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Local Business Receives National Recognition

Colton and Danielle Hallgren, owners of Osage Hardware were recently honored among the independent home improvement industry’s 2021 Young Retailer of the Year by the North American Hardware and Paint Association. The Young Retailer of the Year program identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers, age 35 and younger throughout the U.S. and Canada.  The award normally only recognizes an individual; however, Colton and Danielle were recognized as a couple for the award.

Colton and Danielle both grew up in Osage City. During high school, Colton worked for Willie and Mary Sue Atchison, then owners of Osage Hardware. After high school, Colton served in the Marine Corps, the couple got married and were stationed in California for four years. Upon finishing his career with the Marine Corps, they decided to move back to Osage City in 2016. Willie jokingly told Colton he would sell him the store and his home and they would retire. After two years of learning the business, they saved enough money to make a down payment and bought Osage Hardware in September 2018.

They have made their business a family-oriented staple of the community.  Their sons, ages 3 and 5 come to the store every day and also the family dog, Sadie is the store mascot.

During their first years, they have made many updates to the interior of the store and have made a garden center in the adjacent vacant lot. The space has allowed them to offer an expanded selection of live plants, trees, mulch, bagged soil, outdoor furniture and décor, grills and more.  Danielle has also started a community farmer’s market.

The Hallgrens have seen a 12 percent increase in sales their first year in business and a 41 percent increase during their second year.  They continue to introduce new product lines and continue to add inventory.  In 2020, they were recognized as an Emerging Business of the Year by the Kansas Small Business Development Center.  They have achieved success and establishing their store without the benefit of a formal business education.  Initially, after working and learning from the former store owners for two years, they have taken advantage of seminars on marketing, merchandising and sales  as well as doing research and learning many of the basics of hardware retailing.  Danielle has future plans to increase the store’s social media marketing efforts and store merchandising.

They take great pride in serving their community.  Danielle coaches gymnastics with the local Parks and Recreation program and Colton currently is a volunteer firefighter.  They are members of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce and volunteer their time serving the community through various local events hosted at their store, including hands-on children’s activities for Mother’s Day, the annual Christmas on Market event and they also host local second graders each year for an educational program on small business.

Recently, they donated a Blackstone grill to a silent auction, which helped raise funds to cover a local man’s medical bills after he developed a brain tumor.  They continually find ways to give back to the community and help those who are struggling.

According to the Executive Director for NHPA, being chosen as a “Young Retailer of the Year” is a high honor and Colton and Danielle exemplify the determination and innovation that keeps the manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers industry growing.

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ORBIS names Osage City facility as company’s 2020 plant of the year

ORBIS Corporation recently named the Osage City facility the “2020 Plant of the Year”. The award honors one of its 14 North American manufacturing facilities. The Osage City plant employs 100 associates. Osage City facility had zero recordable injury incidents for the last two years. They achieved operational efficiency in 2020 as a top performer.  Every association is dedicated to employee safety and customer satisfaction.

The Osage City plant is recognized for its strong performance in areas such as safety, quality, service, community relations and overall operational efficiency.   The Osage City ORBIS facility was deemed an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic and was in full production throughout the entire year.

Osage City ORBIS plant take pride in serving the community.  They belong to the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, are very supportive throughout the year including among a few, the Smoke In The Spring, Cruis’n and Cook’n Car Show, Chamber of Commerce and Osage County Senior Center events.

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Edward Jones Investments relocates to new office

December 22, 2020, marked the first day of relocation for the Osage City Edward Jones office. Financial Advisor, Robyn Williams, and her team moved east up Market Street one block.  They moved from 516 Market Street, where the office had been located for 27 years, to a new location at 622 Market Street.

Robyn has been an Edward Jones financial advisor for more than 24 years and works to understand the individual goals of her clients prior to assisting them with their financial needs. Robyn’s primary goal is to help individual investors develop an investment strategy geared toward their family’s long-term goals.  Her team has built their business by treating their clients as they would want to be treated.

