This last weekend, my family celebrated a massive milestone as my Grandmother turned 90 years old (pictures here)! My dad and his sister’s family planned a birthday party in Odessa, Missouri, where my Grandma and Grandpa raised their family and where my Grandma still lives today. Grandma Sue (is what we grandkids call her) is never too shy, so being in the spotlight suited her nicely (picture here of the birthday girl)! Hundreds of friends, family members, and community members came together to celebrate the occasion appropriately.
On all the tables and throughout the slideshow, there were pictures of her life, spanning back to 1935. She has been witness to an inconceivable amount of change over her 90 years. She was born during the Great Depression, watched our country take part in several global conflicts, saw the beginning of space exploration, and eventually the rise of technology. She lived in a time when there was no phone in her home, and now she knows how to text on a personal cell phone and surf the web (not seamlessly... but still quite impressive for her age!). Among all that, she and our late grandfather raised my father, who eventually raised my siblings and me. That might be one of the coolest things of all, or at least one of the things I’m most grateful for. Happy birthday Grandma Sue!
Haymakers Bring the Heat to Legacy Square
The Chamber’s Summer Concert Series kicked off last Friday with a riveting performance from Trevor Holman and the Haymakers (pictures here). This band is comprised entirely of Kansas musicians, with Trevor hailing from just south of Garnett in Colony, Kansas. He and his team enjoy playing music just about anywhere. Trevor shared that they’ll play at block parties, festivals, senior living centers... or anywhere someone needs some country music (especially if there’s cold beer).
Prior to the show, Trevor said he was nervous when he saw the forecast earlier in the week. The first day of Summer was coming in full force, with highs in the low 90s. Not being from the area, he didn’t realize they’d be playing in the shade underneath the large pavilion at Legacy Square. When he pulled in with his truck to set up, he smiled and shared his excitement for the show, as well as his relief at not being directly in the sun. It was still a warm evening, but the shade, cold refreshments, and good music helped everyone have a good time!
This free outdoor concert helped us kick summer off and will circle back around to help us close it out in August. Mark your calendar for August 8th, when Clevermax returns to Legacy Square for another evening of family fun (more information here). This series wouldn’t be possible (or free) without the help of our generous sponsors (full list here). These businesses step up time and time again, and we’re thankful for their interest in promoting local entertainment and community connection. If you would like to support the concert series in this way, there are still opportunities to engage with the August 8th date. If you’re not able to take part in a sponsor opportunity but still want to help, come buy a drink from the Chamber’s beer garden on the 8th! All proceeds support the Ottawa Chamber's mission to promote the growth and economic vitality of our area.
LFC Wants You—Apply Before June 30
Last call for Leadership Franklin County 25/26 applications! This Monday, June 30, is the deadline for LFC applicants. The LFC Board of Trustees has planned an impactful nine months of classes; now we need to fill the class with participants!
I may or may not be known to procrastinate from time to time, but there’s no time to wait when applying for LFC! Make sure that your coworkers, boss, friends, neighbors, and former roommates are all aware that they need to submit their applications ASAP. Their participation will positively impact not only their own professional growth but also that of their sponsoring organization. Find the application and more at the following link (click me for more LFC info!).
Forty Years of Flavor, and Still Going Strong
This morning, we had a Chamber Ribbon Cutting for the new owners of Pizza Time in downtown Ottawa (pictures here). Pizza Time has been in Ottawa for forty years, in a couple of different downtown locations across that timeline. Prior to March, Piazza Time was owned and managed by John “Duke” Duncan for all forty of those years. Just after its anniversary in March, Bryan and Shelly Johnson took over as the new owners and operators. The big question this morning to the Johnsons was, “What all is changing and what is staying the same??”, as so many have loved the taste and experience of the pizza pub. Without hesitation, they respond that it may be under new management, but you don’t mess up a good thing! They are adding some ice cream that will be sold in pints, but otherwise, the bread, sauce, toppings, and everything in between will stay the same.
Bryan and Shelly are not new to our community or to running a business. They are lifelong residents of Franklin County, and Bryan currently operates his own construction business. Having done this for some time, they were quietly looking at new ventures to explore. A couple of years back, they spoke with Duke, asking if he’d be interested in selling, and nothing really came of it. Fast forward a couple of years, he reaches back out to the Johnsons and shared that he was looking to retire from the pizza game. After a few conversations, the rest is history! Bryan and Shelly are both very excited to be part of the Ottawa business community, while being fully aware that there is still plenty to learn about running this establishment. They’ve been having lots of “firsts” as they navigate new relationships with employees (32 employees currently on their payroll!), new equipment, and processes. With a couple of months under their belt, they’re confident that they’re up for the task! I look forward to another forty years of Pizza time in our community―so do all the Ottawa pizza lovers.
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This Ribbon Cutting is one of four we’ve done so far this summer, with another one taking place in July. Whether it’s an entirely new offering, like Hometown Vet Clinic and Country Financial, or new ownership, such as Amigos Mexican Restaurant and Pizza Time, you don’t need to look far to find entrepreneurs investing in our community. This is a sign of a thriving community that is primed for growth! There’s a lot happening all throughout town; I hope you choose to be an active member and join in on the fun. Exciting times in Ottawa and Franklin County! Talk to you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
