June 14th:  We enjoyed the hospitality in Madison and we walked in the Madison Days Parade.  Our magnetic signs and banner were on Randy Baldwin's convertible as he drove while Dasha and I walked.  We gave away lots of candy and met many great people.

June 28th:  The evening was perfect for an outdoor cookout, so we headed to Reading for their 9th Annual Fish Fry.  What a fun time we had with Laura Schlobohm and the many area residents who attended and brought GREAT food!  The fireworks on the baseball field capped off an enjoyable and memorable evening.

July 4th:  What a great time we had in Lebo for the parade and lunch.  I was amazed at the length of the parade and the variety of entries from a covered wagon to floats to huge farm machinery.  We enjoyed meeting people along the parade route and handing out candy to young and old.  We then enjoyed tasty hamburgers from the Lebo Lions Club and great homemade ice cream from the Lebo class of 2012 in the high school commons area.  Lebo really knows how to celebrate the 4th of July--ending in beautiful fireworks.

July 12th: It was a rainy Saturday, but the people of Olpe had a fun parade anyway! Dasha, Mary, and I enjoyed the ice cream and meeting the friendly people along the parade route.

July 22nd: Dasha and I braved the rain and thunder to enjoy "A Midsummer Nights' Dream" in Peter Pan Park. This was especially enjoyable since many of the cast members were my former students. After the show four of my "kids" posed for a photo opp. - Trevor Whitsitt, Jacob Helmer, Adam Helmer, and Audra Jenkins. They are all "stars" in my book!

August 1st: We spent an enjoyable evening in Burlington. At 6 PM we drove and walked in the Coffey County parade (which was long and even blocked highway 75 for some time!). Then we joined Janet Lewis and the Coffey County Democrats for an ice cream social. Nancy Boyda surprised us with a visit, and we were able to cool off with delicious ice cream and brownies.

August 6th: Glen, Dasha, and Carol paused while enjoying the Lyon County Fair and the Democratic booth.

September 6th: It was a rainy Saturday that put a damper on the Emporia Flea Market, but we still had some people visit the democratic headquarters on Commercial Street. We also walked and handed out cards to the brave folks who didn't stay home.

September 9th: Glen and Carol traveled to Topeka to the National History Museum for the Kansas Credit Union annual meeting. The hospitality was wonderful, and the Credit Union later announced its endorsement of Carol's candidacy.

September 14th: Carol and Dasha participated in the Fiesta Mexicana parade and celebration in Las Casitas Park. The tacos made by the ladies of the St. Catherine's Church were wonderful! It was exciting to see lots of former students and catch up on what they're doing.

September 17th: Carol, Kitty Frank, and Miley Wade traveled with Eleanor Browning to Yates Center for the KNEA Six Rivers Uniserv meeting. Steve Lopes discussed important issues with members and then introduced KNEA's endorsed candidates for the District. Laura Caillouet-Weiner presented checks to Carol, Kitty, and Shirley Palmer of Fort Scott.

September 19-21st: Carol flew to St. Louis for a board of directors meeting of the National State Teachers of The Year. She serves as the Director of Membership and Finance, so the others depend on her to balance the checkbook!
    The Board took an opportunity to visit a historical home while meeting in Edwardsville.

September 27th: The Strickland banner and signs were evident in the Hartford Days parade. After the parade, Carol and Dasha enjoyed the quilt show and the great craft booths in the downtown area. Thanks to Marjorie and Janet Lewis for their help in the parade!

September 29th: Carol started the day visiting with Deb Crowl at the Emporia Child Care Center II and III to discuss early childhood education. Carol is committed to working hard for full funding of Head Start and early childhood initiatives, so she was very interested to see the infants to 4-year-olds so well cared for.
    Then that evening, Carol traveled north to have chili at the Allen Senior Center and talk with some area residents about concerns and issues for the campaign.

September 30th: Representatives of the Kansas Health Policy Authority hosted an open forum at the Emporia Public Library to answer questions and explain the 21 proposals made during the last legislative session. Carol was shocked to hear that the Kansas legislators acted on only 9 and funded only one of the 21 proposals. Some legislators even admitted that they couldn't support the KHPA initiatives because "it's an election year" and they "might not be re-elected!"

October 3rd: While putting up campaign signs; we meet the nicest people and animals. The curious horses came to check out the issues while Carol "decorated" their fence. Hopefully, the signs won't be very tasty or tempting to them!

October 4th: What a fun day in Americus for the annual Americus Days celebration! The Strickland signs were transported by car, tractor, and horse! Thanks to Dale Grimsley for being our tractor representative. Special thanks to Larry Jackson for letting Dasha be in the parade on horseback.

And three special friends worked extra hard that day: Sally Anderson, Liz Voorhees, and Jan Huston. After the parade, we joined everyone in the park for great food, beautiful craft items, and lots of fun.

October 4th: Gib Rhodes and Steven Maltby helped to keep the Ducks Unlimited banquet on track in Madison. Carol and Angie Schreiber enjoyed the great meal, warm hospitality, and great auction items. Yes, they both spent some money while there. Both lamented that everything they wanted attracted lots of other bidders.

October 5th: Dasha, Glen, Carol, and Angie Schreiber traveled south to Olpe to enjoy the Fall Festival at St. Joseph's. What great food and warm hospitality!

October 6th: ESU played host to US Senate candidate Jim Slattery at 5:00. He spoke about concerns and then answered questions well past the 6 PM closure. He is focused on helping college students afford higher education, and he's traveling to Kansas campuses to discuss his plan.

October 8th: Dasha and Carol drove in the NHHS Homecoming Parade in Allen and enjoyed the hot dog feed and bonfire afterward. The sophomores won the float competition with an appeal to beat the Falcons.

October 9th: Dasha and Carol invited ESU senior Yujin Lin to join them at the opening of the Granada Theater to see the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China, sponsored by the Emporia Arts Council. What a great evening of exciting talent!

October 10th: Carol started in Madison with doughnuts and yard signs with Gib Rhodes and Madison teachers before their professional development day began. Then it was back to Emporia and Lebo to walk the precincts to hand out campaign materials. Thanks to Dasha and Kevin for their miles of walking!

October 11th: Dasha and Carol attended the new Fire Hall dedication in Admire. Chief Rick Gould was nice enough to let Dasha don the Chief's Hat and pose in front of the new fire truck. The pulled pork meal was great, and the area residents are rightfully proud of their new building.

October 13th 7PM: Coffey County Library Candidate Forum in Burlington.

October 16th 6PM: League of Women Voters' Candidate Forum at FHTC.

October 16th 8:30 PM: Rock The Vote - Wheat State Grille.

October 18th noon - 2:30: Democrats' Candidate Rally at Peter Pan Park.

October 21st 10:05 AM: KVOE Radio Forum. Call in with your questions for Peggy Mast and Carol Strickland.