HUTCHINSON, Kan. — This is alumni weekend at Central Christian School in Hutchinson. Dr. John Walker is encouraged by what happens when alumni return to visit.

"The best part about education is the relationships that are built over time with classmates, with former teachers, former administrators, coaches, that kind of thing," Walker said. "Those relationships don't last just the time that you're there when you're a student or you're a coach or a teacher or administrator. They last for a lifetime, and so it is really a blessing to have people come back onto our campus."

Walker knows that it isn't about the facilities, though those upgrades are nice, it's about those relationships that have been built over time.

"When the alumni come back and they start showing pictures of their kids and their grandkids, and in some cases their great grandkids, it's such a blessing to see those people connect with other people, to share photos, to swap stories, to remember the good old days and the stories from the locker room, the stories from the field, the stories from the court, the stories from the classroom, the extracurricular activities, and how they've connected with each other over the years."

Walker invites anyone from the area to come, whether they've ever been to Central Christian or not.

"Members of the community, if you're interested in checking out CCS and want to come check out the facilities and that kind of thing, we'd invite you to come to the football game on Friday night. Come back Saturday morning for the craft fair, for the chili feed. That all begins at nine o'clock. Chili feed at 11 o'clock. Tours happen at 11 and one.&nbsp; We're located at 1910 East 30th Street here in Hutchinson."

Find out more about Central Christian School at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cougarsccs.com/">https://www.cougarsccs.com/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688735976693.jpeg" alt="Central Christian School-Hutchinson" />
 <figcaption>Central Christian School-Hutchinson</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — This is alumni weekend at Central Christian School in Hutchinson. Dr. John Walker is encouraged by what happens when alumni return to visit."The best part about education is the relationships that are built over time with classmates, with former teachers, former administrators, coaches, that kind of thing," Walker said. "Those relationships don't last just the time that you're there when you're a student or you're a coach or a teacher or administrator. They last for a lifetime, and so it is really a blessing to have people come back onto our campus."Walker knows that it isn't about the facilities, though those upgrades are nice, it's about those relationships that have been built over time."When the alumni come back and they start showing pictures of their kids and their grandkids, and in some cases their great grandkids, it's such a blessing to see those people connect with other people, to share photos, to swap stories, to remember the good old days and the stories from the locker room, the stories from the field, the stories from the court, the stories from the classroom, the extracurricular activities, and how they've connected with each other over the years."Walker invites anyone from the area to come, whether they've ever been to Central Christian or not."Members of the community, if you're interested in checking out CCS and want to come check out the facilities and that kind of thing, we'd invite you to come to the football game on Friday night. Come back Saturday morning for the craft fair, for the chili feed. That all begins at nine o'clock. Chili feed at 11 o'clock. Tours happen at 11 and one.&nbsp; We're located at 1910 East 30th Street here in Hutchinson."Find out more about Central Christian School at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cougarsccs.com/">https://www.cougarsccs.com/</a>.

Alumni weekend at Central Christian Friday and Saturday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic has set the dates for their fall flu shot clinics.

For more information, go to&nbsp;https://www.hutchclinic.com/.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic has set the dates for their fall flu shot clinics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726846085964.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For more information, go to&nbsp;https://www.hutchclinic.com/.

Hutch Clinic sets flu shot dates

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The unemployment rate in Reno County was lower for the month of August 2024.

According to the Kansas Department of Labor, the jobless rate for the county went down five tenths of a percent to 3.9%. The jobless rate for the same period in 2023 was 3.3%.

There were 1,114 county residents out of work.&nbsp;

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3% in August. This is an increase from 3.2% in July and an increase from 2.6% in August 2023.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment was unchanged from July. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 3,500 over the month, while government increased by 3,500.

“Estimates for nominal hourly earnings in the private sector have increased in Kansas,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “In August nominal earnings growth exceeded inflation rates, resulting in a 2.6% increase in real hourly earnings compared to last year.”

Since August 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 20,000. This change is due to an increase of 18,500 private sector jobs and an increase of 1,500 government jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1561209733269.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Department of LaborHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The unemployment rate in Reno County was lower for the month of August 2024.According to the Kansas Department of Labor, the jobless rate for the county went down five tenths of a percent to 3.9%. The jobless rate for the same period in 2023 was 3.3%.There were 1,114 county residents out of work.&nbsp;Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3% in August. This is an increase from 3.2% in July and an increase from 2.6% in August 2023.Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment was unchanged from July. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 3,500 over the month, while government increased by 3,500.“Estimates for nominal hourly earnings in the private sector have increased in Kansas,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “In August nominal earnings growth exceeded inflation rates, resulting in a 2.6% increase in real hourly earnings compared to last year.”Since August 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 20,000. This change is due to an increase of 18,500 private sector jobs and an increase of 1,500 government jobs.

Unemployment down in August

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Michaela Schommer with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter is pleased that EAGLE Media is helping again by hosting an Adopt-A-Pet event Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at 825 North Main.

"I think the least amount that we've ever had adopted at one of your events here is four," Schommer said. "Usually, I was thinking about this a couple days ago, our average is about six adoptions at an event."&nbsp;

The plan is to have as many pets out at the event as they can, but that's dependent on how many people volunteer to help.

"We always like to bring at least 10 out but to be honest, as of right now, I only have five volunteers that have committed to being present," Schommer said. "We're still gathering people for the event and then based on that number, we'll choose our dogs coming out. At minimum, we're probably going to at least have seven but like I said, 10 to 12 is our goal usually."

There also will be a special deal that day for adoptions, if you find the pet at EAGLE Media.

"For the dogs at the event, we're doing half price," Schommer said. "An adult dog is $75 and puppies would be $100."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713282938300.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Animal Shelter" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Animal Shelter</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Michaela Schommer with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter is pleased that EAGLE Media is helping again by hosting an Adopt-A-Pet event Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at 825 North Main."I think the least amount that we've ever had adopted at one of your events here is four," Schommer said. "Usually, I was thinking about this a couple days ago, our average is about six adoptions at an event."&nbsp;The plan is to have as many pets out at the event as they can, but that's dependent on how many people volunteer to help."We always like to bring at least 10 out but to be honest, as of right now, I only have five volunteers that have committed to being present," Schommer said. "We're still gathering people for the event and then based on that number, we'll choose our dogs coming out. At minimum, we're probably going to at least have seven but like I said, 10 to 12 is our goal usually."There also will be a special deal that day for adoptions, if you find the pet at EAGLE Media."For the dogs at the event, we're doing half price," Schommer said. "An adult dog is $75 and puppies would be $100."The event will end at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Adopt-A-Pet is Saturday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Friday night is championship night at the Kansas State Fairgrounds for Salt City Racing LLC.

"We'll crown some champions Friday night in the A mods, the B mods, and the stock cars," said Phil Nightingale with Salt City Racing. "It's going to be a fun time, then also the URSS sprint cars, they're going to crown their champion too. It should be some exciting racing because some of the points races are pretty tight. It should be fun and exciting."

Nightingale said a long-term deal to keep the racetrack open is on the table.&nbsp;

"The board does have the new contract that we drafted up for a five-year contract," Nightingale said. "They've got it in their hands. We're going to meet here next month to, I hope, make a nice, easy transition and get a contract signed so we can have a multi-year deal and keep this track alive at Hutchinson."

There definitely seems to be a lot more optimism from the fair board now than there was when Nightingale initially came to them about a year ago.

"A year ago when I came back and met with the board, they were very skeptical and I get it," Nightingale said. "I understand why they were skeptical of that thing, and that's why I told them, I said, let's let me get a proposal together. Let's go for a year and let's see how this works. And I think they all are very excited to move forward."

