<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>

<div><iframe title="USD 489 officially closes Washington School" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qb2ps-f0c5e5?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: USD 489 officially closes Washington School

During extended hours on Saturday, the Hays Arts Council, 112 E. 11th, will host live readings of the "Millie's Garden and the Great Mystery" during a come-and-go open house.

Kansas resident and author Joyce Frey, along with Hays resident and illustrator Kathleen Kuchar, will be on hand for the first readings of the work.

Readings are planned for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Founder's Gallery.

"Since it is not the proper time to have things like art walks or receptions, with food and drink — those things that we come to know and love ... we are going to have an open house on Saturday," said Brenda Meder, Hays Arts Council executive director.

An exhibition of the illustrations paired with the story is ongoing.

"It's a wonderful story about a rabbit and other creatures that live in this particular back yard," Meder said. "It is delightful and Kathleen's&nbsp; illustrations are truly magical, whimsical and warm."

Although retired from Fort Hays State University, Kuchar continues to create and exhibit work.

Meder hopes the event will add to the holiday festivities that have been abridged this year.

"We are hoping people will come out with their children," Meder said. "There is not going to be as many opportunities to dress up and costumes this year ... so put those kids in costumes and come down and see us."

Face covering are encouraged, but Meder said people will be spaced out in the room during the readings.

"There is plenty of room for people to stretch out in there," Meder said.

The children will also receive a goodie bag after the reading.

"They will get a really cool Millie take-home kid's craft," Meder said, along with candy and related coloring sheets.&nbsp;

For those who cannot make it to a reading, Meder said a recording of the event will be posted online.

During the open house, attendees will also have the opportunity to see the ongoing Aces and Eights exhibition.

"They kind of go together a little bit, with an event this weekend," Meder said.

The exhibition is a showcase of the work that was donated to the Hays Arts Center for an online auction that is set to begin Thursday.

The show features a diverse set of artists and works, with over 60 pieces of art, sized at 8" by 8."

"What is really exciting is I literally just had an artist come in this morning who said 'I heard you are real close to 52' — they knew that was my target because there are 52 cards in a deck — and this is called Aces and Eights," Meder said. "So we have 52 aces, aces being the artists, without whom you don't have the arts in a community."

The show will focus on visual arts, she said.

"It's a fabulous exhibition, not only by artists within our own community, but actually from other parts of the state as well," Meder said. "We are honored and humbled by their generosity."

The art was donated by to the Arts Council, with the auction working as a fundraiser for the organization.

"It's a great show on its own, but it is also going to be an online auction to celebrate the artists," Meder said.

In return for the donation, Meder said information about the artists will be included with the auction pieces, so participants can discover those artists.

"We think it is really important to know artists and have a chance to have some sort of engagement and education since we are not having our traditional methods of gathering," Meder said.&nbsp;

She also said links to the author's websites and social media will be included.

"We are trying to make this an engaging, interactive experience," Meder said.

"We want everybody to have a chance to play," Meder said. So all of the auction pieces will be offered at an opening bid of $50.

"And everything is original artwork," she said. "We have even got some handcrafted jewelry pieces. We've got oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography,&nbsp; lithographs, monotype prints, assemblage, collage, fiber, quilling. It's just an incredible body of work."

The auction is set to open at 10 a.m. Thursday and will run through Nov. 18, the same day both exhibitions are set to close.

