Tampa
Contributing writer
Nearly a hundred people from several counties attended a conference about economic development through agritourism Friday afternoon and Saturday morning at the senior center. Featured speakers were Remelle Farrar and Bob Rogers of Canadian, Texas. Farrar is involved in the Texas Prairie Rivers Region, Inc., which has promoted experimental tourism in a 15-county area in the Texas Panhandle. Rogers works for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and manages a prairie preserve near Canadian.
Farrar pointed out that 83 percent of city dwellers say they want to escape to a place where there is no traffic and no stress. This is the kind of experience her organization sells to the 60,000 tourists who visit Canadian each year. Before this movement started Canadian was a dying town. The enterprise has generated 300 new jobs in Hemphill County and brought in eight new restaurants, 14 bed and breakfast establishments, and a newly renovated motel. Various companies have moved into the area as well. "Businesses do not move because of financial incentives they are offered," Farrar opined. "They moved because someone with the authority to make that decision has visited a town and liked it."
Friday closed with a chuck wagon style supper and entertainment from Melody, Allison, and Danielle Routh of Augusta, who played stringed instruments and sang.
After a continental breakfast Saturday morning, attendees divided into small groups to brainstorm possibilities, problems, and solutions. Then a committee was formed, and an area covering several counties was determined to begin developing an organization similar to the Prairie Rivers Region. This part of the state has been chosen by Kansas for a pilot program, and more developments can be expected soon.
Stephanie Classen of Marion, Eleanor Murphy, and Martha Melcher were Sunday evening visitors of Helen Schwartzman.
Jim and Mary Clemmer spent Sunday with Shawn and Karin Clemmer in Salina, where they joined other relatives to celebrate the first birthday of Cierra Walker, daughter of Chris and Dahn Walker.
Adeline Bernhardt visited Milda Krauter Sunday afternoon at Marion Manor in Marion.
Greg Sklenar of Wichita and Valerie Hampton of Hillsboro were dinner guests Sunday of their mother, Lois Sklenar. They celebrated Valerie's upcoming birthday. Janie Rziha of Atchison spent from Thursday to Sunday with Jerry and Jeanne Rziha and Julie for fall break. Diane Herron, Andrew and Peter of Solomon joined them Saturday and Sunday.
Leroy Schwartzman of Ballwin, Mo., was a Sunday visitor of his mother, Helen Schwartzman.
Anna Weber was a Saturday overnight guest of her grandparents, Frank and Anna Mae Stika, and attended church with them.
Georgia Spohn visited Marguerite Goertz Saturday morning in Hillsboro.
Willis and Eleanor Herbel were Saturday evening visitors of Lois Sklenar.
Jim and Grant Srajer attended the Kansas State-Nebraska football game Saturday as a celebration of Grant's birthday, which was Friday.
Lucille Kerbs and Connie Thompson and Taylor enjoyed dinner out Saturday in Abilene.
Tom and Lori Moldenhauer and Nikki enjoyed dinner out and a movie Saturday in Hutchinson.
Tony Young of Goessel visited Thursday with his aunt, Lois Sklenar.
Jim and Kris Srajer and Tillie Hein were guests Friday of Grant Srajer for dinner at Centre Elementary School in Lost Springs in celebration of Grant's birthday. Becky and Dean Routh, Allison, Melody, and Danielle of Augusta visited Leona Kleiber Friday evening after the agritourism conference and supper, where the Routh girls performed.
Reuben and Lucille Kerbs took Russ Kerbs and Ashton Kerbs out for breakfast Friday morning to celebrate Russ's birthday.
Tillie Hein, Adeline Bernhardt, and Betty Mueller acted as judges Oct. 19 for a Halloween scarecrow contest in Ramona.
Members of Holy Redeemer Altar Society enjoyed supper Oct. 18 at the cafe in Ramona, followed by a business meeting.
Tillie Hein attended the funeral Oct. 13 of Rosella Sklenar at Pilsen.
Carol Finan of Salina and Eleanor Murphy visited Oct. 18 with Helen Schwartzman.
Kristin Srajer of Omaha, Neb., spent Oct. 14-17 with Tillie Hein and Jim and Kris Srajer, Grant and Cole.
Many farmers are still harvesting milo. Yields vary considerably from field to field, but are generally fairly good.
