They worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then 
something came along — often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an
 album — and it all became next-level, a shift triggering 
where-did-you-come-from vibes.

That describes most of this year's nine <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers">Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, a class of talent that flowered in 2022.</a>
 They are Sadie Sink, Stephanie Hsu, Tenoch Huerta, Joaquina Kalukango, 
Iman Vellani, Daryl McCormack, Tobe Nwigwe, Simone Ashley and Danielle 
Deadwyler.

Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars 
such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the 
fourth season of “Stranger Things,” she broke through as a brave skater 
girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games
 and is a “Dragon’s Lair” champion.

Hsu also was a Broadway 
veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen 
teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-sports-movies-martial-arts-a0c2c7bfb0a06c2f2f8156c835a84b93">“Everything Everywhere All at Once.”</a> That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.

Like
 many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of 
Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway 
musical, “Paradise Square.” It led to a best actress in a leading role 
Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang “Let It 
Burn.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-panther-wakanda-forever-film-reviews-entertainment-ryan-coogler-chadwick-boseman-424bcbf6ee3c730e80e25d153328eb8e">“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”</a>
 isn’t one of Huerta's biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly 
launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on 
Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, 
known for roles in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and the movie 
“The Forever Purge,” has taken a big step for movie diversity.

Nwigwe,
 just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up 
with noted appearances on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a 
spot on Michelle Obama’s 2020 workout playlist with “I’m Dope.” This 
year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the “Black Panther: 
Wakanda Forever” soundtrack and dropped the EP “moMINTs” to acclaim.

McCormack
 has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into 
something special with a constellation of roles — “Peaky Blinders,” the 
buzzy, dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters,” plus a star-making 
performance as the title character in the film <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-meryl-streep-nancy-meyers-movies-725fa9a8036b49b6797242361f2f962c">“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”</a> opposite Emma Thompson.

Ashley,
 a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found 
herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama “Bridgerton.”
 She had a role the series “Sex Education,” but playing the fiercely 
independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character 
in a major production.

Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/till-film-reviews-entertainment-crime-movies-90edc3fb53a9618fb7cdff74684337e7">“Till”</a>
 as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was 
lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in “The Harder They Come,” 
“Watchmen” and the Netflix series “From Scratch” and “Station Eleven.”

Vellani,
 another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the 
exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in “Ms. 
Marvel” plays a high school student <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-iman-d1d0ba22f7de7f6bbe5e5723f6e26c72">enamored with all things superheroes</a>
 only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, 
in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the 
entertainers nominated here.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1572956883313.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressThey worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then 
something came along — often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an
 album — and it all became next-level, a shift triggering 
where-did-you-come-from vibes.That describes most of this year's nine <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers">Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, a class of talent that flowered in 2022.</a>
 They are Sadie Sink, Stephanie Hsu, Tenoch Huerta, Joaquina Kalukango, 
Iman Vellani, Daryl McCormack, Tobe Nwigwe, Simone Ashley and Danielle 
Deadwyler.Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars 
such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the 
fourth season of “Stranger Things,” she broke through as a brave skater 
girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games
 and is a “Dragon’s Lair” champion.Hsu also was a Broadway 
veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen 
teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-sports-movies-martial-arts-a0c2c7bfb0a06c2f2f8156c835a84b93">“Everything Everywhere All at Once.”</a> That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.Like
 many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of 
Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway 
musical, “Paradise Square.” It led to a best actress in a leading role 
Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang “Let It 
Burn.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-panther-wakanda-forever-film-reviews-entertainment-ryan-coogler-chadwick-boseman-424bcbf6ee3c730e80e25d153328eb8e">“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”</a>
 isn’t one of Huerta's biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly 
launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on 
Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, 
known for roles in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and the movie 
“The Forever Purge,” has taken a big step for movie diversity.Nwigwe,
 just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up 
with noted appearances on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a 
spot on Michelle Obama’s 2020 workout playlist with “I’m Dope.” This 
year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the “Black Panther: 
Wakanda Forever” soundtrack and dropped the EP “moMINTs” to acclaim.McCormack
 has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into 
something special with a constellation of roles — “Peaky Blinders,” the 
buzzy, dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters,” plus a star-making 
performance as the title character in the film <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-meryl-streep-nancy-meyers-movies-725fa9a8036b49b6797242361f2f962c">“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”</a> opposite Emma Thompson.Ashley,
 a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found 
herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama “Bridgerton.”
 She had a role the series “Sex Education,” but playing the fiercely 
independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character 
in a major production.Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/till-film-reviews-entertainment-crime-movies-90edc3fb53a9618fb7cdff74684337e7">“Till”</a>
 as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was 
lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in “The Harder They Come,” 
“Watchmen” and the Netflix series “From Scratch” and “Station Eleven.”Vellani,
 another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the 
exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in “Ms. 
Marvel” plays a high school student <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-iman-d1d0ba22f7de7f6bbe5e5723f6e26c72">enamored with all things superheroes</a>
 only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, 
in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the 
entertainers nominated here.

AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Public Library Communications Coordinator, Callie Kolacny shares information about upcoming library activities and events.

<div><iframe title="Hays Public Library wraps year with family friendly events" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=un3kf-133965b-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Public Library Communications Coordinator, Callie Kolacny shares information about upcoming library activities and events.

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Public Library wraps year with family friendly events

This weekend, Fort Hays State University is set to celebrate
the accomplishments of more than 1,100 fall graduates through in-person and online ceremonies
over two days.

“It's the culmination of a lot
of blood, sweat and tears and the joy you see on the faces of those folks as
they walk across the stage and shake President (Tisa) Mason's hand, and then they
embrace their families,” said Scott Cason, chief communications officer. “There's
nothing quite like it. It really reinforces the good work we do at Fort Hays
State University.”

At
9 a.m. Friday in Gross Memorial Coliseum, the ceremony for undergraduate,
master’s and Ed.S. candidates from the Robbins College of Business and
Entrepreneurship, the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the Werth
College of Science, Technology and Mathematics is set to take place.

At 11 a.m., graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
and College of Education undergraduate, master’s and Ed.S. candidates will
take the stage.

On
Saturday, the university is set to honor graduate students in a virtual
ceremony at 9 a.m. and undergraduates at 11 a.m.

“One of the things we learned really from the COVID experience was, we had to break our one major
ceremony into several smaller ones, just to make it, we thought safer and
things like that, so there was a model that really worked for us,” Cason said.
“And so we're going to do it again.”

This year’s fall commencement
marks only the second time FHSU has had a December graduation ceremony.

“We're doing it again, it was
so successful last year,” Cason said. “We break into several ceremonies that
are smaller, more intimate, and they're quicker. It's not quite the huge event
that it once was.”

“This enables us to pretty
much get folks in and out of a ceremony within an hour,” he said. “So,
it's been really well received. We're going to keep with that model again, here
in the fall, and then again in the spring.”

And adding the virtual event allows the thousands of
students that attend FHSU online to be celebrated as well.

“Adding virtual ceremonies, as
we've done recently, helps for those folks who can't make it,” Cason said. “But
there's always a great story about somebody. Often it's somebody who's a member
of the military service who finds a way to get back and participate in the
ceremonies. But we try to offer as many options as we can ... to
give everybody we can as much of a commencement celebration as we can.”

The graduation ceremonies
will be broadcast on FHSU’s Tiger Media Network, <a href="http://tmn.fhsu.edu/">tmn.fhsu.edu.</a>

“With the way we’ve broken up our ceremonies, it’s a lot easier to watch,” Cason said.
“You can go right to your ceremony and watch it right there, get in and out. It
really lends itself to folks who don't have all the time in the world to sit on
their YouTube channel.”

For those attending in person, he said it is easier than ever to find parking near the coliseum, but shuttles will again run from other campus parking areas.

“Faculty
and staff are encouraged to park on campus and make the trip to cross Big
Creek over to Gross Memorial from campus parking,” Cason said. “The biggest
challenge I think we have is that transition space between the ceremonies when
folks get out of the parking lot and open up the spaces for the next group
coming in. We really encourage folks not to linger too long.”

