Chris McCord, owner of The Historic Wolf Hotel, accepts the We Kan! award from Marci Penner, Executive Director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation.
Chris McCord, owner of The Historic Wolf Hotel, and his staff/volunteers were awarded the “We Kan!” award by Marci Penner, Executive Director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Hotel’s award was aptly named the “Shining a light on the underground” award.
Marci Penner said, “Chris has an amazing ability to see possibilities and then make them happen. The underground tunnels are a big part of Ellinwood’s history and it’s wonderful to see that place come alive again through his efforts. We were pleased to give Chris some deserving recognition.”
The We Kan! awards are presented to ten unsuspecting recipients each year. There is no application process. The Foundation chooses people who have a cooperative spirit, show enthusiasm and dedication for their community, and whose efforts have made a real difference in rural Kansas.
The awards are first presented each year at the Kansas Sampler Festival which was held this year in Winfield May 6-7.
Kelli Penner helped organize the surprise presentation to Chris in conjunction with a chamber of commerce meeting and also attended by Chris’s family and Historic Wolf Hotel staff. Kansas Sampler Foundation director Marci Penner and assistant director WenDee LaPlant made the official presentation.
”We’ve been watching Chris for awhile and admire and appreciate his vision and effort to not only preserve the Historic Wolf Hotel but to do it in a way that benefits Ellinwood in many ways.” stated Marci.
“We happily accept this award and will proudly continue to work for the preservation and beautification of our historical monuments here in Ellinwood and surrounding rural areas.” McCord beamed.