Vol. 1 - Issue 1
Industry and Commerce
March 2, 2017
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Industry and Commerce Page 2 .... Chamber of Commerce and SCDC Update Page 3 ................................................ Community FYI Page 4-5 ..................................... Scott City Antiques Page 6-7 .................................. Jackson Legal Group Page 8-9 ...................... Hawkeye Precision Cartridge Page 10-11 .............................................. Dairy Queen Page 12 ............................................... Tech Solutions Page 13 ........................................ Richards Financial Page 13 ............................................. Frame To Please
Spotlight on Scott is a quarterly publication produced by The Scott County Record © 2017 For more information or to inquire about advertising, contact us: In person: 406 S. Main Street, Scott City, Ks. By mail: Box 377, Scott City, Ks. 67871 By telephone: (620) 872-2090 By email: bharkness@screcord.com On our website: www.scottcountyrecord.com
Real Estate Law
Oil and Gas Law
ON THE COVER - Antonio Lopez, an employee at Midwest Mixer Service, welds on the back end of a feed truck inside the company’s shop. Midwest Mixer employees ten people at their Scott City location and has served the farmers and ranchers of southwest Kansas since 2001.
Business Law
105 E. 6th Street • Scott City 620.874.9844 • www.jacksonlegalgroup.net Spotlight on Scott
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Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce Update By Lindsay Singley, SCAC Director
What does Chamber membership do for me?
Even after a year as the Chamber director, this is still the most often asked question. So, let’s take a moment to explore that answer. The Chamber is essential for maintaining a vibrant business environment for Scott County. Here are 10 reasons to join the Chamber now: 1. Credibility: Chamber membership is proven to bring credibility to your business in the eyes of your customers. 2. Publicity Boost: Chamber
membership increases your visibility in the community. Your business exposure will be increased in both online and offline formats. Check out the Facebook videos of local merchants. The most recent video has 6,495 views to date! 3. Networking opportunities: You’ll be in direct contact with other business owners and professionals. Experience this through our Chamber Coffees which are offered monthly. 4. Communication Center: The Chamber director attends events in Topeka each year, building networks and advocating for small business. Scott City
Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Southwest Kansas Chambers of Commerce, Chambers of Commerce Executives of Kansas, and United States Chamber of Commerce, which provides up-to-date information on business matters that concern you as the owner. We DO NOT belong to the Kansas Chamber. 5. Learning Opportunities: Through Chamber Lunch and Learns, business owners and employees have the opportunity to experience knowledge that improves their operation AT NO COST. 6. Chamber Newsletter: Features local events, including those hosted or sponsored by Chamber members. 7. Information Center: The Chamber office fields numerous calls from new residents and travelers with inquiries seeking recommendations about the best businesses in Scott County. 8. Annual Chamber events and programs: June Jaunt, Beefiesta, Beefiesta Tasting Booths, Carp Derby, Catfish Tournament, Ka$h
Giv-A-Way, Chamber Discovery Trips, Movies in the Park, Holiday Open House, and Santa Saturday. Membership ensures these community highlights happen. 9. Promotion and Publicity: With a Chamber membership, your business can reach potential clients through exclusive advertising. The Chamber can reach over 2,000 people with just one post on Facebook, over 6,000 with a sponsored post, or send an email to a massive email list depending on the target audience, AT LITTLE OR NO COST. 10. Members-only discounts and services: Through the new Member Information Center, Chamber members can offer deals to other Chamber members the public cannot see. To join us, go to www.scottcityks.org, click on “Chamber of Commerce” then hit the “Join Now” tab. It’s that easy and we’d love to have you join the most robust business network in town! Even if you are an individual, ask us how to join for just cents a day.
Scott Community Development Committee Update By Katie Eisenhour, SCDC Director
SCDC has pulse on Scott City economic growth
Economic development today doesn’t resemble the approach to community growth of the past. SCDC strives to support the financial well-being of existing local business while forging a path for growth that attracts more businesses and families to choose Scott County as their “home.” Recruitment is a seldom-used tool in the chest to grow small towns effectively in 2017. Certainly, it is wise to encourage new business sectors and embrace competition, but SCDC believes those decisions lie within the private sector and free enter2 Spotlight on Scott
prise system. That process works. The public and private sectors of Scott City and Scott County have invested in excess of $92 million over the past 13 years to set the stage for the vibrant growth we witness today! Another role of economic development, particularly in small communities, is to keep a watchful eye on the “strength” of the major industries that define Scott County – agriculture, livestock, health care and more recently oil and gas. SCDC often gathers community leaders and interested citizens to discuss and seek solutions to challenges that influence the robust future of Scott City. Growth creates a synergy that becomes a natural catalyst for suc-
cess. Scott City is proactive, yet thoughtful, when assessing opportunities for growth, in a moderate, controlled manner.
