I am truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of Meadowlark Hills.
Outdoor Encounters: Pebble & Pond
April 22, 2025
Blog
All four members of the Duggan family participated in the tenth annual Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s Disease on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Tuttle Creek State Park. Murphy Rose was delighted with her halfmile family fun run performance and celebrated with a delicious sno-kone at race headquarters. She looks forward to “her” race every year and I enjoy watching her determined face as she sprints toward the finish line.
The 10th Annual Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s was Saturday, Aug. 25, at Tuttle Creek State Park. The weather was nothing short of steamy, but it didn’t appear to rain on anyone’s enjoyment of the day and the activities. The party-like atmosphere in race headquarters was amazing! This year, more than any other year, it seemed as if people stayed longer and enjoyed their time with family and friends while recharging with Eastside & Westside Markets fresh fruit, Panera bagels, Cox Bros BBQ and Houlihan’s chips & dip.
Friends of Meadowlark have a fun and tasty opportunity to support the Meadowlark Foundation’s Good Samaritan Fund when the doors to Cox Bros. BBQ open at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25. Brothers Bud and Bobby Cox, sons of Meadowlark Hills resident Ellie Cox, pledge to donate 10% of that day’s proceeds to the Fund during our 5th annual HOGTOBERFEST. Food specials on Oct. 25 at Cox Bros. BBQ, 223 McCall Road, include a pulled pork and chicken slider buffet, available for $9.99 from 11 to 2 p.m., and a hog roast buffet beginning at 5 p.m. for $12.99.
Most bird species migrate some with the seasons, but this migration pattern comes in different flavors. Consulting various authorities, I have identified eight flavors (variations), with the first being that many of the bird species that nest in our area just go south in the fall. I deal here with the seven other variations within which at least a few members of certain species overwinter in eastern KS. I gathered a list of ninety-plus bird species for which at least a few of each spend the winter with us. Not all of these species are mentioned here.
Don Rasmussen, Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program participant and resident at Meadowlark Hills, is feeling good these days. It’s August and for the tenth year in row it means the season for the Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s disease is in full swing. The event is the main fundraiser for Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program, which provides services for the Flint Hills region to improve the quality of life for all those affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD).
I remember my grandfather’s mother. She was beautiful, worldly and raised five boys. I recall spending time with her and that I felt happy and engaged when doing so, although I don’t remember a single thing we ever talked about. We called her Grandma Ruby.
All through the fall, winter, and spring we on campus have been privileged to hear calls of both the barred and great horned owls. Both rank among the largest of owls in North America. Field guides usually describe their calls as follows: great horned owl, often referred to as the “ hoot” owl—four to six resonant hoots, with rhythms varying with the owl; barred owl—“hoo—hoo—boohoo,” That comes out as a slightly shrill and insistent “Who cooks for you?” The barred owl also sometimes calls during the day.
The 2018 Meadowlark Wellness Olympiad has come to a close! It was a fun six weeks and the participants spent many hours being active. Totaling up the physical activity from all of our participants, they completed roughly 887 hours during the Olympiad. Great job and keep moving!
The competition was tight until the very end and came down to the final challenge at the post party. Team Germany (Cam Beatty, Don and Bea Rasmussen) were able to pull out the narrow victory, keeping their winning streak alive. Cam, Don and Bea have now won the Olympiad for three straight years!
The C. of C. Clyde Jones’s name stands for Clifton, but it could very well stand for “Community”. A seemingly tireless leader, mentor, consultant, philanthropist, and volunteer, Jones at 95 is a friend and inspiration to many people and many Manhattan area causes and organizations.
A volunteer award given annually by Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce bears his name, as do a Wildcat football career development program, a charity 5K fun run and walk, and a graduate scholarship in business administration.
During a 24-hour period last month, 55 local non-profit endowment funds received more than $528,000 from nearly 1000 donors. Local business leader and former Meadowlark Hills board member Phil Howe provided more than $240,000 in matching dollars, bringing the total raised during the 6th annual Grow Green Match Day to more than $768,000!