FOX News Channel's Bret Baier to Visit Abilene

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  to promote 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.
Abilene in the news...
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In this edition of "Our Town," Dennis Weese talks with Julie Roller, the new director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, about her plans to help bring people to town and create a better community

Thank you to Eagle Communications for their community support!


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:
  • Q: Where's the Best Place to Hide a Dead Body? A: The Second page of Google - January 19, 2017
  • 17 Ways to Integrate Social and SEO for 2017 SEO + Social = Success! - January 26, 2017
Click here to learn more!
29 Reasons to Love Abilene

Holiday engagement? Plan your wedding at Abilene's Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden!
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Reasons to Love Abilene, Kansas!
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Please take a minute to answer these few questions about what treasures you will be looking for at our next market! 

Attraction Update:
5th Annual Winter 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:
 
January 22: Woman in Gold  PG-13 Maria Altman, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family.
 
January 29: Brooklyn  PG-13 An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local.  When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. 
 
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.
Abilene Smoky Valley Rail Road


HELP SAVE THE ALCO S4

The Alco S4 engine is due to be scrapped...but we want to save it!

This engine, which is located in Missouri, cannot be moved by rail, so it must be trucked to its new location, which we hope will be Abilene. This engine will be given to the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad if we are able to move it. This engine would be a backup for the present diesel engine.

To move this engine will require a special built trailer to haul this 230,000-pound load. This i s where your help comes in. We are needing to raise approximately $6,000 to supplement what we have to build this trailer, along with other expenses of moving the engine.

If interested in helping, please mail donations to the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, PO Box 744, Abilene, KS 67410. If questions, contact 785-263-1077.

Click here to donate online!
Dickinson County Heritage Center

Kansas State Ball
Join in the fun on Saturday, January 28 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Sterl Hall for a chance to celebrate Kansas with the State Ball. Come learn dance and etiquette from a time gone by. 
 
Period dress requested but not required. 
 
$6 Admission
Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

Trump Inauguration Watch Party at Eisenhower Presidential Library

Join the Inauguration Watch Party at the Eisenhower Presidential Library on Jan. 20. The event begins at 10 a.m. in the Library Auditorium and is free and open to the public.

The program will begin with a Presidential inaugurations presentation by Jerry Wallace. During his 30-year tenure with the National Archives and Records Administration, Wallace was honored to be historian-archivist for three presidential inaugural committees, including Richard Nixon (1973) and Ronald Reagan (1981 and 1985). Wallace's interest in presidential inaugurations dates from his high school days, when he received permission to stay home and watch John F. Kennedy's televised inauguration.

Following Wallace's remarks and live coverage of the 2017 Trump inauguration, footage of the 1957 Eisenhower Inauguration will be shown. This year's inauguration marks the 60th anniversary of President Eisenhower's second inauguration. The 15-minute clip includes:
  • Ike and Mamie leaving for the Capitol
  • Swearing-in of Vice President Nixon
  • Swearing-in of President Eisenhower
  • Excerpts from President Eisenhower's Inaugural Address
Operation Veterans Suicide Outreach
Eisenhower Presidential Library joins forces with local veterans group on suicide prevention efforts.
The Eisenhower Presidential Library is collaborating with the Kansas Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) Chapter 21-1 to raise awareness around the staggering number of veterans who commit suicide everyday. The allies are joining forces on "Operation Veterans 
Suicide Outreach" as part of their War on Suicide. Outreach events are scheduled on Jan. 22April 22July 22Sept. 22Oct. 22, and Dec. 22 at varying locations.

The first event will kick off at the Eisenhower Presidential Library at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, in the Library building courtyard. Each event will feature guest speakers, and the CVMA will lead the group of participants in conducting 23 pushups. The 23 pushups are done to signify the number of veterans lost each day to suicide plus one for America. The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome, but not required, to participate in the pushups.

Local CVMA Chapter 21-1 Commander Patrick Lynch will announce the adopting of Eisenhower as the local chapter name in honor of General and President Dwight Eisenhower. "It seems only fitting we name our chapter after the most influential leader from this great state of Kansas. We could not be more honored," states Lynch.

