Johnny Spears Sr. Obituary

Johnny Lee Spears, Sr., age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Freeman West Health Center in Joplin, Missouri.  He was born September 30, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Marion Lee “John” Spears and Elsie Shaffer Spears.  Johnny grew up in Kansas City and later moved to Ft. Scott where he graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1976.  Following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Navy.  He served with the Navy for nine and a half years and was stationed in Connecticut and Virginia.  He served as a missile technician on submarine crews.  Johnny married Kathy Seal in June 1983.  Following his discharge from military service, the family relocated to Texas for several years prior to returning to the Ft. Scott area.  Johnny completed the Harley Davidson program at Ft. Scott Community College.  He worked for a year at a Harley Davidson dealership in Louisiana.  Johnny loved listening to music and reading.  In earlier years he enjoyed fishing and recently had taken up the hobby of grilling and smoking meat.  He was a great fan of the Las Vegas Raiders and of NASCAR.  He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

 

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of the home; three children, April Sloan (Robert) of Pittsburg, Kansas, Jennifer Spears of Covington, Kentucky and Johnny L. Spears, Jr., of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Michael Woodward, Michelle Robinson, Kyle, Brady and Scott Sloan, and Aliziegh, Marley and Astonia Spears and three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Avery and Alexander Robinson.  Also surviving are four brothers, Danny Spears, Warsaw, Missouri, Kenny Spears Fulton, Kansas, Jessee Spears, Pleasanton, Kansas and John Jenkins, of Nevada, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Crystal White and a sister, Lillian Vanderford.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Thursday, February 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Johnny Spears Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Amy Sawyer: New Small Business Advisor

Amy Sawyer from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.

Amy Sawyer is the new  Small Business Advisor at Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center

The services she will be providing to the Fort Scott community:

  • Start Up – LLC & EIN registration
  • Loan & Grant Prep – Business Plan & Cash flow
  • Accounting – Quickbooks, Wave Accounting, Etc.
  • Sales Tax – Registering & Paying
  • Marketing & Sales
  • HR/Employees
  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Protection
  • Government Contracting
  • Exit Planning

“I started with the Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University in October,” Sawyer said. “I have spent the last three months alongside Dacia Clark learning my job duties, as well as learning about Fort Scott and what is important to Fort Scott. There are a lot of exciting things going on here, and I am so happy to be a part of it!”

“The best part of my new job at SBDC is that I get to help people all day long!” she said. ” I get to help people make their dreams come true. There are many services that we offer at the SBDC, and most of them are at no charge to the client. So, please reach out and see if we can help you, in any way. I am happy to visit with you at your business, as well! I look forward to meeting you!”

Her contact info: [email protected] 620-235-4921 or call the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is located at 104 N. National Avenue, Fort Scott.

Hours available in Fort Scott are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am-4 pm.

Originally from Winfield, which has the same namesake as Ft. Scott, she noted, Pittsburg has been her home for over 20 years.

“I developed a love for downtown and community service while in high school,” she said in a press release. “Winfield was a Main Street town, and I had the opportunity to work on a project for the organization. My Mother has always been involved in the chamber and business community, so it was natural for me to make those things an important part of my professional career.”

She attended Pittsburg State University and majored in Communications and minored in Business Administration.

After college, she started a career with Names and Numbers telephone directories and worked there for 13 years.

“I had the opportunity to gain experience and grow as a leader,” she said. “I started as a Graphic Designer (I was not the best), but I quickly developed an interest in operations. I was blessed with leaders who saw my fire and intrigue, and they were gracious enough to invest in me. Ultimately, I was named Director of Production at Names and Numbers, and I really enjoyed the big picture and strategic side of the business, as well as the opportunity to grow other leaders.”

“For the last two years, I worked for the United States Senate. In that role, I did community outreach for an 11-county area in Southeast Kansas. This role allowed me to work with business and community leaders across the SEK region.”

