Dear Chamber Supporters,
This was my first full week back after being out for a bit at the end of October. However, everything is not quite back to normal yet, as Sherri is out of the office traveling abroad. We messaged back and forth a couple of times yesterday after she and 26 other travelers spent the last five days in Croatia (pictures here). As they ''Travel with the Chamber', she shared that they are having a great time and that everything has been smooth sailing up to this point. She mentioned that the weather has cooperated and the sights have been awe-inspiring. This trip is the second that the Chamber organized this year, as a group of a dozen visited South Africa in September.
Even though Sherri is traveling abroad, she is still getting updates on the registration status of the Germany/Austria/Italy trip that will be taking place in the fall of 2025 (more info on that trip here). The passenger capacity has now been expanded twice within the last three weeks because of the community's demand. There are currently 61 individuals signed up for next year, with 69 spots available at the time being. This allowance was raised 24 people, as our original limit was only 45. With all that being said, if you are interested in experiencing the wonders of Oktoberfest and the Austrian Alps, don't wait to register! There might not be a spot waiting for you if you do (online registration here).
Fresh Ideas for Fresh Produce
I joined the Ottawa Kansas Farmers Market this week as they held their end-of-year gathering with all their sellers following the 2024 market season (picture here). I was invited to talk about some of the items coming down the pipeline towards enhancing their market. One of the ways they are looking for direction is through community feedback. This is accomplished through a community survey that anyone who does or could benefit from the Ottawa Kansas Farmers Market can participate in (survey here). The main topics of conversation revolve around accepting SNAP/EBT, a centralized way to accept credit card transactions, and the possibility of relocation on one of their market days. This is a great way to encourage and support an organization that plays an integral role in bringing healthy, locally grown produce and products to us, the consumers.
Franklin County Votes
Election season is officially over. Congratulations to all the candidates. Regardless of the results, this process can be grueling and takes significant time and effort. Kudos to all the public servants and those who put their name in that hat over these last six months. To all of us on the other side of the election, we made it through all the ads, texts, signs, mail, and phone calls! Woohoo! You can view all the state results here on the Secretary of State's website (website here). The storyline for the races affecting Franklin County—no real change. The two State House spots that share our county will remain the same (Carrie Barth and Rebecca Schmoe). As well as our two State Senate spots (Rick Kloos and Caryn Tyson). At the congressional level, Sharice Davids will serve her third term in the US House role. We were bound to have a new State Board of Education member for our district, Connie O'Brien, beat Kris Meyer by just a few points.
From a state perspective, there was much discussion prior to the election about whether the Republican party would lose its supermajority. With 107 contested races throughout the state, a lot could happen. In the end, quite the opposite transpired. Democrats needed to gain three Senate seats and two House seats to end the two-thirds majority. Rather, Republicans expanded from 29 to 31 Senate seats and from 85 to 88 House seats. There was also discussion that given the substantial number of early voters, Kansas would beat its previous record voter turnout set in 2020. Though we don't yet have an official count, it looks unlikely to occur as early numbers show 64% voter turnout in 2024, falling from 71% in 2020 and 67% in 2016. Another year for the history books!
Sweet, Salty, and Seriously Creative
This week, we did not host a Chamber Coffee but rather two Chamber After Hours. The first took place on Monday night and ended with a ribbon cutting for Sweet and Salty Artifacts (pictures here). Dawnua Dawson owns what was a home-based business before this new venture. Her work includes custom laser engraved products, like cutting boards, drinkware (tumblers), leather products, t-shirts, and other wooden gifts. From conversations, the sky is the limit on what can be laser engraved (check out her website here). She is also handy with online design, as she spearheaded our marketing material for our concerts this past summer. This entrepreneurial mindset is not new for Dawnua and her husband, Scott. 21 years ago, they owned downtown Ottawa's first coffee shop, The Potter's Wheel Coffeehouse. During our After Hours for Corner Market a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that they now roast their own blends at 4th and Main under their new name, Marais Des Cygnes Coffee Co. The Dawsons are not only creative but also have an eye for turning their interests into a full-fledged business. Easier said than done!
