It’s funny, write a travel and tourism column every week for four years, seldom a word is said about.
Then, skip two straight weeks, still not a word.
Makes a person wonder if anyone is really reading this?
8 Wonders of Kansas Customs
In case you curious, and from the (lack of) comments you weren’t, the Kansas Sampler Foundation announced the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs on Oct. 23.
Sadly, with one of the 24 finalists from Crawford County – representing the Kansas custom of walking to school, the Franklin-Arma Historic Sidewalk, recognized as the longest sidewalk in the United States connecting two cities – failed to make the top 8.
It marks the first time that a nominee from Crawford County failed to make the top 8 as the Frontenac Bakery made the top 8 in the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce contest and all six fried chicken restaurants made it as the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.
The list of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs are:
• The Kansas custom of bringing musicians together, at the Emma Chase Cafe in Cottonwood Falls almost every Friday night at 7:30 p.m. I have never done this custom, but I understand it’s a unique event.
• The Kansas custom of chanting a school fight song, the University of Kansas Rock Chalk Jayhawk cheer. I agree on this one, Allen Fieldhouse and the Rock Chalk Chant is a true Kansas custom.
• The Kansas custom of clicking your heels three times and saying “There's no place like home,” belongs to Oz attractions in Wamego and Liberal sharing the story of the Wizard of Oz. Some may say it’s cheesy, but if were not for this 1939 classic, the Kansas Division of Travel and Tourism would never of had inspiration for the “Kansas – The Land of Ahs” brand image and marketing campaign back in the 80’s.
• The Kansas custom of commemorating Veterans Day, a gentleman from Emporia helped change Armistice Day into Veterans Day and made Emporia the Founding City of Veterans Day.
• The Kansas custom of displaying an ethnic handicraft, belongs to Lindsborg and the traditional and pop-art Dala Horses can be seen throughout Lindsborg. This is a good one if you have ever been to Lindsborg to see the Wild Dalas. Then again, I enjoy saying Blue Colla Dala. This is a custom I have taken part in.
• The Kansas custom of ordering a soda fountain treat, statewide at one of the 38 operating soda fountains left in Kansas. I plan to hit Chetopa, Erie and Chanute soon to check this custom off my list.
• The Kansas custom of riding a carousel, belongs to the famous C.W. Parker carousels in Abilene and Leavenworth. Again, another custom I have partaken, in Leavenworth no less at the C.W. Parker Museum.
• The Kansas custom of using natural material for fencing, belongs to the hardy fence posts at the Post Rock Museum in Lacrosse and throughout the Smoky Hills. I have yet to visit the Smoky Hills.
Up next for the Kansas Sampler Foundation will be the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography and the window to submit nominations began Nov. 1.
Who wants to be the first to submit the Mined Land Wildlife Area or the Frontier Scenic Military Byway?
2010 Crawford County CVB Grants
The deadline is soon approaching for the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau grant program.
The CVB is accepting grant applications for its 2010 Tourism Marketing Grant Funding Program through the end of November.
The Crawford County CVB annually awards grants to special events and attractions with the purpose of increasing travel and tourism in Crawford County and assisting in the marketing of travel and tourism in Crawford County.
The window to apply for the 2010 Tourism Marketing Grant Funding Program began Sept. 1, 2009 and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009. Applications received after Dec. 1 will not be considered for funding.
Applications and guidelines can be picked up at the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau office located inside the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce at 117 West Fourth Street, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact CVB Director Craig Hull at 1-800-879-1112 or e-mail at chull@pittsburgareachamber.com
Free maps, visitors guides and Kansas Pregame Magazines still left
With football season winding down, the Crawford County CVB is liquidating its supply of the fourth annual Kansas Pregame Magazine, a publication featuring previews on over 300 Kansas high school football and college programs.
Also, the CVB still has a wide variety of state travel guides, regional destination visitor’s guides and maps for free.
Pocket schedules for the University of Kansas men’s basketball team are now available for free as well.
Free copies of the magazine, travel guides, state maps and visitor’s guides are available at the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau located inside the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 117 West Fourth Street, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Upcoming events
Kansas playoffs continue Saturday, PSU football concludes its season in Northeast Missouri and there are a few things scheduled here in Crawford County this weekend and on into next week, get out and enjoy:
• Today, the Pittsburg Lions Club will conduct its annual Chili Dinner Fundraiser at Memorial Auditorium from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, contact Memorial Auditorium at (620) 231-7827 or log onto www.memorialauditorium.org
• Today and continuing through Sunday, the Midwest Regional Ballet will present “Cinderella” at Memorial Auditorium. Show times are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and children under 10. For more information, contact Memorial Auditorium at (620) 231-7827 or log onto www.memorialauditorium.org
• Saturday, the Historic Cato Schoolhouse will host its annual Cato Tour 2009 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Events include music and reenactments at the Cato Church, One Room, Schoolhouse presentation at the Cato School, wiener roast (please bring your own hot dogs, buns, sides and condiments) sticks and fire will be provided, Hayrack Ride to Coonrod Cemetery and other cemeteries as time allows, silent auction of Fannie Mae Turner print, drawing for Sue James quilt and the Cato store items will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Susie Stelle at (620) 232-6944, or by e-mail at sstelle@cox.net or log onto www.catoschool.com. Directions to the Cato School are from Highway 69 between Ft. Scott and Pittsburg, turn west on 720 Avenue, one mile north of the Arcadia turnoff (or one mile south of the Bourbon County line) and go west for one mile, then turn north for ? mile and then left one mile to Cato.
• Saturday, the Franklin Community Center and Heritage Museum will conduct its annual Gift of Freedom Veterans Program at 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Franklin Community Center and Heritage Museum (620) 347-4220 or log onto www.franklinkansas.com
• Wednesday, Pittsburg State University’s Veterans Memorial Amphitheater will host a Veterans Day Ceremony: Lessons about Service – A salute to veterans and their families, at 10 a.m. For more information, contact PSU at (620) 231-700 or log onto www.pittstate.edu.
Craig Hull is the director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is the purpose of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote travel and tourism in Crawford County, Southeast Kansas and the Midwest. He can be reached at chull@pittsburgareachamber.com or at 1-800-879-1112.
PITTSBURG —
