On January 29, 1861, Kansas became the 34th state of the Union. In honor of its sesquicentennial in 2011, the Sunflower State is throwing a year-long anniversary celebration.

Events abound, including the exhibit “150 Things I Love About Kansas” at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. One of those “150 Things” is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, which Kansans love “because Dorothy spends the entire story trying to get back to Kansas.”

I send kudos to the Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce in eastern Kansas for a great anniverary tie-in event. The Chamber is turning the 150th anniversary into a “sell”-abration for the business community by hosting “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” on August 5 and 6, 2011. Residents get a map of retailers, restaurants and attractions that feature yellow bricks. Individuals finding the yellow bricks win 150th anniversary prizes and discounts.

Garnett-area companies not marking milestone business anniversaries themselves can still “sell”-abrate their products and services by piggy backing on the state’s sesquicentennial. Even a Scarecrow with hay for brains would consider this one smart idea.

Happy 150th anniversary to the great state of Kansas!

For a complete calendar of events for the Kansas 150th anniversary celebration, visit www.ks150.org.

Blogger  Bio: Pauline Bartel, M.A., is President and Chief Creative Officer of
Bartel Communications, Inc., an award-winning corporate communications firm,
specializing in marketing, public relations and business anniversary consulting
services. The firm  created “The Bartel Years™” and “The Bartel Years 200™,” rosters of business  anniversary symbols to inspire two centuries of business anniversary
“sell”-abrations. Download free copies of “The Bartel Years™” and the special
report “The Top 10 Business Anniversary Ideas for SELL-abrating Your Business
Anniversary” at this link: http://www.paulinebartel.com/services/corporate-services/business-anniversary-consulting