Hutchinson Magazine Winter 2014 by Sunflower Publishing

Hutchinson M aga z i n e

winter 2014

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Hutchinson Volume 07 / Issue 03

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Please join me in welcoming Nadia Imafidon to the Hutchinson Magazine family! As Sunflower Publishing, the magazine’s publishing partner with The Hutchinson News, continues to grow, it was time to bring in more talent so we can continue to provide unique and inviting editions of the magazine you enjoy so much. I look forward to seeing what evolves under Nadia’s creative leadership. Of course, this baton-passing is bittersweet. I want to thank all the readers, advertisers and contributors I have worked with over the last five years. Hutchinson Magazine is a special publication, and one that broadened my love for the Sunflower State. But more than that, you are a very special community, and I will never forget the opportunity I have had to serve it through the magazine. With that, I hope you enjoy this new edition and continue to enjoy all those to follow.

— katy Once again, I’m the new kid. As a person who lived in five different states before completing elementary school (that’s four schools), I’m used to stepping into an unfamiliar environment as an outsider and thinking, “What does this new land have to offer?” Upon moving into this role as the new editor of Hutchinson Magazine, I was eager to learn as much as I could about the town—and fast! The takeaway: Hutchinson is loved. It has residents who go above and beyond to—quite literally—paint the beauty they see in one another all over community walls. This issue is a collection of snapshots that display our appreciation for the beloved landmarks we may overlook when we’re on the go. Patsy Terrell pays homage to the world-class sculptures and vivid murals downtown created by masterful artists Brady Scott, Jocelyn Woodson and Julie Black—to name a few. The inner workings of the family-run restaurant Dutch Kitchen are revealed in our Profiles department. Warning: you’ll crave fried chicken and cinnamon rolls immediately. We also bring to light the unifying efforts of the Hope and Life Center (and shout out to another mesmerizing mural on this building). These, among many other colorful stories, splash the pages this season. Get ready, Hutchinson. It’s going to be a fun ride.

— nadia, Editor

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Deb Hagen Kristen Garlow Piper Deborah Walker Contributing Writers

Amy Bickel Amy Conkling Gloria Gale Edie Ross Richard Shank Patsy Terrell

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Hutchinson Magazine

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Winter 2014

contents Features 38

Hutchinson’s Holiday Hubbub

home is where the art is

From hometown favorites to traditional must-dos, here’s your guide to all things yuletide

Celebrating Hutchinson’s rich community art

departments Lifestyle

A Wintertime Jungalow

Restoring hope

Hutchinson residents bring gorgeous gardens inside to warm up homes in preparation for the coldest days Hope and Life Center works to enhance lives in the community through unifying efforts

Profiles

TALK20 Hutch

Stagestruck

Ghost hunters

Finger-Lickin’ Good

from the archives

Stories worth sharing in just six minutes Hutchinson Theatre Guild celebrates a successful season, revamped productions in their new home at Stage 9 Hutchinson paranormal investigation team inspects the unknown Dutch Kitchen dishes up hometown favorites —fried chicken and cinnamon rolls— like grandma used to make A quiet winter’s day at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church

Travel

No Mutiny on this Bounty

Annapolis salutes America’s past with a celebrated historical and seafaring legacy

Hutch Talks

Josh Davies

Director at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre

61 Julie Black Watercolor Artist

In Every Issue: 2 dear readers

the end quote

best bets

Hutchinson Magazine

departments

8..................................... Lifestyle 18................................... Profiles 52.....................................travel 58............................hutch talks

Winter 2014

Lifestyle

A Wintertime

Jungalow

Hutchinson residents bring gorgeous gardens inside to warm up homes in preparation for the coldest days Story by Amy Bickel

When the days begin to get shorter and colder, a few local residents bring their passion for plant life indoors, infusing a bit of summertime greenery into their Hutchinson homes. Plants give life to sterile rooms, according to Soni Keller, a Hutchinson gardener and sculptor. She finds that plants can be just as expressive as art, with their vast combinations of leaf shapes and colors. It makes Soni think of the lasting impression her grandmother’s garden made on her. “When I was little, at my grandmother’s home, I saw larkspur coreopsis and white daisies. You see something like that, and it makes an impact. It stays with you all those years,” Soni says. “They are comforting and beautiful. And why not have plants?”

Hutchinson Magazine

Photography by Deborah Walker

Lifestyle

Plant-killers anonymous Some thumbs just weren’t born green, but that’s no reason to avoid green design altogether. With the help of Diana Beasley, owner of Benton’s Greenhouse in South Hutchinson, you can pick out plants that will stand the test of time, even if you can’t make the time to tend to them regularly.

Easy-care houseplants 1 Philodendrons are hardy. They are easy to grow and propagate, Beasley says. Their lowlight tolerance makes them a good choice as an accent on a shelf or other furniture.

Hutchinson Magazine

2 P o t h o s are similar to philodendrons, but have variegated or patterned leaves. Consider this your starter houseplant, as it grows in indirect bright or low light, as well as in water or soil. There’s no messing this up.

3 A g l a o n e m a give homes hints of colors and flair, says Beasley. “There are some really cool ones,” she says—including some that are more silver in color and others that have more variegated leaves.

4 Z Z p l a n t (zamioculcas zamiifolia) can handle neglect well, as it will survive in low light and with limited water, says Beasley. “You can water them once every week to 10 days,” she says.

5 S a n s e v i e r i a is the winner of the “most resilient decorative plant” contest; it can survive even the most unsuitable growing conditions, Beasley says. Sanseviera has thick, dark green, upright leaves that feature wavy stripes.

Jan Bretz’s bungalow Every October, Jan Bretz becomes a botanical rescuer. With a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies sitting on her kitchen bar and predictions of temperatures dipping into the low 30s, Bretz begins the annual task of turning her bungalow into a wintertime “jungalow.” “I don’t want to leave my babies out in the cold,” says the grandmother of eight, who adds that her home “always smells like geraniums and cookies. It’s a homey smell.” Geraniums are one of Bretz’s favorite flowers and one of the highlighted greens of her large, 14-by-28foot sunroom, which she added on to her home about 20 years ago. “It was built wide for cats and plants,” Bretz says. Bretz adds with a chuckle that a couple of homeless cats she adopted sun themselves in the large windowsills, along with her potted plants. Upon retiring in 2000 after 31 years as a sixthgrade teacher at Graber Elementary, she started teaching art appreciation at Hutchinson Community College. Her artistic skill and love of plants is evident in her home design, accented by several windows on three walls to let in plenty of natural light. A carousel horse—a gift from a close friend— rests against the wall. Paintings line her walls— some of whimsical gardens—including one she painted of a grandmother looking out the window with her grandchildren. Another painting resting on a shelf displays her backyard zinnias. The backdoor’s stained-glass window, which she designed, portrays the Resurrection flower made out of tears—in memory of her daughter, who died in a car accident in the early 1990s. More than a dozen plants fill the room, largely geraniums. “If you cut them back, they will bloom all winter,” Bretz says. An airplane plant that overflows in a corner has been in Bretz’s home for 20 winters. Houseplants are a blessing during the coldest days of winter. “We still have the smell of summer and the vision of summertime.”

Jan Bretz’s home features a giant sunroom, where you can find blooming fall flowers and a couple of cats sunning themselves.

Winter 2014

Lifestyle

bungalow to jungalow At the Keller home, plants are not an afterthought. Instead, they create a sense of style and are an integral part of the interior design of the home. For instance, Soni Keller uses plants to fill empty corners. A space behind a couch is now home to a Christmas cactus. Moreover, some of her plants are displayed together to create an inviting tableau on what would have just been a barren tabletop. The Kellers have even brought life into their basement. Soni turned an egress window into a plant haven. The window is an excellent location to “winter over” plants, she says. She designed the area this fall with three lime trees, sweet potato vines, geraniums, an ornamental pepper plant and two pots of bougainvillea. When temperatures dip below freezing, she and her husband Dale cover the top of the window. They also cover it with a blanket at night and turn on a lightbulb with a timer to keep the plants from freezing. “It brings summer into the house again,” Soni says.

Hutchinson Magazine

Soni and Dale Keller have put in more than 30 years of attentive yard care into what is now their plant paradise. Inspired by her mother, Soni has put her gift for gardening in her family’s home, incorporating potted plants into their interior design.

