Views of the Flint Hills - Art Show

A new show, "Views of the Flint Hills," begins Sept 2nd at the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg and runs through Oct 26th.

"Views of the Flint Hills" features oils and acrylics by Mary Binford Miller.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Marion's 30th Annual Art in the Park and Craft Show

Marion's 30th Annual Art in the Park and Craft Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, in beautiful Central Park, downtown Marion, Kansas.

Artists from several states will be displaying their wares. Many of your favorite items will be returning, such as limestone and metal art, food products, soaps, candles, baskets, clothing, jewelry, pet items, baby items, furniture, photography, Swedish woodcrafts, scrapbook items, felted wool, and cook books.

For more information, please call the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 620-382-3425.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Mark DeCou Studio

We have many fine artisans in the Kansas Flint Hills. I'm going to feature one, today. I'd welcome suggestions on others that I might highlight on this platform.

Mark DeCou Studio is located in rural Chase County, near Cottonwood Falls and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. He creates a variety of Art-Furniture, Fine-Art, and unique items - most of his work is on commission. His website is very comprehensive; give it a good look. I'm sure he would love to hear from you.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Voices of the Wind People - Sept 12 and 13

The Voices of the Wind People pageant is a multimedia presentation that combines live-action scenes set in a Kaw village and Council Grove in the 1800s and features Council Grove citizens and Kaw Indians. Historical artwork and photographs, images of the Flint Hills, and videotaped segments are projected onto a large screen.


This production was last performed in 2006. It involves approximately 125 people per performance. Make every effort to attend this special presentation this year.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Labor Day Festivities - Eskridge

Join in the Labor Day Festivities in Eskridge: 7 am August 31 to 11:05 pm Sept 1, 2008; includes 2 days of rodeo performances Sunday and Monday.

Lake Wabaunsee Garage Sales; Chamber of Commerce Pancake Feed: 7-11 am at the Eskridge Fire House.

See the map of Wabaunsee County, if you need directions.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Traveling Exhibit moves to Fredonia on Labor Day

The Traveling Exhibit of Jim Richardson's Flint Hills photos from the National Geographic moves to Fredonia on Labor Day, for a week: Sep 1-7.

Fredonia is located at the rim of the scenic Flint Hills, and is the seat of Wilson County.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills painter Judith Mackey exhibits in Leawood

The exhibit, Judith Mackey: Flint Hills Vistas, features new plein air landscapes from renowned Flint Hills artist Judith Mackey.

Visit The Rice Gallery of Fine Art's new location in Park Place (just north of 117th and Nall) at 11535 Ash Street, Leawood, Kansas. Ms. Mackey will be in attendance of the opening reception from 5 to 9 on Friday evening, Aug 29. Festivities continue from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, Aug 30. This show will run through mid-October. Gallery hours are 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and by appointment.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Lazy T Ranch Adventures

Check out the website of Lazy T Ranch Adventures near Manhattan - to experience an historic ranch in the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas.

The Wilson family has prepared a comprehensive list of activities for a family outing, corporate picnic, historic tour, hayrack ride or a fun night out in the country. Give them a call.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Camping begins for the Walnut Valley Festival

Camping begins for the Walnut Valley Festival on Thursday, August 21. REALLY??


Yes. While the Festival itself doesn't begin until Sept 17, camping opens for die-hard bluegrass and acoustic music fans on August 21, in Winfield. Check it out! See the Camping rules and ask lots of questions if you are a first-timer... lots of tradition you need to know.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Exhibit: Kim Casebeer: From the Ground Up - Studies to Studio

Kim Casebeer shows us the artist's process with drawings, studies, and paintings of the Konza - at Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan - beginning Aug 22 and running through Sep 27, 2008.

Kim's work also shows her efforts in the Flint Hills of Kansas and the vistas of New Mexico. Several other artists also are shown in the exhibit.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Smokin' Behind the Barn Sanctioned State BBQ Cook-off

In two weeks, August 29 and 30, plan to be at the Smokin' Behind the Barn Sanctioned State BBQ Cook-off at Quail Valley Fun Barn, in Winfield, KS.


Come enjoy mouth-watering BBQ and enjoy sounds of area bluegrass bands; as well as arts and crafts booths.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Ranching Weekend - Aug 16-17 - Strong City

If you missed the 1st weekend of August, you have another chance on the 3rd! Experience daily activities on a working ranch as you visit with living history interpreters.


Special activities at Ranching Weekend may include historic cooking, music, quilting, carpentry, roping, gardening, saddling, and blacksmithing. Programs begin at 10 am and 2:30 pm, on Saturday and Sunday. 2 miles north of Strong City at the Tallgrass Prairie National Peserve. 620-273-8494.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Made your Labor Day Weekend plans!

