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Posted October 16, 2019 on https://www.wkreda.com/about/wkreda-news  Ashlee Bevan, Stafford County Economic Development and Carol Long Carol Long Pottery in St. John, Kansas has been nominated for wKREDA’s Tourism/Art/Culture Business of the Year. With 35 years in business, Carol Long has been creating unique, one-of-a-kind works that are fit to grace the most remarkable of homes, corporate offices, hotels or even the family living room. Works like her Long Bird Basket Vase feature intricately painted designs that reflect the intriguing beauty of nature. Yet, the designs painted on the pottery are just one aspect of why her works stand out. Vases include gracefully sweeping handles conjuring images of curling branch or a fluttering leaf. Her works possess a movement that invokes images of nature playfully dancing, as if she has captured those magical moments when nature truly comes alive and the viewer is blessed to witness it. Truly, Carol Long Pottery is an example of the incredible artistic talent found within Western Kansas. She has used her talents as an artist, not just for her own business, but to benefit the community as a whole. Ashlee Bevan of Stafford County Economic Development, said, “Carol is always finding ways to incorporate art in our local communities! She is actively guiding the Gray Photo Studio restoration project in St. John where we hope to have a resident artist someday.” By encouraging art within Stafford County, Carol is paving the way for the next generation of talented artists. About Carol Long Born in 1965, Carol Long was raised on a farm in Stafford County, Kansas. The farm had been homesteaded since the 1880's. By the time of her childhood, it had matured with enormous trees and a thick shelter belt. Carol explored these wooded areas and found a connection with nature developing a total appreciation of plant and animal life. Her mother also had an interest in art and often took Carol to art museums. Carol often felt a need to express herself by bringing her imagination to life. She remembers as a child using one of her father’s cattle syringes filled with mud to draw structures in the driveway. In High School, Carol excelled in art. Her teacher, Sheldon Ganstrom, who is now a prominent Raku artist helped spark Carol's interest in ceramics. She then moved on to Barton County Community College where she realized that she was always drawn to the ceramics lab. She has studied under Glenda Taylor, Linda Ganstrom, and Steve Dudek. Carol draws influence from plant and animal life and is fascinated by the small complexities of the micro aspects of nature. Her work continues to evolve as she experiments with new ways of expressing the tiny beautiful intrinsic qualities of nature that we often take for granted. Carols work has been featured at the Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, Kansas. Her work can also be found at Bella Luz in Wichita Kansas as well as the Courtyard Gallery in Linsdborg, Kansas. She has a booth each year at the Outdoor Living Show (formerly known as the Wichita Garden Show) in Wichita. Her most recent work is always available on her website http://carollongpottery.com. 
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Stafford County Economic Development Director Carolyn Dunn was presented with a We Kan! award December 12 at White’s Foodliner in St. John where friends and family gathered for the surprise recognition. The presentation was made by Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Inman-based non-profit has been choosing ten recipients a year since 1993 to show appreciation for dedicated work in helping preserve and sustain rural culture. Dunn’s award had the words “Ardent Achiever” engraved on a round plate made by Elk Falls Pottery. Foundation director Penner said, “When Carolyn sees a grant or an opportunity to go after, she is passionate in her pursuit. She would be the first to say that many others are involved but she is integral to the successes of Stafford County Economic Development, including the opening of White’s Foodliner. This award was to let Carolyn know that her efforts are noticed and respected.” In addition to Dunn, seven other people have already received a We Kan! Award in 2019. They are Michelle Crisler, Wamego; Helen Dobbs, St. Francis; Joy Jensen, Eureka; Keyta Kelly, Tonganoxie; Eric Montgomery, Lawrence; Karen Sturm, Caldwell; and Rosa Thomas, Whiting. Two more 2019 awards will be presented. To see a list of all We Kan! award winners go to kansassampler.org.  A small group of family, friends and co-workers joined the gals from the Kansas Sampler Foundation to surprise Dunn.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from www.wkreda.com  Left to right: Latisha Hadsell, Deli Manager; Dottie Sheets, Produce Manager; Ashlee Bevan, Stafford County EcoDevo; Joey Noland, St. John Store Manager; Rebecca Brown, Point of Sale; Greg Lehman, Meat Manager White’s Foodliner in St. John, Kansas has been nominated for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year by Stafford County Economic Development (SCED). When nominating the company, Ashlee Bevan of SCED said, “This new business in St. John has brought lots of grocery industry experience to the community. The White family always tells us you have to be ‘students of the business.’ We are fortunate to have this grocer running the Stafford County Marketplace.” White’s Foodliner has a deli full of tasty ready-to-eat items, sells beautiful fresh produce, has a meat department and everything that a person could want in a grocery store – including selling products for the home. What Customers Have to Say The St. John community has welcomed the White family and has offered words of encouragement and rave reviews on Facebook, including: “Everyone we have met at Whites are so nice, helpful and friendly!!! Love having the handy place to shop!!!” “Love the staff, selection and the digital app/coupons.” “This weekend we tried the stuffed mushrooms, the twice-baked potato and the bacon-wrapped asparagus, and crab salad.....all were delicious!!!!! And from our own home-town store!!! That's fantastic!!! Thank you!!!!!” A Family Tradition
Western Kansas is known as a hub for entrepreneurs and leaders – people who are willing to work hard to build something great. The White family exemplifies this attitude and their expansion into St. John is a continuation of the enterprising spirit their founders, Joe and Frances White, first embodied. The company was originally established as White’s Foodliner in May of 1953 with the purchase of a grocery store in Coldwater, KS. Joe and Frances’ hard work, desire and vision for the business is the foundation that the company relies on today. Joe and Frances retired in the mid-1990’s. Joe’s love for the business was inspired by visits to his paternal grandparents in SE Kansas who operated small grocery stores in that region. After working at several stores in Dodge City, KS, and Denver, CO, he realized a dream with the purchase of his first store. Now, the White family is carrying on the tradition by expanding their stores into new markets, like the one in St. John. Visit their website or Facebook page. |
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