Monday, April 30, 2012

Hanlon's Return for a Visit

Friday, May 4              The Miracle Cafe
Bill Hanlon (cello) and Bill Ihling (guitar) plus friends will be serenading everyone from the front porch!
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the evening!  Paula will be socializing and covorting, I'm sure.

Dinner special will be Mexican feast.  Beer and wine coolers available.

May City Council Meeting

Thursday, May 3                7pm
City Hall

Book Club

Wednesday, May 2          9:30am
The Miracle Cafe

Discuss -- have a little faith by mitch albom
New book for May will be announced.

Public Square Steering Committee Meeting

Wednesday, May 2            7pm
Reading Baptist Church

All members of the Public Square Steering Committee need to be present.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Friday, April 6

Good Friday Service - UMethodist Church
7 - 7:30pm




Harveyville Street Dance -- $5 donation to rebuilding fund
8:30 pm

April City Council Meeting

Thursday, April 5
7pm    City Hall


Park plan update.  Discussion on civic building plans.  You need to be there.

Please Read This

For those who are un-insured, or under-insured, we’ll give them a free Intake session, followed by two or three free treatment sessions. After that, we’ll do all we can to set a fee that they can live with.  If they have insurance or Medicaid, then that will pay. 

Mental Health Center in Emporia

Please do not let anyone in your family be afraid of storms now.  There is
free help available.  Call them today.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Please Remember

Hate to do this, but here goes.  Reading United Methodist Church has always opened its doors to anyone needing help.  Luckily, many people escaped real tragedy on May 21 last year.  This week the building was opened again for all seeking shelter from the storm.

The basement had been scrubbed and set up for a shower on Saturday.  A large number of people went to the basement....even taking their animals!  Someone took down the chairs and laid them on the floor, got out and moved tables under windows, etc, etc.  When the all clear was given, everyone left the building and left an absolute mess for someone else to deal with!

I am not involved in this activity in any way, but the shower hostess has had to go back in this afternoon and spend a couple hours cleaning up after you all.

Please remember, if YOU make the mess, YOU clean it up.  Doesn't that seem fair?  Do you want 50 people and their animals invading your cleaned home, moving furniture, dragging in dirt, etc and then just walking out and leaving you with the mess?

Okay, be mad at me.....but I felt it needed to be said.  No, the church has said nothing...it is just me.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Habitat for Humanity Concert

Thursday, March 29
7pm
First United Methodist Church of Emporia
$10 donation -- tickets available at The Miracle Cafe
                          or at the door the night of the concert

Community Bingo Party

Saturday, March 31
7 to 8:30pm
Reading School gymnasium

After the tornado Readingites asked for the chance to just get together and
enjoy the community and each other.  The Communication team has put
together a family fun evening and are looking forward to seeing you there.

Friday, March 16, 2012

April 13 and 14

Reading to Serve as Teaching Ground for Disaster Coordinator Class
On April 13 and 14, Reading will serve as ground zero for a Disaster Coordinator Training Class through
Ottawa University. Students in the class and their teachers will be in Reading to do mock damage
assessment, communication, survivor search and rescue, etc. Both the United Methodist Church and
Reading School will be hosting the events for the students.

NEW Applications for Habitat for Humanity Homes

Reading Habitat for Humanity
Work has begun on the first Habitat for Humanity home in Reading. There’s a possibility that there
could be another one. New applications are now being taken and are available at Citizen’s State
Bank. Applicants must have been living in Reading at the time of the tornado, be able to secure a
small mortgage and complete a Housing and Credit Counseling course. The housing sub-committee of
Reading Long Term Recovery Committee will assess the applications and make a recommendation to the
committee. Applications must be received by April 10, 2012. All applicants will be contacted after the
review.

Tornado Damage Financial Assistance

Long Term Recovery
This committee will continue taking applications for tornado damage relief through May 1, 2012. If you
have a case that has not yet been heard, or if you have newly revealed damage, please consider making
application for assistance. Note the following:
• The damage must be storm related
• If the damage was to a person’s home, it must be his/her main home (not rental) and applicants
should have been living there at the time of the tornado
• If the damage was to a person’s vehicle it must be his/her main vehicle (not business)
• You must provide documentation of insurance settlements
• You must provide documentation of the costs of repair if already completed
• You must provide estimates of repairs if the work is not already completed
To apply: Contact Marion Jones, 699-3471 or Jami Reever, United Way of the Flint Hills, 620-342-7564

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Tuesday, March 13

RCD will meet tonight at 7pm at The Miracle Cafe.
Need a car removed?  They will give you $50 to get
it out of your yard.   Have property you would like
to sell?  Let them know.

