I was caught off guard last week when a great-aunt from Colorado asked if she could be our house guest come mid-August to participate in Kansas Dialogue. KANSAS DIALOGUE isn’t for everyone, Farrell admits.
I was unaware of Iola’s role in the upcoming event.
Truth is, organizers keep the annual retreat somewhat under wraps.
“It’s not a drop-in-and-out affair,” said Martha Farrell, Wichita, who coordinates the 21-year-old program.
Attendees typically sign on for the three-day affair months in advance.
And what they discuss is not for publication. No media allowed, no Facebook posts, no tweets.
The purpose of Kansas Dialogue is to foster discussion about our great state and what it means to be a Kansan.
It is a non-partisan event, which is not to say politics don’t come up, Farrell said. Several elected officials, including Attorney General Derek Schmidt and State Sen. Jeff King, are regulars.
Participants take in the local sights.
The arts, naturally enough, will take center stage for this year’s event. Discussions will include how the arts help shape a community’s spirit and image and how to keep small towns alive and thriving.
The 90-plus participants will tour the Buster Keaton Museum in Piqua Friday night as well as have a tour of Piqua’s historic St. Martin church.
Iola’s Bowlus Fine Arts Center will host the Saturday morning discussions. That afternoon, participants will have opportunity to take a trolley tour of Iola including stops at the Russell Stover Candies, the Allen County Historical Museum and the old Allen County Jail. They’ll go out to the Southwind Rail Trail and also get a tutorial on Iola’s famed Gen. Frederick Funston.
Saturday evening, participants will see a private showing of a Buster Keaton silent film with live accompaniment.
Sunday morning will include three roundtables where participants can choose from 12 topics that bring the discussions begun Friday night full circle.
America’s Best Value Inn on North State has offered special rates to out-of-town guests.
Registration is still open by going to www.kansasdialogue.com.
“It appeals to a certain personality type,” she said, but who come from very varied backgrounds.
“After you hang out and play as a group, you can’t help but become friends,” she said.
Sounds like the perfect weekend.
Kansas Dialogue: Talk with a purpose