Many are familiar with purchasing soap from 204 S Main Street over the years. Though you can still stop in for some soap, you also have the chance to buy from twelve other Kansas artisans (pictures of products throughout the store here). This building is now broken into two halves. The front acts as a retail space for all the fun items to purchase, while the back is a creative space for patrons to make their own products through classes and open sessions. They have loads of ideas on what classes they plan to offer. They discussed courses on how to make soap, paint décor, assemble wreaths, piece together charcuterie, journaling, and another half dozen just off the top of their head (this is their calendar for November). This space creates a conduit for small businesses to sell their work while inspiring customers to lean into their artistic strengths. This business model would be tricky to accomplish without the support from the many businesses coming together—a perfect example of what can be accomplished through unity rather than division. I have a strong feeling that some really neat things will take place in our community through this store and I look forward to seeing them unfold!
Historic, Iconic, Still Popcorn-Powered
Last night's Chamber After Hours was right across the street at the historic Plaza 1907 Theatre (pictures here). They are the Guinness World Record holder for the oldest purpose-built cinema in operation, dating back to May 22nd, 1907. Owner Scott Zaremba shared some history on how this location came to be. Before 1905 and prior to being a theatre, the front portion of the building (where the ticket counter sits now), held three different businesses―all with extremely shallow floor plans. Just outside on E 2nd Street, traveling cinemas would pitch a large tent for people to watch The Great Train Robbery, one of America's earliest films. In 1905, the back half of the cinema was added. There were not always two rooms for shows, as they originally built one side with a stage to show plays and other performances there. This stage can still be seen back in the movie museum (pictures of the memorabilia museum here). Scott believes a more accurate guess for when the Plaza started showing movies was 1905, but he only has records that go back to 1907. However, this is still old enough to beat out any other theatres worldwide.
Over a century of movies have been shown in this location, and Scott is proud to keep this tradition alive. He has recruited the help of community advocate Betty Birzer to help with the cinema's operations. This includes managing their high school staff and coming up with ways to better moviegoers' experiences. One of the ways this was accomplished this past summer was their inclusion in the Sunflower Summer program, where they saw 65 families stop in to experience the historic theatre free of cost. Along with their weekly movie options, the public can also rent out this space. Whether you're streaming your favorite show or movie, having sports watch parties, or reliving your home movies on the big screen, Betty can help make it happen. As Scott looks to the future, he has dreams of making the upstairs space above the theatre a couple of working Airbnb's with the hope that another revenue source could keep the theatre in operation for another 117 years. Owning 100-year-old buildings is not easy (speaking from experience), but I'm so glad this structure and business is still in operation. Big shout out to Scott and Betty for their unrelenting passion for the Plaza Cinema and this community.
Holiday Cheer is Near
A mainstay event for our community each year is the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting, which takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This downtown celebration has snuck up on me, as it's hard to believe we are already cruising through November! If you haven't already put it on your calendar, plan on being in Ottawa on the evening of November 30th as we light up the downtown. This is traditionally ''Shop Small Saturday'' as well―a prime day to think about our local stores following the infamous Black Friday.
A new idea that the Chamber is trying this year, as a small fundraiser and a way to bring attention to the Mayors Tree Lighting, is the inclusion of an Ottawa-themed Christmas ornament (pictures here). There is so much detail throughout the design, and I'm extremely pleased with how they turned out. The spinning door in the middle is my favorite touch. This gorgeous collectible was designed and crafted in partnership with Hasty Awards in town. Now that they’re made, we hope we can find some Ottawa/Franklin County lovers who are interested in one for themselves or as a gift for friends and family. There are a limited quantity available. So at the event, they will be first come first serve until we run out. Preorders are open now if you'd like to secure yours prior to the lighting ceremony (preorder link here). You're welcome to stop by our office and check them out in person if you'd like!
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The Veterans Day Parade will be moving down Main Street tomorrow from approximately 10:45-12pm. I believe they plan on starting the ceremony at the war memorial at 10:30am. If you're not joining the festivities, be careful driving downtown as traffic will undoubtedly be affected. If you are, hope to see you there!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
