia Silver | Photography by Kristol Kumar Photography If you spend just a few minutes with Joseph Reid, it’s clear his world isn’t organized around spreadsheets or charts — it’s organized around people. One afternoon, he and his wife might be helping a new family celebrate the arrival of a newborn by participating in a church meal train. Another day, they are adopting a family in need for the United Way...

Finance + Legal Services

A Heart for Home

A Topeka Adoption Attorney Provides a Fresh Take on Foster Care and Adoption Article by Kelsey Huber | Photography by Kristol Kumar Photography November is National Adoption Month. We sat down with Lisa Williams, an adoption attorney in Topeka, to learn more about adoption, foster care, and helping kids find a forever home. Lisa has always had a heart for children. She began her career as a teacher in Missouri. But she also had an interest in law. When she came to Kansas, the teaching...

Sports + Recreation

 Discover Iliff Commons

Where Uncommon Kindness Creates a Unique Community for All to Enjoy Article by Kelsey Huber | Photography by Lindsey Wagers/Wagers Photography In 2001, when Dorothy Iliff and her husband, Dr. Douglas Iliff, decided to buy the property now known as Iliff Commons, it was 75 acres of overgrown prairie. “Thistle, cedar, and honey locust trees had overtaken the land,” Dorothy recalled. “We knew it was beautiful, but it was going to require some serious work.” With vision, determination, and...

Food + Beverage

A Kansas Gem

Bobos Drive-In Attracts Worldwide Fans Thanks To Its Classic Menu And A Popular TV Show Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Tara Helton/The Upside Photography During the 20-year run of The Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," celebrity chef Guy Fieri has visited every state in the United States. Iconic food and an old-school dining experience drew Fieri to Bobos Drive-In for filming of season three, episode nine in May 2007. Recently, to celebrate the 40th season, the show...

Professional Services

Picture Perfect

How to Style Your Family for Stunning Photos Article by Kelsey Huber | Photography by Lindsey Wagers/Wagers Photography Think about what your family was like five, ten, or even twenty years ago. You were a completely different group of people. Families are constantly evolving, growing, and changing. That’s what makes family photos so precious. Family photos are more than just pictures; they're time capsules. They allow us to pause, reflect, and remember the people we love most just as they...

Event Planning + Services

Discover Topeka’s Stylish New Event Space

Legacy, Love, and Labor Shape Cedar Lawn Farm’s Stunning Transformation Article by Kelsey Huber | Photography by Kristol Kumar Photography Weathered by time and softened by the sun, old barns stand as silent witnesses to generations of hard work, love, and life. Within their creaking beams and worn floorboards are stories of early mornings, harvest seasons, and children’s laughter echoing through the rafters. Families once gathered under their roofs to work side by side, stacking hay, tending...

Style + Beauty

Framing Confidence with Style and Care

Personalized eyewear styling meets expert vision care at Family Eye Care of Topeka Article by Amanda Knowland | Photography by Lindsey Wagers/Wagers Photography At Family Eye Care of Topeka, helping patients see better is just the beginning. With an eye for fashion and a heart for personalized service, the growing team at Family Eye Care is turning eyewear into an extension of personal style. “Eyewear has really transformed from something purely functional into a true fashion statement,” said...

Local Services

"It's Stunning!"

Modern Techniques Give Style to Basic Concrete Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Tara Helton/The Upside Photography Mention concrete, and most people picture light grey sidewalks and Grandma's slab patio. However, today's options can elevate this versatile building material into a more artistic realm.    What makes concrete a good choice? Terry Burgess, owner of Burgess Construction, says, "Because it will last longer than other alternatives, and it's so customizable. There are multiple...

Entertainment

Born to Sing

Ellie Oliva's Stunning Talent Amazes Local Audiences Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Lindsey Wagers/Wagers Photography Ellie Oliva is causing a stir in the Topeka music scene. She has performed at venues such as the Celtic Fox's Jam for Dan, Classic Bean, and Evergy Plaza, featuring a lineup of cover songs from her favorite pop and country performers, including Megan Moroney, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, and Luke Combs. Recently, she rocked the Happy Basset Brewing Co. as...