Uncovering Kansas: Recent Episodes
Uncovering Kansas
Uncovering Kansas is a podcast that inspires Kansans to learn more about the interesting people, places, events, and commerce going on in our state.
Kansas is home to a lot of fun museums, and it has been a while since we featured one on the podcast. So, today, we are going to learn about the Motorcycle Museum in St Francis.
For those of you with an Uncovering Kansas Travel Journal, you’ll find it on page 188. And you can follow along across Highway 36, documenting the things you see, people you meet, and places you love to eat and stay though page 194.
If you haven’t been to northwest Kansas, I encourage you to plan some time to go explore. As Scott says, each of the towns along highway 36 has something interesting to see.
I’ve got a favorite memory from our overnight stay in Oberlin Kansas. We got into town around dinnertime, and as is our MO, we asked the locals for recommendations of places to eat. Someone recommended the American Legion because they had a great happy hour special. Neither of us are veterans, so we assumed we couldn’t eat there. Turns out, you don’t have to be a veteran to partake. I’m not sure if this is true of all American Legions, or something the locals decide. Anyway, we walk in, and as you would expect in a small town, the moment we stepped inside, everyone knew we were strangers – or should I say visitors – to town. And, in case you are wondering – they did have great happy hour specials!
St. Francis Motorcycle Museum website
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
● What is the St Francis Motorcycle Museum?
● What is Biketember Fest?
● How did the St Francis Motorcycle Museum get started?
How to Support the Podcast:
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Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
What would it be like to integrate the arts into a thriving and sustainable rural community? This is the question that drove my guest today to create the School for Rural Culture and Creativity in Mattfield Green.
I’m talking with Matthew Regier, an artist, homesteader, and co-founder of the School. Our conversation is wide ranging – talking art, religion, rural culture, homesteading, and how all of these things come together in rural communities.
The School for Rural Culture and Creativity
Matthew Regier – Matthew’s website
Land Institute
How to Support the Podcast:
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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Kansas is full of very interesting people and my guest today is probably at the top of the list. I’m talking with Vincent Rodiguez, a coffee roaster, chocolate maker, and bicycle manufacture based in Lenexa. I’m taking you to coffee and chocolate school with Vincent. One of the things I took away from my conversation with Vincent is that when we are curious and want to learn about something, it can take us to interesting places. We shouldn’t worry about being the best at something – we should only worry about whether or not we are learning something. Vincent’s life philosophy is an inspiration to me, and I hope you feel the same. Show Notes: Maps Coffee and Chocolate website Maps Instagram Maps Facebook Kansas Breweries and Distilleries episode Kansas wineries episode Unbound Gravel episode What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How to roast coffee
- How to make chocolate
- What is craft chocolate?
- What is production chocolate?
- How roasting coffee and chocolate are different
- The difference between chocolatiers and chocolate maker
- What is lecithin and how is it used in chocolate
How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode
Today, I’m talking with Joseph Shephard from Lead for America, a national organization founded by a Kansan and headquartered in Wichita. Lead for America’s tag line is Start Where You Live – and of course I have to learn more about any organization that is trying to keep Kansans in Kansas.
I thought this episode was going to be about Lead for America, but it is just as much about highlighting a young Kansan who is out there every day doing work that makes a difference for Kansas and our nation.
Kansas is lucky to call my guest today a Kansan. Although he wasn’t born here, he has fully embraced us and is making a difference in our state. If you leave this episode without being inspired, I’ll be very surprised. Joseph’s story is one of overcoming challenges and odds, being supported by a community, and taking all of this and turning into the best possible version of himself.
Show Notes:
Lead for America website
Director of National Service – Scott McFarland
Director of Recruitment – Meghan Carver
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
● What is digital equality and inclusion?
- What is the mission of Lead for America
How to Support the Podcast:
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You may have noticed that this month’s episode is a little shorter than normal. That’s because it didn’t start out as an episode. The Kansas Turnpike Authority contacted us about doing a public service announcement about a change they are making in July. They want to get the word out and thought our podcast would be a good avenue for that.
So, the plan was to record the PSA and then include it in the introduction of a couple of episodes. But, at the end of the conversation I had with Steve Hewitt, the CEO of the KTA, I thought it was such an interesting conversation that it should be its own episode. And, so here we are.
This month, you are going to learn about the upcoming change to our turnpike system – we are going cashless in Kansas – but you’ll also get a bit of the behind the scenes of how the turnpike system works.
Show Notes:
Kansas Turnpike website
Cashless Tolling website
BoredRoom Blues (song by Geoff)
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
● Kansas Turnpike is moving to cashless payments in July 2024
● History of the Kansas Turnpike
● Behind the scenes of the Kansas Turnpike
In today’s episode, I’m talking with Conner Hampton, Executive Director of Flagship Kansas Tech, an organization who’s mission is to propel the tech sector within the state through continuous efforts in awareness, education, and the workforce.
Flagship Kansas website
Ad Astra Summit website
Episode: Goodland Tech
Dare to do Dirt - podcast with Rolf Potts and Marci Penner
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- About the mission of Flagship Kansas
- About the state of technology in the Kansas education system
- About the Ad Astra conference
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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In my day job, I’ve been working in the software industry for going on 10 years, and so when I hear business incubator, my mind immediately pictures a room full of developers in hoodies with headphones on typing away in the dark at a computer.
But today, you and I are going to learn about a different type of business incubator in Kansas - a business incubator for wineries.
We also talk with a couple who have recently started their own vineyard and are working with the incubator to launch their first wines.
You are going to learn a lot about the Kansas Wine industry in this episode!
Show Notes:
456 Winery
Valley Trails Winery Facebook Page
Highland Community College Viticulture and Enology program
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- About the emerging wine industry in Kansas
- About a business incubator that focuses on incubating wineries
- The types of grapes that grow well in Kansas
- The difference between viticulture and enology
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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We’ve interviewed several authors over the years on Uncovering Kansas. And, through that process I met my guests today, Tracy Million Simmons owner and publisher of Meadowlark books and Cheryl Unruh (un roo) a well known, prolific writer who is also the editor of the 105 Meadowlark Reader, a Kansas Journal of Creative Nonfiction.
When I first heard about Meadowlark Books, I was excited to hear that we have a publisher in Kansas focused on Kansas authors. As you know, my goal is to help Kansans learn more about our state, a great way to do that is to read books published by Kansas authors.
I’ve got to wrap up this introduction and get on with the show so that I can start working on my next submission for the 105 project…..
Find Links to the show notes at Uncovering Kansas
How to Support the Podcast:
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In this episode, I’m going to take you behind the scenes to see what it is like to be responsible for the travel and tourism bureau for a city in Kansas. My guest is Julie Roller Weeks, the Director of Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- A behind the scenes look at the role of a Director of Tourism and Vistors Bureau
- That the Eisenhower Library is one of 14 Presidential Libraries National Archives and Records Administration
- Eisenhower is the 34th president from the 34th state
- How Abilene became the home of the world’s largest belt buckle
How to Support the Podcast:
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There are 1,200 Master Gardeners in the State of Kansas. But in June, there will be Master Gardeners from across the country coming to Kansas for their conference. Ever wonder what the best tomatoes are to grow in Kansas? Or how to manage Japanese Beetles. Well all of these things have one thing in common: the K-State Extension office.
One of the things we like to highlight on the podcast is events that bring in people from outside of Kansas. Whether drawing from other states across the US or pulling in people from other countries, these events are not only good for the Kansas economy, they are a chance for us to show off our state, teach people about who we are as Kansans, and hopefully do a little bit of stereotype busting.
In June, Overland Park will be hosting the International Master Gardener Conference for 2023. My guest today is Dennis Patton, a Horticulturist with the Johnson County Extension office. Dennis is also one of the chairs for the Conference, along with 2 other dedicated gardeners who are volunteers.
Links from the Show Notes:
- International Master Gardener Conference website
- Events open to the public
- To learn more about becoming a Master Gardener: search for your county + extension office to see if your local county has a program.
- Episode 0504: Monarch Watch
- Episode 0209: Kaw Valley Farm Tour
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
- What is a Master Gardener
- What training is needed to become a Master Gardener
- What is the International Gardener Conference?
- What are the events that are open to the public at the International Gardener Conference
- What is the Kansas Extension program
- How do you access Kansas Extension programs
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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If you are a cyclist, you already know what Unbound Gravel is. If not, today, I’m going to take you into the world of cyclists and how Emporia Kansas has created an event that draws people from 45 different countries.
I love to highlight how Kansans make their visions come true. Today’s episode is a great example of a small group of people who came together around their passion for cycling in the flint hills.
