’King in the Community’ an Eagle Media Podcast

Phil Smith-Hanes, Saline County Administrator

In this first episode of a monthly series with Saline County Administrator, Phil Smith-Hanes, we discuss Saline County's innovative uses of ARPA funds [Federal COVID-19 Dollars], the soon-to-be-completed Saline County Jail, and the duties and responsibilities of the county administrator. 
 
Learn about what led, Phil, a Kansas native, to pursue a career in local government and hear him express why it is a great time to be a resident of Saline County.
 
Tune in now to stay informed, engaged, and connected with your community.
 
Saline County Job Information:https://www.salinecountyks.gov/human-resources

Central Kansas Mental Health Center, Suicide Prevention Month

In this episode of King in the Community, I spoke with Esther Kency, Director of Crisis Services at Central Kansas Mental Health Center (CKMHC), and Megan Willis, mental health first aid youth coordinator for CKMHC.
Our discussion centered around the vital importance of being aware of mental health issues and ways the Salina community can raise awareness about suicide prevention. Kency and Willis provided valuable insights into upcoming Mental Health First Aid trainings that empower individuals to respond effectively to someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
Suicide is a heavy topic that most people do their best to avoid. However, research shows that people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way.
Kency stressed the significance of collaborative efforts and partnerships CKMHC has created to meet people where they are and connect them with the mental health services they need.
The upcoming Mental Health First Aid training will equip participants with essential skills to respond to individuals in a mental health crisis. The Mental Health First Aid training is an eight-hour session covering topics such as risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for assisting individuals in crisis and non-crisis situations, and guidance on where to seek help.
Our conversation covers misconceptions and stigmas surrounding suicide and mental health. Kency and Willis also share their experiences and insights on effectively supporting individuals struggling with mental health issues and how to foster effective communication with them.

Abilene Oktoberfest, Jamie Greening

By SALINA POST
Abilene event organizers are finishing the last-minute preparations for the 6th Annual Oktoberfest. The family-friendly event is free to enter and will take place from Sept. 15-16 in downtown Abilene. 
Jamie Greening, Abilene Oktoberfest organizer, said Friday night will have more activities than in previous years. 
The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with activities, vendors, and performances by the Lazy Wayne Band. The Large Festival will kick off Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with live music and dancers from the KC Blautaler Schuhplattler performing throughout the day. 
At 5 p.m. Abilene's Mayor, Trevor  Witt, along with all festival vendors, will tap the keg and start the Oktoberfest ceremony. 
“This year we actually expanded from last year. We have more food vendors, crafts and Bier Gardens.  Our children's section has games, bouncy houses, and train rides.   Each year we are growing in numbers and activities," Greening said. 
Heidi Anderson, Abilene Oktoberfest organizer, said thanks to the support of their sponsors, Abilene Oktoberfest is considered one of the most authentic celebrations in Kansas. 
Greening said thanks to community support the event organizing group is looking at possibly making it a three-day event in the future.
Event sponsors include Kansas Best Realty and Marshall Motors-along with numerous local businesses and support from the City of Abilene.
Expanding its footprint from last year, Abilene Oktoberfest will take place at Little Ike Park on 3rd and Spruce Street in Abilene. Greening said it will be double the space they had for last year's event and they are expecting a larger crowd. 
"Last year we had visitors from about 10 different states," Greening said.

LaNay Meier, Author of ”The Feelings Umbrella”

On this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with LaNay Meier about her newly published book titled "The Feelings Umbrella." Meier is holding a book-read event at Ad Astra Coffee House on September 16 at 2:00 p.m. 
 
Meier told Salina Post that she invites both children and grown-ups alike to attend because in her words-"adults, especially need to talk about their feelings."
 
During our conversation, Meier shared insights into the inspiration behind her book and the importance of teaching children about emotions in a fun and engaging way. It promises to be an exciting event and a great opportunity to meet the author. Don't miss out! 
 
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of "The Feelings Umbrella" click here.

Katie Zey, Salina Public Library

On this episode of King in the Community, I sit down with Katie Zey, head of marketing at The Salina Public Library to talk about September adult and youth programs offered at the library and the upcoming TEEN-TOBER campaign. 
 
Since she started working for the Salina Libary last year, Zey said she has been blown away by how much the library does for the local community.
"There is always something to do at the Library," Zey said. 
Zey will be a regular guest on the podcast to give us udpates on events and programs at the Salina Public Library. 
For more information go to https://salinapubliclibrary.org/

Mike Schrage, Salina City Manager

During my monthly chat with Salina City Manager Mike Schrage, we discussed the 2024 City Budget, continuing our conversation about the city's road improvement timeline, the passage of a charter ordinance that will allow the city to post public notices on its website, and Salina Animal Services. 

Theatre Salina presents, Matilda, Weekends Sept. 1-24

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is taking the page to the stage starting this weekend at Theatre Salina. 
Experience this captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.
On this episode of "King in the Community" I talk with the director of the musical and executive director of Theatre Salina, Michael Spicer about how this show came to life and what takeaways he has in regards to rehearsals leading up to the first weekend of performances.
About Matilda
With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Shannon’s Stars Twirling Club, World Champions

By NATE KINGSalina Post
Earlier this month, Shannon's Stars Twirling Club won the gold medal in the Show Twirl Accessory Corp team competition at the 2023 World Baton Twirling Championships and Nations Cup held in Liverpool, England. 
 
