SAVONBURG One person pullin on the rope dont really do much, as one resident put it, and so the concerned people of Savonburg are pulling together.
Some of the towns most involved citizens gathered in the public library at a recent community conversation hosted by Thrive Allen County.
You hear a lot these days about the death of small towns, sighed Dave Daniels, an observation that contained more than a hint of sadness and frustration. Indeed, Savonburgs story is akin to many small towns in Kansas, where at the beginning of the twentieth century, its heavily Swedish population was twice what it is now.
Today around 102 people call the place home.
Feeling disconnected from one another as well as the outside world was a top concern, in relation to an absence of adequate cell-phone service. Some residents even mentioned having to drive to the cemetery for reception, one of the only areas of reliable coverage.
Lack of coverage is certainly a concern when it comes to medical emergencies, and Savonburgs residents also mentioned the need for transportation and storm shelter facilities.
Melody Burkholder spoke up about how locals help one another, but added You can only tap the same 30 people so many times before the well runs dry.
That said, Savonburg has accomplished significant goals, including award-winning renovations to the public library. So its no wonder Burkholder likewise contended the town is not a bedroom community, but a community unto ourselves.
As a community, Savonburg has big dreams, including safe and affordable housing, as well as public park additions such as a picnic area, shelter house, slide, and swings.
Thrive CEO Lisse Regehr commented that dreams of this kind may seem lofty, but many of them are ultimately achievable.
Another resident agreed by remarking this communitys got potential if everyone would just work at it!
Some of Savonburgs other dreams included signs for the town, a history walk, and a community center able to house larger events. And in the spirit of envisioning a brighter future for the town and its people, residents successfully celebrated their annual Fall Festival on Oct. 26.
