By John Mesh Wednesday night’s Blue Dragon women’s and men’s basketball games at Garden City were postponed because of wintry weather. The games will be played Thursday at Conestoga Arena in Garden City. The women’s game starts at 4 p.m., followed by the men;’s game at 6
Reno County Commissioners (from left) Richard Winger, Ron Hirst, Don Bogner, Randy Parks and Ron Vincent CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY By Ainsley Trunkhill Director of Reno County Health Department Karla Nichols spoke before the board during Wednesday’s Reno County Commission meeting to recommend Ellen Losew, M.D., to
By Gina Long
The Family Community Theatre showcases the musical adaption of the beloved Disney film “Finding Nemo” beginning Thursday.
The story takes place in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. Marlin, an anxious and overprotective clownfish, embarks on an epic adventure when his son Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney. Marlin joins with Dory, a naive blue tang with extreme short-term memory loss and Crush, a sea turtle, and learns to overcome his fears while finding Nemo and bringing him home.
Disney Jr productions require the performers to be aged 17 and under. Assistant Director Mary Kay Dechant said there are 36 children in the cast, and 18 are taking the stage for the first time.
“Except for the three main characters, all the other actors play two, three, and even four parts. They need to know the lines, if they have any, and all the different songs,” she said.
Samuel Basgall portrays Marlin. “Finding Nemo Jr” is his twentieth production over the last four years, of which approximately fifteen have been with the FCT. He last performed in “Per Aspera” and lists McPherson’s “The Lightning Thief” and FCT’s “Puffs” as his favorites. He is in the 7th grade at Central Christian School.
“Marlin is very anxious and really wants to protect Nemo,” he said. “I took the energy of protecting my nephew and niece and put that into Marlin protecting Nemo.”
Rohn Chapman, an 8th grader at Prairie Hills Middle School, says he brings “a really chill attitude” to the centuries-old Crush, a sea turtle who surfs the East Australian Current.
“Crush’s role is empowering Marlin to ‘go with the flow,’ to not be so anxious and nervous all the time, letting go,” he said.
Chapman has performed in around ten productions, most recently in FCT’s “Per Aspera. His first stage appearance was in “Sponge Bob: The Musical,” and his favorites have been “Puffs” and “Finding Nemo.”
Nora Nowlan is a senior at Buhler High School and is completing her fourth year in theater. She performed in FCT’s “Moana Jr” in 2021 and “The Sound of Music” at Buhler High School. Her most recent appearance was in FCT’s 2023 “Aladdin Jr.” She plans to attend Hutchinson Community College and Sterling College, pursuing a degree in music education.
“Dory is very energetic. I try to make her bubbly. She has lots of character. She is pretty forgetful,” Nowlan said.
Craig Williams directs the play, with Mary Kay Dechant assisting. Angela Huck is the music director. Catherine Vessey is in charge of choreography. Savanna Bressie created the publicity posters. Jamie Goble leads the set painting. Shannon McPike is the props master. Janice Woods is the ticketing and house manager. David Adcock is the lighting director, and Ginger Keele oversees costuming. Aaron Parker created the show’s puppets. Rob Garret created the set.
The February musical has moved from Memorial Hall to the Flag Theater this year.
“One of our concerns is the cost of the set. We decided to use the Flag Theater’s stage and a smaller set and run the show for two weekends,” Williams said.
“Finding Nemo Jr” runs Feb. 13-16 and 20-23. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday shows at 3.
Tickets are available at the box office and online at familycommunitytheatre.org. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and youth, and $7 for children.
