Salina Public Library’s Family History Detectives will cover formatting a family history book. 

The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Prescott Room.

Library Technology Trainer Lerin Anderson will walk  participants through how to create a family history book in Microsoft Word. The presentation will give attendees the information they need to get started on their own projects at home.

Anderson has taught technology classes at the library since 2016. She has covered topics from introductory word processing and spreadsheets to how to use digital library materials and streaming devices. She has certification in Microsoft Excel and Word 2013.

Family History Detectives, formerly known as the Genealogy Club, meets August through November and January through May. Upcoming meetings will feature a genealogy case study on March 19 and the annual lock-in on April 18. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Librarian Barbara Mulvihill at  infoservices.barbara@salpublib.org or (785) 825-4624, ext. 234.

Salina Public Library’s Family History Detectives will cover formatting a family history book. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Prescott Room.Library Technology Trainer Lerin Anderson will walk participants through how to create a family history book in Microsoft Word. The presentation will give attendees the information they need to get started on their own projects at home.Anderson has taught technology classes at the library since 2016. She has covered topics from introductory word processing and spreadsheets to how to use digital library materials and streaming devices. She has certification in Microsoft Excel and Word 2013.Family History Detectives, formerly known as the Genealogy Club, meets August through November and January through May. Upcoming meetings will feature a genealogy case study on March 19 and the annual lock-in on April 18. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Librarian Barbara Mulvihill at infoservices.barbara@salpublib.org or (785) 825-4624, ext. 234.

Genealogy group to learn about creating family history books

The Salina Area United Way Board of Directors invites the public to a meet and greet event for new Executive Director Claire Mullen.

The come and go event is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at the Salina Area United Way, 210 East Walnut Street, Suite 100.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580524419837.jpeg" alt="Claire Mullen. Photo courtesy SAUW" />
 <figcaption>Claire Mullen. Photo courtesy SAUW</figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina Area United Way Board of Directors invites the public to a meet and greet event for new Executive Director Claire Mullen.The come and go event is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at the Salina Area United Way, 210 East Walnut Street, Suite 100.

Public invited to meet new United Way executive director

PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, has a new “bucket list” for Kansas kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to pursue – recreating at Kansas’ clearest lakes. 

Aquatic vegetation, underwater structures, and even fish may be visible at these lakes, providing a unique view of what lies beneath the waters’ surface. From paddleboarders looking for that Instagram-worthy photo, to anglers after the ultimate fishing challenge, Kansas’ clearest lakes should be a part of your 2020 travel plans.

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 17; 13.1 feet of clarity

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 04; 12.3 feet

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 27; 12.3 feet

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 12; 11.2 feet

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 07; 11 feet

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 30; 10.3 feet

Russell and Lincoln Counties, Wilson Reservoir; 9.9 feet

Crawford County, Bone Creek Lake; 8.4 feet

Douglas County State Fishing Lake; 7.7 feet

Johnson County, Shawnee Mission Park Lake; 7.5 feet

Bourbon County, Cedar Creek Lake; 7.2 feet

Morris County, Council Grove City Lake; 7.1 feet

Pottawatomie County State Fishing Lake #2; 6.7 feet

Bourbon County, Fort Scott City Lake; 6.6 feet

Wabaunsee County, Alma City Lake; 6.3 feet

Chautauqua County, Sedan City Lake South; 5.3 feet

Woodson County, New Yates Center Lake; 5.2 feet

Barber County State Fishing Lake; 4.7 feet

Chase County State Fishing Lake; 4.7 feet

Shawnee County State Fishing Lake; 4.5 feet

Greenwood County, Madison City Lake; 4.2 feet

Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 44; 4.1 feet

Each year, KDHE environmental scientist, Layne Knight, selects waterbodies from a list of 358 locations on the Kansas Surface Water Register to test for water clarity. Listed federal reservoirs are sampled every three years, state fishing lakes every four years, while remaining waterbodies are sampled every six years.

“Water clarity in Kansas reservoirs is affected primarily by either algae or suspended sediments,” said Knight. “It’s a good indicator of the level of human impact in a watershed.”

In the field, Knight uses techniques such as Secchi depth – a disk lowered through a water column until it disappears from view – to measure water column transparency. Water samples are then submitted to a laboratory to test turbidity, a measurement of how well light passes through the sample, and total suspended solids, the number of suspended particles. Chlorophyll analyses are also conducted and used as an indicator of the level of algae growth in the system; Lakes are then ranked based on results.

Apart from the scientific data agencies are able to obtain from these tests, recreational benefits exist, as well. In fact, increased water clarity enhances your angling experience because you can see bottom structure, your lure and ultimately a fish on the end of your line, which adds a unique element of excitement.

“In general, fish in clear water will behave different from fish in turbid water,” said KDWPT fisheries biologist, Jeff Koch. “Fish in clear water will be more wary, so you have to change up your technique if you want to be successful.”

