Wolfe’s named Main Street Business of the Year

    Wolfe’s Printing & Office Supplies, Falls City, was named the Main Street Business of the Year, Falter Museum was the Outstanding Commercial Interior Award winner and Penny Caudle was Main Street Volunteer of the Year at the Falls City Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street annual banquet held last Wednesday night at the FC Elk’s Lodge.
    Wolfe’s is owned by Todd and Martha Chapple, who purchased the store in late 2011 from founders Dave and Martha Wolfe. Martha Chapple, a long-time employee of the Wolfe’s, operates the custom printing and office supplies retail store located at 1607 Stone St. She is also a member of the Falls City Chamber of Commerce & Main Street Falls City Board of Directors. The store opened in 1992.
    The John P. Falter Museum, located at 1622 Stone St., was created by Curator Janet “Dobey” (Falter) Haws, who’s father, the late John C. Falter, was a first cousin to the famous Falls City artist. It opened in 2015 in the former Richardson County Bank building and features displays of Falter’s 129 Saturday Evening Post covers and examples of his illustrations and paintings, as well as a re-creation of his Philadelphia art studio (on loan from the Nebraska State Historical Society Museum). Other artwork also is featured, loaned by local collectors, the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln and the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney.
    Caudle, Insurance Clerk at Community Medical Center, is a member of the Falls City Chamber of Commerce & Main Street Falls City Board of Directors and a graduate of the Lane Leadership Program, a community development-based program made up of engaged community leaders with a passion for Falls City. The group is currently raising funds to create a “splash pad” at the location of the former municipal swimming pool at Dallas Jones Park. Plans are to create a zero-depth water play area for children as a free alternative to the FC Aquatic Center and benefit to visitors of the Fiedler Family Ball Complex.
    Penelope and her husband, Chris, have twin sons, Brock and Cade, third graders at Falls City South Elementary School. Penny, the former Penny Kelly, graduated from Falls City Sacred Heart School and Chadron State College.  
    At the beginning of the meeting portion of the event, 2016 Executive Committee Chairperson Sarah Ahern announced that David Branch is no longer administrator of the organization. New Executive Board Chairman Chuck Whitney said the group is looking to fill the position and anybody interested is urged to stop by the Chamber Office or call him.
    In addition to Whitney, Paulo Bruxellas was named the First Vice Chairman and new board members include Caudle, Trevor Godemann, Angie Phroper, Matt Kirkendall, R.J. Hamilton, Chapple and John Hogue. Outgoing Board members honored were Dr. Steve Severin, Gary Jorn, Kaytlyn Kennedy and Rachel Witt.