Crabby Patty’s: an American story in the making

April 3, 2009 in Uncategorized | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

Hazel Young started it. She remembered Marci Penner’s efforts a few years ago, when the Lizard Lips Grill, north of Toronto, Kansas, was in danger of closing. Marci had mobilized the good people of the Kansas Explorers Club, urging them to stop by and spend $5 at the convenience store to help it stay open. Helen told Marci that a similar situation was unfolding in Dexter, Kansas …

Bruce and Patty Hafenstein had re-opened a convenience store and deli on Highway K15 just a couple of years earlier. They weren’t doing it to get rich, but with a little luck, they figured there was a living to be made, and it was a needed resource for the town.

Then oil prices exploded, making it difficult to muster enough money to fill the station’s storage tanks. People were buying less gasoline.

High fuel prices or not, Dexter citizens needed a place to get gas and groceries, so the Hafensteins worked hard, sometimes 16 hours a day, and Bruce joked that Patty tended to get a little feisty after the long shifts … hence the store’s name, “Crabby Patty’s.”

Gas prices dropped, but then America sank into recession. The story of Crabby Patty’s appeared to be nearing its end.

That’s when Hazel, a member of the Dexter Economic Development Association—and one of those rare people who manages to be simultaneously fearless and sweet—called Marci. Once again, Marci roused the troops, and it was the beginning of a new twist in the tale. Now people are driving to Crabby Patty’s to spend a few dollars in the store, and many who can’t make the trip are sending donations … a dollar, five, ten.

As of this blog post, the story of Crabby Patty’s is still being written. And it’s not just the story of one business in one community; it’s the saga of Small Town, USA. It’s our story, as a nation.

It’s your story, if you choose to play a role. You can make a huge difference for a small town by stopping by Crabby Patty’s for a bite to eat, a dash of friendly conversation and a shot of fuel along one of rural Kansas’ prettiest drives.

Will it have a happy ending? From what I could make of Patty, Bruce and the entire town of Dexter, Kansas, no one will be giving up anytime soon.

Visit Crabby Patty’s on highway K-15 on the east side of Dexter.

Crabby Patty’s Webisode

Gearing up for spring

February 12, 2009 in Film Production | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

The IMG team is using the winter months to catch up on many behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking. Not exciting, but necessary work. Coming soon, new webisodes, new blog articles … and new towns to explore. Stay tuned.

Lucas, Kansas: an artists’ community like no other

December 5, 2008 in Home Town Life, Places, Revitalization Strategies, Small Town Success Stories, Uncategorized | by Wynn Ponder | 2 comments

(Story #1 in the Russell County series)

Posted by Wynn Ponder

Economic Development Director Cindy Wallace recently hosted our crew’s first visit to Russell County, which is filled with great stories; so many, in fact, that I’m going to break them up into a series, of which this is the first installment.

Let’s start with Lucas. The place sneaks up on you. When you drive in from the east and see the giant, hand-painted, dinner-plate sign, you can’t help but think, “Wow, I wonder if they know how home-made that sign looks.”

Yes, they know. Lucas is the official, national headquarters of an emerging art movement called “Grassroots.” Just drive on into town, and you’ll see why this unusual community received the 2008 Governor’s Award for Tourism. As author Richard E. Wood puts it in his book, Survival of Rural America, Lucas has the all-important “Purple Cow” quality that can turn a small town into a big attraction.

First stop: the Garden of Eden, a limestone log cabin surrounded by a strange collection of concrete sculptures depicting Biblical and pseudo-religious stories. This one-of-a-kind something-or-other was created early in the 20th century by an eccentric, retired farmer named S.P. Dinsmoor. Once again, you’ll look at the art and think, “unschooled,” but by now, you’ll be wondering if that’s a bad thing. Gauguin, after all, made an enduring statement with the raw power and simplicity of a folkish style called “primitive.”

But Mr. Dinsmoor wasn’t just a peculiar artist; he was also a shrewd marketer. He knew that, if he created something truly unusual in Lucas, people would have a reason to visit the town in the years to come, so Lucas would have a “brand” and therefore a better chance of thriving.

His plan is working.

Now that you have the mood of the place, let’s visit Erika Nelson, creator and curator of The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things. This traveling roadside attraction and museum filled me with a romantic sense of longing for the open highway. Erika also drives a pickup named Scout, which is artistically every bit as eccentric as the Garden of Eden, if more schooled.