Anglers fishing in clear waters should concentrate their efforts during low-light periods or with a light chop on the water when fish will be most comfortable feeding. Since fish can see better in clear water, use a light low-visibility line such as fluorocarbon and make long casts. Also, baits that closely resemble natural prey, such as shad, bluegill, or crawfish in realistic colors will draw more strikes. Koch also suggests using small finesse-type baits in natural colors.

“You won’t need to throw great big lures to get their attention and draw them in,” added Koch. “Stick to what looks real, and you’ll find a fish on the end of your line.”

For more on fishing in Kansas, visit <a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing">ksoutdoors.com/Fishing</a>.

For more on lake monitoring in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fbefs%2Flakes_monitoring.htm&amp;data=02%7C01%7CNadia.Reimer%40KS.GOV%7C428fb49573a54c2fbe6408d7b003df64%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637171402995378207&amp;sdata=4JO1VED2%2BWale3032FcJUb6lx9jGgsp%2FXJ%2BxVnGFhNM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/befs/lakes_monitoring.htm</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581817448804.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy KDWPT" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KDWPT</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, has a new “bucket list” for Kansas kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to pursue – recreating at Kansas’ clearest lakes. Aquatic vegetation, underwater structures, and even fish may be visible at these lakes, providing a unique view of what lies beneath the waters’ surface. From paddleboarders looking for that Instagram-worthy photo, to anglers after the ultimate fishing challenge, Kansas’ clearest lakes should be a part of your 2020 travel plans.Kansas Clearest Lakes for 2020Crawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 17; 13.1 feet of clarityCrawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 04; 12.3 feetCrawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 27; 12.3 feetCrawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 12; 11.2 feetCrawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 07; 11 feetCrawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 30; 10.3 feetRussell and Lincoln Counties, Wilson Reservoir; 9.9 feetCrawford County, Bone Creek Lake; 8.4 feetTrego County, Cedar Bluff Lake; 7.9 feetDouglas County State Fishing Lake; 7.7 feetWyandotte County Lake; 7.7 feetJohnson County, Shawnee Mission Park Lake; 7.5 feetBourbon County, Cedar Creek Lake; 7.2 feetMorris County, Council Grove City Lake; 7.1 feetPottawatomie County State Fishing Lake #2; 6.7 feetBourbon County, Fort Scott City Lake; 6.6 feetWabaunsee County, Alma City Lake; 6.3 feetOsage County State Fishing Lake; 6 feetLyon County State Fishing Lake; 5.9 feetChautauqua County, Sedan City Lake South; 5.3 feetWoodson County, New Yates Center Lake; 5.2 feetOsage County, Melvern Lake; 5 feetBarber County State Fishing Lake; 4.7 feetChase County State Fishing Lake; 4.7 feetShawnee County State Fishing Lake; 4.5 feetCoffey County Lake; 4.3 feetGreenwood County, Madison City Lake; 4.2 feetCrawford County, Mined Land Wildlife Area – Mined Land Lake 44; 4.1 feetEach year, KDHE environmental scientist, Layne Knight, selects waterbodies from a list of 358 locations on the Kansas Surface Water Register to test for water clarity. Listed federal reservoirs are sampled every three years, state fishing lakes every four years, while remaining waterbodies are sampled every six years.“Water clarity in Kansas reservoirs is affected primarily by either algae or suspended sediments,” said Knight. “It’s a good indicator of the level of human impact in a watershed.”In the field, Knight uses techniques such as Secchi depth – a disk lowered through a water column until it disappears from view – to measure water column transparency. Water samples are then submitted to a laboratory to test turbidity, a measurement of how well light passes through the sample, and total suspended solids, the number of suspended particles. Chlorophyll analyses are also conducted and used as an indicator of the level of algae growth in the system; Lakes are then ranked based on results.Apart from the scientific data agencies are able to obtain from these tests, recreational benefits exist, as well. In fact, increased water clarity enhances your angling experience because you can see bottom structure, your lure and ultimately a fish on the end of your line, which adds a unique element of excitement.“In general, fish in clear water will behave different from fish in turbid water,” said KDWPT fisheries biologist, Jeff Koch. “Fish in clear water will be more wary, so you have to change up your technique if you want to be successful.”Anglers fishing in clear waters should concentrate their efforts during low-light periods or with a light chop on the water when fish will be most comfortable feeding. Since fish can see better in clear water, use a light low-visibility line such as fluorocarbon and make long casts. Also, baits that closely resemble natural prey, such as shad, bluegill, or crawfish in realistic colors will draw more strikes. Koch also suggests using small finesse-type baits in natural colors.“You won’t need to throw great big lures to get their attention and draw them in,” added Koch. “Stick to what looks real, and you’ll find a fish on the end of your line.”For more on fishing in Kansas, visit <a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing">ksoutdoors.com/Fishing</a>.For more on lake monitoring in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fbefs%2Flakes_monitoring.htm&amp;data=02%7C01%7CNadia.Reimer%40KS.GOV%7C428fb49573a54c2fbe6408d7b003df64%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637171402995378207&amp;sdata=4JO1VED2%2BWale3032FcJUb6lx9jGgsp%2FXJ%2BxVnGFhNM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/befs/lakes_monitoring.htm</a>

 KDWPT, KDHE announce clearest lakes in Kansas

Today is Monday, Feb. 17, the 48th day of 2020. There are 318 days left in the year.

