HUMBOLDT — A crowd of about 200 put their heads together Monday night in the first of two brainstorming sessions sponsored by Thrive Allen County and B&W Trailer Hitches. TURNING THE talk into sustainable action is the next step to the two-day session. The final exercise Monday was for participants to list a handful of suggestions they thought could be begun within a six-month time period. THE PLANNING sessions, referred to as charrettes, have the backing of a $250,000 grant by the Kansas Health Foundation and an additional $100,000 matching grant to help launch the decided-upon initiatives.
Every nook and holler in Allen County was represented at the forum that began with tours of the massive plant followed by a free meal.
Then it was all business as participants shared their hopes and dreams for their respective communities as well as the challenges they face.
Helping facilitate the discussion was Paul Zykofsky of Sacramento, Calif., a professional who helps communities envision change that can lead to more prosperous lifestyles.
“A zip code matters more than your genetic code,” when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, Zykofsky said, emphasizing that good schools, ample job opportunities, and plentiful social activities work to create happier and healthier people.
Allen County has its challenges, Zykofsky admitted, noting its population base is not only declining but also aging.
“The only age group growing is baby boomers,” he said of the generation born immediately after World War II.
Allen County also has a high number of people living in dire circumstances. Almost 20 percent live below the federal poverty level. That means a family of four subsists on an annual income of $24,000 or less.
Many also have unhealthy habits. More than one-fourth of pregnant women in Allen County say they smoke; more than double the state average. The county also has a high rate of obesity.
“Sometimes you have to change the perception of what’s normal,” he said. As an outsider he was safe in targeting some sacred cows, including a local drive-in’s popular “happy hour” where soft drinks sell for half price from 2-4 p.m., or a church’s sugar- and fat-laden snack table after service.
“Doesn’t the Bible say our body is a temple?” he asked rhetorically while showing slides of the increasing rate of obesity across the United States, including among children.
“It’s a sad reality children today will live shorter lifetimes than their parents,” because of the effects of obesity, he said.
To that end, many suggestions among participants included recreation venues. Patience Kress, Iola, and who works in housekeeping at B&W said a centrally located recreation center in the county would encourage not only physical activity but also serve as a place where generations could mix.
“I see it as a safe place where children could be free from the influence of drugs and alcohol, have healthy activities to do, and receive tutoring on school subjects,” she said.
Co-worker Ginger Moore, Humboldt, sees such a facility as a great place for senior citizens to engage in physical activities as well as interact with each other.
As a former tour guide, Moore said Allen County is missing out on tourism opportunities in regards to its history as well as Iola library’s genealogical resources.
Georgia Masterson, who is instrumental in fighting poverty in the area with the Circles program, said she worries about the lack of a culture of wellness. “People just don’t seem to care if they lead an unhealthy lifestyle,” she said.
Every community cited the need for better sidewalks, more parks and better recreation venues.
“Look how people drive to Burlington to use its indoor pool,” said Kress.
Others chimed in how picking up litter, rehabilitating dilapidated homes and fixing streets all help improve a community’s sense of pride.
Some worried their existing services are in danger.
Larry Manes, Moran, said the townspeople need to support its only market, R&K Grocery.
“Otherwise, it’s 14 miles to the nearest grocery store,” he said.
While Elsmore boasts a lake, a new coffee shop and a recreation center, it could use at the least a convenience store from which to purchase staples, residents said.
Tonight’s session will include those community-led concepts and see which have legs.
Tonight’s session, again at the B&W plant in Humboldt, begins at 6 o’clock with appetizers. Conversation launches at 6:30.
Drawing up tomorrow
