Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Philanthropy today
is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode, we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour, asheard on News Radio KMAN.
We are back with the GMCFCommunity Hour here on News
Radio KMAN.
We have the opportunity to talkwith a lot of folks that are in
(00:20):
the nonprofit community.
And typically, we um you knowsurround our discussions with
events that they are puttingtogether.
Our guest is no stranger to theprogram.
She's a delightful addition tothe community.
Her name is Leslie White.
She is the director of the FlintHills Discovery Center
Foundation.
Welcome back to the GMCFcommunity hour, Leslie.
SPEAKER_01 (00:42):
Hi, thanks for
having me.
SPEAKER_00 (00:44):
Well, we've got uh I
and and and I think one of the
things I'd like to do first offis differentiate for us the
difference between the DiscoveryCenter and the Foundation,
because I think that that'spretty important for everybody
to know.
SPEAKER_01 (01:00):
Absolutely.
So um the foundation is truly wewe are separate.
Um our job is just to support asthe 501.
So um, although my office is inthe Discovery Center, um, which
kind of makes it even moreconfusing, um, we, you know, I
am not a city employee.
(01:21):
Um, I I work for the foundation.
So we are the 501c3, and my jobis to solely support um the
Discovery Center in any way wecan.
So we like to help win with thetraveling exhibits, we like to
help, especially with um theeducational components, um,
programs, um, and so forth inthat in that regard.
(01:44):
So we are not by the city.
We we are separate.
Um, so even though we're in thebuilding, we're we are separate.
SPEAKER_00 (01:54):
So okay.
SPEAKER_01 (01:55):
So this event is
isn't tied into the city.
Um, this is a foundation eventthat we're going to talk about
today.
SPEAKER_00 (02:02):
And you have
utilized, you know, proceeds
from fundraisers, such as thisand other means of of giving for
some really substantial aspectsof the Discovery Center.
What are some of those?
SPEAKER_01 (02:15):
So um, in years
past, um, the Bison Meethan
Bourbon especially has gone tolike the second floor renovation
project, so prairie playscape.
Um, last year we we put theproceeds towards stepping into
the prairie.
So it was a temporary exhibit umthat was here for about six
months.
But the unique umness of thatproject was that the projectors
(02:39):
that are actually installed inthe Discovery Center are there
permanently.
So um the equipment piece isalways here, and so we can
always bring that exhibit in andout of the Discovery Center as
kind of needed.
Um, so we use it as a temporaryexhibit.
However, it is always a piece ofthe Discovery Center, if that
(03:00):
makes sense.
Um so that's kind of unique.
Um, normally a temporary exhibitcomes into the space and then
leaves, um, but this one thecity actually owns now.
So um so those are kind of someof the bigger projects that uh
Bison Beef and Bourbon hashelped fund.
And then this year is is nodifferent.
(03:20):
It's gonna go to um the outdoorclassroom renovation project
that we were kind of in theprocess of.
Um the night of the event, we'regoing to kind of make a big
announcement about it becausewe're gonna be entering phase
one.
So we're gonna kind of make abig announcement um on how we're
gonna move forward with it.
So um, no different than yearspast.
(03:42):
We're we're trying to completethat funding and um hopefully
that night will be our finalpush and um and make that that
project um a reality that willopen next fall.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
There are so many
fun things involved with your
bison beef and bourbon event.
And let's let's talk about someof the specific specifics.
It's coming up in just a matterof weeks, October 23.
SPEAKER_01 (04:09):
Yes.
So this year we're trying tomake it bigger and better.
Um, each year, that's always ourgoal.
So we are moving it back to theStanley Stout Center.
Um, we just feel like that issuch a unique building um and
kind of just ties in with ourranching community.
And so um, not that you need tobe a rancher to go to this
event.
Um, it's a great night for all.
(04:30):
So um we will have fourdifferent distilleries there,
um, a couple of new ones thisyear.
So we will have Horse Soldierand Boot Hill like normal.
Um, Jay Regal from Kansas Citywill be there, and then Speedy
Trap um will also be there fromEl Dorado.
So we're excited to have all ofthem.
Um, we will have beer and wine,um, which so if you're not a
(04:52):
bourbon drinker, we'll have you.
Um bison and beef and bison andbeef will be our main course for
the evening.
