Lyons P&P Govt Pt II

Lyons news • PLains & Progress Communities & governement tuesday, January 31, 2012 9a

24-Hour ATM at Main Bank

Entrance

MemberFDIC

Little River State Bank

310 MainLittle River, Kansas 67457

620.897.6218www.littleriverstatebank.com

A Branch of The Lyons State Bank

The Lyons State Bank

101 East MainLyons, Kansas 67554

800.656.2313www.lyonsstatebank.com

24-Hour Telephone Banking

866-400-3288

By Paul Jones

Despite the sad and untimely death of its presi-dent, Dan Snyder, January 7, at age 54, The Lyons State Bank, a 74-year-old institu-tion that now includes the Little River State Bank, will continue as in the past.

And, the Snyder fam-ily, which has been part of the bank since its inception in 1938 and among major stockholders since 1951, will continue its presence. Karen Snyder, widow of Dan Snyder, who has been with the bank for 30 years, and serves as executive vice president, secretary and cashier, will still have an active day-to-day role, and will continue to live in Lyons with their two daugh-ters, Jadyn and Julianne.

Dale Snyder, former president, now of Hutchin-son, his twin brother, Don Snyder, former vice-presi-dent now living in Clinton, MO, and David Snyder, son of Dale and brother of Dan, now living in Cot-tonwood, AZ, will con-tinue as board members.

New officers will be elected at the annual meet-ing Tuesday, January 31.

The Lyons State Bank was started in 1938, in a 25-foot storefront building on East Avenue North, at the northeast corner of the square. It eventually ex-panded into quarters which had housed a shoe store, and in 1955, on the site of

the fire-destroyed Avery grocery store, constructed a large half-block-long new building, facing on Main Street. It eventually pur-chased a building which had at one time housed the Fox Theatre, and turned it into a much-used com-munity room for other groups and organizations.

It was the first Lyons financial institution to operate a drive-through facility, building one lo-cated in the 100 block of North Grand in 1961.

The bank has grown to have total assets of $95 million. It acquired both the Little River State Bank and the Lindsborg State Bank in 1995, and sold the Linds-borg operation in 2011.

Officers in addition to Karen Snyder are John Wempe, chief executive officer and chief lending officer; Mike McCormick, vice-chairman of the board and senior vice president, and Charlotte Gates, se-nior vice president.

In addition to Dale, Don and David Snyder, members of the board of directors are Wempe, Mc-Cormick, Lee Scheufler and Judy Neuschafer.

Dan Snyder died January 7 of medical complications of a viral infection. He had served as bank president since 1992, but had worked in the family bank since childhood, starting in such jobs as janitor. He graduated

Since 1938 The Lyons State Bank has played a vital role in Rice County Progress

from Lyons High School and attended Hutchinson Community College and Emporia State University, and in his adulthood gradu-ated from the Graduate

School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He was a past president of the Lyons Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of

the Rice County District Hospital board of directors. He was a past president if Kansas Agricultural Rural Leadership and a former board member of the Kan-sas Bankers Association.

Rice County Sheriff’s Of-fice has been in its new facility since October 2001. The facility was built to provide a much saf-er environment than the original building that had been in use as the Sheriff’s Office and jail since 1927. The top notch facil-ity is not only safer for those who are incarcerated but also the detention center employees. By statute the Sheriff is respon-sible for the operation of the county jail and this is why the two buildings are often found in close proximity of one another.

The facility employs 13 detention officers, six full time officers (including the Sheriff and Undersheriff), three part time deputies, and six employ-ees who work in the dispatch center. The detention center has industrial-sized washing

and drying machines for all the facility’s laundry needs. It also boasts its own kitchen which is run by a private company that uses inmates to assist in the preparation of food.

Currently the detention cen-ter holds 30 county offenders, and 30 out-of-county prisoners. Mainly the facility holds Immi-gration and Naturalization Ser-vices (INS) inmates, and De-partment of Correction inmates. The jail takes inmates from other counties, primarily Sedg-wick and Johnson counties, and collects money from the other counties for the amount of space the prisoners use.

Dale Higgins has served as Rice County Sheriff for 27 years, and carries 37 years of law enforcement experience.

