Dear Chamber Supporters:
I’m writing to you from O.K.lahoma! The Miller clan (my immediate family) decided to all come together and rent a home for a few days down by the river. We could’ve all stayed in a “van down by the river”, but we opted for the house instead. We all arrived yesterday and got settled in, you can see us all here. This is the first family vacation we’ve had all eight of us (Stephen and Makayla make it 8). We’ll see by Monday if this will be our last trip with all eight of us… so far so good!
Braves Classic
A week ago today I was able to attend Ottawa University’s Braves Classic, the annual golf tournament benefiting our local university. Janet Peters, Vice President for University Advancement and her team do a great job of putting together events for former OU students and local businesspeople alike throughout the year (here is a picture of her team). This tournament is just one of the regular events advancing OU’s mission. Though it was a rather warm day out but it didn’t stop OU alum and business leaders from participating in the tournament… over a hundred golfers gathered to face off for some bragging rights and a trophy. First place in the first flight was Ottawa’s Victory Dodge owner Kallan LaForge and his crew (picture of the champs here). Here are a couple of other familiar faces on the fairway!
City Special Announcement
The City of Ottawa invited the public out Tuesday morning for a special announcement on the south side of Kanza Park. Melissa Reed, City Clerk shared with the crowd in attendance of the good news... the City’s new state-of-the-art outdoor fitness court opening to our citizens (pictures at the announcement here). Though there are some pieces left to install, this modern exercise pad will end up looking like this. This equipment may look more like a modern art exhibit than a gym… but with the use of The Fitness Court App, you can be assisted with the different movements each piece brings, along with a full workout provided based on your desires. You can download the app here or by scanning the QR code at the court once finished.
This new space was made possible by a couple of grant programs and several local businesses’ support. The first grant was by the National Fitness Campaign (the company that builds these outdoor parks) and state sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield. We are one of 500 or so communities nationwide that have been chosen for this campaign as of now. NFC has hopes of reaching 1,000 cities by 2024. The City of Ottawa was also awarded the T-Mobile Hometown Grant, only one of 24 cities across the US to be named… what an honor! Ottawa was awarded $50,000 as a recipient. Both of these grants paired with help from this list of sponsors will bring this project to completion. I am so pleased with our communities’ desire to create and maintain places for parks and recreation. This is a great use of space with high visibility and easy access to our trail system, way to go Ottawa!
Wandermore Kansas
I was able to grab lunch with Seth Varner this Tuesday while he was making his way through town. Seth is the founder and operator of Wandermore Publishing, a company that shares the stories and history of communities like ours. He started this business and his journey at the start of the pandemic, he and a friend decided they were going to visit every incorporated city in their home state of Nebraska. It didn’t take long to find there were others interested in his travels, so he decided to share his stops on social media and then compile this information and the pictures he takes into a book… 30,000 followers later and a book published, he felt like he couldn’t just stop there. He has since traveled to every city in Iowa and South Dakota as well! This year he is tackling Kansas’ 627 cities (you can view Ottawa’s post here). He mentioned that he appreciates when people add history or memories on the photos he publishes, or tags the businesses shown. Feel free to comment on any or all pictures published!
I was able to catch him as he was passing through and sit down for lunch to hear more about his story. I am highly impressed with his efficiency and work ethic. He currently still lives in Nebraska, having only recently graduated from college. To visit as many cities as he can on each trip, he jam-packs each stop and can often get to three or four cities in one day if he works from sun up to sun down. He often takes hundreds of photos while in each city, but Facebook only allows one hundred in each post, so oftentimes many don’t get featured on social media. He did say that the published book will have a link to all the photos he takes in each community, one more reason to snag a copy upon completion. Having visited thousands of cities in the Midwest I asked him how Ottawa stands up… he mentioned he was quite impressed. Having come from a smaller town, he says the environment makes him feel at home and the people are equally as homey. He loved our architecture and mentioned that college towns always have neat histories tied into the town, ours following suit. He said he has stayed in Ottawa overnight several times given our proximity to 35 Hwy, and said it won't be his last. It's always great to hear that we are good hosts. I look forward to reading about all that Kansas towns have to offer as he finishes his travels, onward Seth!
Leadership Franklin County
Last call for Leadership Franklin County applications for the 23/24 program! Applications can be found here and must be submitted by 11:59pm tonight. Once this period is completed the LFC board will get together to make the decisions on the upcoming class. As someone who has attended, I cannot say enough good things about what this does for the students who attend. As a result, the company sponsors receive a more in-tune and leadership-ready employee as well. Don’t wait as time is almost up!
Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance
It’s that time once again! Starting July 1 and moving through August 18th, you and your business can file for a health insurance quote from Blue Cross and Blue Shield through your Chamber. This large group association health plan has been utilized by half a dozen or so Chamber member businesses in 2023. Our office is included in those numbers as Sherri and I currently use this program... we both only have good things to say about the service we’ve experienced. Outside of Franklin County, there are forty-four Chambers and 2,700 individuals with plans that currently make up our group. These numbers help give us “buying power” to help keep down costs. Our hope is as this group grows each year, we continue to see these steady rates more and more. If you’re looking for more info you can do so here at our website. If you would like to go ahead and send in your information to get surveyed, you can click this here and scroll down slightly to tell them about your business. We hope this continues to offer options to businesses either big or small in our community. As I’ve said before, you do have to submit your info in this open period to see any rates, but you are not obligated to accept anything by completing these first steps. Let me know if you have any questions about the process or the insurance in general, we’d hate for you to miss out!
The Willow Domestic Violence Center
This morning we had a Chamber Coffee for The Willow Domestic Violence Center. Because the Willow does not have a physical location here in town, Enso Self Defense hosted Chamber members in their dojo (pictures here). The Willow focuses on building safer communities in the towns they serve in. This includes shelters, services and support to survivors of or those currently experiencing domestic violence and human trafficking. Gabby Neal, Program Coordinator here in Franklin County and Delano Thomas, Director of Community Services shared with those in attendance that the cases of domestic violence they see are not only physical, but can be sexual, emotional, spiritual, financial, and legal as well (sometimes a combination of these). Along with sheltering those in need, there are also transitional programs where these individuals can find employment, transportation, and short/medium-term housing. Gabby shared that the preventative components of The Willow are equally as important, whether it’s professional training or community presentations, they want our community to be aware of the signs of domestic abuse and trafficking. To talk with an advocate on their 24-hour hotline, call 785-843-333. Thank you to The Willow for educating us, and protecting the men, women, and children in our communities. We are more whole because of what you do!
Don’t forget that the Chautauqua Festival fireworks show will be Tuesday (7/4) at dusk! Have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend and see you soon (hopefully with all your fingers attached).
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
