*Fairview Farms Alpacas
Farm is located approximately 20 miles Southwest of Hays
Mailing address: 1811 E. 26th - Hays, KS 67601
785-628-6352
koality@hotmail.com
www.fairviewfarmsalpacas.com                                                                              
Hours: By appointment only
Admission: $4.00/Adults  $2.00/Children 2-12yrs.
Guided group tours: Approximately 1 hour
Fairview Farms is a dynamic family run alpaca ranch specializing in all facets of the alpaca industry.  Visitors will see an actual working alpaca ranch including the pens, barns, feeding areas, stalls and some of the various equipment used in raising and training alpacas. Your visit can also include some hands-on activities and participating in the some of the daily farms chores. You will have the opportunity to experience the fineness of the alpaca fleece by petting and placing your hands on these loving animals. Learn about the intricacy and precision involved with showing these animals in national competitions and see the numerous ribbons these animals have earned.  Owners Robert and Deann Baldwin have traveled the United States to compete in National Alpaca Shows and their animals have brought home many first place awards.
 
Fairview Farms offers an in-depth and educational look into the life of alpacas. The alpaca is a unique, docile, and very loving animal.  They are extremely intelligent, with each having its own distinct personality.  Alpacas are very curious by nature and love children.  Alpacas are raised for their luxurious fleece (known to be of a higher quality than cashmere). 

Fairview Farms also offers a bit of history. The Baldwin family has worked hard in restoring two barns, one of which is approximately 100 years old and was moved into its current location. The renovation of these barns is ongoing, as well as starting renovation on the old farmhand house. This house will be turned into a fiber arts classroom and gift store.

A visit to the farm will take you back in time.  Discover the lost art of hand spinning and watch as DeAnn Baldwin, an avid hand spinner, will demonstrate how the fleece from the alpacas is processed. You will learn how raw fiber is made into yarn, clothing, & textiles which make up the garments that we wear. There are also a variety of old fashioned games and activities for visitors of all ages.  Children will learn about the benefits of composting and can plant a seed using compost to take home from the Criation Station™. 

Special tours and events are held throughout the year including the Alpaca Farm Day that is held in October.  To find out about specific dates and times for events at Fairview Farms Alpacas, please call or visit the website.

For tours, directions to the farm and to schedule an appointment or arrange a field trip, please call in advance 785-628-6352.

Annual "Best Places to Live in Rural America"
Rankings Released:Ellis County, Kansas No. 2

The Progressive Farmer magazine crowns Ellis County, Kansas (Hays) and nine other best rural places to live based on their ability to thrive, even during struggles, among other quality-of-life statistics


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 4, 2008) — Ellis County in Kansas was awarded one of the top honors in the fourth annual edition of the "Best Places to Live in Rural America" rankings by The Progressive Farmer magazine, released today. Each year, the rankings name the top 10 rural counties in the nation according to several quality-of-life indicators and statistics; all 10 counties are profiled in the February 2007 issue of The Progressive Farmer and the top 500 rural counties are listed on the magazine's website (www.progressivefarmer.com).

The top 10 rural counties are ranked based on rural quality-of-life indicators such as great schools, access to health care, low crime and affordable farmland. In 2008, the editors of The Progressive Farmer added extra criteria by focusing on counties that have been able to protect farmland, control growth pressure from urban and suburban areas, and strike a good balance between agriculture, manufacturing and modern conveniences. No. 2 Ellis County is known for its frontier spirit with agriculture and oil sustaining its economy. Like many agricultural areas, Ellis County saw hard times in the 1980s, but has since revitalized the area by forming a coalition to ensure economic vitality. "It would have been easy for community leaders to give up during the tough times of the 1980s," says Senior Editor Gregg Hillyer, who visited the county for the magazine. "But they banded together and went to work to improve the region's economic fortunes and to enhance the quality of life for everyone." "This year, we wanted to celebrate the people that make the places special," says Senior Editor Jamie Cole. "We want to show what they're doing to keep their rural counties rural. We hope other places—small towns, counties, rural areas—that face these same challenges can find ideas through our list."

In order, the other counties selected among the top "Best Places to Live in Rural America" are: Kent County, Maryland, Livingston County, Missouri, Obion County, Tennessee and Columbia County, Pennsylvania.

