May 2005 News

May 31, 2005 Tuesday

I've started reading blogs.

For five or six months, I've kept up with Peg Britton's blog. She lives in Ellsworth (which is close to "home" for me.)

In one of today's entries, Peg mentions a friend's mother in western Kansas who collected "phrases that were common in the culture of that area" such as... "Had I knowd." (See Peg's blog- 5/31.)

But one of the reasons I enjoy Peg's blog so much is that she herself has an interesting way of putting words together:

Also, I mowed Kansas. Just so you know.

He's at the Saturday market along with the other vendors located near the railroad tracks across from where my grandparents hotel once stood. You all know where that is.

Since they transported him there from Ellsworth, he will be an easy find.

What a Ringo he is. He is so full of vinegar that we need a yard full of young energetic boys to play with him. He's a blur as he runs through this house, up and down the stairs, like his pants were on fire.

In addition to the blog, Peg has a lovely and comprehensive web site for Ellsworth County and that general area of Kansas. www.kansasprairie.net.

May 30, 2005 Monday

“I started this business 27 years ago by working for my former employers as if the business was my own and building a reputation,” (Mel) Reed said.

Wow. Isn't that a nice way to look at your job?

I found Mel's quote in this news release from ESU's Small Business Development Center. (also see May 28 entry below.)

***

I bought gas a few minutes ago. Cheap. $1.97. But, even at that ridiculously low price, it's hard to stop the pump at an even number.

If you overshoot $17, then you try for 17.50 and when it stops at 17.52, you say, "Oh shoot," and try for $18. It is, easier however, to squeeze another dollar's worth into the tank these days because a dollar's worth takes up very little space.

May 29, 2005 Sunday

When did they change the number on Kansas Highway 57?

I didn't get the memo.

Before we headed off to Neosho Falls yesterday, Dave looked at the map (the brand new 2005-2006 Official Kansas State Transportation Map) and said, "Turn east on K-58 at Madison."

"You mean K-57," I said

"The map says 58."

"Well, the map's wrong."

I didn't think to pay attention to the road signs on the way to Madison (it's always been K-99/K-57). But when we got to Madison to head east, I did notice that the sunflower sign said K-58.

"It is K-58," I said. "When did they change it? And why?"

"It must have been easier to change the signs than to change all the maps," Dave suggested.

May 28, 2005 Saturday

Last weekend at the Flatland Cruisers Car Show, I ran into one of my favorite people -- Mel Reed.

I've liked Mel since the day I first walked into Breck's Tire in the mid-80s. I'd always wait in the lobby while my car was getting new CV boots or while the tires were being rotated and I watched how Mel dealt with people. He knows tires and he's friendly and has an incurable streak of integrity. It's impossible not to like the guy.

In 2002, Mel Reed and his associates (Todd Preisner, Joe Drier, Allen Mize) started Mel's Tire and the entire staff has been providing a great service to the community.

And here's some news-- Entrepreneur Magazine has named Mel's Tire as No. 94 on its 2005 list of the 100 Fastest Growing New Businesses in America. How cool is that? Pretty impressive, I'd say.

The news was mentioned in tonight's Emporia Gazette. Earlier this year Mel's Tire was named Emerging Business of the Year by the Small Business Development Center at Emporia State University. And in April, readers of the Emporia Gazette voted Mel's Tire as "Best Tire Store" of the Flint Hills.

Of course, I've known for a long time that Mel was a great businessman and all-around good guy. Two years ago, I included him in a column: "Ain't That Emporia"

Last night, in a conversation about exploring Kansas, our friend Tom Haskett mentioned Neosho Falls. This morning when Dave and I decided to take a road trip, I suggested we head southeast and Dave said, "How about Neosho Falls?" We slipped through Olpe, Madison, Lamont, Gridley, then took the long way..going through Yates Center (for lunch) before visiting St. Martin's Church in Piqua and then finally arriving at Neosho Falls (pop. 180). Apparently, the '51 flood was the undoing of Neosho Falls. This photo shows the old school--abandoned since the '60s. A lot of the town was overgrown, but we liked the place.

