Want to learn more about life in Western Kansas.. (Wichita: house, school)

[CArizona]

Western Kansas is at the top of my list. I have family and relatives in Oakley and other nearby towns...I spent several weeks in the area a few years back and seemed to fit-in pretty well. But I'd like to hear more about life in Western Kansas from people who live there. (If possible!) And I'd enjoy making some new friends from Kansas too...I'm ready for "small town life." How do people in Western Kansas feel about "outsiders" moving into the area? Everyone was definitely warm and friendly to me on my visit. Thanks for listening!

[itsMeFred]

Western Kansas is no different than most rural areas of the Great Plains. Outsiders will probably be outsiders their entire lives...
However, most folks are glad to have new people move into the area. Particularly non-retirees, btw! We always need more young people to join the JCs, put their kids in school, and help with the church bazaar.

[CArizona]

itsMeFred...Thanks for posting. Well I don't think I'd be called "young." But I try to stay "young at heart" the best I can!...I enjoy community events. We don't have enough of them where I live in the West. My visit to Kansas was right before Thanksgiving. I felt sad that I couldn't stick around for the annual town Christmas parade and "soup" get-together afterwards...But I was there for the first snowfall of the season that year. It was cute to see everyone get so excited about the snow even though they have experienced snow all their lives. It was a big deal to me too!...Simple little things make me happy. I loved being part of the corn harvesting too! Riding on a combine was one of the biggest thrills in my life!...I want to live in an area where family members and neighbors pull together to help each other when need be. It's not always this way where I live now.

[Sco]

Originally Posted by itsMeFred

Western Kansas is no different than most rural areas of the Great Plains. Outsiders will probably be outsiders their entire lives...
However, most folks are glad to have new people move into the area. Particularly non-retirees, btw! We always need more young people to join the JCs, put their kids in school, and help with the church bazaar.

What is a JC?

[itsMeFred]

JayCees (Junior Chamber)... It's a service organization.

[Sco]

Originally Posted by itsMeFred

JayCees (Junior Chamber)... It's a service organization.

Thanks, never heard of that before. Sounds like the Masons or Rotary Club. Stonecutters if you are a Simpsons fan.

[thriftylefty]

There is a neat organization in Kansas called The Kansas Sampler Foundation. It has been around for many years and its original goals were to preserve and promote the rural culture of Kansas. I think cultural arts seemed to thrive in the western part of the state. People are very keen on comunity events and any exuse to get together. Thats why people in isolated parts of kansas (or for that mattrer anywhere) rely on their churches to provide two or three opportunities a week to get together. Once you get west of Wichita, Manhattan or Topeka KS people tend to live in multi-county regions.

[CArizona]

thriftylefty..Thanks for posting and telling me about the foundation. I'll check it out.

[itsMeFred]

Originally Posted by thriftylefty

Once you get west of Wichita, Manhattan or Topeka KS people tend to live in multi-county regions.

And here in the corner, its actually multiSTATE. I always tell people we live in three states; our house sits in KS, our kids go to school in NE and we go to church in CO lol

[CArizona]

itsMeFred..What are some of your favorite restaurants or cafes in your tri-state area? My relatives mentioned that they like to eat in a steak house in or near Bird City.