Living the "good life" in the country is a passion for 40 million-plus landowners who take great and family. That's why The Progressive Farmer (www.ProgressiveFarmer.com)—the largest landowners and farmers—publishes practical, useful information to help our 3.7 million readers on the land.
The Progressive Farmer, now owned by real-time market information services leader DTN, is only and can be ordered by calling 800-292-2340 or visiting www.ProgressiveFarmer.com.

New Hays Visitor Information Center opened November 13, 2007

On December 1, 2006 a ground breaking ceremony was held for the new Hays Welcome Center and Visitor Information Office complex.  Construction was delayed in January and February of 2007 as extremely cold weather made for difficult working conditions and caused problems with pouring the concrete and general building progress. The new building was completed on November 7th and staff from the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development relocated their offices to the new building. This 6750 square foot building is now open for business at the northeast corner of 27th & Vine. The official ribbon cutting and open house was held on Friday November 30th at 11 am.  Visitors to Hays will now have easy access to the new Welcome Center which is less then one mile south of Interstate 70 on Vine Street and located at one of most traveled intersections in Western Kansas.   The Hays Welcome Center features a variety of brochure racks that will be fully stocked with local and regional tourism brochures, as well as State of Kansas Visitor Guides and Kansas maps.  Out of town visitors will be able to pick up brochures on the attractions and events in Hays as well as talk to a knowledgeable tourism staff member about things to see and do in the region. The new facility will be promoted so visitors know they can stop and get a hot cup of coffee, use clean restrooms and obtain directions or maps to destinations they may want to find.  The Visitor Information Center will also have extended hours to accommodate travelers on the weekends or in the evenings. 

For many years, the Hays CVB, Chamber of Commerce and the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development shared an office complex at 1301 Pine. All three organizations relocated their offices and staff to the new building. A new receptionist was hired to coordinate the Welcome Center duties of greeting out of town visitors, stocking the brochure racks, answering questions and maintaining the calendar of events on the new Welcome Center display sign which is located near the main entry point just east off of Vine Street. 

The process to acquire a Welcome Center for the City of Hays began in the spring of 2003 when the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board looked at various options to have the CVB more accessible to out of town visitors. This new Welcome Center for the City of Hays will be a dream come true for many members of the community who have worked hard to see this project completed.
 

New men's store open November 1st

Couture for Men opened for business at the
Centennial Mall – 2510 Vine on Thursday Nov 1st.
Men's apparel by Tommy Bahama, Pendleton, Nautica and Enro. 
785-621-4905

The Robbins Center

The grand opening of the Robbins Center, the Fort Hays State University's newest building, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 8. The Robbins Center, located on the west edge of campus just north of Gross Memorial Coliseum, will house the FHSU Foundation (formerly Endowment Association) and Alumni Association.

It will also serve as a place for university organizations, students, faculty to hold special events and provide a comfortable place for alumni to gather while visiting FHSU.

Named for Great Bend couple and lead donors to the building W.R. "Bill" and Yvonne Robbins, the two-story, 28,900-square-foot building was funded entirely by private donations raised during the last five years. At a cost of $5.7 million, the Robbins Center was final project of the FHSU Centennial Fundraising Campaign.

The building features a 200-seat banquet hall with a fully-equipped catering kitchen, art gallery, family room, several conference rooms with multi-media capability, a business center with wireless internet access and an outdoor garden terrace with pergola. It also has ample storage space for the university art collection a communications room where the Tigercall Phonathon pledge drive will be conducted.

"The Robbins Center is a multi-functional facility for the university, community and our alumni and friends," Foundation president and CEO Tim Chapman explained. "It's an exciting time for Fort Hays State. With the recent renovations of the university Memorial Union and the opening of Robbins Center, there aren't many functions the campus will not be able to accommodate." A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m. September 8, and the public is invited to tour the building and enjoy refreshments.

"It will be completely open to the community," Chapman said. "We hope all will take the time to walk through the Robbins Center and experience the scope of support and services that will be provided and see the elegance with which it was designed."
 

