Teams are still taking shape for the “Bee for the Arts” a night of entertainment capped by an adult spelling bee April 25. IN OTHER business, council members approved SAFE BASE director Angela Henry’s request to allow the after-school program to use a vacant city lot for a pumpkin patch. THE COUNCIL approved payments totaling $106,575 for a nearly complete upgrade to the control systems at the city’s water plant and lift stations.
Iola High School students Clara Wicoff, Trilby Bannister and Catherine Venter attended Monday’s Iola City Council meeting to invite council members and others in the community to participate.
Proceeds will help fund Bannister and Venter’s trip to a national Forensics competition in Florida in May, as well as the upcoming Little Oscars celebration at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
Spelling bee teams can consist of up to five members. There is a $50 entry fee. Eight teams have registered as of Monday, including a team led by Wicoff’s father, Mayor Joel Wicoff, the Beasty Boys (No, he did not come up with the name, he assured the council.)
To form a team, contact Regina Chriestenson at regina.chriestenson@usd257.org, or Clara Wicoff at clara.wicoff@usd257.org.
The festivities include a 30-family rummage sale that morning, followed by a baked potato dinner at 5:30 p.m., an improv acting troupe demonstration at 6:30 and the spelling bee at 7 o’clock.
Prizes will be given to the winning team, as well as to the best “bee-themed” costume.
The empty lot is south of the Wayne Garrett children’s garden, on the southeast corner of the intersection of Lincoln and Sycamore streets.
A water meter already is at the site, but has no water source. Council members agreed to foot the bill for providing a water source. Henry said SAFE BASE will pay the subsequent utilities.
The pumpkin patch will be used next fall in conjunction with SAFE BASE’s Blue Plate Special Dinner.
In a separate matter, the council also approved a request from the Allen County Relay for Life to use Riverside Park if bad weather affects the annual relay June 5 and 6.
The relay will be on the courthouse square, unless bad weather threatens. Then, it will be moved to the Recreation Community Building at the park.
Funds came from monies previously earmarked for wastewater system improvements, City Administrator Carl Slaugh said.
Council members also approved annual or six-month evaluations and subsequent pay raises for eight employees.
Spelling bee fun lies ahead
