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Category Archives: Area News
ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET
“HUGE SUCCESS”
Even though Arcadia High School closed its doors at the end of the “1965” school year, the annual alumni banquet is still being held on memorial week-end every year in Pittsburg, Kansas. The membership also includes the Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Class of 1965. The banquet was held at the Lamplighter Inn on Saturday afternoon, May 27th and was catered by Chicken Mary’s and served by the Stansbury
brothers of Arcadia, Ks. Open Door Mission Church Youth.
Enclosed with the invitation to the banquet this year was the 2022 Financial Report prepared by Shirley Landon, Treasurer. The 2022
Minutes were enclosed also prepared by Virginia Smith, Secretary.
These were included in the mailing to provide more time for visiting.
Social hour was 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by lunch and business meeting. President Pat Morris of Arcadia welcomed the 40 Alumni and 23 guests. The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was led by Merle Engle. The Lord’s Prayer in unison was led by Melvin Nichols.
At the opening of the business meeting, Pat introduced alumni officers Vice President, Tom Watt; Secretary, Virginia Smith; Treasurer, Shirley Landon; and Marilyn Flagg, Historian.
There were no objections or corrections to the 2022 Minutes or the 2022 Treasurer’s report. They stand approved as presented.
Merle Engle along with nominating Committee of Mary Lee Payne and Sherry Sisney nominated the following officers for the coming year as follows: Pat Morris, President; Tom Watt, Vice President; Shirley Landon, Treasurer; Virginia Smith, Secretary; and Marilyn Flagg as Historian. A motion was made by Betty Skidmore and seconded by
Lou Sheets and motion carried.
Special recognition was given to members of the 60th (1963);
70th (1953); and 80th (1943) this year.
Those attending from the 60th class were the following: Sharon
(Barnard) Foster and guest Richard Foster and Richard Page.
Attending from the 70th. were as follows: Bobby Charles Harris and
guest Bobby C. Harris, Jr..
Atending from the 80th. were as follows: Louise (Opitz) Hughes and
guests David Hughes and Christine Bossung.
Jan Steele was recognized as being the daughter of former Arcadia High School music teacher, Dick Steele.
All 18 guests were asked to stand and be recognized.
Virginia Smith, chairman of the Scholarship Committee, announced the winner of the 2023 A.F. Bowlus/Betty Kirksey Scholarships as Carson
Ruoff (Grandson of Alan and Joyce (Gable) Niebrugge). Other AHS Alumni Scholarship winners were Aaron Moe and Adam Moe (Grandsons of Fred Dixon). Carson Ruoff received $1,000. Aaron and Adam Moe received $500 each.
Pat Morris introduced Sharon Foster (Class of 1963), and Ronnie
Smith (Class of 1962) who served on the scholarship committee with
Virginia.
Any child, grandchild, or great grandchild of Arcadia High School Alumni may apply for a scholarship.
Marilyn Flagg led the memorial service for alumni deceased since the last meeting. Those remembered were: Jo (Fowler) Ferraro, Helen (Fowler) Knoll, Jessie (Eggen) Dunn, Irene (Buchanan) Williams, Louetta
(Swezey) Schwatken, Betty (Ritter) Skidmore, Leona Maxine (James) Garrett, Boyd (Buck) McMillin, John Richard Meacham, Shirley (Birdsell) Garrett, Shirley (Stroud) Weber, Ernestine (Swezey) Murray, Jo Ellen (Elliott) Swezey, Margaret (Turner) Jones, Sharon (Powell) Thornhill, Olive (Curnutt) Berting, Richard L. Dixon, Geneva (Jeannie) Ham, Jerry McClendon, Gary Mayfield, Anita (Miles) Callahan, Richard Totman, Maxine James (Teacher), Marie (Hoover) Marshall, Dr. Retha (Hoover) Dr. Kilpatrick Gries, Merle Mayfield, and Mary Lou (Davidson) Peace.
Louise (Opitz) Hughes, 96 years old (Class of 1943) was given an award for being the “Oldest” alumni. Esther (Engle) Cousins (Class of 1954) was awarded for traveling the “Most Distance”.
The school song was led by Bill Skidmore.
The Benediction was by Melvin Nichols.
The roll call which consisted of the following and the 1943, 1953, and 1963 classes listed above was done by Tom Watt.
