By JAMES BELL 
Hays Post

VICTORIA—In the mid-1960 residents of Victoria, led by Leo J. and
Albina Dreiling, had a vision – a place for an aging population to stay and
stay local with the St. John’s Rest Home.

Now the <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria
Community Coalition</a> is again looking for locals to support the
redevelopment of the 40,000-square-foot facility on the heels of a pledge to match
up to $100,000 in donations from the Hays-based <a href="https://schmidtfoundation.net/">Schmidt Foundation</a>.

The coalition has big goals for the future building and land,
including senior apartments, a child care center, a<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4e8ad16c-9ee2-43ac-bfc0-857f715636e6"> satellite campus for the
Ellis County Historical Society </a>and a park.

 The latest pledge helps the
committee get one step closer to that goal.

“We need the dollars,” said Marilyn
Braun, coalition treasurer. “And we'll come up with it one
way or another.”

The recent pledge helps
secure other grant money already allocated to the project, including <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6555fe96-b357-460a-bcc3-19b959acc74e">$1.35
million in previously announced grants</a> from the <a href="https://danehansenfoundation.org/?playlist=7c12057&amp;video=9e6dc4e">Dane
G. Hansen Foundation</a>, totaling $500,000 and the state of Kansas, totaling
$850,000.

Those grants, along with the
recent pledge, will go to stage 1 of the project that would develop 12 apartments
for seniors and a child care center, expected to cost between $3 million and $3.5
million.

“The match has got to be
there in order to draw down that $850,000,” Braun said. “And as soon as we get
that match money, we can draw on that other money.”

The recent pledge from the
Schmidt Foundation would count toward that total but must be matched by Victoria
residents.

“This opportunity that we
have from the Schmidt Foundation and Gary Shorman, to me that was a perfect
thing,” said Brenda Dreiling, coalition vice president. “But I think people need to
realize that we have this opportunity to get this money, but that does not
get us where we totally need to be there.”

“(Shorman) is very anxious,
very supportive, but very anxious to see the Victoria community involved, which I understand," said Jeff
Pfeifer, coalition president. "Something like this should be
supported by the Victoria folks. And the money has been a little slow. So I am
so grateful for Gary to help this with this incentive because hopefully, it'll
shake some money loose.”

Dreiling said for the first phase,
$150,000 is needed from the community in order to fully capitalize on all of
the pledged funds.

“That's what our fundraising
goal is for the next few months,” Pfeifer said.

“With this grant money, what
we've applied for and we will continue to apply for… they want to see how the
Victoria community gets involved and that they want to show that it's got skin in
the game,” Dreiling said. 

While the committee looks to community
members, they are also actively pursuing other grant opportunities.

“We do have two grants out
there right now that we should know more about in August,” Braun said. “That's
the [Moderate Income Housing] grant. And then the Kansas Housing Income Tax Credits that we've
applied for. If we get those two grants, and if we can get the match money for
that $850,000, which we already have 500,000 of, we'll be good to go.”

“We've recently applied for a
$1 million grant with the state,” Pfeifer said. “And we'll know, in August,
whether we have been awarded that and if we're not, we can apply again in the
fall. And if we're not, we can apply again next year. So. we're going to keep
going.”

They hope to have answers on
the Moderate Income Housing grant in December.

“We will keep our fingers
crossed, and we keep praying that people will hear our plea and understand the
importance,” Braun said.

The recent effort to rehabilitate
the former rest home, in many ways, mirrors efforts made by Leo J. and
Albina Dreiling to originally build the complex.

“Years ago, my grandfather,
and he was a pretty prominent person in Victoria, John M. Schippers, told
me, ‘Leo J. Dreiling had the vision to be able to build a place for the people
of this community that have worked so hard and wanted to stay here in their
elderly years, to be taken care of,” Dreiling said. “I would like our community
now to see that this man had that vision. He went out and got donations and built that St. John's Rest Home.

“We need
to go out and get the community's help to support the community, just like Leo
J. Dreiling did.”

She
estimates thousands of hours have already been put in by the all-volunteer
committee to turn their goal into reality.

“Our
board is incredible,” Pfeifer said. “They're so diverse. … There's not one of
us that is duplicating each other's skills. And it's just been a pure joy and a
blessing to have this group of people.”

“We're
not in this for money. We're in this for the community,” Braun said. "Whatever
comes out of that building, as far as income or whatever, will go back into the
community.”

“There's some talk about people
thinking somebody is pocketing the money here,” Dreiling said. "They think, ‘What
happens if I give you aren't able to do it?'”

“One, that's not going to
happen. We're going to keep working. We're going to keep going until we get
this done. But second of all, even if that should happen, that money is going
to go back into Victoria. ... Every dollar that is donated to this will go to
Victoria.”

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4166ab8a-4a19-48cc-b7c9-2f7327e05bf8">Related Story: St. John's Place gifted to Victoria Community Coalition, 501(c) 3 granted</a>

Another
concern heard by the committee is the building, in its current state, will not
be able to be rehabilitated, but Pfeifer said structurally, the building remains
in good condition.

“Luckily,
structural engineers, two different ones, agree that the structure of the
building is sound, the foundation is
good, the flooring is good, the walls are good, and the roof trusses are good,”
he said.

“We've
had some naysayers from the very beginning about concerns [about] the building,”
Braun said. “We have had the structural engineers in there. They've said it's sound,
but it's got damage.”

“The
Department of Health and Environment has done a thorough study. ... And yes, we
have some problems. We have mold, we have asbestos, but they told us it's
nothing that can't be handled, and it's nothing that can't be taken care of.”

With the
renovation, she said everything but the wall would be replaced.

“They're
going to take down to the bare bones,” Braun said. “The wiring, the water, the
electricity, everything's coming out, and we're starting over. So there's
nothing wrong with the building, and people need to know that.”

“The
biggest problem is the roof that has been leaking, and it's been blown off from
a lot of these high winds,” Pfeifer said. “So now the interior has got rot and
mold in it.”

Replacing
the entire roof of the facility is projected to cost more than $500,000, he
said. As the three-phase project continues, sections would be replaced as
funds become available.

Part of
the agreement with the Ellis County Historical Society also outlines its role
in securing funds for the roofing in the section it would occupy.

Pfeifer
said as the project moves forward, grant money specifically for roof repair might become available.

While
the committee continues moving forward in its efforts to secure funding, members hope Victoria residents see the benefits to the community.

“I think
it could make maybe change the trajectory of Victoria,” Pfeifer said.

“We see
those apartments as not only meeting the needs of the elderly in the
community, as far as allowing them to have a place to go when they wanted out of their homes but didn't want to go to a nursing home. It’s a place that they
could go to and open up their homes for the community because we'd like to see
the community grow,” Braun said.

“Victoria
is a wonderful place to live. It's a small community. It's a very clean
community. It's a good place to raise kids. Our schools have been very good. I guess we would see younger people coming back to the community if we had
the housing.

“I
think if we can get the Ellis County Historical Society over here, that will
not only help bring people in from not just our particular areas, it would
help our church,” Dreiling said. “We've got the Cathedral here, which is a
phenomenal, historical place.”

Those
additional people in the city would bring in additional dollars to support businesses,
she said.

“We
wanted to bring people together for the growth and sustainability of the
Victoria community,” Braun said. “And we wanted to do that by looking at
strategic initiatives.

“Our
first strategic initiative was that nursing home—that and providing
affordable housing. We wanted to eventually assist in education with that
community center that's supposed to go into the center of that building, which
eventually will bring hopefully more socialization and meet other community
needs.”

Recent
surveys completed by the coalition also show how important the Victoria community is and how closely tied it is to greater Ellis County.

“I've
heard from people in Hays that if you put that day care down and set up, you'd
probably have people from Hays coming over,” Braun said.

A lack
of available day care has been an issue across the county, leaving hundreds of
parents unable to enter the workforce as the region faces low unemployment rates.

