March 2006 Newsletters
ABCDE
Monday Messenger
ABCDE – Better Together
Greetings! This is the seventh edition of the Monday Messenger. Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please send it to me at shannonthom@hotmail.com.
ABCDE Visioning Process
The ABCDE members decided at the last meeting to have Jean Warta facilitate a visioning session. The visioning process will assist us in creating a deep sense of purpose for our organization and what we are striving to create for the area. The session will be open to the public.
Jean is using the ABCDE project for her Master’s degree work. She will be developing a Marketing Plan for our area. The visioning session will be held in place of our next regular meeting – April 3rd in Burden. The session will start at 7:00 p.m. at either Emory or Melissa’s building.
“Lini Twirl” Coming to the Dexter Country Music Opry
Lini Twirl, Mini Pearl’s sister will be performing at the Dexter Country Music Opry this Saturday.
The first ever Dexter Country Music Opry will take place on April 1st at the Dexter School Gym. This is a fundraiser for the Dexter Economic Development Association.
The Opry will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be a nice evening of family entertainment. Tickets are available at the Grouse Valley Trading Company and TK’s Liquor in Dexter and the Winfield Chamber of Commerce. You can also purchase tickets from Yvonne Stone, Vicki Drake, Donna Martin or myself. For more information call 876-3467.
Central School Long Range Planning
A long range planning session will be held for USD 462 on March 28th. You have a choice to attend one of two meetings – 12:00 noon with lunch served or 6:30 p.m. with a light supper served. The meetings will be held at the Central Elementary School and all district patrons are encouraged to attend and give their input for the future.
Branding Your Downtown
Through the ABCDE project, we have joined the Kansas Downtown Development Association. Lonnie and SKT have paid our dues to this association. KDDA holds quarterly trainings and we can send up to 4 people to each training. The next one is April 6th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Belleville, Kansas. It is on Branding Your Downtown and will cover the steps to creating a brand image. If you are interested in attending the training, there is no charge for the training but you will have to pay your own way there. Please let myself or Lonnie know if you are interested.
“End of the Trail” Prairie Event
A new agritourism business in the ABCDE area is Cowboy Creek featuring an “End of the Trail” Prairie Event. Everyone can’t go on a cattle drive, but you can come experience what the last night of the cattle drive would have been like. You will be fed from an authentic chuck wagon served by the Conway crew of Cambridge and be entertained by Cowboy entertainment around the campfire. The longhorn cattle will be grazing only a few feet away as they would have been over a 100 years ago. The first date of the event is June 24th and reservations are being accepted. Other dates are being planned. Cowboy Creek also offers “sleeping under the stars on the prairie” in an authentic Native American Sioux tipi. For more information contact Vicki Drake at 876-3188.
Upcoming Activities/Events
March 28 USD 462 Long Range Planning Session
April 1, 6:30 p.m. Dexter Country Music Opry
April 21 Old Pickup Auction, Black Farm, Pickups from 1949-1954
May 7 Bike Race, Atlanta
June 14 Bike Across Kansas, Burden
June 24 “End of the Trail” Prairie Event
Next ABCDE Meetings
April 3, 6:30 p.m. ABCDE Board Meeting, Burden, Melissa or Emory’s Building
April 3, 7:00 p.m. ABCDE Membership Meeting, Burden, Melissa or Emory’s Building
To submit information for the newsletter, send an e-mail to Shannon Thom at shannonthom@hotmail.com.
ABCDE
Monday Messenger
ABCDE – Better Together
Greetings! This is the sixth edition of the Monday Messenger. Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please send it to me at shannonthom@hotmail.com.
ABCDE Visioning Process
Jean Warta with the Department of Commerce is using the ABCDE project for her Master’s degree work. She will be developing a Marketing Plan for our area. As a part of this work, she has asked if the group would be interested in creating a vision for the future of the area. The ABCDE members voted at the last meeting to have Jean facilitate a visioning session. It will be held in place of our next regular meeting – April 3rd. I will get back to you on the location.
The visioning process will assist us in creating a deep sense of purpose for our organization and what we are striving to create for the area. The session will be open to the public.
Dexter Country Music Opry
The first ever Dexter Country Music Opry will take place on April 1st at the Dexter School Gym. This is a fundraiser for the Dexter Economic Development Association. Some of the performers will be The Walnut River String Band, The Briar Patch, Micah Thom, Sarah Trillo, Jena Wedman and Daryl Schiff (Martina McBride’s father). Mini Pearl will also be featured.
The Opry will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be a nice evening of family entertainment. Tickets are available at the Grouse Valley Trading Company and TK’s Liquor in Dexter and the Winfield Chamber of Commerce. You can also purchase tickets from Yvonne Stone, Vicki Drake, Donna Martin or myself. For more information call 876-3467.
Central School Long Range Planning
A long range planning session will be held for USD 462 on March 28th. You have a choice to attend one of two meetings – 12:00 noon with lunch served or 6:30 p.m. with a light supper served. The meetings will be held at the Central Elementary School and all district patrons are encouraged to attend and give their input for the future.