On Feb. 17, 1801, the U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr became vice president.

In 1815, the United States and Britain exchanged the instruments of ratification for the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.

In 1863, the International Red Cross was founded in Geneva.

In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union ship USS Housatonic was rammed and sunk in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, by the Confederate hand-cranked submarine HL Hunley in the first naval attack of its kind; the Hunley also sank.

In 1933, Newsweek magazine was first published under the title "News-Week."

In 1944, during World War II, U.S. forces invaded Eniwetok Atoll, encountering little initial resistance from Imperial Japanese troops. (The Americans secured the atoll less than a week later.)

In 1964, the Supreme Court, in Wesberry v. Sanders, ruled that congressional districts within each state had to be roughly equal in population.

In 1965, comedian Joan Rivers made her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon departed the White House with his wife, Pat, on a historic trip to China.

In 1986, Johnson &amp; Johnson announced it would no longer sell over-the-counter medications in capsule form, following the death of a woman who had taken a cyanide-laced Tylenol capsule.

In 1988, Lt. Col. William Higgins, a Marine Corps officer serving with a United Nations truce monitoring group, was kidnapped in southern Lebanon by Iranian-backed terrorists (he was later slain by his captors).

In 1996, world chess champion Garry Kasparov beat IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue," winning a six-game match in Philadelphia (however, Kasparov lost to Deep Blue in a rematch in 1997).

In 2006, ten U.S. service members died when a pair of Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the coast of Africa.

Ten years ago: President Barack Obama marked the one-year anniversary of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saying it had staved off another Great Depression and kept up to 2 million people on the job. Eight American missionaries charged with child kidnapping in Haiti were released after nearly three weeks in a Haitian jail. Americans Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso captured gold and silver in the women's Olympic downhill in Vancouver. Actress Kathryn Grayson, 88, died in Los Angeles.

Five years ago: Vice President Joe Biden opened a White House summit on countering extremism and radicalization, saying the United States needed to ensure that immigrants were fully included in the fabric of American society to prevent violent ideologies from taking root at home.

One year ago: In an interview airing on CBS' "60 Minutes," former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said a "crime may have been committed" when President Donald Trump fired the head of the FBI and tried to publicly undermine an investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia. George Mendonsa, the U.S. Navy sailor who was seen in an iconic photo kissing a woman in a nurse's uniform in New York's Times Square to celebrate the end of World War II, died in Rhode Island; he was 95.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Hal Holbrook is 95. Actor-comedian Barry Humphries (aka "Dame Edna") is 86. Country singer-songwriter Johnny Bush is 85. Actress Christina Pickles is 85. Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown is 84. Actress Brenda Fricker is 75. Actress Becky Ann Baker is 67. Actress Rene Russo is 66. Actor Richard Karn is 64. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 58. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is 57. Actor-comedian Larry, the Cable Guy is 57. TV personality Rene Syler is 57. Movie director Michael Bay is 56. Singer Chante Moore is 53. Rock musician Timothy J. Mahoney (311) is 50. Actor Dominic Purcell is 50. Olympic gold and silver medal skier Tommy Moe is 50. Actress Denise Richards is 49. Rock singer-musician Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) is 48. Rock musician Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) is 48. Actor Jerry O'Connell is 46. Country singer Bryan White is 46. Actress Kelly Carlson is 44. Actor Ashton Holmes is 42. Actor Conrad Ricamora is 41. Actor Jason Ritter is 40. TV personality Paris Hilton is 39. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is 39. TV host Daphne Oz is 34. Actor Chord Overstreet is 31. Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is 29. Actress Meaghan Martin is 28. Actress Sasha Pieterse is 24.

