Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams recently shared an Ellis County economic recap during the final quarterly luncheon of the year.

And while no groundbreaking surprises were presented during the hour-long event, Williams shared with the crowd some of the challenges that came to light in 2021 and some of the opportunities that also were presented.

"To say it's been a challenging year, a couple of years, would
be an understatement," Williams said.

But he said looking forward to 2022 and beyond, Ellis County has the potential to face those challenges.

"I think we need to be thinking longer-term than maybe we have in the past as we try and deal with the world as it is
today, which is a whole lot different than the world that was yesterday," Williams said.

That thinking is exactly what Grow Hays is all about, he said.

"Every time I go back and talk about...what do we do
this year, I go back to our mission," Williams said. "And so how do we fulfill our mission and
our mission is business creation, business retention and expansion, and
business recruitment."

Over the year, events such as the Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship Series, the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Think Like an Entrepreneur Class and Think Tank Group helped with those efforts.

And he said Brief Space, the co-working space operated by Grow Hays remains a powerful tool to assist in business development.

Over the year, he said usage of the facility has increased, with students from Fort Hays State University utilizing the space and podcasting tools, while more and more other area entrepreneurs, including some established business owners, are also coming to utilize the building for various purposes.

"We keep continuing
trying to create this environment, this community of entrepreneurship because
it's critically important that we grow our own," Williams said. "We can't count on necessarily
recruiting people from outside. We continue to do that, but we also have to
grow our own."

"And then we go to a
community loan program. We currently have 25 loans out to small businesses, about $600,000 in volume. We service those, and we make more loans each
year in that program," Williams said.

Next year those efforts will be expanded, he said, as events like their Pitch It series are set to return.

Another continuing focus of the organization is succession planning.

"We work consistently on succession planning," Williams said. "We believe it's
really important that we have stories like Northwestern printers, or Werth Plumbing
Heating, as opposed to Goodwin Sporting Goods or some things like that. We
wan want succession versus closure in a business."

Key to those efforts, however, is housing for workers in those businesses. He said on that front, much work remains.

"We've done a lot in the area of housing," he said. "Our Heart of America, our RHID addition, currently, we have 10 homes under construction, actually, at
various stages, some of them actually coming up out of the ground, which is
great."

He said homes in the new development are critical to meet the community's housing needs, but also so the developers can recoup building costs and begin working on more housing projects.

The homes in that project will help, but Williams said other ongoing construction, as well as future plans for multi-family housing to be built, will be vital.&nbsp;

Among the projects he noted, was the repurposing of the former St. Joesph school into apartments, and additional construction at the Ellis Estates.

Plans in the works for a retiree community near Hays Med also continue to develop.

"We're working on it," Williams said. " One
step forward, two steps back, but we're still confident that can happen
and will happen."

As development continues, Williams shared with the group efforts to establish long-term planning for Ellis County are moving ahead full-throttle.

"We have
a new committee called the Imagine Ellis County committee which is committed to
promoting growth in Ellis County," Williams said. "We've got a couple of grants to tell our
story."

He said videos on Ellis County have been developed, highlighting the benefits of living in the area.

Helping in the effort to recruit and retain businesses, Grow Hays this year also hired a new director of recruitment and retainment.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3c8396f7-800d-405c-8251-7fdc9d72eca3">David Clingan was hired in the role earlier this month and will begin in the role on Jan. 3.</a>

"We were very fortunate, and thank you to the city of Hays and Ellis County," Williams said.&nbsp; "They both stepped up to the plate this year with some funding for our
organization to allow us to hire... And we're expecting big things."

A key component of that recruitment is having the workforce and, even setting housing shortages aside, regional population decline could dampen the ability of Hays to maintain the level of businesses currently supported.

"And as I look forward, there's one obvious, in my opinion, elephant in the room, and this may be a little beyond 2022, but if we look at the population trends
for western Kansas...northwest Kansas shrank by .62 percent," Williams said. "And
that's our trade area. So we've got a situation where we're growing just a
little bit or holding our own, (while) our trade area is shrinking. And that's not a
good combination."

Work needs to be done now to ward off regional population decline.

"If we want to grow that workforce, we really got to
start thinking about some things we have to do and what we have to be more
proactive about," Williams said.

But as more and more people are looking to leave urban areas in favor of more rural areas, he said he is hopeful the housing concerns can be addressed soon enough to capture that potential workforce.

"We have an
opportunity here that is kind of unique in the next 10 years. [There are] some statistics that talk about, there's going to be up to 20 million people
migrating from urban areas to rural areas... We need to make sure that we're in a position
to capture those urban migrators, at least a share."

Even with the challenges, Williams said he felt the year was productive for the organization as it looks ahead.

"I think we had a really good year. There's
certainly a lot of things I wish we had done faster and gotten more
done, but hopefully, that's always the case," Williams said. "So now we look forward to 2022."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640279693304.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Grow Hays hosts 2021 wrap up" 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=m7awf-116116a-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostGrow Hays executive director Doug Williams recently shared an Ellis County economic recap during the final quarterly luncheon of the year.And while no groundbreaking surprises were presented during the hour-long event, Williams shared with the crowd some of the challenges that came to light in 2021 and some of the opportunities that also were presented."To say it's been a challenging year, a couple of years, would
be an understatement," Williams said.But he said looking forward to 2022 and beyond, Ellis County has the potential to face those challenges."I think we need to be thinking longer-term than maybe we have in the past as we try and deal with the world as it is
today, which is a whole lot different than the world that was yesterday," Williams said.That thinking is exactly what Grow Hays is all about, he said."Every time I go back and talk about...what do we do
this year, I go back to our mission," Williams said. "And so how do we fulfill our mission and
our mission is business creation, business retention and expansion, and
business recruitment."Over the year, events such as the Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship Series, the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Think Like an Entrepreneur Class and Think Tank Group helped with those efforts.And he said Brief Space, the co-working space operated by Grow Hays remains a powerful tool to assist in business development.Over the year, he said usage of the facility has increased, with students from Fort Hays State University utilizing the space and podcasting tools, while more and more other area entrepreneurs, including some established business owners, are also coming to utilize the building for various purposes."We keep continuing
trying to create this environment, this community of entrepreneurship because
it's critically important that we grow our own," Williams said. "We can't count on necessarily
recruiting people from outside. We continue to do that, but we also have to
grow our own.""And then we go to a
community loan program. We currently have 25 loans out to small businesses, about $600,000 in volume. We service those, and we make more loans each
year in that program," Williams said.Next year those efforts will be expanded, he said, as events like their Pitch It series are set to return.Another continuing focus of the organization is succession planning."We work consistently on succession planning," Williams said. "We believe it's
really important that we have stories like Northwestern printers, or Werth Plumbing
Heating, as opposed to Goodwin Sporting Goods or some things like that. We
wan want succession versus closure in a business."Key to those efforts, however, is housing for workers in those businesses. He said on that front, much work remains."We've done a lot in the area of housing," he said. "Our Heart of America, our RHID addition, currently, we have 10 homes under construction, actually, at
various stages, some of them actually coming up out of the ground, which is
great."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640279674001.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>He said homes in the new development are critical to meet the community's housing needs, but also so the developers can recoup building costs and begin working on more housing projects.The homes in that project will help, but Williams said other ongoing construction, as well as future plans for multi-family housing to be built, will be vital.&nbsp;Among the projects he noted, was the repurposing of the former St. Joesph school into apartments, and additional construction at the Ellis Estates.Plans in the works for a retiree community near Hays Med also continue to develop."We're working on it," Williams said. " One
step forward, two steps back, but we're still confident that can happen
and will happen."<h2>Looking ahead</h2>As development continues, Williams shared with the group efforts to establish long-term planning for Ellis County are moving ahead full-throttle."We have
a new committee called the Imagine Ellis County committee which is committed to
promoting growth in Ellis County," Williams said. "We've got a couple of grants to tell our
story."He said videos on Ellis County have been developed, highlighting the benefits of living in the area.Helping in the effort to recruit and retain businesses, Grow Hays this year also hired a new director of recruitment and retainment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640279684000.jpeg" alt="David Clingan was hired by Grow Hays in December to fill the newly created role of director of recruitment and retainment." />
 <figcaption>David Clingan was hired by Grow Hays in December to fill the newly created role of director of recruitment and retainment.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3c8396f7-800d-405c-8251-7fdc9d72eca3">David Clingan was hired in the role earlier this month and will begin in the role on Jan. 3.</a>"We were very fortunate, and thank you to the city of Hays and Ellis County," Williams said.&nbsp; "They both stepped up to the plate this year with some funding for our
organization to allow us to hire... And we're expecting big things."A key component of that recruitment is having the workforce and, even setting housing shortages aside, regional population decline could dampen the ability of Hays to maintain the level of businesses currently supported."And as I look forward, there's one obvious, in my opinion, elephant in the room, and this may be a little beyond 2022, but if we look at the population trends
for western Kansas...northwest Kansas shrank by .62 percent," Williams said. "And
that's our trade area. So we've got a situation where we're growing just a
little bit or holding our own, (while) our trade area is shrinking. And that's not a
good combination."Work needs to be done now to ward off regional population decline."If we want to grow that workforce, we really got to
start thinking about some things we have to do and what we have to be more
proactive about," Williams said.But as more and more people are looking to leave urban areas in favor of more rural areas, he said he is hopeful the housing concerns can be addressed soon enough to capture that potential workforce."We have an
opportunity here that is kind of unique in the next 10 years. [There are] some statistics that talk about, there's going to be up to 20 million people
migrating from urban areas to rural areas... We need to make sure that we're in a position
to capture those urban migrators, at least a share."Even with the challenges, Williams said he felt the year was productive for the organization as it looks ahead."I think we had a really good year. There's
certainly a lot of things I wish we had done faster and gotten more
done, but hopefully, that's always the case," Williams said. "So now we look forward to 2022."

🎙 Williams: 2021 year of challenges, opportunities

A new year is quickly approaching, and for the Hays Chamber
that means another awards banquet celebrating area business people for their work
and contributions to Hays and beyond.

“The annual chamber awards banquet is one of the best nights
that the chamber gets to celebrate every year, and it also serves as a
fundraiser for the chamber,” said president and CEO Sarah Wasinger. “And more
than anything, it's just really a great chance to celebrate our strong business
community and the individuals who make Hays such a special place to live, work
and play.”

This year eight awards will be given out, including one of
the chamber’s newest awards the Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the
Year Award.

“The award is focused on businesses that invest capital into
the Hays community and events that the Chamber sponsors, as well as investing
time,” said Tim Werth, founding&nbsp; and managing partner of Werth&nbsp;Wealth
Management.

“We think this will be a very exciting one. We've never had
this award before,” Wasinger said.

Also being added this year is the Grow Hays Robert E.
Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

“This award is going to be presented annually to an
entrepreneur who has demonstrated the ability to create and grow their business
while adding value to our communities,” Wasinger said.

“The award, just as a whole, I'd say, what a great
tribute to one of the true icons and pillars of the Hays community. How
appropriate to have that named after Robert Schmidt,” Werth said. 

“There are a number of great entrepreneurs in the Hays
community, a number of great businesses. And it's obvious that
brings dollars into communities when you have successful businesses. And, you
know, Robert Schmidt certainly laid a good path for many to follow.”

Awards returning this year include the City of Hays Small
Business Achievement Award, eyeSMILE Vision &amp; Dental Helping Hands Award, Golden
Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award, Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award, Nex-Tech
Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award and the Vyve Broadband Rising Star
Award.

While the awards will celebrate those making a difference in
the community, the banquet also serves as a fundraiser for the chamber, itself
a community resource.

“We have such a great community and a lot to be proud of,”
Werth said. “And it takes it takes work from all of us to make a community go
and what a great investment to make into the chamber and, you know, other civic
organizations as well, that makes our community so great.”

Award nominations are due to the chamber by Jan. 7. The
banquet is scheduled for Jan. 25.

“And of course, because we pick January for that day,
sometimes weather can, you know, poke fun at your plans and good intentions,”
Wasinger said. “So the backup weather date would be Feb. 1."

The evening is set to begin with a social at 5:30 p.m. in
the Black and Gold Room located on Memorial Union on the Fort Hays State
University campus.

Dinner will be provided again by Chartwells, one of our
premier sponsors, and the program will start around 7 p.m.

“We intend on wrapping up right around 8:30 p.m., Wasinger said.
“So, it's really about three hours, just wonderful socializing, networking with
your counterparts across the business community. And then, of course, getting to
see some wonderful businesses and folks being recognized.”

A full list of awards and requirements can be seen below. <a href="https://hayschamber.com/">For more information, including the nomination form, visit hayschamber.com.</a>

City of Hays Small Business Achievement Award

 • Must be a long-standing member and a small business that has had a significant impact on the community, and contributed to the overall success of the Hays area.

eyeSMILE Vision &amp; Dental Helping Hands Award

 • Demonstrated commitment to caring, generosity of spirit, openness and inclusion

Golden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award

 • Long-term community service and history of civic imvolvement

 • Demonstrated excellence in business or profession

Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award

 • This award is presented annually to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated the ability to create and grow their business while adding value to our community.

Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award

 • Community involvement during the past year

 • Has given themselves for the betterment of our community and it’s people over the past year

Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award

 • Business accomplishments, history of community service, Chamber participation, etc.

 • Assists others in reaching their full leadership potential

 • Within the ages of 21-40 with a history of community service and Chamber participation, etc.

 • Demonstrated excellence in leadership qualities in business or community

Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the Year Award

 • Consideration will be given to members who support the chamber throughout the year through the investment of capital and time of volunteers, including service to the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Hays Young Professionals, and committees, as well as attending chamber events throughout the year.

