By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Seeing a need, Steve Hanson took a chance and opened a music store. Fifty years later, S.M. Hanson Music is still going strong!

And, 50 years later, the music store at 335 S. Clark Street remains a Hanson family business, as Steve's son, Rick, now serves as CEO and president of the business.

The story about how the store got started varies a bit, depending on whether you talk with Steve or Rick.

"There was a need for it and I talked to enough musicians, that we decided we needed to open a music store and took a chance," Steve said.

Rick, however, provided a bit more insight about opening the store.

"The Christmas before the store opened, we ran out of room in the basement for the guitars, and all of the drum sets, and that stuff, because that's really where it started," Rick said. "We had product in the basement of our family home. And so the next Christmas, you know, it was like, 'well here's the plan.'"

Steve said they got a Small Business Administration loan and built the building on S. Clark Street.

"We did all the inside work in the building, built the walls and they've changed many times over the years," Steve said. "My partner at the time taught me how to frame walls, so that's what we did."

Steve said that his experience with guitars and his discussions with other musicians about what they needed were key to getting the business off the ground. Also, it was vital to secure a dealership from a company that would trust the new store to "do a good job with their product," he said.

"That was really hard to do because you're starting out and don't have a reputation at all," Steve said. "So we found a couple of companies that we could order from and started from there with kind of generic brands and then built into what Rick's put in today: Martin guitars and a lot of Fender and Gretsch."

"I think also, in the experience that he talks about, working at one of the other stores as an instructor for several years, seeing the lack of interest in that store supporting guitars and maybe a little bit of the rock and roll side of it because they focused on band instruments, I think that sort of drove some of the need also," Rick said. "So it's understanding the need or finding a niche where you can start plugging the hole."

When the store opened, Steve already had a network of guitar players. That network was heavily populated with his students.

"That helped build the business, of course," Steve said.

Additionally, Steve had been playing in bands himself and knew a number of musicians and their music needs.

You can catch a glimpse of the history of S.M. Hanson Music when you first walk in the door.

Over the years, S.M. Hanson Music has served tens of thousands of people, according to Rick.

"Early on, it was local people and people from western Kansas. We were open on Tuesday and Thursday nights until 9, and there were many nights that Steve and Dean were still teaching come 9:30-10 o'clock, and I had customers in the store that were from Colby and Goodland and Norton. Those guys would get off work at 4:30 or 5 o'clock and drive in, so obviously, we're going to hang around and help them get what they need," Rick said.

Customers from throughout the region continue to drive in to shop at the store.

As bands traveling through heard about the store, business continued to pick up.

"Now that we ship stuff, and with the website, we're shipping stuff to both coasts on a pretty regular basis," Rick said.

When the store opened, the focus was mainly on guitars, but over the years, the variety of products offered grew.

"Our main focus was guitars, electric and acoustic, and some banjos. We had some percussion, but it was mainly guitars," Steve said.

Rick said that when the store opened, synthesizers were just becoming popular, as were electronic pianos.

"Steve and one of the associates here, Don, went back to Boston to the ARP factory, and for a time, between St. Louis and Denver, this store in Salina, Kansas, was the only store that was an ARP synthesizer dealer. And we had two people that were factory trained," Rick said.

The business then grew into also selling sound systems.

Despite the increased variety of products over the years, guitars remain the most popular.

"As a department of instruments, it certainly is," Rick said. "There are some other areas, such as the big digital pianos, that have grown substantially. Back in the mid-80s, I sold the first piano lab to K-State University; a Yamaha teaching lab with all Clavinovas. Of course, we've done installations since early in the '70s, and that's been an up-and-down type of business, but at any point, one installation comes in and that's the biggest ticket for the month."

Through the years, starter guitar kits and beginner-level acoustic guitars have proved to be popular Christmas gifts purchased at S.M. Hanson Music.

"This time of the year, we'll have packages that are really aimed at giving that first-time student, whether it's a youth or young adult or adult a good chance of learning how to play," Rick said.

Ever the music teacher, Steve still gives guitar lessons, and both guitar and percussion lessons are offered through the store.

"This store still gives guitar lessons and percussion lessons. Dean Kranzler's (percussion) been here 50 years, 50 and a half years," Steve said.

Bass, banjo, and piano lessons also are offered.

Rick said the best way to sign up for lessons is to go to the store's website (<a href="http://smhansonmusic.com/">smhansonmusic.com</a>), click on the "Lessons" link, and fill out the form.

Steve attributes his passion for guitars to the King of Rock and Roll and other performers of that era.

"I heard Elvis Presley. There were bands back then: Gene Vincent, Elvis, Bill Haley and the Comets, and I remember doing a band contest at what is now the Stiefel Theatre at that time. We were doing Bill Haley and that kind of music," Steve said.

He also remembers going into a local establishment that had a jukebox and playing the same Carl Perkins song over and over.

While playing with a number of bands over the years, Steve now focuses his talents on playing at churches at Christmastime and at the Smoky Hill River Festival and its musical kick-off, Festival Jam.

