Connections Hometown
Rural Connections
BY SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–THE RURAL BROADBAND ASSOCIATION
Professionally Secure
NTCA members are committed to your safety
As we enter the holiday season, it is an opportunity to acknowledge a group of professionals you may not realize is working diligently behind the scenes to make this season—as well as every month of the year—enjoyable and safe.
Many of you stream movies, music, short videos or interactive games, and there’s always online shopping. NTCA members provide rural communities with the networks vital for all of this and so much more, from banking to education, telehealth and beyond.
Unfortunately, online risks do exist. Scammers may try to capture your personal information, or malicious websites might lead to insecure transactions. There are even attempts to disrupt the infrastructure itself.
Monitoring threats and vigilantly updating everything from software to security strategies is central to the day-today job of rural broadband providers. To help with this, NTCA created CyberShare: The Small Broadband Provider ISAC, an information-sharing network that allows participating providers to collaborate and share critical information. Whether it’s learning about vulnerable equipment, software exploits, recent cyberattack attempts or mitigation strategies, this information sharing helps members proactively strengthen their defenses to keep you and your family safe online.
You play a role, too. When you’re shopping online, make smart choices, such as relying on websites with addresses that begin with https, shop on well-established sites and lean on strong, secure passwords. Together we can enjoy happy, safe holidays.
Use Caution With Cash Apps
While mobile payment apps like PayPal or Venmo make it easy to send and receive money online or through an app on a phone, scammers are also waiting to take advantage.
This service becomes an intermediary between your money and whoever is on the other end of a transaction, which can create an added layer of security.
But if a scammer tricks you into sending money, it’s hard to get it back. The Federal Trade Commission notes the risks and offers tips for staying safe.
• Don’t send a payment to claim a prize or collect sweepstakes winnings.
• Never give your account credentials to anyone who contacts you.
• Protect your account with multifactor authentication or a personal identification number.
• Before paying, double-check the recipient’s information to make sure you’re sending money to the right person.
• If you get an unexpected request for money from someone you do recognize, speak with that person directly to make sure the request really is valid—and not a hacker who got access to their account.
If you find unauthorized payments or think you paid a scammer, immediately report the transaction to the service providing the payment app. Instructions should be available on the service’s website. Also, report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Happy Holidays!
Let’s thrive and celebrate together
The final two months of 2025 will bring turkey dinners, bright lights, festive gatherings and so much more. I always enjoy this time of year, when shared values and community spirit tie us together. At SCTelcom, we’re happy to play our part, too.
CARLA SHEARER Chief Executive Officer
We proudly support the local businesses that make our economy strong during this busiest of shopping seasons. Generosity and gift-giving fuel much of that success for businesses of all sizes.
For some companies, the gains made from Black Friday and similar sales events are the difference between a profitable year and lean results.
By providing quality communications services, we strive to help them connect not only to you but also to the online tools and resources—even the online shoppers—that create success. A study last year supported in part by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association found rural economies with strong broadband usage grew at a rate 200% higher than similar areas with low broadband usage. Simply put, in places lacking reliable internet, businesses close at a faster rate.
At SCTelcom, though, we don’t need national studies to tell us how we’re doing. We talk to the local business owners to better serve them. We lend a hand when a new company opens. And we know our fast, reliable internet network is considered essential infrastructure for many employers looking for a location.
But shopping and income are only two parts of the equation during the holiday season. There’s time for pure fun, too. Though many people do find plenty of enjoyment in shopping, many families will turn to their broadband connection to unlock a treasure trove of digital experiences.
Music, movies, gaming, social media and far more are a few clicks away. You’ll even find an article in this magazine noting several possible digital gifts, perfect for the times when you need a creative solution.
As we give thanks during this holiday season, however, it’s important to remember more than fun and opportunity. That’s the other side of our mission. Yes, we focus on providing essential services, but we also believe in giving back, both as a company and as individuals.