In the Sheriff’s Department

the officers carry a combined total of 121 years of experience. Dan “Dan-O” Evans is the department’s veteran, serving Rice County as a Deputy for 30 years. Cody Goforth has acted as Undersheriff for a year and a-half now and stated that he enjoys his line of work.

“My job is ever changing and exciting as it goes from day to day,” said Goforth.

Undersheriff Goforth also noted how the crime rate has increased in the past couple years due to the economy.

“It’s safe to report that there’s been an increase in the crime rate of Rice County,” said Undersheriff Goforth. “Copper and other precious metals have gone up in price, leaving many people the victims of thefts.”

Higgins has served Rice County 27 years as Sheriff

Undersheriff Cody Goforth, Sheriff Dale Higgins, and Deputy Jeff Link talk about working in the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. Higgins has served as the Sheriff of Rice County for 27 years, and brings 37 years of law enforcement experience to Rice County.

10A Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Communities & Government Lyons News • Plains & Progress

GENESEO, KANSAS

• GATEWAY TO KANOPOLIS LAKE •

In geological circles, the area is known as the Geneseo Uplift. The town overlooks the Little Arkansas River valley to the south, while not far to the north the water flows to the Thompson Creek and into the Smoky Hill River. The high ridge between the two river systems was found to be ideal for railroad development.

In 1886 two major companies, Santa Fe and Missouri Pacific, vied for control of the land that was to become Geneseo. The Missouri Pacific ended up building the crossing for the two tracks. A third railroad, The Salina, Sterling and El Paso was built to link Wichita with the main line of the Missouri Pacific. A group of investors associated with the line soon recognized the potential of the crossing site, and formed the Geneseo Town company on November 20, 1886. The name had been chosen from the hometown of Major E.C. Moderwell, a partner in the company. His hometown of Geneseo, Illinois, had in turn taken its name from Geneseo, New York, a name of Iroquois origin, meaning “shining val-ley”. Geneseo, Kansas now overlooks the shining valley of the Little Arkansas River.

The town grew at a phenomenal rate. A reporter from the Leavenworth Times of March 15 stated, “Geneseo may well be called the infant wonder of Kansas...One going there will be surprised. We ourselves expected to find a town of 100 people, and a few board shanties but instead, we found a thriving, bustling little city, and increasing every day. The town has three hotels and THEY ARE CRAMMED all of the time with men looking for locations.

On July 15, 1887, Geneseo became an incorporated city of the third class with a population of over 600.

With the railroad, a new era had dawned on the prairies. Until a school could be erected, classes were held in the new Opera House. Both Presbyterians and Methodists constructed churches. School classes were later moved to the Meth-odist Church until the new $10,000 school building was opened in 1889.

Geneseo served many ranches, providing supplies, recreation, and a shipping point for livestock.

The Geneseo Light Plant started operating in 1905 in the evening until mid-night and would begin again at 5 a.m. until no longer needed for light in the morning.

The first successful oil well was in 1934 and the Geneseo field soon became the boom that everyone hoped for. Much of the local economy developed for and became dependent upon the oil industry. The city built the water tower in 1935. Largely due to oil the people of Geneseo experienced dynamic renewal right in the middle of a national depression.

In 1938 the new water system was put to the test. A fire totally destroyed two cafes and damaged several other businesses along the west side of Main Street. It was felt that the new water system had saved most of the block and kept the fire from spreading into the next block. As with any community in the Midwest, population and vitality have been in decline since perhaps the mid 1950’s.

Geneseo is typical ‘small town America”. It is a nice place to live and raise a family. Though not as big as it once was, Geneseo has always remained modern and progressive. It looks confidently to its future while treasuring the past. By being selective about the preservation of the old and implementation of the new, Geneseo will remain a secure, yet fascinating place in which to work and live.

THE CITY OF GENESEO AND THESE GENESEO AREA BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF THE GENESEO COMMUNITY AND INVITE EVERYONE TO COME

SEE WHAT MAKES THIS RICE COUNTY COMMUNITY SPECIAL!

