It's Lori's World

Christmas, part 2

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Another Christmas, just a memory. This one was a good one. I got a new MacBook, and had plenty of time off work to enjoy the holiday. Here are a few random photos.

I had a girls' weekend the week before Christmas at my house with my mom, sisters, nieces and great niece. The main purpose was to see "The Nutcracker" but we also ate, shopped, played games, chatted and had fun girl time.

My sister Lisa and her granddaughter, Harper.

My sister Linda, my mom and my niece Aspen.

Harper and her mom, my niece Ashley.

Mom and Harper.

Mom and Linda, on our way to Uptown Bistro for dinner before the ballet.

My sister Lisa at the restaurant.

My niece Emily, far left, her sister Ashley, and Harper.

Harper enjoying the "Christmas house."

Went to my mom's for Christmas. More random shots, including this one of Dale playing keyboard with my niece Elizabeth.

My youngest brother Richard and his middle son, Will.

Richard's youngest son, Joe.

My brothers Craig and Stephen with my niece Rachel, who got engaged to her boyfriend, Jordon, on Christmas Day.

Dale with my sister in law, Anne.

Emily, Linda and my niece Sara.

Little Joe playing with the truck that Dale and I gave him for Christmas.

Dale will do anything to get the shot. Hopefully he'll have some good shots that I will share later. Stay tuned.

Christmas, part 1

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:34:00 +0000

I got Dale an electric guitar for Christmas. He seems pretty happy about it, which makes me happy. He's hard to buy for.

Wichita Eagle Holiday Open House

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:58:00 +0000

For the second year, the Eagle held a holiday open house that drew hundreds of readers. My job again this year was to coordinate tours of our building. Here's a video that my friend and Eagle photojournalist Jaime Green produced from the open house. Not only do I have a guest appearance in it, but so does Dale!

http://videos.kansas.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=7826237

She also took this photo of me and Eagle photographer Fernando Salazar, fooling around before the open house began:

We had about 1,200 people at the open house this year, a big bump from the 500 we had last year. I'm told a good time was had by all.

Tree time

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:09:00 +0000

Josie and I finished decorating the tree this afternoon.

Yeah, she's about as sweet as she looks.

Denise turns... well, let's just say it's a big number

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Some of us got together at the legendary Candle Club last night to celebrate Denise's birthday. The Candle Club is one of the few remaining "night clubs" that requires members to pay dues to belong. And to become a member you must have two current members recommend you. It's a throwback to the 70s in every way.

The birthday girl had her some fun.

The ever-creative Jaime (and new hubby Carter) made a bunch of pipe-cleaner figures of Denise using photos of her for the head and body.

Here's another one. To see all of them, go here: http://366images.blogspot.com/

Carter and Jaime with the big band on stage getting ready to play us some swingin' music.

Dick and Bonnie.

Molly and Mike. They're new Candle Club members and were our hosts for the evening.

Dick and Dale.

Katie Grover and Denise, with a good view of this funky venue in the background. It was packed from corner to corner last night.

Carter hamming it up.

Dale and me. I'm not sure why Dale is grimacing except that he is not a fan of the Candle Club because of all the cigarette smoke. Must admit, it's not a strong selling point.

Piano proteges

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:39:00 +0000

One of the highlights of our weekend was watching Jaden and Josie perform at their piano recital. They were both amazing... so talented, poised and joyful with their music.

The artists with mom Rachelle, Dad Bret and brother Luke.

Josie and her teacher. She was rocking that dress, which she got last year from Rachelle's mother. It was the first time she'd worn it.

Josie and Jaden with Dale.

Dale was telling Jaden that the music he was playing for his recital was a piece that Dale taught Bret when he was a boy.

Jaden preparing to play.

Isn't he adorable?

And speaking of adorable.

Josie at the piano.

Done performing.

Dale videotaped the performances so the kids could watch themselves afterwards.

Precious!

Then it was lunch afterwards at Il Vicino on a gorgeous fall day.

