Here at MICOCF we are ready for Spring and all the amazing activities in the next months!
Tune in to read March’s highlights and meet one of our Board Members!
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Check out this month’s spotlight events!
Paola State of the City Breakfast: A Vision for Our Future
Staying informed is the first step toward making a difference. This event is a unique, open forum to participate in how our local government and schools operate.
We’ll hear directly from City, School District, and County leaders as they discuss recent progress, the challenges we face, and the future of Paola.
Why you should attend
It’s an opportunity to hear about upcoming projects and milestones firsthand, rather than through word of mouth and enjoy a delicious hot breakfast provided by JDMcKay’s Catering.
Thanks to our sponsors at First Option Bank, this event is completely free for everyone to attend.
What to know:
- 🗓️ When: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
- ⏰ Time: 7:30 a.m.
- 📍 Location: Town Square Events (15 W. Wea St, Paola)
- 🎟️ Cost: FREE and open to the public
I hope to see you there!
Spring Break Fun: Keeping Miami County Active! 🏃♂️💨
With Spring Break (March 16th through 20th) just around the corner, our recreation commissions are gearing up to keep our kids (and adults!) moving.
Here’s a quick look at what’s on the horizon:
📍 Paola Recreation
Paola has a fantastic lineup specifically for the break, including specialized Spring Break Activities from March 17th–19th.
📍 Osawatomie Recreation
This is the perfect time to get signed up for their Youth Track program (open to everyone from Kindergarten through 6th grade).
📍 Louisburg Recreation
Check their community calendar for local walking clubs and upcoming league schedules. It’s a great chance to get outdoors!
Important to note: many of these programs have registration deadlines approaching quickly so don’t wait too long to grab a spot!
🌟 Board Member Highlight: Michelle Kaiser
Michelle Kaiser didn’t know the “unusual perfection” of a bowl of chili with a cinnamon roll until she moved to Paola during her junior year of high school, and has been a loyal fan ever since!
I first met Michelle while she was a local business owner, and I knew right away that she was the perfect fit for our mission. She joined our board five years ago because she wanted to be a part of building the future in Miami County.
Since then she has been a driving force behind our growth, helping people understand that we aren’t just about giving money away: we are about stewardship. As Michelle puts it, “We connect donors’ passions with real needs… ensuring today’s generosity continues to benefit the community for generations.”
When I asked Michelle about the “why” behind her service, she said: “I believe Miami County needs a local foundation because local challenges deserve a focused solution.”
Her vision for our home 10 years from now is one of a community “continuing to thrive with strong schools, opportunities, and community pride.” For Michelle, the Foundation is how we get there, by ensuring “decisions are made with local insight, and progress is sustainable rather than reactive.“
I feel so lucky to work alongside someone who understands that you don’t need to give a lot to make a difference, but rather that collective giving is the “simplest way to turn good intentions into lasting impact.”
💖 Local Recipe Spotlight
Our March recipe comes from the wonderful Michele Ivans. Michele opened the dedicated fund Avelyn SonShine Journey fund, a beautiful mission born out of a mother’s love to honor her daughter, Avelyn, after her daughter passed away.
I am proud they chose Miami County to open their fund. As she says “I am so thankful for MCCF! You handle our organization’s funds as if they were your own, and everyone involved is so kind and truly invested in our goals.”
Every May, Michele and her family host the Annual Let Your Light Shine Family 1 Mile Walk & 5K to raise funds for the Avelyn SonShine Journey.
Michele’s “Go-To” Spicy Herb Pretzels
Michele said that she’s “horrible with cooking” but this one snack recipe is delicious! It’s simple, savory, and has just the right amount of kick!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. pretzels
- 3/4 cup canola oil (or less)
- 1 t. garlic powder
- 1 t. lemon pepper
- 1/2 t. cayenne pepper
- 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
Instructions:
- In a 1 gallon ziplock bag, place the pretzels.
- Use a bowl to mix all the remaining ingredients.
- Pour the mixture into the ziplock bag with the pretzels and seal.
- Turn often for 30 minutes.
- Wait 12-24 hours to eat.
- Serve and enjoy!
If you don’t know me
I am Tammy Booe, Executive Director of MICOCF. You can read about me in this article. I’m so excited to get to know you all better and continue making a difference together!
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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