She has been an active member of the Pittsburg Area Young Professionals for 10 years and was a past president; served on the Salvation Army Board of Advisors, Pittsburg Downtown Advisory Board (Past Chair), as well as Pittsburg Sunrise Rotary.

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and spending time at Table Rock Lake.

 

 

1960s Family Fun on February 9-10

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Museum of Creativity….

Sixties Family Fun!

Join Museum of Creativity as they go back to a simpler time when jump rope and jacks were the main source of play!

The Museum of Creativity will have a sixties ambiance for the whole weekend of February 8th, 9th, and 10th. They will have music of the decade playing in the background as you remaster your hula hoop skills plus lots of new old toys for the whole family to experience!

Schedule of events:

Friday February 9th:

Belt out to classics at the Karaoke party from 7pm-10pm

Saturday, February 10th:

Jump Rope Contest at 11am-how many times can you jump rope?

Hula Hoop Contest at 1:00pm – how long can you keep it in motion off the ground?

Bubblegum Blowing Contest at 2:00pm – how big are you bubbles?

Entrance for this event starting Friday night @7pm will be

$5/person ages 3 to 103+

2 and under are free

Entrance includes participation in all competitions/activities and an ice cream float using Braum’s vanilla ice cream with a variety of soda to choose from.

There will be a prize for anyone who shows up in 60’s era attire.

Our hours of operation are:

Thursday 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm

Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Contact the museum to get your name on the competition roster!

Cell: 209-204-9743 or email [email protected]

Disclaimer: We are not yet handicap accessible with 11 steps leading to the museum floor. We will be happy to help anyone into the building.

Call 209-204-9743 to arrange assistance.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

WBE Kindergarten Screening On March 18

A screening clinic for 2024-2025 kindergarten students has been scheduled for Monday, March 18 at West Bourbon Elementary. To be eligible for kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024.

Students who will be new to WBE will sign up for a 30 minute slot to be assessed on March 18. Please bring in your child’s birth certificate and immunization record. The agenda for the child will include kindergarten skills assessment, vision, hearing, speech, and checking health records.

Kindergarten children are required to have a physical exam within 12 months of beginning school and have all current immunizations. The Bourbon County Health Department will be onsite providing immunizations and physicals.

Due to the screenings, there will be no Kindergarten class on March 18th.

For the best testing environment for your child, we ask that you not bring brothers or sisters.

To set up a time for screening and assessment, please call the school at 620-224-2350, option 1, or visit https://tinyurl.com/2024WBEKindergartenRoundup.

Obituary of David Doerfler

David Doerfler, age 90, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 27, 2024.  He was born on August 16, 1933, in Emmeram, KS, the son of Joseph and Albina Doerfler, the 7th of 10 children.  As a child, the family moved from Hays, KS to Wichita, KS where he had childhood jobs such as shining shoes at the barber shop at age 12 and working with the Vornado fan company.  The family still has 3 green Vornado fans that still work.  In his teen years his family moved to Fort Scott, KS where he attended high school and worked at the NuGrill.

 

David served in the United States Army from 1954 – 1956 where he was stationed in Germany.  He had to eat a lot of liver and onions and thankfully that was a meal that was never allowed in our house when the family was growing up.  Upon returning home he took over the family-owned D & D Café, next to the railroad depot.  Hamburgers were 5 for $1.00.  He also met Kathryn Kalm at the Cottage – Inn and they were married in 1958.

Pam was born in 1960, being their only child.  In 1968, he  sold the D & D Café to begin his postal career and retired as supervisor in 1992.  David enjoyed his free time on the golf course.  Back in the day at the Fort Scott Country Club, there were many tournaments, and he was club champion 5 times with 5 hole-in-ones to his credit.  He passed his passion for golf on to his grandsons, Nick, and Alex, and relished the fact that they both played on the Jayhawk Linn high school golf team.  He was a member of the Community Christian Church.  Most of all he enjoyed the time spent with family.