Branding Your Downtown
Through the ABCDE project, we have joined the Kansas Downtown Development Association. Lonnie and SKT have paid our dues to this association. KDDA holds quarterly trainings and we can send up to 4 people to each training. The next one is April 6th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Belleville, Kansas. It is on Branding Your Downtown and will cover the steps to creating a brand image. If you are interested in attending the training, there is no charge for the training but you will have to pay your own way there. Please let myself or Lonnie know if you are interested.
Upcoming Activities/Events
March 28 USD 462 Long Range Planning Session
April 1, 6:30 p.m. Dexter Country Music Opry
April 21 Old Pickup Auction, Black Farm, Pickups from 1949-1954
May 7 Bike Race, Atlanta
June 14 Bike Across Kansas, Burden
Next ABCDE Meetings
April 3, 6:30 p.m. ABCDE Board Meeting, Burden
April 3, 7:00 p.m. ABCDE Membership Meeting, Burden
ABCDE
Monday Messenger
Greetings! This is the fifth edition of the Monday Messenger. Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter please send it to me at shannonthom@hotmail.com.
Marci’s Presentation and ABCDE Celebration
Be sure to attend Marci Penner’s slide presentation this Thursday, March 16th. This will be held in conjunction with the ABCDE Celebration. The presentation is sponsored by Cowley County, SKT, Kansas Gas Service and Professional Grant Services. It will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Grouse Valley Trading Company, 105 S. Main, Dexter. For more information on Marci and the Kansas Sampler Foundation, check out the website www.kansassampler.org.
Marci will be doing a book signing at 6:00 p.m. at the same location. You can also eat supper at The Gathering Place in the same building. I heard that Beef Brisket is on the menu for the evening!
Rural Development Grant Workshop
A grant workshop will be held tonight, March 13th, at the Burden Elementary Building from 6-8 p.m. The workshop will cover the USDA renewable energy and value-added grant programs. It is sponsored by Cowley County Farm Bureau.
THANKS TO THE FIRE FIGHTERS!!
Thank you to the many area fire fighters who have been battling the grass fires. The dry conditions are a natural disaster threatening many of us in the ABCDE area. We truly appreciate your help and admire the way that fire fighters work together. Just yesterday, Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge and Dexter firemen along others in the area worked together to battle the blaze on K-15 Highway. Their collaborative efforts are a great example of working together.
Bob and Remelle coming for the Opry!!
Bob Rogers of Canadian, Texas has agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies for the first ever Dexter Country Music Opry. Bob has been a great supporter of the Economic Development efforts in the area and is a good friend to many here. Bob is naturally funny and will be a great MC. Remelle Farrar will be attending the Opry with Bob.
The Opry will take place on April 1st at the Dexter School Gym. This is a fundraiser for the Dexter Economic Development Association. Some of the performers will be The Walnut River String Band, The Briar Patch Band, Micah Thom, Sarah Trillo, Jena Wedman and Darly Schiff (Martina McBride’s father). Mini Pearl will also be featured.
The Opry will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be a nice evening of family entertainment. Tickets are available at the Grouse Valley Trading Company and TK’s Liquor in Dexter and the Winfield Chamber of Commerce. You can also purchase tickets from Yvonne Stone, Vicki Drake, Donna Martin or myself. For more information call 876-3467.
ABCDE Volunteer “Stepping Out” Award
The first ever “Stepping Out” award was presented to Julie Headrick last Monday evening during the monthly ABCDE membership meeting. The award is presented to a community volunteer who goes “above and beyond”. Julie is involved with many community activities along with running a successful baking and cooking businesses (and raising four children). The award is a wooden chicken statue that I paid BIG bucks for at a second hand store. (Ha-Ha) The chicken has one foot forward which gave me the idea for the name - Stepping Out Award. Julie now has the honor of passing on the award to another volunteer at her recommendation.
Grouse Valley Trading Company
The Grouse Valley Trading Company opened its doors on Saturday, March 11th. The Gathering Place Sandwich was very busy with busloads of high school Forensic students. The Gathering Place is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m. Breakfast is served in the mornings. Sandwiches, Salads and Desserts are on the menu each day and a special hot meal is prepared for lunch on Sundays.
Thanks to the Burden folks who journeyed to Dexter to eat during the opening weekend. ABCDE is truly Better Together!!
Atlanta Melodrama
Tickets for the Atlanta Melodrama this weekend are going fast but there are still some available. They can be purchased from me by calling 876-3467. The dinner theatre is Saturday night and an afternoon matinee will be held on Sunday. The play is very funny and a fundraiser to help restore the Atlanta Community Building.
Branding Your Downtown
Through the ABCDE project, we have joined the Kansas Downtown Development Association. Lonnie and SKT have paid our dues to this association. KDDA holds quarterly trainings and we can send up to 4 people to each training. The next one is April 6th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Belleville, Kansas. It is on Branding Your Downtown and will cover the steps to creating a brand image. If you are interested in attending the training, there is no charge for the training but you will have to pay your own way there. Please let myself or Lonnie know if you are interested.
