Flint Hills Shopper

06/08/2026

Madison Masonic Lodge will offer Health & Cancer Screenings on June 13.

06/04/2026

Jam Session:
There will be a Jam Session on June 7, 1-4 p.m. at the Neosho Rapids Community Center, 238 N. Commercial St. Come play, listen and/or sing along. Cost is $5. Snacks will be available. For questions, call Julie at 620-794-9564. Additional dates are July 5 and August 2.

06/01/2026

River Suite Dinner and Music on the Historic Bridge in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Hosted by the Chase County Chamber of Commerce
The 2025 River Suite event will take place, Friday, June 12, 2026 on the historic Cottonwood River Bridge overlooking the waterfall in downtown Cottonwood Falls. Surrounded by the unforgettable jewel tones of a Kansas summer sunset, guests will be drawn to the white peaked tents and the aroma of a well-mastered selection of Flint Hills inspired delicacies inviting the senses to partake in the breathtaking experience of fine dining and live music on the charming bridge.
Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with a happy hour cash bar benefiting The Strong City Preservation Alliance and their restoration project of the 1900 theater. At 6 p.m. music by Tallgrass Express will begin. Dinner service provided by Smokin' O's will start at 7 p.m. Entertainment by Tallgrass Express will resume at 8 p.m.!
Tickets are $85+tax ($92.23) each. Visit our website to purchase online by cash or check. Almost sold out! Ticket sales end at midnight on Sunday 6/7/2026.
Go to HeartoftheFlintHills.com for tickets and to learn more.

05/20/2026

04/27/2026

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to submit your graduate's photo and message. Please email the information to [email protected].

04/16/2026

Cybersecurity fun for families at free event
EMPORIA, KS (04/16/2026) Students in kindergarten through high school and their families will find plenty to do while learning about cybersecurity during a free event sponsored by the Cybersecurity Research and Outreach Center and The Teachers College at Emporia State.
The Cyber Awareness Party will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Anderson Building on the Lyon County Fairgrounds, 2650 W. Highway 50 in Emporia. The event also has received funding from DOCK, Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans, a state-funded grant program in the Kansas Office of Broadband Development.
Activities available include gaming and esports, virtual Capture the Flag, lock picking and robots. Informational presentations include how to keep children cyber safe, accessing school information as well as cyber games that teachers and others can use in the classroom for learning.
Special guest at the event is Alan CyBear, cybersecurity mascot from the University of Texas San Antonio's Center for Infrastructure Assurance & Security. Named for mathematician Alan Turning, the mascot travels the country to introduce cybersecurity primarily to children.

04/13/2026

You have a senior graduating from high school, universities or technical college and want to honor them in the Graduate Tribute that will be published on May 8? Email your message and photo to [email protected] by April 27. The cost is $35.

03/31/2026

Southwick House to Break Ground on New Facility

Emporia, KAN – Southwick House will move closer to being a reality with a groundbreaking at the site of their future home on April 7. The organization is currently in the final phase of its $3.6
million capital campaign to construct a new 9,000 square foot transitional housing facility at 115 E. Logan Ave, and construction is expected to begin in the days following the groundbreaking.
Once open, Southwick House will provide low-barrier transitional housing for women and families in Emporia and the surrounding region, continuing the legacy of service established by Carrie (Southwick) Plumb and the Plumb Family.
Southwick House Board President Jeremy Dorsey expressed enthusiasm to see the project moving to this next phase. “The board is thrilled to see the project reach this point, knowing that
it means we are that much closer to being fully operational and able to provide this essential resource for the community.” Dorsey said.
Construction of the facility is made possible through a $1 million lead gift from the Walter S and Evan C Jones Testamentary Trust and an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant
sponsored by Lyon County, as well as other significant public and private investment in the project. Awarded from the Kansas Department of Commerce and sponsored by municipalities,
the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides funding for projects that help low- to moderate-income neighborhoods thrive. Southwick House expects construction to
be completed by spring 2027.
Executive Director Cara Codney praised the board and former Director Susan Brinkman’s work in bringing this project into being, saying “It’s been impressive to see the incredible amount of work that has gone into making this dream for our community a reality, and it’s very moving to see how many individuals and organizations have provided support to make it possible.”
The groundbreaking for Southwick House will be Tuesday, April 7 at 5:30pm at the facility’s future location at 115 E. Logan Ave., Emporia, and the public is invited to attend.
Southwick House’s mission is to empower individuals and families through transitional housing and supportive services by developing skills to achieve and maintain independence. Upon
completion of their facility, the organization will provide congregate and non-congregate housing to women, single parents, and families.
Further information about Southwick House can be found by visiting www.southwickhouse.org.

03/30/2026

Ready, Set, GLOW! Join SU83 for swimming, golfing, aerobics, crafting and more on April 10, 8 p.m. They'll be sure to light up the night at this Girl Scout overnighter event at the Emporia Recreation Center, 313 W. 4th Ave. This is open to girls that are Juniors, Ambassadors, Seniors and Cadettes. The deadline to register is April 6 at

Discover Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland: about Girl Scouts, what they do, what activities are available and how to contact us.

03/23/2026

Emporia Community Foundation Names Loni Heinen as Executive Director
The Board of Directors and Trustees of the Emporia Community Foundation are pleased to
announce the appointment of Loni Heinen as the Foundation’s new Executive Director.
When asked about the decision, Board President Brian Filinger shared that Heinen was the clear
and natural choice for the role. “With Loni’s 16 years of dedicated service to the Emporia
Community Foundation, she was the logical choice,” said Filinger. “She has worked alongside
every past Executive Director and has built strong, lasting relationships with our donors and
community partners. The Foundation is in capable and knowledgeable hands with Loni as
Executive Director.”
Heinen was raised in Emporia and is a graduate of Emporia High School and Emporia State
University. She began her career with the Foundation as Administrative Assistant, later serving
as Program Officer, and most recently as Financial Officer for the past five years. Her deep
institutional knowledge and commitment to the Foundation’s mission - position her well to lead
the organization into its next chapter.
She resides in Chase County with her husband, Dave.
The Board and Trustees are excited about the future of the Emporia Community Foundation
under Heinen’s leadership and look forward to continued growth and impact in the community.