Pawnee County Progress 2023

2023 Pawnee County Progress

Housing on Larned’s radar for 2023

BY MIKE GILMORE mgilmore@GBTribune.com

LARNED — If not the top priority, the Larned community will be looking at adequate housing as one if their high attention issues in the coming year.

Larned City Manager

Brad Eilts took a glance at some of the challenges the city would be facing in 2023. With the objective of obtaining a 10-year forecast of Larned’s housing needs, the council approved a proposal from Novogradac, of Merriam, Kan., at their December meeting. Th independent study would outline a set of concrete demographics as a tool for city officials as well as potential developers, Eilts said. “Right now, if you asked 10 people what our problem with housing is, you’d probably get 10 different answers. And, they would all be right,” he noted. With the supply of Kansas homes near historic lows and bidding wars pushing values up, it’s a seller’s market heading into 2023. With rural communities struggling against decades of population losses, turning toward the housing question could mean the right move at the right time.

“There’s no silver bullet, that you can fire at a comprehensive approach,” Eilts noted. “The housing study will help us identify issues through demographic and economic perspectives. We will then know better what the gaps are and to what extent that they can be filled.

“Having the independent study in our hands will help us in the long run as we visit with developers as well as prepare for grant applications.”

As the study is being conducted, Eilts and Larned Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alex Filbert have enlisted the assistance of Sara Bloom, community development director with the Kansas

Department of Commerce. Before taking the position last May, Bloom served at the Hays Development Corporation since 2015. During her tenure at Hays, she planned and completed the Downtown Hays Pavillion, which was awarded in 2019, as well as the Brews on the Bricks craft beer festival and the designation of Main Street at the state level.

“With Sara, Alex and I are working toward a housing assessment tool pilot project,” Eilts said. “The

assessment tool has been a requirement of housing grant applicants for years. They’ve redone it and they are looking for a community to participate in it.”

The pilot will be looking at two Kansas communities to participate, Eilts said.

“That will be a great opportunity for us to glean some additional understanding on a personal level,” he noted.

Other projects

Battling a decades-long population decline has been

a challenge. Two feathers in Larned’s cap, however, are its “walkability,” or overall safety for citizens, and a high sense of volunteerism.

“I think that there are some natural extensions that fit into a community development umbrella,” Eilts said. “Housing is certainly economic development.

Another one of the top five is code enforcement/ beautification.”

Eilts praised Will Tice, the city code enforcement officer, for his diligence in transforming the office.

“Will has been really working to automatize the system that we have, which has been a goal of mine in the five years I’ve been here,” he said. “Will has embraced that, so that way we can identify and process code enforcement violations more expediently.

Part of the process has been attention to dangerous structures, resulting in demolitions. Along with the demolition of the Opera House on Broadway, were three structures needing removal in the city. Another

six are awaiting due process ey nish line,”

ers funds in a 25% match

$50,000 slated for upcoming project applications awaiting

“It’s been a really good e council will be looking at that project down the road as something they may want Downtown development

While the community’s should focus on the aspects will carry forward to future generations. “Over the years, the council has invested in getting back amenities that present Larned’s culture,” ere are things that we have that relate to the personal part of living. fountain, the water tower

somewhere that you would really want to be,” Eilts said. and appealing. Combining historical tax credits with the knowledge that you would gain with the housing story could lead to things like upper storing living spaces with retail on the ground floor.”

When talking about downtown as a retail corridor, that also includes the businesses on 14th Street that provide the community with commodities and services.

“Every community seems to have both a downtown and a retail service corridor, and they both need attention,” Eilts said. “They can live in harmony together and that benefits everybody.”

MIKE GILMORE Great Bend Tribune

A mix of old and new is appearing on Broadway Street in the downtown business district.