Thought for Today: "Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt; and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last; and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another." — Helen Hunt Jackson, American author (1831-1885).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Monday, Feb. 17, the 48th day of 2020. There are 318 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 17, 1801, the U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr became vice president.On this date:In 1815, the United States and Britain exchanged the instruments of ratification for the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.In 1863, the International Red Cross was founded in Geneva.In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union ship USS Housatonic was rammed and sunk in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, by the Confederate hand-cranked submarine HL Hunley in the first naval attack of its kind; the Hunley also sank.In 1933, Newsweek magazine was first published under the title "News-Week."In 1944, during World War II, U.S. forces invaded Eniwetok Atoll, encountering little initial resistance from Imperial Japanese troops. (The Americans secured the atoll less than a week later.)In 1964, the Supreme Court, in Wesberry v. Sanders, ruled that congressional districts within each state had to be roughly equal in population.In 1965, comedian Joan Rivers made her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon departed the White House with his wife, Pat, on a historic trip to China.In 1986, Johnson &amp; Johnson announced it would no longer sell over-the-counter medications in capsule form, following the death of a woman who had taken a cyanide-laced Tylenol capsule.In 1988, Lt. Col. William Higgins, a Marine Corps officer serving with a United Nations truce monitoring group, was kidnapped in southern Lebanon by Iranian-backed terrorists (he was later slain by his captors).In 1996, world chess champion Garry Kasparov beat IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue," winning a six-game match in Philadelphia (however, Kasparov lost to Deep Blue in a rematch in 1997).In 2006, ten U.S. service members died when a pair of Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the coast of Africa.Ten years ago: President Barack Obama marked the one-year anniversary of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saying it had staved off another Great Depression and kept up to 2 million people on the job. Eight American missionaries charged with child kidnapping in Haiti were released after nearly three weeks in a Haitian jail. Americans Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso captured gold and silver in the women's Olympic downhill in Vancouver. Actress Kathryn Grayson, 88, died in Los Angeles.Five years ago: Vice President Joe Biden opened a White House summit on countering extremism and radicalization, saying the United States needed to ensure that immigrants were fully included in the fabric of American society to prevent violent ideologies from taking root at home.One year ago: In an interview airing on CBS' "60 Minutes," former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said a "crime may have been committed" when President Donald Trump fired the head of the FBI and tried to publicly undermine an investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia. George Mendonsa, the U.S. Navy sailor who was seen in an iconic photo kissing a woman in a nurse's uniform in New York's Times Square to celebrate the end of World War II, died in Rhode Island; he was 95.Today's Birthdays: Actor Hal Holbrook is 95. Actor-comedian Barry Humphries (aka "Dame Edna") is 86. Country singer-songwriter Johnny Bush is 85. Actress Christina Pickles is 85. Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown is 84. Actress Brenda Fricker is 75. Actress Becky Ann Baker is 67. Actress Rene Russo is 66. Actor Richard Karn is 64. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 58. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is 57. Actor-comedian Larry, the Cable Guy is 57. TV personality Rene Syler is 57. Movie director Michael Bay is 56. Singer Chante Moore is 53. Rock musician Timothy J. Mahoney (311) is 50. Actor Dominic Purcell is 50. Olympic gold and silver medal skier Tommy Moe is 50. Actress Denise Richards is 49. Rock singer-musician Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) is 48. Rock musician Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) is 48. Actor Jerry O'Connell is 46. Country singer Bryan White is 46. Actress Kelly Carlson is 44. Actor Ashton Holmes is 42. Actor Conrad Ricamora is 41. Actor Jason Ritter is 40. TV personality Paris Hilton is 39. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is 39. TV host Daphne Oz is 34. Actor Chord Overstreet is 31. Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is 29. Actress Meaghan Martin is 28. Actress Sasha Pieterse is 24.Thought for Today: "Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt; and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last; and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another." — Helen Hunt Jackson, American author (1831-1885).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 17

Ashby House has announced a new partnership with CKF Addiction Treatment. 

CKF will now provide addiction treatment on-site at Ashby House to women (including women with children) while Ashby House continues to provide sober living housing, according to information from Ashby House.

CKF and Ashby House have a shared history. Both agencies were founded by priests from Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church and started at the same location, the current Ashby House Shelter, the information from Ashby house noted. Father, Willys Neustrom in 1962 and Father, John Ashby in 1992, recognized the need to provide treatment and shelter and then organized efforts to meet those needs. Both agencies have been providing quality services to women from across the state of Kansas ever since.

Ashby House has announced a new partnership with CKF Addiction Treatment. CKF will now provide addiction treatment on-site at Ashby House to women (including women with children) while Ashby House continues to provide sober living housing, according to information from Ashby House.CKF and Ashby House have a shared history. Both agencies were founded by priests from Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church and started at the same location, the current Ashby House Shelter, the information from Ashby house noted. Father, Willys Neustrom in 1962 and Father, John Ashby in 1992, recognized the need to provide treatment and shelter and then organized efforts to meet those needs. Both agencies have been providing quality services to women from across the state of Kansas ever since.

Ashby House announces new partnership with CKF

Look what made the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS/">Kansas Tourism</a> Facebook page!

