Woodson County Travel Guide & Directory by Iola Register

Woodson County, Kansas

“ Everything you need to enjoy small town living at its finest.”

Woodson County residents have access to the following amenities and services: • Health and Medical Facilities • • •

Wellness and Fitness Center

Dental and Orthodontic Care Local Pharmacy

• Historic Town Square and Courthouse

• Shopping and Dining

• Banking, Insurance, and Investment Services

• Carnegie Public Library

• Newly Renovated Public Swimming Pool • •

Pre-School, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School Daycare

• Nearby Recreational Opportunities •

Public Hunting and Fishing Grounds

•

State Parks, Trails and Wildlife Areas

• K-State Extension Resources and Programs •

Event Venues

• Business Start-Up Incentives •

Tax Rebates for Residence Improvements, Commercial Development, and New Home Construction

Special Thanks to... Trevor Hoag, Mark Degraffenreid, Wes Koschke, Taylor Hunt, Kurt Jackson, Keila Sherman and Jason Shepard for use of photos for this publication. The Chamber thanks all community members, business owners, and organizations who choose to put time and resources back into our communities through financial contributions, small business ownership, volunteering, sharing and interacting with social media posts, helping with annual events, and helping out when neighbors need a hand. You make Woodson County an amazing place to enjoy life and the company of friends and neighbors, as well as a great place for visitors to find new adventures, new friends, and new favorite places to come back to.

Woodson County Travel Guide & Directory

Yates Center • Toronto Neosho Falls • Piqua

2022 Edition provided by:

Published by:

Editors:

Advertising Manager: Megan Hageman

Susan Lynn and TIm Stauffer

Marketing and Design:

Violeta Rodriguez Stauffer

Graphic Design: Kristi Kranker

Table of Contents Yates Center Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Points of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Shop and Eat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Places to Stay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Toronto & Flint Hills Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Points of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shop and Eat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Places to Stay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37 37 38 42 42

Piqua & Neosho Falls Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Points of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shop and Eat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Places to Stay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45 45 46 52 52

How to use this guide In this guide, you will find information and travel ideas for all of Woodson County, covering the Yates Center Area, Toronto & Flint Hills Area, and Piqua & Neosho Falls Area.

Contents in the front of this guide. • If you’re looking for a specific business or type of business, use the Chamber Member Business Index in the back of this guide.

Each section features Woodson County Chamber Members, along with articles, photos, and simple area maps to help you plan your visit to Woodson County.

Feeling adventurous? Dive in and see what you find! It is our hope that this guide be a useful tool for visitors and community members alike. If you would like more information about something you see in this guide, send us an email at director@woodsoncountychamber.org or give us a

• If you’re looking for travel ideas and points of interest, use the Table of

Santa and the Grinch sit atop the Shepard Farm and Construction float after an afternoon taking photos with those attending the annual Festival of Lights and Lighted Christmas Parade on the Historic Yates Center Town Square.

call at (620) 625-3235. You can stop in and see us at the office Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - just be sure to call ahead if you’re making a special trip, as we’re sometimes out and about at trainings, community events, ribbon cuttings, etc. We’re so glad that you’ve decided to learn more about what we have to offer through our 2022 Travel Guide & Directory, and we wish you the most wonderful of adventures in Woodson County!

Visitors and locals enjoy the Chili Cookoff at the annual Fall Festival celebration. - RevitalizeYC

- Jake’s Pics

Page 4: Visitors, locals, and Yates Center High School alumni members enjoy a day on the Historic Yates Center Town Square during the annual Yates Center Days celebration. Toronto Days attendees participate in the annual Mud Volleyball Tournament. - Keila Sherman

Experiencing the Seasons of Woodson County These are but a few samples of our beautiful seasons - watch for more season-specific photos throughout this travel guide! A.

A. Woodson County residents enjoy a stunning wintertime sunset at South Owl Lake. - Kurt Jackson

B. Late summer and on through fall in Woodson County brings fields and fields of bright, beautiful sunflowers - great for photo opportunities! - Lampe Heritage Farm & Pumpkin Patch, LLC

C. Woodson County is a great place to catch awe-inspiring fireworks shows! This photo was taken at the annual Birdies & Bluegrass event at Lakeside Golf Course. Fireworks can also be viewed over 4th of July weekend at Cross Timbers State Park as part of the Toronto Days celebration.

- A wonderful committee member of Friends for Life, the organization for which Birdies & Bluegrass raises money to help cancer patients in our county.

D. A blanket of snow covers the scenic gravel roads in the northwest Flint Hills region of Woodson County, making for a beautiful winter-time drive. - Chari Bauman

E. Springtime brings lush greenery, blue skies, and puffy clouds to the beautiful landscape surrounding Toronto. - C. Abigail Photography

Yates Center Intro Yates Center, Kansas is a quaint, historic community with small town charm and a relaxed pace of living. If you seek fascinating architecture, brick streets, and an escape from fastpaced city living, Yates Center is the place to be! Our small community offers many amenities that might surprise you - we’ve got everything a person needs to live comfortably. From dentistry to health clinics, pharmacies to general stores, schools to wellness facilities - we’ve got it all. Looking for a safe place to raise your family? We may be just what you’re looking for! There are boundless recreational activities around Yates Center, as well as many historical sites, architectural styles, and cemeteries to view and explore.

History (from In The Beginning by Lester Harding)

Yates Center is the only town in Kansas that was born to be the county seat. Many towns are county seats because they fought for it, many because they stuffed the ballot boxes at the county seat election and some because they knew how to “handle” the county commissioners to get a special bill through the legislature. Yates Center holds the distinction of having been selected as the county seat before

there was a house on the townsite or an inhabitant within its boundaries. If the people of Woodson County had not selected it as the county seat there would not have been a Yates Center. Yates Center was established in August 1875. Before that time Neosho Falls had been the county seat. Neosho Falls was a town of 800 people, but it was located in the northeastern corner of the county. Neosho Falls was accused of being proud and haughty because of its size and its assurance of being the metropolis in that part of the state. At an election in 1873 the people of the county voted to take the county seat away from it and locate it at Kalida, a town of five hundred. Kalida was located two miles southeast of where Yates Center now stands. The trouble with Kalida as a county seat was that it had no water. The only method of digging wells was with picks, spades, shovels or gunpowder for blasting. Kalida made the mistake of locating itself where these procedures failed to get down to the water. Hauling water with ox teams for the town supply from the Neosho River was 13 miles and not practical. Kalida lost the county seat the next year to the town of Defiance, four miles east. It was soon found that Defiance was also short of water. On the claim of Abner

Yates, there were several springs of “living water,” springs that did not go dry, which gave the land in that day the only value it had. Abner Yates was a character of the pioneer sort. He was a brother of Governor Dick Yates, now famous as the war governor of Illinois. Abner was from Jacksonville, Illinois. He was a tall, raw-boned, rail splitting old pioneer who came to Kansas in the late 1860’s after the Civil War to invest in the land. He found a lot of land to invest in at that time and took all of it that he could pay for. He found springs of water on the high hill where Yates Center now stands. Around the springs he laid out his real estate possessions. The Abner Yates land was found afterwards to be in the geographical center of Woodson County, although Abner’s keen sense of land values were inclined by the water rather than by geographical centers. When the people of Woodson County wanted a county seat with enough water for a cool drink, cooking, laundry and an occasional bath, the campaign issue was raised: We want our county seat to be in the center of the county. In 1875 another election was called. Abner Yates laid out a townsite and called it Yates Center. He entered the race along with Neosho Falls, Kalida and Defiance. According to old timers, it was a hot campaign and men continued on page 17

