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Saturday, July 11, 2015An Advertising Feature of

The Topeka Capital-Journal

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Jaime Hancock Garden Column – 3Starting a wine collection – 5

An outdoor oasis – 8The empty nest – 10

2 | Saturday, July 11, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, July 11, 2015 | 3

“I used to garden ‘by the seat of my pants.’ Now I know how and why. This is great!”

“Learning is fun again and chal-lenging. I can’t think of anything I would rather do.”

“Everything I grew was by trial and error. Now I can intentionally grow and maintain a good garden. And, I can help others do it also.”

“I am no longer bored with my yard.”

“This is the most satisfying thing I have ever done.”

“I love helping others do what I

love to do.”These are quotes from regular folks

who took a chance and looked into the benefits of becoming an Extension Master Gardener.

You may already have some wonderful gardening skills and knowledge or you might be the one who can’t grow a blade of grass but would like to; this program could be for you. We are looking for new people to join us. Read on and see if this fits. You will learn what Master Gardeners do and/or what they can do to help you or your organization.

The Master Gardener program is a vol-unteer program in which Kansas State Re-

search and Extension “trades” classroom training for volunteer time. Training consists of 40 to 50 hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture. Instructors include state specialists from Kansas State University, county extension agents and local experts in specific subject matter. After training is completed, volunteers do-nate 40 hours of service the first year and 25 hours of service in subsequent years. Service activities are coordinated by the local county extension agent. Though vol-unteer activities vary widely, all are edu-cational, extension related, and represent the interests of Kansas State Research and Extension.

Master Gardeners have become a vital part of the University’s ability to provide accurate, up-to-date and research based information to our clientele. Volunteer time during the year 2014 totaled 101,000 hours with an average of 83 hours donated per volunteer. This is equivalent to 50 full time extension staff positions and is esti-mated to be worth $2.1 million. We make an impact in our community!

Master Gardeners are highly valued by Kansas State University Research and Extension. They are the conduit through which knowledge is imparted to the gen-eral public.

HANCOCK continues on 4A

A Note FromThe [email protected]

Jamie Hancock

Master Gardeners Want YOU!


The Shawnee County Master Garden-ers are a very active group.

n They attend regular monthly meet-ings, as well as regular Advanced Train-ing sessions (always interesting!).

n They receive an “in-house” newslet-ter and timely horticulture publications.

n They participate in educational programs such as information booths, “Speakers Bureau”, The Master Gardener Response Line, Annual Plant Sale, sea-sonal public information sessions, school/youth programs, and Sick Plant Clinic.

n They care for several demonstration gardens including the vegetable garden and composting site on the Expo Centre grounds, the perennial and native plant gardens at the entrance to Cedar Crest (our Governor’s Residence), the history garden at the Kansas History Center (in

progress), the Xeriscape garden and a Prairie Star/Prairie Bloom garden at the Shawnee County Extension office, and a Woodland Shade Garden at Lake Shawnee near the Garden House.

n Master Gardeners can write articles for the “Extension News” and The Topeka Capital-Journal.

n Special events like field trips, garden tours and conferences provide additional opportunities to learn while enjoying each other’s company.

Classes will be forming soon for the 2015/2016 Master Gardener year. Applica-tions are available online at www.shaw-nee.ksu.edu and are due August 14, 2015. Instruction will begin Thursday, Septem-ber 3 and finish November 5. There will be a total of eight Thursday sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (No class Oct. 15.) A required pre-acceptance orientation will take place for all applicants August 20th,

9:00 to 11:00 a.m. or 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.Gardening can quite possibly be one of

the best activities you can do for yourself. Not only can it be a physical stretch and work out for your body, you can learn to grow healthful food in healthful ways. You learn to appreciate a good day’s work with your hands and with family. Garden-ing is known for being a low stress hobby and those who take advantage of it have a greater sense of satisfaction and well-be-ing. The learning experiences keep your mind active and alive.

“It adds years to your life and life to your years,” says Shirley Buller, Master Gardener.

Give us a call. (785) 232-0062 Ext. 107. Sign up to become an Extension Master Gardener today.

