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discover eudora a community guide
bringing up
monster readers at the library www.cityofeudoraks.gov
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a note from the schools Welcome to Eudora, a special community built around small-town quality of life. Public education has been a critical part of our community for many generations, and our schools are proof positive, filled with innovative and caring professionals who are dedicated to each student’s growth. Eudora isn’t as small as it used to be, but the legacy of knowing your neighbor and pitching in for the common good can still be seen throughout our community and inside our schools. Whether at a spelling bee, choir concert or volleyball game, our students and teachers receive incredible support from residents of all ages. And in addition to excellent teachers, supportive families and beautiful facilities, our growth and success are enhanced by community partnerships. We gain so much from our collaboration with the Eudora City Commission, Eudora Parks and Recreation, Eudora Chamber of Commerce and business and faith leaders, as well as Douglas County agencies. Contact me any time to learn more about our schools. I believe you’ll find what my family and I discovered moving here last year: Eudora Schools are special, thanks to great people who bring together small-town connections and large-district opportunities.
Steve Splichal, Superintendent of Schools stevesplichal@eudoraschools.org | 785-542-4910
discover eudora a community guide
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discover eudora
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a community guide
bringing up
monster readers at the library
winter/spring 2015
www.cityofeudoraks.gov
ON THE COVER A young reader dresses up for the Eudora Public Library’s monsterthemed Story Time.
Discover Eudora is an official publication of the City of Eudora, the Eudora School District and the Eudora Chamber of Commerce with editorial, design and advertising placement provided by Sunflower Publishing. Editor: Nathan Pettengill | Art Director: Jenni Leiste | Chief Photographer: Jason Dailey Copy Editor: Deron Lee | Contributing Writers: Cindy Higgins, Seth Jones, Kimberly Winter Stern City Liaison: Barack Matite | School District Liaison: Kristin Magette Chamber Liaison: Kevin Wade | Eudora CVB Liaison: Keith Nowland
www.cityofeudoraks.gov Mayor: John Fiore | City Manager: Gary Ortiz School District Superintendent: Steve Splichal | Communications Director: Kristin Magette Eudora Chamber of Commerce President: Linda Langston | Eudora CVB Director: Keith Nowland
www.sunflowerpub.com General Manager: Bert Hull | Executive Editor: Katy Ibsen All material and photographs copyright Sunflower Publishing, 2015. Discover Eudora releases twice a year. For editorial queries: Nathan Pettengill (785) 832-7287 | npettengill@sunflowerpub.com For advertising queries: Joanne Morgan (785) 832-7264 | sunpubads@sunflowerpub.com
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208 W. 20th Street | Eudora, KS 66025 785-542-5152 www.wolffauto.com
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departments 6
eat Comfort-Food Time
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play Sporting Year-Round
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27 chamber membership listings 30 quick guide
features 10 Confluence Where the Kaw met the Wakarusa … a city was born
12 New Generation of Reading Librarians grow the city’s youngest bookworms with education and entertainment
16 Bringing Art Back Thanks to a group of parent volunteers, arts education continues for Eudora’s schoolchildren
20 Welcome, Shadow Ridge! Eudora’s newest green space
22 Stars of Eudora Rec Adult sports leagues create athletic legends
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“ B u I l d I n g
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winter/spring 2015 During cold months, Eudora eateries provide comfort-food cooking such as this Midwest Scramble at Black Cat Café.
story by Seth Jones photography by Jason dailey
ComfortFood Time
Tis’ the season—when the temperature drops, old favorites grace the menu of Eudora eateries
It’s comforting to know that comfort food—hot food ideal for cool weather, just-like-mom-used-to-make—is readily available during the colder months in Eudora. “In the winter, it’s mashed potatoes, it’s gravy, it’s the food that sticks to your ribs that people want,” says Jim Morey, co-owner of Black Cat Café. “I can sell chili in the winter; I sure can’t sell it in the summer.” Black Cat Café also steps up its winter game with specials such as the Midwest Scramble (scrambled eggs and cheese on top of hash browns, on top of an order of biscuits and gravy). Across town, Anthony Ferrara of Anthony’s Diner says seasonal adjustments include more fish dishes for those observing Lent. He will jazz up the breakfast combinations for those seeking something a little heavier on chilly days. Ferrara likes to add homemade soups, like chicken and noodles, beef and noodles, ham and beans with homemade cornbread, and chili to his rotation. He makes them as daily specials, and serves each for a few days at a time. “I also like to offer chili with a cheeseburger, because I like that better than chili with a hot dog,” he says. Of course, good food is good food at any time of the year. And there will always be favorites. “Summer or winter,” says Morey, “I bet every fourth or fifth order I serve is chicken fried chicken.”
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Anthony’s Diner Diner favorites 10 W. Ninth St. (785) 690-7788
Black Cat Cafe Breakfast and lunch 726 Main St. (785) 690-7084
Cami’s Cake Co. Custom cakes and sweets 800 Main St. (785) 207-2103 www.facebook.com/camiscakeco
Cosmic Ale House and Grill Opening in 2015 601 E. 10th St.
