Introduction

LIVING

Above: Landon Butler, left, works on blocking and directing members of the Hutchinson High School’s 2022 one act play team. Butler, a 2021 HHS graduate, was the writer of this year’s show, “Snow Child.” Right: For fourth graders, the Paul and Heather Wright farm was the place to be Oct. 15 for the annual Farm Safety and Products Day. McLeod County Sheriff’s Deputy Pat Geiken talked about the 911 safety program. He used a call kit to “pretend” to call 911 to show students what to say and when it is a good time to call for an emergency. ing play s

FIND YOUR TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY

If there is one thing that draws newcomers to small towns, it’s the idea of a tight-knit community. In Hutchinson, numerous opportunities for worship, recreation, and community engagement make it easy to fi nd that connection. Even the city’s many choices for education are enhanced by investments from government and local businesses.

In addition to one of the state’s best performing public schools, two charter public schools offer additional options to families, as do parochial schools for all age groups.

Hutchinson Public Schools have taken career preparation to the next level with four academies designed to help students explore their passions and prepare for the future. A growing number of classes offer college credit, and college-level work on campus in a new building constructed around its Center for Technical Excellence. A group of local partners from the government, and private, business and manufacturing sectors helped equip the CTE with modern manufacturing equipment.

Many local high school students take classes at Ridgewater College, as do numerous other traditional students in more than 100 education programs. And there is Hutchinson Community Education and the University of Minnesota Extension service as well.

Common Cup Ministry, Hunger Free McLeod and United Community Action Partnership support local families and provide an array of services to help in hard times. The community’s many churches serve people of several faiths and denominations. Older residents may want to check out the Hutchinson Senior Center, which offers recreational opportunities for those age 55 or older.

Hutchinson has an active Special Olympics program, and the Unifi ed Partners program helps connecting students with and without disabilities through sports. The city also has a club for adults with disabilities: Meghan’s Place.

“We chose to be part of our community and use our farming and ag background to make a difference. ... It’s just really rewarding for us.”

Paul Wright,

Hutchinson Volunteer of the Year