Erika holds a master’s degree in fine art and has the option at any time of teaching at the university level, but chooses to do her work here, in the town of Lucas. She volunteers at the Garden of Eden and the Grassroots Art Center, owns a Chair-E Tree, has a theme song, and thinks hard about the town’s future.

You’ll also want to check out the American Fork Art and other eclectic sculptures of Mri-Pilar.

And the amazing limestone sculptures of Inez Marshall.

And the concrete sculptures of Florence Deeble, who pursued her craft in direct tribute to S.P. Dinsmoor.

And the Flying Pig Studio & Gallery, the sprawling lair of Eric Abraham, whose world-renowned porcelain art seems to emerge from another universe. When you visit, be sure to check out his new works, which combine pencil drawings, old photos and porcelain elements.

The Grassroots Art Center on Main Street is putting Lucas on the national map—and boosting the local economy—thanks to the efforts of Director Rosslyn Schultz, among others. The Center is part museum, part gallery and home to the national Grassroots Art Registry, a database of roadside, grassroots art located along highways and byways across the Midwest. This is an important stop on any cultural road trip.

But we cannot live by art alone, so let’s get down to brass tacks …

We had a delicious lunch at Linda’s Café; old-fashioned, high-quality food served with old-fashioned courtesy and care. I continue to be amazed at how cheap it is to dine out in small towns, yet what a consistently memorable experience it is.

Brant’s Meat Market: Holy Cow, forget everything you know about bologna. And Colby cheese. And beef jerky. This list goes on. And Proprietor Doug Brant is one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet.

Once again, we didn’t get around to all the people on our list because conversation is good in rural Kansas, and the pace is slow. Suffice it to say that Lucas, Kansas, is worth the drive, wherever you’re coming from.

Next in the Russell County Series: “Alive & well in Russell, Kansas.”

A view of the good life from Russell, Kansas

November 5, 2008 in Home Town Life, People, Places, Small Town Success Stories | by Wynn Ponder | 1 comment

Posted by Beth Pfeifer, Russell, Kansas

One perception I believe people hold of small towns is that we are not educated and that there are only minimum wage jobs to be had in rural America.  That is just not true, a vast majority of this community are professional degreed individuals.  Myself as an example, I hold a four year degree but I have made the decision to not work at this time.  In order to keep myself fresh, I volunteer my time to a variety of organizations that utilize my marketing background.  In addition, we are making a very comfortable living that would probably exceed the average perception of “small town living.”

Another thought, I think what makes us different as far as buying and selling goods here is accountability.  As a stockholder and active participant in the clothing store (Waudby & Co. Clothiers) and as a fellow owner/operator of an insurance agency, I have to back up the goods and services I offer.  I will be seeing my customer at church, school functions, etc. It is not possible for me to sell them a false bill of goods and then later look them in the face and be their friend, knowing I have mislead them. There is a completely different level of trust and faith between the buyer and seller here.  I know the survival of my business in contingent on their belief in my sincerity.

Support rural merchants this holiday season

November 3, 2008 in Home Town Life, Revitalization Strategies | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

Bring some extra cheer to your local economy this holiday season by purchasing gift certificates from restaurants, attractions and retailers in your community and county. Give them to friends and family, both inside and outside the area.

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.
–James M. Barrie

Coming home to Comanche County

November 3, 2008 in People, Places, Small Town Success Stories | by Wynn Ponder | 2 comments

Posted by Wynn Ponder

Economic Development Director Linda Hart invited us to Comanche County to visit three remarkable towns. We were there for a day and a half, but we got to talking so much that we only made it part of the way through our agenda in Coldwater, so we’ll be going back to learn more about the good things happening there, as well as in Protection and Wilmore. I’m particularly looking forward to Wilmore Saturday Nite: Live.

Everyone made us feel right at home when we arrived on Wednesday night, October 15, starting with Mike Baldwin, principal of South Central High School. The school hosted Ron Wilson of the Huck Boyd Institute, who presented the results of a First Impressions Analysis, a sort of secret-shopper report in which people visit your town or county, then tell you what it looks like from the outside. Great program, and because the reviews are done by people from other small towns, it creates cross-pollination of ideas around the state.

Later that night, Owner Wayne Thompson showed us a great time at the Lazy T Tavern, where we found an upbeat atmosphere and a well-chosen variety of specialty beers. Linda nursed a single glass of Zinfandel all evening and talked about the tax incentive programs and other economic tools Comanche County has employed to help finance a nursing home renovation in Protection, a theater renovation in Coldwater, a new playground and a city park among other projects. She’s proud of the way people in her county are pulling together to make things like this happen.