<div><iframe title="Annual Chamber Award Banquet nomination open now" 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=wvw2e-116045d-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostA new year is quickly approaching, and for the Hays Chamber
that means another awards banquet celebrating area business people for their work
and contributions to Hays and beyond.“The annual chamber awards banquet is one of the best nights
that the chamber gets to celebrate every year, and it also serves as a
fundraiser for the chamber,” said president and CEO Sarah Wasinger. “And more
than anything, it's just really a great chance to celebrate our strong business
community and the individuals who make Hays such a special place to live, work
and play.”This year eight awards will be given out, including one of
the chamber’s newest awards the Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the
Year Award.“The award is focused on businesses that invest capital into
the Hays community and events that the Chamber sponsors, as well as investing
time,” said Tim Werth, founding&nbsp; and managing partner of Werth&nbsp;Wealth
Management.“We think this will be a very exciting one. We've never had
this award before,” Wasinger said.Also being added this year is the Grow Hays Robert E.
Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award.“This award is going to be presented annually to an
entrepreneur who has demonstrated the ability to create and grow their business
while adding value to our communities,” Wasinger said.“The award, just as a whole, I'd say, what a great
tribute to one of the true icons and pillars of the Hays community. How
appropriate to have that named after Robert Schmidt,” Werth said. “There are a number of great entrepreneurs in the Hays
community, a number of great businesses. And it's obvious that
brings dollars into communities when you have successful businesses. And, you
know, Robert Schmidt certainly laid a good path for many to follow.”Awards returning this year include the City of Hays Small
Business Achievement Award, eyeSMILE Vision &amp; Dental Helping Hands Award, Golden
Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award, Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award, Nex-Tech
Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award and the Vyve Broadband Rising Star
Award.While the awards will celebrate those making a difference in
the community, the banquet also serves as a fundraiser for the chamber, itself
a community resource.“We have such a great community and a lot to be proud of,”
Werth said. “And it takes it takes work from all of us to make a community go
and what a great investment to make into the chamber and, you know, other civic
organizations as well, that makes our community so great.”Award nominations are due to the chamber by Jan. 7. The
banquet is scheduled for Jan. 25.“And of course, because we pick January for that day,
sometimes weather can, you know, poke fun at your plans and good intentions,”
Wasinger said. “So the backup weather date would be Feb. 1."The evening is set to begin with a social at 5:30 p.m. in
the Black and Gold Room located on Memorial Union on the Fort Hays State
University campus.Dinner will be provided again by Chartwells, one of our
premier sponsors, and the program will start around 7 p.m.“We intend on wrapping up right around 8:30 p.m., Wasinger said.
“So, it's really about three hours, just wonderful socializing, networking with
your counterparts across the business community. And then, of course, getting to
see some wonderful businesses and folks being recognized.”A full list of awards and requirements can be seen below. <a href="https://hayschamber.com/">For more information, including the nomination form, visit hayschamber.com.</a>City of Hays Small Business Achievement Award • Must be a long-standing member and a small business that has had a significant impact on the community, and contributed to the overall success of the Hays area.eyeSMILE Vision &amp; Dental Helping Hands Award • Nonprofit organization or employee • Demonstrated commitment to caring, generosity of spirit, openness and inclusionGolden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award • Long-term community service and history of civic imvolvement • Demonstrated excellence in business or professionGrow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award • This award is presented annually to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated the ability to create and grow their business while adding value to our community.Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award • Community involvement during the past year • Has given themselves for the betterment of our community and it’s people over the past yearNex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award • Business accomplishments, history of community service, Chamber participation, etc. • Assists others in reaching their full leadership potentialVyve Broadband Rising Star Award • Within the ages of 21-40 with a history of community service and Chamber participation, etc. • Demonstrated excellence in leadership qualities in business or communityWerth Wealth Management Member Investor of the Year Award • Consideration will be given to members who support the chamber throughout the year through the investment of capital and time of volunteers, including service to the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Hays Young Professionals, and committees, as well as attending chamber events throughout the year.Cover photo courtesy Pixabay.

🎙Nominations open for annual Hays chamber awards

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder shares the latest from the council.

The Winter Artwalk may be over. But there's still an opportunity to see the five state photography show at the Hays Arts Council and maybe get in a little holiday shopping as well, Executive Director Brenda Meder stops by to talk to us about what's going on at the Arts Council this month. On this episode of the Post Podcast.

We've got is 150 fabulous photographs in this year's Five State Photography Exhibition. As a lot of people know, we opened the exhibition on Saturday, December 4, as the anchor of our winter, our walk. And and in fact, while I'm mentioning that, I'll just let everyone know, if you use us Facebook, I put a nice album up about I think 80 images, just to the various sites and the features, and some people enjoying them. And that is up on our Facebook page. And I don't have it on our website, I'll move it over there, but it is on our Facebook page. So you can just see how what a lovely day It wasn't. It was wonderful. And again, that's the day we opened the five state. And we did have a lot of photographers that were visiting from the Kansas City area from Winfield and we had people from McPherson, I know we had some people from Nebraska, I think we had some Oklahoma, I know some around the Wichita area. So it's wonderful that this project has such a level of appreciation that they appreciate it so much, because they know we're not going to do any formal ceremonies or make any big announcements or, you know, it's just come and enjoy great art. And so we just invite the community to do that as well. And the good news is we know the holidays can be a little crazy, which is why when it's a show we put this much work into and is this enjoyable for everyone people you know, there's something for everyone in this show. This show will run through February the 11th. So a good long time yet you know, schedules again are crazy during the holidays and will be shut down in a little bit over the two big holiday weekends and, and we know other people will be traveling, but on February the 11th. So you've got some great time to just come in and take a look when you've got a few minutes you're downtown. Because there isn't a fee. Nobody bothers you. It's just come in and enjoy a little bit of background music we'll be playing and and you know, we say hello, we say goodbye and unless you need something, we leave you alone just to enjoy. So please, please do come by and check it out. But it was a really great day. We had a lot of fun. And a lot of really wonderful things. It was such a great opportunity to see such a diverse array of creativity and imagination and arts and culture in our community. They were quilt shows in the photography. I went down and got to catch part of one of the martial arts demonstrations and it's such it's such an ancient art form, you know the aikido that was going on, I caught a little bit of that and, and some of the model building that was down there as well as you know, to great BFA and one fantastic MFA show. Factor I'll give her a shout out if you haven't been down to see Wendy tan show yet. And I know you guys have been reading some stuff on his post about it. It's really a fabulous show and it's one of those that's unique and interesting and it's just been a resounding success. So I got no connection to that one but it's a great show. And it and you know maybe not so bad to get a park on campus this week with it being finals and people kind of coming and going at different times. But I believe her show goes through this Friday. So it was it was just it was really really wonderful. The the sculpture students were out forging metal and showing some of their wares and stuff over at the Pavilion and there was a youth artwork and it was it was just a really good day. And again come see us if you didn't get a chance to and when you do come see us it'll also be a great opportunity to check out our Gift Gallery. As most people know our Gift Gallery is not real big and you know there's not you know we've got a great diversity of things in there but it's not like we have some big seasonal changeover but it's a great place to find something unique. The Coburn pottery that we have is always really popular. In fact we've had that going out in the last few days in a couple of really nice big chunks and at the Artwalk we did as well. But this wonderful decorative and functional pottery microwave oven and dishwasher safe made by Steve Coburn and Selena really really wonderful prices on it. It's beautiful a pottery but very simple in its in its form because its function is fabulous. And people have been loving it for years because it's basically been the same designs. We've also got if if you've got you know a fine art follower on your on your Christmas list. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. We've got this entire binder book of Maciel etchings, original original pulled press etchings for only $45 an etching and then if you want something with a little bit more drama and color, those wonderful little flowers that Nick also does, and those are those are these wonderful little floral paintings. They're framed and matted, and they're only 150 but they are original paintings. There's some larger floral works in there by Mick as well. We've got a little bit of some handcrafted jewelry. We've got a nice selection of books. I know there's people who know and remember the lovely lovely Pamela Shafer who is a person fessor in the English department for many, many years, and just here, shortly over, well, it's only going to be about a year now, shortly before she passed away, her book came out letters to marry, which was a collection of letters that she edited of her uncle writing to her and her uncle was Bishop, Monsignor Furman Schmitt. And we do have copies of that book at our gallery, Mary Kay Schippers family farms series, a couple of wonderful things by Nicole Thibodeau. And so there are some some books and things like that even down there. And there's some wonderful little glass necklace pendants that are there fused glass, and there's so many different colors, and you put them on whatever chord or chain you choose. They're original, they're handmade, they're only $15. So there are some fun things down there. So come check us out. Anytime we're open the gift galleries open.

Very cool. Yeah, I can attest those photos. Oh, it was an incredible show. There is such a such a diversity of photos. I know. And I took the family down, we all kind of we had a lot of fun picking our favorites, our top three and going through the whole gallery. But it was interesting to me, everybody in my family picked some different and it was such a, again, such a diversity. You know, the kiddos had a completely different either than my wife and I and just really cool and it does

And that I think it's we all point to different things there. The juror statement. Oh, in fact, I'll come back to that. But the juror statement, complete album of all 150 works. If it's somebody who says I just never get to downtown Hays, sorry. But I do think it's a great idea. You can see all 150 works on our website, I stayed up until the wee hours, I'm going to get that on. Because we don't just post part of them. They're all up there all 150 photographs are on our website in an album, the award winners are in their own separate album, the jury statement is there. And so go to our website, Hayes arts council.org. Go go to there, if during the holidays, you just want to have something to scroll through, you will see the diversity, the names of the photographers are on there, where they come from, which is all over the five states Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, and the title of their piece. And you'll see see how broad This is. And you'll also in fact, if you've never entered before even seen it, but you are a photographer, I've left the call for entry up there. So because it'll look the same next year, probably overall. So you can even check out what's involved and maybe be thinking of it for your for yourself. But in the juror statement. He quoted this very well known, respected, famous photography curator that worked for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in this quote, and I'm gonna paraphrase it badly. But he referenced that this this gentleman, he gave his quote, comparing photography to the act of painting. And I thought that was so fascinating, because that is what it is, is like, oh, gotta get this, there is something about that act of pointing, whether you whether it's something pretty to look at, or not so great, or dark or whimsical, or a great sunset, I mean, look at the people have been pointing, quote unquote, at their sunsets for the last week or so, through photography, they really wanted to make sure you saw that and pointing at it. And all of a sudden, it clarifies, in some ways, some of those images that he chose, because you kind of go, Huh, I wonder why they would pick that. But again, if you liken it to the act of pointing, you know, that's, that's kind of an interesting concept. And so yeah, you see, you see a lot of that your kids pointing, quote, unquote, it's something different than you were and someone is their height may have had something to do with something a little lower, some are a little higher. But But yeah, it's, it's it's a great assortment of things to just enjoy. And I'm curious, how do you like that? Eight by 10 format that we've been utilizing for the last two years?

I like it, because it you don't have to focus so much on, you know, to be honest with you, and the older and the other shows in the past style. Yeah, the you know, the big ones are the ones that catch your eye, I think,

Right? Whether they're stronger or not than something else, there's just a sliceof it. 

Yeah, exactly. And with this format, you know, you they're kind of all even keel. Yeah.&nbsp;

And that's what I've been getting. That's what I've been getting from a lot of folks. And when you consider that most photography shows anymore. For the most part, there are a lot of shows that go on, like what we do when it comes to photography. They're they're more of an online presence now, because the digital format of photography. And so when people say, oh, gosh, I don't like doing something that's small. And this because I work big. It's like, well, if you enter anything or you have your website, everybody's going to be looking on it on a little tiny. And the images people are going to be looking at are going to be far smaller than the eight by 10 images that you're seeing at the Hays Arts Council. But yeah, looks great. Everything's framed and matted really cleanly. And everyone's framed and matted identically. So it really is all about the image. And I think also propels you to engage with each image a little bit more, because you don't sort of scan you have too close and personal with each one. So good. I'm excited for that feedback, because I've been trying to get that from from from folks. But yeah, that's one of the things that'll carry us over into the new year. And then just as a heads up, after the beginning of the year, we'll be getting information out Smoky Hill art exhibition, it's hard to believe that one rolls right into the next. But the state's oldest juried Fine Art competitive, which, you know, covers paintings and sculpture and, and printmaking and drawing and photography and ceramics. And, you know, I mean, it's any fine art medium, and that information will be going out sometime probably by about mid January, and also announced after the beginning of the year, we'll be getting the information out on our creative writing contest. And with with so many more families doing homeschooling in the last couple of years, I want to remind everyone that our Creative Writing Contest is definitely welcomes entries from homeschooled students, as well. In Ellis County, this is an Ellis County project. This one because it is large, the English department, the university, bless their souls work as the judging panel for our project. And so I have to keep that one in check. But anybody that is an Ellis County resident, so in public schools, private schools, or homeschooled, keep your eyes open for that in both prose and poetry. We'll also be getting information out on famous figures got a lot of great things we're doing in the schools. So we're gonna keep bringing it as we turn the corner and enter 2022.

Excellent. Yeah, I love that their involvement with those kiddos. And especially I know that the famous figures is it as a huge hit every day.

And it's going to be so great. I booked beach mid, we're going to be back on stage with the live competition. Oh, nice, wonderful that we didn't jettison in the last couple of years and did this recorded version in two different styles, genres, formats, if you will, the last couple of years that were scheduled back in beechmont for that back in the big ballroom at the University for a creative writing award. So those kids can get that public recognition and an acknowledgement that they deserve. And that makes everybody very proud of their accomplishments. And so yeah, hopefully, we'll be back in the saddle re rescheduling J unless the Katy laughing matters that we're supposed to have this fall, tucking them into the spring. So actually, the spring is going to be full because of a couple of things we've had to restructure, but, but it's all good. And just come see us at the Arts Council. We will be closed December 24, fifth, sixth and seventh. And then again that Friday through Monday combo, New Year's weekend. But otherwise, we're open, come down and see us we will be open during weekdays. The rest of this week will be open Saturday. And we will be open through next week through the 23rd close to 24th. So if you're just you know kind of stuck on a gift idea, you may not find it with us, but you can share come in and look and at least it'll be something different than you saw someplace else.

Yeah, when do if you've got some family in town and your head now down to get some lunch or something pop on?

Yeah, a lot of people do Christmas, you know, like the weekend before the weekend or two weekends after something. Yeah, pop on in on Saturday. We're just open 10 to one. But yeah, come down early and check us out before you go to lunch. But the gift opportunities are there through the end of the day, next week, Thursday. And like I said, if we if it doesn't fit, you know, no harm, no foul, you'll see some breaks. And if it does, maybe you'll get a unique gift that you hadn't thought of.

