Get Rooks County

Groundbreaking for Stockton Estates Apartments

2011-04-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Although dirt and foundation work has already begun on the Stockton Estate Apartments, the official groundbreaking ceremony for the faciliyt took place on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. Present for the ceremony were Stockton Estates builder Wes Bainter, and his daughter Dr. Raquelle Bainter, as well as other officials, dignitaries, and residents of Stockton and Rooks County.

This new senior independent living complex is scheduled for completion by Winter 2011. The complex will contain 8 apartments with attached private garages. Located at 206 S. 2nd, Stockton Estates will be positioned ideally near the business district and directly adjacent to the new medical clinic that is also under construction.

Groundbreaking held for new Stockton Medical Clinic

2011-02-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

A new medical clinic for the city of Stockton is soon to become a reality. A formal groundbreaking was held on January 19, 2011 at the new site located on the 400 block of Main. Weather permitting, the clinic is slated to be finished in the fall of 2011.

The ultimate goal of the clinic is to provide better access to health care for the residents in the northern part of the county. "Community members and hospital administration and staff saw a need to build a new clinic where people had the opportunity to receive the care they deserve close to home" said Kathy Ramsay, director of the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation. The Foundation will be responsible for maintenance of the building and is currently raising the money for construction.

The foundation has collected a total of about $834,000 for the project and is continuing its efforts.

2010 Vision Leadership Class celebrates graduation

2010-12-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

The largest Rooks County Vision Leadership class to date celebrated the end of this year's leadership program on the evening of Wednesday, December 15 at Cedar Links Country Club. Fourteen class graduates gathered with nearly 40 other alumni and family members to mark the occasion.

For a full story, go to www.rookscounty.net/2010_leadership.htm.

New construction to continue

2010-12-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

Whoever said construction ever had to grind to a halt during winter months? Not in Rooks County this winter. Construction is well underway on the new Rooks County Regional Airport. The new 5,000 paved runway should be operational by the fall of 2011.

Construction is continuing on the new Plainville Swimming Pool. Foundations and walls have been poured and crews continue to work throughout the week on different parts of the $1.5 million project.

Construction could begin soon on a new medical clinic in Stockton. The new clinic would replace the aging clinic facility near the Solomon Valley Manor and would be the home to two new doctors slated to come to Stockton and serve the Rooks County Health Center.

Construction could also begin on a new Independent Living facility in Stockton. The new facility will be located on the west side of Stockton near the swimming pool and downtown areas.

Good things going on in Rooks County

2010-10-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, it doesn't take long to fall behind on the old blog. What are all the positive things going on in the county right now? Here is just a sample:

New swimming pool under construction in Plainville
New medical clinic in Stockton designed; over $600,000 raised to date
New Independent Living facility coming to Stockton
Former Schult Home plant purchased by county; new businesses bidding.
New Rooks County Regional Airport under construction
New Assisted Living facility now full with a waiting list
Several new businesses started over the last month (www.rookscounty.net)
Grants lead to projects in Plainville (water), Woodston (water treatment), Damar (Urgent Need), 2 new ambulances (Plainville & Stockton).

So, the next time someone tells you that nothing good is happening, hold them accountable for being negative and then give them this list. :-)

A Hot Time at the Fair!

2010-08-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

To say that it is going to be at "Hot Time" at the 2010 Rooks County Free Fair is definitely going to be an understatement. With temperatures hoving near 100 degrees, the heat will be on, but don't let that deter you from taking in all the attractions, exhibits, events, shows, and food.

The highlight of the fair will once again be the Friday concert featuring country music stars The Lost Trailers and Jesse James.

For a full list of activities, go to the fair website at www.rookscountyfreefair.com.

Rooks County Free Fair set to go once again

2010-07-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

The 131st edition of the Rooks County Free Fair gets underway on August 8 in Stockton and runs through August 14. Once again the Fair Board has lined up an outstanding week-long event, from nationally-known entertainers to local favorites like motorcycle races, car races, and the ever-popular demolition derby.