"I still look forward to that for sure. Festival Jam that Rick and I created 36 years ago is the biggest showcase in the country. You can't help but love being backstage with 105 or 110 musicians that come in to play for Festival Jam."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671731011665.jpeg" alt="Rick and Steve Hanson have made S.M. Hanson Music a family tradition for 50 years. Photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Rick and Steve Hanson have made S.M. Hanson Music a family tradition for 50 years. Photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSeeing a need, Steve Hanson took a chance and opened a music store. Fifty years later, S.M. Hanson Music is still going strong!And, 50 years later, the music store at 335 S. Clark Street remains a Hanson family business, as Steve's son, Rick, now serves as CEO and president of the business.The origin of S.M. Hanson MusicThe story about how the store got started varies a bit, depending on whether you talk with Steve or Rick."There was a need for it and I talked to enough musicians, that we decided we needed to open a music store and took a chance," Steve said.Rick, however, provided a bit more insight about opening the store."The Christmas before the store opened, we ran out of room in the basement for the guitars, and all of the drum sets, and that stuff, because that's really where it started," Rick said. "We had product in the basement of our family home. And so the next Christmas, you know, it was like, 'well here's the plan.'"Steve said they got a Small Business Administration loan and built the building on S. Clark Street."We did all the inside work in the building, built the walls and they've changed many times over the years," Steve said. "My partner at the time taught me how to frame walls, so that's what we did."Steve said that his experience with guitars and his discussions with other musicians about what they needed were key to getting the business off the ground. Also, it was vital to secure a dealership from a company that would trust the new store to "do a good job with their product," he said."That was really hard to do because you're starting out and don't have a reputation at all," Steve said. "So we found a couple of companies that we could order from and started from there with kind of generic brands and then built into what Rick's put in today: Martin guitars and a lot of Fender and Gretsch.""I think also, in the experience that he talks about, working at one of the other stores as an instructor for several years, seeing the lack of interest in that store supporting guitars and maybe a little bit of the rock and roll side of it because they focused on band instruments, I think that sort of drove some of the need also," Rick said. "So it's understanding the need or finding a niche where you can start plugging the hole."When the store opened, Steve already had a network of guitar players. That network was heavily populated with his students."That helped build the business, of course," Steve said.Additionally, Steve had been playing in bands himself and knew a number of musicians and their music needs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671731124498.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>You can catch a glimpse of the history of S.M. Hanson Music when you first walk in the door.The clienteleOver the years, S.M. Hanson Music has served tens of thousands of people, according to Rick."Early on, it was local people and people from western Kansas. We were open on Tuesday and Thursday nights until 9, and there were many nights that Steve and Dean were still teaching come 9:30-10 o'clock, and I had customers in the store that were from Colby and Goodland and Norton. Those guys would get off work at 4:30 or 5 o'clock and drive in, so obviously, we're going to hang around and help them get what they need," Rick said.Customers from throughout the region continue to drive in to shop at the store.As bands traveling through heard about the store, business continued to pick up."Now that we ship stuff, and with the website, we're shipping stuff to both coasts on a pretty regular basis," Rick said.Growing the merchandise baseWhen the store opened, the focus was mainly on guitars, but over the years, the variety of products offered grew."Our main focus was guitars, electric and acoustic, and some banjos. We had some percussion, but it was mainly guitars," Steve said.Rick said that when the store opened, synthesizers were just becoming popular, as were electronic pianos."Steve and one of the associates here, Don, went back to Boston to the ARP factory, and for a time, between St. Louis and Denver, this store in Salina, Kansas, was the only store that was an ARP synthesizer dealer. And we had two people that were factory trained," Rick said.The business then grew into also selling sound systems.Despite the increased variety of products over the years, guitars remain the most popular."As a department of instruments, it certainly is," Rick said. "There are some other areas, such as the big digital pianos, that have grown substantially. Back in the mid-80s, I sold the first piano lab to K-State University; a Yamaha teaching lab with all Clavinovas. Of course, we've done installations since early in the '70s, and that's been an up-and-down type of business, but at any point, one installation comes in and that's the biggest ticket for the month."Christmas giftsThrough the years, starter guitar kits and beginner-level acoustic guitars have proved to be popular Christmas gifts purchased at S.M. Hanson Music."This time of the year, we'll have packages that are really aimed at giving that first-time student, whether it's a youth or young adult or adult a good chance of learning how to play," Rick said.Music lessonsEver the music teacher, Steve still gives guitar lessons, and both guitar and percussion lessons are offered through the store."This store still gives guitar lessons and percussion lessons. Dean Kranzler's (percussion) been here 50 years, 50 and a half years," Steve said.Bass, banjo, and piano lessons also are offered.Rick said the best way to sign up for lessons is to go to the store's website (<a href="http://smhansonmusic.com/">smhansonmusic.com</a>), click on the "Lessons" link, and fill out the form.Why guitars?Steve attributes his passion for guitars to the King of Rock and Roll and other performers of that era."I heard Elvis Presley. There were bands back then: Gene Vincent, Elvis, Bill Haley and the Comets, and I remember doing a band contest at what is now the Stiefel Theatre at that time. We were doing Bill Haley and that kind of music," Steve said.He also remembers going into a local establishment that had a jukebox and playing the same Carl Perkins song over and over.While playing with a number of bands over the years, Steve now focuses his talents on playing at churches at Christmastime and at the Smoky Hill River Festival and its musical kick-off, Festival Jam."I still look forward to that for sure. Festival Jam that Rick and I created 36 years ago is the biggest showcase in the country. You can't help but love being backstage with 105 or 110 musicians that come in to play for Festival Jam."

S.M. Hanson Music: A family tradition for 50 years

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer

Fans will have to Google it beginning next season if they want to access the NFL's “Sunday Ticket” package.

The
 NFL announced an agreement on Thursday for Google to distribute the 
package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on YouTube TV and 
YouTube Primetime Channels.

The seven-year deal is worth a little 
more than $2 billion per season. The package has been on DirecTV since 
1994. The satellite provider has paid $1.5 billion per year on an 
eight-year contract that expires at the end of this season.

The 
NFL had been seeking $2.5 billion per season for the package. It could 
still reach that total since the league retains commercial rights to 
bars and restaurants and is in the midst of selling those rights.

Commissioner
 Roger Goodell said during an interview with CNBC over the summer that 
the next move for “Sunday Ticket” would be to a streaming service 
because that would be the best option for fans.

Goodell reiterated that with Thursday's announcement.

“For
 a number of years we have been focused on increased digital 
distribution of our games and this partnership is yet another example of
 us looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL 
fans," he said in a statement.

It is the second time in less than 
two years that the NFL has partnered with a streaming service to air 
games. The league’s 11-year contract with Amazon Prime Video for 
Thursday night games started this season.

Besides Amazon, Apple and ESPN also expressed interest in “NFL Sunday Ticket.”

“As
 the ways fans enjoy NFL football evolve in a changing media landscape, 
partnerships with innovators like YouTube will ensure that more games 
are available to more fans," said New England Patriots owner Robert 
Kraft, who is also chairman of the NFL’s media committee. “This 
partnership will grow our game for future generations and allow them to 
follow their favorite sport.”

The NFL has had a presence on 
YouTube since 2015, when it launched its official NFL channel. That has 
increased to include channels for all 32 teams and 10 official league 
channels, including NFL Films, NFL Network and Mundo NFL.

NFL Network and NFL RedZone have been available to subscribers of YouTube TV since 2020.

