November 4, 2010: Another Day Out & About the New Home

Still unpacking boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and - who packed that, that isn't mine - and boxes and boxes and boxes and I think that it is time to get out of the house for sanity's sake and take another look at my new home of Lucas, Russell County, Kansas. 

This is one town that is not one bit shy of letting you know where you are . . . .

They even for many years have hosted a Little Apple Festival. 

The new Lutheran church has wonderful tinted glass windows . . . .

And one can relax in a spacious city park!

The school football field is a classic of its kind . . . .

And the modern (appearances are deceiving!) school itself has evolved from Lucas to Lucas-Luray to Sylvan-Lucas, and yet continues to be a topnotch educational facility!

Ah, Lucas!  Where else can you see everything from the World's Largest Souvenir Travel Plate . . . .

To the one and only authentic Chair-y Tree in the World!

Speaking of mysteries - and of course we were - the "No Guns Allowed" sign makes for a good mystery at the Lucas City Power Plant, on the west side of town and on Power Street, no less . . . .

While on the east side of town Kansas Avenue may look short - only a few blocks long - but the sites to be beheld along it more than make up for its relative short stature.

This is an interesting concrete fence . . . .

And an even more interesting concrete aviary  . . . .

Which means that we have happened upon the legendary Garden of Eden, on Kansas Avenue! 

Now there are other more sedate homes along Kansas Avenue . . . .

That have very interesting signage on their outbuildings.  An ode to old radio station call letters?  A math equation?  A Twitter message?  I've just got to follow the arrow and find out . . . .

Why, look, I've stumbled upon the World Headquarters for the Worlds Largest Collection of the Worlds Smallest Versions of the Worlds Largest Things Traveling Roadside Attraction and Museum - Erika Nelson, Director! 

Just behind the WLCWSVWLTTRA&M (hold on, gotta check that back over - yep, got it right) one can find a fallen star . . . .

And one can even find a rising star - Land Pride, a division of Great Plains Manufacturing, at Lucas, Kansas!

Land Pride is going strong even in this economy and makes all kinds of things . . . .

That are colorful, to say the least!

Speaking of color, the roses are still going strong in town even in November . . . .

Which reminds me that I am thirsty and it is time for a drink at the iconic K-18 Cafe!

Open seven days a week, the K-18 Cafe has been around for years and is known far and wide . . . .

                        As is the gas station just next door!

Now if there's a real storm a'brewin', or if you are in trouble and need a quiet place to hide out, just behind the cafe is a nifty storm shelter featuring the new Lucasite Ever-Efficient Impenetrable 9000 Door Lock . . . .

And still more signage around town to signify that there is still more to explore than can be seen by the mere eye! 

Again in the alleys of town one finds gems previously unknown and undiscovered . . . .

While again the signage tends to let you more than it intended! 

Some signage is very important to we two-leggers . . . .

While other things need no signage whatsoever to convey their meaning.  Timeless.  Sturdy.  Enduring.  Artistic.  Functional.  Kansans.  Lucas.

Yes, I eventually found my way to the city cemetery . . . .

And paid my respects to the only relatives I have buried here (my great-grandfather's older brother's eldest child - Helen [Rothenberger] Brichacek)  . . . .

Now art is NOT a relatively recent idea around Lucas, judging by this Art Deco-style burial lot . . . .

Or this one, made in classic concrete . . . .

And way back in the 19th Century they created art in bronze as tombstones . . . .

While managing again to create signage that tends to let you more than it intended . . . .

In France a name like this would embellish a bottle of wine, or water at least.  Lucas might be missing something here!

On the east side of town one finds even more land serpents - or land somethings, anyway . . . .

And though sometimes it may appear that Lucasites are being still, they are certainly not - they are constantly thinking, creating, and challenging one's impressions of Rural Kansas!

The World's Largest Tipping Moo Cow???????

October 30, 2010: First Full Day in the New Home

There was ice cream in the freezer.

On it was a note that read "Welcome to Lucas!"

Hmmm . . . I think I made the right move!

But it was not easy by a long shot - physically or mentally.  Osborne to Lucas, Kansas is only 32 miles, but when you drive it 20 times and more just moving things, it gets to be pretty long!  My sincere thanks to Sue Parker and Joe Hubbard, who in spite of all the boxes worked up a sweat to get me from one place to the other.