Cutter’s Smokehouse & Catering Company Barbecue and entertainment 218 E. 20th St. (785) 542-1100 www.cutterssmokehouse.com
Dairy Queen Frosty treats 1502 Church St. (785) 542-5050
Gambino’s Pizza Original pies 1402 Church St., Suite D (785) 542-2121
Gene’s Heartland Foods Grocery 1402 Church St. (785) 542-2727
Jasmin Restaurant Mexican and Chinese fare 719 Main St. (785) 542-1111
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Pendleton’s Country Market Pick your own vegetables 1446 E. 1850 Road (785) 843-1409 www.pendletons.com
Salt ’n Pepper Mexican bar and grill 202 E. 10th St. (785) 690-7258
Sonic Drive-In Quick bites 1420 Church St. (785) 542-1799
Subway Sandwiches 318 E. 15th St. (785) 542-2626
“In the winter, it’s mashed potatoes, it’s gravy, it’s the food that sticks to your ribs that people want.” Jim Morey
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winter/spring 2015 Interested in winter sports? Then Jimmy Kegin of the Eudora Parks and Recreation Department has the ball you’re looking for.
story by Seth Jones photography by Jason dailey
Sporting YearRound When temperatures drop, activities rise at Eudora Parks and Recreation
Kansas winters and springs mean there will be plenty of cold, blustery days when the only outdoor exercise you might want to get is the sprint to and from the mailbox. But unless that mailbox is a great distance away, this doesn’t qualify as exercise. Fortunately, Eudora residents do have an easy option when the cold weather sets in: the Eudora Community Center, operated by Eudora Parks and Recreation. The city facility embraces the challenge of keeping athletes in action during these cold months. Volleyball, basketball and a walking challenge are a few of the activities locals can enjoy in the center’s confines.
A volleyball team can be entered into the league for $110 per team, or a basketball team for $250. If those are too pricey, a challenge to walk the equivalent of the width of Kansas (some 417 miles) is free, and includes a pedometer to track miles. “There is always a high level of interest in our programs during the cold months,” says Jimmy Kegin, assistant director at Eudora Parks and Recreation. “And the best thing is the same teams keep coming back.” Kegin says the level of competition ranges from those out to have fun and socialize to those who are in it to win it—at all costs. He calls it a “perfect world” because of the size of the community—not so small that he can’t field a full league, but not so large that he has to split the league up into divisions. “Bigger cities can have competitive leagues and noncompetitive leagues,” Kegin says. “Here, you just play with what you have, but it’s a wide spectrum of athletes, and it manages to find a nice middle ground.” Kegin explains that basketball costs significantly more per team than volleyball because more referees, with experience, are needed for basketball. “People expect quality referees for the money, and that’s what we give them,” he says. He adds that the center will be getting a nifty addition soon—a gym divider to lower from the ceiling and separate the two courts. That will help in many ways, but most exciting to Kegin will be the ability to have different sports occurring simultaneously without interfering with each other.
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winter/spring 2015 Amanda’s Dance Academy Dance lessons 104 E. 20th St. # 4 (785) 690-7200 www.amandadanceacademy.com
leagues
BlueJacket Crossing Vineyard & Winery Award-winning locally made wines 1969 N. 1250 Road (785) 542-1764 www.bluejacketwinery.com
CLO’s Midnight Farm Horseman day camp 2084-B N. 600 Road Baldwin City (785) 979-1889 www.midnight-farm.org
The Eudora Parks and Recreation Department begins registration for sport leagues and individual events in advance of each season. To find out what is currently open for registration, go online at eudoraparksandrec.org, visit the department’s page on Facebook or call the office at (785) 542-3434.
Country Spa & Gardens Rejuvenating spa in the country 2152 N. 700 Road (785) 883-4944 www.countryspaandgardens.com
Davenport Orchards & Winery
Quilting Bits and Pieces For all your quilting needs 736 Main St. (785) 542-2080 www.eudoraquiltshop.com
Award-winning locally made wines 1394 E. 1900 Road (785) 542-2278 www.davenportwinery.com
Sweet Acres Inn Bed & Breakfast
Eudora Area Historical Society A step back in time 1428 Elm St. (Nottingham Elementary School) *NEW LOCATION COMING IN 2015* 720 Main Street (785) 690-7900 www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index. aspx?NID=100
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City’s newest B&B 103 E. Seventh St. (785) 542-2466
Twin Oaks Golf Complex Hitting the links 1326 E. 1900 Road (785) 542-2844 www.facebook.com/twinoaksgolfks
Eudora Public Library 14 E. Ninth St. (785) 542-2496 www.eudorapubliclibrary.org
“…it’s a wide spectrum of athletes, and it manages to find a nice middle ground.”
Eudora Parks and Recreation For various parks and venues 1630 Elm St. (785) 542-1725 www.eudoraparksandrec.org
- Jimmy Kegin
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discover eudora story and photography by Cindy Higgins
Confluence Where the Kaw met the Wakarusa … a city was born In the time before GPS or even highway signage, people recognized locations by natural geographic landmarks. Early travelers venturing through Douglas County, for example, oriented by Blue Mound, the imposing hill still visible southwest of Eudora, to reach the Santa Fe Trail or follow the Oregon Trail and its variations. For travelers navigating through the area that would become Eudora, the confluence of the Kansas River and the Wakarusa River distinguished it from other sites. Lt. James William Abert recorded one of the earliest accounts of the city’s original landmark in 1846. He was traveling on a flatboat piloted by Shawnee Indians, part of Col. Alexander W. Doniphan’s expedition that left Fort Leavenworth to invade what is now New Mexico:
The current of the river was very rapid, so that it required the greatest exertions on the part of our ferrymen to prevent the boats from being swept far down the stream. We landed just at the mouth of the Wakaroosa creek. Here there is no perceptible current; the creek is 14 feet deep, while the river does not average more than 5 feet; and in some places is quite shoal [sandy]. … The pure cold water of the Wakaroosa looked so inviting that some of us could not refrain from plunging beneath its crystal surface … Some 12 years later, German explorer Heinrich Balduin Möllhausen would cross the Kansas just a few miles west and encounter very different waters, recording that his flat-bottom boat “danced like a feather on the surging waves” and dodged huge, drifting tree trunks. Laura Calwell of Friends of the Kaw says that even today the confluence of the Wakarusa and the Kansas—or Kaw—can be alternatively peaceful and treacherous.