Dale and Soni Keller’s plant haven a Japanese bloodgood maple was added to another. One of Soni Keller’s earliest green memories was In more than 36 years, they have developed their helping her mother drag huge potted houseplants Hutchinson property in the northern foothills, in and out of their home each fall and spring. which includes a pergola (arbor) over the deck “My mother had a green thumb,” says the artist and a pond complete with water lilies. The foliage and potter, as she works to cut now attracts purple martins, among other birds. back the summer growth on her Their backyard paradise houseplants. Lugging heavy plants around flourishes from spring to fall. each year can be a chore, but On this day, however, they her mother’s dedication began are spending the last hints of to take root in her life as she summer figuring out where got older. When she married her in the home to place their husband, Dale, and they began countless plants, including to construct their own home, three huge hibiscus, pots of the biannual ritual became a cordyline and aloe vera, and way of life. She can’t imagine bay, lemon and lime trees. not having them in her life, “Guess who is her dragger whether it is viewing them in her now,” Dale says with an —Soni Keller backyard garden in the summer ornery chuckle. “She calls me or wintering them over indoors. Muley, the chief dragger. Can “I’ve never been without a you imagine that?” dog, and I’ve never been without plants,” she says. Soni admits she can’t kick her plants to the When they purchased the home in 1978, there curb or have them killed by the first frost of winter. was only one tree on the entire block, Dale says. In She loves them all, she says, adding that some of fact, Soni adds, the area had nothing but sandburs. her favorites include her Christmas cactus and The couple went to work, and soon the hibiscus. “If there is a plant I love and I want to keep it, I will find a place for it.” overgrown evergreen was pulled out in one area and

“It brings summer into the house again.”

Winter 2014

From left: Hope and Life Center CEO Gina Nachtigal, and artists Brady Scott, Jocelyn Woodson, and Julie Black

Hutchinson Magazine

Restoring

hope Hope and Life Center works to enhance lives in the community through unifying efforts

Story by Amy Conkling

Photography by Kristen Garlow Piper

Each train that rumbles by the Hope and Life Center stirs passion inside of Gina Nachtigal, CEO and president. The train’s rushing sound reminds her of why she and her husband, Steve, moved their faithbased counseling services from northeast Hutchinson to south of the train tracks. “We’re here on the south side of the tracks for a reason,” Gina says, as she recalls hearing the longtime local residents talk repeatedly about the division of the community along the railroad tracks. “I’ve heard people say they don’t go to our part of town unless they have to,” Gina says. “Bad part of town? It’s a label that is not accurate. I would personally like to bust that label, as there is no bad part of our community.” Tearing Down Walls and Labels The Nachtigals began shattering labels in 2007 when they took down an old office building that sat vacant for 39 years. It was just south of the tracks. They purchased an acre of property for the new Hope and Life Center to unite the community by enhancing the lives of individuals. During the Great Depression, the building was owned by William Kelly, who was well-known for being generous to his employees during those financially turbulent times. His legend lives on in the new building, and his sense of generosity still exists, even amidst years of ongoing demolition, remodeling and restoration. Gina’s goal was to remodel more than just the four buildings on the property. “What we surround ourselves with affects how we view ourselves,” she says. “We wanted to restore the buildings, but more importantly restore the broken image” that South Main is often considered a bad part of town, despite its recent improvements. Today, the Hope and Life Center building is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s become much more than a place for counseling and comfort.

Winter 2014

Lifestyle

“What they do for individuals is a microcosm of what they envision for the entire community—a unified and healthy whole, working together. — Jade Piros de Carvalho, Vice Mayor of Hutchinson

Hutchinson Magazine

Inside Hope and Life This is where Gina’s vision comes into play: She aims to restore the vibrancy of the community by addressing the mental health component of personal wellness through counseling services, but also by providing education, resources and service projects. This is known as the Masterpieces program. For the Masterpieces program, Gina hosts weekly tapdance time on Saturday mornings, and salsa and swing lessons at various other times. She invites area piano students to play in recitals, in addition to holding gallery showings for both established and up-and-coming artists. The Center’s Great Room, an open room with 1930s charm, is home to the art, dance, and music activities available to the community and members of Hope and Life. “We want to encourage professionals and students in their pursuit of the arts,” Gina says. Such is the case with Santalena Caudillo, owner of Healing Artz Wellness, who recently moved her Zumba and fitness studio into the Hope and Life Center. Caudillo offers drop-in classes to the public throughout the week. “I was so happy to be able to support their mission to improve the lives of Hutchinson residents with my presence here,” Caudillo says.

A Gathering Place Gina’s ultimate mission is to see the restoration of the building and properties reflect a restoration of the community’s body and soul. “We want to see the dissolution of the north and south division of people groups, and the restoration of the healthy social, cultural, and active business climate to span across the tracks,” she says. “We want to be that catalytic bridge.” Gina envisions a public square placemaking for hosting artful community events. This would include a public outdoor art square, complete with an amphitheater, coffee kiosk, comfortable seating and more, as the Hope and Life Center continues to partner with nonprofits and other local agencies. She’s garnering more and more public support and partners, including Hutchinson’s vice mayor, Jade Piros de Carvalho. “The Center recognizes that there are many facets that make up the health of an individual and a community,” Piros de Carvalho says. “What they do for individuals is a microcosm of what they envision for the entire community—a unified and healthy whole, working together.”

PROJECTS IN 2015 Perhaps the biggest venture that Steve and Gina Nachtigal have planned for 2015 is the Square One placemaking project. The project includes an amphitheater nestled between two buildings on the Hope and Life Center property, as well as an open public-square area with a life-size chess set, chairs, tables, bike racks, public art and more. Gina says the idea came to her as a result of the South Main community art mural project this past summer. “We want residents to ride their bikes down here to watch movies or grab some coffee,” Gina says. “We want it to become a unity of community.” The Square One project will feature ongoing events, including: Bike to the Movie nights: Monthly outdoor movies will be shown free to the public, with healthy concessions offered. L i f e - s i z e p u b l i c c h e ss tournaments: Life-size chess pieces will be used as an artful statement to draw attention, but also to encourage play and participation. MetroSouth drive-up/ walk-up coffee kiosk: Gina has been in discussion with the owners of locally owned Metropolitan Coffee to provide a coffee kiosk, promoting a northeast business expanding to the south part of town. Juried fine art shows and tent markets: Square One will host a variety of art shows and markets during the warm-weather months, supporting local, regional and even national artists. As part of the Masterpieces program, the Center’s Great Room (top left) is home to a variety of art, dance and music classes that help encourage all community members to pursue the arts and maintain personal wellness. Top right: Steve and Gina Nachtigal, owners. Bottom left: Jade Piros de Carvalho, vice mayor of Hutchinson.

Keep up to date on the progression of the Hope and Life Center’s projects. hopeandlife.net. 400 S. Main St.

Winter 2014

profile

Attend Talk20

7 p.m., January 23 at the Hutchinson Public Library. Admission is free. Anyone interested in presenting can find more information through the Talk20 website. www.talk20hutch.com

Hutchinson Magazine

TALK20 H u t c h Stories worth sharing in just six minutes Story by Richard Shank

Photography by Deb Hagen

Talk20 has recreated a pastime that seems to have been lost in the digital age: oral storytelling. Eager to resurrect this tradition, Kari Mailloux and Patsy Terrell met at Metropolitan Coffee on a hot July day in 2013, and drafted up a blueprint to promote storytelling in Hutchinson. Talk20 cofounder Mailloux, who works as program officer of the Hutchinson Community Foundation, says she believes the majority of Hutchinson residents are not content just to sit at home every night in front of their televisions. “Hutchinson is hungry for events that provide an opportunity to meet new people and exchange ideas,” she says. Talk20 events are held worldwide as a platform for connecting people. Terrell, a local writer and social media consultant, says no other organization of its type exists in Kansas, bringing together people who would not have met otherwise. The forum invites 10 presenters from all walks of life to tell a story by way of snappy, fast-moving explanations using story prompts. A new prompt appears on the screen every 20

seconds, so the presenter, ready or not, must be prepared to switch gears and tell a new story. An entire story is told in 20 slides, or a little more than six minutes from start to finish. Trial Runs An all-ages crowd of 150 sat in a secondfloor meeting room at the Hutchinson Public Library, with the presenters standing front and center, for the first Talk20 Hutch meeting on January 24, 2014. Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, was up first with a presentation entitled “Talking with Locals … It Makes a Difference,” which touched on her regular travels across Kansas to promote rural preservation. She took the audience on a fastpaced journey, each slide showing people she met while conducting research in the Sunflower State. “The Talk20 format lends itself to presenters who have to be concise and get to the point, which makes for an eager, appreciative audience,” Penner says. “Also, this format is a great way to get to know people in your town or area.”