Be a part of the solution!

Habitat Begins

Dwight Adams, Osage City, is a member of Long Term Recovery for Reading. He serves through United Methodist Disaster Relief. Dr. Adams has already arranged for Caravaners to come from Minnesota, Illinois, Arkansas, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Kansas to work on the Habitat for Humanity home! Wow!

The pad and cement work need to be completed, then Dwight and Steve Burnett's skilled volunteers will begin
descending and creating.  It is amazing!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Do Not Call List for Cell Phones

  REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go
Public this month.
REMINDER.....  all cell phone numbers
are being released to telemarketing
companies and you will start to receive
sales calls.
  . YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE
CALLS
   To prevent this, call the following number
from your cell phone:        888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only
take a minute of your time.. It blocks your
number for five (5) years. You must call
from the cell phone number you want to
have blocked. You cannot call from a    
different phone number.
www.donotcall.govM a r c h 2 , 2 0 1 2 The Lebo Light

Friday, March 2, 2012

City Council Meeting Notes 3/1

Present:  Ed Sapp, Todd Hensley, Bill Paige, Heather Jones, Jenifer
Hanneman, Mayor Kevin Sorensen
         City Employee -- Carol Ann Higgins, Tom Coerping, and Joyce Wilson.

CGB reported that the lagoon cleaning is going well.

The only thing left on the RV sites is grading and gravel.  They should be
ready for the Habitat start date of Mar 19.

Kevin and our KDEM helpers have been meeting with the KS Mitigatoin group
about the specifics on the safe room...still going to be at the civic
buliding just working out details on size need for our current population.

An architect with CGB talked about working with us on the community
building project.  The city has also been contacted by other interested
firms.

JT updated us on the ball field.  There will be volunteer groups in town
on April 14 and 21 to set posts and put up the fence and back stops.

The park committee is going to be presenting a formal request with
estimates and building plans to some funders in April for playground
equipment and the community center.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Kids Kaleidoscope for Spring Break

Thursday, March 22
1pm -- (Kdg, 1st and 2nd graders)  Story, coloring, science experiment, treat
2pm -- (3rd, 4th, and 5th graders) Story, science, word game, treat

Come have some fun at The Miracle Cafe with Barbara and Dr. Davies!
It's free -- and you Mom's and Grandma's can have a visiting time, too.

Park Tree Fundraiser

Scentsy Open House
Saturday, March 10
2 - 4pm  at The Miracle
Deanna Buss, consultant, and Vicky Tabor will host this event.
10% of all sales will go to the Reading Park Fund.

A new line of Scentsy and the Spring items will be featured.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Sunday, February 26

Imagine being served a complete home-cooked roast beef dinner for only $6.  Seriously???
Yes!  Reading UMethodist Church wants to be sure that the students of Reading have all of their school
supplies next fall so we are starting now to be prepared.

Dinner will be served shortly after the end of service at 11:30am until it is gone (or we're tired, haha)
Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, homemade rolls, dessert, tea/coffee for on $6 for adults and $3 for kids under 10.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

CITY COUNCIL MEETING Notes on civic building

There is to be a basement safe room.  FEMA 75%, state 10%, Reading 15%
There was much discussion about the size, moving city hall to the building, other parts, etc.
Motion made (Jen/Heather) to move city hall to the civic building when complete.
         Approved 4 yea  /  1 abstain
There are several funders waiting on plans and numbers to help.  City council members were
         asked by the Mayor to draw up plans of what they would like to see for a floor plan.  They hope to have
         a solid "general" idea at next weeks meeting so that a volunteer KSU architect instructor can draw them
         up and figures can be gathered to present to funders.  The funders are just waiting on concrete figures.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING  -- MARCH 1, THURSDAY -- 7pm, City Hall

