<i>On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/e/first-care-expands-in-downtown-hays-supports-chamber-auction/">Post Podcast</a> <a href="https://www.firstcareclinic.com/" target="_blank">First Care Clinic</a> CEO Eric Flax and <a href="https://hayschamber.com/" target="_blank">Hays Chamber</a> CEO Sarah Wasinger discuss First Care, their expansion efforts and sponsorship of the upcoming Chamber auction.</i>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a39d594d-7c74-4d0b-ab1e-56b5b0ad5d65" target="_blank">First Care Clinic announces new chief executive officer</a><br><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bfe05465-f772-4016-bbde-e34f2754635e" target="_blank">First Care Clinic acquires Hess Clinic</a><br><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/db133474-6b2a-4bb4-96aa-175a62bbb50e" target="_blank">First Care to open pharmacy, express care in downtown Hays</a>

<div><iframe title="First Care expands in downtown Hays; supports Chamber auction" 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=mwdwa-13ee879-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><p><i>On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/e/first-care-expands-in-downtown-hays-supports-chamber-auction/">Post Podcast</a> <a href="https://www.firstcareclinic.com/" target="_blank">First Care Clinic</a> CEO Eric Flax and <a href="https://hayschamber.com/" target="_blank">Hays Chamber</a> CEO Sarah Wasinger discuss First Care, their expansion efforts and sponsorship of the upcoming Chamber auction.</i></p><h2>Related stories:</h2><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a39d594d-7c74-4d0b-ab1e-56b5b0ad5d65" target="_blank">First Care Clinic announces new chief executive officer</a><br><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bfe05465-f772-4016-bbde-e34f2754635e" target="_blank">First Care Clinic acquires Hess Clinic</a><br><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/db133474-6b2a-4bb4-96aa-175a62bbb50e" target="_blank">First Care to open pharmacy, express care in downtown Hays</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: First Care expands in downtown Hays; supports Chamber auction

On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun shares information about recent scam activity in the area along with prevention tips.

<div><iframe title="Ellis County Sheriff shares information about recent scam activity in the area" 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=2kc54-13d67b6-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><p>On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun shares information about recent scam activity in the area along with prevention tips.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis County Sheriff shares information about recent scam activity in the area

On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.growhays.com/" target="_blank">Grow Hays</a> executive director, Doug Williams shares information about local governments as economic drivers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Area governments work to increase economic development" 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=7h22g-13eb539-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><p>On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.growhays.com/" target="_blank">Grow Hays</a> executive director, Doug Williams shares information about local governments as economic drivers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Area governments work to increase economic development

&nbsp;On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/hhp/faculty-and-staff/" target="_blank">Fort Hays State University, Jessica Phelan</a> discusses the importance of Vitamin D.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="A guide to Vitamin D" 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=uhruf-13eb5c7-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><p>&nbsp;On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/hhp/faculty-and-staff/" target="_blank">Fort Hays State University, Jessica Phelan</a> discusses the importance of Vitamin D.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: A guide to Vitamin D

<i>On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>, Ellis County Emergency Manager <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/directory.aspx?EID=167">Lyle Pantle</a> shares severe weather safety information.</i>

<div><iframe title="Stay safe during severe weather with these tips" 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=uyh4z-13ea16b-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><p><i>On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>, Ellis County Emergency Manager <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/directory.aspx?EID=167">Lyle Pantle</a> shares severe weather safety information.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Stay safe during severe weather with these tips

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Forest Service,&nbsp;<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/about/staff/">Kansas State University Meteorologist Chip Redm</a>ond</i>

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: K-State Meteorologist Chip Redman" allowtransparency="true" height="150" 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=vp5vy-13ea180-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=f6f6f6&size=315"></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Forest Service,&nbsp;<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/about/staff/">Kansas State University Meteorologist Chip Redm</a>ond</i></p>

🎤 Forward Ever: Kan. Forest Service Meteorologist Chip Redmond

On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd489.com/">USD 489</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd489.com/o/hvs">Hays Virtual School</a> Director Olivia Rice shares details from their upcoming graduation.

<div><iframe title="USD 489 Virtual School readies for graduation" 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=dw9re-13ea149-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><p>On this episode of the <a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd489.com/">USD 489</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd489.com/o/hvs">Hays Virtual School</a> Director Olivia Rice shares details from their upcoming graduation.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: USD 489 Virtual School readies for graduation

This weekend, Thomas More Prep-Marian students are set to hit the stage for their production of William Shakespeare's <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream.</i>

And while the over 400-year-old play is a well-known staple, this performance will feature an Art Deco twist and has been adapted for the annual TMP-M play.

"It's a 'twist on an old story,' " said Travis Grizzell, director and TMP-M&nbsp;English, drama, debate and forensics instructor. "We are
setting it in the 1920s, the Jazz Age, with all the guys in the three-piece
suits and the flapper girls. It takes place in Athens, Greece, and we got the
1920s theme kind of rolling with Art Deco set design and a lot of fun stuff in
that way."

He said while the language used by Shakespeare can sometimes be difficult for young performers, the story remains timeless and universal.

"It's not exactly a language or a script that we're used to," Grizzell said. But "once we get up on the stage and moving, I use the analogy that Shakespeare is kind of like opera, even if you don't get all the language, if it's done right, you pretty well get the gist of it.

"For 400 or so years, he had this great talent for finding out what motivates us and how we're affected with emotions and circumstances and conflict," he continued. "And it translates well to just about any time period because it's just about that human condition."

Along with adapting the visuals to Art Deco, the script was adapted for length. Grizzell said the show will run around an hour and 45 minutes and will be presented without an intermission.

While some of Shakespeare's work can be "heavy" he said this play resonates with youth.

"<i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i> is fun," Grizzell said. "It's a bunch of fairies. It's young lovers. And it plays really well with high school students because these young lovers are so emotional, and it's a lot like<i> Romeo and Juliet</i>&nbsp;in that they are force-fed that 'I'm in love. I know because I've seen him, and I've known him for 15 minutes, that kind of thing.' And it all plays out. It's a happy ending. It's not a tragedy. And it's just fun and relatable."

Nearly 40 TMP-M students have worked to bring the performance to the stage, including longtime performers and those taking the stage for the first time.