The theatre’s next production will be M*A*S*H in June 2025. Auditions will be held April 25.
| Actor/Actress | Role |
| Harper Callan | Nemo |
| Samuel Basgall | Marlin |
| Nora Nowlan | Dory |
| Eliana Janssen | Coral, Shark, Moonfish #1, Turtle |
| Bristol Perez | Pearl, Turtle #1, Jellyfish |
| Rylan Lutz | Sheldon, Turtle #2, Jellyfish |
| Camden Osner | Tad, Tourist, Turtle |
| Rohn Chapman | Crush, Sea Chorus |
| Jordan Spencer | Chum, Jellyfish, Professor Ray |
| Quincy Jensen | Bruce, Jellyfish, Turtle (second part of Crush) |
| Pollyann Frank | Anchor, Jellyfish, Reef Parent, Turtle |
| Maisy Wilk | Bubbles, Sea Chorus, Jellyfish |
| Leah Kelly | Bloat, Sea Chorus, Jellyfish |
| Ava Johnston | Peach, Jellyfish, Sea Chorus |
| Leila Callan | Gill, Jellyfish, Sea Chorus, Shark |
| Chy Kelley | Nigel, Jellyfish, Sea Chorus |
| Kailey Osner | Gurgle, Jellyfish, Reef Parent |
| Ben Bowers | Breeze, Reef Parent, Shark |
| Samantha Rolo | Squirt, Shark |
| Wesley Spears | Kai, Shark |
| Maggie Kelly | Seagull, Sea Chorus, Turtle |
| Cullen Weathers | Seagull, Sea Chorus, Turtle |
| Ryleigh Spears | Angelfish, Sea Chorus, Electric Eel 2, Frightened Fish |
| James Moore | Barracuda, Sea Chorus, Electric Eel 1, Frightened Fish |
| Sienna Weathers | Damsel Fish, Sea Chorus, Turtle, Frightened Fish |
| Piper Deal | Scuba Mask Dancer, Jellyfish, Reef Parent |
| Moriah Janssen | Sea Chorus, Moonfish #2, Octopus 1, Turtle |
| Adiella Janssen | Sea Chorus, Shark, Moonfish #3, Sea Horse 1 |
| Chloe Johnston | Sea Chorus, Moonfish #5, Turtle |
| Avery Owens | Sea Chorus, Moonfish, Sea Horse 2, Turtle |
| Coen Pitt | Sea Chorus, Shark, Moonfish, Turtle |
| Poppy Moore | Sea Chorus, Moonfish, Frightened Fish |
| Scarlett Moore | Sea Chorus, Moonfish, Frightened Fish |
| Harper Davis-Bell | Sea Chorus, Moonfish, Turtle, Lobster 2, Jellyfish |
| Rhyan Elliot | Sea Chorus, Shark, Moonfish #4, Octopus 2 |
| Alaina Harper | Sea Chorus, Moonfish, Lobster 1 |
| Auburn Hodson | Sea Chorus, moonfish #6, Grouper, Jellyfish |
Nora Nowlan as Dory (from left, with blue tang), Rohn Chapman as Crush (sea turtle) and Samuel Basgall as Marlin (orange clownfish) at the Flag Theater on Mon., Feb. 10, 2025. The show runs Thu. - Sun., Feb. 13-16 and 20-23 CREDIT GINA LONG/THE HUTCHINSON
By John Mesh The Hutchinson High School varsity girls and boys basketball teams took two games from the Valley Center Hornets Tuesday at Valley Center. The Salthawk girls won 41-30 and the Hutchinson boys won 60-47. The Hutchinson Salthawk girls led 11-4 after one quarter and 22-12 at
CAPTION: Eileen Cottingham, owner-manager of Downtown Sampler Restaurant, addresses a Meeting of the Hutchinson Executive Association Tuesday morning at the eating establishment, on the second floor of 1 North Main. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank June 17, 1996, marked the first day of business for Eileen
CAPTION: Back row: USD 313 Board Members Chris Shank, Greg Lackey, Tim Lackey, Monte Cross Front row: Dr. Michael Green, Jessica Goering, Laura Meyer Dick CREDIT BUHLER USD 313 By Kate Irelan In their regular meeting on February 10, the Buhler USD 313 Board of Education adopted
Corps Officer with the Salvation Army are $18,000 short of their holiday season fundraising goal and are pressing forward with Valentine’s Day, the season of love, and the local need is immense.
