Iola City Council members approved a request Monday evening to assist with water fees in Humanity House’s community garden. Georgia Masterson of the non-profit requested the city provide $1,000 of free water at the garden.
The garden typically opens for the season toward the first of April with water usage running through October. From 2018 through 2020, the city provided the garden with $1,000 worth of water. In 2021 and 2022, the city provided $500 worth of water each year. No request was made for 2023. “We only had four gardeners last year,” she explained. “I think it was due to the extreme heat. So far, this year, we have more than a dozen gardeners requesting garden plots.”
Mayor Steve French asked that if the gardeners reach a certain poverty level, they don’t pay for a plot. Masterson confirmed this and noted about half of the gardeners are “no pay.” If an individual’s income is over poverty guidelines, it is $25 per plot. “Those people also get to use the water,” she said.
The organization only exceeded $1,000 in usage in 2018, when the total was $1,218.59.
IN OTHER NEWS, French proclaimed April 26 as “Poem in Your Pocket Day.” Iola Public Library Director Sharon Moreland was present to accept the proclamation and explain the day. “We have done this for the past two years,” she said. “Library staff hand out poems on the Iola square on this day.” She noted that all of the poems are free domain, so there are no copyright issues.
“In addition, the library has programs planned through the entire month of April for Poetry Month,” noted Moreland. She added that National Library Week is April 7-13. French encouraged people to observe the day by reading a poem and recognizing the importance of poetry in “enriching our lives and community.”
Marilyn Jenkins of Sunflower Quilters Guild requested to use the community building at Riverside Park for the organization’s 2025 quilt show, tentatively set for April 11-13, 2025.
“We are a small group that puts on a big quilt show,” Jenkins said.
The Guild’s request includes it pay no fee or at a reduced rate.
The Guild has 30 members. If it recognizes any profits from the event, they are donated to Pregnancy & Family Resource. “We make dozens of quilts for them, as well as Hope Unlimited,” she said.
Jenkins’ request will be voted on at next month’s meeting.
During a round table discussion about the city flag vote, Assistant Administrator Corey Schinstock noted there were 261 votes for the clock tower flag and 74 votes for the land and water flag. Council member Max Grundy — and designer of the flags — made a motion to accept the Clock Tower option as the new city flag with the council approving. “I just want to say thank you for the opportunity I was given to design the flag,” said Grundy. “It’s been a real privilege for me. I think it’s a really cool thing. It brands our city and creates pride and enthusiasm.”
