Category: Chamber News

A new award category this year, the New Business of the Year Award, recognized TwoCousins weeSale LLC, and owners, Stephanie and Jaryl Seth.

During 2023, Osage City was fortunate to be chosen as the home for TwoCousins weeSale LLC. The Seths have settled in the building that was formerly Henry’s Coffee House, and are filling their store with a variety of clothing from new born to maternity wear. They also house a nice variety of toys, bedding, and furniture to outfit a home for a new addition to the family.

They have become involved with the various events that the Chamber has to offer throughout the year and look forward to becoming more involved as the time passes. They regularly partner and donate merchandise to the local non-profit organizations in the county, support the schools with shoes and clothing for families in need and emergency support of families upon a disaster.

Louise Lira, of White’s Foodliner, formerly Jerry’s Thriftway, was selected as the Chamber’s Employee of the Year.

Louise has been an employee at the grocery store since 2012 – 12 years with Jerry’s Thriftway and now White’s Foodliner.

She always greets customers with a smile and is always very helpful answering customer’s questions.  Louise has worked through the owner change and made the transition with ease. Throughout her years of gaining experience, she has taken on a leadership role with the other checkers and always takes care of their problems that they may encounter.

The Osage City Public Library was named as the recipient for the Non-Profit of the Year Award, at the Osage City Chamber of Commerce’s annual award banquet. The library’s mission statement is “More than just books”.  The library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.

The library is dedicated and provides more than books to all ages of citizens of Osage City and Osage County. They have partnered with AARP to provide tax assistance to the elderly. Catholic Charities brings a resource bus to the library, providing food, hygiene and baby items. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office uses the library as a toy drop off station during the Christmas season.

Jeanette Stromgren and her staff and volunteers are always known for being friendly, professional and willing to help visitors find books and movies of interest.  The staff consists of two fulltime and five part-time employees.

The library provides snacks to students after school, meals for children during the summer, story time twice a week for those five and younger.

The staff visits local daycares, assisted living, nursing homes, and homebound individuals.

During the Osage City Chamber of Commerce’s annual award banquet, the Business of the Year Award recipient was Payne Financial Strategies, and owners Kevin, Angie and Joshua Payne.

In the last year, Payne Financial Strategies has been involved and engaged with the community by establishing a business of financial professionals that are dedicated to professionally serving the Osage and surrounding area communities. They have gained remarkable growth, community involvement and passion in educating and serving the community.  Josh Payne, a member of this team, is a recipient of the Kansas NextGen Under 30 award for young professionals which is a very prestigious honor.

Payne Financial Strategies has experienced growth in staff or other development as they have achieved milestones and setting new standards of success by serving others.  Their commitment to the local community is to provide quality, customer satisfaction and proper financial planning that will assist their clients in achieving short-term and long term financial goals.

Friday, March 22, 2024, marked the second annual Osage City Chamber of Commerce awards banquet, which was held at St. Brigid Hall. There were approximately one hundred attending the evening event which was filled with a variety of entertainment, good food and visiting with friends from the community.  C.J. Adkins with Flinthills Catering, catered a delicious meal topped off with a triple chocolate torte dessert that melted in your mouth.  Gavin Robert, a talented junior at Osage City High School provided a nice medley of soft dinner music on his keyboard & guitar. Following the meal, the first seqment of the evening program included two OCHS Forensics students presenting their award winning presentations.  Mr. Dustin Stucky, Forensics instructor introduced Gavin Ericson and Emily Whalen.  Both students gave very entertaining presentations and kept the attention of everyone.

Following the students was guest speaker, Casey Woods, Executive Director, of Emporia Main Street. He shared with the group some of the keys to a strong community. Emporia Main Street (EMS) is an economic and community development agency that operates within the City of Emporia and Lyon County. Their mission is to sustain and grow Emporia’s local economy by applying a four-point approach to create jobs, encourage tourism, and support entrepreneurs and business owners.

Highlighting the remainder of the program was the presentation of awards for four categories. Nominations for the four categories were submitted to the Chamber of Commerce throughout the months of February and March.

