“&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;

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

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

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>

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