Stories Featured on DVD

Cher Olsen - Cawker City, Kansas is not unlike other small Kansas towns—vacant buildings are common – but a while back, one artist had an idea. Cher Olsen thought that if the buildings were vacant, why not place art in all those empty windows. She did just that…and made a big difference to a small Kansas town.

Peggy Eudaly - Imagine what it would be live to begin your married life in another country. It happed to Peggy Eudaly. During World War II she became a ‘war bride’ and moved to Winfield.. Her husband was an American serviceman from Kansas and in America she found kindred spirits.

Heather Shelly - You know Heather Shelly as the teenage country-western singer from Scott City who won a $100,000 dollars as the best new act in country music a few years ago. Now, some time has passed, she’s married. Her husband Stryder is also a member of her band. She continues to pursue a dream. But she lives in two worlds. That of country music, and the world of laundry and homemaking.

Theda Wolford - On Hatteberg's People, Hartford, Kansas, just on the West side of the John Redmond Reservoir not far from Emporia----there is this unique store run by Theda Wolford--it's a cross between your grandpa's general store...and an 1800’s Wal-Mart. The reality is it’s Theda’s place and she runs it her way.

Eula West - Sometimes there are folks we meet who just make us feel good. Eula West is one of them. She is a tireless bundle of ‘Hello Darlin’ energy. But there is so much more to this woman. We begin at her day job – greeting folks at the Sedgwick County Courthouse in Wichita.

Shirley McClintock - In Council Grove, Shirley McClintock is credited with saving an old home that no one else thought was worth it. In ’94 she saw an old house as a way to tell its rich history that parallels Kansas’s statehood. It is the Terwilliger Home in Council Grove.

Sonya House - Sonya House wants to remember, not bad times, but good people who were lost on January 16, 1965 in the crash of a KC-135 Tanker plane at 20th & Piatt in Wichita. She lives on Piatt. She felt the crash. She saw the flames. And because of her work those who perished will be remembered forever.

Robert Edge - Robert Edge lives in Galena in Southeast Kansas, over by the Missouri border. In this stage of his life, he’s doing exactly what he wants to do. His work is unusual, and his clientele live in the past. And for him…that’s just fine.

Gary Gackstatter - I spent some time with a man some call a genius. His name is Gary Gackstatter. Well-known for years in Cowley County for his work in music and art, he is a man with passion. He’s published a book which he illustrates and wrote about the old stone arch bridges of Cowley County. Gary is deep, thoughtful and loves those old bridges.

Flossie Page - In 2004, I met a woman who was timeless – not ageless certainly, but timeless in her thoughts and outlook. Her name Flossie Page and lived in rural Butler County. She was 111 years old and took no pills. She lived to be nearly 113…just missed it by a little bit. But her time on this planet was rich with gifts of the heart.

Bob Cox - Some folks just know they are in the right place. Bob Cox of Kiowa is one of those. He is part of the culture that makes small towns in America work.

Belva Morgan - Imagine holding a job for 53 years. Belva Morgan did. Belva was the postmistress of Norway, Kansas. That’s a little town in Republic County. I visited with her when she had only been there….some 50 years.

Bennie Jefferies - Veteran’s Day comes and goes every year, But for many who have served in the military, their was has yet to be won. For veterans like Bennie Jefferies of rural Wellington, his war continues to be fought. It is post-traumatic stress syndrome that Bennie fights. Over 60 years after his World War II service, his personal was has no sign of letting up.

Barry Patton - Winfield, Kansas native Barry Patton lives two lives. One is his business; the other is his music and his most unusual instruments. Being around Barry you can’t help but smile and tap your foot.

Nancy & Luciano Mottola - Luciano and Nancy Mottola could have put their restaurant anywhere in the U.S. She is from Mulvane, he is from Italy. They picked Mulvane. He uses his family recipes and together they have created an ‘experience’ more than a restaurant. And unlike other businesses --- money is not their goal.

