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🍂 Welcome to MICOCF November Newsletter

Greetings!

November is here, ready for the holiday season! Keep reading to know how Miami County is preparing for the holidays, meet one of our board members, and try a new recipe!

To know all of our updates in real time, make sure to give us a follow on Facebook & LinkedIn.

Happy reading!

It’s Tammy Booe here, your Executive Director at MICOCF.If we haven’t met yet, I’d love for you to check out this article that shares a little more about me and my journey to MICOCF. I’m so excited to get to know you all better and continue making a difference together!

 
Before we move on, I’d love to invite you to join the MICOCF family online. Follow us to share your thoughts, ideas, and be part of our growing community

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Check out this month’s spotlight events!

🏃‍♀️ Osawatomie State Hospital Day & Run the Hill 2025 Fundraiser 💙

Mark your calendars for November 8th – we’ve got a wonderful event coming up at the Osawatomie State Hospital, and I’d love for you to be part of it!

We’re proud to support this year’s Oswatomie State Hospital Day, and the day starts with a scenic and meaningful Run the Hill 5K.

Whether you’re running or cheering folks on, it’s a beautiful way to show support for mental health in our community.

Here are the details:

Bring your running shoes, your friends, and your big heart! 💚

Kids’ activities will be available:

And a street food food truck to enjoy this beautiful event with a full belly! 🤤

Even if you can’t join us in person, feel free to donate or help spread the word – every little bit helps.

🎉 November 12th – Wildwood Bingo Night

Get ready for a night full of laughs, prizes, and community spirit – Wildwood Bingo Night is happening on Wednesday, November 12th, and you’re invited!

This event is hosted by Wildwood, a brand-new fund under the Miami County Community Foundation. It’s all about raising money for programs that make a difference – and having a whole lot of fun doing it!

Here’s what you need to know:

Raffle tickets available at the event for your chance to win a Holiday fun-filled basket – perfect to kick off the fall season in style!

It’s a great excuse to gather with friends, support a good cause, and maybe take home a prize!

🎄 November 28th – Paola’s Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa Visit 🎅

I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but who’s ready to kick off the holiday season with something magical? ✨

Join us in Paola on Friday, November 28th for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and a very special visit from Santa Claus!

This is one of those feel-good evenings that truly brings the whole community together. It’s the perfect way to launch into the most wonderful time of the year!

Here’s what to know:

Bundle up, bring your loved ones, and come help us make it a night to remember. It’s events like these that make our community feel like one big family. ❤️

Peter Murphy Lewis

November 29th – Town Square Events Craft Show 🎄

If you’re anything like me, you love a good craft fair – especially one that supports local makers and gets you in the holiday spirit! 🎁✨

Well, you’re in luck! Our friends over at Town Square Events Paola (yep – the same amazing folks who hosted our Match Day celebration!) are putting on a festive Craft Show on Friday, November 29th, and it’s going to be a full day of shopping, snacking, and celebrating creativity.

Here’s what you need to know:

It’s the perfect chance to check a few gifts off your list, support local vendors, and just enjoy a cozy day out in our beautiful Paola.

Want to follow along or invite friends? 👉 Facebook Event Page

The Fenoughty/Booe Thanksgiving Tradition

Hi friends,

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought I’d take a moment to share a little peek into how my family celebrates, and it’s one of my very favorite times of the year.

Growing up a Fenoughty, the holidays always meant a house full of people, the smell of something delicious in the oven, and the happy chaos of cousins running wild through the halls. 

My mom and her sister-in-law’s would take turns hosting, and no matter whose house it was, you could count on hugs from every direction, multiple tables piled high with food, and so much laughter your cheeks would hurt by dessert. Those memories are stitched into my heart.

Now that we’re all grown, things have shifted just a little – but the heart of it all is still the same. These days, the Booe side fills the house. My sister and I both married Booe brothers (yes, really!), and now we’ve got our own little rhythm: she hosts Thanksgiving, and I take on Christmas. It’s a tradition that just works for us.

There’s always plenty of food (and seconds!), tons of photos, and a lot of belly laughs – especially when we break out our favorite card game, “Shit on Your Neighbor.” 