NOT A FLYOVER STATE Kari Mailloux took center stage as a Talk20 presenter in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and was proud to tell her story in a presentation entitled “Not Everything in Kansas Is Flat.” Mailloux hoped to eliminate any audience member’s inaccurate perceptions of Kansas as nothing more than a “flyover state.” “I showed images of grain elevators and wind turbines, the Flint Hills, Mount Sunflower, the Cosmosphere rocket and Big Brutus,” Mailloux says. The audience sat up and took notice—and, she hopes, left with a new image of Kansas. “When people say Kansas is flat without knowing anything more about it, I think they also assume it is boring,” Mailloux says, “but we have a rich, deep history that I had the opportunity to tell, if ever so briefly.”

Winter 2014

profile

“If audience members disapprove of a particular presentation, they need only wait six and twothirds minutes for the next speaker.” —Patsy Terrell, Talk20 Hutch cofounder

Hutchinson Magazine

After the 90-minute event—including introductions, 10 presentations and a 10-minute intermission—everyone adjourns to Carl’s Bar, where audience members can network with speakers. Mailloux fell in love with the Talk20 concept after she participated in one held in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she used to live. During this time, she wrote and delivered a Talk20 presentation on her home state of Kansas—she had grown up in Hutchinson, Manhattan and Lawrence. Soon after she returned to Hutchinson in 2013, a friend suggested she meet longtime civic activist Patsy Terrell. The two brought their plans to Gregg Wamsley, director at the Hutchinson Public Library, which resulted in an offer to hold the meetings at the library. With the first Talk20 having been a rousing success, Terrell and Mailloux scheduled a second gathering in July. To accommodate an even larger crowd, they moved the meeting to the library’s main floor—and they were not disappointed, as an audience of more than 200 sat intently for 10 more presentations. No topics are off the table at Talk20 Hutch, according to Terrell. Other subjects covered during the first two Talk20 sessions included pilot adventures, hatching an independent bookstore, and a fierce Pillsbury cook-off. Ryan Corwin wowed audience members at the July meeting with his presentation entitled “Yes. I’m a nerd. No. I do not love Star Wars.” Corwin, who works as marketing and communications director for the Boys & Girls Club, set out to prove that nerds are simply studious experts rather than “single-minded experts who are boringly studious,” as the definition states. He used Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and the character of Dwight Schrute from The Office as examples of how nerd culture is becoming mainstream. “I really think that if you are not thinking about things from other people’s viewpoint, you are stagnant in your growth on so many different levels,” Corwin says. “Talk20 allows for an open forum to exchange ideas and stories, to broaden your horizons a bit. Talk20 is a fantastic addition to Hutchinson.” Ryan Diehl of Hutchinson attended both Talk20 sessions and left with a good feeling each time. “I have walked away with ideas learned and stories heard that have stuck with me for many months afterward,” Diehl says. “What is also very neat is the number of people who, while waiting for the session to start, strike up conversations to share their own stories, which in turn builds up more connections across Reno County.”

Winter 2014

profile

Stagestruck Hutchinson Theatre Guild celebrates a successful season, revamped productions in their new home at Stage 9 Story by Patsy Terrell

Hutchinson Magazine

Photography by Kristen Garlow Piper

When theatergoers settle into one of the Hu tchinson Theatre Guild 85 seats at Stage 9, they’re participating in a Renewed Just one season in and Stage 9 —which tradition that’s nearly a century old. It’s easy to forget that, considering Hutchinson Theatre opened in February 2014—has given the Guild’s new location and recently revamped group an upper hand on the theater scene. productions. Now the community knows where to find them, The Hutchinson Theatre Guild was Johnston says, and this has brought new faces born from an inaugural 1916 performance to the productions the group works so hard to of The Trojan Women at bring to the public. the Hutchinson Women’s “For our inaugural Club. The group’s name has production at Stage 9, changed over the years, our audience size nearly but in 1958 it became the quadrupled from the last production of the 2012Hutchinson Theatre Guild. Stage 9 is the realization of 2013 season,” Johnston a dream to have a permanent says. “Stage 9 has given the home for the theater group, Hutchinson Theatre Guild a which it hasn’t had since whole new lease on life as an the early 1980s. Setting up organization.” makeshift productions at The Newcomers w ill be Fox, Hutchinson Community exposed to a less frazzled College, the Hutchinson cast and crew. Art Center—and even the “More than anything else, cattle barn at the State it allows us time,” says Denny Fairgrounds—it was time to Vick, president of the board. —Jo Stropes, actress make some changes, starting “Previously we would move with finding an exclusive into a performance space on space for the troupe. a Sunday afternoon, put up “While all of these organizations were very the set and have three days of rehearsals in wonderful in accommodating our needs, a the space before opening the show. Now we performance space that can be occupied have a home.” 100 percent of the time by our organization This functionality allows the Guild to is a complete game-changer,” says Charles stage more professional productions. “Before, Johnston, production coordinator. performing in a variety of locations, our

“I believe theater can change people’s lives — both the participants and the audience.”

Audience size nearly quadrupled from the last production of the 2012-2013 season to the inaugural production at Stage 9.

by the numbers

1,700

If attendance remains consistent with the first three productions this year, more than 1,700 patrons will attend this season.

core volunteers took part in renovating Stage 9.

members serve on the Board of Directors.

Even as the honeymoon phase wears off, Johnston says, they are regularly enjoying triple the audience size of historical attendance.

Winter 2014

technical elements—sets, lighting and sound—had to be very basic. This taught us how to be resourceful, but was also limiting,” says Vick. Jo Stropes, a Hutchinson Theatre Guild veteran, has noticed how seamless transitioning from rehearsal to performance has become since moving into the building. It has removed the stress of trying to improvise in spaces not specifically designed for theater. “Without a space of our own, we were pretty much limited to planning one production at a time as we could find space to perform,” says the actress, who moved to Hutchinson to work for the Hutchinson Repertory Theatre. “Being able to rehearse and perform in the same space makes the productions much more solid.” Anyone planning to attend their forthcoming shows will enjoy the intimacy of the house, allowing for interaction between the actors and audience, which Stropes believes is an important part of the entire experience. “I believe theater can change people’s lives—both the participants and the audience,” she says. “You get a glimpse into someone else’s life, which hopefully creates empathy and understanding.” Johnston can’t remember a time in recent history when the group has been able to complete a four-play season without any cancellations or changes. With the Guild growing in its capacity through improved productions and more volunteers, Johnston is optimistic about the many years ahead in their new home. “The building has allowed us to do things there was no feasible way of accomplishing in the past.”

Hutchinson Magazine

Building a place of their own

2015 Season Doubt, A Parable Playwright: John Patrick Shanley Audition Dates: December 13 and 14, 2014 Performance Dates: February 5-8, 2015 and February 12-15, 2015 Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, Doubt, A Parable is John Patrick Shanley’s gripping drama about accusations against a well-loved, dedicated Catholic priest, Father Brendan Flynn. Sister Aloysius Beauvier, principal of St. Nicholas Catholic School in The Bronx, New York, suspects Father Flynn of inappropriate relations with an African-American boy who is an outcast at the school. This play is a testament to the fight for the truth and the casualties along the way.

breath, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change features a broad range of musical styles and sketches that will leave you laughing in the aisles. Poignant, charming and unassuming, this musical is the perfect night out at the theater. The Savannah Disputation Playwright: Evan Smith Audition Dates: May 16-17, 2015 Performance Dates: July 16-19, 2015 and July 23-26, 2015

Book and Lyrics: Joe DiPietro Music: Jimmy Roberts

This is a story of two sisters, Mary and Margaret, whose devout Catholicism is challenged by the visit of a fundamentalist missionary, Melissa. Engaged in a dialogue against their will, the sisters soon find themselves plunged into a full-fledged theological debate, which prompts them to call for reinforcement from their parish priest. The heated and hilarious conversation tests the tenacity of the characters.