Next morning, we had a hearty breakfast at the deli café at Convenience Plus, which was packed to capacity, a nice little gathering spot where you can have a cup of coffee, a breakfast sub and a neighborly chat.

Lunch at Dave’s Pizza was amazing by any standard. The atmosphere was well contrived and remarkably urban. It’s no surprise his business has grown every year since it opened in 1988. In addition to being an artist with pizza, Dave is part photographer, part entrepreneur and part philosopher, a true renaissance man of the Gypsum Hills.

City Council Member Tiffany Sowa talked about moving back home to Coldwater from Denver—for the same reasons that bring so many young families to rural America: safety, good schools, and a chance to participate in a community rather than fading into the woodwork of a metropolis. Tiffany works for Cowley County Community College via internet, and her husband is a carpenter. They’ve been thriving since day-one of their return to Small Town, USA.

Linda and Tiffany showed us the city lake, which is lush with trees and wildlife. (If you want to hook up your RV, make reservations early, or you may not get a spot. If you want to live on the lake, no problem; they’re putting in a housing development.) They told us that deer hunters from all over the world come to Comanche County, hoping to encounter one of the area’s legendary bucks. We saw several whitetail slipping in and out of the woods. Bald eagles are also known to frequent the area.

Coldwater is a scenic getaway destination with a bit of everything, including two inns and a chic, renovated movie theater with first-run films. If you drive in from the east, try to take US Highway 160; it’s an explosion of sculpted mesas and verdant foliage. If you fly, there’s a small airport with a quarter-mile landing strip (long enough for business jets) just outside of town. However you get there, it’ll be worth the trip.

More to come from Comanche County …

What cannot be achieved in one lifetime will happen when one lifetime is joined to another.
– Harold Kushner

Nice stretches of open road

October 26, 2008 in Places | by Wynn Ponder | 4 comments

Posted by Wynn Ponder

One of the most overlooked benefits of traveling in rural Kansas is the quality of the journey itself. Sure, the towns are as unique as fingerprints, as friendly as family, but the joy of the open road is nowhere more liberating than places like Highway 177 between Cassoday and Council Grove, or the fiery mesas on Highway 160 between Coldwater and Medicine Lodge, or Scenic Route 105 south of Toronto, or Highway 18 or Interstate 70 in the Smoky Hills.

What’s your favorite stretch of open road in rural Kansas? Share it by commenting on this post.

Share your event planning knowledge with other communities

October 26, 2008 in Revitalization Strategies, Small Town Success Stories | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

You may have noticed the new “Toolbox” link on this blog. It takes you to our other blog, a place for community-conscious small towners to share ideas, comments and questions about revitalization. You can leave a comment on existing posts or email us for a password to become an author, which allows you to make posts on new subjects.

Share your knowledge of special event planning by commenting on the latest post.

Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
– Thomas Alva Edison

A unique opportunity for Rural America?

October 26, 2008 in Revitalization Strategies, Small Town Success Stories | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

Jeff Hofaker of Phillips County shared an intriguing thought with me at the September wKREDA meeting in Leoti. He said that, in these times of economic uncertainty, Rural America has some unique advantages that make it a more attractive place than ever:

- lower cost of living in a time of skyrocketing costs.

- plenty of jobs at a time when jobs are hard to come by.

- a strong work ethic at a time when employers spend too much money maintaining a steady and reliable work force.

I think he’s right, and so does author Jack Schultz, who writes in his 2004 book, Boomtown USA:

“The time has never been riper for small communities to prosper. Deregulation of numerous industries—trucking, airlines and many more—works in favor of small communities. Operating costs for businesses and corporations are lower in small-town settings. The increasing ease and affordability of how we communicate with one another, and how we travel to meet with each other, no longer make living in large cities a necessity for doing business. Small communities typify the rural work ethic and provide a ready and willing labor force.”

Rural America was built by courageous people who saw opportunity and weren’t afraid to face the unknown in order to pursue it. Now, as the rest of the nation falls on hard times, and rural Kansas remains comparatively insulated, another opportunity is presenting itself. If ever there was a time to shine the small-town light …

If you’re weary of the pace, Rural America will slow you. If you have a vision, Rural America will support you. If you’re lost, Rural America will find you.

A little catching up

October 9, 2008 in People, Places, Small Town Success Stories | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

September was a nonstop, small-town adventure. Met great people, made new friends, saw a lot of Kansas sunsets (and a few sunrises) and ate amazing food.

