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 ...
EVERYBODY who was responsible for the Lyon County Free Fair — planners, organizers,
4-H’ers, judges and volunteers. From the animal pens to the carnival midway, our county fair is a great county fair!
• Emporia State University theater alum John Henningsen, who is spreading the word about the high quality of the program at ESU by his good work at the Salina Community Theatre.
• Flint Hills cowboy Walt Rathke, who is still riding the roundup at age 90.
• Duane Dreiling, executive director of the United Way of the Flint Hills, who will be leaving that job and moving to Joplin, Mo., once the family home is sold. Dreiling has done a fine job for the United Way, its agencies and the Flint Hills community.
• The Emporia Arts Council, which is charging ahead with its plans for a new council building next door to the Granada Theatre. The new building will give the council and its educational programs the space and equipment they need to bloom like a rose.
• Emporian Alex Allen, who used the party for her 16th birthday to collect supplies for the animals at the Emporia Animal Shelter.
• Chase County residents Marty and Jim Tadtman, who bought and reopened Jim Bell & Son, the landmark store in Cottonwood Falls. The Tadtmans are taking the store back to its Flint Hills roots, with a few new twists thrown in.
• The Lyon County Commission, for taking the bull by the horns and proposing a 1-percent countywide sales tax to reduce property taxes and ease the budget strain on Emporia and the other cities in the county. And, while we’re at it, a pat for the voters who approved the tax.
• Speaking of the election, a special pat on the back for all the people who put themselves forward as candidates for office. That includes the people — Republicans and Democrats — who volunteered to run for precinct committee positions.
• Former Emporia High School basketball standouts Caydrick Bloomquist and Sadie Webb, who were chosen to play in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association all-star games in Topeka. Webb, who played for the winning South team, scored 13 points. Bloomquist, playing for the boys North team, which also won, scored two points.
• This is National Farmers Market Week, which makes it a good time to recognize the Emporia Farmers Market, its organizers and all the folks who keep it supplied with fresh produce, baked goods and homemade goods.
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