By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A new piece of playground equipment unique among all the parks in Hays will be installed in Massey Park, 17th and Allen, early next year.

City commissioners approved the $119,363 purchase from Aspire 2 Play, Kansas City, as presented by Jeff Boyle, parks director.&nbsp;The existing equipment, installed in 2002, is deteriorating and has had sections removed for safety.

The new equipment has two large slides, an enclosed rope&nbsp;climb tunnel, several agility components and a&nbsp;separate play piece for younger children.

The commission plans to discuss parks maintenance management during its 2026 retreat.

The low bid was approved for the 2025 sanitary sewer annual cleaning and inspection as recommended by Jeff Crispin, water resources director.

About 22 miles of sewer in southwest Hays will be cleaned for the second time since the rotation plan began in 2018.

"We've been getting fewer calls about problems than before we started cleaning on this schedule," Crispin said.&nbsp;

The low bid of $145,022 came from CC Steel, LLC, Fargo, North Dakota, which will start the cleaning and video inspection on Dec. 1 and finish in March.

Consent to Deannex Plat of DK Ranch Addition

Local property owners BJKT LLC and Sing Along Ranch LLC of the undeveloped DK Ranch Addition have asked to&nbsp;deannex and vacate the land in west Hays and to replat and annex&nbsp;land along Columbine Drive, ultimately&nbsp;annexing the new Smoky Hill Plains Addition.

DK Ranch Addition is a large lot&nbsp;development platted in 2013 but never developed. The property was sold&nbsp;and is now being replatted into a more efficient residential subdivision.

Commissioners authorized the issuance of the public notice for the deannexation of the DK Ranch&nbsp;Addition.

An update on the work at another planned housing development in downtown Hays was presented by Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The former Hays State Bank, 1108 N. Main, was built in 1965 and is in the Downtown Hays Historical District.

Renovation work into a new luxury short-term rental Airbnb began early this summer after the award of a $300,000 Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant in 2024.

Hays developer Adam Pray plans the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f367c960-2038-4546-b83e-7a081f032723">Chestnut Suites reconstruction</a>&nbsp;as 24-26 rentable hotel-style rooms for both short-term and 30-day or more renters.&nbsp;

So far, renovation work using the grant dollars has focused on interior fire protection, the water supply, exterior stone removal, walls and doors, exterior concrete, and trash enclosure.

Lee Ann June, executive director of The Bricks in downtown Hays, presented a review of the nonprofit organization's work so far this year.

June, who just completed her first 90 days as executive director, talked about the group's mission&nbsp;and projects.

A committee was organized in April to enhance the annual Christmas holiday celebration in downtown Hays. Sponsors from across the city have made donations toward more lighting and decorations.

This is the 25th year for the annual lighted Frost Fest parade on Dec. 7, which will have a theme of "Timeless Traditions." Entries are being accepted&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepyRYf01QSgB_HmUbYoQQbZneMJ4GbB-4gswHhfGLkEIrVJA/viewform">online</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

June, who wore a colorful Santa hat provided by The Bricks board member Karen Dreiling, talked about the "Jubilee" tree lighting to kick off the festivities on Saturday, Nov. 29.

Additional free activities will include a holiday movie at The Fox, horse-and-buggy rides throughout downtown, children's activities, and a soup and chili feed for 500 people.

Next year will be the 25th year of The Bricks, June said. There are two open positions of the board of directors.&nbsp;

Commissioner Shaun Musil was absent from the meeting.

🎙 New play equipment coming to Massey Park in Hays

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about a new housing development on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

Please submit your questions for Doug for future interviews to&nbsp;hayspost@eaglemedia.com.

🎙 Post Podcast: Doug Williams of Grow Hays on new housing

The six candidates for Hays City Commission were interviewed by the Hays Post. Their responses are being presented in a question-and-answer format. The other candidates running include Samuel Allen, Reese Barrick, Candace (CJ) Hathaway, Sandy Jacobs, David Koshiol and Shaun Musil.