And then we also are gonna havea cigar rolling demonstration.
SPEAKER_00 (05:03):
A cigar rolling
demonstration.
SPEAKER_01 (05:06):
Yes.
So you cannot smoke cigars onthe property.
Um, and and just for everyone tostill be able to enjoy the
atmosphere, we're not gonnaallow um any smoking at the
event, but you will be able totake them home.
So those will be there andavailable to our guests, but you
can watch them, you can learnabout um how to roll a cigar.
Um, she'll she'll be teaching itto anybody who wants to learn.
(05:30):
Um, and then you can take themhome if you would like.
So kind of a unique idea.
Um, and a lot of times, youknow, cigars tie in with
bourbon.
So we thought that that would bea cool experience for anybody
who wants to learn.
SPEAKER_00 (05:43):
Okay.
So let's talk a bit about thespecifics, location and tickets.
SPEAKER_01 (05:49):
Yeah, so Stanley
Scout Center.
Um, the event will start at 6p.m.
Um, and we try to get everybodyout the door um or kind of
wrapped up by nine o'clock.
We know it's a Thursday nightand we know that people have
work on Friday.
So um you're welcome to staylonger, but we try to have
everything wrapped up by nine.
Um we tickets, the best way tofind them is it's an online
(06:10):
platform.
So you can either go to theDiscovery Center, Flint Hills
Discovery Center website, or youcan also go to the Flint Hills
Discovery Center Foundation'sFacebook page.
So you'll find the link to buytickets on either one of those
platforms.
SPEAKER_00 (06:25):
Okay.
Now, I understand that you knowthere's obviously a lot of
things that are going on.
There are other events that goon October 23, and there are a
lot of people that, you know,have conflicts, but you do not
necessarily have to be presentin order to participate or to to
help support.
SPEAKER_01 (06:43):
Absolutely.
So we do want to to extend it toanybody who wants to participate
or wants to help support.
So um there is an option on theregistration that if you can't
be present to win, um, it's kindof like a free ticket.
So that just gives you theoption to register for the
auction part.
Um, so then you can bid on anyof the silent auction items.
(07:05):
Um, we we normally launch that afew days before.
So around October 24st, um,those auction items will go
live.
You can kind of start biddingand then it will end on October
23rd at 8 p.m.
So if you are not present andyou win a silent auction item,
I'll reach out to you and we cancoordinate pickup from that
point.
(07:25):
So that way you can stillsupport um the event if you
would like to.
That also does tie in to thefund the need portion, which is
going to be the outdoorclassroom.
So um, like I previouslymentioned, the outdoor classroom
is a project that we arebuilding.
Um, it's gonna kind of enclose aclassroom area and also make
(07:48):
like a boardwalk and some otherelements right outside of the
Discovery Center to give usanother location to hold
classroom, um, not only foryouth but adults as well, and
learn more about the Foothills.
Um, since the Discovery Centeronly has one classroom, we did
in 2019 put a classroom outside,but we do live in Kansas and
(08:11):
there's rain, there's snow,there's elements.
And so this will um, you know,give us space that helps with
those the weather and and makeit more inclusive.
Um and so there is kind of aunique opportunity available for
the outdoor classroom space.
Um, if individuals, especiallyanybody who doesn't or can't
(08:33):
attend the event, if they wouldwant to donate to that outdoor
classroom space, um if you givea donation of$250 or more, um,
they can also use it for ourKansas Community Tax Credits
program, which is availableuntil the end of the year.
So that in is kind of anotherincentive to donors.
Um they get a little return ontheir donation, um, but it also
(08:56):
helps um enhance a project herefor the youth programs, um,
well, all programs, even adultprograms here at the Discovery
Center.
SPEAKER_00 (09:04):
So you know, there's
no shortage of activities there,
and it's really, you know, ajewel in our community.
And I know that um, you know,because of what you do with
this, and I've been a part of umthe event in the past, and it's
it's very special.
It's it's fun, it'slighthearted, but there are so
(09:25):
many people that we have notjust here locally, but but this
is something that thattranscends Manhattan, Riley,
Pottawatomie, Wabunsey, Morriscounties.
It goes way beyond that.
And I know that you have a lotof supporters that are, you
know, within that, what is it,22-county region of the Flint
(09:46):
Hills.