Audition Dates: February 21, 22, 2015

The Fox on the Fairway

Performance Dates: April 23-26, 2015 and April 30-May 3, 2015

Audition Dates: August 1-2, 2015

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Relationships. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. This popular romantic comedy musical revue examines the mysterious and often frustrating process of being in a romantic relationship. From the first date to the final

Playwright: Ken Ludwig

Performance Dates: September 24-27, 2015 and October 1-4, 2015 The game’s afoot at the Quail Valley Country Club! It’s the annual golf tournament between rivals Crouching

Squirrel and Quail Valley. And, in accordance with country club tradition, the owners place their bets, each bringing in their heavy hitters to win the day. Only this time, a lot more is at stake than a large quantity of money. In a play modeled after the great theatrical tradition of farce, hijinks, love and champagne fly as freely as a golf ball from the tee. Even high society will be left guessing to the last stroke. Fore! 4 X’MAS: An Evening of Holiday Cheer Playwright: George Cameron Grant Audition Dates: October 10-11, 2015 Performance Dates: December 10-13, 2015 and December 17-20, 2015 A collection of one-acts centered on the most joyous time of year, 4 X’MAS is as diverse as the season itself. From an office-party affair to a group of Christmas tree ornaments commenting on the loss of a fallen comrade, these charming and meaningful plays are the perfect complement to your celebrations this holiday season.

Stage 9 is the result of a tremendous amount of volunteer time and energy. Active members were motivated to take the Hutchinson Theatre Guild into a new era, and create a place they could be known for. “Not having a venue didn’t give us a home base, a place to call our own, a place where the community could conveniently find us,” says Michele McCartney, vice president of the board. “We’re so excited to have this beautiful, permanent theater with lighting, seats and dressing rooms. Having this home base has made our productions more big-time, more professional.” The building was purchased in December 2011. Denny Vick, Steve Mills, Bob Colladay and Bob Callahan were hard at work every weekend and on Tuesday nights, with Colladay serving as general contractor. “Renovating that building became a prime focus of my life for the next two years,” says Mills, treasurer of the board. Bob Callahan says the renovation took longer than he expected. “I knew it would be a large project, but didn’t know I would be involved for almost two years,” he says. “The core group involved in the renovation left blood, sweat and yes, even tears, in this project,” says Colladay, who has worn many hats at the Guild over the years. “It was a labor of love.”

Winter 2014

g h o s t

hunters Hutchinson paranormal investigation team inspects the unknown Story by Amy Bickel

Hutchinson Magazine

Photography by Deborah Walker

The porch light comes on, but no one is home. The residents report that they sometimes hear odd noises upstairs and get a feeling someone else is watching. Even the dogs won’t climb up the wooden staircase to the second-story bedrooms, instead barking from the bottom step. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is enough evidence of possible supernatural activity to round up the Hutchinson Area Paranormal Investigation team. On a crisp fall evening, seven members stand outside the old white house situated on the edge of a small town right outside of Hutchinson. No, these aren’t Ghostbusters in jumpsuits; hunting ghosts, after all, is harder than the movies make it seem. Actual paranormal investigators use a meticulous regime, along with research and a conviction in something unseen. Geared with flashlights, radios, tape recorders and cameras, the crew begins searching the darkened home for answers. From fear to fascination The investigation on this fall evening is one of a handful planned annually by the Hutchinson Area Paranormal Investigation club, or HAPI. The group meets monthly to discuss the unexplained and details of upcoming hunts. The group formed a decade ago as a way to fulfill an interest that Tim Surface and his wife, Sharon, had developed in the paranormal. Members come from all walks of life, according to Surface, who works for a Hutchinson manufacturer. “But we all have a common thread,” he says. For most ghost hunters, a past experience piqued their interest in the supernatural; such is the case at Tammy Downing’s household. Tammy, a member of HAPI, says her husband, Roger, has seen a figure in the bathroom that looked like her when she was watching television in the living room. On one occasion, Tammy adds, she and her daughter felt they saw a brief glimpse of an apparition in their home. Ghosts are “such a big unknown,” Tammy says. “But there is getting to be more and more scientific evidence that proves there is an afterlife.” “It used to scare me, the thought of something there that you can’t see,” she says. Since then, however, she has studied paranormal activity through any book she can get her hands on, and through research shared by other investigators. She now believes that the fear is merely the product of ignorance.

Hutchinson Area Paranormal Investigation meets at 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at Hastings in Hutchinson.

Winter 2014

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Another HAPI member, Gina Long, started investigating the paranormal while living in Nebraska, enrolling in a ghost-hunting class in 2008. Long admits that up until that point she hadn’t believed in ghosts. She just thought the hunts would be a fascinating way to see Nebraska historical sites firsthand. One year later, Long joined a group investigating the grounds of a Nebraska museum. It was sleeting as the group explored an old home on the site. Activity began to escalate when Long snapped pictures of a figure silhouetted against the lace curtains. “We heard thumping sounds upstairs. It sounded like something walking up the stairs, then we would hear a thumping noise and dragging, and it was doing it over and over,” Long says, adding that the sound of labored breathing could also be heard. However, the stairs weren’t structurally sound and were roped off, so they couldn’t go up and explore the cause of the mysterious sounds. “We shined a light up there but didn’t see anything,” Long says. One of the curators told them there was a story that a man had killed his sister upstairs in that home and, with the help of his mother, covered up the body. Long thought the experience was creepy, but not creepy enough to scare her away. She’s been exploring the paranormal devotedly since then. Searching for answers HAPI’s latest clients sit perched atop black stools in a Hutchinson coffee shop. Long begins asking the couple a series of comprehensive questions to give the rest of the group insight into the home that has been exhibiting signs of supernatural activity before the group heads to the hunt that weekend. The couple, having lived in the house for just a few months, mention that the previous homeowners left them with a parting question that took them by surprise: They wanted to know if the new owners had “experienced anything yet.” Group members jot down notes. They investigate the 1911 home further at the county courthouse, searching for clues into its past. Government documents are limited, Long notes, adding that it may be easier to restrict their clients to Hutchinson residents. The members of HAPI never divulge names of clients or locations unless the clients give them permission to do so. Everyone involved in the investigation must sign confidentiality agreements. Debunking clues The group gathers at dusk on the front porch of the two-story house. They break into teams, in hopes that it will increase their chances of capturing something. “Is anyone here?” Tim Surface says into a radio called a Frank’s Box that he holds as he roams the house. The radio picks up different frequencies, from baseball games to classic rock to, perhaps, a message from a spirit. Surface calls out, “What is your name?” The garble of frequencies doesn’t appear to signal anything out of the ordinary, except perhaps a faint “Hello.” The crew remains skeptical, as they aren’t quick to come to conclusions. The bump in the night, the flickering of lights and the door that slams shut on its own are all examples of “activity” that can be explained, says Surface. A sudden shift in temperature could be from a vent. A light turning on mysteriously could be because it wasn’t turned off properly. “We take a scientific approach to it,” says Surface, who adds that the group doesn’t charge for its investigations. “You go into it with the intention to debunk everything.” However, Surface adds in a matter-of-fact voice, as he stands in the couple’s living room and gives it a second look before heading home for the night, there are things that happen that don’t have explanations. “It’s an adventure. It’s something different, a different adventure each time,” he says. “And, sometimes, you catch something.”

Hutchinson Magazine

To believe or not to believe While the members of Hutchinson Area Paranormal Investigation are firm in their conviction that paranormal activity exists, group member Tammy Downing acknowledges that others are skeptical. “My father does not believe in ghosts at all,” she says. “If you bring it up over the phone, he will get quiet and won’t say another word.” Some don’t believe for religious reasons. Others need their own encounter before they are willing get on board; Downing has read that couples may struggle to find common ground on the subject until they both have their own experience. Downing also believes others might see something that scares them so much, they are reluctant to talk about it. “They don’t want to admit they’ve seen something,” she says. “It’s human nature to deny it.”

