Beautiful Kansas: Wilson Lake, conclusion

Another reason I will have a special place in my heart for Wilson Lake is because it was here I took what became my first published photo (above) which appeared in the Winter 2006 issue of Kansas Magazine.

Here are some other photos from visits I've made to Wilson Lake which have been candidates for publication in the official travel magazine for my home state.

It's a shame the magazine underwent an unfortunate makeover which has resulted in less room for photography, because of its smaller format on cheaper paper.

Most unforgiveable of all, the magazine is no longer made by Kansans in Kansas. Instead, it is now a sister publication to Better Homes & Gardens and part of the Midwest Living stable in Des Moines, Iowa.

In 2005, the last full year the magazine was produced in house by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the budget was $288,000. This money went to journalists, editors, designers and publishers in Kansas.

When the decision was made to sell the franchise to Midwest Living, it came to light that Kansas taxpayers would have to pay $62,000 more each year so a faceless team 250 miles in Iowa could churn out a cheap knockoff. Instead of being a lovely keepsake which subscribers took pride in collecting, the magazine looks more like an inflight magazine for cattle class passengers.

All this was announced while the editor for the magazine was still recuperating from a cycling accident which had put her in a coma for days.

UPDATE I'm pleased to report the production of Kansas Magazine has returned to the state and is now printed by Sunflower Publishing of Lawrence. It has also returned to its former glory in terms of its size and the quality of paper used; I highly recommend you take out a subscription! Find out more here.