Yates Center Resevoir • Fishing • Boating • Water Skiing • Hiking • Hunting • Rough Camping • Boat Ramp • Fishing Piers • Shelter House • Vault Restroom

South Owl Lake • RV Campground • Boat Ramp • Fishing Piers

City of Yates Center City Hall: 117 East Rutledge

Services • Animal Control • Fire Department • Police Department • Street Department • Parks Department • Water Department • City Attorney • Municipal Judge • Lend-A-Truck

620-625-2118

cityhall@cityofyatescenter.com

County KANSAS 105 W. Rutledge St. • Yates Center, KS 66783

620-625-8600

Woodson County will soon be offering a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan which includes: • Tax Rebates for Improvements to Residences • Tax Rebates for Commercial Development • Tax Rebates to Build New Houses Visit our scenic parks and wildlife areas and our history-filled, charming communities to relax and experience the joys of small-town living. 9

Insure carefully, dream fearlessly.

(620) 365-6031

111 E. Butler St., Yates Center • SERVING SOUTHEAST KANSAS Licensed/Insured | Certified Fence Contractor

Free Quote Tool & Gallery at HardyFence.pro 620-212-5638 10

Coffey Health System 801 N. 4th, Burlington, KS (620) 364-2121 . coffeyhealth.org

Amazing, made-from-scratch baked goods & coffee created with love and care. Visit us on the Historic Yates Center Town Square

Your health. Our mission. Coffey County Hospital . CHS Rehabilitation & Wellness Coffey County EMS . Sunset Manor . The Meadows Coffey County Medical Center . Gridley Medical Center LeRoy Medical Center . Waverly Medical Center Yates Center Medical Center

(620) 228-0903 100 W. Rutledge St., Yates Center, KS

The term "lodge" itself comes from the structures which the stonemasons built against the sides of the cathedrals during construction. In winter, when building had to stop, they lived in these lodges and worked at carving stone. But a Masonic lodge is more than a building; it is a living, breathing organization made up of and sustained by the members themselves. It is a tight-knit group of men who make solemn vows to one another and become comrades in Masonry and life. Above all, a Masonic lodge represents open arms, a helping hand, and brotherly love to every Mason, anywhere, at any time. Each year, Gilead Lodge #144 does the following: • Sponsors gifts for children in need through the local Adopt-a-Child for Christmas program • Offers scholarships to local youth at Yates Center High School • Participates in many other local fundraisers and events

• A Memorial Day Pancake Feed on Yates Center Days weekend • A Halloween Hot Dog Giveaway at Woodson Chamber’s Trunk or Treat and Halloween Parade • The Hunter’s Unlimited Banquet in December

Gilead Lodge #144 116 E. Butler St., Yates Center 11

OFFERING: Virtual personal training programs • Tumbling classes Cheer classes • Fitness boot camps • Wellness coaching 103 W. Mary St. • Yates Center, KS 66783

Find us on

SERVING THE CLEANEST UNLEADED GASOLINES & DIESEL FUELS • HOT, FRESH COFFEE • COLD DRINKS • LARGE SNACK SELECTION • BREAKFAST ITEMS • PIZZA • DELI SANDWICHES • CHICKEN... AND MORE!

Piqua State Bank 701 W. Mary, Yates Center (620) 625-2191

Jct. 54 & 75 – Yates Center

Member FDIC

8 other close-by locations to serve you:

Internet banking for your convenience.

709 N. State – Iola • 1700 East St. – Iola 205 S. State – Iola • 317 S. 9th – Humboldt 218 N. 9th – Humboldt • Hwy 54 – Gas Jct. 54 & 59 – Moran • 701 N. Santa Fe – Chanute

piquastatebank.com

TITLE SEARCHES & REVIEWS TITLE INSURANCE 1031 EXCHANGES CLOSING & SETTLEMENTS AFFIDAVITS • LIEN FILINGS ESCROWS • NOTARY SERVICE

203 S. STATE ST. YATES CENTER

(620) 625-2555

No One OutPizzas The Hut! Dine-In, Carryout, Delivery & New Drive-Thru Window

509 S. Fry St. • (620) 625-3635 13

Never miss another deal again!

620-625-3800 NO JOB TOO SMALL

Find us on Facebook!

Serving our community for over 20 years.

Yates Center

101 S. Pratt Yates Center, KS

(620) 625-2201 309 W. Mary, Yates Center

Yates Center Medical Clinic

A division of Coffey Health System

Caring for your vehicle is our business

Beverly Clark, M.D. Annette VanAnne, AP.R.N.

Find us on Facebook!

1004 E. Madison,Yates Center (620) 625-2312 coffeyhealth.org

508 W. Washington • Yates Center, KS

Serving Yates Center and Woodson County since 1877.

113 S. Main St. Yates Center, Kansas 620-625-2181 • Fax: 620-625-2081 E-mail: ycn@sekansas.com

VAQUERO’S Mexican Restaurant

• Meat processing facility with retail shop • Now offering delivery! • Processing options, online cut-sheet, and more available on our website!

Find us on Facebook

• Meats offered from locally owned and raised stock

620-625-9020

(620) 625-2711

112 W. Rutledge St. Yates Center, KS 66783

702 W Butler St, Yates Center, KS www.wocoprime.com

We want to help you, our customers, more than just filling prescriptions. We are here to work directly with your healthcare provider.

Sprouts Learning House 410 S. State St Yates Center, KS

112 W. Rutledge • Yates Center, KS (620) 625-2221 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

620-405-0055 15

• Established in 1929

• Governed by a 6 member Board of Directors which meets bi-monthly

• Our Mission is to serve Farm Bureau members in Kansas through programs, products and service which: - Enhance the Business and Profession of Farming - Increase Members’ Net Income - Provide Superior Value in the Marketplace - Improve the Quality of Life in Kansas

RevitalizeYC RevitalizeYC is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation focused on the revitalization efforts of Yates Center, KS. Our mission is to facilitate, promote, and support the revitalization of Yates Center and Woodson County by fostering economic development, preserving community heritage, and enhancing civic pride.

109 N. State • Yates Center, KS

revitalizeyc.com info@revitalizeyc.com

(620) 625-2345

Give us a call,

WE DO IT ALL!!! Construction Plumbing Welding

KYLE DAY

Find us on Facebook

(620) 496-7479

smithweldin5@gmail.com

(620) 625-5098 16

who talked freely about their choice for county seat took their lives in their own hands. At a meeting in Defiance, the town leaders told a big crowd that the county could not afford to locate the county seat at Yates Center - the land would cost too much. Abner Yates was at this meeting. He was sitting on a fence, and when they said it would cost too much, Abner stood up, raised his hat and shouted, “No, it won’t cost the county a cent. I will give you all the land you want for a county seat.” That settled the election - Yates Center won.

fiance and Kalida belong now to the ghost towns of Kansas.