&nbsp;Attendance figures in the grandstand have averaged over 1600, with over 300 per night on average in the pits heading into Friday's races.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722741926082.jpeg" alt="The starter at Salt City Racing waves the checkered flag on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>The starter at Salt City Racing waves the checkered flag on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Friday night is championship night at the Kansas State Fairgrounds for Salt City Racing LLC."We'll crown some champions Friday night in the A mods, the B mods, and the stock cars," said Phil Nightingale with Salt City Racing. "It's going to be a fun time, then also the URSS sprint cars, they're going to crown their champion too. It should be some exciting racing because some of the points races are pretty tight. It should be fun and exciting."Nightingale said a long-term deal to keep the racetrack open is on the table.&nbsp;"The board does have the new contract that we drafted up for a five-year contract," Nightingale said. "They've got it in their hands. We're going to meet here next month to, I hope, make a nice, easy transition and get a contract signed so we can have a multi-year deal and keep this track alive at Hutchinson."There definitely seems to be a lot more optimism from the fair board now than there was when Nightingale initially came to them about a year ago."A year ago when I came back and met with the board, they were very skeptical and I get it," Nightingale said. "I understand why they were skeptical of that thing, and that's why I told them, I said, let's let me get a proposal together. Let's go for a year and let's see how this works. And I think they all are very excited to move forward."&nbsp;Attendance figures in the grandstand have averaged over 1600, with over 300 per night on average in the pits heading into Friday's races.

Championship night coming up Friday at Fairgrounds

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Krystal Young with Hutchinson USD 308 told Hutch Post that there have been considerable increases for classified staff in the district in the last few years.

"In 2021, we had an entry level position for Hutchinson Public Schools at $10.88 an hour," Young said. "This year we are really proud that all of our entry level positions start at $15. And so in those few years we have increased that $4.12, which has drastically improved the ability for us to hire and retain our classified staff and they are absolutely essential in keeping our district running in every aspect."

More than half of those employed by the district are classified staff.

"Classified staff makes up about 52% of our district," Young said. "That staff is not contracted for an entire year, but they are an hourly wage employee. They make up our staff that works with students and works in the other areas of our district, maintenance, food service, technology, custodial staff."

The district is going to be able to narrow its focus when hiring classified staff through the rest of the year.

"Because of our wage increase, we have been able to fill a lot of vacancies that we haven't necessarily filled in the past," Young said. "We have fewer openings in our classified staff than we would normally have in September, and so from this point forward, we're starting to post positions based on the actual position and the location. In the past, you might have gone to apply for a position and it just said, Para. And you wouldn't know if you're applying for a Para at Wiley Elementary or Faris Elementary. However, as we move forward, because we have hired so many positions, we're able to post those individually."

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring">https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655147159618.jpeg" alt="USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn" />
 <figcaption>USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Krystal Young with Hutchinson USD 308 told Hutch Post that there have been considerable increases for classified staff in the district in the last few years."In 2021, we had an entry level position for Hutchinson Public Schools at $10.88 an hour," Young said. "This year we are really proud that all of our entry level positions start at $15. And so in those few years we have increased that $4.12, which has drastically improved the ability for us to hire and retain our classified staff and they are absolutely essential in keeping our district running in every aspect."More than half of those employed by the district are classified staff."Classified staff makes up about 52% of our district," Young said. "That staff is not contracted for an entire year, but they are an hourly wage employee. They make up our staff that works with students and works in the other areas of our district, maintenance, food service, technology, custodial staff."The district is going to be able to narrow its focus when hiring classified staff through the rest of the year."Because of our wage increase, we have been able to fill a lot of vacancies that we haven't necessarily filled in the past," Young said. "We have fewer openings in our classified staff than we would normally have in September, and so from this point forward, we're starting to post positions based on the actual position and the location. In the past, you might have gone to apply for a position and it just said, Para. And you wouldn't know if you're applying for a Para at Wiley Elementary or Faris Elementary. However, as we move forward, because we have hired so many positions, we're able to post those individually."For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring">https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring</a>.

USD 308 now wage competitive

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson College jazz band received the highest distinction for a college band in Kansas by being selected to perform at this year’s Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) state convention in February. The milestone is even more significant since the band program has been selected to perform five times in the past eight years.

“Few bands at any level get selected to perform at KMEA,” said McPherson College Director of Bands Kyle Hopkins. “Our five selections in the past eight years really sets us apart from other private institutions. Since 2018, our concert band has been selected three times and our jazz band two, a historic accomplishment for a private Kansas college.”

The McPherson College Jazz Band is among fewer than 50 other college and high school instrumental and vocal ensembles performing at the state conference, which will be held February 27-28 in Wichita at Century II. It is the only private college jazz ensemble selected to perform this year.

Ensembles are selected to perform through a “blind” audition process, and no ensemble can be selected in consecutive years. The MC band program consists of 57 members from many academic programs and includes a concert and a jazz band. The band’s first public performance this academic year will be on September 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726675342808.jpeg" alt="McPherson College Jazz Band." />
 <figcaption>McPherson College Jazz Band.</figcaption>
 </figure>TINA GOODWIN McPherson CollegeMCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson College jazz band received the highest distinction for a college band in Kansas by being selected to perform at this year’s Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) state convention in February. The milestone is even more significant since the band program has been selected to perform five times in the past eight years.“Few bands at any level get selected to perform at KMEA,” said McPherson College Director of Bands Kyle Hopkins. “Our five selections in the past eight years really sets us apart from other private institutions. Since 2018, our concert band has been selected three times and our jazz band two, a historic accomplishment for a private Kansas college.”The McPherson College Jazz Band is among fewer than 50 other college and high school instrumental and vocal ensembles performing at the state conference, which will be held February 27-28 in Wichita at Century II. It is the only private college jazz ensemble selected to perform this year.Ensembles are selected to perform through a “blind” audition process, and no ensemble can be selected in consecutive years. The MC band program consists of 57 members from many academic programs and includes a concert and a jazz band. The band’s first public performance this academic year will be on September 30.

McPherson College jazz band to perform at KMEA

HAVEN, Kan. — The economic outlook on rural main street is not good, according to a survey released Thursday from Creighton University. 

"This is a September survey of bank CEOs and rural areas of ten states including Kansas," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. "The overall number was down from last month and last month was not good. In fact, the number indexed 50 as growth neutral. This is well below growth neutral. In fact, back to pandemic levels when we were back in May of 2020. The agricultural sector is definitely limping along and that's what we're seeing. Their projections are 40% of the farmers are into negative income territory this year, 2024."

There are major headwinds for the grain markets in particular.

"There is global economic weakness and excess supplies," Goss said. "We've got a lot of supply out there. It's been a good year for yields, but not good in terms of prices. We need to see some of those. We need to see the prices rebound. Corn price is hovering around $4 a bushel. That's below break-even for a lot of farmers out there."

Also, the overall value of land is going down, too.

"We asked the bankers about going forward, and they, on average, expect about a 5.2% reduction in farmland prices predicted over the next year," Goss said. "We even had a high proportion, that would be one-fourth of the bankers, one-fourth expect the farmland prices to come down by 10 to 20%. Hopefully that doesn't hit, but that's pretty negative there when we look at the bankers."

A lot of the collateral for loans made to farmers is predicated on the land value they hold, so reduction in those values can give them less borrowing power.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721252436997.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHAVEN, Kan. — The economic outlook on rural main street is not good, according to a survey released Thursday from Creighton University. "This is a September survey of bank CEOs and rural areas of ten states including Kansas," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. "The overall number was down from last month and last month was not good. In fact, the number indexed 50 as growth neutral. This is well below growth neutral. In fact, back to pandemic levels when we were back in May of 2020. The agricultural sector is definitely limping along and that's what we're seeing. Their projections are 40% of the farmers are into negative income territory this year, 2024."There are major headwinds for the grain markets in particular."There is global economic weakness and excess supplies," Goss said. "We've got a lot of supply out there. It's been a good year for yields, but not good in terms of prices. We need to see some of those. We need to see the prices rebound. Corn price is hovering around $4 a bushel. That's below break-even for a lot of farmers out there."Also, the overall value of land is going down, too."We asked the bankers about going forward, and they, on average, expect about a 5.2% reduction in farmland prices predicted over the next year," Goss said. "We even had a high proportion, that would be one-fourth of the bankers, one-fourth expect the farmland prices to come down by 10 to 20%. Hopefully that doesn't hit, but that's pretty negative there when we look at the bankers."A lot of the collateral for loans made to farmers is predicated on the land value they hold, so reduction in those values can give them less borrowing power.