• GENESEO MAJOR EVENTS •• Easter Egg Hunt Sponsored

by the booster club• Memorial Day All Classes Reunion

Weekend Alumni Banquet• 4th of July Free Hog Roast/ Baseball game/Fire-

works Display• Halloween Party at the the Mini Park• Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner

at the Church• Santa Claus comes to the LTC Building

Steak Night Every 2nd Saturday of the Month at the

American LegionWeekly Morning Coffee at the

55+ Club on Tues.Weekly Bible Study at the

Church on Monday

BANK VIYour Banking

Partner in geneseo since

1909.Silver at Main

620.824.6226MeMber FDiC

equal HouSing lenDer

PO Box 255 - 701 Main St.Geneseo, KS 67444

620-824-6204 Fax: 620-824-6213

Darrel HoelscherRandy HagerDale Gustus

Suzie Hoelscher

S & S Distributors, Inc.DAUER

TREE SAW

ROTARY DAUER BIG BITECOMMERCIAL

EQUIPMENT

Honda Outdoor Power Equipment Tanaka Lawn and Garden Products

Makita Power Tools • Dauer Rotary Tree Saw

320 19th Rd • Geneseo, [email protected]

620-824-6452

Myrt & Marlyn Shuttleworth

Residents and Non-Residents Enjoy Playing Golf at the Geneseo Golf Course. The Geneseo Library offers a children’s booksection (bottom left) as well as an adult section (bottom right).

KRATZER FENCING

Darin Kratzer1914 Ave T

Kanopolis, KS

(785) 822-5777call in the evening

FREE ESTIMATE

GENESEO PUBLIC LIBRARYThe Geneseo Public Library is open 15 hours each week; Monday from 9 to 12 and from 1 to 5; and Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m. The library has its own col-lection of material, and can order materials from other sources for the use of patrons. It is served by the SCKLS organization for Kansas and receives books periodically. We have two computers for patrons to use; the computers are served by HCI with fiberoptics. We have a Book Club which meets once a month to discuss a book each member has read. We have sponsored a spelling bee for the past two years and will be announcing a date soon for 2012.

Unique Finds

723 Main Geneseo, Kansas

Fri. & Sat.5-8 pmSunday

1-5

Be a Part of The Community Organizations of Geneseo!

• Booster Club • Book Club • Golf Club United Methodist Women • Ladies

Thanksgiving Club (LTC) • 55 + Club

Sully’SBar and Grill

We are open 6 days a week to provide

you with a fun and stress-free time with your

family or friends.

Mon. - Sat. 11 aM. - MidniGht


• SATURDAYS FOR DELICIOUS STEAKS •

“Buddies”

“Puppy Love”

Statues given in memory of loved ones.

two life-size bronze sculptures adorn the head of the trails.

the Celebration Centre Community Building is located on the east edge of Lyons in Rice County and is easily accessible from all directions.

adjoining the Community Building

is a half-mile concrete walking trail surrounded by trees, flower beds bursting

with color, bird baths, benches, and a 21 foot

gazebo.

the Celebration Centre Community Building’s Jack W. Janssen Hall seats 400. tables and chairs are available with rental of room.

the Celebration Centre East Room is carpeted and comfortably seats 150 for a sit down dinner.

the East Room has a serving bar and mini

kitchen.

the front lobby welcomes guests with a chandelier, oak wood trim and

vaulted ceiling.

a KdHE fully licensed

commercial kitchen is available for meal preparation. Meals may also be catered with your choice of

caterers.

celebration centre

Now - a 215’ x 300’ iNdoor agriculture areNa adjaceNt

audio, video and projection equipment are also available for rental.

The Rice County Community Foundation Building

is handicap accessible and a

smoke-free facility.

“Buddies”

“Puppy Love”







gazebo.




kitchen.


vaulted ceiling.



caterers.

celebration centre






“Buddies”

“Puppy Love”







gazebo.




kitchen.


vaulted ceiling.



caterers.

celebration centre






“Buddies”

“Puppy Love”







gazebo.




kitchen.


vaulted ceiling.



caterers.

celebration centre






“Budd

ies”

“Pupp

y Love

”

Statues given in m

emory of loved ones.

two life-size bronze

sculptures adorn the head of the trails .

the Celebration C

entre Com

munity Building is

located on the east edge of Lyons in Rice C

ounty and is easily accessible from

all directions.

adjoining the

Com

munity B

uilding is a half-m

ile concrete w

alking trail surrounded by trees, flow

er beds bursting w

ith color, bird baths, benches, and a 21 foot

gazebo.

