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 | No comments

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 | No comments

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 | No comments

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 | No comments

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 | No comments

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 | No comments

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 | No comments

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