The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 3
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 4 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News Nickerson
Raymond Rd.
90th Ave.
82nd Ave.
96
61
Buhler
Reno County
Hutchinson South Hutchinson
Partridge Rd.
Langdon Rd.
Sterling Rd.
4th Ave.
14
Ave. G
50
Illinois Ave.
Pleasantview
50 Plevna
Buhler Rd.
43rd Ave.
Partridge
Abbyville
Trail West Rd.
Yoder
Sylvia
Arlington
96
Whiteside Rd.
61
Arlington Rd.
Red Rock Rd.
Haven
17
Langdon Parallel Rd.
Turon
14
Cheney Reservoir Pretty Prairie Rd.
Silver Lake Rd.
Pretty Prairie
The job picture in Reno County, Page 62 Finding your home, Page 6
Arts and leisure in the area, Page 20
Setting up your household, Page 8
Going lakeside, Page 22
Learning Hutch’s regulations, Pages 10-11
Parks and amenities, Page 24 Sporting events, Page 29
Getting around town, Page 15 Learning town secrets, Page 12
Finding help through charities, Page 40 Resources for senior residents, Page 42 Reno County leaders, Page 46 A list of Hutchinson leaders, services, Page 47
School attendance areas, Page 30
Important numbers to know, Page 48
Leading employers, Page 65 Learn about the Siemens wind project, Page 66 Reno County town snapshots: Arlington, Page 50 Buhler, Page 54 Haven, Page 53 Nickerson, Page 56 Pretty Prairie, Page 63 South Hutch, Page 61 Yoder, Page 60
School district data, Page 32
ABOUT HUTCHIPEDIA Map of Hutchinson’s major shopping corridors, Page 16
Major attractions, Page 33 Nearby college, Page 37
Retail in Hutch, Buhler, Page 17
Pet guidelines, Page 36
Hutchipedia, a product of The Hutchinson News, was published in July 2010, and information contained in this publication will be placed online at hutchipedia.net and continually updated.
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 5
Tracing our community’s heritage BY WILLOW WOODALL Special to The News
The area of Reno County was first established when the U.S. purchased the territory from France in 1803. Settlers passed through the area, but none stayed until Congress declared the area Kansas Territory, deciding it was no longer Native American territory, according to the Reno County Web site, renogov.org. Reno County became official in 1861 when the Kansas Legislature drew the boundary lines. Reno County was named for Major Gen. Jesse Lee Reno, who
This logo depicts Major Gen. Jesse Lee Reno, the county’s namesake. fought in the Civil War and died in the battle of South Mountain in Maryland in 1862. Clinton Carter Hutchinson founded the city of Hutchinson in 1871. C.C. Hutchinson was working with the Santa Fe railroad company to make a town at the
crossing of the railroad and the Arkansas River, according to William G. Cutler’s book “The History of the State of Kansas,” which is available online through Kansas Collection Books. The first building was constructed in November 1871. It housed a store, a post office and a hotel. C.C. Hutchinson also ran a real estate office out of the building, through which he helped get many other people and businesses into the area. C.C. Hutchinson was reportedly a Baptist preacher and forbade the sale or consumption of
Hutchinson is the county seat for Reno County, where the Reno County Courthouse Continued on Page 13 resides. Reno County was established in the early 1800s.
File photo
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 6 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
THE SEARCH FOR A NEW HOME Whether renting or buying, Hutchinson has plenty to offer BY WILLOW WOODALL The Hutchinson News
Continued on Page 8
Hutchinson
Hutchinson Public Library
Lorraine St.
Plum St.
17th Ave.
The Hutchinson Mall
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
11th Ave.
Reno County Courthouse
4th Ave.
Airport Rd.
Amtrak Train Station Avenue A
Severance St.
Hutchinson City Hall
6th Ave.
Blanchard Ave.
Blanchard Ave.
Kansas Underground Salt Museum
50
96
South Hutchinson
Avenue G
Halstead St.
Reno County Area Transit Bus Transfer Station
Hutchinson Municipal Airport
Driver’s License Examiner
Yoder Rd.
Blv d.
30th Ave.
Main St.
Monroe St.
Ni ck ers on
Main St.
Buying In June, there were 297 houses for sale in Hutchinson and the surrounding area, according to statistics from the Board of Realtors. As of April 2010, which is the date of the latest statistics available, the average sale price of a home in the Hutchinson
61 43rd Ave.
Hendricks St.
One of the first things to do before moving to a new city is to find something to move into. There are benefits to both renting and buying in Hutchinson and it really depends on the situation, said Marsha McConnell, president of the Hutchinson Board of Realtors. For example, for a temporary move or for someone wanting relatively hassle-free living, renting is probably the better option. On the flip side, large families that need lots of space or people with pets should look into buying a house because rentals with more than three bedrooms or that allow animals are few and far between. “Sometimes renting is just not an option,” McConnell said. Both renting and buying have ups and downs, but luckily Hutchinson has plenty to offer in either case.
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 7
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 8 Sunday, August 8, 2010
● From Page 6 area was a little more than $96,000. Though the housing economy nationwide has been poor, to say the least, it has not affected the local real estate market. “It’s staying pretty steady,” McConnell said. “It’s staying up a little over last year.” The median home price is $78,700, which McConnell said is the most common level for initial home buyers. At the time the statistics were taken, the lowest house on the market was $5,000 and the highest was $1.2 million. But overall, the range is $50,000 to $150,000. The best advice McConnell said for new Hutchinson home buyers is to get pre-approved with a reputable lender, otherwise home buyers could find the perfect house and then not be able to finance it. She said to be wary of online lenders who pre-approve quickly, because often they are not upfront about everything in the loan.
Buyers should also find one real estate agent they can connect with and trust. McConnell said that one agent can show any house on the market and can often introduce buyers to different aspects of the town. “Some of our agents have lived here a long time and are very involved in the community,” she said. Renting Sylvia Bartel manages hutchrents.com and she is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Hutch Rents is a local website owned by New Beginnings, where landlords can post information on all of their current properties available for a minimal fee. Bartel said she does not have every single rental property in town included, but most of them are represented on the Web site and it is a good source of information for newcomers looking to rent an apartment or a house. About 50 landlords post to
the website and there are 30 to 45 different listings with a wide price range on the site at any given time. In general, she said studio apartments in town range from $325 to $425 per month. A onebedroom house or apartment will range from $350 to $550. A two-bedroom rental ranges from $400 to $650, and a threebedroom and up, which will almost always be a house, ranges from $600 to $1,000 or more. “That’s a really wide range, but it depends on whether it’s an apartment or a house and location,” Bartel said. To find a rental that fits the tenant’s lifestyle, Bartel suggested to visit the apartment or house before signing a lease and meeting face-to-face with the landlord. “We have a lot of good landlords and if the tenants are good, responsible tenants and communicate with the landlord when something comes up, then there is generally not a problem,” she said.
The Hutchinson News
SETTING UP YOUR HOUSEHOLD Utilities – Call Westar Energy at 1 (800) 383-1183 or visit www.westarenergy.com. Deposits are added to your first bill. Gas – Call 1 (800) 794-4780 or visit www.kansasgasservice .com. Deposits are added to your first bill. Water/sewer – If you are a new resident and you have never had a water bill in your name in the state of Kansas, go to the city of Hutchinson building on 125 E. Ave. B, fill out paperwork and pay a deposit. If you need to have your service switched over, call (620) 694-2621. For additional information, go to www.hutchgov.com. Recycling: There’s a new program in Hutchinson called single-stream recycling. To get service, call Stutzman Refuse Disposal at 315 W. Blanchard Ave., South Hutchinson, at (620) 662-2559 or log on to the website at www.stutzman refuse.com. The recycling cart
is free with trash service but will only be brought to customers who request it. Recycling routes will run every other week. Check the 2010 Refuse and Recycling map and schedule for pickup days for trash and recycling by logging on to the website. Cable TV/Dish Network – Access Dish TV is available at 1 (888) 805-3477 or www.dishnetwork.com. For basic cable TV, go to www.cox.com or call (866) 719-9641. Internet is available through Cox. Another Internet provider is AT&T. Call 1 (800) 479-2977 or visit www.att.com. Phone service – Hutchinson is home to several service providers. Landlines can be connected through AT&T, (800) 479-2977 or by visiting www.att.com. Cox Cable also offers phone service, and several cell phone providers – including U.S. Cellular, Sprint and Verizon – can be found in the area.
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 9
Page 10 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Getting to know your city – and its rules Here is a look at some regulations Hutchinson expects its citizens to follow. Fireworks – Class C fireworks, as defined by the state of Kansas and approved by the Hutchinson fire chief, are permitted. Fireworks can be sold and stored from the dates of June 27 to July 4 and are only supposed to be discharged between the dates of July 1 through July 4 and between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. on private property only, which shall not include business, commercial, industrial or public property. It is unlawful to discharge or use fireworks in a reckless manner that
creates a risk of injury or death or damage to the property of another. The fire chief has the authority to ban fireworks discharges due to weather conditions. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the selling of fireworks within the corporate limits of the city without first
obtaining a license. A violation of this section of the code is a class C misdemeanor. Building Permits – The best person to talk to about building permits would be Mark Fanushin at (620) 694-2978. He can give you any information you might need to
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News know about zoning areas outside the city limits and what you need to know before you start building anything. Mark’s office is at 600 Scott Blvd. in South Hutchinson at the Public Works building. Burning trash – Doing it on the streets, sidewalks, alleys or other public grounds within the city limits is prohibited, except the areas that are provided in the Uniform Fire Code. Removal of snow or ice from sidewalks – It is unlawful for the owner or occupant of a property within the city limits to allow the accumulation of snow or ice on the sidewalk abutting property for a period of more than 12 hours. Parking – It is unlawful to park any vehicle for a
period of longer than 72 hours in the same place on a city street or public parking lot. Bicycles – No person shall park a bicycle upon a street or against a building or curb in such a manner as to obstruct pedestrian traffic. No person shall ride a bicycle or skateboard upon a sidewalk within the business district or any place within Avenue A Park. Persons riding on the sidewalk should yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian. Speed limit in school zones – Twenty-mile-perhour speed limits in the school zone locations are established from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. during the days school is in session. Legal holidays – This just means that when
New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, The Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas fall on a Sunday, then the next day will be considered and treated as a legal holiday. Abandoned appliances – It is unlawful for anyone to leave any abandoned, unattended or discarded icebox refrigerators or other containers that have an airtight door or lid that
may not be released from the inside in an area that is accessible to children. Weeds – The growth of weeds and vegetation is considered a nuisance, and it is the duty of all occupants or owners of the property within the city limits to cut and destroy all weeds and vegetation. This must be done within five days after being notified by the sanitation inspector of the city.
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 11
Page 12 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
The inside scoop on Hutch DISCOVER THE SECRETS THAT MAKE THE CITY WHAT IT IS TODAY BY EDIE ROSS The Hutchinson News eross@hutchnews.com
File photo
Doug Foss, a volunteer at Sport Shack, serves Nicole Gust a sample of beer during the downtown Hops for TECH event. The inside scoop: Tickets to the annual event tend to sell out quickly; order early.