1949 – Jerry Skidmore
1950 – Betty (Clarkson) Skidmore
1951 – David Fowler and guest Jeanie Watson
1954 – Esther (Engle) Cousins and guest Janice Crooks
Gary Peterson and guest Patty Peterson
1955 – Mary Lee (Eggen) Payne
1956 – Shirley (McKinstry) Landon
Bill Skidmore and guest Twonette Skidmore
1957 – Merle Engle
Francis M. Jones and guest Karen (Jones) Tripp
Lou Sheets and guest Linda Sue Sheets
Lilly (Turner) Sheffield
1958 – Laura (Coonrod) Felt and guest Ronnie Felt
Fred Dixon
Marilou (Garton) Bork and guest Jerry Bork
Sandra Sue Stelle
1959 – Michael Sheffield
Gary Skidmore and guest Jean Skidmore
Beverly (Swafford) Silvers and guest Vern Silvers
1960 – Jerry Coonrod and guest Jan Steele
Melvin Nichols
1962 – Marilyn (Coonrod) Flagg
Barbara (Dawson) Swearingen
Helen (Morris) Nichols
Ronnie Smith
1964 – Virginia (Harris) Smith
Ronny Kellogg and guest Barb Kellogg
Steve Morris
Pat (Smith) Morris
Peggy (O’Dell) Worsley
Sherry (Swafford) Page
1968 – Ronnie Page
Don Schaub
Larry Shead and guest Ralph Shead
Sherry Sisney
Tom Watt and guest Phyllis Watt
The servers were the
Stansbury Brothers (Camryn, Sammy, Wyatt, and Tido), of Arcadia, Kansas Open Door Mission Church Youth and Judy Stansbury.
Kansas Launches Broadband Speed Test and Comprehensive Expansion Plan
TOPEKA – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is developing a comprehensive strategic plan to expand broadband infrastructure statewide and ensure every Kansan has access to reliable high-speed internet. To assist in this and provide accurate data for the plan, the department is calling on residents to participate in an important online speed test and survey.
The data collected ultimately will help guide the allocation of state and federal resources to areas in need.
“Accurate, comprehensive data is critical to our state’s efforts to bridge the digital divide across Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By engaging directly with Kansans to learn about their broadband capacity, we aim to secure significant funding to connect underserved areas and establish Kansas as one of the best states in the nation for high-speed internet access.”
The speed test will measure internet speed, general location and IP address, while maintaining the privacy of personal information. Participants also will be asked to complete an optional survey that provides vital insights into connectivity patterns, necessary training requirements and affordability of internet services.
“We understand that this is a busy time of the year, especially with the transition from school to summer,” Kansas Broadband Development Director Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “We genuinely appreciate the cooperation and assistance of all participants in completing these tests, which will enable us to identify opportunities for better connectivity and reach our goal of #ConnectingAllKansans.”
While this is not the first initiative of its kind, it is undeniably significant, and greater participation from residents will allow more accurate results. Participants will be asked to take five to seven tests at different times of day or days of the week.
To ensure accurate results, participants are advised to conduct the speed test while connected to Wi-Fi from their home or business networks. It is important to confirm the presence of the Wi-Fi symbol and verify that a cellular network is not being used for the test. If possible, the test should be done in the late afternoon or early evening, as this is when service is typically the slowest.
To participate, residents should visit the official website of the initiative, broadbandks.com, where they can complete a quick and simple online speed test. This test, which only takes a few minutes, will provide valuable data on internet connectivity throughout the state.
Individuals without internet access at their homes or businesses can a call or text 1 (913) 349-9555 to share their address where service is unavailable.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the Kansas Office of Broadband Development:
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is committed to bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet for all Kansans. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, the office aims to expand broadband infrastructure, promote digital literacy and foster economic growth across the state. For further information or any inquiries, please visit the official initiative website at broadbandks.com. For direct communication, the Kansas Office of Broadband Development can be reached at (785) 480-8555.
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MATTHEW BUCK: NEW MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR at CFSEK
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS ANNOUNCES MATTHEW BUCK AS NEW MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce the hiring of Matthew Buck as its new Marketing and Communications Coordinator, effective May 15, 2023.
Matthew comes to CFSEK and its affiliates, the Columbus Area Community Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, and Girard Area Community Foundation, with a unique skill set that will provide more community awareness through increased marketing and public relations.
“We are excited to welcome Matthew to the team,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “He will be a tremendous asset in increasing communication with our nonprofit partners, donors, and the entire Southeast Kansas region. His passion and dedication will help CFSEK strengthen our message and share more of our remarkable stories. ”
As a southeast Kansas native, Matthew earned a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in Communications, with a minor in Marketing. Although this opportunity is Matthew’s first professional experience in the world of nonprofit work, he is no stranger to supporting his community and helping people.