"The well-being of his troops was always of the utmost concern for General Eisenhower. He would be proud of this effort in trying to improve the welfare of our nation's veterans," states Tim Rives, Eisenhower Presidential Library Acting Director.

Additional allies supporting this outreach include the Chapman American Legion Riders Post 240 and Abilene Ike's Place Bar and Grill. The event details for the remainder of the year can be found on the Operation Veterans Suicide Outreach Facebook page @23pushups.

Frederic Fox and Ike Brown Bag Lunch Program
Join us for a brown bag lunch program with Rev. Donald Fox at the Eisenhower Presidential Library on Jan. 24, 2017, at noon in the Visitors Center Auditorium.

Fox's father, the Rev. Dr. Frederic E. Fox, served as Staff Assistant to the President during the Eisenhower Administration. Growing up, Donald Fox spent time with his father Frederic at the White House. In addition to sharing from his recently published book "The Old Familiar Places, the Life and Letters of Frederic E. Fox," Donald will share stories of his father's relationship with Dwight Eisenhower.

As Staff Assistant to the President, Frederic Fox worked on a number of projects often working with Malcolm Moos assisting with speech writing and planning. A staff favorite document includes a memo to Mac Moos suggesting a re-reading of George Washington's Farewell Address as they worked on a farewell message from Eisenhower toward the end of his administration. Dated April 5, 1960, Fox states "I was struck by its relevance to our day: the call for Constitutional obedience; the warnings about sectionalism; the dangers of 'overgrown military establishments'..."

Rev. Donald Fox is currently the staff chaplain at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wis. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Princeton Theological Seminary. 

Great Plains Theatre

Jon Stickley Trio Comes to Great Plains Theatre
From pirates to red dirt Great Plains Theatre brings in music for all tastes, and their latest is must-see concert!

The Jon Stickley Trio is coming to Abilene on January 20th at 7:00 PM. The trio blends together gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop to create their own genre of whimsical and exhilarating music. The Jon Stickley Trio uses the flatpicking guitar prowess of Jon Stickley partnered with the smooth and sultry violin of Lyndsay Pruett accompanied by the steady rhythm of Patrick Armitage on the drums. The trio brings their unique style to the songs they cover as well as the songs they create, they amaze audiences with their originality and their ability to pay homage to the genres from which they borrow.

Tickets to the performance are available at Great Plains Theatre Box Office located at 401 Cottage Ave, Abilene, via phone at 785.263.4574 or online at greatplainstheatre.com. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $60 for a table. Concessions will be available for purchase and bar by donation. Concerts at Great Plains Theatre are always a party, so call now and reserve tickets!

Jon Stickley Trio will be stopping in Abilene after playing in Kansas City and Wichita, then will continue on towards Colorado on their 2017 tour. Don't miss the opportunity to see a group that can fill large venues up close and personal at Great Plains Theatre. There isn't a bad seat in the house, so call 785.263.4574 to reserve yours today!


Coming to the Great Plains Theatre: 

Friday, January 20, 7:00 PM - Jon Stickley Trio

Click here to learn more!


Golden Players Tribute Awards

Fundraiser for Great Plains Theatre

Join us for a night of glamours intrigue and murder at a night among the stars!
January 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Cinema

Now playing: Passengers 

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.
Featured Restaurant(ish) : Auburn Pharmacy 

Enjoying an old-fashioned soda fountain treat is one of the Kansas Sampler Foundation's 8 Wonders of Kansas - Customs. Stop in the Auburn Pharmacy (formerly Banks Drugs) in downtown Abilene and treat yourself to a green river! 

Stay in Abilene
Budget Lodge Inn

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!
Shop Abilene

Rittel's Western Wear in Abilene is home to a great selection of boots, jeans, home decor and other western treasures!
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 Carrie Nation's ax?

Answer: Dickinson County Heritage Center. Visit the Dickinson County Heritage Center to learn more!
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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