Spouse Program

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday - Spouse Tours

The Kansas agents and spouses are planning a variety of tour experiences for the spouses. From history to shopping, nature to golf, our guests will have a great tour day in the Sunflower State.

Atchison:

Atchison, the birthplace of aviator Amelia Earhart, is located on the scenic bluffs of the Missouri River. Our tour of Atchison will include a stop at the historic train depot which houses the current Chamber of Commerce and historical museum. We’ll take a driving tour of historic homes, and allow plenty of time for shopping and browsing in downtown Atchison. No trip to Atchison would be complete without a stop at Nell Hill’s, a noted home furnishing and decorating store (www.nellhills.com). Depart 8:00 am, return 5:00 pm.

Tallgrass Prairie/Chase County:

Visit the picturesque Flint Hills where you will tour the historic Z Bar ranch at the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve. At one time over 140 million acres of tallgrass covered the plains. Only 4% remain. At the reserve you’ll learn about this unique ecosystem and tour the barn and home which are constructed of native limestone. After lunch you’ll visit the historic Chase County Courthouse, the oldest operating courthouse west of the Mississippi River noted for its exceptional architecture. There will be time for museums and shopping in Cottonwood Falls. Be ready to do some walking. Wear comfortable shoes. Depart 7:45 am, return 5:30pm.

Fiber Fest Tour

Join us for a quilt/yarn shop hop. Kansas has a long tradition of quilting and fiber arts. Beautiful fabrics and yarns will be on display for your shopping pleasure. Enjoy lunch in downtown Lawrence, where you’ll find lots of fun eclectic stores. Depart 9:00 am, return 4:30 pm.

Topeka—A Capitol Idea

Enjoy the sights as we tour Topeka, the capital of Kansas. Start at Ward Meade Park that features a historic mansion, botanical gardens and Old Prairie Town with 19th century buildings including a drug store with a working soda fountain. Visit the historic school that was the focus of the Brown vs. Board of Education case. Tour one of the Hallmark facilities and find out what goes into making cards for “when you care enough to send the very best”. Finish your day with a tour of our spectacular capitol, which features murals by famed artist, John Steuart Curry. Depart 7:30 am, return 4:30 pm.

Bourbon County/Fort Scott Historical Tour - FULL

Golf Outing

Do you want to get out and enjoy some golf? Take a break from the convention and hit the links. You can use your own clubs or some rental clubs that will be available. We’ll have a modified shotgun start format with prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, longest putt, etc. The beverage cart will make the rounds and we’ll enjoy a cookout after the round of golf at the beautiful Oak Country Club. Registered spouses will have their fees covered under the spouse registration fee. $30 will be charged for agents or guests that would like to join us. An extra fee will apply to those needing to rent clubs. Depart 9:00 am, return 2:00 pm.

Tuesday — Workshops and Luncheon

Morning Workshops

Spouse Workshop #1 - It’s a Piece of Cake

Become your own “Cake Boss” in this hands-on cake and cupcake decorating workshop by Kendra Stitt, owner of Mutanu Confections and Sous Chef at the Leawood South Country Club. Stitt will offer practical decorating techniques that anyone can use in their home kitchen. Participants will leave with decorated cupcakes to show off the skills they have learned.

Spouses Workshop #2 – CANCELLED

Spouse Workshop #3 - CANCELLED

Spouse Workshop #4 – Zumba Dance Exercise

Come prepared to experience high-energy fitness workouts with Eva Shurts, a Zumba Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. Between workouts Shurts will discuss the important role that sound nutrition plays in developing healthy bodies and adding muscle. She will share tips to improve strength and cardio workouts as well as simple exercises to strengthen core and lower back muscles.

Spouse Workshop #5 - Everyone Say “Cheese”

Learn how to make your pictures tell stories. Join award winning photographer Haley Fischer of Haley Fischer Photography and a student @ Columbus College of Art Design as she shares ideas to help you take great pictures. Bring your camera and get tips on just the right settings for every occasion. Then hit the convention and surrounding area to take some shots for sharing and critique. Wrap the session up with some fun ideas to turn all those pictures into lasting keepsakes or just entertaining facebook posts. Don't miss your chance to take home a piece of Haley Fischer art as a souvenir of a great AM/PIC in Kansas.

Spouse Workshop #6 – Yes you KAN arrange flowers - FULL

Join us for some hands-on fun as we learn how to use native plant materials and garden flowers to make a fresh floral arrangement that can add color and interest to any space. Kansas is the “Sunflower State” so let’s learn how to bring a bit of Kansas to your home state using bright sunflower arrangements. Tools and materials will be provided. Take home a self-made memory from your Kansas City experience!

