Chamber lauds A&W, City of Iola

The Iola Area Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to A&W Family Restaurant and the City of Iola Friday.
The pair were recognized as the businesses of the year at the chamber’s annual banquet and meeting.
A&W was noted as the small business of the year (for 25 or fewer employees), and the city for its large employer, with more than 125.
Loren Korte, chamber board president, spoke about the contributions each made.
Jim Daugharthy purchased A&W in 1977, when it relied almost exclusively on carhops with limited inside seating.
Daugharthy remodeled the building at different times, “and it evolved into a more contemporary dining room,” Korte said, with a drive-up window.
Its menu features hamburgers, chicken, ice cream, root beer and other related items.
Korte also acknowledged A&W’s support of civic activities. The restaurant sponsors youth baseball, basketball, soccer and softball teams, as well as wrestling programs, Relay For Life and other activities.

ESTABLISHED in 1859, Iola’s city operations make it one of the county’s largest employers.
The city sells utilities, such as electricity, water and gas, while providing solid waste and wastewater disposal services.
Its employees also are full-fledged members of the community, while community members also support city operations by serving on various boards.
Shelia Lampe, the chamber’s executive director, noted the city also supports ownership of the Molly Trolley and helps move the chamber’s Santa House to the courthouse square each Christmas season.
“There’s no way we could do either without the city’s help,” she said.

IN A RELATED matter, Lampe announced Friday the chamber is looking to replace its iconic trolley.
She noted it was a used vehicle when it was purchased.
“We love her, but she’s dying,” Lampe said.
The trolley has become a vital revenue source for the chamber for various Halloween and Christmas tours. It also is rented out frequently for wedding parties, prom-goers and other users.
Lampe said the chamber is seeking potential grants to help support purchase of a newer trolley.
“We know we can’t afford a new trolley, because the price is astronomical,” Lampe said.

ACTORS in the upcoming Iola Community Theatre production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” rehearsed a short scene for the 70 or so in attendance.
The production opens March 21 at the ICT Warehouse.