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Issue #107 JANUARY 2015 THE EXPLORER

The Explorers Club is created to inspire, educate, and encourage the exploration and appreciation of Kansas...and to have fun doing it! Explorers are urged to look for the rural culture elements in each town — architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people.

Kansas Sampler Foundation, 978 Arapaho Rd., Inman, KS 67546 620.585.2374 kansassampler.org [email protected] / [email protected]

KANSAS EXPLORER #2’s HAPPY KANSAS DAY! BUCKET LIST for 2015 January 29, 2015 We are 154 years old KE #2 is me, Marci. I’ve heard rave reviews or intriguing tones about each of these places. I’m But it was what happened before excited to visit each place, this year. statehood that shaped us.

100 COW ROAD, Latham1 It was in 1854 that the Does this road exist or not? Legend has it that the U.S. government opened road is so steep that you’d have to stack 100 cows to Kansas for settlement. measure the distance from bottom to top. There was a rush from BLACK BISON PUB, 122 N. Main, Syracuse2 abolitionist Free-staters 620.384.6348 . Open Monday 4-11 p.m.; of New England and Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-11 p.m. pro-slavery settlers from Twenty-four craft cocktails accent the light menu Missouri to come to Kan- items and traditional pub fare in a place that would fit sas in order to determine in downtown Denver. Can’t wait to support and meet if the state would enter the owners who had this vision. the union as a free state or a slave state. COUSIN EDDY’S VISITOR CENTER, Coolidge2 Lies, deceit, murder, and mayhem followed earning In the 1983 National Lampoon’s Vacation movie, Kansas the nickname Bleeding Kansas. Clark Griswold took his family on a great American The Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area has vacation. On the way to Walley World in Los Angeles been formed in Kansas and Missouri to preserve and they stopped to see Cousin Eddy and Aunt Edna in tell this story. Go to freedomsfrontier.org to find sites Coolidge, Kansas. Fast-forward to present-day Coo- to visit. lidge and the creative mind of Lori Lennen, owner of After the Civil War the focus was on the immigrants the Trail City Bed-and-Breakfast. In March, she will who came to turn the prairie into farmland. open Cousin Eddy’s Visitor Center on the main thor- oughfare through this town of 93. How fun! (picture is of the state seal on the exterior of the p.s. This is the same county as Black Bison Pub. Ness County Courthouse).

EXPLORER PLACES IN EVERY KANSAN SHOULD…

GOODLAND3 GO TO THE HOME ON THE Roxie Yonkey has created RANGE CABIN where Brewster adventures in Goodland with Higley wrote what is now our her descriptions of explorer-y state song. The newly-restored places. From the preserved cabin is located 8 miles north of hangar to all the easels around Athol4 on K-8 in Smith County, town, she has discovered, then one mile west. researched, and shared little nuances that make Goodland a HUG ONE OF OUR BIGGEST must-visit for any Explorer. STATE TREES, the Eastern Cot- getruralkansas.org/ tonwood. Find this one in Lin- Goodland/210index.shtml. coln5 on the east end of Lincoln Avenue in the park. Con’t p. 5.

Featuring the rural culture elements of commerce, cuisine, Featuring the rural culture element of cuisine... customs, geography, history CULINARY BUCKET LIST LET’S HAVE FUN in 2015 Locally-owned restaurants with special appeal are We dare you! found all over the state. Here are ten dandies. Note the open times. Let us know how you liked them. Let us know when you’ve done all of these!

1. Stick your toes in one of the wading pools in Pratt6 Ad Astra & Drink, Strong City19 at Hamilton and Second or U.S. 54 and S. Thompson. 318 Cottonwood. 620.273.8440. Open Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 2. Honk your horn adastrafood-drink.com at the carousel in Craft brews and a progressive menu. The reviews Wilmore7 on North are all good about this place. Main. If Ernie Grif- fin is home, he’ll Aunt Netter’s Café, 336 Elmore, Lecompton20 open the doors and Open Wednesday-Sunday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. give you a ride! auntnetterscafe.com Best times to do The home-style food and gourmet cupcakes taste this would be spring even better because the owners who grew up here just through summer. wanted to create a place for people to connect. You To make sure Ernie is home call 620.738.4420. can feel it, too!

