ABCDE Monday Messenger

ABCDE – Better Together

Greetings!  This is the thirty-eighth edition of the Monday Messenger.  Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project and area.  ABCDE consists of local residents from Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge, Dexter and Eastern Cowley County working together for community development.  If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please send it to shannonthom@hotmail.com.  Thanks – Shannon Thom Martin, ABCDE Chairman

ABCDE Monthly Meeting

The next ABCDE meeting will be held Monday, November 6, at the Bud and Jan Nitschke home.  The regular membership meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m.  A board meeting will be held beginning at 6:15 for board members.  This is to meet the required number of board meetings according to the bylaws and for discussion on progress of the project.

Kansas Downtown Development Association (KDDA)

Members from ABCDE attended the annual KDDA meeting and Governor’s banquet last week.  The ABCDE organization is a member of the KDDA and regularly sends members to trainings.  A training on Customer Service was held the next day following the banquet, along with a motivating presentation by Jim Richardson, a National Geographic Society Photographer.  Handouts from the training will be available at the next ABCDE meeting.

Dexter Fall Festival

Dexter will be holding its second annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 4^th.  Events will include a Craft/Vendor Market, fall activities at the Stone Barn Mercantile, breakfast and lunch at the Gathering Place, walking tour of Dexter and Dexter Country Music Opry in the evening.  Tickets ($10/adult and $4/children) are available for the Opry by calling (620) 876-3467 or (620) 876-3374.

Dexter Country Music Opry

The Dexter Country Music Opry (Saturday night) is proud to have Bob Rogers return as the Master of Ceremony.  Linnie Twirl, who is Minnie Pearl’s sister, will join him on stage along with some other surprise guests.  Musical performers will include Briar Patch Band, Jena Wedman, Kathy Moon, Ashley Dobbs, Micah Thom, Kaylie Berkley, Sara Trillo, Tara Minor and more to come.

Marketing Poll

A few weeks ago, a poll was conducted to identify where residents in the ABCDE area go to get news.  Here are the results.  The following responses were listed multiple times by those who responded to the poll – Winfield Courier (print and on-line), Ark City Traveler (print and on-line), KSOK radio, SKT On-line/Cable Calendar, Monday Messenger e-mail, and flyers.  These also received a few responses – KSN television, Wichita Eagle, ECCA, KZSN radio, and KFDI radio.  I’m sure that the results are not scientific but hopefully we can use this information for marketing of events and businesses.

Agritourism Scholarships

The Agriculture Marketing Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce is sponsoring $30,000 in scholarships to help Kansas agritourism operators attend conferences, seminars and educational tours. Funds may be used to offset the following costs related to the trip: vehicle rental, lodging, airfare, motor coach costs, consultation fees charged by the business being visited, admission fees to model attractions or events, insurance for trip participants for the duration of the trip or shared educational materials purchased for or during the trip.   Collaborative proposals involving multiple regional or market group partners will receive priority designation.   Applications will be accepted until Nov. 15 and are available online at www.kansasagritourism.org. Awards will be announced by Dec. 15.

FREE Business Coaching

It’s free to you!!  For the next 14 months, business owners and those with business ideas have access to a Professional Business Coach.  His name is Jack Newcomb and he is available for free, confidential advice and he will even come to you.  Through the ABCDE program, we have joined the Quad EF project and have access to their business coach.  Many local banks, businesses and the county assisted to pay the Quad membership fee through December of 2007.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

From Lynn Norris…….

Benefit Breakfast

Saturday, November 11. Dexter  Senior Center. 8:00 a.m.  - 10:00 a.m.  Come visit with members of the Shadid Family. A presentation about the progress of Lighthouse Library will be presented featuring the Cowley County Road Crews. A 3-D Demo. of the proposed library will be shown. The Business Plan will be available for interested financial institutions with members in attendance. Anyone is welcome to view the business plan. A scrapbook about the library will be on display.  The Lighthouse Stained Glass Window that was donated for the front window by a Wichita resident will be on display. Friends of Lighthouse Library membership information will be explained.  A special Speaker will be present.  The breakfast will be free and tax-deductible donations will be accepted. For more information, e-mail ECCRC at: eccresourcecenter@yahoo.com.  Your RSVP is appreciated to help plan the food amount.

Holiday Food Boxes

Seventy-Five Thanksgiving Holiday Food Boxes will be given out on November 18th at 11:30 at ECCRC, 408 Hwy. 160 in Burden.   Volunteers are needed to help box food. Donations of certain food products are needed. Please contact ECCRC for the updated list of needs. This is the only organized food distribution program for the Thanksgiving Holiday in Cowley County.