That was the beginning of Yates Center. Abner Yates lived here until his death in September 1904. In addition to giving the county an entire block of ground for the courthouse, around which the town of Yates Center is built, he gave the city a park, each church a building location and the first two children born in the town a lot each.

Historical Attractions & Town Square:

The courthouse was moved from Defiance to Yates Center along with several houses. The hotel from Kalida was brought to Yates Center with ox teams. Practically all Defiance and Kalida moved over to Yates Center. De-

Once very rich, as riches were rated in those days, Abner Yates died in poverty. He is still revered as an honest man and described to have “leaned over backward in order to be square with everyone.”

Points Of Interest Yates Center offers experiences that will meet the needs of history buffs, outdoors enthusiasts, and those looking for a smalltown shopping, dining, and exploration experience.

The Woodson County Historical Museum offers visitors a look into our past. It features vintage clothing, Civil War artifacts, Native American artifacts, farm machinery, military uniforms and memorabilia, along with a log cabin and country church/schoolhouse. It is typically open throughout the summer months and into the fall. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for up-to-date information about the museum’s operations. The Yates Center Histor-

Woodson County Courthouse

Woodson County Historical Museum - Trevor Hoag

ic Town Square features beautiful red brick streets and plenty of historical buildings and architecture. The Woodson County Courthouse, built from 1899 - 1900, sits proudly in the middle of a pristine courthouse lawn, around which local events such as Yates Center Days, the Woodson Chamber Easter Egg Hunt, RevitalizeYC’s Fall Festival, the Woodson Chamber Halloween Parade & Trunk or Treat, and the Festival of Lights and Lighted Christmas Parade are held each year. Around the square, you’ll find many businesses, in-

Woodson County Historic Town Square - Jake’s Pics

Hotel Woodson

Hotel Woodson - Trevor Hoag

cluding hidden gem Cornerstone Bakery, which offers a quirky and relaxed atmosphere along with lunch specials, homemade baked goods, and the best coffee and tea selection in town. You’ll also find our local Mexican restaurant Vaqueros, where you can sit at the bar or a booth or table, enjoy good food and a drink, and enjoy TVs and a game of billiards or darts in their newly renovated facility. The unique antiques. boutiques. & sweets. is now open and offers locals and visitors an old-time ice cream parlor experience complete with old-time candies, bottled soda, antique furniture and collectibles, and local artisans’ wares to browse. You’ll also find a locally owned quilting and fabric shop and the Chamber of Commerce office, where you can chat with a local about Woodson County and all we have to offer. Don’t miss the historic and beautifully restored Hotel Woodson (1887), where the well-known showman Buffalo Bill Cody and company once had quite the lively stay - you can read more

on the RevitalizeYC website under the “Tourism” section. Equally impressive is the locally beloved Light Hardware Building (1904). Designed by George P. Washburn, the architect responsible for many of Kansas’ most beautiful courthouses and erected by Grant Naylor, the building is constructed primarily from locally quarried sandstone and brick manufactured just South of Yates Center at the Buffalo, KS brick works. Upon completion in 1904 the Stockebrands and Kemmerer Department Store was one of the most comprehensive and well-appointed stores of its type in the southeast Kansas area. Boasting men’s and women’s apparel, hardware, dry goods, a tin smith, and even an in-house millenary department. The second story of the building was outfitted with several large offices which were occupied by local professionals as well as a twelve-hundred seat auditorium. Christened the “New Auditorium” by its owners, the theater hosted traveling performers on the Vaude-

ville and Chautauqua circuits while also serving as the site for all Yates Center High School performances and graduations until the current high school was completed in 1925. In 1929 the building was sold to the Light and Opperman Hardware Company. The auditorium was closed due to disuse, a freight elevator was installed where the stage once stood, and the room was converted to use as implement storage. The Light Hardware Company was one of the largest and best-stocked hardware and implement dealers in southeast Kansas and operated out of the building until going out of business in December of 1971. Due to their long tenure in the building, the local community continues to refer to the building as “Light Hardware.” The building was saved from demolition by the Atkin family in the 1980s, only to become dangerously close to derelict again in the 2010s. In late 2020, Lesli Banner, inspired by what the Atkins had done for the building in the 1980s, purchased the building and once again began the painstaking process of rehabilitating the structure. Now, you’ll find that the stunning, over six-foot-tall crystal chandeliers once more grace the beautifully renovated Dr. John & Patricia Atkin Grand Ballroom, which boasts a full-service, all-inclusive event venue for large events and weddings. Locals and visitors can once more enjoy the magnificent building that holds so much history and promise for the future. Another beautiful and interesting structure that still functions as an important continued on page 27

●

● ●

Offering a small event space with large windows and plenty of natural light for meetings and intimate gatherings Video conferencing / presentation equipment & Wi-Fi provided Tables & chairs included and on-site Event planning services available

info@lighthardware.com

(620) 625-4444 100 E. Rutledge St.

Located on the southwest corner of Historic Light Hardware Building on the Yates Center Town Square

• • • • •

All-inclusive pricing Professional design and decorating Catering & bar service Day-of coordination In-house AV & multimedia production

620-625-4444

100 E. Rutledge St • Yates Center, KS 66783 info@lighthardware.com

Tri-Valley empowers people with disabilities to realize their potential as full citizens in the community, through supporting them in working and living in the place they call home. We help them belong.

620-431-7401

Serving Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties 620-625-8620

521 W. 35 Chanute Pkwy | P.O. Box 518 | Chanute, KS trivalley@tvds.org | tvds.org

C R E AT I N G M E M O R I E S

I N

S T Y L E .

OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS

The United Methodist Church

Neosho Falls UMC | Yates Center UMC Pastor

Jimmy Yoo SOCIAL & CORPORATE EVENTS

307 S. Grove St. Yates Center, KS 66783 ycumcks@sbcglobal.net

620-437-6695 eventsbyaliandco@gmail.com www.facebook.com/eventsbyaliandco

109 W. BUTLER • YATES CENTER, KS (620) 625-2185

200 OFF Any Orthodontic Treatment

FIND US ON FACEBOOK • YATESCENTERDENTAL.COM

Limited to first 50 patients. Call for details. Offer expires September 1, 2022.

Auto | Home | Life | Annuities Business | Farm & Ranch Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services.

SHARLA MILLER, AGENT 208 S Washington Ave., Iola, KS 620.380.0009 109 N State, Yates Center, KS 620.625.2345 SharlaKMiller.fbfsagents.com Sharla.K.Miller@fbfs.com

400 E. Central Ave. • Suite 201C Ponca City, OK 74601 Business Wing Studio E The Town Hall 201 S. Main St. Yates Center, KS 66783

101 N. State Yates Center (620) 625-3571

Covering North Central Oklahoma and Southeast Kansas. Specializing in family portraits and rural life photography. Let me help capture your family memories.

Dan & Tammy Miller 21

Your One Stop Recreation Solution

TS Construction General Contractors, Inc.

