Employee honored
Registered Nurse Anna Symmonds was awarded the Newman Regional Health 2008 Employee of the Year. Symmonds, who works in the post anesthesia care unit, also known as the recovery room, in the surgery department, has worked at Newman for 33 years. She graduated as a registered nurse from the Newman School of Nursing.
She was selected from a field of nominations for her outstanding service and dedication to the hospital. During the award presentation, Symmonds was recognized for her commitment and loyalty to Newman Regional Health and support for her department, co-workers, and patients. Ribbon cutting
The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau has planned a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Emporia Granada Theatre at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the newly renovated building at 807 Commercial St.
A grand opening gala will be held that evening for major donors.
The Granada, which opened on Oct. 3, 1929, just before the stock market crash, was built at a cost of $350,000, according to a chamber news release. Its 1,400-seat capacity made it one of the largest movie theaters in Kansas. The theater was dedicated by William Allen White.
The renovated version of the theater, completed at a cost of about $3,000,000, features an 800-seat capacity. It is expected to be used as a regional entertainment center, with tourism, arts, business, education and amusement events anticipated to be part of its offerings.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats, brought in by the Emporia Arts Council on Oct. 9, will be the first public event held at the theater.
Kelly Hunt and the DeWayn Brothers will perform on Oct. 10 and Harvest Fest with Emporia Main Street will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11.
To reserve the theater, call 342-3342 or go to www.emporiagranada.com on the Web.
Annual social
The Human Resource — Professional Association of Greater Emporia (HR-PAGE) will hold its annual social and membership drive from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Emporia Country Club.
The organization provides guidance, education and camaraderie to individuals within the profession at manufacturing, business, community services and education offices throughout the area, according to information from the group.
Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Reservations are needed by Oct. 5. and can be made by calling Coralie Shireman, 342-9202, extension 203, or e-mailing her at cshireman@norfolkiron.com.
The event is sponsored by Detroit Diesel, TFI Family Services, Hopkins Manufacturing, and Flint Hills Technical College.
Moran honored
Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran was named a Guardian of Small Business by The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business association, for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 110th Congress.
NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer praised Rep. Moran for “standing for small business.” In presenting the group’s coveted Guardian of Small Business award, Stottlemyer said, “Small business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses and employees and stand by those who stand for them.”