Moving to a new town can be tricky. Hopefully the information about how to get hooked up, involved and around town has helped with some of the obvious questions. But, as most know, there are some “secrets” to every town that typically take awhile to learn. To help you get a jump on Hutchinson’s secrets, check out the following.
Continued on Page 14
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
From Page 5 any alcohol in the town or the land would be forfeited back to him. The city was incorporated in 1872 and within a few years grew from just a few settlers to several hundred people, with schools, churches and many businesses. In 1887, an entrepreneur named Ben Blanchard accidentally discovered salt while drilling for oil in South Hutchinson. Frustrated at his “failure,” he left town, but luckily others realized the importance of his find and began using “solution mining” to get the salt, in which water was pumped down a well to dissolve the salt and then the salty water was pumped back up. In 1923, Emerson Carey, who started the Carey Salt Company, opened the first salt mine in Reno County, which is still in use today. Other fixtures in the community The Hutchinson News On July 4, 1872, Houston Whiteside, a young Tennessee lawyer, published the first newspaper in Reno County, The Hutchinson News, according to hutchmarketplace.com. The paper changed publishers several times but back then was always seen as a strong Republican paper. The modern Hutch News dates back to 1895 when W.Y. Morgan purchased the paper. The News had a circulation of about 12,000 and was in a constant battle with the other local newspaper, the Gazette. In 1924,
was renamed the Kansas Cosmosphere and Discover Center and featured the Hall of Space Museum, one of the first OMNIMAX theaters in the world and the planetarium. In 1997 the Cosmosphere was further renovated to what it is now, with 105,000 square feet, nearly tripling the size of the Hall of Space museum. Today it is one of the most comprehensive space museums in the world and a leader in educational tourism. Source: www. cosmo.org
Morgan purchased the Gazette and ran both papers at the same time. The Gazette was published in the morning and The News at night, with two different staffs but in the same building. Morgan died in 1932 and his wife sold the papers to Hutchinson Publishing Company, owned by Sidney and John P. Harris. The two papers were eventually consolidated and by the late 1930s the circulation grew to 50,000. In 1957, the News moved its headquarters to its current location and in 1967 it won the most coveted journalism award, the Pulitzer Prize, for its four-year editorial and court battle for reapportionment in Kansas. The Kansas State Fair In 1873, the Reno County Agricultural Society was organized. In September of that year, the group held a fair in a small livery stable behind the town’s only bank on the northwest corner of Sherman and Main streets, according to www.kansasstatefair.com. The fair was a success and so the society continued to make plans for bigger and better events. The next year, the city was plagued with hordes of grasshoppers and due to that and other reasons the fair was not held, but the society continued to work. The first annual Reno County Fair was held in 1875 and had about 20 different agricultural competitions, with cash prizes up to $5. During the next 20 years, the fair grew, changed names and lo-
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 13
Hutchinson News file photos
The Kansas State Fair, pictured above, began as a small affair in a livery stable in 1873. Left: The Kansas Underground Salt Museum opened in 2007 after years of planning. There are only two other salt mines in the world with an underground tour. cations and eventually settled on its current location. It was officially recognized and taken over by the state in 1913 and renamed the Kansas State Fair. The Old Mill was completed in time for the 1915 fair. The waterfilled passageways promised fairgoers “gloomy caves of gleesome gladness.” To this day the Old Mill is still a popular destination for thrillseekers. Each year of its long history the planners have worked to make the fair bigger and better, bringing it to the
massively successful event that it is today. Source: www. kansasstatefair.com Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center was once just a dream of a Hutchinson civic leader, according to www.cosmo.org, the Cosmosphere’s Web site. Patricia Brooks Carey wanted to create one of the first public planetariums in the central United States. In 1962 the Hutchinson Planetarium was opened inside the poultry building on the Kansas
State Fairgrounds, with a used star projector and rented folding chairs. Four years later the Hutchinson Planetarium was moved to the Hutchinson Community College campus, in a space that would eventually become Dr. Goddard’s Lab. In 1976, Carey and the board of directors planned to expand the planetarium. A former employee, Max Ary, worked for the Fort Worth Planetarium and was on a Smithsonian Committee that placed space artifacts in museums. In 1980 the facility
The Underground Salt Museum In May 2007, the Kansas Underground Salt Museum was opened to the public, after many years of planning and working with the Reno County Historical Society. During its first year, the museum drew 62,000 visitors, according to Gayle Ferrell, director of operations at the museum. The salt museum is the only salt mine in the Western Hemisphere with an underground tour, and the only two others in the world are in Poland and Austria. In 2008 the museum was chosen as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas by the Kansas Sampler. Currently, rails and ties are being installed for a new underground train that Ferrell said is anticipated to be open to visitors by the end of the year. Sources: www.kansas sampler.org, www.kgs.ku.edu, www.underground museum.org.
Page 14 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
From Page 12
bait are kept in separate locations.
Traffic The light at 11th Avenue and k-61 and Lorrain Street is known to Hutchonians as “Big Red.” This light takes forever to change and if you are traveling east on 11th Avenue, it is a bit tough to navigate. Avoid it if you can.
The Dairy Queen on Third Avenue closes during the winter, but the one on Main Street is open year-round. And it is where country music star Martina McBride worked as a young woman.
There are several places in Hutchinson where two lanes merge to one with little warning. Watch out for this when driving west on 30th Avenue at the Main Street intersection, while driving west on 17th Avenue at the Severance Street intersection and when traveling north on Adams Street at the Fifth Avenue intersection. The intersection of Fourth and Plum is very confusing, especially if you are traveling north or south on Plum Street. Our best advice is: Never turn right on red at this intersection. When you get a green light, generally follow the car in front of you and you should be fine. Several of the main roads in Hutchinson are three-lane, with the middle lane serving as a lefthand turn lane. Be careful in these, as many drivers merge in long before their actual turn. Around town Tickets to the annual Hops on Main Street event tend to sell out quickly, as do tickets to the quarterly “Taste It Downtown” restaurant tour. Order early. At Oliver’s Burgers and Bait, the burgers and
On Fridays, the Reno County Courthouse has free popcorn. Sometimes, the bakery counters at Dillons locations will give your kids a free cookie if they ask nicely. The Reno County Farmer’s Market is on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the spring and summer at Second Avenue and Washington Street. Be careful driving through this area during Farmer’s Market days. The Christmas parade is in November. Every summer, Gaeddert Farms sets up a stand on 30th Avenue and sells sweet corn. It is a resident favorite. The Fox Theatre has great a summer and winter movie series. Tickets are two for $5. The upper floor of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is free to explore for Reno County residents. At the Plum Street entrance to Carey Park is a city-owned pile of mulch. Residents are free to take what they need. There is ice skating on the pond at Dillon Nature Center when the ice gets thick enough.
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 15
Getting around town by car, bus or taxi
File photo
Reno County Area Transit provides bus service in the area.
DMV – If you’re new to Kansas, then you’ll need to make a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV is in the Hutchinson Mall, near the Sears store. If you are moving from another state and need to have your license changed, all you need is your current valid driver’s license, Social Security card, and a birth certificate or passport. If you have questions, call the DMV at (620) 6655561. Vehicle registration – Go to the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave. You need a current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a current and signed title to the vehicle. How much you paid for the vehicle and the year it was made deter-
mines how much registration and taxes will cost. If you have any questions about vehicle registration, call (620) 6942940. Public transportation – If you do not own a car and you do not plan to purchase a car, there are other ways to get around. There are two taxi services in Hutchinson – Hutch Taxi at (620) 669-8203 and Road Runner Taxi at 603 S. Main St., (620) 662-8294. Also, there is RCAT (Reno County Area Transit). Information is available at the courthouse, the bus substation at Avenue B and Washington, or you can call (620) 694-2913 or (888) 458-2911 or log on to www.renogov.org/rcat.
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Hutchinson
To B
u
9 m hler iles
Page 16 Sunday, August 8, 2010
43rd Ave.
Hendricks St.
Major shopping locations
61
30th Ave.
Lorraine St.
Plum St.
Main St.
Monroe St.
30th Ave.
17th Ave.
11th Ave. The Mall 4th Ave. Downtown
Airport Rd.
Avenue A
6th Ave.
Blanchard Ave.
Blanchard Ave.
96
Yoder Rd.
50 Main St.
South Hutchinson
Halstead St.
Severance St.
Avenue G
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 17
RETAIL WITH LOCAL FLAVOR BY WILLOW WOODALL Special to The News
There’s a little bit of everything in Hutchinson and the surrounding area when it comes to shopping. Whether it’s antiques, clothing or NASCAR memorabilia, Reno County has it covered. Downtown Hutchinson is the focal point for much of the local shopping. New businesses are coming in all the time and the area seems to be constantly evolving. One of the biggest draws for downtown Hutch is its famous antique district. About 10 different antique stores call downtown home, and as Jo Johnson, owner of Bear Blessings, said, every store is a little bit different, so it’s good to visit them all. Bear Blessings, at 111 N. Main St., has a lot of primitive antiques, as Johnson calls them. She likes rustic items like old cupboards and architectural pieces, but she still calls her store fairly eclectic. “I grew up with not a whole lot, so you learn to make do with hand-me-downs and I just have a love for the old stuff,” she said. Down the street at Armstrong’s Antiques, owner Lloyd Armstrong carries antique furniture and lamps that he has restored. Amstrong’s Antiques has been in business for about 14 years. Armstrong, who used to restore old cars, has always been good with his hands. He said there are very few people in Kansas who offer restoration services, so business is good. A few of the other antique stores are Necessities of the Past, Present & Future, at 622 S. Main St., which carries a
Photos by The News staff
Above: Sport Shack is a sporting goods store in downtown Hutchinson. Left: Ginger Zyskowski browses a variety of names on ornaments while shopping at Adrians A to Z in Buhler.
range of antiques that includes vintage clothing, jewelry and garden items, and Salt City Coin at 326 N. Main St., which carries collectible coins. “We all collect a little different,” Johnson said of the multitudes of different antiquing possibilities downtown. Beyond antiques, the downtown area has several bou-
tiques, grocers, jewelers, a cooking store, a bicycle shop and many other stores. “Downtown Hutch gives (shoppers) a wide-open space of variety,” Johnson said. Apron Strings Kitchen Store, at the corner of Avenue B and Main Street, is Hutchinson’s very own unique cooking store. Owner Anne Dowell opened the store about two years ago.
She said she was tired of sitting at a desk and wanted a place where she could bring her family to work, so she opened what she calls a local version of Williams-Sonoma cooking store. The store carries upscale gourmet housewares, gadgets and cookware, with brands ranging from Le Creuset and Paula Dean to the Culinary Institute of America.
