The Smoke Signal Classifieds

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Daily Union | The Home Guide | Fox43 KTMJ Topeka

9:47:58 PM
Central

N E W S

Raney Pest Control's New Employee Has A Nose for the Job

But, sometimes that means a four-footed “employee” who’s hard at work on a daily basis -- like Sox.
Sox is a three-year-old border collie, who happens to be a trained termite dog newly “hired” by Raney Pest Control of Wamego. Termite detection takes advantage of a canine’s natural smelling ability in a manner similar to dogs trained to locate narcotics and explosives.
I’ve been aware of these dogs for several years,” said Rick Linnemann, president of Raney. “I got curious so started looking into how it worked. I spent quite a bit of time on the phone talking to other companies that have them. I was surprised to find that you just couldn’t go out and buy a dog to go find termites. I had to be trained to work with the dog.”
That is one of the roles of David Latimer. He is the master trainer who operates the FSI (Forensic and Scientific Investigations) K9 Academy in Vincent, Ala. Sox is a “graduate” of FSI and, additionally, has a year’s worth of on-the-job experience.
While Sox happens to be a border collie, Latimer says he trains many different breeds and gets most of them from local animal shelters.
“We look for dogs that are real outgoing and easy mannered,” he said. “We don’t want them aggressive, and they should socialize easily. They should also be work oriented.”
He said that border collies are, however, one of his more favorite breeds to work with. “I’ve trained them in arson, bombs and weapons,” he said. “They are eager to please and want to work for their handler.”
A termite dog’s training starts when they are close to a year old. “We’ve trained about 50 to 60 dogs,” Latimer says. “Occasionally one fails, and we find a home for it but most pass.”
So far, he has a 100 percent pass rate for the handlers.
“The people who come here really care about what they are doing,” he said. “If they spend that kind of money, it is a big motivator.”
“That training was one of the most enlightening thing about the school,” said Linnemann. “The key is making the connection with the dog. The won’t just work for anybody, there has to be a rapport with the trainer.”
Linnemann added that getting that rapport with Sox was a bit difficult, since she had left a “position” with a company that was no longer doing pest control and returned to the school.
“I got frustrated for a while, but it worked out,” he said.
Sox arrived in Wamego on Dec. 12, soon after her third birthday, and was immediately put to work.
According to Linnemann, her job description includes being a superior method of finding termites -- in both residential and commercial buildings, promoting new business, providing extended service to existing clients, being a trouble shooter and public relations.
Keeping her skills up is important, but her work is her training.
“She doesn’t eat unless she finds termites,” Linnemann explained. “But that isn’t as cruel as it sounds. On days off, we have a little training exercise. Her rewards are food and acceptance, but mostly acceptance. She tries hard to please, she just really wants to make me happy.”
And she does.
Sox represents a significant investment in time and finances for the firm, but so far, Linnemann is very pleased with the results.
“She has been out and on several occasions found termites that I would not have found with my capabilities, and I’ve been doing this for 25 years,” he said.

Raney Pest Control's New Employee Has A Nose for the Job

Pott County Commission Looks At Pawnee

“We also looked at a number of issues we faced with the SRS audit and regulatory comments on how we were operating,” he said. “We put things in place to hit all the proper regulations and are doing everything appropriately.”
He gave the commission some figures concerning Pottawatomie County specifically.
The figures showed that 11,302 hours were provided to the county at an averaged cost of $281,657 in the year 2000. In 2001, 22,681 hours were listed for an averaged total of $480,928.
He told the commission that Pawnee was not asking for new money -- yet.
“But the state budget is in trouble and there is a recent Senate bill looking at a two percent budget cut for mental health centers,” he said. “SRS is looking at ways to do that. They are looking at holding fourth quarter grant money from Mental Health Centers. That means about $700,000. If that happens, we’ll have to look seriously at how services are performed.
“Keep that in the back of your mind,” he said. “It will impact us and certainly impact other agencies.”
In other business:
• The commission approved $400 for the Rock Creek High School after prom party.
• The commission signed the contract with Tim Hough for the emergency management position.
• Terry Rewerts, county appraiser, told the commission the final review was finished.
• Wally Becker, county appointee to the Area Agency on Aging reported on agency activities and thanked the county for the donation to the Robert Woods Foundation.

St. George Choir to Perform at KMEA Conference in Wichita

“We are one of four elementary groups selected to sing at the conference,” said Janet Armstead, director and music teacher at the school.
In order to be selected for the honor, the choir had to submit an audition tape. Selections were made by a member of the staff of KMEA.
“I didn’t think we had made it,” said Armstead. “They released the results so late, when the letter finally got here, I didn’t open if for two days because I thought it said ‘no thanks’.
“The kids are really, really excited about it,” she continued. “They will be performing in front of 300 music teachers and they have worked very hard for it. We’ve even had guest instructors, including Richard Philbrook and Chris Day.”
An added bonus for the group -- the school’s principal Debra Edwards also has a music degree and is the piano accompanist. Day will also provide accompaniment on the recorder.
The Honor Choir has 20 minutes to perform, according to Armstead. They have four numbers planned, two with choreography. A special treat is a six song English folksong medley including The Keel Row, Widecombe Fair, Cockles and Mussels, and My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean composed by Ian Coleman. Coleman, a native of Great Britain and a teacher and composer at Manhattan Christian College, has also visited with the group as a guest instructor. Dana Elliott is a featured soloist in Cockles and Mussels.
The other numbers are Sail Away on a Song, Kum Ba Ya, and This Is Our Land/You’re a Grand Old Flag. Kum Ba Ya, features chimes from the Kansas AGEHR Handchime project played by Mindy Hodges, Heather Stubbs and Brian Sixbury.
The St. George Honor Choir is made of the following fourth, fifth- and sixth-graders. It is an auditioned extra-curricular activity at the school and it meets once a week for 45 minutes.
It’s members are: Sixth Grade -- Regan Baker, Sara Danis, Jonathan Deppe, Brittany Flesher, Alicia Hodges, Mindy Hodges, Matt Mundell, Taina Pirozi, Tiffany Prim, Kolbi Redding, Heather Stubbs, Doc Treadwell and Alexa Ukena.
Fifth Grade -- Nikki Clayton, Cedar Edwards, Dana Elliott, Ashley Garetson, Ariel Gruber, Sabrina Martin, Jennie Parker, Elizabeth Pitts, Brian Sixbury, Courtney Stillwagon, Melinda Stinnett and Syndy Tilton.
Fourth Grade -- Hanna Cockerill, Kayla Corby, Lauren Crider, Tyler Gardner, Chris Hartwich, Jared Hawkins, Sara Liming, Dawn Nowakowski, Lucas Swoyer, Alex Tilton, and Dakota Webber.

