Rehearsal

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Oh no! It recently came to my attention that the paper invitations say the service is at 6:00.*** THE CORRECT TIME IS 6:30pm ***at 3500 Grand Oaks Park in Pittsburg

Our Adventure Continues!

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

If you're lucky, a sister is the best friend a girl can have, and I have been fortunate that Wendy has always been there for me - through childhood adventures, teenage drama, and all the best and toughest moments of adulthood.  Wendy is an elementary school band instructor in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Wendy Morton

Paul is George's older brother, close friend, and co-conspirator.  George is forever grateful for Paul's patience with him when George was a mischievous little kid, and we still look to Paul for wisdom and advice.  And nobody can turn the mundane into an adventure like Brother Paul can!  Paul is a retired consultant in Springfield, MO.

Paul Brock

Jennifer has been a friend literally since birth; she and Nancy and Wendy grew up together and have remained close through the years.  Jenn is a singer-songwriter in Nashville, TN, and she has graciously agreed to perform some of her previously unreleased songs for our ceremony!

Jennifer Schott

Nancy met Bob when she was a 6th grader at Christian Hills Church Camp, and they've been friends and penpals for 40 years!  We were thrilled when Bob agreed to come officiate at our ceremony.  Bob is the pastor of First Christian Church in Madison, KS.  

Bob Robison

Wedding Party

Music is an important part of our lives, so of course we've put a lot of thought into the music selections for our ceremony and reception. Here are some songs and lyrics to listen for at our wedding, and what they meant to us:

Stand By Me

This is the first song George and Nancy danced to, at that church lock-in way back in 1988! The lyrics - all about being there for one another, no matter what - are perfect for a wedding.

I've Got a Cowboy

This song was written by Nancy's good friend Jenn Schott*, who will be performing it for us, too. It's been a favorite since the moment I heard it - long before George and I reunited. When I was a girl, I dreamed of meeting and marrying a cowboy, and George embodies a lot of the cowboy traits that I was looking for: Integrity, strength, self-reliance, a love for the outdoors, and a tendency to hum or sing to fill the quiet moments. "He's the plains of western Kansas,where I can see for miles.He's every mountain in the distance,where my heart is running wild.All my longing for adventure is right there in his eyes..." *(co-written with Byron Hill)

See Us When

This song is also by Jenn Schott. The lyrics are from a young person day-dreaming about a future with her beloved. "I see us now, I see us then, but most of all I see us when we're older, living a life full of love and laughter, happy every after!"

Thank God

This is a relatively new country song by Kane Brown; he and his wife Katelyn sing a duet about how blessed they are to have each other in their lives: "Thank God, I get to wake up by your side,Thank God, your hand fits perfectly in mine.Thank God, you loved me when you didn't have to,but you did, and you do; He knew -Thank God for giving me you."

A Million Dreams

This is a song from the movie "The Greatest Showman," covered by P!nk. It's a passionate song about building a fantasy life together, and then making it a reality. "However big, however small,Let me be part of it all -Share your dreams with me! "Every night I lie in bed,The brightest colors fill my head,A million dreams are keeping me awake...A million dreams of the world we're gonna make."

Our Music

Our wedding and reception will take place at the home of George's late brother, Ken Brock, in our hometown of Pittsburg, KS. The address is 3500 Grand Oaks Park, Pittsburg. Weather permitting, the ceremony will take place by the lake behind the main house. The reception will be in the big barn/garage between the house and the lake.

Parking

When you arrive at the main property gate, follow the private drive around to the left, past the waterfall (pictured) toward the main house. There is parking in front of and behind the Barn, and we can park in the circle drive in front of the house as well. Please be courteous and don't trap anybody in, and PLEASE DON'T DRIVE OR PARK ON THE GRASS.

Inclement weather

If it rains (which is considered good luck, right?), we will have the ceremony inside the Barn, in the same space as the reception.

Our Venue

The Portland contingent is learning a few new moves, so we can get this party going! If you'd like to join in, here are the tutorials we're using: (Check back later; we're going to add them as we learn them.)

The Macarena

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzV63IRR8BQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzV63IRR8BQ</a>

Dancing Lessons!