Not everyone’s fortunes are equal. It’s often particularly trying during the holidays. If you can help, consider contributing monetarily to a charity, finding a few spare hours to volunteer or donating food or other goods.
Please visit area shops. Check out a local artist. Find a one-of-a-kind gift from an equally unique business. And if you’re able, help as you can. Together, we make our communities a wonderful home where we can all thrive.
Thank you for letting SCTelcom serve you. Have a happy Thanksgiving and a very merry Christmas.
Hometown Connections is a quarterly magazine published by SCTelcom, © 2025.
It is distributed at no charge to all SCTelcom customers.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Brent Garvie Burlington/Byron Exchanges
Justin Koblitz Hazelton Exchange
Jesse Blasi Iuka Exchange
Joel Forester Kiowa Exchange
Josh Buck Lake City/Sun City Exchanges
Dan Hrencher Sharon Exchange
Mike VanCampen Turon Exchange 215 S. Iliff St. P.O. Box B Medicine Lodge, KS 67104 877-723-6875 sctelcom.net
On the Cover:
Since 2012, Kansas Honor Flight has flown World War II, Korean and Vietnam era veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the war memorials. See story Page 4.
Produced for SCTelcom by:
Photo courtesy of Kansas Honor Flight
Saluting Their Service
Story
John Montford often traveled to Washington, D.C., toward the end of his career. He visited the military monuments across the nation’s capital, but one held special meaning, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He would stay for an hour to honor those he served alongside.
“Unlike the other monuments, it’s usually silent when you are at The Wall,” John says.
As a weapons specialist, John primarily repaired A-26, A-1 and T-28 aircraft and flew as a gunner on AC-47 and AC-119 while stationed in Vietnam from 19671970. He served in the Air Force from 1966-2007, retiring as a command chief master sergeant.
In 2021, John went back to D.C. for one more mission, this time with Kansas Honor Flight. The distinguished veteran was selected as one of four to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
PAYING RESPECT
Kansas Honor Flight recently flew on its 104th mission to Washington, D.C. “We’ve got it down to a fine-tuned machine,” says Mike VanCampen, the organization’s president.
In 2012, Mike was one of five flight leaders who established the KHF program after years of volunteering on trips. “We knew we needed to continue the mission,” Mike says.
The mission of Kansas Honor Flight
The Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization that provides veterans with a no-cost trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to the service and sacrifices made by members of the armed forces. Initially focused on World War II veterans, Honor Flight now includes Korean and Vietnam War veterans and critically ill veterans of any era. The Kansas organization—one of more than 130 Honor Flight groups across the country—currently has nine board members.
Each flight to D.C. includes three flight leaders, a medical professional and several “guardians” to help the veterans.
Mike’s friend, Dale Evans, invited him
Veterans on a Kansas Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., salute their fellow service members who gave their lives for the nation.
by MATT LEDGER | Photos by KANSAS HONOR FLIGHT
to the KHF informational meeting in 2009. Dale, a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corps, was excited by the opportunity, and Mike promised to be his guardian during the trip. Since then, Mike has since been on 70-plus flights with the group, and his wife, Connie, is also involved with the program.
“It was amazing for me to see how much this meant to them,” Mike says. “We guide them around but let them go at their own pace. Some head to the Vietnam Memorial Wall and search for names of people they served with, and other vets will gravitate toward other monuments.”
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED
Veterans board a flight for a whirlwind tour of military monuments, complete with an early breakfast and a routine of military precision. Kansas Honor Flight charters a plane with Southwest Airlines, filling the aircraft with as many as 140 people for the journey. After the pandemic, KHF organized 10 smaller flights over an 11-week span in 2021 to make up for lost time.
During one of those early flights, Mike recruited veteran Gary Skaggs to become a guardian for Irwin “Stubb” Messer, a pharmacist from Pratt. In 2013, Gary’s son, Bill Skaggs, then president
of the Pratt Rotary Club, started hosting fundraisers to support the KHF trips. Bill later became a guardian for Gary when he made the trip as an honoree.