the C

elebration C

entre C

omm

unity B

uilding’s Jack W

. Janssen Hall seats 400. tables and chairs

are available with rental of room

.

the Celebration C

entre East Room is carpeted and

comfortably seats 150 for a sit dow

n dinner.

the East Room

has a serving bar and m

ini kitchen.

the front lobby w

elcomes guests

with a chandelier,

oak wood trim

and vaulted ceiling.

a K

dH

E fully licensed

comm

ercial kitchen is available for m

eal preparation. M

eals m

ay also be catered w

ith your choice of caterers.

celeb

ratio

n c

entr

e

No

w - a 215’ x 300’ iN

do

or

ag

ric

ultu

re a

reN

a ad

jac

eNt

audio, video and projection equipm

ent are also available for rental.

The Rice C

ounty C

omm

unity Foundation B

uilding is handicap accessible

and a sm

oke-free facility.

Please Contact Cheryl Miller for more informationPhone: 620-257-5390; Cell: 620-727-5173

[email protected]

El Potrillo has been serving fresh mexican food in Lyons since 2007, and now have hamburgers and steaks included on the menu.

Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-day-Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, El Potrillo always has lunch and dinner specials available.

Along with their wide selection of tra-ditional mexican cuisine, they have a vast selection of imported and domestic beer. El Potrillo claims that anything cooked on the grill is their specialty. Items like

Santa Fe Chicken and Steak Burrito are popular choices. There are just as many options on the kids menu, serving quesadillas and multiple other items.

The wait staff is comprised of four waitresses and one waiter, and three cooks who are dedicated to making traditional cuisine staff in the kitchen.

El Potrillo will be having specials on Valentine’s Day, and will have a completely new menu with old fa-vorites within the next two weeks.

The Rice County Community Foun-dations’s Celebration Centre Com-munity Building is located on the east edge of Lyons on Highway 56.

The Centre boasts a large park-ing lot, walking trails, the Bar K Bar Arena and Annex.

There are multiple rooms in the facil-ity that can cater to any needs such as weddings, anniversaries, auctions, birth-day parties, and graduation recepetions.

The Jack Janssen Hall can comfort-ably accommodate over 400 guests and features surround sound speakers so the toast will always be audible.

The hall also has a fully licensed commercial kitchen, so meals may be catered at the time of the event.

The A.L. Branson Confer-ence Room is a great place for small private meetings.

The east room is used for a vari-ety of meetings, dinners, and reunions and includes a serving bar with a mini kitchen for any need. It has re-

cently hosted a Local Area Network party and can seat up to 150 people.

The one-half mile Walking Trail is woven among the bird baths, trees, and flowerbeds. Park benches can be found on the trail and a gazebo for community members to relax in and enjoy nature. There are a total of four life size bronze statues that can also be found while wandering the trail.

The Bar K Bar Arena boasts several large roll-up and walk-in doors and is equipped with indoor stalls, bucking chutes, wash racks, and a timing and sound system. The arena measures 225 feet by 115 feet, and the annex features meeting rooms, a check-in foyer, conces-sion stand, handicap accessible show-ers and restrooms, and R.V. parking.

The Rice County Farm Bureau Con-ference Room located in the Annex seats 50 people, with the meeting room able to hold a conference with 10 to 15 people.

Employees of the Centre en-courage community members to come on out and celebrate.

We Are Proud To Be A Part of Rice County Progress

Independent We Stand is proud to partner with American Express OPEN for this year’s Small Busi-ness Saturday! Dependent

and locally-owned businesses are critical to our economy – they help bring prosperity to our communities and create jobs for our fami-lies and loved ones. When small businesses succeed, we all benefit, which makes us proud that Independent We Stand is participating in the second annual Small Business Saturday.

4-Hour Holiday Sale!4-Hour Holiday Sale!Sat. Nov. 26tH 2-6 p.m.Sat. Nov. 26tH 2-6 p.m.

Free $10 Gift Card

With The purchase of $25 or more*

After your purchase,

When given your gift

card you will be automati-

cally entered to win an

Audiovox 37” LCD HDTV.

A $899.99 value! Drawing

will be held at 6:00 P.M.

See Store For Details!

