SPRING/SUMMER ’21
Eudora Public School District's innovative and inspiring mentoring program, Nottingham as the new city gateway, listing of business leaders, Eudora's history of groves and tree plantings ... and more!
The Brothers of Barbwire Barbecue: the New Taste in Town
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D I SCOVE R
EUDORA a communit y guide
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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.
City Liaison Chamber Liaison School District Liaison Editor Art Director Copy Editor Advertising Photographers Writers
Jeffery Rhodes Karen Boyer Mark Dodge Nathan Pettengill Alex Tatro Leslie Andres Angie Taylor Fally Afani Jason Dailey Carter Gaskins Cindy Higgins Fally Afani Amber Fraley Thaddeus Haverkamp Cindy Higgins
departments 04
Meet & Greet
06
Members of Eudora Chamber of Commerce talk about their businesses and lives in the community.
Set Up for Success
10
A community mentorship program focuses on championing students
Nottingham Development
20
City leaders hope the much-anticipated commercial project will be a gateway to Eudora.
Gathering in Groves
cityofeudoraks.gov Mayor Tim Reazin City Manager Barack Matite
in this issue
A new restoration project connects with the city’s long history of planting and enjoying trees
feature 24
Chicks Still Hatch, Calves Still Grow Despite all the cancellations and uncertainties from Covid-19, area 4-H students continue raising and caring for animals through their livestock projects
eudoraschools.org School District Superintendent Steve Splichal
in every issue
eudorakschamber.com President GW Weld
16
Map
18
Quick Guide
28
Chamber of Commerce Member Directory
sunflowerpub.com Director Bob Cucciniello
on the cover
All material and photographs copyright Sunflower Publishing, 2020.
Barbwire Barbecue's rib platter (pork St. Louis style cut spare ribs with cream cheese corn, pit-baked beans and Texas toast) is served up outside of the new restaurant's downtown location. Photograph by Jason Dailey
For editorial queries Nathan Pettengill (785) 832-7287 npettengill@sunflowerpub.com For advertising queries Angie Taylor (785) 832-7236 ataylor@sunflowerpub.com cityofeudoraks.gov
SPRING/SUMMER ’21
Eudora Public School District's innovative and inspiring mentoring program, Nottingham as the new city gateway, listing of business leaders, Eudora's history of groves and tree plantings ... and more!
The Brothers of Barbwire Barbecue: the New Taste in Town
CHAMBER
DISCOVER EUDORA
photograph by jason dailey
Meet & Greet With
Jay & Jason Musick of Barbwire Barbecue
What was your first job?
Jay’s was in printing with Communicolor. Jason’s was at Arby’s restaurant. We both grew up working in the fields of the river bottoms picking watermelon, cantaloupe, and sweet corn.
How would you describe your business in just three words Slow-smoked meats.
What is one cliché or generalization about your profession that is actually true? What is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of your profession?
Brothers Jason (left) and Jay Musick own and manage Barbwire Barbecue in downtown Eudora.
A true cliché is that it’s hard work and you work a lot! Something that is misunderstood is that people often don’t understand that we can customize every single item and still execute at the highest level.
Please fill in the blanks:
A) People often think the key to a successful business is great education, but actually it has more to do with work experience and common knowledge.
What are the best aspects of doing business in Eudora, and how would you divide them up by percentage?
B) For us, working hard and making sacrifices were essential to creating a successful career. C) If a young person were interested in my profession, I would tell them the most important thing to consider is how much are you willing to sacrifice, especially regarding quality of life and family time. D) Doing business in Eudora is similar to doing business anywhere else in the United States, but one unique thing is we know or are related to half the town. So, the expectations are even higher.
4
Community
Location 15% Support 15% (from City government 50% and Chamber of 20% Commerce) Family
If your business had a mascot, what would it be? The good ol' pig, because that is what we smoke and what everyone really enjoys from our menu.
cityofeudoraks.gov
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
DISCOVER EUDORA
photograph by carter gaskins
CHAMBER
Meet & Greet With
Larry Carden
of Innovative Design & Construction LLC What was your first job?
First notable job was working at our local hardware store as a sophomore in high school. It was one of those small, family-owned stores where people came in and asked questions about needs and projects and wanted help solving repair problems.
How would you describe your work so that a class of kindergarten students would understand it?
We are in the business of making ugly houses beautiful again.
What is one cliché or generalization about your profession that is actually true? What is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of your profession? The cliché that we take things apart and make them better is true. But the most misunderstood aspect comes from people watching too many DIY shows making everyone think that all projects have just three easy and fast steps: demo, create and reveal—and that all these steps take place in just a few days.
What is unique about doing your field of work in Eudora?
You have to design for one extreme to the other. We have hot and cold, dry and wet. We have prolonged sun exposure and ice and snow accumulating on structures.
What would be your dream project to create in Eudora?
Smaller, more affordable—but unique and desirable— homes on larger lots that more people would be able to afford and enjoy.
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
cityofeudoraks.gov
5
SCHOOL
story and photography by fally afani
DISCOVER EUDORA
Set Up for Success A community mentorship program focuses on championing students
S
Jeanette Owens (left) and Abby Brown were one of the first mentor-student pairs in the LinkUp program.
