summer/fall 2016
a community guide
Teacher
Summers How do our educators spend their school break?
Young Dancers Great Kaw Adventure Teen Jobs cityofeudoraks.gov
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discover Eudora
summer/fall 2016
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a community guide summer/fall 2016
Discover Eudora is an official publication of the City of Eudora, the Eudora School District, Eudora CVB and the Eudora Chamber of Commerce with editorial, design and advertising placement provided by Sunflower Publishing. Editor: Nathan Pettengill Art Director: Jenni Leiste Copy Editor: Leslie Andres Contributing Photographers: Mark Mangan Tree Mangan Theresa Noll-Thompson Janene Rothwell Contributing Writers: Fally Afani Cindy Higgins Seth Jones Molly Pratt City Liaison: Barack Matite School District Liaison: Kristin Magette Chamber Liaison: Leslie Herring Eudora CVB Liaison: Keith Nowland
cityofeudoraks.gov Mayor: Tim Reazin City Liaison: Barack Matite School District Superintendent: Steve Splichal Communications Director: Kristin Magette Eudora Chamber of Commerce President: Tim Bruce Eudora CVB Director: Keith Nowland
sunflowerpub.com General Manager: Katy Ibsen Director of Special Projects: Bert Hull Production Team Leader: Shelly Bryant All material and photographs copyright Sunflower Publishing, 2016. Discover Eudora releases twice a year. For editorial queries: Nathan Pettengill (785) 832-7287 npettengill@sunflowerpub.com
Welcome one and all to Eudora! Eudora is a welcoming community with a rich history, a small city feel, and an amazing place to grow and enjoy a satisfying quality of life. The City of Eudora has an extensive Parks and Recreation department committed to providing great parks and other recreational amenities. We continually look for ways to expand and improve our recreation options for all ages. Although we have limited resources, we work diligently to find grants to renovate and upgrade our parks and trail system to allow for more and better access for all citizens. In addition, the city maintains a familyfriendly Recreation Center and aquatic facility intended to give all citizens a place to gather and play. Please stop by the Recreation Center to learn about the many opportunities to participate in swimming lessons, water aerobics, baseball and softball, soccer, exercise classes, pickleball, card games, Family Fun Nights, and other organized activities. The schools in Eudora are top-tier. Through innovative programs and committed educators, Eudora Schools continually produce highly successful graduates. The students in Eudora are taught to be lifelong learners and responsible citizens. We are proud of our students and educators. The City of Eudora has a committed city staff which includes Public Safety, Public Works and the Administration departments. The staff works to serve Eudora with integrity and transparency. The City Commissioners diligently strive to make decisions that will keep Eudora a safe and robust community. For more on the City of Eudora look to our city website www.cityofeudoraks. gov and our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Flikr. We also urge you to subscribe to our weekly city newsletter by calling city hall. Thank you for making Eudora a prosperous community. Yes, indeed, our city is “a place to grow.� Ruth Hughs Vice-Mayor
For advertising queries: Ariele Erwine (785) 832-7109 aerwine@sunflowerpub.com
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ON THE COVER Eudora Middle School instructor Ryan Jacobs, with help from Paul and Elizabeth, spends much of his summer at the school garden. Photograph by Theresa Noll-Thompson
4 contents
discover eudora
departments 6
Everything Eudora
With strong backing for its expansion, the popular and renovated Eudora Community Museum prepares for more exhibits and more visitors
10 Calendar of Events 27 Local Business listings 30 quick guide
features
12 Motoring the Midland Despite floods and sand-covered roads, Eudora was once a stopping point along one of the nation’s earliest transcontinental highways
14 Ready for adventure
After a trial run in 2015, the Great Kaw Adventure Race gets real
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18 Teacher Summers
They love their jobs, but they also love June, July and August—the months when teachers take on new identities
22 Dance ‌ and More
A local studio hopes to provide lessons in movement and growth for everyone on the floor
24 Endless summer
A teen summer job turned into a career for one local pizza pro
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everything eudora
summer/fall 2016
Eudora Past & Future With strong backing for its expansion, the popular and renovated Eudora Community Museum prepares for more exhibits and more visitors
What do you do after you move homes? You receive guests, of course. That is precisely what has happened with the Eudora Community Museum since it relocated to 720 Main St. a full year ago. “We’ve seen a huge increase, about 2,000 individual visitors this year,” says Ben Terwilliger, the museum’s executive director. “That is double what we had been averaging.” A move that was years in the making, the relocation into the spacious 1870s building allowed the organization to pull many of its materials from storage (Ben estimates that 70–80 percent of collections are now on display) and set its sights for further expansion. A grant from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council in May brought in $89,000 of the $100,000 needed to create an addition that will include stairs and an elevator to allow public access to the building’s second floor and, effectively, double the museum’s exhibition space.
That increase in size would further the museum’s mission to gather and share material related to Eudora’s heritage. “Now that we are in the new location, it has become easier for people to donate items,” says Terwilliger. “Before, we had less visibility, so people would give material to other museums or sell it. Now we will be able to put it on display and the public will enjoy it.” Ultimately, says Terwilliger, the goal is to create a series of permanent and rotating exhibits that will create “a more coherent story of the region” while continuing to partner with regional and national organizations for events and displays. Next summer the museum is set to host a traveling Smithsonian exhibition on waterways and is coordinating with county partners to create a show that narrates the various migrations into Douglas County such as the relocation of the Shawnees, the settlement by Free-Staters and the arrival of the first merchants.