Housing, housing, housing - essential for community growth
Local housing inventory versus demand remains tighter than desired. SCDC notes more houses on the market in the last half of 2016 and occasional rental vacancies that have NOT existed since 2012. While this seems to fulfill the demand – it does not. As evidenced by thriving new home construction during a tougher agriculture economy, Scott City is still being sought as a hometown of choice! Even with 56 new housing units since 2011, Scott City remains over 34 units short of projected needs (data extrapolated from 2010 Housing Assessment – Scott County, effective December, 2016).
As long as sales tax receipts, school enrollment, employment and economic pull factors remain on the uptrend, Scott Citians need to continue to embrace the positive mentality that accompanies growth. Congratulate yourselves! The success story of Scott City’s growth is NOT enjoyed by a multitude of rural Kansas towns. If we continue to look ahead with an opportunistic mindset toward growth, our future generations will enjoy the quality of life THIS generation envisioned.
fyi City of Scott City
Scott County
Scott City Council The city council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, starting at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall.
Scott County Commission Jim Minnix: chairman Commission members: Jerry Buxton and Gary Skibbe
City Hall staff: City clerk: Brenda Davis Assistant clerk: Ruth Becker Staff clerk: Kim Shearmire Water clerk: Cathy Graff
Court House Offices Treasurer: accept payments for personal property taxes and vehicle registration renewals Clerk: bills and collects for trash service on a quarterly basis. This office also sells licenses and permits for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks Court House at 303 Court Street and Tourism. Appraiser: this office maintains maps of the county, ownership and valuation records of each property in the county. The appraiser is responsible for the valuation of all property in Scott County, which includes real estate, personal property, oil and gas, and severed minerals. Register of Deeds: records all land transactions as well as oil/gas leases. County Attorney: the attorney’s office is located on the lower level. District Court: offices of the district judge and the clerk of the district court are located on the second floor.
Council members are: City Hall at 221 W. 5th Street Mayor: Dan Goodman Ward I: Bo Parkinson and Armando Tarango Ward II: Barb Wilkinson and Gary Eitel Ward III: Everett Green and Perry Nowak Ward IV: Josh Gooden and Fred Kuntzsch II City Attorney: John Shirley City Hall is where individuals must request hookups for residential and commercial water and sewer services and where water bills are paid. The building inspector’s office is located in the basement. The municipal court clerk is located at City Hall which is where tickets issued by the city police can be paid. Building Permits Permits are to be purchased at City Hall. Permit fees vary according to the size and type of project. Building permits are required before any work begins on a project. Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure. Electrical, gas or plumbing permits are required to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace. Permits are required for each of the following: New/remodel commercial New/remodel residential New roof or re-roof
Fences and yard sheds Plumbing: new construction, service taps Electrical: new construction, remodel or modify service Mechanical: new construction or replacement Permits are not required for items such as painting, wallpapering or similar finish work. A permit is also not required for existing window replacement. Minor repairs such as replacing electrical receptacles or repairing pipe leaks also do not require a permit.
Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Rebate Program The Neighborhood Revitalization Program provides tax rebates spread over a five year period for new construction or renovation projects which have an appraised value of at least $40,000. This program is available on residential, commercial or agricultural property. Application must be filed with the Scott County Development Committee. The office is located at 113 East 5th Street or contact director Katie Eisenhour (872-3525).
