Issuu

The Eudora Chamber Directory • Calendar of Events • Essential Numbers and Contact Info • City Map FAL L /WI NTER 2026

Little School, Big Sound

Free State Music Academy teaches music and builds confidence

Also in this issue Eudora's New Powerlifting Facility The Safest City in Kansas Weaver Leaves His Name on a Community Chat with Karley Perry & Dee Howell

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FALL/WINTER 2026

in this issue

a community guide.

Discover Eudora is an official publication of the City of Eudora, the Eudora School District and the Eudora Chamber of Commerce, with editorial, design and advertising placement provided by Sunflower Publishing. City Liaison Chamber Liaison School District Liaison Editor Art Director Copy Editor Advertising Photographers Writers

Zack Daniel Kelly Long Albania Andrade Gina DeBacker Alex Tatro Leslie Clugston Andres Joanne Morgan Fally Afani Jason Dailey Carter Gaskins Fally Afani Cindy Higgins Nick Spacek

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

www.cityofeudoraks.gov Mayor Tim Bruce City Manager Zack Daniel

departments. 04

Lifting Each Other Up Inside Eudora High School’s new powerlifting facility

The Safest Bet in Kansas How Eudora claimed the title, and what it’ll cost to keep it

Weaver’s Namesake As one man hustled his way from one venture to the next, he left his name on a community of farmers just east of Eudora

A Conversation With Karley Perry of SERC Physical Therapy and Dee Howell of Warrior Wellness discuss what it takes to keep Eudora residents thriving

feature. 32

www.eudoraschools.org School District Superintendent Stu Moeckel

www.sunflowerpub.com Director Bob Cucciniello Publisher Bill Uhler All material and photographs copyright Sunflower Publishing, 2026. For editorial queries: Gina DeBacker (785) 832-7106 gdebacker@sunflowerpub.com For advertising queries: Joanne Morgan (785) 832-7264 jmorgan@sunflowerpub.com

Striking the Right Chord At Free State Music Academy, Eudora students are discovering that music is more than notes on a page

in every issue. 20

Calendar of Events

Map of Eudora

Eudora Chamber Directory

Quick Guide

The Eudora Chamber Directory • Calendar of Events • Essential Numbers and Contact Info • City Map FAL L /W I NTE R 2026

Little School, Big Sound

Free State Music Academy teaches music and builds confidence

Also in this issue Eudora's New Powerlifting Facility The Safest City in Kansas Weaver Leaves His Name on a Community Chat with Karley Perry & Dee Howell

on the cover. Karen Boyer and her music students perform outside Free State Music Academy in Eudora. Photograph by Jason Dailey

USD 491

www.eudoraschools.org

Story and photography by Fally Afani

Lifting Each Other Up Inside Eudora High School’s new powerlifting facility

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

www.eudoraschools.org

USD 491

t’s mid-July, yet Eudora High School’s halls buzz with activity. You’d never guess the students were on summer break—crosscountry runners sprint through drills in the gymnasium, football players fire passes to one another across the field, and inside the weight room, students hone their powerlifting skills on new state-of-the-art equipment. Lillian Mueting is one of the student-athletes sharpening her powerlifting skills. Entering her junior year, she has spent her summer training for both cross-country, which runs through the fall, and powerlifting, which follows the Thanksgiving holiday. After watching her older sister compete with the Eudora Powerlifting Club, she entered the program as a freshman. Today she is one of the club’s leaders. “You never really work out until you hit middle school,” Mueting explains. “When I got to high school, I realized I could be very good at it.” The Eudora Powerlifting Club launched in 2022. Four mornings each week, students train to build strength, refine technique and prepare for competition. For Mueting, the club’s positive energy drew her in and kept her coming back. “The environment of the team is fun and uplifting,” she says. “It’s such a good space to lift and work out in. It makes you excited to go work out every day and lift at meets.” Part of that excitement comes from powerlifting coach Scott Russell, who also serves as the middle school track coach and the district’s strength and conditioning coach. While most students spend their summers sleeping in, many of Eudora’s athletes rise at the crack of dawn to hit the gym. At the center of that early-morning hustle stands Russell, his booming voice echoing through the weight room as he pushes athletes at every turn. “The reality is that I don’t have to do anything to get them here,” Russell admits. “The culture exists because we’ve laid a foundation of expectation over the last four years, and the kids meet it all year round.” The foundation, however, isn’t built on obligation. It’s built on belonging. “They want to be part of something and be with each other,” he says. “You see it in our powerlifting team. A lot of our coaches have recognized our own kids at meets—spotting other teams, doing what needs to be done. Our kids hear the message, understand the expectation and then they go do it because they’re great kids.”

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Coach Scott Russell (above) and club member Lillian Mueting (opposite) show off Eudora High School’s new powerlifting facility, which held its first event in January 2026.

USD 491

The investment is paying off. When Russell launched the powerlifting team, only 13 athletes signed on. Four years later, that number has grown to 60. In the club’s first year, nine kids qualified for the state meet. The second year, that number grew to 13, then 23 in year three. But this past March, Russell took 37 athletes to Wellington for the 2026 Kansas 4A State Powerlifting Meet—and brought home two team trophies. “Every year I’ve [coached], the girls have placed in the top three,” Russell says. “The boys have always gotten close.” This year, they broke through: the women claimed second place and the men took third. But the program’s momentum doesn’t stop at state competition. At the start of 2026, Eudora High School hosted its first-ever powerlifting meet, a milestone Russell says shows how far the program has come. The event brought together about 450 athletes representing 25 teams, with competition across boys’ and girls’ weight classes. Four Eudora athletes finished in the top three overall in their weight classes. “The meet was just the next step in giving our kids a chance to perform in front of their friends and families,” Russell explains. “It helps our sport grow and provides a quality competition for students, families and coaches.” District support has made a significant difference, Russell notes. The school’s expansive powerlifting facility, made possible thanks to a voter-approved school district bond project, is now just over a year old.

www.eudoraschools.org

“We went from a 1,600-square-foot weight room to 4,000. It changed the game and allowed more enrollment in classes. The equipment is top-ofthe-line in the industry. We’re pretty fortunate.” –Scott Russell

A voter-approved school district bond project made the school’s expansive powerlifting facility possible just over a year ago.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

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USD 491

Eudora High School’s first powerlifting meet drew 450 athletes representing 25 teams, with competition across boys’ and girls’ weight classes.

“We went from a 1,600-square-foot weight room to 4,000. It changed the game and allowed more enrollment in classes,” he explains. “The equipment is top-of-the-line in the industry. There wasn’t a whole lot spared when it was designed and put together. We’re pretty fortunate.” Russell considers himself fortunate in every sense of the word. Showing up day after day for the kids never feels like work. It often leaves him asking, “This is my job? I get paid to do this?” “I say this a lot to my kids and to my wife,” he says with a laugh. “I feel like I’m making an impact with the community because I see the support I’ve gotten from family and friends. I show up to Eudora High School for the strength and conditioning position because I love being there with the kids. I love doing what I do.”

