Four Overland Residents Receive Keys to the City

NOVEMBER 6, 2014, Overland, Missouri… Ken Crowder, Beth Ruckman, and Rich and Carol Kilzer have been recognized as “Citizens of the Year” by the City of Overland for their outstanding contributions to community betterment. Each was given a Key to the City by Mayor Michael T. Schneider in special ceremonies at the Overland City Council Meeting on October 27.

Beth Ruckman is Operator/Manager of Carol’s Corner Florist in Overland. Beth volunteers her time to help produce many local events including Overland’s “Autumn in the Park” festival in September each year that attracts thousands of people to the city’s Norman Meyers Park.

Ken Crowder leads a committee of eight on the Overland Preservation Commission. His committee created the Commission’s “Home of the Month Award” from which the “Home of the Year” is chosen. In addition, Ken and his committee volunteer to assist at many other local events. Ken is a retired history teacher in the Ritenour School District. You may have been one of his students.

Rich Kilzer is President and Market Master of the Overland Farmers Market. In addition to coordinating activities and vendors as a volunteer, Rich oversees the Board and manages the Market which is open every Saturday morning from May-October every year.

Carol Kilzer, Rich’s wife, chairs the Overland Beautification Committee. Her committee of eight is responsible for designing and implementing enhancements in city parks and on rights-of-way. Historical markers, bike racks, floral planters, benches, trash receptacles, pergola, carillon at City Hall, banners, painted street logos, patriotic bunting, art for parks and welcome markers top the list of accomplishments. The committee is always searching for new ideas to improve the city’s appearance.

All of these “Citizens of the Year” have been in their volunteer positions for several years. They spend many hours volunteering time and efforts to help ensure that that Overland reflects its slogan “A Great Place to Live.”

The City of Overland, current population about 17,000, was first settled in the 1820s when pioneer travelers and wagon trains heading west stopped in a shady grove of trees there overnight. Daniel Boone the frontiersman built a cabin there. The city is named for an early Overland settler and businessman named Dennis Lackland.

See the city website at http://www.overlandmo.org or visit the Overland Business Association website http://www.overlandbusinessassociation.org.

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