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“Sometimes the flow of the Kaw can push your boat a bit and if you aren’t prepared you might tip,” Calwell says. “There also tend to be logs either lodged in the bed of the river or floating at the confluence of the Wakarusa and Kaw. So whether you are entering or leaving the Wakarusa, you just need to be careful.” In 1854, Methodist minister W.H. Goode crossed “through the Delaware lands” to visit the Wakarusa Shawnee Methodist Indian Mission, perhaps the first permanent structure built in the soon-to-be city of Eudora:
Patrick Jankowski, DDS
About three in the afternoon, much fatigued, we reached the Kaw River, opposite the mouth of the Wakarusa; but there was no boat, the only craft being a pirogue, and that fastened at the opposite shore. … The tottering craft was brought over and our horses were swam by the side to the opposite shore in safety. In 1861, a Lawrence newspaper reporter wrote of a bridge “at the intersection of that stream with the Kansas River,” adding that the site was at “one of the most picturesque and healthy locations in Kansas.” Later travel guides continued the tradition of designating Eudora by the rivers’ joining: This included the 1888 Rand, McNally & Co.’s New Overland Guide to the Pacific Coast: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas (“… the landscape a few miles east of Lawrence, where the Wakarusa joins the Kaw”) and the 1946 Along Your Way Santa Fe Railway guide (“Wakarusa River empties into Kaw River here”). Margaret Lynn, too, wrote of the confluence in her 1920 novel Free Soil (“Where the Wakarusa joined the yellow Kaw”). Today, the confluence can be best seen by boat or up-close along the tree-lined Wakarusa River bank on privately-owned land straight north of Peach Street. Because water moving across land surfaces meanders and shifts, the Wakarusa now empties into the Kansas River about a half-mile east of where it did 150 or so years ago. Then, according to the 1873 Atlas of Douglas County, the confluence was directly north of the Holy Family Cemetery and present-day Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks. It may have been even further east 100 years ago; a 1912 state history situates the confluence a mile from Eudora but doesn’t say exactly from where in Eudora the measure was made. It’s doubtful, though, that we will notice the confluence moving much in our lifetime. “The confluence is pretty stable,” says Wakefield Dort Jr., a retired University of Kansas geology professor and author of Historic Channel Changes of the Kansas River and its Major Tributaries. “While predicting a confluence’s change is a complicated question, change isn’t likely.” Nonetheless, seeking the path of least resistance, the rivers will continually migrate, shifting the confluence site. Although rarely seen by travelers now, Eudora’s original landmark is a symbol of forces and people, changing over time, but always coming together from different places—a legacy from which Eudora residents of all times can draw inspiration.
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www.jayhawkdental.com
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discover eudora story by Kimberly Winter Stern
Librarian Lindsey Sanchez reads to children during Eudora Public Library Story Time.
photography by Jason dailey
New Generation of
reading Librarians grow the city’s youngest bookworms with education and entertainment
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In a land not too, too far away—in Eudora, Kansas— there lives a young woman named Lindsey Sanchez. Her mother and grandmother taught her to love reading, and now the 22-year-old continues to explore new worlds as a children’s librarian, inviting one and all to join her on magical Story Time voyages. That is the beginning of a true tale—one that Sanchez might read about herself to the eager audiences she hosts most Wednesday mornings at the Eudora Public Library during Story Time, which is free and open to the public. Sanchez has held the position of children’s librarian for only a year, but she is connected to the library across generations. Her greatgrandfather served on the Eudora Township Board when it voted to have the current library building opened in 1976. Her mother, LeAnn Cook, was Eudora Public Library’s cataloguer for 10 years; and Sanchez’s grandmother, Linda Weeks, was the children’s librarian. “My grandma was here for 15 years and retired in August 2014,” Sanchez says. “I took the reins from there.” Sanchez, who is the “life of the library,” in the words of library director Carol Wohlford, is a staunch children’s book advocate because she vividly remembers the positive influence that Story Time had on her childhood and she sees how it benefits her own toddler, Violet. “Raising literacy levels and reinforcing words, stoking imaginations and encouraging creativity is all part of what I do,” says Sanchez. “At home with my daughter, and at the library’s Story Time, I introduce young children from age 2 to kindergartners to the wonderful, exciting world of reading.” Wohlford, who has worked in libraries for 30 years, says Sanchez has a knack for creating a wonderland full of exploration for children. “Her room has all sorts of fun things, not just books,” says Wohlford. “Glues and stickers and clay—things you don’t usually associate with a library.” Wohlford says Story Time and other children’s events at the library are exciting for young visitors. “They come through the front doors with their mouths open and their eyes wide, just waiting to see what Lindsey or the rest of the staff has planned,” says Wohlford, who adds that the program’s popularity has inspired the library to add infant and toddler story times in 2015. Regular Story Time attendees listen to a book and dress up for “monster-theme” Story Time at the Eudora Public Library.