Spouse Workshop #7 - CANCELLED

Spouse Workshop #8 - Made in the Shade Gardens - FULL (Morning Session)

Rob (The Hosta Guy) & Sheri Mortko turned their shaded property and love of hostas into a home based Business called “Made in the Shade Gardens.” Join this workshop for a walking tour of the gardens to view a variety of shade-loving perennials and unique hostas. Relax on the shaded deck and engage in an informal discussion of growing hostas and other perennials. The workshop will be topped off with the chance to browse the largest selection of hostas for sale in the KC area in the retail greenhouse. Select from over 400 varieties of hostas, many developed and introduced by Rob and Sheri, to purchase that perfect souvenir from your Kansas AM/PIC experience. (Off-site workshop – transportation provided.)

Luncheon

Marci Penner, our luncheon speaker, is passionate about all things Kansas. She established the Kansas Sampler Foundation to encourage Kansans to preserve and sustain rural communities. She is the author and publisher of several Kansas tour books that help Kansans find all the hidden treasures of the Sunflower State. You’ll be able to purchase Marci’s latest book, “The 8 Wonders of Kansas Guidebook”, at the luncheon.

Marci has used her 8 Elements of Rural Culture to help groups identify and promote the unique features that make their community special. Over the past few years the foundation has held competitions to help determine not only the 8 Wonders of Kansas, but the 8 Wonders of each of the elements (Architecture, Art, Commerce, Cuisine, Customs, Geography, History and People). Marci will be the perfect person to share the Wonders of Kansas with our guests as our state celebrates its 150th birthday.

Afternoon Workshops

Spouse Workshop #9 It’s a Piece of Cake

Spouse Workshop #10 – CANCELLED

Spouse Workshop #11 - Birdwatching 101

Do you enjoy watching the birds at your backyard bird feeder but feel like you're ready to take "the next step"? Avid bird watcher, Chuck Otte, will take you step by step through the process of how to be a better birder. Chuck will discuss how to watch birds, where to watch birds, equipment you may want to consider purchasing and how to select a good bird book from the
myriad of selections on the market today. Anyone who enjoys wild birds is welcome to attend this session. Participants will have the chance to purchase an autographed copy of the new Birds of Kansas that Chuck has co-authored.

Spouse Workshop #12 – Zumba Dance Exercise

Spouse Workshop #13 - Everyone Say “Cheese”

Spouse Workshop #14 - CANCELLED

Spouse Workshop #15 – Improve Your Hunting & Fishing Experience

Join Wildlife and Fisheries Biologists from the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks for a workshop designed to improve your lifetime hunting and fishing experiences. These experts will share ideas on working with and improving relations with landowners. Great habitat leads to great hunting and fishing and so participants will learn how to create habitat designed to help desired species thrive. Don’t expect all “classroom” work as participants will get to try their hand with a waterfowl call or working to improve their angling techniques.

Spouse Workshop #16 - Made in the Shade Gardens

Rob (The Hosta Guy) & Sheri Mortko turned their shaded property and love of Hostas into a home based Business called “Made in the Shade Gardens.” Join this workshop for a walking tour of the gardens to view a variety of shade-loving perennials and unique Hostas. Relax on the shaded deck and engage in an informal discussion of growing hostas and other perennials. The workshop will be topped off with the chance to browse the largest selection of hostas for sale in the KC area in the retail greenhouse. Select from over 400 varieties of hostas, many developed and introduced by Rob and Sheri, to purchase that perfect souvenir from your Kansas AM/PIC experience.
(Off-site workshop – transportation provided)

Thursday — Shopping

Thursday we will offer our guests a variety of shopping experiences. Some of the stops include Legends Mall, which features a wide variety of outlet stores, and the Oak Park Mall, the largest mall in the Kansas City area. We will also stop at Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop, two amazing stores for the hunting, fishing, and outdoor enthusiasts. Shuttles will operate on a scheduled loop so shoppers can stay for a brief visit or a longer shopping adventure. Food options are available at all stops. Shuttles will start picking up guests at 9:30 am. The last shuttle will have you back to the hotel by 4:00 pm.

Shuttle Schedule

Bus #1

9:30 Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC)

10:00 Legends Outlet Mall
Drop off at MeeMa’s at north side

10:05 Cabellas (southwest of Legends)

Then back and forth between Cabellas and Legends with this bus

11:50 load at Cabellas

12:00 last load at MeeMa’s

12:20 arrive at Oak Park Mall
Drop off at entrance closest to Barnes and Noble

12:40 OPCC

1:00 Bass Pro
Drop at front entry

1:20 Oak Park Mall

1:40 OPCC

2:00 Bass Pro

2:20 Oak Park Mall arrive

2:40 leave Oak Park Mall

3:00 OPCC

3:20 Bass Pro – last pickup

3:40 Oak Park Mall – last pickup

4:00 OPCC

Bus #2

10:00 leave - Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC)

10:30 Legends Outlet Mall
Drop off at MeeMa’s at north side

10:35 Cabellas (southwest of Legends)

Other bus will go back and forth between Cabellas and Legends

12:00 last load at Cabellas

12:10 last load at MeeMa’s

12: 30 Oak Park Mall

12:50 Return to Overland Park Convention Center

End of route for bus #2

If you have questions, please call Bob Neier, Spouse Program Chair, 316-640-0438