Are block-parties common in Kansas today? (Manhattan, Dodge City: homes, neighborhood, schools)

[Desertlovers]

Hi, I'm just curious if block-parties are common in all parts of Kansas today?
Do large and small towns have a lot of community and holiday celebrations?
Appreciate any info you may have. Thanks!! Claire/BHC

[^..^Wolfy]

Actually i didnt mention it in your other post but here in Bird city they have a santa day... we all get together in the legion hall and there is raffles, lunch and every kids is guaranteed something ($5-50 to dvd players and such).
And as i mentioned before my sister is county clerk and we are working on getting block parties together... which would be the whole town since there arent very many people.

[Desertlovers]

Wolfy:

Good to hear from you! I checked the site you gave me for Bird City and we are really interested in the area. Checked out homes on one realty site for the area. Do you know of any other realtors that sell homes in the area? (With Internet sites!) Thanks!!

Nice that you have "Santa Day" for the kids. Are there many other activities during the year where everyone gets together?

Are people really friendly to newcomers?

Hope you won't get that bad snow storm from Denver.

I actually have relatives in Western Kansas but I don't want to tell them that we are thinking of moving to the area until we are 100 percent sure. And, we'll wait until we have a lead on homes, and choose our favorite cities, etc.

My relatives in Kansas are "distant relatives" except for my cousin, who started writing to me right after my Dad died in 1999. We've become great friends through our letters, and she has a big family.

Oh, we get the impression that people in Kansas like to "have fun." (People of all ages.) Is this true? My Dad and the relatives who came out to visit us in CA sure had a great sense of humor! This is what we are looking for! So many people here seem "shut-down"....if you know what I mean!

Thanks for all your help and posts. Happy New Year!! Claire in AZ

[^..^Wolfy]

www.shayreality.com (broken link) is one that is here and a few other nearby towns.
The other ones do not have websites, but if you want help i can go out and take a picture of some of the others and give you the phone numbers.

Everyone is very friendly here, i came out nov. 19th and by christmas i was put on the list to recieve food basket for christmas. My son had a stomache bug that was going around and he couldnt keep water down.. went to the town clinic and they gave him the shot to stop it temp. and didnt charge a thing.

The schools here does alot of things for everyone. hog roasts, at x-mas the hold a senior dinner in which all the kids sing and play music. The threshers show every year, kansas day, santa day. Alot of the things here are done by the school though. Like i said i havent been here along time on a daily basis but if i didnt like it here so much i wouldnt be here and id be back in denver to save my marriage or try to (long story, hes confused and im happy here).

As for having fun, im not sure. All i know is my moms boyfriend is 60+ and just baught an ATV for my mom and him to drive around in. In the summer he will turn his hat around and try to be kewl. Snow days are fun for the kids atleast. Alot of the town get together and shovel everyone out. We did get that storm from denver but not nearly as much as they did. Still alot though, i lucked out and someone came by and plowed out the driveway so i didnt have to. For free.

[Desertlovers]

Wolfy:

Thanks for writing. Glad the storm wasn't too bad for you, and glad you got some help with the shoveling. YEA!! That was nice.

You know, I have never lived in an area where it snows in my entire life!

My husband lived with snow, but I never have. I think I will do ok. I got used to 120 plus heat in Arizona really fast, and handled it well!! I seem to be pretty flexible, I hope!! I'm ready for changes!!

Thanks for the link to the realty site. I'll check it out and get back to you. Thanks a bunch!

That's great that your Mom & her boyfriend will ride around on the ATV. YEA!!! I want to stay "young" no matter how old I get to be....and I'm not talking about face-lifts and wearing mini-skirts, etc. I just want to keep enjoying life, and doing fun things, even if they are simple things.

The town clinic sounds wonderful and caring. Do you go into St. Frances very often? I read that they have a hospital there.

My son needs specialized medical care. He has a rare illness and keeps getting brain tumors every so often. Health care is lousy out here. He waits forever and ever to get anything done. I thought about writing to the hospital in St. Frances and describing his condition.

Right now, he gets by with a regular doctor, and a few tests, and medicine to shrink the tumor. He has to wait a year or longer to see any specialists, due to all of the red-tape out here. But, he does great!! He's a "fighter" and a positive person. This helps!!

Thanks for the info. Will check back and write more soon!! Glad the storm wasn't too, too bad for you. Thanks again, Claire

[Chloe07]

Manhattan, Kansas has city-wide block parties/neighborhood picnics on the first weekend in June, to celebrate Manhattan's anniversary. Each neighborhood arranges its own, and it seems like lots of people show up every year! Manhattan has a lot of celebrations for major holidays, and I've never lived in such a "Pot-Luck-Y" town! Very friendly and nice area!

[^..^Wolfy]

Sorry for taking so long to reply.
St. Francis is about a 15 minute drive, they do have a hospital i have never been there. My sister worked up in a hospital in nebraska, further drive but they seemed pretty good.

[Desertlovers]

Wolfy:

Good to hear from you! Hope you didn't lose power due to the last snow storm. I have relatives in Grinnell, Kansas who still don't have power!

Thanks for all the info. We are going to take a trip to Kansas this Spring and want to check-out your area in Bird City.

Thanks for everything, Claire

[Desertlovers]

Chloe07:

Thanks for the info about Manhattan, Kansas! We're looking for an active city!! And, we sure love pot-lucks and block-parties too. How long have you lived in Manhattan? Thanks again for writing, Claire in AZ

[Torn2pieces]

We don't have block parties here in Dodge City, KS, but we have what they call Dodge City Days. It's like a week long event. Tons to do. Country music concerts, usually see some good ones here. Rides and activities for the kids, craft fairs and just other events. It's the only time I truly enjoy being in this town.