Ninety people from around the state sat in lawn chairs on Damar's main street to hear local leaders describe numerous projects that have kept their town of 150 viable.
The mayor, the elementary school principal, several citizens, and the county economic development director related how they've accomplished numerous projects from a playground to improving city infrastructure. They've restored one of the most beautiful churches in the state and have started construction on a community building. They've kept a cafe open by selling community shares. A group of women spearheaded an effort to paint a block's worth of buildings with a French motif and have opened a gift store called Fleur de lis. The elementary school has increased enrollment every year for the last five years.
After the hour-long lawn chair meeting, the crowd dispersed to shop, eat in the cafe, tour the church, and buy stamps.
The Kansas Sampler Foundation organizes "Bring Your Own Lawn Chair" events as a means to educate their Kansas Explorers Club members and the public about the value of rural communities. The next BYOLC event will take place in Howard in Elk County on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to explore the town before and after the meeting.
