Sunflower Journeys embarks on a "blue highways" tour of Kansas as the twelfth season of this locally produced series premieres at the end of January. These shows will follow a scenic route of two-lane highways that loops around the state over the course of 13 programs.
Airing on KTWU/Channel 11 at 7pm on Thursday, January 28th (repeat broadcast the following Saturday at 5:30), the first program heads into the Flint Hills southwest of Topeka. Setting out on K-4 toward Dover, we encounter a delivery person who is pursuing his dream of publishing a magazine, which he calls The Flint Hills Special. Then we move on to Alma to learn about the architectural heritage of this town that calls itself "The City of Native Stone." Moving along Mill Creek to the southwest of Alma, we then explore the remnants of a small "ghost town" called Volland.
As the series continues, Sunflower Journeys heads down the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, stopping at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the Flint Hills Rodeo before heading further into the hills on a covered wagon. Connie Dover and the Paul Winter Consort provide evocative musical tributes to the prairie before we leave the Flint Hills and continue on our journey around Kansas.
Our route takes us on a wide loop around Kansas, visiting diverse
sites on the periphery of the state. Some of the destinations include
Fort Dodge; an archeological excavation in Meade County; the Prairie
Museum of Art and History in Colby; and the historic frontier town of
Weston, Missouri. Among the individuals profiled in the series are
botanist George Washington Carver, philanthropist Dane G. Hansen and
broadcast journalist Bill Kurtis. We will explore a wide variety of
subjects ranging from the Civil War in eastern Kansas to the most recent
acquisition of The Nature Conservancy in the western part of state.
Sunflower Journeys travels into the Flint Hills on the second leg of its "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs on Thursday, February 4, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The show begins by exploring the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, which extends along Kansas Highway 177 from Council Grove to Cassoday. The manager of the Kansas Scenic Byways program, Deborah Divine, tells how this stretch of highway gained its designation and describes what it offers to travellers. Two members of the local corridor management committee, Jan White of Council Grove and Rita Spinden of Strong City, reflect on the impact of tourism and the byways program on their communities.
Next, find out how the National Park Service is developing a management plan for the new Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County. Steve Miller, the National Park Service superintendent for the preserve, explains how this plan has evolved with input gathered at public forums and from feedback provided by an advisory council. Barbara Zurhellen, preserve director for the National Park Trust, describes how and why her organization became involved with this site.
The final story in this half-hour program focuses on the Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City, an annual event that recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Elmore Stout, Andy Olson and Gene Peacock reflect on the local significance of this event, while rodeo historian Leah Hanson reviews the history associated with it.
The production of Sunflower Journeys is made possible with support
from the Kansas Humanities Council, Footprints of Lawrence, the
Southwestern Bell Foundation, the Blanche Bryden Foundation, and the
Friends of KTWU.
Continuing on a "blue highways" tour of Kansas, Sunflower Journeys takes a closer look at the Flint Hills this week. The program airs on Thursday, February 11, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The first segment in this half hour program reflects on the experiences of the pioneers who crossed the prairie in covered wagons. Joining an overnight excursion of the Flint Hills Wagon Train near Matfield Green, folklorist Jim Hoy describes the forces that the pioneers encountered on their trek across the prairie. The trail boss for this outing, Denny Fluhardy explains how this particular wagon train attempts to recreate that experience.
Next, we meet some of the local ranchers associated with the Tallgrass Prairie Producers, a cooperative that markets free-range, grass-finished beef. A founding member of the organization, Pete Ferrell of Beaumont, tells how this group evolved and how they intend to expand the market for beef products. The coordinator of this coop, Anne Wilson of Elmdale explains why she feels this approach to beef production is healthy for consumers as well as for rural communities.
The final segment in this program presents a special music video featuring a song called "Who Will Comfort Me?" Written and recorded by Connie Dover of Weston, Missouri, this song powerfully conveys the awe-inspiring beauty of a prairie sunrise and laments the loss of such spacious horizons. Taped amid the scenic hills of the Ferrell Ranch near Beaumont, the video revolves around a horseback ride that saunters up to a hilltop vista at dawn.
The production of Sunflower Journeys is made possible with support
from the Kansas Humanities Council, Footprints of Lawrence, the
Southwestern Bell Foundation, the Blanche Bryden Foundation, and the
Friends of KTWU.
Sunflower Journeys moves across south central Kansas along U.S. highway 160 from Winfield to Harper in the next leg of a "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs Thursday, February 18, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
First, the show travels to a pasture near Winfield where The Paul Winter Consort performs "Grasslands" in an outdoor concert with the Winfield Regional Symphony. Composed by cellist Eugene Friesen, who was born in Hillsboro, Kansas, this symphony pays tribute to the prairies and grasslands of the world. It includes literary excerpts narrated by Wes Jackson of The Land Institute and a Native American dance performed by Robert Hyatt.