Driver’s License Exams The driver’s license examiner is available in the county treasurer’s office Monday through Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m. In the event the examiner is not in the office it’s recommended that individuals call the treasurer’s office (872-2640). The treasurer’s office does provide most driver’s licensing and Kansas ID applications. The office does not provide: •New Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) •CDL renewals that have a HAZMAT endorsement Scott County Extension Extension Agent: John Beckman FACS Agent: Carol Ann Crouch The office is located on the southwest corner of the courthouse block, 210 W. 4th Street, Suite No. 1. Extension staff are available to answer questions about lawn/gardens, crops/livestock and health/nutrition. Scott County also has one of the largest and most active 4-H/youth programs in the state. Local 4-H youth have the opportunity to participate in a variety of camps, leadership events and annual trips (i.e., Washington, D.C., Focus). For more information about joining a 4-H club contact the Extension office (872-2930). Scott County Recycling Center Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: Monday (but outside containers are available 24/7) Located 1/2 mile south of Scott City on US83 Highway, west side of the highway Spotlight on Scott
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With a strong passion for history and the community, Brenda Cejda decided to purchase Scott City Antiques one year ago. The store features thousands of antique and collectible items ranging from kitchen ware to rusty oil cans and wood saws.
4 Spotlight on Scott
Passion for history keeps antique shop alive
New owner providing a place to both reminisce and find unique items By Beau Harkness
It’s funny sometimes how things in life come full-circle. Growing up across the street from Watkins Farm Supply as a little girl, Brenda Cejda never dreamed she would one day own the store that was such a sweet piece of her childhood. “I can remember very fondly as a little girl setting up a lemonade stand across the street in the summertime and the first person to come buy a cup of lemonade was Charlie Watkins. He’d walk across the street and buy a nickel glass of lemonade from me,” Cejda says with a smile. Fast-forward to February 10, 2016, when Cejda was handed the keys to the building once owned by that kind man and where she now runs Scott City Antiques, a business that focuses on reminiscing about old times. “I love when I have people tell me stories about things that they see here,” Cejda said. “They’ll make comments like, ‘my grandmother had one of those’ or ‘mom had one.’” One of those could be any of the thousands of items that line the walls and shelves of Cejda’s
shop. The store features furniture, artwork, old tools and shop items, pressed glass, dishes and kitchen items, items for repurposing, and much more. And the selection is always changing. “Right now, farm house interior is real popular, so you’ll find that the old weathered wood and galvanized pieces are popular,” Cejda said. Everything in Scott City Antiques is authentic according to Cejda. Objects range in periods from the late 1800s to as recent as a 1990s N’Sync doll in its original package. The store, located at 704 W. 5th Street, has something for almost anyone, including a TV that usually has a ball game on. “You’d be surprised how many guys come in here with their wives, and they’ll meander around a little bit and then I’ll see them over there watching the game while she’s still looking around,” Cejda said. Currently, Scott City Antiques is only open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (however, Cejda is flexible if you call). Cejda has a full-time job with the Kansas Livestock Association, but keeping history alive in Scott City was an opportunity she could not turn down. “I’m very sentimental and I didn’t want the business to close.
I think it benefits our community. People hunt for antiques and they’re willing to drive from out of town, so I think it’s important to have businesses open,” Cejda said. Cejda purchased the store from Randy and Robbin Schemm and has had great response from customers over the past year. If things continue to go well, she already has some preliminary ideas for additional offerings at the store. “I would like to create a venue for people that would give some type of a learning experience on antiques and collectibles,” Cejda said. “I’m thinking about doing a subscription series where a person could buy a ticket and once a month come in and learn something about the antique business or about some of the merchandise and products here.” For now though, Cejda continues to welcome folks from all over into her shop with a no-pressure sales approach and an open ear to listen and look-back at items and memories from yesteryear. “I hope this is a really fun place for people to come. It incorporates not only a great opportunity to look for great merchandise, but it’s a sense of being able to reminisce and look a little bit into your past,” Cejda said. Some of the unique items found at Scott City Antiques are (from left to right) a 1936 Monopoly game, beautiful collections of dishware, and hard-to-find furniture and china pieces, all of which can be viewed at the store located at 704 W. 5th Street. Spotlight on Scott
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Scott City attracts new law firm
Local economy, family-friendly setting ideal for new practice
By Beau Harkness
If given the opportunity to choose between making a home in western Kansas or in a beautiful Wyoming valley surrounded by mountains, hot springs, and located just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park, many people would head for the Wyoming hills without a second thought. Attorneys Ben and Ashley Jackson gave their situation a good, hard look though, and discovered that Scott City was a perfect fit for them. The Jacksons, both 31, are partners in Scott City’s newest legal firm, Jackson Legal Group, LLC. The couple met at Washburn Law School in Topeka and have been practicing attorneys since 2013. Their business originated in Laramie, Wyo. However, when the couple learned they would soon be parents, they decided that a smaller community was where they wanted to settle down to raise their growing family. Two options were put on the table - Ben’s hometown of Thermopolis, Wyo., a community of 3,000 famous for its hot springs and proximity to Yellowstone National Park, or Scott City, Ashley’s hometown. According to Ben, it was not even a contest. “Scott won out because they have an economic engine with farming and things going on. In [Thermopolis], during the sum-
w i a t I B
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Ben and Ashley Jackson opened their law firm, Jackson Legal Group, LLC in August 2016. Their office is located at 105 E. 6th Street in Scott City.