 

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; daughter Pam Clark and husband David; grandsons Nicolas and Alex (Ellen) Clark; 2 great grandsons, Landen, and Arthur Clark; and a brother, Alan Doerfler, St. Louis, MO.

He was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Logan Clark; 4 brothers; 4 sisters; and his parents.

 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 31st, at the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM Wednesday until leaving for the cemetery at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to either Children’s Mercy Neo-Natal Unit or Community Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

FS-Bourbon County Job Fair February 22

Fort Scott – Bourbon County

JOB FAIR

Hosted by KANSASWORKS with co-sponsors

Bourbon County REDI, Fort Scott Area Chamber, & HBCAT

Now taking registrations for employer booths!

Employers interested in having a booth

can click here to register online.

Click here for a printable copy of the Job Fair flyer if

you can post it to help us promote the event.

The event will take place

Thursday, February 22nd from 2:30-5pm.

Early Access for Veteran’s at 2:00pm

The Legacy Building

401 Woodland Hills Blvd

ALL job seekers welcome ~ ALL types of jobs available!

KANSASWORKS will be onsite at the Job Fair to provide resources and any assistance to employers or job seekers!

The deadline to register for an employer booth is

February 19th.

Contact the Chamber for more info. or any questions:

620-223-3566 or [email protected]

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!

Bo Co Conservation District Meets January 30

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Bourbon County Conservation District…..

78th Annual Meeting!

Join the Bourbon County Conservation District for their 78th Annual Meeting!

This meeting will include the recognition of the 2023 Conservation Award Winner, and the election of 2 supervisors for a 3-year term!

H’orderves and drinks will be available.

No RSVP necessary!

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

5:30pm

Clover Leaf 4-H Building

Bourbon County Fairgrounds

Sponsored by: Citizens, City State, Landmark, Union State Banks!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Southeast Kansas Library System Newsletter

The SEKnFind Newsletter
January 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

First lie wins : a novel
by Ashley Elston

A woman with many faces and identities, Evie Porter, covertly moves from job to job for her unknown employer until her latest mark, Ryan Summer gets under her skin and makes her envision a different sort of life.

No one can know
by Kate Alice Marshall

Returning to the house where her parents were murdered, mother-to-be Emma Palmer who has never told anyone what she saw the night her parents died, even when she became the prime suspect, is reunited with her estranged sisters who will do anything to keep the past buried.

The fury
by Alex Michaelides

Spending Easter with Lana Farrar, a reclusive ex-movie star and one of the most famous women in the world, on her idyllic private Greek island, her guests, concealing hatred and desire for revenge, become trapped when the night ends in violence and murder.

True north : a novel
by Andrew J. Graff

A heartfelt novel of marriage and whitewater rafting follows one couple as they navigate the changing currents of family, community and the river itself.

The waters : a novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Spending the days searching for truths on an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp, 11-year-old Dorothy Zook, the granddaughter of an herbalist and eccentric healer, finds her childhood upended by family secrets, passionate love and violent men where the only bridge across the water is her wayward mother.

Hedging your bets : a novel
by Jayne Denker

Happily divorced Gillian prefers her garden to the dating scene but is intrigued by her new neighbor until they’re pitted against each other in gardening contest, in the new novel from the author of the“Welcome to Marsden” series. Original.

The house of last resort : a novel
by Christopher Golden

Buying an abandoned house in the remote Italian town of Becchina, American couple Tommy and Kate Puglisi are drawn into a nightmare when they discover the home was owned by the Church—and learn the truth about what the priests were doing in this house for all those long years.

Sanctuary of the shadow
by Aurora Ascher

Hidden within an unusual circus run by a centuries-old Enchanter, Harrow, keeping her true identity and magical ability a secret, finds her destiny in an elemental with no recollection of who he is, forcing her to reveal the secrets from her own dark past to save this dangerous creature.

Mislaid in parts half-known
by Seanan McGuire

When Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children’s mean girl discovers her talent for finding absolutely anything, new student Antsy searches for a way back to the Shop Where Lost Things Go to be sure Vineta and Hudson are keeping their promise.

