Letter to the editor — October 19, 2018

Dear editor,

A belated thank you to the Farm City Days Committee. They did a good job of salvaging a good share of the activities.

Also, thanks to Allen Community College and the Iola Community Theatre for the production of “Mamma Mia.” The amount of great talent we have in our community is amazing. I wish I could have joined the crew, but old dogs just lay on the porch and watch.

I will really be glad when this election is over. Our mute button is about wore out. I wonder if we wouldn’t be better off to not have the party system and just have each candidate run on their own merit with strict laws limiting the amount of money each one could spend on their campaigns.

I think Trump’s reactions to Sen. McCain’s death was a disgrace, but maybe it’s hard for someone that has never wore a uniform and put his life on the line in defense of our country to understand what a true hero is.

Everyone needs to vote.

If you don’t have a favorite, vote for the one that ticks you off the least.

But please, vote.

Maude Burns,

Iola, Kan.

Iola High School lists first quarter honor roll students

Iola High School has announced its first quarter honor rolls for the 2018-19 school year.

The honor roll is based on a 4-point scal Students a D or F is disqualified.

The rolls follow:

All A’s

Seniors: Mia Aronson, Paige Burrough, Derek By-croft, Jaden Channel, Jonathan Miller, Trinity Roush, Kassy Shelby, Shaylee Sutterby, Jennifer Tidd, Jeremy Waldman, Wolfgang Ian Webber, Jacob Wight and Hailey Willis.

Juniors: Dongming Eason Cheung, Calvin Delich, Jayce Doolittle, Isabella Duke, Cal Leonard, Lauren McDermeit, Kelsey Morrison, Breanna Northcutt, Carlie Payne, Andre Quinn and Ella Taylor.

Sophomores: Audrey Coltrane, Danae Cartright, Alexi Fernandez, Riley Jay, Aidan Jones, Levi Meiwes and Sidney Shelby.

Freshmen: Hannah Andersen, Ursula Billings, Anna Plumlee, Miah Shelby and Elanie Sturgeon.

Principal’s Honor Roll

3.76-3.99 GPA

Seniors: Blake Ashmore, Hunter Baughn, Emmie Brant, Ellie Carson, Ashley Crane, Natalie DeGrado, Mathew Karr, Dalton Kerr, Mercedes Maple, Piper Moore, Dylan Newland and Katelynn Weide.

Juniors: Tessa Bain, Elka Billings, Rachel Bycroft, Alexandra Fager, Brody Nemecek, Sadrie Overall and Shane Winner.

Sophomores: Isaac Badders, Lorie Carpenter, Jada Cunningham, Jocelyn Erbert, Thomas Fleming, Lauryn Holloway, Joshua Kaufman, Bobby Lewis, Henry Lohman, Adrianne Reynolds, Drake Sellman, Dillon Slaven, Kelli Stogsdill, Michael Stoll and Jessica Tidd.

Freshmen: Madison Adair, Emily Ator, Braxton Curry, Ryker Curry, Ally Ellis, Asha Kilby, Colin Long, Maci Miller, Reece Murry, Cooper Riley, Chloe Sell, Mars Westgate and Nicholas Karns.

Regular Honor Roll

3.00-3.75 GPA

Seniors: Spencer Ames, Shaylee Baker, Tavon Bass, Madison Doolin, Gentry Dougherty, Jacob Eyster, Brady Folk, Andrew Geddry, Blake Haar, Chloe Hageman, Madisyn Holloway, Dallis Huddleston, Dakota Knowles, Stephen Melton, Cole Regehr, Kane Rogers, Keily Rojas-Cazares, Austin Skaggs, Emily Weide, Michael Wood and Nicolas Zimmerman.

Juniors: Noah Ashmore, Casen Barker, Taelynn Bonnett, Mayte Breithaupt, Lacey Brown, Haley Carlin, Mary Crites, Torrance DePriest, Zaviera Evans, Danielle Fees, Christine Helman, Annika Hobbs, Jillian Keller, Gabriella Lampe, Maria Landsdown, Jasmine Ledford, Mark Mc-Cullough, Diamend McFadden, Trevelle Means, Theresia Middleton, Alex Morris, Adryan Nading, Naomi Neal, Sierra Petty, Michael Price, Devan Reiter, Gabriella Richards, Paige Riley, Courtland Sager, Xadie Smith, Ian Spoor, Jada Stogsdill, Alexandria Vega, Pieter Venter and Zane Whitney.

