*TODAY* Abilene CVB After Hours
Economic Impact:
According to the
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, visitors to Dickinson County spent $20 million on lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreation and transportation in 2015. Dickinson County ranks 35th in the amount of visitor spending out of 105 Kansas counties.
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Around Abilene
The Prettiest Town in Every State by
MSN
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The City of Abilene proclaimed the week of May 7-13, 2017 as "National Travel and Tourism Week" at their meeting on Monday. Dickinson County will also issue a proclamation at their meeting on Thursday.
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From the Eisenhower Foundation:
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On Friday, President Trump signed H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which provides $45 million for construction of the
Eisenhower Memorial! A hearty "Thank You" to our Congressional Commissioners for achieving this milestone. With this funding in hand, we can now look forward to breaking ground on the
Eisenhower Memorial this September. Stay tuned for more news to come!
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Magazine finalists: 2 local restaurants among 53 competing
Click
here to learn more!
** Deadline to vote May 31 **
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The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers
Just in time for Mother's Day!
Calling all Kansas lovers and explorers! The Abilene Visitors Center gift shop has copies of the Kansas Sampler Foundation's new
The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers. Abilene has more than 25 listings in this book!
The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers - $30
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Throwback Thursday
The Eisenhower Presidential Library opened fifty-five years ago on May 1, 1962.
An editorial ran in The Manhattan Mercury on the day after the opening stating "Abilene is rightfully proud of the accomplishments in the Eisenhower center. The city has assured itself of a permanent and ever-growing influx of visitors..."
Regarding cross-promotion in state... "There are hopeful signs that such a program may be developing. Manhattan, Junction City and Abilene, for instance, are cooperating in the "Three to See" program, which is the type of thing that needs to be done."
"It is easy to commend Abilene for a stellar job it has done, but unless the rest of Kansas hitches its travel attraction wagon to the brilliant Eisenhower complex star, it is missing one of the best bets that has ever come its way".
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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Grand Opening of Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad hosting After Hours during event.
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Association will be
hosting a Business After Hours and Grand Opening of the Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum on May 16th from 5pm-7pm at the historic Rock Island Depot, 200 SE 5th St, Abilene.
Visitors will be able to view the newly opened Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum, located in the freight room of the depot, built in 1887 and on the National Historical Register. The museum, named in honor of one of the founders of the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, offers exhibits of railroad memorabilia and model trains, which were donated by the family of Chuck Heroneme.
During the event the Steam and Diesel engines will be available for viewing along with the Trolley and Blue bus. Stop on in and take a look at one of Abilene's famous tourist attractions and learn a bit about the railroad history of our community at the same time.
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Association is a Not-For-Profit corporation dedicated to restoring and operating historic railroad equipment and educating the public on the history of railroads. The railroad is operated by volunteers, which includes engineers, conductors, brakemen, car attendants that narrate every trip, and depot workers. Mechanical and track maintenance is also taken care of by volunteers.
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Historic Homes & Barn Tour
Ride the regular excursion train to Enterprise departing from Abilene at 10:00 AM. Transfer to the railroad's newly acquired air conditioned bus in Enterprise and proceed to the Historic 1880's J. S. Hollinger Farmstead for a tour of this historic home and a picnic lunch in the limestone barn. After lunch the tour will then proceed to the Prospect Park Farm for a tour of the historic 1880's John Hiram Taylor home. You will then return to Abilene by bus arriving around mid to late afternoon.
Tours begin Saturday, May 13
Advance reservations required.
Click here to learn more!
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Dickinson County Heritage Center
Carry (Carrie) Nation returns to Dickinson County with her temperance speech and saloon throttling. Ellie presents her one woman re-enactment of Nation's original "Hatchetations" that led to one of her 36 arrests in the time before prohibition. Join us at the Heritage Center for a one time show in Abilene sure to leave a lasting impression.
Saturday, May 13 @ 7:00
Tickets: $5/historical society members, $10/non-members
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Friday, May 12,
5 to 8 pm, fundraiser for the Dickinson County
Heritage
Center at the Abilene Pizza Hut.
15% of the sales will be donated to our museum.
Dine-in or carryout for a great cause!
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Eisenhower Presidential Museum, Library & Boyhood Home
Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House
May 12, 2017 - August 24, 2017
Growing up in
Abilene
, Kansas, Fitzwater looked up to Dwight D. Eisenhower as a hometown hero. Fitzwater earned a journalism degree from Kansas State University then embarked on a career that eventually lead to a decade of service in the White House, from 1983 to 1993. Fitzwater, the only press secretary in history to be appointed by two Presidents, recently donated his personal papers to his alma mater. The Eisenhower Presidential Museum is pleased to collaborate with Kansas State University to bring this extraordinary exhibit to Fitzwater's hometown. "Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House" will be on display from
May 12 to August 24, 2017
and will feature items from his distinguished career as Press Secretary to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Friday, May 12 |
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Library Lobby & Courtyard
Join us Friday, May 12, for a reception celebrating the opening of "Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House" at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. RSVP by email or call 785-263-6771.
