Kansas Sampler Foundation
If everybody pitched in a little...
it would help the Kansas Sampler Foundation alot.

Luke Mahin, Republic County Economic Development

"The Kansas Sampler Foundation enables individuals and communities to become engaged, share new ideas, and contribute to a powerful voice for rural Kansas. Outside of going to a small town, there is no better way to support rural Kansas than through the work of this organization." 

 

 


We would be very pleased to have your funding support as we go to every town in the state (626) for guidebook research, while still keeping our other projects going.  Though there is no cost for a town to be in the guidebook, there is quite a financial commitment to this journey -- and we think the result will be a huge benefit for everyone, from the people who want to explore the state as well as for communities. 

To make a tax deductible donation, click here or send a check to Kansas Sampler Foundation, 978 Arapaho Road, Inman, KS  67546 or call 620.585.2374.  Thank you.  If you'd prefer to do this as a We Kan! membership, here is a form invoice


Joe is explaining the Harley Davidson crate building and showing where it once stood in Danville.

Going to every town is just the biggest adventure.  We have found a petrified wood garden in Coats, a spaceship-looking water tower in Narka, a pasture full of neatly-organized piles of antiques near Marion, the world's best caramel pecan roll in Sawyer, and a gravestone on clawfeet in Delphos.  Without going to these towns, we wouldn't know to put them in a guidebook.

 
In downtown St. Francis, hiding behind a nice brick facade, we found what looked to be a shelled out building with two bricked sidewalls and exposed joists (no roof).  Turns out, this was home to  the Union Station coffee shop, the coolest coffee shop you'll find!  This PowerUp (21-39 and rural by choice) couple, Heidi Plumb and Kale Dankenbring, roast their own brand of Fresh Seven coffee and have created a spot worthy of a destination visit.  A guidebook will help you find these kind of places.


When we first go into a town, we look for someone to visit with -- a business owner, the librarian, the post office clerk-- or the guys on the bench.  You start to learn about the personality of the town pretty quickly.  These conversations are informative, enlightening -- and sometime we hear things we just leave on the road.


Our trip confirms that this state has colorful characters, more hills than you can count, and is as rich as it comes with things to see and do for those who have the explorer soul.

 

For those of you who follow us on Facebook or the blog, it may seem like all we do is eat and have fun... 

 

...but we meet lots of great people and discuss issues, resources, ideas, and then start putting things into action.

We are collecting a golden bounty of story leads for newspapers, magazines, public radio and TV and we are growing a network that will be invaluable in finding innovative solutions for sustaining communities.

Whether you could contribute a few dollars or more, we'd feel like you were right there traveling with us and cheering us on
 
STEVE SNOOK
Yell Leader for Kansas, Hutchinson
"Sustaining rural culture in Kansas is not only vital to who we are as a state, but to our future prosperity. The work of the Kansas Sampler Foundation is at the forefront of this important initiative."
   
The Kansas Sampler Foundation is staffed by Marci Penner, WenDee LaPlant and part-time bookkeeper, Kim Clark.   Board members are Shelia Lampe, Piqua; Shari Wilson, Kansas City/Claflin; Eric Montgomery, Topeka/Caney; Christy Hopkins, Tribune; and Andrea Springer, Hutchinson.  Plus a strong network.

We're funded by memberships, book income, and donations.  Located on a farm near Inman (McPherson Co.), KSF is not a state agency nor connected to the Kansas Sampler Stores. 
 
Pine Edge Golf Course out in the country near Goessel.  Tee off on one side of the pond and aim for the silos!
 
SHIRLEY BLACK,
community supporter, Howard.
 
"I've known of Marci Penner and the Kansas Sampler Foundation practically since I moved to Kansas in 1998.  When the Sampler Fest used to be in Pratt my mother-in-law, Janet Black, would always encourage us to come, but it took us a couple of years to get there.  What a treat!  Met Marci and have admired her and her fortitude since then.  We have had several opportunities to be involved with some KSF projects and just love the way KSF supports Kansas communities and its people. Can't be beat!"

Pratt has two old-fashioned stand-alone wading pools, just for the young ones.


Marissa serves up the best made-from-scratch food at Little Pleasures in Hillsboro.

We pay for our own food while we ERV.  As a researcher, it's our job to find good places to eat and pass those suggestions on to Explorers!