Win A $899 LCD TV!eNJoy Free CoFFeeor Cider aNd CooKieS

CoFFee aNd Cider provided by Keurig®

tHey maKe a great CHriStmaS giFt!

blaCK Saturday iN lyoNS...briNg tHe WHole FamilyWoydziak Hardware

Lyons, KS

....Where Service and Commitment Count

FREE 25’ Tape Measure

to the First 100

customers, Sat. Nov. 26sku#337576

*Gift Cards are for customers paying by Cash, Credit Card, or Check - non account only.

10% OFF Everything* in the Store (excludes firearms & ammo)

Woydziak.doitbest.com • www.facebook.com/jandjhardware

Rodeo Action at the Bar K Bar Arena adjacent to The Celebration Cen-tre.

The Celebration Centre is a diverse complex offering many amenities and accommodations

New American food items offered along with the tradition fresh Mexican Menu at El Portrillo

By LouAnn CoBB

It’s been just over a year since Jason Huddleston, co-owner of Woydziak Hardware, moved to Ly-ons from Wheatridge, Colo.

Everything is just as he imagined 12 months ago, having an indepen-dent store that works with do-it-yourself customers and contractors.

“Customer support and sales have remained solid during this first year of transition,” Huddleston said. “It took eight long months but we are now able to get our FFL license and back in the firearms business.”

This past year we made our gar-den area friendlier and increased our overall line of pets, he said. Our reptile line now includes bearded dragons, chameleons, water dragons and our small animal line features gerbils and hamsters. We have expanded our salt-water fish line and redesigned our entire fish display. We even sell crickets.”

Huddleston said. “It is still a work in progress. Slowly the store is being arranged to make it more customer friendly.”

The paint department is now located in the front of the store, allowing staff to service customers quicker, “not to mention it let’s them know we are in the paint business,” Huddleston said.

Things to look for this next year are the addition of firearms, new hand and power paper sand paper display, redesigned tool, electrical and plumb-ing section as well as a section for outdoor sporting goods, Huddleston said. They also have added an ex-panded assortment of Shark Bite and Pex Plumbing fittings. Sporting goods will include camping equipment and fishing gear just to name a few.

Huddleston said the first six months was hard on the family. While he was here getting things off the ground, his wife, Danica and children, Hayden and Addyson were still in Colorado. Slowly things came together and they were able to purchase a home in Ly-ons and Hayden started pre-kinder-garten at Park Elementary School.

“I grew up in a small community and am excited to raise our children here,” Huddleston said. “The com-munity has been great and welcomed our family with open arms.”

While the interior of the store con-tinues to take on a newer look Hud-dleston remains true to his promise, keeping Woydziak Harware everything it was and more, a family-oriented atmosphere where everybody knows his or her customers, a key to the future and its continued success.

Huddleston continuing transition as co-owner manager of Woydziak Hardware

12A Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Communities & Governement Lyons News • Plains & Progress

ComeTo

LittleRiver,Kansas

Guardian of the Little Arkansas River

• Parks • Pride • Faith • Community • Education

Important Dates and Community Events

Sponsored by these proud members of the Little River and Rice County Community

Proudly supporting the city of Little River

Rice County Builders, Inc.Mark Konen • Russel Stephenson •

Chad Stephenson

202 Main 620-897-6249Little River, KS 67457 877-577-9002

City of Little RiverFounded in 1880

Friendly little community located within Rice County.22 Local Businesses

Great Place to live and raise a family!

• First Saturday in May - Congregational Church large yard sale• Saturday of Memorial Day weekend - community hosts Suicide Trail Run

More than twenty businesses are part of the Little River community.

125 Main Street • P.O. Box 126 • 620-897-6260

Donald L. Teeterswww.sccmortgage.com

P.O. Box 128 • Little River Ph: 620-897-6271

Toll Free: 800-847-5874Fax:620-897-5212

Email: dteeters@sccmortgageWo r l d o f O p p o r t u n i t y

Oswalt Auction & Realty

P.O. Box 56, 250 Main Street, Little River, KS 67457

Ph 620-897-6354 Cell 620-897-7500Email [email protected]

oswaltauction.com

World of Opportunity

Donald L. Teeters www.sccmortgage.com

Ph: 620-897-6271Toll Free: 800-847-5874

Fax: 620-897-5212Email: [email protected]

ComeTo

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Chad Stephenson










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ComeTo

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Chad Stephenson










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P.O. Box 337340 Main Street Little River, KS 67457

102 Ranchland Dr., Inman, KS 800.324.4623

fax 620.897.5220www.raleighinsurance.biz

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• Parks • Pride • Community • Education • Faith • Quality of Life

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY THESE PROUD MEMBERS OF THE LITTLE RIVER BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Rice County Builders, Inc.