MIKE GILMORE Great Bend Tribune

The city’s renewed attention on unsafe structures benefits the overall safety and appearance of the community.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is a state-of-the-art critical access hospital at the heart of the close-knit communities of Pawnee County. Our 25-bed facility in Larned provides outstanding patient care and services that include 24/7 emergency care, surgical procedures, hightech imaging, laboratory testing, cardiopulmonary rehab, physical and occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, wound care, a pain clinic, and a sleep and diagnostics center. Our expertise in acute, skilled and specialized nursing enhances each of these services.

Additionally, through our family medicine clinic, we offer a full range of primary care and women’s health services, including 3-D mammography. Together, we focus on keeping healthcare local and treating patients one individual at a time, furthering a community impact that drives excellent patient outcomes and satisfaction.

As a HaysMed partner and member of an alliance of critical access hospitals

BCC, LHS team up to offer carpentry

BY MAGGIE HARRIS BCC Communications

Barton Community College has offered dual credit courses at Larned High School since the early 2000s. Because of this partnership, some of LHS’s teachers are also Barton adjunct faculty. Students can enroll in general education courses such as college-level math and English to help get a head start on their college coursework. Now carpentry has joined the lineup.

Carpentry has been available to LHS students for decades, but since Adam Hewson became an adjunct instructor for Barton, classes like Introduction to Craft Skills and Carpentry Basics are available to

jump start on a certificate while they’re at it. “When I returned to teaching three years ago, I found many things had changed in the world of career and technical education,” he said. “One of the largest changes was the push by the state to graduate students from high school with meaningful and nationally recognized credentials.”

In response, Hewson set out to obtain certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), which is the same certification the Barton faculty hold. The construction industry nationally recognizes NCCER as a leader in training, assessment and certification.

three students were enrolled during the fall semester and most could utilize Barton’s EXCEL in CTE program to take the course tuition free.

“What I like best about this program is that it is nationally recognized,” he said. “NCCER has a national registry that employers use to look up a student’s credentials,” he said. “Each student is issued an ID number and a wallet card. An employer can put this number in the computer and see exactly what certifications the student has completed.”

Once students complete both classes at LHS, they are almost halfway toward earning their certificate in carpentry at Barton. These students can continue the school graduation to pick up

in central and western Kansas, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital connects people to the full continuum of care needed for long-term health, wellness and quality of life, including tertiary and high-acuity specialty care, with one point of contact and shared records

for streamlined patient navigation. As one cohesive team, we fulfill the unique expectations and needs of those we serve, providing healthcare excellence close to home. Through all this and more, we’re giving you every reason to choose Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.

Fort Larned USD 495 offers quality education ranging from Pre-K all the way through 12th grade. The district 225 staff members who guide, teach and advocate for approximately 860 students. The district lives and breathes its mission statement: Committed to all students, by preparing them for all challenges, while supporting them at all times.

The district has several student attendance centers including Fort Larned Elementary, Larned Middle School, and Larned High School. Additionally, USD 495 is the host for the Tri-County Special Education Cooperative, which provides special education services for surrounding area school districts Kinsley/Offerle and Pawnee Heights. The vision is to develop positive relationships with all school partners to ensure students achieve all skills for success. With that, administrators noted that the quality they admire most about Larned is the culture. The care that the teachers and support staff provide here for students is immeasurable; it’s not only their academics that are important, but each student’s personal growth as well. The local school board and community members alike are proud of the facilities, instructional strategies, and additional opportunities for students.

USD 495 is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that ensures all students will be prepared to meet the challenges of the ever-changing world. By building bridges with parents, community members, and local businesses, students will obtain the academic skills and personal characteristics necessary to effectively communicate, utilize resources available to them, and maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle. USD 495 commits to this mission by providing a comprehensive system of support. USD 495 District Office is located at 120 E. 6th Street in Larned and can be reached at 620-285-3185.

Longtime auto club finally finds a home

BY MIKE GILMORE mgilmore@GBTribune.com

LARNED — The Santa Fe Trail Auto Club, by its members’ own account, is more than just fixing up old cars and showing them off. It begins with a passion for history; how things worked differently than today. It continues with the satisfaction of identifying the pings, clunks and thumps of a project car and replacing them with the clicks and roar of a finelytuned engine and drive train. It looks ahead to those who not only have the skills, but the drive to preserve, practice and then to pass it on, farther down the road.

