Pat Wherritt, Publisher and Kathy Heaton, Editor
For the past 35 years and counting, this couple has been inseparable and fiercely devoted to their several publications, which includes A La Carte for both Santa Fe and New Mexico, The New Mexico Almanac, The Wichita Register and The Front Porch Wichita, and now Urban Prevue, Wichita’s premier online magazine, intended as a “celebratory thank you” to their hometown and beyond.
Spanning both pre- and post-Internet publishing experiences, Kathy and Pat are savvy to the inevitability of changing times. To that end, they’ve pooled the best of Wichita’s talents—writers, editors, photographers, designers, clients, and generous homeowners—to create a robust online magazine that will be a positive resource for inspiration and engagement. And so this duo says, “Welcome to UrbanPrevue.com—Please enjoy!”
Kat Schneider, Copy Editor and Contributing Editor
Kat Schneider began her writing career in 1985 as first an editor, the senior writer/editor, in WSU’s Office of University Publications. After 15 mostly fulfilling years, she decided to take a leap of faith and plunged into free-lance waters. Her clients included Cargill, Insight Design Communications, the Hayes Company, The Shocker magazine—and The Wichita Register, a cosmopolitan and eco-conscious quarterly magazine, where, in 1998, she began an exclusive commitment to Kathy Heaton and Patrick Wherritt, owners of The Register. Writing about everything from yurts to mason bees to Italian pottery to eco-friendly sunglasses, Kat had found her dream job, and she joyfully followed this inseparable couple to their next venture, the Front Porch Wichita. And she’ll do the same for Urban Prevue, their next enterprise!
Cathy Clausen, Contributing Writer
Cathy and Nick Clausen own Wichita’s Backyard Nature Center in The Shops at Tallgrass, which has been in business for over 30 years. They are avid backyard-bird watchers, nature lovers, and master gardeners with the Sedgwick County Extension Service. They’re absolutely wild about wildlife, great and small, and are experts at solving any and all backyard nature problems. The Clausens pride themselves on stocking a wide array of practical items at the Backyard Nature Center, such as a variety of birdseed and avian treats; the esoteric, like squirrel baffles and cheery heated birdbaths; and the whimsical, such as pretty decorative gourds from Peru! Nick and Cathy have been married for 45 years and have three daughters and four grandchildren.
Sasha Kuchinski, Contributing Writer
Writer, runner, and educator Sasha Kuchinski is a busy mom who spends her days working with high school students and her evenings skirting Legos and toy cars. She is thrilled to join the Urban Prevue crew, writing about such topics as decorating, cooking, outdoor living, and traveling. A graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism, Sasha has served as a contributing writer for national and local publications, including Houzz, The Wichita Eagle, Wichita Magazine, and The Lawrence Journal World. She enjoys a long run, working on house projects and spending a day on the water. Sasha lives in Wichita with her husband Mike and two young sons, Parker and Rowen.
Lauren Truxal, Contributing Writer
Lauren Truxal is a Wichita native and a senior at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, studying Strategic Communications with a minor in Film and Media Studies. She hopes, one day, to bring her love of cuisine from around the world to a media career in the food industry.
Baking is Lauren’s true love, as well as the narratives behind the food that bring people together. Since the age of twelve, she has operated her own in-home bakery—Trux and Treats-— using the recipes that her mother collected over the years, including recipes from her grandmother. These treasured recipes are staples in her home, and she’s excited to now share these recipes with you!
Currently, Lauren is studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Fortunately, that means great stories with sumptuous photographs from her travels and adventures abroad for all of us.
Follow Lauren on her social media accounts: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook
Philip Holmes, Contributing Writer
Philip Holmes is a long-time resident of Wichita. He began World Import Gallery in 1994 and it continues today as RugStudio of Wichita. When it comes to floor fashion, Philip is clearly the one to look to for advice. Currently Philip is a drummer for a variety of bands in the area. When he is not drumming, he enjoys traveling with his lovely wife, Noelle, in search of new adventures.
Dianne Waltner, Contributing Photographer and Writer
Dianne is a lifelong Kansan, growing up in rural Moundridge and moving to Wichita in 1979, where I currently live. Although she had dabbled in photography over the years, her interest piqued with the advent of digital, as well as a fortuitous trip to New Zealand. There she discovered a true love of photography while attempting to capture some of the breathtaking beauty there.
After returning home, she began to look for and appreciate the more subtle beauty of Wichita and Kansas. “There are great photos everywhere —sometimes it just takes a little more patience to find them.”
Matt Nelson, Guest Contributing Writer
A consummate professional writer by trade, Matt Nelson is the associate creative director for Jajo, an integrated marketing agency with locations in Wichita and St. Louis. In his pursuit of written perfection, he attempts to avoid alliteration—to no avail. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine may be the only place in the world where Matt doesn’t obsess about work! His passions range from being an enthusiastic fly fisherman to competitive hot dog eating. (For the record, he enjoys both.) Matt’s side hustle is as a long-time guest contributor for The Front Porch Wichita, and now for Urban Prevue.
Michelle Markee, Guest Contributing Writer and Photographer
Mother, vegetarian cook, nature-lover, and hippie-at-heart Michelle Markee can often be found hiking, road-tripping, or simply hanging in wine country. (When she’s not at work, of course!) Michelle is currently working as the creative director for a global marketing agency, where she focuses on child nutrition and women’s health. But she got her start right here in Wichita, working with the small and savvy team at The Wichita Register magazine.
Markee was in charge of that magazine’s layout and design, while soaking up some post-college knowledge about publishing, photography, and life—and she also made some forever friends! She lives in St. Louis with her son and their rescue pup, where she enjoys the local art scene, foodie culture, and the growing makers community.
Gardner Design bills itself as a company that makes your brand their business. Working closely with them, we have to say they are so much more.
Immense gratitude and praise to the entire Gardner Design team, who started by creating the Urban Prevue logo and designed the website for UrbanPrevue.com. Their steadfastness, authenticity, and bold spirit have been a mainstay throughout this entire process.
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