March 9, 2018
Friday
Ark City
www.acdailybytes.com
Williams reflects on 20-year police career as railroad looms By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com An Arkansas City Police Department officer worked his last shift Thursday and has retired from the force to pursue a new career. Ryan Williams, affectionately known to most as “Waldo,” will be working for BNSF Railway going forward — as a fourth-generation railroad worker. The nickname came
from his late friend Josh Blessing and even though he tried to change it once, Williams is still known as “Waldo” — often in lieu of his given name. The police department held a farewell luncheon for him on his last day, a celebration that included his immediate family, father, mother and grandmother. “I don’t know what to say. It’s been a good ride. This is all I’ve
ever known. I spent my whole career here. This is my family. So, I’ll miss it,” Williams said, choking back emotion. His youngest daughter stood on a chair next to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Alright, that’s it,” he said. New career “Do I love this job? Yeah, I love my job. It’s my life,” Williams
said of being a police officer. “I don’t know if I would say that I’m burned out,” he said. “I feel like I’m losing my filter. I’m not the same person that I was 10 years ago.” Whether because of repeat offenders or a need to make a different impact, Williams said he was weary and knew it was time for a change.
Local historian discusses Arkansas City’s rich theater history By KAYLEIGH LAWSON kayleigh@acdailybytes.com Retired journalist Foss Farrar long has been known for his love of history and he has built a strong reputation as a local historian through the years. He gave a presentation on the history of Ark City theaters during Thursday’s coffee organized by the Ark City Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Charles Tweedy. “Ark City, by the early 1900s, had the reputation for being a great show town,” Farrar said. “We had troupes of actors, magicians and bands — all kinds of people — come in and perform here back in those early days.” Farrar showed many historic
pictures of the old theaters, only one of which still is standing today, as part of his PowerPoint presentation. Highland Hall The original opera house — called Highland Hall — was opened in 1883. “I have to plug this,” Farrar joked. “My great-grandfather (H.P. Farrar) was one of the big financiers behind it and helped organize the group to get that built.” The building, which sat on the location that now houses the Burford Theatre, was built for $19,700, according to Farrar. It could seat approximately 700 attendees in its heydey.
Fifth Ave. Opera House Designed by George Masters, an architect from Chicago, the Fifth Avenue Opera House was built in 1888. It was funded by businesspeople and theatergoers who thought Ark City needed a larger and grander opera house, Farrar said. Masters modeled it after the Grand English Opera House in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was a three-story Victorian structure constructed from native limestone. There was a $70,000 cost to build the Fifth Avenue Opera House, which was located at B Street and Fifth Avenue.
Elite Training Center to host women’s self-defense seminar Staff Report Elite Training Center Academy will be host to a women’s selfdefense seminar this weekend. Owner Steve Bruce will cover aspects of self-defense from breaking holds to escaping from being pinned to the ground. “This is specifically for women,” Bruce said. “I honestly feel through consistent
training, anyone can become better equipped to deal with an attacker.” The seminar will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the training center’s new location in downtown Arkansas City, at 220 S. Summit St. “I feel that we need to start a movement of empowering women,” Bruce said. “Women are generally considered to be
weak and easy targets for a predator.” The key to surviving any bad situation is being prepared and ready, he said. “There is no reason a woman cannot train and become capable of not only defending herself, but also her family,” Bruce said. “We are becoming a society of victims and we need to learn to be survivors.” Bruce regularly
teaches woman’s kickboxing classes. “I know for a fact that the women I have met with, throughout my career, have gained an inner strength from training that has given them tremendous confidence in their own abilities,” he said. The class is $25 for each participant, but Bruce is offering Cowley College students the opportunity to take the class for only $20.