Waiting for … What is the best artifact not yet in the collection of the Eudora Community Museum? Executive director Ben Terwilliger says he would love to receive and display an early K-10 highway sign because of the roadway’s long link and importance to the community. But, he prefers to hope that there are even more possibilities lying around in somebody’s home or family archives. “No doubt some of the best artifacts are ones that we haven’t seen,” says Terwilliger. “But now that we are here, we’re a natural place for people to bring them.”
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story by Nathan Pettengill photography by Mark and Tree Mangan
everything eudora
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everything eudora
summer/fall 2016
The Eudora Community Museum’s Top 5 Acquisitions of the Past Year According to Ben Terwilliger, museum executive director 1. The Leonard Hollman collection of Eudora artifacts including marshal badges from the 1930s, a 1908 medal from the Holy Catholic Church and more 2. A 1900 crank phone owned by Charles Pilla, a prominent merchant and mayor early in the city’s history
4. A historic glass window from the Trefz Plumbing Shop (the building that is now the museum) 5. An 1876 headstone for Peter Westerhouse, one of the early settlers of Eudora
3. Civil War-era artifacts, including a bayonet, boot spurs and various medals
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Summer/fall 2016
Bluejacket Crossing Vineyard and Winery Award-winning local wine 1969 N. 1250 Rd. 785.542.1764
everything eudora
Eudora Community Museum
Kaw River Access Point
Our past told 720 Main St. 785.690.7900
Entry for canoes/kayaks kansasriver.org
Quilting Bits and Pieces
Cami’s Cake Co.
Eudora Parks and Recreation
Custom cakes and sweets 800 Main St. 785.207.2103
Parks, pools and leagues 1630 Elm St. 785.542.1725
Cosmic Ale House and Grill
Eudora Public Library
Breakfast, brisket and beyond 601 E. 10 St. 785.690.7262
Books, DVDS and public space 14 E. 9 St. 785.542.2496
Country Spa and Gardens
Eudora Yoga Center
Rural rejuvenation 2152 N. 700 Rd. 785.883.4944
Beginners and advanced 704 Main St. 785. 550.5928
D-Dubs
Gambino’s Pizza
Bar and grill 10 W. 9 St. 785.690.7212
Original pies 1402 Church St. Suite D 785.542.2727
Davenport Orchards and Winery
Gene’s Heartland Foods
Award-winning local wines 1394 E. 1900 Rd. 785.542.2278
Local grocer 1402 Church St. 785.542.2727
Jasmin Restaurant Dairy Queen Frosty treats 1502 Church St. 785.542.5050
Vidan Dental
G E r a l d
W .
V i d a n ,
10 3 W. 1 0 th S t. E udor a, K S 66025
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d d S
785- 542- 2 9 9 3
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Chinese and Mexican 719 Main St. 785.542.1111
Quilting supplies from experts 736 Main St. 785.542.2080
Sonic Drive-In Nostalgic car-hop food 1420 Church St. 785.542.1799
Subway Customized sandwiches 318 E. 15 St. 785.542.2626
Sunflower State Dance Dance lessons 104 E. 20 St. #4 785.690.7200
Sweet Acres Inn Bed and breakfast 103 E. 7 St. 785.542.2466
Twin Oaks Golf Complex Tee time 1326 E. 1900 Rd. 785.542.2844
525 West 20th St | Eudora, KS 66025 (785) 542-2734 | churchoffice@eudorabc.org | www.eudorabc.org
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calendar of events june | JuneDecember |
july
august
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Drop-In Sunday yoga sessions Eudora Community Center, 4 E. 7 St. 6:30-7:30 pm | $6 for one session
Family fun night at Laws’ Field Inflatable rides, video games, movie 630 Elm St. Free and open to public
Kindergarten Parents’ Meeting Night Eudora Public Schools
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| 21 |
Ladies’ Night Out at the Library Eudora Public Library, 14 E. 9 St. 6-7:30 pm | Manicures, drinks and more The $20 ticket goes to library programming
| 20 | Sno-Cone day Eudora Public Library, 14 E. 9 St. Noon-1 pm | Free sno-cones
| 23-25 | Eudora CPA Picnic City’s largest celebration rides, music and more facebook.com/EudoraCPA
“The Oregon Trail and Eudora” Presented by Eudora Community Museum
Eudora City Hall (4 East 7th Street) Free and open to public
| 25-29 | Eudora High School Band Camp Eudora High School
| 1-5 | Challenger British Soccer Camp Instructive drills Pre-register at challengersports.com
| 17 | First full day of school Grades 1-12 Eudora Public Schools
| 18 | First half-days for kindergarten Eudora Public Schools
| 21 |
| 24 | First full day for kindergarten Eudora Public Schools
september |1| Watch DOGS Orientation Eudora public schools Training for volunteer men
| 15 | Eudora History Presented by Eudora Community Museum
Eudora City Hall (4 East 7th Street) Free and open to the public
| 24 | Great Kaw Adventure Race Race by foot, bike and canoe
Community float trip All levels welcome Sponsored by Friends of the Kaw
For a full and updated calendar of events, go online at eudoraevents.com, eudoraschools.org, eudorapubliclibrary.org and eudoraparksandrec.org
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Motoring the Midland
story by Cindy Higgins
Despite floods and sand-covered roads, Eudora was once a stopping point along one of the nation’s earliest transcontinental highways
America’s westward expansion created a network of trails, many of which became the roads and highways used to this very day. Eudora stood near many of the most historic of these byways, from the Oregon Trail to Interstate 70. But our town was also a destination upon another celebrated—and then mostly forgotten—national thoroughfare. In the first decade or so of the twentieth century, boosters rallied to connect existing local byways into a single coast-tocoast road and give this new national highway a name. One of the first highways was the 1912 National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway. It ran from Baltimore to California on a similar route as present-day I-70 before veering
