PrairieFest 2008 - Ark City

PrairieFest 2008 will occur in Arkansas City, KS, June 5-8, 2008, at Wilson Park, 701 North Summit St., in Ark City.

In it's 45th year, PrairieFest presents a wide variety of visual and performing art. The four-day community celebration of the arts includes quality art, good food, and activities for children. For artists, a great kick-off party and a quick-draw contest precede the weekend art festival.

Check it out!!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills Traveling Exhibit - Update

The Traveling Exhibit of the National Geographic's April 2007 photographs by Kansas Native, Jim Richardson, finishes it's run in Goodland on June 2, and moves to Colby, on June 3 where it will be through June 16.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Horse Races in the Kansas Flint Hills

Horse racing resumes at Eureka Downs on May 31, and runs through July 4, 2008.


Eureka Downs is the oldest location for Horse Racing in the State of Kansas, dating back to Oct. 2, 1872, when the first horse race occurred.

Check it out!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Visit the Wichita Art Museum

The Wichita Art Museum opened in 1935. It is home to The Roland P. Murdock Collection, one of the premier collections of American Art in the country.

Check out this Ongoing Exhibition: Heritage of the West: A Romance Gone Forever: The M.C. Naftzger Collection of Paintings, Sculptures and Drawings by Charles M. Russell.

You will experience the turbulent and thrilling themes of everyday life during the settlement of the American West. This exhibit represents a cross section of Charles M. Russell's stylistic development over a period of 30 years, from 1896 through 1926.

The Museum is proud to be supported through public and private funds, owned by the City of Wichita and managed by a private entity, Wichita Art Museum, Inc. Located at 1400 West Museum Boulevard, the Museum and Museum store are open Sunday noon – 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free through September 30 and scheduled school groups are always free.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

School House to White House - Abilene

School House to White House: The Education of Our Presidents Exhibit
Dates: 3/3/08 - 5/31/08

An exhibit that reveals fascinating details about children that would grow up to be Presidents.

The family-friendly "School House to White House" exhibition focuses on the early education of American Presidents from Herbert Hoover through George W. Bush. Journey back to a time of one room school houses, large public schools and private tutors. See these future presidents as young sports stars, choir members and musicians. Watch them mature into serious college and military academy students. Together these experiences demonstrate the variety of educational and extra-curricular experiences that trained and influenced our nation's future leaders.

Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Library, 200 SE 4th, Abilene.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

School Day - Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Check out School Day at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Strong City. 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

The Harveyville Project

The Harveyville Project is a unique experience on the eastern edge of the Kansas Flint Hills region.


Now in development, The Harveyville Project is "a creative residence, retreat, and workshop getaway, surrounded by the distance and alarming beauty" of eastern Waubausee County. It is "located at the corner of No and Where. Nary a McDonalds nor Starbucks as far as the eye can see, but still a comfy drive from civilization." That is, 50 minutes fromLawrence, 35 to Topeka, and less than two hours to Kansas City.

Check it out!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Prairie Spring Cottage

Check out Prairie Spring Cottage, in Junction City, Kansas. It is located in the tranquil Flint Hills of Kansas, close to attractions, but you can sit on the back deck and enjoy an intimate view of a tree-shaded spring while you barbeque. Or, you can take a prairie walk and enjoy the rolling landscape from the crest of a grassy ridge.


"Leave your stress behind and immerse yourself in the peace of Prairie Springs Cottage."

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Visit Florence Adams in St. Mary's, KS

Florence Adams, a specialty retailer in St. Marys, Kansas will celebrate its Grand
Opening May 22 – 24. Located in a beautifully renovated 126-yr.-old downtown building,
Florence Adams focuses on distinctive Housewares, Kitchen Goods, Gourmet Foods, Women's
Accessories, and unique Gifts.
Cornerstones of the Florence Adams collection are its newly acquired line of Vera Bradley
Handbags, and hand made Polish Pottery.
The Grand Opening festivities will begin with a Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, May 22nd at 5:30
PM and continue through 8:00 PM on Sat. May 24.
All are invited to visit throughout the weekend for food, tours of the building, and great
discounts.
For a complete schedule of events and driving directions, check online at
www.florenceadams.com or call Florence Adams at (785) 437-6555.

Florence Adams is located at 529 W. Bertrand, St. Marys, KS 66536

While you are there, plan enough time to check out other sites in St. Mary's, and nearby environs in Pott County!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Limestone Layers of the Kansas Flint Hills

Dennis Toll, Mahattan CVB, and Co-Chair of the Heritage Task Force of the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition, Inc., has been taking the docent education programs at the Konza Prairie (that I wrote about on May 10). He has become very interested in the history of the limestone, among other things. He notes that the Flint Hills are underlain by lower Permiam limestone, which makes it very special and distinctive in this part of the world. He sent this photo from the Konza, with layers noted:

[Double click on photo to see larger version]

For more information on these local Kansas Flint Hills geologic marvels, here are some interesting related websites (not inclusive, by any means):

http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/field/flint/flint.htm
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/flinthills/rocks.html
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/GeoSciences/CT/TIG/WEBSITES/LOCAL/Summer2003/Geyer_Thomas/Geology_of_Kansas.html

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Lehigh Antique Tractor and Engine Show

May 26, 2008. Enjoy this Memorial Day collection of antique tractors, cars and hobby engines. Admission is free. The show begins mid-morning, and a parade is held in the afternoon.


