Dr. John and Jane Walter were named Tarkio Citizens of the Year at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9, 2018.

Roxanne Southard was named Tarkio Employee of the Year at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9, 2018. She was unable to attend the banquet so MaryAnn Hull, left, accepted the award on her behalf from last year’s recipient, Suzanne Brought, right.

David, Melissa, and Delainee White were named the Farm Family of the Year at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9, 2018.

Aiden Erickson, right, was named Caregiver in Training by Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care. He was presented his special award by Tarkio Rehab employee Lacy Maifeld, left, at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9.

Chamber of Commerce, represented by Lori Seymour, left, recognized new businesses at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9, 2018. Pictured accepting her certificate for Designs by Jayne is Jayne Scott, right. Designs by Jayne recently relocated to a new spot in town.

George and Patty Laur were presented the Enduring Commitment Award at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9.

The Rotary Club, represented by Jayne Scott, back left, recognized the Tarkio Nutrition Center for their years of dedication and service to the community with an award presented at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9. Accepting the award were, from left to right, Juli Buhman, Sharon Wynn, Debbie Adams, Doris Johnson, and Jeanie Jobes.

Tarkio is full of youth who dedicate their time by volunteering at a number of events throughout the year. Recognized at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9, for their volunteerism were, above left from left to right, Aaron Schlueter, Anna Klute, Brooke Lee, Bella Hurst, Lily Graves, and Stormy Nordhausen. Receiving the Youth Volunteer of the Year award for their outstanding volunteerism this past year (both had around 100 volunteer hours each) were Bella Hurst and Lily Graves.

Tarkio R-I teachers and staff members who have worked 10 years and 20 or more years were recognized at the Tarkio Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9. Principal Carrie Livengood, fourth from left, and Superintendent Karma Coleman, right, presented certificates to Dallas Prather, Mary Beth Bredensteiner, Lesley Graves, Sandy Meier, and Janene McEnaney.