Site Prep • Excavating • Sewers Utilities • Grading • Trucking Oil & Gas • Railroad • Pipe Supply Livestock Watering Systems

Tim Splechter - President

KATE SHEPARD | RECREATION CONSULTANT 620-625-3800

tasplechter@yahoo.com

620-496-6100

101 South Pratt • Yates Center, KS 66783 kate@playscapesrecreation.com

1586 Hwy 54 Yates Center, KS 66783

Orthopedic Care • Cardiac Management • Pulmonary Management Wound Care • IV Therapy • Outpatient Services Rehabilitation Therapy • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Respite and Hospice Long-term Care Services

2 018

S IL V E R

801 S. Fry St., Yates Center, KS 66783 • 620-625-2111 yatescenterhealthandrehab.com 22

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING LLC.

Providing electrical contracting solutions for your residential, commercial, industrial, and oil & gas projects Licensed and lnsured Serving the Southeast Kansas area with 15 years of extensive electrical experience.

620-363-4449

kjelectricalllc@gmail.com 310 E. Park St. • Yates Center, KS 66783

l Ca

w no

125

165

for 2 rooms + hall

for 3 rooms + hall

Any rooms above 250 sq. feet are considered two rooms. 12/31/2022 Exp. Date

Carpet Cleaning - Tile & Grout Cleaning Residential & Commercial

620-705-9838 | sekcleaningsolutions.com 23

Yates Center Elevator Locally owned and operated

Custom Hay Grinding

Swanson Net Wrap and Twine Dealer

Supplying you with all your agriculture, cattle, ranch and farm needs.

(620) 203-0040

1359 Frontage Rd., Yates Center (620) 625-2271 theyce@yahoo.com • Find us on Facebook!

lfshaygrinding@gmail.com

Steiner’s Hair Today 103 N. State Yates Center, KS

201 S. Main St. Yates Center, KS

(620) 496-5121

620-625-5096

Established in 1950 Grain elevator offering feed, fertilizer, fuel and propane. • Fuel pumps open to the public • We take all major credit cards

(620) 625-2484 120 West Rutledge St. Yates Center, KS 66783 sekmchd.com

700 W. Rutledge St., Yates Center, KS

(620) 625-3151 sekcoop.com Find us on Facebook

American Gallery

TOWNSMAN MOTEL

Primitives, Antiques & Custom Framing

RESERVATIONS (620) 625-2131 609 W. MARY HWYS. 54 & 75 YATES CENTER, KS 66783

820 S. Fry St • Yates Center

(620) 625-2973

“Trust Your Future To A Proven Past”

We are here for you

Spencer/Jaynes Agency

whenever you need us.

120 N. Main P.O. Box 126 Yates Center, KS 66783

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

625-2511

Call our Yates Center Office at (620) 625-2746 to learn more about our services.

Live Bait & Tackle

THE BAIT STOP Boat Sales & Repair

Roberta Wilkes | Bill Dunn

Hwy 54 & Grove Yates Center, KS 66783

111 S. State Yates Center, KS (913) 299-0229

620-228-7601

620-717-5206 (Kristee) or 620-363-0169 (Tom) 25

Round Bales Large & Small Square Bales

(620) 496-7174 1597 180th Rd. Yates Center, KS

American Legion Post #13

WOODSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

123 W. Butler St. Yates Center, KS 66783

Established 2017 Find us on Facebook!

Hairbenders

DeLana Jeffery ~ 620-625-3321 119 N. State • Yates Center, KS

Light Hardware Building - Jake’s Pics

Yates Center Public Library (Carnegie) - Chari Bauman

part of our town to this day is the Yates Center Public Library, a Carnegie library built in 1912. You’ll enjoy the eclectic 20th century design style and the beauty of such a nicely kept local gem and community resource. Venture inside for a cozy atmosphere offering a wide selection of books, along with computers for public use and a wonderfully whimsical kids’ section on the low-

Still Waters Edge Retreat - Courtesy Photo

er level. Heading south of the Square on Main Street, you’ll find The Town Hall, a lovingly preserved church building that has been transformed into a business incubator, event venue, learning space, and art gallery. The art gallery and sanctuary event space are open during select community events, while next door Tradewinds Flea Market is home to a variety of decor, antiques, and fun flea market finds (open M - F Noon - 5:30 PM & Sat 10 AM - 5:30 PM; hours subject to change). Head around to the west side of the building to find the business entrance, which houses a variety of local businesses. Adventures for Outdoor Enthusiasts: If you enjoy the great outdoors, you won’t be disappointed with what we have to offer! Nearest to Yates Center is South Owl Lake. Nestled among the blackjack trees, the lake and its surroundings offer a beautiful setting for an excit-

a designated spot by the parking lot. The lake has a vault restroom, but no other camping hook-ups are presently available.

Woodson State Fishing Lake - Taylor Hunt

ing fishing experience or a wonderful family picnic. South Owl Lake has a boat ramp and fishing piers as well as an RV campground. Lakeside Golf Course - a sand greens course guaranteed to add novelty to the sport for those who haven’t tried sand greens before - sits next to the lake. Also near town is Still Waters Edge Retreat, a new facility located along the scenic Kanza road. Still Waters Edge Retreat offers nightly rental cabins and RV hookups, private events, a lake and pond with beach area, zip line, and water trampoline, and plenty of spaces to hang out and relax, such as an outdoor kitchen and bar and a playground for the kids. It’s extremely kid-friendly and a fantastic destination for groups and those who love the water. All Access Single Day Passes for the lake & pond can be purchased per site/ cabin for $15 a day. This includes all kayaks, canoes, zipline, pedal boats, paddle boards, beach area, life

jackets, playground equipment, and water bouncer. Owners Todd & Melissa Stiffler are always adding new activities and structures to the retreat, allowing visitors to enjoy even more options with every stay! A bit farther from town you’ll find the Yates Center Reservoir. Yates Center Reservoir has 212 acres of surface water, with 500 acres of land surrounding the lake. The entire area offers: fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, hunting and rough camping. Aggressive management includes fish stocking, supplemental feeding, restrictive length and creel limits, and fish habitat development. Regulations are a key component of the management plan and may be adjusted in the future based on sampling results. To maintain quality fishing, the regulations will be strictly enforced. Yates Center Reservoir has a boat ramp, fishing piers, and a shelter house. Camping is permitted in

And last but definitely not least, you won’t want to miss the beautiful Woodson State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Areas that are situated within the Chautauqua Hills. 2,885 acres of wildlife area with public hunting and fishing mean you won’t run out of opportunities to explore, hunt, fish, camp, and enjoy native Kansas wildlife in a spectacular setting. As this lake does not allow recreational water activities, it’s a prime location to enjoy nature and wildlife in an undisturbed setting. Watch for waterfalls after rain and view a variety of birdlife, as a plethora of species make their way through our area during spring and fall migrations along with the many species that call Woodson County home throughout the year. Visit ksbirdingtrail.com for more information on local birding trails! You can pick up your hunting and fishing licenses at the Woodson County Courthouse in Yates Center or Lizard Lips Grill & Deli at Country Junction at the intersection of Highway 54 and Highway 105.