“If it goes in the kitchen, we have it,” Dowell said. Dowell focuses on cookware that is useful and stylish. “We are unlike anything else in town,” she said. “We pay a lot of attention to our displays. I try to buy good quality products and have them priced right. I try to buy things that I would have in my kitchen.” Down the street from Apron Strings is Smith’s Market. This local grocery store has been in town since 1933. It offers fresh produce and many other cooking items. Another place to go to avoid big-box grocers is the Reno County Farmer’s Market. Located in the Farmer’s Market Pavillion at Second Avenue and Washington Street, it is a great place to go for local produce and meats. It runs every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from May 15 through Oct. 30. Also, in Yoder, Yoder Meats is a local butcher and meat processor offering the finest in local meats. Beyond downtown Hutch, there are some great places to spend money in the surrounding areas. Buhler, for one, has several unique stores, especially Adrians boutique. Adrians, at 118 N. Main St. in Buhler, carries a variety of items ranging from clothing and jewelry to cookware and household items. “I think people come because we are such an eclectic mix,” said owner Vicki Adrian. “The range of product is just really widespread.” Adrian took over the store from her mother-in-law, Lovella Adrian, who opened the store as “Adrians A to Z,”
Continued on Page 18
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 18 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
From Page 17 a little craft consignment store. Vicki Adrian said she made many of the items that were available to sell. Even Buhler economic development director Harley Marshall said Adrians is a great asset to Buhler’s downtown development. “It’s just jam-packed with stuff that men wouldn’t be interested in, but the women love it,” he said. But Adrians isn’t the only place to go in Buhler. Several other stores and restaurants draw hordes of people. Marshall guessed that about 50,000 people visit the town every year. A few of the other main attractions in Buhler are Mane Street Style, which is a bou-
Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News
Debra Randolph-Zwick looks at place mats as she shops at Apron Strings, a kitchen store in downtown Hutchinson. tique and salon, The Rustic Edge, which carries Western-style home furnishings, and BR
NASCAR Pit Stop, which carries an assortment of NASCAR memorabilia.
“(Buhler is) a real daytrip destination,” Marshall said. “People come to shop and eat.”
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 19
Page 20 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
A SAMPLING OF OUR ARTS AND LEISURE BY THE NEWS STAFF
Hutchinson is a fairly calm town, but don’t let that trick you into thinking that means it’s a boring place to live. Hutchinson has tons of options for entertainment and activity, whether you’re a night owl or an early bird. Movies and live shows Hutchinson is home to many different theaters and performance centers. The Historic Fox Theatre is perhaps the most recognizable, with its lighted marquee shining down on First Avenue. Built in 1931, then renovated in the 1990s, the Fox Theatre is on the state and national Register of Historic Places. Currently the Fox conducts a film series, featuring recent hit movies, and a live entertainment series. Tickets are available at the box office or online at hutchinsonfox.com. The Family Children’s Theatre is another way to experience live entertainment in Hutchinson. FCT is a local not-for-profit educational/arts program that produces eight theater productions every year at the Flag Theatre, 310 N. Main St. FCT owns the Flag Theatre and rents it out to other groups, so often there are other shows besides FCT
File photo
Ben Eisiminger, Ralph Brown and Ed Curiel play with the Red Lion Jazz Band on the corner of Avenue B and Main Street during Third Thursday in downtown Hutchinson. performances. Tickets are available to purchase online at familychildrenstheatre.com. The Hutchinson Community College fine arts department produces a live theater series and also features music productions, like jazz and orchestral recitals. Most are performed at the Stringer Fine Arts Center, located on the campus at 1300 N. Plum St. For ticket and show information, call (620) 665-3503 or
visit the box office. In Buhler, the Old Mill Theater is a fun alternative the typical stage production, as the theater is housed in the town’s old flour mill. Though it has been restored, the building still boasts the original wood floors, brick walls and massive stone pillars. The theater hosts mystery dinner shows, among other productions, and has a house band that opens every show. For ticket informa-
tion, visit theoldmilltheater.com or call (620) 9606455. Hutchinson is also home to the Mall 8 Theater, owned by Dickinson Theatres, which has eight screens and shows most current movies. Art and dance There are several art galleries in and around Hutchinson. The Hutchinson Art
Continued on Page 21
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
From Page 20 Museum, at 405 N. Washington St., displays art from around the world and is free to ender. Also, the Hutchinson Public Library features local artists in its galleries. In Buhler, the Prairie Art Gallery displays and sells “the best of Kansas art and artists,” according to buhlerks.org. Also in Buhler is Garnett Art Glass, where Rick Garnett, a local glass artist, displays and sells his art. For more details, visit garnettartglass.com. Hutchinson is also home to several dance and performance art studios that help teach children – from preschool to high school – the skills and understanding of various dance forms. Several dance studios also produce several major shows each year. For more information on dancing in Hutchinson, visit http://www.hutchmarketplace.com/marketplace. Every third Thursday of the month, local artists and musicians are featured downtown. Local businesses serve refreshments and display art by guest artists from around the country. Admission is free and open to the public. For more details, find the Third Thursday event on Facebook, or just drop by Main Street on the third Thursday of each month. Wildlife and zoos The Hutchinson Zoo, in Carey Park, features animals native to Kansas housed in their natural habitat. Among other animals, the zoo is home to river otters, porcupines,
pronghorns, coyotes and bison. The zoo also features the Prairie Thunder Railroad, which takes visitors on a miniature train ride though Carey Park. Tickets for the train can be purchased at the visitors’ center, and the zoo has free admission. Hedrick’s Exotic Animal Farm is a true outof-the-ordinary experience, located just outside Nickerson at 7910 N. Roy L Smith Rd., Nickerson. The farm houses exotic animals from around the world including camels, ostriches and zebras. Tours are available by reservation, and a stay in the bed-and-breakfast also includes an exclusive guest tour. For more information, visit hedricks.com. Dillon Nature Center is a truly relaxing getaway, whether you want to spend an afternoon fishing or do some early morning bird watching. The nature center is a large natural reserve with two ponds, one for fishing and one for wildlife study, several trails and many picnic areas. It also has a visitors’ center with a gift shop and nature displays. The center offers free admission. Visit hutchrec.com/dnc for more information. Sports and recreation Disc Golf is a fun and free way to stay fit and get outside. Discs can be bought at most retail and sporting goods stores. There is an 18hole disc golf course in Carey Park, but remember to stay hydrated. Traditional golf is also available at Carey Park, with a public 18hole golf course with
nominal fees. Golf carts, golf clubs and pull carts are all available to rent, and there is a golf store for any lastminute needs. Prairie Dunes Country Club also has a golf course, and an awardwinning one at that. The course has most recently hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 2006 and the U.S. Women’s Open in 2002. The beautifully sculpted 18-hole course was rated No. 13 of America’s Best Classical Golf Courses by Golf Week magazine and as No. 25 of America’s Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest magazine. For more details, visit prairiedunes.com. Just staying fit can be fun, and Hutchinson has several places where both can be found. Genesis Health Club is on the corner of Plum Street and 30th Avenue. Genesis offers classes, has personal trainers and on-site tanning services and a sa-
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 21
File photos
Above: Hutchinson Zoo Director Charlotte Poepperling shows a woodchuck to the children participating in the Zoo-B-Doo competition. Left: Jonathan Schmucker tosses a disc off the 17th tee as he plays disc golf in Carey Park in 2009.
lon. The local YMCA is another great way to get fit and get involved. The YMCA has pools, workout equipment and offers many group fitness classes. It also hosts youth sports programs
and has gymnastics classes. Also, the Hutchinson Recreation Commission’s Elmdale Wellness Center is another option for indoor fitness and activities. Elmdale offers a variety
of treadmills and elliptical trainers, free weights and weight machines. Also, the center provides an on-staff personal trainer and offers a variety of group fitness classes. For more details, visit hutchmarketplace.com. Hopefully this list will help you get acquainted with some of the great activities Hutch has to offer. There are too many to list fully, but we think this is plenty to get you started.
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 22 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
Reservoirs of fish within an hour’s drive BY JASON PROBST The Hutchinson News jprobst@hutchnews.com
Reno County is in one of the best areas of the state for outdoors recreation – particularly hunting and fishing. Hutchinson is within an hour’s drive to several reservoirs and state fishing lakes, including Cheney Reservoir, which is known
for large walleye and wipers, Marion Reservoir, which is a premier walleye and wiper lake in the state. Additional fishing opportunities can be found at smaller lakes, as well. McPherson, Kingman and Harvey County lakes offer easy shoreline access and picnic areas for families. Zebra Mussels have
1/2 mile
been found in several Kansas lakes. Therefore anglers and boaters need to take extra precautions when leaving a body of water to ensure they don’t spread the nuisance to untainted waters. For hunters, Reno County and the surrounding area is home to many Walk-In Hunting Areas – a program managed by the
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to make private property available to hunters. A hunting atlas can be found wherever sporting goods equipment is sold. A little farther out, you’ll find two of the best waterfowl stops along the
central flyway: Cheyenne Bottoms in Barton County, and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, in northwest Reno County. Both areas offer waterfowl hunting and upland game hunting, as well as incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing. For
Marion Reservoir – Marion is a 6,600
McPherson State Fishing Lake – Tucked in to the Maxwell Game Preserve, McPherson offers outdoors enthusiasts the chance for a successful day of fishing, as well as the chance to see buffalo and elk wander around the native grasslands. An observation tower nearby offers a good glimpse of the preserve, and fishing piers along the lake provide great access to the thriving bass population.
acre lake operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is well known for its walleye fishing, but also has a sizeable number of white bass, wipers, crappie and catfish. Several camping areas are available, and the Cottonwood River above and below the lake are also popular fishing spots.
1 mile
56
McPherson
77 McPherson
56
Cheney Reservoir –
1 mile
251 54
Cheney is a 9,500 acre lake that sits at the intersection of Reno, Kingman and Sedgwick County. The lake is consistently rated as a good lake for walleye and wipers, and because of a 21-inch length limit on those species, it’s not uncommon to land large fish. The lake has a maximum depth of 42 feet, features several campground areas and is close to Hutchinson and Wichita.
Harvey Hutchinson
50
Kingman
Kingman State Fishing Lake – Kingman is
1 mile
Newton
14 54
Kingman
54
Marion
135
61 96
Reno
more information on Quivira, call the visitors center at (620) 486-2393 or visit http://www.fws.gov/quivira. For Cheyenne Bottoms, call (620) 793-7730 or visit http://visitgreatbend.com /Cheyenne_Bottoms.asp.
the only lake in the state with a self-sustaining Northern Pike population – but that’s not all that’s found at the small fishery. The lake is also known for its black bass and crappie population. With many brush piles and fish attractors close to the shoreline, Kingman is a fun place for families to spend the day.
Marion
Marion County Lake – This lake is small, but don’t let that fool you – it’s loaded with fish. And because it 77 has a heated, sheltered dock, there’s a place to fish any time of the year. Aside from 1 mile the heated dock, the lake contains many places for shoreline anglers to find fish – and the species range from saugeye, bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. An angler looking for a hassle free day can’t go wrong at Marion County Lake.
Harvey County East – Often an overlooked fishing lake, Harvey County east has a healthy population of crappie, bass and catfish, as well as some white bass and saugeye. This community lake is 254 acres, and offers a lot of shoreline for anglers to use. Harvey County consistently is rated “good” for crappie. 1 mile
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 23
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 24 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
To Sand Hills State Park
17th Ave.
Fairgrounds Park
Vic Goering
Water Park
Crescent Cub Square
11th Ave.
Gowans Stadium
Plum St.
4th Ave.
Ashmeade Avenue A Park
Water Park
61
Hike/bike trails
PARKS AND AMENITIES
Elmdale
Pyle Park
Home Builders Shelter
Grandview
Sports Arena
Severance St.
il er Tra artinez Sunflow P. M
Bernard White
Main St.