May 26, 2005 Thursday

"How do you like these Colorado mornings?" a man asked me today.

After an overnight low in the 50s, that's what it felt like. Now all I need is the smell of stepped-on pine needles and I'd almost be able to feel the pull in my quadriceps as if I were on a hiking trail high above Ouray, Colorado.

Box Canyon Falls in Ouray is one of the most magnificent places on the planet. You're inside a rock canyon and water bounces off the walls, ricocheting around you. Standing in the cold mist, the noise and the power and the rush of the water feels like a spiritual experience.

OK, this is a Kansas poem, "After Vacation" but it includes a few lines about Box Canyon Falls.

May 25, 2005 Wednesday

It has to be somewhere--the world's largest stained-glass flag--so it's here on the south wall of the Dole Institute of Politics on the west campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence. It's 40 feet high, has 960 pieces and, weighs one ton (not that it's likely to be moved anytime soon) and cost $200,000. Flanking the flag are steel columns recovered from the World Trade Center.

Displays along the walls tell the story of Sen. Bob Dole's life using memorabilia, photos, documents, and video clips.

The Russell Window   Bob Dole's tribute to his parents. This is a 22' window and faces the east.

I made a trip to Lawrence today to once again pester the kind people at Kansas Public Radio. While in town I visited the Dole Insitute for Politics. It's an impressive building. www.doleinstitute.org.

I didn't study all of the exhibits, but there is an extensive and well-arranged display. And I'm sure the archives have everything a person would want to know about Bob Dole.

Lawrence has changed so much since I went to KU. There is a whole other town west of Iowa Street now. It's all new out west and Lawrence is growing like crazy.

(Surely you've figured it out, but the answer to the picture puzzle below is...

...fly over people.)

May 23, 2005 Monday

My neck was all out of whack this morning, so I had to rearrange my day and visit my chiropractor, Dr. Noble. In addition to putting my neck back where it belonged, he entertained me with this puzzle. Can you guess what this puzzle is saying? (I'll post the answer in a few days.)

What's the deal? I heard on a Topeka TV station this morning that gas there was $1.89. Here in Emporia, it ranges from $2.03 to 2.09.  I doubt that it's worth driving 50 miles to save 20 cents a gallon on gas, but if you're up there, fill-er-up.

If you're as old as I am, you probably remember driving over a pressure hose (ding-ding) at the service (!) station and the station attendant (!) stepping outside to put gas in your car. And you'd tell him "Fill 'er up" or if you were low on cash, you might say "$2.00 worth." (Of course, back then, $2.00 worth probably filled the tank.) Then he'd clean your windshield and check your oil (every time) and if you'd ask, he'd check the pressure in your tires (for free).

Yes, boys and girls, those really were the good old days.

May 22, 2005 Sunday

After spending most of the day putting words on the computer screen...and rearranging paragraphs...deleting, then adding more words, and still coming up 200 words shy of a column, I took a short drive in the country. Hadn't been to Olpe lately, so I headed south.

Golfers were out on the municipal course, battering away at balls. The wheat is growing--it's probably more than a foot tall. And pastures are full of wildflowers. There was a field of white flowers--don't know what they were, but it was a beautiful scene.

Since I wasn't able to listen to Trail Mix (my favorite music program) on Kansas Public Radio while I was at home writing (I had to concentrate), I turned up the radio in the car and listened to John Prine, Lori McKenna, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Bob McWilliams mentioned that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (remember "Mr. Bojangles"?) is going to play at the Franklin County Fair in Ottawa on June 11.

Something was going on in Olpe, but I don't know what. Cars were clustered around the high school/Methodist Church area.

Speaking of Olpe, Leonard Coble died this past week. He was the founder of the Olpe Chicken House and built quite a successful business in that little town.

It's always fun to get out of Emporia and eat in Olpe although it bothers me that they don't serve mashed potatoes. How on earth can you have a fried chicken restaurant and not offer mashed potatoes? No, really, I'd like to know! I don't understand this AT ALL. Mashed potatoes is one of my all-time favorite foods.

They'll be more than happy to put gravy on your hashbrowns, but don't go looking for mashed potatoes there.