6
hortly after Eudora Middle School principal Jeremy Thomas arrived in town, he had an idea to create a communitystudent mentoring program modeled on a similar, successful initiative where he had previously taught and coached. Through the efforts of Shanda Hurla of the Eudora Schools Foundation, as well as with foundation board members Candace Dunback and Robby Giffin, the LinkUp program was ready to launch in 2018, coordinated by Eudora Middle School counselor Michelle Plegge. Her goal at the time was to enrich the lives of both students and members of their community. “There’s lots of research out there that the more positive role models that students and kids have, the more likely they are to be successful, have better mental health, all that,” she says. “So, we wanted to implement something to help with those positive connections and engagements.” While many similar programs exist across the nation for at-risk students, the team behind LinkUp envisioned bringing the benefits of a mentoring relationship to any student. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 30 students signing up in the first year alone. Continuing into its second full year, the program blends structured meetups with one-on-one attention and mentoring between the students and community volunteers who have gone through a background check and training. “They can come for lunch or stop by in the morning, bring them a donut, but we also integrated these group meetings,” Plegge says. Those meetings focus on a common theme, and the group discusses anything from gratitude to leadership, and sometimes “just some really good life lessons that anybody can benefit from.” One of the first and ongoing LinkUp pairings is Jeanette Owens and middle school student Abby Brown. Owen, a friend of the Brown family, has known Abby for most of her life. But since they joined LinkUp in 2018, Owens has been able to act as an additional mentor for Abby, who is now in eighth grade. Owens learns about Abby’s life both inside and outside of school, in a role that Owens sees as essential in Abby’s life. “It’s very comfortable, to be able to hear about things that are going well for her and things that aren’t, and hopefully she would convey that she has a place where she can share whatever she wants,” notes Owens, who is a professional youth advocate for the regional nonprofit DCCCA. “I work in child welfare, and what we know in child welfare
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SPRING/SUMMER 2021
DISCOVER EUDORA
SCHOOL
A group of mentors and students gather outside Eudora Middle School. The group includes mentors (from left) Alisa Galvin, Amy Shanks, Brandon Parker, Amanda Brunkow, Mitch Tegtmeier and students (from left) Hanna Keltner, Brynn Deterding, Rylie Pollard, Drake Bartmess and Ryan Osburn.
is that it’s really important for every child to have a champion, someone who will listen to them, be there for them.” Owens also notes the fulfilling relationship is a two-way street. “We know the adults with those children are sometimes blessed even more by that relationship and getting to see the positives in that child’s life,” she says. “LinkUp has taught me multiple things and encouraged me to look outside of my own home, to see how I can be of help to the community.” Each mentoring relationship in the program follows standard guidelines and develops uniquely. Mentors show up for their students in various ways, sometimes just to play checkers in the library, other times showing simple gestures of support that are highly valued. Plegge recalls one story involving a student who played on a school sport team. “They didn’t have any family members who could come to all of their games because of work logistics, but their mentor came to all of the games. The first game, the mentor brought a Gatorade and a snack, and the student lost it, cried, because they hadn’t had anybody show up to any of their games,” she recalls. “It’s consistency, it’s something the students can count on. Life can be full of so many uncertainties, and it’s nice to have that connection every week for them.” Plegge also believes that the program became more valuable during the isolation of the Covid crisis. When the pandemic hit, organizers worked to adapt, encouraging mentoring groups to continue their group meetings, but virtually via Zoom with breakout rooms for those one-onone moments. “I know it’s important because I know that when I look back on my life and how I got through challenging times, how I found successes and how I pushed through, it was because of the people in my life,” Plegge says. “We’re humans, and we have to rely and depend on
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
MORE ABOUT LINKUP To learn more about volunteering or signing a student up for the LinkUp program, contact Eudora Middle School counselor Michelle Plegge via email, michelleplegge@eudoraschools.org.
Current community LinkUp mentors include Tony Barron, Matt Bova, Amanda Brunkow, Julie Clobes, Kyle Deterding, Mark Dodge, Jacob Hurla, Joe Hurla, Shanda Hurla, Alisa Galvin, Robby Giffin, Lauren Freeman, Dain Hammerschmidt, Katie Hammerschmidt, Barb Keltner, Elizabeth Knipsel, Caleb Lewis, Danny Lewis, Laura Lewis, Kelly Long, Heather Moore, Maribeth Orr, Jeanette Owens, Brandon Parker, Jeff Rhodes, Cheryl Rife, Amy Shanks, Mitch Tegtmeier, and Heather Whalen.
cityofeudoraks.gov
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DISCOVER EUDORA
SCHOOL
CARDINAL CORPS Though LinkUp is a new program, its early success stories have allowed organizers to expand its reach. Within one year of the program’s launch, Plegge headed a presentation at the Kansas Association of Middle School Administrators Conference in Topeka. In the past year, the program has also developed a relationship with the high school service group, Cardinal Corps, whose members have the opportunity to connect with LinkUp pairs as a third member. In this way, the high school students can model academic and personal success as well as develop their own leadership and mentoring skills. For more information about the Cardinal Corps program, contact high school teacher and Cardinal Corps organizer Chris Dunback at chrisdunback@eudoraschools.org.