Rural Mainstreet struggling, survey says

Hutchinson Community Concert Association

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp; With the first of the 2024-2025 Hutchinson Community Concerts coming up, here's the list for the year. You can buy a single membership for $50 or a family membership for $110 at the first concert at Memorial Hall.

Thursday, September 26, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Legendary Ladies of Country

Lisa Brokop celebrates female country music pioneers with heartfelt stories and the hits of Loretta Lynn Dottie West, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Anne Murray, and other favorites.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Thursday, October 31, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds

This entertaining piano maestro leads you into a time capsule of the golden era of American music with those great hits of the 50’s by unforgettable artists from Sinatra to Elvis!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Sunday, November 17, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. Jason “Floyd” Coleman - Duets with Granddad

Jason brings new life to the country and pop classics made famous by his grandfather while taking you on a keyboard journey through the musical history of Floyd Cramer the highlight of the show is Jason performing video duets with his granddad!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Jeremy Stoll, “No More Talk of Darkness”

The famous line from Phantom of the Opera aptly describes this veteran phantom performer’s show. His peerless voice and talented team of musicians will delight you with great Broadway songs and insider stories.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Thursday, May 1, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Sail On - It’ll be Fun, Fun, Fun!

Who doesn't love the music of “America's Band”? Enjoy the enthusiastic recreation of The Beach Boys’ classic hits with the timeless music of surfing, cruising, dancing, and dreaming.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monday, May 5, 2025 – 7:00 Alliance Brass - The Perfect Blend

They've been referred to as the perfect blend of virtuosity and vitality this exciting ensemble is known for dazzling audiences with the repertoire of great music celebrating both stage and screen.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A season membership entitles each member to attend all six concerts. There are no individual concert tickets.&nbsp;

If you want your tickets in advance, see their webpage at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hutchinsonconcerts.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2kkFb4PQ1Fed2UE0PUyKSee4Ei-GYFRKlKuEwl7VEdODtcNOupZHLI5Yg_aem_Ad9x96F9GHA4vm8vUTrxRKz3qdEdwLhRqwbDR8vrLanz5sM2bj7Y7dz9YgGbolb5dA9Q2dbK81zsk9L79BO8WOWa&amp;h=AT3mScsANJDeu8KZlH4L7p5--F1JZ8TYZyu_UwROXgL8jquHvsDLetV8rmCpZZSK0Ic5LVt8Aiq3ZnTK7kudfyYLE5BvkEHILL0ZuVyzT_kgPdAhV7-nd6syl6Tl2Xxtvw&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1MZeq1AO2kWhZTAfilLy4Dr8TEppzVjtB47WRSzPi_di4pPfHI2f6cUGkDjjUoGWjkoDXouGvlbCwq6fSIt0twyfmntAq47YhwViJTlUgyrsNE7AheFbgYsOBvSy75FlTXW3WgzNMgChy5RCk15IXVYMyXHCkQS2cKM4jv56QA7MegexZ-2HququyZV67sJupCgvna5FPAdNBlK19FU4GhX8FuzfkmuVA2" target="_blank">www.hutchinsonconcerts.com</a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631300800.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Community Concert Association" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Community Concert Association</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson Community Concert AssociationHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp; With the first of the 2024-2025 Hutchinson Community Concerts coming up, here's the list for the year. You can buy a single membership for $50 or a family membership for $110 at the first concert at Memorial Hall.Thursday, September 26, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Legendary Ladies of Country<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631010204.jpeg" alt="Lisa Brokop-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Lisa Brokop-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>Lisa Brokop celebrates female country music pioneers with heartfelt stories and the hits of Loretta Lynn Dottie West, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Anne Murray, and other favorites.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, October 31, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631050523.jpeg" alt="Jared Frieburg-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Jared Frieburg-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>This entertaining piano maestro leads you into a time capsule of the golden era of American music with those great hits of the 50’s by unforgettable artists from Sinatra to Elvis!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sunday, November 17, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. Jason “Floyd” Coleman - Duets with Granddad<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631106099.jpeg" alt="Jason "Floyd" Coleman-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Jason "Floyd" Coleman-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>Jason brings new life to the country and pop classics made famous by his grandfather while taking you on a keyboard journey through the musical history of Floyd Cramer the highlight of the show is Jason performing video duets with his granddad!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Jeremy Stoll, “No More Talk of Darkness”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631145962.jpeg" alt="Jeremy Stoll-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Jeremy Stoll-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>The famous line from Phantom of the Opera aptly describes this veteran phantom performer’s show. His peerless voice and talented team of musicians will delight you with great Broadway songs and insider stories.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, May 1, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Sail On - It’ll be Fun, Fun, Fun!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631186169.jpeg" alt="Sail On-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Sail On-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>Who doesn't love the music of “America's Band”? Enjoy the enthusiastic recreation of The Beach Boys’ classic hits with the timeless music of surfing, cruising, dancing, and dreaming.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday, May 5, 2025 – 7:00 Alliance Brass - The Perfect Blend<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631235072.jpeg" alt="Alliance Brass-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Alliance Brass-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>They've been referred to as the perfect blend of virtuosity and vitality this exciting ensemble is known for dazzling audiences with the repertoire of great music celebrating both stage and screen.&nbsp;&nbsp;A season membership entitles each member to attend all six concerts. There are no individual concert tickets.&nbsp;If you want your tickets in advance, see their webpage at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hutchinsonconcerts.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2kkFb4PQ1Fed2UE0PUyKSee4Ei-GYFRKlKuEwl7VEdODtcNOupZHLI5Yg_aem_Ad9x96F9GHA4vm8vUTrxRKz3qdEdwLhRqwbDR8vrLanz5sM2bj7Y7dz9YgGbolb5dA9Q2dbK81zsk9L79BO8WOWa&amp;h=AT3mScsANJDeu8KZlH4L7p5--F1JZ8TYZyu_UwROXgL8jquHvsDLetV8rmCpZZSK0Ic5LVt8Aiq3ZnTK7kudfyYLE5BvkEHILL0ZuVyzT_kgPdAhV7-nd6syl6Tl2Xxtvw&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1MZeq1AO2kWhZTAfilLy4Dr8TEppzVjtB47WRSzPi_di4pPfHI2f6cUGkDjjUoGWjkoDXouGvlbCwq6fSIt0twyfmntAq47YhwViJTlUgyrsNE7AheFbgYsOBvSy75FlTXW3WgzNMgChy5RCk15IXVYMyXHCkQS2cKM4jv56QA7MegexZ-2HququyZV67sJupCgvna5FPAdNBlK19FU4GhX8FuzfkmuVA2" target="_blank">www.hutchinsonconcerts.com</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Community Concerts kick off Thursday

When the final fields are cut, the trucks empty, the bins full and the combines cleaned out, Kansas wheat farmers breathe a quick sigh of relief that harvest season is complete. But for Kathy Brower, lab manager for Grain Craft’s Innovation and Quality Lab, harvest is just the start of her busy season as she takes samples from those farmers and puts them to the test for how that wheat will perform in making a consistently good loaf of bread.&nbsp;

“Grain Craft leads by example through educating their customers about wheat quality while communicating those needs back to wheat farmers and researchers,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice-president of research and operations, who interviewed Brower for an episode of the organization’s “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast. “That dialogue supports the advancement of wheat quality for the entire supply chain.”

