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TEG TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016 Camp Wood YMCA hosts Camp Corral for children from military families By Zach Hacker [email protected] Camp Wood YMCA hosts camps all summer — but last week’s was not only the biggest, it may also be the most special. The sprawling, 864-acre camp nestled in the Flint Hills outside of Elmdale continued its partnership with Camp Corral this year. Started in 2011 as a one-camp pilot program, Camp Corral now takes place at 23 locations in 19 states. What makes this unique from other summer camps, however, is that it is open exclusively to children of members of the military. Registration priority is given to children of wounded, disabled or fallen service members. V V V PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895 V V V VVV Camp Corral: no Pokemon needed. WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM Campers make letters out of sticks and string during an arts and crafts session at Camp Wood YMCA. Above: Kids at Camp Corral try to catch “The Big One” Thursday morning at Camp Wood YMCA near Elmdale. Camp Corral is a nationwide program for children of wounded, disabled and fallen veterans. “This is huge for us,” Camp Wood YMCA Senior Operations Director B.J. Murray said. “We’re deeply honored to serve kids that have those experiences. It’s great that we can be a place where kids can just be kids and forget about those experiences for a week. It’s really helping them heal in a way.” At 150 total campers ages 7 - 17, it is “by far” Camp Wood’s largest week of the summer. Campers mostly came from Kansas and Missouri — though there were some in town from Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma — from Sunday through Saturday. They were there to enjoy the “All-American summer camp” — save for the goofball antics often depicted in 80s movies — according to Murray. Each morning, the campers broke into groups that participated in activities such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, fishing and horseback riding to name a few. After lunch, they got a chance to get a small taste of what groups they Please see Camp, Page 8 P H O T O S B Y Z A C H H A C K E R ELLEN PLUMB’S CITY BOOKSTORE COMBINES HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY By John Robinson [email protected] When the Town Crier closed up shop in 2015, Marcia Lawrence knew she had to take matters into her own hands. “I bought a house here — a year ago — and I don’t live in towns that don’t have bookstores,” Lawrence said. “The bookstore closed and we have to do something.” For almost a year, Lawrence has worked on putting together the plans for a new Emporia bookstore — one she says celebrates the local history while also looking toward the future with Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore. “Ellen Plumb opened the first bookstore in Emporia in 1870,” Lawrence said. “She was also one of the first two graduates of (Emporia State University) in 1867 — both of whom were women. “So it seemed fitting with the work I already do with the William Allen White House — Red Rocks — and the Historical Society ... it seemed fitting to name the bookstore after the first book mistress.” Plumb’s bookstore, officially known as the City Bookstore and Plumb’s Book Store, was located at 523 Commercial St., from 1870 to 1907. Lawrence’s bookstore will be located at 624 Commercial St., the current location of the Junque Drawer Emporium; the plan is to share space. “(Junque Drawer) is transitioning pretty much back to Olathe Good Evening CANDIDATES MEET WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS By Jessie Wagoner [email protected] COURTESY PHOTO An Espresso Book Machine can print a book in the time it takes to “get a cup of espresso.” JOHN ROBINSON/GAZETTE Marcia Lawrence stands in front of the Junque Drawer Emporium. Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore hopes to become a part of the store in September. — although there will still be a presence here in Emporia — timing couldn’t be better,” Lawrence said. “We will share fourth quarter and we will be, pretty much, a best practices case study for how to transition in.” With her history as a publisher and small business owner, Lawrence said she knows the work involved with opening a new bookstore. VOL. 125, NO. 9 Please see Bookstore, Page 3 COURTESY PHOTO Ellen Plumb and Mary Jane Watson were the first two graduates of Emporia State University, then known as the Kansas Normal School, in 1867. The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters Committee hosted a meet and greet for the candidates running for the First Congressional District of Kansas on Monday evening. Community members had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Roger Marshall, Republican and Alan LaPolice, Independent. A representative from Tim Huelskamp’s staff was also in attendance. Approximately 40 community members attended the round table discussions with the candidates. Marshall said he is a “conservative outsider” focused on holding career politicians accountable. He is a practicing physician, a retired army captain and a self-proclaimed “Champion for Agriculture.” Marshall said he desires to get Kansas a seat back on the Agriculture Committee. In order to make progress in Washington, Marshall said it is important for all parties to work together — something he said comes from strong leadership. “People ask me what the problem is in Washington and my answer is, it is a lack of leadership,” Marshall said. “Most Please see Candidates, Page 3