The holidays have been over for a couple months, the ground hog did not see his shadow; therefore, spring time is just around the corner and it is time to get ready to do some spring cleaning.   It will soon be that time of the year to sign up for the Spring Osage City Citywide Garage Sale.  This is a great opportunity to get rid of some of that “stuff” you never use and free up some space.  The Citywide Garage Sale is set for April 19 and 20.

To sign up, contact Tricia Gundy at 785-219-9727. The area map is user friendly, providing a chart for the type of items at the garage sales.  Tricia will need your name—as you want it listed on the map, address, a phone number in case of questions about the sale, if you are having the sale Friday and Saturday or Saturday only, what area you are on the map, type of items that you will be selling, for example: children clothing; adult clothing; furniture; collectibles; kitchen items; household items; craft items; miscellaneous and a $5 donation fee. Tricia is also working to make the map available per the Chamber of Commerce Facebook and website.  The proceeds go towards a scholarship awarded every year to two Osage City High School graduates that are furthering their education.  The deadline for adding a sale to the garage sale map is April 17th.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce offers a scholarship to one senior girl & one senior boy graduating from Osage City High School.  High School graduation will soon be here and the Chamber would like to encourage any senior girl & boy that are furthering their education to get with Shana Smith, the High School Counselor and ask for application information. Specifically for the Osage City Chamber of Commerce application, data needed to apply is a transcript, two letters of reference and an essay from the student on importance of owning and operating a business in a small town.  Submit to the address listed on the application.  Deadline to submit application must be postmarked by April 19, 2024.

Kiwanis International designated the third week in March as an annual observance of Kiwanis Builders Club Week.

The Builders Club is a Service Leadership Program (SLP) sponsored by the Osage City Kiwanis. Ably guided by faculty/staff members and Kiwanis advisor, Builders Club is made up of middle school students who are interested in developing leadership skills and self-improvement. It is the largest SLP at the three schools.

The club is very active at the school and in the community with various activities such as fundraising, paper recycling in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club, operating concession stands during games, planning the Christmas dance, visiting Vintage Park retirement community, choosing students of the month and other activities. The club was chartered in 1999 at OCMS.

Holly Weece gave an informative presentation on ECKAN Head Start at the February Chamber members meeting.

ECKAN Head Start programs help prepare your child for lifelong success, right from the start. ECKAN offers free Head Start programs for low-income families with young children, from birth to age five. Their research-backed programs promote self-sufficiency, healthy growth and development and success for future experiences.

Head Start services include health screenings, parent education/involvement, nutrition, help with child’s disability, transitions, education. The Osage County Home Based (Early Head Start) is located at 528 Market Street, Osage City; Ph. 620.803.2040 or 620.803.2041; open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Refer to eckan.org website, Head Start link for detailed information.

Funds raised during the 2023 Osage City Christmas on Market event were divided between three local organizations, (ECKAN) The East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation, (ECAT) Ecumenical Christian Action Team and Osage City Warmth Fund.  Chamber Director Jeanette Swarts presented equal disbursements of $764.26 to Heather Ihde with ECKAN and Jeannine Colstrom with ECAT at the February 20th  Chamber Member Meeting

Representative Rev. Michael Turner with the Warmth Fund was unable to attend the meeting.

Along with the town itself, the Osage City Library has a very historic past. The Sorosis Club, a women’s literary group, established the library in 1922. They developed a collection by pushing baby buggies around town to gather books. In the mid 1920’s, Edward Lieber donated money to build the first library located at 214 South 6 th Street. The Sorosis Club consisted of 26 members; each member volunteered two weeks of their time to operate the library up until 1969. The library had outgrown their club and it became a public supported library in 1970. With community support, a new library was built in 2000 and the Lieber Library became the Osage City Public Library. A  Community Room, that can be rented, was added in 2016. A plaque honoring the Sorosis Club’s years of service was put on display in the library.

The library’s motto is “More Than Just Books” and is very fitting. The library has a collection that loans out not only books, but a variety of items including Audiobooks, Cake Pans, Magazines, Movies and Television Shows, Music CD’s, Puzzles, and Video Games. The Audiobook collection includes CD’s, but also Playaways and Wonderbooks. Customers of the library also have access to Flipster, Hoopla and Libby; all are digital borrowing services that provide access to eBooks, digital audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows and magazines for users to enjoy free.