CITY COUNCIL MEETING Notes

Present:  Ed Sapp, Todd Hensley, Bill Paige, Heather Jones, Jenifer Hanneman, Mayor Kevin Sorensen
              City Employee -- Carol Ann Higgins
7:05pm -- meeting called to order by Mayor
                presentation of lagoon project bids on $200,000 grant from KS Dept of Commerce
                Bid awarded to King Construction for $122,363   Sub-contractors Midland Fence, TWS out
                    of Lebo and Mayer Specialties from Goddard
                Additional funds that will be available after ALL add-ons are paid are targeted for replacement
                    of deteriorated/damaged piping and to replace/place rock rip-rap.
7:30pm -- completed lagoon contracts
                Richard Heathman asked to have a water meter run on the Hoop House lot.  He will pay for
                   the water.
                Old cement restrooms in park have been taken down.  City was informed they would lose $5,000
                    in FEMA money.  The city is filing a change of use of money from the restrooms to
                   office equipment: computer, copier, Jayhawk update, etc. up to $5,000.
NEXT ENTRY HAS NOTES ON CIVIC BUILDING DISCUSSION

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT!

Reminder --   SPECIAL  city council meeting tonight at 7pm to start getting suggestions, ideas and reactions to a new Civic Building.  This is your chance to share and listen.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Wednesday, February 22
6pm  to 6:30pm
Reading United Methodist Church


Lent begins today and a service will be held to help
in your preparation for Easter.

Monday, February 20, 2012

COMMUNITY PARTY

Community Bingo Party
March 31          6 to 8pm
Reading School


Remember how nice it was to share an evening together watching a movie
last fall?  Well, here we go again.  The Communication Team is putting 
together a Bingo Party under the supervision of Peggy Fort.


It's fun!    It's free!   It's for you!  Come be a part of the community!

Scentsy Open House

Saturday, March 10
2 to 4pm
Miracle Cafe

Introducing new line of Scentsy and new spring items


Deanna Buss -- Consultant (620-794-4508)
Vicky Tabor -- Helping Hostess
10% of all sales will go to the Reading Park Tree Fund

School Supply Sunday Dinner

Sunday, February 26
Noon
Reading United Methodist Church

Everything homemade -- roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, rolls, dessert & drink
Minimum $6 donation

All proceeds will be used to purchase school supplies for students at Reading School and North Lyon County Junior High.

This is the 15th year that Reading United Methodist Church has done this for Reading students.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Long Term Recovery Funds

LTRCommittee wants to remind you that if you need help with expenses directly related to the tornado,
you are asked to contact Marion Jones or The United Way.  You will need to provide basic information,
insurance pay-out and bid forms.  The committee will meet the end of February.

Monday, February 13, 2012

PARK ACTION TEAM

Wednesday, February 15
6:30pm        City Hall
Contact:   J T Crawford

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION NEEDED

Please have your group, church or business news to Barbara (bjschlobohm@gmail.com), Linda Woods or Heather Jones by the morning of  Sunday, February 19.

Baptist Church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Fire District, City of Reading, Citizens State Bank, The Miracle Cafe, United Methodist Church/Women, Reading Grain and Lumber, Cakes by Rhonda, Head/Hands/Feet, Reading School, Atchison Drywall, Hanks' Trucking, Veritas Bronze, etc............

Thursday, February 9, 2012

MARCH 10 AND 11

A group of 15 youth and 5 adults will be in town on March 10 and 11 to help individuals.  If you need HELP working in your yard, clearing, cutting, hauling, digging a garden, etc., please contact Billy Paige.  This is the
perfect opportunity for those still needing HELP to get it.

PUBLIC SQUARE

Joint Conversation with Osage City
February 22         7pm          Mussato Bros Distribution Center


Osage City has asked to have this joint regional conversation because they are contemplating becoming a public square community.  Reading members will be sharing our experience and each action team will make a 4 - 5
minute presentation of what the team has done so far.

You are invited to attend the conversation.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

NEW CIVIC BUILDING

Thursday, February 23, a special city council meeting will be held to get input from the Reading Community
on what they would like to see as a part of the new civic building.

Please be at City Hall at 7pm to look, listen and share your thoughts.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

February 19

A re-dedication will be held at Reading United Methodist Church beginning
at 9:30 am with a Continental Breakfast followed by a service of re-dedication
at 10:30 am.  District Superintendent Howard Johnson will conduct the service.

Those of you who rode out the tornado in the safety of the basement, received
help in various forms out of the building or attended any of the dozens of meetings
within the walls are asked to be present for the re-dedication.  This is a big day
for the Reading community's return!  We hope you will choose to be a part of it!