Programs Involve Community at Central Elementary

And Stroh puts that research to good use in her school with a variety of programs involving parents and community members.
“I think it's important in two ways,” she said. “One is for the kids. It lets them know that not just parents and teachers care about them, but the whole community cares. It lets them know that a lot of people believe in what they can do. And, that's so important. Also, with all the help the teachers can spend more time with the students.”
The second benefit is for the volunteers, Stroh said.
“It is good for the community,” she said. “The faces of the people that come in here are so joyful. Teaching kids is just plain fun. And they discover that schools are good places to be, not scary places like they show on CNN. Being here shows community members what the kids and the teachers can do.”
Central Elementary School has two major programs for volunteers - Grand Pals and Room Parents.
“Grand Pals are one-on-one mentors,” Stroh explained. “We started out with about 15 people from the Methodist church and have grown to include more and more. Most of the original Grand Pals were women and former teachers, now we have seven men who volunteer too. They are all just the most wonderful people.”
The Grand Pals work with at-risk kids for a half-hour per week. But, Stroh said that most of the Grand Pals have two or three kids and come several times a week.
In addition to helping the kids, the program helps the Grand Pals too.
“I can think of two, who are very special. Bill Owens is one,” Stroh said. “He said he'd try it ... once. Now he is in the building all the time. He started with a second-grader and still mentors him at West. Bill has made a huge, huge difference.
“Another person is Carol Thistlewaite,” Stroh continued. “She lives in St. George and heard about our program. She called St. George Elementary to volunteer last year, but they didn't have a program. So, she came to us. She was just marvelous, the kids loved her and she said it gave her a reason to get out.”
Thistlewaite so enjoyed the experience last year, she signed on as a para-educator with the Special Services Co-Op this year.
“Now she works with special needs kids around the area,” said Stroh. “And she would never have done it without our Grand Pals.”
The Room Parents are also very special to Central Elementary School.
“They are mostly our moms and dads,” said Stroh. “Every class has at least one, but some have as many as four. The room parents do a lot of things. They make copies, they help kids, they cut out things. They function more like aides, and I really can't imagine how we would manage without them.”
Those two programs are on-going, but they are not the only ways in which Stroh welcomes the community into her school.
As students study special areas, she and her teachers find community members to come in and share their special areas of expertise.
A recent program had the kindergartners “visiting” the seven continents of the world. Several community members helped the students visualize their studies.
“Mable Goehring came in and showed slides of Russia, some K-State students were here and the kids visited the Remsing house,” Stroh said.
The Remsing visit allowed the children to see a large collection of North American animals from wolves to wolverines.
“Most of the animals my husband hunted over the past 25 years in Alaska,” said Mary Remsing. “It's really been fun having all the kids come in every year. I like helping out.”
Another program involved science.
“One of the favorites is to have Ron Dickey of Bluestem Electric Cooperative come in,” said Stroh.
“He teaches the first-graders about electricity - how useful it is and how dangerous.
“In fact, on Friday we culminated a science activity where different people came into the school and dressed as famous scientists.”
One of those volunteers was Renzie Poe, a Wamego High School senior.
“He came in and played the role of the first black doctor,” Stroh explained. “He wore scrubs, carried a stethoscope, and talked about ‘his' experiences.”
Parents also have special occasions at Central. On Thursday night, they came for Read Across America.
“Parents, grandparents and Grand Pals all came, spread blankets out on the floor and read to the kids,” said Stroh. The event is held in connection with Dr. Seuss's birthday.
“I really like it,” said kindergartner Annelese Spence. “I like Dr. Seuss because he's funny. The Cat in the Hat is my favorite. I think I'm like the cat because he wears a funny hat and does silly things.”
Spence was enjoying the evening “because Mom gets to read to me.”
“Mom” is Darla Dreher, a teacher at Wamego High School. “I think they do an excellent job getting the parents and community involved,” she said. “Not just with this, but with kindergarten round-up, the birthday lunches, the parent helpers. There are just so many things we get invited to do.
“And, from a teacher standpoint, I certainly recognize the importance of adults, especially parents, in young people's lives. If you talk and do things with your children at this age, then you can talk with them when they are teenagers - I hope.”
The other way that volunteers help out around Central is exactly that - around the school. Stroh says that the site council has come several times over the year to keep the grounds cleaned up, mulching, landscaping and doing other odd things for the benefit of the children.
“I actually don't know how many volunteers we have,” she said. “We have a volunteer tea in May where about 25 to 30 people come, but I know not everyone can make it.
“The more the community and the parents are involved, the better the kids do,” she continued. “Some schools frown on it, they don't want to plan for the volunteers, they don't want people see what they are doing.
“But that is not the case here,” she concluded. “We embrace them.”