Fast forward 17 years, and now Unbound Gravel brings in 4,000 riders the weekend after Labor Day.
My guests today are Ben Sachs is the Race Director and Kristi Mohn is the Marketing Manager. You’ll hear how Kristi has been involved with the event from the beginning and Ben since early on and it is a great conversation to understand how the event got started, and what it has become today. I was really interested to hear what it takes to plan the event, and especially the routes for the races. The other thing that was so interesting to me is how the towns along the way participate.
As Ben says - hope to see you at the Finish Line!
Show Notes:
Unbound Gravel website
Dynamic Discs Episode
Volunteer with Unbound Gravel
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- What is Unbound Gravel?
- How Unbound Gravel started
- How Unbound Gravel routes are planned
- How to volunteer for Unbound Gravel
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
Setting Kansas up to succeed in the future means diversifying into industries that have not traditionally been associated with our state.
In today’s episode, you are going to learn about a Goodland company that is doing just that.
I like to highlight Kansas companies that are having an impact outside of Kansas. Today’s guest is not only doing that, but they are also working to change some of the fundamental issues that we are currently facing in Kansas.
We are losing people to other states because of jobs.
We are unable to fill all of the jobs we have in Kansas because of lack of the correct skills.
We are in the process of transitioning into a state with a vibrant technology industry.
GoodlandTech is a Kansas company that is addressing all of these huge challenges at once with their business model. My guest today is Ben Coumerilh, one of the founders of Goodland Tech. I met Ben at the Ad Astra Technology conference back in September in Wichita and was grateful that he agreed to be a guest.
I always enjoy my conversations with our guests, but this one is really close to my heart because we talk about a topic I’m passionate about. I hope you enjoy it as well.
Show Notes:
Goodland Tech website
Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center website
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Building a Bookshelf website
Contact Geoff here
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- About Kansas business Goodland Tech
- What a workforce development company does
- About Building a Bookshelf
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
We are going to time travel in today’s episode. My guest, Ann Anderson is the author of Posts of a Mid-Century Kid, a memoir about 1950s and 60s Kansas.
Today’s episode is as much about our ability to be present and appreciate what we have - in all aspects of life - as it is an episode about Kansas. There are so many quotes from Ann in this episode that I would love to pull out and put on a t-shirt. I am certain that one of them will make an impression on you - leave you with goosebumps.
Show Notes
Ann’s Website
Ann’s Facebook Page
Posts of a Mid-Centry Kid - link to Bookshop.org where you can buy the book and support a Kansas bookshop at the same time
Topeka Kansas
Lake Shawnee
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- About Author Ann Anderson and her book Posts of a Mid-Century Kid
- About Topeka Kansas circa 1950s and 1960s
- What to do outdoors in Topeka
- Popular 1950s recipes
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
I’m trying to help the Kansas Office of Broadband get the word out about the Federal Communications Commission broadband funding deadline that is January 13 2023. It requires that you take action by the 13th to help ensure that Kansas get the appropriate allocation of Federal funding to invest in high-speed internet.
The funding will be based on a map that determines what portion of each state has access to broadband. The issue is that the map is not always accurate. What the Kansas Broadband Office is asking all Kansans to do is to make sure you are accurately represented on the map.
The reason is that the FCC shows KS at ~5% unserved. We are more likely closer to 15% unserved, and that difference will have a direct negative impact on the dollars we receive … potentially 100’s of millions of dollars! We can challenge/change this map, but it will take a strategic concerted effort across the state and through our networks.
So - here is what you need to do:
- Go to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/challenge/
- It has all of the instructions. But, I got some information from Morgan Barnes with the Office of Broadband Development that may be helpful.
- When you get to the map, you are going to check your location to make sure your house or location has the service location pin in the right space. Some places have shown outbuildings or barns as points of access.
- When looking at your internet service provided. Review the list of broadband providers and services. If you are unable to access the speeds or services listed, click the Availability Challenge link.
If you find that either of these things is wrong on the map, you’ll want to click on the link for “Location Challenge” or ‘Availability Challenge” depending on what the issue is.
The other way you can help is to get the word out. Please tell your family, friends and neighbors
About this and ask them to take action. And, if you have older relatives who that may not feel comfortable using site you can help complete this challenge.
Again, the deadline for making challenges to the map is January 12th 2023 so time is of the essence here.
Websites:
https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/challenge/
Broadbandmap.fcc.gov
We’ve reached the last episode of the year, and today I’m talking with Branden Dross, the City Manager for the city of Herington Kansas. I have been interested for a while in better understanding what the role of a city manager is, and so I took the opportunity to learn more for myself while sharing what I learn with you. That is the best part of having a podcast. When I want to know more about something, I can do that, record it, and share it with you.
So, I hope you walk away from this episode with a better understanding about what a city manager is, what its like to run a city, and more about Herington Kansas, a small town on Hwy 56 west of Council Grove and Hwy 77 south of Junction City.
Show Notes
Herington Kansas
Bookshop.org
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- What the role of the city manager is
- About Herington Kansas
- About the Flint Hills Trails expansion
- That people fly into the Herington airport to eat at the restaurant there
- About the revitalization plans for the WPA era pool and bath house
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
My guest today, Joe Summers describes Guerilla Art like this - you make a thing and put it out into the world for people to find.
Joe works with his students and children to create robot sculptures that they then take to different locations around the state and leave behind for someone to find. This episode is about Joe and his robot art program, but it turns out to be a travel episode as well because Joe covers so many Kansas towns and sites as part of his program.
Rules for leaving robot art in the world:
- At least an hour from the house
- Nobody could see you
- Drop off is a place that is arts focused
- Attach a note to them
- Go get breakfast at a local restaurant
Get to Know a Kansan
- Linn County
- Chanute Kansas
- Lawrence Kansas
- Mass Street Soda Shop
- Lucus Kansas
- Goodland Kansas - Giant Van Gogh painting
- Original Jayhawkers
How to Support the Podcast:
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Today I’m joined by Shelley O’Brien and Mary Boller, two Kansans working in the State’s library system. Reading is my primary hobby - I’m currently sitting at 76 books read so far in 2022 - so as you can imagine, this episode is going to be one I remember for a long time.
What I’m hoping you take away from today’s episode is what my guest, Mary Boller says - that libraries have become the hub of the community. If you still think that libraries are just about books, you need to get out to your local branch and see what has changed.
Supporting our local Kansas libraries is a great way to support our local communities. So, I’m hoping you find out something you didn’t know, and that we maybe spark something new for you today.
Show Notes
Northwest Kansas Library System
Northeast Kansas Library System
7 regional library systems
Golf Course Superintendents Association
Talking books program
Lawrence Library recording studio
STEAM Punk Makerspace Lab
Dane G Hansen Foundation
Which libraries you can get a state park pass
Prairie Dog State Park
The School for Rural Culture and Creativity
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How the Kansas library system is organized
- How the Kansas library system coordinates
- That libraries are much more than just books
- That it is ok to talk above a whisper in a library!
- What Family Place Libraries are all about
- How the Kansas Library system and Kansas Parks system is working together to encourage people to get out and go to the state parks.
- Some of the challenges of being a rural library
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
Have you ever dreamed of just taking off and traveling the world? That’s exactly what my guests today did.
1 year, 24 countries, 4 continents….
Their Instagram account says it all: Kansas Meet World. I can’t wait for you to meet this Kansas family and learn about their gap year.
This trip was about so many things - seeing the world, learning how to support locals, experiencing other religions, figuring out what you can and can’t live with, and how important it is to live your life connected to those who are most important to you..
It happens to me very often that I’m someplace outside of Kansas and I run into Kansans. For the Lewison family, it happened in places like Zanzabar. We may be a fairly small population, but we show up in a lot of exotic places!
What I ultimately take away from my conversation with the Lewisons is that it is important to explore the world AND our home in Kansas.
Kansas Meet World Instagram
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How a family of 5 traveled the world for a year
- What is a whirling dervish?
- About the Kansas Burger in Portugal
- How the Kansas school system allowed kids to travel the world and still stay in school
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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From 0 murals to 25 murals in 2 years seems like an impossible task, but that is exactly what they’ve done in Clay Center Kansas. Today I’m talking with Brett Hubka who has been spearheading the effort.
I’m no art expert, but I feel like I’ve noticed a resurgence of murals in towns across the country and it is a welcome trend. Coming into a new town, looking at the murals on the downtown buildings give you a sense of the history of the town, the things that are important, and an overall sense of what the town is like.