Grain Craft is the largest independent flour miller in the United States. The company has longstanding relationships with Kansas Wheat and Kansas State University. So when it came time in 2021 to establish a new laboratory focused on varietal research, there was little doubt an ideal location would be inside the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center on K-State’s north campus. Today, Grain Craft has 12 mills in the United States and the lab in Manhattan does the analysis for quite a few of them, especially for hard wheats destined for the bread industry.&nbsp;

And who better to manage the lab than Brower, the daughter of a fifth-generation wheat farmer and K-State food science graduate with the experience needed to connect the dots between the wheat developed by breeding programs, the varieties planted each year and the final end-use quality of those kernels.&nbsp;

“Having us here at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, we can bring in various tour groups, even famous football coaches like Bill Snyder,” Brower said. “I really love making that connection with people. We’ve even had some of the farmers come in and they’ve got to see their specific variety baked out in our process. It’s a tremendous opportunity to put those connections together.”&nbsp;

While the lab’s work is never truly complete, their new crop testing starts as soon as producers begin wheat harvest. In mid-June, a company courier starts collecting samples from throughout the region, which are brought into the lab and tested. Mills, breeding programs and even individual farmers also send in samples. With kernels in hand, testing begins in the Grain Craft laboratory’s milling facility, where kernels are tempered, cleaned, processed and ground.&nbsp;

The resulting flour moves into the company’s flour analysis lab. Grain samples are run through near infrared imaging (NIR), which measures both protein content and initial moisture ash - a common quality factor requested by millers.&nbsp;

“Ash is the mineral left behind after you’ve burned off all the carbohydrates and all the protein,” Brower said. “If you have that outer layer of the kernel, that outer layer contains a lot of mineral content in it. When we’re putting something through the mill - grinding - that part is always going to be present within the flour itself. If we know our ash content, we can get a good idea of how well we’re grinding.”

After initial testing, it is time to make some bread dough. Using a farinograph - a piece of equipment that looks like a miniature mixing bowl with two paddles inside - the flour is mixed with water. The machine then turns the paddles, and the resulting mixture generates torque against those paddles, which measures water absorption and helps determine peak development time.&nbsp;

If dough breaks down after a certain amount of mixing time, it becomes very sticky and very soft and is virtually impossible to remove from the mixer. As a result, the goal of a baking process is to mix the dough to a nice, developed state where it will still retain gas throughout baking.&nbsp;

“From a baker’s standpoint, the baker is wanting to know - how much water can I potentially put into this flour? And then what is the mixability of it? How strong is it going to be? How long am I going to be able to mix it out?” Brower explained. “The farinograph is one piece of equipment that can allow us to give a heads up to those bakeries as well as in our own test baking scenario as to what the performance of that flour is going to be.”

After flour analysis, a sponge and dough process is used to test how the flour will turn into bread. Lab technicians take about 70 percent of the flour and mix it with yeast and water. The mix is put into a three-and-a-half-hour fermentation process, resulting in the “sponge” that can be tested - is it too soft? A little overhydrated? Underhydrated, dry and shaggy? Or just right?

“If you’re running a fermentation process, it gives you a really good look at that initial stability of a flour,” Brower said. “It also gives us a way to judge if we hit the correct absorption.”&nbsp;

After the sponge is tested, it’s time to add back in the remaining 30 percent of the flour, add shortening, sugar and salt and bring that back as a final dough. Then it is time to make a loaf of bread.&nbsp;

In a commercial bakery, loaves are made in an assembly line, not one at a time like at home. In a commercial setting, after bread leaves the mixing bowl, it must go through a sheeting process - a set of rollers that takes out air pockets and makes a smooth sheet of dough - and then divided and molded into individual loaves. This process puts stress on the dough, meaning it needs to be strong enough to maintain its shape and texture. The dough cannot mix and fall apart, or it messes up everything else down the line before it ever gets into an oven. All this to say, it requires high protein quality, not just content, to provide that strength.&nbsp;

“If you’re bulking up for weight training or something similar, you have to have that protein coming in so you can retain your strength,” Brower said. “And it’s very much the same with flour.”&nbsp;

Using a similar process, albeit on a smaller scale, lab technicians divide, sheet and mold the dough into loaves. From there, the dough is put in a pan, goes through a 60-minute proof time and then placed in the oven. Once the loaves are fully baked, they are cooled overnight and evaluated the next morning.&nbsp;

That evaluation includes measuring loaf volume and then slicing the bread to look at the texture of the crumb - important determinants of flour strength and how well it would perform in a commercial setting.&nbsp;

“We are trying to mimic that process as closely as we can because we want to simulate what they would potentially see in their system,” Brower said.&nbsp;

This whole process is repeated with every sample that comes into the lab - about 1,300 samples last year. The lab shares the results with mills as far away as Los Angeles, the Kansas farmers who sent in samples and university breeding programs - like K-State. The participation of wheat breeders is essential, especially since Grain Craft runs a preferred variety program for farmers.&nbsp;

“We couldn’t run a program like a preferred variety program without the cooperation from the breeders,” Brower said. “It’s so important that we have those samples coming in year after year because varieties are changing constantly. If those breeding programs are willing to work with us, it really does help us make decisions for what can go onto that preferred list.”

“It’s very important that those perform well for the farmers. We want to make sure that they have really good yield, quality, drought tolerance and pest resistance and all those things built in that are going to make it so the farmer can actually profit. But we also want to make sure that the quality is going to work out for our bakers.”