mertime it’s real big business, but it’s all tourism-based and then it dwindles during the winter.” Ashley, a 2004 graduate of Scott Community High School, knew
Coupling Scott City’s economy with its family-friendly setting sealed the deal and in August 2016, Jackson Legal Group set up shop at 105 E. 6th Street. The legal duo’s
“It’s hard for people to think about coming to a small community and opening up a business,” Ashley Jackson said. “But it can be very successful and we’ve had a really great time with it.” what her hometown had to offer for her budding family, which now includes twin girls. “Being from here, I knew it was a great place to raise kids.”
practice primarily focuses around business, real estate, and oil and gas law. Day-to-day, Ashley focuses on drafting contracts, trust and estate
planning, and drawing up farm and oil/gas leases. With an undergraduate degree in accounting from Kansas State University, Ashley only really got into the legal profession because of her passion to continue learning. Attending law school at Washburn University afforded her that chance. Ben, however, grew up with a passion for law. His primary focus is litigation, and he often works on wrongful death and injury cases that occur all over the western United States. He developed his passion and
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talent for practicing law by attending Trial Lawyer’s College in Jackson Hole, Wyo., while still in high school. It was at this annual summer school that he got the chance to learn from nationally known lawyers Edward Moriarity and Gerry Spence. “They would help families whose [relatives] were killed or injured in an accident. I grew up around those folks and seeing how they could help people, that’s how I decided that’s what I want to do,” Ben Jackson said. “I got a lot of courtroom exposure being around them, and I found that entertaining essentially, being able to go into the courtroom and argue sides.” His hard work and passion for practicing law has paid off. In both 2015 and 2016, Ben was recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff’s Attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers organization. Both Ben and Ashley also have a desire to pass along their knowledge of not only the legal profession, but of western Kansas. Their future plans include looking into bringing interns to their practice from Washburn as a chance not only to provide legal guidance, but as a means of showing off Scott City to future lawyers. It’s a need that the pair have identified through experience and research. “If you look at the dynamics of the attorneys in western Kansas, they’re starting to age out essentially,” Ben Jackson said. “And
these younger attorneys don’t have the connection to western Kansas, so they’re not really looking at opening a firm here. “With us coming in here and getting established, I think we can reach back to the Washburn Law School and say, ‘hey is there anyone who might be interested in western Kansas?’” Both Ben and Ashley have open arms in welcoming new attorneys to the area because that’s exactly how they have been received since starting up their local practice in August. “[The other attorneys in town] were very welcoming when we brought our business here. They’ve been great to work with. They’ve been great mentors to us,” Ashley Jackson said. “We’re getting referrals currently [from other attorneys’ offices]. People go in there and ask them to help with an oil and gas lease or a real estate matter and they either have a conflict or don’t have the capacity to take it on, so they’re sending them our way,” Ben Jackson said. Despite a lack of beautiful mountain scenery and natural hot springs, Scott City has been the perfect place for Ben and Ashley to set up shop for their law firm and family. “It’s hard for people to think about coming to a small community and opening up a business,” Ashley Jackson said. “But it can be very successful and we’ve had a really great time with it.”
For more on the Jackson Legal Group, visit their website, www.jacksonlegalgroup.net.
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7
Jack Hawkins shows off a box of ammunition he created at his business, Hawkeye Precision Cartridge. Hawkins’ ammunition is currently available at Spud’s Fishing and Hunting Supplies and Scott County Lumber.