3. Rent a kayak or canoe at ACORNS Resort near Bisteca, 2324 N. Kansas Ave., Liberal21 Milford8 and paddle around on Milford Lake. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Acornsresortkansas.com. Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. bistecainc.com

4. Buy picnic food at Lizard Lips Known for their steaks, their specialties are also out on U.S. 54 at Toronto9 and then of the ordinary. End your meal with Crème Brulee or Caramel Ice Cream. eat at nearby Cross Timbers State Lake. Cars on the Route, 119 N. Main, Galena22

5. Take checkers or chess pieces Open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. carsontheroute.com along and play on the outdoor Remember “Tow Mater” from the “Cars” movie? The game board at Lindsborg’s10 director of the movie saw a rusty old tow truck here Swensson Park by the play- and the rest is movie history. Inside the truck’s garage ground on N. Main. are Route 66 collectibles and tasty food!

6. Take a selfie on the rocks at Rock City. Cross the Destination Kitchen, 115 W. Main, Norton23 Solomon River in Minneapolis11 on K-106 and go Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. about 3 miles south. Follow signs and a sandy road Destinationkitchenks.com. west for a short distance. Beyond the classy tools and gifts for the home cook is the trendy café with a brick pizza oven. The sand- 7. Video the reaction of those in the car when you go wiches, salads, and soups make for a delightful meal. down the roller coaster hill. Start running the video at the intersection of K-62 and K-16 near Soldier12 in Pretty Boy Floyd, Jackson County as you head north on K-62. 210 N. Douglas,

8. Fly a kite on top of Coronado Heights near Ellsworth24

Lindsborg10. Open Thursday- Saturday 5–9 p.m. 9. Eat pancakes at Main Street Cafe in Durham13, 785.472.2183. Blonde Grill in Coldwater7, or Red Rooster in Harper14. It feels sneaky to go 10. Buy $18.61 worth of groceries in the store in Maple here as you enter in Hill15, Morland16 or Mildred17. the alley into the basement. It’s pretty clear that Pretty Boy Floyd would BONUS: Stay at the have approve of the drinks and food here. Mule Skinner Lodge, Denison18. It’s a Renaissance Cafe, 210 N. Center, Assaria25 comfortable experi- Open Thursday-Saturday 5-9 p.m. ence in the most renaissancecafeassaria.com unique way. The sink Steak Venato, Gnocchi Pomodoro, and Pan Fried is a hollow log, the Beef Liver are just three of Chef Kevin’s finest. You’ve shower is like a bab- got a thing or two to learn if you’ve never eaten at this bling creek. former school. Make reservations! 785.822.6750.

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Featuring the rural culture elements of geography, history... Featuring the rural culture elements of geography...

EXPLORER CHALLENGE: COLLECT THESE THINGS, These places are hard to find — THEN COLLECT YOUR PRIZE

but worth the effort. Your Explorer prize might not be as valuable as the experience you have along the way! Tell where you BALA BRIDGE, Riley County25 collect each of these items. Turn them into the Kan- From Riley, go 5 miles west on U.S. 77, then 1/4 mile sas Explorers Club tent at the festival or send or bring north on K-82, and 1 mile west on Bala Road. Turn to the Kansas Sampler Foundation. This is for any south on Lasita and follow the sign to Bala Park. age. The important thing is to have fun! What are you looking for? A single-arch stone bridge with a 30-foot span, built in 1887 as a rail line trestle.  A little salt rock. You have to go to (the Once you find the park, you must still find the bridge. underground salt museum) in Hutchinson27.

