Pioneer Bluffs’ newest leadership team members have hit the ground running in recent weeks with several major events and projects on the calendar over the next month.
During their appearance on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Friday morning, new Executive Director John Rogler and Operations Manager Annabelle Arndt took time to introduce themselves to the area and discuss their reasons for joining the area non-profit. For Rogler, joining Pioneer Bluffs was a full-circle moment of sorts, as while this is his first time serving in a leadership role, he has a long history with the property going back to his youth.
For Arndt, Pioneer Bluffs is a new venture; however, non-profit work is right up her alley as she has been involved in the non-profit sector for quite some time. Couple that with growing up in Americus, Arndt says joining the Pioneer Bluffs team was a natural fit.
Both have been with Pioneer Bluffs for just over a month and a half and it’s been a busy time as the historic farmstead was gearing up for its annual Day of the Cowboy activities which took place Saturday and featured a presentation from local 4-Her Allie Knowles titled “A Horse of Many Colors,” a panel discussion on “What Makes a Good Cow Horse,” homemade ice-cream, cobler, tours of the property and much more. Following Saturday’s activities, Pioneer Bluffs will remain busy with a needed restoration project on the historic barn house is getting set to begin Monday.
According to Rogler, the last significant update to the barn came back in 2015 and it was extensive.
This time around, however, Rogler says the work will be slightly less and more focused on the building’s exterior rather than its interior.
The renovation is expected to last between 6 and 7 weeks and cost approximately $70,000 to $80,000. Rogler says the renovation will not impede any activities or operations for Pioneer Bluffs, which is good news as it does have a trio of Prairie Talks coming up over the next few months, according to Arndt.
For more information on Pioneer Bluffs, upcoming activities or if you would like to schedule a tour of the property, visit them at the property which is located 1 mile north of Matfield Green just off Kansas Highway 177, visit Pioneerbluffs.org or call 620-753-3484.
