Each Friday, The Gazette salutes those who make Emporia and the surrounding area a better place to live and work. Give these folks a pat on the back ...
THE FLINT HILLS Community Health Center, which will be expanding oral health services because of a $576,574 grant its dental clinic received from the state.
• Jeremy Slater, who recently sold his first screenplay, “Pet,” to MGM and has recently been able to become a full-time screenwriter. Slater is a former Emporian who now lives in Southern California.
• The Trusler Foundation, which gave $300,000 for a new Emporia Arts Center. So far, $1,730,000 has been raised, about two-thirds of the $2.6 million needed.
• The Save the Pool Committee, which raised $3,000 in last weekend’s fund-raiser for the Americus swimming pool. The committee still needs $15,000 to reach its $20,000 goal.
• Jacob Davies, Brandon Childs and Asher Delmott of the Emporia Track Club, who competed this week at the United States Track and Field National Junior Olympics in Walnut, Calif.
• The Emporia Legion A-15s, who refused to say die in their final game of the season last weekend. Down 9-1 against Olathe East, the team rallied back to 9-7 and only a stellar defensive play kept the A-15s from tying it up. You had ‘em worried, guys — nice job.
• Organizers of and participants in the Lyon County Free Fair, which hits its stride this weekend. If you haven’t been out to the fairgrounds yet, what are you waiting for?
• All the local Harry Potter fans for keeping the secrets of the “Deathly Hallows” — and for reminding everyone for seven years that reading can be pretty cool.
• Everyone who has taken part in the three meetings on the city budget that have been held so far. A fourth is planned, so make sure your voice keeps getting heard.