FREE BOOKS: Imagination Library is a free book gifting program that mails high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth until they start school. This opportunity is through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Sign up here.

SOUND ABSORPTION: Does noise bounce around your room in a way that is detrimental to good conversation or presentations? Caldwell has worked with Sound Seal to help control the noise. What looks like a historical photo is just a front for the sound absorption method.

WELCOMING ACTIVITIES: If you attended the We Kan! Conference and chose one of the Welcoming activity cards, please let Simone know if you've completed the fun!

CAREER GUIDE: Level Up Kansas provides a free Kansas career guide.

MADE IN KANSAS

Made in Kansas is an initiative for manufacturing products made in Kansas. For information, contact Corrie.Ann.Campbell@ks.gov. Here are two companies that are Made in Kansas.

• Splashtacular, Paola, is a leading company in the waterpark industry, specializing in the design, engineering, manufacturing, and assembly of waterslides, aquatic play units, and spray features. Watch Made from Kansas video.
• Need an airplane? Contact Rans in Hays. Watch Made from Kansas video.

LOVE KANSAS: Love, Kansas, is a dynamic talent attraction campaign aimed at boosting Kansas’ population by inviting past residents to choose the Sunflower State as their future home. This national marketing initiative highlights Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family, with a special emphasis on “boomerangs” – individuals with previous ties to the state. Learn more with this press release and video.

A presentation on Love, Kansas will be shared on the Kansas Tourism huddle on July 10 at 1 p.m. on Zoom. Meeting ID: 822 6927 2235. Passcode: 8jiDZ4.

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS, LOOKING FOR A JOB?

Eberle Studios in Cawker City has a remote position. They "create visually stunning images, video's and digital media for rural-based communities."

CHILD CARE PAYMENT SUPPORT: Do you know people in your community struggling to pay for child care? This Kansas Department of Children and Families has some support for those who qualify.

KANSAS TOURISM SUNFLOWER SNAPSHOTS: These video snapshots are a guide to navigating the tourism industry world. The latest video features Kansas Tourism director Bridgette Jobe covering Kansas Tourism, Travel KS, and the Kansas Tourism Conference. Previous Snapshots.

APPLICANTS IN CITIES LESS THAN 10,000 POPULATION SOUGHT TO HOST "CONNECTING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES."

The Connecting Entrepreneurial Conference is an event that brings together community leaders, entrepreneurs, economic development professionals, and stakeholders from across Kansas to share best practices, learn from one another, and explore strategies for fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in our communities. Hosts are being sought for this first-time event.

Here is a link to more information and the application (due Aug. 1).

ELLIS FOUNDATION: The Ellis Foundation, in partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation, offers scholarship opportunities specifically for students in rural school districts in specific counties. The Ellis Foundation approach includes mentorship and more.

SUNFLOWER SUMMER PROGRAM: Kansans love this program! Thanks to Kansas Tourism for offering free admission to Kansas families for attractions across the state, throughout the summer. Learn more about the Sunflower Summer program.

CONFERENCES:

Kansas Housing Conference, Aug. 20-22, Overland Park. Learn more.

Kansas Local Food Summit, Aug. 27-28, Wichita. Learn more.

Workforce Innovation Conference, October 1-2, Salina. Learn more.

Kansas Arts Council Symposium, October 9-10, Salina. Learn more.

Kansas YP Summit, October 10, Salina. Learn more.

Annual National 2024 Conference for Growing Community Foundations. Hosted by

Kansas Association of Community Foundations. Oct. 16-18, Wichita. Learn more.

Kansas Tourism Conference, October 21-23, Olathe. Learn more.

NATIONAL CONFERENCES FOR RURAL:

Three upcoming national conferences have a special focus on rural issues through different themes.

Stand Up Rural America Summit - This in-person event for community and economic developers takes place July 30-Aug. 1 in French Lick, Indiana. Learn more and register here. Kelly Gourley, director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation, will be speaking.

Rural Assembly Everywhere - In 2024, the theme is "Nurturing Thriving Communities." Virtual conference on Aug. 1 with workshops Aug. 6-8. Learn more and register here.

Radically Rural - The in-person summit on Sept. 24-25 in Keene, New Hampshire will focus on ways to "Regenerate Rural." Learn more and register here. KSF PowerUp and Engagement Manager, Simone Elder, will be one Kansan speaking at this conference.