On September 18th, we screened the “Small Town, USA” trailer at wKREDA’s member meeting in Leoti, Kansas, and on the 25th, we shared it with the KEDA folks at their Fall Conference in Hays. As always happens, several people approached us with good ideas for the film. We have our work cut out for us:

- We’re heading to Commanche County on October 16 to find out how Linda Hart achieved a net population growth as of the last census.

- Later in the month, Cindy Wallace will show us around Russell County, including Lucas, which is turning into quite the tourist attraction.

- We’re planning a visit to Washington County in early November, where Christina L ‘Ecuyer will show us around, including a stop in Barnes, where they know a thing or two about tourism, as well.

- Sara Dawson at the Doyle Creek Mercantile in Florence graciously invited us to her town’s upcoming volunteer fair. Her family will also be hosting the 2009 Symphony in the Flint Hills, which is expected to attract around 30,000 people. Heck of a dinner party.

We’re also looking for stories about:

- Young families who have recently returned to Rural America from the cities.

- Families or individuals who are struggling to stay in Rural Kansas, perhaps following a job loss or other life-changing event.

Email us with your thoughts.

To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.
–Soren Kierkegaard

“March of the Penguins” composer will write music for “Small Town, USA”

October 7, 2008 in Film Production | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

posted by Wynn Ponder

If you’ve seen “March of the Penguins,” you’ve heard Alex Wurman’s music. He also composed the musical score for “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” and numerous other Hollywood movies. After reviewing our film proposal and trailer last week, he graciously agreed to add “Small Town, USA” to his list of credits.

Alex decided to be a part of the “Small Town, USA” team because he wants to help ensure a bright future for rural communities in Kansas and across the nation. He’s an avid motorcyclist with an abiding love of America’s scenic back roads, vibrant small towns … and the people who build their lives there.

I initially contacted him because his music is in a class all its own, even among film composers. While every movie score clarifies the story being told on-screen, Alex’s music has a way of moving stories onto entirely new ground, exposing fresh layers of emotion and meaning.

With his contributions, I have no doubt that “Small Town, USA” will be taken even more seriously in the film industry, and its message will strike an even deeper chord with movie audiences.

Big thinking precedes great achievement.
–Wilfred Peterson

Small town, big thinking

September 12, 2008 in Places, Small Town Success Stories | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Kirby Ross

Hot Wheels fans walk in liine to receive their special edition Hot Wheels car as Director of Photography Nick Unruh and Writer/Producer Wynn Ponder film the event for "Small Town USA".

Hot Wheels fans walk in line to receive their special edition Hot Wheels car as Director of Photography Nick Unruh and Writer/Producer Wynn Ponder film the event for "Small Town USA".

In case anybody was skeptical regarding whether it is possible to catch lightning in a bottle twice, the people of Phillips County, Kansas, answered that question a few weeks ago.

On the average day, the epitome of Small Town USA–a little community called Speed–located in the southwestern part of the county, has a population all of 44 people.

On Aug. 24 over 9,000 people came to visit.

The town was one of six stops in what Mattel Inc. billed as being a celebratory cross-country road trip in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Hot Wheels toy car brand.

The road trip got underway at Mattel headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. In addition to El Segundo and Speed, stops were made at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis, Ind., the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit, and concluded in New York at Watkins Glen (home of the United States Grand Prix, as well as NASCAR, SCCA, Formula One, Trans-AM, IROC and Indy Car races).

Every single one of these venues, except for little Speed, is synonymous with cars and the culture of cars in America. Despite this, the attendance at the Mattel Speed event bested every other venue on the road trip.

And what was that all about?

It seems in the spring of 2006, Mattel advertising guru Mark Morse came up with the idea to hold a collector’s convention in Small Town USA, and figured that any place with the name of Speed might best fit the bill. Morse went to an atlas, found the Speed located in Kansas, and contacted the locals.

According to Morse, he thought he would have to hire event planners and import workers to handle the task

Morse hadn’t reckoned on the spirit of leadership, volunteerism and hard work that is ingrained in the DNA of Phillips County. After just one visit to Phillipsburg, the county seat, dozens of people signed on to the task. At that first meeting Morse pretty much laid out the basic outline of his vision, and then turned the locals loose. In just two short months the event, christened the Need For Speed, was underway.

Organizers in El Segundo and Phillipsburg talked about two or three thousand people in attendance at Speed making it a success. Five thousand would make it an overwhelming success.