<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">More information, including the link to the auction and digital representations of the current galleries, can be found at haysartscouncil.org.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603922083186.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Local artist featured in new children's book" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ykv85-f0a80e?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>During extended hours on Saturday, the Hays Arts Council, 112 E. 11th, will host live readings of the "Millie's Garden and the Great Mystery" during a come-and-go open house.</p><p>Kansas resident and author Joyce Frey, along with Hays resident and illustrator Kathleen Kuchar, will be on hand for the first readings of the work.</p><p>Readings are planned for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Founder's Gallery.</p><p>"Since it is not the proper time to have things like art walks or receptions, with food and drink — those things that we come to know and love ... we are going to have an open house on Saturday," said Brenda Meder, Hays Arts Council executive director.</p><p>An exhibition of the illustrations paired with the story is ongoing.</p><p>"It's a wonderful story about a rabbit and other creatures that live in this particular back yard," Meder said. "It is delightful and Kathleen's&nbsp; illustrations are truly magical, whimsical and warm."</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603918757026.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Although retired from Fort Hays State University, Kuchar continues to create and exhibit work.</p><p>Meder hopes the event will add to the holiday festivities that have been abridged this year.</p><p>"We are hoping people will come out with their children," Meder said. "There is not going to be as many opportunities to dress up and costumes this year ... so put those kids in costumes and come down and see us."</p><p>Face covering are encouraged, but Meder said people will be spaced out in the room during the readings.</p><p>"There is plenty of room for people to stretch out in there," Meder said.</p><p>The children will also receive a goodie bag after the reading.</p><p>"They will get a really cool Millie take-home kid's craft," Meder said, along with candy and related coloring sheets.&nbsp;</p><p>For those who cannot make it to a reading, Meder said a recording of the event will be posted online.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603922220690.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>During the open house, attendees will also have the opportunity to see the ongoing Aces and Eights exhibition.</p><p>"They kind of go together a little bit, with an event this weekend," Meder said.</p><p>The exhibition is a showcase of the work that was donated to the Hays Arts Center for an online auction that is set to begin Thursday.</p><p>The show features a diverse set of artists and works, with over 60 pieces of art, sized at 8" by 8."</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603922263426.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"What is really exciting is I literally just had an artist come in this morning who said 'I heard you are real close to 52' — they knew that was my target because there are 52 cards in a deck — and this is called Aces and Eights," Meder said. "So we have 52 aces, aces being the artists, without whom you don't have the arts in a community."</p><p>The show will focus on visual arts, she said.</p><p>"It's a fabulous exhibition, not only by artists within our own community, but actually from other parts of the state as well," Meder said. "We are honored and humbled by their generosity."</p><p>The art was donated by to the Arts Council, with the auction working as a fundraiser for the organization.</p><p>"It's a great show on its own, but it is also going to be an online auction to celebrate the artists," Meder said.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603922300098.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>In return for the donation, Meder said information about the artists will be included with the auction pieces, so participants can discover those artists.</p><p>"We think it is really important to know artists and have a chance to have some sort of engagement and education since we are not having our traditional methods of gathering," Meder said.&nbsp;</p><p>She also said links to the author's websites and social media will be included.</p><p>"We are trying to make this an engaging, interactive experience," Meder said.</p><p>"We want everybody to have a chance to play," Meder said. So all of the auction pieces will be offered at an opening bid of $50.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603922332074.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"And everything is original artwork," she said. "We have even got some handcrafted jewelry pieces. We've got oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography,&nbsp; lithographs, monotype prints, assemblage, collage, fiber, quilling. It's just an incredible body of work."</p><p>The auction is set to open at 10 a.m. Thursday and will run through Nov. 18, the same day both exhibitions are set to close.</p><p><a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">More information, including the link to the auction and digital representations of the current galleries, can be found at haysartscouncil.org.</a></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603922357145.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

🎙Local illustrator featured during weekend event at HAC

<div><iframe title="Construction projects moving forward in Hays" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/zx4kv-f0a7e8?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Construction projects moving forward in Hays

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber wraps up Q3 business showcase challenge; plans for Q4" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/x9t7n-f08955?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber wraps up Q3 business showcase challenge; plans for Q4

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on August 28, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Help keep children safe with these tips from the HFD" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/f9fuc-e93a18?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on August 28, 2020.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Help keep children safe with these tips from the HFD

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

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on Jan. 25, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Kennedy: Falls are dangerous but easy to prevent" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/8w22r-d108c3?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on Jan. 25, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: Kennedy: Falls are dangerous but can often be prevented

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on March 21, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Stay fit outside of the gym with these tips" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/abchp-dd3dfe?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on March 21, 2020.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Stay fit outside of the gym with these tips

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on March 5, 2020.

