Congratulations to Tara Jones, who was honored with the Spirit Award at the Morton County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet.

The Spirit Award recognizes individuals who bring energy, positivity, and a strong sense of community to Morton County. Tara’s enthusiasm and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact, helping strengthen connections and support local growth.

We are proud to celebrate her contributions and the role she plays in making our community a better place.

📸 Pictured: Liz Watson (left) and Tara Jones (right)

Plains Walker is offering a limited-time curbside junk pickup special in Elkhart. For a flat $60 rate, residents can have small loads removed with up to 15 minutes of loading included. This discounted service is available for curbside-ready items only. Message Plains Walker with a photo and your address to schedule pickup.

Update: We are scheduling Saturday the 14th for additional curbside pickups. Send us a message to book a spot on the route. Thank You!

Looking for what’s for lunch or dinner in Morton County?

Join the Chamber Eats Facebook group to see daily specials, featured meals, and updates from local restaurants and businesses across the area.

This group is a great way to:
• Discover daily food specials
• Support local businesses
• Stay connected with what’s happening around town
• Share and explore new menu items

Whether you’re planning your next meal or just browsing for ideas, Chamber Eats keeps you in the loop with real-time updates from our local food community.

Click the link to join and start exploring what’s cooking in Morton County.

Join us for the 2026 Wine Walk on Saturday, May 9th from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Enjoy an evening of local businesses, beverages, and community connection throughout Morton County.

Businesses are invited to participate as a passport stop, and artists are welcome to get involved. Passports are available for pre-order, with a complimentary wine glass for the first 50 purchases.

Must be 21+ to participate. More details and announcements coming soon.

Shred Week 2026 – Secure Paper ShreddingDream First Bank is hosting Shred Week April 6–10, 2026, giving community members a safe and convenient way to dispose of sensitive paper documents. Secure shred bins will be available during regular business hours at participating Dream First Bank locations.This free service accepts paper documents only and helps protect your personal and financial information while you clean out old files this spring.

Congratulations to Dusty Brillhart, who was honored as Man of the Year at the Morton County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet.

This award recognizes leadership, dedication, and the positive impact an individual has on the Morton County community. Dusty has demonstrated strong commitment through his involvement, support of local initiatives, and continued contributions to the growth and success of the area.

We are proud to recognize and celebrate his efforts and the role he plays in strengthening our community.

📸 Pictured: Dusty Brillhart (left) JW Finn (right)

Congratulations to Elkhart Auto Parts, recipient of the Legacy Business of the Year award at the Morton County Chamber Annual Banquet.

This award recognizes long-standing businesses that have demonstrated commitment, reliability, and lasting impact within the Morton County community. Elkhart Auto Parts has served the area with consistency and dedication, becoming a trusted resource for generations.

We are proud to celebrate their continued success and the legacy they have built in our community.

Come into the Morton County Library and check out the glass case display featuring diamond paintings by Hope Chance.

This collection highlights detailed, vibrant artwork created through the unique craft of diamond painting. The display offers a great opportunity to experience local creativity and see something new during your visit to the library.

Be sure to stop by and take a look next time you're in.

A recent story from SaveYour.Town highlights how community ideas can gain momentum when conversations move beyond social media and into real-life action. While online feedback can quickly turn negative, taking initiative through in-person connection—like starting a local group or hosting a meetup—can build support and create real progress.

This is a great reminder for community members and leaders to focus on action, collaboration, and positive engagement when bringing new ideas to life.

As we look ahead to Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month in April 2026, we are excited to begin planning and exploring opportunities to collaborate with partners like you. For those who may be unfamiliar, CAP Month is a national initiative focused on promoting the safety, well‑being, and healthy development of children by strengthening families and building supportive communities.

Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) serves as the Kansas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, which means we lead the statewide organization and coordination of CAP Month efforts. While we work hard to provide resources, materials, and statewide messaging, we can only do so much on our own. The real impact happens when communities, local businesses, organizations, and leaders like you join in to bring prevention to life at the local level.

We invite you to join us in raising awareness and sharing prevention messaging not just in April, but year‑round. Whether through community events, business engagement, outreach to members, or sharing resources, your participation helps ensure families have the support they need to thrive. Simple ways to celebrate CAP Month is to participate in Wear Blue Day on April 10th, post on social media using the posts provided in the CAP Month Toolkit, encourage families to follow the activity calendar, etc.

If you are interested in partnering with us, we encourage early coordination so we can be sure we can deliver materials on time and answer any questions you may have ahead of time. I have included the link for ordering CAP Month materials below along with the CAP Month tool kit, family activity calendar, and our CAP Month materials pricing list attached to this email.

Here is the link to our CAP Month Tool Kit:  https://www.kcsl.org/resources/cap-month/

Here is a link to our online order form: Community Resource Order Form https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CdfiIZAv6U-fqQZBkCOX4x9HS6GhOA1Agglxph_s15pUMDZVTjNEM0IyOVNQU044SkQ4RUk2RlAyMC4u 

We would love to connect, answer questions, hear your ideas, and begin planning together. Thank you for your commitment to strengthening your community; your involvement truly makes a difference for Kansas families.

Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention, representing hope, strong families, and healthy childhoods. Throughout April, communities are encouraged to display pinwheels, wear blue, and take action to support children and families.