Pott Commissioners Hear Update on Industrial Parks

He was also requesting the possible change in the commission’s funding commitment.
“First I’d like to take a step back and review our strategy with the industrial parks,” he said.
“Wamego started in the late 80’s with the Wamego Economic Development organization. Then came this organization. In the early to mid 90’s, we became involved in St. Marys and Green Valley. Now, in the late 90’s we’ve put in the second phase of Green Valley and are ready to do Phase III of Wamego.”
“In the next 10 years, Westmoreland will be ready for their second phase and we’ll finish out Green Valley,” he continued. “By the end of five or six years, we should own and develop the industrial park in St. Marys. Then, after 2010, we’ll come back to Wamego.
“The reason for giving you this background, is to show what we’re doing in Wamego will hold for quite a while,” he said. “It’s important for the rest of the county to know that we don’t have a Wamego fetish.”
Tuley explained that Phase III in Wamego is being developed this summer. He also noted that because of business needs, Phase III is in the works before Phase II.
“But we are going to bid Phase II as a non-federal alternate just to see how the bids come out.”
He said there were four reasons for this:
1. To see how the bids come out, the construction documents are in place and the ground is platted and ready to go.
2. To test the notion of getting a better bid because it will be a larger project “and it will certainly be cheaper to do in 2002 than 2008 or 2010.”
3. He has two clients interested in buying lots in Phase II.
4. The city of Wamego wants connectivity between the new highway and the old highway. “That’s always been kind of a burr in their foot that we didn’t do that in the beginning.”
Tuley reminded the commissioners that they had committed up to $93,000 to the project, depending on how the bids came out, as had Wamego.
“The city has since had to budget for the full amount, so they have erased that language of ‘up to’,” he said. “So if the bids come in on Phase III with a $5,000 savings, they will put that to a Phase II commitment.”
Tuley asked the county commissioners to do the same, but they did not warm to the idea.
Commission chair Tom Doperalski was reluctant to do that, preferring to wait until the project bids were in.
“I’d like to wait,” he said. “there are some things with such a significant savings, we have to take them into account, but we’ve already been presented with one today. I’d like to wait and see the numbers. We can ‘significant savings’ ourselves right into bankruptcy if we’re not careful.”
Commissioner Richard Carlson wasn’t interested either.
“I’d be in favor of leaving ours the same because we contribute a significant sum annually to all the parks,” he said.
Commissioner Barb Kolde simply noted “You guys did this, I voted against it the last time.”
In other business:
• George Hough, emergency management director, gave a department update.
He announced that severe weather week was March 11 through 15, with testing on March 12. “If there is bad weather, it will be on March 14,” he said.
He also noted there were some problems with the way the county’s weather watcher program was handled.
“I was spoken to by a fire chief on the 24 corridor and he suggested it stinks,” Hough said. “Since I’m new, I’m not taking credit, but he’s actually right.
“A system was put into place several years ago, but no one knows it. I found the old maps, but things have changed.”
He said he will sit down and remap and renumber the entire county and get the information out the sheriff department, fire departments, weather watchers and the National Weather Service.
“With this new integration, if someone gets in trouble, we automatically know where they are and can get to them.”
He also updated the commission on the grant from the Weapons of Mass Destruction survey. He said all the counties got the same letter, indicating they did not know how to use the equipment they requested.
“It was a form letter,” he said. “Everyone is a dummy apparently. We don’t know what they’re doing, but they’re not speaking to the reality of things. We know how to use what we asked for.”
Hough said he would take a “wait and see” approach.
• Brian Smith, director of Pottawatomie County EMS, came to the commission requesting new heart monitors.
“We have an opportunity on a special price, and the cost savings is so significant I thought I’d come up,” he said. “It’s too good not to discuss it.”
The deal is for demo models “fully loaded” that would give the service much better 12 lead technology for less than half the price.
The commission agreed to consider the request. “But the question is, can we find the $20,000,” said Doperalski. “We’ll look for it and see whether we can squeeze it. I like the savings.”
• The commission approved stop signs and yield signs at the intersection of Louis Vieux Road and Oregon Trail Road.
• The commission approved a contract with Consortium Inc. to continue with pre-employment, random and post-accident drug testing of employees with CDL licenses.

21 WHS Students Tapped by National Honor Society

Those students will be inducted on April 16.
“National Honor Society is not an organization for the student who receives high grades,” said Wes Hanson, Wamego Chapter NHS president. “Making an ‘A’ is not enough if a student has not shown significant achievement in other phases of school and community life. NHS recognizes our outstanding students who have excelled in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
“There are a number of students in our school right now who exemplify these characteristics and who are representative of some of the very best that Wamego High School has to offer,” he continued. “Thirty-two of them sit before you know, and the faculty council has chosen 21 of your fellow students to become a part of this organization today.”
National Honor Society has four basic tenets -- scholarship, service, leadership, character. Students must qualify in each of these areas. The Chapter officers described these qualities:
• Scholarship -- a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, knowing the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind.
• Service -- many opportunities arise to help others. Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or recognition, is the quality sought for membership.
• Leadership -- striving to train and aid others to attain the same objective. The price of leadership is sacrifice, the willingness to yield one’s personal interests for the interest of others.
• Character -- the force within each individual which distinguishes that person from others. Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant action, striving daily to make the right choice.
The students tapped for NHS underwent a rigorous selection process. Sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 3.2 GPA or higher were invited to an informational meeting. They then filled out data forms, listing service projects, leadership positions, etc.
They then listed eight teachers from the previous semester and two activity sponsors who rated the applicants. The finished product went before a faculty review board. This year’s board was Darla Dreher, Pam Kluck, James Neff, Greg Webb and Jamie Boring.
“They did an excellent job with a very difficult task, and we thank them for their willingness in putting forth their valuable time and effort,” said Hanson.
Those faculty members were given the honor of introducing the new NHS members: Tyra Blew, Jeremy Danler, Theresa Hotard, Maggie Pugh, Andrea Wilkerson, Megan Brooks, Megan Dietrich, Amber Johnson, Abby Riblett, Loryn Clauson, Clinton Donkers, Weston Klein, Jessica Sievers, Frank Cole, Adam Hemphill, Cara Malone, Justin Tanner, Rodica Croitoru, Amy Hernandez, Curtis Odgers and Derek Wassom.
Aaron Sylvester introduced the choice for honorary member -- Janet Sylvester.
“The NHS handbook states that honorary membership is awarded to school officials, principals, teachers, NHS advisors or adults in recognition of outstanding service rendered to the school in keeping with the purpose of NHS,” he explained.
The ceremony ended with the new and old members reciting the National Society Pledge.