ONE THING

Kansas Sampler Foundation co-directors Sarah Green and Marci Penner are on a statewide journey to every incorporated city. As of July 2, 2024 they have gone to 86 cities, with 539 to go in the next two-and-a-half years. Their mission is to see how cities are doing in their present day environment and learn thoughts about their future. What are their hopes and dreams, roadblocks and setbacks, and solutions to move forward? Below are "One Things" from the 28 cities we've done since the last Tidbits. See "One Thing" from our earlier stops here.

CHEROKEE COUNTY

Baxter Springs, population 3,852

In 1872 this magnificent building was intended to be a courthouse on the square. After use as a city hall and college, it was donated to the city in 1905 to be its library. They've done a great job keeping the Johnston Public Library in shape and using the grounds as learning space as well.

Columbus, population 2,844

Columbus has six parks throughout the city including an All Wheels Bicycle Park, 9-hole disc golf, splash pads, a walking trail, Toss N Scores, pickle ball courts, a new basketball court, swimming pool, and more. This One Thing makes Columbus an attractive city in which to live.

Galena, population 2,740

Galena has done a great job with their Historic Route 66 attractions. Gearhead Curios offers something a bit quirky (take the bathroom tour) and is especially popular with antique car buffs. It's one of the Route 66 attractions in Galena that captures tourist dollars.

Riverton, unincorporated

The Williams Store opened the year before Route 66 did. Now Nelson's Old Riverton Store, it remains a mainstay for historic road buffs. You can get a sandwich from the deli, a few groceries, or choose from many Route 66 souvenirs.

Roseland, population 72

In a city made up of mostly residences, this new city hall stands out in this town of 72.

Scammon, population 374

Josie's, the Italian ristorante, may be closed, but this small city has a modern pool.

Weir, population 558

In Weir, the public library means outdoor events as well as indoors activities. In this picture, director Bonnie Palmer is setting up for their Mestival (a chance to get messy). The county sheriff department helped with this event. The library also serves as a community cooling center during the hottest days.

They do a great job with social media.

West Mineral, population 149

Strip Pit Bait and Tackle helps brings sales tax to the city coffers and provides locals and visitors with all the supplies needed to enjoy the strip pit lakes--from kayaks and fishing gear to beverages and snacks.

HAMILTON COUNTY

Coolidge, population 77

In the National Lampoon Christmas movie, Cousin Eddie's family came to visit the Clark Griswold family in fictional Coolidge. However, some creative folks in the real Coolidge decided to take advantage of the connection. Many people stop to take a picture at this mural.

Syracuse, population 1,716

In 2007 Syracuse realized that their sand (Arkansas River Lowlands) could become an economic driver. That's when the Syracuse Sand Dunes Park opened with 1,300 acres of amazing dunes, rolling hills, bowls and some fast flat areas for ATV enthusiasts.

MORTON COUNTY

Elkhart, population 1,744

One Thing in Elkhart that is amazing is their county economic development director, Alexis O'Hair. Full of enthusiasm, ideas, and a get-'er-done spirit, this Elkhart native is a tremendous asset to the county.

Editorial note: If you are lucky to have such a young person in leadership, your support and willingness to hear out ideas goes a long way.

Richfield, population 19

Each of the three cities in Morton County have a mental health building, a project of the county’s Rural Champion project. Open 24/7, anyone can enter and pick up the phone. It will connect you with the 988 hotline, a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Rolla, population 373

This is just part of a colorful mural done in 2007 by Janice Hollis of Rolla. The other part shows a cowboy, cornfield and stock tank.

NORTON COUNTY

Almena, population 366

Every Thursday morning you can count on six women gathering at Prairie Dog Press to get this newsletter out to about 300 people in Almena and around the country. The newspaper went out of business in 1990 and this paper was started soon after. Julie Thompson is the publisher and the rest of the group gathers to help sort, label, and organize the weekly newsletter -- and then walk it down to the post office. Good job ladies!

Clayton, population 43

Great welcome sign, Clayton!

Edmond, population 28

This striking abandoned hotel remains from earlier times.

