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The Iola Register
Locally owned since 1867
Weekender Saturday, November 17, 2012
BASKETBALL IMS girls sweep past Royster See B1
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Tolands passionate about downtown ‘Urban pioneers’ bring spirit to Iola square
six years working as an aid to Washington mayor Anthony Williams, and a year as vice president of a real estate development firm. “Soon after we arrived in Washington, we became urban pioneers,” said Toland, 35. “We moved into a rough neighborhood on Quincy Street. We wanted to live in an old Victorian home and that was the only place we could afford.” The Tolands set about remodeling and upgrading the home. When a subway station opened nearby, they purchased two more homes in the same block and brought then up to snuff for rentals. They still own one of the three. Had it not been for an opportunity with Thrive Allen County, they might still be in Washington. Toland took Thrive’s reins as executive director in late 2007 and they were full-time Iolans early the next year. The move also put them near their families, his here and Beth’s in Pittsburg. The couple say by then they were eager for an opportunity to live where they would be more comfortable raising a family, which today includes Caroline, 6, and
By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
Pavel Kuropatkin and Ivan Taskin
Russian doctors honing tech skills By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Many people think there is no way they could leave their families and live on the other side of the world. For two Allen Community College students, it is the way. Ivan Taskin and Pavel Kuropatkin are Russian citizens living “in a different world.” They moved to Iola in August to receive their associate’s degrees in computer science from ACC. Their story may seem unbelievable to some Americans, but to many around the world it is reality. Both Taskin and Kuropatkin are certified medical doctors in Russia. Ivan is a cardiologist and Pavel an obstetrician. For a doctor in Russia, the lifestyle is different from that of an American doctor, Kuropatkin said. “Doctors in Russia are paid
a very low salary,” he said, “Computer science is paid much higher there.” That reasoning is where the Russians’ story begins. The students, both 26, have known each other since middle school. They both lived in Moscow, where they attended the Russian State Medical University. From that point, the two best friends began to plan a future that would combine computer science and medical technology. While Pavel struggled through the pronunciation of “silicon,” it was clear that Silicon Valley, and the entire U.S., is known in Russia as the pinnacle of computer science and technological research. “Computer science in the U.S. is the best in the world,” Pavel said. See RUSSIANS | Page A3
David and Beth Toland are doing their part to breathe new life into downtown Iola. Their latest effort was to provide a large and highly visible venue for Kelly Sigg’s Audacious Boutique, in what for years was the main financial floor of Iola State Bank. The Tolands are elated for having been able to put an Iola landmark building back in the commercial mainstream. They had similar outcomes when they purchased and renovated the old Embassy Shoe and Rocking-B buildings in the first block of West Jackson Avenue. Each was an investment made with intention of turning a profit, but “we also appreciate buildings that are part of Iola’s history, especially the bank with our family having been involved,” he said. Toland’s grandfather, Stanley Toland, joined the firm of R.F. Oyler and G.R. Gard, whose offices were on the second floor above the bank, after he graduated from KU Law in 1932. A few years later, after Oyler and Gard had died, Toland moved to the second floor’s front office. As part of his private practice, Toland served as counsel to the bank. DAVID AND BETH got their start after they completed advanced degrees at KU — he in public administration and she from the school of education — and moved to Washington, D.C. in 2001. David spent the next
Jim Gilpin found a check for $12,800 waiting for him when he came to work. “It was written by a supporter of the new Allen County Hospital who wanted to buy a bed,” he told Iola Rotarians Thursday. The hospital needs 22 new hospital beds and doesn’t have the money to buy them — yet. Gilpin is confident the money needed to equip the hospital will be raised in the Uniting for Excellence campaign which has been under way for about a year. The goal is to raise $1,428,300 for equipment and technology needs and another $3,861,900 for other equipment — including $2 million for an electronic medical records system. More than $1,700,000 has been raised or pledged thus far, including one $500,000 anonymous
donation. Gilpin is chairman of the drive. His wife, Karen, is a member of the hospital board and has been actively involved with the fundraising campaign as well. Both spoke at Thursday’s meeting and urged those present to consider making a gift to the hospital and to recruit givers from among their families and friends. There are “naming” opportunities galore. Not only can a donor be recognized as the provider of one of the high-tech beds, but, starting at the top: can name the hospital campus after beloved parents, such as The Bert and Betty Benevolenz Hospital, for a gift of $1 million; a lobby, surgical suite or the front entry canopy for $500,000 to $999,000; the dining area or any one of the hospital departments for $250,000 to $499,999. Patient rooms can be named
for gifts between $25,000 to $49,999 — and one room has already been spoken for. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Gilpin said. “The present hospital was built in the mid50s. This one will be the primary regional hospital for at least that long into the future. Naming a room or a hospital department will memorialize you and your family for two generations into the future. Even more important, the gift will make a contribution to the health and well being of a countless number of your friends and neighbors,” he said. Construction of the hospital at the north edge of Iola on Kentucky Street is well under way and is on track to be completed in the fall of 2013. The Gilpins were introduced by Gordon Conger, program chairman.