Walk towards the back, shoosh away the spirits, and  A vile of red dirt from one of our southern counties. eventually you’ll lay your eyes on this grand bridge.  A tumbleweed, or a picture of you and a Kansas CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Florence13 tumbleweed in the roadside. Go north on Florence’s main street to Hillcrest Cemetery.  A small container of water from Wilson Lake28. Continue on this road and cross the Cottonwood River bridge. The road veers to the left and crosses another  A cotton boll from a field of cotton. creek. Turn right onto Whitetail Road for a quar-  The last 6 inches of a yucca blade (any time of year). ter mile and then turn right into the lane to Crystal  A few wheat kernels picked up on the side of a field. Springs. This city water source  A vile of sand from one of the counties in the Arkansas River Lowlands. is such a surprise. It’s the 1949 building, the  At least the turkey foot of the Big Bluestem grass. rock path above the  Three cottonwood leaves. building, the gurgling water coming out of the pipe and into the creek, the historical marker that make it so interesting. INDIAN MONUMENT, Geary County8 FARIS CAVES, Ellsworth County24 Go four miles south of Junction City Three miles east of Kanopolis on Avenue L, then 1 mile on J Hill Road (exit 299). Follow the south on 22nd Road. The road jogs left for a short dis- winding road to an intersection that tance, then south again 1 more mile to Avenue N. Turn indicates you are at J Hill Road, west and follow the road Skiddy, and Lyons Creek Road. to its end. Or stop at Ka- Turn left (east) on Skiddy for less nopolis Lake park office than a half mile. to verify directions. Erected in 1920, this statue has Follow a path to these been through weather and vandal- distinct openings in the ism wars. Still, there is something sandstone bluff face. impressive about it. At the base, it They are not only man- simply says, “The Indian.” made spaces dug in the 1880s to be used as a PILLSBURY CROSSING, near Manhattan25 dwelling, spring house, and later a school, but after It’s address is 7960 State Lake Road. It’s 2 miles south they were filled in, Annette White dug them out once of Manhattan on K-177 to Deep Creek Road, 3 3/4 miles again in the 1990s. Amidst the graffiti there are some east to where the road sharply curves south, continue markings likely made by Native Americans. east 2 1/4 miles on Pillsbury Crossing Road, -a gravel

TETER ROCK, Greenwood County26 road. 11 1/2 miles east of Cassoday, then 1 mile south into the One of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography, Pills- pasture. Watch for the Teter Rock and Teterville sign be- bury Crossing’s flat, stone creek bottom forms a natural fore turning south. You have to really be watching for it. ford that has been a landmark for generations. In Greenwood County, it’s 8 1/2 miles west of Burkett corner. If you go the right (or wrong) time of year you’ll find In the late 1870s James Teter piled rocks as a marker the area swarming with college kids out having a to guide pioneers. Eventually the rocks were removed good time. If you have the place all to yourself, see if and used for construction materials, so in 1954 a 16- you can walk across the creek on the flat stones. foot-slab of rock was erected on this hilltop in his honor. Your experience may vary depending on how much The view of the Flint Hills is unobstructed up here. water is in the creek.

