Tips from the KSF PowerUp Manager

The power of generational mash-ups: In a recent podcast from The Atlantic, the interviewee Eunice Nichols shared results of a survey of younger and older adults. One finding I found interesting was that young people were two times as likely to want to get together with older adults. "Even though everybody wanted it, the real momentum for young people is to connect with older adults, in part because they know they need it. They need the resources, the networks, the learning, the life experience." One of the principles of the PowerUp movement is to engage across generations. What are unique ways you can have a generational mash-up in your rural community? Send your ideas to Simone Elder, PowerUp & Engagement Manager for KSF. To learn about the other PowerUp values and principles visit our website here.

Tips from the Pop Up. You could do it, too.

The transferable part of the Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Up is sharing things right under your nose with the locals.

Here's what that means: Though the main audience for the BKRT Pop Ups was the public, locals couldn't resist coming out to learn about their own town. They came to learn about the mausoleum, the flood gates, some barns, and the Arkansas Valley Interurban system.

There were long lines, including many from Halstead, for the tour and demonstrations at the cookie cutter factory (you're seeing just a few of the 3D printers in this picture). Few knew that this business has a national reputation and that the owner, Bobbi Barton, is like the Martha Stewart of cookie cutters!

Take a look at your town and surroundings and find the things that your locals would want to know about, places they never have the opportunity to see "from the inside".

As people came from around the state to learn about Halstead, the locals took advantage to learn about their city, too. And they found it fascinating. Here's a link to how the event portion of the day was set up.

We Kan! Award: Congratulations to Caryl Hale of the Norton Regional Health Foundation and Norton Arts Council. She was surprised by twenty family and friends when she was presented with a Kansas Sampler Foundation We Kan!award at the Gloria Nelson Cultural Arts Center in Norton's Heaton Building. The award read "Your Open Heart."   

Hall of Fame: Congratulations to the 93-mile Flint Hills Trail State Park for being inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame. Learn more. The trail runs from Mile Zero in Osawatomie to Herington. Kansas, you've become a trail state!

Talkin' Trails: The next Talkin’ Trails with Sunflower Zoom will be September 16. More info here.

Fashion Show: Baldwin City knows how to have fun! Local talent walked the runway out of the Lumberyard Arts Center showcasing original designs created by local artists. Designed to be a fashion show and fundraiser for the arts center, it turns out being a community bonding event. With so many opportunities for multi-generational connections, everyone sees each other with new eyes and has so much fun.


Way to go, Baldwin City!

Scroll down here to see photos from past fashion shows.



Transformation Park: This is how Amarilo, TX is handling the homeless situation. More here.



Rural Library Network e-Summit: Each year, the Rural Library Network e-Summit brings together over 500 rural library leaders, staff, and partners from across the country for a powerful virtual gathering focused on one thing: the transformational role of libraries in building strong, thriving communities. It will happen December 3, 12-5:30p ET. Learn more here. Thanks for this information, Anna Foote.

Kansas Spanish Speakers: Emporia Spanish Speakers has now grown into their new name, Kansas Spanish Speakers. The new name reflects a broader mission to support language learning, cultural connection, and community integration across the entire state of Kansas.

Exterior damage warning signs: Subtle changes in your building’s exterior—like a cracked joint or a discolored patch—may seem minor, but they could be the early indicators of much larger problems. Learn more.

Kansas micro-internships: Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments in business, communications, education, finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, research, and many other areas. The first five Kansas Micro-Internship projects (up to a maximum of $500 per project) completed for a Kansas organization or entrepreneur by students currently enrolled in any of the 32 Kansas public colleges and universities are available at no cost thanks to funding provided by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Strada Education Foundation. Learn more.

Voter to Voter Training: Join a training for those who are Rural By Choice on September 25 from 12-1pm through the Voter Network. The Voter Network is a statewide, nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on creating stronger communities in Kansas through voter education and engagement. Their core program is Voter to Voter, a peer-to-peer, data-driven tool which empowers users to talk to their friends and family about voting in upcoming elections. At the Voter to Voter training, it will be discussed how peer-to-peer organizing works, show how to use the Voter to Voter tool, and review voting resources to share with your networks to empower them to vote. Register today to join in this training.

Curator sought: Want to be the curator at the National Orphan Train Museum in Concordia? Find out more here.

Kenton Krehbiel Inclusive Playground: The community of Colby recently celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Kenton Krehbiel Inclusive Playground. The news release says, "This playground is more than just a new addition to Villa High—it’s a statement about Colby’s values. It’s a place where every child, regardless of ability, can play, grow, and create memories."

Succession planning is for philanthropy, too: There is some good advice in the McPherson County Community Foundation newsletter regarding donor-advised funds.

1,000 Books: These are the libraries in Kansas that are part of the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" program. The concept of the program is to read 1,000 books (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler before they start kindergarten.



All Things Kansas map: This is a great source for data! The site serves as a centralized hub for county-specific data. It highlights everything from demographic and health statistics to workforce insights, education levels and infrastructure access.