’King in the Community’ an Eagle Media Podcast

Theatre Salina’s Michael Spicer, School of Rock-The Musical

Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 'School of Rock – The Musical' is coming to Theatre Salina this month.
On this episode of "King in the Community" I sit down with Theatre Salina's Executive Director, Michael Spicer, to hear his take on what makes this season's finale unlike any production Theatre Salina has done in the past. 
The musical is two hours in length, consisting of two-acts, plus intermission, based on the hit movie "School of Rock." The show opens on June 9 and will run on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the month of June. 

Shaley Johnson and Eric Tabor, Twin Valley Communications

Twin Valley Communications announced earlier this year that they will begin bringing fiber internet service to Junction City’s 22,000 residents this year – with more than 500 residential homes and businesses slated for 2022, adding to the 300 businesses in the first phase of the project. Construction on Phase 2 is set to begin in June, and the company will roll out a new faster internet speed at 2 Gbps download and upload. 
I sat down for a conversation with Eric and Shaley, Twin Valley employees, to hear how this expansion will positively impact not only the Junction City business community but also residential areas looking to increase their internet speeds. 
Twin Valley is a fourth-generation family-owned broadband and communications company based in Kansas. They have been innovating for more than 80 years to help unlock possibilities for families, businesses and communities for generations. As a full-service entertainment provider, they deliver hometown service with the cutting-edge technology of the most connected cities.

Freedom Fest 2023: Bob Story and Nate Butler

Freedom Fest JC (June 30-July 4) is back and bigger than ever before. Earlier this month I spoke with Junction City City Commissioner, Bob Story and State Representative Nate Butler to hear what makes this year's five day Fourth of July celebration a must attend event, the whole family will enjoy. 
For updates and information be sure to check out their Facebook page here.

Chief Tony Sneidar, Salina Fire Department

On this episode I speak with Salina Fire Chief Tony Sneidar about preparations for the 2nd Annual Central Kansas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Family Fun Walk, scheduled for Sept. 9 at the Graves Family Sports Complex at Kansas Wesleyan University. 
The Central Kansas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Family Walk is a way to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on Sept. 11, 2001. Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Your individual tribute not only remembers the sacrifice of an FDNY member, but it symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others.
 

Gretchen Boyum and Julie Clayson, Central Kansas Mental Health Center

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For the folks over at Central Kansas Mental Health, every day is mental health awareness day. On this episode, I speak with two Mental Health First Aid trainers about the importance of prioritizing your mental health, how CKMHC is partnering up with private businesses during the month of May to help destigmatize the act of asking for help, services and different groups CKMHC provides, and the issues surrounding veterans suffering from depression and anxiety. 

Kristie Clark, Victory Clinic

For those suffering with depression, finding the right treatment to resolve or mitigate their symptoms can seem like a never ending struggle. According to the National Institute of Health, at least 30% of those seeking treatment for their depression are resistant to medicine or treatment. 
On this episode I sit down with Dr. Kristie Clark, owner and founder of the Victory Clinic, to hear how she and her husband are bringing life changing mental health treatments to those who thought there was no other option to treat their depression.
"It's a desert for mental health care," Clark said. "When I was in western Kansas there were patients, who if they needed a therapist would have to sometimes drive one or two hours to a community mental health center in a larger town such as Hays, Salina, Garden City, Liberal or Dodge City. And many people, because there's unfortunately still a stigma with mental health care, would not want to drive to a Community Mental Health Care Center, and suicide as a cause of death is a Top 10 cause of death in people aged five to 64. We must do more and we must destigmatize it and we must increase access." 
Located in Junction City, Victory Clinic is the first center of its kind in the Flint Hills region to offer both TMS and SPRAVATO. In the episode, Dr. Clark explains the different services provided at the clinic, the need for more therapists, her plans to expand her practice and the importance of increasing mental health care access in rural Kansas. 
"Life is difficult.
The pain of depression is real…
…but some things are worth fighting for and winning.
You’re not alone."
 

Tracy Geisler, Geary Community Healthcare Foundation executive director

On this episode of King in the Community, I meet up virtually with Geary Community Healthcare Foundation Executive Director, Tracy Geisler, to talk about the upcoming 70s & 80s Adult Night Out fundraiser taking place June 10 at 6 p.m.
Ticket Fee for the event is $45 per person, $80 per couple or $300 per table of eight. 
You may be asking, "What does that ticket get me?" See below. 
Food ticket for Vista Food Truck and Snacks
Game Show
6 Teams, 5 Players
Best Couple Outfit Contest
Drink Ticket (1) - Cash bar hosted by Paradox, including boozy & non-boozy lotus drinks (variety of flavors), mixed drinks, and beer
Raffles
DancingThe event will take place at Spin City, 915 S. Washington StreetTickets are going fast! Get your tickets by going to https://www.gchcf.org/70s80s-pay-now 

Matthew Miller Wells, The Garage Automotive Museum

Trucks, trucks and you guessed it, more trucks! The Garage Automotive Museum in Salina opened its largest exhibit yet on May 4.
On this episode of "King in the Community" I speak with Matthew Tiller- Wells, education director for the Garage, about how he and his team managed to move all 40 exhibit vehicles in just 3 days, his thought process behind selecting which vehicles make it onto the museum floor, and the history of how trucks became a must have vehicle out of necessity.

State Rep. Jeff Underhill, 65th District

On this episode of King in the Community, Rep. Underhill and I discuss his stance on controversial issues impacting the lives of Kansans, how Democrats and Republicans are working together to address the water conservation crisis, how Kansas became the latest state to extend its statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims by 10 years and the different pieces of legislation Underhill made its way through the committees he sits on.

Dale Pugh, Brother of POW MIA Maj. Dennis Pugh

On this episode I sat down with Dale Pugh, Maj. Dennis Pugh's brother and Jason McIntire, commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron.
Hear Dale, brother of Saline County's only missing in action service member, talk about his brothers life and legacy and how the City of Salina, in partnership with the Sons of the American Legion, plan to honor all 11 POWs and Dennis Pugh at a Memorial Day event at Sunset Park in Salina.