Page 3 Continued from p. 1 WELCOME TO THE KE’s #2 BUCKET LIST EXPLORER FAMILY! ELK RIVER HIKING TRAIL, This is a list of those who have joined near Independence29 since the last newsletter. Even walking just part of the15-mile nationally #6377 Arlene & Dick Westbrook, Salina recognized trail at Elk City Lake will show some #6378 Kelly Sauvage, Falun Gift from stunning views of the lake and dramatic rock for- #6189 Lois Applequist, Falun mations. The lake is one mile west of Independ- #6382 Brett Nelson, Holton ence, north of U.S. 160. #6384 Alan & DeAnn Hauser, Humboldt FLY BOY BREWERY & EATS, #6385 Greg & Deb Koch, Baileyville 105 N. Main, Sylvan Grove5 #6386 Dane and Kenzie Olejnik, St. Marys 785.526.7800. Open Thursday-Saturday 5-10 p.m. #6387 Dean & Sandi Patterson, Inman Chef Grant Wagner is French trained but he’s making the most of the Gift from Dave, Becky, Devon & Bradon Patterson opportunity to showcase his skills at this family-owned and trendy- #6388 Marilyn Sharkey, Oskaloosa Gift looking brewery in Lincoln County. from #2629 Virginia Richards, Perry NATIONAL DEPRESSION GLASS MUSEUM, #6389 Brandon Riffel, Ottawa Gift from 117 S. Washington, Wellington30 #6293 John & Julie Riffel, De Soto ndga.net/museum.php 620.326.6400 #6390 Connie Brax, Salina The national organization chose Wellington as the museum home #6391 Sue Anderson, Lawrence for American-made glassware from the years of the Great Depres- #6392 Judy Loganbill, Wichita sion. I’m prepared to be impressed! (Closed Jan.-Feb.). #6393 Sarah Morrison, Lakeville, CT #6394 Dave Azwell, Osage City SMOKY VALLEY RANCH, Logan County31 #6395 Douglas Schamle, Hutchinson Two hiking trails make it possible to enjoy the chalky badlands and #6396 Beth Weddle, Concordia Gift from shortgrass prairie of this Nature Conservancy acquisition, Smoky #6220 LaDeana Mullinix, Farmington Valley Ranch. The Conservancy chose these 4,000 acres be- #6397 Dort Goodman, Sabetha cause of their value as a “living repository of geological, paleonto- #6398 Albert Riffel, Herington Gift from logical, archaeological, historical and cultural history.” Buffalo #6293 John & Julie Riffel, De Soto roam the prairie and I hope to see them! #6399 Terry Finney, Garnett Gift from From Oakley, take US-40 west to the western edge of Monument, #2690 Norma Varvel, Gridley Kansas. Turn south on 350th Road for approximately 15 miles to #6400 Paul & Diane Thiessen, Inman Gift from Dave, Becky, Devon & reach the hiking trail. Bradon Patterson TRADHUSET, Lindsborg10 #6401 Chandra Stuchlik, Scandia trad-hus.com 855.872.3487 #6402 Darlyne Standley, Courtland Gift Located in a second-floor carriage house amidst the coziness of from #6401 Chandra Stuchlik, Scandia downtown Lindsborg, the Tradhuset (Swedish for “the tree house) #6403 Stacy Davis, Elmdale Gift from is a peaceful, private and perfect getaway spot. It is a roomy, open #6401 Chandra Stuchlik, Scandia -floor-plan studio with a full kitchen and a furnished deck. Stay for #6404 Adam Pickett, Arlington a weekend or a month! #6405 Paul & Nancy Miller, Alma #6406 Kay Huffman, Newton VERRUCKT, Kansas City32 #6407 Leslie Struckhoff, Burlington schlitterbahn.com/kansas-city #6410 Max Dame, Gainesville, FL I’m nervous already but we’re going to “do” the Verruckt, #6419 Stephen Rose, Hillsboro the world’s largest waterslide at Kansas City’s new Schlitterbahn #6420 Robert Gatton, Council Grove Waterpark. WenDee and I will actually slide down this 168-foot #6421 Richard & Jody Koerner, Auburn structure and have our stomach’s tumble with the 50-foot drop and the water blast up a steep incline. Bring it on!

KANSAS SAMPLER FESTIVAL Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wamego’s33 city park $5 Kansassamplerfestival.com

Kansas Explorers, if you dare to attend this event you will leave with dozens of daytrip ideas that will change your life!