Local veterinarian Dr. Jayden Simpson is offering breeding soundness exams (BSE) and trich testing ahead of the May 2026 government grazing deadline. Mobile service available.

Free senior expo in Dodge City with transportation available from Elkhart Senior Center. 

The Destination Senior Expo will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City.

This free event offers valuable resources, information, and connections for seniors.

The Elkhart Senior Center will be providing transportation, with a van departing at 7:00 AM. Please contact the Senior Center in advance if you would like to ride.

Join us for the Spring Fling Vendor Show and support local businesses featuring handmade crafts, unique gifts, seasonal décor, and more.

This is the perfect way to welcome spring while enjoying a day of shopping local with friends and community members.

Vendors interested in setting up a booth can contact the Senior Center for more information.

Prickly Pear Farm, Home & Lumber (formerly Elkhart Lumber Company) is celebrating their Grand Re-Opening, and the community is invited to join the celebration.

📅 Saturday, April 25
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 850 Stateline Rd, Elkhart, KS

Enjoy a full day of:
• Food trucks
• Community connection
• Giveaways all day

🍔 Food Trucks:
• Uncle Ed’s Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
• Heaven on Ice

🎁 Giveaways Featuring:
Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Ferti-lome products

Come out, support a local business, and be part of this exciting new chapter for Prickly Pear.

The Elkhart Senior Center has released its April 2026 schedule, including daily lunch menus, special events, and community activities for local seniors.

Highlights for the month include:
• Daily home-style lunch meals
• Senior Expo trip on April 21 (center closed that day)
• Seasonal meals and holiday-themed offerings
• Ongoing community support from local sponsors and donors

Be sure to check the full calendar for meal options, closures, and special dates throughout the month.

🕢 Showtimes:
Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM

The Doric Theatre continues to be a local favorite for entertainment, bringing the community together for movies, events, and shared experiences.

Visit their website for ticket information and updates.

Join Kansas State University Extension for a series of Mental Health & Community Wellness Workshops this April. Designed for community partners, these sessions focus on resilience, connection, and practical tools to support mental health. Lunch is provided.

Congratulations to Donut Taco Bout It Café, honored as Business of the Year at the Morton County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet.

This award recognizes excellence in business, community involvement, and the positive impact a business brings to Morton County. Donut Taco Bout It Café has become a standout in the community, known for great food, strong local support, and a welcoming atmosphere.

We are proud to celebrate their success and the role they play in making our community vibrant and connected.

Alexis and Natasha recently attended the 2026 We Kan Conference, held April 1–2. Hosted every other year by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, this event brings together community leaders from across the state who are passionate about strengthening rural Kansas.

This year’s theme, “Creating the Choir,” focused on uniting communities around a shared, positive message about what makes rural areas thrive.

Pre-conference sessions highlighted what young people are seeking when choosing where to build their futures, emphasizing the importance of opportunity, connection, and quality of life. Speakers also reinforced the role of belonging in building strong communities.

A standout experience was a tour of Eyestone Automotive in Peabody, where attendees saw firsthand how one young entrepreneur is making a meaningful impact. Owner Tyler returned to his hometown to build a business, expand employment opportunities, and contribute to community solutions, including efforts to improve fire protection ratings and reduce insurance costs.

Thursday’s sessions featured stories from leaders across Kansas, including one of our own, Alexis, who spoke about the narrative surrounding opportunity in rural communities.

Breakout sessions covered a range of topics, including:
• Arts and placemaking
• Community inclusion and bilingual engagement
• Local leadership and empowerment programs
• Youth involvement in philanthropy
• Agritourism and regional food systems
• Creative storytelling through social media

The conference also highlighted a proposed state program aimed at attracting attorneys to rural communities through financial incentives, helping address gaps in legal services.

Overall, the experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, inclusion, and strong local leadership. Alexis and Natasha returned with new ideas, connections, and energy to continue supporting Morton County’s growth and success.

Congratulations to Alexis O’Hair, who was honored as Woman of the Year at the Morton County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet.

This award recognizes leadership, dedication, and meaningful contributions to the Morton County community. Alexis continues to make a lasting impact through her involvement, commitment, and support of local initiatives.

We are proud to celebrate her achievements and the positive influence she brings to our community.

April is Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, and communities across Kansas are coming together to support families and raise awareness.

On April 10, everyone is encouraged to wear blue to show support for children and families. This year also highlights the Pinwheels of Possibility campaign, symbolizing bright futures for every child.

You can participate all month long by:

• Planting a pinwheel garden

• Wearing a pinwheel pin

• Hosting a community event

• Starting conversations that strengthen families

Snap a photo, share why prevention matters to you, and help spread the message across Kansas.

SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging

Join us for the Destination Senior Expo: Explore • Learn • Connect on April 21 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City.

This free community event is designed to help older adults, caregivers, and families discover local resources, learn about health and safety topics, and connect with trusted services across Southwest Kansas.

Educational learning labs

Health and wellness resources

Expert information on aging, caregiving, and independence

Community organizations and service providers

Free admission to Boot Hill Museum during the event

Whether you're planning for the future, caring for a loved one, or simply looking for helpful information, the Destination Senior Expo is a great place to start

Help us spread the word! Share this event with friends, family, and neighbors who may benefit.

Interested in hosting a booth? We are welcoming organizations that provide resources and services for older adults and caregivers.

For more information call 620-225-8230

Learn more at