More halloween

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Photos from Halloween night with the grandkids.

Luke was dressed as Raphael, Josie as Cleopatra and Jaden as a Bakugan characters. Barney dressed up as a feisty schnauzer.

Jaden.

Bret and Cleo.

Making their trick-or-treating strategies.

Josie and Jaden

Heading out.

Halloween 2009

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Halloween night was spent at a party held at the College Hill house of Janet Rine, a former classmate of mine from Great Bend who now owns Cafe Moderne in Old Town. Janet and her husband do Halloween BIG. They spend a lot of money and a lot of time decorating their house inside and out, including setting up a real organ that Janet's husband plays himself as hundreds of trick-or-treaters line up at their front steps.

The scene outside their house, which is two blocks west of Broadview, Wichita's big Halloween street.

One of their trick or treaters.

Outside their home.

Part of the lawn decor.

More lawn decor.

This is outside a house on Broadview. The scene of lavishly decorated yards and literally thousands of trick-or-treaters roaming the streets in and around must be experienced. This has been going on in Wichita for years and although the Eagle has written about it several times, I had no idea it was this huge of a deal. Next year, we're hoping to take Dale's grandkids to see it. Above, the "pumpkinheads" who live at this house actually put on a little play, repeated throughout the night.

Another display.

Teen in costume.

Another display.

More yard decor.

A house on Broadview.

A haunted pirate ship built in someone's front yard on Broadview.

Later, we went to Oeno wine bar, which had a costume contest.

The guy holding the missile got second place as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

First place went to Jeannie and her master, Capt. Nelson.

Dale and me.

Photos from a wedding

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Some shots of the wedding Friday night of Jaime Oppenheimer and Carter Green at the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine. Jaime had a beautiful fall day for her wedding. Everything was just perfect.

Jaime coming down the aisle on her brother's arm.

Carter and his SEVEN (!) groomsmen. You can see six here, but one of them is standing directly behind Carter.

Denise Neil's daughter, Alexis, was one of the flower girls. She did a great job.

The bridesmaids. Jaime's sister Laura is far left, standing next to Denise. The two women on the right are friends of Jaime's.

A detail shot. Jaime and Carter incorporated both Jewish and Christian elements into the ceremony, including the traditional smashing of a glass as those watching yelled "Mazeltov!"

Jaime and Carter wrote their own vows. She is saying hers here. Both were touching and heartfelt.

Jaime and Carter Green.

Jaime and Carter's wedding

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Jaime Oppenheimer and Carter Green got hitched Friday night at the Bartlett Arboretum. It was a picture perfect wedding, with a few funny glitches that made it all the more special.

Scenes from a weekend

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Dale and I had a busy weekend, starting with the Final Friday art gallery crawl.

Our first stop was at Watermark Books, where our friend Callie Seaton had a show of her new paintings. Her husband David was there, too.

This is one of Callie's new paintings. Her work was among the best we saw Friday night.

It was a dark and stormy night.

A horse drawn carriage in Old Town.

We went to the downtown Chili Cookoff Saturday afternoon.

People watching and dog watching.

Chili fixin's.

Chili art.

City councilman Jeff Longwell stirring the mayor's chili.

The mayor holding court.

County commissioner Tim Norton and his grand-daughter.

The beginning of my "What Not to Wear" gallery, starring all men.

This rarely works.

And Dale, double-fisting it with both chili and ice cream.

Showering Jaime

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:42:00 +0000

In two weeks my friend Jaime Oppenheimer will become Jaime Green. But before that, we had the pleasure of toasting, feting (a word?) and otherwise wishing her well at a couple of fun showers.

Jaime with her beau, Carter, at the home of Elvira Crocker. Elvira, her husband, Dick, and their friend Fran Kentling hosted a couples shower that our dear friend, Diane Lewis, had hoped to throw for Jaime and Carter. Diane, who was diagnosed almost a year ago with pancreatic cancer, died just two weeks ago, so her close friends Elvira and Fran followed through on Diane's wishes to have the shower for Jaime and Carter.