The library provides a variety of programs and services for all ages. During the school year, Story Time is held twice a week for those five and younger, programs for school age children are held after school on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s each week and Lego Club each month. When school is not in session, additional programs are held as well. A Teen Group meets to work on projects for themselves and for the library and the Adult Book Club and Bingo are held monthly. Art classes for adults and youths are also held at the library.

During the Summer, the library provides library programs and incentives to promote reading, as well as providing summer meals to those 18 years and younger. If you need to laminate, fax, scan or make color or black and white copies, the library provides those services as well as Wi-Fi and computer usage and a genealogy collection that includes local newspapers dating back to the 1800’s and Osage City High School yearbooks starting with the 1913 yearbook.

35,907 people visited the library in 2023. While at the library, patrons borrowed 25,826 items, used the computers 2,474 times and logged into the Wi-Fi 4,729 times. Patrons also borrowed 5,108 e-materials. 303 programs for all ages were held at the library with a total of 3,874 people attending those events. During the school year, 3,958 snacks were handed out to students after school, a program that is funded by grants and donations. The 2,131 people who have an Osage City Library card have access to a collection of 1,513,921 items.

The Osage City Community is important to the library. Library staff visits local daycares to provide Story Time and visit assisted living and nursing homes to play Bingo with the residents.  In 2023, the library made over 200 visits to homebound patrons to deliver library materials to those who can’t make it to the library. The library partners with AARP to provide Tax Assistance and Catholic Charities who bring a Resource Bus that has food, hygiene and baby items.

Osage City Library is located at 515 Main and is open Monday-Thursday 10:00-8:00 pm, Friday 10:00-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00-2:00pm. For more information, visit their website, osagecitylibrary.org, call or stop by the library to sign up for a library card and to pick up the monthly activity calendar.

The staff at the library includes Jeanette Stromgren, Library Director; Mavet Cooper, Assistant Director; Clerks Debi Totman, Cherida DeWitt, Cathy Brace, Pam Carey and Mary Buek.

You are invited to attend the second annual Osage City Chamber Awards Banquet Friday, March 22nd.  Enjoy an evening of food, entertainment, a guest speaker, and special award recognitions.

The Chamber will be recognizing four special award categories: New Business of the Year Application, Business of the Year Application, Employee of the Year Application, and Nonprofit of the Year Application  All Chamber member businesses are encouraged to apply directly for the awards. In addition, associations, financial institutions, customers, and other companies may nominate a business or employee that meet the award’s requirements. Applications are judged by an independent panel.  Application deadline is March 1, 2024.  See applications for complete details.

Buffet Style Dinner

Guest Speaker 

Presentations by Local Students 

Musical Entertainment

Award Presentations

Purchase tickets by contacting Jeanette Swarts via email at osagecitychamber@gmail.com.

Single tickets are $20 or a table of 8 for $140.  

RSVP Ticket Purchases by March 8, 2024

For more information contact Jeanette.

The fall citywide garage sale is this weekend September 15-16th!  Many thanks to the participants and sponsors for purchasing map advertisements which support the Chamber’s scholarship fund.  The map and sponsor list are available by clicking here!

The spring citywide garage sale is this weekend April 14-15th!  Many thanks to the participants and sponsors for purchasing map advertisements which support the Chamber’s scholarship fund.  The map and sponsor list are available here:

You are invited to attend the first annual Osage City Chamber Awards Banquet Friday, March 31st.  Enjoy an evening of food, entertainment, a guest speaker, and special award recognitions.

The Chamber will be recognizing three special award categories:  Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, and Employee of the Year.  All Chamber member businesses are encouraged to apply directly for the awards. In addition, associations, financial institutions, customers, and other companies may nominate a business or employee that meet the award’s requirements. Applications are judged by an independent panel.  Application deadline is March 15, 2023.  See applications for complete details.

