United Way to hold informational meeting for Dolly Parton Imagination Library

United Way of McPherson County will hold an informational meeting for individuals interested in learning more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  The book-gifting program for children ages birth to their 5th birthdays will begin this fall.

The meeting will be held this Wednesday, April 24 at Noon at the McPherson Chamber of Commerce, 306 North Main, where the operational structure, fundraising, and volunteering will be discussed. To learn more, call United Way at 620-241-5152 or email [email protected]

Jimmy Webb coming to McPherson Opera House

On Friday, April 26, 2019, at 7:30 pm, the McPherson Opera House presents “Jimmy Webb: The Glen Campbell Years.”

Legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb has had chart-topping hits in a unique range of genres over the last 50 years, from country to pop to disco, with songs including “Worst That Could Happen,” “The Highway Man,” “Up, Up and Away” and “MacArthur Park.” But perhaps the most enduring partnership out of all those memorable songs is his musical brotherhood with Glen Campbell.

A gifted composer whose complicated chords and song structures could not be performed by just anybody and a natural-born musician with an almost unnatural vocal range and musical abilities — theirs was a fated partnership that began before they even met. Webb’s moving and often humorous account through performance and anecdotes punctuated with photos, video and audio clips, is a very personal music event that celebrates the legacy he created with his friend Glen Campbell.

Webb highlights some of the 100+ recordings from the Webb/Campbell songbook, pulling the audience in with various accounts of the personal side of generational touchstones like “Honey Come Back,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston” and more from decades of shared musical memories.

“This will be Jimmy Webb’s second appearance at the Opera House. His first appearance, ‘An Evening with Jimmy Webb’ in 2013, was one of the best shows we’ve ever had. Not only is Jimmy an absolutely amazing songwriter, but he’s a great storyteller. It’s not often we get the chance to hear how songs we all know and love came to be.”

“Jimmy Webb: The Glen Campbell Years” is generously sponsored by Williams, Larry and Pat Bruce, and the Marc Martin Agency-Allstate Insurance. Ticket prices range from $25-$40, plus a $4 preservation fee.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.mcphersonoperahouse.org, call 620-241-1952, or visit the box office at 219 S. Main Street, McPherson.

Kindergarten Roundup to be held Monday

The four McPherson elementary schools will be holding the annual Kindergarten Roundup on Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.  Parents are encouraged to attend if they are considering enrolling their child in kindergarten next fall.  A child is eligible to attend kindergarten if he or she will be five years old on or before August 31.

The purpose of the Kindergarten Roundup is to get acquainted, provide information and pre-enroll your child for next fall.  The principal, kindergarten teachers, office staff, and other personnel will meet with the parents to provide information and answer questions.  Parents are asked not to bring children other than their future kindergartener.

Contact your neighborhood school to get on the class list.  Some schools send out letters that will be mailed out to parents in early April with additional information. Information the parents will be required to have on their child are: a copy of their birth certificate, and a Kansas Immunization Card completed by their family doctor or the McPherson County Health Department.  Applications for a certified birth certificate are available on line atwww.kdheks.gov/vital. ;;

McPherson Hospital selects Volunteer of the Year

McPherson Hospital

Each year, the McPherson Hospital Volunteers select one of their own as Volunteer of the Year. Criteria for selection includes annual activity of at least 250 hours of service, engagement in one fundraiser and one special project, attendance at three quarterly meetings and abidance by the Volunteer Services Policies and Procedures. 

At a recent luncheon, Cindy Parker was awarded the 2018 Volunteer of the Year. She began her service at the hospital in 2012. Since then she has worked at the Lobby Information Desk and the Fitness Center, currently serves as President on the Volunteer Board and regularly helps with projects. She is consistently one of the first to step up and assist when needed. Fellow volunteers describe her as hardworking, compassionate, reliable, energetic and having a positive attitude.

McPherson Hospital Volunteers assist throughout the hospital including waiting rooms, offices, clinics, and many other areas of support. In 2018, they contributed a total of 25,560 hours and 34,764 assists to patients, family members and hospital staff. For information about volunteering at the hospital, call Director of Volunteer Services Diana Holloway at 620-241-2251, extension 255.

Student car show celebrates 20 years

The 20th Annual C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival at McPherson College will take place Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The student-run car show attracts rare vehicles from across the country. Last year more than 400 cars entered the show. This year’s event will again feature unique vehicles and special guests including Donald Osborne.