Allen did not respond to Hays Post's request for an interview.&nbsp;

Allen was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1e91cd79-cb0f-4efc-a6f1-2dc8ddbbe8d9">arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail</a>&nbsp;in July.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Also listed on the ballot but not pursuing office are Kelly Ancar and Justin Choitz.&nbsp;

Three seats are available on the board. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will each receive a four-year term. The third-highest candidate will serve a two-year term. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Age: 43&nbsp; Occupation:&nbsp;&nbsp;Owner of DXI Training Solutions for first responders&nbsp; and effective communication and leadership skills

Why are you running for Hays City Commission?

As I've traveled across the country for trainings, people kept asking if I missed being a police officer (combined Hays Police Department and military police experience of 22 years), and I knew at my core I missed giving back to my community.

My company mission has always been to leave the world better than I found it, and that's been my personal vision and motto.&nbsp;

As a new candidate, do you have any relevant/political experience?&nbsp;

Being first-hand in law enforcement, I saw a lot of politics in the city, helping out with budgets as a police officer (for 19 years) in charge of training at the department. I submitted budgets up to the chief, which went up to the city commission.

I saw how the city commission worked with the city manager and the departments throughout the city.

So, I've got a little personal experience with the city politics, but have not been involved in politics directly.

I have a good set of core values that I think every person should have, and I see it missing with the way things are being handled by our current city commission.

I'd like to make sure the city is being better treated overall.

What is the most pressing issue(s) the city of Hays faces?

The most pressing issue is a tie between the water project and housing.&nbsp;

We have to get a secure source of water for the city of Hays. 

The R9 project is a great start on that. But that's a 75, maybe 100-year project. I'd like to see us come up with a permanent solution. That way, 75 years from now, the next generation isn't having to fight that fight.&nbsp; We should be taking care of that now.

We need to be transparent with the citizens on where the progress of the R9 is. There's no 'go to this website' or 'talk to these folks and they can give you more information.' It's just not out there for the every day citizen to keep up on.

In the housing market, it's difficult for people in the low- to medium-income ranges to afford houses right now.

Working with developers and different organizations to find different ways to get some different housing options out there, is a big project I'd like to see taken care of.

It's been suggested by a local developer that the city provide free land for construction of new homes costing $150,00 or less. What are your thoughts about housing in Hays?&nbsp;

If there is some land the city owns and is tucked away somewhere that would fit that kind of criteria and help out, and we don't have any long-term plans or goals for it, then that's absolutely something worth looking into.

Whether it's free or offered at some kind of discounted rate on conditions that builders build qualifying housing, that's definitely worth looking into.

The city narrowly avoided a 2-mill levy increase in the 2026 budget. How would you keep the mill levy at 25 mills? Should it instead be increased?&nbsp;

I don't think a mill levy increase is needed.&nbsp;

I think with working with our departments and coming up with some more creative strategies as far as the budget goes, we can continue to maintain the mill levy where it's at and hopefully, remain revenue neutral as well. That way we save our citizens some money.

We're a big city, and we offer a lot of resources, and they've got to be paid for. We're not gonna reduce quality-of-life issues. We're not going to take away benefits from our good employees because we need good employees out there.&nbsp;

It's finding out what we need and what do we not need.

It's a tough financial time for everybody out there.&nbsp;The more the city takes from the people, the harder it gets for them, and the more we're affecting their quality of life. I'd like to see that little bit of relief given to the citizens. 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d615ae1-9b48-4ebd-9200-7c593c85db69">The governing body of Hays chose to remain revenue neutral for the budget year 2026.</a>

Are there areas in the city budget or departments that can be streamlined? What would you change in the city's current operations?

We need to go back to the people actually doing the jobs.

Oftentimes, we see the department heads and supervisors getting so far removed from what's actually&nbsp;happening at the foundational level of the department that we lose track of what's important and what's not.&nbsp;

I would like to get out there and meet with the folks actually doing the job every day, whether it's the parks department, the fire department, the police department, and talk to the guys doing the day-to-day work and see what they feel is needed and what is not needed. Figure out what we're doing, what we're not doing, and adjust from there.

That's where you'll see the real innovation is from those folks who are doing the job every day.&nbsp;

Should each city park become more "individualized," offering different/fewer amenities at each location to save maintenance costs?

As a police officer, I would patrol the streets and see just how often the city parks were being used and how frequently they're not.

We've got some parks that see more use than others.

