Looking Ahead to 2011...

Best wishes to all my Kansas Journeys 
readers for a happy, prosperous, 

and most of all - a blessed 2011!

In case you've wondered, my recent sabbatical* from Kansas Journeys postings does not signal an end to my sunflower state wanderings or an end to my series of blogs. I will be back in 2011. Whether it's better than ever remains to be seen, but there will be a multitude of places and events to visit, and plenty of things to write about. I'm hoping that trusty old Isuzu Rodeo will continue to serve me well o'er many a back road, but I have my doubts.

My readers outside of the KC Metro are mostly aware that in the new year, Kansas will celebrate its sesquicentennial (150 years of statehood), but east of Topeka, Lecompton, and Lawrence, there has been no publicity that I have seen or heard. None. Nada. Zilch.** Of course most of the local media is Missouri-based, but even they know the importance of their Kansas constituents' buying power. I suspect they would give coverage if informed. 

In my own grassroots efforts to spread the word, I've found that my acquaintances had been completely unaware of that fact, but each expressed interest and asked what kinds of celebrations are planned. I'm glad they asked. One of my major goals for this space in the new year will be to publicize some of the more interesting events and to report on those which I am able to participate.

Celebrations? The vast majority planned are of a local grassroots nature. Cities, counties, and organizations of all types will be staging events, some large, some small. There will be parades, rodeos, art exhibits, lectures, bean feeds, concerts, just about any kind of appropriate entertainment imaginable. The State of Kansas has made a decision, prudent to my way of thinking, to not sacrifice dwindling finances for a grand and glorious public celebration, but to devote what resources it has at its disposal to assist in the coordination and publicizing of local events.

Kansas Day is January 29. It's unfortunate Kansas was admitted to the Union in mid-winter rather than on a sunny day in June. However, surrounded by the turmoil and bloodshed leading up to the War of Rebellion (some call it the Civil War though it was quite uncivil), politicos of the day were not in a mood to consider how we might wish to celebrate our birthday and century and a half later. There will be a ceremony at the capitol building, and events at the State Museum of History. More on that in a later posting.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions regarding Kansas travel, or if you have comments or suggestions regarding my Kansas Travel blog. My email address: kansasexplorer3128@gmail.com

I'm closing out the year by of showing the wonderful family with which I've been blessed

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*Sabbatical - Nancy and I spent five weeks exploring Italy in the fall, and since that time, I have been totally absorbed in editing the resulting four thousand photo images and compiling a photo memory book for publication. All the while we've been taking time out to play with our three beautiful granddaughters, two of whom were born this year.

** New Year's Day Update - This morning's KC Star ran a full-page feature of eleven things to look for to in '11. First is the opening of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. Second is sesquicentennial year, Kansas' 150th anniversary and the same for the War of Rebellion (Civil War). Good - that is a start.

Link of Interest: http://ks150.kansas.gov