This year's featured entertainers on Friday are Jessie James and the Lost Trailers. All tickets are $20.

Of course the fair would not be complete without the displays, food, carnival, and and youth events.

For a full listing of events and information, visit the fair website at www.rookscountyfreefair.com. You can also call the fair office at 785-425-7189

Ready for a great "Cuppa" coffee?

2010-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

You have come to love them while located in the back of Main St. Gallery in Stockton, and now you can enjoy them in a new, expanded location. Cuppas, known for their great cup of coffee, now has it's own storefront at 413 Main. And, they are selling sandwiches, soup, salads, and a daily special during the lunch hour. So now it is Cuppas, Etc.
Owner Darla McReynolds has renovated the former Rooks County Bakery building into a quaint little shop that has a variety of food and other items. Stop by and see everything she has to offer in the shop, and have a great cup of coffee. Cuppas can be reached at 785-415-2025.

Denver Sportshow an opportunity for Rooks County

2010-01-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

There are those in Kansas (especially rural Kansas) who will wonder why we should work on increasing tourism. What do Kansas and tourism have to do with each other, they would ask.

The Denver Sportmen's Expo is a good example of what tourism and western Kansas have to do with each other. Literally thousands of people go through the Expo each year, and many stop by the NW Kansas booth and want information on Kansas. They like coming here, they like the people, they like our lakes, and they like our hunting.

These "tourists" leave money here as well. Whether it is buying a tank of gas, eating a couple of meals at a local restaurant, or picking up a few groceries at a convenience store, it all adds up to money coming into the community.

Rooks County is fortunate to have resources such as Webster Lake, Rooks County State Lake, and Plainville Township Lake that attract others from outside to come. Keeping them a secret brings no money into Rooks County.

Talk to Blaine and Diane Baxter at Baxter's Bait & Tackle in Stockton and they will be glad to tell you what the visitors mean to their business.

The Denver Expo was Jan. 7-10, 2010.

2009 Vision Leadership Class celebrates graduation

2009-12-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

The Rooks County Vision Leadership program saw the number of alumni expand by 10 this year with the addition of the 2009 class. On Wednesday, December 16, the class, along with approximately 25 alumni from each of the previous five classes, celebrated the completion of the 2009 program. The event was once again held at Cedar Links Country Club.

Recognized for their participation in this years program were: Nicole Armbrister, Kelly Arnberger, Ashley Bedient, Billie Chesney, Denae Denio-Odle, Lincoln Griffin, Nicole Keas, Shannon Mongeau, Shari Tucker, and Jeff Werner.

One of the highlights of this years class was the inclusion of three high school students. "Including high school students in the leadership training has been a goal of mine for several years, and I couldn't have been more happy with the participation and insight from Nicole, Billie, and Lincoln" said program director Roger Hrabe. "We talk so much about keeping our young people at home, but so often we don't include them in our decision making. If we truly expect them to feel good about staying, or coming home once they leave, we should let them know that their input and their inclusion in what we do is important to us."

A requirement of the program is to complete a class project, and several of the class members talked about the status of their projects this year. Examples of projects included a book program for children ages 1-5, safe Halloween activities, a community water project, a fair parade, community website help, and mentoring for elementary students. In previous years, projects by Vision alumni have included Plainville's Hometown Christmas, county 5th graders to a FHSU basketball game, park projects, reflective rural address signs, and benches outside a school, just to name a few.

If you are interested in participating in the 2010 Vision class, or would just like to know more about leadership activities, contact Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe at 785-425-6881 or e-mail at rooksed@ruraltel.net.