The Florence Labor Day Parade is an event that has occurred for over 70 years. There are many activities over the weekend into Monday which can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Visit the website for more details.

Michael Martin Murphey will be in Concert on Sunday, August 31, along with the other activities. Check it out!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Pioneer Bluffs work day on Saturday

If you'd like volunteer to help grow a great new Heritage asset in the Flint Hills, in the Matfield Green area, please consider coming out to Pioneer Bluffs on Saturday, Aug 16, beginning at 9 am. Lynn Smith, Executive Director, tells me they'll be working whether rain or shine - there is plenty to do in the house and barn if it is raining. Call ahead, if concerned: 620.753.3484 office; or cell at 785.393.1569

Garden tools are available, but bring work gloves. Lunch will be available for those who can work until noon. Many hands will make the load light and fun!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Night Sky Program - Flint Hills

Do you have your reservations for the Night Sky Programs at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, for August 11 & 12?


Experience the Persids meteor shower from the backcountry of the preserve from 9 to 11 p.m. Ages 5 - 18. Reservations required for this activity; and an admissions charge. 620-273-8494.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

27th Annual K&O Steam and Gas Engine Assn. Show

The 27th Annual K&O Steam and Gas Engine Association Show will take place in Winfield August 15-17, 2008
The Show is featuring International Farmall and hosting the North Central Regional Meeting of E.D.G.E & T.A. and Kansas Chapter #3 - 3rd Quarter Kansas Chapter Meeting.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Jeff Davidson Live, in Alma, KS

Saturday evening, August 9th, from 7 - 10 p.m., come to Alma, Kansas, at Pop's Place, 301 Missouri (785-765-2500) to see and hear Jeff Davidson, in person. Jeff presents Western/Cowboy Western Music and Storytelling. Jeff comes to Alma all the way from Eureka, in Greenwood County.


Jeff provided our lunchtime educational entertainment at the Spring Heritage Festival of the Heritage Task Force of the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition, Inc. Jeff is an active member of the Heritage Task Force - thank you very much!

Bring your lawn chair, to Alma, and enjoy the show!!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills Traveling Exhibit - Eureka

The Flint Hills Traveling Exhibit moves to Eureka, in Greenwood County, on August 11 to 18.

If you haven't see the Exhibit, take this opportunity to help celebrate the Flint Hills.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills Beef Fest

Make plans to participate in the Flint Hills Beef Fest, August 15th to 17th, 2008, at the Lyon County Fairgrounds, Emporia. Check out the several sets of activities, including the Ranch Rodeo and Barbeque competition.


See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Campfire Program Series

Come this Saturday night, Aug 9, 2008, for a campfire program and nature trail hike, at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, north of Strong City, KS.

Learn about different natural history topics around a campfire beginning at 7 pm. An hour long nature trail hike completes the evening program at 9 pm.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Rathke’s Roundup

For the latest story in cattle roundups in the Flint Hills, check out the Weekend Emporia Gazette and/or the Gazette online... online, be sure to check the Photos section, as well as the story by Bobbi Mlynar. This same story could have run fifty, a hundred, or a hundred fifty years ago, with little change. That is one of the distinctive characteristics of the Kansas Flint Hills!

Check it out - you will be inspired! I was.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills Traveling Exhibit - Update

The Traveling Exhibit of Flint Hills photos by Jim Richardson in National Geographic's April 2007 issue will be in Garnett, August 4-10. This is great opportunity for folks in the east central Kansas area to view the photos and be reminded of the fine scenery and distinctive landscapes located just a few miles to the west, in the Kansas Flint Hills.

A Jim Richardson photo, from the National Geographic article, was chosen for this week's Photo of the Week - see more details in Dennis Toll's Flint Hills, Tall Grass for August 1.

In addition, the Exhibit reminds everyone that just driving across I-70 to the west, or I-35 toward Wichita, is only a glimpse of the Kansas Flint Hills... plan a little extra time, and drive K-177, the Flint Hills National Scenic ByWay... stop off in Council Grove, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Cottonwood Falls, or any of the other fine small communities with distinctive characteristics reminding us of memories of our youth, on the farms and ranches, the rural areas of America of times gone by. Slow down, and drink in these memories and experiences - even for a few hours. Enjoy a few relaxing moments of silence on the prairie.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Blue Grass Jam at Pop's Place

Play an instrument? Bring it along & join in the fun - at Pop's Place, 301 Missouri, Alma, KS, on Saturday, August 2, 2008: 7-10 pm or later. Bring your lawn chair! For more info, call 785.765.2500.

Pop's Place - More than just Ice Cream & Sandwiches - It's Fun for the whole family!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)