Learn more about Brower, the Grain Craft Innovation and Quality Lab and the importance of protein quality in the featured episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast at <a href="http://wheatsonyourmind.com">wheatsonyourmind.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726823022384.png" alt="Wheat Scoop Grain Craft" />
 <figcaption>Wheat Scoop Grain Craft</figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES Kansas WheatWhen the final fields are cut, the trucks empty, the bins full and the combines cleaned out, Kansas wheat farmers breathe a quick sigh of relief that harvest season is complete. But for Kathy Brower, lab manager for Grain Craft’s Innovation and Quality Lab, harvest is just the start of her busy season as she takes samples from those farmers and puts them to the test for how that wheat will perform in making a consistently good loaf of bread.&nbsp;“Grain Craft leads by example through educating their customers about wheat quality while communicating those needs back to wheat farmers and researchers,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice-president of research and operations, who interviewed Brower for an episode of the organization’s “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast. “That dialogue supports the advancement of wheat quality for the entire supply chain.”Grain Craft is the largest independent flour miller in the United States. The company has longstanding relationships with Kansas Wheat and Kansas State University. So when it came time in 2021 to establish a new laboratory focused on varietal research, there was little doubt an ideal location would be inside the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center on K-State’s north campus. Today, Grain Craft has 12 mills in the United States and the lab in Manhattan does the analysis for quite a few of them, especially for hard wheats destined for the bread industry.&nbsp;And who better to manage the lab than Brower, the daughter of a fifth-generation wheat farmer and K-State food science graduate with the experience needed to connect the dots between the wheat developed by breeding programs, the varieties planted each year and the final end-use quality of those kernels.&nbsp;“Having us here at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, we can bring in various tour groups, even famous football coaches like Bill Snyder,” Brower said. “I really love making that connection with people. We’ve even had some of the farmers come in and they’ve got to see their specific variety baked out in our process. It’s a tremendous opportunity to put those connections together.”&nbsp;While the lab’s work is never truly complete, their new crop testing starts as soon as producers begin wheat harvest. In mid-June, a company courier starts collecting samples from throughout the region, which are brought into the lab and tested. Mills, breeding programs and even individual farmers also send in samples. With kernels in hand, testing begins in the Grain Craft laboratory’s milling facility, where kernels are tempered, cleaned, processed and ground.&nbsp;The resulting flour moves into the company’s flour analysis lab. Grain samples are run through near infrared imaging (NIR), which measures both protein content and initial moisture ash - a common quality factor requested by millers.&nbsp;“Ash is the mineral left behind after you’ve burned off all the carbohydrates and all the protein,” Brower said. “If you have that outer layer of the kernel, that outer layer contains a lot of mineral content in it. When we’re putting something through the mill - grinding - that part is always going to be present within the flour itself. If we know our ash content, we can get a good idea of how well we’re grinding.”After initial testing, it is time to make some bread dough. Using a farinograph - a piece of equipment that looks like a miniature mixing bowl with two paddles inside - the flour is mixed with water. The machine then turns the paddles, and the resulting mixture generates torque against those paddles, which measures water absorption and helps determine peak development time.&nbsp;If dough breaks down after a certain amount of mixing time, it becomes very sticky and very soft and is virtually impossible to remove from the mixer. As a result, the goal of a baking process is to mix the dough to a nice, developed state where it will still retain gas throughout baking.&nbsp;“From a baker’s standpoint, the baker is wanting to know - how much water can I potentially put into this flour? And then what is the mixability of it? How strong is it going to be? How long am I going to be able to mix it out?” Brower explained. “The farinograph is one piece of equipment that can allow us to give a heads up to those bakeries as well as in our own test baking scenario as to what the performance of that flour is going to be.”After flour analysis, a sponge and dough process is used to test how the flour will turn into bread. Lab technicians take about 70 percent of the flour and mix it with yeast and water. The mix is put into a three-and-a-half-hour fermentation process, resulting in the “sponge” that can be tested - is it too soft? A little overhydrated? Underhydrated, dry and shaggy? Or just right?“If you’re running a fermentation process, it gives you a really good look at that initial stability of a flour,” Brower said. “It also gives us a way to judge if we hit the correct absorption.”&nbsp;After the sponge is tested, it’s time to add back in the remaining 30 percent of the flour, add shortening, sugar and salt and bring that back as a final dough. Then it is time to make a loaf of bread.&nbsp;In a commercial bakery, loaves are made in an assembly line, not one at a time like at home. In a commercial setting, after bread leaves the mixing bowl, it must go through a sheeting process - a set of rollers that takes out air pockets and makes a smooth sheet of dough - and then divided and molded into individual loaves. This process puts stress on the dough, meaning it needs to be strong enough to maintain its shape and texture. The dough cannot mix and fall apart, or it messes up everything else down the line before it ever gets into an oven. All this to say, it requires high protein quality, not just content, to provide that strength.&nbsp;“If you’re bulking up for weight training or something similar, you have to have that protein coming in so you can retain your strength,” Brower said. “And it’s very much the same with flour.”&nbsp;Using a similar process, albeit on a smaller scale, lab technicians divide, sheet and mold the dough into loaves. From there, the dough is put in a pan, goes through a 60-minute proof time and then placed in the oven. Once the loaves are fully baked, they are cooled overnight and evaluated the next morning.&nbsp;That evaluation includes measuring loaf volume and then slicing the bread to look at the texture of the crumb - important determinants of flour strength and how well it would perform in a commercial setting.&nbsp;“We are trying to mimic that process as closely as we can because we want to simulate what they would potentially see in their system,” Brower said.&nbsp;This whole process is repeated with every sample that comes into the lab - about 1,300 samples last year. The lab shares the results with mills as far away as Los Angeles, the Kansas farmers who sent in samples and university breeding programs - like K-State. The participation of wheat breeders is essential, especially since Grain Craft runs a preferred variety program for farmers.&nbsp;“We couldn’t run a program like a preferred variety program without the cooperation from the breeders,” Brower said. “It’s so important that we have those samples coming in year after year because varieties are changing constantly. If those breeding programs are willing to work with us, it really does help us make decisions for what can go onto that preferred list.”“It’s very important that those perform well for the farmers. We want to make sure that they have really good yield, quality, drought tolerance and pest resistance and all those things built in that are going to make it so the farmer can actually profit. But we also want to make sure that the quality is going to work out for our bakers.”Learn more about Brower, the Grain Craft Innovation and Quality Lab and the importance of protein quality in the featured episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast at <a href="http://wheatsonyourmind.com">wheatsonyourmind.com</a>.

Quality Control: Grain Craft’s Innovation and Quality Lab puts Kansas wheat to the test

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="mailto:hutchpost@eagleradio.net">hutchpost@eagleradio.net</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140944016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="mailto:hutchpost@eagleradio.net">hutchpost@eagleradio.net</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Recent obituaries and service times

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp;

9/19/2024 11:02 PM-William	John Mayer Jr.-Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant&nbsp;

9/19/2024 7:10 PM-Robert	Leonard Hill-Probation Violation&nbsp;

9/19/2024 6:33 PM-Dereck	Eugene Chappell Jr.-Agg assault of LEO; w/ deadly weapon; DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Flee or attempt to elude; Comm of felony; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Flee &amp; Elude; 1st Offense

9/19/2024 12:28 PM-Joshua	Edward Stiles-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction; Failure to Appear&nbsp;

9/19/2024 10:21 AM-Richard	Lavern Ehrlich-Failure to Appear

9/19/2024 9:46 AM-Matthew	Nathaniel Hall-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681919611658.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp;9/19/2024 11:02 PM-William	John Mayer Jr.-Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant&nbsp;9/19/2024 7:10 PM-Robert	Leonard Hill-Probation Violation&nbsp;9/19/2024 6:33 PM-Dereck	Eugene Chappell Jr.-Agg assault of LEO; w/ deadly weapon; DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Flee or attempt to elude; Comm of felony; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Flee &amp; Elude; 1st Offense9/19/2024 12:28 PM-Joshua	Edward Stiles-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction; Failure to Appear&nbsp;9/19/2024 10:21 AM-Richard	Lavern Ehrlich-Failure to Appear9/19/2024 9:46 AM-Matthew	Nathaniel Hall-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Valerie Taylor, United Way of Reno County’s Community Impact Coordinator, has been invited to speak at the Clubhouse International World Seminar next week in St. Pete Beach, FL. 

As a member of the advisory board for the local Milestone Clubhouse, Taylor will speak to how UWRC helped back the Clubhouse as it got off the ground and continues to support the initiatives of this mental health program today, advocating for increased mental health access and including the Clubhouse members in community conversations around the issue of mental health.

Milestone Clubhouse, located at 206 N. Main in Hutchinson, offers a community-centered, supportive environment for those with mental illness to take control of their recovery, as well as social opportunities to connect with peers, access to employment services, skill development training and more.

“I’m so honored to have this opportunity and to be alongside a non-profit that is truly innovative in its programming,” said Taylor.

To find out more information, or take a tour of the Clubhouse, call 620-888-5003.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726762626335.jpeg" alt="Valerie Taylor" />
 <figcaption>Valerie Taylor</figcaption>
 </figure>United Way of Reno CountyHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Valerie Taylor, United Way of Reno County’s Community Impact Coordinator, has been invited to speak at the Clubhouse International World Seminar next week in St. Pete Beach, FL. As a member of the advisory board for the local Milestone Clubhouse, Taylor will speak to how UWRC helped back the Clubhouse as it got off the ground and continues to support the initiatives of this mental health program today, advocating for increased mental health access and including the Clubhouse members in community conversations around the issue of mental health.Milestone Clubhouse, located at 206 N. Main in Hutchinson, offers a community-centered, supportive environment for those with mental illness to take control of their recovery, as well as social opportunities to connect with peers, access to employment services, skill development training and more.“I’m so honored to have this opportunity and to be alongside a non-profit that is truly innovative in its programming,” said Taylor.To find out more information, or take a tour of the Clubhouse, call 620-888-5003.

United Way staffer to speak at Clubhouse International World Seminar

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Reno County (KSBBBS) has partnered with Hutchinson Community Foundation (HCF) and IdeaTek yet again to provide Bigs and Littles within the one-to-one mentorship program the opportunity to visit this year’s Kansas State Fair.

For the last two years, HCF has generously contributed to the program to cover the admission, ride passes and food vouchers for matches. IdeaTek’s donation provides signature t-shirts given to Bigs and Littles, designed by a Little within the organization.