Jamie Hancock is a horticulturist with Kansas State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

Continued from 3A

Hancock: Classes forming soon


By Linda A. DitchSpecial to The Capital-Journal

Most wine lovers reach a point where they move from buying wine just to drink to buying wine to keep. For Dr. Mark Syn-ovec, president and manager of Topeka Pa-thology Group, that time came after sev-eral trips to California’s Napa Valley wine region.

“I would find great wines and want to buy a case, but wanted to store it correct-ly,” he explained in an email. “After a time, I would also want to buy current vintages that could age to increase their drink-ablity. It is also nice to keep back some of these older vintages and pop them out when friends come buy with a special in a particular wine.”

If you’re serious about keeping wines, then you will need a wine cellar. Most wines, especially reds, reach full flavor

when allowed to age in a cellar. Synovec noted, “When you get the cellar, you do understand that red wines are to be served at cellar temperature, not room tempera-ture. It really does make a difference.”

The three primary criteria for storing wine include:

1. Temperature—wines like to be housed in a cool environment. Ideally, this means a temperature of between 55 to 60 degrees. Large changes in temperature will damage the wine. 2. Humidity—a level of around 60 percent works best for wine. However, anywhere in the 50 to 70 percent range is acceptable. If it’s too humid, mold will grow on the cork. Not humid enough, the cork will dry out, causing the wine to spoil.

3. Lighting—wines like dark environ-ments. Sunlight and bright artificial light-ing can damage wines.

COLLECTION continues on 6A

Starting a wine collection

STOCk PhOTO/METrO CrEATIvE CONNECTIONS


Synovec also pointed out other benefits to a cellar, such as the cost savings of buy-ing wines by the case. It is also cheaper to ship home a case of wine found on vaca-tion than smaller quantities. Plus, “when you find a good price on a great wine, you can stock up,” he added.

A wine cellar can be as simple as the pur-chase of a specialty wine refrigerator made to keep bottles at the proper temperature and humidity, or as elaborate as building a full-scale wine cellar in your home. What-ever method you choose, always go bigger than you think you’ll need.

Basements are perfect spaces for wine cellars due to their natural temperature

and humidity levels. If possible, creating an actual space for the cellar is best so the environment can be controlled to optimal wine-keeping levels. A framed area with super-insulated walls and ceiling will cut down of temperature fluctuations. A glass exterior door at the opening, complete with a threshold and weather stripping for a tight seal, will allow you to show off the collection while keeping the conditioned air confined to the cellar space. Also, since traditional air conditioners remove too much humidity from the air, a specialized wine cellar cooling unit is needed to keep the room at the proper, steady temperature and humidity level.

Synovec had his wine cellar installed as part of an overall home remodeling proj-

ect. The design and the wine racks were created through the Wine Enthusiast web-site (www.wineenthusiast.com). However, do-it-yourselfers can find information on the internet to build home wine cellars, and racks can be made from kits, or ma-terials found at a local home improvement center.

No basement? Look around the house for other options. A small closet is a good solution since it will keeps the wines in a dark and balanced environment. A cooling unit could be installed if the temperature is too warm. Avoid spaces in the kitchen, laundry room and utility room due to the temperature fluctuations.

Now that you have a space, how do you start to fill it? The first rule of thumb is to

buy what you like. Also look for tasting events at restaurants and wineries, or just spend a few minutes chatting with some-one at your favorite liquor shop for ideas.

Just because you have a wine cellar doesn’t mean it needs to be full of expen-sive bottles. It is more important that you enjoy the wines, unless you are consider-ing collecting wines as an investment. If so, you will want to also invest in a fully equipped wine cellar.

Once you find wines you like, think big! Buy a case instead of one or two bottles. Before you know it, you’re racks will begin to fill and you will start to wonder, “Do I have enough space?”

COLLECTION continues on 7A

Continued from 5A

Collection: Storing your wine


Continued from 6A

Collection: Storing your wineExploring Kansas Wines

One way to fill a wine cellar is with bottles from local Kansas wineries. Here are a few nearby where you can taste what the state’s wine makers have to offer.

‰ Crescent Moon Winery, 15930 246th St., Lawrence, 785-550-5353, www.moonandwine.com—Open on Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. for tastings, or by appointment.