It all starts on Friday, May 3 when Osborne will be the guest speaker at a dinner event that kicks off the car show weekend. Osborne is a regular contributor on Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBS, and What’s My Car Worth for MotorTrend TV. He lends his considerable knowledge of car valuation to organizations such as the Historic Vehicle Association and RM Sotheby’s. Additionally, Osborne studied opera at Hartt College of Music in Hartford Connecticut, and is a talented singer.

Car enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in a Cruise-in also on Friday beginning at 6 p.m. on Main Street in McPherson. This event serves as a sneak peek at what will be on the show field and an opportunity for any car or motorcycle owner to display their rides in an informal show in downtown McPherson. There is no entry fee required for this fun event.

The Motoring Festival gets into high gear on Saturday. Cars will be let onto the field at 8 a.m. and a day full of activities is planned including demonstrations, tours of the Automotive Restoration facility, a Model T build, McPherson College and McPherson High School Jazz Bands performances, and food trucks, up until 3 p.m. when awards will be announced. A complimentary trolley will also be available for rides from campus to Main Street on Saturday. Pre-registration is open online until April 22 at a discounted rate. Registration is also available the day of the show.

This year’s show will feature an entry from Barn Find Hunter, Tom Cotter. Cotter digs through barns and garages in search of buried automotive treasures. He is the author of several popular Barn Find books and is a regular video contributor to Hagerty’s online media. He recently collaborated on a 1962 Ford Country Sedan station wagon with two McPherson College alumni, which will be part of this year’s show.

Other feature cars include a 1952 Ferrari 212, a 1914 Peugeot Indianapolis race car, and a 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda. The Motoring Festival brings a diverse field of vehicles together that includes cars, motorcycles, bicycles, tractors and even military vehicles. From the concours-quality vehicles to the unique and unusual to the student area that features works in progress, there is something for everybody.

WES Fighters advance to Global Finals

The WES Fighters is a team of six 4th graders from Washington Elementary School. The Fighters just earned first place at the Destination Imagination tournament in Kansas and have now earned the privilege to go to Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri on May 22-25. Destination Imagination (DI) is a global educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators, leaders and creative problem solvers.

In the next five weeks, they are needing to raise funds for their entire team to compete at the Global level.  The cost of Global Finals is $5,500, which is $916 per person.  This does not include travel expenses, lodging and food.  If you are interested in donating to the WES Fighters team, visit their Go Fund me page at: www.gofundme.com/wes-destination-imagination or you can send/take donations to any Home State Bank or The Citizens State Bank location and mark that is for WES Destination Imagination. Also be on the lookout for chances to win items such as a Cornhole Game and a Long Rifle on Facebook.

McPherson Education Foundation recognizes four seniors 

USD 418

The McPherson Education Foundation awards four scholarships annually to McPherson High School seniors. This year's scholarships winners were announced on Wednesday: 

-Jaron Oakes

-Michaela Bowers

-Mya Kretzer

-Zach Brewer (not pictured). 

The three are pictured with Cody Rierson, Education Foundation Representative. 

Bethany College gifted the Swedish Crown Restaurant by the Applequist Family

Bethany College celebrated today Roy and Donice Applequist’s announcement that they are gifting Lindsborg’s legendary downtown restaurant The Swedish Crown to the college. The gift is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

“Roy and Donice are humbling examples of God’s love at work in the world. I am inspired by their generosity and their commitment to Bethany College and to Lindsborg,” President Will Jones stated. 

In May 2017 the Bethany College Board of Directors approved the college’s five-year strategic plan, “Bethany, Arise!” The vision statement for the plan reads, “Bethany College will be celebrated in the Midwest and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for offering inspired learning and informed faith that result in student success and community transformation.” Since that time, Bethany has announced the Good Life Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship for local students from Saline and McPherson Counties. The college has recommitted to the college’s and the local community’s Swedish heritage and history by launching Swedes to Sweden, a free seven-to-10-day service-learning trip to Sweden for the sophomore class each year beginning in the summer of 2020, and the Bethany College Swedish Crafts Program. In addition, Bethany partnered with Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church to appoint a shared pastor for the Lindsborg congregation and for the campus. 