Hutchinson Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire philanthropy, leadership and collaboration to strengthen Reno County. Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $104 million to organizations.

“We are proud an award from the Helen Adams Hamilton Fund for Children &amp; Education through the Fund for Reno County grant process could support this work of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we enjoy watching its impact on young lives in Reno County,” said Wendy Skellenger, Hutchinson Community Foundation communications officer.

Based in Buhler, IdeaTek’s team is dedicated to the mission of connecting communities across Kansas with affordable, high-speed fiber internet. Employees take pride in being active participants in the communities where they live and work.

At IdeaTek, we believe that supporting organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters is crucial to building stronger, more connected communities,” Leah Chambers, vice president of marketing and sales, said.

KSBBBS aims to provide multiple no-cost activities for matches each year. This is made possible through community partners and sponsors.

Big Sister, Faith Holtz, said, “I loved being able to share my first experience at the fair with Natalia. We had a lot of fun and made great memories together!”

Whether the Kansas State Fair is a first-time experience or a familiar activity, Bigs and Littles enjoy making the experience their own together.

“Thank you for a great time spent with my Little at the Kansas State Fair,” said Big Sister, Vicki Beck.

“We had a great time walking around and eating. Our favorite fair activity!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726756825596.jpeg" alt="Liam &amp; Sid were sent to the Kansas State Fair thanks to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Ideatek and the Hutchinson Community Foundation. Submitted Photo." />
 <figcaption>Liam &amp; Sid were sent to the Kansas State Fair thanks to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Ideatek and the Hutchinson Community Foundation. Submitted Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>KSBBBSHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Reno County (KSBBBS) has partnered with Hutchinson Community Foundation (HCF) and IdeaTek yet again to provide Bigs and Littles within the one-to-one mentorship program the opportunity to visit this year’s Kansas State Fair.For the last two years, HCF has generously contributed to the program to cover the admission, ride passes and food vouchers for matches. IdeaTek’s donation provides signature t-shirts given to Bigs and Littles, designed by a Little within the organization.Hutchinson Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire philanthropy, leadership and collaboration to strengthen Reno County. Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $104 million to organizations.“We are proud an award from the Helen Adams Hamilton Fund for Children &amp; Education through the Fund for Reno County grant process could support this work of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we enjoy watching its impact on young lives in Reno County,” said Wendy Skellenger, Hutchinson Community Foundation communications officer.Based in Buhler, IdeaTek’s team is dedicated to the mission of connecting communities across Kansas with affordable, high-speed fiber internet. Employees take pride in being active participants in the communities where they live and work.At IdeaTek, we believe that supporting organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters is crucial to building stronger, more connected communities,” Leah Chambers, vice president of marketing and sales, said.KSBBBS aims to provide multiple no-cost activities for matches each year. This is made possible through community partners and sponsors.Big Sister, Faith Holtz, said, “I loved being able to share my first experience at the fair with Natalia. We had a lot of fun and made great memories together!”Whether the Kansas State Fair is a first-time experience or a familiar activity, Bigs and Littles enjoy making the experience their own together.“Thank you for a great time spent with my Little at the Kansas State Fair,” said Big Sister, Vicki Beck.“We had a great time walking around and eating. Our favorite fair activity!”

BBBS able to send Bigs and Littles to Fair thanks to Community Foundation and Ideatek

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the 1800 block of North Plum on the east side.

In 1953, George and Lucille Hooper opened Hooper's TV Drive-In Restaurant (called that because it was right next to the new KTVH television station) at 1808 N. Plum. It didn't last very long though.

In 1959, the building was completely remodeled by William and Loretta Owens for the July 14, 1960, grand opening of the Red Rooster Restaurant. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0078604c-5a55-463e-844b-034ca515b840">They also owned the A&amp;W Drive-In at 27 E. 30th.</a> The first photo shows the business, specializing in fried chicken, early on.

The second photo shows the restaurant during a winter snowstorm sometime in the 1960s.

William retired in 1974, and Carl and Janette Owens took over ownership. The Red Rooster made it until 1979.

Since then, there has been a variety of restaurants, hair salons and roofing businesses in that location. The third photo shows the current business, The Rusty Needle Sports Bar &amp; Lounge, at 1808 N. Plum St., owned by Hm Holdings Inc. in Kansas City, Kansas.&nbsp;

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669621458.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714573898261.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STEVE HARMON Hutch Post ContributorToday's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the 1800 block of North Plum on the east side.In 1953, George and Lucille Hooper opened Hooper's TV Drive-In Restaurant (called that because it was right next to the new KTVH television station) at 1808 N. Plum. It didn't last very long though.In 1959, the building was completely remodeled by William and Loretta Owens for the July 14, 1960, grand opening of the Red Rooster Restaurant. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0078604c-5a55-463e-844b-034ca515b840">They also owned the A&amp;W Drive-In at 27 E. 30th.</a> The first photo shows the business, specializing in fried chicken, early on.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669857674.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1965 - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1965 - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>The second photo shows the restaurant during a winter snowstorm sometime in the 1960s.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669621458.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>William retired in 1974, and Carl and Janette Owens took over ownership. The Red Rooster made it until 1979.Since then, there has been a variety of restaurants, hair salons and roofing businesses in that location. The third photo shows the current business, The Rusty Needle Sports Bar &amp; Lounge, at 1808 N. Plum St., owned by Hm Holdings Inc. in Kansas City, Kansas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669989401.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - The Rusty Needle Sports Bar - 1808 N. Plum - Aug. 8, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - The Rusty Needle Sports Bar - 1808 N. Plum - Aug. 8, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Red Rooster - Vol. 88

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Union Pacific will be closing the 11th Avenue Railroad crossing just west of Chemical St starting at 6 a.m. Thursday.

Detour Information: Westbound 11th traffic: Detour from Halstead St to 4th, then back to 11th via Porter St.

Eastbound 11th traffic: Detour from Porter St to 4th, then back to 11th via Halstead St.

Please plan your routes accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687797631930.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Union Pacific will be closing the 11th Avenue Railroad crossing just west of Chemical St starting at 6 a.m. Thursday.Detour Information: Westbound 11th traffic: Detour from Halstead St to 4th, then back to 11th via Porter St.Eastbound 11th traffic: Detour from Porter St to 4th, then back to 11th via Halstead St.Please plan your routes accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

11th closed on east side of Hutchinson starting Thursday

MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — The leaves are starting to change, and sooner or later the weather will too, but one thing is certain, fall begins on Sunday morning, and pumpkin patches will soon be open.

P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 21, for its 11th year.

"We are gearing up," co-owner Jamie Kaminkow said. "We are super excited to be ready, all the decorations are going into place. All of those just last minute details that we love to have ready for the families that come to see us."

If you attended P and M last year, you'll notice some changes in 2024.

"First we added our 'Piggy Back Ride,'" Kaminkow said. "Those are new for this season, we're super excited for everybody to come try those out. In that area we have also added a 'Mother Baby Barn' for nursing mothers and mothers with infants that just need a quiet place to pull away and take care of their babies. We've also added a paintball area, so we'll have paintball this season. The people can shoot the guns across the creek to take out the targets, there will be some friendly fire going on over there. We added a pavilion with extra seating for those that are eating, so they can get into the shade. We are adding a couple new food items, with the main one being the 'MacDog' which is macaroni and cheese on top of a hot dog."

The ranch first opened its doors in the fall of 2014 under owners Tim and Jamie Kaminkow. The couple never envisioned the patch becoming a destination like it has over the years.

"If someone would have even told us like season five, season six, that this is what it would look like in season 11, I don't think we ever would have believed them," Kaminkow said. "It has been such a crazy and amazing ride. We are just so thankful to all the families and schools, church groups and businesses that come out to see us every fall that let us continue to do what we do and provide new activities for them to come enjoy every season."