‰ Crooked Post Winery, 7397 K-92 Hwy, Ozawkie, 785-876-9990, www.crookedpostwinery.com—Open Friday and Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. They also offer a number of tasting and entertainment events throughout the summer. Visit their website for more details.

‰ Glaciers Edge Winery and Vineyard, 1636 SE 85th Street, Wakarusa, 785-862-5421, glaciersedgewine.com—Open Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.

‰ Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery, 18807 158th St., Basehor, 913-724-9463, holyfieldwinery.com—Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.

‰ Jefferson Hill Vineyard and Guest House, 12381 Washington Rd., McLouth, 913-796-6822, jeffersonhillvineyard.com—Open for tastings Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.

‰ Matrot Castle, 6424 SW Huntoon, Topeka, 785-215-3425, www.topekawine.com—Offers tastings of wines from Davenport Orchards and Winery on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

‰ OZ Winery, 417 Lincoln Ave., Wamego, 785-456-7417, ozwinerykansas.com—Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.

‰ Prairie Fire Winery, 20250 Hudson Ranch Rd., Paxico, 785-636-5533, www.prairiefirewinery.com—Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.

‰ Wyldewood Cellars, 32633 Grapevine Rd., Paxico, 785-636-8466, www.wyldewoodcellars.com—Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. Best know for their elderberry wine offerings.


By Shanna SloyerSpecial to The Capital-Journal

When Rick and Deb Ediger purchased their Sherwood home in 2002, the upstairs deck area was open and exposed to the el-ements. In its final stages of completion, the Edigers asked the builder to screen in their deck as a condition of the sale. Seven years ago, they hired a handyman to install Plexiglass windows, making the room an additional all-seasons living area.

“I grew up and had a screened in porch when I was a kid,” said Deb Ediger. “I like to sit out there and drink my coffee and listen to the rain.”

Ediger decorated using a variety of colors and textures that meld together to create the beautiful space that it is today. Featuring light that streams through nat-ural fiber blinds, the room is a haven for Ediger’s plants, which lend to the feeling that the outdoors have been brought in. From black wicker furniture to a bamboo-inspired rug and soothing water feature, it’s a place to relax and unwind from the realities of life. A television and wicker speaker also allow for the room to be used for entertainment if desired.

An exposed deck with furniture for

PORCH continues on 9A

An outdoor oasis

Rex WOlf/SPeCiAl tO tHe CAPitAl-JOuRnAl

Above: The Edigers created an outdoor entertaining area with a fire pit and tongue and groove cedar ceiling.Right: The all-season living area with black wicker furniture creates an indoor nature retreat.


Rex Wolf/Special to the capital-JouRnal

A variety of textures and colors blend together to create a beautiful space.

lounging and a grill for outdoor entertain-ing is located off of the all-seasons room. Until last summer, the patio located be-neath was largely unfinished and unused. The Edigers had a partial cedar wall built that provides protection from the wind and gives them the privacy that they de-sired. A cedar tongue and groove ceiling gives the patio a finished look.

Their new space includes a tile fire pit and comfortable furniture that they use when they have company, including their two grown daughters and their families. Fern plants, palms, lanterns, and an area rug, along with another water feature make for cozy entertaining quarters where grandchildren can roast marshmallows over the fire, and Deb Ediger has plans for projecting movies for nighttime viewing.

“I’m a die-hard decorator at heart,” laughed Ediger. “I decorate in my dreams.” Her advice to others who may be consid-ering similar projects is to start with a

plan. “Get a vision for it. Don’t do some-thing you’re not sure of because you’re in a hurry. I waited until I had a clear vision of what I wanted.”

Ediger suggests starting with the things you like in mind, and using colors and tex-tures that speak to you as you design. She also encourages do-it-yourself decorators to add their own flair to their decorating projects.

“I love the rain and being outside, but I also love privacy and the fire pit,” said Ediger. “I love to sit outside when a storm rolls in, and I wanted to be able to smell the cedar when it rains.”

Most importantly, Ediger had a desire to create pockets of space in her home that felt like an escape from the ordinary. In-stead of investing in vacations, she want-ed to bring the idea of vacation into her home.

“It’s a mini getaway or retreat,” said Edi-ger. “You can have a little retreat without leaving your house, and you can share it with your family and friends.”