Matthew has been engaged with the SEK community for many years. As a Pittsburg High School graduate, he participated in several annual food drives and community outreach programs. As a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity at Wichita State, Matthew served as a chapter Vice President for two years and helped coordinate several community cleanup projects. Matthew currently serves on the Pittsburg Community Theatre board of directors as the Media Director. You can usually find Matthew on stage with PCT or cheering on the Gorillas at Pitt State football games.
When asked about his new position, Matthew said, “I am so excited to be joining the CFSEK team. CFSEK has a storied history of helping our community in a variety of ways, from grants to scholarships, one of which I received to help me pay for college. I really feel like I’ve come full-circle, and I can’t wait to continue serving the community I care for so deeply!”
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is a local public charitable foundation that awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2022 and has facilitated over $20 million in grants since its inception in 2001. The Community Foundation serves the region by providing donors with a wide variety of charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
GET YOUR DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR WAHZHAZHE: AN OSAGE BALLET SOON
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Time is running out to get discount tickets for Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet. This moving story of the Osage people is coming to Fort Scott, Kansas for three performances July 21-22, 2023. Discounted early bird prices are only available until May 31. Tickets can be purchased online at www.osageballet.com/events or by clicking on the get tickets button on the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Facebook page. Persons needing assistance with online purchases can do so, in person, at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The heart-pounding drumbeats, rhythmic dancing, and compelling stories of Wahzhazhe are sure to delight dancing enthusiasts and history fans of all ages. The Fort Scott performances will be held Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 22 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site in partnership with the National Park Service are hosting Wahzhazhe as part of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s educational programming. Contact [email protected] for more information.
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Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas to Host Forum for Professional Advisors
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) will host the 2023 Estate Planning Forum in the large conference room of The Foundry at Block22 in downtown Pittsburg on Tuesday, June 13.
The full–day Forum, hosted annually in partnership with Foulston Siefkin LLP of Wichita, is open to Southeast Kansas attorneys, CPAs, insurance professionals, and financial advisors. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the first session will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Attendees will learn about new developments in the field of estate planning, earn up to six hours of continuing–education credit, and enjoy a free lunch from Chatters courtesy of CFSEK.
This year’s Forum includes sessions on legal ethics; a comparison of probate–avoidance devices;
drafting advice to minimize family disharmony; drafting support and discretionary trusts; and recent developments in estate planning, including the effects of recent changes on charitable
giving. Sessions will be taught by Foulston Siefkin’s Tim O’Sullivan, JD, LLM, and Corey Moomaw, JD, LLM.
The Forum has been approved for 6 hours of CLE credit (including one hour of ethics credit) and 5 hours of insurance CE credit. It also offers a recommended 5 hours of CPE credit for accountants and 5 hours of PACE credit for qualifying financial advisors.
Registration is required for this event. Professional advisors who want to attend the 2023 Estate Planning Forum can register by completing the online form at
SoutheastKansas.org/forum2023/, emailing j[email protected], or calling
(620) 231–8897.
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The SEKnFind Newsletter May 2023
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Kansas DCF named to National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Collaborative
The 16-month series will focus on the recruitment and retention of the child welfare workforce
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) recently joined the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute’s Breakthrough Series Collaborative. The 16-month program launched in April and will focus on the recruitment and retention of the child welfare workforce and building cultures that value justice, equity, diversity and belonging.
The Breakthrough Series Collaborative brings together multidisciplinary teams to engage in a dynamic learning process that cultivates a healthy, equitable, sustainable workforce. Other states named to the collaborative include Illinois, New Mexico, Washington state and Westchester County (NY).
“We aren’t simply looking at the issues from the top down,” shared Laura Howard, Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families. “Our teams, which are comprised of community partners, educational institutions, and DCF staff and leaders will learn up as we experiment with small and large approaches to recruiting and retaining child welfare workers.”
Kansas is represented with two teams focusing on the Northwest and Northeast regions of the state, which includes 41 Kansas counties and the cities of Colby, Hays, Salina, Manhattan, Hiawatha and Topeka. The teams include new and veteran DCF staff in leadership, child protection and human resource roles, and partners such as Saint Francis Ministries and Fort Hays State University.
“Staff at all levels want to be part of the solution to improve workforce recruitment and retention,” said Deanne Dinkel, DCF’s director of safety and thriving families and performance improvement. “This Breakthrough Series will provide this opportunity for staff to engage, learn, and be a part of the solution.”
The Collaborative requires the teams to meet monthly to discuss the test strategies they have and are planning to implement, while collecting data to track progress and share with other states and counties involved in the program.