<div><iframe title="Holiday season a perfect time to enjoy the Hays Art Center" 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=hb4s7-115fee2-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder shares the latest from the council.<h2>Transcript</h2>James BellThe Winter Artwalk may be over. But there's still an opportunity to see the five state photography show at the Hays Arts Council and maybe get in a little holiday shopping as well, Executive Director Brenda Meder stops by to talk to us about what's going on at the Arts Council this month. On this episode of the Post Podcast.Brenda MederWe've got is 150 fabulous photographs in this year's Five State Photography Exhibition. As a lot of people know, we opened the exhibition on Saturday, December 4, as the anchor of our winter, our walk. And and in fact, while I'm mentioning that, I'll just let everyone know, if you use us Facebook, I put a nice album up about I think 80 images, just to the various sites and the features, and some people enjoying them. And that is up on our Facebook page. And I don't have it on our website, I'll move it over there, but it is on our Facebook page. So you can just see how what a lovely day It wasn't. It was wonderful. And again, that's the day we opened the five state. And we did have a lot of photographers that were visiting from the Kansas City area from Winfield and we had people from McPherson, I know we had some people from Nebraska, I think we had some Oklahoma, I know some around the Wichita area. So it's wonderful that this project has such a level of appreciation that they appreciate it so much, because they know we're not going to do any formal ceremonies or make any big announcements or, you know, it's just come and enjoy great art. And so we just invite the community to do that as well. And the good news is we know the holidays can be a little crazy, which is why when it's a show we put this much work into and is this enjoyable for everyone people you know, there's something for everyone in this show. This show will run through February the 11th. So a good long time yet you know, schedules again are crazy during the holidays and will be shut down in a little bit over the two big holiday weekends and, and we know other people will be traveling, but on February the 11th. So you've got some great time to just come in and take a look when you've got a few minutes you're downtown. Because there isn't a fee. Nobody bothers you. It's just come in and enjoy a little bit of background music we'll be playing and and you know, we say hello, we say goodbye and unless you need something, we leave you alone just to enjoy. So please, please do come by and check it out. But it was a really great day. We had a lot of fun. And a lot of really wonderful things. It was such a great opportunity to see such a diverse array of creativity and imagination and arts and culture in our community. They were quilt shows in the photography. I went down and got to catch part of one of the martial arts demonstrations and it's such it's such an ancient art form, you know the aikido that was going on, I caught a little bit of that and, and some of the model building that was down there as well as you know, to great BFA and one fantastic MFA show. Factor I'll give her a shout out if you haven't been down to see Wendy tan show yet. And I know you guys have been reading some stuff on his post about it. It's really a fabulous show and it's one of those that's unique and interesting and it's just been a resounding success. So I got no connection to that one but it's a great show. And it and you know maybe not so bad to get a park on campus this week with it being finals and people kind of coming and going at different times. But I believe her show goes through this Friday. So it was it was just it was really really wonderful. The the sculpture students were out forging metal and showing some of their wares and stuff over at the Pavilion and there was a youth artwork and it was it was just a really good day. And again come see us if you didn't get a chance to and when you do come see us it'll also be a great opportunity to check out our Gift Gallery. As most people know our Gift Gallery is not real big and you know there's not you know we've got a great diversity of things in there but it's not like we have some big seasonal changeover but it's a great place to find something unique. The Coburn pottery that we have is always really popular. In fact we've had that going out in the last few days in a couple of really nice big chunks and at the Artwalk we did as well. But this wonderful decorative and functional pottery microwave oven and dishwasher safe made by Steve Coburn and Selena really really wonderful prices on it. It's beautiful a pottery but very simple in its in its form because its function is fabulous. And people have been loving it for years because it's basically been the same designs. We've also got if if you've got you know a fine art follower on your on your Christmas list. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. We've got this entire binder book of Maciel etchings, original original pulled press etchings for only $45 an etching and then if you want something with a little bit more drama and color, those wonderful little flowers that Nick also does, and those are those are these wonderful little floral paintings. They're framed and matted, and they're only 150 but they are original paintings. There's some larger floral works in there by Mick as well. We've got a little bit of some handcrafted jewelry. We've got a nice selection of books. I know there's people who know and remember the lovely lovely Pamela Shafer who is a person fessor in the English department for many, many years, and just here, shortly over, well, it's only going to be about a year now, shortly before she passed away, her book came out letters to marry, which was a collection of letters that she edited of her uncle writing to her and her uncle was Bishop, Monsignor Furman Schmitt. And we do have copies of that book at our gallery, Mary Kay Schippers family farms series, a couple of wonderful things by Nicole Thibodeau. And so there are some some books and things like that even down there. And there's some wonderful little glass necklace pendants that are there fused glass, and there's so many different colors, and you put them on whatever chord or chain you choose. They're original, they're handmade, they're only $15. So there are some fun things down there. So come check us out. Anytime we're open the gift galleries open.James Bell Very cool. Yeah, I can attest those photos. Oh, it was an incredible show. There is such a such a diversity of photos. I know. And I took the family down, we all kind of we had a lot of fun picking our favorites, our top three and going through the whole gallery. But it was interesting to me, everybody in my family picked some different and it was such a, again, such a diversity. You know, the kiddos had a completely different either than my wife and I and just really cool and it doesBrenda Meder And that I think it's we all point to different things there. The juror statement. Oh, in fact, I'll come back to that. But the juror statement, complete album of all 150 works. If it's somebody who says I just never get to downtown Hays, sorry. But I do think it's a great idea. You can see all 150 works on our website, I stayed up until the wee hours, I'm going to get that on. Because we don't just post part of them. They're all up there all 150 photographs are on our website in an album, the award winners are in their own separate album, the jury statement is there. And so go to our website, Hayes arts council.org. Go go to there, if during the holidays, you just want to have something to scroll through, you will see the diversity, the names of the photographers are on there, where they come from, which is all over the five states Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, and the title of their piece. And you'll see see how broad This is. And you'll also in fact, if you've never entered before even seen it, but you are a photographer, I've left the call for entry up there. So because it'll look the same next year, probably overall. So you can even check out what's involved and maybe be thinking of it for your for yourself. But in the juror statement. He quoted this very well known, respected, famous photography curator that worked for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in this quote, and I'm gonna paraphrase it badly. But he referenced that this this gentleman, he gave his quote, comparing photography to the act of painting. And I thought that was so fascinating, because that is what it is, is like, oh, gotta get this, there is something about that act of pointing, whether you whether it's something pretty to look at, or not so great, or dark or whimsical, or a great sunset, I mean, look at the people have been pointing, quote unquote, at their sunsets for the last week or so, through photography, they really wanted to make sure you saw that and pointing at it. And all of a sudden, it clarifies, in some ways, some of those images that he chose, because you kind of go, Huh, I wonder why they would pick that. But again, if you liken it to the act of pointing, you know, that's, that's kind of an interesting concept. And so yeah, you see, you see a lot of that your kids pointing, quote, unquote, it's something different than you were and someone is their height may have had something to do with something a little lower, some are a little higher. But But yeah, it's, it's it's a great assortment of things to just enjoy. And I'm curious, how do you like that? Eight by 10 format that we've been utilizing for the last two years?James Bell I like it, because it you don't have to focus so much on, you know, to be honest with you, and the older and the other shows in the past style. Yeah, the you know, the big ones are the ones that catch your eye, I think,Brenda Meder Right? Whether they're stronger or not than something else, there's just a sliceof it. James Bell Yeah, exactly. And with this format, you know, you they're kind of all even keel. Yeah.&nbsp;Brenda MederAnd that's what I've been getting. That's what I've been getting from a lot of folks. And when you consider that most photography shows anymore. For the most part, there are a lot of shows that go on, like what we do when it comes to photography. They're they're more of an online presence now, because the digital format of photography. And so when people say, oh, gosh, I don't like doing something that's small. And this because I work big. It's like, well, if you enter anything or you have your website, everybody's going to be looking on it on a little tiny. And the images people are going to be looking at are going to be far smaller than the eight by 10 images that you're seeing at the Hays Arts Council. But yeah, looks great. Everything's framed and matted really cleanly. And everyone's framed and matted identically. So it really is all about the image. And I think also propels you to engage with each image a little bit more, because you don't sort of scan you have too close and personal with each one. So good. I'm excited for that feedback, because I've been trying to get that from from from folks. But yeah, that's one of the things that'll carry us over into the new year. And then just as a heads up, after the beginning of the year, we'll be getting information out Smoky Hill art exhibition, it's hard to believe that one rolls right into the next. But the state's oldest juried Fine Art competitive, which, you know, covers paintings and sculpture and, and printmaking and drawing and photography and ceramics. And, you know, I mean, it's any fine art medium, and that information will be going out sometime probably by about mid January, and also announced after the beginning of the year, we'll be getting the information out on our creative writing contest. And with with so many more families doing homeschooling in the last couple of years, I want to remind everyone that our Creative Writing Contest is definitely welcomes entries from homeschooled students, as well. In Ellis County, this is an Ellis County project. This one because it is large, the English department, the university, bless their souls work as the judging panel for our project. And so I have to keep that one in check. But anybody that is an Ellis County resident, so in public schools, private schools, or homeschooled, keep your eyes open for that in both prose and poetry. We'll also be getting information out on famous figures got a lot of great things we're doing in the schools. So we're gonna keep bringing it as we turn the corner and enter 2022.James Bell Excellent. Yeah, I love that their involvement with those kiddos. And especially I know that the famous figures is it as a huge hit every day.Brenda MederAnd it's going to be so great. I booked beach mid, we're going to be back on stage with the live competition. Oh, nice, wonderful that we didn't jettison in the last couple of years and did this recorded version in two different styles, genres, formats, if you will, the last couple of years that were scheduled back in beechmont for that back in the big ballroom at the University for a creative writing award. So those kids can get that public recognition and an acknowledgement that they deserve. And that makes everybody very proud of their accomplishments. And so yeah, hopefully, we'll be back in the saddle re rescheduling J unless the Katy laughing matters that we're supposed to have this fall, tucking them into the spring. So actually, the spring is going to be full because of a couple of things we've had to restructure, but, but it's all good. And just come see us at the Arts Council. We will be closed December 24, fifth, sixth and seventh. And then again that Friday through Monday combo, New Year's weekend. But otherwise, we're open, come down and see us we will be open during weekdays. The rest of this week will be open Saturday. And we will be open through next week through the 23rd close to 24th. So if you're just you know kind of stuck on a gift idea, you may not find it with us, but you can share come in and look and at least it'll be something different than you saw someplace else.James Bell Yeah, when do if you've got some family in town and your head now down to get some lunch or something pop on?Brenda MederYeah, a lot of people do Christmas, you know, like the weekend before the weekend or two weekends after something. Yeah, pop on in on Saturday. We're just open 10 to one. But yeah, come down early and check us out before you go to lunch. But the gift opportunities are there through the end of the day, next week, Thursday. And like I said, if we if it doesn't fit, you know, no harm, no foul, you'll see some breaks. And if it does, maybe you'll get a unique gift that you hadn't thought of.

🎙Post Podcast: Holiday season a perfect time to enjoy the Hays Art Center

During the end-of-the-year holiday season, charitable giving
is top of mind for many. While the spirit of the holidays may drive donations, individuals can benefit, as well.

“It's something like 30 percent of charitable giving happens
in December,” said Heartland Community Foundation executive director Sarah
Meitner. “The biggest three days are the last three days of the year.”

That last minute drive she said can have a tremendous impact
on organizations throughout the year.

“On the organization side, organizations, up to 50 percent of
them, this is where they get the bulk of their revenue during the year. This is
the money that they use all year long,” Meitner said.

One of the largest charitable organizations in Ellis County
is the United Way of Ellis County. Executive director Erica Burgess said this
year 16 area nonprofits benefited from donations to the organization.

“They're wonderful agencies,” Burgess said. “They help
everybody from the community that you can think of from birth to seniors, any
demographic income level, and [it's] just amazing of how many people they help
and the need that's out there.”

The agency will close out its current fundraising campaign
in January.

“So, there's still some time to give,” Burgess said. “There's
a lot of different ways you can give you can go online, <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">liveunited.us</a>…and you
can make a one-time gift, a monthly gift or we have our roundup option.”

She said even small donations can make a difference.

“I saw that happen with the ARK Park,” Meitner said. “We
celebrated the $10, $15 and $20 donations just as much as we did the $5,000 or $10,000,
because it meant it was important to that person. We touched that person
enough to inspire them to give a gift, and that's the biggest win of all.”

She said donations can also be a way to bring families
together.

“This is the time of year to really reflect on what your
gift-giving looks like in your family,” Meitner said. “If you have kids, set a
good example for them, include them in the process. … Be intentional with your
gift-giving, and that means setting aside time to discuss it with your partner or
your family.”

“Make decisions together. Make it fun. There are fun things
you can do,” she said “And give a gift this holiday time to the nonprofit
organizations that mean the most to you.”

&nbsp;With charitable giving,
there is a benefit to the community, but they also can be used to lower tax
liabilities.

“This time of year, there are some tax benefits,” Meitner
said. “The Cares Act was extended. So even if you are a person who does not
itemize in your taxes, you can deduct $300 from your income per person, or $600
per adult. So, you can give that much, up to $600 if you're a married person,
and then deduct [it] from your taxes.”

Benefits can be even greater for those that itemize taxes.

“You can deduct cash donations, up to 100 percent of your
adjusted gross income,” Meitner said. “For a C Corp for business, you can
deduct cash donations, up to 25 percent of that taxable income. So, there's a
real benefit, whether you itemize or not.”

Those donations can be in a variety of forms as well, from
cash to cryptocyrrency, real estate and material goods.

The foundation, she said is happy to discuss those options. 

The United Way also has an online tool available to assist
giving decisions.

“It’s a great resource. We have a separate website for it,”
Burgess said. “It's <a href="http://elliscountykshelp.com/">Elliscountykshelp.com</a>. So you can go to that and we have
them kind of broken down in different categories. So, if you didn't kind of
know what type of resource you need, you can go to that.”

For more information visit the <a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/">Heartland Community
Foundation</a> or the <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">United Way of Ellis County websites</a>.