For several years now, the SFTAC’s fall car show every first Sunday in October, has been dedicated to raise scholarship funds for area high school seniors who plan to pursue their education in vocational studies. They’ve planned to tweak that a bit.

Dick King, a SFTAC lifetime member and club historian, wants to see that passion passed to younger hands. “A few years ago, our school district decided that we didn’t need an automotive shop or anybody to learn how to weld,” he said. “Their program just stopped and they sold off all the equipment.”

With Adam Apley hired year as a vocational

instructor, “we want to rekindle that good program,” he said. “Ours is a benevolent organization. Not every member has their own car, but still likes cars. We have a wealth of knowledge within our club and our membership. We don’t want to see it go away.”

A permanent home Plenty of car clubs are going places and the SFTAC has been one of them for a while now. The main problem was, until recently, the club had no home base.

reaching almost as far back as the members and the cars they own. But while their

Friends of Farming

recalled. “We’ve always had to find a place to meet and always talked about if ever we could.”

Roy Peter Bach, a lifetime Larned resident was one such member, with a passion for cars and the club. Passing away in October 2017, His will stipulated that the club would inherit his car collection and money to build a museum to house them, provided it was done within five years.

After locating a building and cleaning it up, their first official meeting was in 2020.

The Roy Peter Bach museum, located at 14111 105th Ave. (East 14th St. heading into Larned) not only gives a look at the past, it’s a research center for local car enthusiasts. There are volumes of car manuals as well as past magazine issues, with a bay to work on cars. The museum is open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m.

thrived, they were always in search of a place to meet, notes lifetime member and

“This thing started back in the 1980s with a few charter members,” King

going to know it might be something they would like to do, or be good at?,” he said.

COURTESY PHOTOS OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL AUTO CLUB

The Roy Peter Bach Museum on East 14th St. in Larned has been home to the Santa Fe Auto Club in Larned since 202.

(Top) Vintage vehicles of the two- and four-wheeled variety were featured at the grand opening of the Roy Peter Bach Museum. (Below) SFTAC members provided some angle-parked atmosphere for the 70th anniversary of the State Theatre in Larned.

STAYING UP-TO-DATE

Larned Area Chamber, Economic Development looking at full 2023

BY MIKE GILMORE mgilmore@gbtribune.com

This April, Larned Area Chamber Executive Director Alex Filbert will have begun her sixth year as key representative and advocate for the business owners and employers of the community.

Among other things. In terms of hats worn for the position, Dr. Suess’ Bartholomew Cubbins comes to mind.

“I don’t think about one sole focus, because we do so many things,” Filbert said. “We do so many things and wear so many hats, it’s hard to articulate what the one sole mission is. We want to keep doing the awesome, fun things that we’ve been doing, but we want to add to them.

“We’re keeping up with our current events, work with our Chamber members, but we want to add more fun things to do. We’re working to grow, to help the community thrive, that’s what it all adds up to.”

In addition to the commercial aspect, there’s also working with community and county officials, contacting and working with state agency officials and their programs and bringing them back

home.

The Annual Antique, Vintage and Collectable Show, event in February kicks off the new year, along with Thursday Chamber Coffees. There’s Santa Fe Trail Days to get ready for in late spring, then Moonlight Madness, the Last Chance Golf Tournament, Fall Frenzy, Community Chamber Banquet, tree lighting and Christmas Celebration throughout December that includes the 100-plus year old Christmas Parade down Broadway Street.

Filbert noted that two of the Chamber’s local spending initiatives, both summer and holiday, brought in more than $260,000 to participating Chamber businesses in the month-long events.

In addition, the youth of the community benefitted from the Pawnee County Entrepreneurship Challenge and a digital marketing workshop. Both events will happen again in 2023.

And after a threeyear effort, the Chamber partnered with 53 other Chambers across the state to offer Chamber Blue of Kansas Health Insurance to help with employee recruitment and retention for Chamber members,

kicking off in January with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.