For
more information about the commencement ceremonies, visit <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/commencement/">fhsu.edu/commencement</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639768586894.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="FHSU to celebrate Fall graduates this weekend" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=w9mkx-133966f-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThis weekend, Fort Hays State University is set to celebrate
the accomplishments of more than 1,100 fall graduates through in-person and online ceremonies
over two days.“It's the culmination of a lot
of blood, sweat and tears and the joy you see on the faces of those folks as
they walk across the stage and shake President (Tisa) Mason's hand, and then they
embrace their families,” said Scott Cason, chief communications officer. “There's
nothing quite like it. It really reinforces the good work we do at Fort Hays
State University.”At
9 a.m. Friday in Gross Memorial Coliseum, the ceremony for undergraduate,
master’s and Ed.S. candidates from the Robbins College of Business and
Entrepreneurship, the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the Werth
College of Science, Technology and Mathematics is set to take place.At 11 a.m., graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
and College of Education undergraduate, master’s and Ed.S. candidates will
take the stage.On
Saturday, the university is set to honor graduate students in a virtual
ceremony at 9 a.m. and undergraduates at 11 a.m.“One of the things we learned really from the COVID experience was, we had to break our one major
ceremony into several smaller ones, just to make it, we thought safer and
things like that, so there was a model that really worked for us,” Cason said.
“And so we're going to do it again.”This year’s fall commencement
marks only the second time FHSU has had a December graduation ceremony.“We're doing it again, it was
so successful last year,” Cason said. “We break into several ceremonies that
are smaller, more intimate, and they're quicker. It's not quite the huge event
that it once was.”“This enables us to pretty
much get folks in and out of a ceremony within an hour,” he said. “So,
it's been really well received. We're going to keep with that model again, here
in the fall, and then again in the spring.”And adding the virtual event allows the thousands of
students that attend FHSU online to be celebrated as well.“Adding virtual ceremonies, as
we've done recently, helps for those folks who can't make it,” Cason said. “But
there's always a great story about somebody. Often it's somebody who's a member
of the military service who finds a way to get back and participate in the
ceremonies. But we try to offer as many options as we can ... to
give everybody we can as much of a commencement celebration as we can.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639774136591.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The graduation ceremonies
will be broadcast on FHSU’s Tiger Media Network, <a href="http://tmn.fhsu.edu/">tmn.fhsu.edu.</a>“With the way we’ve broken up our ceremonies, it’s a lot easier to watch,” Cason said.
“You can go right to your ceremony and watch it right there, get in and out. It
really lends itself to folks who don't have all the time in the world to sit on
their YouTube channel.”For those attending in person, he said it is easier than ever to find parking near the coliseum, but shuttles will again run from other campus parking areas.“Faculty
and staff are encouraged to park on campus and make the trip to cross Big
Creek over to Gross Memorial from campus parking,” Cason said. “The biggest
challenge I think we have is that transition space between the ceremonies when
folks get out of the parking lot and open up the spaces for the next group
coming in. We really encourage folks not to linger too long.”For
more information about the commencement ceremonies, visit <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/commencement/">fhsu.edu/commencement</a>. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575759417336.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Fort Hays State to celebrate fall graduates this weekend

When residents of Hays, Kan., order a Domino’s pizza for delivery, it will arrive on their doorstep in a brightly colored, all-electric 2023 Chevy Bolt.&nbsp; That’s because the Domino’s franchise owner in Hays converted his entire delivery fleet to six Bolts in December, becoming the first Domino’s in Kansas to have an electric vehicle, and one of a few stores&nbsp;nationwide to transition its entire delivery fleet to electric vehicles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shawn Friedman, who along with his wife Cynthia, are the owner/operators of Domino’s in Hays and Great Bend and have decades of experience in the pizza business.&nbsp; Shawn worked every aspect of the pizza business in his 20 years at Domino’s, starting as a pizza maker and delivery driver, working his way up eventually managing eight stores in the Albuquerque area.&nbsp; Cynthia worked in human resources for the same company.&nbsp; The opportunity to own their own store came in late 2019 when they bought the Hays franchise.&nbsp; The duo saw another opportunity as nearby Great Bend had no Domino’s, so they opened a new store there in December 2021.

Shawn has seen trends in the industry come and go, but when Domino’s corporate began promoting delivery of pizzas in electric vehicles, he knew they were on to something.&nbsp;

“Our delivery drivers typically run about 150 miles each night, but our delivery area is relatively small,” Shawn said.&nbsp; “Considering the Bolt’s range of about 259 miles per charge, they are perfect for our business model.&nbsp; Our delivery radius is three miles, so our drivers are doing a lot of short back-and-forth trips, which normally burns a lot of gas.&nbsp; We can get a full day’s work out of each car, charging those that need it at the store each night when we’re closed.”

However, it’s unlikely that each car will need to be charged nightly.&nbsp; That’s because electric vehicles have regenerative braking, which recharges the battery whenever the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting.

“Regenerative braking is why electric vehicles are well-suited for city driving,” said Jake VonLintel, Midwest Energy’s Energy Technology Specialist, who consulted with the Friedman’s as they made their decision to transition their fleet. &nbsp;“Stop-and-go driving in town recharges the battery efficiently, improving battery range and decreasing the need to plug into a charger as often.”

The vehicles are leased through an agreement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car®, which standardizes the appearance of all Domino’s Bolts nationwide.&nbsp; Shawn sees value in the brightly marked vehicles always on the road, with reflective wraps advertising the Domino’s brand.&nbsp; Financially, he expects the arrangement will “break even, maybe better” than the current model of paying mileage to drivers to use their personal vehicles.&nbsp; But there are even stronger motivators than money for encouraging them to take the leap into electric vehicles. “We think it will help us in hiring and retaining drivers,” Cynthia said, a challenge in Hays, where the unemployment rate rarely tops two percent.&nbsp;

"We have lost candidates who don’t have access to a reliable vehicle, or perhaps only have one family vehicle that can’t be tied up for pizza delivery,” Shawn said.&nbsp; “Delivery is a huge part of our business in Hays, and we can’t operate without drivers, so company-owned Bolts are a perfect fit for our situation.”&nbsp;

Shawn added&nbsp;there’s also a “cool factor” with the Bolts, which have fewer levers and knobs than a conventional car, instead relying on push-buttons and glass display screens.&nbsp;

“Our drivers were competing over who got to drive the Bolts when they entered service in early December, but first we had to teach them about all of the features of the car, because they’re a little different than a regular car,” Shawn said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shawn added that electric vehicles aren’t a perfect solution for every business, especially those that drive long distances each day in remote areas, or those which haul heavy loads.&nbsp; For long trips, his family car remains a Toyota Camry Hybrid (with Domino’s markings, of course).&nbsp; And the carryout business is stronger at his Great Bend store, so he has not ordered Bolts for that location…. Yet.