“Is anyone here?” —Founder of HAPI Tim Surface, as he calls into a special radio called a Frank’s Box

Winter 2014

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finger-lickin’

good

Dutch Kitchen dishes up hometown favorites —fried chicken and cinnamon rolls— like grandma used to make Story by Edie Ross

Hutchinson Magazine

Photography by Deb Hagen

Rising from the edge of a dirt parking lot in Pleasantview is a familiar sign beckoning visitors in for a home-cooked meal. The sign proudly identifies the Dutch Kitchen and proclaims its long tenure in Reno County: “Since 1971.” At mealtime—whether breakfast, lunch or dinner—visitors to the Dutch Kitchen can find themselves sitting next to a customer who has frequented the business for all those 43 years. This longtime devotion exists because of the quality of the food and the community atmosphere—almost like family—that permeates the restaurant. “I know most of the waitresses by name,” says Paul Hiebert, who has regularly dined at the Dutch Kitchen since it opened, and recently enjoyed a lunch of catfish with his sister and brother-in-law, Vera and Jerry Ummel. Paul confessed he’d already had one meal at the Dutch Kitchen that day. “Dorothy over there is usually my morning waitress,” he says, smiling. Paul and the Ummels lauded the Dutch Kitchen’s generous portions, homemade menu items, courteous staff and family environment. It has kept them coming back for four decades. “It’s a family place and the new owners have kept it that way,” Vera Ummel says. “We enjoy seeing their little boy in an apron sometimes.” A new chapter Deron and Krista Nisly took ownership reins in June 2014. Deron is actually related to every one of the Dutch Kitchen’s three past owners, even though they weren’t all related to each other. He is no stranger to the restaurant—it gave him his first job in the 1980s when his aunt and uncle, Joe and Mary Miller, owned it. “Some of the recipes originated with my grandmother and were used by my uncle and aunt,” Deron says. “We are working to go back to some of those original recipes to make sure we’re doing the same quality they were doing back then.”

Winter 2014

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Dutch Kitchen Rhubarb Crunch yields:

2 pies

crust:

2 packages premade pie crusts filling:

2 cups sugar 6 egg yolks 1/4 heaping cup flour 2 tablespoons melted butter 6 cups rhubarb Rhubarb Crunch Pie Crumbs:

2 cups flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup butter, not softened 1 cup pecans Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine sugar, egg yolks, flour and butter, and then add 6 cups of rhubarb to make the filling. Pour filling into an unbaked pie shell. Combine all four ingredients to make pie crumbs, mixing together with a dough hook. If crumbs are sticky, add a bit more flour. Sprinkle crumbs atop the filling. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Source: Deron Nisly

Hutchinson Magazine

Enter the Dutch burger. “When it came out that we were buying [the restaurant], several people came to me and said that the Dutch burgers just weren’t like they used to be,” Deron says. “We found the original recipe, and with the help of the prep cook we’ve re-implemented the old recipe.” Deron acknowledges that not everything can be made the way it used to be, but says they are doing what they can to regain authenticity. Favored menu It’s possible that the fried chicken, the Thursday special, is the most popular item on the menu. The recipe for the tender, moist chicken with crispy, crunchy skin comes compliments of Deron’s Uncle Joe. The handmade cinnamon rolls have their own following as well. “A person came in last week for one and we were out, so she left,” Krista says, smiling. “That’s all she wanted.” Different customers have their own favorites. Paul Hiebert’s table praised the chicken, peanut butter pie, fish, cinnamon rolls, corn nuggets and potato salad—which Paul claims is the best in the area. Other homemade and highdemand menu items, according to

Deron, include the mashed potatoes and gravy, a wide selection of pies— including traditional fruit pies along with favorites like lemon meringue and chocolate peanut butter—and the mush and tomato gravy, if only for its uniqueness. “I think the cooking here is different than most restaurants,” Deron says. “It is more what grandma would’ve made.” Kitchen gathering During any given lunch hour, the booths and tables are filled with retired couples, mothers and children, groups of men in work boots and jeans, and even a few dining solo, enjoying the special and reading the paper. “People comment about how it is still a place where you come to have lunch and talk to the people at the next table,” Deron says. “No one is looking at their computer. People still like to talk.” Deron says he will continue to serve good food for a good value, and he looks forward to continuing the Dutch Kitchen legacy. “We hear a lot of comments, but the one we like best is, ‘We’ll be back.’”

Dutch Kitchen pies: (excluding seasonal)

Dutch apple Peach Pecan Blueberry cream Toll House Lemon meringue Chocolate Chocolate peanut butter Peanut butter Pumpkin Custard Banana

Winter 2014

from the

archives Text by Ashley Maready Image courtesy Reno County Historical Society and Reno County Museum

This striking photograph from 1937 is evocative of a quiet winter’s day. It shows St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in the snow, with iceglazed bare trees in the foreground. Construction of the church began in 1909 and the cornerstone was laid in 1910; the church was dedicated in 1911. It is an example of Late Victorian Romanesque Revival architecture. This style was widely used for churches constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. St. Teresa’s Catholic Church stands at 211 E. Fifth Street in Hutchinson and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

Hutchinson Magazine

Winter 2014

Hutchinson Magazine

features

38.................................... holiday hubbub 44...................... home is where the art is

Winter 2014

Hutchinson’s

Holiday Hubbub By Amy Conkling and Edie Ross

Deck the halls this year at these Hutchinson holiday events that are sure to bring out your “holly jolly” Christmas spirit. From hometown original favorites to the traditional holiday mustdos, here’s your guide to all things yuletide— Hutchinson-style.

Shop One-of-a-Kind C hr i s t m a s G i f t s

Forget about long lines at the stores. Instead, opt for a fun and casual shopping experience all while supporting local artisans and crafters. The Robinson’s Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show features more than 65 vendors with handmade wares. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., December 13 at the Domestic Arts Building on the Kansas Fairgrounds

Stroll through the Hyde Park Luminaries—a Hutch tradition for decades. Residents enjoy strolling through this quaint neighborhood by the beauty of candlelight. Hyde Park residents line the streets with twinkling candles, creating a magical Christmas wonderland of lights—perfect for caroling and hayrack rides.

Christmas Nostalgia

6-10 p.m. on December 20 in the Hyde Park neighborhood, from Main to Monroe and 18th to 23rd

Editor’s Note:

you bring the apples!

For a fairy-tale trek through town, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, available downtown in December for a small fee. Hear the hoofs beat as riders begin their royal journey at DCI Park on 2nd and Main, and travel a one-block radius around the park. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on December 6 and 13; 6:30-8:30 p.m. on December 18 www.downtownhutch.com

for the

kids The Reno County Museum will host an Old Fashioned Christmas complete with holiday crafts for kids (ages 4 to 12) looking for DIY holiday gifts in Santa’s Workshop. Admission is $1.50 per child and includes all crafts, snacks and hot chocolate. The museum will also host free cookie decorating from 5 to 7 p.m. on December 18 during Third Thursday festivities. 10a.m.-noon, December 18 www.renocomuseum.org

Holiday Performances

Santa will be making appearances throughout the month of December on Saturdays around Downtown Hutchinson. This is your chance to snag a holiday memento by getting a photo with Jolly Old Saint Nick.

The Hutchinson Recreation Commission enlists several volunteers to build hundreds of graham-cracker houses in preparation for the organization’s Gingerbread House Decorating event, free and open to the community. Children of all ages will enjoy putting their personal touches on their own marshmallowtrimmed gingerbread houses, with an abundance of donated candies, cereal and frosting to work with. All items are included—as well as a visit from Santa, who will be on location throughout the day for free photo opportunities. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., December 13 at Memorial Hall www.hutchrec.com

Complete Santa schedule: www.hutchrec.com or www.downtownhutchinson.com Editor’s Note:

Tis the Season! To make your child internet famous wit h a staple cryingwit h-Santa photo. The holiday classic A Christmas Story hits the Flag Theatre stage this winter, with Ralphie and other lovable characters in this musical rendition. Tickets and more information on A Christmas Story: The Musical can be found at the Family Community Theatre’s website. December 4-7 www.familycommunitytheatre.com

The Hutchinson Symphony takes the Fox Theatre stage with its annual Christmas show on December 18. This year, legendary British rock band Queen inspires the symphony’s holiday performance, “This Christmas—We Will Rock You.” Make a family yuletide trip to The Fox for its annual holiday film showing on Christmas Day. This treasured tradition is a fan favorite in Hutchinson; past showings have included Christmas Vacation and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The film is traditionally a classic box office holiday hit, meant to bring everyone even closer together in the final moments of this special day. It’s a Wonderful Life is this year’s holiday hit, meant to bring everyone even closer together in the final moments on this special day. 7:30 p.m., December 25 www.hutchinsonfox.com

