I grew up in a small town in the heart of Kansas. When I say small, I mean small…a town of 2,000 people and one stoplight. Ellinwood was my home for 19 years before I left to attend the University of Kansas. Although at the time I was ready to see new and bigger places, I can’t help but smile whenever I return to Ellinwood. It just has a certain charm. What can I say? It has been and always will be home to me.
As an aspiring journalist, I hope to cover a variety of important issues. One topic that has recently become a focus of mine is rural living. After leaving home, I realized just how special small towns like Ellinwood are. Communities like Ellinwood welcome you home after you’ve been away and come together in ways that larger communities can’t. My hope for this website is to share the truth about what is going on in Small Town, Kansas.
If you find something on this blog interesting, please share your thoughts in the comments or contact me directly. If you like what you read, share it with your friends and family. It’s time to start a conversation about what small towns have to offer.
All the best,
Kayla Schartz
Small Town, Kan. 
Kayla, Thanks for visiting our page and following us. I too came from a small town of about 5000 people (Morgan Hill, CA) and still love the rural feel it had. The Bay area is engulfing it now so we relocated to the Sierra foothills. Our cause is to keep that small town feel, the rural charm and presence it brings to the community so our blog is supporting our slow growth initiative. Once we are done with our mission, I intend to keep the page and present our rural life stye through photos and stories of those who live here. I like what you are promoting and will be back to check in frequently. Hopefully others will too. Love you header (Windmill) photo.
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rcublogger,
Thank you for your support. I think it is great that people are starting these conversations about the appeal of rural life. Small towns are often overlooked or seen as having nothing to offer, but I think the opposite is true. Small towns offer experiences and opportunities big cities can’t. I will be checking out your blog as well and hope to correspond with you more in the future.
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I couldn’t have said it any better myself! I can’t wait to see what you come up with and I’m sure it will apply to many small towns in many places.
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Hi Christine,
Thank you. I hope that this blog helps people to see what small towns can offer.
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Hey Kiddo!!
As you well know, I’ve been small town for 55 yrs. Moving to Russell, Ks. recently, another small town of maybe 3500, I feel as if I’ve moved to the city coming from Ellinwood. It’s the first move I ever made other than home to home within Ellinwood. I have no doubt that you will do us all proud. You are a true leader and I can’t wait to see where you land!
Love you bunches!
Aunt Diana
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Thanks, Diana. I’m sure the move to Russell wasn’t easy, but I hope you still get some of the same small-town feel there as well. Thanks for your support!
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Hey Kayla!
I’m excited to follow your blog! I can definitely relate to small town life, as you know! I can’t wait to read more.
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Hey, MacKenzie!
Thanks for checking out my blog. I appreciate the support and hope you enjoy it.
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It was wonderful to meet you recently at the Big Rural Brainstorm, and I’m so happy you’ve chosen to explore a career in journalism. Telling the stories of rural America is an important work, and there are too few people with the passion for it. I look forward to following your blog.
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Veronica, it was great to meet you too. Hopefully I’ll see you around this summer while I’m back home.
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I came across your blog on my Reader. Great blog! It so happens that I live in Great Bend, KS. Fairly close to Ellinwood 🙂 I will be studying Journalism after this semester, in which I am excited. I look forward in reading more of your blog. 🙂
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Hi Sara! Glad you found my blog. Always nice to have some Barton County readers. Best of luck in your journalism studies!
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