Chamber Coffee Recognizes Alumni

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Last weekend’s All-School Reunion brought more than 700 graduates of Grant County Rural High School and Ulysses High School, and the weekend kicked off with the weekly Chamber Coffee at the Historic Adobe Museum, where Class of 1958 graduate Ginger Anthony led the way by explaining what the museum has to offer.

“We’re pleased to host this Chamber Coffee, it’s much, much, much bigger than I thought it would be, which is great,” Anthony said. “It’s always good to have more people.”

Anthony talked about the artwork for the Alumni art show on display for the All School Reunion, and Chamber Director Marieta Hauser talked about how wonderful the museum is.

“When I have people come into the chamber office, they always say ‘What do we need to do before we leave,’” Hauser said. “I say if you have time, the Museum is one, Frazier Park is one, we’ve got a lot of things to be proud of.”

Hauser and Cindy Borthwick talked about Alumni Weekend, which the committee has been working on for 10 years.

“We have approximately 675 people reserved to come to the reunion (as of last Friday morning),” Borthwick said. “It’s been a lot of fun; you guys have all supported us with our Facebook (and) I want to tell you; we’ve had 72,000 views of our Facebook. So, on an average day, we have about 3,000 (views).”

Borthwick added the city, county, and the museum have been supportive in helping the Alumni committee organize the weekend events. She said cost for alumni to register was not just for the meal, but for everything else over the course of the weekend.

“We’re really excited to have everybody in town and hope you enjoy it,” Hauser added.

The Grant County Community Foundation has started an Alumni Fund.

“As we grow that fund, we will be able to give grants back into the school system for student development (and) different things teachers need,” Borthwick added. “It’s our way, as alumni, to give back to our school system.”

In other announcements provided by Hauser:

•The Boy Scouts are seeking support from the community to continue the Pinewood Derby tradition since their track has suffered irreparable damage.

“You can donate directly to their fundraising effort, you can sponsor a section of the track, or you can just help spread the word to others who might be willing to help,” Hauser said.

•The Chamber is gearing up for the September Home Products Dinner and Hauser said it takes a lot of planning. Applications are now open for Citizen of the Year, and nominations are due by noon June 30.

“There’s an anonymous Committee of five that get those applications, go through them and choose the Citizen of the Year,” Hauser added.

•Grow Well Community Gardens still have $10 plots available at Barb Due Park, contact the Grant County Extension office at (620) 356-1721 for more information.

•The Citywide Garage Sale is June 6-7, and if you want to advertise your garage sale on the list, contact the Grant County Chamber call (620) 356-4700, and it will be added to the advertisement in the Ulysses News. Deadline is May 29 at Noon.

•The American Legion Golf Scramble is June 14.

•May 30 is the second Annual City of Ulysses Summer Kickoff in downtown Ulysses. The ribbon cutting for Unity Plaza on Main Street is during the May 30 Chamber Coffee at 10 a.m.

•The 4 Ladies Golf Tournament is June 7, with 14 teams signed up so far from Ulysses, Guymon, Liberal and Dodge City.