Lenora, population 206

The former school in Lenora is now being utilized by Nex-Generation Round-Up for Youth. Career development, entrepreneurship and internship are where they focus. After youth from schools in northwest and north central Kansas finish a curriculum, they come to AmeriTowne for a hands-on career development day. The second story of this school has been turned into a town. The bank, for instance, comes complete with a board room, neck ties, and AmeriTowne checks. Students each have a role in the town, from mayor to fire fighter, and participate in day-long activities as they embed themselves in the town, in their role.

Norton, population 2,659

Thanks to our contact Caryl Hale, Warden Hazel Peterson took us on a two-hour tour to show us and explain the vision for the two-acre vegetable garden, orchard, the greenhouses, and pumpkin patch at the Norton Correctional Facility. She also walked us through the arts-and-craft wing of the facility. With the residents of the correctional facility supplying the labor, she explained her plans to share the produce with the local school, hospital, and nursing home. Caryl Hale also plays a role in this vision.

STANTON COUNTY

Johnson City, population 1,440

Wholly Cow Market has a fresh and trendy look outside and inside. Soda fountain, booths and hi-top tables, a menu including the Wholly Cow farm-fresh meats and grass-fed beef (salads are terrific, too), Kansas products for sale, and Kansas art on the walls make this a destination stop. Wholly Cow meat products are also direct-sold from the freezers.

Manter, population 115

These rocky outcroppings ten miles north and west of Manter overlook the Buffalo Creek bed. They are much bigger than they look in this picture. The Manter Dam started by the WPA in 1935 but never completed is nearby.

SUMNER COUNTY

Argonia, population 448

What a delightful store and production plant to find in downtown Argonia. Sarah Jane's no longer serves food as a restaurant, but you can get her products of salsa's, Jalapeno relish, mustard, jellies, and Take & Bake meals in the store or online.

Belle Plaine, population 1,468

Michelle Ellis, who sells mixed spices and teas, calls her business Ellis Island Farm. When she saw the need to bring some fresh food items, and locally-raised meat, together in this town (that doesn't have a grocery store), she brought 17 local food (and purse) vendors together to form what could be called a specialty grocery store. A CBDG grant for freezers and booth rentals helps make this place work beautifully.

Caldwell, population 1,010

Hagar Acres Farm to Home is a retail shop that also doubles as a great place to hear about great things going on in Caldwell. Meat products, honey, eggs, fruits and vegetables from the Hagar farm fortify the inventory of other foods, spices and herbs as well as health and beauty products. Watch out. It's the kind of store you walk into and will want to buy! (Lea Ann, check out the ceiling).

Conway Springs, population 1,106

Clint and Jenny Osner stopped to visit with us, even on "truck" day. There are many reasons why Hired Man's Grocery & Grill is booming but one reason is the way the Osner's give back to their customers. They also stay updated on the latest trends and maintain a positive attitude. The store is well-stocked, clean, and the employees are friendly. A recipe for success.

Hunnewell, population 42

As you drive in to town you'll see this impressive block of granite providing the story of the "Real Cherokee Strip." It gives historical information about the boundaries clarifying the difference between the Cherokee Outlet and the Cherokee Strip.

Mayfield, population 75

The Mayfield Grocery & Locker is still open providing convenience-store like grocery inventory and some meats.

Oxford, population 1,051

Flying Toad Farms has a store at 112 W. Main and though they weren't open when we were there, customers kept driving up to choose from the local produce on the porch. A scale is there if you need to weigh something and an honor system is in place. Can't wait to go inside someday!

South Haven, population 340

Muffin Top Bakery & Confections has steady traffic in this small but friendly city. Not only is it the stop for coffee and refreshing cold drinks and baked goods, but they have a daily lunch special, too. Their beautifully baked creations are popular for special events.

Wellington, population 7,664

The delightful inventory in Bee Creative Toys and Beehive Quilt Shop makes you want to buy toys and find a reason to buy fabric. Annarose White and her mother, Connie Hart, have done a phenomenal job making this a destination shopping choice.

WHERE WE'VE BEEN: As of July 2, we've been to every city in the following counties: Cherokee, Clark, Comanche, Douglas, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Lane, Morris, Morton, Norton, Pawnee, Rice, Scott, Stanton, Sumner and Wilson.

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