Jim
11th Ave.
Shadduck
Fishing pond
17th Ave.
Don Michael Field
Martin Johnson
To Fun Valley
61
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Harsha
4th Ave.
Dillon Nature Center
30th Ave.
Herman Bunte
Main St.
Hyde Park
Garden Grove
Hutchinson city limits
Rice Park
Monroe St.
30th & Main
Prairie Dunes Country Club
Fishing pond
Lorraine St.
30th Ave.
Hutchinson city limits
Plum St.
Farmington Countryside
Severance St.
Hendricks St.
To Highlands Golf Course
Avenue A Park Address: Avenue A and Main Street For shelter reservation: (620) 6942615 Amenities: restroom facilities, water park, picnic area, gazebo, Cow Creek Gazebo hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Centennial Animal Shelter and Dog Park
Hutchinson Zoo Hobart-Detter Field
Salt City Splash
Ashmeade Park
Carey Park 50 Carey Park Golf Course
Address: 300 W. First Ave. Amenities: fishing, picnic area
Bernard White Park Carey Park Disc Golf Course
Address: 600 W. Fifth Ave. Amenities: basketball, fishing, picnic area, playground
Bird Sanctuary (Crescent Park) Address: 1700 N. Main St.
Continued on Page 25
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 25
PARKS AND AMENITIES Carey Park Address: south end of Main Street Amenities: baseball, basketball, fishing, municipal golf, picnic area, playground, shelter, skateboard, soccer, softball, swimming/water park, volleyball, walking trails, skateboard park Shelter hours: 5 a.m. to midnight For shelter reservation: (620) 694-2616
Centennial Park Address: 400 E. Harvey St., Hutchinson KS 67501 Amenities: baseball, soccer, softball
Dillon Nature Center Address: 3002 E. 30th
File photo
Brad Dunn tees off on the 13th hole at Carey Park. A municipal golf course is one of several amenities at the Hutchinson park, along with playground equipment for children. Ave. Phone: (620) 6637411
Amenities: nature area, walking trails, fishing, picnic area,
nature center Continued on Page 26
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 26 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
PARKS AND AMENITIES From Page 25
Elmdale Park Address: 400 E. Ave. E Amenities: accessible parking, accessible restroom facilities, basketball, fishing, heating/air conditioning facilities, picnic area, playground, restroom facilities, tennis volleyball
Fairgrounds Park Address: 2101 N. Severance St. Amenities: baseball, picnic, playground, restroom facilities, softball, Continued on Page 28
Four-year-old Camille Tipton climbs over the playground equipment at Carey Park. Sandra J. Milburn/The Hutchinson News
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 27
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 28 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
PARKS AND AMENITIES From Page 26 swimming/water park, tennis
Farmington Park Address: 3009 Farmington Road Amenities: basketball, picnic area, playground, volleyball
Garden Grove Park Address: 3108 Garden Grove Parkway Amenities: Picnic area, playground
Address: 1906 E. Fourth Ave. Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnic area, playground, softball, volleyball
Harsha Memorial Park Address: 1300 N. Woodlawn, Amenities: baseball, fishing, softball, walking trails
Herman Bunte Park
Address: 100 E. Ave. B Amenities: fishing, picnic areas
Address: 35 Circle Drive Amenities: accessible restroom facilities, basketball, picnic areas, playground, restroom facilities
Grandview Park
Hyde Park
George Pyle Park
Address: 101 Hyde Park Amenities: picnic area
Kisiwa Park Address: 198 Countryside Drive Amenities: picnic area
Martin Johnson Park Address: 1600 N. Monroe St. Amenities: accessible restroom facilities, baseball, soccer, softball
Rice Park Address: 44 Swarens Amenities: baseball, basketball, fishing, picnic area, playground, softball, tennis, volleyball, walking trails
Shadduck Park Address: West Second Avenue and Van Buren Street Amenities: accessible parking, picnic area, playground, restroom facilities, shelter, volleyball
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park Address: 100 E. First Ave.
Vic Goering Park Address: 1801 James St. Amenities: fishing, picnic area, playground.
Source: Hutchinson Parks and Recreation
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 29
Hutch has field day with sporting events Track and field The NJCAA track and field meet brings the nation’s top track and field athletes to Hutchinson each May. The three-day event features hundreds of athletes, many of them from foreign countries. Like the basketball tournament, this track meet is a springboard for a number of athletes, who go on to compete at the NCAA level. Bowl game The Salt City Bowl, held each December, features two of the top junior college football teams in the nation. Last year, Hutchinson Community College faced New Mexico Military Academy at Gowans Stadium in the inaugural
game. Salthawk football Hutchinson, the home of the state’s best high school football program in its Salthawks, which have won an unprecedented six straight state championships, plays host to one of the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s six state championship football games. Last year, Gowans Stadium was the site of the KSHSAA Class 3A game. Rodeo The Pretty Prairie Rodeo, which boasts some of the best riders and ropers in the region, is held in the small town to the south of Hutchinson each July.
NJCAA basketball Each March, the Hutchinson Sports Arena plays host to the best junior college basketball teams in the country. The NJCAA Tournament is a longstanding tradition that has made Hutchinson a destination. The tournament each year features a handful of players who will go on to play at the major college level, and that attracts some of the nation’s top college coaches to Hutchinson for recruiting trips. Howard College of Texas defeated Three Rivers College of Missouri in March.
Hutchinson Monarchs The Hutchinson Monarchs, a baseball team made up of college students, plays its season in June and July at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson. In the 2010 season, the team qualified for the NBC World Series, which takes place in August. Softball world series Fun Valley is the site of the USSSA 18and-under softball World Series each July. The weeklong event features some of the best teams in the region who have battled through regional play and countless summer tournaments to find their way to Hutchinson.
Grand Nationals race The Hutchinson Grand Nationals, completing its 54th edition in 2010, is a two-night race that takes place every July at the historic Kansas State Fairgrounds half-mile track. Although several drivers have found the right setup to win several titles, it’s a race that has proven to be elusive to even some of the best drivers because of the narrow track and talented competitors. Divisions that compete for the championships are the National Championship Racing Association sprint cars, modifieds and sport modifieds, as well as the street stocks, thumpers and hornets.
Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News
Three Rivers’ Marquise Carter is fouled in the second half of the NJCAA national championship game in March 2010 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
HUTCHIPEDIA
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS
The Hutchinson News
Prosperity Hutchinson city limits
Buhler USD 313
Hutchinson
Prairie Hills Middle School
Central Christian
USD 308
30th Ave.
30th Ave.
Morgan
Union Valley Holy Cross
Wiley USD 308 District Office
61
Trinity Catholic Graber
17th Ave.
Hutchinson High School
HMS-8 Allen
Hutchinson Community College
Magnet school
Faris McCandless 4th Ave.
Public schools Private schools
HMS-7 Avenue A
Main St.
Page 30 Sunday, August 8, 2010
Lincoln
RELATED Nickerson South Hutchinson USD 309
50 South Hutchinson Elementary
Haven
USD 312
See school districts comparison and contact numbers on Page 32
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 31
ENRICHING YOUR FAMILY’S EXPERIENCES HUTCH REC
BY EDIE ROSS The Hutchinson News eross@hutchnews.com
Hutchinson offers multiple outlets for those interested in educational opportunities, religion, athletic and social activities and children’s activities. In terms of educational opportunities, classes are offered not only through Hutchinson Community College, but also through the Hutchinson Recreation Commission. Hutchinson Community College’s Lifelong Learning Department offers programs in history, animal care, crafts, gardening, languages and more. For more information on these types of classes, call the department at (620) 7272790. The Hutchinson Recreation Commission offers classes for adults and children through Dillon Nature Center and the Keller Leisure Arts Center. Seniors can find an array of activities through the 50-Plus Center at Elmdale Community Center. The Hutchinson Recreation Commission, known by most as Hutch Rec, also puts on a number of adult and youth sports programs throughout the year. Hutch Rec puts out a quarterly activity guide in March, May, August and December. The activity guide includes details about each class, including their dates, times and costs. For more information, call
File photos
Hutch Rec at (620) 6636179. For the kiddos, there are also a handful of preschools, including several at local churches and other facilities. The Hutchinson School District offers Head Start and Early Head Start at several locations. For more details on Reno County Head Start, call (620) 615-5758. For more details on other preschools, call childhood links at (620) 669-0291. There also are plenty of community-focused groups in which adults of all ages can get involved. There are established groups like the Hutchinson Kiwanis Club, the Hutchinson Rotary Club the Hutchinson Civitans,
Nickerson cheerleaders lead young girls in a cheer during a Hutchinson Recreation Commission program. Left: Evan Moodie, right, and Rex Byer put in a landscape timber at the Big Brothers Big Sisters building during the United Way Community Work Day. the local AMBUCs group and the Hutchinson Lions Club, among others. Also, the Reno County Young Professionals got its start several years ago and in 2010 played host to the first-ever statewide young professionals
summit. Hutchinson also offers a variety of churches to choose from. Annually The Hutchinson News compiles a church directory giving more information on the churches in Hutchinson.
For this year’s copy, drop by The Hutchinson News at 300 W. Second Ave. Also, a full listing of churches in Reno County publishes ever Saturday in the Faith section of The Hutchinson News.
Hutchinson Recreation Commission manages several facilities in Hutchinson, including Dillon Nature Center, Elmdale Community Center, Keller Leisure Arts Center and the Salt City Splash. Elmdale Community Center – The location at 400 E. Ave. E serves two roles in the community. On one side, the Elmdale Wellness Center provides all the equipment needed to stay in shape – weight benches, treadmills, elliptical trainers and stair steppers. On the other side, the 50plus center offers a place to relax, enjoy games, programs, dancing and meals. The Wellness center has a personal trainer on staff, and classes are available in the gymnasium. For more information about the Wellness Center, call 6636170. For more on the 50-plus center, call 663-2811. Salt City Splash – There’s no better place to be in the summertime than at the Salt City Splash. Located in the heart of Carey Park, the Splash has something for every waterfaring adventurer. Four pools, including a regulation pool and a shallow water play Continued on Pag 39
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 32 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
SCHOOL REPORT CARD ON RENO COUNTY Fifth-grade teacher Margo Miller gives students instructions during a class at Wiley Elementary School in Hutchinson. Miller’s classroom had 30 students in the 2009-2010 school year. Enrollment at Wiley Elementary saw a larger enrollment surge than other grade schools in USD 308.