<div><iframe title="The end of the year can be a perfect time for charitable giving" 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=64ujh-116032d-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostDuring the end-of-the-year holiday season, charitable giving
is top of mind for many. While the spirit of the holidays may drive donations, individuals can benefit, as well.“It's something like 30 percent of charitable giving happens
in December,” said Heartland Community Foundation executive director Sarah
Meitner. “The biggest three days are the last three days of the year.”That last minute drive she said can have a tremendous impact
on organizations throughout the year.“On the organization side, organizations, up to 50 percent of
them, this is where they get the bulk of their revenue during the year. This is
the money that they use all year long,” Meitner said.One of the largest charitable organizations in Ellis County
is the United Way of Ellis County. Executive director Erica Burgess said this
year 16 area nonprofits benefited from donations to the organization.“They're wonderful agencies,” Burgess said. “They help
everybody from the community that you can think of from birth to seniors, any
demographic income level, and [it's] just amazing of how many people they help
and the need that's out there.”The agency will close out its current fundraising campaign
in January.“So, there's still some time to give,” Burgess said. “There's
a lot of different ways you can give you can go online, <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">liveunited.us</a>…and you
can make a one-time gift, a monthly gift or we have our roundup option.”She said even small donations can make a difference.“I saw that happen with the ARK Park,” Meitner said. “We
celebrated the $10, $15 and $20 donations just as much as we did the $5,000 or $10,000,
because it meant it was important to that person. We touched that person
enough to inspire them to give a gift, and that's the biggest win of all.”She said donations can also be a way to bring families
together.“This is the time of year to really reflect on what your
gift-giving looks like in your family,” Meitner said. “If you have kids, set a
good example for them, include them in the process. … Be intentional with your
gift-giving, and that means setting aside time to discuss it with your partner or
your family.”“Make decisions together. Make it fun. There are fun things
you can do,” she said “And give a gift this holiday time to the nonprofit
organizations that mean the most to you.”&nbsp;With charitable giving,
there is a benefit to the community, but they also can be used to lower tax
liabilities.“This time of year, there are some tax benefits,” Meitner
said. “The Cares Act was extended. So even if you are a person who does not
itemize in your taxes, you can deduct $300 from your income per person, or $600
per adult. So, you can give that much, up to $600 if you're a married person,
and then deduct [it] from your taxes.”Benefits can be even greater for those that itemize taxes.“You can deduct cash donations, up to 100 percent of your
adjusted gross income,” Meitner said. “For a C Corp for business, you can
deduct cash donations, up to 25 percent of that taxable income. So, there's a
real benefit, whether you itemize or not.”Those donations can be in a variety of forms as well, from
cash to cryptocyrrency, real estate and material goods.The foundation, she said is happy to discuss those options. The United Way also has an online tool available to assist
giving decisions.“It’s a great resource. We have a separate website for it,”
Burgess said. “It's <a href="http://elliscountykshelp.com/">Elliscountykshelp.com</a>. So you can go to that and we have
them kind of broken down in different categories. So, if you didn't kind of
know what type of resource you need, you can go to that.”For more information visit the <a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/">Heartland Community
Foundation</a> or the <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">United Way of Ellis County websites</a>.Cover photo courtesy Pixabay.

🎙End of year can be perfect time for charitable giving

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil stops by to talk about holiday eating habits.&nbsp;

In the McNeil house. Usually prime rib and then either ham,
or sometimes a turkey that goes along with it. My wife likes really likes
Turkey. But usually and that started with my mother years ago. I mean, I
remember growing up that was Christmas dinner and so we've kind of my family
side of the family has kind of stayed with that. So we generally have prime rib
and either mashed potatoes, real mashed potatoes, not dried mashed potatoes,
which are real mashed potatoes, but you know, yeah, it's not the same or twice
baked. I love that really preferred twice-baked that takes a little more time
and these days times important because family comes home our Christmas is gonna
be this weekend. So our kids get to spend actual Christmas with all their
in-laws. Last year we got him to share you know, it's kind of one of those
trade-off things. They were all here for Thanksgiving. So you know we did that.
So we have usually a primary oven then ham. Like I said mashed potatoes or
twice-baked potatoes, or my wife makes this really list cheesy casserole, which
I kind of liked that more so than anything else. But you know, you always have
to remember that. I am the lessor in this when it comes to deciding what we
have because the grandkids tell Grandma What they like now. And that's the main
one there. We usually have like a seven-layer salad that Terry has made for
years and it's lettuce and peas and salad dressing, Manny's based salad
dressing and cheese and it's very good from that process. And of course, green
bean casserole. You can't have a holiday without green bean casserole.

See, I'd fight you on that one. I can't stand this stuff. I
can't I can't do it. It's one of those things. I can't even look at it. It
makes me kind of cool.

Yeah, my favorite soup is mushroom soup. So has those in
there. The green beans are okay, too. But we generate that and then we do
freshly baked rolls. We've always done a fresh-baked bread that goes along with
it. And then it kind of depends on you know what, what Terry's thinking about
what she may want to do. A lot of times it's fresh broccoli seems to go well
and my family likes fresh broccoli sometimes and broccoli cauliflower, carrot
mix. You know, we we do that. The kids all get grape juice it also I'll get a
glass of wine. Of course, you know how that part goes. And then leading up to
that, of course, you know that you're doing all that preparation leading up to
that we do like many families do is, is we sort of have our hors d'oeuvres, we
don't really lunch, we middle the day, middle of the afternoon Christmas Day,
so about 10 o'clock in the morning outcomes the what I was thinking about this
morning, which is the summer sausage that sliced the cheddar cheese, the
pepper, jack cheese, couple different varieties of cheese, crackers, you know
all of those good things. And then of course, you feel guilty. So you also have
you know, he also we also have some vegetable plates out and we make a taco
dip, we kind of do all of the things around Christmas, based upon and
Thanksgiving is pretty much the same way and so's Easter the foods that the
family likes the kids like and the foods that my grandkids like It's like most
people holiday season tends to congregate around the kitchen. You know and you
and you visit while you're fixing meals and doing those types of things. So we
try to be reasonable in what we do. And like we've talked about in here a lot
moderation. Try to include some of those favorite holiday things that are a
little bit high in saturated fat and cholesterol, balanced those out with some
of those healthy alternatives. And then throughout the day, I try to work a
little bit of all of that into my daily intake. But I think it's important that
the holidays that we focus on the foods that bring us together and keep us
together and the memories that are around that particular food. My mother's
recipes, Terry's mom's recipes, recipes, Terry and I've built together for
different things and so it just makes a friendly environment to build the food
around. That's the holidays, I think. And we'll slip a little bit in there and
we'll use that word moderation. You know, some of the secrets about holiday
eating, and I'm sure like most people holiday eating has started for me last
week, you know, you go somewhere, and there's snacks out and beverages out. And
so it's Christmas. Yeah, and all the parties and all the events and those
things and, and so you have to practice that, those little keys that we talked
about that when you go somewhere, you know, you, you want to show your
appreciation for Westerners. So you want to sample the things that are made. So
you start with a small plate, okay, you know, if you had a choice of sizes, you
know, different planets, pick the smallest one, and then fill the smallest one,
one layer and take your time, support it with a beverage, you know,
non-alcoholic beverage is good, you know from that. But if you do that with a
small plate, there's less of a tendency to eat large amounts. Because you feel
psychologicaly you feel more satisfied as whatever you put on your plate, that
you've consumed them, and that plates empty, it's empty. And if you take a
large plate, or if you graze, so to say, without a plate, you tend to consume
more. And so that plate can help you in that process. Yeah, and what

You mean there is your you actually want to put the food on,
not just stand there and kind of Munch because then you don't really, your
brain doesn't know how much you had.

Right? If you've, we've talked about this before, and I'm a
watcher, right? I likey nobody will do that. But I also like to watch other
people, you know, whether it's in the grocery store, or you go somewhere and,
and there's an event and people are eating, you're snacking. And what you
really notice is the people that don't use, in essence, a little bit of a
crutch, like a plate, or something to put their food on, they eat considerably
more, and they continue to eat constantly. It's not like they take a plate and
they move away, but they stand there and it's a little bit of this, a little
bit of that, and then they're back to this or back to that they're always in
action around the food. So you can help yourself with your holiday eating by
fixing a plate and then moving away from where the main component of the food
is, you can always go back. But a lot of times that moving away helps you feel
a little more satisfied, and you're less likely to eat lots of food, so a large
amount of food. So you can go back and eat a greater variety throughout the day
when you do those types of things. And, you know, we talk about this time of
year that we have a responsibility as hosts to offer healthy choices. So

You don't feel that responsibility to my house. You're just
gonna whatever junk I've got,

All right, some of us some of the responsibility. So we
generally make sure that we have a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
and, and, you know, different varieties of crackers or chips to offer. And you
know, like I said before, yeah, summer sausage is great, the cheeses are great,
the dips are great. You know, if we have one dip that may be somewhat fatty and
rich, we have another one that maybe a salsa bass dip or something like that.
So there are always those alternatives that you can offer. I doubt if anybody
else, or very few people really ever think of that. When they come to our
house, they think oh, yeah, just lots of food. In that process, so I think the
holidays in relationship to food are, are very important, and especially what
it brings to us in terms of memory and family and friendship.

Yeah, and I think too, and maybe you want to speak a little
bit to this for for folks that are so health-conscious, and I know some of
these folks in my world, you know, they need a rogue cookie without counting it
and tracking it and how much do I have to run to burn that off? It's okay
during the holidays to maybe not be so conscious, cuz you can always pick it
back up in a couple of weeks, you know, New Year new resolutions and, and burn
all that off and get back in that prime shape. You know, without experience,
throw caution to the wind.

Okay, it's it's the time to notice the wind a little bit
more so to say which, you know, we had plenty of that yesterday. That was a
terrible. But the fact is, yeah, if you're very, very health conscious about
what you do, this is not the time to be doing that. Yes, remain
health-conscious. Okay, and maybe you do a little bit of the calculations in
your head or something, but it's not something to bring up in a group. And it's
not a reason not to eat things. You can also do it a lot of times as what we
refer to as sample, you can take a small plate, you can put small amounts of
things on them. And because typically you don't have to eat the whole cookie.
Right? Now you want to be careful in doing that, that you don't take a plate of
food and take tiny little bites of everything and throw it all the way in front
of your host. That's not a good process, you know, but the fact is that you can
take smaller portions you don't have to eat everything you take, you can
sample. And this is a time to relax a little bit. And I think what you're
saying is relax a little bit and enjoy it. Don't worry so much about, you know,
it's got 132 calories versus 108, it's got six grams of added sugar versus
three grams of added sugar and all those, this is not really the time to do
that. And you're only doing it for a very short period of time. Okay, and
you're not going to come back after two weeks of Christmas, and deny yourself
all this and exercise extensively hard to burn off everything you consumed. You
want to come back after that period of time, continue your exercise the way it
was, right, and maybe you for a very short period of time, you watch what you
eat very closely to balance yourself back, most people are going to gain one or
two pounds over the holidays, it's not going to take very long to get rid of
those one or two pounds, once those extra holiday foods are not there anymore.
So enjoy the season, enjoy what's put in front of you. Even though you know
when you come back at the first of the year or after the first of the year,
you're going to really focus on your life plan again. But it's a time to enjoy
what's out there. And we should we really need you to know from a health aspect
from a food and nutrition aspect with the stresses that have been around in the
last year and a half. This should be a time to really sit back and relax and
enjoy the types of things that we have always enjoyed. And to me foods at the
top of that. You know that it brings in so many memories and so many aspects of
comfort. It's really important to take some time to do that.

