Happy days: Valentines, Galantines observed
Deanna Bonn
Butler County Times Gazette
Valentine s Day, and Galatine s Day, was observed Feb. 13 and 14. There were two area celebrations for the days one by the American Legion of El Dorado and another, new, celebration at Walter s Pumpkin Patch near Burns.
Celebrating Teachers
The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit #81 in El Dorado wanted to recognize local teachers this year for Valentine’s Day.
“We know they have had a rough year, so we wanted to let them know that we appreciate them,” said Karen Hasting, member of the ALA Unit #81.
The unit made gift baskets for each of the El Dorado Elementary schools to express that gratitude. Each basket was filled with gala apples, one for every teacher at each school, and attached to each apple was a note that said “You are the apple of our eye.”
Students Celebrate Kansas Day with Sunflower Science
Deanna Bonn
Times-Gazette
To celebrate Kansas’ 160th Birthday, Sierra Marie Bonn, Miss Southwest 2020, virtually visited Devin Voorhees’ 2nd Grade classroom at Holy Cross Catholic School in Hutchinson.
“Mrs. V,” as she is known by students, is a Reading Resource teacher and invited Bonn to share her social impact initiative, “Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead!” with students.
According to Bonn, “Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead! is an initiative to promote STEAM engagement and education, based on my own passions in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) fields. “My goal is to engage with classrooms across the nation to garner excitement for STEAM, and to serve as a role model for young women everywhere,” Bonn said.
COVID-19 Vaccine in limited supply
Deanna Bonn
Times-Gazette
Virginia Ball and her son Randy Ball learned that Kansas entered the second of the COVID-19 Vaccinations Phases.
Virginia is 95 and Randy is 71, which qualifies them to receive the vaccination under the new guidelines. Virginia Ball, a Rosie the Riveter committed to helping fight the pandemic in a public campaign last year. Together we can do it, she said.
She acted quickly to try and get vaccinated when she became eligible. This is a horrible disease,” Virginia Ball said.
But when Virginia Ball logged on to the Butler County Health Department’s website to schedule their appointments, she discovered there are no upcoming appointments available. Not next week, or the week after that, not even within the next couple of months.
Chamber to host Chocolate Crawl
Deanna Bonn
Times-Gazette
The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is hosting their inaugural “Chocolate Crawl” Feb. 13 with the event being sponsored by Graphic Concepts, Inc.
“The chocolate crawl is a fundraising initiative for the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce that supports our local businesses,” said Cameo Rector, El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Director.
Touted as the sweetest thing ever, the “Chocolate Crawl” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating area businesses. During that time, attendees will travel from business to business, while satisfying their sweet tooth. The act of crawling on hands and knees is not recommended.
C.A.N. Funds Available, Volunteers Needed
Deanna Bonn
What comes to mind when you hear the word C.A.N.?
The Community Aid Network (C.A.N.) is a ministry to provide financial assistance to residents living in El Dorado, and is supported by the churches in the El Dorado area.
“You never know the situation a person is in,” said Barbara Day, volunteer with C.A.N. “God has provided this to give people a hand up so they can get back on their feet. There’s no judgement. We just want to represent God through this ministry.”