Bookend Society Raises $5,000 for New Library

The Bookend Society supports the library by raising community awareness of the library’s needs and by contributing funds and volunteer service to enhance library services and facilities.
This most recent round of fundraising activities included middle school dances, bake sales at auctions, selling tote bags and candy and, the design and construction of a quilt.
The quilt was the brainchild of Ella Mae Kimmel, who has made dozens of them, for family members and good causes.
“I thought that I couldn’t donate $1,000 to the library, but maybe I could help raise it,” she said.
According to Claudia Leeds, librarian, the quilt raised almost $2,000.
A group of six women -- Opal Kemnitz, Lorene Noll, Patsy Eckart, Janette Bandel, Betty Butler and Cindy Bisnette -- joined Kimmel in starting the quilt last February and it was done by April. It then started on a fundraising “tour” at the Tulip Festival, the auction, the home tour and at the library itself. Finally, at the climax of the home tour, Laura List won it.
The quilt pattern is known as Irish Chain. Bisnette provided the fabric, Kimmel sewed the quilt top together and the ladies were off and sewing. Kimmel estimates the project took between 80-100 hours to piece with an additional 300 hours to quilt.
Another popular fundraiser for the Bookend Society is the Middle School Dances.
“Cindy Blanchard, the president, had the idea for the dances,” said Devi Moore, treasurer. “She has kids that age.” She explained that the kids brought their own music, but the Bookend Society had pop and sold candy.
“They are a great idea,” Leeds commented. “There are not a lot of options in Wamego for kids that age.”
In addition to the dances and quilt, the Bookend Society helped with Lichtenhan Ace Hardware’s grand opening, signing up people for Ace Cards and selling food.
“The whole goal of the Bookend Society is to raise money to make a little bit of difference -- or maybe a significant difference,” said Moore.
The Bookend Society is always looking for new members. Individual memberships are $10; family memberships, $25; and lifetime memberships, $250. For more information on joining or helping with future fundraising activities, contact the Wamego Public Library at 785-456-9181.

New Wamego Computer Business Offers Wide Variety of Services

“In fact, we’ll do everything but build the building to put them in,” he quipped.
Cyber Systems, which officially opened at 1403 W. Highway 24 in Wamego on Dec. 8, offers everything from sales and service to network systems analysis.
They even make “house calls.”
“We moved here five years ago, and I’ve always wanted to start my own business,” said Martin. “I got tired of going to Manhattan for my computer stuff and so did my friends. The market in Wamego and the area was wide open. The time is right.”
Martin explained that the retail is just a part of the business.
“We also offer systems, web design and we are partners with area Internet providers and a graphics designer,” he explained. “We sell and service computers. We wire together networks. We conduct training sessions. There is nothing we can’t do.”
He also said that Cyber Systems was a partner with Novell, Hewlett Packard, AMD and an OEM provider for Microsoft.
His computers start at reasonable prices as well. A base system is under $1,000. In addition to desktops, Cyber Systems will be the only Wamego outlet for notebooks and computer components.
Oh yes, and Cyber Systems does house calls.
“We feel we are totally different from anyone in the area with the way we handle computer repair,” Martin said. “The customer has the option of bringing the computer into the shop, where there is a $30 set fee, or we will go to the computer for $35. We are insured to go to customers’ homes and businesses.”
Martin also offers set fees for many basic computer repairs and upgrades such as RAM upgrades, data transfer, motherboard replacement, or building a new system. “We charge just what it takes to do the job,” he said.
For networking issues and LAN development, Cyber System does on-site estimates.
Martin has brought in several systems analysts to Cyber Systems -- Cody Wassenberg, David Gladow and Ben Marrs. In addition, the company employs Keith Guy as a PC technician and Sara Martin as the office manager.
Garrett himself is a full-time network specialist, has instructed at Topeka Technical School, and is working on his doctorate degree in computer networking.
Cyber Systems is on the web at www.cybersystemshq.com.

Winter Storm Dumps Ice, Snow Throughout Area, Helps Wheat Crop

The winter wheat crop benefited from the 8 inches or snow dumped on it.
“It certainly didn’t hurt us,” said Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie County Extension agent. “I think we would have been all right, but this sure went a long way toward saving it.”
Brunkow noted that he had done some soil testing prior to the storm.
“The first three to four inches were bone dry,” he said. “Dry soil heats up and cools off much faster than moist soil, so it’s always better for the ground around the plants to be damp.”
Area school kids also enjoyed the storm as they got two days “off” from school.
However, those students in the Wamego School District also had their school year lengthened by those same two days, according to Superintendent Doug Conwell.
“After last year, the board voted to add additional days to the school calendar,” he explained. “Losing days is something the board didn’t want to happen again. We had complaints that there was not time enough to teach the curriculum and this was the solution.”
Conwell said that May 28, 29, 30 and 31 were added to the calendar if they were needed. “If they were not needed, school would have been dismissed on May 24.”
As of now, he said that school has been extended until May 29. High school seniors, who graduate on May 19, are not affected.
The Rock Creek School District did not follow Wamego’s change in policy, according to Superintendent Rick Doll.
“We will not be making the days up unless we go over the limit we already have built into the year,” he said. “Right now, we are still covered.”
Around the county, there were few problems, according to local law enforcement.
According to Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat, there were very few fender benders or cars off the road and no serious accidents. Wamego’s police chief Ken Seager agreed.
“Pretty much, people just stayed off the road,” he said.