Over the years, we’ve interviewed or highlighted artists across the state, and it is really a testament to the people of Kansas that we have such a rich art tradition in our state.
So, this episode is about art, and about how a town can come together to accomplish something amazing in as little as 2 years. It is also about how much pride Kansans have in our state and how much life is being lived in our smaller rural communities.
Show Notes
Mural Movement Facebook Page
Mural Movement Instagram - Mural Movement Clay Center
Mural Interactive Map
Clay Center Kansas
15-24 Brewhouse website
Tasty Pastry Bakery - they don’t have a website
Little Mill Creek Trail
Get to Know a Kansan
Medicine Lodge
Peace Treaty Festival
Gypsum Hills
Episode 0108: Big Kansas Road Trip
Bill Snyder Stadium
Dwight D Eisenhower Museum
Kansas Speedway
Learn a little more about Dwght D Eisenhower in this episode: Kansans Favorite Kasans
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How the Mural Movement got started in Clay Center
- How many murals are there in Clay Center?
- How a brewery and the mural movement partnered
- Why Clay Center Kansas is a great place to live
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
Today’s episode came from a trip we made to Sabetha Kansas to have lunch at the Brick Street Furniture Company and Wine Lounge. Friend of the podcast, Kate Miller from Hiawatha recommended that we eat there. And, now I’m recommending it to you too. While we were at Brick Street, Dustin recommended to us that we take a trip 5 miles north of Sabetha to Sycamore Springs. He mentioned that they were revitalizing the skating rink and we should stop in and see it. We thought - sure - let’s check this place out. You don’t hear about skating rinks much anymore.
So, we thought we were heading to a small little town with a skating rink. What we found was something we could have never imagined. You’ll learn more about it in this episode, where I interview Kent Grimm.
As I say at the end of the interview - I set out to tell our listeners about this really cool place that Geoff and I found on a somewhat spare of the moment trip. But, what this episode is really about is someone who has taken on the challenge of saving a piece of history and modernizing it so that it can continue to be relevant into our future.
Show Notes
Sycamore Springs White Tails Ranch website
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- What you’ll experience if you go to Sycamore Springs in Sabetha, Kansas
- How the Grimm family is revitalizing Sycamore Springs
- About Old Albany Days and threshing bee in Albany, Kansas
- The oldest working pipe organ in Kansas is in Albany, Kansas
How to Support the Podcast:
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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We have been doing our format of Get To Know a Kansan for a while now, and thought it would be fun to focus an episode on the stories behind the people that have been named when we ask ‘who is your favorite Kansan from history?”
So, in this episode, I’m going to talk about the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart, John Stuart Curry, Dwight D Eisenhower, and William Stafford.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- What Amelia Earhart accomplished
- About the impact John Stuart Curry had on the Regionalism Art Movement
- How many major events in American history were impacted by Dwight D Eisenhower
- About the impact William Stafford had on poetry in America
How to Support the Podcast:
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Cottonwood Falls is a small town - population about 800 - a nationally and internationally known town for its music. The well known Symphony in the Flint Hills is based in Cottonwood Falls and so is the Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills. When you think of Kansas, opera probably isn’t in the top 10 - or even 100 - things that come to mind. But, thanks to my guest, Martha Sharp, people come from across the country, and even from other countries, each July to attend the Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills. In our conversation, you’ll learn about the workshop, how it is tailored to the attendees, and maybe a little bit about opera along the way.
We also talk about Martha’s career in Europe and her move to Kansas, which is a really interesting story as well.
Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills website
Episode 0110: Chase County Christmas
Episode 0503: Dynamic Discs
Episode 0212: Publishing in Kansas: Emanuel Haldeman-Julius
Chief Theatre in Coldwater Kansas
Granada Theatre in Emporia
Folly Theater in Kansas City
Lyric Opera in Kansas City
Disc Golf World Championship website
Girard History Museum
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How the Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills started
- How a small town comes together to support the Opera
- How an opera workshop helps build skills
- How you can support Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
Monarch Watch is an internationally reaching education, conservation, and research organization dedicated to the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration based right here in Kansas. Join Rachel in this episode where co-founder Chip Taylor takes Rachel to butterfly school.
Monarch Watch website
Monarch Watch Facebook page
Kansas Eco Regions
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- What is Monarch Watch?
- What is Butterfly Tagging?
- How Monarch Butterflies migrate
- Why Mexico is important to the Monarch Tagging process
- What makes the monarch butterfly migration unique
- Why milkweed is important to monarch butterflies
- Why it is important to plan native milkweed
- What is the monarch watch program?
- What is the Bring Back the Monarchs program?
- Why nectar and pollen are important to monarch butterflies
- Why it is important to have everyday people involved in citizen science
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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Did you know that Emporia Kansas is considered to be the disc golf capital of the world? I didn’t realize it until I talked with my guests Doug Bjerkaas and Jackie Morris from Dynamic Discs, an Emporia Kansas business that sells discs and other disc golf equipment and operates events for the popular sport disc golf.
I like to focus a few episodes each season on Kansas businesses that have a national impact. Kansas has a deep history of businesses that grow beyond the state and, in a lot of cases, become a household name. Ever heard of Garmin? What about White Castle? These are just 2 businesses founded in Kansas that fall into the household name category.
Dynamic Discs also falls into this category. If you know about disc golf, then you know about Dynamic Discs - it is a household name within the sport. I didn’t realize that until earlier this year when something quite unexpected happened to me at my day job - you’ll hear more about it in the episode.
This episode made me feel so good about the things we have going on in Kansas. The story about how Dynamic Discs grew from a dorm room start-up to an internationally known business is such an interesting story and then you throw in the community support that Dynamic Discs gives to Emporia and the community support that Emporia gives to Dynamic Discs. It’s just a great all-round story and I’m sure you will enjoy this episode.
And, if you do, please tell your friends about it. It is the best way you can support the podcast.
As you know, we don’t have any ads in the podcast. We are working hard to keep it that way, and hope to be able to cover the cost of the podcast through sales of our Uncovering Kansas Travel Journal. It is available on Amazon if you’d like to buy a copy. I really like being able to look back at what we did this year and remember the things I saw, the people I met, and the experiences we had - as well as some of our favorite places to eat!
Also, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you are a LinkedIn user, I’d love to connect with you there. You can find me at Rachel Berbiglia and just mention that you are a listener so I don’t igore your connection request as spam.
Show Notes
Dynamic Discs website
Halfway to Everywhere music festival
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- Why Emporia Kansas is the disc golf capital of the world
- About Kansas business Dynamic Discs
- Why
- About the Halfway to Everywhere music festival
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
My guest today, Wichita native Jennifer Strong McConachie, has traveled around the world competing in global endurance sports. Today, we are going to talk about how she uses the Kansas outdoor landscape and weather to prepare for these competitions around the world. Whether you are sporty or not, you’ll get a lot of ideas from Jennifer for adventures you can take in Kansas. Unless you are already into adventure sports, you are going to walk away from this episode with a whole new viewpoint on our state.
Links to things we talked about:
Go Far: How Endurance Sports Win at Life book website
Jennifer’s Instagram
Jennifer’s Facebook
Lexington State Park Trail Map
El Dorado Lake
Cheney Lake
TallGrass Prairie Nature Preserve
TallGrass Prairie Trail Map
(Geoff and I took the Scenic Overlook Trail to the Prairie Fire Loop to the Davis Trail)
Get To Know A Kansan:
Wichita Kansas
Toronto Lake
Kayaking the Kansas River
Laura Ingalls Wilder
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How to adapt the Kansas landscape to create your own adventure
- How to connect with others over Kansas stereotypes
- How our pioneer roots can help us with adversity training
- How to create a adventure event of your own
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
Hero worship is a characteristic of American culture. For good and bad, it is something our society lives with. Athletes, music stars, and actors or actresses are visible roles in our modern society. And that constant visibility often encourages people to feel like they know these people and fosters a desire to imitate them. Our kids see these visible people as the definition of success and meaningfulness. Yet as adults we recognize the chances of anyone making a living playing professional sports or performing to a sell-out crowd in an arena is very small. As a result, it is important for kids to be exposed to all of the different ways people make a living and contribute to society and, in so doing, serve as heroes in their own right, albeit through less publicized roles, like banker, graphic designer, plumber, software developer, or entrepreneur.
Real Men, Real Heroes based out of Wichita, Kansas is an organization driven by the understanding that it is important for children and young adults to see someone who looks like them engaged in activities that can excite the imaginations and interests of the youth in order to, as shared by Kyle Ellison, Executive Director of Real Men Real Heroes, Open up their minds to new ideas, new thoughts and help with the evolution of who they are becoming.
