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Abilene CVB Welcomes New Tourism Assistant
After a nearly three-month vacancy, the Abilene CVB announced Courtney Flora as its new Tourism Assistant. Flora, an Abilene native, joined the Abilene CVB on December 4.
"I am thrilled with the interest in t
his position. We received nearly thirty applications for the position and interviewed five very qualified candidates," Julie Roller, CVB Director said. "Courtney's experience in the tourism industry, familiarity with Abilene and her overall passion to sell Abilene stood out."
Prior to joining the Abilene CVB, Flora served as a customer service representative for AvFlight in Salina. In this position she managed marketing to incoming coast to coast flights, served as a hostess to pilots and provided extensive office work.
Flora's previous experience also includes assisting with the Reitz & Rust Vintage Market where she provided bookkeeping and event coordination assistance and serving as a waitress at Mr. K's Farmhouse Restaurant.
"I believe in order to fully understand customer service, you must first be a waitress," Flora said.
She is also enrolled in online tourism courses including coursework in travel patterns and destinations and retail travel sales.
"Abilene is my hometown, it's where I choose to live, eat and play. I'm proud to be from Abilene, Kansas and I am excited to use my customer service skills towards assisting with tourism growth in Abilene," she said. "From unique shopping venues to world-class attractions, I'm honored to be a part of Abilene's tourism industry."
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'Be the Good': A message of hope and kindness circulates around Abilene
Not only is Abilene a great place to visit, it's also a great place to live!
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Artist Reception for Bonnie Karraker
You are invited to attend the artist reception of Abilene artist, Bonnie Karraker Thursday, December 7, 2017. This event will be held at the Arts Council of Dickinson County, at the Sunflower Hotel, 409 NW 3rd Street, Abilene. The artist reception will begin at 5:00. Hildebrand Dairy will be providing their exclusive eggnog for the event. Hot cocoa and cookies will also be served.
Mrs. Karraker has lived in Abilene since 1958. She and husband, Henry, raised their children in Abilene, as well as retiring from teaching at USD #435. After experimenting with different art mediums, Mrs. Karraker favored painting with watercolor. She has painted many historic homes in Abilene, with some commissioned by Terry Tietjens. Her other paintings range from nature to floral still life, to farm life. Her most recent watercolor is of a multicolored stained glass window that was in the former Great Plains Theatre on 3rd Street. The painting is one that is sure to impress.
The exhibit will run from December 7 and will run through January 26, 2018.
The Arts Council of Dickinson County is a 501c3 whose mission is to act as a coordinating, educational, & service organization to foster, promote, encourage & increase the knowledge of the arts in Dickinson County, Kansas.
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Five-Star Reviews
Seelye Mansion
"This is a rare treasure, a living museum like none I've been too. I was shocked when the owner who gives personal tours allowed us to sit on furniture over 125
years old! His recount of stories from the years he lived there with the two Seelye sisters before they passed brings Seelye Mansion to life. I would best describe it as stepping into a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Planning another visit soon to see it decked out at Christmas with seventy Christmas trees!"
- Becky Matt Yeager
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Throwback Thursday
Trains in Abilene
On March 15, 1867 the first Kansas Pacific Train, with engine #17 puffed into Abilene, Kansas, thus started the shipment of Longhorn cattle, driven on the Chisholm Trail for shipment to Eastern markets. (post card made by the Bill Jeffcoat Photography Studio (year unknown)
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Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
Pearl Harbor Anniversary Recognized at the Eisenhower Presidential Library
Mark Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The movie They Were Expendable will be shown in the Visitors Center Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. This free program is open to the public.
They Were Expendable is based on the real-life heroics of PT Boat squadron leader John Bulkeley, a Medal of Honor recipient. The film centers on the defense of the Philippines from December 1941 through April 1942. The resulting film is a somber, poetic study of courage, loneliness and sacrifice. A number of the men in the cast and crew had just returned from combat, lending the film authenticity.
