Category: Chamber News

Congratulations to Colton & Danielle Hallgren, owners of the Osage Hardware.  The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) selected the couple from a field of independent home improvement and paint retailers under the age of 35 along with seven other young retailers across North America. NHPA will be hosting a virtual event where they will celebrate the young retailers.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce is holding their annual Spring city wide Garage sale this weekend April 16 & 17, 2021. Maps can be located on the Chamber Facebook page, Chamber website, or Casey’s, BP, Jerry’s Thriftway, City Hall, and the Library.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce continue to receive a positive response with the Veteran’s Banner Project. We are continuing to add new banners and still have room for more. The Chamber would like to thank the families that have submitted their nominee. The Chamber look forward to the opportunity to display these banners in recognition of the individuals that have served or are presently serving to protect our Country. The banners are displayed during the months of May and November in recognition of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

If any family member or friend of a Veteran is interested in sponsoring their name, banner project information and application forms are available at the Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark-State Farm Office, 618 Market St. or Osage City Chamber website, www.osagecitychamber.com; email osagecitychamber@gmail.com or please feel free to contact Jeanette Swarts, 785/249-5451. The banners will cost $150.00 for a large banner (26” x 50”).

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce are dedicated to making sure our Veterans are appreciated and honored.  Osage City has many veterans deserving of the recognition so we would like to encourage families or friends to fill out the application and submit their name.

The date for the annual community fireworks show hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce will be Saturday, July 10, 2021. A committee will be selected and will start working on plans that will include activities for the families to enjoy.

The event is one of the more expensive events that is offered to the community and it takes a joint effort of financial resources to help supplement the cost of the merchandise (fireworks).  The Chamber was very pleased with the positive response of the sponsorship from businesses and individuals for last year and hope to meet the projected goal of $8,500.00 for this year.   A 15% discount is offered if the order is submitted by mid-February, 2021. The Chamber would like to take advantage of this discount; therefore, we would like to ask your support of your donation this year.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce would like to ask your support for 2021 and donate toward the 2021 budget to cover the cost of the fireworks display.  If you would like to make a donation for the fireworks event, please make your donation to the Osage City Chamber of Commerce and mail to PO Box 56, Osage City, KS  66523.

The community continues to support the major events that occur throughout the year and the Chamber would like to be able to continue to offer the fireworks celebration.  We appreciate your consideration and enthusiasm for our event.  Your support contributes to the growth of our community.  Thank you.

July 7-10, 2021 will mark the dates for the Osage County Fair, in Osage City. The theme for the fair and the parade will be “Honoring Hometown Heroes”. The parade will be Friday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. The entertainment committee of the Fair held their first meeting and are in the beginning stages of some fun and exciting activities throughout the Fair Week. Plans are to have the annual Talent Show, organized by Bob & Ronda Harmon. Information regarding sign up will be available soon. Plans are to bring back the Demo Derby which will be held Friday evening after the traditional Parade. A new feature to the fair this year is going to be a “Bed Race”. The date and time have not been determined yet; however, you might start thinking about building a bed to enter in the contest. Hopefully it will be a “rolling success!!”  Rules and regulations will be announced soon. Stayed tuned as there are several events that are in the planning stages to be announced soon.

Adam Burnett, parade chairman is in the process of creating some new & innovative concepts for the parade for this year.  Adam will provide information regarding the parade and a parade form will be available soon to submit an entry for the parade. The Chamber of Commerce will be offering $350 in cash prizes for 4 places of float entries & $60 in cash prizes for 3 places of Golf Cart/ATV entries.  Please contact Adam at 785-760-0621 if you have any questions or comments regarding the event.

The holidays have been over for a couple months, the ground hog saw his shadow; however, 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 16 and 17.

To sign up, contact Tricia Gundy at 785-528-3301 or 785-219-9727. Tricia has revised the area map and is more user friendly, providing a chart for the type of items at the garage sales.  She 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 2020 scholarships were awarded to Dylan Shaffer and Kaitlyn Heiserman   The deadline for adding a sale to the garage sale map is April 13th  at 5:00 p.m.

The 17th annual Cruis’n & Cook’n Auto Show will be Saturday, April 10, 2021, in downtown Osage City.  Come to town and enjoy walking down main street, looking at some beautiful vehicles and reminiscing about the vehicle that you had years ago. This year, the Twin Lakes Cruisers will be having additional attractions along with the auto show. including the Manhatchet Axe Throw, a Craft Show which will be held at St. Brigid’s Hall and also the Senior Center will be kicking off the Citywide Garage Sale a week early, having the Center open for bargains of many treasures.