southwest by the Santa Fe Trail and avoiding Eudora by going south through Baldwin City. Also in 1912, Lawrence began mapping its section of another transcontinental highway, the Golden Belt Road. So named because of the “golden belts” painted on telephone poles along the unpaved road, the Golden Belt came from Lawrence’s Eleventh Street on the south side of Kansas River to Eudora. In Eudora, a Seventh Street garage incorporated “Golden Belt” in its name, probably in hopes of attracting travelers. By 1914, red lanterns on Eudora’s section guided the estimated hundred daily motorists. A Lawrence newspaper explained the need for the extra illumination: “The entire route
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Merriam, Shawnee, Zarah, Monticello, Cedar Junction, and Eudora from Kansas City westward (basically along present-day Highway 24 in Kansas). Local route changes ensued, but continued to include Eudora. The Topeka State Journal described one alteration reflected in present-day roads: “At Lawrence, instead of going out Eleventh Street, the trail will go out 13th Street past Oak Hill Cemetery and connect with the old road four miles east of Lawrence, continuing to within 3 miles of Eudora, where it will turn to the south for one-half mile starting into Eudora from the west.”
“By 1914, red lanterns on Eudora’s section guided the estimated hundred daily motorists.” LEFT: A crowd poses outside the Golden Belt Garage, year unknown, via author’s private collection. RIGHT: A map of the Midland Trail as printed in the New York Times, March 7, 1915.
is covered with sharp sand, the result of the 1903 flood, that in the dry weather is three feet deep, making any kind of travel extremely difficult.” Four years later, even with straw, cinders, or “gumbo” (dirt) toppings, road conditions continued to be so poor that local papers reported motorists passed through Baldwin to avoid Eudora’s “horrible” Golden Belt Road, one of the most heavily used of the interstate Kansas highways, in 1918. The Lawrence Journal-World wrote in this year that “if there is another bit of main traveled road in the state that is in as bad condition, no one seems to know where it is located.” By this time, the Golden Belt Road became known as the Midland Trail and was a 12-state, 700-city road that passed through Rosedale,
Marked on telephone poles with a black band sandwiched between two six-inch orange bands, the Midland Trail depended on local associations to provide hospitality stops and road signage. Basketball players from the city of Glasco did their part by challenging 26 towns, including Eudora, along the route in a nightly hoops game to raise paint funds. During the day, the team—which claimed to be undefeated—marked telephone poles along the way. In 1921, the Midland Trail consolidated with the Roosevelt National Highway but retained its name for several more years. The National Highway Association’s 1926 replacement of highway names with numbers put an end to the named transcontinental roads. While roads composing the Midland network still exist, the U.S. Interstate System that began in 1956 has reduced their use to local travel and backroad excursions. In fact many of us, each day, motor along the Midland Trail now without its red lanterns, gold bands or three-feet of sand. But the imprint of the route remains, in our existing roads and in the town’s economic life as a stopping point and a hometown just off one of the nation’s busy highways.
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discover eudora
Ready for
Adventure After a trial run in 2015, the Great Kaw Adventure Race gets real
story by Seth Jones photography by Janene Rothwell and PBJ Studio
Contestants in the 2015 Great Kaw Adventure race portage their canoes.
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If there’s an air of mystery around the Great Kaw Adventure Race this September, that’s just fine with the organizers— because the racers need to be ready for anything. “The athletes want a physical challenge but also a mental challenge,” says Kelli Szrot, committee chair of the race. “I don’t want to give away too much about the race, but there will definitely be three disciplines: running, paddling and bicycling.” Last year was a test run for the Great Kaw Adventure race, a contest that in its inaugural year consisted of approximately 11 miles of paddling, 11 miles of biking and 3 miles of running. The 2015 race started and ended in downtown Eudora with a limit of 15 two-person teams. This year, organizers are still planning a starting and finishing point in Eudora, but they are tweaking the course and accepting 50 two-person teams for the event. One of these teams will be Joe Dee, a paramedic and father of two, and his brother-in-law Ryan Nibert. They will be returning for their second year with last year’s experience in mind. “You have to take it seriously; it’s going to challenge you,” Dee says. “Don’t just come in off the couch if you want to expect to compete.” Dee jogs frequently and also does martial arts and CrossFit to stay in shape. Still, when it came time for the final portion, the bike race, he was exhausted. “People are used to jumping on a bike and being fresh, and peddling away,” Dee says. “But after all that time in the water, then jogging in wet shoes … it takes a lot out of you.” Szrot says the field of competitors last year was a good mix of serious adventure athletes and those simply out for a fun challenge. Ages ranged from early 20s to late 60s. The course and the challenges will be changed this year to keep the event exciting. “The goal is for the race to be more athletically oriented,” Szrot says. “Most participants, this is their gig, what they do— every weekend they’re at an adventure race.”