The curse of Pietro Houdini : a novel
by Derek B. Miller

In 1943, 14-year-old Massimo, rescued by a mysterious man called Pietro Houdini who preserves the treasures within the Benedictine abbey’s wall, accompanies him on a World War II art-heist adventure where they lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill and sin to survive, while smuggling Renaissance masterpieces they’ve rescued from the“safe keeping” of the Germans.

The caretaker : a novel
by Ron Rash

In 1951, Blackburn Gant, the sole caretaker of a hilltop cemetery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is charged with caring for his best friend’s wife, Naomi, when he is drafted to serve overseas, and as Blackburn and Naomi grow closer and closer, a shocking revelation upends numerous lives.

On the Oregon Trail
by Robert Vaughan

When sixteen-year-old Matt Logan and his friend Danny Dugan ran away from an orphanage, they went west. There, they met Jim Bridger, among other mountain men, and became fur trappers. But the market for beaver plews died out, and the two friends took on jobs as wagon train guides. They eventually separated, hoping to meet again. One of the trains Matt picks up in Independence began its journey in St. Louis, led by widower Cody McNair. Cody was a well experienced leader, having once been the captain of an ocean-going sailing ship. His adult son and daughter, Jared and Ellen, make the trip with him. Also a part of the wagon company is Lon Baker, his wife Norma, and their eight-year-old daughter, Precious. Lon had been a slave on the McNair farm. When Cody’s father died, Cody had sold the farm and granted Lon his freedom. Lon, in turn, followed Cody to serve as a crewman on his ship. The two were now best friends and were embarking on this new adventure together. On the journey west, tension develops with some of the members of the train, and Cody and Matt are tasked with keeping things in check as the train endures the rigors of travel on their way to Oregon City, Oregon.

New Audiobooks

The Guests
by Margot Hunt

When a Category 5 hurricane is poised to hit their coastal Florida town, the Davies family takes refuge in their waterfront manse. Marlowe, Lee, and their teenage twins invite their close friends to wait out the storm in comfort and style. Uninvited are the three strangers who dock on the family’s shore right before the storm descends. Brothers Jason and Bo―and Bo’s girlfriend, Darcy―are a charming, helpful trio in need of a safe haven that the Davies are only too happy to provide. But as the storm outside grows more threatening, so does the tension in the house. Soon, the lines between family, friends, and strangers blur. Danger mounts with every pointed finger and broken confidence, and long-held secrets are revealed one after another until only one truth remains: not everyone is going to make it out alive.

The Heiress
by Rachel Hawkins

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, her adopted son, Camden, rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past. Ten years later, his uncle’s death pulls Cam and Jules back into the family fold and questions about the infamous heiress come to light. What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will–and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave

Birdie & Harlow : Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids… Until I Did
by Taylor Wolfe

Taylor Wolfe tells the story of her wonderfully codependent relationship with her dog, and what he taught her about chosen family and the rewards of motherhood.

New Nonfiction

Your pocket therapist : break free from old patterns and transform your life
by Annie Zimmerman

“Every day, psychotherapist Dr. Annie Zimmerman meets clients in her private London practice who are struggling with their lives. They’re committed to achieving personal growth, making changes-but they’re struck at the question stage. They ask her: Why can’t I sleep? Why do I keep going back to a bad relationship? Why did I lose my temper? What is wrong with me? Here’s the thing: nothing is wrong with them. It’s just that they’re asking themselves the wrong questions. In Your Pocket Therapist, Dr. Zimmerman helps readers delve into their past to identify old, unhelpful patterns and teach them how to unlock the present. The book combines practical tools with anecdotes gleaned from the therapy room, distilling complex psychological concepts with her signature warmth and empathy. Her belief-galvanized by her hundreds of thousands of followers-is that if we learn to understand the roots of our suffering, we can bring about meaningful-and permanent-change in our lives. It comes down to learning how to ask the right questions. A brilliant, necessary toolkit for those who want to break free from past patterns and embrace a life of abundant self-awareness and connection, Your Pocket Therapist is an absolute must-read in the field of psychology”

Njuta : (enjoy, delight in) : the Swedish art of savoring the moment
by Niki Brantmark

Introducing the Swedish concept of njuta, which is about simplicity and intent in every aspect of life, this empowering and engaging guide offers advice for incorporating njuta into any lifestyle, showing you how to relax and consciously seize the moment to enrich and deepen your life. Illustrations.