HUTCHINSON District Office Telephone: (620) 615-4000 School Board Members: Jeff Allen, Mary Lynn Baker, Sarah Blake, Joe Fangman, Betty Garcia, Mike Mendoza, Jeff Nichols
NICKERSON/ SOUTH HUTCH District Office Telephone: (620) 663-7141 School Board Members: Jamie Arneson, Tammy Davis, Tom Engelland, Jeff McConnell, Linda Owen, Duane Phillips, Dan Schweizer
FAIRFIELD District Office Telephone: (620) 596-2152 School Board Members: Gayle Delzer, Craig Knoche, Tim McKinney, Jon Reifschneider, Brenda Waters, Steven Westfahl, James Williams
File photo
SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPARISON
Hutchinson USD 308
Nickerson USD 309
Fairfield USD 310
K-12 headcount (2009)
4,604
1,173
310
Students on free/reduced lunch
63.17%
60.23%
Schools with all-day kindergarten
6 of 8
2008-09 dropout rate
Pretty Prairie USD 311
Haven USD 312
Buhler USD 313
257
1,013
2,186
64.67%
38.58%
41.44%
37.46%
2 of 2
2 of 2*
1 of 1
4 of 5
3 of 3
1.90%
3.30%
0%
1.40%
2.10%
0.20%
Avg. teacher pay/benefits
$50,904
$47,573
$42,816
$55,047
$50,620
$48,358
2009-10 student-teacher ratio
15.7
13.2
9.7
10.8
12.1
15.2
Fully licensed teachers
97%
100%
86%
100%
100%
97%
English Language Learners
4.0%
4.4%
3.9%
0%
0%
1.4%
% proficient on reading assessment
86.2%
93.7%
89.2%
87.9%
92.7%
91.5%
% proficient on math asssessment
81.1%
90.5%
88.3%
90.6%
87.6%
85.3%
Core classes not taught by Highly Qualified Teachers
2%
0%
26%
1%
3%
3%
PRETTY PRAIRIE District Office Telephone: (620) 459-6241 School Board Members: Kevin Graber, Ron Hedgecock, Ron Keeler, Stacy Krehbiel, Beverly McDonald, John Meisenheimer, Tamara Payne
HAVEN District Office Telephone: (620) 465-3445 School Board Members: Mike Bergmeier, Paul Caffery, John Ezell, Wayne McGrane, Alan Meyer, Martha Miller, Francis Schoepf
BUHLER District Office Telephone: (620) 543-2258 School Board Members: David Dick, Laura Meyer Dick, Vernon Goerl, Greg Lackey, Mike Snow, Dale Suiter, Cliff Wray
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 33
Reno County’s biggest attractions Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is one of the main attractions in Hutchinson. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and is located at 1100 N. Plum Street. For more information call (620) 662-2305 or 1 (800) 397-0330, or go to the web-
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, above, and the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, right, are major attractions in Reno County.
File photos
site, www.cosmo.org. The space center has many perks that keep people coming. The space museum is free for all Reno County residents, and the IMAX Theater is always running and has many different showings. Every third Thursday of the month the Cosmosphere holds what is called “Coffee at the Cosmo.” This gives the public a chance to visit the Cosmosphere, with free coffee and pastries, while learning something
about the space program. Sometimes employees of the space center will give demonstrations and show artifacts from space. If you have children who might be interested in the space program, there is space camp available for all ages of children. Contact the Cosmosphere for more information. The Cosmoshpere is also a good location for group functions and special events.
Kansas Underground Salt Museum Built 650 feet underground, the salt museum, located at 3504 E. Avenue G, is one of Hutchinson’s most recent and successful attractions. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Mon-
days. Reservations are highly recommended and children under the age of 4 are not allowed. For questions or ticket sales, call (620) 662-1425 or (866) 7553450. Ticket prices for Reno County residents are under $10. For more information, go to undergroundmuseum.org/ index.php.
FIND MORE ATTRACTIONS ON PAGE 34
Page 34 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
From Page 33 Kansas State Fair The biggest event of the year is the Kansas State Fair, attracting around 350,000 people in a 10-day stretch. It takes place on the second Friday in September at the fairgrounds, at 2000 N. Poplar. Call (620) 669-3600 for information. The state fair includes ex-
hibits, games, carnival rides, grandstand performances by artists and, of course, all the food you can stand to eat. Tickets can be purchased online at kansasstatefair.tix .com, by phone at (620) 669-3618 or (800) 3623247, or by mail through the Kansas State Fair ticket office at 2000 N. Poplar St. For general information, visit kansasstatefair.com.
p.m. (April through SepDillon Nature Center tember), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dillon Nature Center Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. is a place where you can Sundays/holidays. The go jogging, hiking, fishgrounds and trails are ing, have family picnics, open every day except enjoy photography, bird Christmas, weekdays watching or just relax in from 8 a.m. to sunset and pleasant outdoor surweekends/holidays from roundings. The center is at 3002 E. 30th Ave., about 9 a.m. to sunset. No fires, cookouts or alcohol are half a block east of K-61 allowed; also, all dogs in the northeast section must be on a leash, and of Hutchinson. The Visiall pet waste must be tor’s Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 cleaned before leaving. p.m. (October through March) and 8 a.m. to 7 Continued on Page 38
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 35
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 36 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
How to keep your pets healthy and legal FOR THE DOGS
BY THE NEWS STAFF
Having pets can be an challenge when trying to rent a home or apartment. If you haven’t already, you need to make sure your pets have all the proper vaccinations. While you’re at the vet’s office, be sure to register and tag your dog. The cost is $15 for dogs that are spayed or neutered, and $50 for animals that can still breed and potentially lead to overpopulation. Rabies shots are required before you can register your dog, which can be done at the vet, City Hall or the Hutchinson Animal Shelter. There is no requirement of registration on cats, but a rabies shot is recommended, particularly if your cat likes to wonder around outside. Hutchinson residents are limited to four dogs and six cats. Adopting a pet If you’re looking to adopt a pet, The Hutchinson Animal Shelter, 1501 S. Severance St., is a good place to start. To reach the shelter, call (620) 6941924. All the animals available for adoption can be found online at www.petfinder.com. In Reno County, only cats and dogs are available for adoption. You must go to the shelter and fill out an application for adoption. A background check is conducted as a precaution to make sure that you don’t have any previous animal cruelty charges. If you’re a renter, the shelter needs proof that you are al-
Dog park Check out the dog park at 1501 S. Severance St., next to the Hutchinson Animal Shelter. The park is open from 5 a.m. to midnight. Certain rules apply at the park: Dog owners must have a leash for their dogs at all times; must clean up after their pets; and dogs cannot visit the park if they are aggressive. For a complete list of rules to the park, visit www.causefor pawshutch.org
File photos
Heather Clabaugh tries to pull a fetch toy away from her dog Ransom and Adam Drake’s dog Rudy, left, at the Hutchinson dog park. Below: The Hutchinson Animal Shelter is a good place to look if you want to adopt a pet. lowed to have pets. Additionally, if you currently own pets, they are required to be updated on their shots. Adoption is $100 per pet. The money covers the cost to either spay or neuter the pet, update the shots, insert a microchip and register the animal. Leash law Whenever you take dogs outside, you must have them on a leash unless they are fenced in a yard or tied to a chain with a doghouse and plenty of food and water. The leash law is also enforced at parks and events.
Kennel Club The Hutchinson Kennel Club offers puppy kindergarten and a variety of dog-oriented classes. Established in 1954, the club is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers and is a Member Club of the American Kennel Club. The dog must be at least eight weeks old before enrollment, and is required to have paperwork to prove completion of its first round of shots. The cost of classes ranges from $50 to $100. The club is at 500 N. Grand St. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1545. For questions on price and times for enrollment, go to www.hutchinson kennelclub.org.
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 37
There’s no need to look far for a college BY THE NEWS STAFF
Prospective students can attend college without leaving their hometown. Hutchinson Community College, at 1300 N. Plum St., offers classes year-round. You can reach the switchboard at (620) 6653500 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or you can visit the website at www.hutchcc.edu. Class schedules for the next semester are listed under college calendar. Admissions can be reached at 665-3501 or admissions@hutchcc.ed u. New students need to go to the school to get assigned to an adviser, and they might need to take a few placement tests. There also is a day care at HCC. The college offers night classes for those who need a flexible schedule. HCC has associate degree programs in nursing, pysical therapy, journalism, paramedic training, graphic design, broadcasting and theater. There are also online classes available; just go to ITDE@hutchcc.edu for more information. If HCC is not the school for you, there are other schools close to the Hutchinson area. Pratt Community College is about 20 miles south of Turon. Wichita State University, in Wichita, is about a 45minute drive east. Dorms Housing is available
File photos
Above: Hutchinson Community College instructor Nick Zaid shows student Jeremy Logue an inside micrometer as Will Godfrey watches during a basic manufacturing skills class. Below: The HCC campus is at 1300 N. Plum St. for students at HCC. The dorms are just a few blocks from the school and just a few blocks from shopping areas. To receive information about the cost of living and meal tickets, e-mail reshall @hutchcc.edu or contact the office at (620) 665-3322. Financial aid/jobs If there is a need for financial aid, contact the financial aid office at (620) 665-3568 or email finaid@hutchcc.edu. Pell
Grants, tuition scholarships, book scholarships and student loans are available to everyone. If you are interested in working while going to school, then Human Resources can be of assistance to you. The school usually has a few job openings. They also have information about businesses in town that are hiring as well. Contact Human Resources at hrinfo@hutchcc.edu or call (620) 665-3522.
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 38 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News SHOW, www.familychildrenstheater.com. Need entertainment for a dinner party or get together? The FCT can provide a Mystery Theater where you solve the crime.
From Page 34 Fox Theatre The Fox Theatre, at 18 E. First Ave., originally opened in 1931 and was built by the Boller Brothers, who were known for constructing grand “movie palaces.” The theater seats more than 1,200 and is known as one of Hutchinson’s premier attractions. In 2008 the Fox Theatre was awarded the Bisonte Historic Preservation award and was named one of the 8 Wonders of Reno County. Along with many other programs at the Fox, the “By the Bus” program brings children from local schools “by the bus” to the theater so they can learn about the theater’s history, proper audience etiquette, the different jobs required in the the-
ater business and enjoy a tour of the theater. For ticket sales, call (620) 6631981 or 1 (877) 369-7469. The Fox Theatre is also available to rent for special occasions, weddings,
meetings and parties. For rental and scheduling information, call Mary Hennings at (620) 663-5861. Family Children’s Theatre The Flag Theatre produces eight main stage productions annually, workshops for all ages, and makes the Flag available as a unique meeting performance space for other organizations. Located at 310 S. Main St., (620) 662-
Gambling Reno County doesn’t have casinos but lottery tickets are available at most convenient stores and retail outlets. There is also bingo every night of the week. On Monday, Thursday and Saturday nights, bingo is in session at the Hutchinson Mall at the corner of K-61 highway and 11th Avenue. Tuesday and Friday nights, bingo is at the American Legion, 730 W. Fourth Ave., and you can call them at (620) 662-6599 for times and cost. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, bingo is held at Friendly Bingo Palace at 100 W. First Ave., and the number is (620) 662-6221 for any questions and comments. A casino is just a few hours away in Dodge City. Dodge City is only 123 miles away (about a 2 1⁄2-hour drive) going west on U.S. 50.
File photo
The Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City recently opened after state-run gambling was approved for Kansas.