Page 4 Continued from page 1 It’s a quest idea! EVERY KANSAS SHOULD TRAVEL WITH A LAWN CHAIR LEARN ABOUT THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE. The and stop at these places to read! Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan25 is the place In fact, maybe you’ll find a place in every one of the to learn about the geology, biology, and cultural history 105 counties to stop and read a bit. Some time a of the last remaining tallgrass prairie in . bench is provided for you. Sometime that lawn chair Make sure to watch the introductory 15-minute video. will come in handy. Here’s are some location ideas: Flinthillsdiscovery.org. GAZEBO IN THE SQUARE, SPEND TIME WITH BUFFALO. Here are three differ- Humboldt17 (Allen County): ent but excellent experiences that will educate you Place your lawn chair about buffalo, our state animal, and take you into the inside this beautiful 1905 herd. Call ahead! bandstand in Humboldt’s  Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Canton10. One of the 8 downtown square. Wonders of Kansas Geography. 620.628.4455. Maxwellwildliferefuge.com PAWNEE ROCK HIS-

 Indian Creek Bison TORIC SITE, Pawnee Ranch, Haven27. Rock36 (Barton County): 620.921.5184. Indian- One-half mile north of creekbison.com. U.S. 56 on Centre, you’ll find this restful hilltop  Lawrence Foundation Santa Fe Trail stop.

for Buffalo Preservation and Agricultural Heritage. SHOAL CREEK that runs through Schermerhorn Clifton34. 785.455.3707. Park near Galena22 (Cherokee County). That’s right. Wildlifeconservancy.us Put your lawn chair in the shallow creek and while the clear stream cools your toes, do a little reading!

TOUR THE STATE CAPITOL, Topeka35 Set up in front of a natural The renovation of our state capitol not only left the landscape and read until copper dome looking buffed and beautiful but the sunset. These are the inside was refreshed Chalk Pyramids in Gove as well. The art- County39. work, the marble, the copper columns, The bluffs at Cedar Bluff everything looks State Park in Trego Co.42 magnificent. The have a natural rock bench interpretive displays far above the water. educate visitors to the story of our state and this capitol. The steps to the dome are now open. Make sure to ROCK BENCHES, Mill and Section Line, Plainville43 enjoy the sculptures on the lawn, as well. (Rooks County): Keep your lawn chair in the car. VISIT THE 8 WONDERS OF KANSAS. Visit the web These unusual rock benches were placed in the city site, 8wonders.org, or buy an 8 Wonders of Kansas park after World War II as advertisements for Home Guidebook to find your way to the overall 8 Wonders of Oil Company.

Kansas: ROCKS at Rock  Cheyenne Bottoms & Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, City near Minne- Barton36 & Stafford Counties37. apolis11 (Ottawa  Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, County): Some Abilene38. rocks are formed  Kansas & Space Center, Hutchinson27 just for reading,  Kansas Underground Salt Museum (Strataca), or, uh, maybe for Hutchinson27 taking a snooze.  Monument Rocks/Chalk Pyramids, Gove County39. In Minneapolis,  St. Fidelis Church, Victoria40. cross the Solomon River on K-106 and go about 3  Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County19 miles south. Follow signs and a sandy road west to  The Big Well, Greensburg41. get to Rock City. Fee during the season.

Page 5 #1499 Jean Buoy, Concordia #4141 Barbara Anderson, Iola THANKS RENEWERS! #1552 Lisa Brumbaugh, Emporia #4199 Bonnie Deiter, Garnett

