By Mark Buckley
Through My Eyes
People often ask me why I moved to Hutchinson. The answer is clear; I moved here in August of 1975 to teach DECA (Distributed Education Clubs of America) at Hutchinson High School.
Moving here from eastern Kansas was not an easy task. Many in eastern Kansas think Kansas and the civilized world end at Wannamaker Road in Topeka. Few venture further west unless they are traveling to Colorado on I-70. They often complain about how flat it is at places like Burlington (which is in Colorado not Kansas). Many feel there is very little to attract them to live or visit here because we do not have professional sports, world-class art attractions or cultural enrichment.
They are wrong, and when my family and friends visit, they are stunned and surprised by the world-class attractions like the Cosmosphere, Strataca, and the Historic Fox Theatre. They are impressed with Carey Park, Dillon Nature Center, and the Hutchinson Zoo, not to mention Downtown Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Art Center, the Flag Theatre, and Stage 9.
And why did I stay? It’s the people. Hutchinsonians are friendly, kind, and generous. I hear this all the time from visitors to my store. They tell me how friendly people who live in Reno County are, they are quick to help in an emergency, give directions, or advice on where to eat and what to do.
We care, and that is evident everywhere. Look at the Hutchinson Community Foundation and the amount of money they are able to give back each year. Or, the amounts of money raised by the United Way, Salvation Army, Food Bank, homeless shelter, and many other good causes.
When it comes to entertainment, there is so much to do. National events like the NJCAA Men’s National Basketball Tournament, the Kansas State Fair (which has events year-round). Sporting offerings like attending a Hutch Monarch’s baseball game, playing golf at one of our fine courses, bowling, skating, fishing, and auto racing, not to mention all the athletic offerings from Hutchinson Community College and the area high schools.
We have many quality local restaurants with a variety of food offerings such as Italian, Mexican, Asian, barbecue, burgers, breakfast, sandwiches, pizza, steaks, coffee shops, and family restaurants. Don’t get me started on the unique shopping opportunities in Hutchinson and the surrounding communities.
So many good changes have been made over the past years and will continue to be made in the future. Look at our downtown, where over $95,000,000 of private investment has been made over the past 15 years. The new Hilton Garden Hotel and Conference Center will help reveal the wonders of our community to many convention attendees. The new Y on Lorraine Street, the Meyer Landmark building, the Salt City Business College, and the new billion-dollar (that’s with a B) Evergy electric plant. New housing developments are starting on both the north and west sides of Hutchinson. We have a progressive city manager and council, county administrator and commission, an active chamber director and staff, all dedicated to bringing new businesses and growth to Hutchinson and Reno County.
There are those who complain, but what have they contributed to help improve our community? Do they volunteer? Invest in their neighborhoods? Support local endeavors? No, they look at the glass as ½ empty, not ½ full. So today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life, I will always be glad I made that 400-mile trip to southcentral Kansas, to the town called Hutchinson, because I live in a wonderful community that is not perfect but can improve with your help and support.
Mark Buckley is the president of Toy Depot. He can be reached at 620-474-6100.