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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
Monday, December 19, 2016
Iola Elks members helping with their annual Christmas food basket giveaway Saturday were, from left, Bob Pollman, Gary Larkins, Vicki Larkins, Mel Guenther, Teresa Grewing, Linda Sigg, Janice Ard, Judy Laver, Linda Guenther, Dave Grewing and Susie Munzesheimer. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
A helping hand Iola Elks reach out to those in need By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
The weather was hardly fit for man or beast Saturday. Try telling that to some good-hearted Elks. Several Iola Elks Lodge No. 569 members braved the weekend’s approaching winter storm, and handed out 37 food baskets to families in need throughout Allen County. The annual endeavor has been a community fixture for 40 years or longer — nobody is certain when it started —
but it remains one of the most popular events of the year for those involved. “The feeling is great,” said Teresa Grewing, one of Saturday’s organizers. “I remember last year we had an 8-year-old girl who started crying when we showed up with the food.” “They didn’t want toys,” fellow Elks member Linda Sigg added. “They wanted food.” The food baskets (technically boxes) are stuffed with groceries, including a ham, eggs, milk, bread, butter, potatoes and an array of other food staples such as macaroni and cheese and pancake mix. “We also have a lot of fruit, peanut butter, things like that for kids to eat if they’re alone.” The Elks ventured to Humboldt early Saturday morning to pick up about $1,500 worth of groceries for the endeavor.
From there, they returned to the Elks lodge in downtown Iola to sort and prepare the food baskets for delivery. Many of those in need are invited to pick up the food themselves. Elks members delivered the rest to those unable to travel. The effort is paid for through a series of fundraisers throughout the year, usually through weekly meals at the Elks Lodge. The Elks support a number of area projects aside from the food baskets. The lodge raised more than $3,000 to support a youth wrestling team with a pie auction. “They were really good pies,” Sigg said with a chuckle. The recipients usually are nominated by Elks members,
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Toy shop on tap One of Iola’s holiday highlights commences Wednesday evening when Santa’s Toy Shop opens its doors in downtown Iola. For the fifth consecutive year, Iolan Tracy Keagle has collected — with help from countless donors from across the community — a vast collection of toys, candy and other treats for girls and boys of all ages. She has been working nonstop in recent days in order to get the toys prepared for Wednesday’s activities. The fun begins with the second annual Iola Kansas Kazoo Parade. Organizers are eager to exceed last year’s turnout — 150 kazoos weren’t enough for the parade marchers — and this year, they hope to see 200 or so. The parade route follows from Jefferson Elementary School, around the square, and to the elegantly decorated toy shop at 7 E. Madison Ave. There, every child who enters the door will get cookies, hot chocolate and a candy cane. Also for the giving will be books, hats and gloves. Then, the children get to visit with St. Nicholas himself. When they tell Santa their wishes, they then are accompanied by an elf and choose their favorite of all the toys in the shop.
There is no cost, and no questions asked. Each child is welcome to take as much or as little time as they need to make their choice. Organizers also are accepting donations for Humanity House, Keagle’s grassroots effort to combat poverty in Iola and Allen County, to ensure the Blessings Box in front of the courthouse continues to be filled. In addition, Santa’s Toy Shop opening coincides with the unveiling of Humanity House’s new website, http:// humanityhousefoundation. com, which provides information about the group’s mission. The Toy Shop is open from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 5 to 7 p.m. next Saturday — yes, he’s decided to spend as much time on Christmas Eve in Iola as possible before embarking on his global, overnight trek.
See ELKS | Page A4
McCain at odds with Trump over Russia By LAURIE KELLMAN The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is the business titan who has spoken appreciatively of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Republican Sen. John McCain is the tough-talking national security hawk who warns that Russian interference in the U.S. election threatens to “destroy democracy.” McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, on Sunday joined Democrats in calling for a special select committee to investigate foreign cyberattacks, putting him at odds not only with the incoming GOP president but with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who favors allowing the Intelligence committee to take the lead on the inquiry. “We need a select committee. We need to get to the bottom of this. We need to find out exactly what was done and what the implications of the attacks were, especially if they had an effect on our election,” McCain said. “There’s no doubt they were interfering and no doubt that it was cyberattacks. The question now is how much and what damage and what should the United States of America do? And so far, we have been totally paralyzed.” Trump calls reports of Russian hacking “ridiculous” and
Russia, an enemy of the U.S.? Do you consider Russia to be an enemy of the United States? Do you think Donald Trump considers Russia to be a friend or enemy? Ally/friendly Unfriendly/enemy
58%
56%
54%
28%
21%
All Americans
47%
Trump voters
Personal opinion of Russia
Colleges raise fees for room & board
29%
21%
All Americans
Trump voters
Trump’s opinion of Russia
Vladimir Putin Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Russian President Vladimir Putin? Favorable
Unfavorable
80% 56%
51% 35%
21% 8% Total
Clinton voters
Trump voters
Source: YouGov Graphic: Staff, Tribune News Service
his transition team dismissed the CIA assessment, saying it was the work of the same people who claimed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. CIA Director John Brennan has said the intelligence community is in agreement that Russia tried to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, though there’s no evidence
Quote of the day Vol. 119, No. 38
Moscow succeeded in helping Trump win. But the charge, along with Trump’s selection of a potential secretary of state with business ties to Russia, has divided a GOP riven by a fierce presidential primary and Trump’s refusal to single out Moscow for critiSee RUSSIA | Page A4
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Students at the University of Kansas will face at least a 3 percent increase to live on campus next year. University of Kansas students next year will pay $5,910 to live on campus, which is $172, or 3 percent, more than this year, The Lawrence Journal-World reported. Add in $4,150 for meals, that’s $10,060 total for the year. The figures are for what the university describes as a “typical” dining plan and double room in a renovated residence hall, and were among state university housing and dining rates approved this week by the Kansas Board of Regents. The University of Kansas’ typical” rates for 2017-18 were the second-highest of the six state schools. Wichita State University had the highest typical rates, charg-
“I knew I was going bald when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face.” — Harry Hill, British comedian 75 Cents
ing $6,470 for living and $4,540 for dining, for a total of $11,010. All schools’ housing rates will be higher than the current year, with typical room increases ranging from 1.7 percent at Pittsburg State University to 6 percent at Emporia State University. The University of Kansas also other, more expensive housing options, including at McCarthy Hall, where residents next year will pay $11,422 a year for a private room in a two-bedroom apartment. McCarthy Hall is home to the men’s basketball team and other non-athlete male upperclassmen. Rooms in the university’s new residence halls also cost more than the older halls. To live in Oswald-Self Hall or the yet-unnamed residence hall under construction on 19th Street, residents will See COLLEGES | Page A4
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