<div><iframe title="Holiday eating a staple of annual traditions" 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=bru5a-1160348-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil stops by to talk about holiday eating habits.&nbsp;<h2>Transcript</h2>Glen McNeil&nbsp;In the McNeil house. Usually prime rib and then either ham,
or sometimes a turkey that goes along with it. My wife likes really likes
Turkey. But usually and that started with my mother years ago. I mean, I
remember growing up that was Christmas dinner and so we've kind of my family
side of the family has kind of stayed with that. So we generally have prime rib
and either mashed potatoes, real mashed potatoes, not dried mashed potatoes,
which are real mashed potatoes, but you know, yeah, it's not the same or twice
baked. I love that really preferred twice-baked that takes a little more time
and these days times important because family comes home our Christmas is gonna
be this weekend. So our kids get to spend actual Christmas with all their
in-laws. Last year we got him to share you know, it's kind of one of those
trade-off things. They were all here for Thanksgiving. So you know we did that.
So we have usually a primary oven then ham. Like I said mashed potatoes or
twice-baked potatoes, or my wife makes this really list cheesy casserole, which
I kind of liked that more so than anything else. But you know, you always have
to remember that. I am the lessor in this when it comes to deciding what we
have because the grandkids tell Grandma What they like now. And that's the main
one there. We usually have like a seven-layer salad that Terry has made for
years and it's lettuce and peas and salad dressing, Manny's based salad
dressing and cheese and it's very good from that process. And of course, green
bean casserole. You can't have a holiday without green bean casserole.James Bell&nbsp;See, I'd fight you on that one. I can't stand this stuff. I
can't I can't do it. It's one of those things. I can't even look at it. It
makes me kind of cool.Glen McNeil&nbsp;See, I love mushrooms.James Bell&nbsp;And that's the trick, I think.Glen McNeil&nbsp;Yeah, my favorite soup is mushroom soup. So has those in
there. The green beans are okay, too. But we generate that and then we do
freshly baked rolls. We've always done a fresh-baked bread that goes along with
it. And then it kind of depends on you know what, what Terry's thinking about
what she may want to do. A lot of times it's fresh broccoli seems to go well
and my family likes fresh broccoli sometimes and broccoli cauliflower, carrot
mix. You know, we we do that. The kids all get grape juice it also I'll get a
glass of wine. Of course, you know how that part goes. And then leading up to
that, of course, you know that you're doing all that preparation leading up to
that we do like many families do is, is we sort of have our hors d'oeuvres, we
don't really lunch, we middle the day, middle of the afternoon Christmas Day,
so about 10 o'clock in the morning outcomes the what I was thinking about this
morning, which is the summer sausage that sliced the cheddar cheese, the
pepper, jack cheese, couple different varieties of cheese, crackers, you know
all of those good things. And then of course, you feel guilty. So you also have
you know, he also we also have some vegetable plates out and we make a taco
dip, we kind of do all of the things around Christmas, based upon and
Thanksgiving is pretty much the same way and so's Easter the foods that the
family likes the kids like and the foods that my grandkids like It's like most
people holiday season tends to congregate around the kitchen. You know and you
and you visit while you're fixing meals and doing those types of things. So we
try to be reasonable in what we do. And like we've talked about in here a lot
moderation. Try to include some of those favorite holiday things that are a
little bit high in saturated fat and cholesterol, balanced those out with some
of those healthy alternatives. And then throughout the day, I try to work a
little bit of all of that into my daily intake. But I think it's important that
the holidays that we focus on the foods that bring us together and keep us
together and the memories that are around that particular food. My mother's
recipes, Terry's mom's recipes, recipes, Terry and I've built together for
different things and so it just makes a friendly environment to build the food
around. That's the holidays, I think. And we'll slip a little bit in there and
we'll use that word moderation. You know, some of the secrets about holiday
eating, and I'm sure like most people holiday eating has started for me last
week, you know, you go somewhere, and there's snacks out and beverages out. And
so it's Christmas. Yeah, and all the parties and all the events and those
things and, and so you have to practice that, those little keys that we talked
about that when you go somewhere, you know, you, you want to show your
appreciation for Westerners. So you want to sample the things that are made. So
you start with a small plate, okay, you know, if you had a choice of sizes, you
know, different planets, pick the smallest one, and then fill the smallest one,
one layer and take your time, support it with a beverage, you know,
non-alcoholic beverage is good, you know from that. But if you do that with a
small plate, there's less of a tendency to eat large amounts. Because you feel
psychologicaly you feel more satisfied as whatever you put on your plate, that
you've consumed them, and that plates empty, it's empty. And if you take a
large plate, or if you graze, so to say, without a plate, you tend to consume
more. And so that plate can help you in that process. Yeah, and whatJames Bell&nbsp;You mean there is your you actually want to put the food on,
not just stand there and kind of Munch because then you don't really, your
brain doesn't know how much you had.Glen McNeil&nbsp;Right? If you've, we've talked about this before, and I'm a
watcher, right? I likey nobody will do that. But I also like to watch other
people, you know, whether it's in the grocery store, or you go somewhere and,
and there's an event and people are eating, you're snacking. And what you
really notice is the people that don't use, in essence, a little bit of a
crutch, like a plate, or something to put their food on, they eat considerably
more, and they continue to eat constantly. It's not like they take a plate and
they move away, but they stand there and it's a little bit of this, a little
bit of that, and then they're back to this or back to that they're always in
action around the food. So you can help yourself with your holiday eating by
fixing a plate and then moving away from where the main component of the food
is, you can always go back. But a lot of times that moving away helps you feel
a little more satisfied, and you're less likely to eat lots of food, so a large
amount of food. So you can go back and eat a greater variety throughout the day
when you do those types of things. And, you know, we talk about this time of
year that we have a responsibility as hosts to offer healthy choices. SoJames Bell&nbsp;You don't feel that responsibility to my house. You're just
gonna whatever junk I've got,Glen McNeil&nbsp;All right, some of us some of the responsibility. So we
generally make sure that we have a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
and, and, you know, different varieties of crackers or chips to offer. And you
know, like I said before, yeah, summer sausage is great, the cheeses are great,
the dips are great. You know, if we have one dip that may be somewhat fatty and
rich, we have another one that maybe a salsa bass dip or something like that.
So there are always those alternatives that you can offer. I doubt if anybody
else, or very few people really ever think of that. When they come to our
house, they think oh, yeah, just lots of food. In that process, so I think the
holidays in relationship to food are, are very important, and especially what
it brings to us in terms of memory and family and friendship.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, and I think too, and maybe you want to speak a little
bit to this for for folks that are so health-conscious, and I know some of
these folks in my world, you know, they need a rogue cookie without counting it
and tracking it and how much do I have to run to burn that off? It's okay
during the holidays to maybe not be so conscious, cuz you can always pick it
back up in a couple of weeks, you know, New Year new resolutions and, and burn
all that off and get back in that prime shape. You know, without experience,
throw caution to the wind.Glen McNeil&nbsp;Okay, it's it's the time to notice the wind a little bit
more so to say which, you know, we had plenty of that yesterday. That was a
terrible. But the fact is, yeah, if you're very, very health conscious about
what you do, this is not the time to be doing that. Yes, remain
health-conscious. Okay, and maybe you do a little bit of the calculations in
your head or something, but it's not something to bring up in a group. And it's
not a reason not to eat things. You can also do it a lot of times as what we
refer to as sample, you can take a small plate, you can put small amounts of
things on them. And because typically you don't have to eat the whole cookie.
Right? Now you want to be careful in doing that, that you don't take a plate of
food and take tiny little bites of everything and throw it all the way in front
of your host. That's not a good process, you know, but the fact is that you can
take smaller portions you don't have to eat everything you take, you can
sample. And this is a time to relax a little bit. And I think what you're
saying is relax a little bit and enjoy it. Don't worry so much about, you know,
it's got 132 calories versus 108, it's got six grams of added sugar versus
three grams of added sugar and all those, this is not really the time to do
that. And you're only doing it for a very short period of time. Okay, and
you're not going to come back after two weeks of Christmas, and deny yourself
all this and exercise extensively hard to burn off everything you consumed. You
want to come back after that period of time, continue your exercise the way it
was, right, and maybe you for a very short period of time, you watch what you
eat very closely to balance yourself back, most people are going to gain one or
two pounds over the holidays, it's not going to take very long to get rid of
those one or two pounds, once those extra holiday foods are not there anymore.
So enjoy the season, enjoy what's put in front of you. Even though you know
when you come back at the first of the year or after the first of the year,
you're going to really focus on your life plan again. But it's a time to enjoy
what's out there. And we should we really need you to know from a health aspect
from a food and nutrition aspect with the stresses that have been around in the
last year and a half. This should be a time to really sit back and relax and
enjoy the types of things that we have always enjoyed. And to me foods at the
top of that. You know that it brings in so many memories and so many aspects of
comfort. It's really important to take some time to do that.

🎙Post Podcast: Holiday eating a staple of annual traditions

On Jan. 23 the Kansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents have again planned&nbsp;4-H Day with the Wildcat Women’s Basketball.

"It's just a fun way to show spirit. It shows that connection to K State and to 4-H and it's just a cool, cool event," said Cottonwood Extension District agent Susan Schlichting.

The game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the Wildcats set to take on Oklahoma University.

For $22, participants will receive a ticket into the game, a game day t-shirt, and a $10 meal voucher.

The online registration deadline is Tuesday, Dec.21 and can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://conta.cc/3cbHDDI" target="_blank">https://conta.cc/3cbHDDI</a>

"They usually have a big block of 4-H or so we're putting on that green pride in their stadium and can see it all across the room," Schlichting said "It's pretty cool."

<div><iframe title="4-H Day with the Wildcat Women’s Basketball set for Jan." 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=9vipg-115dbf0-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostOn Jan. 23 the Kansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents have again planned&nbsp;4-H Day with the Wildcat Women’s Basketball."It's just a fun way to show spirit. It shows that connection to K State and to 4-H and it's just a cool, cool event," said Cottonwood Extension District agent Susan Schlichting.The game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the Wildcats set to take on Oklahoma University.For $22, participants will receive a ticket into the game, a game day t-shirt, and a $10 meal voucher.The online registration deadline is Tuesday, Dec.21 and can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://conta.cc/3cbHDDI" target="_blank">https://conta.cc/3cbHDDI</a>"They usually have a big block of 4-H or so we're putting on that green pride in their stadium and can see it all across the room," Schlichting said "It's pretty cool."

🎙 4-H Day with the Wildcat Women’s Basketball set for Jan.

In his 17 years of teaching at Fort Hays State University, Terry Crull has taken choral groups all around the country – and beyond – to perform.

Each one is special, but Crull, director of choral activities, admits the trip his students are taking to Hawaii this week is one for the ages.

The FHSU Singers, a 26-member premier ensemble, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the 80th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of U.S. naval forces at Pearl Harbor. An entourage of nearly 100 people will be on hand to watch the singers perform at 8:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. Central time) at the Aviation Museum near the USS Arizona Memorial.

The FHSU group will sing several patriotic and gospel songs popular in the 1940s.&nbsp;

Music Celebrations International, a tour company that has booked several trips for FHSU in the past, contacted Crull and asked Fort Hays State to represent Kansas at the event.

A Hays floral shop, Flowers by Frances, designed and donated a Sunflower Memorial Wreath for a fundraiser for the trip.

Donors — no matter how large or how small the donation — could request a service member’s name from any branch of U.S. military service, living or deceased, to be written on one of the wreath’s petals. Crull said that more than 400 names adorn the wreath, which will hang on permanent display in the&nbsp;Kansas section of the Visitor’s Center at Pearl Harbor.

Crull scheduled three other performances for his students on the trip. They sang at a church worship service Sunday and were to perform at an outdoor concert in Honolulu Monday night and near the USS Bowfin, a submarine that fought in the Pacific war during World War II, on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638829772043.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsIn his 17 years of teaching at Fort Hays State University, Terry Crull has taken choral groups all around the country – and beyond – to perform.Each one is special, but Crull, director of choral activities, admits the trip his students are taking to Hawaii this week is one for the ages.The FHSU Singers, a 26-member premier ensemble, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the 80th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of U.S. naval forces at Pearl Harbor. An entourage of nearly 100 people will be on hand to watch the singers perform at 8:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. Central time) at the Aviation Museum near the USS Arizona Memorial.<div><iframe title="FHSU choirs helping commemorate Pearl Harbor attacks" 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=c5c8m-114c4ef-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The FHSU group will sing several patriotic and gospel songs popular in the 1940s.&nbsp;Music Celebrations International, a tour company that has booked several trips for FHSU in the past, contacted Crull and asked Fort Hays State to represent Kansas at the event.A Hays floral shop, Flowers by Frances, designed and donated a Sunflower Memorial Wreath for a fundraiser for the trip.Donors — no matter how large or how small the donation — could request a service member’s name from any branch of U.S. military service, living or deceased, to be written on one of the wreath’s petals. Crull said that more than 400 names adorn the wreath, which will hang on permanent display in the&nbsp;Kansas section of the Visitor’s Center at Pearl Harbor.Crull scheduled three other performances for his students on the trip. They sang at a church worship service Sunday and were to perform at an outdoor concert in Honolulu Monday night and near the USS Bowfin, a submarine that fought in the Pacific war during World War II, on Wednesday.

🎙Fort Hays State choral group to perform at Pearl Harbor anniversary

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares details about a recently awarded leadership grant.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

A recent
grant to the Hays Chamber will help strengthen leadership in the area president
and CEO Sarah Wasinger stops by to talk to us about that and more on this
episode of the Post Podcast.

I don't
know if you've heard but the chamber was awarded a leadership transformation
grant from the Kansas Leadership Center. 

Oh, very
cool. No, I hadn't heard about this. I don't know anything about this. What is
it again.

So it's
a leadership Transformation Grant, the Kansas Leadership Center is based out of
Wichita, Kansas. And part of their focus is working with community partnerships
to really expand leadership principles and concepts across the state of Kansas.
And last year, our chamber was successful in receiving 46 spots for from them.
And we're very close to utilizing all those spots up this year. And the grant
that we wrote for 2022, however, we wrote a grant for 50 spots, and we were
awarded those spots, which is very exciting. Nice. So leadership Haze is
actually something that many of our listeners might be familiar with. It's a
leadership program that was started by the Chamber, the Hays area, Chamber of
Commerce, then, um, to really just help businesses and organizations help their
folks that are maybe at the beginning of their careers in the middle or, you
know, even the seasoned pros, bringing folks together to talk about leadership
concepts, how we work together as a community to address issues, or needs, or
just in general to kind of strengthen ourselves and better ourselves. One of
the things that our leadership, hey, students go through is step one of the KLC
process. And that is your leadership edge. And that's a two day course. And
normally yours, we actually take the students to Wichita, Kansas for that, that
because of COVID. Last year, we did that virtually. But we're excited for this
year, because they're going to let us go back to Wichita and take them in
person, again, awesome, they'll have a blended approach. So there might be some
folks who still feel more comfortable doing things virtually. And that's okay.
But we're very excited to have that in person capacity. Again, I can very much
tell you that being an alumni of the leadership Hayes class, that the in person
experiences I felt to be pushed me outside of my comfort zone a little bit
more. And I was probably able to get a little bit more out of my experience
with it.

Well,
sure. I mean, because it's human nature, I think you get uncomfortable and
you've got the screen and all you got to do is close it or shut the camera off.
And but if you're in the room is hard to you can't scrunch down enough to not
get called on sometimes, right,

I'm not
going to hide underneath that chair. But the exciting thing about this is we
are actually in the window right now for folks to turn in applications. So I
was just actually talking to Joe in the lobby. And this is really significant,
because some of these trainings are actually worth $800. Wow. And so we're
actually offering them to folks who fill out the grant application form for
free, I'm really the only investment that they would actually have outside of
of course, their time. And there is a workbook and a guide book that are used
in conjunction with the course nicely enough, those workbooks and guide books
are the same for all three steps of the KLC path. And so you really had that
investment only one time. But December 15 is kind of the deadline that we're
hoping folks will fill out those applications. So we've got a little over two
weeks now. And it's a very simple application, we're just going to ask a little
bit of information from you, kind of what you would hope to gain from the
leadership course and why you're wanting to apply for it. And then as long as
we have enough spots, we'll grant everybody their application. But if we have a
certain amount of spots, we'll of course, look at different things like, you
know, maybe putting a cap on a number of people per employer, or things of that
nature. And we might also look at a few things to, you know, with this person,
I'm taking this leadership course, perhaps set our community up to be a little
bit stronger based on what they're doing. And you know, the different
organizations that they're a part of. So that will all be taken into
consideration. Our hope, then, is to actually have all those spots kind of
identified and communicated back out with folks by the end of this year. And
then I'm really we're gonna give everybody the opportunity to register for
their courses by June 30. Our hope is that if we have them registered by that
point in time, if anyone changes their mind and says, Hey, I applied for this,
but my schedule has changed. I don't think I'll be able to take a course
between now and then that gives us time as a chamber to make sure that we're
utilizing all this 50 spots.

Very
cool. thought of everything. Oh, I get so organized down there at the chamber.

Oh,
well, we try. Except for emails not coming through. We'll work on that. 

Well,
that's probably our system. That's yeah. But very cool. Very cool. Well, um,
so, you know, for now, is there a like a website? Or do you have more
information on your website for this, if people want check it a little bit more
detail?

We do so
they can go to Hayes chamber.com. And then our news and announcements page,
we've got our resources on the right hand side of that page. And there's a 2022
leadership transformation grant application. And for those folks who also kind
of pay attention to our emails and get our news blasts, we'll be sending that
out as well as another attachment in our December newsletter. So a couple of
different reminders Coming out folks this way, and I do believe will anticipate
doing a Facebook post to just to kind of give people another step to apply for
that. But yeah, so they arranged like I said, between 408 $100. So it's
significant value. And quite frankly, I feel like anytime you have a chance to
better yourself, you should do it. A few of the things I did want to talk about
is kind of the core concepts and leadership principles that KLC has. So they
define leadership as an activity and not a position. And they share that anyone
can lead anytime, anywhere, it starts with you and must engage others, and your
purpose must be clear. And last, and probably most important, it's risky. So
Leadership isn't always easy. And so we have to make sure that we are able to
exhibit great patience and understanding with others. So I think those are all
different concepts that I struggle with and try to improve on every day. And
I'd imagine if I had those considerations and things I need a benefit from, and
could improve on that others would, too. And so that's really kind of the why
behind why we applied for the grant. And our hope is to continue to apply for
the leadership Transformation Grant, year after year. So we can keep moving
forward that leadership needle in our community, and give as many businesses
and organizations exposure to those leadership concepts as possible.