<div><iframe title="ECSO shares pedestrian safety tips" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/d2wiy-d587e8?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on March 5, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: ECSO shares pedestrian safety tips

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on Jan. 28, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Stay safe this winter with these tips" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9v35c-d16d97?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on Jan. 28, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: Stay safe this winter with these driving tips

*This Post Podcast originally aired on March 11, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Preventing dangers from social media starts with communication" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/zqamq-d600c2?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This Post Podcast originally aired on March 11, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: Good communication may keep children safe on social media

<div><iframe title="Entrepreneurship showcased in upcoming events at Grow Hays" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/2vk2j-eedc9f?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Entrepreneurship showcased in upcoming events

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c237bc87-b6d3-46fb-90bc-4f15cf014055">To read about the Ellis Alliance and director Sophia Henrickson click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Ellis Alliance director shares details of upcoming activities in Ellis" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/we4a2-eedc29?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c237bc87-b6d3-46fb-90bc-4f15cf014055">To read about the Ellis Alliance and director Sophia Henrickson click here.</a></p><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis Alliance director shares details of upcoming activities in Ellis

<div><iframe title="Water rights discussed at Hays City Commission meeting" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9h3rn-eedc02?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Water rights discussed at Hays City Commission meeting

<div><iframe title="Hays library makes adjustments to accommodate ongoing remodel" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9t878-ee9a38?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=0&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays library makes service adjustments during remodel

Not even a global pandemic can bring down the Tiger spirit as
Fort Hays University celebrates homecoming this week with a mix of in-person
and virtual events with a theme of Homecoming @Home.

“We know that they can’t come to Tigerland, so we are bringing
the Tiger Spirit to them,” said Tammy Wellbrock, FHSU Alumni Association
interim director.

“We have been working really hard to get our virtual
homecoming events up and off the ground and then making sure that all of our
alumni and friends are aware of the events going on,” said Noelle Husmann, FHSU Alumni
Association communications coordinator.

This year, Husmann said, the events are free and the virtual
events are open to anyone across the globe.

“We are hoping to get some good numbers this year just
because a lot of people have the opportunity to participate during this Homecoming @Home,” she said.

While many of this year’s events moved online, the goal is
to create an experience that can still bring the FHSU community together.

“That truly is our way of bringing the news, the celebration
and the honoring,” Wellbrock said. “Everything that is traditional about
homecoming — from the warm fuzzy sense
of the events — we are wanting to re-create.” 

With the shift to online events, Homecoming 2020 has the
potential to draw more people than ever before into the festivities.

“Certainly, we would have rather had everybody come visit and
us to be in person but as we have talked about here at the alumni association, we all know that 2020 homecoming is not going to look like 2019 — but I really
hope that the 2021 homecoming also doesn’t look like 2019,” Wellbrock said.
“We really want to maybe drive new traditions that can enable those people that
either can't travel due to health, can't travel due to distance and finances,
time, all those things they can still be able to interact with their fellow
alumni, Tiger friends and family and just be able to celebrate at a bigger
global level.”

By bringing the events online, many alumni who are unable
to come to Hays for the annual celebration can participate.

“I think the majority of people understand we are a global
institution reaching every place on the globe,” Wellbrock said. “That’s where
we would love to be able to continue to celebrate homecoming here on campus
because that is the heart of where everything happens, it all starts here. But it’s also not the only reality, and we certainly hope to be able to engage some
of the ideas that we are putting into place this year.”

She said she hopes to grow the online offering in the
future, even as life returns to normal.

While much of the FHSU homecoming shifted online, some
events are still planned in person.

On Thursday, the Alumni Golf Tournament is set to begin at 8:30
a.m. and the Tiger Alumni and Friends 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 a.m.
Saturday.

The 5K will also have a virtual component for those who are
not in Hays.

Other virtual events began earlier in the week, with
interviews with the alumni award winners that will culminate with an online celebration
at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s a challenge to do this celebration while we can’t
actually be in person, but we have seven amazing award winners that are being
honored,” Wellbrock said.

<a href="https://m.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni/">The interviews are available for replay on the FHSU Alumni
Association Facebook page.</a>&nbsp;

Friday’s events include a virtual groundbreaking for the
Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success at 9 a.m.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, a virtual reunion is
planned in an online space.

