Celebrating Baby Miller’s Big Reveal
Makayla, baby Miller, and I felt so very loved this past Saturday at our Ottawa baby shower (photos here). We had a blast seeing so many friendly faces, celebrating our soon-to-arrive addition. It was also fun seeing everyone choose team boy or team girl as they arrived. It was pretty evenly split, with about half rooting for girl and half rooting for boy. But there can only be one winner! If you haven’t heard yet, we’re having a…
Boy! I couldn’t be more pumped to be a boy dad and have a little mini me here in just a couple of months. Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, and kind words towards the pregnancy and the future of our family. I can’t wait for you all to meet him!
Building Connections Across County Lines
On Tuesday this week, six area Chambers got together for our annual Multi-Chamber After Hours (pictures here). I’m always so grateful that the Miami County Chambers include our community, as it’s a blast to meet their members and reunite with Chamber friends. This year was one of the best years yet, in my opinion. We had a great turnout from Ottawa/Franklin County people and, overall, a really solid attendance overall.
If you haven’t visited KC Watersports in Paola, it’s worth a visit. A super cool venue and amenities. They’ve been great hosts the past few years. Also, a big shoutout to Security 1st Title, which has regularly sponsored the meal for the evening. In the end, there were drinks, food, door prizes, and good company. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Passing the Torch Through Franklin County
Our community has a special opportunity to partner with the Special Olympics each year as the torch, signifying the start of the Kansas games, passes through Ottawa and Franklin County. Kalmar of Ottawa has played a special role in the past few years, hosting the handoff at their location on the north side of town. This literal passing of the torch took place on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, they moved south down Main Street, with the help of some friends (pictures here). Right behind the Ottawa Police Department vehicles was a special-edition terminal tractor, wrapped in Olympic blue and gold. It even displayed photos of some of our COF clients and police department officers on the wrap (photos here). This Kalmar truck will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the Kansas Special Olympics. Following behind the truck in the torch walk were COF clients who directly benefit from this organization and event, as COF has regularly sent folks down to compete in Wichita. It was great to see the support on Main Street, the excitement among the COF athletes, and the coordination between private and public partners who support this initiative.
The Search Is On for the Next LFC Class
Two weeks ago, the Leadership Franklin County Board of Trustees gathered for our annual board retreat. This five-hour-long session gives us a chance to think through current processes, regroup, and dream big. This year, as in any year, we made some tweaks and additions. We also thought through how to increase efficiency and get the most bang for our buck. I’m happy to announce that we've finalized our dates and have our application open for the class of 2026/27 (view it here). All this information and more can be found on the Chamber’s website under “Leadership Franklin County” (direct link here)
The tricky part every year around this time is getting the word out to all potential applicants. Given our timelines, we have about a month to get this out. Although we have a dozen board members, we still struggle to reach everyone before the application deadline. I challenge those reading this to please share our social media posts (view that page here), talk to people at your place of employment, and encourage others to do the same! The impact of this program on participants is profound, and I’d hate to miss that perfect candidate. Thanks in advance for helping spread the word and making this year’s program the best yet!
Art With Heart: The Collective Heart Creative Launches as a Nonprofit
This morning, we joined The Collective Heart Creative for a Chamber Ribbon Cutting. This is in celebration of a new chapter for the organization as it officially launches as a nonprofit (pictures here). Founder Dawnua Dawson shared the story behind the transition. What began as a shared retail and creative space evolved over the past year as partners, volunteers, artists, and supporters worked together to reimagine what The Collective Heart could become. The result is a nonprofit organization focused on creating opportunities for artists, building community through creativity, and making art more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. This includes a shop in the front of their location, serving as an outlet for 50 artists, aged 7 to 77, to sell their craft. On the back end is a reimagined space for workshops, craft nights, art parties, and art jams.
Dawnua also shared that The Collective Heart has the opportunity to reach sooooo many more people this summer, as they will be on display to the whole world. The Collective Heart Creative has been selected to participate in the City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace during the 2026 FIFA World Cup festivities at Union Station in Kansas City. This will give their group of artists a front-row seat to World Cup visitors by having a booth and selling their art for three weeks! It was mentioned that there will be visitors from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. This is huge for their newly formed nonprofit, but really, for our entire community! They will be giving visitors a glimpse into our community, spreading the good news that just 50 miles south, there’s a town called Ottawa that is calling their name.
The morning also marked the launch of a new community art installation called “What Fills Your Heart?” Rather than simply cutting and discarding the ribbon this morning, they were the first pieces added to a six-foot steel heart sculpture (picture here). Community members were invited to write what “fills their hearts” on colorful ribbons and add them to the display, creating a growing collection of stories, memories, passions, and dreams from people across our community. This 7’ by 6’ heart will travel to KC with them, allowing thousands of visitors to share what fills their hearts, too!
Beyond their exciting adventures in Kansas City, there are plenty of opportunities at their Main Street location to take part in. Wednesdays from 5:30-8pm, there is an art/music jam. People are invited to bring their own art (whatever that might be) and be creative alongside others working on their own projects. All the while, musicians and vocalists are singing songs, taking requests, and jamming out. On Fridays, they offer $5 Fridays, a perfect opportunity to dip your toes into art at a low cost, with lots of different mediums to try out. These are just a couple of examples of the fun happening at the Collective Heart. Congratulations to Dawnua, her board, volunteers, artists, and supporters on this exciting milestone. We look forward to watching this project evolve and seeing a little piece of Ottawa shared with visitors from around the world.
Your Saturday Plans Just Filled Themselves
Tomorrow is a big day! There are literally a half dozen or more events taking place throughout our community—I’m starting to lose track! All the naysayers who spout “there’s nothing to do in town,” need to be around tomorrow. The Franklin County Optimists have their annual Duck Race taking place in City Park. Down in Garnett, the Prairie Spirit Trail is having a 30-year-old birthday party. I believe Ottawa Bike and Trail folks are heading down on their wheels to join in. The Wet Lillies are having their annual customer appreciation at their location, with food, ice cream, and music. Front Porch Antiques is having a special garden sale, just in time for Summer. You can view all those flyers here (click here).
We come alongside all of these with our annual Treasures in Ottawa shopping-day extravaganza (event page here). We have 70+ different booths selling soooo many great things. Come by between 9am-3pm to find some goodies. You can also snag your 'Treasures in Ottawa' pin for the Adventures in Ottawa pin collection program. We hope you’re able to spend your entire Saturday entrenched in all the amazing things our community has to offer (here is the flyer that we’re passing out tomorrow with more deals to explore). See you there!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