Continued from 8a

Porch: Outdoor living spaces for everyone


By Todd EppSpecial to the Topeka Capital-Journal

Junior has finally graduated from col-lege after six years of living at Elsewhere State University.

He’s finally “fledged,” leaving Mom and Dad with an opportunity to finally repur-pose the bedroom.

Call it the empty nest.For some, before Junior’s or Missy’s bed

can even cool from here they slept, they’ll be selling or donating the bunk beds and the dresser. It may become a man-cave, sewing room, office or whatever.

But moving Junior’s stuff out, remodel-ing or redecorating right away may not be the best option either.

“The first question is how long are you staying in your home and do you plan to retire there and staying there until they can’t,” said Jake Brown, 33, owner of Win-

ston Brown Construction, Inc. of Topeka. “Most people say they love their house.”

Brown says if the homeowner only plans to stay a few more years in the house, it might be easier to just keep the bedroom a bedroom. A new family will prefer a bed-room to a home gymnasium or home of-fice, he added.

So, if Junior or Missy have left and got-ten married, grandchildren may be on the way.

Once there are grandchildren, the equa-tion might go back the other way, says Traci Cavanaugh, 46. She’s the owner of Kids 2 College Furniture in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She says you may need to turn an office or sewing room back into a room suitable for the grandkids.

Cavanaugh says changing from kid’s room to office and back is becoming chal-lenging as home designs change.

“Bedrooms are getting smaller,” Ca-vanaugh said. “They are maybe only 10 by 10 feet, while the kitchens and great rooms are getting bigger.” She says one solution

if the room is going to remain a bedroom are loft beds.

Cavanaugh also has practical experi-ence. Her 20-year-old daughter Kaylie moved back from college for the summer. That was after Traci moved Kaylie’s bed-room furniture out—including a queen-sized bed. Then Traci moved in a tread-mill and a wall-mounted TV into the new exercise room. But then the room reverted to a bedroom—and the new stuff replaced with the old.

Like Brown, she suggests a third way. Downsize and move to a smaller home or

condo with no lawn moving or shoveling snow.

Just as soon as you can ditch the kids, downsize the take that trip to the Baha-mas,” Cavanaugh laughed.

If you do go the remodeling route, there are some things you can do with the room

beyond just a home office or a sewing room, according to Brown.

“Where’s the washer and dryer? Usually in the basement,” Brown said. “Put them on the main level and it is easily acces-sible. This appeals to people in their late 60s and 70s.”

Brown says they’ll put an island in the middle of the room to act as both a sort-ing table and a sewing or crafts table. Also, he says empty nesters will put the clothes hamper on rollers under the island for easy access.

A variation on that idea, according to

Brown, is to turn the room into a master closet with a stackable washer and dryer. Then, all you need to do is take the clothes out the dryer and hang them up.

Another popular option, according to Brown, is a master suite if there is an NEST continues on 13A

The empty nest

PhoTo SuBmiTTEd By WiNSToN BroWN CoNSTruCTioN

Creating a mater bath suite with the extra room.

PhoTo SuBmiTTEd By WiNSToN BroWN CoNSTruCTioN

Create a large walk-in closet in an adjacent room.


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adjoining bedroom. This might include a walk-in shower with a large shower head, a seat, and ledges to put shaving bathing items. Other touches include a raised toi-let and vanity. It helps homeowners stay in their home as they age.

Brown cautions, that these remodeling

projects can be expensive, from $17,000 to $50,000. His most expensive project was turning an empty nest room into a sound-proof music studio for a guitarist.

“He could go and jam out,” Brown said.Another way to go is to redecorate the

room. That’s according to Penny Carter, a designer at the Furniture Mall of Kansas in Topeka with 25 years of experience.

“You want your pieces to fit, so make sure to do a space plan, color coordinate, find your comfort level, be organized, maximize storage and make it functional,” she suggested.

And, Carter has a solution in case Missy or Junior return for visits—a daybed or a sofa sleeper in the newly redecorated room.

For ideas, Pinterest has hundreds of photos of what others have done with their empty nest rooms. The Topeka Home Builders Association website lists members that perform home remodel-ing. Besides the Furniture Mall of Topeka, there are interior decorators in the Topeka area who can help.

Continued from 10A

Nest: Fitting a new purpose

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