Upcoming Activities/Events
March 16, 6:00 p.m. Marci Penner Book Signing,
Grouse Valley Trading Company, 105 S. Main, Dexter
March 16, 7:00 p.m. Marci Penner Rural Culture Elements Presentation and ABCDE Celebration, Grouse Valley Trading Company,
105 S. main, Dexter
March 18, 5:30 p.m. and March 19, 3:00 p.m. Atlanta Melodrama, “Much Ado Out West”
April 1, 6:30 p.m. Dexter Country Music Opry
April 21 Old Pickup Auction, Black Farm, Pickups from 1949-1954
Next ABCDE Meetings
April 3, 6:30 p.m. ABCDE Board Meeting, Burden
April 3, 7:00 p.m. ABCDE Membership Meeting, Burden
ABCDE
Monday Messenger
Greetings! This is the fourth edition of the Monday Messenger. Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter please send it to me at shannonthom@hotmail.com.
ABCDE Monthly Meeting - Tonight
Don’t forget that the ABCDE monthly meeting will be held tonight at the Atlanta Café. The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. and the members will meet at 7:00 p.m. Come early and tour the MoJack facilities starting at 5:30. They are located across the street from the Café.
Some agenda items for tonight include: celebration plans, approval of the by-laws, updates on projects, and a special award. The award will be given to one of our members and you won’t want to miss this!!
Marci’s Presentation and ABCDE Celebration
Be sure to attend Marci Penner’s slide presentation on March 16th. This will be held in conjunction with the ABCDE Celebration. The presentation is sponsored by Cowley County, SKT, Kansas Gas Service and Professional Grant Services. It will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Grouse Valley Trading Company, 105 S. Main, Dexter. For more information on Marci and the Kansas Sampler Foundation, check out the website www.kansassampler.org. Marci will be doing a book signing at 6:00 p.m. at the same location.
Signs
If you need any signage, Bud Henderson of Cambridge does an excellent job. He makes vinyl banners, posters, stickers, etc. He is the person who made the ABCDE Mission Statement signs. He is very fast and does excellent work. His phone number is 876-3464 or e-mail ochend@sktc.net.
Dexter County Music Opry Performers
The first ever Dexter Country Music Opry will take place on April 1st at the Dexter School Gym. This is sponsored by the Dexter Economic Development Association. Some of the performers will be The Walnut River String Band, The Sexton’s, Micah Thom, Sarah Trillo, Jena Wedman and Darly Schiff (Martina McBride’s father). Mini Pearl will also be featured. The opry will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be a nice evening of family entertainment. Tickets are available at the Grouse Valley Trading Company and TK’s Liquor in Dexter. You can also purchase tickets from Yvonne Stone, Vicki Drake, Donna Martin or me. For more information call 876-3467.
Winfield Women’s Fair and Flinthills Aromatherapy
The Flinthills Aromatherapy will have a booth at the Winfield’s Women Fair on this Tuesday at Baden Square. The fair will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 8:00 p.m. Flinthills Aromatherapy will also have radio coverage from KSOK 95.9.
Grouse Valley Trading Company
The Grouse Valley Trading Company will open its door this Saturday, March 11th. Inside the historic building are two businesses. One is The Gathering Place Sandwich Shop. The Gathering Place will feature Sandwiches, Soups, Salads and Desserts. The Holiday House is an extension of the Stone Barn Mercantile and will carry items completely different than the barn. It will have holiday and seasonal gifts available year round. Watch for Grand Opening details coming soon!
ECCA
The Eastern Cowley County Advocate is our local newspaper that is published once a month. A new addition came out last Saturday and can be picked up at area businesses. Subscriptions run $13.00 per year. For more information, e-mail easterncowleycountyadvocate@yahoo.com.
Training on Branding Your Downtown
Through the ABCDE project, we have joined the Kansas Downtown Development Association. Lonnie and SKT have paid our dues to this association. KDDA holds quarterly trainings and we can send up to 4 people to each training. The next one is April 6th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Belleville, Kansas. It is on Branding Your Downtown and will cover the steps to creating a brand image. If you are interested in attending the training, there is no charge for the training but you will have to pay your own way there. Please let myself or Lonnie know if you are interested.
Next ABCDE Meetings
March 6, 6:30 p.m. ABCDE Board Meeting, Atlanta Cafe
March 6, 7:00 p.m. ABCDE Membership Meeting, Atlanta Cafe
Upcoming Activities/Events
March 16, 6:00 p.m. Marci Penner Book Signing,
Grouse Valley Trading Company, 105 S. Main, Dexter
March 16, 7:00 p.m. Marci Penner Rural Culture Elements Presentation and ABCDE Celebration, Grouse Valley Trading Company,
105 S. main, Dexter
March 18, 5:30 p.m. and March 19, 3:00 p.m. Atlanta Melodrama, “Much Ado Out West”
April 1, 6:30 p.m. Dexter Country Music Opry
April 21 Old Pickup Auction, Black Farm, Pickups from 1949-1954