Race Details Date: September 24 Cost: $150 for a two-person team To register: Contact Keith Nowland of State Farm Insurance at 785.542.3276 Eligibility: All ages welcome, limited to 50 teams
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discover eudora Dee laughs when asked if that would describe him. “There are guys there with $10,000 bikes, and that’s not me,” Dee says. “For me, it pushes me to stay in shape because I don’t want to be the weak link.” A Lawrence resident, Dee also plans to make a day of it with his family. “Last year we made plans following the race, and packed up all our gear and left as soon as we finished,” he says. “This year, we’re bringing the kids and we’re going to hang out. There’s live music and food at the finish line, so we’re going to enjoy ourselves.” As far as how he’s preparing to have a better race this year, Dee does have two things he knows he’ll try to do better: he’s going to work to keep his shoes dry, and he’s going to bring some tunes. “I’m bringing a portable speaker for the river,” Dee says. “I’ll put it in a waterproof bag. I just want to make it more fun, and when I’m on the river—you’re out there for a while—it’ll be fun to have some music playing.”
LEFT: Contestants paddle along the Kaw River during the 2015 race. BELOW: Joe Dee works out to prepare for the 2016 race. BOTTOM: Contestants race bikes in the final leg of the 2015 event.
The Cause In 2016, all event proceeds beyond organizational costs go to support Friends of the Kaw, the nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting enjoyment of the 173-mile-long Kaw River, the world’s largest prairie-based river system. For more information or to support Friends of the Kaw, go online at kansasriver.org
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discover eudora story by Molly Pratt photography by Theresa NollThompson
Teacher
Summers They love their jobs, but they also love June, July and August— the months when teachers take on new identities
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SUMMER/FALL 2016
Batman has Bruce Wayne. Superman has Clark Kent. Every superhero has an alter ego, and each May, when school gets out, Eudora teachers leave their classrooms behind and assume their own secret identities as parents, athletes, artists, gardeners and world travelers. Ryan Jacobs is a seventh grade social studies teacher at Eudora Middle School, but in the summer he coaches basketball, works on the summer crew for the school district and sponsors the garden club. He looks at the summer break as a chance to recharge his batteries. “I really enjoy getting to work with students in the garden and in basketball because it is a very relaxed atmosphere and you get to know the kids better on a more personal level,” Jacobs says. “This year I plan on spending a lot of time working with the kids in the garden at Eudora Middle School. We have some big plans for the garden this summer, and that usually means a lot of time and effort.” Many teachers choose to spend at least part of their summers tutoring students. “I love to work with kids in the summer
because I can work with all grade levels,” says Becky Topil, first grade teacher at Eudora Elementary. “Plus, I look forward to trying out new ideas and learning from them, too.” But if a student has not scheduled time with a teacher, they are often surprised to see their classroom mentors living normal lives outside of the school grounds. “My students’ response is priceless,” says Jamie Grado, first grade teacher at Eudora Elementary School. “The look on their faces tells it all. They definitely show their astonishment that teachers do get outside of the school.” “High school students always seem a little weirded out when they see their teachers out in the open,” says Nate Robinson, computer and video teacher at Eudora High said. “It’s like in the movie Mean Girls when Janis Ian says, ‘Oh, I love seeing teachers outside of school it’s like seeing a dog walking on its hind legs.’” Students are less likely to run into Melissa Hornback. This seventh grade English teacher at Eudora Middle School has spent the last three summers on cross-country road trips with her family.
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April Peavey
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
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Eudora Teachers Reveal their Dream Summer Vacations “Reading a book at a tropical location with lots of sun and relaxation.” –Denise Kendall, principal, Eudora Middle School
“A two-month Mediterranean Cruise, so I can better teach ancient history to sixth graders.” –Dana Neis, 6th grade social studies, Eudora Middle School
“Australia—to the Sydney Opera House.” –Ashley Ramirez, vocal music, Eudora Middle School/Eudora High School
Ryan Jacobs
“My husband and I load our kids and the dog into the minivan for a summer road trip,” Hornback says. “Our first trip was just about 5,000 miles round trip to the Oregon coast, with stops in Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. This year we are going to enjoy the northeastern part of the U.S. with stops in New York, Washington DC and Myrtle Beach.” April Peavey, a fourth grade teacher at Eudora Elementary School, also takes the summer to travel with family. “Every summer I see my in-laws,” says Peavey. “My husband’s parents live on the beach in Oak Island, North Carolina. I get to be a beach bum for a few weeks. We build sand castles, play in the waves, eat good food and forget about our responsibilities for a while. The best part of summer vacation is the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. I love that I get this extra time with my own children. We go on little day trips. We take classes and get outside. It’s great to be able to focus more of my time and energy into being a mommy.” While teachers find many ways to fill their summer vacations, they also look forward to being back in the classroom again. “I love everything about teaching,” Topil says. “I look forward to a new year, new kids, and watching kids grow. I absolutely love what I do.”