(Below) At his shop, Jack Hawkins demonstrates one of his hand-pull reloading machines. Hawkins developed a shell feeder system to speed up the reloading process. (Lower right) Once the ammunition rounds are complete, Ann Hawkins inspects and loads them into boxes for shipping. She inspects every round before it goes in the box, ensuring uniform and high quality rounds.
8 Spotlight on Scott
Precision is key for Hawkeye
Hawkins finds pride is producing quality ammunition
By Beau Harkness
Jack Hawkins is a quiet, reserved man. Born and raised in Higgins, Tex., the now 70-yearold career helicopter pilot does not show much emotion, but instead carries himself with a simple, southern grace. However, once Hawkins gets started discussing his passion, he lights up and becomes a chatterbox of knowledge. Hawkins loves target shooting and ammunition reloading, and he has channeled his enthusiasm into a business. Hawkins and his wife, Ann, own and operate Hawkeye Precision Cartridge in Scott City. They specialize in manufacturing and reloading pistol and rifle shells. Jack “retired” in 2014, but he was not content to just sit idle. “I was looking for something to do, and I do quite a bit of shooting, so we thought that in retirement we might try a reloading business,” Hawkins said. Like most businesses, Hawkeye Precision Cartridge started small, literally small in the case of Hawkins’ first manufactured bullet type. “We started off with 9mm.
We bid on a government liquidation sale and bought about 4,800 pounds of 9mm brass. I’m still working through that,” Hawkins said. What started small soon became a serious operation. Hawkins invested in four, hand-pull reloading machines capable of processing a variety of different ammunition types. He also purchased a Camdex automated case processor (for 9mm shells only) and a Camdex automated reloading machine (for
“One is attention to detail. And two is situational awareness,” Hawkins said. “Reloading is tricky. It’s not magic or anything, but you need to pay attention.” To process 9mm ammunition, Hawkins starts by running the used shell casings through a cement mixer filled with cleaning solution. This helps remove any dirt and other debris. Next, the casings are run through the automatic case processor machine, which preps the shells for
both 9mm and .380 shells). With all of that equipment, Hawkins really got going. “The most I’ve ever loaded in a day was 22,000 rounds,” Hawkins said. However, Hawkins was quick to point out that 22,000 rounds in a day is not the norm. The process from start to finish is actually much more detail-oriented. But Hawkins’ extreme attention to detail is what sets Hawkeye Precision Cartridge apart from other ammunition manufacturers. It is one of two lessons ingrained in him from a lifetime of flying helicopters.
reloading and sorts out any damaged or wrong-sized casings. Before reloading can take place, the casings must be polished. Hawkins has a two-step polishing process involving both tiny metal pins and corn cob media. The polishing process takes anywhere from 3-5 hours. Once the casings are nice and shiny, they are run through the automatic reloading machine where they are married once again with gunpowder, a primer and a bullet. Finally, Ann steps in for the most important part of their ammunition production business.
“Reloading is tricky. It’s not magic or anything, but you need to pay attention.”
“She is the quality control. She goes through and does inspection,” Hawkins said. “Every round that we put in a box is looked at.” From start to finish, Hawkins takes great pride and precision in every bullet he produces. Where some producers may be okay with having a few extra grains of gun powder in their bullets, Hawkins leaves no room for variation. “When I start, I’ll weigh my powder for three or four loads. And if I stop the machine for any reason, before I start up again and put a bullet in (a casing), I’ll weigh it again,” Hawkins said. Watching Hawkins work in his shop is like watching an artist carefully craft a sculpture. Quietly. Precisely. He leaves no detail untouched. The end goal is a consistent product that will please even the most picky of shooting enthusiasts. Hawkeye Precision Cartridge ammunition is currently available for sale at two places in Scott City: Spud’s Fishing and Hunting Supplies (323 S. Main Street) and Scott County Lumber (1510 S. Main Street). Plans for future expansion in the western Kansas area are in the works.