The Tarkio Chamber of Commerce held the 52nd annual Community Betterment Banquet Monday, April 9, 2018, to recognize local citizens and businesses who have gone above and beyond this past year. This year’s banquet began with Tarkio Chamber member Nick White welcoming all in attendance. Pastor Fritz Brandenburg gave the invocation before everyone enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Torrey Pines of Tarkio.
Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care’s Lacy Maifeld presented a Caregiver in Training Award to Aiden Erickson, son of Lori and Angelo Erickson of rural Tarkio. Aiden is an extremely caring six year old who continually goes to Tarkio Rehab to visit with the nursing home residents. Aiden goes out of his way to welcome all new residents and will walk around the facility on his own, visiting each person and providing hugs, laughter, and friendship to all. It’s a rare and special attribute to find such a young and sometimes shy boy who is not only willing to make someone’s day extra special, but WANTS to do so and gets upset when sickness or other obligations keep him from his visits. Tarkio Rehab and its residents, as well as the Tarkio community as a whole, are lucky to have such a young man in their presence.
Lori Seymour with Tarkio Chamber of Commerce recognized new businesses in Tarkio. New businesses recognized included JD’s Diesel and Repair, Designs by Jayne, Patio Bar, Spray It Up – Delmar Schebaum, and Hidden Beauty – Brooke Vette.
Tarkio R-I Superintendent Karma Coleman gave an update on the school district’s happenings and plans for 2018-19. The school is currently looking into accepting the gift of Heartland Recreation Center to use as an additional gym and sports facility for students, and eventually the community. Though the process is not yet a done deal, Mrs. Coleman expressed a positive opinion that the numbers coming in are definitely looking good and this would be something that the school district could not only afford, but would love to take part in. She also discussed plans to make the 6th grade a special part of the “middle school” where the class would be located at Tarkio High School in the coming years instead of at the elementary school. Tarkio R-I Principal Carrie Livengood then recognized Tarkio R-I teachers and staff members who have worked 10 or more years at the school. Those recognized for their 10 years of service included Nikki Parshall, Dara Wennihan, Joe Unternahrer, and Jayme Wood. Those recognized for 20 or more years of service included Casey Martin, Dallas Prather, Sandy Meier, Terry Wooten, Lori Staten, Mary Beth Bredensteiner, Lisa Clement, Cindy Lee, Janene McEnaney, Lesley Graves, and Jayne Martin.
Roger Livengood gave an update on plans for the 24th annual Tarkio Rodeo, which will take place Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9, 2018. Rodeo weekend is always a hit in Tarkio and everyone is looking forward to the upcoming festivities.
Tarkio Rotary Club’s Jayne Scott presented the club’s award to the Tarkio Nutrition Center for its years of service and dedication to the Tarkio community. Accepting the award on the Nutrition Center’s behalf were director Juli Buhman, head cook Sharon Wynn, kitchen workers Debbie Adams and Doris Johnson, and office helper Jeanie Jobes. Other workers include kitchen workers Sharon Patton and Linda Bennett. Jayne remarked, “This place is passionate about providing a place for fellowship and to eat healthy meals. The center is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and serves approximately 100 meals each day, whether at the facility or through deliveries to home-bound residents in Tarkio and Fairfax. The center has an Adopt-A-Senior program to help pay for seniors’ meals and also hosts the No Hunger Summer program for 30-40 children for six weeks in the summer. The center serves food to children participating in the Missoula Children’s Theatre, lunch to Tarkio Rotarians at their monthly meetings, lunch for the annual Tarkio business luncheon for ACDC, breakfast during the rodeo, and a chili supper on Halloween. The center also provides bingo the first two Thursdays of each month, hosts the car club and bridge once a month, as well as providing to the public games of pool, card and board games, puzzles, movie nights, computer access, monthly blood pressure checks, health screenings, tax assistance, a lending library, and most recently the center started working with The Salvation Army to provide vouchers for utilities and other needs.” Clearly the Tarkio Nutrition Center is a great asset to not only the Tarkio community, but also to Atchison County.
Ann Schlueter gave an update on Community Hospital-Fairfax’s recent developments. Senior Life Solutions has been a huge success at the hospital and a second counselor was recently added to the staff, doubling the amount of people to be served. Six clinics have been added to the hospital since 2014 and each serves around 100 patients per day. The hospital is currently working on creating one electronic health record that will not only be available at the hospital, but at all the clinics as well.  The hospital also recently launched the Accountable Care Organization which focuses on providing specific health care needs for those with chronic conditions.
Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) Director Monica Bailey gave an update on ACDC. The program continues to provide 50/50 grants to improve existing businesses, as well as provide assistance to those who wish to start a business in Atchison County. ACDC also has continued to assist local students in exploring job opportunities in the county through a careers on wheels program and job shadowing. ACDC is also starting a Make AC Beautiful program for youth ages 5th grade through 10th grade, providing $500 grants to help beautify areas in the county.
Tarkio Chamber member Britney Laur stepped up to the podium to present the “Enduring Commitment Award” to George and Patty Laur. She said, “The Tarkio and Westboro communities have changed a lot over the years, but George and Patty are a couple in particular who has been there and has kindly, continually given their time and love to their community. Growing up and graduating from Westboro and now in their 90s, they have seen it all. They are involved in organizations such as the Lions Club (where George is an original charter member having joined in 1948 and Patty having joined in 2009) and have been involved in many projects cleaning up Westboro, such as the city park and the old town hall building. They are involved in the Westboro Methodist and St. John’s Lutheran churches, serving on boards and working events. George has also been active on the Colfax board since 1968, where at one point, he talked about retiring but Kelly convinced him that he was one of the best directors and got him to stay a couple more years. I am so proud and honored to present this award to my grandpa and grandma.”
