Hometown Hero Spotlight: Kahle Family

This month’s Hometown Heroes Spotlight, sponsored by Elizabeth Hiatt - Shelter Insurance Agency is shining bright on the Kahle Family.

Lisa was born and raised here in Blackwell, returning in 2005 after college to open up her business. Jake was originally from Newkirk, then to Tonkawa before marrying Lisa and making Blackwell their home, raising 3 kids.

“It’s a wonderful small town to raise children and contribute to society with our businesses that support the town,” said Lisa.

Jake Kahle has served on the executive board of the Kay County Free Fair for the past 10 years. Responsibilities associated with the fair, range from setting up and tearing down and all behind the scenes that tend to go unnoticed during fair week, lost in all the excitement and smiles on the faces of all the fair goers.

Not to mention the planning and preparation in the months leading up to the fair.

Lisa Kahle served on the Blackwell Quarterback Club as treasurer for past 3 years.

“We are now both serving as Voting members this season. With the quarterback club, besides the normal business, we take on extra roles with a couple of fundraisers and tailgating for home games! If you haven’t tried Jake’s BBQ, you are missing out!” said Lisa.

Now throw fair and football season together and September is interesting in the Kahle house.

They are also involved in extracurricular activities with their kids, by coaching travel basketball teams throughout the years, starting now with their youngest child. Both Jake and Lisa work with their travel team during the off-season to help improve skills and knowledge and even have fundraisers to help send the girls to basketball camp.

“With each organization we are involved with it's a family affair,” Lisa explained.

“My now 13-year-old and 7-year-old were pretty much raised at the fairgrounds. When you can walk, you can push a broom we would tell them! Our 19-year-old had his graduation volunteer requirements met before he even hit high school.”

You can always count on Jake and Lisa to help out with school activities to donate to different causes.”

“The most rewarding part about being involved with the community is a random out-of-the-blue recognition of our hard work,” said Lisa.

“All the dedication Jake has put in at the fair, I hope inspires many to step in and help! It’s definitely a beast of an event. With the Quarterback club, seeing all the tailgating and fundraisers that provide so much for the team's needs for the season hoping to inspire every parent, grandparent, or guardian involved in their kids’ sport to pitch in and help! A little bit goes a long way,” Lisa explained.

Lisa continues to hope that her family’s work inspires others, saying:

“Getting involved with the community is the most important thing for future generations! Looking passed their phones and gaming systems and volunteer will grow your town and teach the newer generations that young people have to be involved to help continue traditions or they just die. Many due to aging volunteers can’t do it anymore and there is no one there to take over so it just ceases to exist! Lisa was a Jaycee brat, learning from her parents about community involvement.”

As for the fondest memory the Kahle family has had? Lisa said it was absolutely the Kay County Free Fair’s 100th-year anniversary.

“I think the centennial fair was the most favorite event! Jake wanted to get huge shows on the books, and we hit the pavement getting sponsors for those shows! The work the board and their families put in for that was very rewarding on all the shows, activities and fun that all who attended had!”