Sophomores: Jack Adams, Taylor Boren, Logan Brown, Dillon Bycroft, Claudia Castellanos-Rodrigo, Devan Catron, Rachel Cochran, Bradyn Cole, Manuel Doolittle, William Francis, Dakota Fry, Hannah Gardner, Grace Garner, Alice Hitchcock, Page Kress, Jacob Levitt, Grant Luedke, Desiree McFadden, Jenna Miller, Allison Morris, Landen Nading, McKenna Orear, Jonathon Poffenbarger, Zareona Pulley, Toby Sander, Jaron Sexton, Averie Sharon, Bryson Shaw, Fayth Simpson, Elijah Smith, Rebecca Sprague, Elaina Stiffler, Sharyia Trester, Henry Wicoff and Rebecca Wood.

Freshmen: Eve Ard, Elizabeth Baker, Tyler Boken, Sterling Burch, Jenna Curry, Harper Gregg, Heidi Hibbs, Isaac Houston, Trenton Jones, Elizabeth Kelley, Madison Layton, Kobe Lord, Austin Morris, Brett Morrison, TJ Taylor, Trenton Varney, Carter Wilson and Justice Wilson.

Mary Grant

Mary Margaret Grant, age 101, of Iola, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, at Windsor Place, Iola. Margaret was born Oct. 10, 1917, in Altamont, to William Wiley Gallop and Margaret Noland Gallop.

Margaret met and married Paul W. Grant on June 18, 1937, in Albuquerque, N.M.

Margaret graduated as salutatorian of her high school class in Nowata, Okla. She continued her education, receiving a teaching certificate from Wichita University in 1936, a bachelor of science degree in education from Emporia State Teachers College in 1964, and a master of science degree from Emporia State Teachers College in 1971.

Margaret began her teaching career in Medicine Lodge, in 1936. Margaret taught in Savonburg, for a few years, then at Zillah School for several more years, and retired from her 23-year teaching career in 1982 from Humboldt Elementary School in Humboldt.

Margaret was a member of First Christian Church, Iola, since 1945. Margaret was also a member of the Current Events Club in Iola.

Margaret enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, and working with her church. She did countless hours of volunteer work, including being a volunteer at Allen County Community College as a tutor in the GED program and for those with reading disabilities, 10 years as a 4-H leader, a leader in the Home Demonstration Unit, a volunteer at the Bowlus Fine Arts and Cultural Center for the Buster Keaton festivals, a docent at the Allen County Historical Museum and Funston Home, and countless volunteer hours visiting those in area nursing homes, the hospital, and those confined to their homes. Margaret was awarded Allen County Community College’s Certificate of Appreciation for meritorious service to the college and community for Adult Basic Education. The Board of Education of USD 257 recognized her for outstanding service, dedication, and contribution to USD 257 in Iola. She was also the recipient of numerous other awards and certificates of appreciation.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; infant daughter, Mary Alice Grant; her parents; and all of her siblings, William Gallop, James Gallop, Harley Gallop, and MaeBelle Neil.

Margaret is survived by three sons, Gerald Grant and wife, Carol, Bel Aire, Wiley Grant and wife, Connie, Eaton, Ind., Kenneth Grant and wife, Nina, Le Roy; 11 grandchildren, Jill House, Julie Lane, Alan Grant, Amy Settele, William Wiley Grant, Emily Grant, Jeffery Grant, Gina Thomas, Linda Jean Grant, Robert Grant, Joanne Kempthorne; numerous great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild due in February 2019.

A visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday at The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Rd., Iola. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, Iola.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church Missionary Fund, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

Council talks solar

Iola City Council members will learn Monday whether the city can afford to add solar power to its electric portfolio.

Scott Shreve, an energy consultant with EMG, will be on hand to present his analysis on the costs associated with installing solar panels to generate electricity locally.

Council members spent $4,000 to fund the study.