(Class picture identification, L to R, Nicole Armbrister, Denae Denio-Odle, Lincoln Griffin, Nicole Keas, Shannon Mongeau, Shari Tucker, and Jeff Werner. Not pictured are Kelly Arnberger, Ashley Bedient, and Billie Chesney)

Kansas Magazine features Comeaus

2009-12-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

The "C" is for Chuck, the "S" for Shirley, "Post" is from The Pineapple Post in Plainville and "Co." is for managers Norman and Sandy Keller plus a staff that keeps things interesting at the Hays store of simple luxuries: C.S. Post & Co.

Chuck and Shirley Comeau, who reside in Plainville, are featured in the winter edition of Kansas Magazine. The article focuses on how C.S. Post & Co. came into being and how the Comeau family has taken a love for small towns, unique design, and a need to fill the customers' dignified taste into successful retail businesses in Hays and Plainville.

Kansas Magazine is online at www.KansasMag.com, and you can follow them Twitter @KANSASMag or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/KansasMagazine.

Main St. Gallery & Jasmine's Asian Cafe in the news

2009-12-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

In a time when it seems difficult to find the positive things that are going on in our rural communities, it is refreshing to see a couple of positive articles on Rooks County businesses.

Main Street Gallery in Stockton and Jasmine's Asian Cafe were both featured recently in the Hays Daily News. You can read the articles by going to the Rooks County website at www.rookscounty.net and clicking on the articles under "The Latest News" column.

Happy Frog Pond opens in the Damar

2009-11-16T14:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, November 7th, 2009, The Happy Frog Pond in Damar celebrated it Grand Opening. Kaylon Roberts, who owns the building and funded it's refurbishment, gave a speech and dedicated the establishment "To all of our ancestors, who, like ourselves, experienced long hours of hard work and many hardships. At the end of the week, they took time to gather together, relax, and enjoy themselves. Here's to us keeping with that tradition."

The Happy Frog Pond is a non-smoking establishment. It is open from 3pm-midnight Mon-Sat and is located on Main Street in Damar. You are invited to come out on Sat, Nov 14th for karaoke, every Tuesday night for Pinochle and every Wednesday night for Poker.

Click here to view pictures from that evening:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9AcsW7Jo3bNRI

Vision Leadership class views county with "new eyes"

2009-10-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

Ten individuals from around Rooks County have enrolled in the 2009 version of the Rooks County Vision Leadership program. One of their first assignments was to view the county or their community with "new eyes."

Often times we are so accustomed to seeing things in our communities that we pass by the really good stuff. We miss what is right in front of us. Stockton High School student Billie Chesney summed up her experience this way, "I visited a piece of our property that I had been to before, but it had been a while, and when I saw it this time, I realized how beautiful it was and how out of the way. It was like I had seen it for the first time."

Other participants in the class visited places such as the old dugout cave west of Stockton on Highway 24 that was used by African Americans traveling to the west as an overnight stop because of unfavorable ordinances in the towns of the times.

The Vision Leadership class is now in it's 6th year in Rooks County and has had over 50 participants. Emphasis in class is placed on learning styles, moving groups to performance, visionary thinking, and facilitation from the chair.

To find out more about the Vision Leadership program, visit www.rookscounty.net/rcvision.htm.

BYOLC attracts a crowd in Damar

2009-09-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Damar to host BYOLC event

2009-08-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

Bring Your Own Lawn Chair (BYOLC) comes to Damar on August 29.

Event Type: Kansas Explorers Club function
Date: 08-29-2009 (10:00 - 02:00) Additional Schedule Info: Lawn chair meeting at 10 a.m. on main street. Location: Damar main street Event Website: www.kansassampler.org/kansasexplorersclub/page.php?id=236 FREE EVENT!!

Info: Start coming at 9 a.m. to buy stamps at the post office. St. Joseph's Church, Damar Cafe will be open before and after our hour"ish" meeting. See the French motifs painted on buildings and hear about the projects and gumption of Damar folks!

It's Fair Week!!!!!!