This is a list of those who have #1558 Eric & Kathy Sexton, Derby #4261 Dan Wagner, Paxico renewed between the last newsletter #1559 Tom & Florence Haskett, #4287 Warren & Claire Willenberg, Wichita and January 15. Emporia #4376 Greg Donahue, Plains #1574 Ralph & Helen Vogel, Inman #4397 Susan Taylor, McPherson #38 Susan Puls, Hutchinson #1589 Riley & Sara Winkler, Lawrence #4525 Beverly Sharp, Overland Park #43 Kathleen & Larry Whitmer, Zenda #1599 Madlyn & Dale Swenson, #4530 Marlene Salsman, Winfield #71 Joyce Thierer & Ann Birney, Concordia #4546 Robert Brown, Salina Admire #1602 William Small, Hutchinson #4600 Bonnie Danley, Kansas City #82 Jane & John Rhoads, Wichita #1650 Pat Haberer, Russell #4625 Francene Davis Sharp, Wichita #93 Murray, Nadine & Alyssa Reimer #1748 Anne Schmidt, Abilene #4774 Concha Walker, Wichita Penner, Wichita #1770 Judith Johnson, Wichita #4866 Bill Wilson, Claflin #99 Karen Sturm, Caldwell #1828 Steve & Rosslyn Schultz, Lucas #4883 Linda Sue Rice, Manhattan #120 Marlene Natoli & Barbara Cordts, #1861 Brian, Robin, Melissa & Kelsey #4904 Dale & Alta Snapp, Wamego Olathe Pressnall, Bel Aire #4929 Stan Landwehr, Wichita #122 Milton & Darlene English, Pratt #1889 Ron Jones, Salina #4953 Stephanie Wacker, Wichita #129 Tudy Y. Haller, Lawrence #1943 Donna M. E. Walker, Johnson #5281 Dick Siemer & Denise O'Leary- #131 LaVeda Cross, Lewis #1958 Donna & Francis Wiley, Siemer, Wichita #134 Mike, Jo, Regina & Anne Lawrence #5292 Ina Garrison, Clyde Dowling, Derby #1969 Mary Johnson, El Dorado #5337 Jeff & CJ Hanson, Muscotah #137 Carlene Hall, Toronto #1977 Brian Snodderly, Topeka #5379 Verda Green, Odessa, MO #185 Barbara Shunn, Concordia #1997 Shirley Jensen, Waterville #5436 Florence & Howard Loomis, Pratt #186 Russell & Ralph Phalen, #2026 Mary Lou Pickler, Ulysses #5452 Kayla Savage, Manhattan Osborne #2060 Teresa Woodhead, McLouth #5542 Ruben Schuckman, Hays #205 Duane & Kathy Schwab, #2104 Lori & Tom Parker, Blue Rapids #5548 Norma & Wayne McCallister, Norcatur Ellinwood #2123 Jenny & John Davis, Wichita #5562 Eric, Lisa, Nicholas & Lydia Hays, #280 George and Mary Downing, #2240 Bruce Hogle, Overland Park Leawood Emporia #2252 Jerome Morgan, Salina #5571 Wayne & Karen Peterson, Topeka #304 Karolen & Jim Harrouff, Emporia #2323 Bill & Eleanor Miller, Topeka #5578 Bernard & Kay Neubauer, Grantville #333 Paul & Linda Beckman, #2387 BarBara Wright, Anthony #5606 Joyce Stryker, Waterville McPherson #2388 Patricia & David Flores, #5612 Ed & Marta Howe, Eskridge #368 Jonathan Wimer & David Oakley, Northridge, CA #5877 Kerry Green, Kansas City Mayetta #2423 Betty