Look what made the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS/">Kansas Tourism</a> Facebook page!<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTravelKS%2Fposts%2F10158222464137868&width=500" width="500" height="768" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Kansas Tourism promotes Coronado Heights 

By RON WILSON Kansas State University

“That shows a lot of pride.”&nbsp;This statement applies when we see a community that is clean and neat, with active businesses and busy downtown buildings.&nbsp;Today, we will visit a group of community volunteers who are utilizing their pride – and the Kansas PRIDE program - to benefit their rural town.&nbsp;

Kay Haffner is the co-chair of the Grainfield Community Development Committee, active members of the Kansas PRIDE program.&nbsp;In 2020, Kansas PRIDE is celebrating the 50th&nbsp;anniversary of its founding, so we will be highlighting Kansas PRIDE communities during the year ahead.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5e3f7bdda471e75afc522e6c">Kansas PRIDE -- Celebrating 50 years of helping improve state</a>

Kansas PRIDE is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Masons, and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.&nbsp;Through the program, local volunteers identify their community’s priorities and then work with the resources of these partners to create their ideal community future.

The Grainfield Community Development Committee or GCDC formed and joined the PRIDE program in 2009.&nbsp;Kay Haffner and her husband own a trucking company here.&nbsp;&nbsp;She volunteers with the GCDC.

“We were a town that was dying,” Kay said.&nbsp;“Nothing was being done.”&nbsp;GCDC members decided to refurbish the community’s old, faded Christmas decorations.&nbsp;They got tinsel and lights and redid the decorations.&nbsp;It went so well that they decided to take on more projects.

GCDC&nbsp;charters&nbsp;the local Boy Scout troop and completed the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and Housing Assessment Tool for their city.&nbsp;They got a grant from Kansas PRIDE to build an enclosed&nbsp;sand volleyball court while working with local youth organizations.&nbsp;For the local high school, GCDC bought a flag which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Child care was identified as a community need.&nbsp;Not only were families taking their kids to child care providers in other towns, those kids would end up going to school in those towns rather than Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC worked to help the local school create an&nbsp;extended preschool, and after school program.&nbsp;GCDC provides snacks and supplies.

Housing is a big issue.&nbsp;“We bought some empty lots and worked with the Northwest Kansas Housing Authority to build a triplex on them,” Kay said.&nbsp;A local builder was hired to do the work.&nbsp;It went so well that he bought some rundown apartments and fixed them up, and now those six apartments are full.

In November, GCDC sponsors the Hops at the House Brewfest at the local opera house.&nbsp;This annual event is a German food party, with beer-tasting, a polka band, and homemade German food.

On Memorial Day weekend, GCDC hosts Cruise, Shoes &amp; BBQ's, a festival which began with a car show, horseshoe pitching contest, and barbecue competition.&nbsp;“This has gone far beyond what we dreamed it would be,” Kay said.&nbsp;It now includes a poker run, face-painting, kids’ activities, volleyball tournament, and much, much more.&nbsp;Local non-profit organizations sell concessions as a fundraiser and benefit significantly.

People were wanting office space.&nbsp;Then the Bluestem Medical Clinic in Quinter called to see if there was a place where they could open a satellite clinic in Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC got 12 grants, including from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Volunteers Impact PRIDE program supported by the Kansas Masons, to buy an unoccupied&nbsp;building downtown.&nbsp;After two years of renovation, Second Street Place is now open, hosting the satellite clinic and two local businesses.

GCDC was needing more space to hold its meetings.&nbsp;Thanks to another Hansen Foundation grant (and several others, GCDC built the new Grainfield Community Building on another empty lot downtown.&nbsp;That building is shared with the Castle Rock Wellness Center. Eighty-five percent of the supplies and contractors came from Gove County.

Are you tired yet?&nbsp;These are remarkable achievements for a group of volunteers in a rural community such as Grainfield, population 277 people.&nbsp;Now, that’s rural.

For more information about Kansas PRIDE, see&nbsp;<a href="https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca273dec41c7948eb380008d7aa89fd6b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637165381967002570&amp;sdata=fBJqohEBgpkbgTxHeAsl%2BzYcfZy2ymgudg%2BIFcbpfuY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu</a>.

We commend Kay Haffner and the volunteers of the Grainfield Community Development Committee for making a difference with these community improvements.&nbsp;“I’m so proud of our group, they’re just amazing,” Kay said.&nbsp;“They’re always willing to step up when there’s something to be done.”&nbsp;That shows a lot of pride.

Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581527996500.png" alt="Grainfield Community Building. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Grainfield Community Building. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Kansas State University“That shows a lot of pride.”&nbsp;This statement applies when we see a community that is clean and neat, with active businesses and busy downtown buildings.&nbsp;Today, we will visit a group of community volunteers who are utilizing their pride – and the Kansas PRIDE program - to benefit their rural town.&nbsp;Kay Haffner is the co-chair of the Grainfield Community Development Committee, active members of the Kansas PRIDE program.&nbsp;In 2020, Kansas PRIDE is celebrating the 50th&nbsp;anniversary of its founding, so we will be highlighting Kansas PRIDE communities during the year ahead.READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5e3f7bdda471e75afc522e6c">Kansas PRIDE -- Celebrating 50 years of helping improve state</a>Kansas PRIDE is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Masons, and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.&nbsp;Through the program, local volunteers identify their community’s priorities and then work with the resources of these partners to create their ideal community future.The Grainfield Community Development Committee or GCDC formed and joined the PRIDE program in 2009.&nbsp;Kay Haffner and her husband own a trucking company here.&nbsp;&nbsp;She volunteers with the GCDC.“We were a town that was dying,” Kay said.&nbsp;“Nothing was being done.”&nbsp;GCDC members decided to refurbish the community’s old, faded Christmas decorations.&nbsp;They got tinsel and lights and redid the decorations.&nbsp;It went so well that they decided to take on more projects.GCDC&nbsp;charters&nbsp;the local Boy Scout troop and completed the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and Housing Assessment Tool for their city.&nbsp;They got a grant from Kansas PRIDE to build an enclosed&nbsp;sand volleyball court while working with local youth organizations.&nbsp;For the local high school, GCDC bought a flag which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.Child care was identified as a community need.&nbsp;Not only were families taking their kids to child care providers in other towns, those kids would end up going to school in those towns rather than Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC worked to help the local school create an&nbsp;extended preschool, and after school program.&nbsp;GCDC provides snacks and supplies.Housing is a big issue.&nbsp;“We bought some empty lots and worked with the Northwest Kansas Housing Authority to build a triplex on them,” Kay said.&nbsp;A local builder was hired to do the work.&nbsp;It went so well that he bought some rundown apartments and fixed them up, and now those six apartments are full.In November, GCDC sponsors the Hops at the House Brewfest at the local opera house.&nbsp;This annual event is a German food party, with beer-tasting, a polka band, and homemade German food.On Memorial Day weekend, GCDC hosts Cruise, Shoes &amp; BBQ's, a festival which began with a car show, horseshoe pitching contest, and barbecue competition.&nbsp;“This has gone far beyond what we dreamed it would be,” Kay said.&nbsp;It now includes a poker run, face-painting, kids’ activities, volleyball tournament, and much, much more.&nbsp;Local non-profit organizations sell concessions as a fundraiser and benefit significantly.People were wanting office space.&nbsp;Then the Bluestem Medical Clinic in Quinter called to see if there was a place where they could open a satellite clinic in Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC got 12 grants, including from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Volunteers Impact PRIDE program supported by the Kansas Masons, to buy an unoccupied&nbsp;building downtown.&nbsp;After two years of renovation, Second Street Place is now open, hosting the satellite clinic and two local businesses.GCDC was needing more space to hold its meetings.&nbsp;Thanks to another Hansen Foundation grant (and several others, GCDC built the new Grainfield Community Building on another empty lot downtown.&nbsp;That building is shared with the Castle Rock Wellness Center. Eighty-five percent of the supplies and contractors came from Gove County.Are you tired yet?&nbsp;These are remarkable achievements for a group of volunteers in a rural community such as Grainfield, population 277 people.&nbsp;Now, that’s rural.For more information about Kansas PRIDE, see&nbsp;<a href="https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca273dec41c7948eb380008d7aa89fd6b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637165381967002570&amp;sdata=fBJqohEBgpkbgTxHeAsl%2BzYcfZy2ymgudg%2BIFcbpfuY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu</a>.We commend Kay Haffner and the volunteers of the Grainfield Community Development Committee for making a difference with these community improvements.&nbsp;“I’m so proud of our group, they’re just amazing,” Kay said.&nbsp;“They’re always willing to step up when there’s something to be done.”&nbsp;That shows a lot of pride.Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Kay Haffner, Grainfield PRIDE

EMPORIA -- Emporia State University has announced that 500 students&nbsp; received their academic degrees in December 2019. 

They include the following local and area students.

Caleb Alan Stivers of Abilene, with a B.S. in Education degree in Physical Education with a minor in Coaching.

Marissa Jo Long of Bennington, with a Education Specialist degree in School Psychology .

Katie Lynn Base of Canton, with a Master of Science degree in Curriculum &amp; Instruction with a concentration in Curriculum Lead Concentration/Prek-12 .

Aimee Marie Hennigh of Hillsboro, with a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration with a concentration in Educational Administration Prek-12 .

Sydnee Diane Baldwin of Marion, Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Education degree in Elementary Education .

Heather Nicole Barkley of Salina, with a Education Specialist degree in School Psychology .

Tyler A. Burnett of Salina, with a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration with a concentration in Educational Administration Prek-12 .

Joshua James Ferguson of Salina, with a B.S. in Business degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management .

Audrey Lorraine Ibarra of Salina, with a B.S. in Education degree in Elementary Education .