“Through
 this expanded partnership with the NFL, viewers will now also be able 
to experience the game they love in compelling and innovative ways 
through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels," YouTube CEO Susan 
Wojcicki said in a statement. "We’re excited to continue our work with 
the NFL to make YouTube a great place for sports lovers everywhere.”

Starting
 next season, “NFL Sunday Ticket” will be available as an add-on package
 on YouTube TV and standalone a la carte on YouTube Primetime Channels.

Google
 said in June that YouTube TV, which was launched in 2017, had surpassed
 5 million accounts and was the biggest internet-based pay TV service in
 the U.S. That number includes users on free promotional trials.

YouTube
 Primetime Channels, which launched in November, is a service that 
allows users to subscribe and watch content from streaming services on 
the YouTube app.

Even with “Sunday Ticket” moving to YouTube, the 
price is not expected to substantially decrease due to contracts with 
CBS and Fox, which carry the Sunday afternoon games.

Viewers pay around $300-$400 a season for the package, which averages 2 million subscribers.

By JOE REEDY AP Sports WriterFans will have to Google it beginning next season if they want to access the NFL's “Sunday Ticket” package.The
 NFL announced an agreement on Thursday for Google to distribute the 
package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on YouTube TV and 
YouTube Primetime Channels.The seven-year deal is worth a little 
more than $2 billion per season. The package has been on DirecTV since 
1994. The satellite provider has paid $1.5 billion per year on an 
eight-year contract that expires at the end of this season.The 
NFL had been seeking $2.5 billion per season for the package. It could 
still reach that total since the league retains commercial rights to 
bars and restaurants and is in the midst of selling those rights.Commissioner
 Roger Goodell said during an interview with CNBC over the summer that 
the next move for “Sunday Ticket” would be to a streaming service 
because that would be the best option for fans.Goodell reiterated that with Thursday's announcement.“For
 a number of years we have been focused on increased digital 
distribution of our games and this partnership is yet another example of
 us looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL 
fans," he said in a statement.It is the second time in less than 
two years that the NFL has partnered with a streaming service to air 
games. The league’s 11-year contract with Amazon Prime Video for 
Thursday night games started this season.Besides Amazon, Apple and ESPN also expressed interest in “NFL Sunday Ticket.”“As
 the ways fans enjoy NFL football evolve in a changing media landscape, 
partnerships with innovators like YouTube will ensure that more games 
are available to more fans," said New England Patriots owner Robert 
Kraft, who is also chairman of the NFL’s media committee. “This 
partnership will grow our game for future generations and allow them to 
follow their favorite sport.”The NFL has had a presence on 
YouTube since 2015, when it launched its official NFL channel. That has 
increased to include channels for all 32 teams and 10 official league 
channels, including NFL Films, NFL Network and Mundo NFL.NFL Network and NFL RedZone have been available to subscribers of YouTube TV since 2020.“Through
 this expanded partnership with the NFL, viewers will now also be able 
to experience the game they love in compelling and innovative ways 
through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels," YouTube CEO Susan 
Wojcicki said in a statement. "We’re excited to continue our work with 
the NFL to make YouTube a great place for sports lovers everywhere.”Starting
 next season, “NFL Sunday Ticket” will be available as an add-on package
 on YouTube TV and standalone a la carte on YouTube Primetime Channels.Google
 said in June that YouTube TV, which was launched in 2017, had surpassed
 5 million accounts and was the biggest internet-based pay TV service in
 the U.S. That number includes users on free promotional trials.YouTube
 Primetime Channels, which launched in November, is a service that 
allows users to subscribe and watch content from streaming services on 
the YouTube app.Even with “Sunday Ticket” moving to YouTube, the 
price is not expected to substantially decrease due to contracts with 
CBS and Fox, which carry the Sunday afternoon games.Viewers pay around $300-$400 a season for the package, which averages 2 million subscribers.

NFL 'Sunday Ticket' headed to YouTube beginning next season

It’s not uncommon for
entertainment industry professionals to work under a stage name. 

But one Ellis County-based comedian,
magician and DJ will soon take that common practice a bit further by legally
changing his name to highlight his chosen profession.

Buzz The Entertainer knows some may giggle at the new name, but for him becoming Buzz has been a long time
coming and offers a unique opportunity to express his passion for his field.

While the change has been a longtime goal, the process hasn't been without its difficulties.

“The
first step that you have to do is obviously pick a name," Buzz said. "I would not recommend
it for anyone. It is not for the faint of heart."

Born Bryan&nbsp;Jacob Snyder-Brown, Buzz said after settling
on a list of potential names, his next step was vital&nbsp;— getting his mother on board.

“I've asked my mother for the last, I would say I think it's five or six years. I've asked her every year for Christmas,” Buzz said. “I wanted her permission to legally change my name because I told her that I would either wait until two weeks after she'd passed to get started or when I had her permission.”

Among the list of names potential names, one stood out.

“I sent
my mother the list of names, and she just ultimately decided Buzz The Entertainer
was probably the best one, and that was the most fitting,” Buzz said.

The new
name, while reflecting his work as a multifaceted entertainer, also had roots
in his past.

“I was
given the nickname Buzz back in high school from a teacher,” Buzz said.

And so, the work began to make the name legal began.

“I went
on to do some research and found out what all you have to do,” Buzz said. 

He then
proceeded with the steps to start the process, filling in the required
paperwork and paying to have a legal notice published and court costs.

As a
part of the process, he said he also was required to inform everyone he does business
with.

“And
this year, I finally had an attorney looking over with me and make sure that we
were good to go and have a court date now,” Buzz said.

The
hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 28.

After,
Buzz The Entertainer will be his new legal name, something he sees as an asset
to his entertainment career.

As a longtime Ellis County resident, he said he had embraced various avenues of entertainment over the last five years of professional performances.

“I do
comedy magic / hypnosis shows as a combination," Buzz said "I've also DJ'd a lot of weddings
out here."

Recently, he has also started traveling to Kansas City for drag performances there.

“I have a
couple of good friends out in Kansas City, who are big-name entertainers in the
LGBTQ market,” Buzz said. “So, it was pretty easy for me to call them. … And
I've met a lot of great people in Kansas City who have given me a lot of
advice on breaking into that market.”

And
while he hopes the name change helps generate some new attention for his shows,
he also said he knows the value of hard work.

“You
also have to do a lot of the backend work, which nobody ever likes to do,” Buzz
said. “Because the backend work of doing anything is never the fun stuff.”