Mueting can vouch for Russell’s enthusiasm. He’s been known to chase kids around the weight room, she says, all while ringing a bell and hyping them up. That infectious energy helped Mueting bond with the team. She hopes that as she continues in the program, she can carry forward the same support and encouragement every senior class has passed down to younger participants. “People come out not thinking they’re going to be good at it, and then they end up loving it,” she says. “It’s not always about the sport. It’s also about the community and family. People realize it’s an amazing club to be part of. You make so many friends, and you get close with people. It’s a good social aspect— everyone is encouraging you and wants you to be there. It’s very much like a family.”

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

T hank

you

ROBIN

For inspiring us to deliver more comprehensive heart care.

Robin Goff was walking through the hospital lobby when she began to feel a little off. One of our volunteers suspected Robin might be having a heart attack and got her to the emergency department just in time. From there, the LMH Health Heart Center’s board-certified cardiologists performed a procedure that saved her life.

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CITY

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Story by Gina DeBacker Photography by Carter Gaskins

The Safest Bet in Kansas How Eudora claimed the title, and what it’ll cost to keep it

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

CITY

www.cityofeudoraks.gov

The Eudora Police Department proudly wears its title as Kansas’ safest city. Shown here, school resource officers Jacey Kost (top) and Cody Galley (below), and Chief Wes Lovett (opposite).

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

sk any Eudora resident why they chose to settle here, and you’ll hear a familiar refrain: it’s the kind of place that feels like home. Life moves at an unhurried pace. Neighbors support neighbors, and belonging comes naturally. Better yet, there’s a sense of safety here that lets residents breathe easy. Now, the numbers back up what locals have felt all along. SafeWise named Eudora the safest city in Kansas for the third year in a row. Each year, the security research company SafeWise releases a report analyzing the safest cities across the United States. The rankings draw from FBI data on violent and property crimes, adjusted for population to ensure fair comparisons across cities of all sizes. Following Eudora, Ulysses and Mulvane ranked second and third. In its 2026 report, SafeWise found that both violent crime and property crime declined in Eudora. Violent crime rates plummeted 86%, dropping from 1.4 to 0.2 incidents per 1,000 people, and property crime rates fell 11%, from 3.6 to 3.2 per 1,000 people. Adding to its safety record, Eudora reported zero murders, zero rapes and zero motor vehicle thefts. “The department takes a great deal of pride in being ranked first,” says police Chief Wes Lovett. “They talk about how much pressure there is to keep the streak going for a fourth year.” Lovett credits much of Eudora’s success to its staffing—one of the most widespread challenges facing all law enforcement agencies today. When he first joined the department nearly a decade ago, the situation looked very different. “I’ve been here almost 10 years,” Lovett says. “When I first began, our staffing was very low. We usually had one person on patrol at a time.” Early in his tenure, Lovett encountered a burglary suspect who had traveled to Eudora from out of town. When Lovett asked why he chose Eudora, the suspect offered a simple explanation. “He said, ‘Because you only have one person working, and that’s easy to keep track of,’” Lovett recalls. “Back then, the officers did not feel safe working by themselves.” Today, the department has grown to 16 officers. “I’m proud of the job these guys are doing on patrol,” he adds. “I don’t think they get enough

CITY

My job doesn’t end when the markets close.

www.cityofeudoraks.gov

credit for why we are the safest city, but patrol is really the backbone of every police department. They’re the ones who go out, work hard and make us successful.” Beyond staffing, the department’s community-based philosophy plays a vital role in its success. Its mission statement emphasizes building relationships with citizens and visitors, sharing responsibility for solving problems and maintaining a safe community. To bring that mission to life, the department runs several outreach programs. Cone with a Cop, Coffee with a Cop and Pizza on Patrol all offer casual opportunities for law enforcement to connect with the community over ice cream, coffee or a slice of pizza. “It’s very important to develop a trust within the community,” Lovett says. “We try to reach out to not only the kids but the adults in the community as well.” The department also builds understanding through the Citizens Academy program. The once-weekly, fiveto six-week program, open to residents ages 14 and up, provides an inside look at the demands, obligations and priority-setting of multiple municipal departments. “Citizens Academy gives a real insight on how we do things here,” Lovett says. “Especially regarding the equipment we use on a daily basis and how important it is.” Officers rely on dependable equipment. Patrol vehicles, radios, body cameras and protective gear are all critical to their success as well as their safety. “If you think about it, our officers are in a police vehicle 12 hours a day,” Lovett says. “It’s basically their office for 12 hours, so it’s very important for them to have equipment that is maintained at an acceptable level.” Voters will have a say in addressing that need when a half-cent public safety sales tax appears on the ballot this November. For 20 years, Eudora has charged a sales tax to pay off construction bonds used to build the community center and pool. This year, that debt will be fully paid off, so the city has recommended maintaining that tax rate as a new funding source for public

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Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

CITY

www.cityofeudoraks.gov

Not long ago, Eudora’s safety relied on just one officer per shift. Today, a team of 16 officers watches over the city, supporting the safety of residents and officers alike. Pictured from left, top: Lovett, Lt. Tom Willis, Sgt. Daniel Flick, Kost and Galley. Below: assistant county clerk Jessie Hatch, court clerk Carol Gregg and police administrative assistant Melody Buchholz.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

safety departments. If approved, the tax would cover police equipment maintenance. But perhaps more significantly, it would create more capacity in the city’s general fund for three new full-time firefighter positions, enabling 24/7 fire coverage in Eudora for the first time in the city’s history. Fire Chief Justin Lee says this, too, is crucial for public safety. “I don’t think our residents know that the majority of our staff are volunteers,” Lee says. “Hiring full-time firefighters would streamline operations. We could cut down on our response time and help take the load off our volunteers a little bit.” While SafeWise rankings have put Eudora in the spotlight, the metrics only capture reported crime, not the emergencies, structure fires and rescue calls the fire department handles. Yet as Eudora continues to grow, so does the need for comprehensive safety services.