Robyn graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Communications, a Finance minor and a Leadership Studies Certification. She began her career with Edward Jones in 1996 in Beloit, KS, then moved to Emporia, KS, before taking over as the financial advisor in Osage City in June of 2001. Robyn will celebrate her 25 year anniversary of employment this week with Edward Jones on March 4th.

In August 2008, she earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist Designation from the College of Financial Planning. In her Osage City office, she is fortunate to be joined by two branch office administrators. Senior BOA, Mandi Potter, has over 22 years of experience, all in the Osage City branch, and the newest BOA is Jen Koch who has three and a half years of experience. Both ladies are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service possible.

Robyn and husband, David Williams, have two sons, and have lived in the Osage City area since 2008. She has enjoyed serving the community by being a long-standing member of our Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and OC Economic Development.

Robyn and her team are planning to have a Grand Opening as soon as it is safe for everyone to attend, and the Corporate Office approves the event according to their COVID guidelines.

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ORBIS Corporation enhances Osage City plant; new presses create production flexibility

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. – ORBIS Corporation, an international leader in reusable packaging, recently hosted the Osage City Chamber of Commerce for a facility tour and ribbon cutting event to celebrate the successful launch of new injection molding presses. The local business leaders were able to see the results of the investment, which improves the flexibility and overall output at this location.

This plant produces a variety of reusable and recyclable trays, baskets and totes for use in the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. These products move goods throughout the supply chain to reduce damage, to better utilize truckloads and to reduce waste. This continues to support the modernization initiative started in 2017 with press replacements. In 2018, the facility continued the plan by significantly upgrading its plastic recycling systems. The upgrade allows for up to 40% of the plant materials to be supplied with recycled products that have reached the end of their service life. Since the expansion, ORBIS has added 25% more employees.

This plant employs about 100 people, is an active member in the community and supports local libraries and high schools with scholarship and robotic team funding. With the recent upgrades, the Osage City facility is well-positioned to provide ORBIS customers with high quality trays, totes and containers while being a key contributor to the local economy.

Osage City Chamber members and ORBIS employees took a tour and cut a ribbon to celebrate new advancements at the Osage City plant, from left, Christopher Staley, Joe Humerickhouse, Thelma Humerickhouse, Katie Hodge, Cindy Koch, Maurice Koch, Jeremy Young, Shanda Koett, Robin Sage, Robyn Williams, Tricia Gundy, Richard Porter, Aliks Serna, Will Kerns, Jeanette Swarts, and Bryan Zeigler; not pictured Edana Phillips, Richard Swarts, and Wayne White.

About ORBIS Corporation: With more than 170 years of material handling expertise and 65 years of plastics innovations, ORBIS consists of a portfolio of businesses that meet the material handling needs of companies across many industries. ORBIS helps world-class customers move their product faster, safer and more cost-effectively. Using a proven approach, ORBIS experts analyze customers’ systems, design a solution and execute a reusable packaging program for longer-term cost savings and sustainability. Using life-cycle assessments to compare reusable and single-use packaging, ORBIS also helps customers reduce their overall environmental impact. ORBIS is a part of Menasha Corporation, one of the oldest family-owned manufacturers in the United States. As a steward of sustainability, ORBIS is committed to a better world for future generations. For more information, please visit www.orbiscorporation.com, www.facebook.com/ORBISCorporation, www.twitter.com/orbiscorp or www.youtube.com/orbiscorp.

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Kiwanis Serves Children of Osage City

Submitted by Dave Azwell

The Osage City Kiwanis Club supports the children of USD 420 with a number of service leadership programs (SLP’s) at the various schools. Faculty advisors who are also club members and other staff members provide invaluable guidance for the students in the high school, middle school and elementary school. The purpose is to promote service and leadership as integral parts of their education. It also introduces them to fundraising as a way to help provide funds for their activities and to support special events or organizations.

The Key Club is made up of high school students. Their activities include recycling miscellaneous papers/magazines each month, helping with the Kiwanis biscuits and gravy breakfast and supporting school and community activities. Imaginative club fundraising activities for a variety of causes and attending the Kiwanis Key Leader Conference are also a part of the Key Club experience. It’s not all work as fun activities are included.