But that work had paid off, as he has become known locally for his various performances, he said.

“I have
a friend of mine who called me 'Hays famous,' ” Buzz said. “If I ever go to a bar ... most people know me as the guy who does magic. So, I almost
always have a deck of cards on me.”

When he
can, he engages with those local fans.

“I'll
show you a magic trick because you don't get into magic because you enjoy being
a shy person,” Buzz said. 

He also
enjoys meeting area residents from all walks of life.

“I got
to meet a lot of people doing magic that I otherwise wouldn't have met,” Buzz
said.

He hoped the new name would continue that trend as the new year approaches and more area residents discover Buzz and
his entertainment enterprises.

Read more about Buzz and his
company, Assassin Entertainment, at <a href="https://www.assassinentertainment.com/">assassinentertainment.com.</a>

He can also be reached at (844) Go-4-Buzz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671222317481.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostIt’s not uncommon for
entertainment industry professionals to work under a stage name. But one Ellis County-based comedian,
magician and DJ will soon take that common practice a bit further by legally
changing his name to highlight his chosen profession.Buzz The Entertainer knows some may giggle at the new name, but for him becoming Buzz has been a long time
coming and offers a unique opportunity to express his passion for his field.While the change has been a longtime goal, the process hasn't been without its difficulties.“The
first step that you have to do is obviously pick a name," Buzz said. "I would not recommend
it for anyone. It is not for the faint of heart."Born Bryan&nbsp;Jacob Snyder-Brown, Buzz said after settling
on a list of potential names, his next step was vital&nbsp;— getting his mother on board.<div><iframe title="Local entertainer generates ’buzz’ with name change" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=fyspu-133e1da-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=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>“I've asked my mother for the last, I would say I think it's five or six years. I've asked her every year for Christmas,” Buzz said. “I wanted her permission to legally change my name because I told her that I would either wait until two weeks after she'd passed to get started or when I had her permission.”Among the list of names potential names, one stood out.“I sent
my mother the list of names, and she just ultimately decided Buzz The Entertainer
was probably the best one, and that was the most fitting,” Buzz said.The new
name, while reflecting his work as a multifaceted entertainer, also had roots
in his past.“I was
given the nickname Buzz back in high school from a teacher,” Buzz said.And so, the work began to make the name legal began.“I went
on to do some research and found out what all you have to do,” Buzz said. He then
proceeded with the steps to start the process, filling in the required
paperwork and paying to have a legal notice published and court costs.As a
part of the process, he said he also was required to inform everyone he does business
with.“And
this year, I finally had an attorney looking over with me and make sure that we
were good to go and have a court date now,” Buzz said.The
hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 28.After,
Buzz The Entertainer will be his new legal name, something he sees as an asset
to his entertainment career.As a longtime Ellis County resident, he said he had embraced various avenues of entertainment over the last five years of professional performances.“I do
comedy magic / hypnosis shows as a combination," Buzz said "I've also DJ'd a lot of weddings
out here."Recently, he has also started traveling to Kansas City for drag performances there.“I have a
couple of good friends out in Kansas City, who are big-name entertainers in the
LGBTQ market,” Buzz said. “So, it was pretty easy for me to call them. … And
I've met a lot of great people in Kansas City who have given me a lot of
advice on breaking into that market.”And
while he hopes the name change helps generate some new attention for his shows,
he also said he knows the value of hard work.“You
also have to do a lot of the backend work, which nobody ever likes to do,” Buzz
said. “Because the backend work of doing anything is never the fun stuff.”But that work had paid off, as he has become known locally for his various performances, he said.“I have
a friend of mine who called me 'Hays famous,' ” Buzz said. “If I ever go to a bar ... most people know me as the guy who does magic. So, I almost
always have a deck of cards on me.”When he
can, he engages with those local fans.“I'll
show you a magic trick because you don't get into magic because you enjoy being
a shy person,” Buzz said. He also
enjoys meeting area residents from all walks of life.“I got
to meet a lot of people doing magic that I otherwise wouldn't have met,” Buzz
said.He hoped the new name would continue that trend as the new year approaches and more area residents discover Buzz and
his entertainment enterprises.Read more about Buzz and his
company, Assassin Entertainment, at <a href="https://www.assassinentertainment.com/">assassinentertainment.com.</a>He can also be reached at (844) Go-4-Buzz.

🎙 Local entertainer generates 'Buzz' with name change

“&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/avatar-james-cameron-way-of-water-sequel-interview-movies-ceb3a4b7338bc54c013ce24d0f1d6765">Avatar: The Way of Water</a>&nbsp;” didn’t make quite as big of a splash as many assumed it would, but James Cameron’s big budget spectacle still helped breathe life into the box office this weekend. The sequel earned $134 million from North American theaters and $300.5 million internationally for a $434.5 million global debut, according to studio estimates on Sunday.

It tied with “The Batman” as the fourth highest domestic debut of the year, behind “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-movies-walt-disney-co-71a5e784d70680ae37c2f33b936a9426">$187.4 million in May</a>&nbsp;), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” (&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-panther-wakanda-forever-box-office-42b8e6de23ec93da1369a9942027f4e4">$181 million in November</a>&nbsp;) and “Thor: Love and Thunder” ($144.2 million in July).

Expectations were enormous for “Avatar 2,” which carried a reported price tag of over $350 million, the pressure of following up the highest grossing film of all time (thanks in part to various re-releases) over a decade later and the daunting task of propping up an exhibition business that’s still far from normal. Everything “Avatar” is oversized, though: the Na’vi characters, the runtime (a staggering three hours and 12 minutes), the technical advancements and the release strategy from 20th Century Studios and The Walt Disney Co.

Going into the weekend many were expecting a domestic debut of at least $150 million. Some even said $175 or higher, but tracking has also not been as reliable a metric during the pandemic.

Disney saw early that “The Way of Water” was going to be a different kind of beast when they looked at pre-sales. For a normal, spoiler-heavy movie like many Marvel offerings, post-opening weekend sales are usually around 5%. For “The Way of Water,” they were at 20%. In other words, the company knew that tracking was overinflated.

“We’ve got a terrific movie that is playing across all demographics and (has) terrific word of mouth,” said Tony Chambers, the Walt Disney Co.’s executive vice president for theatrical distribution. “We’ve got the screens and we’ve got a clear run. This isn’t about the opening day or the opening weekend. This is about the entire run.”

