What are We Kan! Awards?
They are presented to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding efforts to help preserve and sustain rural culture in their area.
The Spotlight Awards have been awarded by Sally Frame and Ann Hertzog Frame since 2008.
We Kan! Award Winners
2018 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
B and Mandy Fincham, Beloit - Giving Beloit a cool factor
Shaley George, Concordia - Sharing stories with heart
Jeanne Fisher Roberts, Plains - Plains Awesome
Kelli Hilliard, Topeka - Tourism friend to all of Kansas
Kelly Larson, Lincoln - Passion for "building"
Lori Lennen, Coolidge - Putting Coolidge on the map
Luciano and Nancy Mottola, Mulvane – Providing great taste and class
Heidi Plumb and Kale Dankenbring, St. Francis - Breath of fresh air
Jenny Russell, Courtland - Passionate rural by choice doer
Rosslyn Schultz, Lucas - Sharing art in extraordinary fashion
Jim Stukey, Burlington - Painting the town
Note - We accidentally did eleven this year. How wonderful!
2017 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Rosanna Bauman, Garnett - Farming the future
Community of Winfield - Bringing Kansas Together 2016-2017
Kristi Lee, Leavenworth - Making things happen
Chris McCord, Ellinwood - Shining light on the underground
Julie Mulvihill, Topeka - Connecting Communities
Jayne Humphrey Pearce, Sharon Springs - Making Wallace County Historic
Jacque Pregont, Atchison - Being attentive to Atchison
Kathy Richardson, Lindsborg - Making Ad Hoc into an art form
Len Schamber, Damar - Preserving Kansas, ala Len, Schamber Historic Preservation
Roxie Yonkey, Goodland - Complementing Sherman Co.
2016 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Jane Brophy, Chanute - Cheering for Chanute
Shari Butler, Elkhart - Passion for the Grassland
Sarah Green, Wichita - Doing Democracy
Bridgette Jobe, Kansas City - Seeing the Big Picture
Liz King, Park City, UT (Marci's sister) - Designed generosity
Ken & Shirley McClintock, Council Grove - Making History Delicious
Larry & Jan Olson, Hill City - Stumpin' for RV Parks & Campgrounds
Sue Stringer, Topeka - Toutin' Kansas
Andrea Springer & Steve Snook, Hutchinson - Good Thinkers for Kansas
Adam Wagner, Greensburg - You've Been Good for Kansas
2015 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Patty Clark Topeka - Leadership that strengthens rural Kansas
Simone Elder, Wichita County - Good energy for the county
Dave Kendall, Dover - You're simply the be...in a vest
Luke Mahin, Courtland - PowerUp for all ages
Nancy Ohnick, Meade - Dedication to Meade County History
Tom Parker, Blue Rapids - Putting Kansas in a good light
Dena Patee, Ellis - Doing everything, all out
Jan Stevens, Dodge City - Difference-making leadership
Community of Wamego - Bringing Kansas Together 2014-2015
2014 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Stacy Barnes, Greensburg - Good for Greensburg through thick and thin
Phyllis Bitner, Franklin (Crawford Co.) - Irresistible force for Franklin
Jim and Sandi Coast, Cimarron - Community difference-maker
Jettie Condray, Minneapolis - Passion for Ottawa County History
Janelle Dockendorf, Dickinson County - Bringing the county together
Don Harness, Garden City - Keeping the Windsor Dream Alive
Katie Herrick, Johnson - Dedication to Stanton Co. history education
John Howard, Marysville - Marshall County Enthusiast
Paul Kallman, Scandia - Great support for North Central Kansas
Susan Wettstein, Garnett - Working for the good of Garnett
2013 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Tammy Britt, Concordia - Good Thinker & Bright Spirit
Community of Liberal - Bringing Kansas Together 2012-2013
Marc & Alice Ferguson, Meade - Preserving the Old West Story
Marieta Hauser, Ulysses - Doing It All for Grant County
Don Lampe, Piqua - Always-there-to-help Guy
Liz Sosa, Garden City - Leading the Way to PowerUp Kansas
Brenda Staggenborg, Marysville - Making It Happen in Marysville
U.S. Highway 36 Association - Century of Promoting East to West
Sarah Werner, Winfield - Valuable PowerUp Voice Across Kansas
2012 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Myrna Barnes, Elkhart - Commitment to county history
Amy Bickel, Hutchinson News - Perfectly penning about past Kansas towns
Vicki Gillett, Larned - Longtime community promoter
Connie Grafel, Oberlin - Steady regional influence
Keystone Gallery, Logan County - Fabulous fossil stewards
Connie Kimsey, Arkansas City - Rock solid regional partner
Dick Mosier, Herington - Valuable volunteer and Kansas Explorer
Fred Peterson, Marquette - Determined community booster
Julie Roller, Wamego - Awesome supporter of her towns
Ruben Schuckman, Hays - Devoted promoter of Ellis County towns
2011 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Grady Atwater, Osawatomie - Dedicated advocate for John Brown
Sally Frame, Kinsley - Great Kansas Spirit!