CITY

www.cityofeudoraks.gov

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Eudora Fire Department. To understand how far it’s come, you have to look back at where it started. “When Eudora was first established in 1857, only a handful of fire departments existed in the entire United States,” says Ben Terwilliger, executive director for the Eudora Area Historical Society. “When a fire occurred in the Eudora community, it was common for town residents to fill buckets of water at their wells and carry those buckets to the site of the fire to extinguish it.” The bucket-brigade approach lasted until 1926, when Otto Rosenau organized the first volunteer-driven fire squad. Over the years, that small group evolved into a structured department. “We had no uniforms the first time I was on in the 1940s,” wrote Harold Morley, a volunteer fireman for 38 years, in a 1997 Eudora News article. “In 1959, we had uniforms: hats, boots and coats. When we went out to fight fires, you wet your shirt and

put it over your back to keep the smoke out so you could breathe when you went into a burning building. We had a 1928 Chevrolet to carry our hoses and equipment. There was no pumpers and training like there is now.” Today, the department responds to about 870 calls a year, and most are medical emergencies. As the department ushers in its next century, fire Chief Justin Lee looks ahead. “We’re going to be a combination department of volunteers and full-time staffing for a long time,” Lee says. “Economically, it’s a great choice for the community. It’s about trying to balance our community’s finances with the protection they need.” To mark this milestone, the fire department invites Eudora residents to an open house on October 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will take place just ahead of National Fire Prevention Week at the Public Safety Building, 930 Main St., featuring obstacle courses, fire truck rides and plenty of opportunities to meet the men and women who help keep Eudora safe.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

www.cityofeudoraks.gov

CITY

Currently, the fire department relies on two full-time employees and about 35 volunteers. Lee hopes adding three full-time firefighters would address scheduling challenges and coverage gaps. He also hopes the funds could afford the department a quintuple combination pumper to replace its second engine, which is more than 25 years old. Known as a quint, this type of fire truck has become more common, combining the roles of a traditional fire engine with a ladder truck. More importantly, implementing these changes could shave two to five minutes off emergency response times. “This public safety sales tax would help us be proactive,” says city manager Zack Daniel. “As we build taller buildings, we can have a dedicated funding source for a fire truck that can service a third story. As we plat new subdivisions, we can provide residents with 24/7 fire coverage— something I don’t think many people in town know they don’t have. Cutting response time could be a life-or-death difference, and it’s one of those things you don’t know you need until it’s not there.” Supporting staffing, maintaining equipment and reaching out to the community all seem to be pieces in a much larger puzzle of what keeps Eudora safe. But at the end of the day, it’s the people in Eudora who make it feel like home. “The citizens of Eudora have been great to interact with,” Lee adds. “They’re caring people, and it’s a great community. It’s kind of like a little secret tucked in between Lawrence and Kansas City. It’s been a pleasure to be part of this community.”

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Sunday Worship 10:30 AM, Grow Groups 9:00 AM Wednesday 6:00 PM AWANA, 7:00 PM Students VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR CURRENT GROW GROUP INFORMATION

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HISTORY

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Story by Cindy Higgins

Weaver’s Namesake As one man hustled his way from one venture to the next, he left his name on a community of farmers just east of Eudora

Above This 1898 illustration from the Lawrence Gazette captures John F. Weaver in the midst of his political campaign. Opposite Built in 1896 to rival Eudora's Pilla and Lothholz homes, the Weaver mansion later fell to a devastating flood.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

HISTORY

www.sunflowerpub.com

ust east of Eudora, where the Wakarusa and Kansas rivers meet and the land is fertile, a community of farmers took root. It was later named for “one of the biggest hustlers ever known,” one newspaper wrote. The man was John F. Weaver. In 1865, at just 17 years old, Weaver arrived in the area with a relentless drive that would propel him for the rest of his life. He came to speculate on land his father, Henry, purchased at Eudora’s founding. When he wasn’t teaching school in Johnson and Douglas counties, alongside his three brothers and sisters, Weaver spent his early years “grubbing Kaw Valley hazel brush and jumping stumps.” In plain terms, he hacked

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

down 12-foot-high thickets of American hazelnut with a scythe and dug out their roots. Weaver left Eudora to plow prairie fields in Salina, earning extra money for his parents during what he called the “hard times.” A years-long drought had gripped the Great Plains, and a massive swarm of Rocky Mountain locusts had devastated the land. It was in Salina that he eventually became a probate judge and married Australia Speaks, with whom he had seven children. Upon returning in the 1880s, Weaver grew wheat and corn on his 300 acres while managing 50 year-round employees on his father’s nearby 800-acre farm. His fortune

climbed exponentially during the 1890s, when he grew Red River Ohio potatoes and earned a place among the “Potato Kings” of the Kaw Valley—then one of the most prolific potato-producing regions in the United States. Ever the entrepreneur looking for his next opportunity, Weaver opened a two-story general store in 1891, boldly claiming it sold more goods than any other in Eudora Township. The store also housed the Weaver Post Office, anchoring his growing commerce hub. That same year, he added stockyards when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway established the Weaver station to transport his freight, harvested crops and livestock. As

HISTORY

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Stubbs vs. Weaver In 1902, Weaver ran against Walter Stubbs, a fellow railroad contractor and former short-time resident of nearby Hesper, for the Kansas House of Representatives. Weaver lost by a vote of 1,028 to 617, and Stubbs eventually became the governor of Kansas. Despite their political rivalry, Stubbs held a stake in Weaver’s glass manufactory in Coffeyville.

A Gift to Education An education enthusiast since his early years of teaching and a school board member for more than two decades, Weaver donated land in 1894 to establish Weaver No. 86 schoolhouse. He also held a temporary residence in Baldwin so his children could attend Baker University and its new preparatory high school, as Eudora wouldn’t have its own high school until 1918.

the station’s agent, Weaver oversaw ticketing and freight for four daily trains, along with telegraph operations. The community soon became known as Weaver or Weaver Bottoms, thanks to the train stop and post office. In 1895, the original contractor who had furnished crushed rock to the railroad vanished, along with the railroad’s funds. Weaver took over the local project, managing a 60-man crew that mined and processed blue limestone into 1- to 3-inch stones for railroad track beds and fine gravel screenings. By 1897, Weaver had shipped 2,000 carloads of rock, each weighing 100 tons. The next year, he relocated to Lecompton, where his crew crushed 15 carloads of limestone daily on-site for six months. Then, his “right place at the right time” years ended abruptly. The flood of 1904 devastated the community. Weaver’s mansion, built in 1896 to rival the Pilla and Lothholz homes in Eudora, was left with shattered windows, shredded wallpaper and a foot of mud. With his crops ruined and no time to replant, Weaver’s 484-acre farm, six houses, store and outbuildings all sold for half their value after the flood receded. In 1951, another flood destroyed the home for good. He left Kansas for a plantation southwest of Houston, which he later sold to invest in a Coffeyville real estate and insurance partnership. Eventually that venture fizzled too. He rallied with a 1908 stake in the Premium Fruit Jar Glass Company. At that time, Coffeyville abounded with glass-making factories, fueled by massive natural gas discoveries. After declaring bankruptcy in 1910, Weaver tried his fortune in Colorado Springs, Colorado before moving to Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where he oversaw the construction of a milk-bottle plant. It was there in 1916 that Weaver suffered a fatal stroke at age 68, ending a lifetime of enterprise. Yet his mark on the Eudora community, and the Weaver name, lives on.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

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CALENDAR

Calendar of Events SEPTEMBER

1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Eudora Farmers’ Market Eudora Parks & Recreation hosts a farmers’ market in the Village Green area. cityofeudoraks.gov