Fort Hays State Memorial Union Grand Opening Celebration for the 2007 fall semester.  September 10-14, 2007

After a lengthy remodeling process, the newly renovated facilities of the Memorial Union are completed and can accommodate meetings, job fairs, dinners, dances, weddings, receptions, seminars and conferences ranging in size from under 10 to around 500 people!  A wide selection of the latest in audio visual equipment is available.  Catering service is provided through Chartwells, ranging from breakfasts and breaks to gourmet dinners.

The Memorial Union is the premier conference and special event facility in Hays and Western Kansas.   Have your next meeting, luncheon, or banquet in the Memorial Union!  

Reservations for meeting and dining space in the Memorial Union are made through the Union Office on the second floor. Experienced meeting and special event planners will work with you to make sure all of your needs are met. Reservation requests are accepted in person or by phone (628-5305) Monday through Friday from 8am – 4:30 pm.  A rental fee is charged for organizations not affiliated with FHSU.  Contact Chartwells (628-5396) after making your room reservation to include food service at your event.   For more information about all of the facilities and services of the Memorial Union, visit our web site at www.fhsu.edu/union.

Renovations at the Fort Hays State University Union Station are now complete and the Food Court restaurants are open. 

Have lunch in the FHSU Memorial Union.   The Union Station Food Court features Pizza Hut, with pizza, breadsticks & wings.  Coyote Jacks offers breakfast wraps and sandwiches, biscuits and gravy for breakfast, and burgers, chicken tenders and sandwiches, wraps, onion rings and fries. Tiger Market features down home cooking and upscale fare, a full soup and salad bar, deserts and a host of beverages.  Grab and Go is an upscale convenience store offering Starbucks Coffee, Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies, all beef hot dogs, and other snacks and beverages. Downstairs in Cody Commons is Mondo Subs, with hot
and cold sub sandwiches made to order on freshly baked breads.  All major credit cards are accepted, and all the food operations are open to the public.  For more information about all of the facilities and services of the Memorial Union, call (785) 628-5305, or visit our web site at www.fhsu.edu/union.

Lucky Buffet

88 China Buffet is under new management and has changed to Lucky Buffet. They specialize in Szechuan, Hunan and Cantonese Cuisine.  Open seven days a week from 11 am to 10 pm with a $6.25 lunch buffet available from 11 am to 3 pm and $7.99 dinner buffet. They also have a full menu with traditional Chinese specialties of chicken, beef, seafood and pork.  A dieters menu and combination platters are available. Menu prices range from $4.55 to $9.95. The restaurant can seat up to 60 with a group seating area for up 35.  Lucky Buffet is located at 25th and Vine

Lucky Buffet
2405 Vine
785-621-2727

 

National barbeque franchise opened
on June 13, 2007

Southern Bar-B-Q is now available in Hays, Kansas! This national franchised restaurant originated from Nashville, Tennessee and currently has locations throughout Tennessee and other states in the lower Midwest. The new location in Hays is the first Bar-B-Cutie to open in Kansas. They specialize in quick casual service with a menu that includes buffalo wings, baby back ribs, world famous burgers, delicious soups and salads, pork barbeque, traditional southern dinner plates, desserts and lunch specials.   This newly built restaurant was designed to be a proto type for future Bar-B-Cutie restaurants and has a seating capacity of 84. They are open for lunch and dinner, feature southern style side dishes, drive through service, take out and catering services.

Bar-B-Cutie
Jeff and Jana Pinney
1230 E 27th
Hays, KS 67601
785-625-4720
jpinney@media-net.net
www.bar-b-cutie.com
 

New Mexican Restaurant opened on July 5, 2007

El Dos De Oros, .located just north of the Interstate 70 and exit 159 location. Recently held their Grand Opening.

El Dos De Oros Mexican Restaurante
1002 E. 41st
Hays, KS 67601
785-621-4709

Hours: Sun-Mon 11 am-9 pm, Tue-Sat 11 am-9:30 pm
 

Hampton Inn opened April 2008

Local entrepreneur Mitesh Patel opened his newest business venture.  The new four story Hampton Inn opened on April 12th and is located just North of Interstate 70 and East of Highway 183. It has 80 sleeping rooms and features a meeting room on the ground level. Amenities: Indoor pool and spa, exercise room featuring a universal weight machine, free hot continental breakfast and free USA Today.  Room amenities include: hairdryer, coffee maker, lap desk, firm and soft pillows, a pillow top mattress and high speed internet.  The meeting room can seat 40-45 classroom style with high speed internet, a white board, presentation rail and overhead projector to accommodate business needs.

