Dear Chamber Supporters:
This short week has me a little off on my days, feels a little more like a Thursday than a Friday. Makayla and I used our extra 24 hours off Monday by spending time with her family up in Topeka, lots of sun and fun (and loads of good food!). The truncated workweek always presents a unique set of challenges, having to accomplish what would typically take five days in just four. A short week also presents a shorter than normal newsletter this afternoon… here’s the update since last Friday.
Farm Bureau Member Appreciation Day
Farm Bureau members were all invited out to the postponed Member Appreciation Day last Friday at their offices off West 17th Street (pictures here). It was supposed to take place on the 19th, but the rainy drizzle would have made the outdoor event impossible. The postponement panned out because the 26th was a beautiful day for the celebration. Makayla and I stopped to check out the festivities and visit with our Farm Bureau friends. The party was a huge success, Kelly Neufeld was on the grill, there was a petting zoo, pedal bikes, carnival games, and photo opportunities with tractors and an antique car. Thanks to Farm Bureau for recognizing our local farmers and the vital role they play in shaping our agricultural communities, nurturing the lands that sustain us all. These farmers and ranchers are the backbone of Franklin County, ensuring that the fields bloom, the herds thrive, and the harvests flourish. Farm Bureau’s banners around town share this message. Thank you farmers!
Special Olympics Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an annual event that originally started down in Wichita in 1981 and is now a worldwide movement each year. The Flame of Hope (the lit torch) travels from all corners of the state throughout the month of May to the State Summer Games in Wichita. Officers from different law enforcement agencies across Kansas escort the Flame of Hope on assigned legs throughout their local communities. Here in Ottawa, the torch gets brought to Kalmar first on the north side of town. Kalmar is one of the largest supporters of the event, donating $10,000 to Special Olympics (big check pictured here)! Then the flame was carried by clients of COF and chaperoned by Ottawa Police, Franklin County Sherriff, and Ottawa Fire Department as the flame made its way through town (pictures here). Though slightly delayed by rain, the flame couldn’t be stopped as it continued on down to Club Car Wash where some of our local officers, along with some of Emporia Police/Lyon County Sheriff’s helped bike it to Emporia Kansas (picture of our biking police officers here). Ottawa Police confirmed that the torch did arrive safely that same day, slowly making its way to the State Summer Games in Wichita.
The Flame of Hope isn’t the only thing going to the State Summer Games. Just a couple of hours ago COF sent off their team to participate in the games (pictures of the sendoff here). Before the caravan left I was able to chat with Stacy, one of the competitors headed to the tournament. She shared she will be competing in the softball throw, 100m walk, and 200m walk. She mentioned her favorite is the softball throw... I can't wait to hear how it all goes. Good luck to you all, we’re so proud!
OHS Wall of Honor
The OHS Wall of Honor is getting four names bigger this coming fall as the 2023 inductees have been announced (picture of inductees here). This includes Al Keefer, longtime educator in the community who graduated in 1948. Mike Skidmore, former banker at Goppert State Service Bank and currently Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Ottawa, graduated in 1974. Derek Chappell, aka the man with the golden voice, is part of your local radio team at KOFO. Derek graduated in the class of '83. Last but not least, Ryan Henningsen, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones here in Ottawa graduated in 1997. The inductees will be honored at a banquet in the new OHS Performing Arts Center, where the Wall is located. Then formally inducted at the OHS home football game on September 15, 2023, which the public is invited to attend. With this class, the OHS Wall of Honor will contain a total of 85 inductees. This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an Ottawa High graduate, so if you run into any of these four make sure to congratulate them, as well as mark your calendar for the induction on the 15th. Congratulations to our Wall of Honor inductees for the class of 2023!
GFI Digital Coffee
One of our newer Chamber members is GFI Digital, the Kansas City based full-service provider of office technology. From multi-function printers to IT solutions, GFI does what it takes to make and keep technology simple for your business. Local rep Andrew Degreeff hosted members at Corner Market to learn more about him, GFI, and how to get started (pictures here). After Andrew assesses the technology situation for your business, he then gives educated advice on ways to save money on office functions like printing and copying. After you get set up with GFI, the service doesn’t end there. Andrew says what sets them apart is the help and support that follows installation, customers receive real assistance from a human when challenges arise. Another fun way they work to build their relationship with their clients is through a partnership with Sporting Kansas City. The current promotion they are running is new customers who rent/lease a printer with them are invited to join the GFI team at a match for a home game (flyer here). If you are interested in learning more about Andrew and GFI, give him a call or shoot him an email and I know he’d be happy to meet you.
Travels
My brother-in-law is in town for the weekend as he is moving cross-country from Florida to California. Makayla and I are looking forward to soaking up as much time with him as we can before he continues his trek. He is not the only one traveling as Sherri is on her way to Colorado and then Canada as they will be cruising up there for a week or two and won’t be back in the office until June 19th. If you plan to stop by you might give us a call first, 785-242-1000. I will be having some help in the office with some volunteers, which is a real lifesaver in keeping the doors open throughout the next two weeks. Sherri and I are so grateful for the support we receive, thank you for what you do to make our community so amazing!
Talk to you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