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 is just around the corner and the Chamber would like to encourage any senior girl & boy that are furthering their education to get with Kathy Camarena, 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 23, 2021. The announcement of the winners will be dependent upon the status of the school allowing visitor participation upon said events.

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 “Holly Jolly Celebration.”

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 14th 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 at Flint Hills Beverage. After your entry is judged, proceed to line-up at the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station).  Line up this year 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 “Holly Jolly Celebration” 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!  A printable parade entry form is here.

The Chamber Board has decided to postpone the Citywide Garage Sales scheduled for April 17-18, 2020, until further notice.

Due to current health concerns, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce has canceled its third Tuesday of the month members meeting, which was scheduled for noon Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Flint Hills Beverage hospitality room.

Two Chamber ribbon cuttings for local businesses, COF and Lakefront Insurance, scheduled for after the meeting, have also been canceled.

For more information, contact the Osage City Chamber of Commerce at osagecitychamber@gmail.com or call 785-219-2510.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings
Osage Custom Meats – Samuel & Mary Ann Beachy – Nov. 20
Subway – Trisha & Shaun Barrett – Nov. 30

Yard of the Month Selection for 2019
Recognition was during the period of June through September. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yards, the home owners received a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at any Osage City business. Homes selected for 2019 were Clifford & Donna Butterfield, Terry & Mica Lindbloom, Bob & Myrna Schmidt Bob & Linda Dayhoff.

Osage City Chamber of Commerce Awards Scholarships
The Osage City Chamber of Commerce were pleased to announce Aliks Serna & Royce Cowan, the 2019 recipients of our $350 scholarship. The revenue from the $5 that residents pay to be listed on the maps for the spring/fall garage sales, goes directly for these two scholarships.

Osage County/City Fair Parade
Heather Glover was in charge of the fair parade which will was held July 12 at 6:30. Along with the floats, band & other entries, decorated golf carts & ATV’s were invited to participant in the parade this year. The theme for the parade this year was “Fresh From The Farm”. Heather had several new entries in the parade & is hoping that the parade will continue to grow. Pat Gundy was the 2019 Parade Marshall & Pat & Fred Pearson were selected for Mr. & Mrs. Osage City.

July 4th 2019 Fireworks Celebration
The Osage County Fair Association asked the Osage City Chamber of Commerce to take over hosting the annual “Fireworks Celebration”. A full afternoon & evening of events for the families were enjoyed by everyone.
Prior to the fireworks show, recognition was given to each branch of the armed services with its own service song being played, recognizing those that have or are serving in the armed forces & to honor those that have given their ultimate sacrifice for our country. To lead off the fireworks show, Chamber member, Ronda Harmon so eloquently sang the National Anthem. Scott Farmer & his staff created a very entertaining and powerful fireworks display which was enjoyed by everyone.
The Fireworks Celebration was made possible through the generous donations from businesses & individuals of the community & volunteers of the Chamber of Commerce membership.

Big Top Circus Came To Town
The Osage City Chamber of Commerce was pleased to sponsor the Culpepper & Merriweather Big Top Circus which was held Saturday, September 7th, 2019 at Jones Park. The circus known for producing quality, family entertainment provided two 90 minutes shows for everyone from ages 2 to 92 years old.

Osage City Chamber of Commerce “Festival of Beer”
October 5th, marked the 7th annual Osage City Chamber Festival of Beer. The event was located at the 4-H Pavilion. The funds from this event helps the Chamber with many different projects around Osage such as scholarships for high school seniors, the Warmth Fund, E.C.A.T., the 4th of July fireworks and many more.

Osage City hosts the Rush the Rails
For the third consecutive year, Osage City hosted the bicycle riders as they traveled through Osage City on the Dirty Kanza Promotions “Rush the Rails” event on Saturday, October 5th. The route started in Osawatomie, finished in Council Grove.
The Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at Peterson’s Assisted Living.

Christmas on Market 2019: “Tis the Season” November 16
Christmas on Market Street, 2019 was a successful event. Mother Nature provided a beautiful day starting with Santa arriving downtown on a firetruck and greeting a crowd of anxious children. All of the activities including the 5K Run/Walk, Kiwanis breakfast, Senior Center Sewing Chics, retail poker run, store events, emergency services showcase, fire truck rides, craft show, ping pong drop, bake sale, photo booth, outside dining court, story time, gingerbread building, KC Chiefs Wolf, Topeka Drumline, Santa visits, chili cook-off, chili feed, bingo, face painting, raffle drawing, lighted parade were well received and attended. Several new activities were introduced to this year’s event including barn quilt ornament painting, child’s games and train, pet and people portraits, axe throwing, gymnastics demonstration and meet and greet high school theatre cast. Proceeds from the activities go to the Warmth Fund, ECAT, ECKAN and Chamber of Commerce.