In this episode, Rachel talks with Kyle Ellison and learns about the history of a program and how it has innovated and changed over time to include a broader base of Kansas children and young adults in 3rd through 8th grade opportunities to look behind the curtain and gain firsthand experience to many societal roles and functions that they may be unfamiliar with and that are often not routinely given extraordinary attention to like certain entertainment roles are given.
Real Men Real Heroes website
Contact@realmenrealheroes.org
Real Men Real Heroes Instagram
Real Men Real Heroes Facebook
Uncovering Kansas was founded based on the idea that we frequently overlook the great things that are right in our back yard. As a matter of fact, right on the home page of our website is this quote from Dagobert Runes:
People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.
My guest today, Lisa Stewart is going to tell us about her experience meeting people and exploring Kansas at 4 mph on horseback. It is a good reminder that we all have one fundamental thing in common - we are all Kansans. Whether by birth, by choice, or by circumstance, we are all neighbors.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become Small Business Saturday - a day set aside to encourage people to shop in small businesses.
At Uncovering Kansas, we want to encourage you to not only shop small, but to shop local. Shop Kansas!
Back in late summer, we asked you to nominate your favorite local business for an upcoming episode. We’ve selected 2 of these shops for today’s episode. We’ll be doing our Get to Know a Kansan format - talking to 2 Kansans about their passion - their shops - and then seeing Kansas through their eyes.
Links mentioned in the show
Links mentioned in the show
Modern Cowgirl Boutique website
Modern Cowgirl Boutique Instagram
Modern Cowgirl Facebook
Soul Sister Ceramics website
Soul Sister Ceramics Instagram
Soul Sister Ceramics Facebook
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- All about Madison Kansas
- All about Courtland Kansas
- Two unique ways Kansans are combining agriculture with non-agriculture business
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
Happy Fall Kansas! And welcome to our October episode. We are carrying through the Halloween theme from the previous episode. When Geoff originally pitched the idea, I was sort of like “Wha? Say it again.” He wanted to focus on spirits. Several meanings contained within the word spirit. Not only the spirits we usually think about when we prepare and celebrate Halloween but the holiday spirit and the associated community spirit that often runs alongside the holiday. Halloween is, at least in America, sort of the official kick-off to the longer holiday season. And what do many people choose to celebrate with… other than food? You guessed. Spirits! Liquor, wine and beer. We are going to focus on two of these (liquor and beer) in this episode.
Kansas has had an interesting and peculiar history with alcohol and a key figure of historical importance. Carrie Nation. And while we, as Kansans, appreciate that history, our state is arguably still haunted by her ghost. Efforts are underway to exorcise the ghost of Carrie Nation but until the rite of exorcism is completed, artisans and entrepreneurs wanting to operate within the alcohol beverage industry must possess courage and bravery. And we have a panel of three representatives from three different Kansas companies located across the state to discuss and share their company story with you.
Links mentioned in the show
Kansas Territory Brewing
Boot Hill Distillery
Boiler Room Brewery
Dodge City Episode
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- About the unique opportunities and challenges of running a brewery or distillery in Kansas
- Kansas was the first state to implement prohibition and the last state to repeal prohibition
- How some of Kansas’ liquor laws make it difficult for businesses to thrive in Kansas
- How breweries and distilleries are bringing a sense of community to small towns
How to Support the Podcast:
Tell a friend about us
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
Send us a recommendation for an episode
There is a stereotype about the crotchety old person who watches out their window and when kids step one foot onto their lawn, they run out onto the porch, shaking their fist and yelling ‘get off my lawn you hooligans!’
Well, today we are going to learn about a Kansan who has impacted our culture simply because she wasn’t the kind of person who would fall into that stereotype. Instead of shaking her fits and yelling at the neighborhood kids, she looked for a way to be more creative and more positive in her approach to keep the kids off her lawn.
What exactly did Elizabeth Krebs do to change culture as we know it? Well, find out in my interview with Katie Miller, President of the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau.
Before we get into the interview, I want to remind you about our Uncovering Kansas Travel Journal. We believe experience is at the heart of travel and meeting people and unexpected encounters make travel fulfilling. So, we created the journal so you can document your experiences. At just a little over 200 pages, we have plenty of space for you to journal, but we’ve also included a place for you to put together your bucket list, and pages for remembering your favorite places to eat and stay. The journal is available on Amazon. It makes a great gift, and is also available as a fundraiser for your group, organization, or team. If you’d like to learn more about fundraising opportunities, just send us an email at UK@outlook.com.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Halloween Frolic facebook page
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
- Our modern Halloween traditions were started by Kansan Elizabeth Krebs in Hiawatha, KS
- What the Halloween Frolic is all about
- The longest continuous Halloween parade has been going in Hiawatha since 1914
- Who is Elizabeth Krebs
- What to expect if you attend the Halloween Frolic in Hiawatha, KS
- Children’s author Bill Martin Jr., author of the famous book, was born in Hiawatha
- Riverdale, in Archie comics is based on Hiawatha
How to Support the Podcast:
- Tell a friend about us
- Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
- Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
- Send us a recommendation for an episode
This month, Rachel talks with Ryan Biergert, festival co-chair of Svensk Hillingsfest, a festival that celebrates our state’s Swedish Heritage, hosted in Lindsborg. According to the Kansas Historical Society, the first Swede arrived in Kansas in 1864, and he encouraged others to emigrate and file claims for land in what is now Lindsborg Ks. By 1890, there were 17,000 Swedes in Kansas.
Lindsborg is a town that celebrates its Swedish history, and not just during the festival. Visit any time of the year, and you’ll feel the Swedish culture everywhere you go. There is a lot to see and do in Lindsborg, and I hope you add it to your list, whether you go during the festival or at another time of year.
What You'll Learn in this Episode:
- What you'll be able to see and do at Svensk Hyllingsfest this September
- While in Lindsborg, you can also visit Raymer Society
- Stop by the Birger Sandzen gallery
- Places to stay when visiting Lindsborg
- Other things to do in the area of Lindsborg like Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and Coronado Heights
How to Support the Podcast:
- Tell a friend about us
- Follow us on Instagram or Facebook
- Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
- Send us a recommendation for an episode
This month, Rachel talks with Tim Bascom, author and Executive Director of the Kansas Book Festival. The Kansas Book Festival is a great opportunity to learn about Kansas - authors who are from Kansas or write about Kansas or topics that are germane to Kansans. Spending a day at the festival will no doubt open your eyes to something new.
After covering the festival, Rachel and Tim talk about Tim’s experience spending part of his childhood in Ethiopia. Tim gives us a feel for what it is like to grow up in two very different cultures and how it continues to shape him today.
Book Festival website: Kansas Book Festival
Book Festival Facebook page: Kansas Book Festival - Home
Tim Bascom’s website: Tim Bascom, Author – Writing my way around the world
Ethiopian Restaurants in Kansas:
Elsa’s - Overland Park Elsa's Ethiopian Restaurant: Home
Selamta - Lenexa Selamta Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar - Restaurant in Lenexa
What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
- What the Kansas Book Festival is all about
- Who are the speakers at the Kansas Book Festival
- About Kansas author Tim Bascom’s experience splitting his childhood between Kansas and Ethiopia
- Why Ethiopian food is so good
- Where to find Ethiopian restaurants in Kansas
If you haven’t listened to our September 2020 episode which was an interview with public officials from Pittsburg Kansas about how they were managing the pandemic, I’d encourage you to go back and listen to it.
This episode is a follow-up to see how things have changed since that interview. We’ve all been through this shared experience, and although it meant something a little different to all of us, being able to follow the story of covid in one specific town gives us an appreciation of how we pull together to get through our toughest challenges.
Our topic today is a very important, very heavy one: mental health. I’m going to introduce you to a very important and innovative program in Kansas that is working to make the stigma that surrounds talking about mental health issues a thing of the past.
Zero Reasons Why is a program that is teaching teens the skills they need to be able to make mental health a normal part of our daily lives. You are going to be impressed by my guest, Kyra Fuchs, who is a teen council member of Zero Reasons Why. I learned a lot about how every one of us can support our friends and family when they need it.
Zero Reasons Why website
The Playbook referenced in the episode
The social media accounts for #ZeroReasonsWhy:
Built in 1877, the Oak Grove Schoolhouse has been a gathering place for the community of Lincoln Township for generations. In this episode, Rachel talks with Cary Pruitt and Roger Pruitt from the Oak Grove Schoolhouse Historical Society.