Adding solar energy is intriguing from Iola’s perspective because the city for the past decade has lacked the generating capacity to meet its peak electricity demands.

Shreve’s analysis should indicate how much of that demand could eventually be met with solar power, and how much erecting solar panels would cost.

Through its natural gas and diesel-powered generators, Iola is capable of producing up to 22 megawatts of electricity per day, about 5 or 6 megawatts shy of what’s needed to maintain designation as a “generating” city, Shreve explained.

To meet the added demand, the city purchases generating capacity each year from Chanute and Sabetha.

Council members also will further discuss costs associated with hiring an outside agency to conduct a manpower study of city employees.

City Administrator Sid Fleming will present two such proposals — one from Wichita State University, the other from Springsted Human Capital Advisors — costing $16,474 and $21,850, respectively.

In their budget discussions for 2019 and beyond, Council members questioned whether Iola has too many employees.

If staffing cuts are prescribed, they would be done through attrition, Council members have said.

Monday’s 6 p.m. meeting is in the New Community Building at Riverside Park. The public is invited.

Humboldt to ‘burn’ Saturday

HUMBOLDT — Oct. 14, 1861, started out as a typical Monday for Humboldt, then a town of a few hundred souls.

The handful of merchants rose early, likely thinking it would be no different from any other day. They set out their wares, chatted with their friends, and by mid-afternoon were looking forward to wrapping up another day at the office.

Meanwhile, 331 Missouri Home Guard Cavalry, under Col. Talbot, were on a raucous march toward Humboldt seeking revenge for the killing of Capt. John Mathews, who led a Sept. 8 raid on Humboldt for its stance against slavery.

The October attack left Humboldt devastated, businesses and dwellings were torched, 40 families were displaced. It also led to a garrison of Union soldiers in Humboldt for the duration of the war.

ON SATURDAY the raids will be re-enacted at Camp Hunter.

To start the morning off, a grand march at 9 o’clock will introduce participants.

At 10:30, is the September raid where eight freed slaves were carried off. The display will include shouts and threats and deadly weapons.

Store fronts, much as they looked in 1861, will be a backdrop for the ruffians.

Then at about 5 p.m., Confederate guerillas will return to burn the town — or at least figuratively.

The hosting event is the town’s triennial Civil War Days, started in 1994 to recall Humboldt’s rich Civil War history.

The festival begins at 7:30 Friday evening with a dance at B&W Trailer Hitches. Some participants will come in period dress and will be guided in the intricacies of dancing to mid-1800s music. Spectators are welcome.

Music and presentations unique to Humboldt’s role in the Civil War will go on throughout the day.

Professor Farquar and Polecat Annie will replicate a period medicine show at 11:15 a.m. and again at 1:15 p.m. In real life the performers of music, rope tricks and magic are Sanford and Mary Kate Lee, of Concordia. The Lees have their presentations down pat, having done better  than 5,000 shows over the last 32 years.

Members of the Texas 9th Civil War reenactors will camp at the park through the weekend to give a realistic idea of the day-to-day hardships participants of the war had to endure, living in tents, cooking over open fires and honing other soldiering skills.

Programs will be available to keep spectators on track. Those attending will hear readings of John Brown letters, Lincoln and Davis inaugural speeches and debate, and much more. Childrens games and activities will be available.

 

Bowlus concert on Saturday

“Beginnings: The Ultimate Chicago Tribute” is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, along with a meet-and-greet opportunity with new Bowlus director Daniel Kays. Previous reports indicated an incorrect day for the events.

The performance kicks off the start of the 2018-19 season at the Bowlus. Other performances are “3 Trails West” on Nov. 18; “Gentri, The Gentleman Trio,” on Feb. 9; “Frankenstein” on March 9; and “Fleetwood Mask, The Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac,” on April 13.

Also, Kays attended the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. An article in Wednesday’s edition incorrectly reported his alma mater.

 

New lights, cleanup day on tap for LaHarpe

LAHARPE — Things will lighten up in LaHarpe, thanks to two grants recently awarded to the city.