“We’re kind of pioneers in this regard, and a lot of people will be looking at us to see how this works,” Shawn said.&nbsp; “We’ve done the research, and we think there a lot of positives using electric vehicles for deliveries.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670957498353.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Midwest Energy" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Midwest Energy</figcaption>
 </figure>Midwest EnergyWhen residents of Hays, Kan., order a Domino’s pizza for delivery, it will arrive on their doorstep in a brightly colored, all-electric 2023 Chevy Bolt.&nbsp; That’s because the Domino’s franchise owner in Hays converted his entire delivery fleet to six Bolts in December, becoming the first Domino’s in Kansas to have an electric vehicle, and one of a few stores&nbsp;nationwide to transition its entire delivery fleet to electric vehicles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shawn Friedman, who along with his wife Cynthia, are the owner/operators of Domino’s in Hays and Great Bend and have decades of experience in the pizza business.&nbsp; Shawn worked every aspect of the pizza business in his 20 years at Domino’s, starting as a pizza maker and delivery driver, working his way up eventually managing eight stores in the Albuquerque area.&nbsp; Cynthia worked in human resources for the same company.&nbsp; The opportunity to own their own store came in late 2019 when they bought the Hays franchise.&nbsp; The duo saw another opportunity as nearby Great Bend had no Domino’s, so they opened a new store there in December 2021.Shawn has seen trends in the industry come and go, but when Domino’s corporate began promoting delivery of pizzas in electric vehicles, he knew they were on to something.&nbsp;“Our delivery drivers typically run about 150 miles each night, but our delivery area is relatively small,” Shawn said.&nbsp; “Considering the Bolt’s range of about 259 miles per charge, they are perfect for our business model.&nbsp; Our delivery radius is three miles, so our drivers are doing a lot of short back-and-forth trips, which normally burns a lot of gas.&nbsp; We can get a full day’s work out of each car, charging those that need it at the store each night when we’re closed.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670957553080.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Midwest Energy" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Midwest Energy</figcaption>
 </figure>However, it’s unlikely that each car will need to be charged nightly.&nbsp; That’s because electric vehicles have regenerative braking, which recharges the battery whenever the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting.“Regenerative braking is why electric vehicles are well-suited for city driving,” said Jake VonLintel, Midwest Energy’s Energy Technology Specialist, who consulted with the Friedman’s as they made their decision to transition their fleet. &nbsp;“Stop-and-go driving in town recharges the battery efficiently, improving battery range and decreasing the need to plug into a charger as often.”The vehicles are leased through an agreement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car®, which standardizes the appearance of all Domino’s Bolts nationwide.&nbsp; Shawn sees value in the brightly marked vehicles always on the road, with reflective wraps advertising the Domino’s brand.&nbsp; Financially, he expects the arrangement will “break even, maybe better” than the current model of paying mileage to drivers to use their personal vehicles.&nbsp; But there are even stronger motivators than money for encouraging them to take the leap into electric vehicles. “We think it will help us in hiring and retaining drivers,” Cynthia said, a challenge in Hays, where the unemployment rate rarely tops two percent.&nbsp;"We have lost candidates who don’t have access to a reliable vehicle, or perhaps only have one family vehicle that can’t be tied up for pizza delivery,” Shawn said.&nbsp; “Delivery is a huge part of our business in Hays, and we can’t operate without drivers, so company-owned Bolts are a perfect fit for our situation.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670957587254.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Shawn added&nbsp;there’s also a “cool factor” with the Bolts, which have fewer levers and knobs than a conventional car, instead relying on push-buttons and glass display screens.&nbsp;“Our drivers were competing over who got to drive the Bolts when they entered service in early December, but first we had to teach them about all of the features of the car, because they’re a little different than a regular car,” Shawn said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shawn added that electric vehicles aren’t a perfect solution for every business, especially those that drive long distances each day in remote areas, or those which haul heavy loads.&nbsp; For long trips, his family car remains a Toyota Camry Hybrid (with Domino’s markings, of course).&nbsp; And the carryout business is stronger at his Great Bend store, so he has not ordered Bolts for that location…. Yet.“We’re kind of pioneers in this regard, and a lot of people will be looking at us to see how this works,” Shawn said.&nbsp; “We’ve done the research, and we think there a lot of positives using electric vehicles for deliveries.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays Domino’s first in Kansas with all-electric delivery fleet

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670952610816.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><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

By JOCELYN NOVECK&nbsp; Associated Press

The 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” is one of 25 films chosen this year to enter the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/">National Film Registry,</a>
 a list that ranges from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to an 1898 silent
 documentary, long thought lost, about the Mardi Gras parade in New 
Orleans.

Also chosen this year for preservation: Marvel’s “Iron 
Man,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” and the 1950 
“Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jose Ferrer, whose performance made him 
the first Hispanic actor to win a best actor Oscar.

The registry 
is housed at the Library of Congress, which since 1988 has selected 
movies for preservation based on their cultural and historic importance.
 This year’s picks bring the total number of films in the registry to 
850 — many of which are among the 1.7 million films in the library’s 
collections.

The oldest film selected this year is the 1898 “Mardi
 Gras Carnival,” a silent-era documentary with the earliest known 
footage of the carnival in New Orleans. A copy was recently found at the
 Eye Filmmuseum in the Netherlands. Showing floats, spectators and 
marchers at a parade, the film is one of nine documentaries chosen, 
covering topics like the Attica prison rebellion, female union workers, 
mental health treatment, LGBTQ history and others.

And the most 
recent film on this year’s list is the 2011 “Pariah,” by Dee Rees, a 
coming-out story about a lesbian teen in Brooklyn that's considered a 
prominent film in modern queer cinema.

Among a number of other 
LGBTQ-themed films chosen this year is the 1967 student short film 
“Behind Every Good Man” by Nikolai Ursin, a look at Black gender 
fluidity in Los Angeles. Another: the 1977 “Word is Out: Stories of Some
 of Our Lives," which interviewed over two dozen gay people about their 
lives, becoming a landmark of the early gay rights movement.

“We 
are proud to add 25 more films by a group of vibrant and diverse 
filmmakers to the National Film Registry as we preserve our cinematic 
heritage,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

—
 "When Harry Met Sally” (1989), Rob Reiner’s much-loved rom-com starring
 Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan with a script by Nora Ephron, and one of the
 best scenes ever filmed in a deli.

— "Iron Man” (2008), the Marvel superhero film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Jon Favreau.

— "Carrie” (1976), the Brian de Palma horror classic about a teen outcast (Sissy Spacek) with telekinetic powers.

—
 "Hairspray” (1988), the John Waters version of the story about 
teenagers in Baltimore, starring Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry, Jerry 
Stiller, Sonny Bono and Divine. The film would go on to become a 
successful Broadway musical.

— "Charade” (1963) by Stanley Donen, the only movie to pair Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

—
 "Cyrano de Bergerac” (1950) directed by Michael Gordon, the first U.S. 
film version of Rostand’s 1897 French play. Ferrer won the best actor 
Oscar.

— "The Little Mermaid (1989), the classic Disney production
 with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs (“Part of Your World” and 
“Under the Sea,” for example) about Ariel, who lives under the sea but 
wishes she were human.

The library said that Turner Classic Movies
 would host a TV special on Dec. 27, screening a selection of this 
year’s movies entering the registry.

Also being preserved: “Cab 
Calloway Home Movies” (1948-1951), Scorpio Rising (1963), “Titicut 
Follies” (1967), “Mingus” (1968), “Manzanar” (1971), “Betty Tells Her 
Story” (1972), “Super Fly” (1972), “Attica” (1974), “Union Maids” 
(1076), “Bush Mama” (1999), “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982), 
“Itam Hakim, Hoplit” (1984), “Tongues Untied” (1989), and “House Party” 
(1990).

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmSpCLefjnw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VjUGH3dGESg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOCELYN NOVECK&nbsp; Associated PressThey’ll have what she’s having.The 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” is one of 25 films chosen this year to enter the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/">National Film Registry,</a>
 a list that ranges from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to an 1898 silent
 documentary, long thought lost, about the Mardi Gras parade in New 
Orleans.Also chosen this year for preservation: Marvel’s “Iron 
Man,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” and the 1950 
“Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jose Ferrer, whose performance made him 
the first Hispanic actor to win a best actor Oscar.The registry 
is housed at the Library of Congress, which since 1988 has selected 
movies for preservation based on their cultural and historic importance.
 This year’s picks bring the total number of films in the registry to 
850 — many of which are among the 1.7 million films in the library’s 
collections.The oldest film selected this year is the 1898 “Mardi
 Gras Carnival,” a silent-era documentary with the earliest known 
footage of the carnival in New Orleans. A copy was recently found at the
 Eye Filmmuseum in the Netherlands. Showing floats, spectators and 
marchers at a parade, the film is one of nine documentaries chosen, 
covering topics like the Attica prison rebellion, female union workers, 
mental health treatment, LGBTQ history and others.And the most 
recent film on this year’s list is the 2011 “Pariah,” by Dee Rees, a 
coming-out story about a lesbian teen in Brooklyn that's considered a 
prominent film in modern queer cinema.Among a number of other 
LGBTQ-themed films chosen this year is the 1967 student short film 
“Behind Every Good Man” by Nikolai Ursin, a look at Black gender 
fluidity in Los Angeles. Another: the 1977 “Word is Out: Stories of Some
 of Our Lives," which interviewed over two dozen gay people about their 
lives, becoming a landmark of the early gay rights movement.“We 
are proud to add 25 more films by a group of vibrant and diverse 
filmmakers to the National Film Registry as we preserve our cinematic 
heritage,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.Among the films entering the registry:—
 "When Harry Met Sally” (1989), Rob Reiner’s much-loved rom-com starring
 Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan with a script by Nora Ephron, and one of the
 best scenes ever filmed in a deli.— "Iron Man” (2008), the Marvel superhero film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Jon Favreau.— "Carrie” (1976), the Brian de Palma horror classic about a teen outcast (Sissy Spacek) with telekinetic powers.—
 "Hairspray” (1988), the John Waters version of the story about 
teenagers in Baltimore, starring Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry, Jerry 
Stiller, Sonny Bono and Divine. The film would go on to become a 
successful Broadway musical.— "Charade” (1963) by Stanley Donen, the only movie to pair Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.—
 "Cyrano de Bergerac” (1950) directed by Michael Gordon, the first U.S. 
film version of Rostand’s 1897 French play. Ferrer won the best actor 
Oscar.— "The Little Mermaid (1989), the classic Disney production
 with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs (“Part of Your World” and 
“Under the Sea,” for example) about Ariel, who lives under the sea but 
wishes she were human.The library said that Turner Classic Movies
 would host a TV special on Dec. 27, screening a selection of this 
year’s movies entering the registry.Also being preserved: “Cab 
Calloway Home Movies” (1948-1951), Scorpio Rising (1963), “Titicut 
Follies” (1967), “Mingus” (1968), “Manzanar” (1971), “Betty Tells Her 
Story” (1972), “Super Fly” (1972), “Attica” (1974), “Union Maids” 
(1076), “Bush Mama” (1999), “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982), 
“Itam Hakim, Hoplit” (1984), “Tongues Untied” (1989), and “House Party” 
(1990).Cover image courtesy Pixabay

🎥 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Iron Man' added to film registry

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger and vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff share the importance of shopping local during the holiday season.

