(MSC News)--A familiar name in national politics, and a native Kansan, is coming to the local area next week. 

Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole will visit a number of locations in Kansas, including five stops in the local area.  All are open to the public. 

On Tuesday, April 22nd, Dole will visit Holton's Jackson County Senior Center, at 312 Pennsylvania Avenue, from 2:45 until 3:45.  From there, he will travel to Hiawatha's Fisher Community Center, at 201 East Iowa Street, from 4:20 until 5:30, and then make a trip to Doniphan County where he will host a meet and greet at the Troy Community Center from 6 to 7 that evening. 

The next morning, on Wednesday April 23rd, Dole will appear in Atchison, at Jerry's Again restaurant, located at 125 North 5th Street, from 10:30 until 11:30 that morning. 

He will then travel to Leavenworth's Heritage Center at 109 Delaware Street, from 12:15 to 1:30. 

Dole, in a press release announcing his visit to Kansas, says he is not running for any office, but is making the appearances simply as a way to meet old friends and meet new ones, regardless of party. He says he looks forward to returning to his home state where he might enjoy a few oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies during his travels. 

Dole, a native of Russel, Kansas, served in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1969, represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996, and was the 1996 Republican nominee for president against Democratic incumbent Bill Clinton. 

Dole, who will turn 91 in July, currently works part time as a special counsel for the Washington, D.C. law firm of Alston and Bird.