“The biggest takeaway for most of us is listening to their stories,” Bill says. “You just sit on the buses and on the planes and start talking to these fellows about their experiences. I didn’t find out until later in life that my dad had received the Bronze and Silver Stars for his service in the trenches of Vietnam.”
ALL ABOUT HONORING VETERANS
This is not a family sightseeing journey, instead it’s geared to celebrate and connect veterans. In addition to touring memorials, other stops on the tour include the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
“By Wednesday morning, we have an extended breakfast time where the guys can interact with each other over their third cup of coffee, and, you know, talk about some of their experiences from long ago,” Mike says.
The veterans then return to Kansas for a welcome home celebration with their family members, complete with banners, high school cheerleaders and a band playing patriotic classics.
as a guardian, pushing his father Bill, a World War II veteran, around the Washington D.C., monuments. Local students show their appreciation at a welcome home celebration upon the veterans’ return to Kansas. Four members of each Kansas Honor Flight are selected to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Kansas Honor Flight
620-546-2400 kansashonorflight.org
Follow Kansas Honor Flight Wichita on Facebook.
Becoming a Guardian
Volunteers between the ages of 18 and 70 are welcome to apply to become guardians to assist veterans on Honor Flight trips to Washington, D.C. The children and grandchildren of veterans are eligible to become guardians, however the only spouses allowed are those who served in the military and meet eligibility requirements.
Guardians currently pay $900 to cover their expenses during the trip.
Eligible veterans travel for free courtesy of a grateful public. No tax dollars are used in providing this memorable experience. All individuals from across the state involved with Kansas Honor Flight are volunteers.
For more information on the Kansas Honor Flight program, including details on volunteering, go to kansashonorflight.org.
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Brad Granberry volunteers
BIG
The Picture BIG
Historic Anthony Theatre brings back the magic of the silver screen
Story by DREW WOOLLEY
Growing up in Winfield, the local movie theater was always a haven for Troy Lankton. From the wonder he felt watching the big screen as a child to going to the movies with friends in high school and college, the smell of
During restoration the building’s facade was repaired, painted and the three spires were returned to their original colors.
popcorn and the experience of enjoying a film as part of a community always held a special place for him.
When Troy and his wife, Becky, moved to Anthony in 1992, the Historic Anthony Theatre became that place for them. But
by the time their kids were old enough to enjoy movies in the early 2000s, the old movie palace was on its last legs. It became increasingly difficult for the owner to have frequent screenings each month, and the building’s failing heating
system meant even those were often dependent on the weather.
Then, in 2007, the Harper County Preservation and Tourism Alliance began raising money to save the historic theater.
“When I found out that these people were trying to buy the movie theater, and then a friend of mine asked me to come to their committee meeting after they got it purchased, I thought, ‘This is a great opportunity for my kids to grow up seeing movies in a great theater,’” Troy says.
Seventeen years later, Troy is still a member of the theater committee, currently serving as vice chairman. In that time, the HCPTA funded more than $600,000 in renovations and opened the theater up for stage events in addition to movie screenings. While the growing popularity of streaming entertainment at home and running the Historic Anthony Theatre as a nonprofit are challenging, Troy hasn’t lost faith in the power of the movie theater experience.
“I think, especially after the pandemic, it’s important that we try to get people out and being part of the community again,” he says. “And that’s what the movie theater used to be. It was a place for everybody to come together.”
THE FIRST PICTURE SHOW
Floyd and Hazel Droz first opened The Anthony Theatre in 1936 and made a splash right out of the gate by premiering the Joan Crawford and Clark Gable comedy “Love on the Run” that year. The Drozes owned several theaters throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, but The Anthony was a standout.
Boasting 600 seats, it was one of just three theaters in the state that had air conditioning at the time. The Anthony also featured cutting-edge projection technology that could switch seamlessly between film reels and the latest in realistic sound systems.