The idea of starting a pumpkin patch and ranch was something that the family never thought would happen on their 54-acre farm, that previously was a wheat field.

"It was a three-fold reason why we started the pumpkin patch," Kaminkow said. "The first reason was that my husband was super busy and just not on the farm very often, and we had two toddlers at the time. He realized he was going to miss them growing up if something didn't change, so we just started praying for a way to be able to provide an income off the farm, so that was the first reason. The second reason is that we wanted a way to teach our two daughters the value of hard work, and the third reason is that we are just so thankful for our farm. We wanted a way to give back to God what he had given to us and our farm, by providing a place for families to come, spend time together and enjoy fall."

The name of the ranch was chosen after the names of the two daughters, Paityn and Macy.

"We spent quite a bit of time just trying to come up with a name," Kaminkow said. "When we started this place, we were literally starting at ground zero. There was nothing that didn't have to be figured out. We did not have any history growing pumpkins at that point, so we had to come up with a name, a slogan, figure out how to build a website, so there was a lot to figure out. Once we did come up with 'P and M Pumpkin Ranch' it just kind of clicked. We knew that was the one to stick with out of all the other names we had came up with."

The process of making sure the grounds are ready for the season is quite a long one.

"We plant in mid-June, because most pumpkins take anywhere from 90-120 days to grow," Kaminkow said. "They are starting to turn orange by the beginning of September, and then they're ready to go by opening day this coming weekend. We actually added up our hours just guesstimating this summer and there's over 1500 hours in growing the pumpkins. There are three of us that are weeding five mornings a week."

Kaminkow has had to figure out how to make sure the pumpkins and the corn field grew, despite the state being in a drought.&nbsp;

"We've actually had a little bit more rain this year than we did last year," Kaminkow said. "So obviously we're kind of in our fourth year of a drought. Last year's corn maze we called it extremely family friendly, because it only got to be about three to four feet tall, so you could see out, so you never had to worry about being lost. We have had enough rain this year, because we cannot irrigate our corn maze, but we've had enough this year that it will be a challenge to find the way through the maze. Pumpkins don't like to have too much water, but they don't want to be too dry either, so you kind of just have to find that sweet spot that keeps them going the way they want to keep growing."

Although the Kaminkow family decided to plant pumpkins, there was a thought of growing Christmas trees since Tim grew up on a Christmas tree farm on the east coast.

"We did think about growing Christmas trees," Kaminkow said. "Where he grew up on the east coast Christmas trees grow really easy and a lot faster than you can in Kansas. They're not necessarily the easiest things to grow. Pumpkins kind of ended up being a fall season and figuring out how to grow pumpkins is kind of where we started with it. We love spending time with our girls, so it kind of seemed like the next best fit for us."

Kaminkow said she's not sure about how many pumpkins are in the field, but she knows there are a lot.

"We plant a little bit differently, but it's a total of 10-12 acres that we plant," Kaminkow said. "A mini pumpkin plant might put off 10-12 mini pumpkins, but your big jack o'lanterns might put off like 3-4. We have about 80 different varieties of pumpkins that we plant. Besides the traditional orange pumpkins, we have them in every shape and every size, white, pink, red, blue, greenish, spots, some have stripes, it's amazing all of the different ways pumpkins grow."

While P and M sees many families visit every fall, if you attend on a school day, you will more than likely find school busses in the lot. P and M offers school field trips to the ranch, and the staff has it down to a well-oiled machine.

"That rotation schedule came up during COVID when we were trying to have as many schools out here as possible, keeping them separate," Kaminkow said. "The feedback we got at the end of the season was how much the teachers loved the organization and structure. I don't think we'll ever get rid of it."

The ranch also implemented a change this summer, hosting it's first-ever 'Summer Nights' events.

"We've also planted veenus and sunflowers, mainly just to help decorate the farm and for our customers in the fall to enjoy and take pictures with," Kaminkow said. "This past summer we thought well let's do a 'U-Pick' flower event and we'll open up the big red with the slides and the mini golf. We did some summer themed donuts and a lemonade slushy. It went over so well that we are definitely going to be continuing that in the summer seasons to come. It will be the first three weekends in July each year with the 'U-Pick' flower event."

P and M Pumpkin Ranch is open Sept. 21-Nov. 3 at 311 16th Ave in Moundridge. They will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, but open Wednesday and Thursday (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.). You can find out more information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pandmpumpkinranchmoundridgeks?mibextid=LQQJ4d">P and M Pumpkin Ranch Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678768398.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is an aerial view of the grounds from 2023. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is an aerial view of the grounds from 2023. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostMOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — The leaves are starting to change, and sooner or later the weather will too, but one thing is certain, fall begins on Sunday morning, and pumpkin patches will soon be open.P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 21, for its 11th year."We are gearing up," co-owner Jamie Kaminkow said. "We are super excited to be ready, all the decorations are going into place. All of those just last minute details that we love to have ready for the families that come to see us."If you attended P and M last year, you'll notice some changes in 2024."First we added our 'Piggy Back Ride,'" Kaminkow said. "Those are new for this season, we're super excited for everybody to come try those out. In that area we have also added a 'Mother Baby Barn' for nursing mothers and mothers with infants that just need a quiet place to pull away and take care of their babies. We've also added a paintball area, so we'll have paintball this season. The people can shoot the guns across the creek to take out the targets, there will be some friendly fire going on over there. We added a pavilion with extra seating for those that are eating, so they can get into the shade. We are adding a couple new food items, with the main one being the 'MacDog' which is macaroni and cheese on top of a hot dog."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678832304.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Piggy Back Ride that will debut on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Piggy Back Ride that will debut on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>The ranch first opened its doors in the fall of 2014 under owners Tim and Jamie Kaminkow. The couple never envisioned the patch becoming a destination like it has over the years."If someone would have even told us like season five, season six, that this is what it would look like in season 11, I don't think we ever would have believed them," Kaminkow said. "It has been such a crazy and amazing ride. We are just so thankful to all the families and schools, church groups and businesses that come out to see us every fall that let us continue to do what we do and provide new activities for them to come enjoy every season."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678902753.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Mother Baby Barn, which will debut Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Mother Baby Barn, which will debut Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>The idea of starting a pumpkin patch and ranch was something that the family never thought would happen on their 54-acre farm, that previously was a wheat field."It was a three-fold reason why we started the pumpkin patch," Kaminkow said. "The first reason was that my husband was super busy and just not on the farm very often, and we had two toddlers at the time. He realized he was going to miss them growing up if something didn't change, so we just started praying for a way to be able to provide an income off the farm, so that was the first reason. The second reason is that we wanted a way to teach our two daughters the value of hard work, and the third reason is that we are just so thankful for our farm. We wanted a way to give back to God what he had given to us and our farm, by providing a place for families to come, spend time together and enjoy fall."The name of the ranch was chosen after the names of the two daughters, Paityn and Macy."We spent quite a bit of time just trying to come up with a name," Kaminkow said. "When we started this place, we were literally starting at ground zero. There was nothing that didn't have to be figured out. We did not have any history growing pumpkins at that point, so we had to come up with a name, a slogan, figure out how to build a website, so there was a lot to figure out. Once we did come up with 'P and M Pumpkin Ranch' it just kind of clicked. We knew that was the one to stick with out of all the other names we had came up with."The process of making sure the grounds are ready for the season is quite a long one."We plant in mid-June, because most pumpkins take anywhere from 90-120 days to grow," Kaminkow said. "They are starting to turn orange by the beginning of September, and then they're ready to go by opening day this coming weekend. We actually added up our hours just guesstimating this summer and there's over 1500 hours in growing the pumpkins. There are three of us that are weeding five mornings a week."Kaminkow has had to figure out how to make sure the pumpkins and the corn field grew, despite the state being in a drought.&nbsp;"We've actually had a little bit more rain this year than we did last year," Kaminkow said. "So obviously we're kind of in our fourth year of a drought. Last year's corn maze we called it extremely family friendly, because it only got to be about three to four feet tall, so you could see out, so you never had to worry about being lost. We have had enough rain this year, because we cannot irrigate our corn maze, but we've had enough this year that it will be a challenge to find the way through the maze. Pumpkins don't like to have too much water, but they don't want to be too dry either, so you kind of just have to find that sweet spot that keeps them going the way they want to keep growing."Although the Kaminkow family decided to plant pumpkins, there was a thought of growing Christmas trees since Tim grew up on a Christmas tree farm on the east coast."We did think about growing Christmas trees," Kaminkow said. "Where he grew up on the east coast Christmas trees grow really easy and a lot faster than you can in Kansas. They're not necessarily the easiest things to grow. Pumpkins kind of ended up being a fall season and figuring out how to grow pumpkins is kind of where we started with it. We love spending time with our girls, so it kind of seemed like the next best fit for us."Kaminkow said she's not sure about how many pumpkins are in the field, but she knows there are a lot."We plant a little bit differently, but it's a total of 10-12 acres that we plant," Kaminkow said. "A mini pumpkin plant might put off 10-12 mini pumpkins, but your big jack o'lanterns might put off like 3-4. We have about 80 different varieties of pumpkins that we plant. Besides the traditional orange pumpkins, we have them in every shape and every size, white, pink, red, blue, greenish, spots, some have stripes, it's amazing all of the different ways pumpkins grow."While P and M sees many families visit every fall, if you attend on a school day, you will more than likely find school busses in the lot. P and M offers school field trips to the ranch, and the staff has it down to a well-oiled machine."That rotation schedule came up during COVID when we were trying to have as many schools out here as possible, keeping them separate," Kaminkow said. "The feedback we got at the end of the season was how much the teachers loved the organization and structure. I don't think we'll ever get rid of it."The ranch also implemented a change this summer, hosting it's first-ever 'Summer Nights' events."We've also planted veenus and sunflowers, mainly just to help decorate the farm and for our customers in the fall to enjoy and take pictures with," Kaminkow said. "This past summer we thought well let's do a 'U-Pick' flower event and we'll open up the big red with the slides and the mini golf. We did some summer themed donuts and a lemonade slushy. It went over so well that we are definitely going to be continuing that in the summer seasons to come. It will be the first three weekends in July each year with the 'U-Pick' flower event."P and M Pumpkin Ranch is open Sept. 21-Nov. 3 at 311 16th Ave in Moundridge. They will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, but open Wednesday and Thursday (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.). You can find out more information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pandmpumpkinranchmoundridgeks?mibextid=LQQJ4d">P and M Pumpkin Ranch Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678951115.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>

