Optimistic about Abilene
I often ask Abilene residents: when you have company visit, where do you take them? Answers vary from the Great Plains Theatre to the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum and even (jokingly) the funeral home, but one answer this week left me in awe.
During this week's Optimist meeting, Brian Tajchman,
Brian Tajchman Agency
, shared his wife keeps a list of "30 Things to Do in Abilene" and shares it with visitors. They then select what they want to do and begin crossing items off the list - from antique shopping to disc golf at Brown Memorial Park and dinner at the Brookville Hotel visitors the the Tajchman home get to experience all Abilene has to offer.
Let's all work together to serve as ambassadors for our community!
Julie Roller,
CVB Director
#AbileneProud
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Help Abilene Make the News!
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KANSAS! Magazine Asks Readers to Pick their Favorite Local Eats in Kansas
KANSAS! magazine, the state's premier travel magazine, invites readers to nominate their favorite local place to eat in Kansas for the magazine's third annual readers' choice issue. Only local restaurants, cafes, food trucks, bakeries, and other eateries will be will be considered. Nominations opened Monday, January 30, 2017.
Click
here to nominate for favorite Abilene restaurant!
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Thanks to Jeana Lawrence, Abilene CVB Tourism Assistant, the Abilene CVB's calendar is updated! Think there's nothing to do? Think again!
Click
here
to view the calendar!
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Arts Council of Dickinson County
5th Annual Film Festival
Sponsored by: Arts Council of Dickinson County
Beginning Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. films will be shown at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitor's Center, 200 SE 4th Street.
All films are free of charge and popcorn will be provided.
A discussion will follow each film.
*Please bring a non-perishable food item.
*All items will benefit the Abilene Area Food and Clothing Bank.
The schedule and summary of the films are as follows:
February 5: Inside Out
PG After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness - conflict on how to best navigate a new city, house, and school.
February 12: Bridge of Spies
PG-13 During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
February 19: The Martian
PG-13 An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
Arts Council of Dickinson County
PRESENTS
ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST and EXHIBIT
Thursday, March 9th
The theme for this year's photography contest is "Hometown History".
Categories are as follows:
Youth (under 12)
Intermediate (12 - 17)
Adult (over 18)
Best in Show
Judge's Choice
Entries will be accepted Thursday, February 23rd, and Friday, February 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Arts Council of Dickinson County's new location: The Sunflower Hotel, Suite B, 409 NW 3rd Street, Abilene. We are pleased to have Michael Hook, director of the Heritage Center, as judge.
Rules: Photos must be no larger than 8"x10", no smaller than 7"x9", no white borders on photos, and must be mounted on white mount board 11"x14". Mount board and sleeve ($1.50) are available for purchase at the Dickinson County Extension Office, 712 S. Buckeye, Abilene. A hanging hook must be placed in back so it is not visible while it is displayed. Do not frame. Photos must have been taken from March of 2015 forward, and not previously entered in this event. Photos are accepted in any format, such as camera, iPhone, etc. Entries will be judged on originality, technical excellence, presentation and adherence to theme. Three entries per person. Email:
artscouncilofdc@gmail.com for an entry form. Entry forms are also available at the Arts Council office.
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Dickinson County Heritage Center
Annual Dickinson County Heritage Center Art Show
Sunday, February 5, 2017, 1 to 4 p.m.
Dickinson County Heritage Center
412 S. Campbell, Abilene
Come check out some amazing artwork by Dickinson County students.
This will also be held in conjunction with the Meet and Greet for director Michael Hook.
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Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
FOX News Channel's Bret Baier will discuss his new book.
The Eisenhower Presidential
Library and the Eisenhower Foundation are pleased to welcome FOX News anchor Bret Baier to Abilene on
Feb. 2 topromote his new book on the Eisenhower-Kennedy presidential transition.
Baier will present the book "Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhower's Final Mission" in a free public lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium.