"It's
just been an absolute blast with this group rehearsing and getting ready for Shakespeare," Grizzell said.&nbsp;

He said it is especially rewarding watching students grow from that anxiousness into convincing performers.

"From my perspective, and my assistant director,&nbsp;Wendy Richmeier, we saw when we were handing out the script, and they're glossily eyed, and they're like, 'Dude, there's no way we can do this,' " Grizzell said.

But from those initial impressions, he said the students took to the play and made it their own.

"Some of these students, they absolutely bloom and take off," Grizzell said. "And we've got some amazing kids doing some amazing stuff.

"These kids, some of them really, they dig in, they prioritize, and they work their little tails off to make this stuff happen," Grizzell said. "And that is a huge project. And it culminates in the span of three days, and then they're done. So it's a cool thing. It really is."

The result is a show anyone can enjoy, he said.

"If you go multiple times, or if you just check it out once, I can almost guarantee you won't totally regret going. You'll have a good time," Grizzell said. "You'll feel good about supporting the art, supporting the students, and you'll be cultured now because you've been exposed to 'The Bard' Mr. Shakespeare."

Performances of&nbsp;<i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i>&nbsp;are set to be performed in the school's Dreiling Theater at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are available now on the school's website, <a href="https://www.tmp-m.org/o/tmpm/page/midsummernightsdream">tmp-m.org</a>, or at the door for $8.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681928476740.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Image" />
                        <figcaption>Courtesy Image</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681927657739.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Image" />
                        <figcaption>Courtesy Image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>This weekend, Thomas More Prep-Marian students are set to hit the stage for their production of William Shakespeare's <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream.</i></p><p>And while the over 400-year-old play is a well-known staple, this performance will feature an Art Deco twist and has been adapted for the annual TMP-M play.</p><p>"It's a 'twist on an old story,' " said Travis Grizzell, director and TMP-M&nbsp;English, drama, debate and forensics instructor. "We are
setting it in the 1920s, the Jazz Age, with all the guys in the three-piece
suits and the flapper girls. It takes place in Athens, Greece, and we got the
1920s theme kind of rolling with Art Deco set design and a lot of fun stuff in
that way."</p><div><iframe title="Iconic Shakespeare play gets Art Deco treatment during TMP-M spring production" 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=5424v-13e8a56-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><p>He said while the language used by Shakespeare can sometimes be difficult for young performers, the story remains timeless and universal.</p><p>"It's not exactly a language or a script that we're used to," Grizzell said. But "once we get up on the stage and moving, I use the analogy that Shakespeare is kind of like opera, even if you don't get all the language, if it's done right, you pretty well get the gist of it.</p><p>"For 400 or so years, he had this great talent for finding out what motivates us and how we're affected with emotions and circumstances and conflict," he continued. "And it translates well to just about any time period because it's just about that human condition."</p><p>Along with adapting the visuals to Art Deco, the script was adapted for length. Grizzell said the show will run around an hour and 45 minutes and will be presented without an intermission.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681928489540.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Image" />
                        <figcaption>Courtesy Image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>While some of Shakespeare's work can be "heavy" he said this play resonates with youth.</p><p>"<i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i> is fun," Grizzell said. "It's a bunch of fairies. It's young lovers. And it plays really well with high school students because these young lovers are so emotional, and it's a lot like<i> Romeo and Juliet</i>&nbsp;in that they are force-fed that 'I'm in love. I know because I've seen him, and I've known him for 15 minutes, that kind of thing.' And it all plays out. It's a happy ending. It's not a tragedy. And it's just fun and relatable."</p><p>Nearly 40 TMP-M students have worked to bring the performance to the stage, including longtime performers and those taking the stage for the first time.</p><p>"It's
just been an absolute blast with this group rehearsing and getting ready for Shakespeare," Grizzell said.&nbsp;</p><p>He said it is especially rewarding watching students grow from that anxiousness into convincing performers.</p><p>"From my perspective, and my assistant director,&nbsp;Wendy Richmeier, we saw when we were handing out the script, and they're glossily eyed, and they're like, 'Dude, there's no way we can do this,' " Grizzell said.</p><p>But from those initial impressions, he said the students took to the play and made it their own.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681928500416.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Image" />
                        <figcaption>Courtesy Image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"Some of these students, they absolutely bloom and take off," Grizzell said. "And we've got some amazing kids doing some amazing stuff.</p><p>"These kids, some of them really, they dig in, they prioritize, and they work their little tails off to make this stuff happen," Grizzell said. "And that is a huge project. And it culminates in the span of three days, and then they're done. So it's a cool thing. It really is."</p><p>The result is a show anyone can enjoy, he said.</p><p>"If you go multiple times, or if you just check it out once, I can almost guarantee you won't totally regret going. You'll have a good time," Grizzell said. "You'll feel good about supporting the art, supporting the students, and you'll be cultured now because you've been exposed to 'The Bard' Mr. Shakespeare."</p><p>Performances of&nbsp;<i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i>&nbsp;are set to be performed in the school's Dreiling Theater at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.</p><p>Tickets are available now on the school's website, <a href="https://www.tmp-m.org/o/tmpm/page/midsummernightsdream">tmp-m.org</a>, or at the door for $8.</p>

🎙 Iconic Shakespeare play gets Art Deco treatment during TMP-M spring production

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University Rodeo team members Morgan Kessler and Kayler Getz discuss the upcoming FHSU Rodeo, set for April 20-22.</i>

<div><iframe title="FHSU Rodeo moves to new location for annual event" allowtransparency="true" height="150" 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=u5vux-13e8809-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=315"></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University Rodeo team members Morgan Kessler and Kayler Getz discuss the upcoming FHSU Rodeo, set for April 20-22.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU Rodeo moves to new location for annual event

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Holy Family Elementary Fifth Grade teacher Chris Dinkel discusses the annual Ellis County Famous Figures program with the school's final competition selections, Hannah Flax, Madelynne Corsair, Myka Schoepf and Weston Unrein.&nbsp;</i>

<div><iframe title="Holy Family Elementary selects Ellis Co. Famous Figures participants" allowtransparency="true" height="700" 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=8nu9u-13e70bd-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=700" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Holy Family Elementary Fifth Grade teacher Chris Dinkel discusses the annual Ellis County Famous Figures program with the school's final competition selections, Hannah Flax, Madelynne Corsair, Myka Schoepf and Weston Unrein.&nbsp;</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Holy Family Elementary selects Ellis Co. Famous Figures participants

Tuesday marks the
annual Fort Hays State University Giving Day, an opportunity for alumni and
friends of the university to support various campus organizations and groups.