I survived capitalism and all I got was this lousy t-shirt : everything I wish I never had to learn about money
by Madeline Pendleton

The TikTok superstar and founder of Tunnel Vision, a progressive and employee-centric clothing company, discusses her days living paycheck to paycheck while offering no-nonsense advice on taking control of your own financial life and building wealth.

Your journey to financial freedom : a step-by-step guide to achieving wealth and happiness
by Jamila Souffrant

The founder of Journey to Launch and the host of an award-nominated podcast of the same name offers her seasoned expertise, providing readers with the resources they need for spending and saving responsibly as they embark on a journey to financial freedom and independence.

The allure of the multiverse : extra dimensions, other worlds, and parallel universes
by Paul Halpern

Drawing on centuries of disputation and deep vision from luminaries like Nietzsche, Einstein and the creators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a physicist reveals the multiplicity of multiverses that scientists have imagined to make sense of our reality. Illustrations.

Break the cycle : a guide to healing intergenerational trauma
by Mariel Buquâe

A trauma psychologist, professor and sound bath meditation healer offers scientific research and practical exercises to help the pain of unhealed emotions and inherited trauma and transform that pain into intergenerational abundance.

Come hungry : salads, meals, and sweets for people who live to eat
by Melissa Ben-Ishay

“In Come Hungry, Melissa shares her favorite everyday recipes and tips for creating nourishing, delicious meals the whole family will love. With flavorful ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Melissa encourages home cooks of all levels to cook outside of their comfort zones and reveals her go-to techniques for creating the perfect bite”

110 South Main Cafe and Store Will Reopen February 6: New Distillery on the Horizon

 

Terry and Kathy Dancer. Stock photo.

The owners of Cohn’s Cafe and 110 South  Main Mercantile & Market closed for January 2024 to work on the south half of the building.

The former Scottish Rite Temple at 110 S. Main was repurposed by Tracy and Kathy Dancer. August 2023 photo. The south half of the building is on the left in this photo.
“We painted the old banquet hall, removed the old carpet, and we will also replace the ceiling tiles and update the light fixtures,” said Kathy Dancer, owner.
Submitted photo. This is the former Scottish Rite Banquet Hall.

The banquet hall, which was used by the Scottish Rite, is just on the other side of the cafe and is an area that has been closed off to customers in the past.

“The carpet has been removed, the walls have been repainted, and the ceiling has been removed and will be replaced this week,” she said. “The space will not be complete for the February 6th reopening, but it should be complete in early spring once we finish adding heating and air conditioning and complete some plumbing work in that portion of the building. Once HVAC is done, the retail store will move to that area.”

