Opinion: We have a lot to be thankful for

By Michael Glenn

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One year ago, I was sitting in Metropolitan Coffee, wondering what to write for Thanksgiving. 

I knew we had to get something out and there wasn’t much news going on, especially on Thanksgiving itself. 

I wanted to share with you once again what I wrote, as I still am very thankful for everyone who made this publication possible.

• “I am grateful for my parent’s support in my mission of The Hutchinson Tribune in providing local news to my hometown.
• I am thankful for my school and teachers for supporting me in my efforts and endeavors. Without the support of my school, managing this publication would be extremely difficult if not impossible.
• I am thankful for Gina Long for being not only a mentor and colleague but a friend of mine who has taken this adventure and leap with me in starting The Hutchinson Tribune.
• I am thankful for other mentors, such as Joey Young and Adam Strunk of Kansas Publishing Ventures. They were the first people I talked to about newspapers and they inspired me to begin this publication.
• Finally, I am thankful for all of you, our readers. Without you, this publication would truly be nothing. We began this journey in July, and have since grown into an operation with hundreds of subscribers who support our mission in providing local news.”

But The Tribune isn’t the only thing on my mind that we should be thankful for. 

I can’t quite remember when I first ran across it, but I was scrolling through Facebook when a local community member published a post with a bullet list highlighting some things going on around Hutchinson. The chamber actually picked it up to share with the community and I think it’s appropriate to piggyback it on here. You can read the original post here.

• The City of Hutch has approved the annexation of over 500 acres to prepare for the possibility of a huge industrial park.
• A new $18 Million Hilton Garden Inn that includes an Old Chicago is under construction near the Hospital. Maybe also a Popeyes?
• The YMCA will be building a brand new $30 Million facility in Hutch
• Trinity has a $2.3 Million addition that just recently completed. 
• APAC Shears will be building a $5.5 Million dollar facility out near Siemens
• The Fairgrounds Foundationdation built a new venue for over $5 Million
• Evergy will be spending over $1 billion in Reno County for a new high-efficiency natural gas plant.
• It has been announced that there will be a new housing addition with over 29 new homes being built over the next 12 months in the area of Plum Creek Elementary.
• Many other housing projects are in the pipeline, including the site of the old St Elizabeth’s Hospital, 11th and Hendricks and some infill housing.
• Over $13 Million will be put into the Landmark Building at 5th and Main
• Multiple new daycare facilities and some others that are going to have major expansions to fill some of the gaps in daycare.

My friends and I had a “Friendsgiving” Tuesday evening at Chick-fil-a, since none of us wanted to cook. Afterward, we drove around Hutchinson, listening to “The Beatles,” “Sublime” and everything in between. 

We hit downtown and we all agreed Hutchinson, especially downtown, looks and feels like a better place than when we were little kids.

I hope that sentiment continues throughout Hutchinson, and I know it will.

This Thanksgiving, take some time to “smell the roses” and enjoy this community. It’s strong and building.