Pott County Commission Looks At Pawnee

Public Questions Proposed Highway 24 Corridor Plan

The meeting was held at the St. George Methodist Church on Monday, Feb. 4, and concerned the center section of the corridor -- Flush Road to Flint Rock Road.
John Keller, county planner, opened the meeting.
“The purpose of the hearing tonight is to gain input from citizens so that we can arrive at the final plan,” he explained.
“The policies and draft plan that will be discussed this evening were created by a citizens study group appointed by the county commissioners. They are either residents of the Highway 24 Corridor, business people or local government officials that have ties to the corridor.”
“These were all local people,” put in Kevin Fateley, chairman of the County Planning Commission. “It's people we know, not a company from Detroit or someone else. Our concern now, after working on this, was to get to the hearing process.”
The Planning Commission served as the main panel, and the three county commissioners -- Richard Carlson, Barb Kolde and Tom Doperalski -- were also in attendance, although they did not participate in the meeting.
The group said one of the goals was to solve some problems that have occurred in the past.
“For example, Lake Elbo,” said Fateley. “It has no sewer. It is having serious septic problems. There were water pressure problems at Timber Creek. We are asking new subdivisions to hook on to rural water. And, if the commission approves it, sewer systems.”
Several other concerns were raised by citizens attending the meeting.
“I live north of Wamego,” said Ray Fletcher. “I have a little pasture here. When I get my tax bill, the pasture went up 3.3 percent, the cost of living 2.6 percent. Wamego went up almost double. Are we paying for the development of this? I know there is good intent there, but I'm afraid my children won't be able to farm or pasture it.”
”The county is faced with a lot of expenses,” responded Keller. “I don't think it's specifically related.”
Tom Sabine of Blackjack Road was concerned about possible commercial development.
“The northeast corner of this is listed of highway commercial,” he said. “What do you anticipate? An industrial park. Business park? There is some housing in that area right now.”
Carl Meyer, a member of the planning commission fielded that question.
“We're not stating what's going to be there,” he said. “It's just in the plan that it will be reserved. It's highly unlikely to have access off of 24. It could be anything from a little office park to a warehousing situation. Or very close to what's at Green Valley Industrial Park. It just happened to be a large tract with services available. It seemed to be a shame not to reserve it.”
Gail McConnaughey, zoning director, also noted that this plan didn't change the zoning. “But if in the future someone wants to come in and develop it, we could look at it.”
One of the questions put to the public was how far north development should be permitted.
“I'd like to ask about the Flush Road,” said Larry Hackney. “To answer the question on how far north. I don't see any reason we should let it push north any more than it is now. I say no. I used to think of Flush Road as a scenic road. I know the school is pulling development north, but if this process can stop that kind of development in rural areas, then I'd like to see it go forward.”
One of the final issues raised was the ability of land owners to do what they like with their own property.
“There is no chance of development in the green (reserved) area?” asked Jerry Eichem.
“The committee would prefer it stay open space at this time,” responded Fateley.
“But if I'm the property owner, I want to make money, you're telling everyone else (what to do), we've got our development but not going to let you develop yours,” Eichem said.
“It's a plan, it can be changed,” said Keller. “Someone can come in with something marvelous that no one's thought of. But if you want to come in after the plan's adopted and you want to come in and zone it from agriculture, you'll probably be turned down in two years.”
“On that green area, there are very few landowners,” said Eichem. “Not enough to fight you.”
Roy Duer, another member of the planning commission, also noted this was not set in stone.
“If you came in with a well drawn out plan, and there is a subdivision, I'd have a real hard time not allowing that, even if it was in a green area. I'd rather see that than north of here. Maybe it's because I live north, but I'd have a hard time with you guys in the green if you came up with a good plan.”
By the time the meeting was over, the reaction was mostly positive.
“I think a plan like this will protect our land until you're ready to develop,” said Hackney. “I've made some anti-development comments. I'm not trying to take money out of anybody's pockets. The process is pluralist accommodation. It tries to meet the needs of all the people. That's why I was here tonight. If you need to run out and rezone land real quick before they pass the plan, then you learned something tonight. The plan could work in everyone's favor.”

Saverine Returns as Artistic Director of Wamego's Columbian Theatre

He has been here several times before, lending his voice to several Columbian productions.
Now he will lend his expertise behind the scenes as well.
Saverine was born in New Jersey. His school and career have taken him to New York, Philadelphia and even as far as Vienna, Austria. But Kansas keeps drawing him back.
“I came to Wichita after school and fell in love with the Midwest,” he said. “New York is a business, I never thought of it as a home. I really love small towns.”
Of course, one drawback is having to have a car. “I’m accustomed to public transportation,” he admitted. “Not having to drive.”
Since being introduced to The Columbian by Linda Uthoff, Saverine has kept the theatre in the back of his mind.
“I came up, sang and directed,” he said. “I met more and more people. I had hoped at one point to be the artistic director, I just never thought it would happen this soon.”
Saverine was scheduled to begin work on a new production of Dance of the Vampires in New York. “I had done the original in Vienna,” he explained. “Then it was canceled because of 9-11. And, I’m not sure when it will restart.
“I was also working with a show in Wichita, and it came apart,” he continued. “I visited with the board of directors and I felt this was my time to come to Wamego.”
He doesn’t plan any major changes to the theatre -- his goals are quality over quantity and establishing relations with other area theatre and artistic entities.
“I want to create relationships with the communities, the colleges and the semi professionals,” he said.
“One thing I would like to do is have a large four to five day audition each spring for the following season with official casting a few months before the show starts.”
He said that would enable college students and area professionals to audition a way out, and it would provide a larger pool of performers.
The change that most people will notice is a decrease in the number of different performances with an increase in the number of times each production is put on.
“I think that less is more,” he said. “Instead of having eight shows that run for two weeks each, we will have four main shows that run for three weeks. When you add the academy, youth choir and other things, we’ll be still running strong.
“This also gives a little rest to the area people who do so much,” he added. “Let them recharge their batteries.”
Saverine plans a low key season for next year, as the following one -- 2003-2004 -- will mark the 10th Anniversary of The Columbian.
“The upcoming season will be conservative and stress simplicity, because we are looking for an all-out effort for the anniversary,” he said.
He would like a nice mix of shows - a straight play, musical, children’s show, some type of concert and perhaps, at some point, opera.
“I don’t promise a lot when it comes to placating a board or a community,” he said. “But I love the Columbian and Wamego, they are great people. So one thing I do promise is not to compromise on the morals or the integrity of the community.”
Saverine’s beginning as artistic director got off to a rocky start. The Columbian Theatre had scheduled Red Rock Diner to be the February show. “However, there were some contract and technical problems with it,” he said.
So, that left Saverine to find a new show that he could put on in a short time. Cox Box proved to be the answer. It is a musical written by Arthur Sullivan, half of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan pairing. Saverine calls it “an absurd piece of fluff.”
The basic premise has two gentlemen in 19th Century England sharing a room -- Mr. John James Cox and Mr. James John Box. The two men are unknown to each other, one works a day shift, the other a night shift and an unscrupulous landlord has rented them both the same room. The fun starts when the day worker comes home unexpectedly and meets the night worker.
The two gentlemen find they have much in common, and Saverine has tweaked the original end to the story a bit to make the most of the coincidences.
The cast is small -- only three men -- although it could grow, or not, as Saverine sees fit to tweak. Currently, the three members are T-Shane Roberts, publicity director for the Columbian; Charlie Tucker, owner of The Cottage Inn Bed and Breakfast; and Brent Dungan of Manhattan, who works at Caterpillar. Rose Ditto of Wamego and Jane Boys of Clay Center will provide the keyboard expertise.
Cox Box premieres this weekend with shows Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, preceded by buffets at 6 p.m. The Sunday buffet is 12:30 with the Sunday show at 2 p.m. The cast will perform on the same schedule Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-24.
Ticket information is available by calling the box office at 785-456-2029 or 800-899-1893.