Shop and Eat You won’t want to miss Yates Center’s restaurants, including: Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant, Cornerstone Bakery, Hys Filling Station, The Salty Heifer, and Pizza Hut. Pick up groceries at G&W Foods and grab a snack at Pete’s continued on page 36

monja wood-barney BCTMB

• Cabins & RV Sites • Play Pond with Beach • Zipline • Water Trampoline • Kayaks • Pedal Boat • Canoes

• Outdoor Movie Nights • Teahouse • Dock • Stocked 5 acre “Mini Lake” • Grain Bin Kitchen/Bar • Playground • Outdoor Bathroom

Specializing in injury recovery, chronic pain and headache relief, massage, fibromyalgia treatment, and many other natural practices that can enhance wellness of the body and mind. 201 S. Main St., Yates Center, KS

(620) 203-1510

@stillwatersedgeretreat stillwatersedgeretreat.com 1245 Kanza Rd. • Yates Center, KS 66783

monja@naturalpathways.net www.naturalpathways.net Book online or by phone Find us on Facebook & Massage Book

620-875-4244

Eric Boone, Auctioneer “Selling your sale with dignity”

Phone (620) 625-3246 Cell (620) 496-6312

ebooneauctions@gmail.com 1048 Mink Rd., Yates Center, KS 66783

PSI PERSONAL SERVICE INSURANCE, INC.

LOREN KORTE ROSAN WILLIAMS

The Woodson County Cattlewomen Iola, KS (620) 365-6908

Humboldt, KS (620) 473-3831

Non-profit organization whose goal is to promote beef and support the beef industry in Woodson County.

Moran, KS (620) 237-4631

LIFE | HOME | CROP/FARM AUTO | BUSINESS

Find us on Facebook @WoodsonCountyCattlewomen

psi-insurance.com

Knowledge Trust Performance

Mon. – Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Est. 1967

215 W RUTLEDGE ST YATES CENTER

Land and Rural Home Specialists

(620) 625-2447 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Charly Cummings, Sales Associate & Auctioneer

(620) 496-7108 111 S. State St. Yates Center, KS vaughnroth.com

Eric Boone

Need Auto Parts? See Us!

Electric & Tree Service

HOURS: Mon - Fri 8:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. Sat 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Yates Center, KS (620) 625-3246 (620) 496-6312 Fully Insured

806 W. Mary, Yates Center (620) 625-3251 | FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Order of the Easter Star Golden Rod Chapter #163 116 E. Butler • Yates Center, KS The Order of the Eastern Star is a worldwide fraternal, non-profit, charitable service organization that is an associated body of the family of Masonry similar to Shriners, Scottish Rite, York Rite and others.

Join a Chapter near you to gain lifelong friendships and treasured experiences. 31

TRAP SHOOTING ON A WEEKLY BASIS

TAPDOLLS DANCE AND MUSIC COMPANY

Weather permitting every Monday night at 7:00 p.m.

A Kansas non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of tent, rep & folk theatre. Find us on Facebook

FIND US ON FACEBOOK Bring this directory on your ﬁrst visit and receive

$10 oﬀ that night’s shoot!

Roberta L. Wilkes, President

816-803-6801

tapdoll@earthlink.net CAMPBELL FUNERAL HOME Professional Funeral & Cremation Services Lane Jones • Cindy Jones Sylvanya Engdahl

We’ve Got You Covered!

310 W. Rutledge St., Yates Center, KS 66783

• Residential and Commercial • Free Estimates • Insurance Specialists • 1000s of happy customers

620-625-2211

campbellfuneralyatescenter@gmail.com jonescampbellfuneralhome.com

(620) 332-9249 • hhrooﬁng.com

620-625-2301 204 N Fry St, Yates Center

We would like to extend our thanks to the following sponsors for financially supporting the Woodson County Chamber of Commerce and continuing to be involved community members and advocates for Woodson County and all we have to offer.

Remodeling contractor specializing in interior and exterior renovations, decks and small additions. Ed and Brenda Stratman Pringle Ranch Dr. John and Pat Atkin ML Farms and Cattle Pete and Gwen Martin Community members like you help Woodson County thrive and we strive to utilize your funds to uplift our county, its residents, and our local businesses. Thank you again for your support!

Yates Center, KS • (620) 496-8246 kb.renovations21@gmail.com @kbreno21

We oﬀer FRE� insurance quotes for all residents of Yates Center, Burlington, Lebo, Gridley, Leroy Waverly, Emporia, Madison, and surrounding communities. We have the conveniences of modern technology combined with good old-fashioned customer service and the desire to help others.

a y! s u e Giv all toda c

J.J. Edwards

State Farm® Insurance Agent

105 N. State St., Yates Center 620-625-3139

Y.C. Tire & Auto LLC 108 S. Fry St. Yates Center, KS

620.625.2531 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Fully Insured Local Chapter of Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Pass it On! Outdoor Mentors Program Call or Text (620) 490-0310 Email: haycapitaloutdoors@gmail.com Find us on Facebook!

Local bar & grill serving local, homegrown Woodson County beef menu items.

1420 HWY 54, Yates Center (620) 637-2368 hibbardtom@yahoo.com

1254 Hwy 54, Yates Center, KS

(620) 625-9002

Real Estate Agent Tom Hibbard

Beautifully restored Victorian home available for travelers and artists looking for a creativity-boosting respite in a quaint, historic town. • 5 Star Rating • Book through Airbnb ~ ~ ~ ~

8 5 5 2

guests bedrooms beds baths

• Neta is a Superhost Step back in time in this elegantly tranquil 1887 getaway on a quiet, charming brick street 3 blocks from historic Yates Center Main Square, a Carnegie library, & stately Woodson County Courthouse. A perfect, peaceful, private escape!

“Our Farmers Come First” • • • • •

Seed Sales & Delivery Chemical Sales Meridian Wagon Sales & Repair Wheat Cleaning & Treatment Plot Tours

1457 70th Rd., Yates Center

(620) 496-8253 35

Convenience.

Stop by Tradewinds Flea Market to make your next flea market discovery, then head over to American Gallery for beautiful antiques, furniture, and custom framing services. The Town Hall is a business incubator and nonprofit organization, art gallery, and event venue with a variety of local businesses located in its business wing (entrance on west side of building), and hosts various events throughout the year. Check out our local sewing shop next to the Woodson Chamber, and don’t miss the opportunity to stop by our newest attraction: antiques. boutiques. & sweets., an old-timey shop offering an ice cream parlor, old-time candies and bottled soda, antique furniture and col-

lectibles, and local artisan’s wares - now open! Visit the new Cross Eyed Catfish Kayaks & More to browse kayaks and accessories, as well as pool/lake toys. Looking for bait? Stop by G & C Baits and The Bait Stop for all of your bait and tackle needs! Need something for a DIY project? Head on over to Superior Building Supply for your home-improvement needs.

Places To Stay Along with camping at South Owl Lake, Yates Center Reservoir, Woodson State Fishing Lake and Still Waters Edge Retreat, you’ll find adorable cabins for rent at Still Waters Edge and the beautiful Songbird Victorian Airbnb on the red brick streets of

Yates Center - a nightly rental near Yates Center High School that is situated within walking distance of the Historic Town Square and is outfitted with beautiful artwork, musical instruments, enchanting interior design elements, and everything a visiting artist or adventurer might need to enjoy the relaxing, peaceful, and friendly small town experience that Yates Center has to offer. If you’re looking for a motel, we’ve got a wonderful, locally owned establishment called the Townsman Motel that will welcome you with clean, updated rooms and friendly staff - located conveniently at the intersection of Hwy 54 and Hwy 75 within walking distance of restaurants, gas stations, and our local grocery store G&W Foods.