The next segment tells the story of Susanna Madora Salter, who Argonia residents elected as the first female mayor in America in 1887. The story is told with the assistance of local historian Laura Earles as well as the current mayor of Argonia, Alan Brundage. Washburn University history professor Sara Tucker describes the impact this election may have had on increasing the participation of women in the political process.
The third segment in this program focuses on the brief history of an English settlement called Runnymede, which sprang up along the Chikaskia River in the 19th century. At the Runnymede Church, now located in the town of Harper, historian Vivien Minshull-Ford describes why wealthy English families sent their sons here and what they experienced after they arrived.
The production of Sunflower Journeys is made possible with support
from the Kansas Humanities Council, Footprints of Lawrence, the
Southwestern Bell Foundation, the Blanche Bryden Foundation, and the
Friends of KTWU.
Sunflower Journeys continues across southern Kansas along U.S. highway 160 from Medicine Lodge to Meade passing through the Gyp Hills in the next leg of a "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs Thursday, February 25, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
First, a bit of cowboy poetry introduces a story about the mining of gypsum and the production of sheetrock, which is made from the gypsum. Barber County rancher Lonnie Garten and his wife Otie are among those who describe how the Gyp Hills have supported the mining industry here in addition to ranching and oil production.
Next, a visit to The Chief Theatre in Coldwater demonstrates the challenges facing those smalltown cinemas that continue to serve their local communities. Now open only on weekends with films targeted primarily to youngsters, The Chief still sells popcorn for 25 cents and candy for a nickel.
Moving further west into Meade County, we join an archeological field camp near the small town of Fowler. Co-sponsored by the Kansas State Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association, the excavation in progress here provides clues about the people who inhabited this region more than 600 years ago.
The production of Sunflower Journeys is made possible with support from
the Kansas Humanities Council, Footprints of Lawrence, the Southwestern Bell Foundation, the Blanche Bryden Foundation, and the Friends of KTWU.
Sunflower Journeys moves north across western Kansas in the next edition of a "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs Thursday, March 4, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
First, the history of Fort Dodge is recounted as we visit this historic site a few miles southeast of Dodge City. Originally designed to support troops, travelers and settlers in this part of Kansas, the fort eventually became a home for retired soldiers.
Next, we explore the contributions of noted botanist George Washington Carver, who grew up in Kansas and farmed for a brief period of time in Ness County. An exhibit at the Ottawa County Historical Museum in Minneapolis provides extensive background on Carver's accomplishments and his years in Kansas.
The third segment explores a large ranch north of Lake Scott in Logan County. Recently acquired by The Nature Conservancy, the ranch represents a prime example of the shortgrass prairie that once extended across much of western Kansas. The director of the Kansas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, Alan Pollom describes the organization's objectives here and at its other preserves throughout the state.
The production of Sunflower Journeys is made possible with support from
the Kansas Humanities Council, Footprints of Lawrence, the Southwestern Bell Foundation, the Blanche Bryden Foundation, and the Friends of KTWU.
Sunflower Journeys heads across northwestern Kansas in the next leg of its "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs Thursday, March 25, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The first stop in this half-hour program is at the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby. Museum director Sue Taylor and former director Helen Smith explain how one woman's zest for collecting provided this museum with a wealth of artworks and artifacts. We also learn how "the largest barn in captivity" was transported several miles to the museum grounds.
Next, the journey continues east on U.S. Highway 24 to a farm near the small town of Morland, where a rich deposit of fossils several million years old have been discovered. Joe Thomasson, a paleontologist from Fort Hays State University, describes the diversity of animal and plant fossils found on this site, including such extraordinary items at the fossilized jaw of a rhinoceros.
Moving on to another small town northeast of Hill City, the third
segment tells the story behind the Dane G. Hansen Museum in Logan. Polly
Bales, wife of Hansen's nephew, describes how he amassed his wealth and
created the foundation that built this impressive museum and art gallery,
which hosts travelling exhibits from the Smithsonian.
Sunflower Journeys moves across north central Kansas along U.S. Highway 24 from Stockton to Clay Center in the next episode of its "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs Thursday, April 1, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The first story steps back to examine the history of the public libraries in Kansas that were created with support from Andrew Carnegie, the wealthy steel baron. Stockton librarian Neola Breckenridge and Roy Bird, an author and library consultant, explore the changing role of the Carnegie Libraries in Kansas.
Next, we see how the street patterns and town centers of communities such as Beloit reveal much about the aspirations of those who founded them. Tom Schmiedeler, a geographer at Washburn University, explains why one city may have a town square while another has a more linear pattern in its business district.
The third story looks at efforts to reduce teen smoking in Clay
Center, where an adolescent health task force has been activated. Pam
Kemp, director of Emergency Medical Services for Clay County, describes
the manner in which the task force attempts to make teens aware of the
ways they are seduced by tobacco companies.