“Spending time on the beach at my family’s cabin in northern Wisconsin.” –Dick Powers, 2nd grade, Eudora Elementary School
“Absolutely no school and to just be with my family.” –Ryan Jacobs, 7th grade science, Eudora Middle School
“To backpack around Europe.” –Bayley Hartman, 2nd grade, Eudora Elementary School
“I would love to spend a few weeks in Alaska.” –Danielle Young, nurse, Eudora Middle School/Eudora High School
“A tour of historic Boston and nearby cities.” –Beth Swanson, 1st grade, Eudora Elementary School
“Going to my husband’s hometown in Mexico and spending the entire summer exploring.” –Ashli Olivera, technology, Eudora Elementary School
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Becky Topil
Peavey looks forward to returning to school at the end of the summer as well. “I love that every day is different,” Peavey says. “It’s never boring. The kids keep it interesting with their unique personalities and the funny things they say. I get to use my creativity. I don’t think there are many jobs where I would be able to play outside, read for enjoyment, do an art project, direct a play, and teach and learn about so many subjects all in one day.”
Jamie Grado
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Dance
‌ and More A local studio hopes to provide lessons in movement and growth for everyone on the floor
story by Fally Afani photography by Janene Rothwell
Dancer Amauri S. and instructor Rachel Weitekamp
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SUMMER/FALL 2016
Almost every day, young students leave Sunflower State Dance on the south side of Eudora and return to their busy lives as growing kids and teens. But if the classes are successful, the students are returning to their homes and schools with new perspectives about themselves and their future. Two of these dancers are sisters Kayli and Kylie Armstrong (ages 10 and 12, respectively). Though they both have freckles and long blonde hair and both are excitedly counting down the days until they graduate to pointe shoes, their approaches to dance reflect their individual characters and aspirations. On this day, at least, Kylie is a little more reflective, focusing on her own discipline, while Kayli is in it to form tight bonds with her peers. “I’ve improved more, and it’s given me more opportunities,” says older sister Kylie. “I have been asked a little bit, towards the end of the year, to help out in a class.” She also has high aspirations for herself. “It might help me reach a really high goal, and you could be the most famous person ever. You might get to do something nobody else can do and just have fun.” Younger sister Kayli is looking to build stronger relationships when she dances at the studio. “I think it’s important because you might be able to get more dancers in and make it to where you can get all the kids in Eudora to come,” she says, noting that she also loves how the dance studio has made her more flexible. Both are fond of their teachers and enjoy the camaraderie. But when they come to class, they take their pliés and steps very seriously. “It’s kind of nerve-wracking,” says Kylie. “You don’t know if you’re going to mess up onstage and you don’t know if one of your costumes might break. Your hairpiece might fall off, or your shoe might fall off.” “It can be really hard and stressful sometimes,” agrees Kayli. “If you mess up, then you get really mad at yourself and sad,” she says. “If it’s at a competition, I just say I can do it better at the next competition.” One of the tiniest dancers, six-year-old Eliza Whitis, was quick to offer her advice for dance calamities. “You just forget about it!” she says casually. Her mother, Alisha, appreciates what Sunflower State Dance has done for her daughter’s enthusiastic demeanor. “I think it was just something different to try out,” she says. “Something to help her get her energy out.” Rachel Weitekamp, the studio’s owner and lead instructor, taps her own reserve of energy to teach and promote the arts in a town that, like many other small Kansas communities, centers around traditional team sports. “I think the hardest part is that kids today have so many different options with extracurricular activities,” she says. “I’ll always be competing with soccer and softball and tennis, which are completely different than what dance has to offer as an art form.” Weitekamp, a native of Illinois, started dancing at a young age, studied dance at the University of Kansas and has become a practiced advocate for the benefits of dance. “There are different things that are instilled in dancing, such as poise and discipline and etiquette,” says Weitekamp. “All of these things, I’ve learned from dance. There’s definitely a certain way you carry yourself in dance and a certain way you address your teacher.” For their part, the instructors are learning as well. “For little, younger kids, I just love that you can never expect what they’re going to do, and you can never expect what they’re going to say. Sometimes I just have to stop and laugh and they all laugh with me,” says Weitekamp. “It’s very rewarding.”
