Rapid City, S.D., took the honors Thursday as the most patriotic city in the United States in the Rand McNally and USA Today Best of the Road contest.
Emporia was one of the five finalists up for the patriotic award. The announcement was made just before noon at the Destination Marketing Association International Conference in New Orleans.
Rapid City is a city of about 70,000 in western South Dakota located near Mount Rushmore.
Betty James, director of the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau, was in New Orleans for the announcement and conference. She said just being a finalist brought Emporia recognition.
“Only 30 cities were chosen for finalists in all the categories,” she said. “It was so exciting to be one of the finalists and it was beneficial to be recognized.”
When she heard the announcement, James said she was happy for Rapid City but disappointed it wasn’t Emporia.
“I’m sure Rapid City did a great job,” she said. “It just came down to a decision by Rand McNally and USA Today.”
The contest generated much excitement locally. Citizens, organizations and businesses across town put up patriotic decorations to help Emporia’s chances.
James was delighted that Emporians pulled together to put its best foot forward.
“People had fun with it,” she said. “It was a great to show off our positive efforts.”
Tawny Clark and Chris Staudinger visited all the patriotic finalists on behalf of Rand McNally. They spent July 6-7 taking in all the attractions and events Emporia has to offer.
The duo attended the Farmer’s Market, Live in the Lot, an Emporia Municipal Band concert and the dedication of the entrance monuments. They also toured The Emporia Gazette, the William Allen White State Historic Site, the All Veterans Memorial, Prairie Passages stones, the National Teachers Hall of Fame, the Lyon County Historical Museum, the Granada Theatre and the Emporia Arts Council.
They dined at local restaurants, Amanda’s, Casa Ramos and Bobby D’s Merchant St. BBQ.
In a write-up and video, the judges had many kind things to say about Emporia.
“Emporia is a magical small town that carries the American dream in their hearts,” Staudinger wrote.
Staudinger praised Emporia for a smorgasbord of activities, friendly people and historical stands.
“Some of Emporia’s proudest moments have been it’s historical stands against slavery and in the promotion of free speech and freedom of the press,” Staudinger wrote. “They have worked as a community for generations to keep the idea of our founding fathers alive and current.”
Rapid City will be featured in the 2013 Rand McNally Road Atlas and on bestoftheroad.com, as well as being highlighted on USA Today’s travel page.
Clark spoke highly of Rapid City’s pioneering spirit.
“The people who came out there brought with them the core ideas that our country was founded on,” Clark wrote. “This is why the Mount Rushmore monument ended up in South Dakota. The patriotism of this place extends beyond the military base there, or the veteran’s support units.”
The other four cities in contention for most patriotic were Williamsburg, Va., Peachtree City, Ga., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Clarksville, Tenn.
As for the other winners, Sandpoint, Idaho, was named most beautiful. Walla Walla, Wash., was chosen for friendliest. Lafayette, La., was picked for the best food. Glenwood Springs, Colo., was the selection for most fun.
Emporia didn’t walk away empty-handed. James said they received a poster for being a finalist. And there’s always the possibility of being in the contest again. James said there’s already talk of another Best of the Road contest next year.
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Well, I guess it's kinda hard to compete with Mount Rushmore...but we're the best. Don't let anyone tell you different.
July 21, 2011 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
solong (anonymous) says...
Really, I thought OUR ROCKS would seal the deal. Guess they should have been a little bigger.
July 21, 2011 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
As big as Rushmore?
July 21, 2011 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
lol emporia rocks
July 21, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
we should have painted the rocks RED WHITE & BLUE, or $ Money green $$.
July 21, 2011 at 5:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cookatwork (anonymous) says...
The sarcastic comments aside... I think that it is an AWESOME and WONDERUL thing... that out of ALL of the UNITED STATES..... EMPORIA was in the TOP 5 most patriotic!!!!!
July 21, 2011 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Just because they had the best monuments doesn.t make Rapid City the most patriotic town, this doesn't make sense. NO SENSE AT ALL!!!
July 21, 2011 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Of course the rocks took points off but although we are the founder of Veteran's day, what else do we have to offer to make that #1 spot?
July 21, 2011 at 11:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
I bet they blame the rabid dogs on the gazette forums for this........
July 21, 2011 at 11:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
It's a good thing those dogs didn't turn up to picket at the dedication or we'd all be in the doghouse right now.
Aside from that, no, we can't compete with those bigger rocks; what is more, they're carved.
Also, that city has put its best foot forward for years given they are in the close vicinity of Mt. Rushmore. Naturally, they didn't wait until the last week to spif up and put out their red/white/blue stuff. Congratulations to Rapid City.
Aside from always being patriotic with our Veteran's monuments at Soden's Grove, let's look at ourselves again.
I had lunch at Casa Ramos a few days ago. Love that place, and it's a great go-to place despite their location. Look at their surroundings, and they do a super job of attracting people. They have a good product, yes, good prices, and they always keep up their quaint appearance, never dirty.
I guess this is going to inflame a few folks, but this is a good a place as any to mention the overall appearance of the town, particularly the downtown area. Some will blame this heat, but that's not what I'm talking about. We can't help the heat so I'm not talking about those gardens.
I'm talking about storefronts. What is up about storefronts? Windows have all kinds of junk "displayed." There is no rhyme nor reason to any of it. And huge hand-lettered signs? C'mon. A computer will help with sign making.
Recently, we have had a number of second-hand clothing shops open for business. Nothing wrong with a second-hand clothing shop, but what is it with broken racks of old clothes on the sidewalk with sleeves and pant legs dragging the deck? In this heat especially it makes Emporia look like a bloody border town.