Shannon Meis, head coach at Shannon's Stars, said the audience's reaction following the team's "no drop" routine will be something she will always remember.
"It's like the Olympics for baton twirling you train for one event, one discipline, and that is your job to go over and perform. As the representative for the United States," Meis said. "There were 21 different countries represented, and we were the first out of out of the gate for our performance and the girls did the most beautiful no drop routine. I wish I could bring back the feeling of the entire arena after we used some of our effects, they were ooing and ahing and I can see in the video, it wasn't just our people, but everyone was chanting USA, USA as they left the floor."
The team of 14 twirlers qualified for the 2023 World Baton Twirling Championships after winning, the Junior Show Twirl Corp event, as well as the National Artistry Award at the National Baton Twirling Association championships at the University of Notre Dame last summer. 
The twirling team from Salina was the first team to perform in the Junior Show Twirl Accessory Corp event at this year's world baton twirling competition. Meis said the students played a major role in deciding what music they would use as part of their routine. 
"Last year, some of the girls started suggesting the music from the movie Tangled or Rapunzel and the joke was that I had not seen it yet," Meis said. "I like to have the girls give their input because it's their routine. It's their performance. And we are all in this together. And so I rely heavily on them as well to share what it is they are feeling and what they see. Then I tie it all together with what I see as well in my choreography."
Emily Streeter, a member of the gold medal team, said the music the team used from Tangled was relatable to the audience and has universal appeal.
"Rapunzel has honestly been one of my favorite princesses of all time so it was really special for me to be able to be using that music and just how universal it is because Rapunzel can be translated into a whole bunch of different languages. The melodies are the same," Streeter said. "That story gets across to everyone, even throughout all of those countries."
Additionally, twirler Callan Hall individually represented Team USA in the discipline of three-baton.
"At our last nationals I got second out of our MBTA Federation. And so this whole past year, I've been working extra hard on my three baton, especially extra hard in the summer," Hall said. "I've been working on it, taking my new tricks, drilling them so that I could put my best out on the floor when time came to it."
Hall said her first preliminary performance on the largest stage she has ever performed on was "okay,"
"My first routine that I did was preliminary and it was okay," Hall said. "It wasn't my best. I was a little disappointed afterward because I knew I could have done better. I worked hard. And I wanted another shot."
Hall said after completing her preliminary routine she began checking the competition's website to see if she had qualified for finals.
"I barely squeaked in," Hall said. "They took the top 10 And I got 10th. Not only had I made finals at the world competition, but to also to have another chance to put my best out there."
And her best is exactly what she gave.
During Hall's final performance on the world stage in Liverpool, England, she didn't drop her baton; not once.
"I was so happy because it showed that my hard work in the summer, all throughout the year, paid off. And I knew that I put my best out there and that whatever happened placement-wise, I felt good about it," Hall said.
In the finals for the three baton discipline Hall placed 6th overall. She finished as the highest-ranked USA three-baton twirler in the junior age division.
"It was awesome to have the community's financial support as well as friends family, and their words of encouragement, and they definitely helped make it special," Hall said. 
"Our friends, family, teachers, and our schools have been so supportive throughout all of this," Streeter said. "I walked into school on Monday, and I can't tell you how many staff members I had just go 'Hey, World Champion great job!'"
Streeter, one of Hall's most passionate and vocal fans said she ran across the arena in order to congratulate her teammate and friend. 
"I'm literally her biggest fan ever. What can I say? I have never ran as fast as I did and the arena is huge. And I was like on the complete opposite side as her. I was sprinting through the hallways like people were moving out of my way. It was like a stomp sprint, like all of my legs just absolutely going because I had to go run, hug, and tackle her after that perfect routine," Streeter said. 
Meis said Hall and Streeter's support and encouragement of one another are qualities demonstrated by all of her students. 
"That's the beauty of the girls that I have. They are all there for each other, the good and the bad," Meis said. "We're there to lift each other up and celebrate all of the accomplishments."
After winning gold across the pond, Meis said she is excited for marching season and other exciting things taking place at Shannon's Stars Twirling Club.
"We are so proud to be able to bring gold back to the United States, and to the community of Salina. Throughout the year, we've worked really hard with fundraising and practicing our routines," Meis said. "We roll right into marching season. We have nine different high school twirlers here in Salina for this year and so they are focusing on getting ready to start performing. We also are working on registration right now for our duty year and our new classes that start in September. And so we're focusing on new thoughts, new themes, and new stars."
For more information regarding enrollment at Shannon's Stars Twirling Club, visit their Facebook page here. 

Jason Graves, Horticulture Agent, K-State Research Extension

Have you ever wondered why your garden isn't producing the way you thought it would? How about questions about landscaping or yard maintenance? Have pests you don't know how to get rid of?
 
K-State Research and Extension has the answers. 
On this episode of King in the Community, I sit down for a conversation with Jason Graves, Horticulture Agent for K-State Research and Extension- Central District. 
 
Graves shares tips on how to build a compost pile, K-State Research and Extension resources for perfecting your lawn, the importance of PH soil levels when growing trees, the unique Kansas Climate and what is included when we use the word "horticulture."
 
For more information regarding lawns and gardens from K-State Research Extension click here. 

Jamie Doss, Saline County Clerk

In this episode, I chat with the Saline County Clerk, Jamie Doss about the revenue-neutral rate and upcoming elections.
 
Doss walks me through the letters that have been sent out regarding taxing entities in their community. We discuss the impact of this rate on property taxes and how it affects county homeowners. We also discuss the importance of participating in local elections and how the Clerk's office is gearing up for the upcoming election season.
Saline County Elections Office: (785) 309-5820
Check your Voter Registration: https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView