Wednesday, December 23, 2020
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Painting pictures of the past By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
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Trump may torpedo new relief bill
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Iola Senior Center gives to food pantry PAGE A7 Santa reads to Humboldt students
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Tom Ellis has seen it all. An artist and activist all his life, the 76-year-old grew up in Iola, but went on to spend much of his career in New York and California. Along the way he met countless memorable souls, including an array of celebrities, and immersed himself in the counterculture of his day. “It was a life I can’t even begin to explain in a few words,” he said. “It was just, gosh, free and easy.” Living such a rich life has led Ellis to set his sights on writing an autobiography, of which he is about half finished, but in the meantime, here’s a taste of what’s to come: IT’S 1967. Ellis had just arSee ELLIS | Page A3
Artist and activist Tom Ellis takes a break to smoke a hard-earned cigar. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG
A Christmas mission
COUNTY COMMISSION
‘A sense of urgency’ on airport By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Well, maybe not so unprecedented. “Our Savior Jesus Christ made sacrifices to do the will
There’s “a sense of urgency” to building up the Allen County Regional Airport. That’s according to Jonathon Goering, Thrive Allen County economic development director, who discussed the possibility with commissioners. He said although the county had pursued the possibility of such projects in the past, the moment to strike might be now. Goering noted that, for one, federal stimulus dollars may soon become available such that the developments can be made with little to no cost to taxpayers. And he added that the Kansas Department of Commerce is currently sending out site-selectors to help identify potential building places. Goering said the county misses out on quite a few opportunities of this kind, and so suggested the importance of putting together a “master plan” to remedy the situation. The plan might look as follows, he said: 1) determine the feasibility of building up the airport, 2) look into compliance with FFA rules, 3) study which businesses might be physically situated at the airport, 4) see which new buildings or structures might be appropriate there. To make such a vision
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Missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints move railroad ties at the former Elmsore school, which a developer hopes to turn into a veterans retreat. The missionaries turned online to find people in the community who need help, after coronavirus restrictions forced them to think of new ways to serve. From left are Peter Erikson, Trent Clarkson and Mason Clark. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
Missionaries move online to find new ways to serve others By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Any other year, they’d be wearing suits and carrying Bibles. Walking around neighborhoods and knocking on doors. Asking to talk to you about Jesus Christ. This year, they’re wearing jeans and T-shirts, carrying hammers and paint brushes. Scouring social media and posting on Facebook. Asking how to help others in the name of Jesus. Four young men are serving in Iola as part of a rotating group of missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They’ve had quite an unusual year — and quite an unusual mission — because of the coronavirus pandemic. Two of them were pulled out Vol. 122, No. 294 Iola, KS 75 Cents
Missionaries, from left, are Zach Norton, Mason Clark, Peter Erikson and Trent Clarkson. At right, Clark uses a sledgehammer to move a railroad tie into place. of foreign countries when the pandemic began and countries closed their borders. Their time in Iola ranges from a few weeks to a few months.
On Friday, they’ll celebrate a quite unusual Christmas, too, far from their families in an unfamiliar place, during an unprecedented time of sacrifice and strife.
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