“We are here today to say that we would like to gift The Swedish Crown Restaurant to the college. We believe it will be a good way to better integrate the college and the community,”  Roy Applequist announced to the applause of local residents and campus members.

Donice Applequist shared, “For many Kansans, Lindsborg is a favorite small town, and that’s certainly true for Roy and me.” Mrs. Applequist continued, “We thank everyone in Lindsborg who has come to eat at The Swedish Crown over the many years it’s been a fixture here on Main Street. You can appreciate knowing that now, when you eat at the Crown, you are not only getting good food, but you are also supporting Bethany College.”

Bethany leaders plan to launch the new The Swedish Crown Restaurant presented by Bethany College on Monday, June 10, with a grand reopening. The restaurant, originally opened in 1966, will continue to operate as a Swedish-themed establishment serving local residents and visitors to “Little Sweden, USA.” 

“What an exciting day for Lindsborg and Bethany College!,” exclaimed Corey Peterson, Bethany College Board of Directors Chair and owner of the Hemslöjd. “This gift puts three very important puzzle pieces together: Bethany College, Lindsborg, and The Swedish Crown Restaurant.”  

College leaders shared their excitement about the addition of The Swedish Crown in helping to raise the college’s profile. Several shared their belief that The Swedish Crown Restaurant will introduce prospective students and new donors to the college. 

President Jones stated that the college is planning to allow Bethany students to use their dining hall meal cards to eat at the restaurant. “Bethany students will have more dining options than ever before. And, they will enjoy the opportunity to spend time with Bethany College alumni and friends who own and operate other great businesses downtown,” Jones said.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state. 

McPherson to host FBI Training

The McPherson Police Department will host "Conducting and Managing Internal Affairs Investigations" October 14-18 at the McPherson Museum, 1111 E. Kansas. Registration is $695 per student.

The FBI-LEED Internal Affairs course focuses on the most up-to-date procedures for conducting and managing internal affairs investigations by law enforcement agencies. The 4 1/2-day program will allow attendees to participate in real-world scenarios designed to be an interactive learning experience. The course explores ethics and integrity, agency policies and procedures, the complaint process, investigation of personnel complaints, administrative law, the interview process and special circumstances investigations.

Learn more and register online at www.fbileeda.org or call 877.772.7712. For local information regarding the training venue or hotel accommodations, contact Assistant Chief of Police Mikel T. Golden of the McPherson Police Department at 620.245.1202 or [email protected]

Brass Choir presents spring concert

Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m., the McPherson Community Brass Choir will present its spring concert at the McPherson Church of the Brethren, Carrie at Euclid St.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free event featuring a diverse selection of brass choir literature as well as music showcasing each section of the choir – trumpets, trombones, and French horns.  

A highlight of the program is an antiphonal piece for two choirs by Hans Leo Hassler.  Other diverse literature includes Men of Harlech, a Welsh battle hymn depicting one of the longest sieges in Welsh history; Army of the Nile, a march by Kenneth Alford; a setting of the southern spiritual “Wondrous Love;” and two traditional Scotch pieces arranged for brass choir and bagpipes by Don Frederick, longtime McPherson College music professor and founder of the Community Brass Choir.  A special feature of the program will be a theme and variations for tuba performed by Greg Nickel.  

Jerry Toews, current director, shared, "The thing that I really admire about this group is its diversity, both in age and profession.  It really speaks to what music is all about--music brings us ALL together.  It is a bonding agent, regardless of who we are.  It speaks to the soul of humanity.  How can we hate each other if we enjoy making music together?  The brass choir gets together once a week and has FUN learning and rehearsing, pushing our limits and abilities, encouraging one another and laughing together.  While we strive to perform to the best of our ability, our ultimate goal is to have FUN.  I find involvement with this group of fine musicians to be highly rewarding!  You will too as you join us on April 28."

The McPherson Community Brass Choir was founded in 1973 by Don Frederick, a skilled composer, arranger, and conductor who had retired as a music professor at McPherson College.  Prof. Frederick led the ensemble for many years, developing what is now the oldest civic musical organization in McPherson. With members in their twenties to eighties, the group includes several with music degrees, some who played in Service Bands in their youth, and others who have picked up their instrument again after playing in grade school and high school.  Members come not only from McPherson but also Inman, Moundridge, Newton, and Hillsboro.