Tarkio Chamber of Commerce member MaryAnn Hull recognized this year’s Tarkio youth volunteers. Recognized for their volunteerism in 2018 were Aaron Schlueter, Anna Klute, Braiden Wennihan, Brooke Lee, Bryli Staten, Carlie Farber, Cat Prater, Chloe Bruns, Ella Rolf, Grace Martin, Gus Hurst, Bella Hurst, Lauren Quimby, Lily Graves, Morgan Parshall, Seth Morey, Shae DeRosier, Shaylee Sparks, Sophie Martin, Stormy Nordhausen, and Madison Ohrt. Each year, one youth volunteer is recognized above all the others for their outstanding service provided to the community. However, this year, two students stood out amongst the others and it was decided to present both the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award. This year’s recipients were Bella Hurst and Lily Graves, who both had around 100 hours of community service. Suzanne Brought, 2017 Employee of the Year, presented this year’s Employee of the Year award to Roxanne Southard. Roxanne was unable to attend the banquet so chamber member MaryAnn Hull accepted the award on Roxanne’s behalf. Suzanne said this about the 2018 recipient, “Roxanne graduated from Fairfax High School in 1971. She attended nursing school in Kansas City and after graduation, she worked at St. Luke’s Medical Center in the cardiac care unit. In 1975 she returned to Atchison County and continued her career in health care, working at area nursing homes, Community Hospital Association, and Atchison County Health Center. She worked at the hospital for 18 years and she has been working at the health center for 18 years. She may have cared for your aging parent or grandparent in the local nursing home; may have been with you in the hospital when your child was born; may have been at the health center to monitor your child’s growth by measuring height and weight and may have tested their blood to determine iron or lead levels, as well as giving them their required immunizations or given you your annual flu shot or taken your blood pressure. Roxanne has spent over 40 years caring for generations of Atchison County families. She is loved and appreciated by both her patients and coworkers. We are happy to present her with this award.”
Dean and Patty Rolofson, the 2017 Farm Family, presented this year’s Farm Family award to David, Melissa, and Delainee White. “This year’s Farm Family is a young family that lives and farms east of Tarkio. He grew up outside of Tarkio and she grew up in Clarinda, Iowa. They got married on September 1, 2007, at the First Baptist Church in Tarkio. Some of the places he has worked are TPC/Ag Partners and the City of Tarkio-Street Department. He started farming the family farm after his Uncle John passed away in 2008. She has worked at Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah, Iowa, been a stay-at-home mom, and currently works at Kids’ Korner Preschool at the Tarkio R-I Elementary School. On March 10, 2009, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Delainee Marie! Delainee is in the 3rd grade at Tarkio Elementary School. David’s parents are Mary Anne White of Tarkio and the late Foster White. He has one brother, Bruce White of Tarkio, and one sister, Kellie Murry of Tarkio. Melissa’s parents are Brian and Deb Thompson of Clarinda. Her sisters are Sam O’Riley of Fairfax and Megan Walters.” The Whites are a young, hardworking farm family and epitomize the values that we hold dear.
Tarkio Chamber member Kelly Rohlfsen presented this year’s Citizens of the Year award to Dr. John and Jane Walter. He said, “This year’s award goes to a couple, instead of an individual, because both Dr. John and Jane contribute a great deal to our community. They were both born and raised in rural communities and prefer small town living. Our neighboring community, Fairfax, Missouri, is her hometown and his is just a little further north in Lenox, Iowa. They moved to Tarkio in 1998 to be closer to home and family. When they moved to Tarkio, he took over Dr. Jerry Espey’s veterinary practice. For nearly 20 years he has been providing quality animal care to large and small animals in Atchison County. She works alongside him, managing the office and taking care of the bookwork. They both put their heart and soul into their work and do everything possible to help their clients and their animals. He is on call 24 hours, 7 days a week. He meets anyone at any time to provide care for their animal. He refuses to leave the county during calving season, because he might miss being there for a client. They both continuously donate their time and efforts to the community. Jane does not say no and donates to anyone and anything, including the Tarkio Rodeo, Atchison County Fair, county schools, Christmas families, and various other groups and programs. Many of the things they do for the community and the people in the community are behind the scenes. Every year, they welcome the preschool kids with a tour of the vet clinic. They allow students to job shadow and help 4-H and FFA kids with their animals. John donates his time to supply veterinary services and help inspect animals at the Atchison County Fair. Jane served on the Tarkio High School Booster Club for many years and donated a tremendous amount of her time and money to provide support to the students. She spent a lot of time to make yard signs to recognize the students who participated in sports. Dr. John and Jane have two children. Their daughter, Jessica (Walter) Lambertsen, lives in Tarkio with husband Dustin Lambertsen and works in Rock Port as a program technician at the Farm Service Agency. Their son, JD Walter, is majoring in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Missouri in Columbia. We are happy to present Dr. John and Jane Walter with the 2018 Citizens of the Year award.”
Tarkio Mayor Tim Morehouse gave the closing remarks. He recognized the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce members who put the awards banquet together and Nick White with Torrey Pines who catered the meal. He reminded everyone to take pride in their community and continue to work hard in making this town a great place to live and work.