The film began its international rollout on Wednesday and debuted in North America on Thursday evening. Domestically, “Avatar: The Way of Water” was released in 4,202 theaters on over 12,000 screens, 400 of which were IMAX 3D. The studio and filmmakers bet big on the draw, and higher prices, of the 3D format and premium large screens.

By the end of Friday, “Avatar: The Way of Water” had already earned $53 million in the U.S. and Canada and $180.1 million globally, aided by a China release — the first major Hollywood release in the country since “Minions: The Rise of Gru” in August. It blows “Avatar’s” $26.7 million first day in 2009 out of the water, though that didn’t include Thursday previews.

An estimated 66% of the $435 million opening weekend revenue came from worldwide 3D ticket sales.

Travis Reid, CEO at 3D company RealD, set a "new benchmark for the current 3D marketplace.”

Over $48.8 million of the global total came from IMAX screens alone (1,543 in 80 markets), the company's second biggest weekend.

“As excited as we are about these early results, we anticipate a long and successful run for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’" said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, in a statement.

As with many ambitious Cameron projects, from “Titanic” to the first “Avatar,” nerves were high for the costly sequel, one of the most expensive of all time, which began production five years ago. It faced repeated delays and weathered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-north-america-technology-business-ap-top-news-ec9a42d63b074d868573e2109b5f755b">The Walt Disney Co’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019</a>. It’s also one of four “Avatar” sequels Cameron had in mind. Filming on the third movie, which shot simultaneously with “The Way of Water,” is done, with an expected release in December 2024.

In the 13 years since the first film, “Avatar” has also been the butt of jokes for the perception that the biggest movie of all time, one that has made nearly $3 billion, has left a relatively minor footprint in the culture. But even so, critics have largely been on board with “The Way of Water,” not just for the visuals but also for improving on the story of the first. It holds a 78% positive rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

The question of whether “Avatar 2” will earn enough is a complicated one with varied answers. Is it enough for exhibitors, who’ve had several significant hits this year, including “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Black Panther 2” and “Doctor Strange 2,” but are still hurting? Is it enough to justify starting production on fourth and fifth movies? Is it enough for the business as a whole, which is looking at a domestic year-end total in the $8 billion range, as opposed to a pre-pandemic normal of $11 billion?

But like the critics shouting “never doubt James Cameron,” the studio and analysts are singing a similar tune.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” has the benefit of a holiday corridor that is, relatively speaking, lacking in major blockbuster-style movies. Next week sees the debut of Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” and the family-friendly “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” but there are no comparable blockbusters until “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” in February. The hope is that audiences will continue seeking “Avatar 2” out for weeks and months to come, similar to the first movie.

“Historically James Cameron’s movies are about the long haul, not the opening weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “'Avatar' is going to develop its box office over time. It's about where it will end up months from now.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore, with Wednesday through Sunday in parentheses. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $134 million.

2. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” $5.4 million.

Associated Press“&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/avatar-james-cameron-way-of-water-sequel-interview-movies-ceb3a4b7338bc54c013ce24d0f1d6765">Avatar: The Way of Water</a>&nbsp;” didn’t make quite as big of a splash as many assumed it would, but James Cameron’s big budget spectacle still helped breathe life into the box office this weekend. The sequel earned $134 million from North American theaters and $300.5 million internationally for a $434.5 million global debut, according to studio estimates on Sunday.It tied with “The Batman” as the fourth highest domestic debut of the year, behind “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-movies-walt-disney-co-71a5e784d70680ae37c2f33b936a9426">$187.4 million in May</a>&nbsp;), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” (&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-panther-wakanda-forever-box-office-42b8e6de23ec93da1369a9942027f4e4">$181 million in November</a>&nbsp;) and “Thor: Love and Thunder” ($144.2 million in July).Expectations were enormous for “Avatar 2,” which carried a reported price tag of over $350 million, the pressure of following up the highest grossing film of all time (thanks in part to various re-releases) over a decade later and the daunting task of propping up an exhibition business that’s still far from normal. Everything “Avatar” is oversized, though: the Na’vi characters, the runtime (a staggering three hours and 12 minutes), the technical advancements and the release strategy from 20th Century Studios and The Walt Disney Co.Going into the weekend many were expecting a domestic debut of at least $150 million. Some even said $175 or higher, but tracking has also not been as reliable a metric during the pandemic.Disney saw early that “The Way of Water” was going to be a different kind of beast when they looked at pre-sales. For a normal, spoiler-heavy movie like many Marvel offerings, post-opening weekend sales are usually around 5%. For “The Way of Water,” they were at 20%. In other words, the company knew that tracking was overinflated.“We’ve got a terrific movie that is playing across all demographics and (has) terrific word of mouth,” said Tony Chambers, the Walt Disney Co.’s executive vice president for theatrical distribution. “We’ve got the screens and we’ve got a clear run. This isn’t about the opening day or the opening weekend. This is about the entire run.”The film began its international rollout on Wednesday and debuted in North America on Thursday evening. Domestically, “Avatar: The Way of Water” was released in 4,202 theaters on over 12,000 screens, 400 of which were IMAX 3D. The studio and filmmakers bet big on the draw, and higher prices, of the 3D format and premium large screens.By the end of Friday, “Avatar: The Way of Water” had already earned $53 million in the U.S. and Canada and $180.1 million globally, aided by a China release — the first major Hollywood release in the country since “Minions: The Rise of Gru” in August. It blows “Avatar’s” $26.7 million first day in 2009 out of the water, though that didn’t include Thursday previews.An estimated 66% of the $435 million opening weekend revenue came from worldwide 3D ticket sales.Travis Reid, CEO at 3D company RealD, set a "new benchmark for the current 3D marketplace.”Over $48.8 million of the global total came from IMAX screens alone (1,543 in 80 markets), the company's second biggest weekend.“As excited as we are about these early results, we anticipate a long and successful run for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’" said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, in a statement.As with many ambitious Cameron projects, from “Titanic” to the first “Avatar,” nerves were high for the costly sequel, one of the most expensive of all time, which began production five years ago. It faced repeated delays and weathered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-north-america-technology-business-ap-top-news-ec9a42d63b074d868573e2109b5f755b">The Walt Disney Co’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019</a>. It’s also one of four “Avatar” sequels Cameron had in mind. Filming on the third movie, which shot simultaneously with “The Way of Water,” is done, with an expected release in December 2024.In the 13 years since the first film, “Avatar” has also been the butt of jokes for the perception that the biggest movie of all time, one that has made nearly $3 billion, has left a relatively minor footprint in the culture. But even so, critics have largely been on board with “The Way of Water,” not just for the visuals but also for improving on the story of the first. It holds a 78% positive rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.The question of whether “Avatar 2” will earn enough is a complicated one with varied answers. Is it enough for exhibitors, who’ve had several significant hits this year, including “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Black Panther 2” and “Doctor Strange 2,” but are still hurting? Is it enough to justify starting production on fourth and fifth movies? Is it enough for the business as a whole, which is looking at a domestic year-end total in the $8 billion range, as opposed to a pre-pandemic normal of $11 billion?But like the critics shouting “never doubt James Cameron,” the studio and analysts are singing a similar tune.“Avatar: The Way of Water” has the benefit of a holiday corridor that is, relatively speaking, lacking in major blockbuster-style movies. Next week sees the debut of Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” and the family-friendly “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” but there are no comparable blockbusters until “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” in February. The hope is that audiences will continue seeking “Avatar 2” out for weeks and months to come, similar to the first movie.“Historically James Cameron’s movies are about the long haul, not the opening weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “'Avatar' is going to develop its box office over time. It's about where it will end up months from now.”Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore, with Wednesday through Sunday in parentheses. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.1. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $134 million.2. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” $5.4 million.3. “Violent Night,” $5 million.4. “Strange World,” $2.2 million.5. “The Menu,” $1.7 million.6. “Devotion,” $825,000.7. “The Fabelmans,” $750,000.8. “Black Adam,” $500,000.9. “I Heard the Bells,” $308,893.10. “Empire of Light,” $235,000.