Burford events this month include movies, singers, Thirsty Thursdays Staff Report The V.J. Wilkins Family Center for the Arts at the Burford Theatre will be the site for many activities in the next few weeks. Starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, there will be a showing of “Jumanji,” a movie featuring Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier and the late Robin Williams. It follows two kids who find and play a magical board game. In doing so, they release a man who has been trapped in
the game for decades. There are a plethora of dangers that only can be stopped by finishing the game. Tickets are available for a $5 donation at the doors, which open at 1:30 p.m. Concessions will be open, with soda, popcorn and candy bars. Burford Singers The Burford will be host to an additional event later that same
night, featuring the Burford Singers. “We will be bringing you a great selection of songs as we sing ... ‘A Sentimental Journey through the ’40s,’” said a theater representative. “You’ll find some of your favorite big band songs sung by our talented volunteers.” The Burford Singers will take the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Commission gives city manager temporary raise By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com City Manager Nick Hernandez will see a boost in his pay for added duties in the wake of the resignation of Public Works Director Eric Broce. The City Commission of Arkansas City voted unanimously Tuesday night to give Hernandez additional compensation based on the additional Public Works duties that he will be taking over temporarily, starting this week. Hernandez’s annual salary
currently is approximately $110,000. The additional compensation is an additional $636 per pay period, plus compensation for KPERS and other associated burdens. This could add up to an additional $16,536 of pay if Hernandez retains the additional duties for a full year. Building Trades Board The commission also reappointed Chris Rains to serve on the city’s Building Trades Advisory Board to fill a three-year at-large term.
The commission recently reorganized this board, setting aside three at-large seats of the available nine for potential layman board members. Previously, the board consisted of two electricians, plumbers, mechanical specialists and general contractors, plus a layman familiar with city building regulations, all serving twoyear terms. The board now seats two electricians, plumbers and mechanical specialists, plus three at large.
Hotchkin continues to heal after personal run-in with domestic violence By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com One former Ark City resident is using her story of domestic violence to speak out in hopes of arming others with the courage to stop the violence. Ann Hotchkin was the victim of domestic violence in early February in an incident that left her face badly damaged. In the few short weeks since the incident, her injuries have
become less pronounced, but doctors have told her it can take between six and 12 months to be completely healed. However, there are other ways that the physical in which Hotchkin will have to heal. “Makeup can do wonders. One day (is) a good day, (the) next horrible. I immediately got into trauma therapy and have went regularly since (the) attack,” Hotchkin said. While she continues to heal,
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friend have set up ways in which people can donate to her medical expenses, including an event at Britt’s at the end of March. Domestic violence Domestic violence affects more than 10 million people each year — this number is only in relation to violence between intimate partners.
Gator’s Tail reborn as Kixx on 166 after purchase By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com The former home of the Gator’s Tail has been revamped and now is known as Kixx on 166. The establishment now is owned by a mother-daughter team — Jodi and Jami Pechonick. “We reopened as Kixx on 166 (on) January 5,” said Jodi Pechonick. Kixx on 166 is located at 609 W. Madison Ave. in Arkansas City. Unexpected opportunity Both of the women worked at the bar prior to taking over ownership of the establishment. “We came to know the regulars as more than just customers,” Pechonick said. “It felt like family.” When the previous owner closed the bar, many customers expressed concern about losing what they felt was “their bar.” “Jami and I have had many conversations over the past six to seven years about opening a business together,” said Jodi Pechonick. “When we first began talking, we had dreams of a cof-
fee shop. As Gator’s closed its doors, it became evident that the opportunity to be business partners was presenting itself in a different light,” she added. Constructive changes It didn’t take long for the duo to realize they were in the right place at the right time to make their dreams a reality and stimulate the neighborhood economy. “There’s just a whole new vibe to the bar,” said Jodi Pechonick. “It’s more than just a few coats of paint. It’s a brighter outlook overall.” The paint scheme isn’t the only thing that has changed inside the bar. “We changed the color of the pool table felt and added lights over the bar, in the pool room and outside,” she said. The Pechonicks also replaced the bar and moved the tables around, which opened up more floor space. New drink offerings In addition to changing some of the ambiance of the bar, there are brand-new drink offerings. “We’ve revamped some of the liquor and beer offerings, hoping to encourage our customers
to try something out of their comfort zone, while still providing their ‘go-to’ beverages,” Pechonick said. On Wednesday and Saturday nights, the bar will offer karaoke. “This new schedule adds a night for our diehard karaoke fans that other bars aren’t offering,” she said. “We are hoping to do live music events as the weather warms up and expand our licensing so that we can start offering food items.” Zero-tolerance policy The Pechonicks are enjoying their new venture, knowing that the bar is a place where people from every walk of life can gather. “We love meeting new people and hearing their stories,” said Jodi Pechonick. “We also really love that people are excited about the revamped décor, and want to contribute parts of their lives (and) memories to our ever-growing collection.” Part of the effort to keep those memories and experiences fond is the institution of a zerotolerance policy for inappropriate behavior.