Tuesday’s charge: ‘Be the change’

Iola's community conversation this week proves that if we want to move forward, we'll need multiple partners uniting behind a vision
A younger generation was well-represented at Tuesday evening’s Iola Community Conversation hosted by Thrive Allen County. Over 50 locals attended the event, who were then divided into groups to discuss their hopes and dreams for the community. Seated here are, from left, Ashley Omack, Elizabeth Wilcox, Kristen French and Steve French. Register file photo
by Susan Lynn-Register editor
Published: August 30, 2026
|
Preferred source Add The Iola Register as a preferred source on Google. Google Search will then show you more of our stories in Top Stories. Opens Google; you may need to sign in.

Iola’s community conversation this week proves that if we want to move forward, we’ll need multiple partners uniting behind a vision

Newcomer Camille Lavon put me in my place Tuesday night.

Aware that the dozen or so children who accompanied their parents to the Community Conversation were at times a distraction, Lavon, Thrive Allen County’s economic development director, said, “This is why I moved to Iola. Because my children are allowed to be children. They feel welcome here.”

It was a graceful way to remind me that children are inherently active and, more to the point, deserving of our tolerance.

Susan Lynn-Register editor

Susan joined the Register in 2000 and succeeded her father, Emerson Lynn, as editor and publisher in 2001. He was at the helm from 1965 to 2000. The fourth generation of her family to publish the Register, Susan has also served as president of the Kansas Press Association and the William Allen White Foundation. She currently serves on the Kansas Commission of Judicial Conduct. She attended the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. She has a liberal arts degree from Western Washington University and a master’s of library science from Wayne State University. Susan is married to local physician Brian Wolfe. In their free time they love to travel, spend time with their grandchildren and take advantage of Iola’s amazing trails.

All Articles

Leave a Reply

The Iola Register Comment Policy

The Iola Register needs your voice. We welcome your on-topic commentary. Comments are moderated for civility. Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.

Trending now

  1. Marmaton Valley schools eye upgrades

  2. Area athletes peak at the right time

  3. Road near Humboldt closed due to washout

  4. Allen County voters reject sales tax

  5. Hope Unlimited gala benefits nonprofit

Related articles

Recent Videos

View our channel