8
those relationships that we have, and I think the more positive relationships you have in your life, especially when you’re growing up, going through adolescence, you’ve got to have positive relationships and people to guide you and talk to you, and that’s what builds us and guides us.” From her viewpoint as a mentor, Owens shares those same hopes and dreams, along with confidence in the future of her student. “Abby’s going to be successful in whatever she chooses to do because she is such a strong, active kid,” Owens says. “She’s a leader; people will consistently look to her in the activities that she chooses.”
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e The Store for Evearyleon Where the S Never Ends! 23rd & Louisiana | Lawrence, Kansas | checkersfoods.com Like us on Facebook @CheckersFoods!
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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CITY
story by thaddeus haverkamp
DISCOVER EUDORA
Nottingham Development City leaders hope the much-anticipated commercial project will be a gateway to Eudora
F
or the past few months, Eudora residents have known the intersection of 14th and Church streets as a work zone of heavy machinery, pipes and chain-link construction fencing. Already, a new Casey’s General Store is set to open on the location known as Nottingham Center, but soon the construction site will become what the city’s 2010 Economic Plan envisioned as “the primary gateway to the community for most residents and visitors,” with an assortment of restaurants and entertainment venues. Long-term residents will know this area as the location of the former Nottingham Elementary School. Built in 1965 at 1428 Elm Street, the public school was named for Roberta Nottingham, who taught in Eudora from 1942 to 1967, and it operated for over 40 years before closing in 2009, when Eudora Elementary opened. The following year, civic leaders identified this location just north of K-10 as a prime spot for commercial development, and the 2010 Eudora Economic Plan noted that “future availability of the Nottingham and Laws Field sites could attract larger retailers or service businesses.” But Eudora wanted to be intentional about what type of businesses would operate at such a prominent location. In 2011, the city published the Nottingham Design Guidelines & Conceptual Site Plan, intended to “promote quality development at the Church Street/K-10 gateway area,” and to provide, “a framework for promoting a community destination that is attractive, sustainable, and fosters economic growth for Eudora.” In 2015, the city purchased the school site, including the 15-acre surrounding property. “We saw it as the entire thing was a prime location, not just the corner of 14th and Church, but the entire thing was prime,” says Mayor Tim Reazin. Once the city took over, the project grew. In 2020, the city was awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation through its Cost Share program to fund improvements on Church Street. Euodra City Manager Barack Matitie says these funds were crucial to the development’s success and the emerging vision for the entire 15-acre complex. “It would have cost the city and its taxpayers a lot more had we not received that KDOT grant,” he notes.
10
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SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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CITY
9 GUIDING PRINCIPLES In September 2020, the Eudora City Commission approved a deal with Legacy Restaurant Group LLC, a franchisee of Wendy’s restaurants operating in Kansas and Missouri. And this January, the city made a deal with Anchor Sports & Entertainment, an Austin, Texas, company that presented a plan to the city to open High 5, a 30,000 square-foot venue with bowling, ax throwing, laser tag, arcade and an outdoor family entertainment venue.. Nottingham is a work in progress. While the city prepares for the first businesses to take up residence, it is planning the next stages of development. A crucial aspect of this is creating a complex which will help funnel visitors to other businesses and attractions throughout the city. "We want people to come to Eudora and not just stop at Nottingham," says Matite. "There are so many things downtown that people need to come and see." “You don’t realize it until you see a bus come through for the quilt shop, the number of people who come through just to go to the shop on the weekends,” says Reazin. The mayor says he wanted to look beyond just the school grounds. “We talked about our long-term vision, and we want something that is not just the low-hanging fruit.”
SPRING/SUMMMER 2021
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Relax and Rejuvinate
2152 N 700 Road, Eudora, KS 66025 785-883-4944 countryspacountryfloral@hotmail.com
The 2011 Nottingham Guidelines & Conceptual Site Plan lists nine guiding principles for the development. • Facilitate economic growth • Promote sustainable development • Promote compatible growth • Create a community destination • Project a positive image of Eudora • Promote quality development • Promote multimodal transportation connectivity • Preserve open space and recreation amenities • Improve community aesthetics
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CITY
FROM SCHOOL TO SHOPPING: A NOTTINGHAM TIMELINE 2009 – Nottingham Elementary Officially Closes After 44 years of educating the youth of Eudora, Nottingham Elementary closes for good. 2010 – The Plan Takes Shape The Eudora Economic Development Plan identifies the Nottingham School neighborhood as the “primary gateway to the community,” and states the area “could attract larger retailers or businesses.” 2015 – The City Takes Over The city of Eudora purchases the Nottingham Elementary School site, including the 15-acre surrounding property for $850,000. August 2020 – Casey’s Comes In The city commission approved a plan for Casey’s General Stores to become the first tenant in the development; construction soon begins on a 4,200 square-foot convenience store at the site. September 2020 – Wendy’s Joins The Eudora City Commission approves a deal with Legacy Group, LLC to bring burger joint Wendy’s to town. January 2021 – High 5 Bowls In The city receives a purchase sale agreement with Anchor Sports & Entertainment, LLC. The Texas company’s proposal is for a 30,000-square-foot indoor entertainment complex, plus a 25,000-square-foot outdoor miniature golf course.