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
File photo
Salt City Splash Aquatic Center includes a shallow play area and deep water for a variety of ages and skill levels. From Page 31 pool for kids make the Splash accessible for everyone. And for those wanting more excitement, there are flume and tube slides and a drop slide. The Splash is generally open from Memorial Day until the day before school begins – usually in late August, and the hours are 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily. Fees are: Children 2 and under: FREE (with a paying adult) Children 3-7 years old: $1.75 (with a paying adult) Children 8-17 years old: $3.50 Adults 18 and older: $4.75 Season packages are available. Weather conditions can prompt the Splash’s closing, so be sure to keep an eye on the skies. For more information visit hutchrec.com or call (620) 662-7705. Dillon Nature Center – an outdoors oasis east of
K-61, off 30th Avenue in Hutchinson. It’s a place where you can go jogging, hiking, fishing, have family picnics, enjoy photography, bird watching or just relax in pleasant outdoor surroundings. The center is at 3002 E. 30th Ave., about half a block east of K-61 highway in the northeast section of Hutchinson. The Visitor’s Center is open weekdays (October through March) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays (April through September) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays/holidays from 1 to 5 p.m. The grounds and trails are open every day except for Christmas, weekdays from 8 a.m. to sunset and weekends/holidays from 9 a.m. to sunset. No fires, cookouts or alcohol are allowed; also, all dogs must be on a leash, and all pet waste needs to be cleaned up before leaving the area.
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 39
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 40 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY Reno County offers variety of support and volunteer opportunities BY EDIE ROSS The Hutchinson News eross@hutchnews.com
Need help? Hutchinson has organizations ready to serve you. Want to help? Those same organizations are always looking for volunteers. Human services organizations The Reno County American Red Cross: www.renoredcross.org; 111 N. Walnut St., Suite B; (620) 662-3336 The Red Cross offers health and safety and aquatic classes, does community outreach events and administers rent and utility assistance. The Reno County Food Bank: 700 N. Walnut St., (620) 662-8242 The Food Bank provides food for people on an emergency basis. Appointments can be made through the Salvation Army. The Hutchinson Salvation Army: 700 N. Walnut St., (620) 663-3353 The Salvation Army provides immediate emergency services, including food, clothing, shelter, medications, energy assistance, funeral assistance, furniture and counseling. It also offers shower facilities and a second-hand store. United Way of Reno County: www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org; 1 N. Main St., (620) 6699329
By working with many partners, United Way of Reno County continually looks for the most effective ways to help people gain access to educational, economic and health-related opportunities. First Call for Help: 400 W. Second Ave., Suite A, (620) 669-0159 First Call for Help should be the first place people in need call. As a community information center, First Call coordinates needed services, locates available resources in Reno County and keeps accurate records. New Beginnings Inc.: www.newbeginnings-inc.org; 100 E. Second Ave., (620) 966-0274 New Beginnings provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent affordable housing and supportive services for the homeless. Interfaith Housing Services: www.ihshousing.org; 1326 E. Ave. A; (620) 662-8370 Interfaith Housing Services is a faith-based organization that assists low- to moderateincome households through programs that, among other things, assist individuals in purchasing a home through grants and low-interest loans, help home owners rehabilitate their
Top: Patrons and volunteers fill the Christian Soup Ministry in Hutchinson for a Saturday meal. Left: Brothers Wayne, Bryan and Gregg Schmidt volunteer at the kitchen. File photos
properties, and support people with special needs in finding affordable rental housing. Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center:
www.sexualassaultdomesticviolencecenter.or g; 335 N. Washington St., Suite 240; (620) 665-3630 The SADVC operates a safe, nondisclosed shelter for anyone who
has been affected by sexual assault or domestic violence. It also operates a 24-hour crisis line and provides victim assistance services and support groups for both
adult and child victims, among other programs. Open Door Pregnancy Care Center: www.opendoorpcc.com; 315 W. First Ave., (620) 728-2229 The Open Door Pregnancy Center is a Christian organization that offers free pregnancy tests, material aid, parenting help, limited ultrasounds, post-abortion counseling, and a listening ear and a caring heart for women. Christian Soup Ministry: 301 E. Third Ave., (620) 662-6468 The Christian Soup Ministry provides free
Continued on Page 41
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
File photo
Phlebotomist Manisone Kathagnarth, right, puts tape around Bobbie Cooprider’s arm after she donated blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive at the First Presbyterian Church. From Page 40 meals for the needy. It averages 200 meals a day, including both those eating at the kitchen and those whose meals are delivered. The kitchen is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For the kids Big Brothers Big Sisters of Reno County: 930 N. Main St., (620) 662-8161. This is a program designed to benefit children who live in single-parent homes, have parents who are incarcerated, or maybe have parents who could use a little extra help. The program is always looking for volunteers and there is a higher demand for male volunteers at this time. Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson: 600 W. Second Ave. (Shadduck Park), (620) 665-6060. The club is a safe, funfilled environment for children to go to after
school while waiting for their guardians to get off work. Support groups Hutchinson also is home to many support groups. The support group listing is published the first Sunday of every month in The Hutchinson News. For more details, contact the lifestyles department at (620) 694-5700, ext. 330. Volunteer For those looking for places to volunteer, the Volunteer Center of Reno County is your one-stop shop. The Volunteer Center is a program of Hutchinson Community College that strengthens the community’s nonprofit organizations by recruiting, referring and supporting volunteers. Contact them at (620) 665-4960. Also, in each Monday edition, The Hutchinson News publishes a list of agencies’ volunteer and donation needs.
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 41
Page 42 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Senior resources available BY THE NEWS STAFF
The Department of Aging offers programs to the senior citizens in Hutchinson. There are nine independently operated senior centers in Reno County, with help from RCDA. Programs include assistance with prescription medicine, housing options, in-home assistance, friendship meals and help with long-term care. SHICK (Senior Health Insurance for Kansas) is designed to give free confidential counseling to seniors who might have questions about their Medicare benefits and other insurance issues. File photo
Continued on Page 59
The Delos V. Smith Senior Center hosts a Thanksgiving dinner.
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 43
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 44 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
A look at the region’s state representatives Kansas Senate members from the region: 31st District: Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick 33rd District: Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford 34th District: Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson, 785- 296-7300, Terry.Bruce@senate.ks. gov 35th District: Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg 36th District: Janis Lee, D-Kensington 38th District: Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler 39th District: Stephen Morris, R-Hugoton 40th District: Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell Kansas House of Representatives members
Schroeder, R-Inman 80th District: Vincent Wetta, D-Wellington 93rd District: Dan Kerschen, R-Garden Plain 101st District: Joe Seiwert, R-Pretty Prairie 102nd District: Janice Pauls, D-Hutchinson, 785-296-7657 jan.pauls@house.ks. gov 104th District: Michael O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, 785-296-2302 mike.oneal@house.ks. gov 108th District: Joshua Svaty, D-Ellsworth 110th District: Dan Johnson, R-Hays 111th District: Eber
Kansas Senate Area districts 40 36 35 34
39 38
from the region: 70th District: J. Robert
Brookens, R-Marion 72nd District: Marc
31
33
Rhoades, R-Newton 73rd District: Clark
Shultz, R-Lindsborg 74th District: Don
Continued on Page 45
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
From Page 44 Phelps, D-Hays 112th District: William Wolf, R-Great Bend 113th District: Bob Bethell, R-Alden, 785-296-7616 bob.bethell@house.ks.gov 114th District: Mitch Holmes, R-St. John 115th District: Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls 116th District: Patrick Maloney, D-Kingman 117th District: Larry Powell, R-Garden City 118th District: Don Hineman, R-Dighton 119th District: Pat George, R-Dodge City 122nd District: Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin 123rd District: Jeff Whitham, R-Garden City 124th District: Bill Light, RRolla 125th District: Carl 5 Holmes, R-Liberal.
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 45
Kansas House of Representatives Area districts 110 118
111
108
69/71
73 112
122
123
117 119
114
113
74 102/104 72
101 93
115
124 125
116
80
70
HUTCHIPEDIA
Reno County Commission Districts
The Hutchinson News
YOUR LEADERS Reno County commissioners
Monroe St.
Frances Garcia, chairwoman, District 1 (620) 6942929; frances.garcia@renogov. org
30th Ave.
Hutchinson
District 1 17th Ave.
17th Ave.
19 4th Ave. Main St.
District 3
South Hutchinson
District 3 Severance St.
Page 46 Sunday, August 8, 2010
See large map
District 2
District 2 Reno County
James Schlickau District 2 (620) 6942929; james.schlick au@renogov .org Brad Dillon District 3 (620) 6620537; bdillon@gh-hutch .com
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 47
HUTCHINSON PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTORY
PARKS AND REC
ANIMALS
Parks and Facilities Services Department, Hutchinson Tree Board Mike Lueck 1500 S. Plum (620) 694-1912 Fun Valley director Tommy Totland (620) 669-9999
Animal Services director Amber Slankard (620) 694-1925 (620) 694-1926 Animal Shelter technician Amber Bowlby (620) 694-1924 (620) 694-1926
CITY MANAGERS
Hutchinson Zoo curator Kiley Buggeln (620) 694-2653
City Manager John Deardoff 125 E. Ave. B (620) 694-2610 Assistant to the City Manager/ADA Coordinator Meryl Dye 125 E. Ave. B (620) 694-2608
PLANNING/ INSPECTIONS Planning and development Nancy Scott 125 E. Ave. B (620) 694-2638 Casey Jones (620) 694-2667 (620) 694-2691 Planning and development/code enforcement
ENGINEERING Director of engineering Brian Clennan (620) 694-2644 (620) 694-2673 Assistant city engineer Fernando Zalles (620) 694-2646 (620) 694-2673
COURT Municipal Court judge Tad Dower (620) 694-2858 Municipal Court clerk (620) 694-2835
Municipal Court diversion officer (620) 694-2641 City prosecutor (620) 694-2835
Hutchinson precincts 33 11
DEVELOPMENT Downtown Development director Jim Seitnater (620) 694-2677 (620) 694-2673 Community Development specialist Edward Bible (620) 694-2635
PUBLIC WORKS Director of Public Works Reg Jones (620) 694-1900 (620) 694-1980 Superintendent of Streets/Public Works Wendell Bates (620) 694-1900 (620) 694-1980
38 en
23 ex 28
32 10 11
4 8
35
7 6
24
30th Ave.
17
27
22 13
17th Ave.
21 25 20
14
5
30
31
12
9 29
28 ex
23
34
15
19
2
16
18 4th Ave.
3
1
Severance St.
Trish Rose: city at large Cindy Proett: southeast district, mayor Bob Bush: northeast district David Razo: southwest district Ron Sellers: northwest district, vice mayor
Roy Little (620) 694-2637 (620) 694-2691 Building official Bob Fairbanks 125 E. Ave. B (620) 694-2631 Building inspector/electrical Tom Glass (620) 694-2634 (620) 694-2691
Main St.
