’King in the Community’ an Eagle Media Podcast

Chelsea Wood, Erica Ruiz — Salina Area Technical College Dental Hygiene Clinic

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King discusses the Salina Area Technical College's Dental Hygiene Program with Chelsea Wood, a dental hygiene student, and Erica Ruiz, the dental patient coordinator. The conversation highlights the role of Salina Tech’s Dental Hygiene Clinic in providing affordable oral healthcare while serving as a training ground for future dental hygienists.
The clinic offers professional teeth cleaning with personalized treatment plans, preventative care such as sealants and fluoride treatments, and cosmetic tooth whitening with custom bleach trays. These services are provided under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists, ensuring quality care while addressing the growing demand for dental professionals in the region.
The episode covers key aspects of the program, such as its competitive admissions process, small class sizes, and high job placement rate—over 90% of graduates secure employment before graduation. Wood shares her experience as a parent navigating the program’s demands, while Ruiz provides insight into how the clinic balances student learning with community care.
Listeners will also receive practical details about the clinic at 2562 Centennial Road, Building A, in Salina, Kansas. Appointments, which can take up to three hours, can be made by calling 785-309-3146 or emailing DentalClinic@salinatech.edu. Fees for services include $20 for adult cleanings, $15 for child cleanings, $5 per tooth for sealants, and $20 for whitening services.

Saline County Second District Commissioner, Annie Grevas

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King interviews Saline County Second District Commissioner Annie Grevas about her role on the County Commission.
Grevas discusses her career in community corrections, emphasizing the importance of grants and collaboration in addressing challenges such as homelessness, opioid addiction, and recidivism. Grevas also outlines Saline County's priorities, including the Health Department's future, broadband access, and the use of community resources. The episode provides insight into Grevas' plans and the perspective she hopes to bring to the commission. 

Salina City Manager Mike Schrage

This King in the Community podcast episode features a conversation with Salina City Manager Mike Schrage. Nate and Mike discuss the holiday transformation of downtown Salina, from Christmas tree lighting to the Parade of Lights. The episode also dives into serious community issues, including challenges at the Salina Animal Shelter, ongoing discussions about breed-specific legislation, and efforts to manage overcapacity.
The conversation shifts to city development updates, including the demolition progress at the long-vacant Ambassador Hotel and the upcoming construction of Fire Station #4. 

Chad Young, Executive Director Salina Grace, Salina Rescue Mission

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King speaks with Chad Young, Executive Director of Salina Grace and the Salina Rescue Mission, about the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Salina. The conversation covers the role of the low-barrier winter shelter, the developments taking place at the Salina Grace Resource Center, 315 S. Broadway Blvd and the collaborative approach taken by local organizations to provide essential services.
Chad shares insights into the challenges faced by unhoused individuals, the barriers to accessing resources, and how targeted efforts aim to help people transition toward stability. This discussion offers a clear-eyed look at the complexity of homelessness and the strategies implemented to make meaningful progress in the Salina area. 
For more information on how to get involved or support, click here. 

Justin Martin, Salina's Georgetown Santas

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Justin Martin, one of 12 Santas participating in the 26th annual Georgetown Santas event in Salina. From humble beginnings with a single Santa and leftover Halloween candy to a full-scale Christmas drive-through experience, the Georgetown Santas have become a cherished tradition for locals and visitors alike.
Justin shares heartwarming stories of spreading joy to all ages, the evolution of the iconic Santa shacks, and the logistics behind serving thousands of bags of popcorn in just three nights. Discover how this community-driven event continues to grow, fueled by the magic of Christmas and the generosity of Salina’s residents.
Be a part of this magical tradition taking place on Georgetown Road in Salina from December 21– 23, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. each night.
Learn more or donate at GeorgetownSantas.com.
Follow the Georgetown Santas on Facebook.

Aaron and Michelle Peck, Owners of BEL Tree Farm

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on King in the Community! Join Nate King as he welcomes Michelle and Aaron Peck, the dynamic duo behind BEL Tree Farm—a winter wonderland nestled just outside Salina, Kansas.
 
Michelle and Aaron share the heartwarming story of how they turned a cherished local tradition into a thriving family-run Christmas destination. From the farm’s fascinating name (spoiler: it’s “BEL” with one L for a reason!) to the magic of fresh-cut Christmas trees, they reveal how BEL Tree Farm has become a holiday favorite for generations of families.
Get ready to hear about all the joy-packed activities waiting for visitors, including horse-drawn hayrides, a cozy gift shop with more than 5,000 ornaments, free hot apple cider, and even Christmas donkeys! Whether you're hunting for the perfect tree or just soaking up the holiday spirit, BEL Tree Farm has it all.
Opening weekend starts the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the farm is open throughout the holiday season.
To check out their website, click here.
 

Maggie Spicer Brown, Director for Theatre Salina's production of 'The Sound of Music'

In this episode of the King in the Community podcast, host Nate King sits down with Maggie Spicer Brown to discuss the upcoming holiday production of The Sound of Music at Theatre Salina. Maggie, the show's director, shares a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, the talented cast, and what it is like to direct such an iconic musical.
The production, running from November 22 through December 15, promises to deliver the magic and harm of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic with a stellar cast, a live orchestra, and stunning visuals. Maggie highlights the collaborative efforts of the Theatre Salina team, including the creative crew, the inclusion of community families, and the dedication of everyone involved in bringing this timeless story to life.
They also delve into the significance of the show’s themes, the importance of family, and Theatre Salina’s ongoing efforts to expand and enhance its facilities through a capital campaign. Maggie emphasizes how the production will leave audiences with a sense of nostalgia and joy, perfect for the holiday season.
Learn more about the production and purchase tickets at salinatheater.com.
 

April Saskowski and Angie Andrewson, Building Blocks Learning Center

In this King in the Community episode, host Nate King interviews April Saskowski and Angie Andrewson from the Building Blocks Learning Center at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina.
April shares the story of founding the preschool 13 years ago and how it has grown into a program that now includes childcare services. Angie discusses her experiences as a teacher and how her background in early childhood education helps her provide a nurturing and engaging environment for young learners.
For parents looking for a preschool or childcare program, this episode offers an inside look at how Building Blocks Learning Center is helping children thrive. To learn more, visit their website at https://preschool.triumc.org/ for enrollment details.

Michelle Cardinal Dolan, Executive Director of Music at KWU

On this episode of King in the Community, Nate King speaks with Michelle Cardinal Dolan, Executive Director of Music at Kansas Wesleyan University, about the recent growth in student enrollment, renovations at Sam’s Chapel and the recent "Come Home" concert. Dolan highlights how the upgraded rehearsal spaces and the addition of a new Steinway grand piano enhance the music department's offerings.
The discussion also covers upcoming events, including the annual Christmas by Candlelight concert, and how the university engages with the Salina community and beyond through music and the arts.
 
To view the KWU Music Department "Come Home" concert, click here. 
 
 

Leslie Bishop SDI Executive Director, The Holidays in Downtown Salina

Welcome to the King in the Community Podcast! In this episode, Nate is joined by Leslie Bishop, Executive Director of Salina Downtown, Inc., to explore the magic of the holiday season in downtown Salina.
From Pink Friday shopping on November 22 to the dazzling Parade of Lights on November 23, and festive family moments like Santa photos on December 14 and 21, Leslie shares all the exciting events and opportunities to shop local this holiday season. Tune in to hear how supporting downtown businesses strengthens the community while creating unforgettable holiday memories.
Whether you're a 67401 local or just passing through, this episode has everything you need to celebrate the season in Salina.