Jogathon Eudora Elementary students from every grade level will run and walk in intervals to raise money for their school at this annual fundraiser. eudoraschools.org

Mattress Sale Fundraiser Eudora High School hosts its annual mattress sale fundraiser to benefit the band and choir programs. eudoraschools.org

Kaw River Fest Eudora CVB hosts a free community celebration along Main Street. Enjoy food, shopping and live music as part of the city’s Main Street Market series. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. domoreineudora.com

Eudora Card & Collectibles Show Held alongside Kaw River Fest, this event fills the Eudora Recreation Center Gymnasium, with buying, selling and trading action. Browse trading card games, sports memorabilia, comics, hobby supplies and more—all in one place. domoreineudora.com

Homecoming Parade Colorful floats, classic cars, studentathletes, and homecoming royalty parade through downtown Eudora to support the Cardinals. eudoraschools.org

OCTOBER

Homecoming Eudora High School hosts Topeka for the annual homecoming football game. eudoraschools.org

Coffee Connections The City of Eudora joins the Chamber's Coffee Connections event to host an informal public meeting at City Hall from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to discuss the proposed public safety sales tax. eudorakansaschamber.com

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 holds conferences and workdays; no classes for elementary, middle and high school students. eudoraschools.org

15–16

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 holds conferences and workdays; no classes for elementary, middle and high school students. eudoraschools.org

Downtown Eudora Trunk or Treat Local businesses and organizations invite children of all ages to a safe, fun-filled Halloween celebration on Main Street from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Stop by for candy, creative costumes and community spirit. In case of inclement weather, festivities will move to the Eudora Community Center. For more details, search Downtown Eudora Trunk or Treat on Facebook. eudorakansaschamber.com

Party in Honor of Sue & Monte Pearson’s 50th Anniversary of Owning the Pilla House Eudora Area Historical Society offers a free presentation at the Eudora Community Center. cityofeudoraks.gov/100/EudoraCommunity-Museum

NOVEMBER

Coffee Connections Eudora Chamber of Commerce hosts an informal monthly gathering of members and guests from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. eudorakansaschamber.com

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 holds professional development day; no classes for elementary, middle and high school students. eudoraschools.org

Election Day

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

CALENDAR

12, 14, 15

DECEMBER

Coffee Connections Eudora Chamber of Commerce hosts an informal monthly gathering of members and guests from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. eudorakansaschamber.com

Eudora High School Musical Eudora High’s annual musical returns with a brand-new production. Details dropping soon. eudoraschools.org

Former Nuclear Missile Sites in the Midwest Eudora Area Historical Society offers a free presentation at the Eudora Community Center. cityofeudoraks.gov/100/EudoraCommunity-Museum

23–27

No School Eudora Schools break for Thanksgiving holiday. eudoraschools.org

Holiday Market Eudora CVB kicks off the holiday season with its fourth annual holiday market at the Eudora Community Center. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., browse local artisans, enjoy food and live music, and don’t miss the Youth Maker’s Market, where Eudora’s youngest entrepreneurs showcase their creativity. Bring the kids to visit Santa, who will be on-site throughout the event for visits and photos. eudorakansaschamber.com

TBD

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Lighting of holiday tree in downtown Eudora eudorakansaschamber.com

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

18–31

No School Eudora Schools break for winter holiday. eudoraschools.org

JANUARY

1–5

No School Eudora Schools break for winter holiday. eudoraschools.org

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. eudoraschools.org

Historical Presentation Eudora Area Historical Society offers a free presentation at the Eudora Community Center. cityofeudoraks.gov/100/EudoraCommunity-Museum

FEBRUARY

Coffee Connections Eudora Chamber of Commerce hosts an informal monthly gathering of members and guests from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. eudorakansaschamber.com

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 holds in-service workday. eudoraschools.org

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 observes Presidents’ Day. eudoraschools.org

MARCH

Coffee Connections Eudora Chamber of Commerce hosts an informal monthly gathering of members and guests from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. eudorakansaschamber.com

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 holds teacher workday. eudoraschools.org

15–19

No School Eudora Schools USD 491 holds spring break. eudoraschools.org

Historical Presentation Eudora Area Historical Society offers a free presentation at the Eudora Community Center. cityofeudoraks.gov/100/EudoraCommunity-Museum

CHAMBER

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

a conversation with

Karley Perry, clinic director at SERC Physical Therapy Photography by Carter Gaskins

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

hen Karley Perry isn’t treating patients, she’s likely roping calves at a rodeo. “Growing up, my parents hauled us to the rodeo pretty much every weekend,” Perry says. “Both my parents did it, and now my husband does it. We even have a 5-year-old daughter who is horse crazy.” Perry grew up in the Baldwin area and later rodeoed at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. After graduation, she weighed her career options and landed in physical therapy—a field she knew intimately. “When I was 9, I broke my arm in a horserelated incident,” she recalls. “I spent quite a bit of time in physical therapy. It was pretty brutal, but the people made it fun.” Today she’s the clinic director at SERC Physical Therapy, where she has worked for nine years. Every day, she helps patients reach their goals, just as her own therapists once helped her. Discover Eudora (DE): What does being a clinic director at SERC Physical Therapy in Eudora mean to you? Karley Perry: I worked at SERC Physical Therapy’s clinic in Spring Hill for six years before I got the opportunity to come to Eudora in 2024. Originally, it was only supposed to be short-term, but I really enjoyed my first couple of months here. The people here are very kind—I love the patients and the community. Being a clinic director, I get to stay involved in community events. I really enjoy meeting new people through the chamber and bouncing around business ideas with them. It’s great to step outside these four walls every once in a while but still have time to see my patients. In and around my normal caseload, I will run to the local dental offices and see how we can help their patients with jaw pain, or run to the chiropractors in town and see what they need. I get to know more people in the community this way. DE: What do you do to make people feel at ease when they’re working with you? Perry: It all comes down to being a kind person. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be nice and avoid exercises you know your patients will hate. But be kind and say, “Hey, I know you’re in pain, but this is what we need to do so that you don’t continue being in pain.” It’s also important to take the time to get to know your patients and meet them where they are. When you see the same person three times a week for six weeks, you will inevitably learn when their dog is having an ACL surgery or hear all about their grandkids’ ball games. Getting to know your

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

CHAMBER

“If you can outwork someone who is talented, then you are going to be more talented. It’s not always about natural ability, but the effort you put in. If you work hard and do what you are supposed to do, then you will be rewarded.” –Karley Perry

CHAMBER

patients outside of their diagnoses will help them on their path to recovery. Because it’s not just a physical recovery; it’s a mental one, too. If a grandparent hasn’t been able to get on the ground with their grandkids, that weighs heavily on them. So when you get them to a place where they can crawl around the floor, they are excited and motivated to keep going.

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

Athletes often become fear-avoidant—these injuries create mental blocks that make it harder to overcome. Anytime I can help an athlete, or any patient, get past such psychological barriers and empower them to get back to doing what they do is really cool to see. DE: What stands out to you the most about the Eudora community? What makes it special?