Very
cool. Yeah. And you know, I don't know if you want to talk a little bit about
this. But I think for a lot of people, when you when you hear that term
leadership, you think about the old traditional style boss, you know, the
coming down the mountain, somebody's telling you what to do. And that's not
necessarily the entire experience and leadership. It's it can be at any level,
it can be a, you know, an on any size of project, right.

Yeah,
that's more management actually versus leadership. And there's going to be some
great debate and discussion through the courses on that as well. Yeah, well,
they're needed just at different times in different places.

Yeah,
exactly. Love it. All right. Well, Sarah, what else? Well, I think we got to
talk about this. The childcare survey is out now. Ready, ready for people to
take it? I've seen a couple different places that where you can get to that,
right.

Yes. So
thank you so much for bringing that up. Yes, we are working with the childcare
task force of Ellis County and have constructed a survey that takes no more
than 10 minutes, this survey essentially is going to help that task force to be
able to collect data that really gives us a good vantage point as to what needs
access for childcare in our community, how many spots we need, how many more
providers we need, and then that committee will really assess, you know, how do
we support the people who are currently providing childcare? And what things
must we do to possibly incentivize others to do childcare because we, of
course, have people looking for childcare every day. And we know that there's a
lot of waiting lists going on. So the survey is important for people to
understand, you don't just have to be a parent to take it, you could be a
grandparent, you could be an employer, you know, you're going to know the needs
of your staff. And if they're not coming to work, because they don't have
daycare lined up, obviously, you can express that, you know, you know that this
is needed in your community. So the more people we can get to fill that survey
out the better snapshot we get, and we'll be able to start then applying for
grant funds, which we can use to help incentivize and start identifying and
addressing this issue in our community. So it's also critical, I will have that
conversation window open through the end of December. So folks can actually go
to our Facebook page to find a QR code. If they have a cell phone, they can
scan that. Or there's our direct link on that, too.

So funny
story, I actually went and took your survey yesterday. Oh, thank you. And yeah,
you're welcome. I was trying to figure out how I was going to scan the QR code
with my phone because I'm on my phone. And I'm like, huh, and then I saw the
link. I took me a minute, but they're both both way ways are right there in
handy. It just yeah, you got to be smarter than me, I guess, to be able to get
there quickly.

Well,
you know, we wanted it to be as readily accessible as possible, which is why we
gave folks both options. But yes, thank you for bringing that up as well. And
again, our goal is to have about 1000 survey responses if we can, obviously we
have about 20,000 people in Ellis County. So we know that there's going to be a
need for us to collect data for the whole entire county, not just Hayes,
because there are folks coming over from LSE and Victoria getting daycare spots
served on here and Hayes and vice versa. We know we have some families that are
going out of town to for sure.

So
everybody if you're hearing this, take a few minutes go find that survey and do
it. It's really not a big deal. I think you say 10 minutes I think I did mine
in five it's it's quick and easy. It's nothing. No no long form kind of
questions. It's just put it that but the having that data is so vital for the
community.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber awarded leadership grant" 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=mfkks-1149cd3-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares details about a recently awarded leadership grant.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a><h2>Transcript</h2>James Bell&nbsp;
A recent
grant to the Hays Chamber will help strengthen leadership in the area president
and CEO Sarah Wasinger stops by to talk to us about that and more on this
episode of the Post Podcast.Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
I don't
know if you've heard but the chamber was awarded a leadership transformation
grant from the Kansas Leadership Center. James Bell&nbsp;
Oh, very
cool. No, I hadn't heard about this. I don't know anything about this. What is
it again.Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
So it's
a leadership Transformation Grant, the Kansas Leadership Center is based out of
Wichita, Kansas. And part of their focus is working with community partnerships
to really expand leadership principles and concepts across the state of Kansas.
And last year, our chamber was successful in receiving 46 spots for from them.
And we're very close to utilizing all those spots up this year. And the grant
that we wrote for 2022, however, we wrote a grant for 50 spots, and we were
awarded those spots, which is very exciting. Nice. So leadership Haze is
actually something that many of our listeners might be familiar with. It's a
leadership program that was started by the Chamber, the Hays area, Chamber of
Commerce, then, um, to really just help businesses and organizations help their
folks that are maybe at the beginning of their careers in the middle or, you
know, even the seasoned pros, bringing folks together to talk about leadership
concepts, how we work together as a community to address issues, or needs, or
just in general to kind of strengthen ourselves and better ourselves. One of
the things that our leadership, hey, students go through is step one of the KLC
process. And that is your leadership edge. And that's a two day course. And
normally yours, we actually take the students to Wichita, Kansas for that, that
because of COVID. Last year, we did that virtually. But we're excited for this
year, because they're going to let us go back to Wichita and take them in
person, again, awesome, they'll have a blended approach. So there might be some
folks who still feel more comfortable doing things virtually. And that's okay.
But we're very excited to have that in person capacity. Again, I can very much
tell you that being an alumni of the leadership Hayes class, that the in person
experiences I felt to be pushed me outside of my comfort zone a little bit
more. And I was probably able to get a little bit more out of my experience
with it.James Bell&nbsp;
Well,
sure. I mean, because it's human nature, I think you get uncomfortable and
you've got the screen and all you got to do is close it or shut the camera off.
And but if you're in the room is hard to you can't scrunch down enough to not
get called on sometimes, right,Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
I'm not
going to hide underneath that chair. But the exciting thing about this is we
are actually in the window right now for folks to turn in applications. So I
was just actually talking to Joe in the lobby. And this is really significant,
because some of these trainings are actually worth $800. Wow. And so we're
actually offering them to folks who fill out the grant application form for
free, I'm really the only investment that they would actually have outside of
of course, their time. And there is a workbook and a guide book that are used
in conjunction with the course nicely enough, those workbooks and guide books
are the same for all three steps of the KLC path. And so you really had that
investment only one time. But December 15 is kind of the deadline that we're
hoping folks will fill out those applications. So we've got a little over two
weeks now. And it's a very simple application, we're just going to ask a little
bit of information from you, kind of what you would hope to gain from the
leadership course and why you're wanting to apply for it. And then as long as
we have enough spots, we'll grant everybody their application. But if we have a
certain amount of spots, we'll of course, look at different things like, you
know, maybe putting a cap on a number of people per employer, or things of that
nature. And we might also look at a few things to, you know, with this person,
I'm taking this leadership course, perhaps set our community up to be a little
bit stronger based on what they're doing. And you know, the different
organizations that they're a part of. So that will all be taken into
consideration. Our hope, then, is to actually have all those spots kind of
identified and communicated back out with folks by the end of this year. And
then I'm really we're gonna give everybody the opportunity to register for
their courses by June 30. Our hope is that if we have them registered by that
point in time, if anyone changes their mind and says, Hey, I applied for this,
but my schedule has changed. I don't think I'll be able to take a course
between now and then that gives us time as a chamber to make sure that we're
utilizing all this 50 spots.James Bell&nbsp;
Very
cool. thought of everything. Oh, I get so organized down there at the chamber.Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
Oh,
well, we try. Except for emails not coming through. We'll work on that. James Bell&nbsp;
Well,
that's probably our system. That's yeah. But very cool. Very cool. Well, um,
so, you know, for now, is there a like a website? Or do you have more
information on your website for this, if people want check it a little bit more
detail?Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
We do so
they can go to Hayes chamber.com. And then our news and announcements page,
we've got our resources on the right hand side of that page. And there's a 2022
leadership transformation grant application. And for those folks who also kind
of pay attention to our emails and get our news blasts, we'll be sending that
out as well as another attachment in our December newsletter. So a couple of
different reminders Coming out folks this way, and I do believe will anticipate
doing a Facebook post to just to kind of give people another step to apply for
that. But yeah, so they arranged like I said, between 408 $100. So it's
significant value. And quite frankly, I feel like anytime you have a chance to
better yourself, you should do it. A few of the things I did want to talk about
is kind of the core concepts and leadership principles that KLC has. So they
define leadership as an activity and not a position. And they share that anyone
can lead anytime, anywhere, it starts with you and must engage others, and your
purpose must be clear. And last, and probably most important, it's risky. So
Leadership isn't always easy. And so we have to make sure that we are able to
exhibit great patience and understanding with others. So I think those are all
different concepts that I struggle with and try to improve on every day. And
I'd imagine if I had those considerations and things I need a benefit from, and
could improve on that others would, too. And so that's really kind of the why
behind why we applied for the grant. And our hope is to continue to apply for
the leadership Transformation Grant, year after year. So we can keep moving
forward that leadership needle in our community, and give as many businesses
and organizations exposure to those leadership concepts as possible.James Bell&nbsp;
Very
cool. Yeah. And you know, I don't know if you want to talk a little bit about
this. But I think for a lot of people, when you when you hear that term
leadership, you think about the old traditional style boss, you know, the
coming down the mountain, somebody's telling you what to do. And that's not
necessarily the entire experience and leadership. It's it can be at any level,
it can be a, you know, an on any size of project, right.Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
Yeah,
that's more management actually versus leadership. And there's going to be some
great debate and discussion through the courses on that as well. Yeah, well,
they're needed just at different times in different places.James Bell&nbsp;
Yeah,
exactly. Love it. All right. Well, Sarah, what else? Well, I think we got to
talk about this. The childcare survey is out now. Ready, ready for people to
take it? I've seen a couple different places that where you can get to that,
right.Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
Yes. So
thank you so much for bringing that up. Yes, we are working with the childcare
task force of Ellis County and have constructed a survey that takes no more
than 10 minutes, this survey essentially is going to help that task force to be
able to collect data that really gives us a good vantage point as to what needs
access for childcare in our community, how many spots we need, how many more
providers we need, and then that committee will really assess, you know, how do
we support the people who are currently providing childcare? And what things
must we do to possibly incentivize others to do childcare because we, of
course, have people looking for childcare every day. And we know that there's a
lot of waiting lists going on. So the survey is important for people to
understand, you don't just have to be a parent to take it, you could be a
grandparent, you could be an employer, you know, you're going to know the needs
of your staff. And if they're not coming to work, because they don't have
daycare lined up, obviously, you can express that, you know, you know that this
is needed in your community. So the more people we can get to fill that survey
out the better snapshot we get, and we'll be able to start then applying for
grant funds, which we can use to help incentivize and start identifying and
addressing this issue in our community. So it's also critical, I will have that
conversation window open through the end of December. So folks can actually go
to our Facebook page to find a QR code. If they have a cell phone, they can
scan that. Or there's our direct link on that, too.James Bell&nbsp;
So funny
story, I actually went and took your survey yesterday. Oh, thank you. And yeah,
you're welcome. I was trying to figure out how I was going to scan the QR code
with my phone because I'm on my phone. And I'm like, huh, and then I saw the
link. I took me a minute, but they're both both way ways are right there in
handy. It just yeah, you got to be smarter than me, I guess, to be able to get
there quickly.Sarah Wasinger&nbsp;
Well,
you know, we wanted it to be as readily accessible as possible, which is why we
gave folks both options. But yes, thank you for bringing that up as well. And
again, our goal is to have about 1000 survey responses if we can, obviously we
have about 20,000 people in Ellis County. So we know that there's going to be a
need for us to collect data for the whole entire county, not just Hayes,
because there are folks coming over from LSE and Victoria getting daycare spots
served on here and Hayes and vice versa. We know we have some families that are
going out of town to for sure.James Bell&nbsp;
So
everybody if you're hearing this, take a few minutes go find that survey and do
it. It's really not a big deal. I think you say 10 minutes I think I did mine
in five it's it's quick and easy. It's nothing. No no long form kind of
questions. It's just put it that but the having that data is so vital for the
community.

🎙Post Podcast: Hays Chamber awarded leadership grant

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University provost, Jill Arensdorf speaks about the direct benefits to the area provided by the university.

Fort Hays State University is more than just an education center for the region. It provides direct benefits to the community. Provost Jill Arensdorf stops by to talk a little bit about some of those benefits on this episode of the post podcast.

Obviously, the purpose of a Fort Hays State University and really higher education is to educate primarily our student population. However, we also have part of our mission to serve the public good. And many of our outreach programs and impact that we make in Kansas, specifically western Kansas, focus on what you called the impact of teaching and learning. And so I'll share just a few examples. And if you have questions about them, please please ask. But we have the fhsu Literacy Center. And that may be one that people aren't that familiar with, because it's relatively new is a partnership with the Hayes Masonic Lodge, and they're providing virtual and face to face helped area schools that need additional assistance in their reading skills. And this was really primarily due to the COVID 19 shutdown and some of the needs that came from that. And so this Literacy Center has, has risen and been created in the last year or so to provide that assistance that that students may need. In addition, you know, we've got great programs at Sternberg Museum and many people in the community and outside of the community and enjoy those educational outreach activities throughout the year. And then we have a gem in Great Bend with the Kansas wetlands Education Center. And that is connected to Fort Hays and folks might not realize that connection to Fort Hays and the educational opportunities that that provides.

Yeah, that's something we talked about the events down there. And and I think that's one of those things. And I grew up near that region. I grew up in Stafford County. It is such a such a jewel down there. And it's really, you know, when you when I think about these events, you think about that drive, but my goodness, it's not that big of a deal, really, in the long run to get down there 45 minutes or so.

Yeah. And they've got I mean, they've got indoor and outdoor excursion activities and things going on all year. So I really hope that people can take advantage of that. You know, one other thing that if you drive through campus, many days, you won't see the maker van there but many days you will meet the maker van has programs for STEM. And so that maker van allows us to take our STEM show on the road so to speak, and and go into schools and communities to teach students about physics and science and using robots and the mobile planetarium and then our ever popular high altitude blond balloon experiments which go on pretty regularly throughout the year.