<div><iframe title="As area shoppers search for Christmas gifts Hays Chamber promotes shopping locally" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=5yq34-133961c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger and vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff share the importance of shopping local during the holiday season.

🎙 Post Podcast: As area shoppers search for Christmas gifts Hays Chamber promotes shopping locally

By JAMES BELL 
Hays Post

This holiday season, one Hays “elf” wants to make sure that Hays
veterans and older residents that otherwise might be forgotten at Christmas receive
a bit of comfort and joy.

Christmas Magic began as an idea to ensure a few area
veterans received a holiday gift, said&nbsp;Janice
Koshiol.

As a fellow
veteran, she saw many falling into depression over the holidays and wanted to find
a way to help.

“It's
one of the hardest times for people to cope, during the holidays, especially
Christmas, and especially when they're alone in the world,” Koshiol said. “And
so, I got thinking, and I thought, I'll make gift bags for people that don't have
anybody to remember them at Christmas.”

And
while the idea began with Koshiol, she said individuals and groups have helped keep
the program going and growing, and only considers herself as just one of the many
elves that help brighten the holidays for veterans and others in care centers
in Hays.

The
first year, she envisioned donating six or seven gift bags. 

But an out-of-the-blue
conversation grew the effort almost immediately.

“A woman
that I hadn't spoken to in literally over 50 years contacted me,” Koshiol said.
“And we got talking, and [during] the conversation, she asked me what I was up
to. … And you know, it's the fifth or sixth or something like that in December,
and I mentioned about these gift bags, and she said, ‘Oh, we've got to do the
nursing homes. And that six or seven bags turned into 63 bags.’”

The first
year, Koshiol, along with Nancy Leiker and Judy Koerner, went to work to put the gift bags together, but each year the effort has grown with community support.

“The three of us hold ladies put out a play on
Facebook for help,” she said. “And you wouldn't believe how people stepped up.”

The first year, Koshiol said,
the way it came together was a reflection of the season.

“We didn't
have a name. It was just three silly old ladies doing something that
we just wanted to do,” she said. “And that it came together was magical. And
that's how we got our name."

"It took
magic to bring it together. And each year, it has taken magic to get it done.
And it truly is the magic of Christmas that has got it done each and every
year.”

That
Christmas magic that allowed the first year to come together brought other volunteers
forward the second year as the program expanded to those under the care of home
health care agencies and nursing homes.

Current elves include Tony Anthony,&nbsp;Denessa Mitchell, Amber Koshiol, Carol Foos and their newest volunteer&nbsp;Angelique Christiansan.

Koshiol credits the Christmas Magic to the work of those volunteers, donors and community organizations that have assisted in delivering the gift bags.

“The first
two years, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts would help us deliver these back to
the individuals in the nursing homes because these people don't get visitors. We
don't do just vets, we do the elderly and infirm people as well as those that don't have
anybody else to remember them at Christmas,” Koshiol said. “And so, these
people also don't have visitors, and so when these cute young boys and girls
come in and bring them their bags, it really makes their day.”

The
first year 63 bags were delivered, in the second year, 74. 

And even
during the pandemic, the program grew as the elves found creative solutions to
keep Christmas Magic going and growing.

“One
year, we included a group called DSNWK, which is for developmental services to
people mentally challenged,” Koshiol said. “That was the first year of COVID.
And that year, the scouts couldn't help us, so we didn't know what we were
going to do. We didn't know how we were going to deliver these bags.”

But again, the Christmas magic intervened.

“American
Legion writers stepped right up,” Koshiol said. “These are big burly guys on
Harley Davidson motorcycles.”

Despite the
COVID concerns, she said, many of those who greeted the riders during the
deliveries could not help themselves and embraced them.

“To me,
these are people that are forever children, they're precious people,” Koshiol
said. “And these kids opened the door and saw these big burly guys come through
the door bringing them a Christmas gift. They came charging out of those doors
up to those big burly guys, and they're hugging on them, and these big burly
guys are [saying] underneath their breath. ‘Oh, it was all worth it.’”

This
year the scouts will again be delivering the bags. 

They
plan on distributing 120 gift bags, again filled with comfort items and small
gifts.

“We take
into consideration the people that we're dealing with,” Koshiol said. “These
are all people that are receiving home health care in one way or the other. So,
we put in two-in-one shampoo because it's harder for people in our
position to wash and shampoo their hair. But we want to put in a nicer brand of
shampoo.”

“We put
in full-size bottles of things and a bottle of lotion, a big bottle of lotion,
and then a big box of Kleenex. We want to cover
the basics, so they have those,” she continued. “But then we also put in a deck
of cards. And goodness, there's so much in these bags. We can't get them closed
sometimes.”

A
backscratcher, calendar, stress ball, candy canes and restaurant gift cards are
also included in the bags, all possible from donations from community members and
area businesses.

Koshiol said those wishing to help could donate any time during the year, but as Christmas quickly approaches, she hopes others join in to help the program continue and grow, as said inflation has eaten up a significant portion of donations this year.

“Last
year, we were very blessed, and we had $75 over,” she said. “And so I put in an
extra $50, and we opened up a savings account in Christmas Magic’s name. So now
they can donate directly to Christmas Magic at Commerce Bank here in Hays.”

And
every donation helps keep the effort going.

“I just
know that this has been that it's important for people not to be forgotten at
Christmas,” Koshiol said. “These are people that oftentimes don't have a
Christmas tree up. They’re all alone, they don't have a Christmas dinner.”

“With
this bag, they can take a nice hot shower with a good shampoo and put good
lotion on and a nice pair of socks and sit in front of their TV and eat a
cookie and have a hot meal from McDonald's…play a game of solitaire or do a
crossword puzzle. Hopefully, if they have an itch, they can reach it. Hopefully,
we have the bases covered and a smile on their face because we even hang a Christmas
ornament on the bag.”

While she continues to champion Christmas Magic, she attributes the result to a higher power.