A lack
of housing has also been a major economic concern. The committee said both
would be addressed by the St. Johns Place project.

“I think
we have like four or five on the waiting list now that have said, ‘Once those
apartments are done, we would like to move in, or we would like to get our name
on the list,’” Braun said. “So, we get those apartments done, and we start
seeing some income from that, then we can start looking at other things.”

“We're
hoping we can start programs that we can help them with their grocery shopping
and go do that for them and bring them back and help deliver to those things,”
Dreiling said.

The project is not just for Victoria, it’s for all of the county, Braun said.

 “That's all a
part of Grow Hays and Imagine Ellis County. We discovered with our housing survey that we are a bedroom community to Hays, and we are a retirement community,” Braun said.

While
the St. John’s Place project has been a primary focus of the coalition, growing
Victoria and the area is the group's long-term goal.

“That
goes back to the mission of the coalition,” Pfeifer said. “We're trying to bring
people together to support and sustain and grow Victoria."

“We've
probably had six public community meetings. Out of that has come this idea
of a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/22e369c1-68a2-4e2d-88ac-0e3cc2301413">Greenway Trail</a>. We've got a guy mowing a trail, and people are using it. That's
incredible.”

“We've
also got the Dollar General coming to town. [That] has grown from these community
meetings that we had. We had a lot of times where we just asked for input, and
the need for Dollar General Store kept coming up. ... Sure enough, we got a
committee, and look what's happening. They're going to start construction here
probably sometime in July.”

“There's
been talk of some people who have said, ‘We need a swimming pool,’” Braun said.
“And we do. There are things to make this community better and to make it grow.
We need some better streets in some places. We need things to bring people
here. And that's what we're all about. 

"We're not here to take anything
away from the city council or from anybody in the community. We just want to
try and be leaders in improving the community.”

And even
if the St. John’s Place project fails to materialize at this point, Pfeifer said
any money collected would still be used to benefit the community.

“Maybe
what's important for people to hear or to know is that on the outside, small
chance that this doesn't happen, our mission at the [coalition] is still to bring
people together for the sustainability and growth of Victoria, period,” he
said. “We have five or six core areas that we hope to do, &nbsp;affordable housing, support, schools, etc. That money would go to that in a number of different ways.”

Even as
a large amount of funds remains needed, at this point, the coalition said every effort
matters.

“It's
not so much that we want the thousands of dollars, that would be great to see, but people in the community if they can just support us in any way,
small, medium, large… do what you can,” Braun said. “But help us in some way.”

“We're
going to work on that grant money,” Dreiling said. “We'll keep going and keep
fighting, but we can't without their help.”

For
those that are unable to support the effort financially, she said there are many ways to
get involved.

“Whether
it's manpower to help us out or if they can help us out financially, just talk
to any of the board members,” Dreiling said. “And we'll steer him in the right
direction.”

