NEW YEARS' EVE

A family style New Year’s Eve Party will be held on Saturday, December 31, from  7 to 9 pm in the basement of Reading UMethodist Church.  There will be a chili bar and cookie bar.  Bring some finger foods and join in the fun!  Bring your favorite new game to share.

Girl Scout Gift

The Girl Scouts of Reading crafted table decorations for the Grand Opening of

The Miracle Café.  The girls tied 9 candy canes around a red candle so that the

candle stands on the hook of the cane.  How clever is that!

Baldwin City

Barbara Schlobohm will represent  the community of Reading at a joint meeting of service clubs and government entities in Baldwin City the evening of

January 23.

Barbara oversaw the funding and purchase of a game, sweatshirt and Miracle Café gift certificate for the Reading School tornado children.  Junior and Senior High students were provided a hoodie and gift certificate.  Thank you Nikki Senft, Heather Jones, Rhonda Sapp and Reta Jackson for all of the help in the sorting and distribution!  A huge thank you goes out to the Ruritans of southeast Kansas for funding this project for the children

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.

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.

Home Owner Rehabilitation Grants

Nine Readingites have had their homes inspected and a plan drawn up to repair or replace
various parts of their dwellings.  Jeff Lynch is responsible for the grant and can answer all
of your questions along with helping you to complete the paper work.

There is still grant money remaining and we want to use every bit that we can!  You can
contact Jeff Lynch, city of Emporia Grant Writer, or go to Reading City Hall for a copy
of the application form.

You DO NOT need to have tornado damage.  This grant has nothing to do with the tornado.
It is a golden opportunity if you are in the correct income bracket.  Check it out!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Remember taking shelter in the basement?
Remember going to meeting after meeting in the tattered sanctuary
      or piled high basement?
Remember filling out forms, meeting volunteers, picking up all types
      of  supplies/Christmas decorations/quilts/water, etc?

Reading United Methodist Church asks you to return for a time of
gratitude and solitude Christmas Eve at 6pm.  The service will include
Christmas songs, special music, readings and a candlelight service
of communion.

Come in your comfy Christmas Eve clothes and start your evening
truly remembering the reason for the season!

Henderson's

Yahoo for Henderson's.  They have new siding going on right this second.
That will make a great reason to celebrate!

A PERSONAL GIFT

This time of year is naturally stressful and hectic.  We all deal with it in different ways!
You have been given a gift of FREE counseling to help you through the frustration of the disaster,
the stages of recovery and the depression of life right now.

Call 620-343-2296    Ext 104  and ask for Nancy.  Each and every person in Reading can use
her counseling services and they will be paid for by Catholic Charities. 

Merry Christmas!

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Start the New Year with a gathering of friends in Reading!

Family Fun and Frivolity
Saturday,  December 31
7 to 9pm
UMethodist Church Basement
Chili and Cookie Bar provided -- bring a finger food to share

Games, Gab and Gaity Galore

January Happenings

The Communication Team met tonight to gather and organize the information from all of the
organizations, churches and teams.  The only groups we heard from were UMW, Park Action Team
and Girl Scouts.

Steering Committee, RCD, Housing Team, Incubator Team, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Lions Club,
Library, City Hall, Baptist Church and any other group that will have activities or meetings ---
PLEASE, send me the dates, times and places for any activities or meetings you will have in January and/or early February.         bjschlobohm@gmail.com

TORNADO KIDS GIFTS

To the parents who have been contacted about  Christmas gifts:

Due to a delay in receiving the sweatshirts, you will not be able to pick
up your child's gifts from the Ruritans until Wednesday, December 21,
between 2 and 7pm in the Green Room of The Miracle Cafe. 

Don't be late!

HOUSING REHABILIATATION GRANT PROGRAM

For assistance call, 620-343-4285
COMMUNITY OF READING HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM
There is still monies available and we want to see the insulation, windows, heating
and cooling, etc, of as many homes as possible improved in the Reading area.

The forms may be picked up at City Hall and assistance in completing the form
is friendly and specific by calling 620-343-4285.

MIRACLE CAFE'S GRAND OPENING TONIGHT

Grand Opening
6 to 9pm       Friday, December 16
Menu -- smoked brisket, potato, salad bar, green beans,
               cinnamon bread, and drink for $9.95
Live Entertainment -- Kendra White and Bill Ihling will be
playing Christmas carols, country and some surprises on the
fiddle and guitar for your enjoyment!

See you tonight!

CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING

Saturday, December 24
6pm       UMethodist Church

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas carols

Christmas story

Friends and Neighbors

TIGHTWAD BANK

TIGHTWAD BANK It has been reported by some that they are having difficulty closing their accounts at Tightwad Bank. Be sure that you take personal identification when you go -- driver's license, Passport, Social Security card, even a copy of your last bank statement will be good! IF you feel that you are hassled about closing your account, call this number -- 785-296-2266 . That is the line to the Kansas State Banking Commission. You will be directed to push #1 if you have a concern or a complaint. Making the call right there in the lobby of Tightwad with the facts might be very effective. You can lodge a written complain at www.osbckansas.org I have called and written a general complaint on behalf of several Readingites that have given me their stories this morning. The more stories they hear from individuals or organizations, the more on which they have to base decisions. Questions? bjschlobohm@gmail.com

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COMMUNICATION TEAM MEETING

Monday, December 19
7pm    UMethodist Church

Reading Baptist Church,  Reading United Methodist Church, Veritas Bronze, Head Hands and Feet,
The Miracle Cafe, Reading Grain and Lumber, Citizens State Bank, City of Reading, Reading Fire
District, Reading School, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, United Methodist Women, Reading
Community Development, Housing/Park/Communication Action Teams, Public Square Steering Committee, 4-H, and any other groups or businesses that I may have overlooked:

all of your January meeting dates & times along with agenda items and/or progress need to be
turned in to Heather Jones for this meeting.   The city newsletter must be prepared.  We, also, need
to be sure that groups are not planning meetings for the same place and time.

POST OFFICE LETTER

A letter was received by the City Clerk a month ago in regards to the
status of the Reading Post Office.  I have not been provided with the
information, but am sure you can get it from the city clerk.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS MOVED

The city council has voted to move their monthly meetings
from the school to the City Hall building beginning in January.

Ms. Higgins will provide you with the information on that meeting.

City Council Report

Last Thursday evening I was in Kansas City preparing to be interviewed by
Ingram's Magazine to bring the tornado recovery efforts to the attention of
the businesses in the Greater Kansas City area.  Because of that, I asked
Heather Jones, a member of the Communication Action Team, to give my
report to the City Council.  As you can see from the attached report, NO
WHERE do I say I am leaving this position because I feel unappreciated!

The past four weeks have been hectic for publicity and fund raising here in Reading. Besides the standard news releases, interviews, and contacts with

media, I represented Reading:

1. William Baker Choral Society Concert where a total of $2600 was donated to
   help people rebuild their homes. (Speech)
2. Flip Flop Hop – Merry Lu Pasley of Lebo held this fundraiser and presented
   a check for $1500 to help rebuild homes. (Speech)
3. United Way Board of Directors Meeting –walking tour of town followed by
   a speech.
4. Ruritans of Southeastern Kansas District Meeting where a total of $1500 has
   been pledged to purchase a Christmas game for Reading tornado children following my speech.
5. McCarthy Auto Sales interviews live with 94.9 radio and channel 5 and then drawing the winning ticket of the Camaro.
6. Lunch meeting with Kate Fields of Heartland Habitat for Humanity.

