Steve Zimmerman, Sonic Equipment, spoke about the company’s role in Iola at Friday’s “See, Hear Iola!” program.
Zimmerman moved to Iola about 10 years ago to work at Sonic, during which time there were only six or seven full-time employees. Zimmerman said 10 years later there are 55 employees.
Sonic Equipment, which predominately builds movie theaters, is owned by Robert Bagby, whose parents, Sterling and Pauline, once lived in Iola. Today Sonic Equipment outfits theaters in 21 states with state-of-the-art equipment.
Some of the community-based projects Sonic has been involved with include Happy Tails dog park, Farm-City Days, local food and coat drives and Hope Unlimited.
For its employees, Sonic regularly holds cookouts and cook-offs, bowling parties, incentive programs, a Super Bowl party and a monthly employee meeting where employees are given the opportunity speak openly and ask questions.
Zimmerman said while it might be more convenient for Sonic to move its business to a larger city, the commitment they have to the community keeps it in Iola.
Zimmerman said the key to their success is being prepared for anything.
“Everything we do, we plan,” he said. “If it doesn’t work out then at least we had a plan and we can be flexible and deviate from it.”
WITH Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, Duane McGraw, owner and operator of Duane’s Flowers, was at the program to give the commercial.
He and his wife Judy’s flower shop will have been open for 37 years on Feb. 2.
“We are full-fledged florists,” he said. “Our main goal is to deliver flowers that are top quality.”
Duane’s now delivers as far as Uniontown and Yates Center.
The flower shop’s busiest day of the year is coming up. Duane’s suggestion and request is to order early.
“Order on that Monday or Tuesday, don’t wait until Wednesday.”
There will be two new employees joining Duane’s and on Valentine’s Dave seven delivery trucks will be out.
Duane said the night before Valentine’s Day, he doesn’t go home.
ANOTHER speaker at the program was Realtor John Brocker.
He said 2012 was a better year for the housing market. In 2011, 57 houses were sold, in 2012 there were 70.
There are 47 listings in Iola and 77 in the county.
In honor of Kansas Day, on Sunday, Donna Houser led the group in singing the state song “Home on the Range.”
Bill Maness, Senator Jerry Moran’s district representative, introduced a new website being launched where Kansans can learn about and get involved in reducing the nation’s deficit.
The website is www.moran.senate.gov/ourfuture.
Chamber director Shelia Lampe gave a brief rundown on upcoming community events. Representative Lynn Jenkins will be at the Iola Public Library at 12:15 Friday, Feb. 1 for her listening tour.
The second Iola cash mob will be Feb. 7. Mobbers will meet at the Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m. where the store of the night will be announced. Afterward, they will go to a restaurant for a cash mob social.
