Hundreds of people were introduced to the charms of Wallace, Cheyenne and Sherman counties last summer through the Big Kansas Road Trip.

Special events occurred – like a Michael Martin Murphey concert and “Home on the Range” being played on nine antique pump organs at the Fort Wallace Museum – but mostly the weekend was just about area residents being themselves and visitors experiencing the good things about their towns.

Participants woke up with so many possibilities for things to do each day that they had to pick and choose. Should we go on an expedition to privately owned land known as Hell’s Half Acre where a state geologist will explain unusual rock formations near Sharon Springs or tour the St. Francis Motorcycle Museum? Shall we talk to meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Goodland or drive through the beautiful Arikaree Breaks?

Who says there’s nothing to do in Northwest Kansas? Not us, and not anyone who participated in the Big Kansas Road Trip of 2019. Grant funding covered the cost of a printed guide that participants used to plan their days.

From May 7 to 10, the Big Kansas Road Trip this year will be in Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha counties in Northeast Kansas.

HAYS – The Summer Reading Camp, which attracted participation from 91 percent of Hays school district elementary students, ensured that children maintained or increased their reading levels over the summer break.

Each student received about six take-home books to continue reading after reading camp completed, to add to their at-home libraries. A majority of students received free transportation to and from the camp, which was partially funded through grant support.

MILTONVALE – When the new band director arrived, there weren’t enough drums, so students gave an amazing performance at the PTL League Music event on donated trashcans.

Thanks to grant funding, Miltonvale and Glasco students now have drums – and a xylophone, a tuba, a bass clarinet and some piccolos.

The director and the new instruments have given new life and excitement to the instrumental music program. Student musicians have a renewed sense that the community believes in them and that they can be whatever they put their mind to.

LOGAN – Installation of new heat and air conditioning systems and insulation made such a difference in the amount of gas usage at the Dane G. Hansen Museum that a gas company employee was sent to check that the gas meter was functioning correctly.

The museum received grant funding for the project, which replaced 46-year-old equipment that was original to the building. The comfort level for museum patrons and staff has been greatly improved.

More than 18,000 students at 61 schools in Northwest Kansas, many of whom would likely never otherwise be exposed to professional theater, saw an original musical theater performance that explores the feelings associated with winning and losing.

Foundation funding supported the work of Creede Repertory Theatre from Creede, Colo., to develop and present the 2019 Young Audience Outreach Tour in Northwest Kansas. Creede Rep commissioned playwright Lojo Simon to create the play called Best Foot Forward, which features two characters who are seemingly very different, but learn to accept and respect one another.

Each student who attended also received a free copy of an original book designed to help support literacy while connecting the themes of the play into classroom activities.

Guest artists from across the country collaborated to make the production impactful.