Now open!

Ice Cream Parlor • Old Time Candies Glass Bottled Sodas • Shakes Hand-scooped Ice Cream

Two-story shopping experience featuring:

Hys Filling Station

Antique Furniture & Collectibles Local Artisans’ Wares

710 W. Mary St. • Yates Center, KS 620-625-9001

113 N. State St. • Yates Center, KS info@antiquesboutiquessweets.com www.antiquesboutiquessweets.com

Toronto & Flint Hills Intro Situated along the Verdigris River, Toronto, Kansas is as quirky and wonderful as its name suggests. From a rich history to the now quiet main street and Toronto Lake just outside of town, this little community is a haven for bicyclists, artists, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who loves a tiny town with a very big heart.

Points of Interest Toronto is situated on the very edge of the Kansas Flint Hills region and the town and its surrounding areas offer quite a lot to locals and tourists. You’ll find restaurants, shopping, and plenty of outdoor rec-

Toronto Main Street - Chari Bauman

reational activities in and around Toronto. Historical Attractions: Toronto and surrounding areas are rich in Native American history, as Osage Nation peoples hunted and lived here. You will find references to this history as you explore the trails within Cross Timbers State Park. Quite a few of the once numerous historic buildings on Toronto’s Main Street now stand, allowing you to view those that have withstood the test of time and visit the local businesses that now operate out of several such buildings. Nearby cemeteries include the Toronto Ceme-

tery, offering large, shady cedar trees and beautiful tombstones, and the much smaller Carlisle Cemetery situated within Cross Timbers State Park. Adventures for Outdoor Enthusiasts: 105 Highway is not only a designated route for bicyclers, but will also lead you to Toronto Lake and Cross Timbers State Park. The name “Cross Timbers” refers to the unique ecological zone in which the park sits - the Chautauqua Hills region, complete with Blackjack Oaks and rugged hills, meets the lush and highly unique Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie Region, featuring large, grass-covcontinued on page 41

Lizard Lips Grill & Deli at Country Junction, Inc.

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

• Groceries • Bait & tackle • 24/7 Fuel

• Snacks • Drinks • Beer

• Camping needs & wants • Over-the-counter itch relief • Hunting & fishing licenses

If we don’t have it, you don’t need it! 153 Hwy 54, Toronto, KS • 620-637-2384

Two miles north of Toronto at Hwy 54 and Hwy 105 junction Hours 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. • 7 Days / Week 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July Weekend, & Labor Day Weekend

102 E Main St Toronto, Kansas

(620) 637-2985 torontolbr.com torontolumber@gmail.com

We offer a wide range of high-quality products for all your home improvement needs: Ag Products: Fencing, Concrete Mix • Building Materials: Lumber, Insulation, Roofing, Siding Plumbing & Electrical • Kitchen & Bath Fixtures • Drywall & Paint • Windows & Doors Lawn & Garden • Power Tools • Hardware & Fasteners

BOOK YOUR HUNT

TODAY!

Sassy Sisters’ MARKETPLACE

Darling, Dashing, Daring & Beautiful

TORONTO, KS CALL 620-637-2967

Unique Gifts, Furniture, & Home Decor!

Exciting menu items such as the Hawaiian Burger, Big Mac Salad, Fish & Shrimp Tacos & more. Ask us about hosting your next event!

JOSH AND KATY DEHOUX

Open Tues. - Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. April - October

HUNTLONEPINE.COM

(620) 875-2162

Like us on Facebook

106 W. Main St., Toronto, KS

Visit us for Toronto Days, held annually on the 4th of July Weekend for vendors, a parade, great food, live entertainment, mud volleyball, and more - and don’t miss the Toronto Days Fireworks at Cross Timbers State Park!

Serving Woodson, Greenwood, Wilson, Coffey, Neosho and Allen counties & surrounding areas

Remodeling • Plumbing Decks • Lawn Care

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Junk Removal • Painting Siding • Roof Repair

Nonprofit organization that helps raise money to do improvements to the Cross Timbers State Park, plan social events, provide adult and kids’ activities, and help draw families together to enjoy the great outdoors.

VT Flooring Installation Door & Window Installation & Repair

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Need something that’s not listed? Give us a call and we’ll let you know if it’s a problem we can fix!

(620) 238-1939

Camper Convenience Center Easter Egg Hunt Spring/Fall Craft Vendor Show Kickoff to Summer 4th of July Activities Free Concerts Chili Cook Off Summer Concessions

(620) 583-2876 Find us on Facebook!

ered hills which go through quite the transformation from warm tones in the fall and winter months to brilliant green after spring burning season. With this intersection of ecological zones comes a mixing of flora and fauna as well - Cross Timbers is an excellent area to enjoy the many wildlife and plant species that call both regions home.

Lakeside Trail at Cross Timbers State Park - Chari Bauman

The park offers several trails, all of which are open to both hiking and mountain biking except for the Ancient Trees Trail, which is open only to hikers. Shaded primitive camping sites and full RV hookups are available to park-goers, with backcountry camping allowed with a special permit at select locations on the Chautauqua Hills Trail. Bathhouses are available to campers, as well as a small convenience center with laundry facilities and other necessities operated by the local Friends of Cross Timbers group. You’ll find that the paved roadways within the park are excellent for leisurely walks if you prefer them to trail systems, and a basketball court and playground offer recreational activities for all age ranges. Toronto Lake and the connected Verdigris River offer excellent fishing of white bass, white crappie, channel and flat-head catfish, black bass, sunfish, and bluegill. The 4,600 acre Toronto Wildlife Area is host to a wide range of habitats and wildlife, including many songbird and waterfowl species that may be difficult to find in other areas of Kansas.

Entrance to Chautauqua Hills Trail at Cross Timbers State Park - Mark DeGraffenreid

Friends of Cross Timbers offers several events at the park throughout the year,

Toronto Lake - Mark DeGraffenreid

including an Easter Egg Hunt, concessions, Kickoff to Summer, and live music in the fall. Visit Toronto Lake over the July 4th weekend to enjoy a lively fireworks show hosted by Toronto Booster Club and sponsored by Woodson County Chamber of Commerce and the Woodson County Tourism Board. If you’d like to visit Cross Timbers State Park but do not yet have a State Park Pass, you can use the selfpay station on the north side of the lake (or gate workers are present on Fridays and Saturdays), or visit the Park Office on the south side of the lake during regular business hours. If you’re looking for a unique hunting experience, you’ll want to check out Lone Pine Hunting Preserve nestled north of Toronto in the foothills to the Flint Hills. Lone Pine Hunting Preserve

offers some of the finest upland game hunting including pheasant, chukar, and bobwhite quail on its Controlled Shooting Area. They offer European Hunts, as well as Package Hunts, Guided Hunts, and Field Hunts and can accommodate up to five hunting parties at a time across miles of hunting grounds. There is no bag limit when you hunt with Lone Pine and they offer hunts from September through March every year with some of the finest Brittanys in the country. No memberships required and simple pricing makes things easy for visitors.

drinks, snacks, bait and tackle, camping supplies, gas, diesel, and more! Once you’ve made it to town, you’ll want to check out Cross Eyed Catfish Trading Co. for a variety of bait, tackle, equipment, and convenience items as well as Toronto Lumber Company, a local lumber yard with friendly staff and everything you might need for a DIY project or repair. Sassy Sisters’ Marketplace offers a huge selection of antiques, collectibles, furniture, and decor along with an excellent lunch menu - you’re sure to find something that sparks your interest!

