Dear Chamber Supporters:
Nothing screams fall quite like 90-degree heat… all the amenities of the season like pumpkin spice and falling leaves while getting to wear shorts comfortably at the same time. With that being said, great sunny weather for our 18th annual Ladies Night Out! Which is going on right now downtown, before I speak to that, here is the scoop from this past week.
Paws and Progress
Prairie Paws Animal Shelter hosted its annual Bow Meow Gala last Friday evening, one of its biggest fundraisers, raising 10% of its annual operating budget in one night. This obviously wouldn’t be possible without the overwhelming support of the animal lovers in the room who bid on auction items and made personal pledges to the cause. Vanessa Cowie, Executive Director spoke that evening about the challenges they have faced over the last three years, and how they have found new ways to attack them. One of those breakthroughs started a year ago as they made it a point to affect the overpopulation of both cats and dogs (mostly cats…) in the community. In a year’s time, over 850 animals have been spayed and neutered which effectively results in the prevention of over 1,500 excess dogs and cats that would have otherwise been without a home, or to end up in Prairie Paw's shelter. At first this might seem counterintuitive, a shelter preventing/reducing their own supply. But the fact of the matter is that animals have been reproducing at a rate far too quickly for pet-owning homes to keep up. This process is not only humane, but is done effectively with the community’s health in mind. To share this news, Prairie Paws made this fun video that was played that night, I highly advise giving it a watch for a good laugh.
In other news, the resounding success of this organization has not gone unnoticed. One exciting addition to Vanessa’s plate is the absorption of a preexisting shelter in another community, all the way over in Manhattan Kansas. Through an agreement with the City of Manhattan, our own Prairie Paws will be expanding into their community to enact the same results in their city. This addition essentially doubles the size of the organization overnight, giving them access to additional resources that can be spread across both locations. It is also an incredible amount of responsibility that I imagine will be handled with class. This is a really neat opportunity and well-earned. You can read more about this here on the City of Manhattan’s website. Though it’s not mentioned in this article specifically, I believe this cat in particular was the one that Manhattan have been trying to address for some time, I’ll be curious to see if the Prairie Paws team can do anything about him.
Eggs and Issues 2023
If you’ve ever heard the expression, “you have to crack a couple of eggs to make an omelet”, then you’ll get the gist of the popular Chamber event, Eggs and Issues. Having taken a hiatus since 2019, this annual event is going to be coming back on November 1st with much of the same look as before. AdventHealth Ottawa has graciously agreed to be our sponsor for the event, as well as host everyone in their conference rooms. Their kitchens will also be the preparers for the breakfast that morning… can’t forget the breakfast! We’re obviously excited about the food and fellowship, but we’re also really excited about our speaker, Chad Austin who is the President/CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association. He will give participants a look inside the issues, challenges, and the future of what rural hospitals around the Midwest and Kansas are facing. Over the last twenty years, there have been 9 rural hospitals that have closed in Kansas alone, and 29 are at an immediate risk of closing. This greatly affects our community and those around us, as the health of our population is at risk when healthcare options become increasingly further away from residences. As he continues to work with hospitals around the state, Chad will be able to give a unique perspective and a necessary one for our community to consider. As the name suggests, the event is built for individuals to sit around something that connects us all… food. But then to make the most of that opportunity and talk candidly about serious issues. I hope you’ll be able to join us! I would mention seats are limited, so check out the online registration here to make sure yours is reserved.
Proximity Park
I was able to catch up with Paul Bean, FCDC Director, this past week about some movement at Proximity Park that has recently taken place. I have been asked several times recently, “what is the additional gravel pad doing at PP?”. He shared that the pad has been added by Evergy, the Kansas City-based energy company. Before I get ahead of myself, no they are not moving in full-time, but rather have entered a 17-month agreement with the City of Ottawa to stage the area for internal uses for the company. With the future in mind, this contract does have clauses to allow the City to pull out if there is a group committed to the space as their forever home. But in the meantime, this agreement allows for a short-term renter and a helpful gesture to Evergy. If you have any questions about Proximity Park about this or otherwise, Paul Bean is your man, catch his contact info here.
Half a Century of Excellence
In today’s world, it’s hard to find companies that have lasted the test of time as the average age of a company in the U.S. is under 20 years old. This milestone has been over-doubled by our own Crown Realty as they have reached half a century in 2023. What started in 1973 in Paola Kansas eventually found its way to Ottawa in 1987. After looking it up, we have recorded that 1987 is the same year Crown Realty joined the Ottawa Chamber, commencing their 37th year anniversary of Chamber membership as well! To celebrate the occasion, Crown Realty invited Chamber members and the greater community out for an After-Hours yesterday (pictures here). A time spent reminiscing and enjoying good company over cake and a drink. Todd Burroughs shared that if you visit any of the 8 locations they operate in, you’ll find them close to their squares or courthouses, just like you see in Ottawa. Having sold real estate to thousands of individuals and businesses over the years is what they are known for, and it has been important for our community. But for me, the additional step that this group of realtors take to not only sell in Franklin County, but to live and support the community as a whole is what sets this group of individuals apart. Whether you see them sponsoring events, paying for ads on our local radio station, or supporting our civic organizations, Crown Realty is there for Ottawa and Franklin County. I applaud the longevity and look forward to 50 more! If you see them, give our friends at 336 S Main Street a pat on the back for the achievement.
Turning a New Page with Marie Gardner
Ottawa is losing a good one this next week. If you haven’t heard, Marie Gardner, Dean of the NCCC’s Ottawa campus is moving into a new season of life. A slightly chillier season as well, as she is moving to Alaska to serve as the Director for the Matanuska-Susitna College at the University of Alaska Anchorage. A really neat opportunity to make a move that she says has been on the cards for her future for some time, but this position has accelerated the transition a couple of years early. Along with leading our local community college in more ways than one, she has also been the long-term curriculum teacher for Leadership Franklin County. She would have been the one who taught when I attended, as well as over a hundred more students over the 5+ years she was in the role. I know we’ll miss her leadership in that position as she always put so much into this program, really orchestrating much of the dialogue that participants were involved in. Yesterday she had her formal goodbye party in the NCCC auditorium (pictures here). I look forward to hearing about her adventures as she moves into this new chapter of life, thank you Dr. Marie Gardner for all your work in our community, we’re better off because of her efforts!
Be a Betty
Ottawa is home to a viral internet sensation over the past month or so, getting media attention nationwide. You can definitely bet on her, and you’ll also want to be like her as she has been seen spreading kindness in all sorts of special ways. Whether she’s sharing donuts with dogooders, putting on classic films for seniors, or handing out baseball cards to opposing team’s fans, Betty Birzer is a national treasure and really a local superstar. Though as of late she has garnered attention from a much wider audience after a kind gesture was documented while she was at a baseball game in NYC. To get the full rundown, I suggest you take a peek at this video which does a fantastic job of summarizing the events that unfolded. Which was shared by the Kansas City Royals social media team, and has now been covered by several Kansas City news stations, check out KCTV 5’s article and spotlight here. What started as an expression of kindness has snowballed into a phenomenon which can be phrased as, “be like Betty”. Betty goes on to say how blessed she is on the Channel 5 interview, our community feels the same way for having her as such an integral part of it. Feel-good stories don’t come much better than that!
As I stated before, hundreds of ladies downtown today… if you’re reading this on Friday afternoon, you’re invited! I’m headed out to support our fearless events leader Sherri and her amazing team which consists of our Events and Promotions Committee. Hope to see you there!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000