DE: What’s the best part about your workday? Perry: The people. I love to talk to people, and my day is a revolving door of new patients every hour. Sure, seeing patients get better is the ultimate goal. But I also love to celebrate the little wins, like climbing one step after the next. Many of my patients aren’t going to do that on their own, so I make sure to point out the small victories. DE: What’s the biggest misconception people have about what you actually do all day?

Perry: I know Eudora is growing very quickly, but it still has that small town feel. You can walk into the grocery store and run into people you know. It’s not like you’re in the middle of Kansas City where it’s a madhouse of people who are grumpy because you stepped in their way. It’s just a good community. The kids have good values because the people raising them have good values. They’re very pleasant to be around, even when they’re in pain. DE: If you have time for a midday break, where are you going in Eudora and why?

Perry: That I’m here to torture people. Physical therapists are often associated with pain and torture, but that’s not what we’re about. Everything might not feel comfortable, but it’s not because we’re being mean—we’re here to help you heal. There’s a method to the madness.

Perry: I am really bad about going to Zeb’s Coffeehouse. I love their London Fog. It is quite possibly my favorite drink that I’ve ever had. It’s also very cute, and they always greet you with a smile.

DE: Looking back, what has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?

DE: What is the best piece of career advice you ever received?

Perry: There are several, but one of my bigger success stories involves a high school basketball player with a pars fracture. This stress injury is typically seen in gymnasts, which made it easy to miss. But we thought her symptoms were consistent with this type of fracture. We confirmed the diagnosis, rehabbed it and got her back to the court. Afterward, I brought my husband to watch her play in a varsity game. Seeing an athlete get back to doing what they love is rewarding.

Perry: If you can outwork someone who is talented, then you are going to be more talented. It’s not always about natural ability, but the effort you put in. If you work hard and do what you are supposed to do, then you will be rewarded. I feel like that’s how I got to be a clinic director. I worked hard. Even if I’m not the smartest person in a room, my patients will come back to see me because I make the effort and take good care of them.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Open M-F from 7:00am - 5:30pm Now enrolling infants-age 5 Full Time and Part Time options available Half day program for ages 3-5 years old After school and gap care for grades K-3rd

Parkwood Day School at Eudora United Methodist Church 1310 W 20th Street, Eudora KS 66025 eudora@parkwooddayschool.org • parkwooddayschool.org • 785-542-2515

High Scope Curriculum Supports Active Learners • DCF Approved Provider

RESIDENTIAL | RURAL | COMMERCIAL | RECYCLING

“We are living into God’s dream of a community that welcomes everyone, grows spiritually, and serves others.”

Responsible waste management with

HOMETOWN SERVICE (913) 369-8999 | www.honeycreekdisposal.com

Eudora Community Museum 720 Main Street

Sunday Worship - 9:00 a.m.

Livestreamed on our Facebook page.

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Group United Women in Faith Handbell and Vocal Choir Youth Group Harvesters Food Pantry on the 3rd Wed. of month 1310 W. 20th Street, Eudora, KS 66025 785-542-3200 www.eudoraumc.com www.facebook.com/EudoraUnitedMethodistChurch

Visit us in the heart of charming and historic downtown Eudora! FREE ADMISSION Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm 785-690-7900 eudorahistory@gmail.com cityofeudoraks.gov/100/Eudora-Area-Historical-Society

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www.eudorakansaschamber.com

a conversation with

Dee Howell, founder of Warrior Wellness Photography by Carter Gaskins

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

CHAMBER

ee Howell has known her entire life that she wanted to help people, although she hasn’t always known what that meant. “There are some days where I still don’t know what that means,” she says with a laugh. But she learns something new every day. She moved to Eudora in the third grade and has called it home ever since, save for one year she spent in Anchorage, Alaska, with her husband and biggest supporter, Darin. Howell built a career in Eudora managing payroll and accounting, but at age 55 she yearned for a different purpose. She left the corporate world to become a personal trainer, specializing in stretch, flexibility and senior fitness—and she didn’t stop there. She pivoted once more, enrolling in massage therapy school. Four days after graduation in 2023, she opened the door to Warrior Wellness and hasn’t looked back. Today, the studio offers a range of massage styles and assisted stretching, all guided by the purpose of helping others become warriors in their own lives. Discover Eudora (DE): What does opening Warrior Wellness in Eudora mean to you? Dee Howell: It means everything to me; I am so blessed. Through my practice, I am able to serve the very people who helped mold me growing up. In fact, my third grade teacher—the first real adult I knew in Eudora—is one of my clients! It’s hard to put into words exactly how I feel about it all. Eudora has my heart, and its people are my people. DE: What do you do to make people feel at ease when they’re working with you? Howell: From the moment my clients walk through our door, I try to make them feel at home. When we first opened Warrior Wellness, we only had two rooms. There wasn’t even a lobby. But as we grew, we expanded, taking over the space that once housed Lulu’s Bakery. For the next couple of years, it still looked like a bakery. Then this April, some amazing clients and friends kicked me and my coworkers out of the office and redesigned the entire space. Now it looks exactly how I always envisioned it: a place of respite, a place of comfort, a place where you can leave your worries behind. You can sit on the couch, wrap up in a blanket, read a book, sip some coffee or tea and just breathe. I think that helps my clients feel at home.

“I love Eudora through and through. There’s an element of safety and peace here. It feels like home, and it always has.” –Dee Howell

DE: What’s the best part about your workday? Howell: My clients, plain and simple.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

CHAMBER

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

DE: What’s the biggest misconception people have about what you actually do all day? Howell: I don’t think people realize just how taxing my job is. Not just physically, but emotionally. If a client is having a really bad day and wants to talk about it, we’ll talk about it. Unlike many massage studios, where silence is the norm, I usually chat with my clients. We’ve become friends over the years, and I can’t help but feel the emotions they bring into the room. I’ve learned something very important about myself throughout this journey: I’m far more of an empath than I ever realized. DE: Looking back, what has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far? Howell: The opportunity to serve my past clients, current clients and future clients. Every bit of it has been worth it. DE: How do you help Warrior Wellness show up for Eudora beyond the services you offer? Howell: We provide drinks and snacks for some of the local sports teams, I volunteer with the mentor program at the middle school, and we’re planning to donate to the Eudora Schools Foundation for their back-to-school needs. We’re also working on a community project right now where we’re filling travel-size makeup bags with emergency femininecare products for middle school girls. The goal is to make them easy to grab and easy to keep discreet if they’d prefer. Beyond that, I always try to help anyone who reaches out to Warrior Wellness and do whatever I can to help meet their needs.

Chamber Spotlights SERC Physical Therapy 218 E. 20th St., Suite A. serc.urpt.com/locations/eudora Warrior Wellness 1004 Locust St. warriorwellnessks.com

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

www.eudorakansaschamber.com

CHAMBER

Dr. Michael Kemmling NEW OWNER - GENERAL DENTIST

With high values in family and community, we look forward to providing you excellent dental care!