‘Avatar 2’ makes waves with $134 million domestic debut

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Police Department Lt. Tim Greenwood shares ways to stay safe while shopping for gifts this holiday season.

<div><iframe title="Stay safe while holiday shopping with these tips from the Hays Police Department" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=5k6aa-133dfaa-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=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Police Department Lt. Tim Greenwood shares ways to stay safe while shopping for gifts this holiday season.

🎙 Post Podcast: Stay safe while holiday shopping with these tips from the Hays Police Department

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=4pmny-133dea0-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=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

🎤 Forward Ever: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Glen McNeil shares information about holiday snacking during our Nutrition, Health and Wellness report.

<div><iframe title="Holiday treats okay, when eaten in moderation" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=nkwkg-133c0ce-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=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Glen McNeil shares information about holiday snacking during our Nutrition, Health and Wellness report.

🎙 Post Podcast: Holiday treats OK — in moderation

Justin Moore is coming to Salina this spring!

Moore is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. March 24 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $69 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at&nbsp;<a href="http://stiefeltheatre.org/">stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Justin Moore courtesy the Stiefel Theatre

Multi-PLATINUM hitmaker Justin Moore has built a loyal following over the past decade with his traditional country sound and captivating live shows. Climbing the country radio charts with his current single,&nbsp;With a Woman You Love, the emotional tune follows in the footsteps of his 10th No. 1 hit,&nbsp;We Didn’t Have Much,&nbsp; which is featured on his eight-track collection of tunes,&nbsp;Straight Outta The Country.&nbsp;

The Arkansas native’s extensive fanbase helped boost his fifth studio album, LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS, to the top of the charts upon its release. Lead track&nbsp;The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home, and follow-up&nbsp;Why We Drink&nbsp;both peaked at No. 1 on both Mediabase and Billboard. Moore’s previous project, KINDA DON’T CARE, earned the singer his third consecutive No. 1 album debut and features his chart-topping singles&nbsp;You Look Like I Need A Drink&nbsp;and&nbsp;Somebody Else Will. It served as a follow-up to his second No.1 album release, the GOLD-certified OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

Over his 10+ year career, Moore’s No. 1 hits have also included&nbsp;Point at You,&nbsp;Lettin’ The Night Roll,&nbsp;If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,&nbsp;Small Town USA,&nbsp; and&nbsp;Till My Last Day, as well as seven Top 10 hits and PLATINUM-certified albums JUSTIN MOORE and OUTLAWS LIKE ME.

The Valory Music Co. recording artist has earned multiple ACM, ACA and ACC Awards nominations as well as an ACM Award win. He has shared the stage with Hank Williams Jr., Brad Paisley, and Miranda Lambert, routinely traversing coast-to-coast on headline runs and hitting the road this spring to headline his Country On It Tour. Adding to his already impressive career, Moore has also been busy hosting his Justin Moore Podcast sponsored by Bobcat with tour manager JR and interviewing guests such as Oscar award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey; country stars Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi, Brantley Gilbert; wrestling champion Diamond Dallas Page and ESPN’s Marty Smith. He also recently took on a new role as co-host on 103.7 The Buzz's morning drive-time sports talk show,&nbsp;Morning Mayhem, where he spends his weekday mornings dishing out his never-ending sports knowledge on-air.

By SALINA POSTJustin Moore is coming to Salina this spring!Moore is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. March 24 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $69 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at&nbsp;<a href="http://stiefeltheatre.org/">stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About Justin Moore courtesy the Stiefel TheatreMulti-PLATINUM hitmaker Justin Moore has built a loyal following over the past decade with his traditional country sound and captivating live shows. Climbing the country radio charts with his current single,&nbsp;With a Woman You Love, the emotional tune follows in the footsteps of his 10th No. 1 hit,&nbsp;We Didn’t Have Much,&nbsp; which is featured on his eight-track collection of tunes,&nbsp;Straight Outta The Country.&nbsp;The Arkansas native’s extensive fanbase helped boost his fifth studio album, LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS, to the top of the charts upon its release. Lead track&nbsp;The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home, and follow-up&nbsp;Why We Drink&nbsp;both peaked at No. 1 on both Mediabase and Billboard. Moore’s previous project, KINDA DON’T CARE, earned the singer his third consecutive No. 1 album debut and features his chart-topping singles&nbsp;You Look Like I Need A Drink&nbsp;and&nbsp;Somebody Else Will. It served as a follow-up to his second No.1 album release, the GOLD-certified OFF THE BEATEN PATH.Over his 10+ year career, Moore’s No. 1 hits have also included&nbsp;Point at You,&nbsp;Lettin’ The Night Roll,&nbsp;If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,&nbsp;Small Town USA,&nbsp; and&nbsp;Till My Last Day, as well as seven Top 10 hits and PLATINUM-certified albums JUSTIN MOORE and OUTLAWS LIKE ME.The Valory Music Co. recording artist has earned multiple ACM, ACA and ACC Awards nominations as well as an ACM Award win. He has shared the stage with Hank Williams Jr., Brad Paisley, and Miranda Lambert, routinely traversing coast-to-coast on headline runs and hitting the road this spring to headline his Country On It Tour. Adding to his already impressive career, Moore has also been busy hosting his Justin Moore Podcast sponsored by Bobcat with tour manager JR and interviewing guests such as Oscar award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey; country stars Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi, Brantley Gilbert; wrestling champion Diamond Dallas Page and ESPN’s Marty Smith. He also recently took on a new role as co-host on 103.7 The Buzz's morning drive-time sports talk show,&nbsp;Morning Mayhem, where he spends his weekday mornings dishing out his never-ending sports knowledge on-air.

