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Abilene Tourism Advocate
August 25, 2022
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Favorite & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits Readers (2022) |
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Former White House Communications Agency Members to Visit Abilene |
The number of individuals who have the privilege of working with the President of the United States on a daily basis is rather limited. Even fewer are the number of people who can say their job was to provide direct communications support for the Commander-in-Chief.
The stories they must have.
Thirteen former members of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) plan to share their memories when they gather for a reunion next month in Abilene. The public is invited to hear them speak from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, at the Abilene Public Library.
These public servants – all military veterans – worked directly with presidents from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton and, with the exception of Lyndon B. Johnson, everyone in between. The accounts they plan to share are as diverse as the presidents themselves.
Harland Priddle, for example, will discuss planning President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China and the Soviet Union as well as the Watergate scandal that led to the president’s resignation. Priddle was WHCA deputy commander while serving from 1970-74. He would later become the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture as well as the first Kansas Secretary of Commerce.
Mike Ebbing, who also served during Nixon’s tenure, will present his personal conversations with the president while acting as a switchboard operator. He also will share audio recordings from 50 years ago of conversations from the secret White House tapes.
WHCA is a joint military organization that was established in 1942 to provide direct communications support to the president. The agency has served in this role for the past 80 years.
“It is fitting that this talented group who served seven different presidents would select the hometown of yet another one, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for their reunion,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “Their duty to country – not only as members of the White House Communications Agency but as military veterans – reflects a commitment to service much greater than themselves. On behalf of Governor Laura Kelly and the State of Kansas, I offer our sincere gratitude.”
While in Abilene, the group is planning a visit to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum and will tour the nationally known Seelye Mansion. President Eisenhower’s granddaughter, Mary Jean Eisenhower, will have lunch with the group there. Following lunch, she will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the president’s gravesite.
“We are so glad they are coming to our town,” said Abilene Mayor Dee Marshall. “We love sharing our little city.”
That evening, the lieutenant governor will give opening remarks at the public meeting, which is co-sponsored by the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau and the State of Kansas Tourism Office.
Overview of White House Communications Agency Reunion Attendees
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Mike Ebbing, Lake Forest, California. Time in WHCA: 1970-1972, President Nixon. Chief Switchboard Operator, Camp David and multiple presidential trips.
- Harland Priddle, McAlester, Oklahoma. 1970-1974, President Nixon. Headquarters, Deputy Commander.
- Larry Hawthorne, Woodward, Oklahoma. 1972-1980, Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. Electronics.
- Tom Glotzbach, Topeka, Kansas. 1963, President Kennedy. Camp David Communications Center.
- Jim Ferguson, Pittsburg, Texas. 1972-1974, President Nixon. Transportation Division and Administrative Support.
- Dave Ludwig, West Branson, Missouri. 1974-1978, President Nixon, Ford and Carter. Satellite Technician at Key Biscayne and Andrews Air Force Base Communications Contingency Team.
- Bob Ethen, Caledonia, Michigan. 1973-1976, Presidents Nixon and Ford. Transportation Division.
- Wayne Vorland, Ashby, Minnesota. 1971-1974, President Nixon Transportation Division.
- Gary Paul, Powell, Ohio. 1972-1975, Presidents Nixon and Ford. White House switchboard operator.
- Ken Bench, Vine Grove, Kentucky. 1973-1979, Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. White House Communications Center and Camp David.
- Donald Murray Robert, Missouri. 1987-1997, Presidents Regan, Bush and Clinton. Graphics, Travel and Operations.
- Roger Newton, Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1973-1978, Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. Television section, audio visual branch, Camp David.
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Click play to see a recap of the Kansas Media Event in Abilene. |
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Dear Mayor Marshall:
My wife and I recently returned home from a visit to Abilene that was part of the Kansas Tourism media day. We are travel writers for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and will file an article on Abilene in the next few days. Our visit was outstanding. The media event was well planned. We were impressed by Abilene's rich history and many good reasons to visit. Over our long writing career, we have visited and written about towns ranging from Morristown, NJ to Forks WA and have interacted with many Convention and Visitor Bureau staff, museum professionals, and community volunteers.
We left Abilene with these impressions:
Abilene is rich in history. For a small town, it's truly amazing what has happened there and what happens today.
Abilene citizens are enthused about their town and readily volunteer to help visitors enjoy their time in town. We have not seen such strong and effective volunteerism elsewhere.
Keep up the good work in Abilene.
Sincerely,
Rich Patterson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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I Like Ike! Plan a Trip to Abilene, Kansas to Visit Dwight Eisenhower's Presidential Library & Museum |
Abilene, Kansas is famous for two things: 1) Being the end of the Chisholm Trail where cattle were herded up from Texas ranches to railroads in Kansas to be shipped across the country in the late 1800s, and 2) Being the hometown of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was the Supreme Commander of the Allied troops during WWII before eventually becoming the 34rd President of the United States.