St. George Choir to Perform at KMEA Conference in Wichita

WHS Seniors Hone Interview Skills

Culminating over a month of preparation which resulted in an employment portfolio containing an application letter, a resume, a completed application form and letter of reference -- the seniors dressed their best and presented themselves to a variety of community volunteers for simulated job interviews.
Senior Interview Day has been going on for approximately 24 years, said Janet Sylvester, coordinator. By school board policy, every senior participates.
“It’s purpose is to help seniors prepare their paperwork -- applications, resumes and cover letters -- and then to give them practice in an interview situation,” she said.
Each senior picked the job they wished to apply for -- career choices ranged from CIA agent to apparel buyer. Taking their portfolios, they went to three interviews, each of which lasted about 20 minutes.
“I thought CIA agent would be challenging, exciting and patriotic,” said Will LaChance. “And, this experience is valuable.”
Brooke McCoy agreed. “I’m applying as an apparel buyer,” she said. “My experience working at Vanderbilt’s has really reinforced that. I plan on having a boutique by the time I’m 35. That’s my goal.
“I really love this opportunity,” she continued. “It’s especially a great experience for those kids who don’t have jobs, who have not gone out into the real world. You learn a lot of things.”
McCoy said the most valuable things she learned were “to be honest and to be nice.”
Kim Christensen had a totally different perspective on Senior Interview Day. As a foreign exchange student, he has gone through an extensive interview processes.
“I think it’s really good preparation for the people here,” he said. “I went to a lot of interviews with YFU (the exchange group). We had to do applications and resumes too. But a lot of the American kids haven’t done that yet.”
Christensen took advantage of his language skills to “apply” for a job in the travel industry.
Sylvester said that this year, 43 members of the community participated as interviewers.
Bunny McCloud of Wamego Telecommunications was one of them.
“This is my third time as an interviewer,” she said. “I find it really refreshing to see this side of the students. And, there is quite a lot of variety in the kids. I discovered one who is working his way through college as a stock clerk, but his ultimate goal is to be a forensics technician with the FBI.”
With her experience, McCloud has advice to offer both interviewers and students.
For the interviewers, “just listen,” she said. “That’s how I found out about the true goals of the stock clerk.”
For the students, as an interviewer McCloud values “honesty and openness. Be respectful,” she said. “And, I feel that most students really are.”
A big change for this year’s Interview Day was the addition of a luncheon. The seniors got to sit and eat with the various professionals who attended.
“This was really important for them to prepare for business lunches and to visit with the professionals outside of the interview setting,” Sylvester said. “I think it was just as important for them to see that not all of them are doing what they trained to do. That they don’t have to make a decision for the rest of their life.
“What they do need is to set a direction and to have goals,” she continued. “Those goals may change and that’s OK, but they need the goals.
“I really need to thank our interviewers,” Sylvester said. “Without their participation and support, Interview Day would not be possible.”
The interviewers for this year were: Brent Boring, Lannie Bosse, James Bradley, Nolan Carlson, Patti Clarkston, Doug Conwell, Linda Cottrell, Amy Danner, Shecky Davis, Rose Ditto, Larry Doll, Tami Duch, Joyce Elcock, Karla Givens, Dixie Harrison, Eudora Hempler, Ann Jankovich, Donna Johnson, Jeff Jones, Shawna Jordan, Ted Ludlum, Bill Mahoney, Michael Malin, Jim Maus, Bunny McCloud, Carl Meyer, Carol Mortimer, Lonnie Paquette, Mark Portell, Jodi Price, Cheri Pugh, Carl Riblett, Phil Richards, T-Shane Roberts, Tony Siebert, Dennis Soughwick, Sally Sowell, Todd Stadel, Susan Symons, Jan Vanderbilt, Teresa Weixelman, Elaine Werner and Donna Workman.

Wamego Commission Donates $30,000 to Library Project

Commissioner Larry Fechter made the announcement.
“We want to thank the library board for its hard work on the project,” Fechter said.
He then proposed that the city take $30,000 out of its capital improvement fund and designate it to the library project. The vote passed unanimously.
In other business, Wamego Fire Chief Phil Stultz and City Manager Merl Page informed the commission that the city’s ISO or property insurance rating had dropped from a 6 to a 4.
“This has been a lot of hard work,” Stultz said. “We are the only volunteer fire department in Kansas with a 4 rating.”
He went on to say that the WFD ranks in the Top 3 percent of all fire departments in the state and the top 7 percent of all fire departments in the nation.
Stultz explained that the reduced rating would mean a significant decrease, 20-40 percent, in property insurance for commercial businesses and decreases for some residential owners as well.
In a related matter, Stultz said the department has signed up several new volunteers and their training will begin soon.
Due to that increase, he requested the commission approve the purchase of additional pagers. The commission agreed to purchase five new pagers at a cost of $299 each. The purchase will be funded out of the city’s 911 fund.
In other activity:
• Sheila Spangler of the Wamego Housing Authority gave the group’s annual report.
• Page informed commissioners that the contractor for the library renovation project will have a final walkthrough on the project at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 at the former Kaw Valley Bank building in downtown Wamego.
• Jeanie Lowry was honored for her years of service to the Wamego Library Board.
• The commission named Chris Beam to the Housing Authority.
• The commission set a work session for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Wamego City Building.
• The commission unanimously OK’d tax abatement renewals for Concept Foods and Dymax.
• Page informed the commission that a grant for fluridation of the city’s water supply had been approved.
• John Walsh was named to the Wamego Recreation Advisory Board.
• Commissioners approved the annual replacement of the city’s backhoe through KanEquip, Inc., Wamego.
• The commission approved a new recreation fee report, setting fees for baseball.
• The commission then went into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel as well as confidential information relating to businesses.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at the Wamego City Building.