Also this year, the Chamber is working in a historic flavor with events tinged in Larned’s 150th anniversary year, building into full-fledged programs slated for the fall.

Last but not least, some numbers: the Chamber

hosted four ribbon cuttings, 32 coffee hours, two after-hours programs and one ground breaking as well as distributed nearly $22,000 in Larned Chamber Bucks and adding five new members to the roster in 2022, with more to come in 2023.

With Julie Bugner-Smith sharing the office at 502

Broadway as program coordinator, “we’re excited to continue the momentum throughout 2023 with our existing fun events, businesses and projects,

but also as we add new programs, work with new businesses, and work united with several entities to help our community thrive,” Filbert noted.

COURTESY PHOTO

A Storybook Christmas was the theme for this annual Christmas Parade in Larned. The annual Christmas Event has been a feature of the community’s holiday season for more than 100 years.

MIKE GILMORE Great Bend Tribune

Alex Filbert, right, executive director for the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce, has presided over business ribbon cuttings in the community for going on six years.

MIKE GILMORE Great Bend Tribune

(Left) Santa Fe Trail Dayse and (Right) Moonlight Madness are two long-standing warm weather events in the Larned community..

Eakin Construction serves local area needs

For a free quote within the surrounding area, call 620-285-2097.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through

Santa Fe Liquormart has wine, spirits, beer and more

icemelt and Silipint silcone cups.

The store also has RV hookups available on site. New items and specials are constantly updated on their Facebook page.

Owners are Chad and Shabree Eakin of Larned, Store hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

COURTESY PHOTOS

COURTESY PHOTOS

Hillside Envisions focuses on community cultore, activities

Hillside Envisions

- Pawnee Co., Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit to benefit the community.

Originally an elementary school located at 502 W. Fifth St. in Larned, it is now equally owned by two Larned residents. To provide opportunity to develop social, physical, and cultural skills and knowledge for all ages, Hillside hosts four annual events, with three free to the public.

The year 2023 marks the 4th year for “Hillside Farmers’ Market“ from June to October. Both farmers and crafters participate.

Through the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, the market benefits qualified low-income seniors a resource to purchase fresh, locally grown, unprocessed produce and honey from registered farmers. Marilyn Bell, director of Larned’s non-profit Welcome Inn, handles applications and

voucher distribution.

Art Show” in its third year on Sept. 29-30 includes work by established Kansas artists, emerging artists and student artists from Larned High School. Working with Prairie Arts Unlimited, plans are to include works by elementary and middle school students.

small fee to participate. Th popular executive chef from Sterling’s Chartwell Services prepares food for the craft fairs, and hors d’oeuvres for the art show.

“Hillside Ball of Fire”, with a live DJ and karaoke,

lighting, for a fun, holiday season opener. The “Ball” is variation of Larned’s former Firemen’s Ball. Rent, a source of income for Hillside, helps pay maintenance and repairs to infrastructure, utilities

area grants, donations, and volunteers provide assistance for both indoor and outdoor area improvements.

Two classrooms are rented annually by local non-profits. Rooms are available to small businesses, clubs, daycare, events, social gatherings on an hourly,

Outdoor space is free. With development of current programs and continued effort to improve infrastructure and growth of a volunteer core, the long-range goal is to reach sustainability while providing service to area residents and guests.

History abounds in popular Pawnee County preservationals

COURTESY PHOTOS

(The Fort Larned Natonal Historic Site and the Santa Fe Trail Center and Museum not only preserve the history of the Pawnee County area, they bring it to life with programs and activities throughout the year. Both located on K-156 in Pawnee County, they educate and entertain hundreds of out-of-state and even out-ofcountry visitors per year, as well as local residents.

more. Together as a team, we’re keeping care local for healthier families, and a healthier you.

(Left) Once an elemetary school, Hillside Envisions is dedocated to the social, physical and cultural well-being of the communi Farmer’s Market is a popular seasonal feature for the non-profit venture.