Current Ammunition Types Produced by Hawkeye Precision Cartridge Rifle Ammunition • .223 • .308 • .270 • .243 • .30-06
Pistol Ammunition • 9mm • .380 • 45 caliber • 38 caliber • 357 • 44 magnum • 10mm • 44 Smith & Wesson
Products available at
Spud’s Fishing and Hunting Supplies and Scott County Lumber
Spotlight on Scott
9
Treating you right for six decades
Dairy Queen has long and storied history in Scott City
By Beau Harkness
It is not a far-stretched idea to suggest that most every person in Scott City has at least one memory from the Dairy Queen. Perhaps it is a memory from childhood, joining the ball team for ice cream cones following a big win or enjoying a melting Blizzard on a hot summer day with friends and family. Or, maybe it was a first date, and pulling into one of the stalls at the Burgerteria, ordering a pair of hamburgers and Cokes followed by milk shakes from the Dairy Queen located just to the south. In 67 years of business, Kenneth
Fyler and his Dairy Queen have undoubtably touched many lives in the Scott City area. Along the way, Fyler and his son, Steve, who now owns the store, have operated on a time-tested philosophy: nobody is a “customer,” they all are friends. Kenneth Fyler first developed the idea of opening a Dairy Queen in Scott City after taking a vacation. “I went to California to see an uncle of mine,” Fyler says. “On the way back, I came through Garden City and they were building a Dairy Queen. So I stopped and got the information, then I called Dairy Queen and I got my franchise.” This was 1948, and the now 93-year-old Fyler was a young 24
at the time. He had a love for ice cream and a passion for people, but what Fyler did not have was the clout to get a loan for his new business. Because he was fairly new to town, Fyler could not get a loan from any bank. So, for two years, Fyler sat on his franchise agreement with Dairy Queen until he could muster up enough money to construct a building. In 1950, after getting a loan from his hometown bank in Bison, Ks. and borrowing money from a friend, Fyler opened the doors to his Dairy Queen. Along the way, Fyler was quietly innovative. In the early 1960s, Fyler developed the idea of serving food at
his Dairy Queen. At the time, all Dairy Queen stores strictly sold ice cream products. Fyler approached the corporation with his food idea, but was denied. So, in January of 1961, Fyler opened his Burgerteria just a short distance to the north of the Dairy Queen. “I had a speaker system between the two businesses. We would order on that speaker for milk shakes or malts over at the Burgerteria and deliver them over there,” Fyler said. What originally started as a way to skirt around the rules of the Dairy Queen corporation quickly developed into a new business model. “Dairy Queen thought food
(Above) The original Dairy Queen building, constructed in 1950. The building has since undergone several additions and remodels, but has remained at the same location for 67 years. (Right) Kenneth Fyler and his son Steve stand in front of the Dairy Queen, 1211 S. Main Street. Steve now owns and operates the business.
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10 Spotlight on Scott
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would take money away from the Dairy Queen, but we proved to them that it increased sales,” Fyler said. Eventually, Dairy Queen caved to the idea of serving food in its stores. In time, the Dairy Queen Brazier concept was introduced. Fyler’s idea to serve food along with ice cream was just one idea that was ahead of its time for Dairy Queen. Another is a now worldfamous treat. “I had two fellas here, Smoky Helmers and Richard Ding. They would come down here every day in the afternoon and get a milk shake or whatever they wanted,”
Fyler recalls. “They always got a lot of strawberry milk shakes. Well one day they asked me if I would make them a strawberry milk shake with no milk.” What Fyler created for the two men in the early 1950s would not become known as the Dairy Queen Blizzard until 1985. It has been Fyler’s desire to always put his customers, or “friends,” first that has led to unique ideas and that has kept his business going for more than six decades. “I was always courteous to my customers and did what they wanted,” Fyler said.
That concept was not lost on his son, Steve, who moved back to Scott City from Kansas City in 1987 to help his dad manage the store. “(Dad’s) philosophy is ‘take care of what comes through the door, and don’t worry about anything else.’ You’ve got to take care of each person as an individual and as a friend,” Steve said. “Nobody is actually a customer, they’re all friends.” Steve has also learned from his father’s simple approach to finance and saving. “One thing dad has always said is pay all your bills on Saturday
and Sunday and come Monday morning, what’s left over is yours and don’t go overboard. You’ve got to save back for a rainy day,” Steve said. In the future, Steve hopes the business that has been a part of Scott City for so many years will continue to be a family-run business. “Three of my daughters are working for me ... one of them managing the place with me. I’ve got one of my granddaughters that works for me and I’ve had several of my grandsons. So, it’s truly been a family business all these years.”
