This month’s “See, Hear Iola!” Friday featured updates from several organizations, along with comments about Elm Creek Community Garden from Carolyn and Val McLean, owners of property where the garden sits.
Iola Mayor Bill Shirley spoke about Iola’s two cemeteries. He recognized Berkley Kerr, cemeteries manager, for his work to fix grave stones that had fallen into disrepair. Kerr also spoke briefly about some of the historic figures buried in Iola, such as Congressional Medal of Honor recipient William Stacy.
Debbie Bearden reviewed farmers market activities. The market is looking for live entertainment to play while people are shopping on Thursdays. Right now the market is grant-funded but additional funding is being sought. Part of that was displayed by Bearden, who showed off a green reusable grocery bag featuring the market’s logo. The bags are on sale for $2 each.
“Any way we can support something like the farmers market is great for the community,” Bearden said. “It’s a great way to spend a Thursday and adds a vibrant piece of fun for our community.”
Donna Houser, Iola Area Chamber of Commerce representative, talked about what the Chamber is up to and community at large activities. Events scheduled for the Molly Trolley include discover Old/New Iola tours. Another tour will be July 7 and 12 of Iola’s 10 historic churches, all more than 100 years old. Houser also talked about the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and events taking place this summer. For more information call 620-365-4765.
Neal Barclay, soon-to-be president of the board of trustees at Allen Community College, spoke about benchmarks the school hit this year. Enrollment remained strong, according to Barclay. With roughly 3,000 students enrolled, online and in classes. Barclay said the school was the eighth largest of 19 community colleges in Kansas. He also talked about new student housing being built near the campus.
“The new six-plex should be ready to open up for the fall,” Barclay said. “We are looking forward to not having to deal as much with the housing issue that we have had the last couple of years. The business of putting students up in hotels is something we try to avoid.”
After the community news, the McLeans took to the podium to speak about the roots and the future of the Elm Creek Community Garden. The garden has been a labor of love, according to the McLeans, who have worked with directors of the garden to help keep it vital and growing, literally and figuratively, since it opened in 2005.
Carolyn McLean was asked for an update on status of the Veterans Administration outpatient facility that she has been working to bring to Iola. As it stands, the process is making progress, she said. The city has set aside 25 acres for a stand-alone building for the VA. The process will continue with possible resolution sometime in 2013, according to McLean.
The meeting concluded with a farewell to Allen County Historical Society Director Jeff Kluever, who will move to Petersburg, Va., to work for Pamplin Historical Park, a privately owned Civil War museum. Kluever thanked the community for the support he has received over the years.