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We want people to know—5, 10 years from now—this is a place you can bring your family. A place you can have fun the whole day. This is a place that you can come in and relax that is different from anything else that is around. —City Manager Barack Matite
Reazin says Nottingham could also support and expand the events being planned for Eudora. “If we’ve got food trucks on the weekend, and then we’ve got pickleball tournaments going on or the pool’s open for the summer or when rec basketball is up again or rec soccer is going strong, then those folks have an additional opportunity to grab something to eat,” Reazin says. “It’s the spark for that long-term flame.” “We’re not going to turn down someone or something that wants to come into the market that’s needed,” says Matite. “Part of the purpose of Nottingham is to have a ripple effect across the community.” Matite adds that Nottingham can also help create an awareness of Eudora beyond its borders. “We want it to exude something,” he says, “we want it to have a reputation, so to speak. You say ‘downtown Lawrence’—people know there’s a reputation, there’s a vibe to it. So we are trying to create a vibe and a reputation for Nottingham Center. We want people to know—5, 10 years from now—this is a place you can bring your family. A place you can have fun the whole day. This is a place that you can come in and relax that is different from anything else that is around.” And for that to happen, city leaders hope to find support and ideas from within Eudora. “There might be some entrepreneurs within our community or surrounding areas that might be interested in being part of the development,” says Matite. As Mayor Reazin says, “Eudora is open for business.”
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SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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Located just 15 minutes east of Eudora along the K-10 Corridor.
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525 W 20th Street, Eudora, KS 66025 (785) 542-2734 eudorabc.org | office@eudorabc.org
“We look forward to providing care for you all and meeting your owners as well.” – Dr. Matt Fehr, DVM
I-70 6.5 Miles
Wa ka ru
sa
6
Riv
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Maple St
Oak St
Wastewater Treatment Plant
16
7th St 3
Main St
Acorn St
7
N 1420 Rd
24
8th St
Lawrence 10 Minutes
Recreation
Main St
N 1380 St 23
11
13th St
Acorn St
Walnut St
N 1369 St
12th St
18
22
Fir St
19
14th St
W 13th Ln Ce da rS t
Winchester St
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City Hall City Manager’s Office US Post Office Building Codes Office Public Safety Building Public Works Department City Brush Dump Eudora Public Library Greenbrier Dr Holy Family G Catholic Cemetery Eudora City Cemetery Eudora School District Office Eudora Elementary School Eudora Middle School Eudora High School Abraham Still Park Pilla Park CPA Park Bluejacket Park Paschal Fish Park Lucy Kaegi Park Asher Cohn Park West Sports Complex Disc Golf Course (9 hole) Wakarusa River Boat Ramp Kerr Field East Sports Complex Eudora Community Center Babe Ruth Field Southwest Cemetery Charles Pilla House Beni Israel Cemetery Eudora Commuity Museum
11th St Oak St
Historical Places
Spruce St
r sa Rive Wakaru Parks
Schools
Cherry St
Community
W 10th
Winchester St
What & Where
Oak St
Fir St
Old K-10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
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9th St
29
15th St
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18th St
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K-32 3.5 Miles Birch St
30
6th St
Ash St
2 1
4
Locust St
Elm St
32
N 1420 Rd 10
8th St Church St
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5
N 1400
26
John L. Williams Dr
12
Ash St
Elm St
Locust St
25
Peach St
E 10th
Kansas City 35 Minutes Cardinal Dr
Blu eS tem Dr
Tallgrass Dr
13th St
13th St
Church St
14th St
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E 14th Terrace
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Elm St 27 20
10 28
W 26th St S Fir St
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Church St/E 2200 Rd
h St
23rd St
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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
dcf.ks.gov
(800) 922-5330
Kansas Crisis Hotline Tip Hotline (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) Child Abuse Hotline
City Services City Offices Fire & Medical Department Police Department
cityofeudoraks.gov
cityofeudoraks.gov/67/Fire
(785) 542-2153 (785) 542-3653
cityofeudoraks.gov/77/Police
(785) 542-3121
Utility Services
cityofeudoraks.gov/78/Public-Works
(785) 542-2153
Municipal Court
cityofeudoraks.gov/75/Municipal-Court
(785) 542-4113
Animal Control
cityofeudoraks.gov/92/Animal-Control
(785) 542-3121
cityofeudoraks.gov/65/Building-Planning-Zoning
(785) 542-3124
atmosenergy.com
(888) 286-6700
eudoraparksandrec.org
(785) 542-1725
Building, Planning & Zoning Atmos (Gas) Parks and Recreation Department
Douglas County Services Douglas County Douglas County Sheriff
douglascountyks.org dgso.org
(785) 841-0007
lawrenceks.org/fire-medical
(785) 830-7000
ldchealth.org
(785) 843-3060
douglascountyks.org/depts/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
Eudora Chamber of Commerce
eudorakschamber.com
(785) 542-1212
Eudora Public Library
eudorapubliclibrary.org
(785) 542-2496
cityofeudoraks.gov/100/Eudora-Community-Museum
(785) 690-7900
eudoraevents.com
(785) 542-2153
eudoraschools.org
(785) 542-4910
Douglas County Fire & Medical Douglas County Health Department Douglas County Youth Services
Bert Nash Community Health Center
Living in Eudora
Eudora Area Historical Society Eudora CVB
Public Schools Eudora School District
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Your personal financial goals deserve a personal approach. Putting the needs of clients first is the approach I believe in. I’ll work with you to find the right financial solutions to help you plan for your unique goals. And together, we’ll track your progress over time, adjusting your plan along the way to help get you where you want to go. Tana von Achen Ahlen 913.239.2512 CFP®, APMA® 4550 W. 109th Street, Business Financial Advisor Suite 200 Vice President Overland Park, KS 66211 McCaw & Associates vestana.ahlen@ampf.com A financial advisory mccawandassociates.com practiceof Ameriprise FinancialServices, LLC
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®,
Certified Financial Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns CERTIFIEDPlanner FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. MemberFINANCIAL FINRA and SIPC. the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED PLANNER™ Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. certification mark,© 2020 andAmeriprise the CFP® certification mark (02/20) (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (02/21)
“I’M HONORED TO BE SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF EUDORA. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.”