785-542-2993 103 W. 10th ST Eudora, KS 66025

DE: What stands out to you the most about the Eudora community? What makes it special? Howell: My husband and I both went to high school in Eudora. We graduated from Eudora. Our children graduated from Eudora. We even have grandkids going to school in Eudora. I love Eudora through and through. There’s an element of safety and peace here. It feels like home, and it always has. DE: If you have time for a midday break, where are you going in Eudora and why? Howell: I am either stopping into Zeb’s Coffeehouse to grab a drink or to Gene’s Heartland Foods to eat from their fabulous new salad bar. DE: What is the best piece of career advice you ever received? Howell: Believe in yourself. If there’s something that you truly want, don’t let the naysayers hold you back. Leap and go for it. I started something completely new at 55. It was hard, but it’s been such a blessing to me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything different with my life now. 208 W. 20th Street | Eudora, KS 66025 785-542-5152

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

www.wolffauto.com

I-70 6.5 Miles

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Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Story by Nick Spacek | Photography by Jason Dailey

At Free State Music Academy, Eudora students are discovering that music is more than notes on a page

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

or five years, Free State Music Academy has weathered its share of changes, yet its mission has never missed a beat. Music instructors Karen Boyer and Matthew Mulnix, along with digital marketing director Diane Spoonemore, launched the academy in 2021. With a stroke of pure luck, they found a spot to set up shop in the heart of downtown Eudora, Boyer says. But the building was later sold, leaving the academy adrift. When the Douglas County Farm Bureau graciously offered space in its Eudora office, the academy operated there for six months before settling into its “forever home.” Today, the academy runs out of the front two rooms of Boyer’s house, down a long gravel road just seven minutes northwest of downtown Eudora. “All we had to do was move my Steinway from the back room to the front,” Boyer explains. It was their single largest expense, she adds, as it required a Steinway-certified mover. “We’ve been there ever since.” At first, the team worried students wouldn’t follow them to the outskirts of town, but the school has only grown. Though Mulnix and Spoonemore have since stepped into new roles— Spoonemore still helps with marketing from time to time, and Mulnix now runs Sad Cowboy Recording Co. out of Lawrence—Boyer continues as the sole owner and operator of Free State Music Academy. From her home, Boyer teaches guitar, piano, voice and performance. She brings degrees in music therapy and music education—plus, as she puts it, “a million years of experience.” “Back in the day,” she toured constantly, playing upscale hotel bars with her four-piece backing band. They ran through Top 40 covers and a mix of original material. “It was pretty upbeat,” she recalls. “We were doing pop stuff. The bartenders always loved us because the crowd stayed and drank.” Boyer hired a lead guitarist for the band. His name was Steve, and somewhere early on, she decided to keep him on as her husband. His skill on the guitar pushes Boyer to learn new things. She absorbs what she can from him and passes it directly to her students. For beginners on guitar, she starts with open chords. “I ask before my students’ first lesson what two songs they want to start with, and then I simplify them. If the song has a lot of chords or is in a difficult key, I break it down to the

Free State Music Academy calls Karen Boyer’s home its home. Here, Boyer (top) instructs students Rhett McVey (below) and Easton Fallgren (opposite) in the front two rooms of her home.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

necessary chords, then add more as they perfect the song,” Boyer says. “It’s not how you’d perform it, but it’s a good way to learn.” Boyer uses acoustic guitar to teach her students these simple rhythmic lines. After some dedicated practice, a few students have even started to play lead. “I’m a teacher, a singer, a performer and a writer, but I have never aspired to be a lead player like Steve,” Boyer says. “If a student wants to know something specific about playing lead, I take a lesson with [my husband], then I teach it to my students. I’m learning, too, and it’s so fun.” Each student receives a customized book filled with pages of information tailored to their instrument and level of experience: Boyer explains how the instrument works, its parts, what the pedal does, which chords appear the most and so on. From major chords, they progress to minors, then sevenths, and eventually variations of sevenths. Boyer compares it to building a house. You start with the foundation, then steadily build from there. “They learn fast,” she says. She recalls one student who played guitar but also wanted to be a singer. She went from struggling to match her voice to a note to performing full songs on guitar. “We’re doing original songs, too,” she adds. “I start them as soon as possible. It’s a joint effort, but it becomes their song with their words.” The academy began with one high school student. Now, 20 students study with Boyer. While most are in elementary and middle school, students span in age from 2 to 68. Her youngest student started at just 1 year old, and Boyer treasures watching this young girl grow up through music.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

“Take the time to take a breath. That’s all part of making music and growing up—working through it and feeling it.” –Karen Boyer

“It’s been the most fun ever,” she says. “We shake rattles and try to do it in time. She will sway to the rhythm, no matter what beat I’m playing, and she’s beginning to sing with words.” Boyer teaches music three full days a week. Lessons are private, though she’s currently working on a few duets. New students begin with weekly half-hour sessions, then graduate to hour-long sessions every other week once they’ve mastered the basics. “When you’re first learning, as with anything new, there is a lot to remember,” Boyer says. “Once you move up, there’s more time to get creative and really work at something rather than rush around.” Thanks to her years on stage, Boyer also offers performance lessons, and they’re not just for her older, advanced students. “They’re for kids, too,” she says. “You want the kids to try very hard to look out at the audience, even if it’s just for a minute. Not to worry about whether people like you. They’re already doing something that a lot of the audience can’t do, right? So don’t worry. Don’t fear.” Sometimes, those words can feel hollow— especially right before a recital, Boyer admits halfjokingly. Still, she repeats them, incorporating them

Each student receives a customized book packed with information tailored to their instrument and experience level. This allows Boyer to walk them through the anatomy of their craft, whether guitar, piano or voice.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

What started with one high school student has blossomed into a community of 20 students studying under Boyer's instruction. Pictured, clockwise from top left: Cora Lyons, Bianca Quercinola, McVey, Maya Mandel, Harper Warmker and Fallgren.