And it's not only those second-hand shops either. Several of those shops that have been around for a long, long time haven't helped themselves in the looks department either.
I'm sure people will take offense at this, but this is just my opinion of what I have recently observed.
July 22, 2011 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Create
I agree
One of the things that really irritated me about this push to be the most patriotic city was that it seemed to much like a crass appeal by city leaders and merchants to pump up sales or boost their leadership pride.
I'm sure that puts me on the wrong side of our city leaders. I'm sure they'll say I'm not patriotic and that I don't care about Emporia. The truth is, I really care.
Real patriotism goes a lot deeper than that. Guys like Matt Slater know that well.
July 22, 2011 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Your comments are well-received in my household, netloafer.
On the other hand, I am reminded by my houseguest who has been here all week that "play to your strengths" is also something of great value in this discussion.
My visitor says she is astounded by how genuinely nice people are here in Emporia. For example, the guy at King's Liquor was not only helpful with selections, but he carried purchases out to the car. She was blown away by that. No one in Chicago carries your purchases out to the car. You're just a transaction there.
At Reeble's North, she noticed that groceries were bagged up quickly and automatically schlepped to the car by an attentive bag person who wished her well.
At Graves Drugs, she was impressed by the clerk who saw she was waiting to make a purchase behind a man who had piled his stuff on the counter and then left it to converse with someone. The clerk quickly pushed his stuff out of the way and hailed her forward to check out. She said she was impressed with the personalized service and quick response of the clerk who was smiling all the while.
Affordable Room Groups was another big impression for her. I had bought a chair there and within a half hour of my purchase, they delivered the chair. What is more, he not only placed the chair, but took the other chair to an upstairs room for me. My guest was astounded at that and stood there, mouth agape. "They do that here?"
At Amanda's for lunch, a smiling Amanda herself delivered our sandwiches out to the foyer where we sat. Amanda does not know me.
The reason these things happen like this is because we are a small town. Where Chicago is a high-transaction environment where personal service does not enter the picture, the people here are genuinely willing to take the time to do their jobs like I described above. It's inside of them, deep inside, to treat others with such respect.
Yes, I agree with my houseguest that Emporians are genuinely nice and we do care.
July 22, 2011 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well, I hate to keep harping on the same old thing, but the way the downtown looks is not really the main concern of the self appointed City leaders, now is it ?
It is my solomn opinion that the " downtown " and the streets/infrastructure looks the way it does, because of the mismanagement or needless spending of taxpayer funds on what is not the really important things that makes a City/area appealing, inviting, pleasing, affordable and a place to be " Proud " of.
And if you don' t do what is best for everyone and the entire City, no amount of false showing of " Patriotism " is going to instill " Patriotism " or Pride in anyone. On the contrary, taking peoples money and spending it on unnecessary wants instead of needs and demanding more money from the people to use in unnecessary, needles ways only serves to breed anger and discontent .
I believe our self appointed City leaders need to look up and read the definition of " Patriotism " .
Jmo :>)
July 22, 2011 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Create
I agree. I really like Emporia I don't like the way our leaders beat the otism drum to serve their own ends. That really bothers me.
July 22, 2011 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Me too, netloafer. I happened to be driving by Emporia State Bank -- where I bank BTW --- and noticed that they have tied the columns in front and to the south with very small red/white/blue ribbon things way up high. What is that all about? It's all about this PERFUNCTORY attempt at showing patriotism for the Rand/McNally people. It's a poor showing at best. I was not impressed. In fact, my guest asked, "What's that all about? Leftovers from the 4th of July?" Then I had to tell her the Rand/McNally story. It was difficult not to just shrug my shoulders afterwards.
Yes, everybody was gung ho red white and blue for a short period of time. I look at that as being just plain phony. Yeah, the word PERFUNCTORY fits quite well.
July 22, 2011 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Good way to put it, 'phoney'. We put on the face but behind it is pure B.S.
We need authentic, not a bandage.
July 23, 2011 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
IT WAS A NICE EFFORT EMPORIA !
BUT;
"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."
Adlai Stevenson
We should be somewhat ashamed of ourselves.
We trotted out the best of our symbols and ribbons and flags. We showed our guests some of the best things about small town Emporia and what makes it special.
They learned about our town being the founding city of Veterans Day. We have a week long celebration for that day.
But are we the most patriotic city? I think not.
We are very good at celebrating it. We are very good at honoring our veterans 1 week out of the year.
But if we were truly a patriotic city and we really wanted to honor our veterans wouldn't have a better than a 20% turn out for elections?
Wouldn't we would have more than 4 or 5 people show up for city or county commission meetings?
After the last election and it's disgusting turnout, I would say that ONLY 20% of Emporians are patriotic. And by any math standards that is not "MOST".
Maybe our visitors from R.M. sensed that?
July 24, 2011 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sorry for the jumbled sentences above.
Wouldn't we have a better than 20% voter turnout?
Wouldn't we have more than 4 or 5 people show up at city or county commission meetings?
July 24, 2011 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Seventeen (17) patriotic Americans died this past week in Afghanistan and Iraq.
July 24, 2011 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, sometimes "jumbled sentences" are the best reflection of voice. Your piece stands as is. It's beautiful!
I think this newspaper should say exactly what you have said every single Friday, just under the masthead -- how many patriotic Americans died that week. I know this information might not be in keeping with the Gazette's push for good news. Still we must admit that reality soup is hard to swallow but necessary for good health.
July 25, 2011 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )