For newcomers to Emporia — or any city, for that matter — finding community can take some time. Friday night, new residents, including this reporter, were given a chance to make lasting connections.
Emporia Main Street hosted its annual mix and mingle event at the Hornet’s Nest bar, designed to connect those who moved to Emporia in the last five years to various community organizations and new friends.
Among the newcomers was Blaise Mosmeyer, who moved all the way from Texas to Emporia in 2022 to take a job at Dynamic Discs, which he represented at the event.
Being involved in the disc golf scene, Mosmeyer quickly integrated into Emporia, something he hopes that others can replicate.
“It was like, boom, you're immediately accepted to the hometown feel of this,” he said. “Even if it doesn't feel like home at first, just try to make it home a little bit more, and it'll kind of attract around you."
Mosmeyer described meeting people at disc golf tournaments that he would bump into at the grocery store, bar, or mechanic shop. “You just kind of see the same familiar faces,” he said.
Mosmeyer was one of several organization representatives at the event. Tables were set up for groups from the Emporia Public Library to United Way of the Flint Hills and beyond.
“Maybe you want to learn how to play disc golf, or maybe you want to get involved with some sports at the Rec Center, or learn about our awesome Zoo,” said Jess Buchholz, one of the event’s organizers from Emporia Main Street. “There are just so many different groups here tonight that you can do that.”
Each group offered its own way for event attendees to get more involved in the community, their own information pamphlets or swag, and some even offered their advice to newcomers.
“Don't be afraid to get involved,” said Roxanne Van Gundy, representing LCECC. “There are so many opportunities to help the community here. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Everybody here is really great.”
As a newcomer to the city with few connections outside of work, the event offered more than simple interactions. It was a reminder of what Emporia is built on: its people. Through interactions with different people and organizations in the community, it was clear that many of them were passionate about what they enjoyed about the city.
“We've got an awesome group of people that live and work here,” said Buchholz. “It's a great place to raise kids, go out with friends. It's just an overall great place to be.”
With a drawstring bag full of pamphlets and keychains — along with a few new connections — I left the mix and mingle event knowing more about Emporia than when I came in.
For newcomers just like me, finding your community in a new city can be difficult, but events just like this one make it much easier.
Read the story here
By: Austin Hoagland | October 25, 2025