Joplin, MO (JLN) - 45 minutes from Pittsburg........(United is the only airline option into Joplin)Springfield, MO (SGF) - 1 hour 45 minutes from PittsburgNW Arkansas/Bentonville (XNA) - 1 hour 45 minutesTulsa (TUL) - 2.5 hours from PittsburgKansas City (MCI) - 2.25 hours from Pittsburg

AIRPORTS TO CONSIDER

We have reserved a BLOCK OF ROOMS at Kansas Crossing, a Hampton Inn property south of town. (We will be staying here, too.) These reserved rooms will be held for our guests UNTIL SEPT 27, after which time you will need to book independently. Call 620-231-3100 or use the link to reserve a room from our block:<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=PTSSNHX&amp;groupCode=CHHBBW&amp;arrivaldate=2024-10-11&amp;departuredate=2024-10-13&amp;cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&amp;fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=PTSSNHX&amp;groupCode=CHHBBW&amp;arrivaldate=2024-10-11&amp;departuredate=2024-10-13&amp;cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&amp;fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT</a>

Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel

This is another option at the southern end of Pittsburg.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pittsburg

Travel and Hotel Options

Mining History

Southeast Kansas has a rich history, mostly revolving around mining. In fact, Pittsburg is named for the long, shallow pits that are left behind during strip mining for coal. If you want to explore some unique Pittsburg/SEK experiences, here are some options:

<a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/big-brutus/11850/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Big Brutus</a> - largest existing electric shovel. $10 admission. 30 minute drive from Pittsburg, in West Mineral, KS The <a href="http://minersmemorialpittks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miners Memorial</a> FREE and LOCAL - Broadway and W 2nd <a href="https://www.minershallmuseum.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miners Hall Museum</a>FREE. 20-minutes north of Pittsburg in Franklin, KS <a href="https://www.crawfordcountymuseum.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Crawford County Historical Museum</a>FREE and LOCAL - 651 S Hwy 69

Military History

<a href="https://www.psuvetmemorial.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg State Veterans Memorial Amphitheater</a>FREE and LOCAL - 1909 S. Rouse <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/american-legion-post-64-m-60-army-tank-memorial/40388/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">American Legion Post 64 M-60 Army Tank Memorial</a>FREE and LOCAL - 2815 N Joplin St <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/fort-scott-national-historic-site/846/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fort Scott National Historic Site</a>FREE. 40 minutes north of Pittsburg in Ft Scott, KS <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/u-s-national-cemetery-%231/849/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">U.S. National Cemetery #1</a> - seriously, it was the first, established by President Lincoln!FREE. 40 minutes north of Pittsburg in Ft Scott, KS

Nature / Outdoors

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.travelks.com/listing/bob-grant-bison-herd/39790/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjkk7_qjeaFAxX-DjQIHc6bAIcQFnoECB0QAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw31Fqj0h9KWZwo1WEkFCdRL" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bob Grant Bison Herd</a> - a very small herd, but they're our state animal, and very impressive.FREE and LOCAL - on the east side of Hwy 69, midway between Pittsburg and Arma. <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/pittsburg-area-farmers-market/25905/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg Area Farmers' Market</a> - local produce, baked goods, crafts.FREE and LOCAL - 119 E 11th St - SATURDAYS, 8-noon <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.travelks.com/listing/lincoln-park/14915/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiwnsGVkeaFAxV0AzQIHWg2A0kQFnoECBMQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw0pqUR6xmwrwmtEbjlXuz2Q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lincoln Park</a> - golf, mini golf, disc golf, tennis and basketball courts, aquatic center, playgrounds, and Kiddieland amusement park.FREE and LOCAL - 813 Memorial Drive - fees apply to golf and Kiddieland <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/lakeside-park/39925/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lakeside Park</a> - pleasant park for fishing and picnicking.FREE and LOCAL - 402 W Washington <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.travelks.com/listing/europe-park/39831/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiFyMuKmOaFAxWnAjQIHV1tCogQFnoECBcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2dqIr6RgYRT_C7qvZ8-pzh" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Europe Park</a> - charming little greenspace in downtown Pittsburg.FREE and LOCAL - 504 N Broadway St <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.pittks.org/community/city-parks/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjEldbKl-aFAxXtDjQIHYVOB9AQFnoECBgQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1R3LRK4DyZlj60bhxTJPB8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City Parks</a> - list of other Pittsburg parks and their amenities <a href="https://www.travelks.com/things-to-do/parks-and-nature/state-parks/crawford/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Crawford State Park</a> - hiking, biking, fishing, camping.$5/vehicle. 30 minutes from Pittsburg in Farlington, KS