If we're putting in playground equipment that's going to wear out every 10 years, we've got to make sure there's going to be funding available to replace it, and not just hoping that funding will be there.&nbsp;

I think our community is strong, and if we saw a need somewhere to renovate a local park, all we'd have to do is reach out and let the community know what we need. They would find ways to help us out without us having to increase the mill levy and affect every citizen of Hays.

I definitely like the idea of collaboration with our local businesses and residents, just like the ARC Park. They wanted to do some amazing stuff out there, and they have. They came through big time for the city to help with that park.

When it comes time to do the maintenance and upkeep, I have no doubt we can find other businesses and corporations willing to step up and help out as well.

Should the city get involved in the operation of the public transportation program ACCESS, which is struggling with its funding? Should the city offer greater financial support?

Do we pay DSNWK more money so they can continue to run that program? Should the city take over that program? Should we create a whole new program? Those are several options.

I can't say the last time I actually saw the ACCESS van full. So, I feel there's probably a better way or system to do it in a more affordable way.

If DSNWK isn't able to continue running the system, the city should look into ways of possibly helping out with more public transportation.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc146924-9a33-439f-bb6a-180129cff07a">ACCESS General Public Transportation in Hays is still facing a 2026 funding gap after the city of Hays and Ellis County made contributions.&nbsp;</a>

As a candidate, I've promised to give everybody a voice.&nbsp;

If anybody has any concerns, I'm more than willing to listen and observe and to gather the information.

At the end of the day, we may not always agree, but I will strive to promise to understand everybody's perspective and to make the best possible decision for the city as a whole.&nbsp;

Hays City Commission Candidate Q&A: David Vilaysing

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc.

Congratulations to Jerry Michaud for receiving the Mark Elmore Award for Leadership from InterHab.

This award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — and Jerry exemplifies all of that and more.

His vision, compassion, and guidance continue to make a lasting impact across DSNWK, the communities we serve, and the state as a whole, DSNWK said in a Facebook post.

"We are so proud and grateful for all you do, Jerry! We couldn't think of anyone more deserving of this award," the Facebook post said.

DSNWK director honored with Mark Elmore Award for Leadership

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Did you know that spiders are likely to be gone by Halloween? According to Jeff Whitworth, a K-State Extension Entomologist, four spider species common to Kansas are likely to be in hiding within the next few weeks.

Two species commonly found in the home that are of most concern to humans because of their venom – the brown recluse and black widow – are ready to go into winter hibernation. Those two species are rarely seen from mid-October to mid-March. The brown recluse is identified by a signature dark line that resembles a violin on its back, with the neck of the violin pointing to the rear of the spider. The bite of a brown recluse releases a hemotoxin that affects a person’s blood cells. A bite from a brown recluse may require medical attention.

The brown recluse is nocturnal, thus they are most active at night when they crawl around searching for food. As daylight returns, they crawl into any dark place close by, which is often in a shoe or clothing, if left on the floor. That is the reason that most bites occur; the spider is threatened when you put the item on. The adult female black widow is more elegant looking, typically a very shiny black with a reddish, hourglass shaped mark on their abdomen. The bite of a black widow releases a neurotoxin that affects the nervous systems of humans and animals.

Black widows are web builders, thus they are usually encountered in some out-of-the-way corner of a garage, shed, basement or similar place. They usually are not out wondering like a brown recluse.

Two less venomous spiders more common in farm fields or open areas include the orb spider and the garden spider.

The orb spider is typically a big, brown, round spider that weaves intricate webs.

You will often see webbing, but not the spider. The webbing catches insects, and then the spider comes out in the evening to feed on what they’ve caught and repair the web, if needed.

Another common field spider, the garden spider, also is very large, and typically dark green or black and yellow with long legs. Farmers often run into garden spiders when walking between fields because they’ll use corn or sorghum or large weeds to build their webs, and by this time of year, most spiders are at their largest and thus have constructed large webs for catching prey.

If they feel threatened in their web, they will vibrate the web, but if that doesn’t work, they usually drop to the ground and hide.

But like the brown recluse and black widow, orb spiders and garden spiders are likely to be out of sight by the time the scariest holiday of the year rolls around.

