In Greensburg

Before today, Matt Deighton and his dalmation Molly had given 152 tours of Greensburg. He’s been using an old school bus on loan from the Church of the Nazarene in Dodge City.

Deighton’s job officially ended March 31, but he’s been tying up loose ends and handling unofficial tasks, including tour requests. The church is reclaiming its bus soon, he said.

When giving directions or showing people around Greensburg, Deighton has three points of reference: the water tower, the grain elevator and the stoplight on U.S. 54.

On his 153rd and last tour, Deighton — former volunteer coordinator with the South Central Kansas Tornado Relief Organization — pointed out signs of progress. There’s little doubt he’s proud of what his hometown has accomplished since the tornado destroyed 95 percent of the community of 1,458 in May 2007. Now, he said, there are 785 residents.

All but one of the eight churches in town have or are rebuilding. There are dozens of new homes. There are no trailers left in Femaville. The last trailer was towed away earlier this month. Deighton lived in one of those trailers for several months before his house was ready for occupancy. Soon, Femaville will return to the wheat field it was before the storm.