Leaders, ‘risk-takers’ celebrated

By SUSAN LYNN
Register Editor

Register/Susan Lynn Donna Talkington of Iola was congratulated Thursday night by Jennifer Fox at the Thrive Allen County awards banquet. An award called “The Donna” was named after Talkington in honor of the many leadership roles she has performed for her hometown. The City of Humboldt, its recreation department, school system and local manufacturer B&W Trailer Hitches won “The Donna,” for their combined success in turning Humboldt into a thriving town after years of neglect.

Humboldt won the prestigious “The Donna” award at Thursday night’s Thrive Allen County awards banquet. The award is named after longtime Iola volunteer Donna Talkington and was made all the more special because Talkington, who has suffered severe illness the past several years and is rarely about, was present.
More than 250 people from around the county attended the banquet that officially commended the efforts of local groups and organizations that have worked to make healthy changes in their communities.
State dignitaries Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson and Sen. Derek Schmidt each addressed the crowd gathered at Madison Avenue Steak & Chops.
For communities that have seen more prosperous times, such as most in Allen County, the challenge is to recapture that lost energy, Schmidt said. Those who succeed have leaders willing to work together, especially in bad economic times, to make their communities attractive to the young and talented.
“Young people of ambition are looking for towns that offer quality of life amenities that other towns don’t offer,” Schmidt said. “Your high school graduates want to come home if they can have satisfying jobs and be in an environment where they and their families can thrive.”
In her introduction of Lt. Gov. Parkinson, Brenda Sharpe, president and chief executive officer of REACH Healthcare Foundation of Kansas City, said citizens of Allen County “have harnessed your potential,” in making positive changes for area residents. She cited three programs as evidence. The oral health initiative of the SAFE BASE after-school program screens incoming students for dental needs. The new dental clinic that will open Dec. 1 under the auspices of the Southeast Kansas Community Health Center of Pittsburg will provide dental services primarily for the uninsured and those on Medicaid. And the HPV vaccine program for young women protects against cervical cancer. The SEK Multi-County Health Department provides the three-shot series free to those in financial need.

RISK-TAKERS who try something bold to make their community better, impress Lt. Gov. Parkinson. “These are my heroes,” he said. “A community’s scarcest resources are good leaders who dare to do something different to prevent the erosion of their population.”
Parkinson paraphrased a quote given to him by his son earlier in the day by philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas: “If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would never leave the dock.”
Parkinson urged Allen Countians to “continue to fight the demographics” that have shown all its towns losing population at a steady rate.

HUMBOLDT’S progress of especially the last five years won the night’s highest award. In her presentation of the award, Barbara Chalker, now with the Kansas Department of Commerce in its Office of Rural Opportunity, remembered a Humboldt of only a few years ago that was “torn apart by strife and squabbling, low morale and an exodus of its people.” A commitment of its citizens to change the town’s dynamics has paid off, Chalker said.
In only a few years “Humboldt has a clear vision for what it can be,” she said. “Contentiousness has been replaced by cooperation. ‘We can’t’ has been replaced by ‘we can.’”
In this time frame Humboldt city officials have made a concerted effort to rid the town of dilapidated houses, voters have approved funds to construct a community field house, to renovate its public pool and expand its park. A partnership of the Humboldt school district and its city has created the Healthy Humboldt Initiative that is bringing people “in droves” to its programs. Humboldt schools have created a successful educational climate resulting in exemplary test scores on State Assessment tests. And while other industries are laying off employees due to an economic recession, B&W Trailer Hitches management has kept its work force fully employed by donating 2,654 man hours of labor to rebuilding and refurbishing recreational facilities throughout the city of Humboldt.
“It is important to note that B&W has made this investment in Humboldt as much out of a sense of service as out of the belief that it will be a more competitive business if it keeps employees working during the current economic downturn,” Chalker said.
These actions are examples of how good leadership can make a difference, Chalker said of Humboldt winning “The Donna” award. Talkington’s role in Iola involved serving as chairman of the board of Allen County Hospital, a charter member of the REACH Healthcare Foundation advisory board, Friends of the Bowlus and Iola Public Library boards and serving on a physician recruitment committee, besides being active in community theater productions and as a room mother for her five children 10 times during their elementary school years.
Talkington relayed to Chalker in note: “I always got much more than I ever gave when I served on a board. There is so much untapped talent here who I hope can be inspired to join in making our community be the best it can be in every way.”

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS recognized for their efforts was the Iola after-school program SAFE BASE that serves USD 257 children at no charge with stimulating programs and tutoring. During the summer months SAFE BASE provides all Allen County children with a free six-week program that includes weekly field trips.
The Bowlus Fine Arts Center was awarded for its many programs that reach children throughout the county including its Arts in Education series that provide professional performers to share their talents with students.
Qualifying for Lt. Gov. Parkinson’s “risk” category and awarded for their commitment to health and wellness, was the Iola Family Physicians and Iola Pharmacy who turned a former smelter site on the east side of Iola into an expanded medical clinic and retail pharmacy. Built at a considerable financial risk to the partners involved, the $3.6 million facility represents the largest private investment in medical facilities in Allen County in many years. The clinic opened its door in mid-summer. On Dec. 1 the final piece of the plan will be complete when Dr. Kelly Richardson will open a dental clinic in conjunction with the medical office and pharmacy. Richardson will serve primarily uninsured and those dependent on Medicaid in the clinic which is funded by Pittsburg’s Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
The HONOR Coalition was recognized for its work in helping victims from the Flood of 2007. HONOR stands for Helping Our Neighbors Onward to Recovery and will maintain a framework to help in future disasters.
Kids Kingdom Preschool was recognized for its excellence in providing a structured and academically rigorous environment for area youths. The preschool has a new state-of-the-art 4,000 square-foot facility north of Iola that has raised the bar for early childhood development.
Savonburg Public Library was awarded for its status as a community hub for children in the town of 87 residents. Robin Betts, library director, was credited with creating a cheery library in which the children, especially, feel at home and are exposed to educational opportunities they otherwise would not have.
The Hispanic Center and Adult Basic Education program at Allen County Community College were recognized for their commitment to expanding access to education among populations that otherwise might not be served. The language center works to get Hispanics in touch with community leaders for employment opportunities. The ABE is where many area residents receive help in attaining their General Equivalency Diplomas.

ALSO PRESENT was Steve Roling, president and CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, who along with Sharpe of the REACH foundation, has generously funded Thrive’s organization as a non-profit charitable foundation and its subsequent programs. Krista Posti, executive director of the SKCHC of Pittsburg, Jason Wesco, its chief operating officer, Douglas Stuckey, chief financial officer, and members of the Iola staff for the new dental clinic were also at the gala.
David Toland, executive director of Thrive, kept a low profile during the evening. Other presenters included Dr. Brian Wolfe, president of the Thrive Board of Directors, Nancy Maier, secretary, Alan Weber, vice president, Randy Weber, treasurer, and Connie McWhirter and Karen Gilpin, Board members.