DR. LOGAN
eudora dental 78 5-542- 2993 103 W . 10 t h ST E UDORA , KS 6 6025 DR. LOGAN MALLICOAT GENERAL DENTIST
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
H I S TO R Y
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story by cindy higgins
Gathering in Groves A new restoration project connects with the city’s long history of planting and enjoying trees
A group of Eudora men and boys pose for a photograph at a picnic gathering in 1908. Picnics and gatherings in green spaces and groves were common and popular entertainments for the late 1800s and early 1900s. Photo from collection of Cindy Higgins.
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n November 7, 2020, more than 30 volunteers gathered around Fifth and Main streets to clear land for planting native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees to prevent riverbank erosion. This workday was a new initiative of the Wakarusa Riverbank Restoration Project and part of a two-year restoration project that Jim Kegin from the Eudora Parks and Recreation says has been “wanted for years.” The volunteers were also part
of Eudora’s long tradition of planting trees of all kinds. In the city’s early years, treeplanting was often an economic necessity because early settlers had quickly removed native trees along Eudora’s two rivers for use as building materials and fuel. These original trees included oak, elm, and hickory varieties. Also native to the area were hackberries, black walnuts, honey locusts, red mulberries, and maples. The 1872 Timber Act also encouraged replanting by allowing
cityofeudoraks.gov
160 acres of free land for settlers who agreed to plant 40 of these acres (later 10) with trees. Historian Brian Allen Drake wrote in his 2003 history of Kansas forestry that planting leafy groves—trees without underwood—around a homestead was done for aesthetics, too. On the prairie grass desert that dominated the Kansas landscape, trees represented civilization to the settlers arriving from the east. In addition, Drake wrote, tree planting ensued because farmers believed in the now-discredited theory
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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that “rain follows the plow,” a notion that planting trees and settling farms would encourage rain. For all these reasons, tree planting became a Midwestern trend in the latter part of the 1800s. It even led to its own holiday, Arbor Day, observed in Kansas on the last Friday in April. Other states have different dates based on the best treeplanting time. Abundant rainfall contributed to Douglas County’s many groves, which served as a fashionable location for social gatherings till the 1930s, especially in Eudora. For example, early in the 1890s, area German Methodists held three-day camps at Hartig’s Grove where they would feast into the night before dancing for hours. In its heyday during the 1890s, Mineral Springs Grove just outside of Eudora might host a Catholic group picnic on Wednesday, a Black settlers gathering on Friday, a community dance on Saturday, and another picnic on Sunday. A small steamboat on the Wakarusa River carried passengers from downtown to and from the grove. Other groves where groups gathered during this period included Ziegler’s Grove, Mrs. Schleifer’s Grove, Thoren’s Grove, Gerstenberger’s Grove, and Fendt’s Grove on Oak Street. Probably the most popular of these groves was Durr’s Grove, a stand of walnut trees north of the Wakarusa River, owned by residents Charles and Henriette Durr, and accessible by an early Main Street bridge or ferry. People brought their boats, hammocks, long tables, and always food to this site of the first CPA Picnic. What Durr’s Grove had that the others didn’t was easy access from the Santa Fe Railroad Depot, which made it easier for out-of-towners to attend events. The Santa Fe even reduced fares for the 1901 AOUW (Ancient Order of United Workmen) picnic featuring team military drills and a merry-go-round for children for eventgoers from Kansas City, Leavenworth, Topeka, and Lawrence. Groups such as the Republicans, County Old Soldiers and Sailors, Eudora Township Sunday School Association, University of Kansas classmates, Eudora city school students— all held days-long festivities at Durr’s Grove. Sometimes gatherings started at 8 p.m. with moonlight picnics, dancing
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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1402 Church St. Suite E, Eudora, KS 66025
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EUDORA TREE TRIVIA Several of Eudora’s main streets were named after tree varieties in 1946. Eudora also has a long history of fruit orchards. In 1891, Frank Seiwald would ship three to four train cars of apples from his orchard, which covered from Ninth to Eleventh streets and Pine to Fir streets. A tree is part of the official symbol of the City of Eudora. The city’s first Christmas tree farm appeared in 1966, when Steve and Chris Edmonds planted seedlings on their Pine Hill Farms southwest of Eudora. Eudora has not always loved all trees equally; the city once passed an ordinance banning the planting of mulberry trees.