<a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">To learn more about the project or to support the coalition's efforts, visit victoriakscommunity.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660869675268.jpeg" alt="St. John's Place. File photo" />
 <figcaption>St. John's Place. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL 
Hays PostVICTORIA—In the mid-1960 residents of Victoria, led by Leo J. and
Albina Dreiling, had a vision – a place for an aging population to stay and
stay local with the St. John’s Rest Home.Now the <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria
Community Coalition</a> is again looking for locals to support the
redevelopment of the 40,000-square-foot facility on the heels of a pledge to match
up to $100,000 in donations from the Hays-based <a href="https://schmidtfoundation.net/">Schmidt Foundation</a>.The coalition has big goals for the future building and land,
including senior apartments, a child care center, a<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4e8ad16c-9ee2-43ac-bfc0-857f715636e6"> satellite campus for the
Ellis County Historical Society </a>and a park.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668700868777.png" alt="Victoria Community Coalition. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Victoria Community Coalition. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure> The latest pledge helps the
committee get one step closer to that goal.“We need the dollars,” said Marilyn
Braun, coalition treasurer. “And we'll come up with it one
way or another.”The recent pledge helps
secure other grant money already allocated to the project, including <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6555fe96-b357-460a-bcc3-19b959acc74e">$1.35
million in previously announced grants</a> from the <a href="https://danehansenfoundation.org/?playlist=7c12057&amp;video=9e6dc4e">Dane
G. Hansen Foundation</a>, totaling $500,000 and the state of Kansas, totaling
$850,000.Those grants, along with the
recent pledge, will go to stage 1 of the project that would develop 12 apartments
for seniors and a child care center, expected to cost between $3 million and $3.5
million.“The match has got to be
there in order to draw down that $850,000,” Braun said. “And as soon as we get
that match money, we can draw on that other money.”The recent pledge from the
Schmidt Foundation would count toward that total but must be matched by Victoria
residents.“This opportunity that we
have from the Schmidt Foundation and Gary Shorman, to me that was a perfect
thing,” said Brenda Dreiling, coalition vice president. “But I think people need to
realize that we have this opportunity to get this money, but that does not
get us where we totally need to be there.”“(Shorman) is very anxious,
very supportive, but very anxious to see the Victoria community involved, which I understand," said Jeff
Pfeifer, coalition president. "Something like this should be
supported by the Victoria folks. And the money has been a little slow. So I am
so grateful for Gary to help this with this incentive because hopefully, it'll
shake some money loose.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633101245839.png" alt="Gary Shorman. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Gary Shorman. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling said for the first phase,
$150,000 is needed from the community in order to fully capitalize on all of
the pledged funds.“That's what our fundraising
goal is for the next few months,” Pfeifer said.“With this grant money, what
we've applied for and we will continue to apply for… they want to see how the
Victoria community gets involved and that they want to show that it's got skin in
the game,” Dreiling said. While the committee looks to community
members, they are also actively pursuing other grant opportunities.“We do have two grants out
there right now that we should know more about in August,” Braun said. “That's
the [Moderate Income Housing] grant. And then the Kansas Housing Income Tax Credits that we've
applied for. If we get those two grants, and if we can get the match money for
that $850,000, which we already have 500,000 of, we'll be good to go.”“We've recently applied for a
$1 million grant with the state,” Pfeifer said. “And we'll know, in August,
whether we have been awarded that and if we're not, we can apply again in the
fall. And if we're not, we can apply again next year. So. we're going to keep
going.”They hope to have answers on
the Moderate Income Housing grant in December.“We will keep our fingers
crossed, and we keep praying that people will hear our plea and understand the
importance,” Braun said.The recent effort to rehabilitate
the former rest home, in many ways, mirrors efforts made by Leo J. and
Albina Dreiling to originally build the complex.“Years ago, my grandfather,
and he was a pretty prominent person in Victoria, John M. Schippers, told
me, ‘Leo J. Dreiling had the vision to be able to build a place for the people
of this community that have worked so hard and wanted to stay here in their
elderly years, to be taken care of,” Dreiling said. “I would like our community
now to see that this man had that vision. He went out and got donations and built that St. John's Rest Home.“We need
to go out and get the community's help to support the community, just like Leo
J. Dreiling did.”She
estimates thousands of hours have already been put in by the all-volunteer
committee to turn their goal into reality.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526823044.jpeg" alt="Jeff Pfeifer, Victoria Community Coalition president, speaks with Victoria residents about the future of the St. John's Rest Home shortly after purchasing the building during a meeting organized to solicit ideas about the future of the facility. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Pfeifer, Victoria Community Coalition president, speaks with Victoria residents about the future of the St. John's Rest Home shortly after purchasing the building during a meeting organized to solicit ideas about the future of the facility. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“Our
board is incredible,” Pfeifer said. “They're so diverse. … There's not one of
us that is duplicating each other's skills. And it's just been a pure joy and a
blessing to have this group of people.”“We're
not in this for money. We're in this for the community,” Braun said. "Whatever
comes out of that building, as far as income or whatever, will go back into the
community.”“There's some talk about people
thinking somebody is pocketing the money here,” Dreiling said. "They think, ‘What
happens if I give you aren't able to do it?'”“One, that's not going to
happen. We're going to keep working. We're going to keep going until we get
this done. But second of all, even if that should happen, that money is going
to go back into Victoria. ... Every dollar that is donated to this will go to
Victoria.”<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4166ab8a-4a19-48cc-b7c9-2f7327e05bf8">Related Story: St. John's Place gifted to Victoria Community Coalition, 501(c) 3 granted</a>Another
concern heard by the committee is the building, in its current state, will not
be able to be rehabilitated, but Pfeifer said structurally, the building remains
in good condition.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526800472.jpeg" alt="Interior of St. John's Place. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Interior of St. John's Place. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“Luckily,
structural engineers, two different ones, agree that the structure of the
building is sound, the foundation is
good, the flooring is good, the walls are good, and the roof trusses are good,”
he said.“We've
had some naysayers from the very beginning about concerns [about] the building,”
Braun said. “We have had the structural engineers in there. They've said it's sound,
but it's got damage.”“The
Department of Health and Environment has done a thorough study. ... And yes, we
have some problems. We have mold, we have asbestos, but they told us it's
nothing that can't be handled, and it's nothing that can't be taken care of.”With the
renovation, she said everything but the wall would be replaced.“They're
going to take down to the bare bones,” Braun said. “The wiring, the water, the
electricity, everything's coming out, and we're starting over. So there's
nothing wrong with the building, and people need to know that.”“The
biggest problem is the roof that has been leaking, and it's been blown off from
a lot of these high winds,” Pfeifer said. “So now the interior has got rot and
mold in it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526766829.jpeg" alt="Interior of St. John's Place. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Interior of St. John's Place. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Replacing
the entire roof of the facility is projected to cost more than $500,000, he
said. As the three-phase project continues, sections would be replaced as
funds become available.Part of
the agreement with the Ellis County Historical Society also outlines its role
in securing funds for the roofing in the section it would occupy.Pfeifer
said as the project moves forward, grant money specifically for roof repair might become available.While
the committee continues moving forward in its efforts to secure funding, members hope Victoria residents see the benefits to the community.“I think
it could make maybe change the trajectory of Victoria,” Pfeifer said.“We see
those apartments as not only meeting the needs of the elderly in the
community, as far as allowing them to have a place to go when they wanted out of their homes but didn't want to go to a nursing home. It’s a place that they
could go to and open up their homes for the community because we'd like to see
the community grow,” Braun said.“Victoria
is a wonderful place to live. It's a small community. It's a very clean
community. It's a good place to raise kids. Our schools have been very good. I guess we would see younger people coming back to the community if we had
the housing.“I
think if we can get the Ellis County Historical Society over here, that will
not only help bring people in from not just our particular areas, it would
help our church,” Dreiling said. “We've got the Cathedral here, which is a
phenomenal, historical place.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670010759211.jpeg" alt="St. Fidelis. File photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Fidelis. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Those
additional people in the city would bring in additional dollars to support businesses,
she said.“We
wanted to bring people together for the growth and sustainability of the
Victoria community,” Braun said. “And we wanted to do that by looking at
strategic initiatives.“Our
first strategic initiative was that nursing home—that and providing
affordable housing. We wanted to eventually assist in education with that
community center that's supposed to go into the center of that building, which
eventually will bring hopefully more socialization and meet other community
needs.”Recent
surveys completed by the coalition also show how important the Victoria community is and how closely tied it is to greater Ellis County.“I've
heard from people in Hays that if you put that day care down and set up, you'd
probably have people from Hays coming over,” Braun said.A lack
of available day care has been an issue across the county, leaving hundreds of
parents unable to enter the workforce as the region faces low unemployment rates.A lack
of housing has also been a major economic concern. The committee said both
would be addressed by the St. Johns Place project.“I think
we have like four or five on the waiting list now that have said, ‘Once those
apartments are done, we would like to move in, or we would like to get our name
on the list,’” Braun said. “So, we get those apartments done, and we start
seeing some income from that, then we can start looking at other things.”“We're
hoping we can start programs that we can help them with their grocery shopping
and go do that for them and bring them back and help deliver to those things,”
Dreiling said.The project is not just for Victoria, it’s for all of the county, Braun said. “That's all a
part of Grow Hays and Imagine Ellis County. We discovered with our housing survey that we are a bedroom community to Hays, and we are a retirement community,” Braun said.While
the St. John’s Place project has been a primary focus of the coalition, growing
Victoria and the area is the group's long-term goal.“That
goes back to the mission of the coalition,” Pfeifer said. “We're trying to bring
people together to support and sustain and grow Victoria."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647372909275.jpeg" alt="Jeff Pfeifer and Sean Rodger discuss the Greenway Trail with the Victoria Cty Council. Rodger has since volunteered to maintain the trail. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Pfeifer and Sean Rodger discuss the Greenway Trail with the Victoria Cty Council. Rodger has since volunteered to maintain the trail. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“We've
probably had six public community meetings. Out of that has come this idea
of a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/22e369c1-68a2-4e2d-88ac-0e3cc2301413">Greenway Trail</a>. We've got a guy mowing a trail, and people are using it. That's
incredible.”“We've
also got the Dollar General coming to town. [That] has grown from these community
meetings that we had. We had a lot of times where we just asked for input, and
the need for Dollar General Store kept coming up. ... Sure enough, we got a
committee, and look what's happening. They're going to start construction here
probably sometime in July.”“There's
been talk of some people who have said, ‘We need a swimming pool,’” Braun said.
“And we do. There are things to make this community better and to make it grow.
We need some better streets in some places. We need things to bring people
here. And that's what we're all about. "We're not here to take anything
away from the city council or from anybody in the community. We just want to
try and be leaders in improving the community.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655144220604.jpeg" alt="Jeff Pfeifer addresses an assembled crowd in the Victoria VFW during an Imagine Ellis County meeting. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Pfeifer addresses an assembled crowd in the Victoria VFW during an Imagine Ellis County meeting. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>And even
if the St. John’s Place project fails to materialize at this point, Pfeifer said
any money collected would still be used to benefit the community.“Maybe
what's important for people to hear or to know is that on the outside, small
chance that this doesn't happen, our mission at the [coalition] is still to bring
people together for the sustainability and growth of Victoria, period,” he
said. “We have five or six core areas that we hope to do, &nbsp;affordable housing, support, schools, etc. That money would go to that in a number of different ways.”<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsavetheresthome%2Fvideos%2F694314252706926%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Even as
a large amount of funds remains needed, at this point, the coalition said every effort
matters.“It's
not so much that we want the thousands of dollars, that would be great to see, but people in the community if they can just support us in any way,
small, medium, large… do what you can,” Braun said. “But help us in some way.”“We're
going to work on that grant money,” Dreiling said. “We'll keep going and keep
fighting, but we can't without their help.”For
those that are unable to support the effort financially, she said there are many ways to
get involved.“Whether
it's manpower to help us out or if they can help us out financially, just talk
to any of the board members,” Dreiling said. “And we'll steer him in the right
direction.”<a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">To learn more about the project or to support the coalition's efforts, visit victoriakscommunity.com</a>.

St. John’s Place receives $100,000 Schmidt Foundation match pledge as committee seeks local support

The Ellis County Public Works Road &amp; Bridge Division is
announcing that an asphalt overlay project will be taking place in the 1800 and
1900 blocks of Victoria Road between Commerce Parkway and Toulon Avenue. 

This area will be closed to through traffic beginning at
7:30a.m. on Monday, July 10th, and will remain closed until the project is
completed. The estimated completion date is Thursday, July 13th, pending
weather conditions. 

Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use
alternate routes of travel until the project is completed. 

Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Public Works
Road &amp; Bridge Division at 785-628-9455. 

Your cooperation during this project is appreciated.

