Members of the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce met for coffee Thursday morning at the new Sonic restaurant on S. Main St. As always, news was in abundant supply. Owner Ravi Vallal thanked the community for their support, and said business is going well. He hopes soon customers will catch on that they have a dining room, but, he noted, his stalls are always full.
Dolly’s coming
Next week, coffee will be at the Hoisington Public Library at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 11. The United Way of Central Kansas will host in conjunction with the kick off of Hoisington’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Dolly Parton, (Debbie Deitsch) will be at the library at 3 p.m. to greet families stopping in to register for the program. There will be snacks, bottled water, and a craft for kids to do too. Businesses can still sponsor the program, and should see USD 431 Superintendent Bill Lowry for forms.
USD 431 end of school news
Thursday, May 11, is also USD 431 Eighth Grade Promotion. All students in the district will be dismissed for the summer on May 12, and teachers will begin the process of moving classrooms to the new school building. Seniors graduate at 1 pm., Sunday, May 7, at the Hoisington Activity Center.
The district will be having a sale at the old Lincoln Elementary School building on Saturday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lowry said. All items will be priced but bartering is welcomed. Some fixtures have already been sold to some individuals, and those interested in something specific should contact Lowry at the District office. Desks, shelving, and other items will be available. Everything will be reasonable priced, for instance, desks will go for as little as $2.
Gymnasium flooring, trim, doors, medallions and other structural elements are available also. What doesn’t sell, Lowry said, he will personally pull out and sell for the school in either Kansas City or Denver.
Interested parties need to contact Lowry and make arrangements now. Everything must go by May 25. That’s because contractors will perform asbestos abatement in early June, prior to demolition. Thursday afternoon, Lowry planned to open bids for the asbestos removal, but had only received one from a non-local company. Stone Construction will perform the demolition. The project will be complete when the old building is removed, and the ground where it stood is transformed into the new school yard.
EMS open house
When Hoisington EMS Director Scott Fleming was hired three year’s ago, he began a tradition of holding a spring open house at 202 E. Broadway, which continues from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, May 25. Police cars, fire trucks and the ambulance on display.
“This is a get to know your responder type of event,” Fleming said. Osage, the ambulance company that recently supplied the new ambulance, has donated a live radio remote. The public is invited to come out and enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings courtesy of Hoisington’s emergency responders.
Kans for Kids
Kans for Kids co-director Duane Reif provided an update on Dade Cannon, who is slowly recovering from a recent crises that forced him to stop chemotherapy treatments.
“I’m telling you, that kid has fought like nobody’s ever fought before,” Duane Reif said. He thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers directed towards him.
Reif also received congratulations on the birth of his new grandchild, born during last weekend’s storms, prompting one member to suggest “Stormy” as a fitting nickname.
Market activity
Hoisington Chamber Director Jennifer Homolka is looking forward to the next Hoisington Peddler’s Market coming up on Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors donate $10 for their spot, and the proceeds go to a local charity. At the most recent market, $150 was raised and all proceeds were donated to the Hoisington Historical Museum. This time, part of the proceeds will be donated, and the remainder will go to pay for promotion of the market.
Vendors will set up on Main Street across from the Chamber of Commerce building. Offerings will include Antiques, crafts, fresh flowers, and more.
Other upcoming calendar items include:
• A Chamber After-Hours will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, at the Cardinal Lanes bowling alley, sponsored by the Meriam and Keith Wilborn, Cardinal Lanes, Dairy Queen and S&S Reel and fabrication.
• Clara Barton Hospital is hosting coffee in the Turnbull Safe Room and a Ribbon Cutting at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, to celebrate the completion of their new east- west sidewalk.
“The sidewalk connectivity promotes community wellness and creates a safe and convenient walking path for our employees, patients, and the entire community,” said Sydney Rugan, communications specialist. The GPS Kids Club will receive the chamber’s quarterly award that day also.
• The Hoisington City Pool is opening Memorial Day Weekend. Lifeguards are still needed.
• The Chamber Fundraising Committee is having a party in the park and parent’s night out on June 2.