May 21, 2005 Saturday

Making Hypertufa - See the photos of a demonstration by April Buckman - this morning at Toad Hollow Iris and Daylily Farm

Above: Flatland Cruisers Car Show at Soden's Grove, Emporia
Below: Visitors whiz around the show in the park's small railway.

* A panorama view is also available in the Galleries

May 20, 2005 Friday

"Not on the carpet. I think we had this discussion," Dave just said to Tiger as she was coughing. He carried her to the door. "Let's go outside. That's a good place for hairballs."

Well, it's about 90 degrees today. I don't need 90 degrees, 85 is just about right. At 85, it's warm enough to sit on the porch in the shade without being cold.

I wouldn't have minded some 70 and 80 degree days, but this is all out of my control, you know. So, I'm just going to enjoy the fact that it's not 12 degrees, not 27 degrees, not 55 degrees.

And what's that in the paper tonight? Dillons West is closing? Or is it just moving to the old Food 4-Less location? I'm confused.

Today is the anniversary of a couple I haven't talked to for at least 20 years. I wonder if Dave and Tammy are still married.

Well, that's the junk that's rattling around in my head tonight. It's a good thing you don't have to pay for this.

May 18, 2005 Wednesday

Today I watched 4-5 construction guys working on a garage. Part of the cement had been poured and was dry and they cut it with a circular saw of some kind. Then one of the guys used the saw to cut several batches of what looked to be rebar. As he sliced through the metal, a shower of sparks flew back at his legs. I sort of expected his jeans to catch fire, although that didn't appear to concern him at all. He kept cutting, sparks kept flying. No big deal. Somewhere in that, there's a lesson for me.

May 17, 2005 Tuesday

Last Thursday night we had a big batch of rain. Four to five inches was the amount mentioned. Flood warnings were announced at various locations along the Neosho River. I'd forgotten about the water when Dave and I headed out to Toad Hollow on Saturday afternoon. So, I drove on old, old Highway 50, the route we usually take.

A mile or so east of Emporia there was a half-barricade in the driving lane. The road wasn't closed and I assumed the barricade had been valid at one point, but that the authorities hadn't gotten around to hauling it away--and I also considered that it might be a warning to watch for water that might be encroaching on the road. So, like any normal person, I drove around the barricade.

A couple miles later, however, water completely covered the road for the length of about a block.

"Why didn't they tell us about this?" I asked.

"You'd think they'd have given us a sign or something," Dave agreed.

It was hard to tell how deep the water was. I didn't want to stall the car, and I also remembered the flood slogan: "Don't Drown--Turn Around." So I made a 3-point turn, drove back to town and we took the Interstate.

Today I was east of town on old highway 50 and the waters in the fields have receded; I imagine old, old highway 50 is dry again.

May 16, 2005 Monday

OK, I mentioned on Saturday's entry that I guessed the crowd at the William Allen White House dedication to be around 200. Apparently, I mis-underestimated. Tonight's Gazette suggested the number of people was closer to 500. That seems high to me, but then I didn't count heads.

Another beautiful day in Emporia, Kansas. May is the best weather month in the state--unless you take into consideration that May often plays host to some of our most violent tornadoes. ... Reminds me of that childhood poem (I think my mother used to recite it..hmmm.) It goes something like this..."There once was a girl with a curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good and when she was bad, she was horrid."

That's May all right. (And perhaps me as well.)

May 15, 2005 Sunday

I don't think days get any better than this one. No wind, 70 degrees, blue skies.

May 14, 2005 Saturday

Governor Kathleen Sebelius spoke this afternoon at the dedication of Red Rocks, the home of William Allen White, saying that today we "...put a special star on the map..." "You can only imagine what William Allen White would say about today's culture wars." "His strong but civil voice should serve as a model for us all."

Since the Governor was right there and easily accessible, I stood in a short line to meet her. In her comments she mentioned that she had attended the Emporia State University graduation that morning and "shook the hands of all 600 graduates," so I figured she could handle one more handshake. And Dave snapped a photo, so if and when she becomes the first woman President of the United States, I'll have a picture of the two of us conversing.