P and M Pumpkin Ranch opens for 11th season on Saturday

HAVEN, Kan. — Ariel Fleming, an EMT in Haven and with the Sedgwick County Jail, is the Allen Samuels Spotlight a Hero winner for September.

"I went into EMS as a challenge to myself at first," Fleming said. "To show my kids that, if you wanted to do something, that you can do it. Just put in time and hard work. I just enjoy being the person that's there when someone doesn't know what to do, or they are alone."

The daily work is what she enjoys, understanding that no two days are the same.

"It's nothing like the TV shows," Fleming said. "I think when I was watching them and being in it, it's completely different. People need you for so many different things, so many different reasons. I think that's why I like getting up every day and doing this job."

Staying calm under pressure is about working together, according to Fleming.

"If my team and I, we're calm, it's easy to calm down somebody," Fleming said. "It's really hard to calm down somebody who is super heightened. If you can go in the situation and you're just calm and cool and collected and you get them from point A to point B, then, after the call, then you debrief and then you calm yourself down."

Fleming was nominated by Keighla Humphries, “She is an amazing person, the most selfless person who would do anything for others," Humphries said. "She’s a single mama doing what she has to, to always make sure she’s the best for her kiddos! She is truly a model that anyone would be lucky to look up to. She's been through hell and back and that never once stopped her. It only further pushed her to follow her dream and never give up. She has made the life she wanted for herself and I’m so proud of her.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726674816488.jpeg" alt="September Spotlight a Hero winner Ariel Fleming. Photo by Ashley Weve." />
 <figcaption>September Spotlight a Hero winner Ariel Fleming. Photo by Ashley Weve.</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHAVEN, Kan. — Ariel Fleming, an EMT in Haven and with the Sedgwick County Jail, is the Allen Samuels Spotlight a Hero winner for September."I went into EMS as a challenge to myself at first," Fleming said. "To show my kids that, if you wanted to do something, that you can do it. Just put in time and hard work. I just enjoy being the person that's there when someone doesn't know what to do, or they are alone."The daily work is what she enjoys, understanding that no two days are the same."It's nothing like the TV shows," Fleming said. "I think when I was watching them and being in it, it's completely different. People need you for so many different things, so many different reasons. I think that's why I like getting up every day and doing this job."Staying calm under pressure is about working together, according to Fleming."If my team and I, we're calm, it's easy to calm down somebody," Fleming said. "It's really hard to calm down somebody who is super heightened. If you can go in the situation and you're just calm and cool and collected and you get them from point A to point B, then, after the call, then you debrief and then you calm yourself down."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726675038380.jpeg" alt="Staff from Allen Samuels CDJR and EAGLE Media presents prizes to the Spotlight a Hero Winner." />
 <figcaption>Staff from Allen Samuels CDJR and EAGLE Media presents prizes to the Spotlight a Hero Winner.</figcaption>
 </figure>Fleming was nominated by Keighla Humphries, “She is an amazing person, the most selfless person who would do anything for others," Humphries said. "She’s a single mama doing what she has to, to always make sure she’s the best for her kiddos! She is truly a model that anyone would be lucky to look up to. She's been through hell and back and that never once stopped her. It only further pushed her to follow her dream and never give up. She has made the life she wanted for herself and I’m so proud of her.”

Fleming is September Spotlight a Hero winner

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — City Manager Enrico Villegas told the Hutchinson City Council at their meeting Tuesday that the city's 911 director, Kevin Irwin earned an award.

"This is kind of a surprise," Villegas said. "He was nominated for and then won director of the year for the work that he does. I would also think, it's equally as important to state that it was his staff that recommended this for him. I think that speaks volumes for his leadership. He has completely turned around a department. Especially, in my short time here, I'm hearing a lot of praise from employees on his leadership style, his demeanor and his work."

Assistant Director Stacy Eaves helped write his nomination.

"Kevin has been integral in building relationships between public safety agencies and our community," Eaves said. "Decisions made by the agency are done in partnership and consideration of stakeholders involved. He his highly engaged in tasks, not to micromanage, but to contribute his knowledge and expertise."

"It's an honor to work here," Irwin said. "It's an honor to provide the services that we do and to work with the leadership team we have here."

Irwin also called Eaves the best assistant director in the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714225561062.jpeg" alt="Kevin Irwin-Hutchinson/Reno County 911" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Irwin-Hutchinson/Reno County 911</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — City Manager Enrico Villegas told the Hutchinson City Council at their meeting Tuesday that the city's 911 director, Kevin Irwin earned an award."This is kind of a surprise," Villegas said. "He was nominated for and then won director of the year for the work that he does. I would also think, it's equally as important to state that it was his staff that recommended this for him. I think that speaks volumes for his leadership. He has completely turned around a department. Especially, in my short time here, I'm hearing a lot of praise from employees on his leadership style, his demeanor and his work."Assistant Director Stacy Eaves helped write his nomination."Kevin has been integral in building relationships between public safety agencies and our community," Eaves said. "Decisions made by the agency are done in partnership and consideration of stakeholders involved. He his highly engaged in tasks, not to micromanage, but to contribute his knowledge and expertise."Irwin, for his part, praised his staff."It's an honor to work here," Irwin said. "It's an honor to provide the services that we do and to work with the leadership team we have here."Irwin also called Eaves the best assistant director in the state.

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