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Alex Lindsey is the founder of West Bottoms Whiskey Company in Kansas City, established in 2021. Alex spent a decade working at distillation, whiskey aging and blending, from which he created a very successful business. He also has a great appreciation for history and described the growth of distilling whiskey in the United States. The West Bottoms is the oldest part of the city where the stock yards and manufacturing enterprises made Kansas City famous. The area was busling, boasting numerous saloons, eateries and bordellos. Repeated floods diminished business activity but new investments in the West Bottoms is now attracting much attention. The West Bottoms Whiskey Company has won numerous business awards and is especially known for a pre depression whiskey blend of bourbon, rye and sherry. Tours of the business and a tasting room are quite popular.

Ballard Center Director Kyle Roggenkamp grew up in poverty which has provided him an understanding of the importance of stability for families and individuals. The non profit’s mission is to assist people in need with early childhood education, a food pantry, a clothing closet and emergency assistance. The Ballard Center partners with a number of other service agencies for referral and assistance. Child education classes are small, teachers have trauma training and each student has a plan for success. Like many non profits the center faces financial challenges, like the unexpected loss of funding for AmeriCorps volunteers. Kyle reported over 9,000 people were served by the center last year. On Saturday October 11, 11:00 am-2:00 pm, the opening of a new pantry will be celebrated with food and music.

Michelle Dillon is a Caregiver Support Specialist for Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging (JAAA). JAAA is a non-profit organization that provides information and referral services for older Kansans and their caregivers in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas Counties. Those services include caregiver support, information and outreach, case management, client assessment and evaluation and advocacy. Michelle is particularly concerned about caregivers and their isolation and lack of support in caring for an aging individual. Dementia and Alzheimers are particularly difficult to deal with. Caregivers face stress and burn out and JAAA can provide needed information and assistance. Michelle stressed that caregivers must take care of themselves and become acquainted with support groups and service agencies.

Lawrence Central is kicking off our annual fundraiser to support our ongoing work. As in years past, we will be selling wreaths and other holiday decorations from Lynch Creek Farms. Through our partnership with them, Lawrence Central receives money back from every sale to help fund the service projects we undertake.  Some examples of our service activities include:

• Lawrence Kids Calendar
• Lawrence Community Bike Ride
• Lawrence’s Santa Rescue

We want to continue to do this work, and all you need to do is purchase holiday decorations. You can do this by talking to any of our members, or there’s an even easier way – visit our Lynch Creek fundraising website, peruse what they have, and order yourself!  We’ve even set up an easy link:

https://bit.ly/LCRWREATH25

If you’re uncomfortable ordering online, we understand – you can also call Lynch Creek directly toll-free at 1-888-426-0781 and please Lawrence Central Rotary Fundraiser #8614487.

Lynch Creek is a family business that started in 1980, now transformed from selling a few flowers and vegetables at the local farmers’ market on the weekends to a full-blown year-round business that ships throughout the United States.

We could go on about how great these wreaths are, but when we were at the Lawrence Rotary Club recently,  Jennifer Berquist stopped us and told us this,

“I purchased several Lynch Creek items as holiday gifts. Those who received the evergreen gifts were so pleased and impressed with the quality. It is a huge seller for me that the Lawrence Central Rotary Club receives part of the profits. I will definitely place another order this year!” – Jennifer Berquist – Lawrence, KS 

Lynch Creek Farms have been amazing to work with, and they care about the groups that sell their wreaths and decorations. Here’s a video about the business.

Rachel Duffey has a lot on her plate and she seems to thrive on it. She and her husband, Jhami, started and operate two downtown businesses, Jungle House and Squishington’s candy store. Jungle House came first, a plant store inspired by Rachel’s love of plants. When her house filled with plants she began looking for ways to sell them and discovered considerable community interest in house plants. She and Jhami rented a space on Delaware and opened for business. The store was so successful they relocated downtown at 6 East 7th Street. In addition to their plant inventory they offer services like repotting, residential and commercial plant maintenance, various work shops and online Q and A for plants. In 2023 they opened a candy store called Squishington’s in the Liberty Hall building. The store offers nostalgic and imported sweets and a candy boat. Both stores express a spirit of fun and adventure. The Guffey’s have a young daughter, dogs, chickens and ducks.