“Write-ups in the papers described it as being the first time that people would actually hear a genuine reproduction of the actors’ voices and sound effects like earthquakes just as on the day they recorded them,” Troy says. “It was designed by General Electric, and it was quite the thing.”
The Anthony was also one of the first theaters in the country to offer a modern movie staple—popcorn. But guests had to buy it from a store next door before entering. The theater continued to embrace some of the latest technology in the decades to come, showing its first 3D movie in 1953 and installing a panoramic widescreen in the late 1960s.
Hazel Droz sold the theater to Bob and Donna Ash in 1970, having run it on her own for years after the death of her husband. David Williams bought the building in 1995 before the HCPTA purchased it. Since then, the volunteer group has funded numerous renovations to restore The Anthony to its former art deco glory.
The HCPTA began by reconstructing the building’s western wall in 2010. It then acquired a donated 16-millimeter projector for screenings in 2011, installed a new roll-up screen in 2013 that opened the theater to stage events, reconstructed the concession stand in 2014 and installed a much-needed geothermal heating and
cooling system in 2015. The restoration of the marquee out front is ongoing.
MODERN MAKEOVER
Troy admits that reviving The Anthony has its share of challenges, both in terms of getting the necessary volunteers to run a theater even once a month and capturing the attention of a public that has grown accustomed to watching movies at home. Even so, the theater has continued to make history, premiering its second movie, “Wichita,” in 2014, and expanding its audience with the help of high-speed internet from SCTelcom.
“In this day and age, a lot of young people don’t carry cash. So, when we started taking ticket purchases by debit and credit card with our Wi-Fi-based point of sale system, that made a big difference in our attendance,” Troy says. “We can also host annual meetings and business parties since they can bring up figures and presentations on the big screen.”
But more than anything, Troy hopes theaters like the Historic Anthony Theatre can help future generations capture the same sense of movie magic he felt every time he looked up at the big screen as a kid.
“It’s OK to watch something on a streaming service, but it’s not like coming to the theater,” he says. “The screen is so much bigger, and when there’s fresh popcorn, hot dogs and boxed candies, it’s just not the same as watching something at home. It’s all about the experience of being together with other people and having that sense of community.”
FROM FAR LEFT: Addison Wiemeyer, left, and Brandie Smith perform a tribute to Dolly Parton during the Grand Lil’ Opry event. Linda Wade, left, owner of the Twister Museum, poses with her truck which includes the Dorothy 1 prop from the 1996 film. The theater holds an open house during the Anthony Balloon Festival.
Invaluable Fiber internet helps parents keep daughter safe and healthy
Story by MELANIE JONES
Mara Johnston sets up her spot in the house, and her artistic father, Matt Johnston, often draws a picture on her easel for her to color or paint.
The 12-year-old is a budding artist. She also has epilepsy.
Raising a child with special needs comes with challenges as well as blessings. But Jenny Johnston says high-speed internet the family receives from SCTelcom helps make her daughter’s life easier.
Jenny and Matt have three children, Corder, 13, Mara, 12, and Ruby, 5. That’s enough to keep any family busy, but Mara’s condition presents its own complications. “Having a daughter with special needs can be very scary, but it’s also very rewarding,” Jenny says. “She has the biggest imagination and loves to play dress up.”
Medical bills are an obstacle, though, since the family doesn’t qualify for Medicaid or have secondary insurance to cover co-pays and deductibles. “There’s a lot of medical expenses that go into that,” Jenny says.
There’s also the matter of child care.
“We have to be super careful with who watches Mara when we’re working
ABOVE: A camera in Mara Johnston’s bedroom gives her parents the comfort of knowing they can keep an eye on her throughout the night in case she has a seizure. LEFT: Mara reads with her mother, Jenny, and little sister, Ruby.