The teams are focused on five domains in the Collaborative’s Change Framework. They are Mattering at Work, Opportunity for Growth, Community & Connection, Protection from Harm, and Work-Life Harmony. The Kansas teams are first looking at Protection from Harm and believes that progress made in this domain will impact the Work-Life Harmony domain.
“One approach we are taking in Protection from Harm is expanding our emergency contacts list,” shared Caroline Hastings, Northeast Kansas regional director and Northeast team manager. “We will begin to offer family members/emergency contacts of our child protection employees with supervisor’s work contact information.
“So, if a worker is late, their family member has someone to contact if they cannot reach their loved one,” she continued.
Other areas of exploration within Protection from Harm involves engagement with Fort Hays State University and Saint Francis Ministries in a more holistic approach to preparing students and staff for the work.
“We have begun educating our staff on secondary traumatic stress and tactics to deal with this,” explained Pamela Beach, Northwest Kansas regional director and Northwest team manager. “Although our agency has improved immensely in areas of communication, transparency, and being culturally responsive, we continue search for effective ways to support staff and buffer burnout as well as provide immediate in-house supports for trauma and therapeutic processes.”
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85th Session of American Legion Boys State of Kansas Set for June 4-10 in Manhattan
85th Session of American Legion Boys State of Kansas Set for June 4-10 in Manhattan
May 22, 2023 — High school students from across the State of Kansas will participate in the 2023 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, Sunday, June 4, through Saturday, June 10, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 31st consecutive session at KSU and 85th overall.
The Kansas Boys State program includes students who have just completed their junior year of high school (will be seniors in the fall) and sophomore year of high school (will be juniors in the fall).
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
Among the major events during the week (the below events are open to the public unless noted; members of the media are invited to attend all events):
Sunday, June 4
- Delegate check-in, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Goodnow Hall
This event is not open to the public.
- Opening ceremonies, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., McCain Auditorium
o Keynote speaker: Kendall Gammon, 15-year NFL veteran with the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers. Considered the best long-snapper in the NFL, Gammon, a 1987 graduate of Rose Hill (Kan.) High School and 1991 graduate of Pittsburg (Kan.) State University, was a member of Pitt State’s 1991 NCAA Division II national championship team. He also played in Super Bowl 30 and in the 2005 Pro Bowl. Gammon talk will draw on personal life challenges with a message threaded with vulnerability and authentic stories to inspire attendees to use emotional strength to embrace change, build strong relationships and positively impact growth and success.
Media note: Starting at approximately 2 p.m., the KBS delegates will walk
from Wefald Hall to McCain Auditorium – great photo/video opportunity.
Monday, June 5
- Swearing in of Kansas Boys State mayors, 7 p.m., Kansas Boys State Assembly Area (Goodnow Hall/Marlatt Hall parking lot [between buildings on Claflin Road]).
- Party caucuses, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Federalist Party, Fiedler Hall, Room 1107; Nationalist Party, Rathbone Hall, Room 1073 (each party will select their candidates for the six state offices and formulate their party platforms.)
This event is not open to the public.
Tuesday, June 6
- Kansas Boys State governor candidates’ debate, 1 to 2 p.m., McCain Auditorium
- Announcement of Kansas Boys State general election winners for state offices and swearing in ceremony, 7 p.m., KBS Assembly Area.
Wednesday, June 8
- Flag retirement ceremony, 7:30 p.m., World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium. The event is an observance of the proper respect for the American flag and how unserviceable flags are properly disposed. The honor guard from American Legion Pearce-Keller Post No.17 in Manhattan will present the ceremony. Dr. John Lindholm, a 1949 KSU graduate who provided the dog tags as a model for the “Tags of Honor” sculpture at the Memorial, was a longtime Kansas Boys State staff member as a Legionnaire advisor before passing away in January 2020.
Media note: This event is a great photo/video opportunity.
- Evening ceremonies, 8 p.m., McCain Auditorium.
o 2023 Kansas Boys State governor’s inaugural address.
o Address by Jeremy Ehart, Hutchinson, Kan., American Legion Department of Kansas commander, and introduction of Kansas American Legion dignitaries
Watch and read Ehart’s cover story from the February 2017 issue of The American Legion magazine.
o Kansas Boys State band, chorus and talent show.
Friday, June 9
- Announcement of delegates who will represent Kansas Boys State as senators at Boys Nation in July, 8:30 a.m., KBS Assembly Area.
Saturday, June 10
- Closing ceremonies, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., McCain Auditorium
o Announcement of Kansas Boys State outstanding citizens, Kansas Boys State Samsung American Legion Scholarship winner and various awards, including Advisor of the Year, Counselor of the Year, New Counselor of the Year, William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, Outstanding Senator Award and Outstanding State Representative Award.
