In The Bag June 2018

In The Bag June 2018

WICHITA’S HANGER

Good For the Soul

June 2018

Exploring the Beauty All Around Us

Some folks would tell you that there’s not much to do in Wichita, arguing that there are limited entertainment options. You go out to eat at the same places, got to a movie, and do the same old thing week after week. But I believe that if you expand your view just a bit, you’ll see all the local treasures our area has to offer. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate more and more over the last few years. In the past, we used family vacations for traveling. We went all over the United States, visiting Philly, California, Cleveland, Alaska — there have been some really neat trips. In Alaska, we visited Aram’s family and saw glaciers. We also flew over Mt. McKinley in a tiny propeller plane. It was spectacular. Last year, we went to Beaver Creek, Colorado, a town just down the road from Vail. Trips to Colorado remind me of my childhood, skiing and being near mountains, so it was a nostalgic experience. I’d say Colorado is as much fun in the summer as it is in the winter. There are outdoor activities to enjoy in any season. We rode the gondola with the kids, and the trees were beautiful. On past trips, we’ve gone whitewater rafting and hiking. Now we’re looking to enjoy more regional trips. With two little ones, it’s not always easy to jump on a plane. We’re kind of homebodies. As the girls get a little older and Ethan looks forward to each new adventure, we’re excited to show them some of the great local treasures that Kansas and our neighboring states have to offer. In Wichita, there’s no shortage of activities, from the exhibits at Exploration Place to the botanical gardens, the historic theaters, and the local food trucks. Of course, it goes without saying that hosting March Madness was a highlight for our city. We’ll see you again in 2021, NCAA fans! With its water and amusement parks, Kansas City is also a really cool place. Our family enjoys going to Great Wolf Lodge for the indoor water park. Because the temperature stays at a steady 80 degrees, we can enjoy it year-round. And since it’s less than three hours away, a trip to Kansas City to visit the parks and do some shopping in the downtown plaza is the perfect getaway.

We’re hoping to take a trip to Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri this summer for some outdoor adventures. Have you been? It looks like a beautiful and fun place to enjoy the water. If you have any recommendations, let me know. Another place on our list is the River Walk in San Antonio. We’ll see what we get to this summer! When I’m on vacation, it takes about three days for me to relax and let go of everything. That time recharges my batteries. It’s so easy to get caught up in our daily routines of work, school, and activities, and sometimes it’s hard to make time to get away. It’s important to step away once in a while for a family trip to reconnect with each other. Sometimes it takes a total break from our daily routine to feel like we can give it our all again. You’ll find you appreciate your everyday life even more when you return. For me, traveling near or far comes down to exploration. Not only do Aram and I love it, but can also share that passion with our kids. To go out, explore, and see other parts of the state, the country, and the world is a one-of-a-kind experience you can’t get from books or television. It enriches the soul. For us to impress that on our kids early, and to have the opportunity to do that, is a privilege we treasure.

Summer is the perfect time for a relaxing getaway.

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Parents Watch Free

Is Movie Pass Right for Your Family?

ARE YOU A MOVIE FAMILY? Do you go to the movies often as a family? Or do you and your spouse need more date-night options? With the $9.95 monthly subscription fee, as long as the pass holder in your family sees more than one movie a month, you are saving money. This can be a great encouragement to see more films, whether as a family or individually. IS 3-D A MUST? The one catch of Movie Pass is that it will only get you into standard 2D movies. If you and the family want the 3D experience, you’ll have to pay for it separately. If enough theaters in your area participate, your family enjoys going to the movies, and you’re not set on seeing 3D movies, Movie Pass can be a great investment. But if the answer is no to any of these questions, you’re probably better off just buying tickets at the box office.

Superheroes, robots, and dinosaurs, oh my! The 2018 blockbuster season is in full swing, and chances are your kids don’t want to miss out on the action. But these days, going to the movies costs an arm and a leg — and that’s before you buy the popcorn. One service is looking to change this. If you’ve watched the news at all in the last year, chances are you’ve heard the buzz about Movie Pass. It’s a subscription service in which one user pays $9.95 a month in exchange for four free movie tickets each month at participating theaters. While initially envisioned for college students and film aficionados, could Movie Pass be right for your family? WHERE DO YOU LIVE? The first thing you should do when considering whether to sign up for the pass is research which theaters in your area take the pass and which don’t. If you have to make a long drive just to get to a participating theater, it’s probably not worth subscribing.

3 Awesome Dads Fathers Who Put Their Lives on the Line for Their Kids

This Father’s Day, thousands of dads will receive a “No. 1 Dad” mug to sip coffee out of at the office. But the following dads took that “No. 1” to a new level. BRIAN MUNN GAVE HIS SON A LIVER TRANSPLANT. When doctors discovered that baby Caleb Munn had a rare disease called biliary atresia, they told his parents that he was unlikely to survive past age 2 without a liver transplant. Luckily, his father was a perfect match, and he eagerly donated part of his liver in March 2015 to save his son’s life.

16-year-old son, Gabriel. He rushed out of his hammock to see a black bear dragging his son away by the head. Without hesitation, he kicked the beast in the side, and when that didn’t work, he leapt onto its back and started punching it in the face. When the bear finally released Gabriel, Greg threw rocks until it fled. His son was hurt but made a full recovery in the hospital over the coming weeks.