“Our office has been working really hard to find an innovative
way to connect with alumni,” Husmann
said. “We found this great online software that is a bit more interactive than
your typical video conferencing.”

Attendees will see be able to interact on a virtual quad
modeled after an 8-bit video game.

&nbsp;“You can walk around
a live campus and see people that way,” Husmann
said.

“It’s kind of a throwback gaming feel,” Wellbrock said. 

A big part of the celebration every year is the FHSU
football game, but even without games being played, the association has created
a fun solution.

Voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock and Head Coach Chris
Brown will offer commentary during a replay of the Tigers and Northwest
Missouri State 2017 game.

“We are having those two actually do what we call a football
flashback,” Wellbrock said.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fhsualumni/videos?view=0&amp;sort=dd&amp;shelf_id=1&amp;app=desktop">That is set to premiere on the FHSU Alumni Association youtube page at 7 p.m. Saturday.</a>

Overall, homecoming fits into FHSU President Tisa Mason’s
goal for the year — convert don’t cancel.

“Lots to be proud of, lots to celebrate during the
homecoming week and a lot of people are making it happen,” said Scott Cason,
FHSU chief communications officer.

Despite the challenges of the year and the work required to
pull off the event, Wellbrock is grateful for the opportunity to bring FHSU
together.

“The opportunity to celebrate is always there and we are
glad that we get to be a part of it,” Wellbrock said.

<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/homecoming/schedule/schedule-of-events">A full schedule of events and links to the virtual events
can be found by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600560431482.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="FHSU celebrates homecoming with virtual events" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/969ss-edc861?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Not even a global pandemic can bring down the Tiger spirit as
Fort Hays University celebrates homecoming this week with a mix of in-person
and virtual events with a theme of Homecoming @Home.</p><p>“We know that they can’t come to Tigerland, so we are bringing
the Tiger Spirit to them,” said Tammy Wellbrock, FHSU Alumni Association
interim director.</p><p>“We have been working really hard to get our virtual
homecoming events up and off the ground and then making sure that all of our
alumni and friends are aware of the events going on,” said Noelle Husmann, FHSU Alumni
Association communications coordinator.</p><p>This year, Husmann said, the events are free and the virtual
events are open to anyone across the globe.</p><p>“We are hoping to get some good numbers this year just
because a lot of people have the opportunity to participate during this Homecoming @Home,” she said.</p><p>While many of this year’s events moved online, the goal is
to create an experience that can still bring the FHSU community together.</p><p>“That truly is our way of bringing the news, the celebration
and the honoring,” Wellbrock said. “Everything that is traditional about
homecoming — from the warm fuzzy sense
of the events — we are wanting to re-create.” </p><p>With the shift to online events, Homecoming 2020 has the
potential to draw more people than ever before into the festivities.</p><p>“Certainly, we would have rather had everybody come visit and
us to be in person but as we have talked about here at the alumni association, we all know that 2020 homecoming is not going to look like 2019 — but I really
hope that the 2021 homecoming also doesn’t look like 2019,” Wellbrock said.
“We really want to maybe drive new traditions that can enable those people that
either can't travel due to health, can't travel due to distance and finances,
time, all those things they can still be able to interact with their fellow
alumni, Tiger friends and family and just be able to celebrate at a bigger
global level.”</p><p>By bringing the events online, many alumni who are unable
to come to Hays for the annual celebration can participate.</p><p>“I think the majority of people understand we are a global
institution reaching every place on the globe,” Wellbrock said. “That’s where
we would love to be able to continue to celebrate homecoming here on campus
because that is the heart of where everything happens, it all starts here. But it’s also not the only reality, and we certainly hope to be able to engage some
of the ideas that we are putting into place this year.”</p><p>She said she hopes to grow the online offering in the
future, even as life returns to normal.</p><h2>The events</h2><p>While much of the FHSU homecoming shifted online, some
events are still planned in person.</p><p>On Thursday, the Alumni Golf Tournament is set to begin at 8:30
a.m. and the Tiger Alumni and Friends 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 a.m.
Saturday.</p><p>The 5K will also have a virtual component for those who are
not in Hays.</p><p>Other virtual events began earlier in the week, with
interviews with the alumni award winners that will culminate with an online celebration
at 7 p.m. Thursday.</p><p>“It’s a challenge to do this celebration while we can’t
actually be in person, but we have seven amazing award winners that are being
honored,” Wellbrock said.</p><p><a href="https://m.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni/">The interviews are available for replay on the FHSU Alumni
Association Facebook page.</a>&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601516925379.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Friday’s events include a virtual groundbreaking for the
Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success at 9 a.m.</p><p>And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, a virtual reunion is
planned in an online space.</p><p>“Our office has been working really hard to find an innovative
way to connect with alumni,” Husmann
said. “We found this great online software that is a bit more interactive than
your typical video conferencing.”</p><p>Attendees will see be able to interact on a virtual quad
modeled after an 8-bit video game.</p><p>&nbsp;“You can walk around
a live campus and see people that way,” Husmann
said.</p><p>“It’s kind of a throwback gaming feel,” Wellbrock said. </p><p>A big part of the celebration every year is the FHSU
football game, but even without games being played, the association has created
a fun solution.</p><p>Voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock and Head Coach Chris
Brown will offer commentary during a replay of the Tigers and Northwest
Missouri State 2017 game.</p><p>“We are having those two actually do what we call a football
flashback,” Wellbrock said.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fhsualumni/videos?view=0&amp;sort=dd&amp;shelf_id=1&amp;app=desktop">That is set to premiere on the FHSU Alumni Association youtube page at 7 p.m. Saturday.</a></p><p>Overall, homecoming fits into FHSU President Tisa Mason’s
goal for the year — convert don’t cancel.</p><p>“Lots to be proud of, lots to celebrate during the
homecoming week and a lot of people are making it happen,” said Scott Cason,
FHSU chief communications officer.</p><p>Despite the challenges of the year and the work required to
pull off the event, Wellbrock is grateful for the opportunity to bring FHSU
together.</p><p>“The opportunity to celebrate is always there and we are
glad that we get to be a part of it,” Wellbrock said.</p><p><a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/homecoming/schedule/schedule-of-events">A full schedule of events and links to the virtual events
can be found by clicking here.</a></p>

