ABCDE Monday 

April 22, 2008

ABCDE – Better Together 

Greetings!  This is the one hundred tenth 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.

Cowley County Tourism Alliance

The Cowley County Tourism Alliance is meeting this Thursday at noon at the Gathering Place in Dexter.  If you plan to come, please let Sarah know so we will have an idea of how many to plan for.  620-221-2421 or tourism@winfieldpartners.org

ABCDE Countrywide Excursion Tour and Garage Sales

Over 25 garage sales and open houses are registered for the second annual ABCDE Area Wide Garage Sales and Countrywide Excursion Tour.  The even will be held this Saturday - April 26^th beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Sales and open houses will be held in each of the ABCDE communities – Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge, Dexter along with many rural business and farm/ranch tours.  Watch for the yellow signs.  A listing of the sales and tour is available on the ABCDE website www.cowleynet.com.

Cowley County Tourism Alliance – Tourism Week Photo Contest

Take a picture of your favorite spot in Cowley County, write an essay and enter it into the Cowley County Tourism Alliance Photo Contest.  The photo essays must be submitted by May 8^th to the Winfield or Ark City Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, see the attached flyer.

Flint Hills Tourism Coalition Visitor’s Guide

The Flint Hills Tourism Coalition is putting together a 2008 Visitor’s Guide.  The finalized ad campaign package is attached.  The goal is to have all the ads sold and print copy to New Boston's design team by April 25th.  For more information or to purchase an ad, please contact Donna Martin at 876-5497.

Kansas Sampler Festival

The annual Kansas Sampler Festival will be held in Concordia on May 3 and 4^th.  Cowley County will be represented by two booths – the Explore Cowley County booth and the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition.  Donna Martin will be attending the festival.  If you have brochures or information to be distributed, please contact her at paint@sktc.net or 876-5497.

Do you have an idea for a business?

Jack has assisted 25 businesses in Eastern Cowley County since ABCDE joined QUAD in July of 2006.

Business owners and those with business ideas in Eastern Cowley County 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, individuals and Cowley First assisted to pay the QUAD membership fee through December of 2008.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

Area Tourism Packaging Workshop

ABCDE is working to host a workshop on Packaging Area Tourism.  If you are interested in participating in the workshop, please contact Shannon at 876-3467 or shannonthom@hotmail.com. 

ABCDE Website

Don’t forget to visit www.cowleynet.com for information about the ABCDE project.

Upcoming Activities/Events

April 24          Cowley County Tourism Alliance Meeting, Dexter

April 26         ABCDE Area Wide Garage Sales and Countrywide Excursion

May 3^rd and 4^th Kansas Sampler Festival, Concordia

May 8^th          Cowley County Tourism Coalition Photo Contest Deadline

ABCDE Monday 

April 14, 2008

ABCDE – Better Together 

Greetings!  This is the one hundred ninth 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.

Cowley County Tourism Alliance

The CCTA is working on a Tourism Guide for the county.  Our input is extremely important for Eastern Cowley County.  Please e-mail your information to shannonthom@hotmail.com.  Tourism attractions are places to eat, visit, tour, stay, see, etc.  

Railroad Heritage Days

The First Annual Cowley County Railroad Heritage Days will be held on April 19^th and 20^th.  Events will be featured in each community.  Some scheduled events include:

          Saturday April 19^th

          Arkansas City – Railroad Family Fun Day, Wilson Park, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

          Mini-train Show – Wilson Park Rotunda, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

          Railroaders Reunion, Best Western, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Dexter – Harvey House Dinner - Gathering Place

The Gathering Place will be participating in Cowley County Railroad Heritage Days on Saturday, April 19th.

We will have a couple of characters from the railroad days of 'The Harvey House' to serve you, plus a there will be a lady who was around when the railroad era started in Dexter and she will share her story throughout the day.  The special meal of the day will be one served many times by 'The Harvey House' restaurants.

          Altanta – Harvey House Lunch, Senior Citizen’s

            Sunday April 20^th

            Arkansas City – Railroad Family Fun Day, Wilson Park, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information contact Connie Kimsey at the Ark City Chamber (620) 442-0236.

Flint Hills Heritage Conference

The 2008 Spring Heritage Conference will be held on April 18^th.  Please see the attached flyer for more information. 

ABCDE Countrywide Excursion Tour and Garage Sales

The ABCDE organization will again be sponsoring an area wide Garage Sale on April 26^th.  This year the day will also include the Countrywide Excursion Tour also know as the Spring Farm and Ranch Tour.  The goal is to include the ABCDE area communities, businesses and individuals who would like to have an open house or garage sale.  ABCDE will advertise and promote the fun day.  To sign up your Garage Sale or Open House, please send an e-mail to Wanda Headrick at gwhfarm@sktc.net.  A map of the sales and tour will soon be available on the ABCDE website www.cowleynet.com.

Cowley County Tourism Alliance – Tourism Week Photo Contest

Take a picture of your favorite spot in Cowley County, write an essay and enter it into the Cowley County Tourism Alliance Photo Contest.  The photo essays must be submitted by May 8^th to the Winfield or Ark City Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, see the attached flyer. ( Link to:  Flyer  |  Rules )

Flint Hills Tourism Coalition Visitor’s Guide

The Flint Hills Tourism Coalition is putting together a 2008 Visitor’s Guide.  The finalized ad campaign package is attached.  The goal is to have all the ads sold and print copy to New Boston's design team by April 25th.  For more information or to purchase an ad, please contact Donna Martin at 876-5497.

Do you have an idea for a business?

Jack has assisted 25 businesses in Eastern Cowley County since ABCDE joined QUAD in July of 2006.