We are just about to run out of being scared by spiders, and just before Halloween, because the adult field spiders are going to lay their eggs and then go away. The brown recluse and black widow are going into hibernation and won’t be back until March or April.

Whitworth said that even though the brown recluse and black widow are better known to be dangerous, “all spiders are venomous.”

“Most spider bites don’t affect humans too much, but you just never know,” he said. “I always caution people not to play with spiders.”

Information provided by Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension Entomologist.

CAMPBELL: Common spider in Kansas likely to go into hiding soon

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

#5-5A Hays High (5-2, 2-1 WAC) vs Liberal (6-1, 2-1) Friday, Oct. 24 - 7 p.m. Liberal, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network - <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2551510">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a>

The Hays High Indians finish off the regular season with a visit to Liberal.&nbsp;

Both teams dropped a game to Great Bend in conference place. This game remains important for 5A West playoff seeding. Liberal is currently the three seed. Hays is the current seven seed.

Hays has won 14 of the last 16 games against the Redskins. This is the 49th all-time meeting.

Kickoff is at 7
p.m. with the Hertz Rent-A-Car Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on 96.9 KFIX.

🏈🎥 Hays High and Liberal in WAC finale

TMP-Marian (4-2, 3-2 MCL) vs Plainville (3-3, 1-3 MCL) Friday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. Hays, Kan. Radio:&nbsp;KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Monarchs Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2552055">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs host the Plainville Cardinals in a key district matchup to close out the regular season.

The winner clinches a home playoff game in week 9.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live
coverage includes The Monarchs Sports Network and radio.

🏈🎥 Monarchs host Plainville in district finale

Congratulations to our third winner in Cash Grab this fall!&nbsp;Kenda Leiker of Hays had her name drawn on Friday morning and walked away with $250.

Keywords will be given out at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You will have 20 minutes to enter the correct keyword that you heard on our radio stations. We will then draw out one winner on Friday morning!

Be listening to your favorite radio station (94.3 FM/1400 KAYS, 99.5 KHAZ, 101.9 The Bull, Mix 103.3, 96.9 KFIX) on Monday morning at 9 for the first keyword!

Cash Grab is presented by Robert Brogden GMC in downtown Hays, Whitetail Properties agents Adam Hahn and Mitch Keeley, Tri-Central Office Supply, and Vanderbilt’s of Hays.

Cash Grab Winner - Week #3

Submit your fall harvest photo until Oct 29th at 11:59pm. The photo with the most votes will win their choice of Asgrow Soybeans, or DeKalb Corn seed! Voting takes place Oct 30th-Nov 5th!

Midland Marketing Farmers of Fall 2025

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

Two individuals with ties to Fort Hays State University have been elected to leadership positions on the Board of Directors of Jana’s Campaign.

Jana’s Campaign, based in Hays, is a national education and violence prevention organization. 

It was created in honor of Jana Mackey, a passionate advocate for women’s rights who tragically lost her life to domestic violence. Mackey was a Hays native and 25-year-old law student at the University of Kansas when she was killed by an ex-boyfriend in 2008.

Today, the organization carries forward her legacy by partnering with middle and high schools, colleges and universities, and community-based organizations to deliver specialized programs that prevent dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, a news release said.

Dr. Keegan Newkirk, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., has been elected president of the board of directors.

Newkirk serves as vice president of student services at the College of DuPage, a community college in Glen Ellyn. She was first connected with Jana’s Campaign while serving as Title IX coordinator at FHSU and has been a supporter of the organization since.

“I am deeply passionate about Jana’s Campaign and its mission because I believe education and advocacy are vital to creating safe, respectful communities,” Newkirk said in the news release. “Working with this organization allows me to honor Jana’s legacy and contribute to meaningful change in the lives of students and survivors across the country.”

Jana Mackey’s father, Dr. Curt Brungardt, was elected vice president of the board. Brungardt, who now resides in Manhattan, is a professor emeritus of leadership studies at FHSU.

Curt Brungardt, and his wife, Christie Brungardt, also a professor emeritus at FHSU, created Jana’s Campaign to honor their daughter following Jana’s death.

Kaiti Blackburn, executive director of Jana’s Campaign, said of Newkirk, “Keegan has been a cheerleader of our work for over a decade.

