Osage City Chamber of Commerce

Osage City Chamber of Commerce members for 2018 include the following. Whenever you need services or products in the Osage City area, remember to check with your fellow chamber members first.

• AG Choice
• Artfully Quilted by Barbs
• Asset Life Cycle
• Auburn Pharmacy
• Bank of Osage City
• Barber Johns
• Branine Chevrolet-Buick
• Bull’s Eye Liquor
• Burns, Burns, Walsh and Walsh
• Buzzard’s Pizza
• Canine Country Clips
• Citizen Insurance Services
• City of Osage City
• COF Training Services, Inc.
• Conrad Carlson Charitable Foundation
• Cotton O’Neil of Osage City
• Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness
• David Jacoby, OD
• Debbie Rinzler Photography
• ECAT
• ECKAN
• Edward Jones Investments
• EK Real Estate
• First National Bank
• Flint Hills Beverage
• Furniture Loft
• Garrett’s Fireworks
• Glyn L. Day Agency
• H and H Appraisals
• Hair Designs by Diane
• Harmon Dental
• Haskins Oil
• Higher Power Health and Yoga
• Home Town Health Care and Hospice
• Jerry’s Thriftway
• Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark Agency, State Farm Insurance
• Landmark National Bank
• Liquor Market LLC
• Lusk Properties
• Lyndon State Bank
• Marilynn’s Restaurant
• McCoy’s Electronics
• ORBIS Corporation
• Osage Building Materials
• Osage City Kiwanis Club
• Osage City Lions Club
• Osage City Municipal Golf Course
• Osage City Public Library
• Osage County Fair Association
• Osage County Farm Bureau Association
• Osage County Herald-Chronicle
• Osage County News
• Osage Hardware
• Osage Nursing Center
• Peterson Assisted Living
• Porter Cattle Co
• Ramblin’ Rose
• Resource Center Independent Living
• Salt Creek Rehab and Fitness
• Schroeder Drugs
• Tara Azwell
• The Body Shop
• The ClotheSpin
• Theel Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
• United Way of the Flint Hills
• USD #420
• VanArsdale Funeral Chapel
• Vintage Park at Osage City
• Wischropp Auctions

On July 25, 2018, ECAT sponsored the Osage City Chamber of Commerce “After Hours Mixer”.  A light dinner of grilled hamburgers with all the fixings was served.  President Kathy Lincoln thanked everyone for their generous donations throughout the year.  Kathy also explained how ECAT is  the only non for profit organization in Osage City serving up to 400 people a month. ECAT’s mission is to reach as many people in unfortunate circumstances as possible. They not only help with food and clothing but also with rental assistance, prescriptions and gas cards. ECAT also has several other projects throughout the year. None of which would be possible without the support of our generous and caring people of Osage City.

A big thank you to everyone who has helped us in anyway.
ECAT Board of Directors

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce served concessions at the baseball concession stand July 9-13, 2018.   A variety of food items other than the furnished items by the Recreation Commission were served.  Food items that Chamber members donated were frozen grapes, baby carrots with ranch dressing, sloppy joes, walking tacos, chili, cookies, brownies, root beer floats, ice tea and ice.  Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs were a continued item from last year as they were a big hit with the players & fans. The aroma of the hamburgers grilling got the attention of the hungry parents and ball players, thus kept the grill going most of the evenings!!  Would like to thank the members, Jan Ogleby, Jeanette Swarts, Julie Carlson, Vida Lewis, Casey Mussatto, Dave & Tara Azwell, Nancy Washburn, Jeanette Stromgren, Vintage Park, Ann Lusk, COF, Thelma & Joe Humerickhouse,  Adam & Beth Burnett, Tricia Gundy, Debbie Rinzler, Ronda Harmon and Robyn Williams for their contribution of either food items or working at the concession stand.  Would also like to thank Richard Swarts for keeping the grill going. The success from the events are measured by the support and enthusiasm from everyone & we did have a successful week and the proceeds go back to the Chamber.

July 1st, 2018 the Osage City Disc Golf Course hosted their inaugural Osage City Disc Golf Doubles Tournament to help raise funds for the annual fireworks show.  The tournament had participants from Abilene, Salina, Emporia, Lawrence, Topeka & local Osage City.   Skill levels ranged all the way from beginner to the current PDGA Junior World Champion Isaiah Esquivel out of Emporia.  Teams played two rounds of 18 holes with the winner having the best 18 hole average after the two rounds. The winning team received 20% of the tournament proceeds, along with two custom made putters created by Dynamic Discs out of Emporia.   At the end of the two rounds a team from Emporia, Michael Smith & Danny Lindahl came out as the Inaugural Champs!