On the day of the event, traffic backed up from Speed to Glade, five miles away. People showed up from as far away as Canada and the national broadcast and print media were tripping all over one another.

And ten thousand people showed up.

What’s the next level up from “overwhelming success?”

I don’t know, but a Mattel VP informed me that the words Phillips County will forever be legend in the halls of Mattel because of that 2006 event.

And now, just a couple of weeks ago, Mattel made it one of six stops in their celebration of the American car culture and 40 years of the Hot Wheels brand. The Need For Speed 2 was rolled out and, once again, the entire population of Phillips County embraced the event, with countless numbers of volunteers signing on.

And, once again, two or three thousand people were nervously hoped for.

Almost 9,500 showed up, eclipsing the attendance at the other road trip venues.

Because of its can-do spirit, there are rumblings that Phillips County might become the site of a regular bi-annual Mattel event.

That spirit of Phillips County is the original inspiration for the documentary I am proud to be involved in, Small Town USA.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”
–Mark Twain

“Small Town, USA” film preview and website online

September 8, 2008 in Film Production | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

The “Small Town, USA” website is up, with only a few “coming soon” spots. I’m particularly excited about the Webisodes link on the “About The Film” page. This will soon be home to daily and weekly uploads of footage we shoot in communities around the state. There are so many great stories in rural Kansas that we can’t possibly fit them all into a single movie, but we can make them visible on the world wide web. Some of these webisodes may also appear on the finished DVD as Special Features.

If you haven’t seen the movie preview yet, go to the home page and click on “Watch The Preview Trailer Now” to see the tone and style we’ll bring to the big screen. The trailer also shows the kinds of amazing people we’ve met during the past couple of months of shooting … Kansans with a vision–and a deep love–for rural America.

Be sure to go to the “Contribute” page and click on “Web Links” for rural community resources. Please email any links you’d like to see added. To share stories for possible use in the film, click “Contribute Stories” on the same page. Click on “Not Sure What To Write?” to find out what types of stories we’re looking for.

Also, please do chime in with your comments on this or any other blog article. It’s easy: just click on the title of the article you’d like to comment on, then scroll to the bottom of the page and fill in the blanks. Don’t be shy; this film, website and blog are for all of us.

“The Midwest’s image is framed by people on both coasts, folks who look down their noses on backward “cow towns” like Chicago. It is especially a problem in the news media.  I am more and more convinced that the nation’s media needs to be forcibly relocated from New York City and Washington, just to see things from the perspective of a different city. I’m thinking Omaha.”
–Prof. Jay Price, Public History Program Director, Wichita State University

I remember …

September 2, 2008 in Home Town Life | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

My hometown was Bunavista, Texas, an unincorporated huddle of homes on the prairie, three miles from Borger, a community of 14,000. I lived there until the age of 9, and it was an unforgettable childhood.

I remember playing outside long after dark on summer nights, and my family never worrying about me.

I remember neighbors coming to visit, lots of them sometimes, sitting around our kitchen table amid wild tumbles of laughter and the comforting aroma of coffee.

I remember feeding cows and chickens with my grandfather in the starry hours before sunrise.

I remember marathon games of baseball that somehow just started up when enough kids were around.

I remember chasing lizards and catching catfish and throwing rocks.

I remember my grade school, which was gone without a trace when I returned home in 1994.

My small town memories make me a rich man, and I want future generations to be able to have such memories.

The Ghost Town

August 22, 2008 in Places | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

We recently visited Kanona, Kansas, to find out what a town looks like after everyone has left it. The last citizen departed Kanona in 1966. This is a real ghost town, not a quotation-marks ghost town, like the ones listed on Internet registries. Their version of a “ghost town” often overlooks the fact that a few people still live there.

How rude.

But nobody lives in Kanona. Nothing is bought or sold there. No children laugh or run or scrape their knees or eat Popsicles in Kanona.

The church roof recently fell flat, suddenly reorganized on the grasses. The hardware store still has quite a bit of equipment laying around inside, as if the owner left in a despondent rage rather than waiting to be smothered by silence. The bank still has a safe the size of a Volkswagen standing on its decaying floor. Too heavy to move.

The school, don’t ask.

It’s hard to describe the feelings this evoked. There was nothing scary about Kanona, as one might expect from a “ghost” town. This community had been a good place with picnics and music and commerce.

Not that long ago.