202 MainLittle River, KS 620-897-6249877-577-9002

The Monitor-JournalServing the communities of Little River, Windom

and AndoverPublished weekly248 Main Street

P.O. Box 68Little River, Ks 67457

[email protected]

ADM GRAIN

WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS!

105 Main • Little River • 897-6226

321 N. Ave. North • Lyons, KS • 257-2386


We Support LyonS & rice county progreSS

the MerchantS, profeSSionaLS & BuSineSSeS DoWntoWn & arounD the Square, LyonS

Woydziak109 W. Ave South

620-257-2131

Bolen Office123 W. Ave South

620-257-5004

The Lyons State Bank

101 E. Main620-257-2313

Mike’s T.V., Furniture & Appliance

106 E. Ave South620-257-2777

Hairtenders100 E. Ave South

620-257-3001

ARMAR Boutique128 E. Ave. S.

620-680-0642

RobertsonTermite

102 E. Ave South

620-257-2012

113 E. Commercial620-257-3591

Jones Oil223 E. Ave. North

620-257-3191

Lyons Federal200 E. Ave South

620-257-3551

First Bank201 E. Ave South

620-257-2321

Birzer Funeral Home

214 W. Ave South620-257-2211

D&J CountryGarden

205 W. Ave South620-257-3222

Adams, Beran, Brown & Ball

108 W. Commercial620-257-5155

Home Mart120 W. Commercial620-509-7878

A Moment In Time

201 W. Ave South620-204-0884

MinixTravel

103 E. Ave North620-257-2502

Edward JonesPat Fulton

Financial Advisor113 West Main620-257-3334

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State FarmDwayne Edwards

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Sherman Insurance 620 · 257 · 5537Sherman

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14A Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Communities & Governement Lyons News • Plains & Progress

Monday ~ Thursday 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday ~ Saturday7 a.m. - Midnight

Sunday8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

On May 5, 2012, Sonic will celebrate its 35th An-niversary in Lyons and the public has been given a heads-up to look for spe-cials prices on their burgers, give-a-ways, t-shirts, and a grand-prize drawing.

Sonic has a wide variety of menu items. Whether it’s the new hotdog line that brings a variety of tastes from all over the nation, their golden brown fries and chicken strips, or their tasty burgers that draws customers in, Sonic has something for everyone.

Happy Hour runs ev-ery day, Monday through Sunday between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m., where customers can purchase any drink at half the price.

On May 15, 2012, it will be Darren Clark’s 15-year anniversary as general manager for Sonic. Clark

has worked at Sonic for a total of 20 years, start-ing during high school.

Sonic employs a total of 28 full-time and part-time employees, and the home office is located in Oklahoma City, where the business started in 1959.

In 1953 an early version of Sonic opened in Shaw-nee, Okla. It was named the Top Hat Drive-in and was opened by Troy Smith. The business changed its name to Sonic in 1959. In the 50s, Sonic’s use of curb side speakers allowed customers for the first time to order without having to leave their car, earning the slogan “Sonic, service at the speed of sound.”

With great food, at good prices, it’s no won-der the business has been here so long.

Sonic celebrates 35 years in Lyons in May 2012

Sonic employees Barb Clark, Haida MacLaver, Marie Wilbur, and owner Darren Clark line up behind a row of signature red trays.

Sonic is ideally located for local and highway traffic with its Highway 56 address. It is the after game hangout for kids and families, both local and visiting, and attracts guests passing through Lyons on the busy roadway. During Happy Hour, it can be tough to find an open parking spot.


By Paul Jones

Nearing the beginning of its 100th year in existence, the Lyons Federal Bank has reached a record capital level of more than $8 million. It was begun March 12, 1913 with capitalization of $13,500.

As of December 31, 2011, total assets of the bank have grown to more than $77 million.

