Based on discussion at the event, the “movement” is expected to keep growing.

Tonganoxie Live is a Facebook page that local residents started as a way to keep people in the community connected.

At Thursday’s social, some 50 residents attended to discuss their businesses and organizations.

One of Tonganoxie Live’s creators, Monica Gee, discussed the Facebook presence through a Powerpoint presentation.

“We can’t excel as a city unless we work together,” Gee said. “We encourage you to volunteer if you don’t like something. We want to make sure this stays a good movement.”

The event also served as a town hall meeting for the Tonganoxie City Council, though the focus of the evening centered mostly on Tonganoxie Live and the individuals in attendance.

“I’m constantly saying the best way for us to problem solve is to put everyone in a room,” said Tonganoxie Mayor Jason Ward. “In today’s society, we all can’t do it. We can’t have a meeting every night.”

EAST member Keyta Kelly mentioned that the second annual Kirby McRill Walk would be June 20, while National Day of the Cowboy is July 25. Plans are under way to celebrate the event with a parade and other festivities, Kelly said.

Council member Bill Peak, who also is program director for the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society, said the historic site’s museum would be opening in April and there would be some festivities planned, including a cake walk.

Representatives from Transforming Tonganoxie Together, as well as Tonganoxie police, fire and city officials spoke during the social. Gee went around the room asking those in attendance to share information about their businesses or organizations.

Gee’s PowerPoint showed what the Tonganoxie Live Facebook page has posted so far regarding church and community events.

Rachel Kelly, who along with Gee, Jenny Worden and Tammie McCutchen are the page’s administrators, took notes on a master calendar as folks in attendance shared various events happening in Tonganoxie.

Vicki Starcher, who has been a hairstylist in Tonganoxie for 38 years, said that she doesn’t use events happening in Tonganoxie.

Vicki Starcher, who has been a hairstylist in Tonganoxie for 38 years, said that she doesn’t use Facebook and doesn’t advertise because she has “all the business I can handle.”

She voiced concern about businesses in Tonganoxie slowly depleting.

She said she’d like to see something occur that would help rejuvenate businesses in the community.

Sister-in-law Melanie Starcher, who owns S&S Body Shop, she the discussion encouraged her.

“We’re really glad that people are supporting us and I was just interested in what was happening tonight,” she said, explaining why she attended the social.

The city plans to have quarterly town hall meetings, while those in attendance agreed that Tonganoxie Live should meet with the same frequency.

“That’s a great turnout for a first-time event,” Gee said. “This was a very good, positive event.”