That’s according to a press release from Major Paul James of the Hutchinson Salvation Army, who released the information Monday.
“Yearly, over 8,000 community members utilize the services at The Salvation Army,” said James. “Each year we help distribute coats, hats, gloves, Thanksgiving gift cards, Christmas food baskets and toys to thousands of people. The Salvation Army served over 3,000 individuals during the holiday season, and there was a lot of love from our friends and neighbors around the community.”
“This goal represents the beginning of The Salvation Army’s annual fiscal budget. but it’s also the largest fundraising portion of its overall annual need to operate the programs that help so many,” said James.
James said that the local Salvation Army helps people throughout the year with rent and utility assistance, and a representative payee program with the United Way of Reno County where they help manage the financial affairs of 120 people. They also help 15 families in the Pathway of Hope program who desire the break the cycle of poverty, and well over 1,000 showers for the unhoused population, and many more of those in need.
“The Salvation Army needs your financial support to meet the needs of our neighbors,” James said. “We’ll have to see if any outstanding donations come in, and we hope this information will spur people to give now and throughout the year.”
To give to the Salvation Army, visit their website, or stop by their location in Hutchinson, 700 N Walnut.
Corps Officer with the Salvation Army are $18,000 short of their holiday season fundraising goal and are pressing forward with Valentine’s Day, the season of love, and the local need is immense. That's according to a press release from Major Paul James of the Hutchinson Salvation
CAPTION: Hutchinson USD 308 Board Member Lance Patterson was unable to attend the board’s Monday evening meeting and Hatcher, a lil’ hawk associated with the Early Education Center, took his seat. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK
By Richard Shank
Dr. Dawn Johnson, USD 308 Superintendent of Schools, in remarks to the Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education Monday evening, said nearly 50% of respondents to a recent survey oppose a two-hour delay to start school during times of inclement weather.
“46% of those (parents) responding to the survey did not favor a late start while 39% were interested,” Johnson said.
The Board of Education briefly discussed the issue immediately following Dr. Johnson’s remarks and later in the meeting but took no action.
Krystal Young, Deputy Superintendent for USD 308, is currently crisscrossing Kansas from Hays to Manhattan to interview applicants for vacancies in the 2025-2026 school year.
“We are attending multiple collegiate career fairs and conducting interview days in the coming months, as well as hosting in-person interview days within the district,” Young said. “One common thread we hear in the interview and hiring efforts are that people are hearing great things about Hutchinson from our current employees.”
Also, Young reported on the Parent Teacher Conferences, which were conducted Oct. 10, 2024, and Jan. 30, 2025. New this year, Hutchinson Middle School offered virtual conferences in the morning and in-person meetings in the afternoons and evenings, which matches the practices of Hutchinson High School.
Board of Education Vice President Darcie Canfield-Riggs spoke of a newly revised accreditation system completed for Kansas. The board will hear a formal presentation from the Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Team soon.
Johnson talked about a recent piece of mail that was received in the Superintendent’s office from a 96-year-old man in California who recently purchased a postcard at a second-hand store in the Golden State. The picture on the front of the postcard was of Hutchinson High School in 1915. Johnson said the postcard includes elaborate cursive handwriting on the back side of the card and was originally mailed with a one-cent stamp or about 75 times less than today’s postal rates. Dr. Johnson said she plans to correspond with the person to offer the school district’s thanks.
The next scheduled meeting of the USD 308 School Board is scheduled for 6 p.m., Feb. 24 in the USD Administration Center at 1520 North Plum Street.