I organized:

1. the Free Medical Clinics for Reading area residents wishing to see a doctor or get free immunizations.
2. 60 Rotary Club members volunteering to clear tornado damaged trees.
3. KSU students initial viewing of Reading and discussion with park
   action team.
4. The sales of 59 tickets through Reading for the Habitat home. $2360
5. The collection of information from clubs, churches and businesses for the city newsletter.
6. The distribution of 3 vans full of Christmas decorations.
7. The distribution of approximately 45 quilts.
8. A Credit Counseling opportunity for residents that will not only
   help them get control over their finances but earn them $100 in
   Wal Mart gift cards.
9. The services of a counselor to help us all work through the stress,
   depression, anxiety and fear. Contact me if you want this free service.
10. Contacting parents of Reading children, having them select a free
    game and give a size for a possible free sweatshirt for Christmas.
11. The KSU Park Plan Unveiling

I attend Long Term Recovery Meetings representing the city and serve as the Public Information Officer for that group.

I will be featured in Ingram's Magazine out of Kansas City, MO. This is a business magazine that once a year features individuals that have made a difference in the

life of their community. The photo shoot is Friday morning.

I will be turning Reta Jackson's name into Larry Hatteberg for one of his features.

When I asked for nominations, Reta and I tied in votes with Heather Jones coming in right behind.

I want to inform the council and community members that ________ Reading families have now been helped by Long Term Recovery to the cost of a little over

$200,000.

Quilts have already been distributed to: Kevin Sorensen, Shyan White, Stephanie Smith, Billy Paige, Jeff Meek, Bill Hooper, Craig Croucher, Alan Barrett, Virginia Barger, Iven Woods (3), Jill Scales, Mike Scales and Doug Scales. These are all people that completely lost their homes.

All of the Reading Kindergarten students received a quilt. I am in the process of

collecting other quilts for distribution to those that suffered loss.

This Sunday at the Reading Christmas Celebration, each tornado family in attendance will receive a bag filled with Christmas decorations and other surprises.

This was made possible from an Overland Park contact.

The assistance Reading has received over the past seven months has been phenomenal. It will raise the living standards of the people and property valuations. This, in turn, will raise more tax revenue for the city and entice others to want to move to Reading. Billy told us that our current infrastructure can

serve 20 more homes. If you build them......they will come!

The Baldwin City Lions Club called and asked if I would be willing to speak to a

joint meeting of all the service clubs and councils in their area on Monday,

January 23. I have accepted that speaking engagement on your behalf. However,

after December 15 I will no longer be able to work for the city of Reading. If there comes a time that you need someone with my skills and abilities, please let me know.

The following information is accurate as of 10am, December 8.

21 households did not receive financial assistance from the LTRC. Many of them declined assistance or did not qualify because of insurance settlements or other resources available to them. However, many of the people on this list did receive the assistance of volunteer labor which was organized though Steve Burnett of United Methodist Disaster Relief.

65 households have received a total of $193, 436 in financial assistance. This averages out to roughly $3000 per household. These cases have no current business before the committee.

18 cases are currently active with requests in process. Of these individuals, roughly $8900 has already been allocated and we are working with them to secure estimates, order material, or obtain additional information about their gap.

The committee believes that all residents have been interviewed and have had an opportunity for their case to be presented to the committee. If you have not had an opportunity to speak with a case manager, please let us know.

The total cash dispersed to residents is just over $202,000.

Steve Burnett sends the following volunteer hour report:

5,663 hours of outside volunteer time has been recorded through Umethodist Disaster Relief

The first 3 days of volunteer time was kept by the COAD out of Emporia.

Because my work time IS refundable through FEMA, he will be adding 450 hours of my volunteer time that has not been included in FEMA reporting.

Here is an interesting stat: In the state of Kansas, the dollar value of one volunteer hour is $17.80.

5663 hours

X $17.80

$100,801.40

That means over $100,000 of volunteer time that has been reported has been donated to Reading. That is pretty significant. Thank you, Steve, for locating these people to help us!