The film received two Oscar® nominations for Best Sound and Best Special Effects and is now recognized as one of the best war films ever made. Directed by John Ford, the cast includes John Wayne, Robert Montgomery, Donna Reed, Ward Bond and Jack Holt.
Montgomery later served as President Eisenhower's television coach. The Library holds the papers of Admiral Bulkeley. Copies of selected Bulkeley papers will be on display in the Visitors Center Auditorium for the day.
Eisenhower Presidential Library Hosts Holiday Open House
Enjoy a band concert, refreshments, museum exhibits and holiday shopping.
The public is invited to the annual holiday open house at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home on Sunday, Dec. 3. The Abilene Municipal Band will perform a free concert at 2 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium followed by refreshments.
Guests are invited to come early to shop and take advantage of a 20% discount on all in-store purchases! New and exciting inventory has been added offering a variety of holiday gift options.
"This open house has become a holiday tradition for families, and we welcome everyone to come and enjoy the afternoon," said Dawn Hammatt, Director. "This is also an opportune time to view two original exhibits, Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President, in the Museum and Eisenhower and the Great War, in the Library," she added.
"This concert is just one component of many holiday activities to experience in Abilene during the weekend," states Allison Blake of the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce. Some of these include Night of Christmas Magic, Seelye Mansion Tours, and Homes for the Holidays Tour, which features five historic homes, each delightfully decorated for the holidays. For tour tickets ($10) or more information on additional activities, contact the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau at 785.263.2231 or abilenekansas.org.
Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President
Exhibit in the Museum Temporary Gallery until May 2018
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail, which brought nearly two million cattle from Texas to the railhead in Abilene, Kansas, between 1867 and 1871. See rare artifacts and historic photographs. Learn about the square meal, the real McCoy, origins of the cowboy boot, and "the wickedest town in the West." Discover stories behind the legends of T.C. McInerney, Bear River Smith, and Wild Bill Hickok among others. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western in the Cowtown that raised a President!
Eisenhower and the Great War
Exhibit in the Upstairs Library Gallery until May 2018
War erupted in Europe in 1914 and soon involved nations around the globe. The Great War, as it became known, shocked the world with its massive scope and the industrial-like slaughter created by advances in military technology. The United States reluctantly joined the conflict in 1917 and began to build a large professional army from the ground up. One of the young officers who helped in this endeavor was a lieutenant by the name of Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower showed remarkable talent for organization and leadership during the years of American involvement in the war. Tasked with training thousands of inexperienced troops in the new and untested art of armored warfare, Eisenhower quickly built a strong and motivated group of soldiers while overcoming severe obstacles and setbacks. This exhibit tells the story of the Great War and its influence on Eisenhower's leadership abilities. World War I, as it would become known later in the century, proved critical to the making of this American Icon.
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Great Plains Theatre
Peter and the Starcatcher
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Seelye Mansion
Holiday Tours
Visit Abilene's iconic Seelye Mansion to view beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, more than 750 unique nutcrackers and a home full of rare antiques.
Daily Tours:
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
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DATE
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EVENT
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LOCATION
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DETAILS |
| Today - 12/31/2017 |
Seelye Mansion Christmas Tours |
Seelye Mansion |
Daily |
| 12/1/2017 - 12/31/2017 |
Christmas Tree Lane |
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| 12/1/2017 - 12/10/2017 |
GPT Mainstage Production "Peter and the Starcatcher" |
Great Plains Theatre |
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Stay in Abilene
Abilene Lodging Establishments
Abilene
is home to more than 200 rooms. Whether you're in town to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, enjoy a show at the Great Plains Theatre, attend the Central Kansas Free Fair, meet with greyhound industry leaders or take a ride on the
Abilene
& Smoky Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit, spend the night and enjoy all
Abilene
has to offer.
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Help us, help you
Share your News!
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
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