Thanks to everyone that attended our first potluck gathering tonight at Synder’s Cabin in Gage Park! We hope you all had as great of time as we did. It was fantastic to be in a room with a group of people that all have similar thoughts and dreams for Topeka and understand that the power of positive thinking is the first place to start.
Here’s a couple of photos that we took at the event. Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone who came out to the potluck dinner/gathering tonight. It was wonderful to put faces with names and meet all of you. It was also refreshing to see so many others who want to have a positive impact on Topeka. For those who were unable to attend, we will try to do this again. Thank you again, because positive change will take the action of many. We look forward to working with all of you to make this community a better place!
Thanks again to all the planners and organizers for Sunday night’s excellent potluck. It is inspiring to know so many people who have a commitment to making Topeka a better place!
I want to remind everyone that I’m looking for people to share with the general population why they like Topeka or what their dream is for Topeka. All you need to do is write up about a minute of copy and send it to me in an email. My email address is jim.ogle@wibw.com. I will get it added to our production schedule and invite you in at a convenient time for you to record.
When recorded, your comments will play for a complete day at the end of each of our newscasts. The combined audience you will reach will be about 40,000 people.
If you are dedicated to “Transforming Topeka”, this is a great opportunity for you to be heard by a huge audience!
If you have any questions, please call me at 272-4686.
Jim Ogle
Jim,
Thanks again for coming out last night and for your offer! We will be in touch.
Shanae
It was great being with everyone last night and experiencing the positive energy about Topeka and Shawnee County. My wife and I are newcommers (10 months)are are very happy to be a part of this community. It has a exceptional future if we all work to move forward in a positive way.
During the potluck, we started talking about the wonderful things about Topeka and Shawnee County. Following is my list after 10 months:
Topeka Civic Theater
TPAC
Expo Center Events
Washburn University
Washburn University Law School
Lake Shawnee and Park
Chez Yasu restaurant on 17th Street (home grown French restaurant)
Piasanio’s restaurant on Gage Blvd. (home grown Italian restaurant)
Our community’s close commute to KC for big city experience (45 minutes), as well as short commute for a college town experience (30 minutes and 45 minutes).
Saturday morning breakfast at the General Store in Dover
Rowing Association at Lake Shawnee
Excellent golf courses
First Friday’s Art Walk
Heartland Park
SCCA Races
NHRA Races
The Roadrunners (the way hockey should be played!)
Short commute times and less congestion
Cricket at Auburn Park on the weekends
Family-oriented community
The Rose Garden at Gage Park
Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival
The collection of animals at the Zoo
Art galleries
Museum at the Library
Combat Air Museum
Art at the Capitol
The architecture of downtown Topeka and North Topeka
12 art galleries
Five performing arts facilities
The beautiful countryside
The Flint Hills
The people…Midwesterners that care
Our heritage…the strong people that built America
Multiple beautiful parks – playgrounds for kids
Ensley Botanical Gardens
Ward Meade complex
Kansas Museum of History
Quetzal Restaurant
The Rowhouse Restaurant
Antique Malls
The Library
Spirit of Kansas Festival (4th of July)
Mulvane Mountain and Plains Art Festival
Glass Expressions – 29th & Oakley. Locally owned / beautiful hand blown glass (some local artists).
Washburn University is a wonderful place to walk/exercise.
Lupita’s Mexican Rest. – mom and pop on Kansas Ave. – good food/reasonably priced, good service.
Gallery Classic
Tammi’s Antiques & Florals
Buttercups & Daisies
Kitchen Gallery
Linda’s Home & Garden
The Linen Tree
Marion Lane Candles
2 Harts
Woodward Home
Governor’s Mansion and hiking trails
Great Overland Station
Viewing Topeka from Burnett’s Mt.
Lake Shawnee Gardens
Driving through Potwin at Christmas
Fireworks over Lake Shawnee – July 4th
Backyard Bar-be-ques
Picnics at Shawnee Lake
Inside the Capitol at night
Driving through the Flint Hills on the ‘old roads’
Discovering treasures at the antique stores on rainy weekends
Listening to the bands play at the amphitheatre in Gage Park – or for really special treats – when they have a theatrical performance there
Silent movies or Jazz in the Grace Cathedral
St Joseph’s Catholic Church – awesome inside
Neighborhood parties
The Carousel at Gage Park
The Farmer’s Market
Collins Park 4th of July Parade
Boo at the Zoo
Topeka ZOObilee
Blessing of the Animals at the Zoo
Rock band blaring at night at the pavilion at the zoo for a special party and the animals joining in the noise and dancing
Watching fireworks from my front yard on the 4th of July
Storytime at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
First Friday Art Walks
When the ice and snow clings to the trees
Baseball/softball games all over town
All Veterans Memorial
Keep up the good work.
Steve Jenkins
Steve –
Your list is impressive! You’ve obviously gotten a lot accomplished in 10 short months. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for attending last night!
Alissa