“This is
a 24-hour fundraising event that supports all areas of campus,” said Carolyn Tatro, Fort Hays
State University alumni engagement strategist<b>. </b>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/be739a87-60a8-4ecd-9ef0-faa76b2a4006">And with
the Kansas Comprehensive Grant Match Program among the programs available to choose
from this year, supporters could see their donations doubled.</a>

“This is
a great opportunity to donate to that fund because, again, donations will be
matched,” Tatro said. “And so we potentially at Fort Hays could have an
opportunity to get about roughly $5 million for student scholarships.”

But for those looking to direct
their gift to other specific areas of the university, 61 other projects are available to donate to during the day, including FHSU colleges, departments and student organizations.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1505f5a5-da82-44d6-b438-8b3ad8054afd">"Giving
Day isn’t just a fundraising event, but an opportunity to impact student
success and the future of Fort Hays State University,” said Erica Fisher,
director of annual giving for the FHSU Foundation, in the event announcement.</a>

FHSU’s Greatest Need is also
available, allowing FHSU to determine the best use of the gift. 

<b>“</b>And so
if you cannot decide what area you would like to support, you can kind of put
that money in an unrestricted fund, and we'll use it in somewhere on campus
that needs it the most,” Tatro said. “And the needs change from year to year. So there's always an
opportunity to help.”

Last year, during the second annual Giving Day,
<b>“</b>810 Tiger fans from 40 states came together to
invest in areas across campus that were in need of financial support,” according
to the FHSU Foundation. “Many donors elected to support more than one project
leading to just under 1,000 gifts.”

“Gifts started rolling in early in the morning, and the momentum continued throughout the entire day,” said Jason Williby,
president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation, after last year’s Giving Day. “When
the last online donation was made Thursday evening, I had goosebumps. Fort Hays
State University has once again united to strengthen our mission. We are
extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from those who made a gift to
those who helped spread the word about Giving Day. The impact of our collective
giving will be felt for years to come.”&nbsp;

Like last year, those that donate through the day will receive a thank
you item.

“Every
gift will make a difference,” Tatro said. “But as we have done in the past
couple of years, if you contribute $10 or more, there are opportunities to get
some cool Tiger swag. We have stickers, coasters, and a really cool-looking tea towel. So, you know, there's a little bit of something in this for
everybody, but every single gift on the website will make a difference.”

And
while Giving Day is officially April 18, the dedicated donation website has already
been launched, and over 500 gifts totaling over $65,000 have been recorded.

To find out more or to give, visit the dedicated FHSU Giving Day website,<a href="https://fhsugivingday.com/pages/home-2481">&nbsp;fhsugivingday.com.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624560354886.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Tuesday marks the
annual Fort Hays State University Giving Day, an opportunity for alumni and
friends of the university to support various campus organizations and groups.</p><p>“This is
a 24-hour fundraising event that supports all areas of campus,” said Carolyn Tatro, Fort Hays
State University alumni engagement strategist<b>. </b></p><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/be739a87-60a8-4ecd-9ef0-faa76b2a4006">And with
the Kansas Comprehensive Grant Match Program among the programs available to choose
from this year, supporters could see their donations doubled.</a></p><div><iframe title="FHSU Giving Day set for Tuesday" 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=kbbfg-13e5960-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><p>“This is
a great opportunity to donate to that fund because, again, donations will be
matched,” Tatro said. “And so we potentially at Fort Hays could have an
opportunity to get about roughly $5 million for student scholarships.”</p><p>But for those looking to direct
their gift to other specific areas of the university, 61 other projects are available to donate to during the day, including FHSU colleges, departments and student organizations.</p><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1505f5a5-da82-44d6-b438-8b3ad8054afd">"Giving
Day isn’t just a fundraising event, but an opportunity to impact student
success and the future of Fort Hays State University,” said Erica Fisher,
director of annual giving for the FHSU Foundation, in the event announcement.</a></p><p>FHSU’s Greatest Need is also
available, allowing FHSU to determine the best use of the gift. </p><p><b>“</b>And so
if you cannot decide what area you would like to support, you can kind of put
that money in an unrestricted fund, and we'll use it in somewhere on campus
that needs it the most,” Tatro said. “And the needs change from year to year. So there's always an
opportunity to help.”</p><p>Last year, during the second annual Giving Day,
<b>“</b>810 Tiger fans from 40 states came together to
invest in areas across campus that were in need of financial support,” according
to the FHSU Foundation. “Many donors elected to support more than one project
leading to just under 1,000 gifts.”</p><p>“Gifts started rolling in early in the morning, and the momentum continued throughout the entire day,” said Jason Williby,
president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation, after last year’s Giving Day. “When
the last online donation was made Thursday evening, I had goosebumps. Fort Hays
State University has once again united to strengthen our mission. We are
extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from those who made a gift to
those who helped spread the word about Giving Day. The impact of our collective
giving will be felt for years to come.”&nbsp;</p><p>Like last year, those that donate through the day will receive a thank
you item.</p><p>“Every
gift will make a difference,” Tatro said. “But as we have done in the past
couple of years, if you contribute $10 or more, there are opportunities to get
some cool Tiger swag. We have stickers, coasters, and a really cool-looking tea towel. So, you know, there's a little bit of something in this for
everybody, but every single gift on the website will make a difference.”</p><p>And
while Giving Day is officially April 18, the dedicated donation website has already
been launched, and over 500 gifts totaling over $65,000 have been recorded.</p><p>To find out more or to give, visit the dedicated FHSU Giving Day website,<a href="https://fhsugivingday.com/pages/home-2481">&nbsp;fhsugivingday.com.</a></p>

🎙 Donations pour in Tuesday during FHSU Giving Day

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber vice president of marketing and communications Mariah Legleiter and owner of Legleiter Insurance Devin Legleiter share information from the Kansas Leadership Center's ongoing Leadership Hays 2023.</i>