Ellis County Public WorksThe Ellis County Public Works Road &amp; Bridge Division is
announcing that an asphalt overlay project will be taking place in the 1800 and
1900 blocks of Victoria Road between Commerce Parkway and Toulon Avenue. This area will be closed to through traffic beginning at
7:30a.m. on Monday, July 10th, and will remain closed until the project is
completed. The estimated completion date is Thursday, July 13th, pending
weather conditions. Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use
alternate routes of travel until the project is completed. Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Public Works
Road &amp; Bridge Division at 785-628-9455. Your cooperation during this project is appreciated.

Road construction on Victoria Road begins Monday

You may leave northwest
Kansas, but northwest Kansas can’t leave you.

Nashville-based
singer/songwriter and Ellis County native Blaine Younger has recently explored
his time growing up in the area with his latest song Heartland.

“I grew up right there in
Victoria, Kansas, went to school there,” Younger said. 

Being involved with music his
entire life, he explored the region, taking the stage at “every bar and county
fair and festival,” including Wild West Fest and Country Stampede.

But much like the person
longed for in Heartland, Younger felt compelled to follow his dreams and
pursue opportunities elsewhere.

“We are out here. And it is a
big deal to be out here,” Younger said. “And I'm learning and surrounded by the
greatest musicians and songwriters in the world every day. And it's pretty
cool.”

While his focus has been on
songwriting, he took to performing Heartland himself, marking his
first release in 13 years.

“People ask me, ‘Why are you
releasing music now?’” Younger said. “I think deep down every songwriter is
still an artist, and they want to say things and say things their way and the
way they would portray it and emote it. So that still is more exciting to me.”

But while he still performs and
writes music, he continues chasing the goal of one day having a song he wrote rise
to the top of the hit county charts.

“We're getting there and
meeting a lot of people that I would never thought and playing a lot of places
that I've never thought I'd play in my life,” Younger said.

“They're both equally great,
but I just had more success so far on the artist side, and that is fun.”

While there may be more opportunities
in Nashville, he retains a life similar to the one he knew growing up, living
in a quiet city suburb.

“I still
crave small-town livin’ and simple life,” Younger said. “It's different, but
they both have their perks. Being out here, you're so plugged into the industry,
and you really do feel like you're three minutes, or a song away, from maybe a change
in your life. You've got those connections, and you're showing your face and
networking in the clubs.”

“But as
far as personal living, I have a family now. And we're lucky to be out in a
cool suburb of Nashville, and we love it out here. But I still do prefer the
small-town simple living over the city life for sure.”

He reflects
on that small-town life with Heartland.

“I just
thought of the kind of play on words, ‘When are you going to let your heart
land,’ and it started there. And then I just started strumming,” Younger said. “The
first line is ‘When you coming back to the hometown?’ 

“It
comes off as a love song and this guy in the middle of Kansas wondering, you
know his love ran off to chase her dreams and it's like, ‘When are you going to
come back because I do think we belong together.’ And he's very hopeful that
one day she'll come back.”

But the
song also has a deeper message for those like him that have left their hometown
to achieve their goals.

“I think
the inspiration was more like ‘Man, go chase your dream and do all you can,’”
Younger said. “It's tough out here. There are highs and lows. But no matter
what happens, you're inspiring somebody. You're making somebody smile. And if
it doesn't work out, there's always a place back home where people love you,
family and friends. And there's always another place to land.”

Musically
the song is a mix of Mellencamp, Steve Earle and Red Dirt Country.

It “rocks
pretty good, but it's still got a country lyric too, and a good story,” Younger
said.

He hopes his story helps
inspire others to take the leap.

For him,
Nashville connections may help build a songwriting career, but for those
looking to perform, artists now have an avenue to “hit it” anywhere, he said.

“These
days, everybody's doing it on their own,” Younger said. “Especially with social
media, and just about getting out and promoting yourself and playing and getting
in front of people and writing great music and pushing your song. So, I almost
think it can be done no matter where you are these days.”

“If
there's any songwriters or musicians back home, it's all possible. You just got
to go get it,” Younger said.

To hear Heartland visit <a href="https://onerpm.link/934622213335">onerpm.link/934622213335</a>.

Younger can also be found on social media, including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/blaineyoungermusic/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blaineyoungermusic/">Instagram.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660754177628.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687548235682.jpeg" alt="Blaine Younger (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Blaine Younger (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostYou may leave northwest
Kansas, but northwest Kansas can’t leave you.Nashville-based
singer/songwriter and Ellis County native Blaine Younger has recently explored
his time growing up in the area with his latest song Heartland.“I grew up right there in
Victoria, Kansas, went to school there,” Younger said. Being involved with music his
entire life, he explored the region, taking the stage at “every bar and county
fair and festival,” including Wild West Fest and Country Stampede.<div><iframe title="Ellis Co. native brings heartland sound to Nashville" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tayb8-143e6e3-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>But much like the person
longed for in Heartland, Younger felt compelled to follow his dreams and
pursue opportunities elsewhere.“We are out here. And it is a
big deal to be out here,” Younger said. “And I'm learning and surrounded by the
greatest musicians and songwriters in the world every day. And it's pretty
cool.”While his focus has been on
songwriting, he took to performing Heartland himself, marking his
first release in 13 years. “People ask me, ‘Why are you
releasing music now?’” Younger said. “I think deep down every songwriter is
still an artist, and they want to say things and say things their way and the
way they would portray it and emote it. So that still is more exciting to me.”But while he still performs and
writes music, he continues chasing the goal of one day having a song he wrote rise
to the top of the hit county charts.“We're getting there and
meeting a lot of people that I would never thought and playing a lot of places
that I've never thought I'd play in my life,” Younger said.“They're both equally great,
but I just had more success so far on the artist side, and that is fun.”While there may be more opportunities
in Nashville, he retains a life similar to the one he knew growing up, living
in a quiet city suburb.“I still
crave small-town livin’ and simple life,” Younger said. “It's different, but
they both have their perks. Being out here, you're so plugged into the industry,
and you really do feel like you're three minutes, or a song away, from maybe a change
in your life. You've got those connections, and you're showing your face and
networking in the clubs.”“But as
far as personal living, I have a family now. And we're lucky to be out in a
cool suburb of Nashville, and we love it out here. But I still do prefer the
small-town simple living over the city life for sure.”He reflects
on that small-town life with Heartland. <div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q443XlGVlVM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“I just
thought of the kind of play on words, ‘When are you going to let your heart
land,’ and it started there. And then I just started strumming,” Younger said. “The
first line is ‘When you coming back to the hometown?’ “It
comes off as a love song and this guy in the middle of Kansas wondering, you
know his love ran off to chase her dreams and it's like, ‘When are you going to
come back because I do think we belong together.’ And he's very hopeful that
one day she'll come back.”But the
song also has a deeper message for those like him that have left their hometown
to achieve their goals.“I think
the inspiration was more like ‘Man, go chase your dream and do all you can,’”
Younger said. “It's tough out here. There are highs and lows. But no matter
what happens, you're inspiring somebody. You're making somebody smile. And if
it doesn't work out, there's always a place back home where people love you,
family and friends. And there's always another place to land.”Musically
the song is a mix of Mellencamp, Steve Earle and Red Dirt Country.It “rocks
pretty good, but it's still got a country lyric too, and a good story,” Younger
said.He hopes his story helps
inspire others to take the leap.For him,
Nashville connections may help build a songwriting career, but for those
looking to perform, artists now have an avenue to “hit it” anywhere, he said.“These
days, everybody's doing it on their own,” Younger said. “Especially with social
media, and just about getting out and promoting yourself and playing and getting
in front of people and writing great music and pushing your song. So, I almost
think it can be done no matter where you are these days.”“If
there's any songwriters or musicians back home, it's all possible. You just got
to go get it,” Younger said.To hear Heartland visit <a href="https://onerpm.link/934622213335">onerpm.link/934622213335</a>. Younger can also be found on social media, including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/blaineyoungermusic/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blaineyoungermusic/">Instagram.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687548221445.jpeg" alt="Blaine Younger&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Blaine Younger&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 NWester: Ellis County native brings 'Heartland' sound to Nashville

By Tony Guerrero Hays Post

The Hays Area Bicyclists are celebrating the legacy of the Ellis County region with a commute to a variety of churches.&nbsp;

The Tour Die Kapellen may include a visit to <a href="https://www.volgagerman.net/catharine-church">St. Catherine Church</a> in Catherine, <a href="https://www.stfidelischurch.com/">The Basilica on the Plains</a> in Victoria, <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/holycrosschurch.htm">Holy Cross Church</a> in Pfeifer, and <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/stfrancischurchmunjor.htm">St. Francis Church</a> in Munjor.