Heartland Shares are back at ECCRC. Visit the ECCRC website for the menu & for order details at: http://www.freewebs.com/eccrc/index.htm.  Orders will be taken Sat. at ECCRC from 9:00 a.m. - noon. Or persons may order by e-mailing ECCRC. This is a community food program to promote community volunteering. Persons who order must volunteer two hours in their community.

ECCA   Deadline for the Advocate is Tuesday for ads & news. The Advocate will be out on Friday afternoon, November 2nd. E-mail news items & ads to: easterncowleycountyadvocate@yahoo.com.  The Advocate is a non-profit service of ECCRC. Proceeds help fund the food bank & the Holiday food drive.

Upcoming Activities/Events

November 4                 Fall Festival and Country Music Opry, Dexter

November 6                 ABCDE Meeting, BJN Ranch, 7:00 p.m.

November 11               Lighthouse Library Benefit Breakfast, 8:00 a.m.

ABCDE Monday Messenger

ABCDE – Better Together

Greetings!  This is the thirty-seventh edition of the Monday Messenger.  Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project and area.  ABCDE consists of local residents from Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge, Dexter and Eastern Cowley County working together for community development.  If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please send it to shannonthom@hotmail.com.  Thanks – Shannon Thom Martin, ABCDE Chairman

Kermit Headrick

One of our ABCDE members and a board member, Kermit Headrick, suffered a stroke last week.  He is now out of ICU and working with a therapist.  Kermit is at St. Francis in Wichita, room 842.  His room phone number is (316) 268-4842.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Eastern Cowley County Fall Farm and Ranch Tour

The first ever Eastern Cowley County Fall Farm and Ranch Tour went well.  Six eastern Cowley County businesses/farms/ranches held an open house on Sunday.  Several locations on the tour reported a steady stream of visitors including many new customers.  The Fall Tour Committee will meet after the next ABCDE monthly meeting to discuss the tour and ideas for next year. 

Business Plan Workshop

A workshop on writing Business Plans will be given tonight, October 23^rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Grouse Valley Trading Company in Dexter.  Providing business development workshops is a strategy of the ABCDE project.  The workshop will feature a Business Plan writing outline created by the Kansas Small Business Development Center.  Lisa Roberts of Cowley College will lead the presentation.  A nominal fee of $5.00 per person will be charged. 

Friday Night Fright

The Stone Barn Mercantile will be holding Friday Night Fright this Friday, October 27 from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.  Come tour the corn maze by flashlight and be aware - you might run into some shady characters while lost in the corn.  Scary movies will be playing in the barn and a bonfire may help keep the spooks away.  Cost $4.00 per adult, $2.00 per student.  The barn gift shop and corn maze are also open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Cambridge Hunted House

Come visit a hunted house in Eastern Cowley County.  The home in Cambridge will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Vendors Wanted

Crafters and vendors are wanted for the Dexter Fall Festival on Saturday, November 4.  Booth space is available at the Stone Barn Mercantile and on Main Street.  For more information contact (620) 876-3467.

Dexter Fall Festival

Dexter will be holding its second annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 4^th.  Events will include a Craft/Vendor Market, fall activities at the Stone Barn Mercantile, walking tour of Dexter and Dexter Country Music Opry in the evening.  Tickets ($10/adult and $4/children) are available for the Opry by calling (620) 876-3467 or (620) 876-3374.

Agritourism Scholarships

The Agriculture Marketing Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce is sponsoring $30,000 in scholarships to help Kansas agritourism operators attend conferences, seminars and educational tours. Funds may be used to offset the following costs related to the trip: vehicle rental, lodging, airfare, motor coach costs, consultation fees charged by the business being visited, admission fees to model attractions or events, insurance for trip participants for the duration of the trip or shared educational materials purchased for or during the trip.   Collaborative proposals involving multiple regional or market group partners will receive priority designation.   Applications will be accepted until Nov. 15 and are available online at www.kansasagritourism.org. Awards will be announced by Dec. 15.

Next ABCDE Meeting

The next monthly meeting of the ABCDE organization is Monday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.  It will be held at the beautiful home of Bud and Jan Nitschke, located north of Dexter, ¼ mile straight east of the curve on K15.  Please send in your agenda items and progress reports. 

