Parks and Rec
9-year-old Rainey Lewis enjoys getting her face painted by Tina Clark (photo by Eudorareporter.com Managing Editor John Schulz)
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Over 100 kids attended the grand opening of Club 785 at the Eudora Rec Center on Saturday night. Club 785 is a program for kids ages 9-14 where they can play and have fun in a safe environment.
Program Coordinators Sherry Sedlick and Sylvia Swain started the program to provide kids with healthy activities like basketball, dancing, and other sports activities in a supervised social setting. One of the features of Club 785 is that once an adult signs in their child, they are “locked-in” until either a parent picks them up or they choose to leave, but re-entry is not allowed.
“Our program also allows the parents to know that their kids are being taken care of and don’t have to worry if they want to go out on date night,” Sedlick said. “They can go have dinner and see a movie and don’t have to worry about getting back home quickly.”
Several girls participate in a hotly contested 3-on-3 tournament at Club 785 at the Eudora Rec Center Saturday night (photo by Eudorareporter.com Managing Editor John Schulz)
Registration for Club 785 began at 7:00 PM and activities started as kids were arriving for their “night out”. Kids could roam the Rec Center to find the activity they wanted to participate in. The gym was packed as a 3 on 3 basketball tournament got underway. Kids also enjoyed the dance room area and snacks were provided in another room. Face painting was also a popular activity as many kids enjoyed time with peers in a controlled environment.
“There has been nothing like this for the kids in Eudora,” Sedlick told us. “We wanted to give kids the opportunity to get out and do something on a Saturday night.”
Sedlick said that they tried the program in other cities in the past but it never really took off. This time around, it appears, at least initially, that the program may be headed for success. We talked to a few of the kids attending and they seemed to like the idea of Club 785.
Snack time at Club 785 Saturday night (photo by Eudorareporter.com Managing Editor John Schulz)
“I think it’s really fun,” 12-year-old Meadow Meyer told us as she was waiting to get her face painted. “I think they should definitely do it more.”
Club 785 will be “open” again on April 27, May 4, and May 18. The cost for Club 785 is $10 for those attending from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM and $20 for 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM.
Eudora Parks and Rec Director Gary Scott (right) receives the Citizen of the Year Award from Chamber President Amanda Herrmann (photo by eudorareporter.com Managing Editor John Schulz)
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The Eudora Chamber of Commerce named the 2012 Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year at the organizations annual banquet Friday night at CLO’s Midnight Farm.
Gary Scott, Director of the Eudora Parks and Recreation Department, was honored as the Citizen of the Year. Scott, who came to Eudora in 2011 to take over the Parks Department, was described as person of vision and inspiration to the people of Eudora.
“Gary is always one to be there when you need him,” Chamber President Amanda Herrmann, stated during the presentation of the award to Scott. “He is one of the first to volunteer anytime anyone needs help and his work in and for the community has been outstanding.”
Under Scott’s leadership at the Parks and Rec Department, a variety of new programs and initiatives have begun or are underway. Scott has worked hard as a part of the team to put together Shadow Ridge Park just south of Eudora Middle School which will soon break ground. He has also been instrumental with the beginnings of a donor program to obtain grants and secure donations for the Eudora Park system. Just a couple of the many programs Scott and his staff instituted over the last year include the Summer Film series at Laws Field and hayrides through the streets of Eudora during the Christmas season.
Chamber President Amanda Herrmann (left) presents the Business of the Year award to Tracy Trefz and Dan Strimple, owners of Cutter’s Smokehouse and Catering (photo by eudorareporter.com Managing Editor John Schulz)
The Chamber also recognized Cutter’s Smokehouse and Catering as the 2012 Business of the Year. Owners Tracy Trefz and Dan Strimple were surprised and and amazed about the award.
In her announcement of the Business of the Year, Herrmann talked about Trefz and Strimple’s committment to the community.
“The do great volunteer work constantly for the community, including holding dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day for those that don’t have families to go to,” Herrmann stated. “They are always willing to help out organizations and the are definitely committed to Eudora.”
Co-owner Tracy Trefz talked to us following the ceremony about how gratifying it is to have such an honor bestowed on the business.
“Wow, we were just amazed,” Trefz said.”It means a lot that people notice that you do something good for the community, that we do try to help out.”
Cutter’s Smokehouse opened up in 2001 in Downtown Eudora and quickly became one the most popular eateries in Eudora. Known for great food and music, the business moved out to 20th Street in 2010 taking over a portion of the old Hardware store. The restaurant continues to offer their what many consider some of the finest BBQ in the area and support local and regional music with bands three nights a week.