Everyone that was involved with the tournament would like to thank those that played an integral part in making everything come together. First off, the tournament would not have happened with the initial idea from the Chamber of Commerce and their support for wanting to bring attention to the new course in town. Also, a big thanks for supplying water to all the participants of the event. Next, a big thanks to the City Staff  as they did a lot of prep work for the tournament and their work did not go unnoticed as teams constantly mentioned how nice the course looked which is a testament to the hard work and attention to detail that every city employee put into the tournament. Thanks to Dynamic Discs for creating the prized putters that were custom made to be a resemblance of Osage City which did not disappoint. Lastly, participants Michael Smith and Lupe Esquivel were vital resources when putting this tournament together, and with their guidance and expertise helped the tournament become a success and will lead to future tournaments being hosted there in the years to come!

As a part of the July 1, 2018, Chamber of Commerce Fireworks Celebration, ORBIS Corporation held its first annual fishing tournament in remembrance of Ruben Chavira, an avid fisherman and an employee at ORBIS who died May 31, 2017, from a fatal accident at the plant. The official count that participated in the tournament was 22 participants with trophies awarded for most, biggest and smallest fish and small gifts for all attendees.

The Osage County Fair Association asked the Osage City Chamber of Commerce to take over hosting the annual “Fireworks Celebration”. Committee members, Thelma Humerickhouse, Jeff Pearson and Jeanette Swarts decided to organize the celebration into a family oriented event which included activities for everyone.

Starting in the morning, the day of events included a Youth Fishing Tournament, sponsored by ORBIS Corporation, Community Worship Service, sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Osage City and Disc Golf Tournament, organized by Erick Punches and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.  Mid-afternoon, the Osage County Community Patriots’ Choir presented a very entertaining patriotic concert for the public.  Activities started in early evening with bounce play sets, sponsored by the Conrad Carlson Foundation, a mini car show featuring the Twin Lakes Cruisers along with other area car buffs, a variety of free games including plinko, ring around juice bottles, knock down the cups, duck pond, fireworks walk (a.k.a cake walk) and bingo.  The games were sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Garrett’s Fireworks donated the fireworks for the fireworks walk.  Would like to thank the Chamber member volunteers that assisted with the event were Joe & Thelma Humerickhouse, Jeff Pearson, Jeanette Swarts, Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark, Jeanette & Sydney Stromgren, Angie Theel, Shanda Koett, Ronda Harmon, Rick & Zina Bryan, Susan Buenger, Debbie Rinzler, Barb Pope. Would like to thank them for their time and assistance. Delicious food and snacks were provided by Mama Rita’s Mexican, Wiley Weenie Wagon, Thrill’s Kettle Corn and Pomona Masonic Lodge #41.  The Osage City Kiwanis Club provided watermelon slices, Lions Club sold pie & the 4H sold homemade ice cream.   Local music group, “The Tweed Tones” provided a variety of live music throughout the evening leading up to the fireworks show.

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, Holly McConnell so eloquently sang the National Anthem.  Scott Farmer & his staff created a very entertaining and powerful fireworks display which was enjoyed by everyone.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following contributors for their generous donation and support for the Fireworks Celebration.  AG Choice, Auburn Pharmacy, Bank of Burlingame, Bank of Osage City, The Body Shop/Buenger Automotive, Branine Chevrolet-Buick, Burns, Burns, Walsh & Walsh, Citizens Insurance Services, City of Osage City, David Jacoby-OD, Edward Jones Investments, Kirk Bath Farm Bureau Financial, First National Bank, H & H Appraisal, Harmon Dental, Jerry’s Thriftway, Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark Agency, John’s Barber Shop, Landmark National Bank, Marilynn’s Restaurant, McCoy’s Electronics, Miller Elevator, ORBIS, Osage Building Materials, Osage City Chamber of Commerce, Osage City Municipal Golf Course, Osage City Kiwanis Club, Osage City Lions Club, Osage County Community Foundation, Osage County Farm Bureau, Porter Cattle Co, Quality Built Construction, Casey & Cheryl Mussatto, Rod & Kim Bergquist, Cathryn Houghton, Dan & Linda Mollnow,  Brian & Jeanette Stromgren,  Richard & Jeanette Swarts.

August marks the third month of recognizing a “Yard of the Month”, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.  Recognition will be during the months of June through September.  The selection of the yard takes place during the first few days of each month.  In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at any Osage City business.