<div><iframe title="Leadership Hays helps connect area business and community" 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=2p2wg-13e5ae3-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber vice president of marketing and communications Mariah Legleiter and owner of Legleiter Insurance Devin Legleiter share information from the Kansas Leadership Center's ongoing Leadership Hays 2023.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Leadership Hays helps connect area business and community

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams discuss the Heart of America Development Corp.</i>

<div><iframe title="Heart of America Development Corp. continues helping Ellis Co. economic development" 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=xnhku-13e25e3-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams discuss the Heart of America Development Corp.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Heart of America Development Corp. continues as champion of economic development

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Jonathan Foster discuss his music and upcoming Hays performance with The KAYS Morning Blend host Jeff Leiker.</i>

<div><iframe title="Jonathan Foster to perform in Hays April 21" 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=ha66y-13e259d-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Jonathan Foster discuss his music and upcoming Hays performance with The KAYS Morning Blend host Jeff Leiker.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Jonathan Foster to perform in Hays April 21

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Rep. Barbara Wasinger.</i>

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KFDiqjrkWgg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Rep. Barbara Wasinger.</i></p>

🎤 Forward Ever: Kansas Rep. Barbara Wasinger

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast USD 489 Director of Early Childhood Services Donna Hudson-Hamilton shares information about ongoing district pre-school enrollment.</i><br>

<div><iframe title="USD 489 preschool enrollment open now" 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=ffw5u-13e0e2e-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast USD 489 Director of Early Childhood Services Donna Hudson-Hamilton shares information about ongoing district pre-school enrollment.</i><br></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: USD 489 preschool enrollment open now

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department Lt. Brandon Wright shares information about distracted driving during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.</i>

<div><iframe title="April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month; HDP shares safety tips" 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=gts85-13dfdb5-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department Lt. Brandon Wright shares information about distracted driving during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month; HDP shares safety tips

The horrors of the
Holocaust will be remembered and victims honored through a series of events in Hays
through April.

The commemoration includes educational
programs and discussions offering opportunities for community members to learn
and reflect on past atrocities and honor the memory of those lost.

The events mark the second year the Hays Holocaust
Remembrance Committee has offered community programming during Hays
Holocaust Remembrance and Education Month.

Committee chair Amber Nickell, FHSU assistant professor of
history, said events like the ones planned are essential to keeping future
atrocities from occurring.

“The
thing that matters, I think the most, is that we understand how humanity has
behaved in the past, not so that we can prevent the exact same thing from
happening, but so that we can prevent something similar from happening,”
Nickell said. “This is the first and foremost reason why we are so passionate
about Holocaust education and remembrance.

The
committee includes students and staff of the university and Hays Public
Library staff, where some of the month’s events will be hosted.

“They
are a very strong equal partner in this relationship,” Nickell said. “It's only
been two years since we've been doing this, but we have conceived the community
and the university to be one and the same.”

The FHSU History and English Department,
Forsyth Library, Hays Public Library, the Greater Lafayette Holocaust
Remembrance Committee, the American Democracy Project, the FHSU History Club,
and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Socials Sciences also supported the
committee to bring the events to the community.

The first
event is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 11. It will feature Jake Newsome, <i>Pink
Triangle Legacies </i>author, in the FHSU Forsyth Library and online via Zoom.

His work
“looks at the legacy of anti-queer policy of the Nazis,” Nickell said. “In the
wake of that, he looks at how they redeveloped their identities in the wake of
the Holocaust.”

She said
he is a remarkable scholar and advocate, and with LGBTQ+ rights under fire from
the Kansas Legislature, his presentation is especially relevant.<br>

“We have
two events the following day on April 12,” Nickell said. “The first one is working
directly with the American Democracy Project, which is very active on campus, will be giving a Times Talk called <i>Encountering the Holocaust in Poland</i>.”

The talk will feature a roundtable with Nickell and four of her students who recently returned from Poland, where they encountered "remnants of the Holocaust," she said.

It is scheduled for noon in the Forsyth Library.

"And then that evening, the History Club is hosting a film showing of JoJo Rabbit, which is kind of a satire in which a young boy has an imaginary friend that is none other than Adolf Hitler," Nickell said. 

The movie showing is scheduled at 4 p.m. in Forsyth Library, with a discussion set for 6 p.m.

At 11
a.m. April 18, an online presentation featuring a presentation and question
and answer session with Holocaust survivor Ilana Blum live from Tel Aviv, Israel,
is planned.

“Her
father actually died on the ship Struma, which was sunk outside of the coast of
Romania,” Nickell said. “They represent a different experience. Most folks
don't know about the Romanian experience during the Holocaust, nor about
Romanian perpetration during the Holocaust. So I think this will be really
thought-provoking.”

On April 19 and 20, two different book clubs will discuss <i>Salt to the Sea </i>by Ruda Sepetys.

"This is a young adult novel, really, but it's really thought-provoking," Nickell said. "And I think it would be easy for either young folks or older folks to consume. There's an in-person option, the Hays Public Library at 6 p.m. on April 19, and a virtual option at 5 p.m. on April 20."

At 6 p.m. April 25, Jessica Rockhold, executive director of the <a href="https://mchekc.org/">Midwest Center for Holocaust Education</a>, will present an exploration of the history and evolution of false narratives that discount the events of the Holocaust in the Schmidt Gallery of the Hays Public Library.

"As
we're moving into the modern period, we're seeing less and less denial where
people are outright saying, the Holocaust didn't happen," Nickell said. "We all know
better. But we are seeing distortion."

"And then
the final event is on April 26," Nickell said. "This is the one that I'm the most excited
about because we are having the director of the <a href="https://fortunoff.library.yale.edu/">Yale Fortunoff Archive</a> come to
campus to speak with us."

His talk will discuss the music that people sang acapella in their oral histories, later set to a musical score.&nbsp;

The event will begin with a reception at 3:30 p.m. in the Forsyth Library. The presentation will begin at 4 p.m.

"I think it's this really beautiful example of how art was so
important during the Holocaust for people to make sense of it, but also how
those stories via music can live on," Nickell said.

While the memory of the Holocaust will likely continue through the ages, she said opportunities to hear directly from those affected directly are growing more rare.

"We are
running into the point where most of our survivors were child survivors," Nickell said. "The
survivor that's coming Ilana Blum, she actually was a child survivor as
well."

"We're almost to the end of the survivor
generation. And we'll be working mostly with second-generation or third-generation folks. So I would not miss this because we are running into once-in-a-lifetime experiences."