Art and Murals

All FREE and LOCAL. Addresses located in each link. <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/downtown-pittsburg-sunflower-mural/46355/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Downtown Pittsburg Sunflower mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/postcard-greeting-from-pittsburg/39863/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Postcard greeting from Pittsburg</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/southeast-kansas-love-story-mural/40339/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Southeast Kansas Love Story Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/sock-and-buskin-mural/45123/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sock and Buskin Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/downtown-pittsburg-artwalk-mural/40343/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Downtown Pittsburg Artwalk Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/pittsburg-centennial-mural/44030/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg Centennial Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/pittsburg-historical-mural/40340/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg Historical Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/immigrant-park-mural-%26-childrens-sculpture/39911/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Immigrant Park, Mural &amp; Children's Sculpture</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/solidarity%3a-amazon-army-mural/40362/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Solidarity: Amazon Army Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/frisco-freight-mural/40344/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Frisco Freight Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/transportation-heritage-mural/46362/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Transportation Heritage mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/pittsburg-state-gorilla-football-murals-by-ted-watts/39760/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg State Gorilla Football murals by Ted Watts</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/pittsburg-state-centennial-mural/45162/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg State Centennial Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/gorilla-in-the-jungle-mural/50868/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gorilla in the Jungle mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/get-busy-livin-mural/46360/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get Busy Livin' Mural</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/father-emil-kapaun-memorial-mural/50968/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Father Emil Kapaun Memorial Mural</a> <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/gorilla-sculpture/45159/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gorilla sculpture</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/night-song-sculpture/50872/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Night Song sculpture</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/galloping-horse-of-gansu-sculpture/45164/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galloping Horse of Gansu Sculpture</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/miners-memorial/40352/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miners Memorial</a> <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/artforms-gallery/29582/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ArtForms Gallery</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/beverly-corcoran-art-gallery/45121/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beverly Corcoran Art Gallery</a><a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/harry-krug-gallery/45160/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harry Krug Gallery</a>

Dining / Entertainment

Chicken Annie's and Chicken Mary's

Even the local restaurants are influenced by the area's coal mining history: Annie and Mary were a pair of sisters that started rival chicken houses - literally next door to each other - to feed the miners in the 1930's and 40's. Take 20 minutes to watch the video below, then make plans to definitely visit one or both restaurants while you're here! <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x12ip13" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x12ip13</a><a href="https://www.chickenanniesoriginal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chicken Annie’s</a><a href="https://www.chickenmarys1942.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chicken Mary’s</a>

Other restaurants

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Mall-Deli-100065612764330/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwir6rPHleaFAxU4ATQIHUrjANwQFnoECBcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw05ab8EHAVjSNGKGvcUF2Q3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Mall Deli</a> - a local favorite - Nancy recommends the French dip!<a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/cafe-del-rio/587/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cafe Del Rio</a> - good Mexican food at the Mall<a href="https://droptheh.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drop the H Brewing Company</a> - craft beer and pizza<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.facebook.com/brickmortarpitt/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwivxsD6leaFAxVpLzQIHQsJC2oQFnoECCkQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw3flvn7ecwrpEgOoar7-1TB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brick + Mortar Social House</a><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.root-coffeehouse.com/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjit9fnluaFAxVzFzQIHWhRCssQFnoECBUQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Uy6fUIMmjt6wSiVgE-TvJ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Root Coffeehouse</a> - coffee, crepes, and baked goods<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Bobs-Grill-100063588639971/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bob’s Grill</a> - classic breakfasts and burgers since 1964<a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/harrys-cafe/12092/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harry's Cafe</a> - hometown diner - Nancy's Dad used to make their commercials!

Casino at Kansas Crossing Hotel

Right in the hotel where we've booked our block of rooms, this casino is small but lively! The restaurant, <a href="https://www.travelks.com/listing/two-brothers-mining-company/39821/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Two Brothers Mining Company</a>, is also really good.

More Ideas for Things to Do

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.travelks.com/places-to-visit/cities/pittsburg/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjknvvAk-aFAxXUGDQIHU3nDb0QFnoECCIQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XminEfsq5WwxIVdWl9L2D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburg, KS</a> - great collection of links from the Kansas Tourism Dept.

Things to Do

You may notice that we don't have a gift registry on this site. That's because we do not need or expect gifts from our guests. As we celebrate our love, YOUR PRESENCE IS THE BEST PRESENT!

Nancy & George

Nancy & George

Gifts