The theme, very apropos to Diane, was booze and barware! Jaime and Carter took home enough libations to keep their friends well lubricated for the next year.

Fran and Bonnie Bing at Elvira's beautiful home in College Hill.

Shockingly, most of the guys -- including Dale and Dick Honeyman -- weren't into the part of the shower where we opened gifts, so they retired to the front porch to do whatever it is that men do when they flee their women.

A few of the guys did stick around, including Brian Corn, who is the Eagle's photo editor and Jaime's boss. He gave a touching and delightful toast to the happy couple.

Two days later, Jaime's friends had a girls-only shower for her at the home of Molly McMillin. Here's Jaime and Carrie Rengers as we prepared to open more gifts.

Bonnie, Jaime and Carrie.

Peggy Smith, Molly and Bonnie.

Jaime opening a card that was made by Joanna Chadwick's three little boys. Each of them included a personal card they had made themselves...

... including this one from her oldest boy, showing Jaime and Carter walking down the aisle.

Our hostess.

Jaime trying on a hat adorned with plastic fruit that Bonnie made as part of her gift. We all agreed to give Jaime and Carter money to help them have a good time on their honeymoon in Martinique, so the challenge was to present the money in a creative way. This was Bonnie's. We had a contest for the best idea and I will modestly report that I won. Yea me. I gave her a flip-flop with the money rolled up to resemble the toes. Well, you kinda had to see it...

Me, Denise and Joanna. On the big-screen TV behind us is an image from a DVD that Denise and a friend made. They recorded a "Newlywed Game" with Carter answering questions that Jaime also had to answer during the shower. Again, you had to be there. It was a party sensation.

At Lake Toronto

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Dale and I spent a couple days at Cross Timbers State Park near Toronto with our friends Deb Miller and Jim McLean.

This is the view from our cabin. There are three modern cabins at the lake, run by the state parks department. They were comfortable but spartan.

The tiny kitchen had just a stove-top, which I used to "fry" bread for the bruschetta we enjoyed on our first night.

Relaxing on the porch with Jim and Deb on our first night.

A little man love.

Dale in the rain. We had a lot of rain over our short stay.

Our cabin.

A view of the lake and the fishing dock we shared with the other cabins.

Dale enjoying the view.

Susan Peters Roast

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:42:00 +0000

I scored a free ticket (thank you Carrie!) to the roast of KAKE anchorman Susan Peters Tuesday night. It was a star-studded affair. (As star-studded as you can get, anyway, in Wichita, Kansas.)

The woman of the hour with former KSN anchorwoman Anita Cochran, who was the official greeter and sat at the table next to ours.

Susan chatting it up with Denise, who was on the panel of roasters. I videotaped Denise's remarks, and you can see them at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meg9hj4pVR0

Susan and KWCH anchor Roger Cornish, who sat at our table. He also was one of the roasters.

The scene at the roast.

Carrie Rengers and Roger.

The obligatory photo of me at the event.

He sings, he plays, he does it all

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:17:00 +0000

i'm belatedly posting this video of my stepson Bret Goter performing with his band Blue Eyed Soul at the Bradley Fair Concert Series last month. They were the only local band this year to be invited to perform in the popular outdoor concert series.

or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/gp9iiy3

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Weekend in KC

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:28:00 +0000

For the first time in many years, Dale and I had a weekend getaway to Kansas City this Fourth of July holiday.

Of course, it was a ball game that got Dale excited about the idea of going. The White Sox were in town to play the Royals.

Our friends Deb and Jim met us in KC and went to the game, too.

Dale and I.

Deb getting all gangsta on us.

Detail shot...

They're a photogenic couple.

Dale with our new camcorder (and his new White Sox shirt and ball cap.)

Dale and Deb.

Fireworks, of course.

My grand-niece Harper. Her mom, Ashley, and Ashley's sister Emily came to the stadium with their four kids hoping to attend the game. But by the time they got there, it was sold out. I met them at one of the gates and played with the kiddos for a while.