- Final State Assembly/Final Flag Lowering, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m., KBS Assembly Area
In addition to the above events, the public is invited to view the daily morning assembly/flag raising at 8:30 a.m. (8:45 a.m. on Saturday) and evening retreat/flag lowering at 7 p.m. (6:50 p.m. on Monday). For those who cannot attend these events, Boys State of Kansas will provide updates during the week on its Facebook page, facebook.com/KansasBoysState.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
Opioid Prevention Education
DCCA is dedicated to supporting efforts to educate young people about the importance of medication safety and using skills to refuse invitations to misuse opioids.
DCCCA is offering $500 mini grant opportunities for youth serving community organizations willing to provide opioid prevention messages and activities for groups of elementary, middle and/or high school youth. This would be a great summertime activity opportunity!!
Opioid prevention curriculum is available and easily tailored to your community needs. For more information about the mini grant opportunity and contact Crystal Dalmasso [email protected]
Prepare For Severe Weather With Simple Natural Gas Safety Tips
Prepare For Severe Weather With Simple Natural Gas Safety Tips
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 11, 2023 – May is the month in Kansas when the state typically sees its most severe weather, including tornadoes. Kansas Gas Service wants to remind all customers to keep safety in mind before and after a storm.
“Taking steps to protect your natural gas meter is often an afterthought, but it’s important to keep in mind for the safety of yourself and your community, especially during severe weather season,” said Sean Postlethwait, vice president of operations for Kansas Gas Service. “Preparedness is key, and we encourage our customers to join us in taking a few simple steps to plan for any storm.”
Here are some helpful steps to take in preparation for severe weather:
- Check around your natural gas meter and remove any objects that could be blown into the meter by strong winds or pushed into the meter by heavy rain and flooding.
- Remove any branches or other objects above the meter that could fall onto and damage the meter.
Safety should always be a priority, even after severe weather. Here are some important things to remember once the storm passes.
- If you smell natural gas, usually described as a “rotten egg” odor, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950. Be sure not to operate any electrical appliances, including light switches.
- If you don’t smell natural gas, still do a maintenance check around your home by checking all gas appliances for damage and chimneys and flues for any fallen objects.
- If you need to remove any fallen tree limbs or uncovered debris, contact 811 to locate underground natural gas pipelines and other utility lines if this requires digging.
- If your natural gas meter was turned off or your service was interrupted during the storm, call the Kansas Gas Service customer service line at 800-794-4780 to restore your service. DO NOT attemptto turn your natural gas meter back on.
Customers can visit KansasGasService.com/safety for year-round safety tips.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 645,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation holds Fundraiser
A crowd of 160 people attended the 2023 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on Tuesday, April 18th. For 2023, the Foundation decided to revamp our annual fundraiser. The evening’s theme was a BBq, a Boardwalk BBq. The event was held at Central Park Pavilion in Chanute and began at 6 pm. Approximately $14,000 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent and live auctions.
Attendees were treated to a delicious BBq meal of pulled pork, pulled chicken, potato salad, baked beans, green beans, and Hawaiian roll furnished by Horizons at Prairie Ridge in Erie, KS. Dessert was delicious cupcakes provided by Jennifer Brown Sanchez. Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal. Door prizes were courtesy of Tri-Valley’s Fort Scott Greenhouse and Jennifer Dietsch.
As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening. For 2023, we had two new items courtesy of Monarch Cement Company; a 7-night stay at Kissimmee, FL and a 3-night stay at a B & B in Arkansas. Monarch was also kind enough to once again donate Wichita Thunder Hockey Tickets and use of Monarch’s 12-person suite at INTRUST Bank Arena. Other items auctioned off include: a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison; a Men’s Fur Coat, and a wooden bench.
All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired six additional homes and a duplex. The houses are located in our communities of Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha. These houses are home to sixty-four of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services. The Foundation is excited to announce that they have purchased two new properties in 2023.
“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2024.”
A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors. Promenade Level: Steve Faulkner Ford, Monarch Cement Company, and David & Beth Toland
Colonnade Level: Community National Bank, Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Home Savings Bank, IMA, and Pete’s of Erie.
Esplandae Level: Ash Grove, A. Lusker Masonry, LLC, Community National Bank – Eureka, Gates Corporation, Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, CPA, and Neosho County Community College.
Arcade Level: Hi-Lo Industries; and Cheney Witt Chapel.
Special thanks go to Dave Petersen who served as Emcee; Larry Holman for photography; and John Graham for sound and lighting.