CITY COUNCIL
Precincts shown in dark gray vote at the Fairgrounds Encampment Building
26
Hutchinson 26 ex
POLICE/FIRE Chief of police Dick Heitschmidt (620) 694-2820 Fire inspector/plans examiner Tony Arpin (620) 694-2874 (620) 694-2875
911 911 director Mary Messamore (620) 694-2806 Assistant 911 director Joanne Angell (620) 694-2804 – Compiled by The News staff
Other voting places 1 Lincoln School 315 East Bigger 2 Reno County Museum 100 South Walnut 3 Reno County Museum 100 South Walnut 7 Hutchinson
Middle School - 8 200 West 14th Southwest entrance
10 Wesley Towers 3709 Asbury Place 19 McCandless School 708 North Baker Source: Reno County Clerk’s office
20 National Guard Armory 1111 North Severance 21 Graber School 1600 North Cleveland 26 Shirlie J. Hutcherson Center for Early Learning 330 Charles And 26 Exclave
27 Prairie Hills Middle School 3200 Lucille Dr. 28 Dillon Nature Center 3002 East 30th And 28 Exclave
34 Obee School 4712 East 4th Jim Heck/The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 48 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
KEY NUMBERS TO KNOW IN RENO COUNTY Reno County Noxious Weed Department Director: Jay Burns 4 W. 10th, South Hutchinson (620) 694-2584 This department makes the effort to reduce noxious weeds with the proper chemical treatments.
Crime Stoppers of Reno County (620) 694-2666 or toll-free at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477)
AT THE COURTHOUSE District Court clerk’s office: (620) 6942956 Document filing information: Register of Deeds is Carol Sallee, 206 W. First, (620) 694-2942 Jail prisoner information: Sheriff’s Office, 210 W. First, (620) 6942741 Mill levy information: County Clerk’s Office at 206 W. First in the Reno County Courthouse, county clerk is Shari Gagnebin at
(620) 694-2934 Property tax valuation Information: Appraiser’s Office 206 W. First, contact Lori Reedy at (620) 6942918 Lori Reedy is also the one to contact for an address change.
Voter registration and election information County clerk’s office, (620) 694-2934
Tax payment/vehicle tags and titles: Treasurer’s Office, 206 W. First, (620) 6942938. Clark Miller is the County Treasurer. Traffic ticket: District Court clerk’s office, (620) 6942956
File photo
Jack Conkling emerges from the voting booth after casting his ballot in the general election in 2008 at the Emcampment Building in Hutchinson.
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 49
HUTCHIPEDIA
gt
Dinner and dessert Carolyn’s Essenhaus, at 104 E. Main St., has become famous for its homemade pies and home-cooked meals. It’s a popular spot not only for Arlington residents, but people across Reno
Lodging If you’re planning an
Continued on Page 52
Mayor David Anderson City council Deanna Mick Todd Walker Joe Cannon Justin Yocam Building inspector Rick Zink Fire chief Jeff Fountain Animal Services director Tamara Simpson Public Works director Al Cressler
Rd .
Main St.
Main St.
Arlington St.
½ mile 14
61
Ave. A
Mill St.
CITY
61
Algona St.
The city of Arlington, population 460, is about nine miles south of Partridge on K-61. The town, first settled in 1877, is situated between two branches of the Ninnescah River. Here’s a brief tour of the town.
County. You can dine in or call ahead to get a to-go order: (620) 538-4711. If you’re more in the mood for pizza, try Pack Saddle Pizza, at 114 W. Main St. For orders and questions, call (620) 5383290. The Double B Bar and Grill and Ice-Cream Shoppe, at 120 W. Main St., is another option. It can be reached at (620) 538-2222.
River St.
Howell St.
Arlin
on
BY THE NEWS STAFF
14
Arlington
Maple St.
Arlington a stop along a busy Kansas highway
The Hutchinson News
Park St.
Page 50 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 51
Page 52 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
you started and also offer direction on utilities.
From Page 50 overnight stay, find the Motel 61, off K-61 as you enter town. The motel also has an RV park available. For reservations and questions, call (620) 538-2033. Housing For those wanting a permanent residence, start your search at City Hall, 111 E. Main St. Debbie Fountain, (620) 538-2818, can get
Churches Worship takes place at the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Arlington Mennonite Church. Banking Citizen’s National Bank, 116 S. Lincoln is the town’s lone bank. Call (620) 5382266.
SCHOOLS Fairfield East Elementary School 900 W. Main St. (620) 538-3621 Fairfield Middle School 16115 S. Langdon
Road, Langdon (620) 596-2481 Fairfield High School 16115 S. Langdon Road, Langdon (620) 596-2481
File photo
Carolyn’s Essenhaus is a popular spot to dine in Arlington, and draws patrons from throughout Reno County.
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 53
A ‘Haven’ to call home
ness service call 1-800-7866272. For cable television, call Allegiance Communications at 1-800-937-1397.
5th St.
96
Sw itz
er
Rd
.
CHURCHES There are a few churches in the area. Haven Baptist Church (620) 465-3856, Haven Church of Christ (620) 465-2333, and Haven Christian Fellowship (620) 465-2211 just to name a few.
½ mile
Main St.
Haven Rd.
City council Cody Littlestar Paula Scott Donald Ford Amy Hirst Jeff Stringer John Mitchell City clerk Leslie Warden
Kansas St.
When it comes to this town, the name speaks for itself. Haven is off K-96 between Hutchinson and Wichita. With a population of 1,200, the little town is a safe and secure place to raise children or to settle down and retire. The city of Haven supplies electricity, water, sewer and refuse disposal
Haven
CITY
Reno Ave.
The Hutchinson News aholcomb@hutchnews.com
to all its residents. If you want to open a utility account, you must first make a cash deposit or prove that you are in good standing with your last utility providers. For service, call the office at (620) 465-3618. Gas service is provided by Kansas Gas Service. You can call for service at 1-800-794-5126. Telephone service is provided by CenturyLink; for residential service, call 1-800-788-3500 and for busi-
Willison Rd.
BY ANGELA HOLCOMB
Lake Cable Rd.
Emporia St.
The Hutchinson News
1st St.
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 54 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
Community grew out of early farming culture BY THE NEWS STAFF
The city of Buhler got its start in 1888, providing goods and services to the immigrant Mennonite farmers who settled in Litter River Township, according to a city
brochure. The farmers were sowing the hard red winter wheat seed they had brought with them from Russia, the brochure said. Wheat farming continues to be an economic
driver in the town of approximately 1,300. Each October, residents gather to celebrate their town with the Buhler Frolic. For more information about the community, buhlerks.org.
SETTING UP YOUR HOUSEHOLD ally added to the first month’s bill. Water, sewer, trash – Call (620) 543-2253 or visit 219 N. Main St. Phone service – Call Century Link at 1-800788-3500.
Cable – Call Allegiance Communications at 1800-937-1397, or for a combination of cable, phone and Internet service, call IDEATEK at (620) 543-2580 or 1-866-844-6381.
82nd Ave.
Mayor: Daniel Friesen City Council: J.C. Keith, president Terri Goertzen Jake Schmidt Phil Neufeldt Jeni Bryan City clerk:
Victory Rd.
Buhler
Merrill Peterson Deputy city clerk: Don Ratzloff
Maintenance- Leslie Teter and Nathan Spencer
Maintenance City SuperintendentJames Perry Assistant Superintendent- Steve Pankratz
Police Department Police Chief Bill Tracy Police Officers- Anthony Baldwin and Darrin Banning
PUBLIC SAFETY All numbers use the (620) area code
Buhler Fire Department, Doug Hanen, chief 543-2333
Buhler Police (for non-emergencies) 543-6666
Buhler Public Works Department: 543-2253
Buhler EMS Kari Banning, director 543-2168
After-hours emergencies 543-2711, 727-3024
CHURCHES
West St.
Wall St.
Buhler Rd.
Main St.
7th Ave.
Prairie Park Dr.
Electricity – Call Westar Energy at 1-800383-1183. The deposit is usually added to the first month’s bill. Gas – Call Kansas Gas Service at 1-800-7944780. Deposit is usu-
CITY LEADERS
United Methodist Church Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church Buhler Mennonite Church Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church
COMMUNITY PHONE NUMBERS Buhler Public Library 543-2241 Pam Fast/Librarian Buhler Swimming Pool 543-6601 Buhler Recreation
543-2253 Economic Developer Harley Marshall 747-0116 Buhler Adult Community Center 543-6858
1st Ave.
½
mile
68th Ave.
SAMPLING OF BUSINESSES/EATERIES Bartel Kitchen and Bath, interior design in kitchens and baths 211 N. Main 543-6767 Village Marketplace, floral and gift shop 213 N. Main
543-6708 Hometown Food Store 116 N. Main 543-2230 Mustard Seed 214 N. Main 543-2200
Joey’s 111 N. Main 543-6624 Lavons Bakery and BBQ 216 N. Maple 543-2411
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 55
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 56 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
Nickerson’s ties to railroad live on in its name BY THE NEWS STAFF
Nickerson, a small community about 10 minutes northwest of Hutchinson, was named in honor of the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway’s president Thomas Nickerson when the town was founded in 1899. Every year, Nickerson’s approximately 1,100 residents gather for Klear Nearly Days. It’s the third weekend in July and begins Friday night. On Saturday, there is usually a parade, a street dance and a band. On Sunday, there is food and music. For more information, visit www.nickersonks.org.
SETTING UP YOUR HOUSEHOLD Electricity – Call Westar Energy at 1-800383-1183. Gas – Call Black Hills Gas at 1-888-8905554. Water, sewer, trash –
Contact City Hall at 422-5981. Phone – Call AT&T at 1800-288-2020. Cable service – Call Cox Communications at 1-888-438-6673.
CITY City Council Nick Neahring, president Brad Berridge Skip Russell Marlene Smith Brian Rife Dale Brown Nickerson EMS 5 W. Ave. B 422-3779 Karyl White, director
Fire Department 108 W. Ave. H 422-3411 Kenneth Burgess, fire chief Nickerson Library 23 N. Nickerson 422-3361 Post Office 6 N. Nickerson St. 620-422-3758
File photo
Klear Nearly Days, an annual festival in Nickerson, includes mud volleyball, pictured above.
A SAMPLING OF BUSINESSES Peoples Bank and Trust 76 N. Nickerson 422-3256 Berridge IGA Grocery
Store 115 N. Nickerson 422-3298 Hedrick’s Bed and Breakfast and Animal
Farm 7910 N. Roy L. Smith Road 1-888-489-8039 Continued on Page 57
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 57
Pizza Connection 14 N. Nickerson 422-5900
Sunshine Café 422-5153 Dixie’s Deli Bar and Grill 422-3334
Morgan St.
EATERIES
Ra
ilro ad
Nickerson
Rd .
SCHOOLS
88th Ave.
rso
Riverton Rd.
nS t.
Ave. A
Ni ck e
Nickerson High School 305 S. Nickerson 620-422-3226
Ke nt St .
Nickerson Grade School 400 N. Nickerson 620-422-3215
Av e
.A
82nd Ave.
CHURCHES
First Baptist Church of Nickerson 7
Nickerson United Methodist Church 2800 N. Riverton Road 620-422-3351
82nd Ave. Ho llid ay St .
504 W. Ave. C 620-422-3882
Nickerson Rd.
Christ Bible Church Avenue B and Cheney 620-422-3337
Ni ck ers on Bl vd .
½ mile
Page 58 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Doris Rue recieves a high-five as she plays Wii bowling at the Elmdale 50-Plus Center.
From Page 42 The program also offers help with the cost of prescription drugs. The goal of the program is to educate seniors and their caretakers so that the right decisions can be made about their health care. The Department of Aging,at 206 W. Ave. B, can be reached at (620) 694-2911. The following is a list of senior centers in the area.