Following the dedication ceremony, tours of the home were given. It was my first time through Red Rocks. The layout was different than I had expected it to be. It was very pleasant, lots of light, and windows with nice views to the back yard. What I wouldn't give for a wonderful, second-floor study like that--with east and south windows, a desk, fireplace, and comfortable sitting/reading area with bookshelves.

I'm not good at estimating crowd size, so don't count on this being accurate, but I'd guess there were about 175-200 people there. A bus load of visitors came from Lawrence.

The sky was bright and clear, the sun warm, the shade cool and the ground was very, very soft. Four inches of rain will do that. Jennie Chinn, the executive director for the Kansas State Historical Society, said, "Friday, the garden was under three inches of water." But they had the water pumped out.

As visitors toured the grounds and enjoyed a light breeze and the refreshments, storytellers told about White and his family.

Learn More: Kansas State Historical Society

May 13, 2005 Friday

Well, rain we had. From what it looked on the TV weather map, we must have received about about four inches overnight. With a window open, the sound of storms woke me several times. Or maybe I never slept. I remember being awake a lot.

I heard trains and the controversial (is there anything in this town that isn't controversial?) Newman Hospital helicopter. Before that helicopter lands, it often takes a big swipe around the city to come in from the right direction, so I imagine most people in town can hear it: whop-whop-whop-whop-whop.

Tomorrow is William Allen White Day here in Emporia. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will be at the Red Rocks dedication along with other dignitaries. We'll all be slopping around together in the mud at the White house.

May 12, 2005 Thursday

Since noon yesterday, the news/talk shows have been talking about the Cessna that flew too close to the Capitol and the White House in D.C.

Should the President have been told about the incident while he was out on his bike ride in Maryland? Were the F-16 fighter jets moments away from firing on the plane? Why didn't the pilot answer his radio?

I'm sure these are all important things that need talked to death. But in the middle of all of this news drama, what catches my ear is the verb. Scramble. F-16s always scramble. Isn't that the perfect word?

Flyover People Weather: Here it is mid-May and we've hardly had any rain this spring. Sprinkles are falling and a wet cat just came in the door. The smell of rain is blowing through the open windows. OK, now it's raining.

May 10, 2005 Tuesday

This was a messy afternoon with hair-tangling, flag-knotting wind. It's calmed down this evening, though. I can hear the birds sing. And the cat meow.

The neighbor just called Tiger over to his house. "Tiger, do you want some treats?"

Last night I saw his young daughters pour treats (a bunch) out of the pouch for Tiger. Their cat doesn't like them, so they buy treats just for our cat. We give her one a day and make her chase it down the hallway.

Here's a link to a story in the Newton Kansan about the Kansas Sampler Festival.

May 9, 2005 Monday

These are the days I've been waiting for--the 80-degree days. Commerce Bank at 6 p.m. 81 degrees.

 * *

I hope that you're already a Kansas Public Radio listener. I would rather promote them than myself, but if you'd like to hear a piece about the Kansas wind that I recorded a few weeks ago at Kansas Public Radio, it should be on the air this Wednesday morning at 6:35 a.m. and repeated at 8:35 a.m.

Should you want to listen:

In Emporia and the surrounding area, Kansas Public Radio can be found at 89.7 FM and over Cable Channel 8.

In the Lawrence, KC, Topeka area and beyond, KPR is at 91.5 FM.

And, tune in at 91.3 FM in the Manhattan-Junction City area, and 89.9 in Atchison.

Listeners worldwide can pick up Kansas Public Radio on the Web at www.kpr.ku.edu.

While you're on the KPR web site, click on Kansas Trivia in the upper left hand corner and play. The question this week is about "Gunsmoke." A prize is awarded each week.

May 8, 2005 Sunday

I wasn't about to miss Laura's birthday party today. She has a lifetime of great stories and she even tells a few stories on herself from time to time. I really like this woman. Laura Stibal turns 85 this week.

May 7, 2005 Saturday

Kansas Sampler Festival - Newton

The Kansas Sampler Festival is a splash of Kansas.