“We built these buildings ourselves. We’ve cultivated these fields since the turn of the century. We’ve watched from our dining room the mirage of the Killdeer Mountains rise and fall on the horizon. We’ve collected a library full of local history books, and they belong here, not in Princeton. Fifty of our brothers lie down the hill in the cemetery. We have become as indigenous as the cottonwood trees. . . . If you take us somewhere else, we lose our character, our history–maybe our soul.”
– Fr. Terrence Kardong, Assumption Abbey, Richardton, North Dakota

Gallery of images from Kanona, KS:


Lunch in Buhler

August 20, 2008 in People, Places | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Left to right: Wynn Ponder, Marci Penner and Jason Opat. Enjoying a beautiful afternoon on the patio at LaVon's Bakery and BBQ inBuhler.

Posted by Wynn Ponder

I met Marci Penner today, a hero of contemporary Kansas history. She’s instantly likeable. Make that lovable. And smart.

She invited us to Buhler for an amazing meal at LaVon’s Bakery & BBQ. We went inside to order, leaving our cameras and computers on an outside dining table.

Everyone talked to us, partially because we were with Marci, but mainly because they were just nice.

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
–Amelia Earhart

Good places we’ve been so far …

August 18, 2008 in Places | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

LaVon’s Bakery & BBQ in Buhler. Delicious home cooking, rich with character, gorgeous setting … and don’t leave without having a piece of that banana cream pie.

The Mayesville Mercantile in Peabody. If you like antiques and curiosities, you’ll get lost in this place for hours. Be sure to ask about the bed and breakfast that owner Gary Jones and his wife operate at the edge of town. No phones, no internet … something we could all use a little more of.

While you’re in Peabody, get a fresh-made pizza at the Peabody Market deli. Serious pizza.

Shelly Ann’s Restaurant in Phillipsburg. The breakfast was a taste of home. The conversation was golden.

The Cottonwood Inn in Phillipsburg. Nice. Clean. But also, real people.

The Grand Central Hotel and Grill in Cottonwood Falls. Built in 1884, the setting was elegant. The food and service rivaled any restaurant in any city of any size.

Capt’n Drinkwaters in Strong City. Cold beer, nice folks.

S.P. Dinsmoor’s Garden of Eden in Lucas. One word: wow.

The Doyle Creek Mercantile in Florence. Check out the store. Stay overnight in the loft. Breathe the air.

More to come.

“Everything that seems empty is full of the angels of God.”
–St. Hilary

A few people to thank …

August 18, 2008 in Film Production, People, Places | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

The “Small Town, USA” community is growing daily. Many thanks to:

· Kirby Ross, editor of the Phillips County Review, who gave birth to the idea for this important film.

· Richard Wood, who literally wrote the book on rural revitalization in Kansas.

· Jeff Hofaker of Phillipsburg, a believer in the importance of being a good citizen.

· Roger Hrabe of Plainville, a man with a real plan.

· Chris Sramek of Atwood, who sees how amazing his town really is.

· Judy Mills of Florence, who understands the value of beautiful things.

· Shane Marler of Peabody, a true lover of tourism and a salesman for the people.

· Jay Price of WSU, who is deeply fascinated by everything in Kansas.

· Duke Eldridge and family of Peabody, whose hospitality is boundless.

· Melissa Johnson of Kirwin, who carries the small-town torch with passion and poise.

· Gary Jones of Peabody, who is arguably the nicest person in Kansas.

· The Hodges family, the Spencer family and the Young family of Peabody, who invited us into their town and into their lives.

· All the other excellent people who have made our visits so pleasant and so interesting.

Another, special thank you goes to Richard Wood, author of Survival of Rural America: Small Victories and Bitter Harvests, for joining the “Small Town, USA” film advisory board.

And congratulations to Phillipsburg for being named one of only 25 Main Street cities in Kansas. Great job from a great town.

“Tell me the landscape in which you live, and I will tell you who you are.”
–José Ortega y Gassett

“Small Town, USA” movie preview nears completion

July 31, 2008 in Film Production | by Wynn Ponder | Leave a comment

Posted by Wynn Ponder

We just finished a rough edit of the “Small Town, USA” movie preview and will soon post it on the website. I think it captures the spirit of what we’re finding out there in Kansas’ rural communities, the amazing variety of people, the poignant awareness of time’s passage … the hope for what lies ahead.

I love these towns, where people take extra time for themselves and each other, where the sky overhead doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit.

Human nature cannot be studied in cities except at a disadvantage–a village is the place.
–Mark Twain