“There is
no rhyme or reason that it happened to begin with,” Koshiol said. “There is no
rhyme or reason that it works. It shouldn't. It shouldn't be able to happen. That
it works every year is crazy. It's Christmas Magic.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670812855279.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL 
Hays PostThis holiday season, one Hays “elf” wants to make sure that Hays
veterans and older residents that otherwise might be forgotten at Christmas receive
a bit of comfort and joy.Christmas Magic began as an idea to ensure a few area
veterans received a holiday gift, said&nbsp;Janice
Koshiol.As a fellow
veteran, she saw many falling into depression over the holidays and wanted to find
a way to help.“It's
one of the hardest times for people to cope, during the holidays, especially
Christmas, and especially when they're alone in the world,” Koshiol said. “And
so, I got thinking, and I thought, I'll make gift bags for people that don't have
anybody to remember them at Christmas.”And
while the idea began with Koshiol, she said individuals and groups have helped keep
the program going and growing, and only considers herself as just one of the many
elves that help brighten the holidays for veterans and others in care centers
in Hays.The
first year, she envisioned donating six or seven gift bags. But an out-of-the-blue
conversation grew the effort almost immediately.“A woman
that I hadn't spoken to in literally over 50 years contacted me,” Koshiol said.
“And we got talking, and [during] the conversation, she asked me what I was up
to. … And you know, it's the fifth or sixth or something like that in December,
and I mentioned about these gift bags, and she said, ‘Oh, we've got to do the
nursing homes. And that six or seven bags turned into 63 bags.’”The first
year, Koshiol, along with Nancy Leiker and Judy Koerner, went to work to put the gift bags together, but each year the effort has grown with community support.“The three of us hold ladies put out a play on
Facebook for help,” she said. “And you wouldn't believe how people stepped up.”The first year, Koshiol said,
the way it came together was a reflection of the season.“We didn't
have a name. It was just three silly old ladies doing something that
we just wanted to do,” she said. “And that it came together was magical. And
that's how we got our name.""It took
magic to bring it together. And each year, it has taken magic to get it done.
And it truly is the magic of Christmas that has got it done each and every
year.”That
Christmas magic that allowed the first year to come together brought other volunteers
forward the second year as the program expanded to those under the care of home
health care agencies and nursing homes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670812990329.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Current elves include Tony Anthony,&nbsp;Denessa Mitchell, Amber Koshiol, Carol Foos and their newest volunteer&nbsp;Angelique Christiansan.Koshiol credits the Christmas Magic to the work of those volunteers, donors and community organizations that have assisted in delivering the gift bags.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670813027364.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“The first
two years, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts would help us deliver these back to
the individuals in the nursing homes because these people don't get visitors. We
don't do just vets, we do the elderly and infirm people as well as those that don't have
anybody else to remember them at Christmas,” Koshiol said. “And so, these
people also don't have visitors, and so when these cute young boys and girls
come in and bring them their bags, it really makes their day.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670813106129.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The
first year 63 bags were delivered, in the second year, 74. And even
during the pandemic, the program grew as the elves found creative solutions to
keep Christmas Magic going and growing.“One
year, we included a group called DSNWK, which is for developmental services to
people mentally challenged,” Koshiol said. “That was the first year of COVID.
And that year, the scouts couldn't help us, so we didn't know what we were
going to do. We didn't know how we were going to deliver these bags.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670813320891.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>But again, the Christmas magic intervened.“American
Legion writers stepped right up,” Koshiol said. “These are big burly guys on
Harley Davidson motorcycles.”Despite the
COVID concerns, she said, many of those who greeted the riders during the
deliveries could not help themselves and embraced them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670813144649.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“To me,
these are people that are forever children, they're precious people,” Koshiol
said. “And these kids opened the door and saw these big burly guys come through
the door bringing them a Christmas gift. They came charging out of those doors
up to those big burly guys, and they're hugging on them, and these big burly
guys are [saying] underneath their breath. ‘Oh, it was all worth it.’”This
year the scouts will again be delivering the bags. They
plan on distributing 120 gift bags, again filled with comfort items and small
gifts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670812805286.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“We take
into consideration the people that we're dealing with,” Koshiol said. “These
are all people that are receiving home health care in one way or the other. So,
we put in two-in-one shampoo because it's harder for people in our
position to wash and shampoo their hair. But we want to put in a nicer brand of
shampoo.”“We put
in full-size bottles of things and a bottle of lotion, a big bottle of lotion,
and then a big box of Kleenex. We want to cover
the basics, so they have those,” she continued. “But then we also put in a deck
of cards. And goodness, there's so much in these bags. We can't get them closed
sometimes.”A
backscratcher, calendar, stress ball, candy canes and restaurant gift cards are
also included in the bags, all possible from donations from community members and
area businesses.Koshiol said those wishing to help could donate any time during the year, but as Christmas quickly approaches, she hopes others join in to help the program continue and grow, as said inflation has eaten up a significant portion of donations this year.“Last
year, we were very blessed, and we had $75 over,” she said. “And so I put in an
extra $50, and we opened up a savings account in Christmas Magic’s name. So now
they can donate directly to Christmas Magic at Commerce Bank here in Hays.”And
every donation helps keep the effort going.“I just
know that this has been that it's important for people not to be forgotten at
Christmas,” Koshiol said. “These are people that oftentimes don't have a
Christmas tree up. They’re all alone, they don't have a Christmas dinner.”“With
this bag, they can take a nice hot shower with a good shampoo and put good
lotion on and a nice pair of socks and sit in front of their TV and eat a
cookie and have a hot meal from McDonald's…play a game of solitaire or do a
crossword puzzle. Hopefully, if they have an itch, they can reach it. Hopefully,
we have the bases covered and a smile on their face because we even hang a Christmas
ornament on the bag.”While she continues to champion Christmas Magic, she attributes the result to a higher power.“There is
no rhyme or reason that it happened to begin with,” Koshiol said. “There is no
rhyme or reason that it works. It shouldn't. It shouldn't be able to happen. That
it works every year is crazy. It's Christmas Magic.”

Hays 'elves' work Christmas Magic to bring comfort during holiday

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> was dropped from Portugal's starting lineup for the second straight match at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup">World Cup</a>.

The
 37-year-old Ronaldo won't play from the outset in the quarterfinal 
match against Morocco on Saturday, after starting on the bench and then 
coming on as a substitute for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-switzerland-qatar-7a9c02a043f225cbd440c2b32244542d">Gonçalo Ramos</a>, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-33b3bb4766719b3d22f589cc3be1fb62">Portugal's 6-1 win over Switzerland</a> on his first start for Portugal, was again selected ahead of Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is playing in his fifth and likely final World Cup.

He
 was left out of the lineup against the Swiss after coach Fernando 
Santos expressed frustration about his team captain’s attitude in the 
previous game.

Santos later said Ronaldo was “not happy” to be 
told he was being benched, but never threatened to leave the World Cup 
because of the decision.

Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in 
men's international soccer with 118 goals, eventually came in as a 
replacement in the 74th minute. He had looked somewhat disconnected from
 the rest of the squad after the match, and had already shown a poor 
attitude after being substituted in the last group game against South 
Korea.

Ronaldo was coming off lackluster performances in the group stage, though <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-03eada6b729b1f68ae27041829ac5cb6">he scored in the 3-2 win against Ghana</a> to become the first player to score in five World Cups. He has played in every edition of the tournament since 2006.

Portugal's other starters against Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium included João Félix, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Otávio.

Portugal
 is trying to make it to the last four for the third time, having 
finished third in 1966 and fourth in 2006. It hadn't gotten past the 
round of 16 since that tournament in Germany 16 years ago.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> was dropped from Portugal's starting lineup for the second straight match at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup">World Cup</a>.The
 37-year-old Ronaldo won't play from the outset in the quarterfinal 
match against Morocco on Saturday, after starting on the bench and then 
coming on as a substitute for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-switzerland-qatar-7a9c02a043f225cbd440c2b32244542d">Gonçalo Ramos</a>, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-33b3bb4766719b3d22f589cc3be1fb62">Portugal's 6-1 win over Switzerland</a> on his first start for Portugal, was again selected ahead of Ronaldo.Ronaldo is playing in his fifth and likely final World Cup.He
 was left out of the lineup against the Swiss after coach Fernando 
Santos expressed frustration about his team captain’s attitude in the 
previous game.Santos later said Ronaldo was “not happy” to be 
told he was being benched, but never threatened to leave the World Cup 
because of the decision.Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in 
men's international soccer with 118 goals, eventually came in as a 
replacement in the 74th minute. He had looked somewhat disconnected from
 the rest of the squad after the match, and had already shown a poor 
attitude after being substituted in the last group game against South 
Korea.Ronaldo was coming off lackluster performances in the group stage, though <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-03eada6b729b1f68ae27041829ac5cb6">he scored in the 3-2 win against Ghana</a> to become the first player to score in five World Cups. He has played in every edition of the tournament since 2006.Portugal's other starters against Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium included João Félix, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Otávio.Portugal
 is trying to make it to the last four for the third time, having 
finished third in 1966 and fourth in 2006. It hadn't gotten past the 
round of 16 since that tournament in Germany 16 years ago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670686795287.jpg" alt="Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ronaldo benched again against Morocco in World Cup quarterfinals

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kidney donor and Hays Middle School assistant principal Shauna Zweifel.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oruRTdNgg2U" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kidney donor and Hays Middle School assistant principal Shauna Zweifel.

🎤 Forward Ever: Kidney donor, Hays assistant principal Shauna Zweifel

We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, "The Magic of Christmas" &amp; "My Wonderful, Wacky Family."

Listen to 99.5 FM, KHAZ, during A KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, December 5 - Friday, December 9, 2022 for chances to call 785-628-2995 and win a copy of each title. No age requirement to win.