See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

New Heritage Story Collection Project

If you are interested in the Kansas Flint Hills, you may be interested in participating in our newest Kansas Flint Hills Heritage Story Collection Project. It is part of the "Friends of the Flint Hills" educational programs.

It is a Wikispace project, using the latest Web 2.0 technology, which allows collaboration by all interested persons on the same website (just like the well-known Wikipedia, which sponsors the space for educational projects).

Check it out, at: http://kansasflinthills.wikispaces.com/
I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. We welcome your participation in adding appropriate information to the site.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

The Santa Fe Trail passed through Tampa

A Santa Fe Trail marker located at 330th Street in Tampa has this inscription:

Old Santa Fe Trail
Operated 1822-1872
Purchased from the Indians August 10, 1825
Surveyed 1827 From
Independence, Mo. to Santa Fe, NM

Erected By Old Settlers and Citizen

Of Marion County Oct. 3, 1914

[Photo and text from: "A Pictorial Tribute: Attractions & Events; from Dickinson, Morris & Marion Counties (KS)" - Text and Photographs by Norma Mosier. Used here with permission. Book copies available at the Herrington (KS) Chamber of Commerce]


When you stop by Tampa, be sure to check out the Diner and the Senior Center.


See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Father Juan De Padilla honored in Herrington, KS

Father Juan De Padilla is honored in Herrington, KS, with a Memorial Lake Fountain

and a Historical Monument on North Broadway, erected in 1904 by the Quivira Hisotrical Society.

Two images, above, from: "A Pictorial Tribute: Attactions & Events; from Dickinson, Morris & Marion Counties (KS)" - Text and Photographs by Norma Mosier. Used here with permission. Book copies available at the Herrington (KS) Chamber of Commerce - stop by and pick one up when you visit!

Father Juan de Padilla, a Franciscan friar, was one of a group of 300 Spaniards that traveled with Franciso Vasquez de Coranodo from Mexico. In 1541, he came with Coronado to the land of Quivira in Kansas. Later, he returned as a missionary to the native peoples; but, was killed by them in 1542. He has been recognized as the first Christian martyr, in what is now the United States.

See more about Juan de Padilla at: http://kansasflinthills.wikispaces.com/Father+Juan+De+Padilla

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Tall Grass Gospel Pickin'

Join the Tall Grass Gospel Pickin' at the Emma Chase Cafe in Cottonwood Falls on Friday night, 7:30 p.m. Everyone Welcome.



Serving Fried Catfisth from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Tour de Florence, Mountain Bike Race into the Flint Hills

On May 18, 2008, set out early Sunday morning for a 40-mile mountain bike ride - and there is a 25-mile cut-off, if it is a little early in the season for you! Enjoy the peaceful and scenic Kansas Flint Hills with a BBQ picnic at the end of the trail back at the ball diamond where you started!

Go to the Florence, Kansas, site to download a registration form.

A few days out, it looks like the weather may be great! Check it out!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Fabulous Flint Hills: The Hills Are Alive!

May 17, 2008, at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site, 500 North Mission, Council Grove, KS – celebrating the 17^th anniversary of the Kaw Mission Kaw Councils educational series. All programs are free, open to the public, and presented at 3:30 and 7 p.m. at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site.

http://www.kshs.org/calendar/detail.php?eventID=798

(be sure click on “more information”)

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Konza Prairie Docent Program

Following up on yesterday's reminder about the Wildflower Walk at the Konza Prairie, this is a reminder of how you can get more involved. Volunteering to be a trained KEEP Docent at the Konza is a great way to learn about the Konza yourself and to share with others.

The KEEP (Konza Environmental Education Program) Docent Program can be a life-long experience. Check it out!!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Wildflower Walk at the Konza

The Friends of the Konza Prairie will offer their annual Wildflower Walk, the second Sunday of June, June 8, this year.


More than 50 species of native tallgrass prairie plants will be blooming along the trail. Dr. Valerie Wright, docents and researchers will be part of the 1.2 mile guided hike of Butterfly Hill Trail.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Marysville Mother's Day weekend activities

Be sure to check the Kansas Flint Hills Events Calendar - it shows a number of activities in Marysville this weekend.
You can start with the 33rd Annual Mother's Day Flea Market and BBQ early on Saturday, May 10 - then check out the Used Book Sale. In the evening is the Footloose Dance Recital - and, also at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 11.
From 9 a.m. on Saturday to 4:30 p.m. is the Annual Art Show at the Marysville Junior High School.
Something for everyone!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Wichita River Festival

The Wichita River Festival starts of May 9 and runs through May 17, 2008. One of the longest continuous-running festivals in the State of Kansas.


See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Finalists for 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture

Go to: http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/architecture.php
to vote for your 8 favorites among the 24 nominees for Architecture Wonder of Kansas - sponsored by the Kansas Sample Foundation.


We urge you, of course, to choose for certain, those nominees withing the 22 Kansas Flint Hills counties. By my count, there are six in the 22 counties - that gives you 2 free ones!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)