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Eliza Whitis
Kayli and Kylie Armstrong
5 Tips for Being The Perfect Dance Parent
(from Sunflower State dancers—and their parents) • • • • •
c i t y o f e u d o r a k s . g o v
Be attentive Be organized Think first, react later Know how to do hair and makeup Have patience
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Endless
Summer A teen summer job turned into a career for one local pizza pro
story by Fally Afani photography by Theresa NollThompson
Sheena and Aaron Boden
c i t y o f e u d o r a k s . g o v
When school lets out for the summer, it’s easy for a teenager to picture all things fun—lazy days at the pool, vacations with the family, or long nights in front of a video game. But when most teens were looking forward to something like that, Aaron Boden was heading to work at Gambino’s Pizza. The Topeka native, now 39, remembers he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. “It was just something my parents kind of forced on us. Not necessarily forced, but really pushed. To work and earn yourself some money,” he recalls. That gentle urging from his folks paid off because Boden eventually made a career out of what started as his teenage summer job. That summer pizza job was a step up from Boden’s previous summer job on a fruit and vegetable farm. “The guy would work us 65 hours a week, no overtime, and it was awful. Back then you were making $4.15 an hour,” Boden says of his farm wages before discovering a pay increase as a pizza delivery man. “At that age, in those times, you could deliver at 16 … and that was really good money. We were making $15.00 an hour after tips and the delivery charges.” When Boden turned 18, rather than head off to college, he continued to work and then followed his boss to the newly opened Eudora location two years later. “That was an experience,” Boden remembers fondly. “Moving to a small town, a 20-year-old guy.” But it became an unexpectedly good experience when another pizza place opened up in Eudora, cut into the profits of Boden’s franchise and left the owner looking to sell. “I got my opportunity at that point, and he said, ‘You wanna buy it? I’ll sell it to you,’” recalls Boden. It didn’t take long for Boden to fit into the community and work with local events, sponsoring ball teams, bands and community events. “That’s something we pride ourselves on,” says Boden. “We can give back because Eudora’s given to us. It’s a two-way street if you want to be successful in a small market. I think that’s important.”
SUMMER/FALL 2016
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Summer for the City One of the largest summer employers of teens in Eudora is the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. We spoke with department director Gary Scott about the summer hiring program and his advice for teens interested in work.
Breakdown of summertime teenage (young adult) staff • Approximately 30 youth each year • Age range 16–22 years • Majority of these are high-school students or first-year college students • Approximately 75% of these work as camp supervisors, the rest as lifeguards or pool management staff
Wages and benefits
A teen lifeguard works the Eudora public pool.
Another crucial part of Boden’s successful business model is finding the right employees. He says this market has changed somewhat since he began as a teen. “For my business, there’s always been people out there wanting a job; it’s just a matter of finding them, seeking them out,” he says. For some reason, though, fewer teens are looking for a job. “It’s gotten tougher over the years; it seems like we rarely have the kids knocking at our door. We don’t get that from the young kids; it’s not something we see. Years and years ago, I would have 100 applications sitting for kids to work. Nowadays, it’s very different.” He’s also changed his hiring practices for teens, particularly in relation to summer jobs. “We don’t hire summer help because it takes so long to train a person,” he points out, although he does still employ teens throughout the year. “From the time we first bought this business until now, our sales have gone up so much that we have to have full-time staff. We’ve got to be going into summer all ready for summer. The first half-day of school, we’re packing the house.” For teens who are looking for summer jobs, Boden encourages them to “get out there. Just knock on doors. People are hiring.” Boden is just one of those people hiring teens looking for work yearround, and in his business, it’s come full circle—and sometimes a good word from mom or dad can be the crucial cold call. “We have kids who work here now whose parents worked here,” he notes. “It’s crazy to think that, but when I first came to Eudora, a lot of the kids I worked with were all my age, and now their kids are coming up through junior high and high school. It’s wild. I’m hoping one day more of them are going to call and say ‘So and so is ready for a job.’ It’s so rare to have that.”
• Staff start at $7.25 an hour • “You could get more money at a McDonalds,” says Scott. “But these jobs have responsibility; this is a resume builder, and you get to play and have fun.” • A summer job also allows teenage students to plan for the future. “It’s a great opportunity to learn to work at a job, to learn to work with people and get some people skills,” says Scott. “Staff can find out whether they want to go into a field of working with kids. I’ve had counselors and lifeguards come back to me and say, ‘This helped me determine that I want to be a teacher or a counselor.’ And I’ve had some come back and say, ‘I don’t want to work with kids.’” • Scott says the city benefits as well. Young staff have energy and enthusiasm to work with younger kids. Their kickball game is better, and they provide more approachable role models for campers.
Tips for getting a job • Apply early. Scott says he prefers to have his summer staff lined up by spring break. “Sometimes, someone gets lucky when they come in and look for a job in May, but 9 out of 10 times, I tell them I don’t have any positions,” says Scott. • Make contact. Scott strongly advises dropping by the office and establishing face contact. He likes to know what someone is interested in doing and why in order to evaluate them and help line them up for a position that matches their interests and goals.
Win-Win • Scott says hiring teens for summer jobs is also a service to the community. “We are here to provide opportunities,” says Scott. “I look at it more than I need a body; I look at it that I am providing opportunities to them as well. I offer job opportunities.” • And, likewise, the teens provide a service to the community. “You hear all the bad stuff about youth, but there are a lot of kids out there who volunteer and want to help in the community,” says Scott. “We’ve had staff go into the teaching field. They started with us and we’re proud of them.”
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local businesses The following businesses are members of Eudora Chamber of Commerce, 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.