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Sanchez’s Story Times usually include two or three books that share a common theme, followed by a craft and a snack that align with the theme. Kids dress in costume and Sanchez does, too, if she has something in her closet. Parents get involved as well. “Parents have adopted story time as a social outing, and they don’t just observe, but get engaged, just like their kids,” Sanchez says. Pier Masterson of Eudora is a regular at Story Time with her youngest, 2-year-old Cydney. “We just love it,” says Masterson. “It’s not just a comeand-sit-down-and-listen type of story time. It’s interactive—Cydney is mesmerized. For that age group to be collectively entranced with something is simply amazing.” Masterson says Cydney and her 4-year-old brother Grayson have an infatuation with the library that goes well beyond Story Time. “We live a block from the Eudora Public Library, and the kids ask to go there often,” she says. “The staff there is so accommodating. What a community asset.” Sanchez appreciates that community involvement. “I just have so much fun doing this and seeing the reaction of kids and their parents,” she says. “Story Time also helps change the perception of the library as a stuffy, ‘shhh-don’t-talk’ kind of place.” Fun and whimsy, joy and happiness, imagination and creativity, curiosity and success: That’s a foolproof recipe for developing good reading habits at an early age. “It’s magic that kids carry way into adulthood,” says Sanchez. “In fact, there is no ending to that story.”
Eudora Public Library Director Carol Wohlford says she and her staff have seen a great increase in electronic reading across all ages of library patrons.
New approaches to reading … Developing a new generation of readers goes hand-in-hand with developing new approaches to reading, says Carol Wohlford, director of the Eudora Public Library. “Libraries are blending old-school books with technology and becoming much more interdisciplinary,” she says. “We’re expanding our audience, which is very exciting.” The Eudora Public Library offers e-books and resources for reading books on tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices. Specialist Alisha Whitis and other librarians are available for individual consultation to allow patrons access to three digital resources: the Kansas State Library Digital Book eLending program, the national OverDrive consortium and the musical collection Hoopla. Wohlford describes an “exponential” growth in the use of these programs by library patrons, particularly seniors who value the electronic reading format for its largesize type and lightweight load—definite bonuses for readers with impaired vision or arthritis. Children’s librarian Lindsey Sanchez says e-books are becoming increasingly popular for young readers as well. But she urges parents to blend electronic reading with traditional book reading. “As with everything, I think parents need to find a balance with their kids,” Sanchez says. “Still have print books in the reading mix while introducing a child to reading electronically.”
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Lindsey Sanchez’s Personal Favorite
for Infants to Kindergartners 1. 100 Things That Make Me Happy by Amy Schwartz 2. Press Here by Herve Tullet 3. Love Monster by Rachel Bright 4. Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal 5. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis 6. The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone 7. One by Kathryn Otoshi 8. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak 9. Telephone by Mac Barnett 10. Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
Lindsey Sanchez’s List of In addition to her “Top 10,” Sanchez offers up a list of lesser-known gems with great messages for children. Here is her list and her short summary of why each book is a must-read-to-me for any infant-to-kindergartner. Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. “A sweet story about a little pea who must eat all his candy before he can have his dessert—vegetables! A really cute spin on teaching kids the importance of eating their veggies.” Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle. “Lots of parents get scared away by this book because it doesn’t have any words. It is illustrated by Idle, who worked for DreamWorks Animation Studios. If you have a child who loves ballet, this is a perfect book to let them explore their imagination.” Flashlight by Lizi Boyd. “Another book with no words! It shines a light, no pun intended, on being afraid of the dark. A fun book to do with kids in their bedroom; with just a flashlight, shine a light on all the objects in the room, emphasizing there is nothing to be afraid of in the dark.” Banana! by Ed Vere. “Although there are only two words in the entire book, ‘banana’ and ‘please,’ it’s a fun book to be silly with your kids. Say ‘banana’ a different way each time and encourage your child to do the same. Make silly monkey faces and dance around; all the while, they’re secretly learning about manners.” Maple by Lori Nichols. “A sweet story about a girl named Maple whose parents planted a maple tree for her at birth and now are planting a willow tree for a new sister. A great story to read if your family is adding a new addition.”
Costumes, playtime and crafts are part of the library’s Story Time.
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bringing art
back
Thanks to parent volunteers, arts education continues for Eudora’s schoolchildren
story by Nathan Pettengill photography by Jason dailey
Kania Shain moved to Eudora in 2007. At that time, the school district had been without a full-time elementary-grades art instructor for more than 20 years, and Shain was concerned that a new round of state budget cuts, beginning in 2008, could severely impact the remaining art education programs for public school students, including her two daughters. So Shain became an advocate, talking about the importance of art curriculum with fellow parents, administrators, the school board and teachers. One of these educators—the kindergarten teacher of her youngest daughter—asked Shain to step into the classroom once a week to present an art lesson.
