Dying in Kansas Is Redundant?!

Today we share an essay wrote by Doug Jernigan in October of 1990. 

The rest of the world can think Kansas is the pits if it wants.  I love this state and its people.  It’s true that if you don’t like Kansas weather; wait a few minutes and it’ll change! Kansas’ summer heat will make you forget the winter’s cold.  Kansas’ winter cold will make you forget the summer’s heat.  Kansas’ fall is either leafy red and gold or rain gray.  Kansas’ spring is either crocus through the snow or non-existent.  Yes, Kansas is many things and I want it for myself.

Kansas’ joys are also it’s pains.  In Kansas summers you look to the clouds for shade while you sweat. In winter, you dress in layers while looking to the sun for heat.  In spring, the flowers  and I look for rain in the black anger of the clouds.  In fall, I watch the changing beauty of the trees toward nakedness while hoping winter starts in February, not November.

Your senses will tell you that western Kansas is wheat field flat, clear sky blue, and grain bin windy.  Eastern Kansas is Flint Hills rolling, reservoir blue and farm pond brown.  Are there any contrast in Kansas?  You tell me.  Is there any different between an earthworm and an eagle?  A joy to a Kansan is watching a free falling hawk miss a rabbit in the rabbits game of not being a meal.  A pain to a Kansas is living in a city when you grew up on a farm.

Kansans themselves are sunburn brown, smile wrinkled and always laughing with somebody.  Kansans are plaid shirt, blue jeans, and boots.  Real Kansans are happy with who they are and they like their neighbors.  My Kansans are friendly if you smile, knowing that a dog wagging its tail probably won’t bite.  But these same people may not be so open if you are frowning.  They know that a tornado can blow you away if you get too close.  Smile; you’ll love Kansas and it’s people. 

You can get rich in Kansas.  You can probably get rich quicker somewhere else.  However, I’ll prosper and live better in Kansas than a rich man living anywhere else.  Let the rest of the world think that dying in Kansas is redundant.  Kansas is where I’m alive!

Volunteering to Help Your Community Succeed!

I may be “preaching to the choir” here.  With the Discover Phillips County initiative, we have been able to highlight the successful volunteer efforts in our rural communities. Our volunteers are the backbone for our thriving rural Kansas County.

 It is the norm to attend an event and see children to senior citizens “pull up their sleeves” and work together in order to  make the happening a success. Whether a county event, concessions at a local ball game or fundraiser for a community member in need, volunteers abound in Phillips County. 

 All across our county, there are community events which have been successful for years because of the “can-do” attitude of our residents.  Those include the twenty-fifth year of the Riverless Festival in Phillipsburg, the thirty-sixth year Arts and Craft Fair in Logan or the Kansas Biggest Rodeo which is in its eighty-ninth year. These longstanding events show the time, money and support our residents, businesses and corporations are willing to give to protect and enhance our small town living.   

 In my own life, as well as witnessing it in others; relationships begin and flourish as we serve together for the betterment of our organization and/or community. Rolling up your sleeves and washing dishes, serving food, or tearing down stages can become a catalyst for getting to know someone in your community. 

 I will never forget a fundraiser held in our community a few years back.  A gentleman in his mid-forties was battling cancer.  The community rallied around him and his family, held a supper to raise funds to help with the cost of fighting this cancer.  The evening of this meal, our small town showed up!  With food, giving of time and talents as well as donations this man and his family witnessed the love of our rural Kansas. He was touched beyond words. So, was I! There were high school friends who traveled to show their love and support at this fundraising event. I visited with a couple who didn’t even know this man and his family. They were traveling through and saw the flyer for this event at one of our local restaurants. Left the restaurant and came out to this fundraiser.  They too, were overwhelmed by the volunteers and community support shown. The success of this fundraiser was two-fold, 1) rural Kansans love people and 2) rural Kansans love to give of their time, talents and resources to help others. 

 So, what about you?  What are you doing to help your community succeed? 

 Taken from an article by Laura Krizov from the Michigan Main Street Center, she gives several reasons to volunteer in your community. 

 Reduces stress

Get to know the community

Have a skill that is needed

Satisfaction from accomplishment

Have an impact

Learn something new

Meet new people

Because you were asked

Have Fun!

 Here in Phillips County opportunities
to volunteer abound. Look around you, check with others…step out and Volunteer to Help your Community Succeed!

Quiet in a Small Town

It’s morning in my small town, and the quiet covers us like a favorite blanket on a cold winter night. There is the occasional sound of the nearby farmer starting his truck to go down to the local gas station for coffee or the birds awakening from their nights sleep, but that is all you hear. We are so lucky that the highway is far enough away that traffic does not interrupt the quiet.

Later on, around noon, the town will move to the next level of activity because the mail is delivered. People begin to congregate at the boxes and news is shared about neighbors and friends. Sometimes discussions about the economy ensue, but seldom are there disagreements that will break the quiet. We are lucky however, that most people walk to the mailbox, so that adds to the peaceful setting. There are only 6 children that live in our town, so there is the rare noise from them when they are out riding their bicycle, playing at the school playground, or sometimes come to my yard to swing or sled if the weather is right for it.