Thanksgiving service Sunday By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
“Thanks for Nothing” is the title of Pastor Daren Baldwin’s sermon for community Thanksgiving services at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Assembly of God, 1020 E. Carpenter St. The service is sponsored each year by the Iola Ministerial Association. Congregational singing led by Jessica Beine and special music by Lois and Tammy Murphy will precede Baldwin’s sermon. An offering will be taken to benefit the Community Pantry. Baldwin and James Miller, Assembly of God minister, put finishing touches on the service Thursday afternoon and agreed more community church events are needed in Iola. Miller, noting he and Baldwin were close friends, said they are “looking for ways to partner. We
THEIR INTEREST in revitalizing old structures continued with the move. The Embassy Shoe building, 10 W. Jackson Ave., had been vacant long enough it was close to being condemned. “There was nine feet of sewage in the basement,” Toland recalled. The building was redone, stem to stern. The first floor was remodeled for a business, which Tri-Valley Developmental Services now occupies, and the second floor for an apartment. Friend Nich Lohman, a pharmacist with Iola Pharmacy, liked what he saw and joined the Tolands to purchase the Rocking-B, 12 W. Jackson. It, too, was gutted and remodeled to modern standards, See TOLANDS | Page A3
David Toland
Gifts come with recognition By EMERSON LYNN Register associate editor
William, 3.
Duane’s plays up the color By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Duane’s Flowers will be holding an open house on Black Friday, showcasing their holiday arrangements, with some sweet treats on the side as well. Owner Duane McGraw said he will be providing hot cider and cookies for customers during the open house, which will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. The store, nearing its 37th anniversary in business, has holiday arrangements ready for people looking to spruce up their home or business. McGraw said the store’s emphasis this year is on college gift ideas and decorations — the store is not short on K-State, KU and Pitt State gifts and memorabilia. McGraw said his business picks up this time of year, and his store accommodates with an increase in merchandise. “We do a lot of things around here, we are busy a lot of the time,” McGraw said. “We do have the most fresh flowers in town.” In addition, McGraw said his store can deliver flowers around
Register/Steven Schwartz
Duane McGraw stands next to a tree decorated with collegiatethemed ornaments and memorabilia.
the world. He said he has sent arrangements to Japan, Australia and Germany. For those looking to send some holiday cheer to family, friends and troops overseas, Duane’s Flowers will get them there.
Allen County prisoner escapes at Osawatomie
Pastors Daren Baldwin, left, and James Miller. hope to have a speaker for a joint service in April that would look at how to effectively meet the needs of the community.” “We’ve built a fellowship in Christ,” Baldwin added. “There is no way for one church to minister to all the needs of a community. We have opportunities to reach more people if we can work toVol. 115, No. 16
Register/Bob Johnson
gether.” Miller ventured that a joint service some Sunday for his and Baldwin’s congregations — Nazarene and Assembly — featuring a dialogue between the two ministers would be intriguing. “And it would be even better if we could involve other churches,” he said.
An Allen County prisoner, Jacob John Gray, being evaluated at Osawatomie State Hospital after being arrested here for drug violations, escaped from the hospital Thursday. Hospital authorities said Gray walked away from a lunch outing with other patients. The escape didn’t sit well with Sheriff Tom Williams. Hospital authorities weren’t “forthcoming with facts related to the incident when questioned by deputies and refused to give details that might have assisted in apprehending Gray before he left the Osawatomie area,” Williams said in a press release. “Why Gray, who
75 Cents
was in custody, was allowed out of a secure area is not known.” Allen County deputies have learned that Gray was seen at a convenience store in Osawatomie, and stayed there for Jacob Gray several hours before disappearing, Williams added. Osawatomie police officers later took a report of a stolen car — a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am with 273 DXB Kansas license tag number. Any notice of the car should be reported immediately to 911, Williams said. Iola, KS