Justin Moore to perform in Salina in March; tickets on sale Friday

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

For the past two years, the Chevrolet dealership in Hoisington has been operating as Ehler Chevrolet. Before that, the dealership was known as Manweiler Chevrolet for 92 years. There were four generations of Manweilers to own the dealership, with the last being Gene. Before Gene retired, he attended a business boot camp in Colorado that discussed ways to strengthen your business and make it more of a destination. Manweiler said the course focused on highlighting the history of your company.

Wanting to tell the story of 90-plus years of the family business, Gene began organizing information for a book. "It was fun to tell the story," said Manweiler. "I did it in a way that I'm telling my family, friends and people that know me. There are a lot of people involved with this story, including past employees. I took what I heard about other employees that were there before me. I heard stories from my grandparents and my parents. That's what I relied on."

Gene took over ownership from his father in 1987. He then sold the dealership to Micah Ehler in November 2020. Manweiler was put in contact with author Gene Stowe, based out of North Carolina. Stowe helped Manweiler piece together the 101-page book that goes through the dealership’s history of business changes, sales and service, marketing and the lives of family and friends that worked at the dealership.

While Stowe wrote the book,&nbsp;MChevy: The 92-Year Legacy of Manweiler Chevrolet, has Gene’s name on the front, something Manweiler wasn’t expecting. "I thought Stowe was going to be the author," said Manweiler. "He said to me, 'Gene, you're the one that wrote all the stuff down, I just organized it all for you to make it easier reading.' I was kind of flabbergasted when I first saw the cover, because we never talked about that. I really wanted him to get credit for it." A copy of the book can be purchased for $15 on Amazon. Buy the book&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/MChevy-92-Year-Legacy-Manweiler-Chevrolet/dp/B0BP4L7F1W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y36T8R3OFIR3&amp;keywords=manweiler&amp;qid=1671048591&amp;sprefix=manweile%2Caps%2C121&amp;sr=8-1">HERE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671050635641.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostFor the past two years, the Chevrolet dealership in Hoisington has been operating as Ehler Chevrolet. Before that, the dealership was known as Manweiler Chevrolet for 92 years. There were four generations of Manweilers to own the dealership, with the last being Gene. Before Gene retired, he attended a business boot camp in Colorado that discussed ways to strengthen your business and make it more of a destination. Manweiler said the course focused on highlighting the history of your company.Wanting to tell the story of 90-plus years of the family business, Gene began organizing information for a book. "It was fun to tell the story," said Manweiler. "I did it in a way that I'm telling my family, friends and people that know me. There are a lot of people involved with this story, including past employees. I took what I heard about other employees that were there before me. I heard stories from my grandparents and my parents. That's what I relied on."Gene took over ownership from his father in 1987. He then sold the dealership to Micah Ehler in November 2020. Manweiler was put in contact with author Gene Stowe, based out of North Carolina. Stowe helped Manweiler piece together the 101-page book that goes through the dealership’s history of business changes, sales and service, marketing and the lives of family and friends that worked at the dealership.While Stowe wrote the book,&nbsp;MChevy: The 92-Year Legacy of Manweiler Chevrolet, has Gene’s name on the front, something Manweiler wasn’t expecting. "I thought Stowe was going to be the author," said Manweiler. "He said to me, 'Gene, you're the one that wrote all the stuff down, I just organized it all for you to make it easier reading.' I was kind of flabbergasted when I first saw the cover, because we never talked about that. I really wanted him to get credit for it." A copy of the book can be purchased for $15 on Amazon. Buy the book&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/MChevy-92-Year-Legacy-Manweiler-Chevrolet/dp/B0BP4L7F1W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y36T8R3OFIR3&amp;keywords=manweiler&amp;qid=1671048591&amp;sprefix=manweile%2Caps%2C121&amp;sr=8-1">HERE</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Published book captures the legacy of Hoisington’s car dealership

By LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press

It is impossible to talk about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MyW72ELq0">“Avatar: The Way of Water”</a>
 without sounding hyperbolic. But James Cameron’s sequel is a truly 
dazzling cinematic experience that will have you floating on a 
blockbuster high.

No matter if you’ve spent a second of your life 
in the past 13 years thinking about what’s happening on Pandora or how 
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are getting on, 
assuming you remember their characters’ names. “The Way of Water” will 
make awe-struck believers out of even “Avatar” agnostics like me, at 
least for three hours and 12 minutes. The film isn’t just visually 
compelling, either, it’s spiritually rich as well — a simple but 
penetrating story about family and the natural world that is galaxies 
better than the first.

About that run time: Three hours and 12 
minutes sounds excessive, but there is something decidedly decadent 
about really committing that much time to a movie in a theater. When the
 filmmaker is purposeful with that time, as Cameron is and many others 
have been before him, it’s a uniquely rewarding experience. In other 
words, it’s not a big ask. And you’ll forget all about checking the time
 from the first shot of Pandora and Jake’s earnest exposition about 
what’s been going on in the past decade.