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"Mamie Eisenhower: Hostess in Chief" -
Mother's Day Tea with Ellie Carlson
May 13, 2017
Mamie was America's Beloved First Lady from 1953 until 1961. She was also an Army Wife, Mother and Grandmother. She even inspired her own color, Mamie Pink! Visit with Mamie as she relates her life as Ike's wife, our first lady and "just a good friend," which is how she most wanted to be remembered. Reservations are required for this luncheon. Tickets are $15 each. Make checks payable to the Eisenhower Foundation and send to PO Box 295, Abilene, KS 67410. Or purchase tickets online.
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A Hundred Years Ago on the Homefront:
How American Families Faced the War to End All Wars
Visitors Center Auditorium
May 15 at 7 p.m.
Ellie returns to the Eisenhower Presidential Library on Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m. for a free program in the Visitors Center Auditorium. Ellie will present "A Hundred Years Ago on the Homefront: How American Families Faced the War to End All Wars." Even if you know nothing of World War I, come to learn. If you had relatives and friends who were there, come to be reminded. Learn the history, sing the songs, taste the food. Travel back in time to the Homefront.
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Under This Roof: A History of the White House and Presidency
Visitors Center Auditorium
May 19 at noon
Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation speaker Series and book signing with Paul Brandus. A light lunch will be provided.
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Memorial Day Ceremony
May 29
Hosted by local VFW and American Legion Chapters
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Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President
April 2017 - May 2018
(Museum)
Celebrate the Chisholm Trail
Sesquicentennial as part of the tristate celebration with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. See rare artifacts and historic photographs. Learn about the "square meal," "real McCoy," origins of the cowboy boot, and "the wickedest town in the West." Discover stories behind the legends. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western and the Cowtown that raised a President.
Click here to view the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home calendar.
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Great Plains Theatre
Ani-Con
May 13th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Join Great Plains Theatre for an afternoon of anime appreciation! Greg Ayres and Gareth West, voice actors from Sentai Filmworks, will be speaking about their work and the intricacies of voice acting while viewing productions on which they've worked. There will also be a special preview of the pilot for Great Plains Theatre Academy's newest project, Redhawk: An Original Series.
Admission is by donation.
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GREAT PLAINS THEATRE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES
The Pirates of Penzance
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Great Plains Theatre Academy announces their summer camp production, Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. Jr. Designed for grades 5th thru 12th, this production engages campers not only as actors, but as co-creators of the production. They will participate in every aspect of the show; direction, choreography, costumes, sets etc. This camp empowers the actors to build the show themselves under the mentoring of GPT's Education Director, Margaret Clair and Artistic Director, Randy West.
The shorter, simplified version of The Pirates of Penzance was chosen so that campers can easily learn the music and lines and have time for training in the production elements such as costumes, makeup, sets, dance, etc.
The Pirates of Penzance has been an audience favorite since 1879, enjoying popularity akin to shows like Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. It soared to popularity again with Joseph Papp's fun and physical production for the New York Shakespeare Festival in the 80's. The show then went on to Broadway and received seven Tony nominations, winning three including Outstanding Revival. In the movie version Linda Ronstadt played Mabel, the female ingénue lead, Rex Smith,(recorded "Everlasting Love" and "You Take My Breath Away") played Frederick, and Kevin Kline was the swashbuckling Pirate King.
The cast of zany characters includes assorted Pirates, including the swashbuckling Pirate King, and Frederick, who was apprenticed in error to a pirate instead of a 'pilot' due to poor enunciation of the word. A bevy of young maidens. A regiment of dancing English police, think Keystone Cops, and Major-General Stanley, who delivers rapid-fire patter (think old-time rap that's really fast).
The Pirates of Penzance falls into the category of "operetta"; the subject matter is light and comedic, but legitimate singing is required. This is an opportunity for our local young performers to experience a genre of musical that requires good vocal technique and formal movement. Each camper will received individualized vocal training and group dance training.
Pirates Camp will mostly rehearse at Great Plains Theatre and runs
Monday through
Friday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for three weeks,
July 10 - July 28 and perform twice on
July 28 on the mainstage at Great Plains Theatre. The cost for Pirates Camp is $250. Scholarships are available on a need basis.
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GREAT PLAINS THEATRE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES SUMMER CAMP 2017
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Great
Plains
Theatre Academy announces their eagerly awaited yearly Summer Camp. This year GPT is offering Footlights 1 and Footlights 2 for ages Kindergarten through 4th grade. These are 5-day long
theatre camps that can be taken separately or together. During the week campers will create their own original show with music, building the story, writing a rap, learning basic choreography, and rehearsing and performing on Day 5 of camp. In between building a show there will be time for games, crafts and snacks! This is designed as a low-stress, fun introduction to
theatre that stimulates imagination and creativity while teaching the fundamentals of voice production, acting, movement, stage craft, costumes, music, and performance.
Footlights Summer Camp will be directed by GPT's Education Director, Margaret Clair assisted by a staff of experienced counselors. Parents can register on-line by going to
greatplainstheatre.com, selecting the Education, 2017 Summer Camps pull down menu, and clicking on the Registration Form button. Registration forms are also available at
Great
Plains
Theatre anytime
Monday through
Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The cost per week, is $125. Each camp is
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through
Friday. Footlights 1 runs
June 19-23 and Footlights 2 runs June 26-30, 2017.
Camp will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 601 N Cedar St, Abilene, KS 67410. Children should bring a bag lunch daily.
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Click image to view calendar
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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 & Smoky Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit and spend the night and enjoy all Abilene has to offer!
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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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