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We’ve interviewed several authors over the years on Uncovering Kansas. And, through that process I met my guests today, Tracy Million Simmons owner and publisher of Meadowlark books and Cheryl Unruh (un roo) a well known, prolific writer who is also the editor of the 105 Meadowlark Reader, a Kansas Journal of Creative Nonfiction.
When I first heard about Meadowlark Books, I was excited to hear that we have a publisher in Kansas focused on Kansas authors. As you know, my goal is to help Kansans learn more about our state, a great way to do that is to read books published by Kansas authors. I’ve got to wrap up this introduction and get on with the show so that I can start working on my next submission for the 105 project….. Show Notes: Meadowlark Press website 105 Meadowlark Reader website Kansas Authors Club Cheryl Unruh’s website Book by Al Ortolani (mentioned by Traci - set in southeast Kansas) The Adventures of Bottle Calf by Ann Vigola Anderson Episode with Ann Vigola Anderson Kansas Library System episode Kansas Book Festival Episode What You’ll Learn in this Episode
How to Support the Podcast:
You can listen to Geoffrey's song "Bored Room (aka Boardroom) Blues" that launches each episode of the Uncovering Kansas podcast on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, or YouTube.
From 0 murals to 25 murals in 2 years seems like an impossible task, but that is exactly what they’ve done in Clay Center Kansas. Today I’m talking with Brett Hubka who has been spearheading the effort.
I’m no art expert, but I feel like I’ve noticed a resurgence of murals in towns across the country and it is a welcome trend. Coming into a new town, looking at the murals on the downtown buildings gives you a sense of the history of the town, the things that are important, and an overall sense of what the town is like. Over the years, we’ve interviewed or highlighted artists across the state, and it is really a testament to the people of Kansas that we have such a rich art tradition in our state. So, this episode is about art, and about how a town can come together to accomplish something amazing in as little as 2 years. It is also about how much pride Kansans have in our state and how much life is being lived in our smaller rural communities. Show Notes Mural Movement Facebook Page Mural Movement Instagram - Mural Movement Clay Center Mural Interactive Map Clay Center Kansas 15-24 Brewhouse website Tasty Pastry Bakery - they don’t have a website Little Mill Creek Trail Sept 2018 Get to Know a Kansan Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Festival Gypsum Hills Episode 0108: Big Kansas Road Trip Bill Snyder Stadium Dwight D Eisenhower Museum Kansas Speedway Learn a little more about Dwight D Eisenhower in this episode: Kansans Favorite Kansans What You’ll Learn in this Episode
How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode 5/27/2022 0505: Opera in the Flint Hills
Cottonwood Falls is a small town - population about 800 - a nationally and internationally known town for its music. The well known Symphony in the Flint Hills is based in Cottonwood Falls and so is the Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills. When you think of Kansas, opera probably isn’t in the top 10 - or even 100 - things that come to mind.
But, thanks to my guest, Martha Sharp, people come from across the country, and even from other countries, each July to attend the Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills. In our conversation, you’ll learn about the workshop, how it is tailored to the attendees, and maybe a little bit about opera along the way. We also talk about Martha’s career in Europe and her move to Kansas, which is a really interesting story as well. Opera Workshop in the Flint Hills website Episode 0110: Chase County Christmas Episode 0503: Dynamic Discs Episode 0212: Publishing in Kansas: Emanuel Haldeman-Julius Chief Theatre in Coldwater Kansas Granada Theatre in Emporia Folly Theater in Kansas City Lyric Opera in Kansas City Disc Golf World Championship website Girard History Museum What You’ll Learn in this Episode
How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode 10/10/2019 Nancy Overmyer
This month Rachel uncovers another story about a Kansan, Nancy Overmyer. Rachel (and Geoff) met Nancy while they were volunteering for the Lenexa Art Show in May 2019. And Rachel immediately fell in love with Nancy’s artwork.