Yeah, this stuff is so neat. I was I actually got to hang out with one of your Dean's Paul Adams the other day, the who's doing a robot session training session with some middle school teachers and may My goodness, how cool is this stuff? It's just, you know, and I'm pretty tech savvy, I'd like to thank but even the way that this is developing an education so quickly and rapidly, it's just It blows my mind.

Yeah, if we can get students excited about science at an early age through things like the maker band through things like Sternberg through things like the wetland center, they're more apt to maybe find that as a career path and passion as they choose higher education and a career. So I mean, there's obviously a reason for this outreach. And it's an important part of our mission at Fort Hays State University.

Very cool. And that, you know, one other thing in that in that regard, we talked about the weekend center. I don't know that you want to talk a little bit about that one as well.

Yeah, it's relatively new. So this is a cooperation with USD 489. And the west central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, and several other regional school districts, and the Heartland Community Foundation, so a partnership with many entities. And it is a center where preschool and 18 to 21 year old transition programs occur where students are working with these populations preschool and then the 18 to 21 year olds, adults as they prepare to become teachers. And so it's just a, it's a unique new opportunity that for Hayes's has gotten involved in here in the local community, downtown, at the Hadleys at the Hadley old Hadley hospital, that Hadley building, and it has been a fantastic partnership thus far to create opportunities both for our students to learn but also to impact the community. Very cool.

Yeah. And in schools, those economic are about I mean, educational opportunities are there's also some real economic benefits to having the university here and we hear about the Small Business Development Center and you know, Management Development Center as well. And I think that's a huge way that Fort Hays can help and especially right now with so many people going remote work and looking at those kind of things are working for themselves. It's got to have like a tremendous benefit on the area.

It is and you know, for higher education specifically for Hey, does make an impact on our business and economic development, as you said, and so, through the pandemic, and as we've come out of it, the Small Business Development Center and our management development center, have pivoted, and then they've grown from that and and have expanded their services and expanded the way that they're serving the western Kansas population. So I'll just give you a couple of quick examples. James, the Small Business Development Center for Hayes's the statewide host, but we also have a regional center. And so the numbers I'll share with you our regional numbers, for Hayes, the regional Small Business Development Center establishes and helps startup businesses. So lots of workshops and counseling services that can be done in person, but that also can be done remote now, because of our learning through the pandemic. And so this past year, the center has developed 78 workshops, assisted 124 established businesses in their regional area, which is primarily western Kansas, and then helped 14 new entrepreneurs launch business in this area, which is exciting for the economic drivers that we need to be as an institution and in our in our region. The Management Development Center is housed at Fort Hays State University as well provides lots of public workshops, the focus on customer service, managing people mastering business and communication software and applications. So really serving anyone that has needs in management leadership areas.

Yeah, that's we talked about leadership earlier this week on the show and the difference between leadership and management and, and how that works and how it develops. And it is such an interesting field and Fort Hayes has been a leader, I think in in Leadership Studies and how that all not only academically, it comes together, but how it works in the practical world as well.

Yeah, you're right. Of course, I have some affinity for the Leadership Studies program since it's my home department. But the management development center that I think one of the beautiful things about that center, is that it utilizes expertise of not only our faculty, but business people and other people in the community that have a skill set that they can share with other folks. So they basically contract a facilitator. And then that facilitator uses their expertise to teach others about one of the areas that that we already discussed within the Management Development Center. One of the things I'll quickly mentioned, James, kind of connected to the business and economic development piece is an online bank management contest that the Robins banking Institute hosts each year, in coordination with Robins College of Business and Entrepreneurship. This institute actually engages community banks in Kansas, in this friendly bank simulation competition. So everyone likes a little healthy competition from time to time. And so this online bank management contest has been a fun way for the Institute in our community banks to compete and sharpen their banking skills as they compete.

That's very fun. You know, it's one of the things I imagine it is, it is difficult to turn that into a fun activity. But that's a good time. You know, and the other thing speaking of, you know, the activity in the university helping the area, you know, a lot of ways I think the university just kind of generally makes life better out here, right?

Yeah, no, one of the things that I've always appreciated about living in western Kansas, and specifically now in Hays is that the quality of life is so good here. And our university contributes to that in a way that I'm certainly very proud of. An example of that would be the Herndon Speech Language Hearing Clinic, the clinic, His home is on campus, but the clinic is actually in its fifth year of providing mobile hearing screenings. This is a program sponsored again by the Kansas Masonic Foundation. And so in the last five years, the Herndon clinic, students, faculty and staff have actually provided over 830 free screenings in western Kansas communities, which is an amazing service. And it's amazing learning opportunity for our students who are in those programs. So that then when they're going out into their career, they have experience working in rural Kansas and rural communities and see the need out there and can help serve that need. Another example of just raising the quality of life in western Kansas is our Department of Geosciences is doing some research that's actually been funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to test private wells for contamination in western Kansas. So again, a great way for our students and faculty to connect to western Kansas communities and ensure that our water water is of high quality and is safe to drink and use.

Yeah, because I mean, otherwise, those resources are harder to find. I mean, I've done some some water testing and I know you have to ship that off and it's, you know, it gonna be a few days where you're doing a locally, just quicker and easier and And again, they're great learning.

Absolutely. Do we have time to talk about more? Yeah. Okay. So as I, as I came over to the station today, I walked literally walked by the senior companion and Foster Grandparent Program Office, which is now housed in rare at call. These are programs for our local seniors that fill a need on our community for services for our citizens over 55. And so if you're interested in getting involved, we have a director that that would be very anxious to visit with with you if you're interested in getting involved with our senior companion and Foster Grandparent Program. And then we have just ongoing partnerships with the pace Public Library in our downtown art and event venues to host exhibitions and poetry readings and author book signings which all contribute to the quality of life in the community. And so we have lots of students in lots of different departments that are collaborating with downtown Hayes, to to raise, raise our appreciation, maybe for the arts, but also to allow people to participate in a unique way. this coming Saturday is another great event that we have, probably you've probably talked about, in fact, I think I heard about it on the radio on my way up here, the teaming up for Tots toy assembly that will occur this Saturday in the Department of Applied Technology. I can't remember James how many years this has been going on. But it's been going on for many, many years. 200 wooden toys will be assembled from start to finish for children ages two to six. And those will be delivered just in time for Christmas. But if you haven't, if you haven't ever been to that event, it's it's it's really powerful to go in and see the community come together with students and faculty to contribute in a meaningful way and also honor a former Applied Technology faculty member Fred Ruda, the toy, the teaming up for Tots toy assembly is named after him. And he started that program. And it's just a really cool way to get into the spirit of the season, but also to contribute to the community.

Absolutely. Yeah, I remember even as an undergrad here, I think it was a student reporter for the student newspaper, and I wrote some stories with with Dr. Ruta when he was doing that program back then. Yeah, it's it's cool. And I love that it's been able to continue and even expand and grow a

little bit. Yes, yes, I and there's, I think they sometimes have more volunteers than they then they have toys, but but it's just because people find the work so meaningful. And so I believe this year, there's a team of students that's working with Big Brothers Big Sisters. And so they're connecting that project into the teaming up for Tots toy assembly as well. Which actually leads me to another example. Our university athletes, many of them serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters are for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ellis County programs spending their time with students that need to mentor in their lives. And so that's a way that our, many of our students and many of our faculty and staff are connected to youth in the community through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Yeah, that's awesome. Cool program and and even cooler when you got to Fort Hays athletes, you know, leading the charge. Exactly,

exactly. I think I think in some ways, in some of those pictures, I see I think, impacts probably the Big Brother or Big Sister just as much as it impacts the little already cool. Yeah, very cool.

Well, we've just got just about a minute or so left, we got to get over to weather. But any last thoughts before we go?

Well, James, thank you so much for this time that you afford to us on a very regular occasion to talk about Fort Hays State University. I respect our university and love it very much. And we have a very much a shared commitment to service. President Mason often often refers to this as the ethic of care. That's what makes for hasty different. And I think the examples we've talked about here, show that we really care about our students, our faculty and staff, but also our community and that that mission that we hold as high in higher education of the public good. speaks through these examples of outreach that we've talked about this morning, and we can talk probably for 30 more minutes and not cover everything. But as people get into the spirit of the season, I hope that you find a way to get connected to your community and appreciate the outreach that we all bring in.

<div><iframe title="FHSU impacts extend beyond education" 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=vg52c-1149cbb-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University provost, Jill Arensdorf speaks about the direct benefits to the area provided by the university.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a><h2>Transcript</h2>James Bell&nbsp;Fort Hays State University is more than just an education center for the region. It provides direct benefits to the community. Provost Jill Arensdorf stops by to talk a little bit about some of those benefits on this episode of the post podcast.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Obviously, the purpose of a Fort Hays State University and really higher education is to educate primarily our student population. However, we also have part of our mission to serve the public good. And many of our outreach programs and impact that we make in Kansas, specifically western Kansas, focus on what you called the impact of teaching and learning. And so I'll share just a few examples. And if you have questions about them, please please ask. But we have the fhsu Literacy Center. And that may be one that people aren't that familiar with, because it's relatively new is a partnership with the Hayes Masonic Lodge, and they're providing virtual and face to face helped area schools that need additional assistance in their reading skills. And this was really primarily due to the COVID 19 shutdown and some of the needs that came from that. And so this Literacy Center has, has risen and been created in the last year or so to provide that assistance that that students may need. In addition, you know, we've got great programs at Sternberg Museum and many people in the community and outside of the community and enjoy those educational outreach activities throughout the year. And then we have a gem in Great Bend with the Kansas wetlands Education Center. And that is connected to Fort Hays and folks might not realize that connection to Fort Hays and the educational opportunities that that provides.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, that's something we talked about the events down there. And and I think that's one of those things. And I grew up near that region. I grew up in Stafford County. It is such a such a jewel down there. And it's really, you know, when you when I think about these events, you think about that drive, but my goodness, it's not that big of a deal, really, in the long run to get down there 45 minutes or so.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Yeah. And they've got I mean, they've got indoor and outdoor excursion activities and things going on all year. So I really hope that people can take advantage of that. You know, one other thing that if you drive through campus, many days, you won't see the maker van there but many days you will meet the maker van has programs for STEM. And so that maker van allows us to take our STEM show on the road so to speak, and and go into schools and communities to teach students about physics and science and using robots and the mobile planetarium and then our ever popular high altitude blond balloon experiments which go on pretty regularly throughout the year.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, this stuff is so neat. I was I actually got to hang out with one of your Dean's Paul Adams the other day, the who's doing a robot session training session with some middle school teachers and may My goodness, how cool is this stuff? It's just, you know, and I'm pretty tech savvy, I'd like to thank but even the way that this is developing an education so quickly and rapidly, it's just It blows my mind.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Yeah, if we can get students excited about science at an early age through things like the maker band through things like Sternberg through things like the wetland center, they're more apt to maybe find that as a career path and passion as they choose higher education and a career. So I mean, there's obviously a reason for this outreach. And it's an important part of our mission at Fort Hays State University.James Bell&nbsp;Very cool. And that, you know, one other thing in that in that regard, we talked about the weekend center. I don't know that you want to talk a little bit about that one as well.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Yeah, it's relatively new. So this is a cooperation with USD 489. And the west central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, and several other regional school districts, and the Heartland Community Foundation, so a partnership with many entities. And it is a center where preschool and 18 to 21 year old transition programs occur where students are working with these populations preschool and then the 18 to 21 year olds, adults as they prepare to become teachers. And so it's just a, it's a unique new opportunity that for Hayes's has gotten involved in here in the local community, downtown, at the Hadleys at the Hadley old Hadley hospital, that Hadley building, and it has been a fantastic partnership thus far to create opportunities both for our students to learn but also to impact the community. Very cool.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah. And in schools, those economic are about I mean, educational opportunities are there's also some real economic benefits to having the university here and we hear about the Small Business Development Center and you know, Management Development Center as well. And I think that's a huge way that Fort Hays can help and especially right now with so many people going remote work and looking at those kind of things are working for themselves. It's got to have like a tremendous benefit on the area.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;It is and you know, for higher education specifically for Hey, does make an impact on our business and economic development, as you said, and so, through the pandemic, and as we've come out of it, the Small Business Development Center and our management development center, have pivoted, and then they've grown from that and and have expanded their services and expanded the way that they're serving the western Kansas population. So I'll just give you a couple of quick examples. James, the Small Business Development Center for Hayes's the statewide host, but we also have a regional center. And so the numbers I'll share with you our regional numbers, for Hayes, the regional Small Business Development Center establishes and helps startup businesses. So lots of workshops and counseling services that can be done in person, but that also can be done remote now, because of our learning through the pandemic. And so this past year, the center has developed 78 workshops, assisted 124 established businesses in their regional area, which is primarily western Kansas, and then helped 14 new entrepreneurs launch business in this area, which is exciting for the economic drivers that we need to be as an institution and in our in our region. The Management Development Center is housed at Fort Hays State University as well provides lots of public workshops, the focus on customer service, managing people mastering business and communication software and applications. So really serving anyone that has needs in management leadership areas.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, that's we talked about leadership earlier this week on the show and the difference between leadership and management and, and how that works and how it develops. And it is such an interesting field and Fort Hayes has been a leader, I think in in Leadership Studies and how that all not only academically, it comes together, but how it works in the practical world as well.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Yeah, you're right. Of course, I have some affinity for the Leadership Studies program since it's my home department. But the management development center that I think one of the beautiful things about that center, is that it utilizes expertise of not only our faculty, but business people and other people in the community that have a skill set that they can share with other folks. So they basically contract a facilitator. And then that facilitator uses their expertise to teach others about one of the areas that that we already discussed within the Management Development Center. One of the things I'll quickly mentioned, James, kind of connected to the business and economic development piece is an online bank management contest that the Robins banking Institute hosts each year, in coordination with Robins College of Business and Entrepreneurship. This institute actually engages community banks in Kansas, in this friendly bank simulation competition. So everyone likes a little healthy competition from time to time. And so this online bank management contest has been a fun way for the Institute in our community banks to compete and sharpen their banking skills as they compete.James Bell&nbsp;That's very fun. You know, it's one of the things I imagine it is, it is difficult to turn that into a fun activity. But that's a good time. You know, and the other thing speaking of, you know, the activity in the university helping the area, you know, a lot of ways I think the university just kind of generally makes life better out here, right?Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Yeah, no, one of the things that I've always appreciated about living in western Kansas, and specifically now in Hays is that the quality of life is so good here. And our university contributes to that in a way that I'm certainly very proud of. An example of that would be the Herndon Speech Language Hearing Clinic, the clinic, His home is on campus, but the clinic is actually in its fifth year of providing mobile hearing screenings. This is a program sponsored again by the Kansas Masonic Foundation. And so in the last five years, the Herndon clinic, students, faculty and staff have actually provided over 830 free screenings in western Kansas communities, which is an amazing service. And it's amazing learning opportunity for our students who are in those programs. So that then when they're going out into their career, they have experience working in rural Kansas and rural communities and see the need out there and can help serve that need. Another example of just raising the quality of life in western Kansas is our Department of Geosciences is doing some research that's actually been funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to test private wells for contamination in western Kansas. So again, a great way for our students and faculty to connect to western Kansas communities and ensure that our water water is of high quality and is safe to drink and use.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, because I mean, otherwise, those resources are harder to find. I mean, I've done some some water testing and I know you have to ship that off and it's, you know, it gonna be a few days where you're doing a locally, just quicker and easier and And again, they're great learning.Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Absolutely. Do we have time to talk about more? Yeah. Okay. So as I, as I came over to the station today, I walked literally walked by the senior companion and Foster Grandparent Program Office, which is now housed in rare at call. These are programs for our local seniors that fill a need on our community for services for our citizens over 55. And so if you're interested in getting involved, we have a director that that would be very anxious to visit with with you if you're interested in getting involved with our senior companion and Foster Grandparent Program. And then we have just ongoing partnerships with the pace Public Library in our downtown art and event venues to host exhibitions and poetry readings and author book signings which all contribute to the quality of life in the community. And so we have lots of students in lots of different departments that are collaborating with downtown Hayes, to to raise, raise our appreciation, maybe for the arts, but also to allow people to participate in a unique way. this coming Saturday is another great event that we have, probably you've probably talked about, in fact, I think I heard about it on the radio on my way up here, the teaming up for Tots toy assembly that will occur this Saturday in the Department of Applied Technology. I can't remember James how many years this has been going on. But it's been going on for many, many years. 200 wooden toys will be assembled from start to finish for children ages two to six. And those will be delivered just in time for Christmas. But if you haven't, if you haven't ever been to that event, it's it's it's really powerful to go in and see the community come together with students and faculty to contribute in a meaningful way and also honor a former Applied Technology faculty member Fred Ruda, the toy, the teaming up for Tots toy assembly is named after him. And he started that program. And it's just a really cool way to get into the spirit of the season, but also to contribute to the community.James Bell&nbsp;Absolutely. Yeah, I remember even as an undergrad here, I think it was a student reporter for the student newspaper, and I wrote some stories with with Dr. Ruta when he was doing that program back then. Yeah, it's it's cool. And I love that it's been able to continue and even expand and grow aJill Arensdorf&nbsp;little bit. Yes, yes, I and there's, I think they sometimes have more volunteers than they then they have toys, but but it's just because people find the work so meaningful. And so I believe this year, there's a team of students that's working with Big Brothers Big Sisters. And so they're connecting that project into the teaming up for Tots toy assembly as well. Which actually leads me to another example. Our university athletes, many of them serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters are for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ellis County programs spending their time with students that need to mentor in their lives. And so that's a way that our, many of our students and many of our faculty and staff are connected to youth in the community through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, that's awesome. Cool program and and even cooler when you got to Fort Hays athletes, you know, leading the charge. Exactly,Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;exactly. I think I think in some ways, in some of those pictures, I see I think, impacts probably the Big Brother or Big Sister just as much as it impacts the little already cool. Yeah, very cool.James Bell&nbsp;Well, we've just got just about a minute or so left, we got to get over to weather. But any last thoughts before we go?Jill Arensdorf&nbsp;Well, James, thank you so much for this time that you afford to us on a very regular occasion to talk about Fort Hays State University. I respect our university and love it very much. And we have a very much a shared commitment to service. President Mason often often refers to this as the ethic of care. That's what makes for hasty different. And I think the examples we've talked about here, show that we really care about our students, our faculty and staff, but also our community and that that mission that we hold as high in higher education of the public good. speaks through these examples of outreach that we've talked about this morning, and we can talk probably for 30 more minutes and not cover everything. But as people get into the spirit of the season, I hope that you find a way to get connected to your community and appreciate the outreach that we all bring in.