CAPTION: Hutchinson USD 308 Board Member Lance Patterson was unable to attend the board’s Monday evening meeting and Hatcher, a lil' hawk associated with the Early Education Center, took his seat. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank Dr. Dawn Johnson, USD 308 Superintendent of Schools, in remarks
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Blue Dragon men’s basketball team upset No. 14 Coffeyviille 76-66 n a weather makeup game Monday night at Nellis Hall in Coffeyville. The Blue Dragons, who played for the first time in nine days, are 15-8 overall and 11-6 (fifth place) in
Stage 9 opens its 2025 season on Thursday with the story of four Savannah, Ga. women, personal hardships, and the friendships that develop in “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
Director and Stage 9 Board President Theresa Teufel described the play as “lighthearted, warm, caring and feel-good.”
“We are performing it on Valentine’s Day weekend, which is perfect because it’s a great ‘galentines’ show,” she said. “It is ‘Steel Magnolias’ meets ‘Golden Girls’ meets ‘Sweet Home Alabama.'”
Gayle Hamblin portrays Marlafaye Mosely, whom she describes as “larger than life.”
“She’s all out there. A good ol’ Texas gal,” she said.
This is Hamblin’s first production at Stage 9. She has performed in Pratt, Wichita, Kingman and Pretty Prairie and lives in the Kingman area.
“It was very serendipitous,” she said. “I heard a radio ad about Stage 9 needing ‘mature women.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m a mature woman.’ There aren’t a lot of roles for older women, so I auditioned, and the worst thing that could happen to me is to get cast.”
Hamblin retired a year ago from 17 years as the office manager for Wheatlands Healthcare Center in Kingman and decided to get back into theater. She said her parents encouraged her to participate in high school theater.
“For a shy person, I’m used to projecting my voice. It’s very easy to be someone else on a stage,” she said. “The show is very fun and very funny. There is a good connection between the characters and the cast. I feel very blessed to meet people I would never have met in my life. Hopefully, the audience will join us in the laughter and fun.”
Michele Waln appears as Dot Haigler, a recent widow who is trying to manage as a single woman.
“Dot is someone who was happily married for a long time and has to navigate life without him. It’s a journey for her. She has a lot of spunk left in her and wants new experiences,” she said. “She definitely warms up to the group as she goes along.
Waln is the Chief Culture Officer at Heartland Credit Union, working roles in marketing, human resources and educational development. She last performed in Stage9’s 2019 production “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” The Valentine, Neb. native lives in Hutchinson.
“Come enjoy yourself. It is lighthearted. It is poignant. It is about making things happen and not sitting around waiting. It’s relatable,” she said.
Debi Dunlap portrays Randa Covington, a high-strung, recently employed perfectionist on whose porch the ladies begin gathering.
This is Dunlap’s first Stage 9 production. She previously appeared in community productions in Hays and lives in Cunningham.
Dunlap describes Randa as someone who “is trying really hard to put on the right image. She just wants to be good enough. She’s a workaholic. Throughout the show she learns how to relax and have balance. She is very uptight.”
Skye Colaw appears as Jinx Jenkins, the free-spirited, loyal friend of the group. Colaw most recently appeared in the Family Community Theater’s 2024 production of “12 Angry Jurors.” She lives in McPherson.
“I think it’s the show that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with your friends. You’re just so excited to be with them,” Colaw said. “Women of my age can relate to how you are with your friends, telling each other secrets when things go wrong. It’s your girls that are there for you.”
“The Savannah Sipping Society” opens runs Thu. through Sun., Feb. 13-16. The Thu. through Sat. shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sun. at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. They are available at the door and online at Stage9hutch.com.
The next Stage 9 production will be “A Piece of My Heart,” running Apr. 24 – 27. Auditions will be held Thu. Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. at 9 South Main St.
Stage 9 opens its 2025 season on Thursday with the story of four Savannah, Ga. women, personal hardships, and the friendships that develop in "The Savannah Sipping Society." Director and Stage 9 Board President Theresa Teufel described the play as "lighthearted, warm, caring and feel-good." "We are