FREE Business Coaching

It’s free to you!!  For the next 14 months, business owners and those with business ideas have access to a Professional Business Coach.  His name is Jack Newcomb and he is available for free confidential advice and he will even come to you.  Through the ABCDE program, we have joined the Quad EF project and have access to their business coach.  Many local banks, businesses and the county assisted to pay the Quad membership fee through December of 2007.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

Upcoming Activities/Events

October 23                  Business Plan Writing Workshop, 6:30 p.m. Grouse Valley Trading Company, Dexter

November 4                 Fall Festival and Country Music Opry, Dexter

November 6                 ABCDE Meeting, BJN Ranch, 7:00 p.m.

ABCDE Monday Messenger

ABCDE – Better Together

Greetings!  This is the thirty-fifth edition of the Monday Messenger.  Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project and area.  ABCDE consists of local residents from Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge, Dexter and Eastern Cowley County working together for community development.  If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please send it to shannonthom@hotmail.com.  Thanks – Shannon Thom Martin, ABCDE Chairman

Error in Newspaper

The Eastern Cowley County Advocate (ECCA) was printed last week and included an article about the ABCDE project.  The article stated that the annual election meeting would be held in November.  This is not accurate.  The election meeting will be held in January according to the group’s bylaws. 

Eastern Cowley County Farm and Ranch Tour

Make plans now to travel to beautiful Eastern Cowley County for the first ever Fall Farm and Ranch Tour.  Six farms and ranches will be holding an open house on Sunday, October 22.  The following businesses will be open from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Headrick’s Greenhouse, Flinthills Aromatherapy, Backdoor Upholstery, BJN Ranch, Stone Barn Mercantile, Cowboy Creek.  Maps are available at each location and will soon be on the ABCDE web at www.cowleynet.com.

Business Plan Workshop

A workshop on writing Business Plans will be given on October 23^rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Grouse Valley Trading Company in Dexter.  Providing business development workshops is a strategy of the ABCDE project.  The workshop will feature a Business Plan writing outline created by the Kansas Small Business Development Center.  Lisa Roberts of Cowley College will lead the presentation.  A nominal fee of $5.00 per person will be charged.  For more information contact Vicki Drake at 876-3188.

EF Annual Meeting

The Annual Quad EF Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 14^th in Fredonia.  Items are still being sought after for the silent auction.  For more information contact Julie Headrick at (620) 394-2794.

Vendors Wanted

Crafters and vendors are wanted for the Dexter Fall Festival on Saturday, November 4.  Booth space is available at the Stone Barn Mercantile and on Main Street.  For more information contact (620) 876-3467.

Dexter Fall Festival

Dexter will be holding its second annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 4^th.  Events will include a Craft/Vendor Market, fall activities at the Stone Barn Mercantile, walking tour of Dexter and Dexter Country Music Opry in the evening.  Tickets ($10/adult and $4/children) are available for the Opry by calling (620) 876-3467.

Art in the Park

A wonderful time was provided at the annual Art in the Park in Winfield last weekend.  Kris Hotchkin and Brian Kuntz, local artists, had booths at the event. 

Headrick Greenhouse Fall Items

Headrick’s Greenhouse in rural Atlanta has fall flowers available.  Come see the large selection of mums, flowering kale, flowering cabbage and pansies.  Call Mary and Kermit for directions (620) 394-2385.

Rural Business Symposium

A Rural Business Symposium will be held on Friday, October 13^th in Halstead.  Its purpose is to build knowledge among small business owners in rural communities.  For more information visit: www.COC.HalsteadKansas.com.

BJN Ranch

If you would like a taste of fall, visit the BJN Ranch, 14 miles east of Winfield or 4 miles north of Dexter.  The Nitschke’s provide an enjoyable three-hour tour of their ranch including a tractor-trailer ride.  A meal is served all for only $5.00 per person.  For reservations, call 876-5496.

Agritourism Scholarships

The Agriculture Marketing Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce is sponsoring $30,000 in scholarships to help Kansas agritourism operators attend conferences, seminars and educational tours. Funds may be used to offset the following costs related to the trip: vehicle rental, lodging, airfare, motor coach costs, consultation fees charged by the business being visited, admission fees to model attractions or events, insurance for trip participants for the duration of the trip or shared educational materials purchased for or during the trip.   Collaborative proposals involving multiple regional or market group partners will receive priority designation.   Applications will be accepted until Nov. 15 and are available online at www.kansasagritourism.org. Awards will be announced by Dec. 15.

