By Charles Melton
Melton’s Musings
As I sit here in The Hutchinson Tribune office with Macy Gray playing in my ears on a Wednesday afternoon, I am halfway tempted to write a traditional Thanksgiving column talking about all the things that I’m thankful for, but I’ll leave that to others this year. Instead, I’ll share some of my whimsical and serious observations over my first three weeks as the news editor of The Tribune. This column is Melton’s Musings after all.
Hutchinson and Washington, D.C. are two completely different worlds to the point that they’re probably more like different galaxies than worlds. The folks in D.C. could learn a ton from the people in Hutchinson and its outlying communities like Colwich, where community isn’t just a noun, it’s an action verb. Even during Thursday’s joint economic development meeting with Hutchinson, South Hutchinson and Reno County elected officials, the desire to do what’s best for the region as a whole and have each group work together to figure out how to do exactly that trumped everything else.
The sunrises and sunsets are more beautiful here than just about anywhere else except West Texas, thanks in no small part to the wide open skies that provide the perfect canvas for some of Mother Nature’s prettiest paintings on a daily basis.
There’s just something special about seeing people come together to do something for their local community, especially during the holiday season. I witnessed that firsthand last week at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colwich, and if I hadn’t had to run back to Hutchinson to cover a city council meeting that day, I would have stayed out there longer. A huge thanks to Jillian Linnebur and Pat Kraus for the invitation to come out and the amazing hospitality and conversation while I was there watching the Christmas tree go up.
One never knows just what’s in store at a local city council meeting, so just because it looks mundane on paper doesn’t mean it won’t deliver at least a little something to write about. Outgoing Hutchinson City Councilman Jon Richardson made an excellent point in his remarks about compensation for future city councils. I was glad to be there for my first city council meeting in 18 years. Every city council I’ve ever covered has been different yet the same in some respects, and it was great to get out and meet the council members and some city staff at the meeting.
The Hutchinson Tribune staff is as solid of a group as I’ve ever worked with at any time in my journalism career, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. It’s been nice being able to be Clark Kent and not having to put my Superman cape on and save the day. For one of the few times in my career, I’ve been able to fit in where I get in and not be pigeonholed with a clearly defined role just yet. I’m enjoying being able to be a jack-of-all-trades and fill in where my fellow Tribune staffers need me. You name it. I’ve probably covered it at one time or another. A huge thanks to Tribune assistant news editor Adam Stewart for being the perfect Goose to my Maverick inclinations.
Great Mexican food exists in Hutchinson, because I’ve indulged in it twice in recent weeks. Celayence Mexican Restaurant, across the street from The Tribune office on North Main Street, has surpassed even my most optimistic expectations both times I’ve eaten there, and the service is friendly and lightning fast.
I’m more appreciative of a place like Hutchinson because of my three years in D.C and 2025 in D.C. in particular. Before January, I probably could have stuck it out another four years and then considered retiring, but the Deferred Resignation Program ended up being the best option for me. That time between my last day working and my official retirement date was the sabbatical I needed, but I didn’t realize that I needed it until it ended. It allowed me to come to Hutchinson ready to hit the ground running, which I have thoroughly enjoyed doing so far, and the stories from that time are epic, too!
Hutchinson and its surrounding communities are great places to live, and I’m proud to be part of the community newspaper that every week delivers the stories about all the things that make them great. As always, if you have a story idea or just want to fill me in on anything Hutch, shoot me an email or stop by The Tribune office.
Charles Melton is the news editor of The Hutchinson Tribune. He can be reached at charles@hutchtribune.com