Thankful for Our Richness

I'm so glad to live in Kansas! So much fun to be had in little ways that add up to big love.

I love the subtlety of our state and how the richness of what you're looking at corresponds with what you have in your heart for this state.

Degree of richness helps you "Get Kansas!" KE #2 Marci Penner

Wherever you're going...

Safe travels to all over the Thanksgiving holiday -- and if you're on Kansas roads, keep your eyes open for Explorer stops. They're everywhere!

Enjoying the Journey helps you "Get Kansas." KE#2 Marci Penner

Support Us

Support Us. That's the name of the new navigation button on our web site. I'm mostly thrilled to share new ideas on that page. They are called Transformational Ideas for rural Kansas. It would be my dream and lifetime achievement to see them all put into motion. Hope you're curious enough to look at them!

Supporting the Kansas Sampler Foundation helps everyone "Get Kansas!"

KE #2 Marci Penner

Someone said there is nothing to see...

Recently someone was trying to convince me that promoting rural communities as "an attraction" was a waste of time. I figure that person just hasn't learned how to explore Kansas yet.

Do you know which town the above pictures represent?

Here are some clues. The first plaque is actually in the middle of the main intersection downtown as you see in the second picture.

The "wedding ring quilt" pattern is incorporated into architectural design in a few places around this town.

This town once supported three brick plants.

Have you figured out which town this is?

These are just small points of interest but in the Explorer world lots of little things adds up to a really fun adventure. I mean, how many towns have you visted that had a historic plaque right in the middle of the street -- and you wouldn't get run over taking a picture of it? Why is it there? Because that is exactly where the town well was first built.

Three more clues. The memorial park is named after state senator and World War I General George Wark. The Black Dog Trail went through this area, too. Jabba Mason is buried in the city cemetery. She taught both Harry Sinclair and Walt Disney.

It's fun to search for Explorer tidbits.

I'm talking about Caney, a very fun town to visit.

If you want to make me bristle , just say there is nothing to see and do in our rural communities. Actually, the fact is that it's the person looking that may not have figured it out. It takes a real sharp eye and a curious soul be be an explorer...
Want to learn how to be an Explorer? Sign up to be a Kansas Explorer Club member.

Finding tidbits in small towns is one way to "Get Kansas."

KE #2 Marci Penner

Norma is the Pie Winner!

Surrounded by fans and friends in Dover, Norma Grubbs heard the news that she was the winner of the "Best Slice of Pie" contest organized by Good Morning America Weekend.

The url to see Norma hearing the news is: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6315618
or http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/ under the You Tube section.

Norma made 56 pies this week, about double her usual amount. Because of the publicity, the Sommerset Cafe in Dover had more business than ever. Norma is an 88-year-old that sure knows how to bake a pie the right way.

Norma's victory should be evidence enough that our small town resources (people like Norma, places like Sommerset Cafe) are of great interest. Likely she had to double her pie-baking numbers this week because of more Kansans coming to visit. Just think if we kept talking up these kind of places. It would help rural communities get the boost they need and it would affirm the fact that what rural communities need to do is work on being the best they can be at being themselves.

Norma and the Sommerset Cafe are the big winners this week because they were just being their best and people noticed -- and then people came.

If you understand that being the best at being yourself is far more important in rural Kansas than a highly expensive ad campaign then you "Get Kansas."

KE #2 Marci Penner

It's the Little Things

Here is a group of Kansas Explorers Club members in the smallest band shell (in Barnes) in the state getting ready to sing "Home on the Range." Susie Haver, KE #27, is directing.

We were on a Group Adventure and it rained most of the day. That sure didn't dampen our day. Explorers are fun. I mean, why just look at the tiniest band shell in the state when you could stand on the stage and sing?!

Kansas Explorers Club members love to experience the nooks and crannies. It's a great way to "Get Kansas!" KE #2 Marci Penner

Marcon Pies! Need I say more?

Have you ever heard of Marcon Pies? Just the mere mention causes drool. They are famous all over the state.

They are on my mind because when I shopped at our local grocery store in Inman this morning the Marcon delivery man came in with trays of pies. Oh my. I wanted to buy one but the clerk wouldn't let me! First, she had to figure out which ones to set aside for pies pre-ordered for Thanksgiving. There were simply a pile of pies!

Stores in Inman, Yoder, Hoisington, Wilson, Belleville and many, many more have them. You'll know if your local store has them...

What's the big fuss? They are made in Washington and the company was started by Marilyn and Connie -- thus the name Marcon. You can go into the "pie factory" at 8th and D for a tour (call in advance, 785.325.243) or to buy a pie at the front counter.

Cream pies, fruit pies (only available on Friday), sugar-free pies, cheesecake. Yum.... Hey, gotta close. I'm jumping in my car and going back to Inman. Maybe I can buy one by now. Cherry pie here I come!

To eat a Marcon is to "Get Kansas!" KE #2 Marci Penner