Auburn Pharmacy Brad Archer 310 E. 15th St. ................................ (785) 690-7575 W: auburnpharmacies.com
The chamber is committed to community success in economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial and educational interests.
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center 1310 Winchester Road ................................ (785) 843-9192 W: bertnash.org
Learn more about membership at cityofeudoraks.gov.
Bill’s Accounting & Tax Service 727 Main St. ................................ (785) 542-1005
All business addresses are Eudora, KS, unless otherwise noted. A & A Lock and Key and Overhead Door 2064 N. 900 Road ................................ (913) 302-7500 W: aandalock.com Air Filter Plus, Inc. 1205 Cardinal Drive ................................ (800) 733-8011 W: airfilterplus.com AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, TANA VON ACHEN AHLEN, CFP® APMA® 4550 W. 109th St, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS 66211 ................................ (913) 239-2525 W: ameripriseadvisors.com/ vestana.1.ahlen/
Sales
Benchmark Construction 110 W. 20th St. ................................ (785) 542-1400
Bloom & Associates Therapy, PA 924 Locust St. ................................ (785) 542-3333 W: bloompt.wix.com/bloomassociates-physical-therapy#!.com Bluejacket Crossing vineyard and Winery 1969 N. 1250 Rd ................................ (785) 542-1764 W: bluejacketwinery.com Byrne’s Pharmacy 600 E. 20th St. ................................ (785) 542-2533 W: byrnespharmacy.com C-Hawkk Construction, Inc. 527 Main St. ................................ (785) 542-1800
Service Installation Commercial & Residential
F a s t
Q u a l i t y
104 W 20th Suite 1
High Efficency Systems Free Estimates
s e r v i c e
Eudora, Kansas 66025
785-542-2707
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City of Eudora 4 E. Seventh St. ................................ (785) 542-2153 W: cityofeudoraks.gov
Eudora Animal Hospital 1905 Elm St. ................................ (785) 542-3265 W: eudoravet.com
CLO’S MIDNIGHT FARM 2084 N. 600 Road Baldwin City, KS 66006 ................................ (785) 979-1889 W: midnight-farm.org
Eudora Baptist Church 525 W. 20th St. ................................ (785) 542-2734 W: eudorabc.org
Comfort Care Baldwin 232 Elm St. Baldwin, KS 66006 …………………..(785) 594-2603 W: comfortcarebaldwin.com COUNTRY SPA & GARDENS 2152 N. 700 Road ................................ (785) 883-4944 W: countryspaandgardens.com Central Bank of the Midwest 1402 Church St. ................................ (785) 865-7676 Country Floral 2152 N 700 Road ................................ (785) 883-4944 W: country-floral.com D-Dubs Bar 10 W. 9th St. ................................ (785) 690-7212 Edward Jones Jeff Peterson 730 New Hampshire Suite 212 Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................ (785) 843-1371 ................................ (877) 296-1373
Eudora Community Learning Center 1310 Winchester Road ................................ (785) 542-1278 W: greenbush.org Eudora Eye Care 101 W. 10th St., Suite C ................................ (785) 542-5522 W: eudoraeyecare.com Eudora Family Care 600 E. 20th St. ................................ (785) 542-2345 W: lmh.org Eudora Market on Main 724 Main St. PO Box 7 ................................ (785) 691-6231 W: eudoramom.com Eudora Public Library 14 E. Ninth St. ................................ (785) 542-2496 W: eudorapubliclibrary.org Eudora Schools: Unified School District No. 491 1310 Winchester Road ................................ (785) 542-4910 W: eudoraschools.org
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1705 N 1399 Rd. Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785.842.9100 Fax: 785.842.9113
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Eudora United Methodist Church 2084 N. 1300 Road P.O. Box 520 ................................ (785) 542-3200 W: eudoraumc.org Eudora Yoga Center LLC 706 Main Street ................................ (785) 550-5928 W: www.eudorayogacenter.com
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local businesses
tongAnoxie 330 Delaware St. (913) 845-1150
Locally Owned and Operated.
Serving Douglas, Franklin & Leavenworth Counties since 2002.
