Topeka Kansas Photographer

Years ago, before there were weekly farm markets, there were farmers that had small markets that sold what they raised directly to the public. One of my mother’s favorite markets was the J.C. Meier Market, located at 2300 Lower Silver Lake Rd. here in Topeka. The Meier Mrkt. is one of the few things left that is pretty much unchanged from my childhood. Sometime in the early 80′s I guess they enlarged their market and instead of it being an all open air market it now is in a larger building that can be secured at night.

They always had a little bit of a rivalry with the J.G. Meier Mrkt. that is about a half a mile to the west of the J.C. Meier’s Mrkt. (closer to the railroad tracks) I think that they were cousins maybe? But anyway, now although the “J.G. Meier Mrkt. is still open rumor has it that J.G. has retired and the market is being run by a family from Manhattan, so no longer actually operated by a Meier.

During the summer it is pretty much of a regular weekly outing of ours to “go to the country to get vegetables” as my mom used to call it. Even though now, I think, the market is actually within the Topeka City limits. Lots of great memories of coming there during the summer! Back then it was very common for them to have two prices one price was if they picked the vegetables and the other was if you picked. I was actually pretty happy they stopped the “you pick” option, that is some back breaking work!

The last time I was at the J.C. Meier Mrkt. I was asking them if their business had increased because of the trend of many to “shop local. They said that their business had been a bit slowed because of the farmer’s markets. People used to come to their place to shop and now the farmer’s markets are very popular and it is easy to forget they are still there everyday of the week (except Sundays). The message I want to get out to everyone in Topeka is to try and support the farmer’s markets but also don’t forget about the people that have been in a family owned business for at least 40+ years that I know of.









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It’s almost time for Fall! I know it’s hard to believe that the summer heat and hopefully, the drought will end soon. Today I stopped by WU to watch practice for a while.  The staff was great to let me on to the field to take some photographs for my Topeka Photographer blog.

Looks like it’s going to be a great year. Here is a link to WU’s home schedule this year. Just a bit of trivia is that WU will play 6 home games this year. A ‘bleacher’ season ticket is only $55! That’s less than $10/game. If you join the Alumni Assoc (link here) then you get to attend the tailgating party before each home game. Washburn’s first game is at home on August 30th, 2012 against Univ. of Nebraska @Kearney.

Washburn University is one of Topeka,KS. best kept secrets. It’s a awesome school with relatively low tuition a high ratio of PhD professors and small class sizes not to mention a pretty fun Union to hang out in when not in class.

This last saturday 6/25/2011 the Beverly Bernardi Conservatory of Dance located at 5938 SW 17th St. (just off of 17th & Wanamaker) here in Topeka held a fundraiser for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The event was held from 12-3 and over $500 was raised from passers by that generously gave to the cause. The money will go towards the Reading, KS and Joplin, MO. Am. Red Cross Disaster efforts.

It was a lot of fun watching the work that the kids and adults did to raise funds. Some of the participants dressed up in their performance costumes while others opted to use some of Ms. Bernardi’s extensive selection of storybook character outfits. One of the things that really helped raise money was the generosity of Cici’s Pizza here in Topeka that donated 50 free meals. Donors that donated a minimum of $5 to the Red Cross received a free Cici’s Pizza Buffet coupon for as long as the coupons lasted. Everyone that donated anything recieved a cookie or muffin courtesy of Perkins. (Pretty good deal, huh?)

The encouraging thing about the whole event was that by a few people donating a couple of hours of their Saturday afternoon to raise some money and the gracious generosity of the citizens of Topeka it showed what can be accomplished to help people that have experienced a tragic event in their lives. I hope that other groups get the same idea and they too can see what can be done.

If you are wanting to have a fund raiser for the American Red Cross call the Topeka chapter at 785-354-9239. They will arrange for Red Cross volunteers to come and give support, supply the collection buckets and hang up a sign.

Came across this book on Amazon that looks interesting of historical photographs of Topeka, KS.  Mr. Hoots collected over 200 images of Topeka for his book.  Greg Hoots is a long time resident of Shawnee County and currently lives in Kansas City.

Topeka (Images of America) (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing))

On my walk today through Gage Park what originally caught my eye was about a dozen of Topeka’s finest on their bicycles in the middle of the sand volleyball pit! I was completely intrigued (nosey) about what was going on. We’ll I missed that scene but I did capture some other great footage of the Topeka Police Bicycle Patrol training class today.

They were very nice to let me stand there and watch them train and even to take some video of it all. I tried riding my bike once as a kid up some stairs but it wasn’t met with much success and more than likely ended with a bruised up knee! Criminals need to know that these guys are very quiet and they are able to give chase either up or down stairs, over curbs and through sand!

Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys for a short time today!!