Invaluable Peace of Mind
during the summer,” Jenny says, because whoever is in charge of the kids needs to know how to respond if Mara has a seizure. “We can’t just let anybody watch her, so it’s usually a family member.”
But life in the Johnston household isn’t all about challenges.
“She brings a lot of joy to our lives, too, because she has such a different personality from our other kids,” Jenny says. Mara is becoming independent, wanting to do things on her own which, as is the case with any child, can be more trouble than
Virtual visits save the Johnstons time and money and allow them to see the doctors from the comfort of their own home.
But there’s more to it than that. “Being able to do virtual doctor appointments saves me time from taking off work,” Jenny says. “That way I can save up my PTO days for vacations with our family!”
Saving time is important on such a busy family farm. Matt works on the farm, where the family grows crops and raises cattle. Jenny is a social worker and head volleyball coach for Chaparral schools
help. Her parents are teaching her how to do laundry. The family raises chickens, and in the fall, Mara helped clean the eggs.
SAVING TIME
The Johnstons’ children are all in school and active, but Mara requires treatment by a variety of doctors. She sees a geneticist in Arkansas every other year, and she has a genetic counselor and a neurologist in Wichita, at least an hour’s drive away. Though those appointments sometimes must be in-person visits, having internet service from SCTelcom allows the family to consult doctors through telehealth appointments whenever possible.
and is the parent educator and coordinator for the Parents as Teachers program.
Corder plays football. Mara doesn’t miss out on the after-school activities, either. She is active in 4-H, showing sheep and entering a fairy garden and a rose in the fair in August. She also plays basketball and participates in track and field on the Southern Wind Special Olympics team.
Like many active American families, the Johnstons have developed their own routines. “When we all get back home from work and school, we try to eat dinner together before heading back outside to get all the chores done,” Jenny says.
NIGHT WATCH
Virtual doctor visits aren’t the only benefit SCTelcom’s fast and reliable internet service provides the family. There’s also peace of mind. Mara started taking two epilepsy drugs this year after the frequency of her seizures increased. The medications have helped slow her seizures, but her parents know another could happen at any time. That’s why they’re so glad to have a Wi-Fi-enabled camera in Mara’s bedroom. Before getting the camera, Matt and Jenny would take turns sleeping in Mara’s room. “We could not get to sleep ourselves because we were too worried about her,” Jenny says. “The only time I was really able to sleep was if I was lying next to her.”
Since getting the camera, she and Matt have been able to sleep better, and Mara benefits too. “We are on a better schedule and feel more confident leaving her in her room alone to wind down and get to sleep,” Jenny says.
HOME ADVANTAGE
High-speed internet also allows Matt and Jenny to work from home. “We can get everything we need taken care of at home instead of going into an office or having office space away from home,” she says. “It just makes things a whole lot easier.”
The Johnstons used to live in a larger city, but their internet service there was much slower. During the pandemic, Jenny homeschooled the kids while she tried working from home. “The internet we had then could not keep up,” Jenny says. “So, it was a real fear when we moved out to the country if we would be able to have a reliable internet provider. When we heard from SCTelcom that they were going to be able to lay fiber in our area, that was truly a weight lifted off. We are very thankful that they are in our community and providing such great, reliable internet.”
Photo courtesy of Becki
Clouse
From left, Corder, Mara, Ruby and Jenny Johnston enjoy life on the farm with their pets.
A sharp eye can protect your data and save money CYBERSHOPPINGSAVVY
Fast, easy and filled with seemingly endless possibilities, online shopping can be a holiday go-to that’s not only productive but often fun. A little care and thoughtful caution, though, can make the experience even better.
CHECK REVIEWS
Before you buy anything, read about not only the product, but also the seller. Look at reviews on multiple sites, not just one. Also, don’t depend solely on star ratings. Bad companies sometimes write fake positive reviews. Meanwhile, competitors might write fake bad reviews. Also, search for the company name plus words like “complaint” or “scam.” Then, look for expert reviews from websites you trust. These give you better information than random customer reviews.