The first is a $21,000 grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City for which the city will hire a part-time health and wellness coordinator to oversee day-to-day activities in LaHarpe’s new fitness center, and to install new LED lights throughout the building. The LED lights are significantly brighter, and cheaper to operate, than the old halogen lights.

LaHarpe PRIDE received the second grant, $2,000 grant from Kansas PRIDE, to help install exterior lights at LaHarpe City Park, around the newly refurbished sand volleyball area.

 

MEANWHILE, LaHarpe PRIDE is spearheading a citywide cleanup day Saturday, with help from Kansas State University and Allen Community College students.

At least 23 properties have been targeted for cleanup. Junk, tree limbs and other items too big to be picked up during regular trash service will be retrieved.

While there are plenty of volunteers to help with the labor, organizers say they can always use more equipment. The most pressing need is for trucks with trailers large enough to transport refuse.

To help, call LaHarpe PRIDE at (620) 363-0612.

 

First Canada, next up — the world?

MONTREAL (AP) ? Cam Battley is a top executive at one of Canada?s biggest marijuana companies, but he isn?t sticking around to savor the country?s historic pot legalization.

He?s off to Germany on Friday and Australia next week ? a sign of what a leader Canada has become in the global pot industry, and of the reverberations its decision to legalize could have internationally.

?It?s a special moment, not just for Canada, but for the world because my strong conviction is that the rest of the world will follow suit,? said Battley, chief corporate officer at Aurora Cannabis. ?We?re not known as wild and crazy. We?re known for good public policy and I think they will follow our lead.?

Battley will attend an investor conference in Germany and then head to Australia, which legalized medical marijuana in 2016. He?ll meet with a corporate business partner and talk with policymakers in Sydney and Melbourne.

Battley?s itinerary is indicative of the internationalization of the marijuana industry. And with national legalization taking effect Wednesday, Canada has emerged as the world leader. It?s the second nation ? and by far the largest ? with countrywide legalization of so-called recreational pot.

Its deliberate approach, which took more than two years of planning, allows provinces to shape their own laws within a federal framework, including setting the minimum age and deciding whether to distribute through state-run or private retail outlets. That offers other countries a model somewhere between the more strictly regulated system in Uruguay, the only other country with legal sales, and the more commercial version in some of the nine U.S. states that have approved recreational marijuana.

Canada?s federal approval has given its industry a huge advantage over its American counterpart, including unfettered access to banking and billions of dollars in investment. Canadians can even order marijuana online and have weed delivered by mail to their door.

That?s all made for some envy among American cannabis entrepreneurs, including Derek Peterson, the chief executive of California-based marijuana producer Terra Tech. Peterson took out a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal this week urging President Donald Trump to help ease prohibition and eliminate hurdles for the U.S. pot industry before Canada leaves it even farther behind.

Some in the U.S. Congress have also taken notice, pressing for the federal government to get out of the way of states that want to legalize, but it remains unclear what weight Canada?s legalization might carry south of the border.

It might have a more immediate effect in countries like New Zealand, where the government has promised a legalization referendum by 2020, said John Walsh, of the advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America. Mexico, the Netherlands and Italy are among other nations that have been mulling legalization. To the surprise of many familiar with Amsterdam?s marijuana cafes, Holland has only very limited legalization.

?This is the genie out of the bottle,? Walsh said. ?Because of Canada?s reputation for being fairly careful, for being a good global citizen, and because of the scale of their market, it?s a more likely example for other countries.?

Battley said he expects the global recreational market to develop much as the medical market has done. Canada legalized medical marijuana nationally in 2001.

?Once you see Grandma and Uncle Ted using medical cannabis to manage their arthritis pain, suddenly the substance is not so scary and not so stigmatized,? he said. ?That opens up the space for countries to move forward with consumer legalization as well. I think Canada is at the forefront of a global mega trend.?

Many customers celebrating Wednesday certainly thought so. Festivities erupted throughout the nation of 37 million.

Ian Power was first in line at a store in St. John?s, Newfoundland, but didn?t plan to smoke the 1 gram he bought right after legalization arrived at midnight.

?I am going to frame it and hang it on my wall,? said Power, 46. ?I?m going to save it forever.?