“She is highly skilled and knowledgeable in this field, but, most importantly, she is passionate about ending all forms of relationship-based violence. We are thrilled to have her leadership as board president.”

Blackburn said the board and staff extend their gratitude to Dr. Mellisa Holtzman, professor of sociology at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., the outgoing board president, who will continue to support the organization as past president, assisting with committee work.

Additional officers elected include Megan Shepard of Topeka as treasurer and Sherri Kendall of Costa Rica as secretary.

New Jana’s Campaign board leaders have ties to FHSU

The Kiwanis Club of Hays is pleased to announce information about the annual Veterans, Military, Active Duty, Reservists, and Guardsmen Appreciation Lunch.

The event will be held on Thursday, November 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rose Garden Banquet Hall &amp; Catering, 2350 E.&nbsp; 8th.

 All veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and national guardsmen are invited to attend. 

Lunch will be free of charge and courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Hays. The meal will include fried chicken with choice of honey pecan sauce or gravy, potatoes, vegetable, side salad, roll, and dessert.

Music will be provided by students from TMP-Marian Jr./Sr. High School, and a special thank you video will be provided by students from Hays Middle School. Some of Wilson Elementary’s 5th graders will also be present to help serve and honor the heroes with thank you cards. Singers will provide patriotic music, and a service photo presentation will be shared during the event. 

To RSVP for this event, please email sarahannwasinger@gmail.com or call 785-650-2196. RSVPs are requested by Monday, November 3.

Kiwanis Club of Hays plans veterans and military appreciation lunch

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

The Fort Hays chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is hosting Soup Fest at the Herndon Clinic on the Fort Hays State University campus. This fundraiser features a soup competition where our students prepare soups, and attendees purchase tickets to taste and vote for their favorite.

All proceeds from Soup Fest directly support our clients at the Herndon Clinic by helping offset treatment costs for services such as speech, voice, language, and cognitive-communication therapy.

We are reaching out for your support in helping us advertise Soup Fest. You can make a big difference by:

Your help will allow us to spread the word and bring more people together for this fun event that supports such an important cause.

📍 Event Location:&nbsp;Albertson Hall lobby, FHSU Campus 📅 Event Date/Time:&nbsp;October 24th, 5-7 PM 🎟️ Details: Soup tastings, voting, and community fun — all benefiting clients at the clinic

Fifth-annual Soup Fest to take place tonight

FHSU Fall Fest tonight includes bonfire 

FHSU Turning Point USA hosts critique tonight of Hays Public Library books

Domino's fundraiser for Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann family Oct. 27

COLBY — Western Plains Arts Alliance will be hosting the Denver Brass Sunday, October 26 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center on the Colby Community College campus in Colby.&nbsp; 

Denver Brass is one of the nation’s premier brass ensembles, featuring 14 world-class musicians who perform original compositions and innovative arrangements. 

Each year the ensemble performs over 140 concerts and provides outreach programs that inspire and delight more than 30,000 people across the Denver area. Denver Brass works diligently and methodically to increase outreach and exposure, not just to be heard or appreciated, but to provide inspiration, nourish and uplift the human spirit. 

Tickets available at the door if you don’t already have your WPAA season ticket.&nbsp;

 We would like to thank our sponsors and Dane G Hansen Foundation for your support.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Denver Brass to perform Oct. 26 at Colby Cultural Arts Center

Parkinson's Park Party set for Oct. 26 in Hays

The Hays Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Children’s Halloween Concert, featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved symphonic tale, Peter and the Wolf, on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Pre-concert activities begin at 1:30 p.m. with the concert set for 2:30 p.m., at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus, 600 Park St.

This annual family tradition remains free to the public, made possible through the generous sponsorship of Werth Wealth Management.

The program centers on Prokofiev’s Op. 67, a work specifically written in 1936 to introduce young audiences to the various instruments of the orchestra, with assignment of distinct musical themes and instruments to each character in the story.

For example, the protagonist Peter is represented by the bright and energetic strings, while his grumpy Grandfather is depicted by the low, lumbering bassoon.

The Bird’s quick movements are captured by the flute, the Duck’s waddle by the reedy oboe, and the sly Cat’s stealth by the smooth clarinet.