Donna Tucker - In the field of music, Wichita is lucky to have her. I’m talking about Donna Tucker. Donna is a well-kept Wichita musical secret. This woman of Jazz makes her mark in other parts of the world, yet in Wichita remains low-key.

Melvin Gilkey - In Belpre, Kansas, when serious illness hits – some people have unusual ways to cope. Melvin Gilkey of Belpre found that animals have helped him survive some serious heart problems. One animal in particular has folks talking in Belpre.

Bill Wedekind - As you know, I meet a lot of folks, but seldom have I ever met anyone who has overcome life’s tragedies like Bill Wedekind of Westmoreland. Now this optimistic Kansan has no reason to be that way. His life took a mean turn. But Bill took his Marine training to heart and is now inspiring all who meet him.

Galen Kalbach - When I visited with Galen Kalbach several years ago, he couldn’t live any more rural. He is in the far reaches of Western Kansas near Leoti. He likes it there. A man left over from the 1960’s and he doesn’t mind a bit.

Carol Billinger - A church dies and is reborn in the spirit of the people. It happened in Pfeifer, Kansas—that’s out by Hays. When the Catholic Church could no longer support the congregation, the money stopped, but the people didn’t. Meet Carol Billinger and the town folk who said this church must live.

Harold Dawley - There is this little Dodge City Museum and it is not easy to find. Harold Dawley is one of those guys who found a collecting ‘niche’ and stuck to it. What he also found --- was happiness.

Francisco Rizo - Immigration is at the forefront of American issues. I’m as guilty as any reporter of not doing enough coverage of our Hispanic population. So now, I want to tell you the story of Francisco Rizo of Wichita, originally from Mexico and how through perseverance, hard work and love for this country, he made a great life for his family. We begin with his granddaughter Lupito Cordova.

Ernie Dittimore - This next story is about one of the most unusual people I’ve ever met. Ernie Dittimore of rural Troy, Kansas. Ernie spent the last 40 years of his life, living in a hole in the ground. And he was one of the most content humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Shirley Ruffin - I was giving a speech at a local hotel and I happen to see a display of art that I thought was remarkable. Then, I met the artist Shirley Ruffin of Wichita. She too is remarkable and speaks her mind.

Helen Beckham - Just outside of Marion, along Marion Lake, Helen Beckham is saving history. Other people are helping, and as a result, small historic victories mean all of us learn more about our Kansas history.

Lawrence Schleuder - If you have a job, stick with it. Lawrence Schleuder of Concordia did. He has been a milkman most of his life. He keeps saying he’s going to retire. That doesn’t appear to be happening.

Kristy Hovorak - A woman called me one day, she said she was looking out her window in a Wichita neighborhood, and saw a woman sitting on her porch with two birds on her shoulder. So I checked it out. Sure enough – when I pulled up in front of this home…there she was Kristy Hovorak and her friends.

Larry Schwarm - Photographer and teacher Larry Schwarm formally of Emporia uses his cameras to document re-birth. He photographs the Flint Hills spring fire ritual. It’s fire that renews the prairie and at the same time creates magnificent photographs.

Richard & Sonia Raney - I’m stretching a bit this week. It’s actually Hatteberg’s People and a dog. The dog’s name is Harley, and these are the people who own her. Richard and Sonia Raney of Scandia, Kansas. The people own a hardware store. The dog thinks she does too. Folks seldom come in to see Richard and Sonia. They come to see Harley

Mary Hatteberg Powers - A story about a woman who I knew well, and frankly, I can tell you this is an incredibly biased story. I am unapologetic about that. It’s about my mom -- Mary Hatteberg Powers. My dad died in 1981 and unfortunately I never did a video story with him and that was a mistake. With my mom, I wanted to make sure that didn’t happen. This is a Mother’s Day piece I did with her in 2004….A tribute to a great Woman. My mom!