The all-important bed and dining table makes it way to their new home.

And so do the chests of drawers, file cabinets, and bookshelves as well.  The former home in Osborne is in the background.

First shots of the new home.  Here is the living room . . . .

And more of the living room . . . isn't it cosy . . . .

and here is the kitchen . . . .

Another view of the kitchen . . . .

We would show you the office, but I'm afraid that at the moment this is all the farther one can get in to it!

And so welcome to Lucas, population just over 400 to just over 600, depending on what source you use . . .  .

Lucas is the home to interesting things and interesting people, like the director of The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things, Inc.  Here is director Erika Nelson in the company car.

There is natural art in the backyards . . . .

And even man-made art in the alleys.

The downtown has places to visit . . . .

And elsewhere in town there are natural artificial critters to watch out for!

Even the area harvest becomes art in Lucas . . . .

The town has a bit of everything, including the local hair salon.

Here even abandoned Ar Deco-era gas stations become private homes, and yet look like gas stations . . . .

Throughout Lucas' history they have had far-seeing citizens . . . .

While in the present day the local lumberyard keeps busy!

Turns out the Methodist Church on North Main was bricked by the Rothenberger Masonry Company of Osborne, Kansas (my uncle and my father) . . . .

And Lucas is the home to the legendary Brant's Market, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce and as original as they can get these days!

In Lucas the old and the new are side by side (Moran won the November 2010 election for U.S. Senator from Kansas) . . . .

And where else can you still find a public pay phone in a town this size?

In Lucas they come up with unique ways in which to celebrate the various holidays . . . .

And the Baptist Church in town is both architectually interesting and welcoming!

For Halloween all the kids in the community are treated to a hayrack ride to houses all over town . . . .

And while they no longer use the old city jail, they keep it around for show.

Local artist Eric Abraham points to a picture of himself inside his Flying Pig Art Gallery . . . . 

While also downtown the hardware store welcomes customers sone and all.

Oh, yes, there's that major folk art attraction also in the town . . . .

Whose downtown does get busy whenever there is an event - and there are a lot of events!!!

Even the local bank has a bit of flair in its name . . . .

While the local Troy's Grocery Store might sound plain, but it has pretty much everything.

This fall they started a marvelous mural on the side of the grocery store . . . .

Which when completed in 2011 (winter has asserted itself) will tell of the history of the region.

Witches have a tough time of it in Lucas . . . .

Where the flag flies proud!

Along the streets is the unusual artwork Lucas is known for . . . .

But in this community one must also look in the alleys!

Nature gets into the act here in regards to creating art . . . .

And if one looks up one can discover still more classic old man-made art!

The Grassroots Art Wall of Fame can be found here . . . .

Right next to the soon-to-be-finished Bowl Plaza - the public restrooms that will have to be seen to be believed!

There is unintentional artwork to be found . . . .

In addition to even more irrevelant man-made art!

Only in Lucas can be found a sign reminding you of what town you are in . . . .

As if you need yet another reminder, amidst the middle of an American Fork Art garden!

In Lucas the downtown is Wi-Fi'ed and has a very discernable line down Main Street . . . .

And local pride can be found in the fabulous all-volunteer Theater!

Downtown Lucas is made safe for your protection . . . .

And the city office shows its pride with pride!

There is a Lucas Public Library . . . . 

And older buildings downtown sport even more architectural wonders!

Ah, yes, the Grassroots Arts Center is here in Lucas . . . .

And they are ready for Halloween!

Lucas does have some very interesting signage . . . .

And some classic stone carvings as well!

A throughly modern volunteer fire department can be found here . . . .

And again in the back alleys can be found more interesting gardens and fences.

In Lucas you can find wire Bald Eagles . . . .

And classic churches . . . .

Not to mention the random land serpent.

Yes, Lucas is the birthplace of K-18 Baseball, which gave hundreds of kids over many decades great fun . . . .

And one of the first things one notices about the town is that it is a green-topped water tower town.

There is great tinwork to be found, if you once again look up once in a while . . . .

And did we mention the unusual signage?

And now that we've roamed our new Home, we really do need to get back to that ice cream!  Thank you, Lucas!!!