Sports: Indians’ season with bizarre, painful loss See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Allen County Fair Kicks Off
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Monday, July 28, 2014
High-profile team cooks in Iola By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Tom and Judy Brigham worked feverishly for several weeks to ensure revival of the Allen County Fair barbecue contest under the Iola Rotary Club banner was a success. That they were able to recruit the Ponca City, Okla., crew of Paul Schatte and Mike Neisen was a huge plus. Schatte owns a substantial portion of Head Country Food Products in Ponca City, with its flagship commodity being Head Country Bar-BQ sauce, the choice of many competitors in Midwestern cook-offs. The Brighams visited the Ponca City factory with the thought of picking up a strong regional sponsor and were so impressive, said
Yippee-ki-yikes! Elizabeth Romine was among the scores of youngsters who tried their hand at mutton busting — riding bareback on a sheep — during the Allen County Fair Rodeo Friday and Saturday. Like several of her fellow competitors, Romine’s ride ended abruptly. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Schatte and Neisen, that they decided to come out of semiretirement from weekly barbecue competition and set up shop in Iola. “A wonderful setting,” said Neisen of the tree-filled grass expanse. Schatte and Neisen competed individually for several years before deciding to join forces and then, with demands at the factory increasing, they decided pull back from competition. “This is our first time out this year,” said Schatte. But, it is far from the first time this year that their signature sauce has flavored meats prepared at cook-offs. Schatte pointed out that 17 times in the 24-year history of the famed Jack Daniels world championship contest at Lynchburg, Tenn., Head See BBQ | Page A4
Old truck comes to life at show By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Fifty years ago the Kelley Hotel in the 200 block of South Washington was a popular stop for coffee drinkers each morning. One day Bob Walden and his father-in-law, Willard Horde, finished sipping and drove down a nearby alley. “What do you think?” Horde asked of Walden, who had his heart set on finding an old Studebaker coupe to rebuild. Walden didn’t think much of a 1952 Studebaker pickup truck that had seen better days. “I bought it for you,” Hoard beamed. Walden accepted the gift — and then stored it in a garage for the next 37 years. Finally, Walden decided to do something with the truck and enlisted former Iola High classmate Jim West to turn the sow’s ear into a silk purse.
West succeeded. Saturday morning, for the third or fourth time since its overhaul to better than new condition, the Studebaker pickup truck was a crowdpleasing, gleaming entry in Iola Rotary Club’s Neil Westervelt Memorial Car Show in Riverside Park. The car show and barbecue cook-off were major attractions to kick off the annual Allen County Fair. “My grandson, Drew (Walden), wanted a project,” which was the genesis of the pickup’s renovation, Walden said. “But, if you want to know about it, talk to Jim (West). He did all the work — painted it and put in the engine.” West said the “project” was four or five years in completing, with his work interrupted by heart surgery. He finished last year. The truck, which spent most of it work life on a farm, often had been used to tote
Eventful weekend Del Shields, top, performs on stage Sunday evening at the Allen County Fair. Horse teams from all over the Southeast Kansas area came out to participate in the Horse Pull Sunday night. Judge Naomi Parsons, left, talks to 4-H’er Mary Brown during the dog show Saturday morning. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
See TRUCK | Page A4
Event jam-packed with speakers By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Bob Walden, right, explains to Tom Strickler some of what it took to renovate a 1952 Studebaker pickup truck. REGISTER/BOB
JOHNSON
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 191
See, Hear Iola was filled to the brim with information Friday morning. Mike Ford, community resource officer with the Iola Police Department, spoke about recent phone scams in the area. Ford said elderly residents
were most often targeted because they are often lonely and trusting. There are a variety of scams out there, including sweepstakes and grandparent scams, he said. Boren Roofing is celebrating its 60th year. Katy Boren told attendees how the business started with her in-laws, Harold and Mary, in 1954. Harold was a World War II veteran and was active in the company
“When I eventually met Mr. Right I had no idea his first name was Always.” — Rita Rudner, comedian 75 Cents
up into his 70s. The company started in Eureka, but Katy and husband Ron fell in love with Iola. They moved their family here in 1990. Damaris Kunkler and Debbie Bearden spoke on behalf of the Growing Rural Opportunities Works program. For the last year a committee has looked into barriers preventSee SEE | Page A4
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