Eurotec Vertical Flight Solutions 1040 OCL Parkway ................................ (785) 331-2220 W: eurotecvfs.com Farm Bureau financial Services 110 West 20th ................................ (785) 542-9477 Free State Guns + Tactical Weapons 218 E. 20th St ................................ (785) 542-5555 W: freestateguns.com Gambino’s Pizza 1402 Church St., Suite D ................................ (785) 542-2121 W: gambinospizza.com Glaser Williams 1125 John L. Williams Drive ................................ (785) 690-7381 W: glaserwilliams.com
His Hands Clothing 736 B Main St. ................................ (785) 690-7220 Holy Family Catholic Church 820 Birch St. ................................ (785) 542-2788 W: holyfamilyeudora.com Homeland Insulation & Drywall 112 E. 20th St. ................................ (913) 449-9579 Jayhawk Dental, L.L.C. 826 Iowa St. Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................ (785) 843-9122 W: jayhawkdental.com John Hay DDS 104 W. 20th St. Suite 3 ................................ (785) 542-9105 W: johnhhaydds.com Kansas Secured Title: Douglas County 1410 Kasold Drive Suite A-18 Lawrence, KS 66049 ................................ (785) 843-2830 W: kstdouglas.com Kaw Valley State Bank 739 Main St. ................................ (785) 542-4200 W: kawvalleystatebank.com
H.P. Pelzer 1201 Cardinal Drive ................................ (785) 542-5700 W: hppelzer.com
Kenneth O. von Achen: Chartered Architects 40555 W. 103rd St. ................................ (785) 542-2410 W: http://kovaca.com
Hamm Quarry, L.L.C. 609 Perry Place Perry, KS 66073 ................................ (785) 597-5111 W: nrhamm.com
Lawrence Memorial Hospital 325 Maine St. Lawrence, KS 66025 ................................ (785) 505-5000 W: lmh.org
Heads or Nails 713 Main St. ................................ (785) 690-7272
LMH Eudora Therapy Services 600 E. 20th St. ................................ (785) 505-2712 W: lmh.org
Hi-Tech Antifreeze 530 South Main ................................ (785) 542-1230 W: recyclingantifreeze.com
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summer/fall 2016
Mateo Chiropractic 1402 Church St., Suite C ................................ (785) 542-5400 W: mateochiro.com McGrew Real Estate 1402 Church St., Suite E ................................ (785) 979-1243 Mutual Savings Association 801 Main St. ................................ (785) 542-2123 W: mutualwave.com Open Hearts Early Education Program 2084 N 1300 Road ................................ (785) 542-3200 W: eudoraumc.org PBJ Studio LLC 2 West 10th Street ................................ (785) 218-1279 W: www.pbj-studio.com R.D. Johnson Excavating Co. 1705 N. 1399 Rd. Lawrence, KS 66046 ................................ (785) 842-9100 W: rdjohnsonexcavating.com The Refuge Christian Church 1526 Maple St ................................ (785) 917-2263 W: www.refugecc.us Rock Family Chiropractic 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
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State Farm Insurance Keith Nowland 218 E. 20th St., Suite B ................................ (785) 542-3276 W: keithnowland.com Sunflower Publishing 645 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................ (785) 832-7257 W: sunflowerpub.com SUNFLOWER STATE DANCE 104 W. 20th St., Suite 4 ................................ (785) 690-7200 W: sunflowerstatedance.com Sweet Acres Inn 103 E. 7th St. ................................ (785) 542-2466 W: sweetacresinn.com VIDAN DENTAL 103 W. 10th St. ................................ (785) 542-2993
Serving Northeast Kansas for 29
Warren-McElwain Mortuary 1003 John L. Williams Drive ................................ (785) 843-1120 W: warrenmcelwain.com Watts Rental Properties 1009 E. 13th Ct. ................................ (785) 865-8951 Westerhouse, Inc. 104 E. 20th St. #1 ................................ (785) 542-2707 W: westerhouse.com WilLaDrew Photography 722 East 12th Street ................................ (785) 218-8448 W: www.willadrewphotography.com WOLFF DIAGNOSTIC AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR 208 E. 20th St. ................................ (785) 542-5152 W: wolffauto.com WOW! 1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 301 Lawrence, KS 66044 ................................ (785) 841-2100 W: wowway.com
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Caren rowland Eudora Realtor for over 24 years 785-979-1243 caren@askmcgrew.com 1402 Church St. Suite E, Eudora, KS 66025
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quick guide Resource
Website Telephone
Emergency & Medical
911
Kansas Poison Control
(800) 222-1222
Lawrence Memorial Hospital
lmh.org
(785) 505-5000
kcsdv.org
(888) 363-2287
accesskansas.org/kbi
(800) 572-7463
srs.ks.gov
(800) 922-5330
Kansas Crisis Hotline Tip Hotline (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) Child Abuse Hotline City Services City Offices
cityofeudoraks.gov
(785) 542-2153
Fire & Medical Department
cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=67
(785) 542-3653
Police Department
cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=77
(785) 542-3121
Water & Electric
cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=79
(785) 542-2153
Municipal Court
cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=75
(785) 542-4113
Animal Control
cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=92
(785) 542-3121
Building, Planning & Zoning
cityofeudoraks.gov/index.aspx?nid=65
(785) 542-3124
atmosenergy.com
(888) 286-6700
eudoraparksandrec.org
(785) 542-1725
Atmos (Gas) Parks and Recreation Department Douglas County Services Douglas County Douglas County Sheriff
douglas-county.com dgso.org/web/index.php
(785) 841-0007
Douglas County Fire & Medical
(785) 832-5259
Douglas County Health Department
(785) 843-3060
ldchealth.org
Douglas County Youth Services
(785) 331-1300
Douglas County CASA
dccasa.org
(785) 832-5172
Cottonwood Inc.
cwood.org
(785) 842-0550
bertnash.org
(785) 843-9192
cityofeudoraks.gov
(785) 542-1212
eudorapubliclibrary.org
(785) 542-2496
Bert Nash Community Health Center Living in Eudora Eudora Chamber of Commerce Eudora Public Library
Eudora Area Historical Society Eudora CVB
eudoraevents.com
(785) 690-7900