Teresa Huffman, Marion - Positive force for rural communities
Leavenworth County - Thanks for bringing Kansas together in 2010-2011
Community of Muscotah - The Little Town that Could
Debra Nelson, Little River - Progressive difference maker
Yvette Schlegel, Ness City - Positive influence in southwest Kansas
Jeff Sheets, Abilene - Champion for cattle town history
Lonnie Stieben, Clearwater - Dedicated advocate for rural towns
Beccy Tanner, Wichita - LIfting rural Kansas with her pen
2010 WE KAN! AWARD WINNERS
Cathy Albert, WaKeeney - Invaluable community promoter
Linda Clover, Cawker City - Caretaker of a community asset
Kathie and Jack Crispin, Lincoln - Outstanding keepers of history
Judy Dayhoff, Boulder, CO - Champion Explorer!
Craig Hull, Crawford County - Going the extra mileKaye Kuhn, Medicine Lodge - Caretaker of important history
Nancy Nolte, Blue
Rapids - Champion Explorer!
Glenda Purkis, Abilene - Steady and positive influence
Tom Reed, Horton - Deluxe Entrepreneur and Good Guy!
Lea Ann Seiler,
Hodgeman
County - Positive force for forward
motion
2009 AWARD WINNERS
Concordia - Bringing Kansas Together in 2008-2009
John Divine, Salina - Longtime and loyal support
Sharla Krenzel, Leoti - Making a difference for Wichita County
Kristel Lewis, Lawrence - Extra effort for entrepreneurs
Joan Nothern, Glasco - Thoughtful Leadership
Susan Rathke, Emporia - Excellent for Emporia
Glenda Trecek, Agenda - Believing in Agenda
Kristina Vaughn, Canute, OK - Extra Effort
Pat Veesart, Garden City - Champion for Many
2008 AWARD WINNERS
Belinda & Mike Adams, New Albany - Passionate at Sharing History
Cris Collier, Great Bend - Superior Nature Promoter
Collyer Community Alliance - The Little Town That Could
Linda Craghead, Alma - Leadership and Creating Community
Cuba Booster Club - Keeping a Town Alive
Sally Fuller, Liberal - Making A Difference
Cathy Haney, Clay Center - Commitment to History (and hats!)