Shop and Eat

Places to Stay

For such a tiny town, Toronto has a lot to offer visitors! Be sure to stop by Lizard Lips Grill & Deli at Country Junction on your way to town at the junction of 54 and 105 highways for deli options, pizza, wings,

If you’re looking for rustic-but-updated lodging featuring hunting lodge decor and plenty of amenities and space to stretch out and relax, Snag Hollow Vacation Rentals in Toronto is just the place for

you! With a full-size shop complete with “Man Cave” and RV hookup, as well as a full two-bedroom historic farmhouse (1900) and a spacious yard, this location is a great base-camp for all kinds of adventures in Woodson County. Another historic option within Toronto is Sassy Sisters Inn (1834), a lovingly restored historic churchturned modern day inn and event venue. Featuring a spacious great room and two fully furnished bedrooms and baths, this hidden gem filled with rustic charm can sleep up to six and is the perfect location for a family gathering or relaxing getaway. A continental breakfast featuring homemade pastries, toast, cereal, and your choice of coffees and teas is included, as well as unlimited Wifi access to ensure your stay is as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

A variety of wildlife can be found in Woodson County throughout the year, such as these migrating pelicans at Toronto Lake. - Wes Koschke

If you’re looking for a more lake-centered stay, check out the campgrounds, RV hookups, and cabins available for rent at Cross Timbers State Park.

Two local whitetail deer watch visitors carefully near Toronto Lake. - Wes Koschke

Hugh's Tel Com provides high quality wireless internet service in the Yates Center and Virgil areas with additional towers planned for Buffalo, Toronto and Fredonia in 2022. We also offer:

Phone Service • Phone Systems • Video Security • Network Equipment

215 W. Main Street • P.O. Box 235 620-637-2605 • cityhalltoronto@outlook.com Find us on Facebook!

(620) 652-4345

hrunyan@hughstelcom.com • hughstelcom.com

Toronto Cowboy Church & The Arena of Life

High Point Cowboy Church

Pastor Jon Petty

Pastors Wayne & Paula Minckley

Worship services Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Worship services Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.

(620) 637-2298

(620) 878-3262

torontocowboy.com

781 KS-105 Toronto, KS 66777

204 E. 4th Colony, KS 66015

Short-term rental for hunters, fishermen, cyclists and adventurers looking for a place to rest and relax in Toronto, Kansas. Built in 1900, this two bedroom, whole-home rental features high ceilings, original hardwood floors and a large shop with RV hookups. Enjoy close proximity to Cross Timbers State Park and Woodson State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area.

(620) 288-2658

404 S. Jackson St. • Toronto, KS mark@snaghollow.com • www.snaghollow.com (620) 308-0314 sassysisterstoronto@gmail.com

@snaghollow

Piqua & Neosho Falls

Intro

Neosho Falls and Piqua are two tiny towns with much to offer history buffs and those seeking off-thebeaten path experiences. Both towns are located in the northeast section of our county, making them perfect stops on a day trip through the area.

Points of Interest Piqua, located just off of Highway 54 before entering Allen County, is quite easily spotted thanks to the Piqua Farmers Co-op and its landmark grain bins and elevators, as well

Neosho Falls Riverside Park - Trevor Hoag

Piqua Farmers Co-op

Neosho River

as the St. Martin’s Catholic Church which stands tall to the south of town. Piqua not only sports the Co-op, a hub for local farmers, but also a hidden gem of a bar and grill called Silverado’s and the Buster Keaton Museum. Lampe Heritage Farm offers seasonal fresh garden produce, jams and jellies throughout the year and a Pumpkin Patch in the fall. Neosho Falls is located along the Neosho River and offers a community center, city park, river access, and plenty of historical and abandoned buildings to view. Historical Attractions: Though St. Martin’s Catholic Church at Piqua is now an oratory and is used only for special masses, it is a beautiful building featuring ornate architecture

on the interior and exterior and is open 24/7 for travelers and visitors (no public restroom available). Along with it sits a beautiful churchyard cemetery where the loved ones of many locals reside. The Buster Keaton Museum is situated within the same building as the Rural Water District office and offers visitors a glimpse into the life of well-known film actor, writer, and director Buster Keaton. Hours for the museum are 8 AM - 2:30 PM Monday through Friday - be sure to call first if you’re stopping in over the lunch hour (12:00 - 1:00), as the office may or may not be staffed during that time. For more information call (620) 468-2385. Neosho Falls offers viewing of several abandoned

St. Martin’s Catholic Church

buildings and sites, one of which is the former Neosho Falls High School. As a once-booming town and Woodson County’s most prosperous, the ghosts of past success are still evident in places like this one. Had the great flood of 1951 not decimated the town, perhaps it would have grown to its once-anticipated potential size and continued to thrive as other riverside cities such as Wichita have managed to do. As things went, the flood stifled the town’s growth and left a strong band of residents that continue to work together to take care of their community and host such events as “Ol’ Settlers’ Days,” a nod to the once huge celebrations, parades, and even presidential visits that once graced its city streets. continued on page 50

Be the Light Suite Sharla Miller, Host

All the amenities of home on the beautiful Iola town square where you have shopping, dining, farmer’s market and outside city band concert weekly.

• Unique space for small events right off the historic Iola, Kansas town square. • Perfect for a variety of small events. • Rustic feel with exposed rafters, brick walls, and vast windows.

Air BNB in Iola, KS

110 South Washington Avenue • Iola, KS

airbnb.com/h/bethelightsuiteiolaks

(620) 496-7517

620-365-1811

110loungeeventcenter.com

Established in 1956

201 S. Washington, Piqua, KS

(620) 468-2535

piquacoop@piquacoop.com • piquacoop.com

McIntosh/Booth Insurance Susan Booth, Agent

• Medicare • Supplements • Annuities • Life • Vision • Dental

620-365-3523

212 South Street, Iola mcintoshbooth.com

Over 35 years of experience serving the Iola area in

AUTO PARTS SALES Everything to meet your automotive needs!

Neosho Falls, KS

Locally owned & operated since 2008

(620)

365-3131

namesandnumbers.com

210 S. State St. • Iola, KS 66749 Mon - Fri 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sat 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Neosho Falls High School - Trevor Hoag

Rockler Home - Trevor Hoag

Adventures for Everyone: Visit Woodson County in the beautiful fall season to enjoy not only nature’s autumnal sights and sounds, but also the Lampe Heritage Farm Pumpkin Patch! Pick a few pumpkins for the road and enjoy various activities such as hay rides and scavenger hunts while experiencing life on a working Kansas farm! You won’t

want to miss their fresh produce, jams and jellies, and stay tuned via their Facebook page for other event offerings throughout the year. If you want the true country living experience, book the historic farmhouse for a peaceful stay in the charming Kansas countryside. The nearby Lehigh Portland Trails offer outdoor

enthusiasts over 14 miles of trail systems to enjoy, all beautifully maintained, while the Southwind Rail Trail allows walkers and bicyclists to travel from Iola to Humboldt, another quaint Kansas community that was recently featured in the New York Times list of places to visit in 2022. Make a full-day’s trip by visiting the spirited and history-filled Neosho Falls, then stopping by Piqua for a look at the Buster Keaton Museum and a bite to eat at Silverado’s Bar and Grill, and finishing up your day with a jaunt on one of Allen County’s trail systems, a walk around the Iola Town Square - the country’s largest town square filled with local businesses and shops to explore - or a visit to the now-famous, eccentric and artsy community of Humboldt to enjoy the unique shops and dining experiences that make it a place worth visiting.

continued on page 52

M-F 9 A.M. - 6 P.M. SAT. 9 A.M. - 1 P.M. Call or find us on the Rx 2 Go app

A Place built by friends for friends. M-W | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. TH-S | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. + 5 - 9 p.m.