The annual event is in its fourth year and will begin at Hays Municipal Park on July 8.

The several routes to choose from include a 15-mile casual ride setting off at 9 a.m. The 30, 50, and 62-mile trails that will be escorted by the Hays Police Department start at 7:30 a.m. and the 75- to 100-mile routes depart between 6:45 to 7 a.m.

Early registration is $45 a person to participate in the bike ride and $75 a person for the bus tour that’ll depart 30 minutes after the cyclists do at the Hays Municipal Park at 8 a.m.&nbsp;

After June 23, a bike ride will cost $55 per person and the bus tour will be $85 per person as on-site registration begins at 6:30 a.m.

The bus tour will travel the same route that cyclists take, with each church providing a musical performance and snacks.&nbsp;

Those who register will receive a SWAG bag and a T-shirt.

Brian Buckstead, Hays Symphony conductor, will perform at St. Catherine Church, Basilica of the Plains with their Brass Quintet led by Kathy Amrein. Jane Hyde will play at Holy Cross Church while Hillary Shepard, Kristin Pisano, and Ben Cline take center stage at St Francis Church.

The Tour Die Kapellen event <a href="https://tourdiekapellen.com/2023-2/#routeoptions">website</a> provides a list of safety rules and maps of their routes.

Kay Werth, a coordinator of the event, urged people to not follow along in their vehicles for safety reasons but reassured participants that they will be fully supported and guided.

&nbsp;“We have over 70 volunteers that help with this ride. We have drivers that follow the bikers in case they need pick up or need assistance or are just too hot. They have a first aid kit. They have a bike pump,” Werth said.&nbsp;

Musicians will be playing at each site including the post-ride party where The Joe Dolezal Polka Band will perform.&nbsp;

Deb Hoffman from the Holy Cross Church said they’ll be receiving the majority of the profit from the event but encourages others to donate to the other churches through their websites.&nbsp;

“We’re probably one of the smaller ones, especially being a mission church it’s a lot more difficult for people who don’t have steady and weekly tithing,” Hoffman said “We have to actively seek funds, and this is one of our fundraisers.”

The after-party will be at noon. Meals and refreshments will be provided as well as adult beverages from Defiance Brewing Company once the bike ride concludes at Hays Municipal Park.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655326279635.jpeg" alt="Tour of Chapels.&nbsp; Photo courtesy Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Tour of Chapels.&nbsp; Photo courtesy Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>By Tony Guerrero Hays PostThe Hays Area Bicyclists are celebrating the legacy of the Ellis County region with a commute to a variety of churches.&nbsp;The Tour Die Kapellen may include a visit to <a href="https://www.volgagerman.net/catharine-church">St. Catherine Church</a> in Catherine, <a href="https://www.stfidelischurch.com/">The Basilica on the Plains</a> in Victoria, <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/holycrosschurch.htm">Holy Cross Church</a> in Pfeifer, and <a href="http://www.kansastravel.org/stfrancischurchmunjor.htm">St. Francis Church</a> in Munjor.The annual event is in its fourth year and will begin at Hays Municipal Park on July 8. The several routes to choose from include a 15-mile casual ride setting off at 9 a.m. The 30, 50, and 62-mile trails that will be escorted by the Hays Police Department start at 7:30 a.m. and the 75- to 100-mile routes depart between 6:45 to 7 a.m.Early registration is $45 a person to participate in the bike ride and $75 a person for the bus tour that’ll depart 30 minutes after the cyclists do at the Hays Municipal Park at 8 a.m.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686853668273.jpeg" alt="Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>After June 23, a bike ride will cost $55 per person and the bus tour will be $85 per person as on-site registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The bus tour will travel the same route that cyclists take, with each church providing a musical performance and snacks.&nbsp;Those who register will receive a SWAG bag and a T-shirt. Brian Buckstead, Hays Symphony conductor, will perform at St. Catherine Church, Basilica of the Plains with their Brass Quintet led by Kathy Amrein. Jane Hyde will play at Holy Cross Church while Hillary Shepard, Kristin Pisano, and Ben Cline take center stage at St Francis Church.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686853732035.jpeg" alt="Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>The Tour Die Kapellen event <a href="https://tourdiekapellen.com/2023-2/#routeoptions">website</a> provides a list of safety rules and maps of their routes. Kay Werth, a coordinator of the event, urged people to not follow along in their vehicles for safety reasons but reassured participants that they will be fully supported and guided.&nbsp;“We have over 70 volunteers that help with this ride. We have drivers that follow the bikers in case they need pick up or need assistance or are just too hot. They have a first aid kit. They have a bike pump,” Werth said.&nbsp;Musicians will be playing at each site including the post-ride party where The Joe Dolezal Polka Band will perform.&nbsp;Deb Hoffman from the Holy Cross Church said they’ll be receiving the majority of the profit from the event but encourages others to donate to the other churches through their websites.&nbsp;“We’re probably one of the smaller ones, especially being a mission church it’s a lot more difficult for people who don’t have steady and weekly tithing,” Hoffman said “We have to actively seek funds, and this is one of our fundraisers.”The after-party will be at noon. Meals and refreshments will be provided as well as adult beverages from Defiance Brewing Company once the bike ride concludes at Hays Municipal Park.

Early registration on for Ellis County Tour of Chapels bike ride

VICTORIA
CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE – SAT. MAY 6,2023 
RAIN OR SHINE!

2511 Victoria Road – Friday 3
pm-8 pm and Saturday 9 am-3 pm. Multifamily garage sale

1201 Cedar – MOVING Sale, lots of home
décor and kid items

1004 Elm – Sports cards, lots of gently
used books for all ages, youth boy clothing .50 cents each, youth cowboy boots
&amp; shoes. Holiday &amp; home décor, purses, handmade barn wood boxes and
photo frames, light fixtures, Green Mountain Grill, puzzles &amp; misc.

1216 Elm – Estate whole house sale

1211 Fern - Multifamily – home items,
baby/kid items, furniture, clothing, misc.

1004 Hickory – 3 families 8 am- Men and
women’s clothing, junior girls clothing and formals.&nbsp; Household misc. and lots of extras.

1212 Squires Ave - 4 family
garage sale. Household items, home décor, base speaker, adult &amp; junior
clothing (men &amp; women)

1106 10th – Curio
Cabinet, gardening items, home items &amp; misc.

701 7th Street – Former St.
John’s Rest home

<a>504 Jefferson</a> – kids
clothing, men and women’s clothes, toys &amp; misc.

625 Jefferson - MOVING SALE! Furniture,
clothes, household items, décor

611 Kansas – 8 am-12 pm.&nbsp; Women’s and kids (girls size 8-12, boys
14-16) clothes, shoes, booster seats, toys, kids games, Air Strider Dual Action
Exercise Machine, indoor grill, Danielle Steel Hardback Books, misc.

207 E Main – North Shop - 8 am. HUGE
Downsizing sale- furniture, books, home décor, kitchen items, collectibles,
toys, boy clothes, vintage items, tons of stuff

104 Ballpark Road – ONLY
Friday 9 am – 4 pm. Exercise equipment, full mattress set

2569 Springhill Road – (follow the curve around
the ball park) household, clothing, baby items, furniture,
Longaberger items &amp; misc.