Part Family history, part Kansas history, partly a story about family legacy, we think you'll find this episode to be informative, entertaining, and important.
Oak Grove Schoolhouse website
What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
- The mission of the Oak Grove Schoolhouse Historical Society
- How a one room schoolhouse became a central gathering place for the community of Lincoln Township
- Why it is important to pass down family history from generation to generation
- The importance of low water fords in the migration of pioneers settling in Kansas
- The history of the Oak Grove school district
- The importance of the Osage Trail in the history of Kansas
- How Laura Ingalls Wilder, Washington Irving, the Benders
- How the geography of Kansas contributed to the development of the Osage Trail
- The rough-and-tumble history of Ladore Kansas
- How the arrival of the KATY Railroad impacted the founding of Parsons Kansas
- A great gift idea for teacher appreciation day
This month, Rachel talks with Connie Blanke about Prairiesta, a festival that happens every 10 years in Russell, Kansas. Whether you are able to make it out to the festival or not, you'll learn a lot about community spirit, the importance of honoring our history, and what it takes to put together a festival.
Prairiesta website
Deines Cultural Center
Episode: Big Kansas Road Trip - The Experience
In this episode of Uncovering Kansas, Rachel interviews guest Kirk Sharp of the Gordon Parks Museum. For many the name Gordon Parks will be familiar. To others, only a vague recollection. And for some the name will be unknown entirely. No matter which group you are in, come along for the ride and join in and listen as Rachel learns about Gordon Parks and uncovers only a fraction of the eventful life of this Kansas-born man.
And if you’re like the Uncovering Kansas production team, then after learning a little of Gordon Parks you’ll quickly begin seeking more information. For example, after recording the interview Rachel devoured one Gordon Parks book and when finding another book by him was not in the library system’s inventory she quickly sent off an email to the library making the case for and requesting its inclusion.
Enjoy the episode! And we hope to see you on the road soon as the Kansas climate warms and vaccinations are delivered and bodies and imagination that have likely been more dormant than usual for the better part of twelve months begin again to explore the world around them.
In this episode, Rachel chats with Kansas resident and fellow podcaster Landon Huslig of Wichita Life ICT. They discuss cultural aspects and details of Wichita and create from the specific a backdrop for a broader, more personal, discussion about their passion and support of Kansas, generally, including a similar objective each has for their respective podcast.
Wichita Life ICT website (and podcast)
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook: @WichitaLifeICT
Dockum Drug Store Sit In
Keeper of the Plains
Wichita River Fest
Uncovering Kansas episode on Comicon
Air Capital Comic Con
Taco Fest Twitter: @WichitaTacoFest
Andover KS
Coronado Heights
Little Jerusalem State Park
Mushroom Rocks
James Naismith
John Brown
In this month’s episode of Uncovering Kansas Rach talks with Grammy-nominated musical artist Jan Kraybill. If y’all could have seen Rachel’s eyes when she slotted this interview. She doesn’t geek out over too many things. Rachel is pretty level-headed. But she does enjoy a classical music concert, there’s no denying that.
When Geoff, our co-producer, listened to the initial post-production he smiled and nodded as Jan communicated a response she receives after mentioning she’s from Kansas City to strangers she meets in her travels. Rachel and Geoff receive similar responses. In fact, the communication dynamic is so memorable and powerful Geoff included it in a story he wrote in November 2019. Be sure to listen close when Jan and Rachel start to discuss meeting new people while traveling. Have you received similar questions about the Kansas City area?
So, turn up your volume if you’re going to multitask while listening, or grab your favorite set of earbuds and your beverage of choice. Find a comfy spot and settle in. Relax and listen to Rachel and Jan take a meandering audio backroads drive through the subjects of music, Kansas, travel and more.
And, as always, thanks for listening and sharing this podcast with others.
In this month’s episode, Rachel talks with Deb Kohn and Cheryl Germann, Co-Coordinators of the Poetry Out Loud program in Kansas. They uncover the way that Kansas students can compete while also learning about poetry and performance.
Kansas Poetry Loud website
Watch Sarah Katsiyiannis, Khadija Ceesay, and Santiago Vasquez
Poetry Out Loud Kansas Facebook page
Twitter: @KSPOL
"Flight Path" a poem by Geoffrey Allison, read in this episode by Rachel Berbiglia
Building a Bookshelf
In this month’s episode, Rachel talks with Tony Helfrich, Director of Adventure Programs at McPherson College. They uncover the way that a passion for Kansas outdoors can add to the richness of experience for students at McPherson, while also teaching them life skills along the way.
McPherson College
Bulldog Adventures - @mcbulldogadv (instagram & twitter)
Shotgun Sports Program - @mcshotgunsports (instagram & twitter)
Horsethief Canyon
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
In this month’s episode, Rachel talks with Stephen Bridenstine of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Rachel uncovers the draw of the place. Hint: it sounds as though it caters to all ages, nature lovers and science lovers. The center is located in Manhattan, KS and so it can be both a destination in its own right as well as temporary exploratory stop as you and your family are out wandering the Sunflower State.
This month’s links are:
Flint Hills Discovery Center website
Greater Prairie Chickens
Lesser Prairie Chickens
Flint Hills Foundation
Flint Hills Learning Center - including maps
Hello, Kansas! Uncovering Kansas Podcast co-producer Geoff here, with this month’s show notes.
I pitched the idea for this month’s episode to Rach back in late May and, paraphrasing now, it went a little something like this:
“Not now,” I had said. “I understand things are still in a fragile state. But when we start to come out of the pandemic, I think we should send out invitations to several communities across Kansas. Offer them a chance to share a little about their community’s COVID story. However they want to tell it: it’s their story, after all. Whatever they want to share. The good. Or the bad. The uplifting, or sad. People will shoot straight. They won’t hide from the tougher bits they had to work through.”
We recognize we aren’t clear of the pandemic yet. There are new spikes. And concerns as winter approaches. There’s still work to be done. Together. And that’s why this may be the best time to share this episode. To remember the parts of the challenge met. The best efforts in the face of uncertainty. The human element.
We’re grateful to everyone who follows and listens and shares this podcast with others. Because of you, we’re growing. Because of you, we’re in a position to share bits and pieces of Pittsburg’s COVID-era story with the world. That’s right, Kansas. Uncovering Kansas has listeners from outside the (mostly) rectangular-shaped heart located smack dab in the center of the United States of America—the place we call home. Folks is interested, as ya might say. So, again, THANK YOU.
Stay safe and healthy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s episode.
Rachel sits down with kristopher swanson from The Neighboring Movement, a Wichita based community development organization to talk about how to uncover the unique assets you have in your own neighborhood. There is a parallel between the mission of Uncovering Kansas: to inspire Kansans to learn more about the gifts we have within our state, and the mission of the Neighboring Movement: to connect people with their neighbors as a way to help restore the social fabric and health of our neighborhoods.
Our hope is that this episode inspires you to get out and talk to your neighbors. Learn more about what unique gifts they have and build a relationship that creates a more enriching environment for you to live in.
Neighboring Movement website
The Neighbor Next Door Podcast
Asset Based Community Development Institute
Your co-producer, Geoffrey, here with show notes for the latest episode of Uncovering Kansas. Rachel talks with the hosts of the WORST COMIC PODCAST EVER. A fabulous episode of nerdom and the sharing of shared passions.
If I were writing a comic book script for these guys and their show it would begin like this:
Summary
Three longtime friends have a shared interest: comics. They decide to produce a comic books podcast and share it with the world. The content will be earnest. And smart. And, at times, when necessary, it will be serious because comic books, as a medium, are uniquely positioned due to their mix of both approachability and fantasy, to explore a multitude of topics impacting society writ large.
PAGE ONE
PANEL1 (half page)
We see an old dining room table set up in the middle of a room (garage, basement, backyard shed) acting as the gravitational center around which three different sized bodies orbit at varying degrees: three middle age men (John, Jerry, and Cullen). Cullen [see character description notes] carries an oversized Mac desktop, making ready to place it on the table. Jerry [see character description notes] untangles a rats nest of audio and ethernet cables already on the table, along with a couple microphones and mic stands. John [see character description notes] stands at the end of the table (farthest from viewer/reader), staring at the other two men. He holds a piece of chalk in the open palm of one hand. An old timey movable chalkboard looms behind him. We see PODCAST NAMES written across the top and several columns of suggested names underneath—all of which have been crossed out.