CATERING AVAILABLE Pest Control • Termite Inspection Animal Trapping • Lawn Maintenance Snow Removal

Lampe Heritage Farm LLC PUMPKIN PATCH & GUESTHOUSE

Enjoy a true Kansas countryside experience in this Airbnb which includes the entire 3 bedroom farmhouse, fire pit, pond, and quiet, outdoor spaces to explore. Farm fresh eggs and homemade jams await you, as well as a garden in the summertime and a you-pick pumpkin patch experience in the fall season. Find Lampe Heritage Farm on Airbnb or call the number below to learn more and book your stay!

126 Violet Rd. • Piqua, KS 66761

Get It Done with All in One Pest Home and Lawn Taking care of your property so you don’t have to.

620.363.1000

Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured PCL 7275

Locally owned and operated for 25 years. Give us a call today 620-365-3720 Email us at allinonephl@outlook.com Learn more at allinonepestks.com

Photo courtesy Lampe Heritage Farm & Pumpkin Patch, LLC

Shop and Eat Stop by Silverado’s Bar & Grill in Piqua before heading over to Iola and Humboldt to enjoy the many local shops, or head back to Yates Center or Toronto to continue your Woodson County exploration and enjoy more local businesses and restaurants.

Places to Stay Lampe Heritage Farm & Pumpkin Patch offers a

quaint and historic country farmhouse stay including fresh eggs and homemade jam, an entire property to explore, dirt roads for bike rides and leisurely walks, a fishing pond, a fully-furnished kitchen, outdoor seating, and a fire pit for cozy fireside chats. Just outside of Piqua, you’ll have access to all that Woodson County has to offer, as well as other unique day trips into Allen and surrounding counties. Be the Light Airbnb of-

fers visitors a beautiful, two-bedroom apartment situated only a half-block from Iola’s large and bustling town square. This updated and modern apartment with keyless entry offers all of the amenities you’ll need for a truly enjoyable stay, with Woodson County’s towns and attractions only fifteen to thirty-five minutes away via Highway 54.

Chamber Member Business Index

AUTOMOTIVE Iola Auto Parts, LLC & Oilfield Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Pete’s Convenience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sievers Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 YC Auto Wash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 YC Tire & Auto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 BUILDING SUPPLY Superior Building Supply, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Toronto Lumber Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 CHILD CARE Sprouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post #13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Friends of Cross Timbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Gilead Lodge #144. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Golden Rod Chapter #163 O.E.S.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Hay Capital Gun Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Hay Capital Outdoors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 New York Valley Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 RevitalizeYC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rural Redevelopment Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . watch for our ad in 2023! Tapdolls Dance & Music Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Toronto Booster Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Toronto Cowboy Church & The Arena of Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Toronto Volunteer Fire Departmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . watch for our ad in 2023! Turkey Creek United Methodist Church. . . . . . . . . . watch for our ad in 2023! United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Woodson County Cattlewomen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Woodson County Democratic Party. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 CONTRACTORS H&H Roofing and Restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Hardy Fence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 KB Renovations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 KJ Electrical Contracting LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Living Faith Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Playscape Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Shepard Farm & Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Smith Welding & Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 TS Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 DINING & GROCERIES Cornerstone Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 G&W Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Hys Filling Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Lizard Lips Grill & Deli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Pizza Hut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Silverado’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 The Salty Heifer, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Vaquero’s Mexican Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 FARM & AGRICULTURE C & H Hay and Cattle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Livestock Forage Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Mid-West Fertilizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . watch for our ad in 2023! Piqua Farmers Coop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SEK COOP, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Weber Seed Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Woodson County Farm Bureau Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Woodson County Prime Meat Processing, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Yates Center Elevator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Chamber Member Business Index (cont.)

FUNERAL SERVICES Campbell Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

HAIR & BEAUTY Hairbenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Pop Culture Hair Studio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Steiner Hair Today. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

HEALTH & MEDICAL Allen County Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Coffey Health System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Iola Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 JACK’D Wellness, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Midwest Hearing Aids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Natural Pathways Massage & Wellness, Monja Wood-Barney . . . . . . . . . 29 SEK Multi-County Health Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Tri-Valley Developmental Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Yates Center Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Yates Center Health and Rehab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Yates Center Medical Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Yates Center Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 LEGAL, BANKING, FINANCE & INSURANCE American Family Insurance, Alyssa George Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Farm Bureau Financial Services, Sharla Miller Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 GNBank, Member FDIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 JJ Edwards State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 McIntosh / Booth Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Personal Service Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Piqua State Bank, Member FDIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Spencer/Jaynes Agency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Wilkes and Dunn, Attorneys & Counselors at Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Woodson County Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 LOCAL GOVERNMENT City of Toronto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 City of Yates Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Woodson County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

NEWS & INFORMATION Iola Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Yates Center NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PLACES TO STAY Be the Light Airbnb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Lampe Heritage Farm, Pumpkin Patch & Guesthouse LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Sassy Sisters Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Snag Hollow Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Songbird Nightly Rental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Still Waters Edge Retreat, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Townsman Motel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 REAL ESTATE & AUCTION E. Boone Auctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Hibbard Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Vaughn Roth Land Brokers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

RENTAL Day Rentals, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 S.S.D. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SERVICES Ali & Co. Event Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 All In One Pest Home and Lawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Chamber Member Business Index (cont.) Atmos Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Eric Boone Electric & Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Gary’s Lawn Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Hugh’s Tel Com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Kayla Blaes Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 KwiKom Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Laymon Oil II, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Names & Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SEK Cleaning Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Southwind Extension District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

SHOPPING & RECREATION American Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 antiques. boutiques. & sweets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Cross Eyed Catfish Kayaks & More. . . . . . . . . . . . . . watch for our ad in 2023 Cross Eyed Catfish Trading Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . watch for our ad in 2023 G & C Baits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Lone Pine Hunting Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Sassy Sisters’ Marketplace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Bait Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 The Town Hall & Tradewinds Flea Market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 VENUES 110 Lounge & Event Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Meet on Main Conference Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 The Grand Ballroom at Light Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Top left: Visitors, locals, and Yates Center High School alumni members enjoy a day on the Historic Yates Center Town Square during the annual Yates Center Days celebration. Top right: Pompous Jack performs at the Yates Center Days Dance. - Light Hardware Building & The Grand Ballroom at Light Hardware Bottom left: A local t-rex goes up against local skeletons to secure candy at the annual Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat on the Historic Yates Center Town Square. - Jake’s Pics