Sunflower Journeys travels through the hills of northeastern Kansas from Tuttle Creek to Troy in the next edition of its "blue highways" tour of Kansas. The program airs Thursday, April 8, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
In the first segment, Gus van der Hoeven, an extension specialist in landscape and environmental horticulture at Kansas State University, shares his observations about the way we perceive and interact with the Kansas landscape. As he does in his popular radio commentaries on KKSU from Manhattan, he encourages people to "Stop, Look & Listen" to the world around them.
Next, Nicolai Berezovski, a recent immigrant from the Ukraine, leads a covered wagon venture across Kansas, passing through northeastern Kansas on the final leg of a journey from Elkhart to Elwood. Don Wagner, a schoolteacher and country poet from Bennington, describes some of the people and places the group encountered on their trek.
The final segment explores some of the picturesque barns featured
in a self-guided barn tour organized by a group in Doniphan County.
Cultural geographer Pete Shortridge and local historian Suzette
McCord-Rogers provide background on these impressive structures.
Sunflower Journeys moves along and across the Missouri River in the next episode of its "blue highways" tour. The program airs Thursday, April 15, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The first segment reviews the experiences of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they paddled up this part of the Missouri River with their Corps of Discovery in 1804. Historian Philip Thomas describes what the explorers encountered here, and members of a new local group explain the goals of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.
Next, historical novelist Frederick Chiaventone and local historian Etta Marie Brill convey the colorful history of Weston, Missouri -- an active river port on the western frontier. Founded in 1837, Weston was a popular point of departure for pioneers heading west, but its commerce was dramatically altered by the Civil War and a major flood on the Missouri River.
The third segment focuses on the production of a feature film
called "Ride with the Devil," which dramatizes the conflict and tensions
generated by the border wars between Missouri and Kansas at the time of
Quantrill's raid on Lawrence in 1863. Much of the film was shot in
Pattonsburg, Missouri, where a reproduction of 1863 Lawrence was created
using the existing buildings of a town destroyed by the floods of 1993.
The first stop is in Osawatomie at the Adair Cabin in John Brown Memorial Park. Recently refurbished as a state historic site, the cabin reminds visitors of the days when John Brown violently crusaded against slavery, spending time here with his sister, Florella, who occupied this cabin with her husband, Samuel Adair.
The next story features a re-enactment of the only major Civil War battle fought in Kansas -- the Battle of Mine Creek. Located near the battlefield, not far from the small town of Pleasonton, a new visitor center tells the story of this battle and provides visitors with an opportunity to follow interpretive trails around the battleground.
In the final story, the history of the frontier army at Fort Scott
is revealed through a visit to the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Currently maintained by the National Park Service, this site contains 20
major historic structures and hosts periodic encampments and special
events that provide a glimpse of what life was like at this historic fort.
Sunflower Journeys swings through the southeastern corner of Kansas in the next edition of its "blue highways" tour, a part of which moves along historic Route 66. The program airs Thursday, April 29, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The show begins with a profile of J.T. Knoll, a raconteur and balladeer from Pittsburg. Through his column in the local newspaper and in presentations to local school groups, he encourages his audiences to compose and preserve stories about their families and communities.
Next, travel along the short stretch of Route 66 that passes through southeastern Kansas from Galena to Baxter Springs. Stop at the Eisler Brothers store in Riverton to hear what local folks think about the legendary roadway and hear from a British tourist following the historic highway across the continent.
The final story moves along a scenic trail near Elk City Lake with
the authors of a new hiking guide to Kansas. Catherine Hauber and John
Young describe some of the more memorable trails they encountered as they
compiled this comprehensive guide, soon to be released by the University
Press of Kansas.
Sunflower Journeys completes its "blue highways" tour of Kansas in the next episode of this locally produced series. The program airs Thursday, May 6, at 7pm on KTWU/Channel 11 from Topeka (repeat broadcast at 5:30pm the following Saturday).
The first story explores The Red Buffalo Ranch near Sedan, recently acquired by veteran television journalist Bill Kurtis. Currently hosting a number of programs on the Arts and Entertainment Network, Kurtis reflects upon his broadcasting career and demonstrates why he still feels a special connection to this part of the world.
Next, we review the film career of Tim McCoy, a "B-Western" matinee cowboy movie star of the 1930s and '40s. His son, Ron McCoy, teaches history at Emporia State University, where he is the director of the Center for Great Plains Studies.
The third story takes us to a farm in Osage County, where filmmakers are at work on a production for the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Starring Glenn Close and Christopher Walken, this made-for-TV movie depicts life on a Kansas farm in 1918 and will be the third film in a trilogy that began with "Sarah Plain and Tall."
For more information, contact:
Dave Kendallzzkendal@ktwu.washburn.edu
KTWU/Channel 11, Topeka, KS 66621
(785) 231-1111