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“So, of course I did,” says Shain, “and it was super-fun.” Super-popular as well, apparently. These lessons were noticed by other parents, including Jessica Vogt who began to wonder if a group of volunteers couldn’t expand the program for the entire elementary school. Vogt says the parents initially assumed they would only advise teachers about integrating art into classes. “We thought we might just help them,” says Vogt. But by the summer of 2011, the proposal had evolved and was backed by the district. Shain, Vogt and the other parents approached Eudora teachers with their idea: ACE, or Arts Coalition of Eudora, an opt-in, once-a-month, 45-minute art lesson for each class, from kindergarten to fifth grade. The faculty accepted—so with the enthusiasm of a few parents, a budget of $1,000 from the PTO, and the raiding of several pantries and closets for art supplies, the program began. Four years later, ACE continues to be an essential part of the Eudora curriculum, still relying on volunteer parents and fundraising to present monthly art lessons to each class in Eudora Elementary School. For the 2014-2015 school year, the program has been given a designated classroom in the Savannah pod of Eudora Elementary. That physical space reflects, perhaps, how integrated the program has become.
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Eric Votaw, who is currently serving a second term on the Eudora school board, describes ACE as an “extremely positive” program. Doing dual duty as a parent of a child at Eudora Elementary, Votaw praises ACE instruction for “the spark that it ignited in my son,” describing how his son has come home and demonstrated drawing lessons from school. Furthermore, Votaw adds, the ACE program can be seen as a template for other initiatives that could embrace parental engagement and harness the time and expertise of parent volunteers. One key lesson of ACE, says Votaw, is that parents can and should approach teachers, administrators and the school board with concerns and possible solutions. Back in her new classroom, Shain is encouraged by all the support the program has received in Eudora—from officials, from teachers, from parents and from students. But she is less certain about her long-term goal for ACE. Ideally, she says, ACE would become a victim of its own success and be replaced by a fully funded arts program. That’s a wish echoed by many, including Votaw on the school board. But the reality, both Votaw and Shain note, is that funding continues to decrease and any new spending has to be balanced across commitments in all areas. This is a challenge not only in Eudora. The independent Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted in a May 2014 report that states across the nation continue to see significant drops in education funding. The difference is how each state and each district solves that problem. For now, the parent volunteers of ACE continue to teach and explore with their young artists. They are expanding their education programs with printmaking and clay, and meeting to plan their lessons. In the classroom, Shain describes the joy of watching kindergartners approach a drawing without any fear and the satisfaction of watching fifth-graders develop definite tastes in styles of art. “The arts are great at teaching problemsolving and in working collaboratively. The arts give the kids an outlet,” Shain says. “They spend their day at school getting the correct math answer, reading and writing—and those things are great—but I think the kids like to be here and know there is no right, no wrong, just whatever they create.”
Volunteer parent Kania Shain helped found the ACE program for arts education at Eudora Elementary.
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The Eudora Elementary Art Students’
(compiled by Kania Shain) Kania Shain
Clarisa Turner
Older students (4th-5th graders): 1) Van Gogh 2) Marc Chagall 3) M.C. Escher Younger students (Kindergartners-3rd graders): 1) Paul Klee 2) Henri Matisse 3) M.C. Escher All-ages favorite: Jackson Pollock (“Because they would all love to just throw paint at a canvas and get dirty!”)
the 2014-2015 ACE Volunteers Amy Boucher, Bryan Cribbs, Denise Dietz, Claire Harding, Kim Johnson, Amy Isenburg, Lisa Moffitt, Staci Prawl, Molly Pratt, Kania Shain, Clarisa Turner and Jessica Vogt.
Photo courtesy Kania Shain
events
Support ACE at its annual events, the Art to Remember fundraiser to be held approximately March 2-11 and the Artapalooza celebration on April 17. For more information on ACE events or volunteer information, look for ACE (Arts Coalition of Eudora) on Facebook.
Amy Boucher
Molly Pratt
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Welcome,
Shadow Ridge!
Eudora’s newest green space is Shadow Ridge Park, next to the Eudora Middle School at 2635 Church Street. The park features play equipment and a half-mile trail. This walking and biking path was created in great part with funds from the Sunflower Foundation. “We want to make Eudora a place where you can walk and bike to anywhere in the community—on a safe path. It’s exciting to see people in this area of the community use this trail and connect it to other trails in the community,” says Gary Scott, director of Eudora Parks and Recreation Department. Shadow Ridge is actually a temporary name for the park, which is expected to receive a permanent name from city authorities in 2015. Until then, Scott and his staff are continuing new plantings and improvements on the grounds where we sent our chief photographer to capture these images.
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discover eudora story by Seth Jones photography by Jason dailey
“E r
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Stars of
Eudora Rec Adult sports leagues create athletic legends
There is no Eudora Sports Hall of Fame, but maybe there should be. After all, it’s obvious this town has game. We know the town has a proud record of prep sporting success—such as the 2014 boy’s basketball state championship—but even in the recreational leagues for adults, Eudora boasts its fair share of jocks. “Eudora offers a lot of sports for adults,” says John Garcia, an avid kickball and softball player. “I’m constantly busy with my kids’ sports, so it’s
nice that the adult sports leagues allow me some time to spend with my friends and neighbors.” Though the adult leagues might not offer the trophies or the gym-filled pep rallies, they are filled with dedicated athletes. Basketball, volleyball, softball and kickball—there are all-stars among us in each of these sports. We scouted the Eudora Parks and Rec adult leagues for just a few of these standouts, and found athletes competing, winning and—most of all— having a good time in their hometown community.
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Erica
“Evil E”
We’re equipped to do site grading, ditching, drainage, land clearing, add topsoil and fill dirt, wrecking and demolition for residential, commercial, and light industrial projects. We provide trenching for water, sewer and power duct lines. We offer asphalt paving, utility line installation, sidewalk construction and more.