Baier conducted much of the research for this book from the archival holdings of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The 'three days in January' refer to the period between Eisenhower's prophetic farewell address on the evening of Jan. 17, 1961, and John F. Kennedy's inauguration of the afternoon of Jan. 20 -- the closing act of one of modern America's greatest leaders.
Baier is Chief Political Anchor for FOX News Channel and the Anchor/Executive Editor of Special Report with Bret Baier. Baier previously served as National Security Correspondent based at the Pentagon. His first book, Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love, became a top-ten New York Times bestseller upon its release in 2014.
Three Days in January digs deep into Eisenhower's last address as president and his efforts to advise Kennedy in the three days between the address and Kennedy's inauguration. At the end of those fateful three days in January 1961, Eisenhower left the public stage having done perhaps more than any other modern American to set the nation, in his words, "on our charted course toward permanent peace and human betterment."
Copies of Three Days in January are available for purchase in the
Eisenhower Presidential Library Gift Shop. Baier will be available to sign books following the program.
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Learn more about greyhounds at the Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, the "Greyhound Capital of the World." See interesting displays of greyhounds from ancient times to the present.
Here you will be greeted by our resident greyhounds, both retired racers. These greyhounds only chase after your heart and affection. Meeting a greyhound close up and personal will prepare you for an experience like no other. Walk through a story book of history and heroes.
We are open 7 days a week, 9 to 4:45 daily. Admission is free and donations are welcome and appreciated in helping keep the Hall of Fame open to the public.
Fast Friends Kiosk is now available online!
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Great Plains Theatre
Great Plains Theatre is ecstatic to announce the season opening show of the 2017 Main Stage Season will be
Mamma
Mia! The story follows young Sophie who is feeling more than a little trepidation before her wedding. She wants her father to give her away on her big day. The only problem? She's not quite sure who that is! She does, however, know who it might be, and thus unfolds the tale of
Mamma
Mia!
Mamma
Mia features the music of ABBA molded around a story of intrigue and fun. The story tests the bonds of friendship and family as complicated lives collide on a tiny island.
Season tickets are currently available online at
greatplainstheatre.com and via phone at 785-263-4574, single tickets will be available
April 1.
Mamma
Mia will be followed by Gypsy, Ragtime, and Peter and the Starcatcher. The 23rd season of Great Plains Theatre promises to be a thrill from start to finish, and you will want to be there to see it all. Get your tickets and select your seats!
Alcohol Inks
February 4 - 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Use alcohol inks and dyes to create your own beautiful masterpiece! All class supplies provided. Class size limited, please call to reserve spot!
Super Bowl Party
February 5
We're watching the Super Bowl on a Thirty Foot Screen! Come and join us! Admission is by donation, we'll have food, and we'll have beer and wine available by donation.
Jeff Crosby and the Refugees
February 14
Idaho born singer-songwriter Jeff Crosby is another of those musical souls that have been performing and perfecting their craft for many years. To be precise, Jeff has spent the past decade writing and performing throughout the United States and beyond, sharing his 'unique perspective of Americana'.
In this time, Jeff has released several albums both as a solo artist and with his band The Refugees who also join him on 'Waking Days'. Their sound has been described as a blend of 'Americana, folk and 70's inspired psychedelic rock' and elsewhere, something akin to 'dusty, dreamy rock and roll'.
General Admission: $15, Table for Four $80
Cinema
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Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum
The Groundhog saw his shadow today, which indicates six more weeks of winter. Check out this great vintage photo from the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum showcasing a significant Abilene snowfall.
Check out the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum
Facebook page for other great photos!
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Featured Restaurant
: Joe Snuffy's
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The Engle House Bed & Breakfast recently received notification that their application for listing on the National Register of Historic Places was accepted!
Click here to read more about this property and the application process.
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Abilene is home to 202 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 & Smokey Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit and spend the night and enjoy all Abilene has to offer!
Click
here to learn more about places to stay in Abilene!
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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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We do our best to make sure all information is correct.
It is advisable to always call ahead before visiting.
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