Hampton Inn
4002 General Hays Rd  
Hays, KS 67601
785-621-4444
Fax: 785-621-4442
hysks_hampton@hilton.com
www.hamptoninn.com

Fox Pavilion now open as a wedding pavilion, meeting facility and night time entertainment venue.

Fox Pavilion
1202 Main
PO Box 1008
Hays, KS   67601
Phone: 785-621-4933
Fax: 785-621-4933
foxpavilion@yahoo.com
www.foxpavilion.com

Originally opened in 1950, as the Fox Theater, the newly transformed Fox Pavilion is now the premier entertainment destination in Western Kansas. This unique and historic building has had extensive remodeling done to incorporate several entertainment venues into one facility.  The original 50's style theater ambiance remains, and creates a nostalgic and fun atmosphere for the full food and bar services, outdoor patio, dance floor, cigar/martini room, 50's style bar and wedding pavilion. The décor of the building still retains much of the original color schemes and murals of the old movie theater with an updated modern look and new amenities. With leading edge technology in premier sound and digital projection equipment for the big screen, the Fox Pavilion is the home for nightlife and entertainment in downtown Hays. Patrons can relive past experiences and enjoy a great meal and drinks while watching classic movies.  Special sporting events such as the Super Bowl are shown on the big screen and the New Year's Eve party is one of many holiday event celebrations held at the facility. Special occasions can also be booked to access the Pavilion's dance floor, group seating area, sound and projection technology, catering services and bar area. The Fox is ideal for wedding receptions, anniversaries, family reunions, birthday parties, community functions and high school reunions.  A new digital projection system allows guests to view wedding videos, family DVD's or class reunion movies on the 40 foot diagonal screen. Whether you want to watch a movie, book a reception or enjoy a dinner theater, the Fox Pavilion has everything you need under one roof.

Free group tours available by special request. Groups will learn about the original history of the Fox Theater, see the different rooms, upper levels and the projection room. Visitors will learn about the old movie equipment and see the state-of-the-art digital projection and sound equipment used today.  Special group catering with advance reservations. Seating capacity = 400.
 

German Home Décor store opened in downtown Hays on September 2nd

Home furnishings has a new name in Hays' German Tradition. Bildschon Haus, the newest retail boutique to open in the historic downtown Chestnut Street District, is located at 1013 Main. German for "ravishingly beautiful house", Bildschon Haus, is locally owned by Tim and Michelle Flax.

Bildschon provides an eclectic collection of home décor with price-points to fit every budget. The store offers pieces that have function but can also be considered works of art, creating conversation and beauty in the home. Merchandise includes accent furniture, home décor, lighting, custom bedding, linens, dishware, décor accessories, garden accessories and gifts

Bildschon Haus
1013 Main
Hours: M-Sat, 10 am-5:30 pm
Open until 8 pm on Thursday
 

Scrapbook Frenzy in Hays

A new scrapbooking store opened in downtown Hays on June 30th. Travis and Jody Scob, owners of Scapbook Frenzy, decided to open a scrapbook store because of their love for the hobby and because other hobbyists had to drive to Salina or order supplies over the internet. They felt Hays needed a new and different art outlet and a place where customers could come in and create their own stuff instead of mail order kits. The shop offers an assortment of scrapbooks, decorations, boxes, chip boards and hobby supplies. Other merchandise includes artificial flowers, ribbons, rub-ons, brads, stickers, iron-ons, eyelets, buttons and an assortment of papers. Hours: Tue & Th 12 noon – 8 pm, Wed & Fri 12 noon-6 pm, Sat 10 am- 6 pm, Sun 1-5 pm.