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Monday: 8:00 – 5:00 Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30 – 5:30 Friday: 7:00 – 12:00

Now Open in Eudora Formerly the office of John H. Hay

Accepting New Patients Brianne Koester, DDS 104 W. 20th St., Suite 3, Eudora, KS 66025 785-542-9105

REACHING OUT

IS THE FIRST STEP The Bert Nash Center offers a range of services for all ages including: Individual & Group Therapy Medication Services

Substance Use Treatment Crisis Services

We’re here when you’re ready. Schedule Virtual or In-person Care

785-843-9192 | bertnash.org

into her music theory lessons. Confidence, though, is only half the battle. The other half is understanding the “why” behind the music, no matter the instrument. “I know a lot of piano teachers just teach how to play the piano,” she says. “But I don’t even know how you do that without [teaching] theory. I weave it throughout each of my lessons.” No matter what or who she’s teaching, Boyer says her students’ commitment doesn’t waver. If someone wants to learn, the decade doesn’t matter. Her students’ musical tastes keep her on her toes, with requests like Nat King Cole’s “Stardust.” “I find it most amusing that this year’s group

of middle schoolers are into old rock ’n’ roll,” she muses. “It’s a blast. I love that music.” Listen to Boyer talk about her students, and her joy is unmistakable. “I truly love it,” Boyer says. “The hours? Never mind. If somebody’s having a bad day, we work around it. I had this one girl who would suddenly break into tears. I’d say, ‘Okay, just take a minute, then we’ll just keep going.’ And she did.” That, Boyer says, teaches a lesson just as important as music. “You can take time to take a breath,” the instructor says. “That’s all part of making music and growing up— working through it and feeling it.”

Start with a Song Free State Music Academy hosts two recitals each year. At their latest performance, students played these crowdpleasers. They’re the perfect picks for any student looking to strike the right chord. • “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” – Creedence Clearwater Revival • “Carry on Wayward Son” – Kansas • “Out of Oklahoma” – Lainey Wilson • “Merrily We Roll Along” – Piano Classic

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

DIRECTORY

Eudora Chamber Directory A Ad Astra Travel and Leisure Concierge, LLC adastraleisure@outlook.com 717-576-9145 adastraleisure.com Adler Pelzer jim.mills@adlerpelzer.com 785-760-4396 adlerpelzer.com Alpha Roofing office@alpharoofers.com 785-841-7663 alpharoofers.com Ameriprise Financial vestana.ahlen@ampf.com 913-239-2512 ameripriseadvisors.com/ vestana.1.ahlen AmyDeL Designs amydeldesigns@gmail.com 620-290-1691 facebook.com/amydeldesigns AU Construction nikki@au-construction.com 785-843-4099 B Barbwire Barbecue smokin@barbwirebarbecue.com 785-856-0877 barbwirebarbecue.com Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center shoadley@bertnash.org 785-830-1765 bertnash.org C Central Bank adam.holmes@centralbank.net 785-865-1000 centralbank.net Circle Y Trucking nlouneis@msn.com 816-863-9191

City of Eudora, KS zdaniel@cityofeudoraks.gov 785-542-2153 cityofeudoraks.gov

Eudora Schools Foundation foundation@eudoraschools.org 785-542-4905 eudoraschoolsfoundation.org

Cornerstone Property Management info@cornerstoneproperties.us 785-542-0101 homewithcornerstone.com

Eudora Times eudoratimes@gmail.com eudoratimes.com

Country Road Farms countryroadfarms@yahoo.com 785-615-1290 facebook.com/2014countryroadfarms D Divine Technology Systems, LLC mike@dtschurch.com 785-813-2242 dtschurch.com E EBH Engineering mikey@ebhengineering.com 785-542-6052 ebhengineering.com Ecogene LLC russ.seybert@gmail.com 913-544-9959 ecogeneEHS.com Eudora Area Historical Society eudorahistory@gmail.com 785-690-7900 cityofeudoraks.gov/100/EudoraCommunity-Museum Eudora Chamber of Commerce admin@eudorakansaschamber.com eudorakansaschamber.com Eudora Community Library billing@eudoralibrary.org 785-542-2496 eudoralibrary.org Eudora Giving Garden eudoragivinggarden@gmail.com 785-393-3364 eudoragivinggarden.org

F Farmers State Bank Eudora ghigh@fsboakley.com 785-542-4200 kawvalleystatebank.com Frenzel’s BBQ and Catering bbqbill@sbcglobal.net 913-915-5086 frenzelsbbq.com G Gambino’s Pizza eudoragambinos@yahoo.com 785-231-9997 gambinospizza.com Garrison Roofing LLC garisn@live.com 785-841-0809 garrisonroofingks.com Gene Dorsey geneadorsey@gmail.com 785-764-4172 Gene’s Heartland Foods geneshfeudora@hotmail.com 785-542-2727 eudora.heartlandfoodsstores.com Great Apparel Printing & Design gapdscreenprinting@gmail.com 913-375-2629 getgapd.com H HOSS Liquor lryburn69@gmail.com 785-690-7500

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Fiber-powered internet for a better tomorrow. Midco.com/Internet

DIRECTORY

I Icon Structures karen.pritchard@icon-structures.com 816-423-9243 icon-structures.com Impact Martial Arts tkboltefitness@gmail.com 785-256-0705 impactmartialartsks.com Integrity Midwest Insurance, LLC clint@integritymw.com 785-542-2000 integritymw.com J Jannell Lorenz CMT LLC jannell.lorenz.cmt@gmail.com 785-592-1920 jannelllorenzcmtllc.booksy.com

JS Wellness jswellness01@gmail.com 913-398-1623 linktr.ee/jswellness01

LMH Health Primary Care - Eudora autumn.bishop@lmh.org 785-505-2345 lmh.org/locations/profile/eudora

K Keller Williams Integrity theresaseiwald@kw.com 785-917-0036 L Landplan Engineering, PA corbyr@landplan-pa.com 785-843-7530 landplan-pa.com Light of the World Lutheran Church david@calltag.me 913-223-9878 desotolutheran.org

M M&M Services mmservices785@gmail.com 785-341-0047 Magical Adventures Travel jolene@magicaladventurestravel.com 913-424-2129 midwesttraveler.org Main St Scoops & Sweets mainstscoopsandsweets@gmail.com 785-542-0398 mainstscoopsandsweets.com

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Proudly representing

711 Main Street, Eudora, KS 66025 • 785-542-2000 3301 Clinton Parkway Ct. Lawrence, KS 66047 • 785-856-5100

BIG CITY ABILITY with hometown values

DIRECTORY

Main Street Wines & Spirits mainstreetwinesandspirits@gmail.com 913-687-9268 McGrew Real Estate caren@askmcgrew.com 785-979-1243 askmcgrew.com Mid-America Bank dhill@mid-americabank.com; klong@mid-americabank.com 785-766-1306 mid-americabank.com Midwest Benefits Group zach@mwbenefitsgroup.com 913-215-9522 mwbenefitsgroup.com Movement Mortgage deborah.becker@movement.com 785-760-2522 movement.com/deborah.becker N Neighbors Construction Co., Inc. nancyn@neighborsconstruction.com 913-422-5555 neighborsconstruction.com O Olive Home Construction and Property Management LLC melissaypittman@gmail.com 785-760-4191

• Family owned • Local farm raised beef & pork • Farm fresh eggs • Custom haying

One Alliance Property Management onealliancepm@gmail.com 913-205-4984

991 E. 2400th Rd. Eudora, KS (785) 615-1290

P Peaslee Tech kevin.kelley@peasleetech.org 785-856-1801 peasleetech.org

and our creative team will provide you the experience and resources to produce your job quickly and effectively.

