HUMBOLDT — “This is the room of dreams,” said Jerry Daniels at Tuesday night’s Community Conversation.
And complaints, hopes, and fears.
Thrive Allen County hosted the annual event where Thrive staff members help citizens arrive at a consensus on a handful of “must-do” issues.
Tuesday’s group of about 20 settled on the need to beef up the town’s communication avenues, foster community-wide pride and generate more involvement in civic affairs. 
The lack of glaring problems came about in part from the good news that Ashley Clinic will retain a presence in Humboldt.
Amber Wheeler, superintendent of USD 258 schools, told the crowd that earlier that day she had signed a two-year contract with Chanute’s hospital, Neosho Memorial Regional Health Center, to keep the clinic at the new Cubs Care Community Center south of town.
The hospital announced last week that it had purchased Ashley Clinic’s holdings from the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, which in 2023 brought Ashley Clinic into its fold.
Cole Herder, Humboldt city administrator, said Tuesday he had learned the Chanute hospital will not keep Ashley Clinic’s pharmacy in Humboldt open past the month of May.
For many at Tuesday’s gathering, the future of the clinic was a topmost concern.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard today,” Herder said.
THE EXERCISE to name Humboldt’s highlights was rewarding.
Its schools, parks, fitness center, sports complex, small town atmosphere and attractive downtown were all mentioned.
The Humboldt Promise, a new program established by the Works Family Foundation that helps pay for Humboldt High School graduates who qualify to attend the college of their choice, was lauded.
The program currently has 28 seniors out of a class of 37 that have been awarded the scholarships, said Helen Kenny, program coordinator. The generous stipends cover up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees charged by the most expensive in-state universities, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, and can be used anywhere in the country.
The Humboldt Alumni Association was also called out for its biennial reunions where up to 500 regularly attend.
“We have graduates as far back as 1943 who attend,” said John Lassman, who serves on the association’s board. Graduates must have received their diplomas at least 40 years ago to attend. 
Humboldt has met the challenge of providing adequate childcare, said Wheeler, thanks to the new daycare center at the Cubs Care Community Center. “We have three spots open out of 24,” she said.