Delos V. Smith Senior Center 101 W. First, Hutchinson (620) 662-0111 Elmdale 50-Plus Center 400 E. Ave. E, Hutchinson (620) 663-2811 YMCA Senior
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 59
File photo
Programs 716 E. 13th, Hutchinson (620) 662-1203 Abbyville Senior Center 311 E. Ave. F, Abbyville (620) 286-9487 Arlington Senior Center Arlington (620) 538-4700
Buhler Adult Community Center 112 N. Main, Buhler (620) 543-6858 Haven Activity Center Haven (620) 465-3476 Prairie Senior Center 300 S. Rhodes, Pretty
Prairie (620) 459-6572 Sylvia Senior Center 301 Main St., Sylvia (620) 486-2961 Turon Senior Center 109 S. Burns, Turon (620) 497-6555
Page 60 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Traditions of old continue to thrive BY THE NEWS STAFF
The small community of Yoder, 12 miles southeast of Hutchinson, is known for its Amish culture. In 1906, the town was plotted
as a central point for surrounding Amish communities, according to yoderkansas.com. Though businesses and homes have moved in around Yoder, the community has held to its Amish roots, and it a unique
tourist attraction in the Hutchinson area. Many of the community’s businesses cater to tourists, which allows the Amish community to continue to thrive in a modern world.
A SAMPLING OF BUSINESSES Bull’s Eye Grill 3408 E. Red Rock Road (620) 465-2855
Carriage Crossing Highway 96 and Yoder Road (620) 465-3612
Yoder Meats and Kansas Station 3509 E. Switzer Road (620) 465-3807 or 1
(800) 952-6328 Demelia’s Quilt Co. 9815 S. Main St. (620) 465-2505
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 61
A town with an infamous past BY ANGELA HOLCOMB
eS t.
Main St.
St at Walnut St. Main St.
er Riv
1
mile
Poplar St.
Washington St.
Blanchard Ave.
96
City clerk Denise McCue
Avenue F
Sc o
tt B
lvd .
Detroit Dr.
61
50
96
Mud volleyball is a popular feature at the Salt Fest, although in 2010 it was more like flood volleyball. File photo
SETTING UP YOUR HOUSEHOLD Electricity – Contact Westar at (800) 3831183 or visit www.westarenergy.com. Deposits are added to your initial bill. Ark Valley can be reached at (620)662-
6661 or at info@arkvalley.com. The company website is www.arkvalley.com. Gas – For Kansas Gas Service, call 1 (800) 794-4780 or visit
www.kansasgasservice.com. Deposits are added to your first bill. For water, sewer and trash – Visit the city office at 2 S. Main or call (620) 663-7104.
(620) 663-7104 Fire chief R.C. Watson Police chief Scott Jones (620) 663-7104 Public Works Paul Hiebert (620) 663-7104
SCHOOLS
as ns
Annual events Salt is still a pillar of the South Hutchinson community. Every year in the second week in June, the community hosts Salt Fest, with food, music and familyfriendly activities. The fiesta held by Our Lady of Guadalupe has also become a mainstay in the town, usually taking place the first week in June each year. With this fiesta, residents have come to expect topnotch Mexican food, games and live entertainment. Mennonite Manor has an Annual Benefit Auction that is held the second Saturday of October. The auction consists of donated items that businesses and individuals have made, owned or purchased. Donated items include furniture, blankets, quilts, clothes and gift certificates.
6th Ave.
6th Ave.
a Ark
The Arkansas River divides South Hutchinson and Hutchinson. South Hutchinson is near Highway U.S. 50, K-61, K-96 and K-17. The city was purchased in 1886 by Ben Blanchard, who was hoping to strike it rich with oil. Instead, he got salt. After Blanchard fled town, residents worked to preserve South Hutchinson and keep it thriving.
Mayor Weldon Cook City council Justin Bland Dave Pitman Erwin Leeper Cathy Voss Bob Snyder
South Hutchinson
Valley Pride Rd.
The Hutchinson News aholcomb@hutchnews.com
CITY
Superintendent William Hagerman (620) 663-7141 South Hutchinson Elementary School 405 S. Poplar (620) 665-8441 Reno Valley Middle School 1616 N. Wilshire,
Hutchinson (620) 662-4573 Nickerson High School 305 S. Nickerson St., Nickerson (620) 669-0197 Nickerson Elementary 400 N. Nickerson St., Nickerson (620) 422-3215
Page 62 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
A healthy employment picture BY THE NEWS STAFF
Hutchinson and Reno County have a diverse and vibrant economy – anchored by more than 20 leading employers who collectively employ about 8,700 people. Those employers are supported by a strong work force in Reno County and the surrounding communities, and by the training opportunities that are available at the local Workforce Development Center and Hutchinson Community College. And when it comes to access to the major roadways needed to move merchandise and people, Hutchinson is in a prime position. The city is less than an hour from Wichita, will soon have four-lane access to I-135, is home to a municipal airport fewer than three miles from downtown, and Amtrak, BNSF and Union Pacific railroads all
File photo
Kroger, Dillons’ parent company, is a leading employer in the Hutchinson area. make their way through Hutchinson. Easy access to major highways – including K-96, K-61 and U.S. 50
– help make Hutchinson an attractive shopping and medical
Continued on Page 65
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 63
Pretty Prairie has small-town beauty, benefits BY ANGELA HOLCOMB
Photos by Kathleen Duncan / The News
The Hutchinson News aholcomb@hutchnews.com
Left: Clay Cohorn leaps from his horse to tie down his cattle at the 2010 Pretty Prairie Rodeo.
Pretty Prairie Christy St. Main St.
City clerk Patti Brace Deputy clerk Nancy Royer
½ mile
Ash St.
Pretty Prairie Rd.
Plum St.
Maintenance Doug Benson
Park St.
City council members Steve Schrag (president) Neal Slack Stan Stucky Kyle Larson Steve Vogt
Adams St.
CITY LEADERS
Whiteside Rd.
Bottom: Maggi Sontag and Judith Moran dressed as clowns for the Pretty Prairie Parade.
Dean Rd.
Pretty Prairie is a small community that was discovered in 1872 by a woman named Mary Collingwood. She took one look at the flat land and said, “What a pretty prairie.” This little town has many features that some people may find appealing, including a school system with small class sizes. Pretty Prairie has its own volunteer fire and EMS departments. Citizens in the town volunteer their time and energy to help anyone who is in need. There are a few churches in town, and a Community Food Bank is available for anyone in need of food or clothing. Every third week in July the town hosts a rodeo. If you’re new to town, here are some numbers you may find helpful. To activate utilities, cable and telephone services, start with the city offices at 119 N. Main St. Call (620) 4596392 and ask for Patti Brace. Prairie Sunset Home is at 601 E. Main St. It can be reached at (620) 459-6822. The retirement community has cottages and apartments available to anyone 55 years old or older. The library, at 119 N. Main St., can be reached at (620) 4596392.
Page 64 Sunday, August 8, 2010
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
HUTCHIPEDIA
The Hutchinson News
From Page 62 hub for much of the surrounding area – which further strengthens the employment picture in Reno County. Hutchinson offers a variety of shopping opportunities and dozens upon dozens of restaurants and eateries to enjoy. In the last year the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce has developed a new idea for helping the businesses and citizens of the community: The H Factor. The H Factor is an initiative to raise awareness of spending money in Reno County, instead of spending local money out of town or out of state. Another benefit of
local spending is it will ensure that the business owners in the area are staying in business – and keeping people employed. More people spending money means more demand for product and that means more of a demand for employees and that leads to more jobs in the community. Additionally, spending locally helps local government, which collects a portion of sales tax revenue to pay for streets, parks, trails, police, fire and emergency services. The H Factor doesn’t just apply to retail shopping it also includes restaurants, health care, business supplies and entertainment. Before looking elsewhere, businesses and shoppers are en-
couraged to look in their own backyards first. Hometown spending strengthens the economic base and brings pride into the community. Everyone can help promote the H Factor by spending money locally and encouraging family and friends to do the same. Jade Piros, director of Communications and Marketing with the chamber, has been working on the project since it began a year ago. “We just want to let people in the Hutchinson and Reno County area know the benefits of spending their money in the same community they live in,” Piros said. “This is still a new plan, but it has been effective.”
Sunday, August 8, 2010 Page 65
LEADING EMPLOYERS IN RENO COUNTY Employer Phone number Jobs Promise Regional Medical Center – Hutchinson 620-665-2000 1,251 Hutchinson PublicSchools (USD 308) 620-665-4400 850 Dillon Companies 620-665-5511 838 Hutchinson Clinic 620-669-2500 705 Tyson Prepared Foods 620-663-6141 520 Hutchinson Correctional Facility 620-728-3296 512 Reno County local government 427 City of Hutchinson local government 406 Hutchinson Community College 620-665-3500 369 Walmart Super Center 620-669-9090 362 Buhler Public Schools (USD 313) 620-543-2258 356 Grand Prairie Hotel & Convention Center 620-669-9311 290 Kroger 620-663-6636 262 Wesley Towers 620-663-9175 254 Mennonite Manor 620-663-7175 242 Krause Corporation 620-663-6161 216 Nickerson Public Schools (USD 309) 620-663-7141 210 Collins Bus Corporation 620-662-9000 206 Lowen Corporation 620-663-2161 201 Portfolio Recovery Associates 620-662-2800 196 Source: Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
HUTCHIPEDIA
Page 66 Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Hutchinson News
Economic opportunity blows in with wind plant BY THE NEWS STAFF
One of the most exciting developments to hit Hutchinson and Reno County in years was the 2009 announcement of Siemens Energy choosing Hutchinson as the location for its new nacelle assembly plant. The approximately 300,000-square-foot assembly plant is expected to employ approximately 400 people and ship out nearly 650 turbine nacelles – the component that houses the turbine’s electricity generation components – each year, valued at nearly $2 billion. These “green collar” jobs are expected to generate an annual payroll of approximately $12
million a year. In addition to the jobs generated by the Siemens plant, the manufacturer should serve as an anchor for other wind industry suppliers – who could move to Hutchinson to supply components for the Siemens nacelle units. The Siemens plant will be on a 102-acre plot in the Salt City Business Park, near Avenue G and Airport Road. Hutchinson’s location in the middle of the “wind” belt – where more than 70 percent of future U.S. wind energy development is expected to occur – helped bring the plant here. Initially,
more than 80 communities submitted proposals for the Siemens plant. The company quickly narrowed that to 46, and then to 24. Eventually, the company’s vetting process narrowed the field to 13 candidates. Hutchinson, South Hutchinson and Reno County leaders, along with state leaders, worked to draft an incentive package that was attractive to the wind energy giant. A seven-member team from Siemens visited Hutchinson, as well as the other three finalists, before deciding on Hutchinson as the site of its newest plant. The plant began hiring some staff members in 2010, and will contin-
File photo
The Siemens Wind Plant is under construction in Salt City Business Park in Hutchinson. ue to hire until all positions are filled – around mid-2011. The Hutchinson plant expects to ship its first nacelle unit in
December 2010, and is the first major wind energy turbine factory in Kansas. Visit hutchnews.com
for more updates about Siemens, and see siemenscareers.com for more employment information.