KFRM Blog

Green, Greener, Greensburg - Part II
Tuesday 19th of April 2011 08:05 AM
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By Kim L. Fritzemeier

KFRM Central Kansas Reporter

Farm Wife along the Stafford/Reno County Line

Slogan on a t-shirt

"Because of the tornado, we have the opportunity to be a living laboratory."

Bob Dixson, Greensburg Mayor

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This is the second post from our PEO road trip to Greensburg. In one day, we didn't see everything we would have liked. I'd love to go back and see the new BTI (John Deere) dealership, tour the churches and visit more of the downtown stores. As Greensburg continues to rebuild, there will be much more to see in the months and years ahead.

Ruth Ann Wedel at Greensburg Greentown says that they are relying on eco-tourism to continue to rebuild their community. They are now offering "Green Tours" to fit pretty much any family or group. It's a road trip that's inspiring and well worth your time. (Click on the Greentown link to learn more.) Plus, you'll be helping to rebuild Greensburg. And you didn't even have to bring a hammer!

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The 5.4.7 Arts Center

If you know me, you know what a huge K-State fan I am. But I have to give it to KU. They helped give Greensburg a spectacular arts center. Studio 804, the 3rd year graduate students in architecture at KU, built the 5.4.7 Arts Center at a reduced cost.

It was the first LEED Platinum building in Kansas. This is the highest certification of "green" building, using wind turbines, solar panels and green building materials.

One of the gallery's huge photographs shows how the arts center was transported to Greensburg after being built in sections by the KU students. What a convoy!

High school students and advisers made this bench from "found" items after the tornado. It sits outside the arts center. (Here you go farmers: You could probably make a similar "found" sculpture by exploring your farmstead and getting creative.)

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Kiowa County Hospital

When you walk in the door, you see this message: To improve lives through compassionate, quality health care. Like the other buildings in Greensburg, natural light is a centerpiece of the construction.

It's a 15-bed hospital served by one M.D., two nurse-practitioners and one physician's assistant. Other physicians visit Kiowa County for periodic specialty clinics. The medical clinic is attached to the hospital for one-stop medical care. (Want more about these two Greensburg locations? Click here or on any of the underlined links.)

Tomorrow, one more post from Greensburg, as we continue to explore this story of resurrection and rebirth during this Easter season.

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