Park Meeting

Wednesday, February 1
6:30 pm      Reading School

This action team will meet to continue work on the park.  They presented to major funders
last Thursday in Emporia and have information and preparation that needs to be shared and
decided.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Steering Committee Minutes

Only 5 members of the Steering Committee were present for the January meeting. (Only 1 lives in the city limits.)
If you could accomplish one thing what would it be?
--bring community together
--end power struggle
--make sure action teams are successful
--have community project everyone could come together to work on

Derek Patterson will be taking Tammy Patterson's place on the Steering Committee.
A Public Square narrative must be written to apply for a matching grant from the Dept of Commerce.
      Monique Keith is writing that narrative and will have it at the February 8 meeting.
Decided to hold the regional conversation with Osage City on Feb 22 (tentatively).  Jerry Karr is setting
      the meeting up.
Angel was appointed the laison between the Steering Committee and Public Square.
Action teams / co-conveners are asked to attend the next meeting on February 8 to report on
the status of their projects.

GOOD USED GAS STOVE

Good used gas stove available.  If interested, contact Marion Jones (3471)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME

  It's Girl Scout Cook-ie time 
  It's Girl Scout Cook-ie time 
 Support the local girls 
FILL UP YOUR FREEZER NOW! 

Cookie sales begin January 21.  If a Reading Girl Scout does not knock on your front door,
please contact Amy Crawford or Heather Jones, leaders.  The eight varieties remain the 
same for your selection with boxes costing only $3.50 a box.  

Oh, Thin Mints and Lemon Cookies..........

RCD asks, "WILL YOU" ?

Reading Community Development leadership is now open for nominations.
If you would volunteer to share your  responsibility and follow-through skills with the community OR if you
would nominate a community member, contact Reta (699-3009).  Please speak to anyone you nominate to be sure they are willing to take on the role for which you have nominated them.

Monday, January 16, 2012

From J T Crawford

 
The next Park ActionTeam meeting will be this Wed. the 18th at the City Hall 6:30.
 
 
AGENDA
 
Review Playscape Proposal for Funders meeting
Look at KSU proposed designs of park
Finalize plans for donated $ (New Foundation Account, City of Reading, RCD Foundation Account, or Reading Bank)
Ball Field
 
Please let me know if you're unable to attend.  
 
Thanks,
JT

Monday, January 9, 2012

Wednesday Meetings

Park Action Team
6:30 pm      Reading School




United Methodist Women
6:30 pm     United Methodist Church
Supper then Bible lesson


Public Square Steering Committee
7pm          Baptist Church

TUESDAY MEETING

Tuesday, January 10
7pm       United Methodist Church
Reading Community Development

Sunday, January 8, 2012

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

City Council Meeting
7pm        Thursday
City Hall

It is important that every city resident, land owner and city water recipient attend the
meeting and stay on top of plans.  PACK THE HALL!

Friday, January 6, 2012

VERIZON TOWER

Word is:     the Verizon tower will be in place here in Reading by September!   Yippee skippy!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Tonight's Park Meeting Postponed

J T Crawford has postponed the Park Action Team meeting that was scheduled for tonight.
He asks that team members and interested persons contact him with a date & time.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

I was asked to repost this information:
If you have a concern with property that has trash and/or piles of "stuff", broken windows and/or doors, or there are multiple "homes" in unsafe proximity,  you can report the property to Ann Mayo at
the Lyon County Health Department.  She has the authority to inspect the property
and condemn it if it is deemed a concern.


County Health Department: 620-342-4864

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity

The Long Term Recovery Committee held the first of several organizational meetings with the Executive Board of Emporia Habitat for Humanity.  The original money donated from the car raffle was about $59,000 and Catholic Charities gave an additional $3,000 to help with the site supervisor administrative costs.  When there is a complete plan for construction,  funding, and interviews  in place, the recipient will be informed of their selection by HFH. 
NO recipients have been selected.  Those in the running will be interviewed and required to provide financial information by HRH.  There, also, is no certainty on the number of homes to be built.  There is only money for one.

Park Action Team

Park Action Team
Wednesday, January 4
6:30 pm        Reading School


If you are interested in helping to develop a new park for Reading, please attend this meeting.

Long Term Recovery

Long Term Recovery Committee

The Long Term Recovery Committee met the evening of December 21.  A list of cases were presented but
most could not be acted upon because the homeowner had not turned in paperwork -- bids, bills, insurance report, proof of ownership, etc.  It is impossible for the LTRC to help you if you do not give them the information so that they can help you!

LTRC will meet again on January 5.  Please get all of the information you were asked to provide in to your
caseworker before that date.
Reminder:  LTRC can only fund tornado damage.