If you’re a history nerd (hi, hello), you know that both of those things are pretty significant. So there’s a lot of history in Abilene!
And the fine folks of Abilene have leveraged their unique place in history to turn their home (population under 7000 people) into a charming little town that’s been racking up plenty of awards lately like “Best Small Town,” “Friendliest Small Town,” and “Best Historic Small Town.”
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Where's the beef? Coming soon to this famed Kansas fried chicken spot? A sixth-generational cattle family's prize-winning steaks |
Creating a legacy doesn’t happen overnight, Deanna Munson said. And rarely is it a solo venture.
The former Brookville Hotel, a striking white vestige of Kansas’ past, is more than its dinner platters heaped with fried chicken, creamed corn and a variety of pickles. Within the walls of the restaurant — newly reopened as Legacy Kansas — is the story of two Sunflower State families: entrepreneurs whose 150-year journeys cross trails in a small town two and a half hours west of Kansas City on I-70.
They’ve won regional and international accolades. They’ve pivoted. They’ve survived fickle consumer trends, a devastating fire, and uncertain staffing.
And the Munson family is just getting started, said Munson, teasing a meaty menu that soon will bring diners even more flavors from the award-winning herd.
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3rd Annual Abilene Boutique Crawl
Join us for our 3rd annual boutique crawl! Enjoy a girls' night out while shopping at our local stores. There will be grab bags with some awesome prizes for the first 50 people. Fill out a blackout bingo card for entry into a prize drawing. For every $10 you spend at a shop, you will receive a ticket for entry into our grand prize drawing! Some stores will be serving snacks and drinks. We will start at Little Ike Park, then go to all the stores on the map to fill out your bingo cards. Can’t wait to see you all there! Learn more
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Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the end of the Chisholm Trail. Learn more
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Steam Engine Rides
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad wants to be part of your Labor Day plans!
The 1919 ATSF3415 Steam engine will be operating Thursday through Monday, Sept. 2-5. Learn more
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Abilene Oktoberfest
Abilene Oktoberfest is excited for its 5th Annual Oktoberfest held in Downtown Abilene. There will be German Dancers, Music, Authentic German Food, & Drinks. This year we will have 3 beer gardens, multiple food vendors, Masskrugstemmen, Hammerschlagen, a corn hole tournament, and a Kids Korner that will feature bouncy houses, outdoor games, crafts, face painting, and much more. Downtown Abilene has several wonderful stores that will be open for you to explore before and during the festivities! We will have a lot of exciting announcements coming soon! Make sure to mark September 17th on your Calendar! We are excited to see you at this year's Abilene Oktoberfest.
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Heritage Days
The annual Heritage Day Festival features living history with blacksmith and antique agriculture demonstrations, steam engine carousel rides, an antique tractor show, a classic car show, model trains, and much more. Learn more
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Impact the Cure
The 12th annual Impact the Cure event is Saturday, October 1st, and this year will have some changes from past events. For 2022, the event will be solely the 2MileFunWalk (no 5k run) and it will be held in Old Abilene Town as the kick-off to the community celebration of the 100th birthday for Memorial Hospital. Learn more
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Wild West Gravel Fest
In its third year, this premier gravel ride attracts riders from across the country! The Wild West Gravel Fest is a gravel bike race in Dickinson County, KS. With races ranging from 200k to 5k, Wild West Gravel Fest appeals to racers who are new to gravel and those who dare to push themselves to the extreme. And make sure to stick around for the after-party at Old Abilene Town. Learn more
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National Greyhound Association Fall Nationals
See Greyhounds in action during the Fall Nationals! Learn more
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Haunted Cowtown
The ghosts of Old Abilene Town have returned. Take a walk, if you dare, through your worst nightmare, the cursed schoolhouse, the possessed cabin, the haunted cemetery, the spooky saloon, and much more.
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Pink Friday
We've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?
Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.
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The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre
This Holiday treat will have you leaving the theatre with warm fuzzies about a story of the Great Lakes voyages of Christmas Tree ships and a family’s positive spirit to share the power of classic inspiration and Christmas miracles. The heartbeat of life is in our stories and our songs! Learn more
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Cowtown Christmas
Visit Abilene December 3-4, 2022 for the Heritage Homes Association’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Old Abilene Town, tour the historic Seelye Mansion and see more than 60 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, ride the rails with Santa and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, see the live production of The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre, take an evening cruise and see Griswold-style decorations, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Santa, and remember to shop small all season long at Abilene’s small businesses.
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Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
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Experience Art & Culture
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Journey to the Old West
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Live the American Story
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Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
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Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
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201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
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