RSVPs
are requested for each event and can be submitted via a QR code on their
promotional materials&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScknPNC2vQkIWzcsF9rIB7OApXz3eDOUeUSSg7NBwF4a40wNA/viewform">or by visiting their signup page.</a> 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680887901716.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="FHSU hosts Holocaust remembrance events through April" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=5irnk-13d98ad-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>The horrors of the
Holocaust will be remembered and victims honored through a series of events in Hays
through April.</p><p>The commemoration includes educational
programs and discussions offering opportunities for community members to learn
and reflect on past atrocities and honor the memory of those lost.</p><p>The events mark the second year the Hays Holocaust
Remembrance Committee has offered community programming during Hays
Holocaust Remembrance and Education Month.</p><p>Committee chair Amber Nickell, FHSU assistant professor of
history, said events like the ones planned are essential to keeping future
atrocities from occurring.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680888287950.jpg" alt="Berlin Holocaust Memorial (Courtesy Pixabay)" />
                        <figcaption>Berlin Holocaust Memorial (Courtesy Pixabay)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“The
thing that matters, I think the most, is that we understand how humanity has
behaved in the past, not so that we can prevent the exact same thing from
happening, but so that we can prevent something similar from happening,”
Nickell said. “This is the first and foremost reason why we are so passionate
about Holocaust education and remembrance.</p><p>The
committee includes students and staff of the university and Hays Public
Library staff, where some of the month’s events will be hosted.</p><p>“They
are a very strong equal partner in this relationship,” Nickell said. “It's only
been two years since we've been doing this, but we have conceived the community
and the university to be one and the same.”</p><p>The FHSU History and English Department,
Forsyth Library, Hays Public Library, the Greater Lafayette Holocaust
Remembrance Committee, the American Democracy Project, the FHSU History Club,
and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Socials Sciences also supported the
committee to bring the events to the community.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890225275.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The first
event is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 11. It will feature Jake Newsome, <i>Pink
Triangle Legacies </i>author, in the FHSU Forsyth Library and online via Zoom.</p><p>His work
“looks at the legacy of anti-queer policy of the Nazis,” Nickell said. “In the
wake of that, he looks at how they redeveloped their identities in the wake of
the Holocaust.”</p><p>She said
he is a remarkable scholar and advocate, and with LGBTQ+ rights under fire from
the Kansas Legislature, his presentation is especially relevant.<br></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890244673.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890262104.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“We have
two events the following day on April 12,” Nickell said. “The first one is working
directly with the American Democracy Project, which is very active on campus, will be giving a Times Talk called <i>Encountering the Holocaust in Poland</i>.”</p><p>The talk will feature a roundtable with Nickell and four of her students who recently returned from Poland, where they encountered "remnants of the Holocaust," she said.</p><p>It is scheduled for noon in the Forsyth Library.</p><p>"And then that evening, the History Club is hosting a film showing of JoJo Rabbit, which is kind of a satire in which a young boy has an imaginary friend that is none other than Adolf Hitler," Nickell said. </p><p>The movie showing is scheduled at 4 p.m. in Forsyth Library, with a discussion set for 6 p.m.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890280980.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>At 11
a.m. April 18, an online presentation featuring a presentation and question
and answer session with Holocaust survivor Ilana Blum live from Tel Aviv, Israel,
is planned.</p><p>“Her
father actually died on the ship Struma, which was sunk outside of the coast of
Romania,” Nickell said. “They represent a different experience. Most folks
don't know about the Romanian experience during the Holocaust, nor about
Romanian perpetration during the Holocaust. So I think this will be really
thought-provoking.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890298372.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890316162.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On April 19 and 20, two different book clubs will discuss <i>Salt to the Sea </i>by Ruda Sepetys.</p><p>"This is a young adult novel, really, but it's really thought-provoking," Nickell said. "And I think it would be easy for either young folks or older folks to consume. There's an in-person option, the Hays Public Library at 6 p.m. on April 19, and a virtual option at 5 p.m. on April 20."</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890331869.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>At 6 p.m. April 25, Jessica Rockhold, executive director of the <a href="https://mchekc.org/">Midwest Center for Holocaust Education</a>, will present an exploration of the history and evolution of false narratives that discount the events of the Holocaust in the Schmidt Gallery of the Hays Public Library.</p><p>"As
we're moving into the modern period, we're seeing less and less denial where
people are outright saying, the Holocaust didn't happen," Nickell said. "We all know
better. But we are seeing distortion."</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680890347518.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"And then
the final event is on April 26," Nickell said. "This is the one that I'm the most excited
about because we are having the director of the <a href="https://fortunoff.library.yale.edu/">Yale Fortunoff Archive</a> come to
campus to speak with us."</p><p>His talk will discuss the music that people sang acapella in their oral histories, later set to a musical score.&nbsp;</p><p>The event will begin with a reception at 3:30 p.m. in the Forsyth Library. The presentation will begin at 4 p.m.</p><p>"I think it's this really beautiful example of how art was so
important during the Holocaust for people to make sense of it, but also how
those stories via music can live on," Nickell said.</p><p>While the memory of the Holocaust will likely continue through the ages, she said opportunities to hear directly from those affected directly are growing more rare.</p><p>"We are
running into the point where most of our survivors were child survivors," Nickell said. "The
survivor that's coming Ilana Blum, she actually was a child survivor as
well."</p><p>"We're almost to the end of the survivor
generation. And we'll be working mostly with second-generation or third-generation folks. So I would not miss this because we are running into once-in-a-lifetime experiences."</p><p>RSVPs
are requested for each event and can be submitted via a QR code on their
promotional materials&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScknPNC2vQkIWzcsF9rIB7OApXz3eDOUeUSSg7NBwF4a40wNA/viewform">or by visiting their signup page.</a> </p>

🎙 Holocaust remembrance, education events planned in Hays

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares details from their upcoming Plinko Patio Party.</i>

<div><iframe title="Preparations underway for Hays Chamber Plinko Patio Party" 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=rm92g-13dc566-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares details from their upcoming Plinko Patio Party.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Preparations underway for Hays Chamber Plinko Patio Party

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Public Libary communications coordinator Callie Kolacny shares details of upcoming events at the library.</i>

<div><iframe title="Fun and educational events fill Hays Public Library’s April calendar" allowtransparency="true" height="150" 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=95m5f-13dc54f-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=315"></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Public Libary communications coordinator Callie Kolacny shares details of upcoming events at the library.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Fun and educational events fill Hays Public Library's April calendar

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas recently
announced the successful completion of its Stronger Forever Together capital
campaign.