Purcell, Topeka #5878 Bridgette Jobe, Kansas #378 Clark & Lynda Huffer, Glasco #2428 Annette Douglass, Topeka #5888 Dorlan Bales and Kathryn Damiano, #429 Dee & Harold Metz, Washington #2690 Norma Varvel, Gridley Wichita #501 Paul Bahnmaier, Lecompton #2781 James & Leila Smith, Garnett #5892 LeAnn Cox, Hutchinson #521 Vera Schesser, Wichita #2786 Dave Welfelt, Newton #5917 Jan & Julie Steen, Arlington #549 John & Susan Howell, Wichita #2806 Ray Demuth, Dodge City #6031 Bill & Bunny Heins & Rylee Coy, #569 Walt & Margaret Hays, #2809 Janice Carter, Overland Park Emporia Osawatomie #2829 Jo Anne Balthazor, Clyde #6039 Susan Draper, Colby #596 Sharon Anderson, Lindsborg #2899 Mozetta Schoenecker, Wichita #6046 Cindy Gilmore, Liberal #598 Gary & Kay Nelson, Wichita #2903 Joyce Kraus, Wilson #6079 Julie Alderson, Topeka #692 Sharron Hamilton, Salina #3089 Fred & Connie Neufeld, Inman #6099 Travis, Stacy, Amelia & Truman #755 Dottie Harder, Topeka #3117 Ken McCosh, Manhattan Barnes, Greensburg #758 Lisa Perez Miller, Pratt #3254 Joe & Jennifer Kyner, #6170 Ronda, Chuck, Gwen, & Emily #821 Tom & Gerry Winters, Wichita Mission Hills Crossland, Atchison #921 Rick & Donnis Shipley, #3260 Ed & Marilyn Armstrong, #6189 Lois Applequist, Falun Hutchinson Mulvane #6212 Melinda Pierson, Munden #940 Craig & Kelle Goodman, #3355 Jim & Jane Taylor, Wichita #6220 Ladeana Mullinix, Farmingon Ness City #3414 Kathy & John Triplett, #6222 Channing & Dina Cox, Topeka #962 Art Warren, Wichita Junction City #6223 Jay Anderson, Abilene #1004 Elouise Miller, Topeka #3507 Doug & MarSue Mackey, #6230 Brian & Chepina Rumsey, Manhattan #1008 John C. Liston, New Castle, WY Lawrence #6241 Elizabeth Stewart, Topeka #1011 Calvin Hawkins, McPherson #3599 BJ & Jonell Davies, Wichita #6250 Doc & Marcia Abbick, Milford #1012 Crystal Kennedy, Berryton #3606 Melvin Yarnell, Osborne #6293 John & Julie Riffel, DeSoto #1033 Bill & Susan Bunyan, Dodge City #3693 Ruth & Glenn Rodden, Beloit #6370 Tim & Nancy Brock, Topeka #1050 Glynn Brown, Kansas City #3718 Norman Pihl, Salina #1051 Paula Phillips, Lawrence #3746 Anita Byers, Hot Springs Village, AR FOLLOW ERV #1074 Joe Hubbard, Osborne #3760 Johnny Maupin, Dodge City #1165 Albert Hamscher, Manhattan on Facebook at #3771 Helen L Graves, Salina Facebook.org/ervoyage #1195 Donna Long, Scott City #3858 Jim & Betty Scheller, Salina #1259 R. Douglas Ackley & Malley #3907 Jerry Hager, Ford Sisson, Manhattan #4001 Kathy Yarrow, Wakefield #1282 Lucille Flynn, Pratt #4031 Judy Foster, Wichita #1424 Sharon Kessinger, Marysville #4034 Elizabeth Jo & Becky Ann #1470 Shirley Hart, Gilroy, CA McRae, Herington