1705 N 1399 Rd. Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785.842.9100 Fax: 785.842.9113
Lisenby
Originally from: Burrton Daytime: Call center supervisor Nighttime: Kickball all-star, softball and volleyball mainstay Position: Outfield and catcher Competitiveness: “I mainly play for fun. I like to make good plays, but if we don’t win I don’t flip out.”
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Career highlight: “We played a softball game that was a mud game. Everything was a mess, with people literally crawling to bases. I remember I hit a ball, and then I fell flat on my face at home base.”
Brian C. Wilkerson, D.D.S. Michelle Saunders, D.D.S. Justin R. Anderson, D.D.S. L e s l e y R . N e l l o r, D . D . S .
Located in beautiful downtown Lawrence 831 Vermont Street • Lawrence, KS 785•843•6060
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www.thedentistsinlawr ence.com
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BRENDA
“BIG COUNTRY”
F ROST
john “JOHNNY” G AR C IA
Originally from: Eudora
Originally from: Topeka
Daytime: First-grade teacher, Tonganoxie Elementary
Daytime: Sergeant 1st Class, U.S. Army
Nighttime: Kickball and volleyball specialist
Nighttime: Kickball enthusiast and softball power hitter
Teams: Balls and Dolls (kickball); Boss Ballers (volleyball)
Position: Shortstop and outfield
Competitiveness: “Win at all costs! When I start losing, I get grumpy.”
Team: Caught Looking
Career highlight: “My team has won a lot of championships in both kickball and volleyball. The other teams were all happy when my volleyball team took a season off, because that allowed someone else’s team to finally win one.”
Competitiveness: “I hate losing, but as long as we’re having fun, I can handle it. We’re not trying to break records—just have some fun and get some exercise.” Career highlight: “I hit a true home run over the softball fence. For me, that was a great accomplishment.”
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reedy” g “ gretchen herron
Originally from: Eudora Daytime: District payroll coordinator, DeSoto School District Nighttime: Four-sport athlete: kickball, volleyball, softball, aerobics Position: Second and third base Team: Drunk Again and Looking to Score Competitiveness: “Ninety percent of the time, I’m there for a good time and the exercise. But there is one team I really, really want to beat—they know who they are.” Career highlight: “In kickball this season, I made all three outs in one inning.” Sports motto: “Give it your all, but make sure you’re having a good time.”
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HOURS Mon. thru Sat. | 7:00 am - 9:00 pm Sun. | 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 1402 Church Street • Eudora, KS
We are your local community connection for high quality foods, friendly service and great prices. Our family-owned store offers a convenient one-stop shop where you can find everything you need from the everyday essentials to specialty items from around the world. We take pride in our community and appreciate your business.
www.eudora.heartlandfoodsstores.com
W arren -M C E lWain Mortuary and Cremation Services
Owned and operated by Eudora and Lawrence families since 1904 www. warrenmcelwain.com Phone: (785) 843-1120 Lawrence, KS (785) 542-3030 Eudora, KS
chamber membership
The Eudora Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer organization founded in 1992. The chamber was organized to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the Eudora area so that its citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper. The chamber is committed to community success in economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial and educational interests. Learn more about membership at www. cityofeudoraks.gov. All business addresses are Eudora, KS, unless otherwise noted.
A & A Lock and Key and Overhead Door 2064 N. 900 Road ................................................... (913) 302-7500 Fax:.............................................. (913) 221-0380 Email: aandalockandkey@hotmail.com www.aandalock.com
Air Filter Plus, Inc.
1205 Cardinal Drive ................................................... (800) 733-8011 Fax:.............................................. (785) 542-3900 Email: customerservice@airfilterplus.com www.airfilterplus.com
Amanda’s Dance Academy
104 W. 20th St., Suite 4 ................................................... (785) 690-7200 Email: amandadanceacademy@aol.com www.amandadanceacademy.com
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Vestana Ahlen, CFP 4550 W. 109th St, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS 66211 ................................................... (913) 239-2525 Email: vestana.ahlen@ampf.com www.ameripriseadvisors.com/vestana.1.ahlen/
Amy L. Durkin—Attorney at Law
702 Main St. ................................................... (785) 542-1234 Fax:.............................................. (785) 542-1235 www.durkinfamilylaw.com
Auburn Pharmacy
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ClearCloud
6110 N. 9 Hwy Parkville, MO 64152 ................................................... (866) 642-9202
CLO’s Midnight Farm
Brad Archer 310 E. 15th St. ................................................... (785) 690-7575 Fax:.............................................. (785) 690-7577 www.auburnpharmacies.com
2084 N. 600 Road Baldwin City, KS 66006 ................................................... (785) 979-1889 Fax............................................... (785) 865-5695 Email: farm@clokan.org www.midnight-farm.org
Benchmark Construction
Country Spa & Gardens
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
Cutter’s Smokehouse
110 W. 20th St. ................................................... (785) 542-1400
1310 Winchester Road ................................................... (785) 843-9192 Fax:.............................................. (785) 843-2219 Email: talktobert@bertnash.org www.bertnash.org
Bloom & Associates Therapy, PA
924 Locust St. ................................................... (785) 542-3333 Fax............................................... (785) 865-3555 www.bloompt.wix.com/bloom-associates-physicaltherapy#!.com
Byrne’s Pharmacy
600 E. 20th St. ................................................... (785) 542-2533 Email: contact@byrnespharmacy.com www.byrnespharmacy.com
C-Hawkk Construction, Inc.
