Kansas River Cleanup day is just a few weeks away. Ben Jedlicka, Riley County Game Warden, says April 16th marks the cleanup day for the river, otherwise known as battery case cleanup day. This event is a kayak event, which Jedlicka shares more about. “That is supported by Manhattan Parks and Rec. They get a dumpster there and a skid-loader and we shuttle stuff that comes off the sandbars, between that boat ramp and St.George and then we bring it all back up to the boat ramp.” That garbage then gets shuttle up to the dumpsters. With the help of…
Author: Kelsey Bigelow
While some just see photographs, others, like Doug Barrett, see stories. The Riley County Historical Society sponsored Doug Barrett, an internationally recognized documentary photographer, videographer, and photojournalist at their quarterly meeting Thursday evening at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. Barrett, who lives in Manhattan, owns 400 North Creative and now has an exhibit at the Beach Museum. Barrett is a Georgia native, but following his time in the military, he decided to stay in Manhattan. Since leaving the military, Barrett said he felt like he had so many stories to tell. As someone who always has a camera…
The Flint Hills Breadbasket is holding their 27th annual “Take a Swing at Hunger” golf tournament. The Flint Hills Breadbasket is a community food network that was founded inside a small shed which housed machinery for the city of Manhattan in 1983. Since then, they have grown and continue to offer much needed food assistance through community donations and volunteer support. The golf tournament is one of their largest fundraisers and allows them to continue providing assistance to those in need throughout the community. The “Take a Swing at Hunger” golf tournament is a four player scramble. Player packages are…
As mental health continues to fill headlines and be a growing concern for many, Pawnee Mental Health Services continues to provide for the Manhattan area. One of the largest fundraisers for Pawnee Mental Health wrapped up earlier this month with the Pancakes for Pawnee event. Cole says this was their fourth annual event and it was a perfect day for the event. She said the weather cooperated and drew in a large crowd. “It was a lot of fun, it really was. It was good to see, you know, so many people who have been out every year, folks who…
After 33 years, Jami Ramsey is retiring as the executive director of the Riley County Seniors Service Center. Ramsey began her position at the center in 1989. She says it has been the best job ever; she gets to go to work and talk all day long. She adds that it has been fulfilling, but its time for a change for everyone and she is excited for someone else to take the center the next step. “Particularly as we are looking at a change in the people that we serve,” Ramsey adds. “There is a new generation coming. I think…
The annual 4-H garage sales are right around the corner. John Jobe, 4-H Youth Development Agent, says they will once again hold their 4-H garage sales, but this year the event is even more special. He says it is the jump off point for all the 4-H participants who have focused on Citizenship Washington Focus over the last the two years, which will take place in late June. “This will be the final sale we will have for about a year, then those young people will, like I said, travel across the country via bus,” Jobe adds. “We have some…
Spaghetti is on the menu for this Saturday, and better yet, you don’t have to cook it! The Manhattan Optimist Club is welcoming back their annual spaghetti feed. Club member, Jim Franke, says this is their 12th annual spaghetti feed, but their first one since 2019 due to the pandemic. He says it is a great fundraiser that supports a number of their initiatives. “Most of the proceeds will go towards supporting out activities out at Optimist Park which is on the west side of town. That’s where we run the city T-ball program and we also have a girls…
“It’s Friday!” For many in the Flint Hills reading that, they could hear the strong enthusiasm of long time KMAN morning show host and the “Voice of Manhattan”, Dave Lewis. This Friday though, this Friday was different than the rest. After twenty years of serving as the morning show host, Dave Lewis signed off for one final time. Lewis grew up as a farm kid in Elmo, Kansas, listening to a transistor radio hooked to his tractor. His father was a farmer and his mother was a teacher and a talented musician. He credits his broadcasting career to the influence…
Despite the current weather forecast, summer is quickly approaching and that means swimming. Sydni Baker, Manhattan recreation specialist of aquatics, tells KMAN that pool operations and activities will be back to nearly normal this season. She says they are excited to bring back all their activities and classes. “We will have our typical water aerobics a river running, the noon hour swim- all that fun stuff. We’re excited!” She says they will be opening three pools this summer- city, CiCo, and Northview. With all three pools open, Baker adds that staffing “Our above deck operations takes anywhere from 170 to…
Downtown Manhattan Inc is bringing a one of a kind festival to downtown this year. Executive Director, Gina Snyder says it’s an event that deserves a drum roll, that event– a mac and cheese festival. She adds that it actually has a unique and local tie. “You all might remember when Kevin and Kurstin Harris owned The Chef Cafe, and in 2020, Kevin unexpectedly and very, very sad, passed away. He was the driver. When he was on our board, he was the driver for getting a food fest, so this mac and cheese fest, there’s going to be a…