Even through the lack of rain & hot weather the past month, Dee Cason has managed to keep her knock out rose bushes & flower beds surrounding her home looking beautiful. We are pleased to announce that Dee Cason’s yard has been selected for the month of August. Her home is located at 231 Safford.

The Osage County Fair Board worked hard this year to have this be one of the best fairs so far. Activities this year from Wednesday, June 27 through Saturday, June 30, included exhibits, 4-H activities and competition, Chamber of Commerce Parade, live band, family fun night, pie contest, carnival, cooking demonstration, Shootin’ Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, Football 7 on 7 Tournament, pet shows, antique tractor show and pull, kids pedal tractor pull, Barnyard Olympics, 5K “Glow Run Run”, dance party.

Looking forward to another great fair week in 2019.

The annual fair parade, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce was Thursday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m.  The theme for the parade this year was “Hats Off to Red, White and Blue”.   Jeanette Swarts commented that Diane Michael, parade chairman did a fantastic job coordinating a variety of entries including the Boy Scouts of Osage City starting the parade as flag bearers, emergency vehicles, including the City and County law enforcement, ambulance and fire department,  Parade Marshal, Mary Lou Estes and Mr. and Mrs. Osage City, Jerry and Marilyn Giesy, floats, golf carts/ATV’s, band, politicians, antique tractors, horses, etc. Even though the heat index was very extreme at parade time, the participants were eager to have a great time & the spectators seemed to enjoy the entries.

This year, the Chamber had a coloring contest for grades 1st through 6th. The entries submitted were well done and the selection was difficult.  Eight winners were selected to ride on one of the fire trucks in the parade. The winners were 1st Grade-Devin Theel and Ashlyn Nihiser, 2nd Grade-Kaylee Theel and Jordyn Lickteig, 3rd Grade-Sophia Brabb, 4th Grade-Justin McKnight, 5th Grade-Kasen Parsons, 6th Grade-Maddie Renfro.  All of the submitted entries are in the downtown old Duckwall store windows (6th and Market). Please take a moment to take a look at some of the young artists in the community.

The float entry awards went to First Place, $125 – Conklin Plumbing; Second Place, $100 – Friends of Pomona; Third Place, $75 – Republican Women; Fourth Place, $50 – Lyndon Leaders.  The Golf Cart/ATV entry awards went to First Place, $30 – Boyd Woodyard; Second Place, $20 – First National Bank of Kansas; Third Place $10 – April Pete.

As Diane Michael stated, we are hoping that next year there will be more involvement of floats, school bands, etc., thus there will be have a larger parade for 2019.  Your support contributes to the growth of our community.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce and Diane Michael, Parade Committee Chairman would like to take this opportunity to thank those that participated in the 2018 Osage City Fair Parade.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting Tuesday, June 19th at “The ClotheSpin”, the downtown laundromat.  The facility, located at 505 Market, was purchased by resident Kelli Bowin in February and underwent a complete renovation.  Kelli said she is very happy to be a partner in the downtown.

“I’ve been looking for a way to invest in downtown Osage City and this was the perfect opportunity,” she said.  “We spent a few weeks designing a new interior and remodeling the building and we’re very pleased with the support from Osage and the surrounding communities.”  She also mentioned that this was a perfect opportunity to teach her boys, Breckin, 13 and Brady, 10, how to run and operate a business.

“The ClotheSpin” features include two 40-pound washers, several front loading machines and eight front loading dryers.  Hours of operation are 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week.

Jerry and Marilyn Giesy represented the city as the 2018 Mr. and Mrs. Osage City.  They felt very honored and appreciative for being selected.  Jerry and Marilyn have been residents of Osage City since 1968.  They moved from Kansas City when they purchased the Larson Food Market which was located in the downtown business district.  Along with taking care of three children, Marilyn also worked at the store taking care of the payroll until computers took over.  In 2001, they built and opened a new 21,000 square feet store which is located where the Chief Motel once was.  The grocery business has become a family affair when Steve and Brian joined the business in the 80’s. Their son-in-law Jim works at the store along with grandsons Jules and John.

Jerry and Marilyn have three children, Steve (Michelle); Brian (Marilyn) and Renee (deceased), (Jim).  They have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

They are very active and supportive in the community.  They have been members of the Osage City Country Club, Osage City Chamber of Commerce and the Methodist Church. Jerry is a member of the Lions Club and Marilyn is a member of the UMC, belongs to many social clubs and enjoys playing card games, Mexican dominoes and traveling.