The five-year effort wrapped up in December
after raising $5 million, thanks to large and small donors, including some of
the biggest philanthropic people and organizations in northwest Kansas.

With the campaign marking the first time an
effort like this has been undertaken by DSNWK, the funds raised will help the
nonprofit organization continue fulfilling its mission to serve the region.

<b>“D</b>evelopmental
Services of Northwest Kansas serves people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities, and we serve 18 counties of northwest Kansas,” said DSNWK Director of Development Steve Keil. “We
go all the way to the Colorado border all the way up to the Nebraska border.
And we help people in a variety of ways.”

Founded
in 1967, DSNWK has been a long-term asset to area residents with special needs.

“We help
people find employment, we help people and the residential setting where they
might live in a group home, or they might live more independently in their own
apartment,” Keil said. “We have some children's services, in not as many
counties as the 18 counties, but in several counties in Northwest Kansas, and we
provide case management.”

He said
over 500 people are currently using their services. 

DSNWK
President and CEO Jerry Michaud said
the organization's services and reach are made possible by various community partners.

“It goes
back to, really, the fundamentals of how our system has received the support to
do the mission work that we do every day,” Michaud said. “We receive state and
federal funds and local funds. But oftentimes those funds … they've never gone
far enough to meet the need.”

Donations
of all sizes were received during the campaign, but DSNWK hit the $5 million mark
with a check from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation.

“We are forever grateful to all of the
supporters of our capital campaign who believe in our mission and who have
shown it by their financial support,” Michaud said in a statement announcing
the gift. “Our special thanks are extended to the Schmidt Foundation for helping
us reach the finish line. It is through all of this support and generosity that
has allowed us to achieve our goal.”

While
fundraising has been a long-time part of DSNWK’s efforts creating a five-year
capital campaign was a new venture for the organization undertaken as other
funding avenues were explored.

“We
started actually our change of direction or an enhancement to what we've been
doing,” Michaud said. “We've been doing fundraising for a long time, but we
entered into the realm of planned giving, and estate planning and those types
of things.”

Ensuring
adequate funding levels is a necessity for the group and is used to keep services
available. 

“Oftentimes, our funding does not cover the physical plant aspects of things,” Michaud
said. “And as we all know, homeowners and alike have stuff that just deteriorates
over time, and you must take care of it. And if you don't, it's just not good.
And so we knew we had many, many needs and, and reached out through this
approach to engage with other people by first educating them about what those
needs are.

“And I'm
convinced that when people understand that there are needs out … there's a
generosity within this community, this region, that's just pretty amazing.”

Among the specific goals outlined
for the campaign was to establish an endowed fund.

<b>“W</b>e
established a Jim and Rose Bloom endowment,” Keil said. “Jim Bloom was a
president before Jerry took over. And a lot of people know him here in Hays.”

They
also desired to improve technology and facilities with the campaign.

“The one
thing that happened during these five years was a pandemic,” Keil said. “If there was ever a time where technology became such an integral part of
business, it was during that pandemic — with Google Meet, and with Zoom calls, and
all those kinds of things — and we need really needed to get our technology up
to speed to be able to connect with people.

“And
then we really wanted to update the facilities that we have that … needed
attention. And so we've, over the course of the time, we've put flooring in,
siding, HVAC units, just a lot of things, roofing, things that facilities were
in dire need of, and this campaign helped us to be able to do those things.”

By
upgrading those services, Michaud said DSNWK could see cost savings, further
benefiting the organization’s financial standing.

<b>“W</b>hen
you've got an old unit that is not very efficient, or you've got old lighting
systems where you update to LEDs, you see the benefit in more than one way,”
he said. “It's better. And it's more economical.”

Increasing
accessibility was also a cornerstone of the campaign.

<b>“M</b>eeting
accessibility needs is another one of those things,” Michaud said. “And we
learned along the way that some of our settings were, we're not where we wanted
them to be.” 

With the successful completion of
the campaign, he said the organization is sharing the news across the region as
they celebrate the generosity that made successfully completed the campaign.

“We're
trying to go out to some of the communities throughout the area and talk to
maybe local chambers or just the community in general and just kind of give
them an update on how the campaign went and some of the things that have their
community has benefited from the campaign, what's happened at their local
center or the group homes there in their community and some of the things that
we've been able to do because of the campaign,” Keil said. “And so we're going
to spend the next few months just being able to go out and talk to people about
how this how this turned out.”