Memorable Events

Stutz ma ns Green house in Pleasantview turns its 41,000 square feet into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with beautiful displays and musical acts at Evening Aglow. “It’s a setting where you are enjoying God’s creation in a venue like none other,” says Stutzmans co-owner Ben Miller. Miller believes it’s the optimal evening to slow down and celebrate the holiday in its purest form, without commercialized distractions. This year’s musical acts include Robert Calhoun, the Hutchinson Expressives and Harmonics from Hutchinson High School, the Buhler Singers from Buhler High School, and Jim French and the Partridge Community Church Choir. Light refreshments and items at the Stutzmans gift shop will be available for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring cameras and take advantage of the beautiful displays to snap family photos that will be Christmas card-worthy. 5-9 p.m., December 5 at Stutzmans Greenhouse (6709 Kansas Highway 61)

Hutch’s holiday light tour

Maybe we’re holding out for that flashy new Apple product or looking forward to filling our bellies with sugarcoated holiday cookies, but nothing compares to warm, twinkling lights against a cold, dark sky. And this season’s light offerings include everything from traditional bulbs to glitzy musical displays. Take time to cruise around the city at night, making sure not to miss these crowd-pleasing stops.

Light-O-Rama

How the World Turns: Winter Solstice at t h e C o s m o s p he re

• L i g h ts o n C o ll e g e L a n e Jason Rose will once again put up his ornate display on College Lane. As noted on his popular Facebook page, fans can expect new songs for the lights to “dance” to. Rose’s light display typically begins on the evening of Thanksgiving and runs weeknights 5:20 to 10:30 p.m. and weekends 5:20 to 11 p.m. For updated information on this year’s display, check out the Lights on College Lane Facebook page. 1004 College Lane • L i g h ts , m u s i c , act i o n ! Jon Powell has quite a reputation for the animated display at his home, and this year he won’t disappoint, as he mixes it up a bit more. In place of his animated display, the home will be adorned with traditional lights and accompanied by A Christmas Story on a continual loop with Christmas music. Visitors are welcome to pull up, roll down their windows and listen to the classic holiday favorite. The display will begin at dusk on Thanksgiving and runs most evenings from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Check out the Christmas on Heather Parkway Facebook page for updates. 2602 Heather Parkway • Ol d fa v o r i t e s , n e w gr o o v e s Zach and Ashley Carson are already making plans for their home. The Carsons, who go all out every season, are introducing a new feature this year: a “spiral” tree, along with a host of new songs including “Light of Christmas” by Owl City, “Jingle Bells” by Colton Dixon and “Little Drummer Boy” by Pentatonix. The display begins Thanksgiving evening and runs most evenings from 6 to 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Lights on 2nd Street Facebook page. 810 E. Second Ave.

United effort: Neighborhood displays Part of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center’s monthly “Coffee at the Cosmo” education series, “As the World Turns: Winter Solstice at the Cosmosphere” is a free presentation by Cosmosphere staff. The program will explore how the rotation and position of the Earth in our solar system at different times of the year affects the change of seasons. Refreshments included. 9-10 a.m., December 18 at the Cosmosphere (1100 N. Plum) www.cosmo.org

• C o u n trys i d e n e i g h b o r h o o d : Start at 25 Countryside, where you’ll find the famous automated display “Grandma’s House” by Dale Hankins. This includes a variation of mechanical children trying to get to grandma’s house via different modes of transportation, including a roller coaster, skateboard, moped, airplane, rowboat, tractor and more. • 1 7 t h t o 2 3 r d A v e n u e s b e tw e e n M e a d o wlar k L a n e a n d N o r t h L o r r a i n e S t r e e t: Imagine crisp, white lights blanketing lawns that span half a mile in this coordinated neighborhood. • F o o t h i lls a d d i t i o n : Large wooden Christmas cards expressing season’s greetings stand grandly on the lawns of light-trimmed homes in this neighborhood, north of 43rd Avenue and east of Plum Street. • H o u st o n W h i t e s i d e H i st o r i c D i str i ct: This well-lit neighborhood offers a stunning view of historic houses all dressed up for the season. • E i t h e r s i d e o f H e n d r i c k s , n o rt h o f 1 7 t h A v e n u e : These neighborhoods coordinate their light displays. Each mailbox is lined with green and red bulbs on Brookwood Drive, Wesbrook Drive and Linda Lane. In the Seville neighborhood, light posts offer a similar experience, decorated with red and white lights.

art is H o me

i s

w he r e

t he

C e l eb r a t i ng H u t ch i ns o n ’ s r i ch c o mm u n i t y a r t

St or y by Pa t s y Ter rel l / P h o t o g r a p h y b y K r i s t e n G a r l o w P i p e r

Some might say that Avenue A Park kicked off Hutchinson’s thriving art scene when it was created in 2001. It changed the way locals and visitors view the city, and demonstrated the community’s willingness to invest in beauty. “I believe wholeheartedly it was the catalyst for all the good things that have come since then,” says Jim Seitnater, Hutchinson downtown development manager, of Avenue A Park. The various forms in which public art adorns the community leave residents with a shared sense of local pride and excitement for the city’s widespread creativity. Kath Helfrich, owner of downtown’s Fashionista, will vouch for its impact. “I’ve talked to customers who have explicitly come to downtown Hutchinson just to see the sculptures and the murals,” Helfrich says. “Hutchinson is slowly gaining respect as a vibrant cultural community.”

Cat er i ng a rt t o t h e peopl e For many community members, public art helps establish a sense of place. Mark Rassette, director of the Hutchinson/Reno County Arts and Humanities Council and the Hutchinson Art Association, believes that strong design elements add originality to the downtown streetscape and make it unique to Hutchinson. “But why is it ours? Why is it someplace we have an attachment to even if we don’t know why?” Rassette asks. “Public art is one of the reasons.” Public art downtown began with the grasshopper sculpture installed on the east side of Avenue A Park, now affectionately referred to as “Grasshopper Park,” the same year the park was completed. The following year, Kansas artist Dave Loewenstein and a crew of local volunteers painted a mural entitled Ad Astra on a 35-by-150foot wall, creating a stunning backdrop to the park. The mural pays homage to Hutchinson with images of farming, the Kansas State Fair, the stars, and poet William Stafford, who grew up in the area. Loewenstein’s mural has since been joined by three more downtown. In 2012, artist Brendan Martinez created the Imagine mural at 11 W. Avenue B. The following year, artist Jose Ray created a mural on the west side of Avenue A Park. The most recent mural was created at the Hope and Life Center (400 S. Main) by three local artists: Jocelyn Woodson, Brady Scott and Julie Black. “The murals are a joyous reminder that beauty and color are always present even when we feel bleak,” says artist Jennifer Randall, who helped facilitate the creation of the three murals. She believes all community members deserve to see the beauty of art, for free. Availability is another benefit of public art—it doesn’t require a museum visit and can engage all passersby. “I believe in bringing art to the masses,” Randall says. “Not everyone can afford a piece of artwork for their home, but all can afford a walk downtown and a look at a mural or sculpture.” Artist Jocelyn Woodson remembers onlookers stopping to watch progress on the Hope and Life mural. “The excitement of seeing somebody in the act of creating is really special for people,” she says. “It is something people will remember as part of their history.”

Public art is on the rise in Hutchinson, with murals popping up all over Avenue A Park and the third year of the SculptureWalk in full swing.

The third annual SculptureWalkâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;on display until April 15â&#x20AC;&#x201D; brings large bronze works and other carefully crafted characters to the community, prompting shutterbugs to gather for photo ops.

The city’s favorite sculpture will be announced in January. Cast your vote by December 31. www.hutchgov.com

Stat u es on M a i n St r eet Main Street’s SculptureWalk has added another dynamic to public art in Hutchinson. Now in its third year of a five-year plan, SculptureWalk is a program in which the city of Hutchinson puts out a call for submissions from regional sculptors and selects a number of pieces to display for an entire year. All sculptures are available to the public for purchase, with a special 20-percent discount for those intending to display a sculpture outdoors within Hutchinson. The city purchases the community’s favorite piece, determined by popular vote. More than half of the sculptures have been purchased by donors and remain in Hutchinson. This year’s winning sculpture will be announced in January. Meryl Dye, assistant city manager, has been a member of the SculptureWalk committee from the beginning and says the walk has been well received. “There’s a big payoff for us when we see people collecting around the sculptures for a photo op,” she says. Locals and tourists gather regularly with the egg sculptures between Third and Fourth Streets. “We see people over there taking pictures all the time,” says Lovella Kelley, who was instrumental in starting the SculptureWalk with her late husband, Ron. “People just love those sculptures. They have so much personality.”