COMPARE AND READ THE FINE PRINT
Don’t buy the first thing you see. Write down details like the model number, size and color. Then compare prices on several websites. Know the total cost, including shipping and taxes, before hitting the buy button. Remember, words like “refurbished” or “vintage” mean the item might not be perfect. Or seemingly expensive brand-name items that cost very little might be fake or stolen.
UNDERSTAND SHIPPING AND RETURN POLICIES
Before you buy, verify the shipping and return rules. Sellers must ship within 30 days unless they promise a different time frame, and many websites let you track your package.
Then, consider if you get your money back with a return. Who pays for return shipping? How long do you have? Sale items often have different return rules, so check twice.
PAY WITH A CREDIT CARD
Credit cards provide protection for your online shopping. If something goes wrong, your credit card company can help you dispute the charge. Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps or cryptocurrency. Scammers love these payment methods because it’s hard to get your money back.
When you enter your credit card info, make sure the website address starts with “https.” That “s” at the end means it’s secure. However, scam websites can also be secure, so still take care.
KEEP RECORDS AND PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION
Save all your shopping information. Keep the company name, what you bought, when you bought it and how much you paid. Save emails and messages from the seller, too. Keep your credit card statements that show the payment.
Be careful about what personal information you share. Websites and apps collect lots of data about you and might sell it to other companies. Check their privacy policy to see how they use your information. Turn off location tracking if you don’t want apps to know where you are.
If you have problems with an online purchase, try to work it out with the seller first. If that doesn’t work, you can report the problem to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Happy and safe shopping!.
Adobe Stock images by apinan, ST.art
Endless Entertainment
SCTELCOM CAN GUIDE YOU TO YOUR ULTIMATE
STREAMING EXPERIENCE
Do you love sports? Are Westerns your passion? How about gardening or home improvement? Perhaps you want the comfort of network TV shows.
With so many options, the world of streaming media can seem overwhelming, but there are options just for you, and SCTelcom’s StreamNow makes discovery easy. The website, gostreamnow.com/sctelcom, offers advice on getting connected and can also help you figure out where to find the perfect streaming choices for your household.
GETTING STARTED
First, you’ll need to make sure you have enough bandwidth— this is crucial for smooth streaming. The experts at SCTelcom are happy to offer advice. Or take the Bandwidth Estimator Quiz available on the StreamNow site.
Ample bandwidth on your home network means you ensure a steady, smooth and fast connection for everyone. If some members of the family are streaming on multiple devices at once while others are gaming or working from home, everyone’s device will provide peak performance.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF STREAMING SERVICES
Streaming services generally fall into two categories. Think of live TV options—YouTube TV or Sling—more like traditional television. Meanwhile, predominantly on-demand
services—Netflix or Apple TV+—let you watch what you want when you want. Although live TV events, such as select sports broadcasts, are increasingly appearing on streaming services like Amazon’s Prime Video.
ON-DEMAND OPTIONS
Netflix is still a streaming giant, and Disney+ offers a range of content with an emphasis on family-friendly entertainment and the popular Marvel movies. Meanwhile, companies like Apple and Amazon have their own streaming options. So, if you’re already a customer, those could be worth consideration.
Pricing typically begins with a lower-cost, ad-supported tier, and then rates increase for ad-free or high-definition content. You can find the balance between the price and the service that best fits you.
LIVE TV
For sports fans and live-TV lovers, services like YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV and Fubo more resemble traditional channel lineups. These services typically require only 30-day commitments, giving you flexibility that cable contracts don’t offer.
Expect these options to continue to evolve as the media industry adapts to changes created by the popularity of streaming. For example, ESPN this year rolled out ESPN Unlimited, bringing a broader array of live sporting events, including NCAA football and basketball, to the platform.