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To this day, areas in Eudora along the Wakarusa River harbor the arranged treelines of groves planted by the city's early settlers.
and games. Observing social norms of the time, chaperones accompanied single ladies. In an era of racial segregation, Eudora’s Black community held separate get-togethers at Durr’s Grove. At the annual August Emancipation Day picnic, popular menus included barbecued pork, mutton, chicken, and fish, and attendees played baseball, competed in races, and danced to Bazel’s Band. A high point of the annual event was the drawing for a roast pig and a roasted calf. When Fred Moll bought the block between Seventh Street and Eighth Street on Ash Street, the Emancipation Day celebration moved to Moll’s Grove. Starting in 1903 and for several years afterward, large crowds from Lawrence, DeSoto, Cedar Junction, and other communities came in August for the Emancipation festivities. Also favored for social events in the early 1900s were Deichmans’ Grove, Rev. Walters’ grove in west Eudora, Neis’ Grove, Walter Bromelsick’s
cityofeudoraks.gov
Grove just north of Eudora, Eisele’s Grove, and Schopper’s Grove, which hosted egg roasts. Charles Pilla used his grove southwest of Tenth Street for invitation-only employee picnics. He also transported dozens of retail dealers from Argentine, Kansas, in carriages from the train depot for his events. There were still reports of new groves as late as 1920, when Jesse Marley cleared acreage on Seventh Street, east of the city cemetery, for picnics, Methodist Sunday school weenie roasts, ball games, high school track events, and family reunions. Today, however, most of these groves are long gone. “I asked Bob Durr—he’s a walking history book—about the Durr Grove location,” reports former city council member Kenney Massey. “He said it was on the north side of 15th Street [N. 1500 Road] and fell into the Kansas River.” And while there might not be groves along the rivers now, expect to see more native trees along the Wakarusa River public space.
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
THIS STRESS IS TOO MUCH.
I AM NOT OK.
I FEEL REALLY SAD.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. The Coronavirus outbreak affects the way we live our lives, and it’s normal that this affects our mental health. High stress, isolation, anxiety, job loss, and depression can force even the healthiest people to need mental health services and supports. Bert Nash Center is here to help. For 70 years we’ve cared for the mental health needs of children, adults, and families in Douglas County. If you need help or know a friend or family member who needs help – contact us today.
Contact us to schedule virtual or in-person care
785-843-9192
bertnash.org Bert Nash -EudoraMag.indd 1
2/8/21 8:19 AM
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chicks still hatch, 24
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SPRING/SUMMER 2021
story by amber fraley photography by jason dailey
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Despite all the cancellations and uncertainties from Covid-19, area 4-H students continue raising and caring for animals through their livestock projects
rom their home in Eudora, the Johnson family raises a flock of mostly silkie chickens, along with a phoenix chicken and ducks. A lot of the responsibility in caring for these birds falls on the children. At the age of twelve, Ashlyn has been showing chickens for five years. “We went to the fair; she saw all the animals and wanted to show them,” says mom Kelly Hannifan Johnson. Two years ago, brother Wyatt, age 9, joined his older sister showing chickens at the fair, and this year’s upcoming fair could be the first year of competition for Paisley, age 7. The uncertainty about the competition isn’t because Paisley is ambivalent, but because the annual Douglas County Fair—like many events—is still subject to cancellation because of Covid. All across Douglas County, the approximately 250 students who participate in the Douglas County 4-H livestock projects entered this year without knowing whether they would be able to show their animals at the annual county fair, a week of competition and fun where 4-H students catch up with friends, show their animals and reap ribbons documenting their hard work. But the majority of 4-H students and many in the Eudora 4-H chapter will continue to raise animals, discovering things about both their animals and themselves through the process. Regardless of whether the fair is held as usual, with modifications, or not at all, the chickens will still hatch eggs. “We forget to collect them sometimes,” Wyatt admits, but he’s working on remembering to gather the eggs, as well as understanding some of the economics and realities of raising hens. “We don’t sell them unless it’s a boy because we can’t have boys,” Ashlyn clarifies. The Johnsons live within city limits, and by city ordinance, roosters aren’t allowed because of their crowing.
calves still grow SPRING/SUMMER 2021
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ADDITIONAL
EUDORA
4-H
COMPETITORS
AIDEN JONES, LAMBS Last year, with encouragement from his dad, Adam, 9 year-old Aiden Jones decided to join the Douglas County 4-H lamb project with two market crossbreed lambs he named Adam and Cotton. Twice a day every day Aiden feeds his lambs. “It’s a mix of sunflower seeds, corn, wheat, soybeans and vitamins and minerals,” he says. He also goes out to visit his lambs and makes sure they exercise daily. “I run them up and down the driveway,” he explains, as well as running them to and from the barn. In his first year at the fair, Aiden earned the honor of Reserve Grand Junior Showman, and his lambs won blue ribbons. He’ll compete with new lambs next year.