Federal regulations require banks to have at least six percent capital compared with assets. Lyons Federal now has more than 10 percent.

LFB is a mutual organiza-tion, meaning there are no stockholders. In a sense, the corporation is owned by all of the bank’s customers. Be-cause there are no dividends paid, Lyons Federal is able to support a vast variety of

community activities. Dur-ing the past year it donated nearly $30,000 to support local projects such as the Rice Com-munity Healthcare Foundation for additional equipment for the Lyons Rice County District Hospital; funds to support its annual scholarships for Lyons High School valedictorians and salutatorians from the Don Turner Memorial program; free use of the east half of a building at 201 West Main for the annual use by the local Goodfellows organization; and support of many other com-munity activity projects in need of financial assistance.

Now having occupied new Lyons facilities for two and a half years, Lyons Federal has two additional locations — the Quivira Federal Bank in Bushton and a branch of Lyons

Federal in Ellsworth. It has an automatic teller machine (ATM) in the 200 block of West Main in Lyons, near the former temporary bank home occupied while the new build-ing was being constructed.

The bank, which has had four names, beginning in 1913, as the Lyons Building and Loan Association, and continuing through Lyons Savings and Loan Associa-tion and Lyons Federal Sav-ings before becoming Lyons Federal Bank early last year, now occupies the same site as its former headquarters, although in a much larger building, with new features.

When the former home was built in 1969, the firm had six employees; it now has 14 full-time and two part-time employees.

The new building has a second story community room, complete with a small kitchen; has a full-staffed drive-in window to serve two drive-through lanes; and provides a larger teller line, which still features sit-down transactions.

The bank is actually in its third building, having been started in a structure on East Avenue North, just south of the Lyons Post Office.

The original organiza-tion was begun to provide a safe and profitable place for savings and investment accounts, with those funds being loaned on homes with the express purpose and idea of making the community, as nearly as possible, one largely of home owners.

Over the years, the bank’s

business has evolved into one which is engaged in all forms of consumer and commercial loans, including cars and trucks, machinery, personal expenditures, agri-cultural land and operating expenses, and livestock.

Key personnel are Kevin McClure, president and chief executive officer; Shane Edwards, vice-president and chief lending officer; Cathy Shanelec, vice president and chief financial officer; and Scott Winter, vice president and commercial loan officer.

Members of the board of directors in addition to Mc-Clure are Dwayne Edwards, chairman; Paul Jones, vice-chairman; Dr. Kent Han-son; and Dan Shanelec.

March will mark the 99th year for Lyons Federal Bank

In busIness sInce 1973Jerald and Pam Minix have been active in business and the community

Jerald and Pam Minix began their business careers in Lyons on December 1, 1973 in one of the offices they still oc-cupy at 107 E. Ave. North. Jerald became the American Family Insurance representa-tive as of that date.

Pam soon joined the office as a secretary and followed as a fully licensed agent, also. They remained as cap-tive agents for 11 years followed by 10 years of Minix Insurance Service. In 1984 they incorporated under the name of Minward, Inc., a combination of

their two last names. During the next sev-

eral years they owned and operated the Credit and Collection Service Bureau and covered Rice and Ellsworth counties. They ac-quired Minix Travel in 1994 and Minix Re-alty in 1997. During the past 35 years they have both completed their college degrees from Sterling College and Jerald completed his master’s degree from Fort Hays State.

Lyons has been a great community for them to be self-em-ployed and they have been good citizens

as well. Jerald cur-rently serves on the Lyons City Council as Councelmen and was a school board mem-ber for 10 years, 6 as president. Also, he was mayor of Lyons during a pretty difficult period of transition. Pam is very involved with fund raising for special projects for the Good Samaritan of Lyons. Over the past 5 years she has helped raise over $60,000 for the Trails at the Center.

They love to travel but are always glad to come home to the community they love.Little River a community

with great schools, and enjoyable living

LITTLE RIVER -- The community of Little River in eastern Rice County, near the Little Arkansas River, was established in 1880. With a present popula-tion of approximately 600, it is a community with a lot of civic pride.

In 2011 the city now added new infrastruc-ture (concrete curbing, streets, etc.) for twenty-five lots on the west side of town. In an area known as “Clutter Hill” the Little River Development Co. along with the community of Little River recently neared completion of the first phase of the development with the addition of the sewer, water and gas utility. Seeding of the area will commence when the weather permits. Two homes are going up on the lots which are mar-keted through Oswalt Auction and Real Estate. They are zoned for single family dwell-ings and duplexes.