We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel, which was the Ritz the last time I stayed there. Very nice, especially the pool. And just a block from the Plaza.

Deb and Jim went back to Topeka on Saturday, but Dale and I stayed another night and had dinner on the Plaza, at Fogo de Chao. It was delicious, but very meat-heavy. That's their claim to fame.

One of the highlights of the trip was that we stayed in the same hotel as the White Sox. Dale found himself in an elevator with Ozzie Guillon, the manager of the White Sox (and the guy whom we named our first Schnauzer after...). And as we were walking to dinner on Saturday night, we ran into this player, Alexie Ramirez. Dale was in heaven.

Bonnie Bing's Blog

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:27:00 +0000

I'm thinking about renaming my blog in honor of Bonnie Bing since the past few posts have been all about her. Today, I attended the Sisterhood of the Divine Makeover luncheon hosted by Bonnie , The Wichita Eagle and Dress for Success.

Bonnie organizes this event each year to raise money for Dress for Success, which helps lower-income women get jobs by giving them professional clothes, counseling and emotional support. Bonnie puts out a call for women who would like a complete makeover, and then selects three winners. The luncheon reveals how the women look after their makeovers.

This is one of the makeover winners.

This is another.

More than 500 women attended the luncheon.

There was a looonnngggg line for the free bellinis with alcohol in them.

There was a short line for the non-alcoholic version.

During the event, the name of one woman is drawn at random for an on-the-spot makeover. This 19-year-old woman won the drawing. She had straight dark hair down to her back.

Here she is after the makeover. The hair stylist said she cut 15 inches from her hair.

Among those sitting at the Eagle's table were, from left, advertising exec Lisa Fetter, publisher Pam Siddall and Pam's daughter, Anika.

Lori Buselt, right, her mother in law, and me.

Camelot!

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:51:00 +0000

My friend Bonnie Bing invited me to sit with her at Music Theatre of Wichita's performance of "Camelot" on Thursday.

I have loved this musical for 25 years, and MTW did a fantastic performance. It starred Laura Griffiths as Guenevere, Edward Watts as Lancelot and Damon Kirsche as King Arthur.

But the real treat came after the show, when Bonnie took me backstage to meet the cast. This was my first backstage visit at MTW. Bonnie is friends with Ed Watts, and he was thrilled to see her and give her a big hug. And yes, he's unbelievably gorgeous.

This is Laura Griffiths, who was running around backstage in this skimpy shift and looking absolutely beautiful.

At left is Damon Kirsche, who was so sweet and chatted with me for awhile about the production.

Justin Robertson, left, played the role of King Pelinore. He's here with Wayne Bryan, who is MTW's producing director and also directed this show.

A parting show of Bonnie and her Lancelot.

Book club antics

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:18:00 +0000

Our June book club was one part discussing this month's book, Christopher Moore's wacky "Lust Lizards of Melancholy Cove," and one part laughing, eating, drinking and catching up with friends.

Our book club president Denise Neil with her trusty pen (and Katie Grover), compiling our list of nominations for next month's book.

Good friends don't mind close quarters: Shannon Littlejohn, our hostess Jaime Oppenheimer, prodigal-member-back-for-a visit Brenda Tretbar and Amy Devault.

Chris Seifers and the always serious Coryanne Graham.

Stacy and Kathryn Welch in a post-discusssion discussion.

Tess, Katie and Caryn, who is Tess's daughter and who nominated this month's book selection.

Bonnie Bing and Jaime gettin' jizzy.

Cory and Amy hug it out.

Lori Buselt, far left, strikes a pose in honor of the original poser, Denise. Also pictured are Peggy Smith, Stacy and Kathryn. Oh, yes, we liked the book but we liked the book club meeting even more.

Celebrity chef auction

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Dale and I attended our first Celebrity Chef auction to benefit the Orpheum Theatre on Tuesday night.