And and and I think that thatsays a lot about uh you know
what you do there.
SPEAKER_01 (09:51):
We really try to
bring in the whole Flint Hills
region.
Um, you know, that is ourmission here at the Discovery
Center, is is to talk about thiswhole ecosystem and and the
beauty of it.
Um we we want to strive in thatmission and we want to teach
especially the youth um howincredible and how wonderful
(10:12):
this area is, because a lot ofus don't realize how important
it is, and if we don't maintainit, how it's not gonna last.
And so um, especially when wetalk about this outdoor
classroom, we want to beteaching the next stewards about
this beautiful ecosystem.
And so that's kind of ourpurpose.
And so, yes, this event is umone of those times that it's so
(10:36):
fun to see how many people andhow many communities come um or
counties come together for thisevent.
Um, because you do you get themfrom all over.
Um the like radius brewing, forinstance, you know, they're
gonna come up from this event.
Um and I think that's wonderfulto have, you know, somebody from
Emporia kind of coming to thisevent because they believe in
(10:58):
this mission as well.
So um just as you speak on it,it's it's not just a Manhattan
thing.
We do, we we love that everybodyin Manhattan believes in us, but
we also love that there's otherareas around that also believe
in our mission.
SPEAKER_00 (11:13):
Yeah.
Well, we've talked about a lotof things.
I think we've covered most ofour topics here, but so let's
just uh ask you if you were topick one favorite aspect about
the Flint Hills Discovery Centerthat appeals to you, Leslie
White, what would that be?
A tough question, I know.
SPEAKER_01 (11:31):
That my my favorite
part is going down on that
second floor.
I think the second floor willalways hold a special place in
my heart because it was thefirst project I got to do when I
started here.
Um, but I love watching the kidsand I love watching them explore
and um and see their faces andseeing how they interact um and
how they don't realize thatthey're learning why they're
(11:54):
playing.
So um I love it.
I go down there every day justto kind of take a break.
Um, but I I love that we have somany people that help support um
completing that area that theybelieved it was it was a worthy
cause.
So we're very grateful foreveryone who made it happen.
SPEAKER_00 (12:13):
You still have
tickets available.
SPEAKER_01 (12:15):
We do have tickets
available.
So gather your friends, um,reserve a table.
I always advocate for that.
Get get some of your buddiestogether.
Um, it's the best way to go.
You get a discount anyway.
So if a group of you are gonnago, um, find eight of you,
gather a table, reserve a table.
You don't have to be a businessto reserve a table.
(12:35):
Um, and um I'll I'll help youand get your discount and get a
table and come out for a greatevening.
Make it a little friend datenight, a co-worker date night,
whatever you want to do.
So um, but we would I would loveto help you, so please call the
foundation if you have anyquestions.
(12:56):
Um, but we hope everybody canjoin us.
SPEAKER_00 (12:59):
And you can get
there and you know, navigate the
uh Flint Hills DiscoveryCenter's website, which is Flint
Hillsdiscovery.org, and get yourtickets online.
I suppose you can probably justwalk in and and can you get
tickets there at the counter?
SPEAKER_01 (13:12):
At the Discovery
Center, yes.
We can help you at the DiscoveryCenter.
SPEAKER_00 (13:16):
Awesome.
Lastly, always a delight.
Thanks for the work that you doon behalf of the community and
the Flint Hills DiscoveryCenter.
I know it's a rewarding thingfor you, and uh and it's just uh
a pretty good fit for for forthe Discovery Center and and for
you.
So congratulations, good luckwith uh ice and beef and
bourbon.
SPEAKER_01 (13:35):
Well, thank you.
Well, good to see you, Dave, andcongratulations again.
SPEAKER_00 (13:38):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Well, I'm I'm pretty excited forme, too.
And up next, uh, we got KathyRay going to be joining us here
on the GMCF uh community hour,and uh she is with the Crisis
Center, and they have uh a newproject that we're gonna learn a
little bit more about.
It's always a delight to haveKathy here uh on the GMCF
(14:02):
Community Hour, which is broughtto you by the Greater Manhattan
Community Foundation.
By the way, in case you wouldlike to know more about the
foundation, check out thewebsite.
There's all kinds of greatinformation, mcfks.org.
Back with Kathy Ray in just amoment on K Man.