Let the magic of Christmas brighten your 
winter days! These inspiring stories of family and friends, giving and 
sharing, joy and blessings, are sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Prepare
 to be inspired! From holiday hijinks to heartwarming family traditions,
 from the spirit of giving to the wonders of gratitude, from creative 
gifting to tales of the tree, there’s something for everyone in these 
joy-filled pages. You’ll likely recognize your own family in 
these stories. Some will make you laugh out loud, others will make you 
tear up a little. These comforting, cozy stories cover the whole holiday
 season, from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas and New Year’s. We
 didn’t forget the kids either. The stories in this collection are 
“Santa safe,” meaning that they keep the magic alive for even the most 
precocious readers. And your purchase will support Toys for Tots, 
creating miracles for the children who need them most.

Is your family a little wacky? Do you have weird family traditions? Do you have a few quirky family members who you can't help but love? You’re not alone! This collection of 101 heartwarming, hilarious stories celebrates the fun of having those eccentric, unusual, loving family members.

Everyone thinks their family is wacky—and they wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve assembled 101 laugh-out-loud stories about bizarre traditions, eccentric relatives, peculiar holiday behavior, hysterically funny incidents, and more. You can’t make this stuff up!

Share the fun with your spouse, in-laws, parents, grandparents, children, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. You’ll enjoy these true, personal stories, divided into 12 chapters of good clean (and not so clean!) fun:

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are 100% made in the USA and each book includes stories from as diverse a group of writers as possible. Chicken Soup for the Soul solicits and publishes stories from the LGBTQ community and from people of all ethnicities, nationalities, and religions.

Congrats Kimi, Bob, Karen, Don &amp; Fred!

Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, "The Magic of Christmas" &amp; "My Wonderful, Wacky Family."Listen to 99.5 FM, KHAZ, during A KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, December 5 - Friday, December 9, 2022 for chances to call 785-628-2995 and win a copy of each title. No age requirement to win.
"The Magic of Christmas":Let the magic of Christmas brighten your 
winter days! These inspiring stories of family and friends, giving and 
sharing, joy and blessings, are sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Prepare
 to be inspired! From holiday hijinks to heartwarming family traditions,
 from the spirit of giving to the wonders of gratitude, from creative 
gifting to tales of the tree, there’s something for everyone in these 
joy-filled pages. You’ll likely recognize your own family in 
these stories. Some will make you laugh out loud, others will make you 
tear up a little. These comforting, cozy stories cover the whole holiday
 season, from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas and New Year’s. We
 didn’t forget the kids either. The stories in this collection are 
“Santa safe,” meaning that they keep the magic alive for even the most 
precocious readers. And your purchase will support Toys for Tots, 
creating miracles for the children who need them most.

“My Wonderful, Wacky Family":Is your family a little wacky? Do you have weird family traditions? Do you have a few quirky family members who you can't help but love? You’re not alone! This collection of 101 heartwarming, hilarious stories celebrates the fun of having those eccentric, unusual, loving family members.Everyone thinks their family is wacky—and they wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve assembled 101 laugh-out-loud stories about bizarre traditions, eccentric relatives, peculiar holiday behavior, hysterically funny incidents, and more. You can’t make this stuff up!Share the fun with your spouse, in-laws, parents, grandparents, children, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. You’ll enjoy these true, personal stories, divided into 12 chapters of good clean (and not so clean!) fun:· Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh· Relatively Embarrassing· Happily Ever Laughter· We’re All Nuts Here· Dad Did What?· Not So Grave· Family Fun· Grand &amp; Great· Mom Did What?· In-Laws and Out-Laws· Family Bonding· Kids Will Be KidsChicken Soup for the Soul books are 100% made in the USA and each book includes stories from as diverse a group of writers as possible. Chicken Soup for the Soul solicits and publishes stories from the LGBTQ community and from people of all ethnicities, nationalities, and religions.Congrats Kimi, Bob, Karen, Don &amp; Fred! 
Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

Winners: Chicken Soup for the Soul books "The Magic of Christmas" & “My Wonderful, Wacky Family" with 99.5 KZ Country

A man spent $300 on a limousine and discovered the fee doesn't include a driver.&nbsp; Can't believe he spent all that money and has nothing to chauffeur it.

Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

A man spent $300 on a limousine and discovered the fee doesn't include a driver.&nbsp; Can't believe he spent all that money and has nothing to chauffeur it.Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 12/9/22

Celine Dion has put a halt on all performing after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl5xJY1AjAO/">In an emotional video messages posted in French and English on Thursday</a> on Instagram, Dion said stiff person syndrome was causing spasms that affect her ability to walk and sing.

"Unfortunately,
 the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing 
difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to 
sing the way I’m used to,” she said.

Dion said she had no choice 
but to postpone her “Courage” tour, which was to restart in February 
after several delays. Her spring 2023 shows have been moved to 2024 and 
her summer 2023 concerts have been canceled.

"I miss seeing all of
 you, being on the stage, performing for you. I always give 100% when I 
do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right 
now,” she said.

<a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome/">Stiff person syndrome</a>
 causes rigid muscles and painful muscle spasms, which can be triggered 
by such things as loud noises or light touch. The cause isn’t known but 
it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Severe cases can cause 
difficulty walking and hunched posture.

Dion, who has five Grammy 
Awards and two Academy Awards, is the best-selling female artist of all 
time with hits like “I’m Alive” and “My Heart Will Go On.”

Associated PressCeline Dion has put a halt on all performing after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl5xJY1AjAO/">In an emotional video messages posted in French and English on Thursday</a> on Instagram, Dion said stiff person syndrome was causing spasms that affect her ability to walk and sing."Unfortunately,
 the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing 
difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to 
sing the way I’m used to,” she said.Dion said she had no choice 
but to postpone her “Courage” tour, which was to restart in February 
after several delays. Her spring 2023 shows have been moved to 2024 and 
her summer 2023 concerts have been canceled."I miss seeing all of
 you, being on the stage, performing for you. I always give 100% when I 
do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right 
now,” she said.<a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome/">Stiff person syndrome</a>
 causes rigid muscles and painful muscle spasms, which can be triggered 
by such things as loud noises or light touch. The cause isn’t known but 
it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Severe cases can cause 
difficulty walking and hunched posture.Dion, who has five Grammy 
Awards and two Academy Awards, is the best-selling female artist of all 
time with hits like “I’m Alive” and “My Heart Will Go On.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670359455272.jpg" alt="Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Celine Dion cancels shows because of stiff person syndrome

 AFTON, Kan. — Lake Afton and A Production Company, LLC, are excited 
to kick off the second year with an elevated experience that is sure to 
excite music lovers and lake lovers alike. On July 21 and 22, 2023, 
gates will open for a memory-making, two-day event with a bonus night 
for campers and sponsors on July 20. Festival attendees can expect art, 
vendors, camping, a dance floor, car show and 10 bands over one amazing 
weekend.

The Dam Jam is pleased to announce the one-and-only Elle 
King as the headliner for Friday, July 21, 2023. Elle King is a 
multi-genre award-winning singer-songwriter who blends retro-blues with 
modern pop in a country world.  Elle King has not performed in Kansas 
since 2016 and organizers are excited to have her high-energy show 
coming to The Dam Jam stage at Lake Afton.

“It takes great entertainers like Elle King to really turn up the fun
 at The Dam Jam and we are very excited to have her,” Dam Jam Board 
President C.J. Wilson said.

This is the second year The Dam Jam is proudly presented by Carr’s Plumbing, HVAC and Maintenance.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thedamjam.com">www.thedamjam.com</a> or contact C.J. Wilson today at 316-210-4488 for vendor, sponsor and volunteer opportunities.

A
 Production Company, LLC, is a partnership of Kansas professionals with a
 vision. Seize the opportunity to partner with them for a 
record-breaking year of growth. VIP and general admission tickets are 
currently available at <a href="https://thedamjam.com/tickets/">www.thedamjam.com</a>.
 Camping options are also available with purchase of the two-day event 
ticket, which allows campers and sponsors a bonus night of performances,
 pre-parties, after parties and camper parties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670513927113.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted AFTON, Kan. — Lake Afton and A Production Company, LLC, are excited 
to kick off the second year with an elevated experience that is sure to 
excite music lovers and lake lovers alike. On July 21 and 22, 2023, 
gates will open for a memory-making, two-day event with a bonus night 
for campers and sponsors on July 20. Festival attendees can expect art, 
vendors, camping, a dance floor, car show and 10 bands over one amazing 
weekend.The Dam Jam is pleased to announce the one-and-only Elle 
King as the headliner for Friday, July 21, 2023. Elle King is a 
multi-genre award-winning singer-songwriter who blends retro-blues with 
modern pop in a country world. Elle King has not performed in Kansas 
since 2016 and organizers are excited to have her high-energy show 
coming to The Dam Jam stage at Lake Afton.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670513963090.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“It takes great entertainers like Elle King to really turn up the fun
 at The Dam Jam and we are very excited to have her,” Dam Jam Board 
President C.J. Wilson said.This is the second year The Dam Jam is proudly presented by Carr’s Plumbing, HVAC and Maintenance.Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thedamjam.com">www.thedamjam.com</a> or contact C.J. Wilson today at 316-210-4488 for vendor, sponsor and volunteer opportunities.A
 Production Company, LLC, is a partnership of Kansas professionals with a
 vision. Seize the opportunity to partner with them for a 
record-breaking year of growth. VIP and general admission tickets are 
currently available at <a href="https://thedamjam.com/tickets/">www.thedamjam.com</a>.
 Camping options are also available with purchase of the two-day event 
ticket, which allows campers and sponsors a bonus night of performances,
 pre-parties, after parties and camper parties.