Home Town Santa
“Are you the Home Town Santa” was well received by the home town shoppers. Four of the five Home Town Santa’s were revealed. Santa Dave Haskins, Haskins Conoco was revealed by John Garland, Santa Kathy Ayers, First National Bank of Kansas was revealed by Mike Powell, Santa Patrick Boner, McCoy’s RadioShack was revealed by Ashley Wright and Santa Jeanette Stromgren was revealed by Debi Totman. The recipients received a $20 Chamber Bucks to be used locally at the designated business listed on the certificate.

Community Appreciation Dinner
A community appreciation dinner was recreated this year and approximately 150 attended the event, which was hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, November 23.
A traditional thanksgiving dinner of turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, dinner roll and a dessert was enjoyed by those that attended. Plans are to continue this event as an annual event.

Holiday Home Tour
December 8, 4:00-7:00 marked the date for the Holiday Home Tour. The selected four homes are Pat Gundy, 913 Schenk St.; Charlie & Donna Martin, 1344 Brant St.; Marc & Janet McFarland, 604 S. 6th St. and Bill & Lorraine Renner, 735 Lakin St. (SW corner of 8th & Lakin).

Christmas/Holiday Yard of the Month
New to the holiday season this year was the Christmas/Holiday Yard of the Month contest which will be held from November 30-December 16. There will be two categories with the selection of a yard decorated with Synchronized Lights With Music & one with Christmas/Holiday Décor with lighted displays. The selection will be determined on December 16. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yards, the home owners will a receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Bucks Certificate to be used at any participating Osage City business.

New to the holiday season this year, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Christmas/Holiday Yard of the Month contest. There were two categories with the selection of a yard decorated with Synchronized Lights With Music and the other with Christmas/Holiday Décor with lighted displays.  In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yards, the home owners received a $25 Osage City Chamber Bucks Certificate to be used at any participating Osage City business.  The winners this year with the Synchronized Lights With Music were Adam & Beth Burnett, 105 N. 14th  & Christmas/Holiday Décor with lighted displays was Shawn & Lisa Bolton, 112 South 3^rd St..  Congratulations to both couples & appreciate your hard work & creativeness representing the holiday spirit.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual Holiday Tour of Homes. Participants enjoyed a three hour period of time visiting four homes that reflected the festive holiday season. The selected four homes are Pat Gundy, 913 Schenk St.; Charlie & Donna Martin, 1344 Brant St.; Marc & Janet McFarland, 604 S. 6th St. and Bill & Lorraine Renner, 735 Lakin St. (SW corner of 8th & Lakin). All proceeds from the sale of tickets will be used toward the maintaining and improvements at Santa Fe Park.

If you won a Chamber Buck during the Christmas on Market event, Home Town Santa, Yard of the Month or received one as a gift, please reimburse at either the store designated on the Chamber Buck or at any participating local business as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeanette Swarts, 785-249-5451.

“Are you the Home Town Santa” was well received by the home town shoppers.   The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the select businesses and individuals for accepting to be a Home Town Santa and thank everyone that are participating in the event.

Four of the five Home Town Santa’s were revealed.  Santa Dave Haskins, Haskins Conoco was revealed by John Garland, Santa Kathy Ayers, First National Bank of Kansas was revealed by Mike Powell, Santa Patrick Boner, McCoy’s RadioShack was revealed by Ashley Wright and Santa Jeanette Stromgren was revealed by Debi Totman.  The recipients received a $20 Chamber Bucks to be used locally at the designated business listed on the certificate.

Coloring Contest:

Kindergarten – Genny Martin, Piper Lieber

1st Grade – Taylor Lickteig, Audrey Willoughby

2nd Grade – Lilly Rounds, Alayna Wurdeman

2nd Grade – Layne Martin, Kalyn Geller

3rd Grade – Brynlee Harmon, Hayden Lieber

3rd Grade – Taber Gantenbein, Lincoln Senft

4th Grade – Avah Christiason, Kenzie Bellinger

4th Grade – Nicholas Anstaett, Ashlyn Asbury

5th Grade – Sydney Stromgren, Tyson Mullins

5th Grade – Khloe Martin, Reagan Farwell

Downtown Business Window Decorating

1st /$50 Osage Hardware

2nd /$40 Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark, State Farm Insurance