2009-08-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

The 130th edition of the Rooks County Free Fair is underway (August 10-15), and you won't want to miss it. After a shower or two today, it looks like the weather is going to be nice and warm, and dry.

Besides all the displays and exhibits, motorcycle races, car races, demo derby, and big concert on Friday give you plenty to do. Visit the fair website at www.rookscountyfreefair.com for all the details.

Rooks County Free Fair to feature top entertainers

2009-07-21T12:43:00.001-07:00

The Rooks County Free Fair continues to attract top entertainment for their feature Friday night concert. Appearing on Friday, August 14 will be Heidi Newfield and Jamey Johnson. Newfield is best known for her songs, "Cry, Cry, 'Till the Sun Shines," and "Johnny & June." Johnson has hit the charts with "In Color," and was the co-writer of the George Strait hit, "Give It Away."

Tickets for the concert are $20 and available the night of the show only.

The fair office is now open and can be reached at 785-425-7189. Visit their website at www.rookscountyfreefair.com.

The Rooks County Free Fair is one of the oldest and largest free fairs in Kansas and is held traditionally the second week of August in Stockton. The "Fair of Champions" has been held annually since 1879 and features agricultural, commercial, and open class exhibits, nightly entertainment that features musical artists, car and motorcycle races, demolition derby, and a carnival on the midway.

Schult Home facility to have new owner

2009-07-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

A contract is still being negotiated, but it appears that all is in line for the City of Plainville to purchase the former Schult Home plant in Plainville. CMH Manufacturing has offered the facility to the City at a reduced price from what it was publicly offered--$1.5 million. The Rooks County Economic Development (RCED) Commission has agreed to join with the City in funding the purchase, and in return would be involved in the process of attracting tenants to the facility.

An interlocal agreement will be entered into between the City and RCED that would spell out the terms of cooperation between the two entities. Details are still being worked out on this agreement as well. It is hoped that the agreement with CMH and the interlocal agreement can all be finalized within the next 60 days.

Coming Attraction: Big Time in Damar

2009-06-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Coming on July 18 to Damar is the 4th Annual Harvest Festival Car & Motorcycle Show.

You won't want to miss the chance to not only attend the festival, but to also see the many positive changes that have taken place in Damar over the last year or so. The downtown buildings are all painted to reflect the French Canadian heritage of the city, and all new park equipment has been installed in the City Park. Also, a new community building is under construction as well as some renovation of the Damar Tavern.

As for the festival, you can access more information, including a registration form, by clicking on the following link: http://www.rookscounty.net/Car%20Show%20Flyer.pdf

Rodeo to highlight 2009 Paradise Creek Festival

2009-06-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Annual Paradise Creek Festival to be held in Plainville June 12 through 14, will once again be highlighted by the rodeo hosted by the Plainville Saddle Club. The rodeo has once again become the anchor event of the three-day festival. For more information, including entry fee and prize money, visit their website at www.plainvillerodeo.com.

The Hays Daily News had a good article last night (June 2) on the full three days of the festival. You can access the article by going to this link: http://www.hdnews.net/p5story/paradise060209

Paradise Creek Festival to kick off summer events

2009-06-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Paradise Creek Festival is June 12-13-14 in Plainville. It is a community event filled with lots of rodeo action, street carnival, games and really great food!

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit their website at www.plainvillerodeo.com.

Rooks County enters blog world!

2009-06-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Lea Ann Seiler from Hodgeman County, here is the first post for Get Rooks County! I would just start off by inviting everyone to two websites that will give you some insight into Rooks County and Northwest Kansas--http://www.rookscounty.net/ and http://www.northwestkansas.org/. Both are created by an amateur, but he tries real hard. :-)

On the Rooks County website, be sure and click on the 8 Wonders of Rooks County icon to see what residents voted on as 8 of our most interesting and noteworthy sites.

The Northwest Kansas site links to all of our 18 member county sites as well as attractions and events that can be a part of your "Explorer" visit.