Montreal?s downtown marijuana retail outlet has a sterile look, like a modern clinic, with a security desk to check identification. The products are displayed in plastic or cardboard packages behind counters. Buyers can?t touch or smell before they buy. A small team of employees answers questions but don?t make recommendations.

?It?s a candy store, I like the experience,? said Vincent Desjardins, a 20-year-old-student who plans to apply for a job.

In Alberta, lines snaked around some of the 17 legal shops that opened Wednesday, including an Edmonton branch of Fire and Flower, a company that hopes to open as many as 200 marijuana outlets across the country in the next two years. Fire and Flower Chief Executive Trevor Fencott brought his wife and three children ? ages 16, 13 and 6 ? for the opening, even though the kids were too young to go inside.

?They can?t come in the store, but they can see the line, see this important moment in Canadian history,? Fencott said. ?Legalization is about daylighting a lot of stuff that used to be in the shadows. Our kids are going to inherit this system, for better or worse, and I thought it was important for them to see this sea change in Canadian society.?

Area News

Bridal show Sunday

CHANUTE — The Rusty Nail Barn will have a Fall Bridal Show from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Barn, at 6995 243rd Road north of Chanute, according to The Chanute Tribune. The venue began as a location for a family reunion at the home of Larry Holman. Outdoor weddings are popular at the site, as well as reunions and other events. The bridal fair began after the efforts of two sponsoring businesses, Stephanie’s Creations of Richmond and Simply Delicious by Jenni Ware of Iola and Sarah Stogsdill of New Strawn. It will include at least 22 vendors.

 

Race car revival rescheduled

GARNETT — Heavy rains forced the rescheduling of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival planned for Oct. 13, The Anderson County Review reported. The classic race car event, which hearkens to Garnett’s days as the site of national Grand Prix sports car races, was rescheduled for the weekend of Nov. 9.

 

Bankruptcy won’t affect Sears store

CHANUTE — The Sears store in Chanute will not be impacted by the retail chain’s bankruptcy filing, The Chanute Tribune reported. The local store is part of Sears Hometown and Outlet stores, a group of 800 to 1,000 locations similar to franchises. Those stores are not affected by the bankruptcy.

 

Great Plains park looks ahead

PARSONS — The Great Plains Development Authority is planning for the park’s future growth and sustainability, using the Pittsburg State University’s Strategic Initiatives Enterprise to help, The Parsons Sun reported. PSU representatives presented a final draft of their plan to the Great Plains board recently. The plan has the potential to unite and connect much of Southeast Kansas through economic development endeavors, the PSU official said.

 

Garnett voters to consider expanding commission

GARNETT — Voters in Garnett will weigh in on whether to increase the number of city commissioners from three to five, according to The Anderson County Review. The vote isn’t legally binding but city commissioners said they’ll give heavy weight to the voters’ decision. The city’s newest commissioner started the discussion in May after she realized the issue was tabled in 1986 and never revisited.

 

Adopt-A-Child: Sign up now to help kids

While most youngsters have yet to pick out their Halloween costumes, Teresa Gribble already has her sights set on Christmas.

Gribble is teaming with Laura Tidd and Jennifer Coltrane to spearhead the 2018 Adopt-A-Child program.

The program is open to any child in Allen County, aside from Humboldt, which has a separate program, Gribble said.

Parents are encouraged to sign up for Adopt-A-Child assistance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 2 at Iola’s First Baptist Church, 801 N. Cottonwood St.

Parents are asked to bring their own identification and current address, their child’s Social Security and medical cards, clothing and shoe needs and sizes and ideas for non-clothing gifts.

Gift ideas need to be specific and available locally, Gribble said. There is a $30 limit per item. Videogames or systems, bicycles, gift cards and bedding will not be accepted.

Those wishing to adopt children for Christmas may do so starting Nov. 6. Gifts need to be purchased and delivered to First Baptist Church by Dec. 3, so that parents can pick up their children’s gifts by Dec. 10.

Cash donations also will be accepted through the Adopt-A-Child account at Emprise Bank in Iola. The cash will be used to purchase gifts.

Other information is available by calling Gribble at 365-9103, Tidd at 365-3004 and Coltrane at (620) 496-2741.