🎙Post Podcast: FHSU impacts extend beyond education

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun shares tips on how to keep safe during the busy holiday shopping season.

The holiday season means increased shopping and increased risk of theft. Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun stops by to talk to us a little bit about how to stay safe while out collecting those holiday guests. On this episode of the Post Podcast.

You know, there's a couple of things we can do to protect ourselves. One, if we're buying gifts online, go to a reputable site, make sure that you're using some type of card or something that has some security to it, monitor your, your purchases through that. Get on some of those sites that will tell you if you have some things to charge to you is monitored closely. As we know scams go up during this time, this year will be no different than any other year, that will be a large percentage, a large percentage of fraud cases being reported to law enforcement to investigate the pretty difficult for us to do. Typically, they're out of our jurisdiction. But unfortunately, you know, the card companies are pretty good about working with people, but monitor that because they can get away from you pretty quick, cancel those cards, if it happens. Regards to gifts, you know, everybody's going to all of the stores around town or out of our community or wherever they might be. Make sure that when you're parking your car, that it's secure. Try to cover those gifts in the back. You know, it just takes a brief moment for somebody to break a window. Or if you leave that door open by accident, kids getting in and out. We're busy. We forgot, forget to check our doors and our kids. Did you lock your door? Yes, well, we all know that sometimes happens, right? And they take the gifts and it cost you some money. And we have some kids unhappy and so just make sure that you're covering those items up and securing your vehicle. And And ladies, please make sure your purses when you're in the stores that you're not letting them by themselves in the cart while you're trying on something or you're dealing with your kids. I know what happens. But please be cautious. You know, those increase every year also. And if anybody's been watching the news, we've been seeing a lot of that stuff in the eastern and western part of the states. Not in Kansas necessarily. We'll knock on wood on that. But there's been a lot of thefts from from stores, a lot of looting and things of that nature. And so unfortunately, that's a trickle effect. Sometimes we hope that doesn't enter our community, but we just want everybody to be cautious.

Yeah. And, you know, I heard a story a while back about some booze, doing some shopping and turned her back just turned her back from home to grab the purse out of the car. And then somebody tried to grab it from her. And more or less.

Yes, you know, and and that's a good point. I know my reaction is to fight that person or, or the ad and I and I get that I can't say that I would be any different. But you know, it is a purse. And I don't want anybody to be harmed, because there are some people that will harm other people to get that item. So just be careful with that. And you just got to be aware of your surroundings. When when, during this time or any time to be for that matter of fact, just be careful around your surroundings. And if you get that kind of funny feeling. Probably something not right.

Yeah. So you know, the last the other thing, and we'll kind of get off because I talked about it briefly of people traveling. Again, and I know I spoke about this a long time ago, but please have some precautionary items in your vehicle. Let's get some blankets in there. And let's make sure we have a you know, charger cell phone might have some type of heating item in there. If you're stuck, watch the weather in, you know, years ago, it may have been more difficult. But now we get weather notifications, they pop up all the time on our phones, if you have a smartphone, make sure people know when you're going to arrive approximately at a location. So if you're extended a significant amount, they can start making some phone calls and say, hey, my loved ones not here. Please keep in contact with them. But travel safe. Take a little extra time if the roads aren't good, because the last thing we want to do is have someone injured and and we do see quite a few accidents. There's a lot of travel during Christmas time. And our weather changes in Kansas as we know 30 seconds from now. It could be snowing, who knows? You know? Yeah. So just take a few extra minutes.

Yeah. And you know, I was talking to some friends of mine that are a little bit younger, just the other day about this very thing. And they said well, we have a cell phone failing happens. Let's make a phone call. And I'm like, oh gosh, I remember growing up and you know, we lived in a real small town. So travel was part of our daily life 30 minutes, 40 minutes every day. And we didn't have any way of contacting so those those that like the candle in the can and the blankets and all that you know still lives in my trunk. But these younger folks, I think they rely on the cell phones and just think well if I get in trouble I'm going to call but sometimes in service There's situations, you're going to wish that you had some way of staying warm, at least till somebody gets there. And you know, if you're stuck, pros are terrible, whatever it might be.

You know, technology fails us. And maybe that cell phone's not working, or you were on an all day, and you're gonna make that last phone call. And for whatever reason, your battery just died and you're in this snowstorm, and you can't make that phone call. We don't know where you are, we can't get to you. So you're absolutely right, we've got to take care of ourselves a little bit. We got to make sure we have some means of staying for a period of time. I remember a few years ago, we had some pretty good it's been a number of years ago, pretty good blizzards where I 70 was shut down and, and we were having a hard time getting to people stranded, we actually had to call the National Guard and they started running up and down the road because they had the vehicles to do it. So those people sat there for a couple hours before we get to him. But the point is, is we've got to gotta have some precautionary things and it doesn't take anything, throw something in a bag and put it in the trunk.

And just sit there for multiple years if you're like me.

<div><iframe title="Ellis Co. Sheriff shares holiday shopping safety tips" 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=uw68e-1149c9b-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun shares tips on how to keep safe during the busy holiday shopping season.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a><h2>Transcript</h2>James Bell&nbsp;The holiday season means increased shopping and increased risk of theft. Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun stops by to talk to us a little bit about how to stay safe while out collecting those holiday guests. On this episode of the Post Podcast.Scott Braun&nbsp;You know, there's a couple of things we can do to protect ourselves. One, if we're buying gifts online, go to a reputable site, make sure that you're using some type of card or something that has some security to it, monitor your, your purchases through that. Get on some of those sites that will tell you if you have some things to charge to you is monitored closely. As we know scams go up during this time, this year will be no different than any other year, that will be a large percentage, a large percentage of fraud cases being reported to law enforcement to investigate the pretty difficult for us to do. Typically, they're out of our jurisdiction. But unfortunately, you know, the card companies are pretty good about working with people, but monitor that because they can get away from you pretty quick, cancel those cards, if it happens. Regards to gifts, you know, everybody's going to all of the stores around town or out of our community or wherever they might be. Make sure that when you're parking your car, that it's secure. Try to cover those gifts in the back. You know, it just takes a brief moment for somebody to break a window. Or if you leave that door open by accident, kids getting in and out. We're busy. We forgot, forget to check our doors and our kids. Did you lock your door? Yes, well, we all know that sometimes happens, right? And they take the gifts and it cost you some money. And we have some kids unhappy and so just make sure that you're covering those items up and securing your vehicle. And And ladies, please make sure your purses when you're in the stores that you're not letting them by themselves in the cart while you're trying on something or you're dealing with your kids. I know what happens. But please be cautious. You know, those increase every year also. And if anybody's been watching the news, we've been seeing a lot of that stuff in the eastern and western part of the states. Not in Kansas necessarily. We'll knock on wood on that. But there's been a lot of thefts from from stores, a lot of looting and things of that nature. And so unfortunately, that's a trickle effect. Sometimes we hope that doesn't enter our community, but we just want everybody to be cautious.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah. And, you know, I heard a story a while back about some booze, doing some shopping and turned her back just turned her back from home to grab the purse out of the car. And then somebody tried to grab it from her. And more or less.Scott Braun&nbsp;Yes, you know, and and that's a good point. I know my reaction is to fight that person or, or the ad and I and I get that I can't say that I would be any different. But you know, it is a purse. And I don't want anybody to be harmed, because there are some people that will harm other people to get that item. So just be careful with that. And you just got to be aware of your surroundings. When when, during this time or any time to be for that matter of fact, just be careful around your surroundings. And if you get that kind of funny feeling. Probably something not right.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah, better safe than sorry.Scott Braun&nbsp;Yeah. So you know, the last the other thing, and we'll kind of get off because I talked about it briefly of people traveling. Again, and I know I spoke about this a long time ago, but please have some precautionary items in your vehicle. Let's get some blankets in there. And let's make sure we have a you know, charger cell phone might have some type of heating item in there. If you're stuck, watch the weather in, you know, years ago, it may have been more difficult. But now we get weather notifications, they pop up all the time on our phones, if you have a smartphone, make sure people know when you're going to arrive approximately at a location. So if you're extended a significant amount, they can start making some phone calls and say, hey, my loved ones not here. Please keep in contact with them. But travel safe. Take a little extra time if the roads aren't good, because the last thing we want to do is have someone injured and and we do see quite a few accidents. There's a lot of travel during Christmas time. And our weather changes in Kansas as we know 30 seconds from now. It could be snowing, who knows? You know? Yeah. So just take a few extra minutes.James Bell&nbsp;Yeah. And you know, I was talking to some friends of mine that are a little bit younger, just the other day about this very thing. And they said well, we have a cell phone failing happens. Let's make a phone call. And I'm like, oh gosh, I remember growing up and you know, we lived in a real small town. So travel was part of our daily life 30 minutes, 40 minutes every day. And we didn't have any way of contacting so those those that like the candle in the can and the blankets and all that you know still lives in my trunk. But these younger folks, I think they rely on the cell phones and just think well if I get in trouble I'm going to call but sometimes in service There's situations, you're going to wish that you had some way of staying warm, at least till somebody gets there. And you know, if you're stuck, pros are terrible, whatever it might be.Scott Braun&nbsp;You know, technology fails us. And maybe that cell phone's not working, or you were on an all day, and you're gonna make that last phone call. And for whatever reason, your battery just died and you're in this snowstorm, and you can't make that phone call. We don't know where you are, we can't get to you. So you're absolutely right, we've got to take care of ourselves a little bit. We got to make sure we have some means of staying for a period of time. I remember a few years ago, we had some pretty good it's been a number of years ago, pretty good blizzards where I 70 was shut down and, and we were having a hard time getting to people stranded, we actually had to call the National Guard and they started running up and down the road because they had the vehicles to do it. So those people sat there for a couple hours before we get to him. But the point is, is we've got to gotta have some precautionary things and it doesn't take anything, throw something in a bag and put it in the trunk.James Bell&nbsp;And just sit there for multiple years if you're like me.Scott Braun&nbsp;Yeah, correct. And you have it when you need it. So yeah, so just a few things to think about. And probably last but not least, I know we're probably close on time. On behalf of the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, we'd like to wish everyone a happy, happy New Year and Merry Christmas and I kind of turn those around but I think you get the idea. We want everyone to travel safely and want everyone to have a joyous Christmas for sure. We've had some tough years and everyone gets together as just a wonderful holiday.