🎙FHSU celebrates Homecoming @Home with virtual events

<div><iframe title="Holy Family Elementary technology assists learning during challenging year" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/sakik-edc7a3?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: HFE technology assists learning during challenging year

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber readies for next business showcase" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qfmy5-eda4f1?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber readies for next business showcase

<div><iframe title="Housing developments moving forward in Ellis County" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/avk5k-ed236d?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Housing developments moving forward in Ellis County

<div><iframe title="Hays City Commission rezones land outside city limits" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/v5b37-ed2281?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays City Commission rezones land outside city limits

<div><iframe title="Now is the time to prevent wheat streak mosaic in next years crop" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/7geqy-ed0015?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Now is the time to prevent wheat streak mosaic in next year's crop

<div><iframe title="Now is the time for high school seniors to explore college financing options" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/rkh5j-ecda02?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Now is the time for seniors to explore college financing options

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber insurance questionnaire due today" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/kuz6k-ecb0ec?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber insurance questionnaire due Tuesday

There remains little good news with COVID-19 as cases continue trending up in Kansas, but Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy believes the situation is beginning to look better in Ellis County.

"Right now in Ellis County, we have seen improvement," Kennedy said. "We have seen improvement in both the percent of positives and in the number of cases."

Speaking Thursday, he said the&nbsp;percent of seven-day positives has fallen from a peak of over 25 percent to an average of around 15 percent.

"We have seen a significant decrease in cases per day and percent of positives," Kennedy said.

The percent of positives is a key indicator in community spread and tracks the amount of testing done, to the number of positives that come from that testing. That number rose to 21.5 percent in Friday's case update.

While that percent of positives is still higher than he would like, it is an encouraging trend.

Kennedy said he would like to see the percent of positives drop to under 10 percent and, ideally, the percent of positives would be under 5 percent.

Along with the percent of positives, dropping case totals are also a sign of progress in Ellis County, he said.

At a peak, there were 190 to 200 new cases per seven days, as of Thursday that was down to 99.