<div><iframe title="DSNWK celebrates completion of five-year capital campaign; $5 million raised" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=badfj-13d854e-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas recently
announced the successful completion of its Stronger Forever Together capital
campaign.</p><p>The five-year effort wrapped up in December
after raising $5 million, thanks to large and small donors, including some of
the biggest philanthropic people and organizations in northwest Kansas.</p><p>With the campaign marking the first time an
effort like this has been undertaken by DSNWK, the funds raised will help the
nonprofit organization continue fulfilling its mission to serve the region.</p><p><b>“D</b>evelopmental
Services of Northwest Kansas serves people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities, and we serve 18 counties of northwest Kansas,” said DSNWK Director of Development Steve Keil. “We
go all the way to the Colorado border all the way up to the Nebraska border.
And we help people in a variety of ways.”</p><p>Founded
in 1967, DSNWK has been a long-term asset to area residents with special needs.</p><p>“We help
people find employment, we help people and the residential setting where they
might live in a group home, or they might live more independently in their own
apartment,” Keil said. “We have some children's services, in not as many
counties as the 18 counties, but in several counties in Northwest Kansas, and we
provide case management.”</p><p>He said
over 500 people are currently using their services. </p><p>DSNWK
President and CEO Jerry Michaud said
the organization's services and reach are made possible by various community partners.</p><p>“It goes
back to, really, the fundamentals of how our system has received the support to
do the mission work that we do every day,” Michaud said. “We receive state and
federal funds and local funds. But oftentimes those funds … they've never gone
far enough to meet the need.”</p><p>Donations
of all sizes were received during the campaign, but DSNWK hit the $5 million mark
with a check from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation.</p><p>“We are forever grateful to all of the
supporters of our capital campaign who believe in our mission and who have
shown it by their financial support,” Michaud said in a statement announcing
the gift. “Our special thanks are extended to the Schmidt Foundation for helping
us reach the finish line. It is through all of this support and generosity that
has allowed us to achieve our goal.”</p><p>While
fundraising has been a long-time part of DSNWK’s efforts creating a five-year
capital campaign was a new venture for the organization undertaken as other
funding avenues were explored.</p><p>“We
started actually our change of direction or an enhancement to what we've been
doing,” Michaud said. “We've been doing fundraising for a long time, but we
entered into the realm of planned giving, and estate planning and those types
of things.”</p><p>Ensuring
adequate funding levels is a necessity for the group and is used to keep services
available. </p><p>“Oftentimes, our funding does not cover the physical plant aspects of things,” Michaud
said. “And as we all know, homeowners and alike have stuff that just deteriorates
over time, and you must take care of it. And if you don't, it's just not good.
And so we knew we had many, many needs and, and reached out through this
approach to engage with other people by first educating them about what those
needs are.</p><p>“And I'm
convinced that when people understand that there are needs out … there's a
generosity within this community, this region, that's just pretty amazing.”</p><p>Among the specific goals outlined
for the campaign was to establish an endowed fund.</p><p><b>“W</b>e
established a Jim and Rose Bloom endowment,” Keil said. “Jim Bloom was a
president before Jerry took over. And a lot of people know him here in Hays.”</p><p>They
also desired to improve technology and facilities with the campaign.</p><p>“The one
thing that happened during these five years was a pandemic,” Keil said. “If there was ever a time where technology became such an integral part of
business, it was during that pandemic — with Google Meet, and with Zoom calls, and
all those kinds of things — and we need really needed to get our technology up
to speed to be able to connect with people.</p><p>“And
then we really wanted to update the facilities that we have that … needed
attention. And so we've, over the course of the time, we've put flooring in,
siding, HVAC units, just a lot of things, roofing, things that facilities were
in dire need of, and this campaign helped us to be able to do those things.”</p><p>By
upgrading those services, Michaud said DSNWK could see cost savings, further
benefiting the organization’s financial standing.</p><p><b>“W</b>hen
you've got an old unit that is not very efficient, or you've got old lighting
systems where you update to LEDs, you see the benefit in more than one way,”
he said. “It's better. And it's more economical.”</p><p>Increasing
accessibility was also a cornerstone of the campaign.</p><p><b>“M</b>eeting
accessibility needs is another one of those things,” Michaud said. “And we
learned along the way that some of our settings were, we're not where we wanted
them to be.” </p><p>With the successful completion of
the campaign, he said the organization is sharing the news across the region as
they celebrate the generosity that made successfully completed the campaign.</p><p>“We're
trying to go out to some of the communities throughout the area and talk to
maybe local chambers or just the community in general and just kind of give
them an update on how the campaign went and some of the things that have their
community has benefited from the campaign, what's happened at their local
center or the group homes there in their community and some of the things that
we've been able to do because of the campaign,” Keil said. “And so we're going
to spend the next few months just being able to go out and talk to people about
how this how this turned out.”</p>

🎙 DSNWK celebrates completion of five-year, $5M capital campaign

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams share information about entrepreneurship in the area as they prepare for the next Pitch It event.</i>

<div><iframe title="Grow Hays’ ’Pitch It’ event to encourage area entrepreneurship" 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=av942-13d96cc-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams share information about entrepreneurship in the area as they prepare for the next Pitch It event.</i></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Grow Hays' 'Pitch It' event to encourage area entrepreneurship

For over half a century, the Hays High Plains
Barbershop Chapter has been entertaining area residents with their unique stylings
of barbershop favorites.

At 2 and 7 p.m. April 15, the group will
continue that legacy with "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" at the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus, 600 Park.

Both concerts will feature<b>&nbsp;</b>barbershop
harmony from Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus, Tumbleweeds Chorus, FHSU
Singers and Vocal Spectrum.

“This is
a must-see show,” said Don Barber, a member since the group’s
inception. “It
really is if you like music at all. And it's a real family-oriented show. You
never hear any off-color, anything like that. It's just a pure family show and
wonderful, wonderful music.”

And with limited exposure to live barbershop , the annual concert provides a special
opportunity to explore a distinct musical style.

“It’s an
absolutely great thing for young people that love music to come see and enjoy a
different style of music than they normally hear,” said member Vance Chartier.
“Especially the ones that are singing in their
local choirs in schools.”

Barber said the
concert will feature large and small ensembles during the two-hour show.

“We have
two local quartets in our chapter that will perform, and we're going to perform,”
Barber said. “We'll open the show, and we have a couple of quartets that are
going to perform. And we have Dr. Terry Crull’s Fort Hays State choir also
singing in the show in the first half. And then our chorus will open the second
half.

“And
then we bring on the quartet Vocal Spectrum. So, it'll be about, with
everything, right around a two-hour show and Vocal Spectrum, they'll get about
30-35 minutes. So just the most beautiful thing you've ever heard in your life.”

He said
over the years, many of the quartets that have performed at the annual Hays show
have later taken first place in international competition.

“We are their lucky chapter,” Barber said.

The
annual concert marks one of the largest for barbershop music in the area.

“We are
one of the biggest shows for barbershop harmony in the Midwest,” Chartier said.
“And we are well-known across the country as a
very good venue for the quartets to come.”

Some lucky audience members will receive a
special takeaway as well, Chartier said.

“During
the intermission, we do a drawing to give away CDs of the performing quartets
that come in,” he said. “So people have a chance to win that, and that's done by
the ticket stubs that they turn in, so they'll get to take home some music that
they heard.”

Tickets
for the show are unreserved, with doors set to open an hour before the show start.

<b>“</b>So if
you have a favorite seat, if you get there, but pretty early, you'll probably
get the seat where you probably like are in the area,” Barber said. “And if you
get a ticket, you go to either show.”

While
the upcoming annual event will showcase Barbershop music, members of the group
get to experience the style throughout the year — and they are always looking
for new members.

