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The Weekender Saturday, November 28, 2015
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Passion for helping guides new pantry director By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
It started as a way to occupy her time. Deborah Sager had recently lost her husband to a car accident. Husband Jim’s death left Sager with twin boys, and uncertain of what lied ahead. “The kids were in school, so I really didn’t have anything to do,” Sager said, before pausing. “I mean, I did, but I didn’t. I just thought if I got out and about, it might help me through all that.” So Sager approached local pastor Phil Honeycutt about helping with the Iola Community Pantry, which is administered by the Iola Area Ministerial Association. It was a natural fit, particularly with Sager’s organizational skills, tenacious work ethic, as well as her sense of compassion for those less for-
The Rev. Tom Waters, left, stands next to Deborah Sager at the Iola Community Pantry storage room. Waters is leaving his post as pantry director. Sager takes over as director Tuesday. REGISTER/ RICHARD LUKEN
tunate. Now, nearly 10 years later, the Ministerial Association has opted for Sager to replace the Rev. Tom Waters as the
newest Community Pantry director. Her first day at the helm is Tuesday. “I don’t know that I’m excited,” she said. “Maybe I’m a
little nervous. I want things to continue as they always have been. We want to always be able to provide for people.” The Community Pantry, at
the intersection of Washington and Broadway streets, provides food for needy families twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The Pantry relies strictly on donations, Sager noted, mostly from area churches, some from Walmart, and most recently through Monsanto’s “Invest An Acre” program. As an emergency aid organization, the Community Pantry often is considered a “last resort” for those who receive its aid. “The thing that weighs on me is, I can see their struggle,” Sager said. “I couldn’t imagine trying to get by on that amount of money a month. I’m blessed because God has provided for me. I went through that when Jim died, and I didn’t know what was coming my way. I didn’t know financially how I was See SAGER | Page A4
Hospital appoints committee to study medical arts building By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
Building a medical arts building on hospital grounds is essential to the future of Allen County Regional Hospital, Tony Thompson, hospital CEO, told trustees at their meeting Tuesday night. Currently, visiting specialists attend patients at the facility located on the grounds of the old hospital as well as those who are patients in the hospital. The distance, 2.1 miles, “is too far,” for the specialists to conveniently attend to patients at both locations, Thompson said. Most procedures, including lab work and X-rays, are performed at the hospital, Thompson said, while routine visits are in the clinic. The result is that procedures, which could be done the same day as an examination, are postponed for another week. The visiting specialists are a “feed for the hospital” in terms of patients, Thompson said. “And bring more surgeries our way.” A new medical arts building next door to the new
hospital also would make it easier to recruit additional specialists, many who drive from Wichita and Kansas City on a weekly basis, Thompson said. Plans for a medical arts building “were penciled in,” when the new hospital was built, said Sean McReynolds, hospital trustee, and utility lines were laid. “All we need to do is build the building.” The site is northwest of the current hospital. Trustees appointed a steering committee to investigate building such a complex. Even if a new building were to occur, the existing medical arts building could still be used for other services including home health and the wellness program provided by Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center. “My vision is that the existing building would be fully utilized by services that are not better utilized at the hospital,” said Harry Lee, board chairman.
Breaking bread The Light of LaHarpe Church served Thanksgiving meals to 90 local residents Thursday at LaHarpe City Hall. Above, the diners enjoy their meal. At left, Vickey Beck fills her plate. Below, the Rev. Duwayne Bearden speaks to the crowd. Diners from LaHarpe, Iola and Colony attended. REGISTER/JONATHAN
CZUPRYN
LITTLE by little the hospital is chipping away at the See HOSPITAL | Page A4
Rural Bronson home burns in Thanksgiving Day fire
The rural Bronson home of Maxine Dickerson was destroyed by fire Thursday. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ALLEN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 20
BRONSON — The home of Maxine Dickerson, rural Bronson, was destroyed by fire Thursday. Volunteer firefighters from Moran and Bourbon County were called to the scene, although the house was fully engulfed by the time firefighters were summoned, the Allen County Sheriff ’s Department reported. Dickerson, who lived alone at the house, was not home when the fire started. She lost
“Any truth is better than indefinite doubt.” — Arthur Conan Doyle 75 Cents
a pet dog in the blaze. Friends have set up a GoFundMe account to benefit Dickerson, who lives on a limited income and had no insurance on her home. Type in “66755” in the search bar to donate. As an aside, Dickerson’s grandson, Tristan Dickerson, is a volunteer firefighter and was among the crews who fought the fire for hours in Thursday’s cold, dreary rain.
Hi: 36 Lo: 32 Iola, KS