Works of public art not only create a sense of belonging and local pride for passersby, but are also proving beneficial to the economy, creating more robust communities.

I n t er act i ng w i t h a rt Hutchinson Public Library originally got the art ball rolling with the brick wall carving installed in 1985. Today the library hosts a sculpture on loan from the Bush family that was part of the inaugural SculptureWalk. Dillon Nature Center, Hutchinson Community College and the Kansas Fairgrounds all have art for public viewing as well. It’s proving beneficial to institute public art programs. Public art creates a civic identity, adds personality to the city and has an economic benefit. A national study entitled “Arts & Economic Prosperity IV,” conducted this year by the Americans for the Arts organization, examines nonprofit arts and their immense impact on the economy. From large urban cities to small rural towns, the report says, “the arts are an industry —one that supports jobs, generates government revenue and is a cornerstone of tourism.” Art can create a sense of vitality. “More and more communities are recognizing that art and culture are forms of economic development,” Seitnater says. “They create more robust communities.” The process of public art is interactive by nature. It may involve not only artists, but administrators, elected officials, business owners and a host of invested stakeholders. It allows for a shared sense of ownership and engages the community through the creation and installation processes. Mary Clark, superintendent of Dillon Nature Center, believes that public art gives people a distinct experience. “It has always been amazing to me how children in particular love the statues,” she says. “For some children, these beautiful sculptures may be the only life-size bronze artwork they ever get to see and touch.”

P a i n t t he t o w n Let mural-savvy Brady Scott inspire you to join the next crew in beautifying the community with these DIY mural-making tips and tricks. 1. Preliminary sketches: Everything starts with an idea and a sketch. “I begin all of my art with a sketch so I can work out all the details and familiarize my hands and eyes to the particular shapes, lines and shadow of each piece,” Scott says. 2. Make a list of all materials needed and have everything gathered up and ready at the job site. Coming prepared is half of the battle, ensuring that you can focus on the artwork and not be rushing off to buy supplies. 3. Proportion is key to large-scale murals. Always step back periodically to make sure what you are painting up close looks good from a distance. It’s easy to get caught up in details and skew the scale and proportion of your artwork. 4. Have a good game plan. This goes along with steps one and two. It is very important to have a good grasp on each step. Every artist works differently, but there is usually a linear progression. As a rule, that progression is as follows: sketches, outline, underpainting (painting the base layer), painting flat color in large shapes, shading and then working in the final details. 5. Be flexible. “The real joy of making art is being able to go with the flow and finding that magic ‘zone’ spot,” Scott says. “Things will go wrong and mistakes will be made, but the real artist can use those mistakes to his or her advantage.” 6. Have fun! It’s easy to have a good time in a warm, cozy studio, but painting murals is tough work. “Between the weather, deteriorating wall surfaces, and sheer elbow grease needed to paint a mural, your spirits and fortitude can definitely be tested,” Scott says. “It’s easy to get a bit grumpy, but learning to smile in the face of adversity will help make your murals and life a little sweeter.” Text by Brady Scott. See his work: www.bradyscott.weebly.com

travel

No Mutiny

on this Bounty Annapolis salutes America’s past with a celebrated historical and seafaring legacy Story by Gloria Gale Photography courtesy of visitannapolis.com

“Them Eastport boys got an odd tradition When the sun swings to its Equinoxical position, They build a little fire down along the docks, They doff their shoes and they burn their winter socks.” - Jefferson Holland, Poet Laureate of Eastport

Hutchinson Magazine

Winter 2014

travel

Consider the Jefferson Holland ditty describing the ritual played out each spring in the harbor town of Annapolis, Maryland. According to a sign on the Eastport Bridge, Annapolis is the sailing capital of the United States. A dockside stroll reveals why. The nautical legacy of small-town Annapolis retains a larger-than-life reputation. Beached Chesapeake Bay-side with 533 miles of shoreline, water is the axis and access around which everything flows in this eastern seaboard colonial town. As a result, many of the town’s 35,000 residents eagerly wait to hoist anchor. Annapolis was a successful hub of commerce stretching back to the 17th century, when it was bolstered by a thriving shipping industry. So important was the port, the United States Naval Academy still calls it home. Given the town’s historical significance (having briefly served as the first peacetime U.S. capital in 1783), Annapolis ranks as a top tourist destination not only for nautical enthusiasts but also for American history buffs. Pleasure crafts and crabs Annapolis’s maritime legacy is a constant presence. An informative introduction to this town by the bay can be easily captured in a weekend visit, starting with a self-guided stroll along Annapolis City Dock in the heart of downtown, where schools of watercraft bob expectantly. The city calendar is filled with regattas and sailing events happening year-round. Launch/rent your own vessel or enjoy a yachting experience at the wheel of a schooner. Raise the sails, troll for crab pots or simply enjoy the coastal views aboard one of many sailing charters readily available. Forty-minute boat tours of the Annapolis harbor leave from the far end of City Dock hourly.

Hutchinson Magazine

Top: Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy, where midshipmen toss their hats in celebration at commissioning. Middle: The HammondHarwood House features 18th-century furnishings, one stop on a walking tour of the historic district.

Sit back as the Woodwind sets sail at dusk.

Winter 2014

travel

Hutchinson Magazine

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like real crab, straight from the Atlantic Ocean. Grab a bib and a mallet, and get cracking.

United States Naval Academy boats sitting at the dock.

Landlubbers can experience the city waterfront and scenic marina without dipping in a toe. Shopping, dining and ship-watching await in historic downtown Annapolis, with stirring views of the city skyline and the United States Naval Academy. Daily tours of the 383-acre campus called “The Yard” showcase significant monuments, a visitor’s center and rows of elegant captains’ houses on Porter Road. Not far from the waterfront lies Annapolis’ 300-year-old historic district, worth exploring on foot. Sign up for a tour and listen to colonial-clad guides explain the history of mid-18th century Annapolis. Continue on your own to nearby Prince George Street, where stellar examples of Greek Revival townhouses and Italianate mansions are on view. One of the most handsome is the William Paca House—a five-part restored brick mansion built in 1765, showcasing exceptionally groomed 18th-century formal gardens. The Hammond-Harwood House is equally notable, filled with 18th-century furnishings and paintings.

Sandy Point State Park lies 12 miles from town, with access to fishing, crabbing, windsurfing and boating. The park’s beaches provide excellent views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and an old lighthouse in the middle of the Bay. With all the bracing sea breeze, there’s no sense quibbling about food: Real crab, fresh from the Atlantic, is second to none. Nearly 4 million blue crabs are steamed and cracked here annually. Grab a mallet, don a bib and then pound away. Throughout town, there are pubs and plenty of eateries. Try Cantler’s, Harry Browne’s or Chick and Ruth’s Delly for fresh-caught crabs and chowder. Boasting more 18th- and 19th-century architecture, maritime tradition and American history than most cities twice its size, Annapolis’s charms are undeniable. The good news – Annapolis doesn’t wait for spring before it reveals its charms. Dive in anytime.

For more information, go to

www.visitannapolis.org.

Winter 2014

hutch talks

a History Day project for school. It was in the mid-90s and the theater was still being restored. I remember being completely shocked that this majestic and magical building had existed my entire life, right here in our downtown, and I never knew it before.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Certainly one of the most rewarding parts is working with a great staff, great volunteers and fantastic artists. Also, the relationships I have built over the years with Fox patrons, supporters and people in the community who appreciate the magic of what we do are extremely rewarding. It is all about the people, and trying to give our community exciting and enjoyable live entertainment that they will remember for a lifetime.

Hutchinson is in need of a night out. What are we going to see? At the Fox, we have a variety of events year-round, so everyone is sure to find just the right event for a perfect evening out. Our live season features great music, comedy, live theater, dance and just about every other type of performing art. Our Delos V. Smith Summer and Winter Film Series (we are the “State Movie Palace of Kansas,” after all) brings 10 movies to the big screen every summer and winter, with a special Christmas night movie at 7:30 p.m.