FREE Business Coaching

It’s free to you!!  For the next 14 months, business owners and those with business ideas have access to a Professional Business Coach.  His name is Jack Newcomb and he is available for free confidential advice and he will even come to you.  Through the ABCDE program, we have joined the Quad EF project and have access to their business coach.  Many local banks, businesses and the county assisted to pay the Quad membership fee through December of 2007.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

Upcoming Activities/Events

October 14                  Tisdale United Methodist Church Lord’s Acre Sale

                                    Quad EF Annual Meeting, Fredonia

October 22                  Eastern Cowley County Farm Tour, 1-5 p.m.

October 23                  Business Plan Writing Workshop, 6:30 p.m. Grouse Valley Trading Company, Dexter

November 4                 Fall Festival, Dexter

To submit information for the newsletter, send an e-mail to Shannon Thom Martin at shannonthom@hotmail.com.

ABCDE Monday Messenger

ABCDE – Better Together

Greetings!  This is the thirty-fourth edition of the Monday Messenger.  Its purpose is to bring you current information about the ABCDE project and area.  ABCDE consists of local residents from Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge, Dexter and Eastern Cowley County working together for community development.  If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please send it to shannonthom@hotmail.com.  Thanks – Shannon Thom Martin, ABCDE Chairman

ABCDE Membership Meeting October 2

A membership meeting will be held tonight October 2^nd in Dexter at the Grouse Valley Trading Company.  The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a presentation from the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition.   Julie is collecting donated items for the Quad Enterprise Facilitation Annual Meeting.

Headrick Greenhouse Fall Items

Headrick’s Greenhouse in rural Atlanta has fall flowers available.  Come see the large selection of mums, flowering kale, flowering cabbage and pansies.  Call Mary and Kermit for directions (620) 394-2385.

Business Development Seminar in Wellington

The Cowley Workforce Center, in conjunction with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Sumner County Economic Development Commission, is inviting local business leaders to attend a free business development seminar Oct. 5 at the Raymond Frye Complex in Wellington from 1 – 4 p.m.  To reserve your place at the seminar, or for more information, contact Shelley Hansel with the Wellington Chamber at (620) 326-7466 or shansel@sutv.com; or Janis Hellard at the Sumner County Economic Development Commission at (620) 326-8779 or jhellard@co.sumner.ks.us. Reservations should be made by Sept. 29.

Rural Business Symposium

A Rural Business Symposium will be held on Friday, October 13^th in Halstead.  Its purpose is to build knowledge among small business owners in rural communities.  For more information visit: www.COC.HalsteadKansas.com.

Agritourism Scholarships

The Agriculture Marketing Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce is sponsoring $30,000 in scholarships to help Kansas agritourism operators attend conferences, seminars and educational tours. Funds may be used to offset the following costs related to the trip: vehicle rental, lodging, airfare, motor coach costs, consultation fees charged by the business being visited, admission fees to model attractions or events, insurance for trip participants for the duration of the trip or shared educational materials purchased for or during the trip.   Collaborative proposals involving multiple regional or market group partners will receive priority designation.   Applications will be accepted until Nov. 15 and are available online at www.kansasagritourism.org. Awards will be announced by Dec. 15.

Flint Hills Aromatherapy

Wanda Headrick of Flint Hills Aromatherapy made a presentation this week on "Ignite your senses, awaken your mind, unlock your energy with Aromatherapy" to a luncheon group at the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains.  It was a wonderful crowd and they were very into the use of Aromatherapy.  Wanda sold out of all of the products she had brought!!

FREE Business Coaching

It’s free to you!!  For the next 14 months, business owners and those with business ideas have access to a Professional Business Coach.  His name is Jack Newcomb and he is available for free confidential advice and he will even come to you.  Through the ABCDE program, we have joined the Quad EF project and have access to their business coach.  Many local banks, businesses and the county assisted to pay the Quad membership fee through December of 2007.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

Vendors Wanted

Crafters and vendors are wanted for the Dexter Fall Festival on Saturday, November 4.  Booth space is available at the Stone Barn Mercantile and on Main Street.  For more information contact Shannon Thom Martin at (620) 876-3467.

Upcoming Activities/Events

October 2                    ABCDE Meeting, Dexter

October 7                    Burden United Methodist Church Lord’s Acre Sale

October 14                  Tisdale United Methodist Church Lord’s Acre Sale

October 21-22             Eastern Cowley County Farm Tour