Scrapbook Frenzy
809 Main
Hays, KS 67601
785-621-2924

Hays now has a Whiskey Creek Restaurant

The newest restaurant in Hays opened on Monday May 8, 2006. Whiskey Creek in Hays is the first franchise restaurant in this chain.  The other 11 restaurants are company-owned and located in Missouri, Nebraska, Florida and throughout Kansas. The building they now occupy use to be the old Country Kitchen Restaurant.  Extensive renovations have taken place the past 6 months to create the western ambience of Whiskey Creek. The new owners have invested more then $1million in the project to provide the level of service, atmosphere and quality of food that is expected at Whiskey Creek Restaurants. The menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, steaks, chicken, shrimp and pasta. Meal prices range from $6.79 to $21.99 for a 20-ounce porterhouse steak with two sides.

Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill
3203 Vine
Hays, KS 67601
785-628-8646
www.whiskeycreek.com
 

International House of Pancakes (IHOP) opened on April 27, 2006

Local entrepreneur Mitesh Patel recently opened his newest business venture. His IHOP restaurant is locationed just west of the Home Depot Store north of Interstate 70.  The IHOP will be open 24 hours a day and have breakfast available all day.  IHOP has a wide variety of mouthwatering selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. From pancakes, omelettes and egg breakfasts to burgers, chicken and steak, they something for just about everybody. There are more than 1200 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada.  The Hays restaurant has a seating capacity for 180 and also has a group partitioned seating for up to 80. The average price range is between $6 and $8.

IHOP
4000 General Hays Road
Hays, KS 67601
785-621-4467
Fax: 785-625-3322
mitesh@shivahotels.com
www.ihop.com
 

New Furniture Store Opens in Hays

Ashley Furniture Home Store opened for business on Monday March 6th. Store manager Travis Brown said that they were very busy the first day and there were even people waiting in line when he unlocked the doors. The store is located in the retail shopping center just north east of the 27th & Vine intersection. The owners of this new furniture store are Bill and Brad Miller from Claflin. They also own and operate the Millers of Claflin Furniture Store located in Claflin, Kansas which has been in the Miller family for 103 years. The Ashley Furniture Home Store in Hays has a 38,000 square-foot sales floor, which makes it the largest Ashley store in the state of Kansas.

Ashley Furniture Home Store
2702 Vine
Hays, KS 67601
785-621-2664
800-625-5950
Hours: M-F-11 am-7 pm, Sat-10 am-6 pm, Sun-1-5 pm
www.ashleyfurniture.com

New Hotel opened in Hays on February 17, 2006
Sleep Inn
1011 E 41st
Hays, KS 67601
785-625-2700
www.choicehotels.com
Four story hotel consists of 55 rooms with 14 suites

Gella's Diner and Liquid Bread Brewing Company now open!
Liquid Bread Brewing Company
Gella's Diner
117 East 11th
Hays, KS 67601
785-621-2739 or 785-650-3904
www.gellasdiner.com

The newest restaurant in downtown Hays opened in July 2005 with great
reviews! Liquid Bread Brewery Co./Gella's Diner is a celebration of the creativity of architecture in downtown Hays. The restaurant brewery showcases the original brick walls, exposed ceiling trusses, rustic floors and brand new steel and glass around stainless steel vats in the brewery and the expo kitchen.  The refurbished restaurant/brewery and its menu honors western Kansas' heritage and quality.  It features regionally inspired handcrafted beers and comfort food with unique twists. If you want a taste of the creativity of Hays don't miss Liquid Bread Brewing Company and Gella's Diner. Some of the menu items include: Sorry Charlie Salad, Gella's Beerwurst, Grilled Cheese Panini, Grebble (fried bread), Pork chops and T-Bone steaks.

Restaurants opened in Hays
Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill
2704 Vine St.
785-628-8284

NeighBars – 507 W. 7th – 785-625-1774
Hours: M-Sat 11 am-2am, Sun 4 pm-2am
Daily lunch, dinner and drink specials

Papa Johns Pizza – 1003 E. 37th – 785-621-7272
Hours: Sun-Tues 11 am-1 am, Wed-Sat 11 am- 2 am

The Other Side Grille & Bar – 2400 Vine Suite A – 785-621-2685
Hours: 11 am-11 pm
Salads, Sandwiches, Steaks, Pasta, Seafood, ¼ & ½ pound specialty hot dogs.