"Eureka! I found it!"

The sign reads:

"Eureka, I found it", shouted a small band of hardy pioneers in August of 1857. A spring of cool, clean water near this very spot. Abundant drinking water was a strong factor in search for a place to settle. They soon agreed that, indeed, they had found an ideal place and laid claim to the area or the town site which they chose to name Eureka!

That is the story about how the town of Eureka was named.

But the really Explorery thing about the marker is where it is located -- probably by that very spring. You have to take an alley to even see it on the other side of the stream!

See if you can find it when you go to Eureka. If you are driving east on U.S. 54 you'll see this little stream about a block east of the main town intersection and on the north side of the little creek. A little driveway will take you alongside the stream.

To understand those subtle explorer finds is to "Get Kansas!"

KE #2 Marci Penner

Meet "Fighting Fred"

Have you heard of Frederick Funston?

This 5'4" man became a brigadier general at age 35 and gained fame during the Spanish-American War, commanding such greats as Pershing, Eisenhower, Patton, and MacArthur. He is credited with "saving" San Franciso after its 1906 earthquake and fire.

Born 1865 in Ohio, his famly moved to a farmstead near Iola in Allen County where he was raised. In the 1990s the boyhood home was moved into Iola on the square where it is open for tour. It's a pleasing site and makes you want to find out more about this intriguing Kansan.

Right next door at 20 S. Washington is the excellent Allen County Museum with more displays about Funston. 620.365.3051.

Many people who have made significant contributions are from Kansas. To learn about them is to "Get Kansas!"

KE #2 Marci Penner

Buy Christmas Card Stamps in Small Towns

There are two great reasons to go to unincorporated Pfeifer in Ellis County. One reason is to visit the Holy Cross Church, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture. The other is to buy stamps at the post office and visit with Carol!

Do so before Dec. 31. The Pfeifer post office will close that day and all the boxholders will go on the rural route.

Carol Billinger, the post master, is going to retire and since the post office is also a family residence it wouldn't work to keep it in that house/building. There is no other appropriate space in town. Carol says that everyone understands and has been great about it. This is an incredible tribute to the townspeople and how well they get along.

Most post offices have to close because of lack of revenue. Somehow Pfeifer, an unincorporated town was able to stay open. Every stamp you buy, every post office box purchased, every bulk rate permit makes a difference to the revenue and viablity of a post office. Amount of revenue determines salaries, hours, and even type of equipment.

You'll see in small post offices that many still have the manual scales to weigh a letter. Bigger post offices have the digital scales. Those scales aren't something the post office goes out and buys -- they are assigned to each post office and the degree of techniness depends on the revenue.

Supporting small town post offices and visiting with the clerk will help you "Get Kansas!"

I'd invite you all to do what Kansas Explorer Keith Stokes did with the previous blog. His comment told about a place similiar to the one I wrote about. These kind of comments will help spread the word about what there is to see and do in Kansas.

Where are the best Christmas light displays -- or unique events yet to happen? Please post briefly in the Comment section.

Together we can help people "Get Kansas!" KE #2 Marci Penner

They looked normal going in...

This group of women went in to Huckleberry's in Concordia looking like normal people... but that ended when they found the hat and accessories rack!

Within minutes of finding that dress-up nook in the back of the dining room, stories about the Aunt Helens, Great Grandma Lydias, and hats worn by another generation abound. Giggling and primping accompany the tough decisions of choosing color and style. Just try to have a serious conversation with personality-changing hats all around the table...

You'll not only have fun at Huckleberry (512 State, 785.243.7832) but also enjoy not-so-easy to find tasty, light entrees -- (maybe not-quite-so-light dessert). The made-from-sratch soup choices change often and include recipes like a hot chicken curry or a cold strawberry soup. The salads are not just tossed into a bowl but are very eye appealing as well as tasty. Sandwich breads are homemade and a wide array of tea flavors is offered.

Winter or summer, Lois and staff are friendly and welcoming. It's a can't miss place if you're simply looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

What do these dainty places add to the rural landscape? You "Get Kansas" if you can answer that question.

You know you're an Explorer when you're invited behind the counter...

For those of you who have driven through Macksville on U.S. 50 looked at the rather dilapidated bar and grill called Edna's and kept on driving, I urge you to return and go inside!

Indeed, Edna's is one of those places that has an old sign with chipped paint and neon beer signs in the window. You aren't even sure it's open and if it was you'd expect that only guys who drive flatbed trucks and check oil pumps would go here. You imagine that it'd be smoke-filled with old grimy dirt creeping up the floor board.

So go in. Try it out. Maybe that's exactly what you'll see. Maybe not. But you'll likely have an Explorer experience. That's for sure.

WenDee had never been to Edna's so we stopped after doing a program in Kinsley. She was almost disappointed that it was so clean and bright inside. We sat down at the counter and before too long the woman behind the counter was sharing some local gossip as if we knew the characters and were on her side of the issue. The more we agreed, the more we heard.

Before our order arrived she had to leave to go drive the school bus. So Nancy (probably in her 80s) came out with our order -- fresh meat, hand-patted, juicy hamburgers. Nancy is the owner of Edna's and a sweetheart of a pistol. Before you knew it we were behind the counter for a picture. She gave WenDee a free beer since it was her first time at Edna's -- or maybe WenDee worked that deal.

The place is clean and feels like the neighbors kitchen more than a bar and grill on the highway. Obviously the place has a following as most everyone that came in was greeted by first name and asked a specific question about their family or work.

Talking to the locals and being interested in their world is the key that unlocks explorer adventures. It's also the best way to "Get Kansas!"

KE #2 Marci Penner

Help me Get You

My web designer at Logic Maze in Hutchinson showed me how to look at the blog Google analytics. I'm glad to know that some people are tuning in to "Get Kansas!."

I'd appreciate if you'd respond to this simple question in the comment section: Why do you come to this blog?

Also, one of you asked when the Christmas mass takes place at St. Martin's Church in Piqua. It's at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Come early, the church will be packed!

Another tidbit: To see some pictures of Christmas displays in Johnson County and Topeka to go Kansas Explorer Keith Stoke's web site: http://www.kansastravel.org/

Help me know why you want to "Get Kansas"? KE #2 Marci Penner