705 Pfeifer Ave – Friday
3-6 pm &amp; Saturday 8-12 pm. (4 miles south) &nbsp;Large multifamily garage sale.&nbsp; Furniture, women clothing, home décor,
kitchen items, baby clothes newborn-3 months, baby accessories and so much
more!

VICTORIA
CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE – SAT. MAY 6,2023 
RAIN OR SHINE!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683143077914.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>2511 Victoria Road – Friday 3
pm-8 pm and Saturday 9 am-3 pm. Multifamily garage sale 1005 Ash - Variety of items1201 Cedar – MOVING Sale, lots of home
décor and kid items 1004 Elm – Sports cards, lots of gently
used books for all ages, youth boy clothing .50 cents each, youth cowboy boots
&amp; shoes. Holiday &amp; home décor, purses, handmade barn wood boxes and
photo frames, light fixtures, Green Mountain Grill, puzzles &amp; misc.1216 Elm – Estate whole house sale1103 Fern 1211 Fern - Multifamily – home items,
baby/kid items, furniture, clothing, misc. 1004 Hickory – 3 families 8 am- Men and
women’s clothing, junior girls clothing and formals.&nbsp; Household misc. and lots of extras. 1212 Squires Ave - 4 family
garage sale. Household items, home décor, base speaker, adult &amp; junior
clothing (men &amp; women)1106 10th – Curio
Cabinet, gardening items, home items &amp; misc.813 Main – 3 family garage sale701 7th Street – Former St.
John’s Rest home<a>504 Jefferson</a> – kids
clothing, men and women’s clothes, toys &amp; misc.625 Jefferson - MOVING SALE! Furniture,
clothes, household items, décor611 Kansas – 8 am-12 pm.&nbsp; Women’s and kids (girls size 8-12, boys
14-16) clothes, shoes, booster seats, toys, kids games, Air Strider Dual Action
Exercise Machine, indoor grill, Danielle Steel Hardback Books, misc.207 E Main – North Shop - 8 am. HUGE
Downsizing sale- furniture, books, home décor, kitchen items, collectibles,
toys, boy clothes, vintage items, tons of stuff104 Ballpark Road – ONLY
Friday 9 am – 4 pm. Exercise equipment, full mattress set 2569 Springhill Road – (follow the curve around
the ball park) household, clothing, baby items, furniture,
Longaberger items &amp; misc.705 Pfeifer Ave – Friday
3-6 pm &amp; Saturday 8-12 pm. (4 miles south) &nbsp;Large multifamily garage sale.&nbsp; Furniture, women clothing, home décor,
kitchen items, baby clothes newborn-3 months, baby accessories and so much
more!

Victoria city wide garage sale set for May 6

VICTORIA&nbsp;—&nbsp;Only 18
months ago, members of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20265d70-4cca-400e-9a7e-69323db9d166">Victoria
community gathered</a> to share ideas, stories and an overwhelming desire to
find a use for the St. John’s Rest Home building after a decade of neglect.

In those
intervening months, the nonprofit <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria Community Coalition was
created,</a> the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4166ab8a-4a19-48cc-b7c9-2f7327e05bf8">building
was transferred</a> to that organization, a name was created — <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4166ab8a-4a19-48cc-b7c9-2f7327e05bf8">St. John’s
Place</a> — plans were drawn, and countless hours of work done to secure funding
for the project, which would create apartments, a child care center, a satellite museum
for the <a href="https://www.echshays.org/">Ellis County Historical Society</a>
and a community center in the over 40,000-square-foot-facility.

This
week the project surpassed another major milestone, with two grant award
announcements totaling $1.35 million dedicated to making those plans a reality.

Jeff
Pfeifer, Victoria Community Coalition chair, who originally purchased the
building for the project at a tax sale in 2021, updated the <a href="https://victoriaks.com/">Victoria City Council</a> at their regular
monthly meeting Monday on the first grant announcement.

“We
heard from (the <a href="https://danehansenfoundation.org/?playlist=7c12057&amp;video=9e6dc4e">Dane
G. Hansen Foundation</a>) on our grant application, and we were &nbsp;awarded the full amount of $500,000,” Pfeifer
said. “So that is huge.”

He said
the award is a “good place to start” and will be used for Phase One of the
project, that will create 12 apartments and the childcare center.

“We
think that's going to be in the $3-3.5 million range,” Pfeifer said. “So, we
still have a lot of room to make up.”

He also
informed the council several other grant applications had been submitted.

“Unfortunately,
we did not get the (<a href="https://kshousingcorp.org/category/programs/moderate-income-housing/">Moderate
Incoming Housing</a>) grant, which you all applied for on our behalf,” Pfeifer
said.

The coalition plans to reapply in June, he said.

“They're
allowing us to apply three times this year and again next year,” Pfeifer said. “Obviously,
we hopefully won't have to do it that often.”

During the meeting, he said the coalition was expecting to
hear award recipients from another application submitted to <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/2023/01/department-of-commerce-announces-40-million-in-new-housing-and-tourism-grant-programs/">the
ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) program</a>,
funded by the <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/spark-information/">Strengthening
People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK)</a> Executive Committee and approved by
the State Finance Council to address housing issues faced by high-need
populations, according to the office of <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor/">Gov. Laura Kelly</a>.

St. John’s Place Apartments were announced as the
recipient of $850,000 in an announcement from Kelly’s office Friday.

“Safe and accessible residential communities
for elderly and disabled Kansans are necessary for living independently,”&nbsp;Kelly said.&nbsp;“These awards will increase housing options that meet
the needs of these communities.”

The St. John’s Place grant was the only fund recipient in
Western Kansas out of the $9.8 million awarded.

“All Kansans deserve quality housing,”&nbsp;said <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/about-the-office/lt-governor/">Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland</a>. “The ABODE awards will not only
increase housing stock in communities across the state but will help improve
the quality of life for thousands of deserving Kansans.”

“ABODE applications included health and safety renovations
to existing buildings or the construction of new multi-housing units that
accommodate individuals who are elderly and/or disabled,” according to the award
announcement. “Project design, engineering costs, and architectural designs
were also permitted as eligible expenditures. Awardees will have two years to
complete their projects and utilize all awarded funds.”

Kansas Legislature leadership praised the award.

“These ABODE grants will help counteract rising housing
costs and help ensure elderly and disabled Kansans have a safe and quality
place to live,” said&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/sen_masterson_ty_1/">Senate
President Ty Masterson</a>.

“High-needs populations already were struggling with housing
access and availability before COVID-19,”&nbsp;said <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/rep_hawkins_daniel_1/">House
Speaker Dan Hawkins.</a> “The pandemic only intensified those issues. Using ARPA
funding to help resolve them makes perfect sense.” &nbsp;

Prior to the announcement, Pfeifer said he had
hoped for an award from the fund.

“That's the one I would rather have at this point
if I had to pick one or the other because that's a one-time thing,” he said. “So,
I would rather take that and then get-go after the MIH again.”

And
while the two major donations are sure to kick start ongoing efforts, the coalition
hopes other applications bring in further funding to fulfill the
anticipated Phase One total.

“Another
grant that we worked with the Ellis County Historical Society on applying for
was – 

"They
call it the Sprint Grant,” Pfeifer said. “It's some COVID money for economic
development through tourism. And the museum applied for a multimillion-dollar
application. So even if they just get a portion of that, it would be huge.”