He and Neytiri have three
 kids now, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Tuk 
(Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and an adopted teenage daughter, Kiri (Sigourney 
Weaver), and they’re happy living in the forest. “Happiness is simple,” 
he says. “Who ever thought that a jughead like me could crack the code?”
 So, of course, it can’t last. The humans are on the hunt for Jake, with
 a familiar antagonist leading the charge. And soon his family is on the
 run, taking up home in another part of Pandora, on the water with a new
 tribe led by Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) who 
reluctantly grant them refuge and try to teach them how to live on the 
water.

It’s worth noting that Cameron has not stuffed the film 
with mind-numbing, wall-to-wall action and needlessly complicated plot. 
There are long stretches of movie where we’re simply exploring the 
environment with the characters, delighting in the intricacies of a reef
 or basking in the beauty of giant sea creatures. Sometimes we’re just 
sitting in the water with Kiri who is also sitting in the water. It is 
not advancing the action in any obvious way. It is not even really 
developing characters. It just is, and it’s serene. You imagine that 
anyone without his clout would have a hard time justifying something 
similar.

The action is there, too, of course, and it’s exciting 
because you’ve become invested in the family and worried about the kids 
who are never where they’re supposed to be and are often in danger 
because of it. And though we know there are more sequels coming, and one
 already wrapped, this is not the kind of franchise where anyone is 
guaranteed to get a fake superhero death. Sure there is some “Avatar” 
silliness, including the fact that the word “bro” is uttered about 8,000
 times, but there is something admirable about the straightforward 
dialogue and emotions at play, too. No one is snarking their way through
 this ordeal.

“Never doubt James Cameron” has become a bit of a 
rallying cry lately, at least among those left on Twitter. It’s all the 
more extraordinary as the once-mythical sequels had become a kind of 
joke in the years since the first movie. Even as “The Way of Water” 
release date actually approached the “who cares?” chorus intensified. 
Had anyone really thought twice about “Avatar”? But Cameron knows his 
way around a thrilling sequel, and the water for that matter (and 
references his own greatest hits in this film, too).

But then 
people saw it and the tune changed. There is something comforting about 
the fact that we are capable of intense, collective cultural whiplash. 
That “who cares?” can turn to uncynical amazement in an instant. Is that
 the magic of the movies? Of continuing to push the bounds of the big 
screen experience? Of betting big on weird-sounding stories about giant 
blue environmentalists instead of superheroes every so often? Maybe it’s
 just the magic of James Cameron.

“Avatar: The Way of Water,” a 
20th Century Studios release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG-13 by the
 Motion Picture Association for “partial nudity, intense action, 
sequences of strong violence, some strong language.” Running time: 192 
minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

MPA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d9MyW72ELq0"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LINDSEY BAHR Associated PressIt is impossible to talk about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MyW72ELq0">“Avatar: The Way of Water”</a>
 without sounding hyperbolic. But James Cameron’s sequel is a truly 
dazzling cinematic experience that will have you floating on a 
blockbuster high.No matter if you’ve spent a second of your life 
in the past 13 years thinking about what’s happening on Pandora or how 
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are getting on, 
assuming you remember their characters’ names. “The Way of Water” will 
make awe-struck believers out of even “Avatar” agnostics like me, at 
least for three hours and 12 minutes. The film isn’t just visually 
compelling, either, it’s spiritually rich as well — a simple but 
penetrating story about family and the natural world that is galaxies 
better than the first.About that run time: Three hours and 12 
minutes sounds excessive, but there is something decidedly decadent 
about really committing that much time to a movie in a theater. When the
 filmmaker is purposeful with that time, as Cameron is and many others 
have been before him, it’s a uniquely rewarding experience. In other 
words, it’s not a big ask. And you’ll forget all about checking the time
 from the first shot of Pandora and Jake’s earnest exposition about 
what’s been going on in the past decade.He and Neytiri have three
 kids now, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Tuk 
(Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and an adopted teenage daughter, Kiri (Sigourney 
Weaver), and they’re happy living in the forest. “Happiness is simple,” 
he says. “Who ever thought that a jughead like me could crack the code?”
 So, of course, it can’t last. The humans are on the hunt for Jake, with
 a familiar antagonist leading the charge. And soon his family is on the
 run, taking up home in another part of Pandora, on the water with a new
 tribe led by Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) who 
reluctantly grant them refuge and try to teach them how to live on the 
water.It’s worth noting that Cameron has not stuffed the film 
with mind-numbing, wall-to-wall action and needlessly complicated plot. 
There are long stretches of movie where we’re simply exploring the 
environment with the characters, delighting in the intricacies of a reef
 or basking in the beauty of giant sea creatures. Sometimes we’re just 
sitting in the water with Kiri who is also sitting in the water. It is 
not advancing the action in any obvious way. It is not even really 
developing characters. It just is, and it’s serene. You imagine that 
anyone without his clout would have a hard time justifying something 
similar.The action is there, too, of course, and it’s exciting 
because you’ve become invested in the family and worried about the kids 
who are never where they’re supposed to be and are often in danger 
because of it. And though we know there are more sequels coming, and one
 already wrapped, this is not the kind of franchise where anyone is 
guaranteed to get a fake superhero death. Sure there is some “Avatar” 
silliness, including the fact that the word “bro” is uttered about 8,000
 times, but there is something admirable about the straightforward 
dialogue and emotions at play, too. No one is snarking their way through
 this ordeal.“Never doubt James Cameron” has become a bit of a 
rallying cry lately, at least among those left on Twitter. It’s all the 
more extraordinary as the once-mythical sequels had become a kind of 
joke in the years since the first movie. Even as “The Way of Water” 
release date actually approached the “who cares?” chorus intensified. 
Had anyone really thought twice about “Avatar”? But Cameron knows his 
way around a thrilling sequel, and the water for that matter (and 
references his own greatest hits in this film, too).But then 
people saw it and the tune changed. There is something comforting about 
the fact that we are capable of intense, collective cultural whiplash. 
That “who cares?” can turn to uncynical amazement in an instant. Is that
 the magic of the movies? Of continuing to push the bounds of the big 
screen experience? Of betting big on weird-sounding stories about giant 
blue environmentalists instead of superheroes every so often? Maybe it’s
 just the magic of James Cameron.“Avatar: The Way of Water,” a 
20th Century Studios release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG-13 by the
 Motion Picture Association for “partial nudity, intense action, 
sequences of strong violence, some strong language.” Running time: 192 
minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.MPA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

🎥 Review: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is a big screen blast

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;

<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;