Business owners and those with business ideas in Eastern Cowley County 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, individuals and Cowley First assisted to pay the QUAD membership fee through December of 2008.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

ABCDE Website

Don’t forget to visit www.cowleynet.com for information about the ABCDE project.

Upcoming Activities/Events

April 19-20      Cowley County Railroad Heritage Days

April 26            ABCDE Area Wide Garage Sales and Countrywide Excursion

May 3^rd and 4^th Kansas Sampler Festival, Concordia

May 8^th          Cowley County Tourism Coalition Photo Contest Deadline

ABCDE Monday 

April 7, 2008

ABCDE – Better Together 

Greetings!  This is the one hundred eighty first 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.  

Sorry no Regular Monday Messenger Today!  I've been a little busy!

 
Wade Kyle Martin
5lbs. 8oz.
 
Wyatt Raymond Martin
5lbs. 13oz.

________________________________________________________

ABCDE Monthly Meeting

The next ABCDE Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday, May 5^th at 7:00 p.m. in Cambridge. 

Cowley County Tourism Alliance

The CCTA is working on a Tourism Guide for the county.  Our input is extremely important for Eastern Cowley County .  Please bring your tourism attraction destinations to the next ABCDE meeting or e-mail to shannonthom@hotmail.com.  Tourism attractions are places to eat, visit, tour, stay, see, etc.  

Celebrate Cowley County Photo/Essay Contest

CCTA is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Photo/Essay Contest. Enter by May 8th by taking a photo of your favorite rural spot in the county and writing a short essay telling what makes the place so special. (Flyer) (Guidelines)

20^th Annual Community Economic Development Conference

The 2008 CED Conference will be held, Thursday, April 10, in El Dorado , Kansas with an optional networking dinner on Wednesday, April 9.  The conference will explore community economic development as a journey, not a destination.  Participants will learn what it takes to get a community READY; how to get SET through leadership, planning, and focus; and how to GO forth on a path to success.  This conference is sponsored by the Institute for Policy & Social Research at KU, the K-State Center for Engagement and Community Development, and the Kansas Department of Commerce. 

The keynote speaker will be Mark Drabenstott, Director of the RUPRI (Rural Policy Research Institute) Center for Regional Competitiveness.  The University of Missouri and RUPRI created the Center for Regional Competitiveness in September 2006 to be the nation’s leading source of information and analytics on regional development in the 21st century.   The Center helps public and private leaders in regions craft winning strategies in the global economy.  Prior to RUPRI, Dr. Drabenstott was the Director of the Center for the Study of Rural America at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City . 

Please visit the conference website http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/conferen/kcced/  for more information.

Come to Atlanta April 12^th!!

Visit Atlanta Saturday April 12 where cowboy poet and singer Del Shields will be performing at the community building.  The show begins at 7 pm.  From 5 to 6:30 a chuck wagon style meal will be served for only $10 per plate. There will also be sandwiches and other light refreshments available. For information and reservations call 394-2603 or 394-2365.  Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and 12 and under are $7.  Many people regularly enjoy Del on RFD TVs Best of America  by Horseback.  This will be a wonderful show and the proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Senior Center to help finish roof repairs.  Make plans now to join us in Atlanta on April 12th.

Railroad Heritage Days

The First Annual Cowley County Railroad Heritage Days will be held on April 19^th and 20^th.  Events will be featured in each community.  Some scheduled events include:

          Saturday April 19^th

           Arkansas City – Railroad Family Fun Day, Wilson Park, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

          Mini-train Show – Wilson Park Rotunda, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

          Railroaders Reunion , Best Western, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Dexter – Harvey House Breakfast and Dinner, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.,

Gathering Place

          Altanta – Harvey House Lunch, Senior Citizen’s

            Sunday April 20^th

            Arkansas City – Railroad Family Fun Day, Wilson Park, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Other events are planned for Winfield, Atlanta , Burden, Cambridge and Udall.  Watch for more information.  The festival contact person is Connie Kimsey at the Ark City Chamber (620) 442-0236.

ABCDE Countrywide Excursion Tour and Garage Sales

The ABCDE organization will again be sponsoring an area wide Garage Sale on April 26^th.  This year the day will also include the Countrywide Excursion Tour also know as the Spring Farm and Ranch Tour.  The goal is to include the ABCDE area communities, businesses and individuals who would like to have an open house or garage sale.  ABCDE will advertise and promote the fun day.  To sign up your Garage Sale or Open House, please send an e-mail to Wanda Headrick at gwhfarm@sktc.net.

Do you have an idea for a business?

Jack has assisted 25 businesses in Eastern Cowley County since ABCDE joined QUAD in July of 2006.

Business owners and those with business ideas in Eastern Cowley County 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, individuals and Cowley First assisted to pay the QUAD membership fee through December of 2008.  For more information contact Jack at (620) 249-2108.

Did you know?

QUAD has a new full color brochure describing the services.  If you would like some, please send an e-mail to shannonthom@hotmail.com. 

ABCDE Website

Don’t forget to visit www.cowleynet.com for information about the ABCDE project.

Upcoming Activities/Events

April 7              ABCDE Monthly Meeting, Burden, 7:00 p.m.

April 10             QUAD Monthly Meeting, Howard, 5:00 p.m.

April 12            Del Shields, Atlanta

April 19-20        Cowley County Railroad Heritage Days

April 26            ABCDE Area Wide Garage Sales and Countrywide Excursion

May 3^rd and 4^th Kansas Sampler Festival, Concordia  

May 8               Deadline for CCTA Photo/Essay Contest

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