527 Main St. ................................................... (785) 542-1800 Fax............................................... (785) 542-1025
City of Eudora
4 E. Seventh St. ................................................... (785) 542-2153 Fax............................................... (785) 542-1237 www.cityofeudoraks.gov
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2152 N. 700 Road ................................................... (785) 883-4944 www.countryspaandgardens.com 218 E. 20th St. ................................................... (785) 542-1100 www.cutterssmokehouse.com
Douglas County Bank
1402 Church St. ................................................... (785) 865-7676 www.DouglasCountyBank.com
Edward Jones
Jeff Peterson 730 New Hampshire Suite 212 Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................................... (785) 843-1371 ................................................... (877) 296-1373
Eudora Auto Parts
1006A Ash St. ................................................... (785) 542-2230 www.eudoraautoparts.com
Eudora Animal Hospital
1905 Elm St. ................................................... (785) 542-3265 Email: info@eudoravet.com www.eudoravet.com
28 chamber membership Eudora Baptist Church
525 W. 20th St. ................................................... (785) 542-2734 Fax............................................... (785) 542-2037 Email: churchoffice@eudorabc.org www.eudorabc.org
Eudora Community Learning Center
1310 Winchester Road ................................................... (785) 542-1278 Email: angie.miller@greenbush.org www.greenbush.org
Eudora Eye Care
101 W. 10th St., Suite C ................................................... (785) 542-5522 Fax............................................... (785) 542-1013 Email: barnhartod@hotmail.com www.eudoraeyecare.com
Eudora Family Care
600 E. 20th St. ................................................... (785) 542-2345 Fax............................................... (785) 542-1239 www.lmh.org
Eudora Public Library
14 E. Ninth St. ................................................... (785) 542-2496 Fax............................................... (785) 542-2496 Email: eudorapl@sunflower.com www.eudorapubliclibrary.org
EudoraReporter.com editor@eudorareporter.com www.eudorareporter.com
Eudora School: Unified
School District No. 491 1310 Winchester Road ................................................... (785) 542-4910 Fax............................................... (785) 542-4909 www.eudoraschools.org
Eudora United Methodist Church
Gene’s Heartland Foods
1402 Church St. ................................................... (785) 542-2727 Fax............................................... (785) 542-2932 www.eudora.heartlandfoodsstores.com
Glaser Williams
1125 John L. Williams Drive ................................................... (785) 690-7381 Fax............................................... (785) 690-7387 www.glaserwilliams.com
H.P. Pelzer
1201 Cardinal Drive ................................................... (785) 542-5700 Fax............................................... (785) 542-5757 www.hppelzer.com
3 Chix Salon
924 Locust Suite A ......................785-766-0904--Roberta (Nail Tech) .............................816-809-2499--Tiffany (Stylist) ........................... 913-206-6876--Jessica (Stylist)
Hamm Quarry, L.L.C.
609 Perry Place Perry, KS 66073 ................................................... (785) 597-5111 Fax............................................... (785) 597-9914 www.nrhamm.com
Dr. John Hay, DDS
104 W. 20th St., Suite 3 .................................................. (785) 542-9105
Heads or Nails
713 Main St. ................................................... (785) 690-7272
Hi-Tech Antifreeze
530 South Main ................................................... (785) 542-1230 Email: antifreeze@sunflower.com www.recyclingantifreeze.com
2084 N. 1300 Road P.O. Box 520 ................................................... (785) 542-3200 www.eudoraumc.org
His Hands Clothing
Eudora Wine & Spirits
311 E. Ninth St. ................................................... (785) 542-2788 Fax............................................... (785) 542-1908 Email: hfceudora@sunflower.com www.holyfamilyeudora.com
218 W. 20th St., Suite A ................................................... (785) 690-7500 www.eudorawine.com
Eurotec Vertical Flight Solutions
1040 OCL Parkway ................................................... (785) 331-2220 Fax............................................... (785) 331-2221 www.eurotecvfs.com
Gambino’s Pizza
1402 Church St., Suite D ................................................... (785) 542-2121 Fax............................................... (785) 841-1926 www.gambinospizza.com
736 B Main St. ................................................... (785) 690-7220
Holy Family Catholic Church
Honey Creek Disposal Service, Inc
P.O. Box 1 Tonganoxie, KS 66086 ................................................... (913) 369-8999 Email: contactus@honeycreekdisposal.com www.honeycreekdisposal.com
Jacque’s Place Salon
1402 Church St., Suite C ................................................ .. (785) 550-5531 www.jacquesfamilyhair.com
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Jayhawk Dental, L.L.C.
