Inside: Growing trees in tight spots. See A3
2017 1867
Sports: KU’s Mason named player of the year See B1
The Weekender Saturday, April 1, 2017
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Honor Flight effort soars Melvin
Run disbands
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Don Meats isn’t a military veteran, but few have more passion for veterans and what they sacrificed for family, friends and country. Thursday he apprised Iola Rotarians of the Southern Coffey County schools honor flights, which will have taken 288 veterans to Washington, D.C. on 12 flights after one scheduled April 12-13. Honor flights are a special service of SCC. Several Iolans participated in one for World War II vets about 10 years ago and many others occur nationwide — but having so many from such a small town as Le Roy is astonishing. The flights aren’t just for WWII vets, but include those who served during Korea and Vietnam as well. Having served in combat is not a requirement. A feature is that SCC students are paired with veterans, which gives them insight into the lives of their companions and what they might have experienced during conflict. “The students learn a lot from going and it is so meaningful to the veterans, it’s not unusual to see tears in their
Memorial, sculpted figures that appear as if they were on a patrol; the huge WWII Memorial; the National Cemetery and touching changing of guards, who walk near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24 hours a day, regardless of weather conditions. Honor flights started after the World War II Memorial — Kansas Senator Bob Dole was a supporter and fundraiser from day one — was completed in 2004. The network was founded by a physician assistant and retired Air Force captain, whose interest in taking WWII vets to see their monument was piqued by many being his patients, and not having been to Washington. He arranged to take 12 in six small airplanes the first year, and the event was born. Fundraising, the lion’s share of which falls to Le Roy Masons, is a yearlong
The Three Soldiers Monument, Washington, D.C. eyes,” when they view monuments, such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that lists more than 58,000 names of those killed, Meats said. The journey includes 24
students plus 24 veterans, a doctor and other supporters and consumes two days, which permits the veterans to experience much of what is dedicated to them — the
See HONOR | Page A6
Pushing past the pain of scars that need healing By SHELLIE SMITLEY The Iola Register
This is a follow-up story to “Pushing Past the Pain” published March 21. Tracy Keagle, recognized for her humanitarian efforts, was the focus of a Huffington Post blog written in 2016 by Sara Stewart. Keagle’s success as founder of Humanity House Foundation is a celebration of her ability to overcome childhood sexual abuse. Keagle is not alone. One of out of three girls and one out of seven boys are sexually abused by the time they reach the age of 18, according to Ellen Bass and Laura Davis, authors of “The Courage to Heal,” and “Begin-
Hope Unlimited, Inc. served more than 55 children last year. Lisa Chauncey, left, is an advocate and Garner, right, child care coordinator at Hope Unlimited. REGISTER/SHELLIE SMITLEY ning to Heal.” “Childhood sexual abuse is a lot more prevalent in our
little community than people realize,” Hope Unlimited’s Child Advocacy Center Coordinator, Donita Garner, said.
“The Child Advocacy Center served over 55 kids last year. I think people would never expect that there is so much of it and it’s underreported.” A lot of kids are afraid to come forward until they are adults because of the stigma attached to sexual abuse, she said. In 2003, Susan H. Lewis wrote “Unspoken Crimes: Sexual Assault in Rural America,” a publication of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. “Non-reporting in rural areas is typically more of a problem because of the high rate of non-stranger sexual See HEALING | Page A6
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
The Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run For Your Life, a staple of Iola’s summers since 2009, is no more. Nobody stepped forward to take over the annual fun run and related activities after Thrive Allen County and Allen County Crime Stoppers announced earlier this year they were moving on to other projects. “If you haven’t heard, the Melvin Run is done, and it’s not coming back,” Mike Ford See RUN | Page A6
Cokely leaves Foundation Jeff Cokely, executive director of Your Community Foundation since 2015, has resigned. C o k e l y submitted his re s i g n at i o n Jeff Cokely Monday to YCF’s Board of Directors. Cokely declined to comment on his resignation, as did Gary McIntosh, president of the foundation’s board of directors, other than to say a search for a new director will commence. “The Foundation will continue,” McIntosh said.
Diligence pays off for Allen student By SHELLIE SMITLEY The Iola Register
Group tackles empty buildings By SHELLIE SMITLEY The Iola Register
A group has been formed to tackle the issue of empty buildings in Iola. Although the group has no formal name, members include City Administrator
Sid Fleming, Thrive Program Director Damaris Kunkler, Barbara Anderson from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Thrive Development Program Manager Bill Maness and Iola Area Chamber of See VACANCIES | Page A3
Quote of the day Vol. 119, No. 109
Briana Ames, 19, was awarded the “ACCC Endowment Association Above and Beyond Award of Excellence,” March 25, during the Red Scholarship Gala. Ames, a chemistry student from Humboldt, worked diligently to prepare for the gala on top of her general work-study duties. Work-study students typically work a maximum of 20 hours a week, Thompson said. But Ames gave much more of her time than that. “She gave up her spring break to help with the aucSee STUDENT | Page A6
Allen Community College student Briana Ames, center, is with Aimee Thompson, director of development, and Allen President John Masterson, as she receives the “Above and Beyond Award,” March 25, during the ACC Red Scholarship Gala.
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