"The lower those numbers go, means the less amount of community transition we have," Kennedy said.

Keeping a declining trend going depends on individual actions.

"We have had community transmission for a long time. We would like to see improvements, but it really comes down to the public really paying attention to those basic health measures and really taking individual initiative to avoid those contacts that might lead to an increase in risk," Kennedy said.

While it is possible to be exposed to coronavirus in the community, the most frequent exposure comes from close contacts.

"A predominant amount of viral transmission occurs inside the home," Kennedy said.

While he said he understands that mitigation measures inside the home are not always possible, using those measures, especially with a positive case, can significantly reduce spread.

He said finding way to isolate groups together is also an important way to limit spread.

But that doesn't mean cutting off all contact.

"We need personal connections in life," Kennedy

Keeping groups small and static can help. Practicing those measures, he said, can help keep some normalcy in the community and limit the spread.

While it will not help limit COVID-19 transmission, Kennedy said getting a flu shot will help keep the community healthy.

"The flu shot this year is going to be extremely important just for a healthier community in general," Kennedy said.

He said the flu shot is an easy way to increase health by ensuring that an individual does not have a compromised immune response.

"If we make ourselves healthier, and that's not just the flu vaccine, that's healthier in general, if we eat healthily, exercise, get plenty of sleep, find time to unwind, unplug from the news media, unplug from Facebook, all of those types of things help to make you individually healthier. And the healthier we can make individuals in our population, the better their bodies can battle whatever virus it is, whether it is flu, cold or COVID."

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598582308861.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Health Services director Jason Kennedy speaks with the Hays City Commission about COVID-19 in the county earlier this month." />
                        <figcaption>Ellis County Health Services director Jason Kennedy speaks with the Hays City Commission about COVID-19 in the county earlier this month.</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Ellis County Health Services director shares COVID-19 update" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/bts33-ec20c1?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>There remains little good news with COVID-19 as cases continue trending up in Kansas, but Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy believes the situation is beginning to look better in Ellis County.</p><p>"Right now in Ellis County, we have seen improvement," Kennedy said. "We have seen improvement in both the percent of positives and in the number of cases."</p><p>Speaking Thursday, he said the&nbsp;percent of seven-day positives has fallen from a peak of over 25 percent to an average of around 15 percent.</p><p>"We have seen a significant decrease in cases per day and percent of positives," Kennedy said.</p><p>The percent of positives is a key indicator in community spread and tracks the amount of testing done, to the number of positives that come from that testing. That number rose to 21.5 percent in Friday's case update.</p><p>While that percent of positives is still higher than he would like, it is an encouraging trend.</p><p>Kennedy said he would like to see the percent of positives drop to under 10 percent and, ideally, the percent of positives would be under 5 percent.</p><p>Along with the percent of positives, dropping case totals are also a sign of progress in Ellis County, he said.</p><p>At a peak, there were 190 to 200 new cases per seven days, as of Thursday that was down to 99.</p><p>"The lower those numbers go, means the less amount of community transition we have," Kennedy said.</p><p>Keeping a declining trend going depends on individual actions.</p><p>"We have had community transmission for a long time. We would like to see improvements, but it really comes down to the public really paying attention to those basic health measures and really taking individual initiative to avoid those contacts that might lead to an increase in risk," Kennedy said.</p><p>While it is possible to be exposed to coronavirus in the community, the most frequent exposure comes from close contacts.</p><p>"A predominant amount of viral transmission occurs inside the home," Kennedy said.</p><p>While he said he understands that mitigation measures inside the home are not always possible, using those measures, especially with a positive case, can significantly reduce spread.</p><p>He said finding way to isolate groups together is also an important way to limit spread.</p><p>But that doesn't mean cutting off all contact.</p><p>"We need personal connections in life," Kennedy</p><p>Keeping groups small and static can help. Practicing those measures, he said, can help keep some normalcy in the community and limit the spread.</p><p>While it will not help limit COVID-19 transmission, Kennedy said getting a flu shot will help keep the community healthy.</p><p>"The flu shot this year is going to be extremely important just for a healthier community in general," Kennedy said.</p><p>He said the flu shot is an easy way to increase health by ensuring that an individual does not have a compromised immune response.</p><p>"If we make ourselves healthier, and that's not just the flu vaccine, that's healthier in general, if we eat healthily, exercise, get plenty of sleep, find time to unwind, unplug from the news media, unplug from Facebook, all of those types of things help to make you individually healthier. And the healthier we can make individuals in our population, the better their bodies can battle whatever virus it is, whether it is flu, cold or COVID."</p>

