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Construction to start soon on McLouth learning center

By Shawn Linenberger - | Mar 13, 2002

The Y.E.S. Learning Center’s ground-breaking ceremony didn’t progress quite as planned, but shovels did turn soil Saturday at its eventual site in McLouth.

The center, which will be constructed at 109 N. Union St., had its ceremony start in the McLouth City Hall across the street because of chilly weather.

Youth Extended Services’ president and treasurer Carrie Koch said the change in temperature didn’t hinder the ceremony.

“I still think it was a good turnout,” Koch said.

Ceremony attendants crammed into city hall as former Kansas Sen. Don Biggs spoke and the Crackerjacks 4-H group sang “America.” A recording of the song “For the Sake of the Children” was also played.

The activities also included a memorial presentation. Y.E.S. Inc. presented board member Caryn Vaught and her husband, Eric, with a garden trowel in memory of their son, Cooper, who died recently after acquiring a respiratory virus. The organization also established a memorial fund in Cooper’s name that will go toward the learning center.

Along with Briggs, current politicians were on hand as well. Rep. Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie, Jefferson County Commissioner George Mathews and McLouth Mayor Glen Wear were in attendance.

The ground-breaking took place on the center’s future site, as children of board members dug soil with their own garden trowels.

The nonprofit organization will offer educational and child-care services to ages infant through 10, and doors are expected to open in late August or early September. Koch said construction is set to begin the last week of this month.