Near the conclusion of the banquet, it was voted on and approved by the Chamber members that Trefz would be named an at large Board Member for the Chamber of Commerce. Herrmann, owner of Amanda’s Dance Academy, will continue as President of the Chamber. The other officers for 2013 will include Linda Langston of Eudora Wines and Spirits as President-elect, Angie Miller of Greenbush as Secretary and Amy Durkin from Durkin’s Law Office as past-President.
“I look forward to seeing how I can help out the chamber members and the city as a whole,” Trefz said.
Could a Pedestrian Bridge be possible over K-10?
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The South Side of Eudora is going to see some changes in 2013. This Spring, the city will construct a new park in the land just south of Eudora Middle School and north of the Shadow Ridge Housing Development.
The Eudora School District will lease the section of the land to the City for $1.00 per year (yes a single dollar). The School District and the City approved the lease agreement for the land at their respective meetings in the last week to make the park possible.
The Parks and Rec Department will oversee construction and maintain Shadow Ridge Park. The City plans on spending $150,000 to construct the park. The city, to protect their investment, would be able to recover their original investment in the park (with a depreciation schedule) from the District if the District were to terminate the lease.
Also, the School District was awarded a Sunflower Foundation grant to install a walking trail from the Middle School to the High School. This walking trail will be 8 feet wide and allow both walkers and bike riders to share the path. The City of Eudora worked to obtain a $25,000 grant from the Sunflower Foundation to help pay for the trail. According to city officials, the plan is to eventually extend the trail past the high school as more grant money becomes available.
Finally, and definitely the most ambitious project, is one where the city is seeking to build a pedestrian bridge across K-10. The proposed bridge will start at the end of Elm Street on the north side of K-10 and terminate near Eudora Animal Hospital.
The cost of the bridge is approximately $1.8 million and the city is looking to obtain a grant from the KDOT Transportation Enhancement Program to pay 80% of the costs. The remaining 20% plus associated costs total nearly $470,000, would be paid for by the City of Eudora.
Collin Bielser, Economic Development Director for the city and spearhead of the project, stated in multiple presentations to various groups, that there is no planned tax increase to fund the project.
The City is looking for support from the public to help secure the grant application. There are three public forums planned to help educate the public about the proposed project and what citizens can do to help with obtaining the grant. Thursday evening at the Eudora High School Performing Arts Center, Bielser will be showing the presentation for all that are interested. The Second Forum will be on Thursday, January 24 in the Eudora Elementary School Library and the final presentation will be on Thursday, January 31 at Eudora City Hall. All three presentations will begin at 7:00 PM.
You can go to the cities website HERE to find out more information about the project and fill out a brief survey that will help leaders urge KDOT to assist with the grant. The website also has detailed information on how residents can write a letter in support of the grant application.
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While it may not be as fantastic as the Plaza Lights in Kansas City, Eudora does know how to put on a good show during the holidays with lighting displays.
To celebrate that fact, the Eudora Parks and Rec Department has decided to offer hayride wagon tours during December for those that want to see all the decorations around town.
The tours will be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between December 4th and December 20th. All rides will begin at 6:30 PM and last approximately one hour. The cost for the rides is a very inexpensive $2 per rider.
Adults, children and families or groups are encouraged to join others on the hayrides. If you have a group, it is requested that you schedule your group ahead of time.
For more information about the rides and to make reservations, you can contact Parks & Rec Director Gary Scott at the Eudora Community Center at 785-542-1725 or via email at: gscott@cityofeudoraks.
A photo from an early CPA parade (photo courtesy Facebook page CPA Picnic memories)
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Eudora’s largest public event of the year kicks off this evening with games, food, fun and entertainment for all ages. The annual CPA picnic offers carnival rides, parades and music from different artists.
Thursday’s special is you can buy a wristband for $20 and ride all the rides from 7:00PM to 11:00 PM at no additional charge.
Friday, The Eudora Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring some games for kids preschool – 18. The games will start right after the Friday Night’s Children’s Parade around 7:30 PM. Kids should gather on Main Street in front of the Gazebo for some traditional family fun.
Some of the games include:
Money Find – 5 yrs and under (Editor’s Note: Can a 44 year old reporter play in this one? 
)
Water Relays (5 and under, 6 – 9 and 10-12)
Construct & Fly paper airplanes (10 -12 and 13-18)
Egg Toss - All ages (Editor’s Note #2: Can I suggest a few participants? I’ve got a couple of names that I wouldn’t mind throwing some eggs at…he he he)
Bubble Gum Blowing contest – All Ages
Saturday will include The Grand Parade and music entertainment from Wolf Hamlin, a recent contestant on Fox Television’s American Idol.
The Carnival rides will be open all during the picnic and the food booth proceeds going to the Methodist Church.
Finally, for those who are connected to Facebook, a rather cute site with past CPA memories has popped up.
http://www.facebook.com/EudoraCPA
The site has been posting many pictures from some of the original CPA picnics up to last year. You can click on the URL above to visit their page.