Page 6 Kansas Explorers Club Membership and Renewal Form

Explorers Name ______Names for family membership: ______

______

First-timer ______; Renewal ______; Renewers, list your Explorer number (if you know it) ______

Phone ______E-mail ______

Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______

Gift membership to: ______Mailing address ______

This is a gift from: ______(Gift card will be enclosed).

Annual dues: Individual membership $18.61; family $30. (Family membership prior to #881 is grandfathered in at $18.61)

Check is enclosed ______or Visa or Master Card #______Exp. date ______

Name on card ______

I’d like to add a donation to support the ERV research trip ______. My payment is for _____ years of membership.

EXPLORER TRACKINGS Continued from p. 2 CULINARY BUCKET LIST Despite the chill, KE’s #3198 Rick and Jane Hitchcock enjoyed a tram ride at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near The Gathering Place, 105 N. Main, Stafford37 Canton10. They were lucky enough to see elk! Open Wednesday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-

KE’s #1229, Wayne Saturday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 620.234.5400. and Elaine Hemmen, Gathering around quality food always makes for an did some birding at excellent time. You’ll find occasional entertainment here, too. Find them on Facebook. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Timken Hill Bar & Grill, K-96, Timken46 Cheyenne Bottoms and then took in the Open Friday 5-10 p.m. Shafer Art Gallery at and Saturday 11 a.m.- Barton Community College at Great Bend36. They 2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. said it was a treasure to learn about bronze sculptor 785.355.2355. Every- Gus Shafer as well as to see Pat Potucek’s murals. body says you have to go here — so we will! EXPLORER QUEST DECLARATION Find them on Facebook.

KE #3783 Joyce Jordan

is making it her quest to Sake2Me, 700 Main, Hays40 see all the painted quilt Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and panels on barns, 5-10 p.m. 785.301.2999 Facebook. homes, and other struc- So many sushi rolls to choose from! The Cali Gold tures in Kansas. To Roll is crab, cucumber, avocado, topped with masago, date, there are over sesame seeds. A Bonito Roll is avocado, cream 200. With the help of cheese, spicy her navigator husband, crab, outside James, she has had a good start finding the quilts in wrap topped Cowley44, Butler1, Marion13 and Harvey45 counties.

with flame  ksflinthillsquilttrail.blogspot.com seared salm-  sunflowerpiecemakers.com/barntour.html on, spicy  wichitacounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Quilt mayo, and -Block-Map.pdf bonito flakes.

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Non - profit organization THE EXPLORER #107 U.S. Postage c/o Kansas Sampler Foundation PAID 978 Arapaho Road Permit No. 24 Inman, Kansas 67546 Inman, KS 67546

Return Service Requested

Use a credit card to renew or join online at explorekansas.org.

IF IT’S TIME TO RENEW THERE WILL BE A NOTICE ABOVE YOUR NAME ON THE ADDRESS LABEL AND AN INSERT.

FIND EACH COUNTY HERE

23 4 34 3 16 43 33 12 25 18 32 5 11 15 35 31 39 42 40 28 8 20 25 38 11 24 46 36 10 13 19 2 37 27 45 26 17 1 9 41 6 22 21 7 14 30 44 29

PLAY EXPLORER AUTO BINGO! Explorekansas.org—choose Auto Bingo link on right

In the last few years, we’ve been posting an Explorer A Loving Explorer Farewell auto bingo form online for you all to enjoy. It’s a fun family activity and makes road trips go faster occupy- Kansas Explorer #9, Milferd Penner, my dad, died ing kids (of all ages). on November 4, 2014. The first Explorer member to achieve auto bingo The original explorer in our family, he and Mom blackout in 2014 was KE #6079 Julie Alderson. Will would take us three kids on numerous adventures she be a repeat champion? around the state. One trip that sticks in my head was The eight rural culture elements are used as cate- the one when he said, “We’re going east until we gories with five boxes beneath each. So, for in- can’t go any further.” What a cool thing to do, and stance, for customs, the we definitely saw some unexpected things that day. first box is a skating rink. If We always had bird charts, bird books, and binocu- you see one you put an X lars. We took a picnic basket on many an outing. in the box. Other items in When Dad and I started writing guidebooks and that category are a pedes- doing Kansas programs in 1990 we shared a great trian bridge, a town with deal of road time. I’d ask him about everything from street signs in school colors, telephone poles to farm equipment, from downtown someone driving a golf cart businesses to the weather. He seemed to have an around town, and an action answer for just about everything and it was always a item: swinging on+ an old- thoughtful, in-depth answer. fashioned swing in a park He loved hearing about our adventures and was a with a teeter totter nearby. big supporter of the Kansas Explorer Club concept— If you don’t have a printer, contact us and we’ll send and everything we did. I’m sure lucky to have had you a bingo sheet. this guy for my dad. (Photo credit: TinaRae Scott)

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