It’s part strategy, part luck, and all fun… unless you lose a few rounds in a row. (Let’s just say we’ve had family members who refused to sit next to each other the next year. 😂)

But honestly, what makes it the most special for me these days is watching our grandkids running around the way we used to. They’re making the same kinds of memories, the ones you carry for a lifetime.

Wishing you and your family a season full of love, connection, and maybe even a little friendly competition.

With love,
Tammy

🌟 Board Member Highlight – Kari Needham

This month, I’m excited to introduce you to someone who truly embodies what community spirit looks like – my collaborator and board member, Kari Needham.

Kari has lived in Miami County for 16 years, and as she says, “I’m proud to call it home. I’m a local graduate and have chosen to raise my family here.” Her love for this place runs deep, and it shows in everything she does.

Over the years, Kari has poured her energy into helping our communities grow and thrive – through her work with the City of Osawatomie, the Osawatomie Chamber of Commerce, and now as Director of Marketing at First Option Bank. 

What inspires her most, she told me, is “the resilience and generosity of our people. We show up for each other.”

When I asked what drew her to the Miami County Community Foundation, her answer came straight from the heart: “My passion is helping to connect people. That’s why I joined the Foundation. It’s not just about giving grants – it’s about building relationships, identifying needs, and creating long-term solutions. We serve as a bridge between donors and impactful projects, making sure every dollar is invested with purpose.”

Right now, Kari says there’s a real energy in the air: “People are excited about what we can accomplish together, and that momentum is powerful.” 

She believes that everyone has a role to play in giving back. As she puts it, “Philanthropy isn’t just for the wealthy – it’s for anyone who wants to make a difference. Your contribution helps build a stronger, more vibrant Miami County.”

Kari is especially proud of the mental health initiatives the Foundation supports – programs she says are “making a real difference in the lives of individuals and families, and reflect our commitment to caring for the whole community.”

Looking ahead, her vision is one that inspires all of us: “I envision a county that has easier access to resources and easier access for everyone to contribute. All of us, residents, businesses, nonprofits, don’t have to work in silos. If we build together, we can create lasting change.”

That’s the heart of who Kari is: a connector, a bridge-builder, and a believer in what we can achieve when we work side by side. We’re so lucky to have her on our board and in our community. 💙

Local Recipe Spotlight

Grandma Kueser’s Apple Pie

This month’s recipe comes from Becky Bowes, the Executive Director of the Louisburg Chamber of Commerce.

Becky’s family has been making this apple pie for years, and it’s a true family favorite.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this pie will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table!

Ingredients:
Pie Crust:
2 pie crusts
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
1/3 cup milk or ice-cold water (add slowly, you may need a little less or more to get the right consistency)

Apple Filling:
5 cups of thinly sliced apples
1 1/4 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of flour
1/2 stick of butter
Cinnamon (generously sprinkle)

Instructions:
Make the Pie Crust:
Stir flour and salt in a large bowl until blended.
Cut shortening into the flour mixture using your hands or a fork until pieces are the size of peas.
Gradually add water, stirring until the dough holds together.
Shape into two balls and flatten into 1/2-inch thick disks. Roll out to fit a 9-inch pie plate.

Prepare the Pie:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Layer apples in the crust, alternating with flour, sugar, and cinnamon.
Add butter slices on top before covering with the second crust.
Flute the edges, cut slits in the top, and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Tag us on Facebook with your pie and let us know if you liked it!

Stay Connected with Me and the MICOCF Family💙

I love getting to know more of you and seeing all the ways we can work together to make Miami County even better. Keep following along, sharing our updates, and letting me know what you want to see in future newsletters! We’re in this together, and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.

Have a local talent or small business you’d like to spotlight?  Know a hidden gem in Miami County that everyone should visit? Or maybe you have a fall season tip or fun activity you love to do in the County? 

Drop us a message, and we might just feature you in our next newsletter or social media!

Sending you all the love,

Tammy Booe

Executive Director, MICOCF

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Contact Me:Email: tammy.booe@micocf.org
Phone: 913-404-7287
Address: 702 Baptiste Dr, Paola, KS 66071, USA

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