Elle King coming to The Dam Jam at Lake Afton

The road by a man's house was in bad condition. Every day he dodged potholes on the way to work, so he was relieved to see a construction crew working on the road one morning. Later, on his way home, he noticed the men were gone and no improvement in the road. But where the crew had been working stood a new, bright-yellow sign with the words "Rough Road."

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

The road by a man's house was in bad condition. Every day he dodged potholes on the way to work, so he was relieved to see a construction crew working on the road one morning. Later, on his way home, he noticed the men were gone and no improvement in the road. But where the crew had been working stood a new, bright-yellow sign with the words "Rough Road."Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 12/8/22

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays Community Theatre will present a special Christmas show this weekend along with a fundraiser for one of the child cast members who is in the hospital.

"We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza" performances will be tonight through Sunday at the community theatre, 121 E. Eighth.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Friday and Saturday night shows are sold out, but tickets are still available for Thursday and Sunday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online at <a href="https://www.hctks.com">www.hctks.com</a>.

The performances will be a variety show with song and dance. Director Cheryl Glassman's daughter, Sarah, wrote three songs for the show.

"The show is actually a couple of shows within a show," Glassman said. "It revolves around a gentleman played by Jerrett Leiker. The love of his life has passed away, and he is wandering through life without purpose or feeling.

"He is visited by an undercover elf named Jingles (Jack Stoecklein). Jingles tries to work his magic to help Jerrett find the goodness in living. They hear songs and see TV scenes from the past. Other elves arrive. Toys come to life."

The spirit of Jerrett's lost love, played by Claire Nickerson, follows his journey. The audience will see a mix of comedy, music and drama, Glassman said.

"We definitely will provide an opportunity for folks to experience Christmas and the holidays in many different ways," she said. 

Glassman said the big man in the red suit will be in the show. 

"There's a surprise to who he is," she said.

There is a one-act play within the show called "The Christmas Tea" wherein three toys discuss their purpose. The Christmas Tea was written by Robert Neil Porter, and distributed by Pioneer Drama Services, Denver. 

The shows are appropriate for family viewing.

"This is a show for everyone," Glassman said. "If you do come, it will be a time to laugh and reminisce and pull a little on the heartstrings," Glassman said.

The community theater had auditions for the show in October. Different groups have been coming in to learn their songs, and now they are all coming together, Glassman said.

"It's cool to become someone outside of your box," Glassman said.

 In the spirit of this season of giving, the theatre is asking attendees to bring a canned good or nonperishable food item for local food pantries.

A bake sale will benefit cast member Malachi Miller, 12. 

Malachi is in the pediatric ICU in Omaha. The theatre hopes  to help the family with travel expenses. Malachi's character is still part of the show as he is mentioned in the script.

Amy Baltodano contributed to this story.

MICHELE FOSTER CODI FENWICK GENE STREMEL ELISABETH BERGMAN AMY BERGMAN BROOKE LEIKER ROBERT CUSTER CLAIRE NICKERSON ADAM CONKEY ANDY STANTON JANESSA MILLER KHLOE BARTLING RYAN GIEBLER ZACHARY LEIKER LUCA ALBERS LYLA OLLER BRAYDON HEPT MAYA OLLER HANNAH LOHRMEYER LYLA OLLER MERERICK OLLER JERRETT LEIKER (THE ELDER) JACK STOECKLEIN EVELYN SCHMIDT ELLA FENWICK CHRISTIAN MILLER ALLISON WEBER CONNER MILLER VIVIAN LEIKER DANA STANTON SOPHIE SCHMIDT NORA STOCKLEIN KELSEY ROBBEN KYNSIE LEIKER JENSEN MILLER MATTHIAS MILLER MALACHI MILLER STELLA HARRIS JERET LEIKER (THE YOUNGER) ACCOMPANIST: CURTIS SANDER DIRECTOR : CHERYL GLASSMAN ASSIST DIRECTOR: SANDY GLASSMAN LIGHTS: CONNER WERTH SOUND: ALBERT KRAUS STAGE CREW MNGR: SARAH LEIKER ASSIST STG CREW: ALICIA WINDHOLZ, AMY BERGMAN, GLORIA CUSTER SET DESIGN: SHAWNA KOEHN, SARAH LEIKER, CODI AND ELLA FENWICK SET CONSTRUCTION: JERRETT LEIKER, ADAM CONKEY PROP MISTRESS/STAGE MNGR: AMY BERGMAN COSTUMES: SHARONA FONDOBLE, JESSICA ALBERS, ST. CATHARINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, SANDY GLASSMAN, HAYS ARTS COUNCIL (BALLERINAS), PARENTS &amp; CAST MEMBERS HAIR/ELVES/TOY MAKEUP: SANDY GLASSMAN, GLORIA CUSTER, BETH OLLER HAIR CONSULTANT/WIG DESIGN: CHELSIE NELSON

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670431715598.jpeg" alt="Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo " />
 <figcaption>Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post The Hays Community Theatre will present a special Christmas show this weekend along with a fundraiser for one of the child cast members who is in the hospital. "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza" performances will be tonight through Sunday at the community theatre, 121 E. Eighth.Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Friday and Saturday night shows are sold out, but tickets are still available for Thursday and Sunday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online at <a href="https://www.hctks.com">www.hctks.com</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670431862704.jpeg" alt="Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The performances will be a variety show with song and dance. Director Cheryl Glassman's daughter, Sarah, wrote three songs for the show."The show is actually a couple of shows within a show," Glassman said. "It revolves around a gentleman played by Jerrett Leiker. The love of his life has passed away, and he is wandering through life without purpose or feeling."He is visited by an undercover elf named Jingles (Jack Stoecklein). Jingles tries to work his magic to help Jerrett find the goodness in living. They hear songs and see TV scenes from the past. Other elves arrive. Toys come to life."The spirit of Jerrett's lost love, played by Claire Nickerson, follows his journey. The audience will see a mix of comedy, music and drama, Glassman said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670431929295.jpeg" alt="Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"We definitely will provide an opportunity for folks to experience Christmas and the holidays in many different ways," she said. Glassman said the big man in the red suit will be in the show. "There's a surprise to who he is," she said.There is a one-act play within the show called "The Christmas Tea" wherein three toys discuss their purpose. The Christmas Tea was written by Robert Neil Porter, and distributed by Pioneer Drama Services, Denver. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670431960882.jpeg" alt="Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The shows are appropriate for family viewing."This is a show for everyone," Glassman said. "If you do come, it will be a time to laugh and reminisce and pull a little on the heartstrings," Glassman said.The community theater had auditions for the show in October. Different groups have been coming in to learn their songs, and now they are all coming together, Glassman said."It's cool to become someone outside of your box," Glassman said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670432019733.jpeg" alt="Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Performers for the Hays Community Theatre's "We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Extravaganza." Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure> In the spirit of this season of giving, the theatre is asking attendees to bring a canned good or nonperishable food item for local food pantries.A bake sale will benefit cast member Malachi Miller, 12. Malachi is in the pediatric ICU in Omaha. The theatre hopes to help the family with travel expenses. Malachi's character is still part of the show as he is mentioned in the script.Amy Baltodano contributed to this story. <h2>CAST LIST</h2>MICHELE FOSTER CODI FENWICK GENE STREMEL ELISABETH BERGMAN AMY BERGMAN BROOKE LEIKER ROBERT CUSTER CLAIRE NICKERSON ADAM CONKEY ANDY STANTON JANESSA MILLER KHLOE BARTLING RYAN GIEBLER ZACHARY LEIKER LUCA ALBERS LYLA OLLER BRAYDON HEPT MAYA OLLER HANNAH LOHRMEYER LYLA OLLER MERERICK OLLER JERRETT LEIKER (THE ELDER) JACK STOECKLEIN EVELYN SCHMIDT ELLA FENWICK CHRISTIAN MILLER ALLISON WEBER CONNER MILLER VIVIAN LEIKER DANA STANTON SOPHIE SCHMIDT NORA STOCKLEIN KELSEY ROBBEN KYNSIE LEIKER JENSEN MILLER MATTHIAS MILLER MALACHI MILLER STELLA HARRIS JERET LEIKER (THE YOUNGER) ACCOMPANIST: CURTIS SANDER DIRECTOR : CHERYL GLASSMAN ASSIST DIRECTOR: SANDY GLASSMAN LIGHTS: CONNER WERTH SOUND: ALBERT KRAUS STAGE CREW MNGR: SARAH LEIKER ASSIST STG CREW: ALICIA WINDHOLZ, AMY BERGMAN, GLORIA CUSTER SET DESIGN: SHAWNA KOEHN, SARAH LEIKER, CODI AND ELLA FENWICK SET CONSTRUCTION: JERRETT LEIKER, ADAM CONKEY PROP MISTRESS/STAGE MNGR: AMY BERGMAN COSTUMES: SHARONA FONDOBLE, JESSICA ALBERS, ST. CATHARINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, SANDY GLASSMAN, HAYS ARTS COUNCIL (BALLERINAS), PARENTS &amp; CAST MEMBERS HAIR/ELVES/TOY MAKEUP: SANDY GLASSMAN, GLORIA CUSTER, BETH OLLER HAIR CONSULTANT/WIG DESIGN: CHELSIE NELSON