…
Listeners, the comic book themes I best remember are ones where the hero overcomes life’s struggles through the help of a friend. Sometimes the friend is another superhero. Better still, it is not. It’s a co-worker from the day job the hero’s alter ego keeps. Or it is words of encouragement issued by the owner of an alimentari located in an Italian neighborhood who knew the superhero BEFORE the “powers” and is therefore unimpressed by them and just talks straight and tells the hero like it is.
I went to high school with the hosts and producers of the WORST COMIC PODCAST EVER, although we ran in different circles. Sure I dig their podcast content. But what I dig even more is their lasting friendship. Relationships that transcend and extend prove more powerful than special powers and abilities. It may be THE special power—the most powerful of all the superpowers. Knowingly or not, in addition to comic fandom content, Jerry, John, and Cullen share their special bond through the Worst Comic Podcast Ever. I appreciate that. Hell, I applaud it. Thank you, gents.
Worst Comic Podcast Ever website
The Hero Initiative
Planet Comicon - Kansas City
Smallville Comicon - Hutchinson (3rd weekend in June - non Covid years) Jon Robinson
Free State Comicon - Lawrence
Free Comic Book Day
Comic Book Artists in Kansas:
Megan Levins
Ande Parks
Greg Smallwood
Jason Aaron
Greetings Uncovering Kansas listeners and supporters. June 2020's episode is about art and science and connections. Rachel sits down and talks with Kelly Yarbrough, an artist and a Kansan by choice. Of course, Kelly discusses her artistic process. She also talks about how the seasons and science of Kansas influences her creative effort. What becomes apparent is that Kelly is a connector. Whether as an artist to her audience, or as a citizen in her role as a territory rep for the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission, or in her roles with the Tallgrass Artist Residency Program or as Director of Community Programming at Prairiewood Preserve, Kelly creates and facilitates connections that enrich her audience and greater community through the promotion of art and creativity. It's a great episode. We look forward to sharing it with you. As always, we share a few links below related to topics discussed in the episode.
Kelly’s website
Tallgrass Artist Residency
Mattfield Green, Kansas
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Bank - contemporary art space
Matfield Station
Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission
There is no ‘they’ that fixes what needs fixing, or improves what needs improving. There is ‘us.’ You. And me. Kansans understand this. In this month’s episode Rachel talks with Lisse Regehr of Thrive Allen County, an organization convening, coordinating, and championing the ideas and efforts of Allen County residents. Listen to examples of a community converting an abandoned cement factory into usable community space and volunteers shaping trails for health and wellness. Efforts undertaken to improve the lives and conditions not only of its residents but those who visit, those today and tomorrow.
In April 2020’s episode of Uncovering Kansas, Rachel talks with Kansan Sage Scott, a travel blogger. They talk about travel vs vacation; of inspiring someone to travel and explore rather than attempting to influence visiting a specific spot or locale; and they give shout-outs and share BIG love for Abilene and Nicodemus Kansas. Sage Scott arrived in Kansas via a circuitous route. But she is plugged in now. Shining bright, lending her passion for, and experiences with, travel with the entire world. Please, listen to the episode. Share it with family and friends. And send us any comments or feedback you have.
We know everyone is self-isolating right now. And travel may not be possible right now. But before you know it, we’ll be traveling and exploring again because of the efforts of dedicated people—in Kansas and elsewhere—to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.
Everyday Wanderer
Abilene Kansas
Brookville Hotel
Mr. K’s Farmhouse
Volga German History Museum
Nicodemus Kansas
Brown vs Board of Education
Everyday Wanderer links to articles mentioned in the show:
Abilene
Nicodemus article
Kansas
Women’s history month
Brown v Board
Life Lessons for your big 0 birthday
Economic Development in Kansas is changing. A banner program and important effort driving this initiative is the Kansas Framework for Growth, a comprehensive strategy for economic growth in the coming 15-20 years. More than 1,000 Kansans have given their input into the process. We first heard of the strategy and program as citizens. And, wanting to engage in the process as interested citizens, we attended two different events. In this episode, Rachel talks with Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Patty Clark, about the outcome of the study and current status of the program.
Note: This episode was recorded before the effects (closures and self-isolation protocols, etc.) related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are unaware of any curtailments to the rollout process of the Kansas Framework for Growth and because we believe in the importance of the effort are releasing this episode per our original schedule for March. Please visit the website to discover how you can get involved and any impacts or changes to the calendar or events as a result of pandemic protocols.
Kansas Framework for Growth
Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Main Street Program
Get to Know a Kansan (links)
Symphony in the Flint Hills
Kansas State Parks (Cabin reservation info)
Depot Theater Company
Dodge City (Amtrak information)
Dwight D. Eisenhower (Presidential Library)
Were you aware that there is a group of Kansans providing thought leadership in the area of caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and seniors? In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Mike Strouse, CEO of Goodlife Innovations. Remember KC Pop Co? They are one of Goodlife's innovative life enrichment and skill development programs. Rachel sits down to listen and learn (uncover) how they are delivering the kind of life people they support want to lead, and how other agencies are looking to them in order to implement similar models across the country.
Rachel describes herself as a self-proclaimed Kansas Ambassador as does this month’s guests, Bryan Lisbona. Bryan is driven by the philosophy #lovewhereyoulive, and he invests in that philosophy and takes daily steps to live his truth. Through our conversation listeners will uncover details of Bryan and his family’s journey into small town life after their decision to leave one of the state’s (sub)urban areas. Listeners uncover the benefits of smaller towns, and why Kansas offers distinctive qualities of life such as knowing your neighbors; the ability, perhaps necessity, to get involved and impact your town in concrete ways; and living in communities whose energy wellspring is generated by the various personalities and characteristics and actions of the town-folk themselves, not by the depth of restaurant reservation wait-lists and number of new openings of entertainment venues.
We talked and uncovered A LOT, so the ‘links in the show notes” are pretty long!
Rural by Choice
Iola, KS
DeSoto, KS
Space Station
Nick Hague - Astronaut
Kinfolk Created
Kinfolk Creative
Nace Brothers
Garnett
Chanute
Humboldt
Thrive Kansas
Le Harp
Gas, KS
Kansas Sampler Foundation
Big Kansas Road Trip Episode Links
Gypsum Hills – listen to our episode about them
Johnathan Adams
Flint Hills Discovery Center
Johnson County Museum
Rachel and Geoff briefly review highlights from the podcast's second (2019) season, and discuss our upcoming 3rd season and beyond. A few side projects are shared with listeners and then -- WOW! Rachel uncovers for our listeners an absolutely fascinating figure from Kansas history. A pioneer, in multiple ways, Emanuel Haldeman-Julius.
Love frozen snacks? How about all natural ingredients, do they make you smile? Does the thought of a small business creating jobs that foster skill development and increased independence for people living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/D) make you smile from ear to ear? We are yes for all three and that’s why Rachel interviewed Ky Kanaman of KC Pop Co for the November ‘19 episode.
KC Pop Co is a small batch manufacturer of ice-pops whose kitchen facility is located in Baldwin City, on Midnight Farm. We learned of KC Pop Co while participating on the Farm Tour, and fell for KC Pop Co’s mission and approach. Sure, it may be a little colder outside while you’re listening to this. But, this is Kansas. We may get a 66F day in January. And, besides, summer gets closer with each passing day and frozen natural treats will soon be needed. Even for breakfast, to which Rachel can attest.
KC PopCo website
In September, we did an episode about the Kaw Valley Farm Tour. In this episode, you'll hear sounds from the tour and interviews we conducted at the farms
This month’s episode features our Get to Know a Kansan format, where listeners about a fellow Kansan’s passion and can see Kansas through their eyes. Join Rachel as she learns about Nancy Overmyer’s passion for creating art and jewelry out of gourds. You’ll learn what it means to ‘love the 745s’ and how Nancy sees unique patterns in each gourd.
Gooseberry Lane Facebook Page
Sunflower Gourd Patch
Silver Lake Kansas
Lonnie Kruger
Maple Leaf Festival
Baldwin City Kansas
Baldwin City Lumber Yard Arts Center
Lake Wabaunsee
Coronado Heights Castle
Tallgrass Prairie
Cottonwood Falls
Emma Chase Friday Night Concerts
Amelia Earhart
What’s a honey tap? Is there lanolin in alpaca? You can learn the answers by listening to the podcast and by attending the Kaw Valley Farm Tour. This year’s tour is October 5-6, 2019. It is also the 15th anniversary, featuring 34 farms located in five counties. Attendees are able to get an insider view of working farms and ranches and get to know the people who produce the food they consume and the materials that go into the products they buy. Uncovering Kansas loves encouraging our listeners to explore and learn about Kansas. Rachel interviews the owners of two of the farms participating in this year’s Kaw Valley Farm Tour: Spike and Patty Durkin of Happy Valley Farm, and Claudia Hey of Ad Astra Alpacas.