826 Iowa St. Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................................... (785) 843-9122 Email: jayhawkdental@sunflower.com www.jayhawkdental.com
Judi Branine, Realtor
21648 Midland Drive Shawnee, KS 66218 ................................................... (913) 825-3133 www.judirealestate.com
Kansas Secured Title: Douglas County 1410 Kasold Drive Suite A-18 Lawrence, KS 66049 ................................................... (785) 843-2830 Fax............................................... (785) 749-3129 www.kstdouglas.com
Kaw Valley State Bank
739 Main St. ................................................... (785) 542-4200 Fax............................................... (785) 542-2148 www.kawvalleystatebank.com
Kenneth O. von Achen: Chartered Architects
40555 W. 103rd St. ................................................... (785) 542-2410 http://kovaca.com
Lawrence Memorial Hospital 325 Maine St. Lawrence, KS 66025 www.lmh.org
LMH Eudora Therapy Services
600 E. 20th St. ................................................... (785) 505-2712 Fax............................................... (785) 542-1239 www.lmh.org
Mateo Chiropractic
1402 Church St., Suite C ................................................... (785) 542-5400 www.mateochiro.com
Medicalodges Eudora
1415 Maple St. ................................................... (785) 542-2176 www.medicalodgeseudora.com
Miller Agency Insurance
711 Main St. ................................................... (785) 542-2000 Fax............................................... (785) 542-2370 Email: mai@sunflower.com
Minuteman Press of Lawrence
501 Gateway Drive, Suite B Lawrence, KS 66049 ................................................... (785) 842-2656 Fax............................................... (785) 843-9027 www.minutemanlawrence.com
chamber membership Mutual Savings Association
801 Main St. ................................................... (785) 542-2123 www.mutualwave.com
R.D. Johnson Excavating Co.
1705 N. 1399 Road Lawrence, KS 66046 ................................................... (785) 842-9100 Fax............................................... (785) 842-9113 www.rdjohnsonexcavating.com
Reece and Nichols
State Farm Insurance
Warren-McElwain Mortuary
Steelhead Recording
Watts Rental Properties
Sterling Readiness Rounds
Westerhouse, Inc.
Keith Nowland 218 E. 20th St., Suite B ................................................... (785) 542-3276 Fax............................................... (785) 542-3260 www.keithnowland.com 101 W. 10th St. ................................................... (785) 542-1405
Susie and Anthony Brown ................................................... (785) 691-9967
112 E. 10th St. ................................................... (785) 764-4545 www.steelheadrecording.com
Rock Family Chiropractic
Sunflower Publishing
1402 Church St., Suite E ................................................... (785) 542-2118 ................................................... (785) 542-1164
Shepard Plumbing & Construction
717 Main St. P.O. Box 235 ................................................... (785) 542-2737
St. Paul United Church of Christ
Karen Troutman 738 Church St. P.O. Box 722 ................................................... (785) 542-2785 Email: stpaulucc@sunflower.com
645 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS 66044 General........................................ (785) 832-7257 Joanne Morgan (advertising)........ (785) 832-7264 Fax............................................... (785) 331-0633 Email: sunpubads@sunflowerpub.com www.sunflowerpub.com
1003 John L. Williams Drive ................................................... (785) 843-1120 Fax............................................... (785) 843-1182 Email: info@warrenmcelwain.com www.warrenmcelwain.com 1009 E. 13th Court ................................................ .. (785) 865-8951 104 E. 20th St. #1 ................................................... (785) 542-2707 Fax............................................... (785) 542-3002 www.westerhouse.com
WOW!
1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 301 Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................................... (785) 841-2100 www.wowway.com
Twin Oaks Golf Complex
1326 E. 1900 Road ................................................... (785) 542-2844 www.facebook.com/twinoaksgolfks
Your Local City Market! Only the best in farm fresh
produce & fresh meat checkersfoods.com Like us on Facebook & follow us LawrenCe, @CheckersFoods! w w w . c i Ks t y o f e u d o r a k son . gTwitter o v
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quick guide Resource
Website Telephone
Emergency & Medical Kansas Poison Control Lawrence Memorial Hospital www.lmh.org Kansas Crisis Hotline www.kcsdv.org Tip Hotline (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) www.accesskansas.org/kbi Child Abuse Hotline www.srs.ks.gov
911 (800) 222-1222 (785) 505-5000 (888) 363-2287 (800) 572-7463 (800) 922-5330
City Services City Offices Fire & Medical Department Police Department Water & Electric Municipal Court Animal Control Building, Planning & Zoning Atmos (Gas) Parks and Recreation Department
www.cityofeudoraks.gov www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=67 www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=77 www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=79 www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=75 www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=92 www.cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=65 www.atmosenergy.com eudoraparksandrec.org
(785) 542-2153 (785) 542-3653 (785) 542-3121 (785) 542-2153 (785) 542-4113 (785) 542-3121 (785) 542-3124 (888) 286-6700 (785) 542-1725
Douglas County Services Douglas County www.douglas-county.com Douglas County Sheriff http://www.dgso.org/web/index.php (785) 841-0007 Douglas County Fire & Medical (785) 832-5259 Douglas County Health Department www.ldchealth.org (785) 843-3060 Douglas County Youth Services (785) 331-1300 Douglas County CASA www.dccasa.org (785) 832-5172 Cottonwood Inc. www.cwood.org (785) 842-0550 Bert Nash Community Health Center www.bertnash.org (785) 843-9192
Living in Eudora Eudora Chamber of Commerce www.cityofeudoraks.gov Eudora Public Library www.eudorapubliclibrary.org Eudora Area Historical Society
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(785) 542-1212 (785) 542-2496 (785) 690-7900
®
Rock Family Chiropractic
• Workers’ Comp • Auto Injury Cases • New Patients Treated Same Day • Walk-ins Welcome! • Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and All Major Insurances Accepted Our mission is to help as many people as possible, especially our children.
Ryan Rock, D.C.
1402 Church St., Ste. E • 542-2118 rockfamilychiropractic.com Check us out on the web and Facebook!