Buffet Style Dinner

Guest Speaker:  Jeff Bender of KDWP 

Presentations by Local Students 

Musical Entertainment

Award Presentations

Purchase tickets by contacting Jeanette via email at osagecitychamber@gmail.com.

Single tickets are $20 or a table of 8 for $140.  

RSVP Ticket Purchases by March 10, 2023

See the flyer (left) for more information or contact Jeanette

Click here to open the Business of the Year Application

Click here to open the Nonprofit of the Year Application

Click here to open the Employee of the Year Application

Mix up your best batch of chili & enter in the “2022 Chili Cook Off” which will take place November 12, 2022 at the Senior Center, Osage City. Bring your entry to the Senior Center prior to 4:00. Judging will begin promptly at 4:00. Chamber Bucks will be given to the top 3 places. 1st Place – $50; 2nd Place – $30; 3rd Place – $20.

Following the cook off at 4:30-5:30 pm, will be a chili feed open to the public. The cost will be a free will donation for a bowl of chili & cinnamon roll.

For registration, contact Shanda Koett at 620-560-5132.

It is time once again for the holidays to be upon us and for our community to come together and make it an awesome “Christmas on Market” event. This year the theme for the parade is “Songs of Christmas.”  See the information below or the Parade Letter for complete information.

There is prize money for Float entries, Decorated Golf Carts and ATV’s. (Remember you must be 17 years old to drive either Golf Carts or ATV’s).

• Prize money for float entries: 1st – $125.00, 2nd – $100.00, 3rd – $75.00, 4th – $50.00
• Prize money for Golf Cart/ATV: 1st – $30.00, 2nd – $20.00, 3rd – $10.00

Please help to make this year’s Christmas on Market Parade a great success by entering something fun, lighted and memorable. The Christmas on Market Parade is on November 12th and the parade starts at 6:00 pm.

All floats, Golf Carts and ATV’s who want to be judged must arrive between 4:45 pm and 5:15 pm.  Judging this year will take place in line up on the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station).  Line up is not assigned by number.  1.) Get your entry judged (optional)  2.) Park on Market or north & south of Market on 1st Street  3.) Wait for the parade to begin.

Thank you in advance for your participation in our “Songs of Christmas” parade. It is you, the community that make it a success by participating! If you have any questions or want to register contact Adam at 785.760.0621.  Be sure to register your entry so you will have a number for judging!  Click here for a parade entry form.

Ladies, Gentlemen, Clubs, Organizations, Businesses, & Others:

The Chamber would like to invite you to participate in our annual summer parade on Friday July 8th at 6:30 pm!  We are seeking float, truck, car, and ATV/Golf Cart entries. Participants must be at least 17 years old to drive a motorized entry and no water balloons please.  Other entries like bands, clubs, horses, and marching units are also welcome! The Chamber offers prize money in two different categories: floats and ATV/Golf Carts.  Float winners receive $125 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd, $75 for 3rd, and $50 for 4th.  ATV/Golf Cart payouts are $30 for 1st, $20 for 2nd, and $10 for 3rd.

The theme this year is “Blue Jeans & Country Dreams.”

Judging of entries will be done between 5:15 and 5:45 pm at Flint Hills Beverage. Participants will then proceed to line up at the west end of Market Street near BP Station and Bullseye Liquor. Parade line up/parking numbers will not be assigned.  Additional parade details coming soon!

This year’s parade will begin promptly at 6:30 pm.

The parade is always an annual highlight of the summer. Thank you to all the businesses, organizations, clubs, schools and individuals in this area that have supported it. We look forward to all the parade entries and hope spectators will enjoy another memorable, safe, and fun event.

Please email or text your parade entry form information to the contact below.

Adam Burnett
785-76O-O621
adamlorax@hotmail.com

The spring citywide garage sale is this weekend April 15-16th!  The map is available here:  Spring 2022 Garage Sale Map

Many thanks to the participants and sponsors for purchasing map advertisements which support the Chamber’s scholarship fund.

Thank you to everyone who made it out to this year’s Christmas on Market celebration!  Congratulations to the winners of the Jingle Bell 5 K, the coloring contests, the raffle drawing, and the parade entries.  Click here for a complete list of winners