Finally, the menacing Wolf is given a dark, ominous theme played by the French horns, and the Hunters are heralded by the authoritative brass and percussion.

This performance will feature David Macey, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Fort Hays State University, as the narrator, guiding listeners through the Russian folk tale as Peter, a young pioneer, ventures into the meadow, encounters his animal friends, and ultimately helps capture the menacing wolf.

Hays Symphony Music Director Benjamin Cline said the concert will feature a unique blend of entertainment and educational value.

“Peter and the Wolf is, quite simply, the greatest musical primer ever written,” Cline said. “It is an extraordinary experience for a child to hear the story narrated while simultaneously learning to recognize the distinct voice of each orchestral instrument.”

“This concert serves as a vital entry point into the world of classical music for our community’s youngest members, and we are thrilled to offer this high-quality, professional performance completely free of charge. Making this event accessible is one of the most important things the Hays Symphony does all year.”

The musical piece was commissioned by Natalya Sats, the director of the Central Children's Theatre in Moscow, with the explicit goal of furthering musical education.

Since its premiere, it has been performed and recorded by nearly every major orchestra worldwide, featuring narrators ranging from celebrity actors to political figures, demonstrating its universal appeal and enduring power as a piece of musical storytelling.

The Hays Symphony is dedicated to continuing this international tradition of fostering musical literacy.

The musical experience is only part of the afternoon's festivities.

Pre-concert activities will begin at 1:30 p.m., in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center lobby and surrounding areas.

These activities are designed to be hands-on and engaging, particularly for children attending in costume.

Highlights of the pre-concert event include:

· Halloween Costume Parade: Children are encouraged to attend in their favorite Halloween attire and participate in a festive parade.

· Instrumental Petting Zoo: This highly popular activity gives children a rare chance to see, touch, and even try out instruments from the orchestral families, woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion, that they will hear represented in the concert.

· Meet the Woodwinds: A dedicated station will allow attendees to meet the musicians who play the flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, making a direct connection between the characters in the story (Bird, Duck, Cat, Grandfather) and the professionals who play their themes.

· Arts and Crafts: Creative activities related to the themes of the concert and Halloween.

· Musical Storytime: Additional stories and interactive sessions designed to prepare young ears for the symphonic performance.

Following the performance, children will receive a free trick-or-treat bag as they exit, extending the holiday fun. Free tickets are available online at <a href="https://www.hayssymphony.org/">hayssymphony.org</a>.

Hays Symphony presents free children's concert: Prokofiev's classic 'Peter and the Wolf'

FHSU&nbsp;Science and Mathematics Education Institute

The October FHSU Science Cafe is Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in The Venue at Thirsty's, 2704 Vine Street, Hays.&nbsp;

What actually drives love? Scientists from anthropology to neuroscience have been chasing that very question for decades. And here’s the interesting part: the science of love is at once surprisingly simple and incredibly complex. We’re going to take a quick tour through some of the key chemicals that fuel love.

Presenter is James R. Balthazor, PhD, professor of chemistry, K-INBRE Campus Coordinator at Fort Hays State University.

The event is free and open to the public, sponsored by FHSU Science and Mathematics Education Institute at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fhsu.edu%2fsmei&amp;c=E,1,dx0E4bkWgiThIFHFqvYKg9drbQ7aA2U-xIV2MZW5FYIOCw6Mym-clUd_XJLU9v96GC6aIMCGMmdjUJRlcESYuJgE3KDvpE3832SCq4KUit_B4gSgIPIcrak,&amp;typo=1">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a>.

Drinks will be available for purchase. No food will be served.&nbsp;

FHSU Science Cafe examines biochemistry behind lust, attraction, companionship

LOS ANGELES (AP) — June Lockhart, who became a mother figure for a generation of television viewers whether at home in “Lassie” or up in the stratosphere in “Lost In Space,” has died. She was 100.

Lockhart died Thursday of natural causes at her home in Santa Monica, family spokesman Lyle Gregory, a friend of 40 years, said Saturday.

“She was very happy up until the very end, reading the New York Times and LA Times everyday,” he said. “It was very important to her to stay focused on the news of the day.”

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