My beautiful friend Bonnie Bing invited us to sit at the table that she and her husband, Dick Honeyman (you can see him in the tuxedo at the back in this photo) had purchased for the night. Dick is the Orpheum's board president. Bonnie's friend, Nancy Schwan, is with her, left.

Many restaurants from around the city set up serving stations throughout the Marriott and the food was superb. We ate too much and also helped ourselves to plenty of wine from the beverage stations. The tables included centerpieces like this composed of fresh produce and veggies, as per the event's theme.

Bonnie also invited her good friend Vicky Reiff, here with Dale.

Jeremy Wade was among the chefs participating in the fund-raiser.

This is the chef of one of Wichita's best restaurants, Chester's.

Chef Jason is always ready to mug for the camera. He cooks at Nouvelle Cafe, and he and his "celebrity chef", Eric Sexton, won the event competition.

More chefs at work.

I'm sorry I don't know this chef's name.

We coincidentally met our new friend Mark at the event. We attended Symphony in the Flint Hills with he and his girlfriend, Karyn, last weekend.

Karyn and I posing for the camera.

Dick Honeyman and Dale. Dick was the emcee for the event and, as always, did a great job and looked mighty good doing it.

Symphony in the Flint Hills

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Just a few snaps from our second trip to Symphony in the Flint Hills on Saturday.

This year, the event was on the Doyle Creek Land and Cattle Company located between Florence and Strong City, south of Cedar Point, the closest it's been to Wichita in the four years it's been going on. Here is the concert shell where the Kansas City Symphony played.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect, warm but not hot, sunny, a little breeze. We arrived about 4 p.m. to relax, eat and drink before the music started about 6:30.

The event sells out every year, with about 5,000 people attending.

Tents like this are set up all over the event, with various activities going on most of the day. There's an art tent, a poetry-reading area, and one tent under which cowboys talk about their work on the ranch. They also sell food and beverages. This was the first year they didn't allow ticketholders to bring in their own wine, which was kind of disappointing.

We invited two couples who we wanted to get to know a little better, Jill and Tom Docking....

And Karyn Page and her boyfriend, Mark.

Jill and Dale have known each other professionally for many years.

Karen is president of the World Trade Office in Wichita, and works pretty closely with Dale.

I wish I had spent more time and energy getting some good photos, but I don't think I can do justice to the beauty of the landscape. And I was having too much fun to bother much with photos.

Carrie's birthday

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:34:00 +0000

Carrie's birthday gave us a good excuse to gather at Denise's house on Saturday night for dinner and a rousing game of "Time's Up." (Since it was her birthday, we let her win....)

Carrie with her hubby, Joe, and Jaime and Carter in the background. They will marry next fall.

Mike McMillin at the buffet line. We had Denise's amazing carnitas again. They are so good we just can't get enough.

Little Miss Lexi kept us all amused, as usual (see below.)

Nancy Blanchett and Deanna Harms enjoying cocktails.

Denise, downing her white sangria, and Jim Blanchett and Mike.

Jim and Nancy Blanchett, Deanna Harms and her partner David Kamerer.

And now, a few photos of Dale and Lexi amusing each other. They are so darn cute together.

Who's happier here??

Dale knows how to show a girl a good time.

Country friends

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:27:00 +0000

We spent a couple of hours Friday night visiting Molly, a friend from Dale's KPTS days, and her husband and 18-month-old son on their country estate near Sedgwick.

Dale and Molly, who now works at Newman University. Molly is showing us her garden.

Dale, enviously surveying the squash plants.

Molly pulled a couple of onions for our dinner. The plants are nearly as tall as her.

Dale with William.

Dale and Molly at dinner in her pergola.

More wildlife

linenberger@hotmail.com (Lori) — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:18:00 +0000

The squirrels at our house just make themselves right at home. This one was just chillin' today on the fence. He just looked at me as I approached with the camera. I think I was more afraid of him than he was of me.

Same goes with the one below...

He came within about two feet of me and just looked at me. I felt pressured to go find him some food.