Barret L Koch of Salina, with a Master of Science degree in School Psychology .

Charles Michael Long of Salina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and a minor in History.

Gracie Mae Dautel of Solomon, Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business degree in Accounting .

Emporia State University offers more than 200 academic programs in the School of Business, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Library and Information Management and The Teachers College.&nbsp;

--<a href="http://emporia.edu">ESU</a>--

EMPORIA -- Emporia State University has announced that 500 students&nbsp; received their academic degrees in December 2019. They include the following local and area students.Caleb Alan Stivers of Abilene, with a B.S. in Education degree in Physical Education with a minor in Coaching.Marissa Jo Long of Bennington, with a Education Specialist degree in School Psychology .Katie Lynn Base of Canton, with a Master of Science degree in Curriculum &amp; Instruction with a concentration in Curriculum Lead Concentration/Prek-12 .Aimee Marie Hennigh of Hillsboro, with a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration with a concentration in Educational Administration Prek-12 .Sydnee Diane Baldwin of Marion, Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Education degree in Elementary Education .Heather Nicole Barkley of Salina, with a Education Specialist degree in School Psychology .Tyler A. Burnett of Salina, with a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration with a concentration in Educational Administration Prek-12 .Joshua James Ferguson of Salina, with a B.S. in Business degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management .Audrey Lorraine Ibarra of Salina, with a B.S. in Education degree in Elementary Education .Barret L Koch of Salina, with a Master of Science degree in School Psychology .Charles Michael Long of Salina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and a minor in History.Gracie Mae Dautel of Solomon, Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business degree in Accounting .About ESUEmporia State University offers more than 200 academic programs in the School of Business, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Library and Information Management and The Teachers College.&nbsp;--<a href="http://emporia.edu">ESU</a>--

Local, area students earn degrees from ESU

Presidents Day brings with it local governmental closings.

City of Salina offices will be closed Monday in observance of the Presidents Day holiday, however, crews will be providing regularly scheduled sanitation collection on Monday. 

Additionally, the landfill will be open during its usual business hours; however, the Household Hazardous Waste, the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center, and General Services facilities will be closed. Regular hours of operation will resume Tuesday.

Because of the holiday, there will be no Salina City Commission meeting on Monday.

Saline County offices and facilities also will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581872234503.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Presidents Day brings with it local governmental closings.City of Salina offices will be closed Monday in observance of the Presidents Day holiday, however, crews will be providing regularly scheduled sanitation collection on Monday. Additionally, the landfill will be open during its usual business hours; however, the Household Hazardous Waste, the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center, and General Services facilities will be closed. Regular hours of operation will resume Tuesday.Because of the holiday, there will be no Salina City Commission meeting on Monday.Saline County offices and facilities also will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday.

City, county offices closed Monday

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/catholiccharitiesofnorthernks/">Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas</a> Facebook page:

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/catholiccharitiesofnorthernks/">Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcatholiccharitiesofnorthernks%2Fposts%2F2633962943366206&width=500" width="500" height="411" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Catholic Charities: Mobile outreach for Wednesday

ATCHISON -- The following students earned degrees from Benedictine College in Atchison at the end of the fall term in December 2019. 

The college graduated 90 students with undergraduate degrees and two students with Master's degrees.

Francislee Sullivan, BA, Journalism &amp; Mass Communications



Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison.&nbsp; It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging.  It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

ATCHISON -- The following students earned degrees from Benedictine College in Atchison at the end of the fall term in December 2019. The college graduated 90 students with undergraduate degrees and two students with Master's degrees.

SalinaDrew Simpson, BA, ManagementFrancislee Sullivan, BA, Journalism &amp; Mass Communications

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison.&nbsp; It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Local students earn degrees at Benedictine College

CLAY CENTER -- Heart health will be the topic of the upcoming Lunch Bunch program at the Clay County Medical Center (CCMC).

The program is scheduled for noon Wednesday at CCMC.&nbsp;Reservations are required by Monday. Please call CCMC (785) 632-2144 ext.3702 to register. $6 is requested to cover the cost of lunch. 

The group meets in the Education Center above the Mark A. Chapman Wellness Center. Please wear red to the lunch to increase women’s heart health awareness.

February is Heart Month and a good time to learn about heart disease and how to live a heart healthy life. The cardiac rehabilitation department at CCMC will be offering blood pressure checks before the noon meal. During lunch, the Cardiac Rehab department will offer education on hypertension, heart disease, and the steps you need to take to help your heart.

CCMC's Lunch Bunch program meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Lunch always begins at noon, and is followed by a guest speaker covering topics of interest in the areas of health, lifestyle, and entertainment.