🎙Kennedy: COVID-19 improvement in Ellis County

The Downtown Hays Development Corp. is working to bring an ice skating rink to downtown Hays this winter, but in order to make it happen, the group is asking the public for help.

"We have a GoFundMe page right now that we want to let everyone know about," said Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director. "Downtown Hays Development Corporation is trying to raise money to turn the downtown pavilion into an ice skating rink this winter.

"The premise behind this is we want to ensure that even if COVID is still a thing this winter — which we anticipate it being — that we have a family-friendly outdoor activity for people to enjoy all winter long where we can also regulate the crowd," Bloom said.

"It's around $35,000 to bring that in, so we are trying to raise $17,000 to $18,000 prior to committing to bringing that," Bloom said.

Ideally, that money would be raised in the next couple of weeks, she said.

"We started fundraising for it during our auction and now we have set up a GoFundMe page and we also have some business sponsorships available," Bloom said.

She said if everyone helps out a little, the project will come to fruition.

"If everybody that has shared the (Facebook) post gives just $5, we've got an ice skating rink," Bloom said.

Bloom said they anticipate an entry fee, but the amount will depend on the amount raised beforehand.

They also hope the rink can help raise funds for Ellis County organizations.

"We will charge something because we want it to be a fundraiser for not only downtown Hays, but for other nonprofits that we are going to be partnering with," Bloom said.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-hays-ice-skating-rink?utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet">The GoFundMe page can be found by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600463704415.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="DHDC seeks donations to turn pavalion into skating rink this winter" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/haary-ec20a3?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>The Downtown Hays Development Corp. is working to bring an ice skating rink to downtown Hays this winter, but in order to make it happen, the group is asking the public for help.</p><p>"We have a GoFundMe page right now that we want to let everyone know about," said Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director. "Downtown Hays Development Corporation is trying to raise money to turn the downtown pavilion into an ice skating rink this winter.</p><p>"The premise behind this is we want to ensure that even if COVID is still a thing this winter — which we anticipate it being — that we have a family-friendly outdoor activity for people to enjoy all winter long where we can also regulate the crowd," Bloom said.</p><p>But that idea comes with a price tag.</p><p>"It's around $35,000 to bring that in, so we are trying to raise $17,000 to $18,000 prior to committing to bringing that," Bloom said.</p><p>Ideally, that money would be raised in the next couple of weeks, she said.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600457803624.png" alt="A graphic shared on the DHDC Facebook page Friday shows a total of $1,300 raised toward a winter skating rink in the downtown pavilion." />
                        <figcaption>A graphic shared on the DHDC Facebook page Friday shows a total of $1,300 raised toward a winter skating rink in the downtown pavilion.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"We started fundraising for it during our auction and now we have set up a GoFundMe page and we also have some business sponsorships available," Bloom said.</p><p>She said if everyone helps out a little, the project will come to fruition.</p><p>"If everybody that has shared the (Facebook) post gives just $5, we've got an ice skating rink," Bloom said.</p><p>Bloom said they anticipate an entry fee, but the amount will depend on the amount raised beforehand.</p><p>They also hope the rink can help raise funds for Ellis County organizations.</p><p>"We will charge something because we want it to be a fundraiser for not only downtown Hays, but for other nonprofits that we are going to be partnering with," Bloom said.</p><p><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-hays-ice-skating-rink?utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet">The GoFundMe page can be found by clicking here.</a></p>

🎙 DHDC seeks donations to turn pavilion into skating rink this winter

<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">The Hays Arts Council's website can be found here.</a>

<div><iframe title="New exhibitions on the way at the Hays Arts Council" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/b3drf-ec205b?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><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></p><p><a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">The Hays Arts Council's website can be found here.</a></p>