ONE SOURCE FOR HELP
No matter your budget or interests, there’s a streaming choice for you. SCTelcom not only provides the fast and reliable internet service you need to stream your entertainment, it also offers friendly advice to make sure you find the content you want.
Visit gostreamnow.com/sctelcom for all the details about how you can get the most out of streaming.
Adobe Stock image by Johannes Marin, kurkalukas, Roisa
Following a
Couple opens Harper quilt shop in retirement
by CHERÉ COEN
Pauline Oliver has fond memories of piecing fabric for quilts at her mother’s side, watching her mother sew the colorful swatches into masterpieces of shapes and colors that became warm coverlets. “It was something she did, and I did it too,” Pauline says. “She did it out of necessity, and I do it for fun.”
Pauline mastered the art of quilting, making quilts for more than five decades and becoming the reserve grand champion at the 4-H Harper County Fair 22 years ago.
When Pauline and her husband, Doug, retired, they decided to return to Harper, Pauline’s hometown. They lived in larger cities during Doug’s career but were looking for a quieter place to spend the rest of their lives.
“We know the big cities, and we were glad to leave,” Pauline says. Their grandchildren are now old enough to drive, so they can visit easily. “Harper’s a small community. It’s more like a neighborhood than a small town,” she says.
But the couple needed to find ways to fill their time in retirement. Harper, with a population of 1,500, had no quilting shop for Pauline’s hobby. The closest quilting establishments were around an hour’s drive away in Wichita or Wellington.
“It’s a long drive either way,” Pauline says. “In this part of the country, people drive a long way to get to a quilt shop. You have to.”
STITCHING TOGETHER A BUSINESS
That all changed in 2022, when Pauline and Doug opened their own shop, Raccoon Quilt Company. The Olivers sell high-quality 100% cotton quilt fabric, plus notions, quilting books and patterns, batting and other supplies. “There’s a lot of retired people in Harper, and a lot of them sew,” she says.
Choosing a name for their business took some thought. Pauline wanted to call it Daisy Lane, but the name was already taken by another shop. Doug suggested tying the shop’s name to an unusual story linked to the town.
“Harper has a raccoon history,” Pauline says. “We have a lot of raccoons here.” One became infamous.
In 1991, Pauline’s brothers, Floyd and Clyde, played a prank on a woman who complained raccoons had killed her chickens and ate food left out for cats in an alley near Floyd’s business. When Clyde happened upon a dead raccoon on the side of the road, mischief ensued. He placed the carcass beside the woman’s chicken coop and called the sheriff to fire a shot at the body to add realism. When a photo
of the scene made the local newspaper, a legend was born.
So, when the question of the shop’s name arose, Doug mentioned the town’s famous raccoon tale.
“We were trying to come up with a unique name,” she says. “The main reason we chose it is we needed a unique name, and everyone remembers it.”
SHARING SKILLS
Raccoon Quilt Company also offers quilting and sewing classes. One of Pauline’s students mastered the skill so well she entered her quilt in the 4-H Harper County Fair this year. Another student visits the shop to use Pauline’s sewing machine but welcomes instruction the shop owner offers freely.
Story
Pauline and Doug Oliver work together on one of her quilting machines.
“I try to be very positive in my teaching,” Pauline says.
The shop attracts quilters from around the state and Oklahoma. This spring, the Olivers participated in the Quilt Shop Hop, where visitors visit quilt shops in Kansas and Nebraska, collecting stamps from each one and entering contests. Winners this year received sewing machines and cruises.
“It’s a big, big deal,” Pauline says. “Three hundred people came into our shop from all over—Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado. And they were very nice people. Quilters are nice people.”
The couple uses Facebook to advertise their store, announce upcoming events and post photos of customers and products. Pauline is also active in the Harper County Quilt Guild, and she’s a member of a networking guild group on social media that shares information.
The shop purchases its inventory online, so a fast and reliable internet connection is vital. “All of our purchases are made online,” Doug says.