“We're
still working, there are other grants out there for childcare,” he continued. “So,
we're still going after them. And we feel like we're in a good place. … We can get
an architect starting to move on the design now and just assume that the
funding will come, and pray and seek it out. We do a lot of work seeking it out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660869675268.jpeg" alt="St. John's Place.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>St. John's Place.&nbsp;Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostVICTORIA&nbsp;—&nbsp;Only 18
months ago, members of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20265d70-4cca-400e-9a7e-69323db9d166">Victoria
community gathered</a> to share ideas, stories and an overwhelming desire to
find a use for the St. John’s Rest Home building after a decade of neglect.In those
intervening months, the nonprofit <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria Community Coalition was
created,</a> the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4166ab8a-4a19-48cc-b7c9-2f7327e05bf8">building
was transferred</a> to that organization, a name was created — <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4166ab8a-4a19-48cc-b7c9-2f7327e05bf8">St. John’s
Place</a> — plans were drawn, and countless hours of work done to secure funding
for the project, which would create apartments, a child care center, a satellite museum
for the <a href="https://www.echshays.org/">Ellis County Historical Society</a>
and a community center in the over 40,000-square-foot-facility.This
week the project surpassed another major milestone, with two grant award
announcements totaling $1.35 million dedicated to making those plans a reality.Jeff
Pfeifer, Victoria Community Coalition chair, who originally purchased the
building for the project at a tax sale in 2021, updated the <a href="https://victoriaks.com/">Victoria City Council</a> at their regular
monthly meeting Monday on the first grant announcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682106637821.png" alt="St. John's Place preliminary floor plan. (Courtesy image)" />
 <figcaption>St. John's Place preliminary floor plan. (Courtesy image)</figcaption>
 </figure>“We
heard from (the <a href="https://danehansenfoundation.org/?playlist=7c12057&amp;video=9e6dc4e">Dane
G. Hansen Foundation</a>) on our grant application, and we were &nbsp;awarded the full amount of $500,000,” Pfeifer
said. “So that is huge.”He said
the award is a “good place to start” and will be used for Phase One of the
project, that will create 12 apartments and the childcare center.“We
think that's going to be in the $3-3.5 million range,” Pfeifer said. “So, we
still have a lot of room to make up.”He also
informed the council several other grant applications had been submitted.“Unfortunately,
we did not get the (<a href="https://kshousingcorp.org/category/programs/moderate-income-housing/">Moderate
Incoming Housing</a>) grant, which you all applied for on our behalf,” Pfeifer
said.The coalition plans to reapply in June, he said.“They're
allowing us to apply three times this year and again next year,” Pfeifer said. “Obviously,
we hopefully won't have to do it that often.”During the meeting, he said the coalition was expecting to
hear award recipients from another application submitted to <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/2023/01/department-of-commerce-announces-40-million-in-new-housing-and-tourism-grant-programs/">the
ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) program</a>,
funded by the <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/spark-information/">Strengthening
People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK)</a> Executive Committee and approved by
the State Finance Council to address housing issues faced by high-need
populations, according to the office of <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor/">Gov. Laura Kelly</a>.The wait was short.St. John’s Place Apartments were announced as the
recipient of $850,000 in an announcement from Kelly’s office Friday.“Safe and accessible residential communities
for elderly and disabled Kansans are necessary for living independently,”&nbsp;Kelly said.&nbsp;“These awards will increase housing options that meet
the needs of these communities.”The St. John’s Place grant was the only fund recipient in
Western Kansas out of the $9.8 million awarded.“All Kansans deserve quality housing,”&nbsp;said <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/about-the-office/lt-governor/">Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland</a>. “The ABODE awards will not only
increase housing stock in communities across the state but will help improve
the quality of life for thousands of deserving Kansans.”Other awards included:<ul>
 <li>Cottonwood Falls
 Housing Authority, Cottonwood Falls, $1,000,000</li><li>Derby Senior
 Living, Derby, $1,500,000</li><li>Maple Gardens
 Village, Wichita, $1,190,000</li><li>Menninger Clock
 Tower Apartments, Topeka, $637,500</li><li>Sunflower Flats,
 Manhattan, $1,500,000</li><li>Villas at
 Pinnacle Pointe, Ottawa, $1,080,000</li><li>Wiswell
 Farms Senior Villas, Spring Hill, $1,468,800</li><li>WK
 Housing, Meade, $548,250</li>
 </ul>“ABODE applications included health and safety renovations
to existing buildings or the construction of new multi-housing units that
accommodate individuals who are elderly and/or disabled,” according to the award
announcement. “Project design, engineering costs, and architectural designs
were also permitted as eligible expenditures. Awardees will have two years to
complete their projects and utilize all awarded funds.”Kansas Legislature leadership praised the award.“These ABODE grants will help counteract rising housing
costs and help ensure elderly and disabled Kansans have a safe and quality
place to live,” said&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/sen_masterson_ty_1/">Senate
President Ty Masterson</a>.“High-needs populations already were struggling with housing
access and availability before COVID-19,”&nbsp;said <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/rep_hawkins_daniel_1/">House
Speaker Dan Hawkins.</a> “The pandemic only intensified those issues. Using ARPA
funding to help resolve them makes perfect sense.” &nbsp;Prior to the announcement, Pfeifer said he had
hoped for an award from the fund.“That's the one I would rather have at this point
if I had to pick one or the other because that's a one-time thing,” he said. “So,
I would rather take that and then get-go after the MIH again.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526823044.jpeg" alt="Jeff Pfeifer, Victoria Community Coalition chair, discusses the future of the former St. John rest home with community members shortly after its purchase in 2021. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Pfeifer, Victoria Community Coalition chair, discusses the future of the former St. John rest home with community members shortly after its purchase in 2021. Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>And
while the two major donations are sure to kick start ongoing efforts, the coalition
hopes other applications bring in further funding to fulfill the
anticipated Phase One total.“Another
grant that we worked with the Ellis County Historical Society on applying for
was – "They
call it the Sprint Grant,” Pfeifer said. “It's some COVID money for economic
development through tourism. And the museum applied for a multimillion-dollar
application. So even if they just get a portion of that, it would be huge.”“We're
still working, there are other grants out there for childcare,” he continued. “So,
we're still going after them. And we feel like we're in a good place. … We can get
an architect starting to move on the design now and just assume that the
funding will come, and pray and seek it out. We do a lot of work seeking it out.”

Victoria's St. John's Place receives grants totaling $1.35 million

St. John’s Place gifted to Victoria Community
Coalition, 501(c)3 granted

VICTORIA — As efforts to find a use for the former rest home
in Victoria continue, plans have solidified and currently include apartments, a
child care center, a community center, a park and space for the Ellis County Historical
Society — all under the banner St. John’s Place.

But while excitement builds, Victoria Community Coalition
Chair Jeff Pfeifer shared the significant investment needed to see those plans
come to fruition with the Ellis County Commission during its regular meeting Tuesday.

He opened his comments by noting the facility had originally
served all of Ellis County. 

“Residents came from the entire area, and employees came
from the area,” Pfeifer said. “It was a huge asset to the county. It provided
jobs, provided activities for school kids. It was a great resource as a
community asset.”

Since 2012, it has been unoccupied after the rest home closed
and residents were moved to a facility in Hays.

The closing “had a huge impact on the community,” Pfeifer said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20265d70-4cca-400e-9a7e-69323db9d166">After
Pfeifer purchased the building in 2021, the coalition was formed and developed
plans for use.</a>

“We have had a huge community effort to get something going,”
he said. “I think everybody was tired of seeing the building sitting there and
have talked about what a waste it was.”

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2ac039a1-30b9-4f98-870a-c2724081446d">Following a
series of community meetings discussing the potential of the building,</a> the coalition
received its non-profit 501(c)3 designation in December, and Pfeifer
transferred ownership of the property to the community-focused group.

“The VCC is the owner of a 40,000-square-foot building, 6-and-a-half
acres and a lot of potential for Ellis County,” Pfeifer said.

Through the process of the meetings and an effort to find
the best use of the building, housing and childcare space were determined to be
potential options for the building, leading to the development of a phased plan
that will include those priority uses and more, he said.

“We have got to start somewhere,” Pfeifer said.

