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Record of Proceedings

Special Recognition of Ken and Christie Scholl's Retirement - July 9, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, July 9, 2024
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 9, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

My wife will beat me up, but when we first got married, I told her I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't do drugs, but I do trains.

0:11

And that's how it all started.

0:16

A hobby turned into a lifelong passion for Ken Scholl, who's been the lead engineer and conductor of the Stalley Park train for the past 24 years.

0:25

Now I always tell everybody once they get on the train, enjoy it.

0:29

You're a young at heart person, yell in the tunnel because the kids will, and I will.

0:38

And it's that passion that has helped make the shoals Stolly Park staples.

0:43

I've been out here when it was 15 degrees above zero, pushing snow for the Christmas train.

0:49

I've been out here when it was a hundred in the shade.

0:52

Um so people could have a fun, affordable family time with their little kids.

0:58

For Ken and his wife Christie, they're about to reach the end of the line for their time in Grand Island.

1:03

After nearly a quarter century, the couple is retiring to be closer to family.

1:09

A lot of ups and downs.

1:11

We feel like we're going on a roller coaster right now.

1:14

Um I've been out here 16 years managing the sweet tooth and the Stolly Park train.

1:21

Have met so many nice people, work with a lot of nice people, and we're gonna miss it tremendously.

1:29

And the goodbyes are well underway from those both young and old.

1:33

Last weekend we had a family come in that were probably in here my first five years.

1:39

And they remembered exactly who I was, and they and we got to see the kids that were completely grown.

1:46

And it's just it's a wonderful place.

1:50

The weekend of July 5th through the 7th will be the final time around the tracks for the shoals, and when all the items are put away from their upcoming move, Ken admits he won't know what to think when he sits down on that recliner for the very first time.

2:04

It will be interesting.

2:06

There'll be lots of emotions.

2:12

I know change is coming, and for some of us it will be really hard.

2:17

Like I've said before, it's time.

2:24

I do not like him.

2:31

The shoals will be out at the tracks one last time, and they both know emotions will be running high.

2:36

But they also know why they've done what they've done for the past few decades.

2:40

They say it's always been about those riding the train, not the ones operating it.

2:45

For making all of our memories here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
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Summary of Proceedings

Special Recognition of Ken and Christie Scholl's Retirement

The Grand Island City Meeting on July 9, 2024, included a special tribute to Ken and Christie Scholl, who are retiring after nearly 24 years operating the Stolly Park train. The meeting highlighted their dedication to providing affordable family entertainment and their impact on the community over the past quarter century.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ken Scholl, lead engineer and conductor of the Stolly Park train, shared his lifelong passion for trains, stating his hobby turned into a passion. He noted that he has operated the train in extreme conditions—15 degrees above zero for the Christmas train and 100 degrees in the shade—to ensure families could enjoy fun, affordable time with their children.
  • Ken's wife Christie has managed the Sweet Tooth and the Stolly Park train for 16 years. Ken expressed that they have met many nice people and will miss the community tremendously. He recalled a family who visited last weekend who remembered him from his first five years, and they saw the children now grown.
  • Ken described the upcoming move as an emotional roller coaster, anticipating mixed feelings when he finally sits in his recliner after the move. He stated, "I know change is coming, and for some of us it will be really hard." He emphasized that their work has always been about the riders, not the operators.
  • The final operation for the Scholls will be the weekend of July 5th through the 7th.

Key Outcomes

  • The meeting recognized the Scholls' retirement and their contributions to the community. No formal votes or decisions were recorded; the item was a presentation and expression of gratitude.

Meeting Transcript

My wife will beat me up, but when we first got married, I told her I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't do drugs, but I do trains. And that's how it all started. A hobby turned into a lifelong passion for Ken Scholl, who's been the lead engineer and conductor of the Stalley Park train for the past 24 years. Now I always tell everybody once they get on the train, enjoy it. You're a young at heart person, yell in the tunnel because the kids will, and I will. And it's that passion that has helped make the shoals Stolly Park staples. I've been out here when it was 15 degrees above zero, pushing snow for the Christmas train. I've been out here when it was a hundred in the shade. Um so people could have a fun, affordable family time with their little kids. For Ken and his wife Christie, they're about to reach the end of the line for their time in Grand Island. After nearly a quarter century, the couple is retiring to be closer to family. A lot of ups and downs. We feel like we're going on a roller coaster right now. Um I've been out here 16 years managing the sweet tooth and the Stolly Park train. Have met so many nice people, work with a lot of nice people, and we're gonna miss it tremendously. And the goodbyes are well underway from those both young and old. Last weekend we had a family come in that were probably in here my first five years. And they remembered exactly who I was, and they and we got to see the kids that were completely grown. And it's just it's a wonderful place. The weekend of July 5th through the 7th will be the final time around the tracks for the shoals, and when all the items are put away from their upcoming move, Ken admits he won't know what to think when he sits down on that recliner for the very first time. It will be interesting. There'll be lots of emotions. I know change is coming, and for some of us it will be really hard. Like I've said before, it's time. I do not like him. The shoals will be out at the tracks one last time, and they both know emotions will be running high. But they also know why they've done what they've done for the past few decades. They say it's always been about those riding the train, not the ones operating it. For making all of our memories here.

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