Kaw Valley Farm Tour
Happy Valley Farms
Ad Astra Alpacas
In this short BONUS episode for August 2019, Rachel talks with Bethany Falvey and Katrina Ringler of the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) about the special KSHS programming happening in Dodge City in September 2019.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival, which takes place each September in St. Marys, Kansas. For 2019, the festival features Twelfth Night along with an artisan village of about 50 craft and food booths along a forest path. The festival is a volunteer led event, another example of the power of people coming together to make something happen.
Our guest is Ben Moats, the President of the festival, and he and Rachel talk about the festival, the history of St. Marys, and the importance of bringing culture to towns across the state. The festival is in September (2019). Event and ticketing details can be found at the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival website. (Bring your own chairs and wear appropriate shoes for walking through the woods -- Shakespeare out in the open, as intended)
St. Marys Kansas
Most of us have experienced that always exhilarating, and sometimes frightening, feeling when we end up doing something we never quite expected doing. Chris Alexander's path took her from theater to stained glass to metal working. As co-owner of Alexander Artworks, Chris has found herself busier than she ever imagined as she and her co-owner husband try to keep up with orders. Rachel and Chris talk about metal working, the importance of personal connection, and what it's like to be a business owner in a small town. Chris' answers and responses during the Get to Know a Kansan section impressed, and Rachel captured her insights so our listeners can add to their list of places to check out when exploring Kansas.
Of course anyone can go online and research a trip. But it isn’t every day you’re able to get vacation planning ideas straight from the Director of a Visitors Bureau. That’s exactly what you’ll get in this (part II) episode. Rachel talks with Jan Stevens, the Director of the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau and Joni Whitman, the event coordinator for Dodge City Days.
Want to learn to mosey? have a hankering to try some Prickly Ash Bitters? or want to enjoy a rodeo? Then you’re sure to have yourself a great time in Dodge City!
It’s finally stopped snowing, and the rains have come, and the kids are getting out of school. You’re starting to plan your summer vacation. Part of our mission is to encourage Kansans to get out and learn more about our state, so we’ve put together a new travel episode series (that we’ll post every once in awhile) that allows you to listen to locals share places to see and things to do in their towns in order to give you ideas for your travel plans. For summer 2019, we are going to highlight 3 great towns for a summer vacation: Hays, Dodge City, and Manhattan.
In our first episode, we talk with Melissa Dixon, Executive Director of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. There are lots of things to do in Hays, and it makes a great base camp to explore the surrounding attractions. Whether you visit Fort Hays to see how the soldiers lived before there was I-70 to get us across the plains, or the world famous Sternberg museum for its amazing fossil collection, or spend the day at the aquatic park, you’ll enjoy yourself in Hays. If you go to Hays this summer, share pictures with us on our Facebook Page!
David Hanzlick is a native Kansan who has written a book titled Benevolence, Moral Reform, Equality: Women’s Activism in Kansas City, 1870-1940. Most of us have forgotten that the women’s movement started long before we started burning our bras in the 1960s. In the early days of Kansas City —when we were still a frontier town and a newly forming society— the women of Kansas City had a national voice in the push for equality under the guise of moral reform. This was the generation that brought child labor laws to the mainstream, introduced the concept of public kindergartens, and was successful in getting women seated on school boards for the first time.
We should never take for granted today the hard fought progressive milestones won in the days when Kansas City was beginning to be a railroad hub for the nation. David has brought together the story of how these women fought for equality, with the objective of ensuring a safe and positive home environment for their families.
The Kansas Sampler Foundation is dedicated to connecting Kansans across rural communities. One way they do this is through the Big Kansas Road Trip. This happens May 2-5 in 2019, and the Road Trip will be in Cheyenne, Sherman, and Wallace counties in northwest Kansas.
Here’s how Marci Penner, founder of the Kansas Sampler Foundation describes the event. “Create your own adventure at your own pace the same day that other people are doing the same thing.”
The Big Kansas Road Trip website
Cheyenne County Kansas website
Sherman County Kansas website
Wallace County Kansas website
Kansas Guidebook for Explorers
In 2018, we recorded 2 episodes about our experience during the 2018 Big Kansas Road Trip. Check them out:
2018 BKRT Highlights
2018 BKRT – The Experience
Angie Pickman is a Kansas artist with a national reputation. Angie imagines and creates artwork in her Lawrence studio that is a modern twist on the traditional Chinese art form of paper cutting. Her love of nature is front and center in her work and growing up in Kansas provided her with a wealth of inspiration.
In this Uncovering Kansas episode, Rachel talks with Angie about her round trip journey from Kansas to New York. While travelling her creative path Angie built both her talent and her fanbase, her career flourishes as a result. Rachel and Angie discuss how several stereotypes about Kansas no longer hold true. To learn more about Angie, please visit her website, Rural Pearl.
Once upon a time…
That’s a classic way to begin a story. And it’s the best way to begin this episode.
This month we share with listeners the story of the Kansas Storytelling Festival that takes place the last weekend in April in the town of Downs, Kansas. Rachel talks with Glennys Doane, one of the organizers of the Kansas Storytelling Festival who offers insights into an event that draws people from across the country for a weekend of storytelling. The festival is an annual celebration of stories and the art form of spoken word storytelling. Featuring a Tall Tale Contest, Local Legends, Children’s stories, Musical stories, and workshops for anyone who wants to learn more about this spoken-word art form. We’re certain listeners will uncover something interesting about this Kansas event.
Andy Wise found himself unmotivated by the conference rooms at his office filled with blank walls. Andy longed to see whiteboards at his workplace covered in art. A trip to his local library gave him an idea to create a robot that could be attached to the white board and draw whatever picture it was asked to draw.
And, so Andy created what he calls a drawing robot.
He is an example of someone participating in the Maker Movement – a DIY movement that started to gain momentum in 2005. Technology is often a component of this movement but it doesn’t have to be. We discuss Maker Spaces, locations designed for people to come together and work on projects. There are many of these found across Kansas: Andy refers to the Johnson County Library Makerspace in Overland Park. (Other examples are MakeICT in Wichita, and 712 Innovations in Topeka, and Fort Hays State Makerspace in the Forsyth Library.)
Listeners with certain Kansas interests, will note my conversation with Andy Wise includes the following:
Topeka, KS
Linn, KS
Barnes, KS
Lawrence, KS
Liberty Hall, Lawrence Kansas
Manhattan, KS
Kansas State Fair
John Steuart Curry
If you want to see the drawing robot in action, check out these links:
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BRB8HqPF3CF/(first successful drawing!)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BRT8Og7lVcX/(creation of man)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BRspk_8FrfY/(skull)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BWNyZ3rlFX2/ (collaborative doodles)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BX3VJdgFyMj/(Thom Yorke portrait)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BYOJQlhlj9S/(Chuck Close)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BcGNHc3Fd7B/(Santa Claus)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BhKiaOYFeoF/ (single-line "hello")
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BhMLmaIl0rl/ (mario 3D mesh)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BjnXxlmnxvr/ (two-color Big Lebowski)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn2XSd5H-4x/ (spiral American Gothic)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHNBSLHBTJ/ (yoshi dots)
If you want to make your own:
- com/play/drawing-robot
- com/id/Drawbot(instructions to create drawbot)
- com/andywise/drawbot(open-source code/software/etc.)
To learn more about Andy:
- com
- com/people/andy-wise
This mini-episode contains on-location interview with Wichita native and Kansas City Developer Dan Clothier, who gave us a tour of the Cedar Point Mill during the Chase County Christmas event (see episode 10). Cedar Point Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most fascinating buildings Geoff recalls ever having come across (Kansas is not immediately thought of as a place of old millhouses constructed of stone). The structure needs restoration. Learn about the process and efforts to restore this piece of history. And if interested in contributing to the efforts, you can donate through the Cedar Point Mill website.
More about the history of the Cedar Point Mill, here.
Note: in the episode, I refer to Dan as a volunteer, but he is also the owner of the mill.
Kansas is known, often infamously so, as a flat state. For those of us who have done some exploring, we know that isn’t true. There are plenty of flat stretches, certainly. But there are also areas where the hills undulate and take your breath away. The Flint Hills are spread across the central part of Kansas, and Manhattan is situated toward the upper end the expanse. In this episode, we will talk with Eric Doran, who has spent the last 10 years exploring the Flint Hills. Eric shares some of his favorite places to visit in and around Manhattan for those who love to explore nature and take in the beauty Kansas offers.
