Kansas Tourism Division's eLearning Program

Thank you to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for offering the following online classes free of charge:

  • Applying a New Integrated Evaluation Framework to Business Objectives - December 15
  • Search Engine Optimization - 100 Tips in 100 Minutes - Part 1 - December 22
Click here to learn more!
Featured R estaurant: Mr. K's Farmhouse


Abilene Women in Business: 
Kuntz continues family tradition at Mr. K's

For more than 20 years, a smiling Tammy Kuntz has welcomed friends, family and guests to Mr. K's Farmhouse Restaurant in Abilene.

Tammy's beaming smile and dedicated customer service attitude has meant success for her and her husband, Todd Kuntz, in the restaurant business in Abilene.

Beginning in 1996, Todd and Tammy, along with his parents Ed and June, purchased what was Lena's Farmhouse Restaurant "out on the hill" southwest of Abilene.

Click here to read the rest of the story from the Abilene Reflector Chronicle.

Mr. K's Farmhouse
407 S Van Buren
Abilene, KS

Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday - 11:00-2:00 and 5:00-9:00
Friday - 11:00-2:00 and 5:00-9:15
Saturday - 11:00-2:00 and 5:00-9:00
Sunday - 11:00-2:00

Visit their website for more information.

Hosting a holiday party? 
Pick up a homemade pie from Mr. K's Farmhouse!
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Year in review from the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Association's "Rail Reflections":
  • 1 - Easter Bunny train
  • 46 - Short runs
  • 9 - Dinner trains
  • 158 - Regular runs
  • 7 - Charter runs
  • 19 - Steam engine runs
  • 2 - Steam chartered runs
  • 5 - Home tours
  • 5 - Railbus runs
  • Total: 242 train-only runs in 2016 with 16,000 volunteer hours!
Book your holiday party on the train! 
Call 785-263-1077 for more information.

Visit www.asvrr.org for more information.
Dickinson County Heritage Center

Click image to view video

Thanks to TCT for this great video about the Dickinson County Heritage Center!
Upcoming Events
Eisenhower Presidential Library 

The Eisenhower Presidential Library partners with Kansas Humanities Council to promote Kansas literature program.

ABILENE, Kan. - Talk About Literature in Kansas (TALK) is a program for every Kansan who loves to read and discuss good books. A series of seven book discussions focusing on the theme "Best of the West" will be held from January through August 2017 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

The series will also feature films in conjunction with three of the books. The program is conducted through a partnership with the Kansas Humanities Council, the Abilene Public Library and the Eisenhower Presidential Library. "The Best of the West" theme celebrates the Chisholm Trail 150th and Eisenhower's love of western novels.

The series begins with the timeless western Shane by Jack Schaefer. The film Shane will be shown Sunday, January 8 at 2 p.m., and the book discussion will be held on Monday, January 9 at 7 p.m., both in the Visitors Center Auditorium at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. All of the books in this series are available to check out from the Abilene Public Library or purchase at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Gift Shop.

Additional information about the series can be found at www.eisenhower.archives.gov.
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Looking for the perfect gift for the Greyhound lover in your family? Visit the Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum's gift shop or shop online
Great Plains Theatre

G.I. Holiday Jukebox
December 9-18
Rated G

Songs and stars of the 1940's come to life in G.I. Holiday Jukebox. If you're looking for a seasonal alternative to "The Nutcracker" and  "A Christmas Carol," with WWII nostalgia, great old Christmas standards and comedy,
then G.I. Holiday is for you.

Cinema

Free Movies over Christmas Break
Tuesday, December 27 - Friday, December 30 (Christmas break), Great Plains Theatre Cinema will be offering free movies at 10:00 a.m. Movie titles will be announced when availability has been confirmed. Please watch the website for more information. 

Disney's Moana
Two week run 
Starting December 23

Musical Theatre Performance Classes in January at GPT

Classes are $55 for all five; $50 for PGP members; $5 to audit. Each class is $15 if taken separately, however participants are encouraged to take all five as they are designed to be sequential.

Registration is limited. Call now for a reservation: 785-263-4574.

All classes Mondays 3:30-5:30 p.m. 

January 2 - Focus on Voice 
An overview of how to produce and project the voice. Participants will sing solo and ensemble material. The format will be a group voice class with individual coaching.

January 9 - Focus on Voice and Body 
Drawing from various body awareness techniques, including Alexander technique, students will gain understanding and practice in using their body to support the voice.

January 16 - Focus on Body and Dance
Body movement awareness and Musical Theatre dance basics.

January 23 - Focus on Voice and Acting 
Acting while singing. Participants will take a song and through guided coaching, explore the acting choices available.

January 30 - Focus on Integrated Musical Theatre Performance 
Acting, singing, dancing integrated into performance of a musical theatre number.

Tabletop Thursday at GPT!

Every Thursday night, anyone and everyone is welcome to come to GPT and play games! This is open to all ages, and is designed to be an opportunity to get out of the house and have some fun!  We have some games that will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your favorite game to play as well! Got a game at home that you don't play anymore?  We welcome the donation!

Board games, card games, dice games are all welcome!  Grab your family and friends and come out, it doesn't cost a thing!  Doors open at 7, and we'll play until 9:00 or 9:30.

Visit  www.greatplainstheatre.com for more information.

Jeffcoat Photography Museum

We will be closed this year from December 22, 2016 until January 5, 2017. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holiday.

Visit the Jeffcoat Photography Museum Facebook page to learn more.
Lighted Christmas Tradition Tours

Take a ride and hear about the delightful Christmas traditions in Abilene while viewing some of the stunning light displays on various historic homes throughout Abilene. 

Call 785-263-2231 for reservations

Rides run: Dec. 16-18 at 6, 7 & 8 pm

Cost: $6 for adults, $2 for children 5-10 years old.

Contact the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
Save the Date
Air Race Classic
The Air Race Classic is the epicenter of women's air racing. Pilots range in age from 17 to 90 years old. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds including students, teachers, doctors, airline pilots, business owners, professionals and air traffic controllers. Race teams, consisting of at least two women pilots, must fly VFR during daylight hours only and are given four days to make flybys at each en route timing point and then land at the terminus. The race route changes each year, approximately 2,400 statute miles in length. with 8 or 9 timing points.  

The race dates for 2017 are June 20th through June 23rd.

Click here to learn more!
Shop Abilene
Rivendell Book Store


10 Books You Need to Read Before Christmas

1. A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens

2. The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg

3. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis

4. Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott

5. The Nutcracker
by E.T.A. Hoffman

6. The Snow Queen
by Hans Christen Anderson

7. Doctor Zhivago 
by Boris Pasternak

8. Hercule Poirat's Christmas
by Agatha Christie

9. The Gift of the Magi 
by O. Henry

10. Night Before Christmas
by Nikolai Gogol

Business Hours:
Tuesday - Friday  10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday -  10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Visit their website to learn more!

Stay in Abilene


Give the gift of a weekend getaway this holiday season! Named as one of " 10 Bed and Breakfasts in Kansas Perfect for a Getaway" by OnlyInYourState, Abilene's Victorian Inn is a great place relax.

Click here to learn more!
Help us, help you
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to: director@abilenecityhall.com.
Where in Abilene?
Where in Abilene can you find this unique skeleton?





Answer: Greyhound Hall of Fame 

Visit the Greyhound Hall of Fame to learn not only about Greyhound racing, but also about the anatomy of a Greyhound. 
We do our best to make sure all information is correct. 
It is advisable to always call ahead before visiting.
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau | 785.263.2231 | Email | Website

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