If you could get any artist (alive or dead) to perform at Fox Theatre, who would you choose? My first choice would be my favorite artist, Elton John. I’m kind of a fanatic, actually. I’ve seen Elton nine times live, four of which were with Billy Joel. I’ve traveled halfway across the country to see him and I will probably be seeing him again soon. Being a piano player myself, I’ve always loved Elton’s music and showmanship. Elton’s live performances are second to none, as far as I’m concerned.

What do you love most about Hutchinson? I know it has been said a few times, but I truly do believe Hutchinson is a great place to raise a family. I think the schools in our area are great and full of wonderful faculty members. When I look back on my childhood, I had so many teachers who were so influential to me and encouraged me to do the things I love to do. And I also love all of the new exciting things happening downtown. There are a lot of great people here putting their heart and soul into building this community up, and their efforts have been paying off.

josh

davies Director at Hutchinson’s historic Fox Theatre Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your life in Hutchinson. I was born and raised in Hutchinson and have lived here most of my adult life. While I did live in Lawrence and Chicago for a brief period, the Fox Theatre eventually planted me here to stay. I am happily married to my wife, Kelly (we got married on the Fox stage, in fact), and have a wonderful son, Cole. I developed a love for theater at a young age, performing in countless Family Children’s Theatre (now Family Community Theatre) productions. By high school, I knew for sure a career in theater or the arts was what I wanted more than anything. It was around that same time I discovered the Fox Theatre as part of

Hutchinson Magazine

If you were an artist, what’s your medium? I think my medium definitely would be sound and music. My background includes extensive work in live audio engineering. I also play piano and do some singing in my spare time with a local band. I find that when I am stressed, I can sit down at the piano and as I start to play, the tension disappears. Not a particular song—just melodies that come out. It is almost like a kind of meditation for me.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? The first thing that comes to mind is when a great mentor of mine once told me to “build good habits.” If you don’t allow yourself to cut corners, whatever you are working on becomes automatic and there is very little room for missteps. Interview conducted and edited by Nadia Imafidon Photography by Deborah Walker

Winter 2014

Hutchinson Magazine

hutch talks

julie

black Watercolor Artist For painter Julie Black, brushstrokes have almost always been a constant. “I had stopped painting for many years when my children were young,” Black says. “When I started painting again—it would have been 2003—it was like I started breathing again.” Black lived in Hutchinson until she was 15, and then ventured to Colorado and Wichita before settling back in Hutchinson with her husband and three children. She owned Curves in town for several years before taking the plunge and committing to art as a profession. “I’m very lucky. In the last four or five years, things have just grown for me exponentially and now I am able to do it full time.” What inspires you to create? I have a very odd brain. I see colors I think that other people don’t see. My husband and I play this game when we’re driving. I’ll say, ‘Look at that building and tell me what colors you see,’ and it’s always gold or green or brown. I see shades of purple, amber and blue. I keep a journal, and many nights I’ll sketch and make notes of what is whirling around in my mind. If I painted out of that journal from now until I die, I’d never get it all done.

Who are the subjects in your work? My children. My daughter writes beautiful poetry, and there have been some paintings that have been born out of her poetry. I painted Someone to Watch Over Me right after my grandma passed away. She loved that song. I had been sitting on the porch, and it was a full moon when that song came on my iPod. I went inside and painted that moon in honor of my grandma. When my grandfather had to go into a nursing home for a while, there was this older lady that no one would come to see. I would sit and visit with her and she’d show me photo albums from the 1940s. After she passed, I did a painting for her called The Agnes.

Why watercolors? There was a local artist here in town named Mace John, and I was incredibly blessed to have him as my junior high art teacher. He spent tons of time with me, and we would paint using watercolors. I think because it was his medium, that’s where my love of watercolors was born.

If you were going to paint an image that best represents Hutch, what would it be? It would be different faces, different colors. It would be the community I’ve been really lucky to be a part of.

What colors would you use? I think that everything should look like Walt Disney puked on it. It would be every primary color as bright as I can get it. I think there’s hope in color. It can change your mood. I tend to, at my saddest moments, go to my brightest colors.

How would you describe the art community in Hutchinson? In the last five years it has grown tremendously. I’ve been honored to collaborate with some great artists here in town, and those relationships are invaluable to me. I’ve been amazed at how supportive the art community is of each other. There doesn’t seem to be competition; it’s more of a building-up mentality.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Paint your heart. In 2003, when I picked up a brush again, I just painted from me, from my soul, and I think that was the trick for me. The day I started painting again, I started living again.

What’s on your bucket list? I would just hope that there would be something I produce that’s from my heart that would touch anyone else’s. That’s the biggest honor an artist could receive. Interview conducted and edited by Nadia Imafidon Photography by Deborah Walker

Winter 2014

the

end quote

two number of dogs who saw ghosts in this issue

Favorite words that sound made up used in the production of this issue:

landlubber shutterbugs

7 out of 11 stories involve the arts in this issue “Hutchinson is slowly gaining respect as a vibrant cultural community.”

“I see Actual made-up colors word coined by Los Angeles I think designer Justina blakeney: that other jungalow people (jungle + don’t see.” bungalow) – Julie Black,

watercolor painter

– Kath Helfrich, owner of Fashionista

Number of pie flavors served at Dutch Kitchen 62

Hutchinson Magazine

“I believe in bringing art to the masses. Not everyone can afford a piece of artwork for their home, but all can afford a walk downtown and a look at a mural or sculpture.” – Jennifer Randall, artist

“It wa s a labor of love.” – Bob Colladay,

general contractor in building Stage 9

best bets

winter 2014

4-7

A Christmas Story: The Musical The Family Community Theatre presents A Christmas Story, the Musical. Nine-yearold Ralphie wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, but is continually warned, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Begins at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. www.familycommunitytheatre.com

December 13 Robinson’s 6th Annual Christmas Craft Show

Find unique items for savvy prices at Robinson’s 6th Annual Christmas Craft Show, which features more than 65 vendors, at the Domestic Arts Building on the fairgrounds. Begins at 9 a.m.

14 December

Murder in the Mine

Enjoy an interactive dinner theater performance. In this production, corporate cutbacks require all mall Santas to be laid off, and even worse, a murder threatens to kill the holiday of everyone involved. Begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $55. www.underkansas.org

Hutchinson Magazine

December

The Hutchinson Symphony The Hutchinson Symphony (a Fox Arts Partner) will entertain audiences with holiday favorites, highlights from “The Queen Symphony” and a few surprises. Tickets are $22 and $10. Begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox. See our interview with Fox director Josh Davies on page 58.

December 20 Hyde Park Luminaries Hutchinson’s Hyde Park neighborhood (Main to Monroe, 18th to 23rd) will be aglow with 17,000 Christmas Luminaries lining the streets and sidewalks of their homes. The festivities also include hayrack rides, carolers and Santa. Begins at 6 p.m.

January

A Band Called Honalee at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre “Opening New Doors” is the 2014-2015 Live Subscription Series at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre. A Band Called Honalee is a modernday trio inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul and Mary. Begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $35, $30, $25. www.hutchinsonfox.com

29 january

HCC Winter Jazz Festival Concert

Enjoy an entertaining evening of music presented by the HCC Jazz ensemble at B.J. Warner Recital Hall. Begins at 7:30 p.m. www.hutchcc.edu

February

The Great Gatsby As part of the “Opening New Doors” 2014-2015 Live Subscription Series at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre, professional touring company Montana Repertory Theatre presents The Great Gatsby. Begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45, $40, $35. www.hutchinsonfox.com

February 27

december

Liverwurst & Fried Mush Dinner Enjoy an authentic Mennonite meal of homemade liverwurst, mush, sausage and the trimmings, and help support the Mennonite Friendship Communities. Located at Journey at Yoder, 3605 E. Longview Road. Begins at 5 p.m. (620) 663-7175

February 26 – March 1 Shrek the Musical

The Family Community Theatre presents Shrek the Musical, based on the DreamWorks’ movie about an ogre and a talking donkey who set out to deliver Fiona to her wedding and discover love on the way. Begins at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. (620) 662-1601