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CODY LOGANBILL, PIGS Cody Loganbill started 4-H at the age of seven and has been showing pigs at the Douglas County Fair for 10 years. “Right now I have all crossbreds, but I’ve had Yorkshires, Berkshires, Durocs and Landraces,” he says, speaking with an air of experience. Because Cody competes at multiple shows throughout the year in addition to the Douglas County Fair, he keeps and works closely with seven to eight pigs. “I train my pigs to walk in whatever direction I need them to and to keep their head up at all times because when their head is up they look better, and that makes the judge able to view all their parts more easily,” Cody says. This type of close working relationship can make it difficult to sell off a pig to market, Cody acknowledges. “Some of them it’s hard because some of them have really good personalities. It was definitely harder when I was seven or eight. It’s gotten a little easier, but still, it’s tough to see them go sometimes.” Cody has traveled as far as Phoenix, Denver and even Louisville to show his pigs. “It’s mostly for the experience,” says Cody, who hopes to parlay that experience into getting a degree in plant science and then attending law school with a focus in agriculture.
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ABBY BROWN, CALVES Abby is 14 and has been showing various animals at the Douglas County Fair since she was seven, starting with llamas. At age 10, she followed in her older sister’s footsteps and started showing Charlais variety bucket calves. “A bucket calf is a calf that either lost its mother or the mother can’t take care of it properly,” Abby explains. “Bucket calves are fun because the calf connects to you, and it basically follows you everywhere you go.” After Abby aged out of the bucket calf category, she began showing market cattle. Today, Abby and her family breed their own cattle for shows and beef—purebred Shorthorns and Shorthorn plusses. Until Abby and her sister became interested in Douglas County 4-H, the Brown family hadn’t been farmers. Because of her experiences with 4-H, Abby would like to pursue an agricultural career. “I want to be a vet, but I also want to kind of go into the animal nutrition side of it.”
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
ALL THE ANIMALS Currently, there are over 250 kids participating in the Douglas County 4-H livestock programs. Here’s a breakdown of the type of animal programs and the number of students in each.
The Johnson kids take turns making sure the chickens are fed and watered every day. “We sprinkle rocks in their food and oyster shells—those are some of the weird things we have to put in their food,” Ashlyn says. Gravel is necessary for chicken’s gizzards, and oyster shells help to strengthen the chickens’ egg shells. Though none of the Johnson kids particularly cares for the chore of watering and feeding their chickens every day, they agree that the prospect of the Douglas County Fair makes the work worth it. “I love it!” Wyatt exclaims. “All my friends are there,” says Ashlyn. “It’s the same kids every year.” Though last year’s competition was cut short, Ashlyn cleaned up on awards. “I got a trophy for my showmanship last year, and I won all the good ribbons.” What helped facilitate those wins? “Two days before the fair we give them baths to make them pretty and clean,” Ashlyn explains.
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
cityofeudoraks.gov
Beef Cattle: 71 Dairy Cattle: 1 Llama: 8 Meat Goats: 31 Poultry: 50 Rabbits: 24 Sheep: 19 Swine: 40 Dairy Goats: 10
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Eudora Chamber of Commerce Members A Air Filter Plus Bret Kay Customerservice@airfilterplus.com airfilterplus.com Ameriprise Financial Tana Ahlen tanashlen@gmail.com ameripriseadvisors.com/vestana.ahlen Auburn Pharmacy Doug Archer eudora@auburnpharmacies.com auburnpharmacies.com Autism Services of Kansas Melissa Cline melissa@autismservicesofkansas.com autismservicesofkansas.com
B Barbwire Barbecue smokin@barbwirebarbecue.com barbwirebarbecue.com Ben Miller, CPA ben@millercpallc.com millercpallc.com Benchmark Construction Tim Bruce general@gcbenchmark.com gcbenchmark.com BlueJacket Crossing Vineyard Pep Solburg bluejacketcrossing@gmail.com bluejacketwinery.com
C C-Hawkk Construction Inc Clint Shelton kevin@chawkk.com chawkkconstructioninc.com
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City of Eudora Jeffery Rhodes jrhodes@cityofeudoraks.gov cityofeudoraks.gov Cornerstone Properties GW Weld info@cornerstoneproperties.us cornerstoneproperties.us Cornerstone Storage Chris Gillespie cornerstonestorageks1@gmail.com cornerstonestorageks.com
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De Soto Veterinary Clinic Matt Fehr mattfehr1@gmail.com desotovetclinic.com
E Edward Jones Kyle Branine kyle.branine@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com/kyle-branine Energy MD Cody Bruce cody@myenergymd.com sprayfoamofkansas.com Eudora Animal Hospital George Schreiner info@eudoravet.com eudoravet.com Eudora Area Historical Society Ben Terwilliger eudorahistory@gmail.com cityofeudoraks.gov/100/EudoraCommunity-Museum