Jon Hotaling, Burlington - Dedication to County
Erika Nelson, Lucas - Visionary Artist, Thinker, and Speaker
Linda Wilson, Dodge City - Lending a Helping Hand
2007 AWARD WINNERS
Judy Casey, McPherson - Steady and Positive Influence
Tiffani Kirk, Goodland - Enthusiasm for Region
Shelia Lampe, Piqua - Regional Difference-Maker
WenDee LaPlant, Garden City - Networker Deluxe
Gene Merry, Burlington - Rural Supporter Extraordinaire
Bobbi Miles, Smith Center - Commitment to Community
Gloria Moore, Barnes - Making Things Happen
Norma Mosier, Herington - Keeping History Alive
Scott Nichols, Ulysses - Leadership and Cooperative Spirit
Cheryl Unruh, Emporia - Beautiful Kansas Writings
Community of Burns - The Little Town that Could
Joann Combs, Liberal - Community Promoter
Emma Crites, Fredonia - Community Service
Ola May Earnest, Pleasanton - Commitment to History
Debbie Divine, Salina - Helping People See with New Eyes
Deborah Kennamore, Burlington - Commitment to Excellence
Laura McClure, Osborne - Progressive Difference-Maker
Barbara Mehuron, Winfield - Pitch In and Help
Jeanette Siemens, Pratt - Leadership and Vision
Bob and Jan Topping, Leavenworth - Valuable Perspective
Paul Bahnmaier, Lecompton - Keeping History Alive
Suzan Barnes, Cottonwood Falls - Making It the Best It Can Be
Judy Billings, Lawrence - Bringing Communities Together
Sally Hatcher, Leavenworth - Support for Rural Kansas
Susie Haver, Concordia - Making a Difference
Kim Legleiter, Montezuma - Community Support
Dollie Mathes, Harper - Community Difference-maker
Community of Newton - Bringing Kansas Together
Donna Price, Goodland - Being the Glue
Sue Smith, Cottonwood Falls - Making it Fun!
Chris Bauman, Neodesha - Community Service award
Paul Boyer & Family, Belleville, Support of creative genius
Robert Cole, Wamego - Dedication to Commerce & History
Fancy T's and More, Waterville - Community Support award
Roger Hrabe, Stockton - Making a Difference award
Dennis Katzenmeier, Ellsworth - Extra Effort award
Osborne County Tourism, Seeing County with New Eyes award
Wild West Country (SW Kansas Tourism region) - Attention to Towns of All Sizes award
Margo Yates, Marion - Plugging Away award
Ann Zimmerman, Salina - Music to our Ears award
Amazing 100 Miles - Cooperative Spirit award
Fred Burgess & Jim Mathes, Lewis - Make a Difference award
The Community of Independence - Bringing Kansas Together award
Brenda Johnson, McDonald - Hometown Champion award
Charley Klamm, Cottonwood Falls - Make a Difference award
Margaret Kraisinger, Halstead - Community Service award
Diane Niehoff, Baldwin City - Community Service award
Eileen Robertson, Humboldt - Generous Spirit Award
Sara Fair Sleeper, Alden - Believing in Community award
The Solomon Valley Heritage Alliance - Creative Energy award
Ann Walter - Making Things Happen
Ellen Morgan - Uniting Arts and Tourism
Ellen Snell - Uniting Culture and Tourism
Jessica Gilbert & Pat Wick - Enthusiasm & Spirit
John & Debbie Breeden - Extra Effort
Karen Tanner - Cooperative Effort
Leo Oliva - Bringing Communities Together
Mike Mayberry - Countywide Support
Paxico Merchants - For Reviving Paxico
SEKTR - Enthusiasm & Unity
Community of Ottawa - Bringing Kansas Together
Connie Essington, Council Grove - Commitment to Excellence
Country Boys Carriage & Prairie Adventures, Newton - Keeping the pioneer story alive
Dave Procter, Manhattan - Telling the Kansas Story
Downs Art Council - Making a Difference
Glasco Arts Council - Believing in Community
Martha Slater, Hutchinson - For believing...