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS THIS HAPPEN
Really, it does.
We are grateful for the GMC Terrain loaned to us by Midway Motors of McPherson.  Many of you have become ERV blog sponsors or day sponsors to help pay for gas and lodging. 


Marsh arch bridge near Duqoin in Harper County.

We hope that we've provided value or enjoyment to you or to your communities with our year-round work.  If you aren't able to contribute, maybe you could take a day trip or simply share a positive perspective about Kansas!

Kathy Richardson,

Lindsborg advocate and businesswoman

"It feels good to support the Kansas Sampler Foundation because we like being in its positive energy, it teaches us new ways to engage with our state, and it delivers meaningful and deliverable results for rural Kansas."

 

 

The Cottage House, Council Grove.  A wonderful place to stay.

 

 

A FEW MORE PICTURES FROM THE ROAD


One of the last of the best post offices in the state.  This one is in Lost Springs (Marion County).


Dee and Audrey make Al's a great place for Mexican Food in Lost Springs.


The pocket garden adds much color and relief below the Hot and Cold water towers in Pratt.



An Amish family in Reno County provides a daily farmer's market in this little store called Potluck that sits on their yard.

LINKS TO A FEW OF  OUR CURRENT PROJECTS

ERV
ERV is the nickname of our guidebook research.  The car loaned from Midway Motors is our Explorer Research Vehicle (ERV) so we also call the trip the Explorer Research Voyage.  We are updating this book:


To share information as we go, we have an ERV Facebook page.

And, when time permits, we add to the ERV blog.

KANSTARTER
kanstarterWe're waiting to hear back from a possible funding partner for Kanstarter, an online platform that will help bring volunteers and donations to your community projects.   Hope to let you know soon!

KANSAS SAMPLER FESTIVAL

The Kansas Sampler Festival (25th year) was a big success in Wamego this year.  More than 11,700 came to see what 288 exhibitors could tell them about Kansas.  Hats off to host, Wamego!

KANSAS EXPLORERS CLUB
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The Kansas Explorers Club is made up of people interested in seeing Kansas with new eyes.  They receive 5-6 print newsletters a year from us with information you can't get elsewhere!

POWER UP MOVEMENT
 (rural by choice)


The organic PowerUp Movement continues.  It's about the 21-39s who are rural by choice.  Motivated and supported PowerUps are good for rural Kansas.
Facebook page.

GET RURAL KANSAS
getruralkansas.org
cglogo
Many rural communities have put their explorer-y attractions on Rural Kansas: Come and Get It!

ONE-TIME CAMPAIGNS

The underground campaign to support rural mail carriers was very successful.

8 WONDERS OF KANSAS

The 8 Wonders of Kansas Guidebook continues to provide destination information to 216 excellent places in Kansas.

ENDOWMENT
We've started an endowment with the McPherson County Community Foundation to insure the future of the Kansas Sampler Foundation.

YOUR DOLLARS HELP US STAY ON THE ROAD TO FIND THESE KIND OF PLACES!

CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE THEM IN A GUIDEBOOK.



Cake at Destination Kitchen in Norton.


Clock tower, Hiawatha


Roy's Bar-B-Que, near Hutchinson


Decor on entrance pillar to White City cemetery.


A small section of Rudolph Wendelin's Rawlins County mural, as seen in the museum in Atwood.


Rocktown at Lake Wilson


Part of the historic baseball mural painted by Matthew Farley and Erika Nelson in Muscotah.


Prickly pear cactus found in The Breaks, Cheyenne County.


Good job, Glenn Starks.  Your artistry is fun to see in Kingman.


The Harper Social and Study Club built the city park around 1932 with assistance from the WPA.  Arch entrances complete with sunflower and other symbols.


Jim Elliott's covered bridge on the way to Snow Goose Lodge at Jamestown Marsh in Republic County.


Norton should be the "Restored Filling Station Capital of Kansas!"


Decor on school in Tribune.

Join Our Mailing List
YOU ARE THE NETWORK

If you get this e-blast, you're part of the network.

You each contribute to preserving and sustaining Kansas by exploring, volunteering, doing, sharing positive news about Kansas, living rural by choice, supporting each other, running a business, being part of a local or state support agency or organization, or being a community leader. Together, we can make a lot of great things happen.


Thanks, mayor of Courtland!


Thanks store owner and tourism advocate in Lincoln!


Thanks volunteer!


Thanks economic development director and business owner in Leoti!


Thanks for making a difference.