A hodgepodge of interests were represented: historians, authors, soapmakers, publishers, dancers, reenactors. On the scene were bison lovers and Civil War buffs, banjo players and at least one chiropractor.

From the middle and every edge of the state came community-minded people who were eager to tell about their area's lakes, old churches and small-town festivals.

In the Agri-Tourism tent, Dave and I visited a booth for the Harvest Farm and Pumpkin Patch which is owned by Eric and Danielle Geesling and located near Turon (30 miles W of Hutchinson on Hwy 61). New for their 2005 season is the Pumpkin Cannon, which is installed on the raised ladder of a retired fire truck. I think Eric said that the launched pumpkins sometimes fly for a half-mile. Now that's cool.

It was a treat to meet many people today including: Dudley Toevs, who has been dedicated to preserving historic buildings in Kansas; Robert Collins, the author of "Kansas Railroad Attractions," a book featured on our Kansas page (Robert also has a book coming out soon called General James G. Blunt: Tarnished Glory); and Ken Spurgeon and Jonathon Goering who have recently created a historical documentary about Bleeding Kansas called "Touched by Fire." (Goering and his wife Betsey are also part of a group, The Free Staters, that plays music from mid-19th Century America.)

And, after being acquainted by e-mail, I finally met Susan and John Howell who publish the Kansas Traveler.

Dave and I spent much of our day wandering around with Dudley Toevs, Robert Collins, and my dear friend Jay Price--who knows a heck of a lot of people. (Jay directs the Public History Program at WSU. He has two Kansas books out and is working on another one about oil, history and El Dorado.) Jay is a treasure; he's witty and bright, fun to be around, and he always, always gives me a new way of looking at the world.

* * * 

Stay tuned for a Kansas Sampler Festival photo page. Dave is currently working on another project, so it may be a few days.

May 6, 2005 Friday

Flyover People Weather: After a couple of chilly weeks, we've returned to normal temperatures. Halleluia! It was about 80 degrees today, a bit windy, and mostly sunny.

Tiger, our only cat now, is fast asleep on the recliner behind me. She's taking a break from the great outdoors. This spring she is reluctant to come inside. There's so much to see! There's so much to do! Everything moves! (Except the bird that she killed and now lies uneaten in our front yard.) Tiger is the most alert cat. And she never really sleeps; every noise I make causes her head to raise, her eyes to open wide.

On a warm Friday evening, there's a lot going on outdoors. With the door open wide, all the sounds come inside: a train blaring through town, the guy on the corner is mowing his yard, an ambulance siren wailing, cars driving past, kids screeching down the block, a car door slamming. And the sound of air being pushed through the trees.

May 5, 2005 Thursday

Attention Kansans-- This weekend is the BIG event -- the Kansas Sampler Festival in Newton. Saturday and Sunday. It's at the Athletic Park which is a nice venue for the festival. The directions to the park are on a link on the web site -- look at the menu on the left side of the main page. The links are in yellow, so they're a little difficult to read. Cost is $5, $3 for kids 7-14. Kids under 6 are free.

Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

May 3, 2005 Tuesday

Are they using invisible ink/paint on stop signs these days?

Has anyone else noticed that many drivers no longer stop--or even look--before entering intersections?

Ninth Avenue in Emporia seems to be the most dangerous through-street in town. It feels as if I'm driving in a video game and all these cars are trying to take me out.

May 1, 2005 Sunday

It's all Roger's fault. The more I read and learn about William Allen White, the more interested I've become in the life of our hometown hero.

Roger Heineken chairs the Marketing Committee for the William Allen White Community Partnership Incorporated.

The WAWCPI, working with the Kansas State Historical Society, will soon (May 14) open William Allen White's home to the public.

This afternoon I sat down with Roger and heard more WAW stories.

Roger can tell you about a bank robbery and shoot-out in which William Lindsay White had to duck behind a pillar at 6th and Merchant to dodge bullets. And he can tell you that a London Times reporter covered the story of WAW's gubernatorial candidacy; and that Teddy Roosevelt stayed at White's home on at least three occasions.

"His career is so vast and he was engaged in so much that there is a lot of trivia," Roger said.

Statue of William Allen White in the Kansas State Capitol

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