Atwood not just resting on its laurels

Having recently celebrated their community's 125th anniversary, you might think that the citizens of Atwood, Kan. would be ready to sit back, relax and rest on their laurels.

Actually, just the opposite is happening.

Evidence appears on the front page of this week's Rawlins County Square Deal, with word that projects are under way to restore the historic Shirley Opera House and to erect a model home to promote Atwood's free land offer.

The opera house project was launched Sunday evening when award-winning musicians, Al Petteway and Amy White, came to Atwood for a benefit concert at the Jayhawk Theater.

"We heard they were going to be in Denver, so we asked them to stop by Atwood while they were in the region" said Alice Hill. "They loved the small town atmosphere and promised to be back to help the effort."

Lots of work remains, as Alice estimates $50,000 will be needed to restore the Shirley Opera House. "We want to make it as close to the original as possible," she said, although there will be modern conveniences added, including restrooms and an elevator to make the third floor room handicapped accessible.

Alice Hill and her husband, Jeff, are spearheading the project. They are the owners of the Aberdeen Steakhouse, which is located on the ground floor of the historic building. "Our goal is to have the project complete by 2007," the Hills said. That would be appropriate as it would coincide with the centennial of the opera house, which opened in 1907.

Free Land Promotion

Atwood also is pushing ahead with its free land offer, working with Candlewick Homes to promote the building of homes in the community.

Chris Sramek, director of Rawlins County Economic Development, reported at the Nov. 17 meeting of the Atwood City Council that Candlewick Homes "has found an interested party for a franchise and they are exploring methods of funding."

Among the possibilities is the erection of a model home in Atwood, possibly at the location of the Lakeside Motel. Plans are also in motion to establish a web site, with pictures showing model homes on actual sites.

At 125 years of age, Atwood has enjoyed a long history of successful enterprises. However -- as demonstrated by the opera house project and free land offer -- there's still much more to be done and the people of Atwood are determined to rise to the challenge.