In November 2017, on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday during Thanksgiving weekend, we took a day trip to Chase County for their Country Christmas Festival. It was the community’s official Christmas season kick-off. Here’s a fun fact: The very first recordings we did for this podcast are in this episode! We needed to practice. More importantly we knew we’d return to Cottonwood Falls in November 2018 and the journey and experience was worth an episode. We’ve appended and updated these first recordings with an interview Rachel did with Toni Schneider, Chase County Chamber of Commerce Outreach Coordinator, in late October 2018. Toni and Rachel discuss details for this year’s celebration. There is a lot happening in Chase County on November 23 and 24 for kids and adults, including the Ugly Sweater 5k Run, the Holiday Home Tour, Arts and Craft Shows, Silent Auction, a visit from Santa, and the parade.
Please listen to the episode, we think you’ll enjoy it. And we hope you not only consider supporting small businesses during the holiday season but that you’ll consider visiting and supporting smaller communities as well. If you live in northeastern Kansas, Chase County is an easy and accessible drive from the suburbs and the community’s Christmas Festival is a great way to spend a day with family and friends.
While on the Big Kansas Road Trip, I came up with an idea to set up a pop-up restaurant in small towns in Kansas that can't support a wide variety or large number of restaurants. I think it would be fun, but can't pull it off by myself.
If you are interested in joining the effort to establish a pop-up restaurant in Kansas small towns, let me know - there is a form on our website that you can submit.
This is the second episode of the 3-part series about the 2018 Big Kansas Road Trip. This episode focuses on the experience we had on the trip. Specifically, the people we met.
As a reminder, the Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) is hosted by the Kansas Sampler Foundation – whose mission is to preserve, sustain, and grow rural culture by educating Kansans about Kansas and by networking and supporting rural communities. And the Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) is a multi-day event where people are encouraged to explore 3 Kansas counties that have been selected by Kansas Sampler Foundation.
In the background of the BKRT is a vibe. There’s a rhythm of hospitality offering a consistent experience not typically available to travelers. Because these small towns were expecting visitors from all across Kansas, they were ready and willing to engage. People from Kansas are always friendly – but this was more than just saying hello as you passed each other on the sidewalk. They were there to represent their town and talk to strangers and engage in conversations usually reserved for your closest friends.
This is the first in a three-episode series about the Big Kansas Road Trip.
2018 was the inaugural year for the Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT), a cultural event conceived by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, whose mission is to preserve, sustain, and grow rural culture by educating Kansans about Kansas and by networking and supporting rural communities.
Three Kansas counties and a specific weekend were chosen as the official venue and timeframe for the BKRT. The 2018 counties were Barber, Comanche, and Kiowa, located in the south-central region of Kansas (see map below). The towns within the designated counties rolled out the red carpet for visitors, who explored the area and interacted with locals to get firsthand accounts of places, history and legends.
This episode is about the highlights from the trip. To see the full show notes, check out our website.
On this episode, we uncover a unique program in Johnson County Kansas that enables and encourages commercial art-making by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Papercrete Works is a program created by Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) that marries art, commerce, and recycling to create an opportunity for clients of JCDS to earn an hourly wage.
I learned of the program’s existence when I visited their open studio at InterUrban ArtHouse.
The term Papercrete is used to describe a mixture of cement, water, and recycled paper that gets poured into molds to make flower pots, picture frames, paperweights, decorative bowls, and other art objects. The process requires a wide range of skill sets, and allows people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to put their skills to work for an hourly wage. Some people shred the recycled paper, some mix the concrete, others fill the molds, use fine motor skills to paint the items, and even learn sales and marketing skills when the items are sold at art shows or other events.
One of my goals for Uncovering Kansas is to help educate Kansans about interesting and innovative things going on in Kansas and to start conversations that discuss and challenge stereotypes. And I think Papercrete Works art studio does this. There are many ways to look at programs like this, but as soon as I walked into the Papercrete Works art studio, I knew this would be an enlightening interview for me. I sat down with Micah Wickstrom, Ben Koontz, Jaimie Cureton, and Deb Bartholomew to talk about the program. Michah is the Papercrete Works Program Coordinator, Deb is a JCDS Team Lead, and both Ben and Jaimie are clients of JCDS who are working for Papercrete Works.
I enjoyed learning about the success the program is having in just 2 ½ years. The program assists people like Ben and Jaime with necessary skills development to participate in the the community. To learn more about the program, check out their website. If you are in Johnson County, their open studio at InterUrban ArtHouse is on the 3rd Friday of each month.
Papercrete Works Website
On this episode of Uncovering Kansas, we talk to Sarah about foster care and her plan for Joy Meadows. We think that you’ll learn a lot about the state of foster care in Kansas and find that another innovative Kansan has come up with a great idea to help improve the system. (Note: this is an abridged version of the interview because we had such a great conversation!)
The foster care system in Kansas is facing some pretty big challenges. With about 7,600 children in foster care in Kansas, there are only about 2,700 approved foster families. This means that a lot of foster children are sleeping in a different location every night, or in the foster care offices on couches or cots.
Sarah Oberndorfer has come up with a plan to help address this issue by creating a community of foster homes in Basehor Kansas, called Joy Meadows. By creating a neighborhood where all of the homes are foster families, there is a built-in support structure that will reduce foster family burnout, increase capacity for foster children, and ensure more siblings get to stay together. In addition, the neighborhood will have a community center that will allow social services to come to the families, reducing the amount of time spent driving to and from appointments.
On this episode of Uncovering Kansas, we talk to Sarah about foster care and her plan for Joy Meadows. We think that you’ll learn a lot about the state of foster care in Kansas and find that another innovative Kansan has come up with a great idea to help improve the system.
Joy Meadows website
August is a time for County Fairs in Kansas. All County Fairs have the same key elements: animals, carnival rides and games, crafts, and plenty of food. We encourage you to change things up and visit a county fair in a county you’ve never been to. This way, you get to enjoy all of the traditional County Fair elements while also experiencing a part of Kansas you’ve never experienced before.
Here are the featured county fairs:
Dodge City Days July 27-Aug 5
Crawford County Fair Aug 1-4
Cowley County Fair Aug 2-6
Inter-State Fair and Rodeo Aug 13-18 – in Coffeeville Kansas
Yoder Heritage Days – Aug 25
In addition to County Fairs, here are some other festivals or events going on across Kansas in August:
Wild Bill Hickock Rodeo Aug 1-4
Abilene Kansas
This event features saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping, women’s barrel racing, bull riding! Over 500 cowboys and cowgirls compete for over $37,500 in added prize money, plus entertaining specialty acts between events!
Taste of Kansas Dinner Aug 4
Wakeeney Kansas
This farm to fork dinner brings the best of local Kansas cuisine to you at Shiloh Vineyard and Winery. Las Vegas trained chef & WaKeeney resident, Ean Mong will pair Kansas wines with dishes prepared using only Kansas ingredients for the multi-course dinner. Featuring musical entertainment by Lucas Maddy.
Ranching Saturdays Aug 4
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve – Strong City
experience daily activities on a working ranch. Living history interpreters demonstrate activities such as: stove cooking, music, gardening, quilting, carpentry, roping, fence repair, saddling, wool spinning, sewing, stall cleaning, and housekeeping.
The K&O Farm, Home, & Ranch Show Aug 17-19
Winfield Fair Grounds
The show features a tractor rodeo, garden and antique tractor pulls, arts-and-crafts show, and a variety of other attractions.
Sand Creek Summer Days Aug 17-19
Newton, Kansas
This is not your typical festival! Featuring a Floating Flotilla Parade, Human Foosball Tournament, Cardboard Regatta, and 80s costume contest in addition to all of the usual festival events.
Roots Festival Aug 24 -25
Paola, Kansas
Non-stop music is on the agenda, plus a BBQ Contest, and plenty of crafts and food.
In this episode of Uncovering Kansas, we talk with Kate McNair, Managing Editor of Elementia Literary Magazine, a publication written, edited, and produced completely by teens.
Website
In this episode of Uncovering Kansas, we talk with Mike Paget, the founder of Green Guitar Folk House, a music series in Lenexa that brings national touring singer songwriters into an intimate venue for people who love music.
Green Guitar Folk House Website
Green Guitar Folk House Facebook Page
In our first episode, we’ll cover what Uncovering Kansas is all about and how it came to be. We hope you are as excited about it as we are. We are working on getting iTunes set up, but in the meantime, please follow us on Facebook so that you can get updates when future episodes are released.