As the day progresses, the few business’s are busier. It seems that everyone waits until late afternoon to come to get gas or share a beverage, before returning to their homes for supper. Around 4 p.m. there are more people than actually live here because the local farmers congregate at the gas station, as I said, to check in on the days’ activities. The occasional loud tractor or racing engine are the only sounds that really break the silence.

As evening rolls around, everyone returns again to their homes to sit on the porch, sharing the news with their family and preparing for the rest they so greatly deserve. A few of the people take an evening walk, stopping to talk with folks as they go along. Of course, there are always the cars that go by and a honk is always greeted with a wave, even if you don’t recognize who it is. This is the way it is every day, and may seem boring, but is loved by some of us.

Post reprinted with permission from Small Town Living At It’s Best by Sandi Preuss.  http://smalltownimages.blogspot.com/  Sandi and her husband live in the community of Stuttgart in Phillips County, KS.  Sandi loves her small town and is “relentless for rural.”

Majestic Community Theater Renovation Project

The beginning of this month, I had the opportunity to work on a project which once again renewed my hope in our rural Kansas community.  Through a partnership between Phillips County Economic Development, Discover Phillipsburg Main Street, the Morgan and Cole Foundations as well as the Majestic Community Theatre board a grant was submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce, Rural Development Division for funding to help with façade renovations. 

 Phillipsburg, county seat for Phillips County, has been actively working toward renovating their downtown business district for a number of years.  In 2007, a Southside Revitalization Committee was formed and began to raise funds to purchase and raze dilapidated buildings on the south side of our downtown business district. Within a year the south side was cleaned and prepared for redevelopment.  The dream of improvement became a reality on November 23, 2009, when Wenzl Drug opened a newly construct store with ample parking on the south side of our square.

Within the last year, Phillipsburg downtown designated area has seen over one million dollars of building or renovations accomplished.  Also, there has been hundreds of volunteer hours donated totaling over $56,800.00.  What a wonderful example of the commitment and support our residents have shown for our downtown buildings and businesses.

 With the designation of Phillipsburg as a Main Street community, historic preservation is at the forefront of people’s minds.  The Majestic Community Theatre restoration project is one which can benefit all ages within our county.  From preschool age to retiree’s, the doors of this theatre has welcomed generations of residents.  It has played the role of entertainer, baby-sitter, first date attraction, and educator to the many who stepped into this magical world.

 While the community realizes this building will never go back to the original opera house, there is a desire to see the restoration and renovation complete. Many, if not all our residents, have delightful memories from this building.  It always has been and continues to be an integral part of our small town and rural county.  Not only is it a movie theatre, but perhaps more importantly, a social gathering place.  One patron new to the Phillipsburg community commented on how “neat it is to not only attend the movie, but to visit with friends and neighbors prior to the movie starting.”

 In 2002, when the previous owners of the Majestic Theater talked about closing, the folks rallied together to save this community icon.  For over seven years, the theatre board and county wide volunteers have kept the building open and maintained.  Yet, funds have not been enough to address the rapid decay of this once magnificent building. Today one would never guess what an integral part this building has played in our resident’s lives.  The evidence of such is found in the many support letters we included in the grant application.  The backing and interest for this project is incredible and seems to have sparked a renewed sense of hope in the lives of our people.

 Overwhelmingly, Phillips County  has banded together.  With 280 volunteers, monetary donations and pledges totally $94,000.00 and $5,000.00 in donated equipment our county is ready to see this project through to the end. To complete the necessary funding, the board submitted the grant request.  There is an air of excitement amongst our populace.  With the sentiments so many have for our theatre, Phillips County once again has shown its “can-do” attitude. 

 The Majestic Community Theatre Renovation project exemplifies what Phillips County is all about….Safe~Prosperous~Friendly~United!  Welcome Home!

A GIVING HEART

All across America, citizens practice the art of giving. In the Discover Phillips County initiative this is not only practiced, but simply a way of life.  You see, being generous for rural inhabitants isn’t just about financial giving, volunteering of time or using God given talents.  It is a conglomeration of all.

 For the most part, individuals in rural America still have a neighborly spirit.  Everyone pulls up their sleeves and does whatever is needed; whether it is serving on a committee to help with an event, giving a financial donation, or using talents to draw people to Phillips County.  The heart of giving is alive and well here.

With the population decline we have seen in the last twenty years; those who have chosen to remain in rural America understand the philanthropic spirit.  We donate time, talent and money to help our small communities and county not only survive, but also thrive.  Individuals know that they just can’t give money or time; but sometimes give of their resources and time both in order to help the project, event or even another individual succeed. 

This past weekend all across Phillips County, the spirit of giving was apparent.  The 30^th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Logan, as well as the 4^th Annual US Hwy 36 Treasure Hunt took place.  Neither of these events could have happened without the heart we so often see in our Kansas County.  From working information booths, to serving pancakes to benefit a local project, to the clean-up that comes after everyone goes home; our residents once again gave of themselves. Offering their time, talent and financial resources so others could Discover Phillips County.

 Reports are in from both events and it is apparent that once again, people not only traveled to our rural Kansas events; but enjoyed them as well.  The people coming and going read the blue signs greeting them as traveled into our county.  And because our people have such a giving heart, our guests agreed that Discover Phillips County is Prosperous~Safe~Friendly~United!  Welcome Home~

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