Builders Club involves the middle school students. Some of their activities have included helping with the Kiwanis chili feed, recycling papers/magazines each month, reading to Kindergarten students, sponsoring a Student of the Week and other school and community activities. People have made note of the great help provided by the members. Some prolific fundraising projects have been a part of their activities.

The elementary school has the K-Kids program for 5th graders and they are an active bunch. Service projects include paper/magazine recycling once a month, helping the principal with morning duty, monitoring classes, recycling the lunchroom trash during lunch and campus cleanup which involves picking up trash in and around school property. Fundraising has included innovative ways of raising funds, Trick or Treat for UNICEF and food drives including non-perishable items for ECAT which have led to some astounding numbers of items collected. A back-to-school swim party each fall and the Christmas party are a couple of the fun events each year.

The BUG program  (Bringing Up Grades) is for the elementary students in the fourth and fifth grades. It helps promote the importance of obtaining and maintaining good grades as well as understanding the value of doing well in classes, completing homework, having a good attitude and exhibiting good behavior in school. Students who maintain or improve their grades and classroom presence are rewarded with a pizza party at the end of the first semester and a hot dog feed at the end of the school year.

In addition to the sponsored programs, OC Kiwanis funds other USD 420 activities such as scholarships for seniors, the elementary school’s W.A.T.C.H DOGS program, After Prom, Key Leader, the booster club and Teacher Appreciation Day. Kiwanis supports organizations such as the public library’s youth programs, ECAT, the warmth fund and the American Legion’s Boys State.

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ECKAN receives grant to offer new programs to Osage County Residents

Submitted by Kenna Burns

ECKAN has been awarded a generous grant which they are going to use for several areas of need that they support within their organization.

Savings account with Case Management Emergency Needs and Chamber Bucks Incentives

Program is to encourage monthly meetings with clients, meet their immediate emergency needs, and work together to encourage a savings account for clients with a 2/1 Match.  So they have a total of $1000 emergency fund.

Nutrition Class = Currently working with Cheryl Mussatto to offer a Nutrition class to clients, this money will be used to pay presenter fees, cost of food, incentives including (Chamber Bucks) for those who sign up and attend.

Dental Program: Used to continue helping clients with dental needs that go beyond the standard cleaning, fillings, exams.

Budgeting Class=Working with HCCI to offer the following classes:

Banking Basics

One-hour class for individuals who need an unbiased view of the different banking options that are currently available to consumers.  Learn:

  • How having a savings and/or checking account can help you stay organized with your finances;
  • What to expect when you decide to open your first account.

So Much Debt, So Little Time

Feeling overwhelmed by past-due notices or plagued with garnishments?  Learn:

  • Repayment options so you can get out of debt and on with your life;
  • How different types of debts impact your bank account, paycheck, credit score;
  • What laws protect you when you have debts in collections.
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High School Class Working With Local Businesses

Submitted by Troy Hutton

Osage City High School is beginning a new class that will include the development of partnerships with businesses to do job shadowing and/or possible internships.  This class is just getting established, but will be designed to expose students to jobs that they are interested in pursuing for careers.  We are interested in hearing from any businesses in town interested in working with the school to provide this type of partnership.  This could  include but is not limited to business aspects such as supply, purchasing, marketing, medical, programming, processing,  financial, etc.

Any business interested in this possibility can contact Mr. Heward at theward@usd420.org.

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Adam Burnett, active at work and on the boccia court

Adam Burnett, Osage City Chamber of Commerce member and employee of Resource Center for Independent Living, is not only busy at work, he also is active participating in the sport of boccia. He has been very successful in recent competitions at the national level.

Burnett, originally of Melvern and now Osage City, has worked at RCIL, in Osage City, since 2002. He was introduced to the Paralympic sport of boccia in 2016. Boccia is a throwing sport that tests an athlete’s coordination, accuracy, concentration, and ability to strategize. It can be played in a team or pair or individual competition.

What started out for Burnett as playing “just for fun” became more serious following a third place finish at the U.S. national tournament in 2016. He was then selected to Team USA in 2017 and represented the United States in two international tournaments that year, first in Montreal, Quebec, and then in Cali, Colombia.