Mary Lou Estes was chosen as the 2018 Parade Marshal.  Prior to her husband Bill passing away in 2013, they celebrated 62 years of marriage.   Bill and Mary Lou were also selected for the 2003 Mr. and Mrs. Osage City.  They had three children, Glenda, Emporia; Ron (Susan), Wichita; Rich (deceased in 2014).  Mary Lou gets extreme joy being with her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Over a period of years after Mary Lou retired, she and her husband Bill hosted exchange students from nine countries including Sweden, Japan, Norway, Czechoslavakia, Italy, France, New Zealand, Thailand and Finland.

Mary Lou has been a long time resident of Osage City. She retired from the Social Security Administration in 1989.  Since 1989, she has been on the Fair Board and domestic science department during the fair.  For several years she has served as the 4-H cooking instructor for beginning 4-H youth.  She works on the election board for the Barclay Township. Mary Lou is a member of the Methodist Church, Red Hats and Jersey Creek Club.   She likes to do gardening and planting flowers.  Also enjoys having company stay overnight and looks forward to the grandchildren spending weekends with her. Mary Lou is always available and willing to assist when someone needs help at the school, church or other activities.  Mary Lou was very excited and pleased to have been chosen for this year’s Parade Marshal.

July marks the second month of recognizing a “Yard of the Month”, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. Recognition will be during the months of June through September. The selection of the yard takes place during the first few days of each month. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at any Osage City business.

Even through the lack of rain & hot weather, the owners are continuing to try to keep their yards groomed & looking nice. We are pleased to announce that Martin & Linda Jones’ yard has been selected for the month of July. Their home is located at 223 Lord.

Click poster for printable pdf version.

Click poster for a printable pdf version.

In the near future, the fairgrounds, Lions Club Food Stand, 4-H barns and pavilion, parade route will be bustling with a lot of activity going on. June 27-30 are the dates for the annual fair event in Osage City. Schedules, events, etc. are posted on the Chamber of

Diane Michael is in charge of the parade which will be held June 28, 6:30. She is diligently working to get information to the businesses and organizations to participate in the parade. She is hoping to make it a fun filled event this year. Diane reported that she is starting to receive entries; however, she hopes that there will be many more to come. Decorated golf carts and ATV’s are invited to participant in the parade this year. Golf cart and ATV drivers must be at least 17 years of age to drive in the parade.

Detailed parade information including prize money for floats and golf cart-ATV, etc. may be found on the Chamber of Commerce website www.osagecitychamber.com.

This year, a coloring contest for ages K through 5th grade (2018-19 school year) will be sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Students participating in the Summer Reading program at the Osage City Public Library can pick up the specific coloring page and return by noon June 18. Eight winners will have the opportunity to ride on the fire truck in the parade.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Osage City annual community fireworks spectacular which will be held on July 1. Plans are coming together to include an exciting day of activities for the families to enjoy. There will be lots of FREE activities leading up to the fireworks display including a youth fishing tournament, community choir concert, bounce play sets, carnival games, watermelon feed, “The Tweed Tones” live band. Other activities include community worship service, disc golf tournament, bingo, balloon artist, food and snacks, pie and ice cream social.

Members of the committee appreciate the generous donations from the businesses and citizens of the community to supplement the expense of the purchase of the fireworks: AG Choice, Auburn Pharmacy, Bank of Burlingame, Bank of Osage City, The Body Shop/Buenger Automotive, Branine Chevrolet-Buick, Burns, Burns, Walsh and Walsh, Citizens Insurance Agency, City of Osage City, David Jacoby-OD, Edward Jones Investments, Farm Bureau Insurance Agency, First National Bank, H and H Enterprises, Harmon Dental, Jerry’s Thriftway, Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark Agency, John’s Barber Shop, Landmark National Bank, Marilynn’s Restaurant, McCoy’s Steren Electronics, Miller Elevator, ORBIS, Osage Building Materials, Osage City Chamber of Commerce, Osage City Golf and Country Club, Osage City Kiwanis Club, Osage City Lions Club, Osage County Community Foundation, Porter Cattle Co., Quality Built Construction, Casey and Cheryl Mussatto, Rod and Kim Bergquist, Dan and Linda Mollnow, Brian and Jeanette Stromgren, Richard and Jeanette Swarts.

With all of the beautifully groomed yards and flower beds in Osage City, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Yard of the Month” Recognition during the months of June through September. The selection of the yard will take place during the first few days of each month. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at any Osage City business.

We are pleased to announce that Moe & Donita Payne’s yard has been selected for the month of June. Their home is located at 633 Main.