3rd/$15 tie The ClotheSpin and McCoy’s RadioShack

Retail Poker: 134 Participated

1st /$20 – Ken Slater

2nd/$15 – Daniel Bloomquist

3rd /$10 – Krimzyn Clark

Chili Cook-Off – 11 Entries

1st /$50 – Robbie and Janice Robinett

2nd /$30 – Tricia Gundy

3rd / $20 – Hanna Punches

4th / $10 – Austin Koett

Parade:

Float Winners:

1st/$125 – Community Covenant Church-“The Hangout”

2nd/$100 – Osage City Willing Workers 4-H Club

3rd/$75 – Poertner Family – “Christmas on California Street”

4th/$50 – Osage City Public Library

ATV/Golf Cart Winners:

1st/$30 – Boyd & Gladys Woodyard

2nd/$20 – April Peet

3rd/$10 – State Farm – Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark Agency

Raffle:

Angela Smart – Prairie Band Hotel & Casino, Mayetta-one weekday stay & $50 Gift Certificate to Three Fires Steakhouse

Kaystal Morgan-Fire Keepers Golf Course, Mayetta-18 holes of golf for two including golf cart

Kathy Magarelli-Kansas City CoCo Key Water Park- four Waterpark passes

Bristol Isch-Downstream Casino Resort, Quapaw, OK (Joplin, MO)-one night stay & dinner for two

Christopher Ford-Osage City Golf Course 18 holes of golf for two including golf cart

Monique Keith-Osage City Golf Course 18 holes of golf for two including golf cart

Amy Punches-Four Blue tickets to ice hockey game

Jack Anstaett-Four tickets to KC Chiefs football game

Kelli Bowin-Four tickets to KC Royals baseball game

Cathy Jaap-3 month membership & joining fee

Rosalie Fischer-Family four pack to 1 showing of PAW Patrol Great Pirate Adventure

Thersa Vincent-Tickets for Phil Vassar & Lonestar Show & Dinner for 2 at Casa Ramos

Amy Punches-Two tickets to Topeka Symphony

Donita Payne-Two tickets to Topeka Symphony

Kathy Magarelli-Jerry’s Thriftway-$200 groceries

Christopher Ford-Haskin’s Oil-$200 fuel

5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk:

Female

12 and Under

1st Place – Dallie Meek, 2nd Place-Amelia Stark, 3rd Place-Kaylee Theel

13-18

1st Place-Gracy Smith, 2nd Place-Isabella Melgren, 3rd Place-Sadie Shoemaker

19-39

1st Place-Jenna Weimer, 2nd Place-Amie Lohmeyer, 3rd Place-Darcy Keeffe

40-55

1st Place-Nicole Bailey, 2nd Place-Amy Curtis

56 and Up

1st Place-Leanne Hastert, 2nd Place-Julie Carlson, 3rd Place-Mary Buek

Male

12 and Under

1st Place-Dylan Theel, 2nd Place-Quenten Stark, 3rd Place-Kacen Keeffe

13-18

1st Place-Nicolas Bailey, 2nd Place-Noah Lohmeyer, 3rd Place-Keegan Anchutz

19-39

1st Place-Justin Melgren, 2nd Place-Shawn Hastert, 3rd Place-Anthony Ancheta

40-55

1st Place- Travis Tillman 2nd Place- No Entry 3rd Place-No Entry

56 and Up

1st Place-Art Hastert, 2nd Place- Bob Brady, 3rd Place- Gary Lowman

Best costume-$10 – Amelia Stark

First Overall – Justin Melgren.

Male and female top finishers aged 21 or older that were awarded a cooler stocked with Michelob, courtesy of Michelob were Shawn Hastert & Jenna Weimer.

Click to download the Christmas on Market Street 2019 poster.

Click on the poster for a printable version.

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 “Tis the Season.”

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. Christmas on Market Parade is on November 16th. Parade starts at 6:00 pm.

Judging for floats, Golf Carts and ATV’s is at 5:00 pm. Line-up is at the west end of Market Street (around Pizza Hut and BP Station). There will be parade personnel there with clip boards and a line-up sheet. Check with them for your number in the parade route. There will be stakes in the ground with numbers on them, after receiving your number: 1.) Find your numbered stake 2.) Park by your numbered stake facing Market (unless you stake is on Market, then face East) 3.) Wait for the parade to begin.

Thank you in advance for your participation in our “Tis the Season” parade. It is you, the community that make it a success by participating! If you have any questions, contact me. Be sure to contact me with your entry so you will have a number in the line-up for the parade! A printable parade entry form is here.

Heather Glover
785-581-3534
heatherglover71@yahoo.com