Burnett won gold at the US National Tournament in 2017, but he is most proud of being a member of the first BC4 pair to ever win an international match for the United States, when he and his partner defeated Argentina last summer in Colombia.

“It’s really exciting and an honor to wear the Team USA gear and represent my local communities when we travel and compete,” Burnett said.

Most recently, he participated in Montreal in April 2018, and won his second national championship on July 1, 2018, in Chicago, Ill.

He said he loves the challenge of the sport and credits his wife, Beth, for holding him accountable and pushing him to continue practicing and improving his skills. Burnett said he also thanks USD 420 and Osage City Parks and Recreation for allowing him access to train.

“Thanks also to the Twin Lakes Cruisers, RCIL, and countless other individuals who have encouraged me and helped support my efforts,” he said.

Burnett’s ultimate goal is to help Team USA qualify for the 2024 or 2028 Paralympic games.

To follow his journey visit the “Team Adam” page on Facebook or see www.usaboccia.org.

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Kiwanis Club halts monthly Saturday paper recycling pick-up

Osage City residents…

As of June 1, 2018, the Osage City Kiwanis will no longer pick up papers, magazines and shredded paper citywide on the last Saturday of each month. However, the club will continue its paper recycling program. With the advent of the city’s recycling program, the club has had two collection bins as part of that program. It has been decided to concentrate our efforts on the recycle bins located at the city’s maintenance yard, 9th and Main. The bins are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Miscellaneous papers, magazine and shredded paper in a plastic bag remain the same acceptable paper items. We encourage you to use this method of paper recycling.

An Osage City Kiwanis sign is on the maintenance yard fence identifying our recycling program.

The two bins are marked papers, newspapers, etc. and are located immediately behind the sign.

We realize that some of our older patrons may find it difficult to come to the bins. For reasons of age, health or inability to get to the recycle bins, you may contact us at 785-528-2891 or 785-217-4586 whenever you have need for us to pick up your papers.

Thanks, Osage City Kiwanis

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Osage County Fair Biscuits & Gravy Fundraiser

Biscuits & Gravy Fundraiser

7-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016

Osage City Community Building

517 S. 1st Street, Osage City, KS

Free will donations!

Proceeds will support the Osage County Fair!

Hosted by Osage County Fair Association

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Osage County Fair Association invites community participation in 2016 fair

The dates have been set for the 2016 Osage County Fair. The fair will be held June 29 – July 2 in Osage City. This year’s fair will feature all the traditional favorites beginning with livestock shows and judging on Wednesday, the Chamber of Commerce parade, exhibits and competitions, a midway carnival, entertainment, Lions Club food concessions, and a grand finale fireworks display on Saturday night.

“The Osage County Fair will be an exciting community event with something for everyone,” said fair board president Jeff Pearson. He also emphasized that all Osage County residents are eligible to enter the open-class exhibits and competitions. Separate categories for both youth and adults include: horticulture and crops, gardening and flowers, livestock and animals, duct tape arts, recycling, baking and candy making, preserved foods, photography, quilts and clothing, fine arts and more. “So get creative and come to the fair!”

For further information, contact the Osage County Fair Association on Facebook or by email at osagecountyfair@hotmail.com.

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Local Edward Jones team participates in advanced training

Robyn Williams, a financial advisor with the financial services firm Edward Jones in Osage City, and Mandi Potter, a branch office administrator, recently attended a training opportunity at the firm’s headquarters in St. Louis.

The three-day Advanced Practice Management Forum is offered to branch teams throughout the country who rank among the top third most successful in the firm in helping clients work toward their long-term financial goals.

“The Advanced Practice Management Forum gave us an opportunity to share ideas with other successful teams, visit with home-office experts to discuss ways to meet more clients’ needs, and view technical demonstrations highlighting a variety of systems and tools,” Williams said. “Mandi and I also were able to tailor some of the training to focus on areas of our business that we want to grow.”

“Attending this training together will help us better serve our clients,” Potter said. “We now share a clearer vision of the best practices, tools and resources to use in earning new clients, deepening relationships with existing clients and overall delivering an ideal client experience.”

Edward Jones is at 516 Market St., Osage City, or call 785-528-8177 for more information.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and Canada.