A lot of customers shop for their material online as well, and the couple ships products to customers in several states.
Today, there are more quilting shops near Harper, but each shop sells different styles of fabrics, Pauline says. The Olivers veer toward bright colors and geometric patterns.
“We’re all different, very different,” she says.
RACCOON QUILT SHOP
101 E. Main St., Harper 316-259-3914
raccoonquilt.com facebook.com/raccoonquilt
ABOVE: Pauline meticulously guides fabric through the sewing machine.
RIGHT: The Harper County Fair and 4-H ribbons are the inspiration for a colorful quilt that celebrates the rural lifestyle.
Share a Pizza Share Your Heart
Start a new holiday meal tradition
Turkey, ham, lamb—tradition gives them all a place on the holiday table. But gather the family together for a pizza party and a new tradition may begin. Make your own pizza dough with just a handful of ingredients, and you’ll know that there are no preservatives and other unhealthy additives. For a family affair and fun for the kids, create a bar with pizza toppings—pepperoni, sausage, onions, peppers, cheese and the like—and let them make their own.
A preheated pizza stone will crisp the crust, but a cookie sheet also works.
A pizza salad with Italian herbs and a creamy vinaigrette dressing is the perfect pairing.
A dessert pizza with fresh berries and other fruits available year-round delivers a refreshing finish. Make the crust the day before and layer on the cream cheese spread. But wait until shortly before serving to add the fruits so they will stay colorful and fresh.
Food Editor Anne P. Braly is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
FAMILY NIGHT PIZZA
1 cup warm water (105 F)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Preheat oven to 500 F. Put a pizza stone or cookie sheet in the oven while the oven preheats and let it warm for at least 10 minutes.
MAKE THE DOUGH
Combine warm water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes or until it becomes frothy and bubbles form. Gently stir in olive oil.
Add 2 cups of flour and salt and mix with a spatula until a ball begins to form.
The dough will still be slightly sticky. Add more flour as needed to form a dough ball.
Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough, adding up to 1/2 cup extra flour if needed.
Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and let the dough rise for 10 minutes or up to 1 hour.
ASSEMBLE THE PIZZA
Roll the dough into your desired shape and put it on a piece of parchment paper. Add pizza sauce, cheese and toppings of choice. Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or cookie sheet in the oven.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is golden brown. Remove the pizza from the oven, and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Photography by Mark Gilliland
Food Styling by Rhonda Gilliland
PIZZA NIGHT SALAD
1 head of iceberg lettuce
1 medium red onion
6-8 pepperoncini peppers
Chopped tomatoes
8 slices provolone cheese
1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
3/4 cup favorite vinaigrette
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon or more dried Italian herbs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Wash and air dry the lettuce and cut or tear into bite-sized piece. Slice the red onion and add to the lettuce, along with the pepperoncini and a little of the juice from the jar.
Toss the tomatoes over the salad. Dice the provolone cheese and add to the salad.
Sprinkle the salad with the chives.
Mix the salad dressing and the mayonnaise until creamy. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top and season the salad with the dried Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
FRUITY PIZZA
FOR THE CRUST
1 1/3 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk, room temperature
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
FOR THE FROSTING
2 7-ounce jars marshmallow creme
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
SUGGESTED TOPPINGS
Mango, peeled and cubed
Strawberries, sliced
Kiwi, sliced
Blueberries
Pears, cored and sliced
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, then blend this into the butter mixture. Divide the dough into two disks and lightly flatten each disk between two sheets of parchment paper. If baking one large pizza, do not divide the dough. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes.
Roll each dough half into an 11-inch round, then transfer to pizza pans. Or, press the dough into a large sheet cake pan.
Bake until the cookie dough is cooked and golden brown, but not overly crisp, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
For the frosting: In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip together the marshmallow creme and cream cheese until light in texture. Spread onto each cooled crust.
To decorate: Top the pizza with prepared sliced fruit, as desired. Slice into squares or wedges and serve.