“We always
invite new members at any time we sing,” Chartier said. “We're always looking
for people that sing well and invite them in.”

The group
rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort.

And he
said there has even been interest in a women’s chapter if a director can be
found.

<b>“W</b>e've got
one of the biggest choruses out in his part of the state,” Barber said. “So
we're very proud of it, and we have guys coming from nine counties.”

“We have
a lot of fun,” Chartier said. “Everybody knows there's nothing better than music,
to keep the heart and everything happy. …. And I will say, having been here seven
years, once I got there, it was like another family.”

“We love it,” Barber said. “We love singing.”

The love
of the art form brings the group together, and while members do not receive compensation,
the group is a non-profit organization that uses revenues to support other area
organizations.

“We're a
nonprofit, charitable, educational organization,” Barber said. “We're tax-exempt because we give a lot of our money away to different charities.”

“We've got members that come from two hours away
to practice with us every week, and like nine counties, so we donate to music
programs all through the area, and also scholarships to colleges in the area,” Chartier
said.

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-grand-night-for-singing-tickets-443815081857?fbclid=IwAR0znXfvsVMyBaxwx9edG5TD3-677QEhN8z7vTxcSOI-ktbx_Z8zS-PCTZc">Tickets are available now at select locations
throughout the area and can be found online at Event Bright.</a>

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680709640494.jpeg" alt="Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter will present "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" April 15 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus." />
                        <figcaption>Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter will present "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" April 15 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus.</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter to present ’It’s a Grand Night For Singing’ April 15" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=ajc8g-13d68bf-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>For over half a century, the Hays High Plains
Barbershop Chapter has been entertaining area residents with their unique stylings
of barbershop favorites.</p><p>At 2 and 7 p.m. April 15, the group will
continue that legacy with "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" at the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus, 600 Park.</p><p>Both concerts will feature<b>&nbsp;</b>barbershop
harmony from Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus, Tumbleweeds Chorus, FHSU
Singers and Vocal Spectrum.</p><p>“This is
a must-see show,” said Don Barber, a member since the group’s
inception. “It
really is if you like music at all. And it's a real family-oriented show. You
never hear any off-color, anything like that. It's just a pure family show and
wonderful, wonderful music.”</p><p>And with limited exposure to live barbershop , the annual concert provides a special
opportunity to explore a distinct musical style.</p><p>“It’s an
absolutely great thing for young people that love music to come see and enjoy a
different style of music than they normally hear,” said member Vance Chartier.
“Especially the ones that are singing in their
local choirs in schools.”</p><p>Barber said the
concert will feature large and small ensembles during the two-hour show.</p><p>“We have
two local quartets in our chapter that will perform, and we're going to perform,”
Barber said. “We'll open the show, and we have a couple of quartets that are
going to perform. And we have Dr. Terry Crull’s Fort Hays State choir also
singing in the show in the first half. And then our chorus will open the second
half.</p><p>“And
then we bring on the quartet Vocal Spectrum. So, it'll be about, with
everything, right around a two-hour show and Vocal Spectrum, they'll get about
30-35 minutes. So just the most beautiful thing you've ever heard in your life.”</p><p>He said
over the years, many of the quartets that have performed at the annual Hays show
have later taken first place in international competition.</p><p>“We are their lucky chapter,” Barber said.</p><p>The
annual concert marks one of the largest for barbershop music in the area.</p><p>“We are
one of the biggest shows for barbershop harmony in the Midwest,” Chartier said.
“And we are well-known across the country as a
very good venue for the quartets to come.”</p><p>Some lucky audience members will receive a
special takeaway as well, Chartier said.</p><p>“During
the intermission, we do a drawing to give away CDs of the performing quartets
that come in,” he said. “So people have a chance to win that, and that's done by
the ticket stubs that they turn in, so they'll get to take home some music that
they heard.”</p><p>Tickets
for the show are unreserved, with doors set to open an hour before the show start.</p><p><b>“</b>So if
you have a favorite seat, if you get there, but pretty early, you'll probably
get the seat where you probably like are in the area,” Barber said. “And if you
get a ticket, you go to either show.”</p><p>While
the upcoming annual event will showcase Barbershop music, members of the group
get to experience the style throughout the year — and they are always looking
for new members.</p><p>“We always
invite new members at any time we sing,” Chartier said. “We're always looking
for people that sing well and invite them in.”</p><p>The group
rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort.</p><p>And he
said there has even been interest in a women’s chapter if a director can be
found.</p><p><b>“W</b>e've got
one of the biggest choruses out in his part of the state,” Barber said. “So
we're very proud of it, and we have guys coming from nine counties.”</p><p>“We have
a lot of fun,” Chartier said. “Everybody knows there's nothing better than music,
to keep the heart and everything happy. …. And I will say, having been here seven
years, once I got there, it was like another family.”</p><p>“We love it,” Barber said. “We love singing.”</p><p>The love
of the art form brings the group together, and while members do not receive compensation,
the group is a non-profit organization that uses revenues to support other area
organizations.</p><p>“We're a
nonprofit, charitable, educational organization,” Barber said. “We're tax-exempt because we give a lot of our money away to different charities.”</p><p>“We've got members that come from two hours away
to practice with us every week, and like nine counties, so we donate to music
programs all through the area, and also scholarships to colleges in the area,” Chartier
said.</p><p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-grand-night-for-singing-tickets-443815081857?fbclid=IwAR0znXfvsVMyBaxwx9edG5TD3-677QEhN8z7vTxcSOI-ktbx_Z8zS-PCTZc">Tickets are available now at select locations
throughout the area and can be found online at Event Bright.</a></p><p>Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door.</p>

🎙 Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter set to present ’It’s a Grand Night For Singing’ 

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Schultz.</i>

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b3k7JG5uqrk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Schultz.</i></p>

🎤 Forward Ever: Kansas Sec. of Labor Amber Schultz

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State Shooting Sports team members Kyler Niblock and Katie Dettmann discuss recent team activities and accomplishments as they reflect on the history and legacy of the team and it's impact on FHSU.</i>

<div><iframe title="FHSU Shotgun Team success continues building legacy" 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=3hepb-13d8535-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><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State Shooting Sports team members Kyler Niblock and Katie Dettmann discuss recent team activities and accomplishments as they reflect on the history and legacy of the team and it's impact on FHSU.</i></p>