Programs Involve Community at Central Elementary

County Commissioners Tackle Zoning Issue

At issue was Frontier’s failure to comply with county zoning regulations in regards to hooking up to the Blue Township Sewer and paving the entry road of the property, located at 3550 Tovya Circle in Manhattan.
“We need to try and find a resolution,” said Tom Doperalski, commission chairman.
“I have been working with your staff and thinking fairly productively,” responded Carley. “I’m really not sure how to respond to you, sir. The last letter I received pretty much lays out a series of threats.” Carley was referring to a letter dated Feb. 11.
“This actually goes back to a June 4 (2001) letter,” pointed out John Lang, county counselor.
The discussion heated up when Commissioner Barb Kolde noted “we had asked for action by Feb. 1, and we didn’t get it.”
“That’s incorrect,” retorted Carley. He also complained that Kolde was unwilling to meet with him over the issue.
“My answer was we needed to meet with everyone here,” Kolde said. “I’m one commissioner with one vote.”
Carley also said another problem he had “no engineers at this time.
“I have two degrees in engineering,” he continued. “If I’m going to install anything with a sewer, there are some things left out. There is a question of a pump. No one is clear on the capacity of the lift station on Excel Road.”
“These are questions that should have been answered a year and a half ago,” said Commissioner Richard Carlson. “Why now?”
“Because we’ve never received answers on this,” Carley replied.
“I’ve worked with engineers to put a subdivision together,” said Carlson. “It’s no genius. And I find no engineer report in this reply.”
Carley then said the original feasibility study was “wrong”.
“It was done by B&G Consulting, your firm?” asked Doperalski.
“Yes,” said Carley.
“Then I don’t see that as our mistake, it’s yours,” said Doperalski.
“On one side you’re criticizing me not having an engineering firm, on the other side you’re criticizing me for having a firm that is incompetent,” said Carley. “On this side, they were careless. They made several mistakes.”
Kolde then tried to return the discussion back to the non-compliance.
“This is your subdivision,” she said. “We have made a great effort with a lot of staff time to help you. There has been absolutely no response. And you called us threatening from the beginning.”
Carley then noted the letter from the commission was “threatening in the last and next to last paragraph.”
Doperalski objected to the “threatening” part. “That paragraph spells out what we expect,” he said.
Carley said he felt they were now in legal proceedings. “Now instead of a cooperative arrangement, I have to respond like we’re in court.”
“Here is where the commission and staff fall,” said Doperalski. “Most of this is your responsibility as the developer to find the information you need, develop it, have a site plan completed, have a road completed, drainage and handle whatever sewer is required.
“It is not the responsibility of this body to provide you with engineer estimates to get that accomplished,” he continued. “It is the feeling of the staff and this body that all of that should have been done prior to even the building going up. The feeling is that we have gotten nowhere since then. It appears to us that you are trying to place blame here. It is not our responsibility to develop your development for you.
“Nothing more is going to be done, no more constant asking for more information that is not our responsibility to provide. It is your responsibility to find out for yourself or hire an engineer or some firm to get the design work done.”
An issue then arose over the capacity of the current septic tank. Scott Schwinn, county sanitarian, noted that the tank was listed at 750 gallons, which he characterized as “inadequate” while Carley insisted the tank was 1,200 gallons.
After much more discussion and fault finding, in the end the commission required three things from Carley:
1. To submit a replat to John Keller, county planner, within 30 days of the meeting.
2. Schwinn is to measure the septic tank on Feb.. 27. If it is not 1,200 gallons, Carley will replace it.
3. Carley must conform to the site plan, which includes a hard surfaced parking lot and two handicapped spaces.
Doperalski added that if, and only if, “the system is hooked up to the sewer and the road is paved (within the 90 days the entire procedure should take), the county will withdraw.
“Is that fair,” he asked Carley, who did not reply.
“It needs to be real clear,” added Kolde. “We fully intend to file an injunction if you didn’t comply.”
“We will follow this up with a letter so that it is committed to writing,” said Lang, concluding the discussion.
In other business:
• The commission agreed by consensus that fire departments should provide their own communications equipment.
• The commission announced that a contract had been entered into with Ed Hamilton as animal control officer for $1,200 per month, half of last year’s contract.
• Terry Rewerts, county appraiser, gave a department update. He said that printer problems may cause a delay in sending notices.
He also related some of the percent changes for appraisals throughout the county. Totally, appraisals are up 6.9 percent. Split out differences are: residential, up 7.3 percent; Ag land up 1.1 percent, farmstead up 9.9 percent; and commercial up 6.3 percent.
• The commission opened bids for three bridge deck projects -- Onaga Road, Havensville Road and Carnahan Road. The projects were bid as a unit.
Two bids were received -- Progressive Contractors, Inc., St. Michaels, Minn., $232,275.70, and Wildcat Concrete Services, Inc., Topeka, $228,311.50. The engineer’s estimate was $295,097.
• Byron Jacobson discussed insurance rates with the commission. The current estimate shows several increases.
However, Jacobson noted that there would be some overall changes made after receiving all information that will reduce the amounts. “I don’t know how much, but it will reduce it some,” he said.
• The commission approved $400 for the Wamego High School After Prom/After Graduation project.