The city building is located at 125 Main

Street. The mailing address is P.O. Box 126, Little River, Kan. 67457, and the business phone number is (620) 897-6260. E-mail may be sent to [email protected].

Other city phone numbers include Fire Department, 911; Police, (620) 897-6444, and the City Shop, (620) 897-6279.

The Little River Community Library is also located at 125 Main Street. Founded in 1932 the library offers a vari-ety of programs and ser-vices. For hours and additional information, call (620) 897-6610.

In recent years the city completed an expansion of its waste water treatment facility.

The first business established in Little River was a general store owned by C.A. Walker.

The downtown area is clean and neat with new sidewalks and well painted buildings and Alber Park at Main and Prairie offers a gazebo

for quiet visits in its shade.

The city park, located in the 300 block between Clinton Street and Eagle Street offers a well kept area for pic-nics and other gather-ings.

The first Saturday in May, the Congregational Church has a large yard sale, and on the Saturday of Memorial weekend, the communi-ty hosts the Suicide Trail Run, which is attended by runners from across Kansas and nearby states.

The community has three churches, Congregational United Church of Christ, 410 Clinton, (620) 897-6413; Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 455 Harrison, (620) 897-6443; and United Methodist Church, 405 Harrison, (620) 897-6460.

Other organizations in Little River include Lions Club, American Legion, and the Masonic Lodge.

The Rice County Dis-patch Center is located in the front section of Rice County Detention Center right next to the Sheriff’s Office. The dispatch center has a total of six employees who switch between three eight hour shifts, ensuring that someone will be there whenever a county resident dials 911.

Dispatch Center Director, Josh Michaelis, went on to explain that there are more people using cell phones to dial in emergencies and ex-

plained how that worked.“If you’re on a cell

phone it actually directs you to the dispatch cen-ter that you are closest to through cell phone towers,” said Michaelis

Michaelis also noted how it was more difficult to get information in an emergency from a cell phone because they can not track the signal like a land line. In bigger cities, dispatches are able to triangulate the signal by tracking three towers that the call went through then finding out

the latitude and longitude where the call was made. In Rice County, employ-ees of the dispatch center will first receive a “phase 1” call, which will give them the phone’s num-ber and the tower that it passed through. Then they can receive a “phase 2” call, which enables them to track the cel-lular phone through land based GPS that sends its position to a satellite.

When asked if he en-joyed his job Michaelis smiled and said, “Truly. The dispatch center

Rice County Emergency Services Dispatch operates out of Rice County Detention Center Complex

serves as the hub for Rice County activity, and you’ll never know what kind of call you will be processing. We get to transfer all the calls from the public and in essence are the first-first respond-ers in many situations.”

Michaelis also admit-ted that the job was more than he thought it would be at first.

“Technology has changed from where we were, to where we are today. And much more technology is

implemented in today’s dispatch system.”

It seems safe to say that the dispatch center has advanced a lot over the years, especially when considering that there was no “911” in Rice County until 1992.

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$99,900For over 13 years we at Minix Realty have specialized in turning our customers' and cli-ents' dreams into reality. Whether you are looking for a starter home, a dream home, or investment property, we will help you find it at an affordable price. Each of our agents has 18 or more years of real estate experience. We have lived in Lyons since 1965, so

we know the local market and the local market trends. You can trust our judgment and our many years of real estate experience.

Marci Heath is one of six employees who work at the dispatch center in Rice County. Dispatch center employees answer any emergency calls that are made and send out the corresponding units to the scene.

16A Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Communities & Government Lyons News • Plains & Progress

Quivira Federal Bank209 S. Main, Bushton

(620) 562-3616

Give us a call today at (620) 257-2316 or on the internet at www.lyonsfed.com

125 N. Douglas, Ellsworth(785) 472-4496

Quivira Federal

Bank

Quivira FederalBank

Strength That Stands The Test Of Time. Serving Lyons & The Surrounding

Communities For More Than 98 Years.

PROGRESS

Growing with Lyons and Rice County...

200 East Ave. South(620) 257-2316

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