The current plans for At St. John’s Place include 20 apartments
for seniors, a child care center for up to 24 children, a community/senior
center, a park and space for the Ellis County Historical Museum.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bcc44562-c5a5-4f88-b16b-9a25fe00c875">The
society had announced plans to utilize space in the facility for storage and a satellite
location that would focus on the area’s Volga German heritage in October.</a>

While the society had initially hoped to be moving items into
the space before the end of 2022, the plan was delayed.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b11df2d8-2d8b-4ad9-b90b-5a869678e54f">“We are
still working on that,” said Ellis County Historical Society Executive Director
Amanda Rupp during the annual meeting of their board of directors. “When it
goes silent, a little bit people assume or get a little nervous, but we are
still working on that with the (Victoria Community Coalition.)</a>

“That’s not going away, it’s just a timing issue. We’ve been
held up a little bit with insurance,” Pfeifer said. “It’s still in the works,
and we’re pretty excited about it. It’s a huge opportunity for the county.”

Rupp said they hope to be inside the location and open
within a year.

While the society continues in its efforts, the coalition looks
to begin work on the facility's north side during the first phase of building
rehabilitation.

Work during phase 1 will be located in the newest part of
the building and includes a studio apartment, six one-bedroom apartments, four
two-bedroom apartments, common areas, a new north entrance, parking and the
child care center.

Cost is anticipated at around $3 million for phase 1.

The coalition hopes to secure around $1.35 million from state
grants and other funds, $1 million from large foundation grants and the remaining
$650,000 from community donors.

“I think it’s ambitious, but a building this size, an opportunity
this size, warrants it,” Pfeifer said.

A community donor campaign is planned for March, and the coalition
plans to apply for a $650,000 Moderate Income Housing grant this week. The Victoria
City Council unanimously voted last month to approve the application, as MIH
grants go exclusively through local governments.

“This is a competitive grant,” Pfiefer told the Victoria
council. “Just submitting is not a done deal.”

But this year, extra money has been earmarked for those
grants.

“It's really exciting because they put in $20 million,” said
Justine Benoit,&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Planning and Development economic development
coordinator. “Usually, the pot was like $3-4 million. So there's a lot more
money in there.”

<h2>St. John’s Place gifted to Victoria Community
Coalition, 501(c)3 granted</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660869675268.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostVICTORIA — As efforts to find a use for the former rest home
in Victoria continue, plans have solidified and currently include apartments, a
child care center, a community center, a park and space for the Ellis County Historical
Society — all under the banner St. John’s Place.But while excitement builds, Victoria Community Coalition
Chair Jeff Pfeifer shared the significant investment needed to see those plans
come to fruition with the Ellis County Commission during its regular meeting Tuesday.He opened his comments by noting the facility had originally
served all of Ellis County. <div><iframe width="350" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/us9SthTs-qE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Residents came from the entire area, and employees came
from the area,” Pfeifer said. “It was a huge asset to the county. It provided
jobs, provided activities for school kids. It was a great resource as a
community asset.”Since 2012, it has been unoccupied after the rest home closed
and residents were moved to a facility in Hays.The closing “had a huge impact on the community,” Pfeifer said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526823044.jpeg" alt="Jeff Pfeifer discusses ideas for the former Victoria rest home during the first community meeting following his purchase of the building in the fall of 2021." />
 <figcaption>Jeff Pfeifer discusses ideas for the former Victoria rest home during the first community meeting following his purchase of the building in the fall of 2021.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20265d70-4cca-400e-9a7e-69323db9d166">After
Pfeifer purchased the building in 2021, the coalition was formed and developed
plans for use.</a>“We have had a huge community effort to get something going,”
he said. “I think everybody was tired of seeing the building sitting there and
have talked about what a waste it was.”<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2ac039a1-30b9-4f98-870a-c2724081446d">Following a
series of community meetings discussing the potential of the building,</a> the coalition
received its non-profit 501(c)3 designation in December, and Pfeifer
transferred ownership of the property to the community-focused group.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676401212203.jpeg" alt="Slide from the Victoria Community Coalition's presentation to the Ellis County Commission." />
 <figcaption>Slide from the Victoria Community Coalition's presentation to the Ellis County Commission.</figcaption>
 </figure>“The VCC is the owner of a 40,000-square-foot building, 6-and-a-half
acres and a lot of potential for Ellis County,” Pfeifer said.Through the process of the meetings and an effort to find
the best use of the building, housing and childcare space were determined to be
potential options for the building, leading to the development of a phased plan
that will include those priority uses and more, he said.<h2>At St. John’s Place-PHASE 1</h2>“We have got to start somewhere,” Pfeifer said.The current plans for At St. John’s Place include 20 apartments
for seniors, a child care center for up to 24 children, a community/senior
center, a park and space for the Ellis County Historical Museum.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676400870323.jpeg" alt="Slide from the Victoria Community Coalition's presentation to the Ellis County Commission." />
 <figcaption>Slide from the Victoria Community Coalition's presentation to the Ellis County Commission.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bcc44562-c5a5-4f88-b16b-9a25fe00c875">The
society had announced plans to utilize space in the facility for storage and a satellite
location that would focus on the area’s Volga German heritage in October.</a>While the society had initially hoped to be moving items into
the space before the end of 2022, the plan was delayed.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b11df2d8-2d8b-4ad9-b90b-5a869678e54f">“We are
still working on that,” said Ellis County Historical Society Executive Director
Amanda Rupp during the annual meeting of their board of directors. “When it
goes silent, a little bit people assume or get a little nervous, but we are
still working on that with the (Victoria Community Coalition.)</a> “That’s not going away, it’s just a timing issue. We’ve been
held up a little bit with insurance,” Pfeifer said. “It’s still in the works,
and we’re pretty excited about it. It’s a huge opportunity for the county.”Rupp said they hope to be inside the location and open
within a year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445911503.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp updates the board on efforts to utilize storage and exhibition space in St. John's Place during their annual meeting." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp updates the board on efforts to utilize storage and exhibition space in St. John's Place during their annual meeting.</figcaption>
 </figure>While the society continues in its efforts, the coalition looks
to begin work on the facility's north side during the first phase of building
rehabilitation.Work during phase 1 will be located in the newest part of
the building and includes a studio apartment, six one-bedroom apartments, four
two-bedroom apartments, common areas, a new north entrance, parking and the
child care center.Cost is anticipated at around $3 million for phase 1.The coalition hopes to secure around $1.35 million from state
grants and other funds, $1 million from large foundation grants and the remaining
$650,000 from community donors.“I think it’s ambitious, but a building this size, an opportunity
this size, warrants it,” Pfeifer said.A community donor campaign is planned for March, and the coalition
plans to apply for a $650,000 Moderate Income Housing grant this week. The Victoria
City Council unanimously voted last month to approve the application, as MIH
grants go exclusively through local governments.“This is a competitive grant,” Pfiefer told the Victoria
council. “Just submitting is not a done deal.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676402167018.jpeg" alt="Jeff Pfeifer asks the Victoria City Council to support the submission of a Moderate Income Housing grant application during their regular January meeting.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Pfeifer asks the Victoria City Council to support the submission of a Moderate Income Housing grant application during their regular January meeting.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>But this year, extra money has been earmarked for those
grants.“It's really exciting because they put in $20 million,” said
Justine Benoit,&nbsp;Northwest Kansas Planning and Development economic development
coordinator. “Usually, the pot was like $3-4 million. So there's a lot more
money in there.”She also said that even if the application is not approved, it
can be submitted again, and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation – the agency
that oversees the grants – would offer guidance to strengthen future
applications.Pfeifer asked the county commission to pen a letter of
support that would accompany the application.The commission approved the support unanimously. They also unanimously
approved waiving landfill fees for materials removed from the building during
ongoing demolition.To stay up to date with the Victoria Community Coalition or to find links to donate to the project, visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">victoriakscommunity.com.</a>