ReeceNichols Preferred Realty lawrence@reecenichols.com 785-856-6200 lawrence.reecenichols.com

(785) 832-7264 | SUNFLOWERPUB.COM The Eudora Chamber Directory • Calendar of Events • Essential Numbers and Contact Info • City Map

PRESENTED BY THE DE SOTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

S PRIN G/S U MME R 2026

2026–2027 Chamber Member Directory

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

De Soto, from A to Z USD 232 Accolades Infrastructure Growth

Answering the Call

From hand-pulled engines, to hightech gear, Fire District #1’s history is rooted in service and community

Lit, Mixed & Forged

Bonded by Purpose

In the Spotlight

A trio of downtown hangouts

A shared commitment to growth is shaping the district

Hometown Sports Gear and GBA

The CPA Picnic Turns 125! Keeping the tradition alive

Kickball Fever The Kaw Valley Kickball League players gear up for 25 years

PLUS. Artists hidden in plain sight Local authors celebrate women Authentic flavors on Sixth Street

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Also in this issue

Stone Pillar Vineyard has something for everyone ISSUE 8

VOLUME 8

2026–2027

Eudora Schools Foundation Turns 20 Laying the Groundwork for Success

2026

The Orphan Train Era Chatting with Henry Sloan & Dave Hill

SUMMER 2026

DIRECTORY

Refuge Christian Church info@refugecc.org 913-626-6236 refugecc.org S Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch schaakepumpkinpatch@gmail.com 785-550-6424 schaakespumpkinpatch.com Scooter’s Coffee hannah.howey@freedom-llc.com 913-283-8577 scooterscoffee.com Senior Foundation of Eudora sfeudora@gmail.com 417-230-0928 sfeudora.org SERC Physical Therapy Eudora klperry@serctherapy.com 785-542-3333 serc.urpt.com/locations/eudora

cityofeudoraks.gov

W Warrior Wellness, LLC dee@warriorwellnessks.com 785-253-5421 warriorwellnessks.com Well Wilderness Kids Therapeutic NaturePlay Center wellwildernesskids@gmail.com 913-231-8581 wellwildernesskids.com Westerhouse Heating & Cooling Inc. westerhouse@westerhouse.com 785-542-2707 westerhouse.com Z Zeb’s Coffeehouse kathy@zebscoffeehouse.com 785-542-0103 zebscoffeehouse.com

Sunflower State Dance LLC admin@sunflowerstatedance.com 785-690-7200 sunflowerstatedance.com T The Willow Domestic Violence Center christyimel@willowdvcenter.org 785-331-2034 willowdvcenter.org V Vanguard Excavating ryan@vanguardexcavating.org 913-486-1949 vanguardexcavating.org

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

Fresh Local $aving$

23rd & Louisiana | Lawrence, Kansas | checkersfoods.com Like us on Facebook @CheckersFoods!

Dedicated to Serving the Seniors of Eudora

COME JOIN US: Friday Fun Day events are the second Friday of each month. 1 to 3 PM at The Eudora Community Center, 1638 Elm St. Eudora Kansas. Check us out on Facebook: Senior Foundation of Eudora. • Activities and Trips • Speakers • Entertainment

www.eudoraseniorfoundation.org • sfeudora@gmail.com

quick guide. Resource

Website

Telephone

Emergency & Medical

911

Kansas Poison Control

(800) 222-1222

Lawrence Memorial Hospital

lmh.org

(785) 505-5000

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence

kcsdv.org

(888) 363-2287

kansas.gov/kbi

(800) 572-7463

dcf.ks.gov

(800) 922-5330

cityofeudoraks.gov

(785) 542-2153

Fire & Medical Department

cityofeudoraks.gov/67/Fire

(785) 542-3653

Police Department

cityofeudoraks.gov/77/Police

(785) 542-3121

Utility Services

cityofeudoraks.gov/78/Public-Works

(785) 542-3100

Municipal Court

cityofeudoraks.gov/75/Municipal-Court

(785) 542-4113

City Dog Pound

cityofeudoraks.gov/506/City-Dog-Pound

(785) 542-2153

cityofeudoraks.gov/65/Building-Planning-Zoning

(785) 542-3124

atmosenergy.com

(888) 286-6700

cityofeudoraks.gov/76/Parks-Recreation

(785) 542-3434

Tip Hotline (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) Child Abuse Hotline

City Services City Offices

Building, Planning & Zoning Atmos (Gas) Parks & Recreation Department

Douglas County Services Douglas County Douglas County Sheriff

douglascountyks.org dgso.org

(785) 841-0007

lawrenceks.org/fire-medical

(785) 830-7000

ldchealth.org

(785) 843-3060

douglascountyks.org/depts/youth-services

(785) 331-1300

Douglas County CASA

dccasaks.org

(785) 832-5172

Cottonwood Inc.

cwood.org

(785) 842-0550

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

bertnash.org

(785) 843-9192

eudorakansaschamber.com

(785) 542-1212

eudoralibrary.org

(785) 542-2496

cityofeudoraks.gov/100/Eudora-Community-Museum

(785) 690-7900

domoreineudora.com

(785) 542-2153

www.eudoraschools.org

(785) 542-4910

Douglas County Fire & Medical Douglas County Health Department Douglas County Youth Services

Living in Eudora Eudora Chamber of Commerce Eudora Community Library Eudora Area Historical Society Eudora CVB

Public Schools Eudora School District

Discover Eudora | Fall/Winter ’26

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Visit our Eudora branch conveniently located at 1402 Church St. Eudora, KS 66025 in Gene’s Heartland Foods

Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM Sat 9:00AM - 12:00PM ATM 24/7 Member FDIC © 2026 Central Bancompany. To receive the $500 checking bonus, open and maintain any personal checking account except Free Checking. Deposit $50 or more at account opening; and have at least two or more direct deposits with a cumulative total of $5,000 within 90 days of account opening. Minimum balance of $50.00 required 90 days after account opening to receive bonus. Qualifying types of Direct Deposits include any direct deposit from Payroll, Pension or Government Benefit. Bonuses are reported to the IRS as interest. Bonuses will be deposited into the checking account within 15 business days after account(s) 1) meets all requirements AND 2) has been open for 90 days. Available to new to bank checking account customers only. Offer is not available to those whose accounts have been closed with a negative balance within the last 2 years. You will receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last date incentive was paid. Only one bonus per household. Customer must bring in mailer or use offer code to receive incentive. Only one offer may be redeemed by the intended recipient and is nontransferable. Eligibility for this offer will be verified prior to providing the bonus. The new checking account must be open and in good standing on the date any earned bonus is paid. We reserve the right not to open accounts for customers outside our market area. Please contact us for further details. Debit Card is issued by The Central Trust Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. All University of Kansas and Jayhawks trademarks and copyrights used by permission. The University of Kansas is not a lender and is not responsible for the use of any debit card. All rights reserved. Promotion ends 12/31/2026.

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