Category: Community

in Community

Big Kansas Road Trip – A Letter From Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation

RE: The BKRT is coming to town!

From: Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation, marci@kansassampler.org, 620-585-2374

To the people of Cheyenne, Sherman and Wallace Counties,

It has been so fun promoting the attractions, the people, and the activities for the Big Kansas Road Trip coming up on May 2-5. If you have “Liked” the BKRT Facebook page you’ll see that there is a great deal of interest.

We have a number of purposes for the BKRT. One is to get people to come out to the Great (KS) Northwest to see, do, hear, taste, buy, and learn. But another is to use the showcase counties to get people addicted to exploring Kansas in hopes they’ll continue to visit all parts of the state year-round.

The mission of the Kansas Sampler Foundation is to preserve and sustain rural culture. We write Kansas guidebooks, have a Kansas Explorers Club, and organize (along with county leaders and volunteers) the BKRT because we want to help people get to know rural communities through first-hand experiences.

We asked communities to simply be good at being themselves which means you didn’t really have to do anything extra. Still, so many of you have jumped in to help tell the story of the area with more than 75 activities! It’s kind of like we’re having a tri-county open house and inviting the public to come on over and have a good time.

Without an official count, we think that 500-700 people attended last year. Will we have more this year? It’s hard to know. Because people will be spread out over the three counties it can feel like there aren’t many visitors. We encourage those of you who have opened your doors to enjoy each person who comes in rather than concentrate on wanting “numbers”.

In a way you are ambassadors for all of rural Kansas. There will be a number of people from metro areas who feel like this event is a good way to dip their toe into seeing what rural communities are all about. Share with them why you are rural by choice and help them see the benefits of living where you do. That point of view will make an impact that they’ll talk about for a long time.

If you have not yet seen any information about this event, pick up a printed guide at your local library or museum, go to http://bigkansasroadtrip.com , or find this event on Facebook. And if you run across people you don’t know May 2-5, just be friendly and help these visitors get a positive impression of where you call home.

We look forward to seeing you soon,

Marci Penner & Wendee Rowe, Kansas Sampler Foundation

in Community

Donation Fund Established for the Cheyenne County Amusement Authority

The Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation has established a donation fund in support of the Cheyenne County Amusement Authority.  Bill and Cindy Keller have pledged up to $20,000 in dollar to dollar matching funds for all donations received until December 31, 2018.   That means your $10 donation becomes $20!  Your $50 donation becomes $100!  Mr. and Mrs. Keller have made this pledge because they believe in giving back to Bill’s hometown community and keeping traditions alive!

The Amusement Authority’s goal has always been to provide an affordable and fun carnival for the community.  Ticket prices are kept low so that everyone can enjoy the rides and games, which are run by volunteers.  It is not a money making venture.  However,  new legislation is calling for annual inspections to keep the carnival operational which will mean additional costs for the Amusement Authority.

Thank you to the Keller’s and to the Community Foundation for this opportunity to help support our hometown carnival!

To make a donation, checks can be mailed to PO Box 967   St. Francis, Ks    67756.  Please indicate “Amusement Authority” in the memo.  For more information contact Carla Lampe, President of the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation.

785-734-2406 (GNWKCF – Phone)

Visit the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation Website:

https://www.cckcf.org/

 

in Community

Fireworks in the City Limits

Per City Ordinance Chapter 7 Article 3, the firing or discharge of fireworks in the city limits is allowed between the hours of 8am and 10pm June 27 through July 3 and on July 5.  The hours on July 4 are 8am until 12 (midnight).  Please refer to the City Ordinance for information regarding prohibited fireworks and other restrictions. Have a safe and fun 4th of July Holiday!

Please reference the below link for the city code on fireworks. This is article 7-303

https://stfranciskansas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CHAPTER_7_FIRE.pdf

in Community, Law Enforcement

Road Closures Strand Passengers

During last weekend snowstorm, multiple road closures stranded passengers in St. Francis.  Those who were unluckily enough to get stuck in the weather we rescued by the Cheyenne County Sheriffs Dept. and brought back to the city.  Once the local hotels were full, the shelter at the Methodist Church was a welcoming place for out-of-towners.

During the peak of the storm, I-70 was closed from the state line to Limon, CO.  Hwy 36 was closed east to Byers.  Highway 27 was also closed in both north and south directions.

in Community, Government

National Guard Deployed for Blizzard

To help rescue efforts during the winter storm, the Kansas National Guard was deployed to St. Francis on Friday.  Multiple Humvees were sent to assist the Cheyenne County Emergency Operations Center in their efforts to rescue stranded travelers.