News

By Alan Rusch

Ellsworth County I-R

As they sat on the reviewing stand during Saturday’s Cowtown Days parade in downtown Ellsworth, grand marshals George and Ann Jones couldn’t help but smile. “We feel very honored — and embarrassed,” George said. “We feel there’s a lot more people out there that are more deserving, but we’re proud to be chosen to do this.” “Cowtown Days is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate Ellsworth, its history and its future.”

By LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

Ellsworth County I-R

It’s late in the afternoon of Wilson’s annual After Harvest Czech Festival and almost everyone is looking for a cool place to land, anything to get out of the heat of a July day in Kansas. At Wilson Lake, Jason Hicks is anything but dressed for the weather. His attire is formal — white shirt, black pants, vest, bow tie. His only concession to the heat is the lack of a jacket. His appearance is in sharp contrast to most days, when he works for his uncle Gale Hunter in the family construction business. His most recent job was in downtown Ellsworth, at the Petal Place, formerly Boot’s Plant and Flower Center.

BY LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

Ellsworth County I-R

The above quote comes closer than any other to summarizing Scott Moore’s approach to his new job as Ellsworth city administrator. As he talked one day recently, his mind seemed to race from idea to idea, things Moore would like to see Ellsworth consider — not just for itself but for the region as a whole. “Trying to do it on your own is difficult,” he said. “You have to work with Kanopolis, with Wilson ... take a more regional approach.