In 1961, Kenneth Fyler opened the Burgerteria across the parking lot from his Dairy Queen. The two stores were connected by a speaker system that allowed patrons of the Burgerteria to order Dairy Queen ice cream treats.
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11
Tech problems, meet your match
Wilkinson opens up computer repair business
By Beau Harkness
If you have a computer problem, there is a good chance Kim Wilkinson can fix it. “I’ll try anything,” Wilkinson says with a laugh. “I’ve even dabbled in cell phone screen repair. I like to fix things ... I think it’s fun.” Wilkinson is the owner of Tech Solutions, located in room 118 inside the Scott City Post Office. The business focuses on personal and small-business computer maintenance and repair. Wilkinson can work on both PC and Apple products and has even repaired iPads. Hardware, software or virus problems are all in Wilkinson’s realm of repair and she can even fix problems remotely through a special website if a situation calls for it.
Wilkinson learned her trade through a degree in Management Information Systems from Kansas State University and through her first position as an IT support person at Lewis, Hooper & Dick in Garden City. “They had a guy there who was just amazing! He would let me take stuff apart, put it back together ... he didn’t ever tell me how to fix things, but he just said ‘take this apart and this is how you fix it.” So that’s how I got going,” Wilkinson said. She previously owned Horizon Technologies with her sister, but closed that business in 2008 to start her family. Because Wilkinson is also a stay-at-home mom and provides tech support for the Healy school district, she is available primarily by appointment. She can be reached by calling (620) 214-3499.
Celebrating 15 Years
serving the farmers and ranchers of Scott County
4310 E. Hwy 96 • Scott City (620) 872-3058 12 Spotlight on Scott
Tech Solutions owner Kim Wilkinson opened the door to her computer repair business in January. Wilkinson is capable of working on both PC and Apple systems for individuals and small businesses.
Committed to our communities and the members we serve.
101 S. Main Street • Scott City (620) 872-5885 www.weci.net
416 S. Main Street • Scott City (620) 872-0006 www.wbsnet.org
Richards Financial welcomes Kirsten John to their staff By Beau Harkness
Richards Financial Services, located at 411 S. Main, is proud to welcome Kirsten John to their staff. John joined the staff on February 13 as an administrative assistant. Previously John worked in the field of insurance for four-and-ahalf years and is excited about the new career opportunity and serving the Scott community. “I’m ready to learn about investments, and I know a lot of Scott City residents having been born and raised here,” John said. John, the daughter of Lonny and Colleen Dearden, is a 2011 graduate of Scott Community High School. She and her husband, Bill John, Jr., have a newborn daughter named Laynee.
Frame to Please aims to please
Business offers local option at competitive prices By Beau Harkness
Kirsten John, administrative assistant at Richards Financial Services
“We hated to see a business leave Scott City,” Kayla Fisher said when asked why she decided to take over a local photo and artwork framing business. Fisher and her husband purchased framing equipment from Suzanne Griffith, former owner of You’ve Been Framed, in November of 2016. The Fishers then relocated their new business, Frame To Please, to room 114 inside the Scott City Post Office and they have been placing custom frames around photos and artwork ever since. “We do a lot of agriculture type stuff ... cattle and western-type artwork mostly,” Fisher said.
Almost any size and shape of photo or artwork can be framed at Frame To Please, and the selection of framing material, glass, and matte type offers something for everyone. Fisher says her pricing is comparable to much larger framing businesses in the area, and she takes extra special pride in her work. “I like to use good quality materials just because artwork deserves to be preserved,” Fisher said about her framing preferences. Currently, Frame To Please is open on Fridays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., but Fisher is always available by appointment. Future plans may include expanding their hours. To contact Fisher, call (620) 874-1507 or email her at frame2please@ gmail.com.
For 56 years, we’ve been here, growing with Scott City
506 S. Main Street • Scott City (620) 872-7224 www.ssbscott.com
Kayla Fisher, owner of Frame To Please, stands next to her large selection of frame options at her shop location inside the Scott City Post Office. Fisher and her husband purchased the business from former owner, Suzanne Griffith.
Spotlight on Scott
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