In this episode, Rachel sits down with Nancy, a gourd artisan who also did a stint as a librarian. They discuss the origins of the gourd, the intricacies and nuances of the gourd as (artistic) medium, and how Nancy’s path meandered and branched out to include making gourd jewelry, as well as carving and decorating. And you’ll learn what it means to ‘love the 745s’ and how Nancy sees unique patterns in each gourd. Nancy’s passion and commitment to her artistic development is evident in this interview and in her artwork (see photos). It’s no wonder her creations have been highlighted and showcased in magazines. Being a library geek herself, Rachel encourages Nancy to share with listeners her experience as a librarian as well as her personal picks and favorites from around the Sunflower State. A note from our co-producer, Geoff: Uncovering Kansas never requests or expects compensation, in any form, from guests appearing on the show. Rachel fell for Nancy’s creativity and purchased a necklace while volunteering at the Lenexa Art Fair. Unbeknownst to Rachel, Nancy brought another necklace to the recording of this episode and presented it to Rachel as a token of appreciation and kindness. Rachel accepted the gift. While it was not a requirement of appearing on Uncovering Kansas, nor influence the content or direction of the recording, we believe it appropriate to share this information with listeners in the spirit of transparency and openness. Gooseberry Lane (Nancy’s) Facebook Page(look for a picture with a gourd) Nancy’s website Sunflower Gourd Patch Silver Lake Kansas Lonnie Kruger Maple Leaf Festival Baldwin City Kansas Baldwin City Lumber Yard Arts Center Lake Wabaunsee Coronado Heights Castle Tallgrass Prairie Cottonwood Falls Emma Chase Friday Night Concerts Amelia Earhart 8/6/2019 Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival, which takes place each September in St. Marys, Kansas. For 2019, the festival features Twelfth Night along with an artisan village of about 50 craft and food booths along a forest path. The festival is a volunteer led event, another example of the power of people coming together to make something happen.
Our guest is Ben Moats, the President of the festival, and he and Rachel talk about the festival, the history of St. Marys, and the importance of bringing culture to towns across the state. The festival is in September (2019). Event and ticketing details can be found at the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival website. (Bring your own chairs and wear appropriate shoes for walking through the woods -- Shakespeare out in the open, as intended) St. Marys Kansas Kansas City Flint Hills Enthusiasts Group
We are working on a project to create a group in Kansas City for Flint Hills enthusiasts. We'll meet every few months to enjoy a drink, socialize, and talk about our love of the Flint Hills. If you would like to be notified once we have the details worked out, please let us know below.
7/9/2019 Chris Alexander
Most of us have experienced that always exhilarating, and sometimes frightening, feeling when we end up doing something we never quite expected doing. Chris Alexander's path took her from theater to stained glass to metal working. As co-owner of Alexander Artworks, Chris has found herself busier than she ever imagined as she and her co-owner husband try to keep up with orders. Rachel and Chris talk about metal working, the importance of personal connection, and what it's like to be a business owner in a small town. Chris' answers and responses during the Get to Know a Kansan section impressed, and Rachel captured her insights so our listeners can add to their list of places to check out when exploring Kansas.
Alexander Artworks Morris County Community Arts Council Strong City Rodeo Council Grove Wichita Washunga Days Bloody Bill Anderson Huffaker Family Kaw Mission Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park Rails to Trails Kanopolis Drive In Salt Mines Lost City of Etzanoa Dwight Eisenhower 3/13/2019 Angie Pickman Photo by Geoffrey Allison
Angie Pickman is a Kansas artist with a national reputation. Angie imagines and creates artwork in her Lawrence studio that is a modern twist on the traditional Chinese art form of paper cutting. Her love of nature is front and center in her work and growing up in Kansas provided her with a wealth of inspiration. In this Uncovering Kansas episode, Rachel talks with Angie about her round trip journey from Kansas to New York. While travelling her creative path Angie built both her talent and her fanbase, her career flourishes as a result. Rachel and Angie discuss how several stereotypes about Kansas aren't true.To learn more about Angie, please visit her website, Rural Pearl.
Other things we talked about: An Example of Lotte Reiniger’s work Lawrence Art Walk Atchison Kansas The Sallie House – Haunted Home Amelia Earhart Birthplace The Smallest Presidential Library Chalk Pyramids (aka Monument Rocks) William Stafford 2/9/2019 Kansas Storytelling Festival
Once upon a time…
That’s a classic way to begin a story. And it’s the right way to begin this episode.
We’re certain listeners will uncover something interesting about this Kansas event. Please note that this year’s event is scheduled for April 26 and 27, 2019.
Kansas Storytelling Festival website 7/17/2018 Elementia
In this episode of Uncovering Kansas, we talk with Kate McNair, Managing Editor of Elementia Literary Magazine, a publication written, edited, and produced completely by teens.
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Uncovering KansasThe podcast about culture, travel, people, history, and enterprise in Kansas. Archives
January 2024
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