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Farm Bureau Financial Services Anthony Brown anthony.brown@fbfs.com anthonybrown.fbfsagents.com Free State Guns & Tactical Weapons Larry Minkler (785) 542-5555 mink@freestateguns.com
H Holy Family Catholic Church Angie Miller hfceudora@sunflower.com holyfamilyeudora.com Homestead of Eudora Zach Eaton zeaton@homesteadofeudora.com midwest-health.com/eudora
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Innovative Design and Construction Larry Carden cardenlarry50@gmail.com Linwood, KS 66052 Integrity Midwest Insurance, LLC Clint Kueffer clint@integritymidwestins.com integritymw.com
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Jannell Lorenz CMT, LLC jannell.lorenz.cmt@gmail.com facebook.com/jannelllorenzcmt
Jayhawk Dental Patrick Jankowski, D.D.S. jayhawkdental@sunflower.com Eudora Baptist Church jayhawkdental.com office@eudorabc.org eudorabc.org John H. Hay, DDS, Inc. John H. Hay Eudora Community Library eudoradentalcare@johnhhaydds.com Carol Wohlford www.johnhhaydds.com eudorapl@sunflower.com eudorapubliclibrary.org
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Eudora Schools Foundation Shanda Hurla foundation@eudoraschools.org eudoraschoolsfoundation.org
Kaw Valley State Bank Grant High ghigh@kawvalleystatebank.com kawvalleystatebank.com
Eudora Unified School District Mark Dodge markdodge@eudoraschools.org eudoraschools.org
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Keith Nowland, State Farm Insurance keith.nowland.qfmo@statefarm.com statefarm.com Kenneth O Von Achen Architects Kurt Von Achen (785) 542-2502 vonachemca@aol.com K-State Research & Extension Douglas County Marlin Bates batesm@k-state.edu douglas.k-state.edu
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Lodge on Main (The) Susan Pelzel info@lodgeonmain.com lodgeonmain.com Long Lasting Lighting & Landscape longlastinglighting@gmail.com longlastinglighting.com
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Mae’s Meals Meagan Cox maesmeals@gmail.com maesmeals.com Mateo Chiropractic Doug Mateo mateochiro@yahoo.com mateochiro.com McGrew Real Estate Heather Noble heathernoble@askmcgrew.com askmcgrew.com Midco debra.schmidt@midco.com midco.com Mutual Savings Association Josh Hoppes joshh@mutualmail.com msa.bank
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NoNonsense Healthcare Ninja LLC Chad Beisel nononsensehealthcareninja@gmail.com nononsensehealthcareninja.com
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One Window Photography Katie Lewis katie@onewindowphotography.com onewindowphotography.com
Wakarusa Brewery Jason Hering jasonforjustice@gmail.com wakarusabrewery.com
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Refuge Christian Church (The) Jeremiah Holcomb jeremiah@refugecc.us refugecc.us Robinson Chiropratic Abby Robinson robinson4a@gmail.com facebook.com/arobinsonchiro
S Senior Resource Center for Douglas County Megan Poindexter mpoindexter@yoursrc.org yoursrc.org Sexton Homes: NextHome Andrew Sexton andrew@gadwoodgroup.com andrewsexton.homes Strategy, LLC Edward Roche ed.roche@strategynewmedia.com strategynewmedia.com
Warren McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services Lisa Manley info@warrenmcelwain.com warrenmcelwain.com Watts Rental Properties Charlie & Mary Ann Watts (785) 550-6939 mawatts10@att.com Westerhouse Heating and Cooling westerhouse@westerhouse.com westerhouse.com
Z Zeb’s Coffeehouse Kathy Weld kathy@zebscoffeehouse.com zebscoffeehouse.com
Sunflower State Dance, LLC Rachel Weitekamp admin@sunflowerstatedance.com sunflowerstatedance.com Sweet Acres Inn Bed & Breakfast Sue Howig sweetacresinn@gmail.com sweetacresinn.com
T Torched Goodness Julia Ireland julia@torchedgoodness.com torchedgoodness.com
U Uncorked Pianist Michael Kirkendoll michael@uncorkedpianist.com uncorkedpianist.com
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Now enrolling children ages 1-7 Open M-F from 7:00am - 5:30pm Full Time and Part Time options available Half day program for ages 2.5-5 years School-age care for ages 5-7 years *
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• Working with parents in our community to provide a safe learning environment for ages 1-7 • Following CDC and KDHE guidelines to protect your family and our staff. • We’re excited to share our new outdoor learning classroom this fall and spring!
Parkwood Day School at Eudora United Methodist Church 2084 N 1300 Rd Eudora, KS 66025 parkwoodeudora@gmail.com • parkwooddayschool.org • 785-542-2515
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WORSHIP TIMES Please check our website or social media for current worship times and arrangements during COVID-19 785-542-3200 | www.eudoraumc.org 2084 N. 1300 Road Eudora, KS 66025 www.facebook.com/EudoraUnitedMethodistChurch
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WINTER 2020
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TOM AVERILL TALKS WITH ANGELA CERVANTES
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