Megan Evans, Halstead - Commitment to Excellence
Territorial Kansas Heritage Alliance - Cooperative Promotion
Tom & Marcella Ryan, Valley Falls - Dedication to Rural Kansas
Clifton-Vining Music Festival - The Little Train That Could
Community of Pratt - Cooperative Spirit
Darrell Albright - Historical Preservation
Janice Walker - Dedication & Commitment
Kelly Goss, Garden City - The 220 Award
Linda Hart, Coldwater - Dedication & Commitment
Lisa Weigt, Melvern - Making a Difference
Peabody Historical Society - Preserving the Local Story
Shannon Thom, Isabel - Spirit and Support
Von Rothenberger - Preserving the Local Story
Deanne & Earl Wright, Council Grove - Dedication & Commitment
Dorene Anderson - Outstanding Community Service
Gary Satter, Valley Falls - Seeing Kansas with New Eyes
John & Susan Howell, Wichita - Telling the Kansas Story
Ken & Jeri Harder - Telling the Kansas Story
Leilani Thomas, Colby - Leading the Way
Mary & Marva Holt, Columbus - Hospitality
Owen & Della Meier, Canton - Dedication & Commitment
Patrycia Herndon, Dighton - Restoration & Artistry
Prairie Spirit Trail, Anderson County - Blazing the Way
Barbara Stoecklein, Emporia - Hostess with the Mostest
Betty Van Osdol, Inman - Unsung Hero
Community of Beaumont - The Little Train That Could
Community of Lucas - Extra Effort
Dane G. Hansen Museum, Logan - The Little Train That Could
Edwards County Tourism - Cooperative Spirit
Gary Anderson, Oberlin - Follow Your Dream
Jonathan Wimer, Jackson County - Making It Happen
Marilyn Helmer, Lincoln/Tescott - Outstanding Community Service
Vonada Stone Quarry, Sylvan Grove - Leading the Way
Country Junction/Lizard Lips, Toronto - Making A Difference
Dave & Mary Hendricks, WaKeeney - Leading the Way
Jay Yoder, Partridge - Follow Your Dream
Lester (Buffalo Man) Lawrence, Clifton/Clyde - Enthusiasm for Region
Lynda Fort, Ulysses - Leading the Way
Michael & Ivona Pickering, Lincoln - Outstanding Cooperative Spirit
Ride Into History, Admire - Extra Effort
Stan Finger, Wichita Eagle - Media Support for Rural Kansas
Zenda Lumberyard Restaurant - The Little Train That Could
B.J. Smart, Washington - Enthusiasm for County
Charley & Faye Minium, Morland - Making a Difference
Dolores Landry, Ames - Leading the Way
George & Marjorie Gantz, Holton - Outstanding Community Service
Jean-Ellen Jantzen, Emporia - Seeing Kansas with New Eyes
Kansas Originals Market, Wilson - Outstanding Retail Support
Roger Masenthin, Harper - Seeing Kansas with New Eyes
Scott Dietz, Wichita KSNW-TV - Media Support for Rural Kansas
Vicky Johnson, Scammon - Outstanding Cooperative Spirit
Wally & Marian Glotta, Stafford - Outstanding Community Support
Abilene Area Bed-and-Breakfasts - Cooperative Effort award
Christmas Wonderland, Stafford
Community of Caldwell
Community of Ellsworth
Early Bird Feeders, Augusta
Jane Koger, Matfield Green
Nita Jones, Sedan
Prairie People Tourism Association
Susie and the LuWondas, Cloud County - Seeing Kansas with New Eyes
Victorian Promenades, Fort Scott
Angela Bates, Nicodemus - Dedication to Historical Preservation
Annette White, Kanopolis - Dedication to Historical Preservation
Cloud County Stained Glass Task Force - Countywide Promotion
David Lewis, Southern Kansas Telephone, Clearwater - Corporate Support for Rural Kansas
Eda Jean Hildreth, Alton - #1 Kansas Explorer
Friends of Elk Falls - The Little Train That Could
Jim Gray, Ellsworth - Superior Knowledge of Area
Linda Niemeyer, Woodson County - Dedication to Historical Preservation
Peggy Blackman, Marion - Enthusiasm for County
Tobe Zweygardt, Cheyenne County - Dedication to Historical Preservation
Phone: 620-585-2374