St. Marys Plans Kaw Valley Festival

To make the festival more successful than past efforts, the group is working hard to involve all aspects of the community.
“We intend to reach out to all in terms of participation and attendance,” said Judi Michels, executive director of the Chamber. “We also want to incorporate all of the advantages to life here in the Kaw Valley. Our current retail, service, industrial and farming commerce is being considered in all we are planning.”
Kevin Gray of Custom Woods is the coordinator for the event. He too thinks the event will be successful.
“We have found a different niche than other festivals,” he said. “Agriculture. We are also focusing on some of the niche areas -- not the more familiar crops such as corn and cattle, but different specialty farming.”
Many area agricultural businesses and services have been invited, including: Alexander Pump, Midwest Irrigation, Kan Equip, J.B. Pearl, Kaw Valley Equipment, Caterpillar and Nemaha Valley Aerial. For information on participating as an ag business, contact Chris Johnson at 785-535-9700.
But agriculture isn’t all that’s happening at the Kaw Valley Festival! There are many other activities planned for Rail Road Park, Main Street and Riverside Park.
• Car show. A classic car show is on the agenda for the Riverside Park area. Certificates will be awarded for the best entries. As a related activity, a “blow up” car raffle will be held. The idea is to drain all of the fluid from a car, weigh down the gas pedal and the let people take guesses on how long it will take for the engine to seize. For information on entering the car show, contact Chris Siebert at St. Marys Auto Sales, 785-437-2478.
• Children’s Games. An area has been set up in Riverside Park for the children. This will include Story Time and Book Sales by the Literary Club.
• Antique Tractor Show and Tractor Pull. The tractors will be loaded and unloaded at the Rezac Sale Barn and on display at Riverside Park. Denny Rezac will handle the announcing. For entry information, contact Phil Mueller at 785-437-6624.
• Flag Football and Volleyball Tournaments. These will be held in Riverside Park throughout the day. For information on entering a football team, contact Adam Harpe at 785-437-2868 or pick up an entry form at Custom Wood Products or First National Bank. The entry fee is $50 per team and there is a maximum of five players per team. Entry deadline is April 27.
To enter a volleyball team, contact Jim Grumblatt, 785-437-2855 for registration and details.
• Craft booths. Currently there are approximately 26 booths signed up including woodworking, bibs and other baby clothes, girls dresses, quilts and pillows, angels, candles, home interior, plants and decor, sweat shirts and bird houses. For more information on a booth, contact Michels at 785-437-2077.
• Food and drink. The concessions are full and will feature taco salads, baked goods, funnel cakes, popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, onion rings, snow cones, nachos and a variety of drinks.
• Non-profit organization activities. Several non-profit and community organizations will have booths and exhibits. The hospital will be doing blood pressure and skin cancer screenings; the police department will have a bicycle safety course and the fire department will be on hand with safety information.
In addition, Youth For Understanding, a foreign exchange student program, Kaw Valley Better Homes FCE and the Kansas Army National Guard will have booths and exhibits.
• Entertainment. Music is high on the list for entertainment all over town. There will be Norwegian, American Irish and Hispanic Folk Music, possibly the high school band and singers, the St. Marys Tumbler dancers and others.
“We are still contacting entertainment, and our goal is to have something going on all throughout the day,” said Kevin Crane, who is handling the entertainment. To sign up, contact him at 785-437-2887.
The sponsors for the event reflect the wide variety of support the festival has. They include: First National Bank of St. Marys, St. Marys State Bank, Custom Wood Products, Bayer Stone, J.B. Pearl Sales & Service, Inc., Farmers Union Cooperative Business Association, St. Marys Lumber Co., Andax Environmental Corporation, St. Marys Auto Sales.
The booths will open at 8 p.m. and run to 4 p.m. Booths “for profit” are $20, non-profit booths are free. Openings are still available for all but food booths.
Some activities will continue until 6 p.m. and the day will end with a Bar-B-Que at 5:30 sponsored by the chamber and additional entertainment. Watch for advertising for a finalized entertainment schedule.

Authors Help Library Celebrate 40th Anniversary

The library was started in 1962.
“We had 10 authors invited to celebrate Authors’ Day,” said Freda Dobbins, librarian. “We have invited the whole community to come in and visit with them. A few have books to sell, the others are here to do interface, the face-to-face visiting and hopefully encourage some future authors. It gives people a chance to visit with them. Some people may not be interested in all types of the books, but we have everything from children’s to adults, from fiction to non-fiction.
“We tried to pick people who are very close to this area, either in Pottawatomie or Wabaunsee Counties, roots in the county or some historical reason,” Dobbins continued.
One of the featured writers was Roy Bird, from near Auburn. He writes on history and works for the Kansas State Library.
“I chose to come to this event because two dear friends of mine asked me,” he said. “I would have come if they had asked me to come out in the middle of a storm. But I think this is a unique opportunity, the 40th anniversary of what is unique about Kansas libraries, and gives a chance to bring authors together. I think it’s a tribute to the library system here and a tribute to the authors who help fill these libraries with information.
“I write history,” he continued. “I found a nice dichotomy between being a professional librarian and being a writer about Kansas.”
Nolan Carlson of Wamego also participated in the event.
“I came here because I was invited,” he said. “But I was very happy to come. Things like this with a local interest is always neat. I know so many people from this area anyway because I used to teach here back in the 80’s. There are a lot of familiar faces. I’m just amazed at how many people are interested in local authors - writing, reading, and all the elements out there.”
One of Carlson’s biggest little fans was also on hand, Evan Reese, a first-grader from St. Marys. He became acquainted with them when he was sick, and his mother read them. “I think they are really amazing,” Reese said. “They are so much fun! My favorite one is Lewis and Clark, that’s the one we’re reading now.”
Author’s Day was topped off by Don Coldsmith talk. Many of the other authors will be speaking at other branches around the area over the next week. Nolan Carlson spoke in Onaga and Westmoreland on Monday, Jim Suber will speak at Eskridge in the morning and Harveyville in the afternoon and then on Thursday, Jerry Garretson of Manhattan will speak at Olsburg. On April 24, Roy Bird will speak in Alma in the morning and Alta Vista in the afternoon. That evening, Dwight Burgess will be in Alma.