ARTUR MAGOMEDOV SAVED HIS DAUGHTERS FROM ISIS.

Artur Magomedov was devastated to discover that his wife had taken his 3- and 10-year-old daughters from their home in Dagestan under the cover of night, flown to Turkey, and crossed into Syria to join ISIS. But he resolved to get his kids back. After a long, hazardous journey, he arrived in Tabqa to embrace his two daughters. To leave the caliphate — under penalty of death — they hitched a ride to the border one night and crawled along a railway line until they were within 70 meters of the border. Then they ran under fire from Turkish border guards until they could scramble into tall grasses. After some help from the Russian consulate in Istanbul, they made it back home, together again and safe.

GREG ALEXANDER BATTLED A BEAR FOR HIS SON’S LIFE. While camping in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Greg Alexander was startled awake at dawn by the screams of his

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Up Your Golf Game With the Right Duds

Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings

Could Looking the Part Help You Play Like the Masters?

Before he heads to the green, pro golfer Phil Mickelson knows exactly what he’s going to wear. His clothes are laid out, from his shirt down to the right pair of socks, and they’re clean, freshly pressed, and folded. Can you imagine seeing Mickelson walk up to his tee with a messed-up shirt and wrinkled pants? There’s a reason the pros put thought into what they wear for each game. As Scientific American notes, “Many studies show that the clothes you wear can affect your mental and physical performance.” Looking the part might actually help you play the part. Properly caring for your athletic wear will not only make your items look pristine and possibly help you play better, but it may also ensure that your clothing lasts longer. Home dryers often damage delicate athletic materials and can turn your lucky golf shirt into a mess of threads. Thankfully, you have a better option. Drop off your lucky golf shirt and pants at the cleaners. In addition to knowing your items will be handled with care, you’ll also have more time to focus on perfecting your swing. Instead of frantically searching for your golf clothes before your next tee time and praying they’re not still in the dirty pile, leave the cleaning to the experts. When you reach into your drawer, your golf clothes will be there waiting for you, fresh, pressed, and clean — just like Mickelson’s. As you seek a professional to handle your golf clothing, look no further than In the Bag Cleaners. We’re not just dry cleaners. In fact, customers swear by our wash- and-fold laundry service because they know their items are in good hands. Serving Wichita for almost two decades, our staff is made up of experts who specialize in making sure your clothing looks its best for every occasion. From the black-tie affair to the putting green, you’ll love the way you feel — and play. How much better would you look and feel if your golf apparel for your next game was freshly pressed and cleaned? More importantly, would it affect your game?

Ingredients

Inspired by Food Network

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1 lime, halved

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4 pounds chicken wings 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 1/4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Chopped cilantro for garnish

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1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse wings under cold water and pat dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet for 25 minutes or until skin becomes crisp and brown. 3. Blend butter, red curry paste, honey, and soy sauce in a large mixing bowl. 4. Toss wings in butter mixture. Squeeze lime juice on top, transfer to serving plate, and garnish with cilantro.

Have a

Laugh!

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1951 N. Ohio Ave., Wichita, KS 67214 (316) 267-3407 | www.inthebagcleaners.com

INSIDE This ISSUE

Summer Vacation Ideas

Invest in Movie Nights 3 Fathers Who Risked It All for Their Kids

Master Your Golf Game Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings

3 Summer Attractions in Our State

How Kansas Keeps Cool in the Summer 3 Can’t-Miss Attractions

This time of year, we’re looking for ways to stay cool! Luckily, there are several options right here in the Wichita area. Nothing beats the heat like a dip in local waters. Here are a few family activities to dive into this summer without leaving the state.

the park, which is home to many native plants and animals — so keep your eye out for a deer or two while you’re there. Don’t forget to bring your fishing pole, because Fall River contains its fair share of fish and is an ideal spot for both junior and experienced wranglers.

ROCK RIVER RAPIDS Derby, Kansas

GEARY LAKE FALLS Junction City, Kansas

Only 20 minutes from Wichita, this water park is enjoyable for the whole family. There’s something for all levels of thrill seeker, from the lazy river and lap pool for the fans of leisure to the big waterslides for the more adventurous swimmers. The park opens May 28, and seasonal passes are currently available.

Located a couple hours from Wichita and several miles south of

Junction City, this lesser-known but picturesque waterfall is best seen when there’s plenty of water flowing. Any time after a summer rainstorm is the perfect time to visit. After heavy rain, water from the Geary State Fishing Lake finds its outlet by cascading over the falls, creating a spillover that’s beautiful to behold. Bring your camera and good hiking shoes — the trek may be muddy — to experience this natural wonder.

FALL RIVER STATE PARK Greenwood County, Kansas

When you want to head a little farther out of town, travel about an hour and a half to this state park nestled next to the Flint Hills. Here, you can cool off in the Fall River while enjoying the natural beauty of Kansas. Canoeing is a popular pastime at this location, and a number of campsites and cabins are available within the 980-acre park, creating the perfect opportunity to make a weekend out of your visit. Six hiking trails will take you to various sections of

image from KansasTravel.org

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