Hays Community Theatre serves up 'Holiday Extravaganza' this weekend

The Hays First United Methodist Church invites the community to attend a free Christmas show at 7 p.m. Saturday by Cloverton, a band based out of Manhattan.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the church, 305 W. Seventh, Hays. No tickets are required.

Without the help of a record label, Cloverton propelled onto the Christian music scene in 2011 as the first ever ROCK THE CAMP contest winners hosted by TobyMac and Camp Electric.

Soon after receiving this prestigious honor, Cloverton scored the No. 1 most downloaded song in the history of KLOVE radio for their first single "Take Me into the Beautiful," which also charted at No. 12 on the overall Christian Billboard top 25. The Manhattan based band followed up that effort with an unforgettable Christmas rendition of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah,” reaching millions of viewers (YouTube) in just weeks while climbing to the No. 1 slot on iTunes and being featured on CNN, The Blaze (Glenn Beck), and several other media outlets.

The band would go on to record and release their first full-length studio album with a wildly successful crowd-funding campaign.

The record “Patterns” was met with favorable critical reviews and was widely embraced by their growing fan base. A year later, Cloverton would release a Christmas EP titled “We Sing Joy,” which climbed to No. 1 for multiple weeks on iTunes.

The band would follow that up in 2017 with the full-length record, “Bloom,” which was touted as their most complete and creative piece of work to date. In 2019, Cloverton released another Christmas EP titled “Come and Adore.”

From their humble beginnings as a small church worship team, to the recent release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Cloverton continues to pave a new way for independent Christian music.

“None of us are into compromising or settling for the status quo. It’s a daily choice. To what or who am I surrendering today?” front man Lance Stafford said.

“We are either moving toward or away from the person God has specifically created each of us to be. Our aim is to create music that inspires, awakens and frees the next movement of leaders, artists, pastors, visionaries, inventors, missionaries, dreamers, and teachers as they walk out that journey.”

For more information, call the First United Methodist Church office at 785-625-3408 or visit <a href="http://www.haysfumc.com">www.haysfumc.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670274525900.jpeg" alt="Cloverton " />
 <figcaption>Cloverton </figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted The Hays First United Methodist Church invites the community to attend a free Christmas show at 7 p.m. Saturday by Cloverton, a band based out of Manhattan.Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the church, 305 W. Seventh, Hays. No tickets are required.Without the help of a record label, Cloverton propelled onto the Christian music scene in 2011 as the first ever ROCK THE CAMP contest winners hosted by TobyMac and Camp Electric.Soon after receiving this prestigious honor, Cloverton scored the No. 1 most downloaded song in the history of KLOVE radio for their first single "Take Me into the Beautiful," which also charted at No. 12 on the overall Christian Billboard top 25. The Manhattan based band followed up that effort with an unforgettable Christmas rendition of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah,” reaching millions of viewers (YouTube) in just weeks while climbing to the No. 1 slot on iTunes and being featured on CNN, The Blaze (Glenn Beck), and several other media outlets.The band would go on to record and release their first full-length studio album with a wildly successful crowd-funding campaign.The record “Patterns” was met with favorable critical reviews and was widely embraced by their growing fan base. A year later, Cloverton would release a Christmas EP titled “We Sing Joy,” which climbed to No. 1 for multiple weeks on iTunes.The band would follow that up in 2017 with the full-length record, “Bloom,” which was touted as their most complete and creative piece of work to date. In 2019, Cloverton released another Christmas EP titled “Come and Adore.”From their humble beginnings as a small church worship team, to the recent release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Cloverton continues to pave a new way for independent Christian music.“None of us are into compromising or settling for the status quo. It’s a daily choice. To what or who am I surrendering today?” front man Lance Stafford said.“We are either moving toward or away from the person God has specifically created each of us to be. Our aim is to create music that inspires, awakens and frees the next movement of leaders, artists, pastors, visionaries, inventors, missionaries, dreamers, and teachers as they walk out that journey.”For more information, call the First United Methodist Church office at 785-625-3408 or visit <a href="http://www.haysfumc.com">www.haysfumc.com</a>.

Free Cloverton community Christmas concert Saturday in Hays

LONDON (AP) — Microsoft agreed Wednesday to make the hit video game Call of Duty available on Nintendo for 10 years should its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition-call-of-duty-7a9e2bcc8f0b7b9049e4f93fe3e0a4dd">$69 billion purchase of game maker Activision Blizzard</a> go through — an apparent attempt to fend off objections from rival Sony.

LONDON (AP) — Microsoft agreed Wednesday to make the hit video game Call of Duty available on Nintendo for 10 years should its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition-call-of-duty-7a9e2bcc8f0b7b9049e4f93fe3e0a4dd">$69 billion purchase of game maker Activision Blizzard</a> go through — an apparent attempt to fend off objections from rival Sony.The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-new-zealand-games-ac1c3b81267f40f1d2be2406a764c1bf">blockbuster merger is facing close scrutiny from regulators</a> in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. Microsoft, maker of the Xbox game console, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-mexico-europe-f16b8638b40cf649bc10acb35590bd6b">faces resistance from Sony</a>,
 which makes the competing PlayStation console and has raised concerns 
with antitrust watchdogs about losing access to what it calls a 
“must-have” game title.Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, tweeted that Microsoft “entered into a 10-year commitment" to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo.Microsoft
 President Brad Smith tweeted his thanks to Nintendo, which makes the 
Switch game console, saying the same offer was available for Sony.“Any day @Sony wants to sit down and talk, we’ll be happy to hammer out a 10-year deal for PlayStation as well,” he said.Smith
 said the agreement would bring Call of Duty to more gamers and more 
platforms, and “that’s good for competition and good for consumers.”Sony's
 European press office didn't respond to a request for comment. Adding 
to the pressure on Sony, Microsoft also said Wednesday it has committed 
to keeping Call of Duty on the platform Steam, a digital marketplace for
 PC games, in an agreement with Steam’s operator Valve.In an 
op-ed for The Wall Street Journal this week, Smith raised concerns about
 the possibility that the Federal Trade Commission could take Microsoft 
to court to stop the deal. Antitrust watchdogs in both <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-united-kingdom-games-73b2157e21b7f20b71d52dee451dc827">Britain</a> and the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-games-8d8340d840a531973c4c0be37b70a15f">European Union</a> also are investigating the transaction over concerns it would distort competition.At the heart of the dispute is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-games-8d8340d840a531973c4c0be37b70a15f">control over future releases of Activision Blizzard’s most popular games</a>,
 especially Call of Duty, a first-person military shooter franchise. 
Activision reported last month that the latest installment, Call of 
Duty: Modern Warfare 2, had earned more than $1 billion in sales since 
its Oct. 28 launch.

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