Submitted photo. This photo is of the upstairs theater lobby which is slated to open up to the public in the spring. It will be available for private events once complete.
Cohn’s Cafe and the retail store will reopen on Feb 6, with new hours and days.
The businesses will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with the kitchen closing at 2 p.m. each day. They have 11 employees
“We have added about a dozen new product lines to the retail store including Zum, Mountain Goat Soap Company, and Miners + Monroe Grooming,” Dancer said.  “These are all Kansas-produced items.  We are also restocking and expanding customer favorites such as Rural Pearl Art, Simply Delightful Popcorns, Frontier Soups, Two Southern Ladies, and Bath House Trading.”
Kansas products are offered in the mercantile. Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.
“In the cafe, we have added several breakfast items including a breakfast sandwich, a breakfast croissant, and French toast, ” she said. “We will also be serving a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich, a specialty burger with a Bourbon maple glaze, and several new desserts including a skillet cookie and chess pies, made from Kress Tea Room recipes.  We will still have quiche, crepes, and sandwiches from last year’s menu.”
The menu. Submitted photo.
The Kress Tea Room was a downtown Fort Scott staple for several years.
They are working on a third business in the building.
“We will continue working on the southern half of the building in the evenings and hope to have the micro-distillery licensed and operating by summer,” Dancer said.
Her husband, Tracy will operate the distillery. Tracy Dancer was newly elected to the Fort Scott City Commission.
Two of their children help out with the businesses.
“They work wherever needed in the kitchen, cafe, and store,” she said. “Katelyn, who is a senior at Fort Scott High School, does most of the baking. Her specialty is a scratch-made cheesecake. Andrew helps process new inventory.”
Contact info: phone number: 620-418-6209 or
Facebook: Cohn’s Cafe on Main

Joseph Rash Obituary

Joseph Wayne Rash, age 43, a resident of Garland, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at his home. He was born June 26, 1980, in Kansas City, the son of Wayne Cecil Rash and Donna Mae Cole Rash.

Joseph enjoyed reading about history, collecting comic books and movies, and spending time on the computer. He attended the Hannon Freewill Baptist Church in Liberal, Missouri. Joseph loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and had read the entire Bible.

Survivors include his mother, Donna Rash; three sisters, Rosemary Harris of Ft. Scott, Kay Wallace of Pittsburg, Kansas and Donna Hassan of Cady, Texas and three brothers, Glenn Rash of Ft. Scott, Cecil Rash of Topeka, Kansas and Roy Rash of Independence, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, Wesley Wallace and Henry Rash and a sister, Sherry Palmer.

There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the Dayton Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Joseph Rash Memorial Fund and may be left
in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

KS Marketing Campaign Launched

Kansas Tourism celebrates Kansas Day by Launching 2024 Marketing Campaign

TOPEKA — To commemorate Kansas Day, Kansas Tourism has released a new video inviting audiences to reclaim their vacation in Kansas. The video kicks off Kansas Tourism’s 2024 marketing campaign that focuses on the true meaning of a vacation and how Kansas is the perfect vacation destination.

To watch the video, click here. Kansans and non-Kansans alike are encouraged to join the movement by sharing the video on social media and making their plans to vacation in Kansas at the Tourism website here.

“Too many trips leave us drained instead of refreshed, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Instead of counting vacation days, we want visitors to make their vacation days count in Kansas.”

The concept of a vacation was first popularized in the 1860s and was intended to encourage people to “vacate their homes” to experience the wilderness and reconnect through rest and relaxation, essential to living a healthy life. But nowadays, vacations are often stress-inducing, jam-packed and expensive.

“Let’s get back to the heart of what a vacation is meant to be,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “We know that you can find it in Kansas.”

Kansas Tourism provides valuable free resources to help plan a Kansas trip, including a free travel guide available to be mailed or immediately downloaded. The TravelKS.com website features an entire Plan Your Trip section.

“Visitors worldwide should plan a Kansas vacation in 2024 because Kansas is filled with outdoor adventure, inspirational history, world-class attractions, and exceptional arts and entertainment,” Jobe said.

Kansas Day, January 29, provides the perfect opportunity for Kansans to come together and honor the unique history that has shaped the Sunflower State and to kick-off the 2024 tourism marketing campaign. On this day in 1861, Kansas officially entered the Union as the 34th state, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. This celebration provides the opportunity to acknowledge contributions of Kansans throughout the years, from the pioneers who settled the prairies to the modern-day innovators driving the state’s progress.

Follow Kansas Tourism on:

Facebook – / travelks 

Instagram – / kansastourism 

#VacationinKansas

#ToTheStarsKS

About Kansas Tourism:

The mission of Kansas Tourism is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education, and support.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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Bourbon County Local News