New residents to Royal will be receiving information about the community from someone who is a relative newcomer herself.

Sara Ricke plans to pass out information packets to new residents of Royal as a way of welcoming them. The packets would include information about the city and local businesses.

Ricke asked the city council earlier this month for cooperation in getting information about the city and addresses of new residents.

Ricke and her husband, Matt, purchased the former St. Louis Catholic Church property two years ago and renovated the facility into The Great Hall of Royal. During their transition to relocating to Royal, Ricke found that community information wasn’t always

readily available online. She feels the packets will help new residents learn about what’s available in the Clay County community.

“Since we moved recently to Royal that would be something personally I would like to do,” Ricke said.

“I don’t have a problem with that. That’s pretty cool,” said Mayor Josh Toft.

Ricke plans to contact local businesses to see if they would contribute something to each packet, such as coupons. Their participation will be strictly voluntary.

“If businesses don’t want to do something, they don’t have to,” she said.

Once newcomers occupy a home, Ricke will personally make sure they receive the packet.

“I would like to deliver them straight to their house,” she said.

City Clerk Barb Fletcher will put together the city-related information and will also provide the addresses of newcomers to Royal.