CLAY CENTER -- Heart health will be the topic of the upcoming Lunch Bunch program at the Clay County Medical Center (CCMC).The program is scheduled for noon Wednesday at CCMC.&nbsp;Reservations are required by Monday. Please call CCMC (785) 632-2144 ext.3702 to register. $6 is requested to cover the cost of lunch. The group meets in the Education Center above the Mark A. Chapman Wellness Center. Please wear red to the lunch to increase women’s heart health awareness.February is Heart Month and a good time to learn about heart disease and how to live a heart healthy life. The cardiac rehabilitation department at CCMC will be offering blood pressure checks before the noon meal. During lunch, the Cardiac Rehab department will offer education on hypertension, heart disease, and the steps you need to take to help your heart.CCMC's Lunch Bunch program meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Lunch always begins at noon, and is followed by a guest speaker covering topics of interest in the areas of health, lifestyle, and entertainment.

CCMC Lunch Bunch program to look at heart health



HAYS – Staff from Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will host six free information sessions across the state for interested students and families in March and April.

The Academy offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to live and learn at Fort Hays State University and get a head start on their college educations.

Students and guests can learn about KAMS and visit with representatives from the Academy at these sessions. Please visit the registration website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/" target="_blank">http://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/</a>&nbsp;to find a session in your area.

The information sessions are listed chronologically.

Salina Public Library, Prescott Room, 301 West Elm Street

Manhattan Public Library, Auditorium, 629 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan

Johnson County Central Resource Library, Carmack Community Room, 9875 West 87th Street, Overland Park

Topeka Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 101C, 1515 Southwest 10th Avenue, Topeka

Wichita Advanced Learning Library, Conference Room C, 711 West 2nd Street, N Wichita

FHSU Memorial Union, Stouffer Lounge, 700 Park Street, Hays

All information sessions are free and open to the public.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/kams" target="_blank">www.fhsu.edu/kams</a>&nbsp;for more information regarding the program.

KAMS is an early college program that focuses on advanced mathematics and science coursework. While studying at KAMS, students live on the FHSU campus in a select residence hall with other Academy students from around the world. Over the course of two years, students complete over 60 hours of college credit and complete their high school diploma. These college classes are taken alongside traditional college undergraduates and taught by college professors while simultaneously contributing to their high school graduation requirements. KAMS also provides hands-on research, leadership, and civic engagement opportunities.



HAYS – Staff from Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will host six free information sessions across the state for interested students and families in March and April.The Academy offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to live and learn at Fort Hays State University and get a head start on their college educations.Students and guests can learn about KAMS and visit with representatives from the Academy at these sessions. Please visit the registration website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/" target="_blank">http://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/</a>&nbsp;to find a session in your area.The information sessions are listed chronologically.March 12, 6 p.m.Salina Public Library, Prescott Room, 301 West Elm StreetMarch 25, 6 p.m.Manhattan Public Library, Auditorium, 629 Poyntz Avenue, ManhattanMarch 31, 6 p.m.Johnson County Central Resource Library, Carmack Community Room, 9875 West 87th Street, Overland ParkApril 1, 6 p.m.Topeka Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 101C, 1515 Southwest 10th Avenue, TopekaApril 9, 6 p.m.Wichita Advanced Learning Library, Conference Room C, 711 West 2nd Street, N WichitaApril 14, 6 p.m.FHSU Memorial Union, Stouffer Lounge, 700 Park Street, HaysAll information sessions are free and open to the public.Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/kams" target="_blank">www.fhsu.edu/kams</a>&nbsp;for more information regarding the program.About KAMSKAMS is an early college program that focuses on advanced mathematics and science coursework. While studying at KAMS, students live on the FHSU campus in a select residence hall with other Academy students from around the world. Over the course of two years, students complete over 60 hours of college credit and complete their high school diploma. These college classes are taken alongside traditional college undergraduates and taught by college professors while simultaneously contributing to their high school graduation requirements. KAMS also provides hands-on research, leadership, and civic engagement opportunities.

Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science info sessions set

By TIM UNRUH Salina Airport Authority

After learning by phone last summer of 1 Vision Aviation’s expansion plans to Salina, Mitch Robinson may have uttered a ceremonial “yippee” in his downtown office.

Weeks later, when Jimmy Sponder — owner, president and CEO of the Sioux City, Iowa-based aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul company — made it official with a signed contract, principal figures in the Salina recruiting effort celebrated with some handshakes and high fives.

But there was no chest beating, or cartwheels from Robinson, executive director of the Salina Community Economic Development Organization.

The Kentucky native played a major role in bringing new jobs and payroll — to the Big Bertha hangar at the Salina RegionalAirportand Industrial Center.

The subdued response from Robinson (58 at the time) was by design, and he admits to being a bit long in the tooth for cartwheels.

Snaring the spotlight is just not his style.

“It was definitely a feeling of satisfaction,” Robinson said, immediately shoveling credit to the rest of the community team.

“You can’t be in this business and not be excited when you bag one,” he said. “There was some relief as well.”

Economic development is “a long process,” Robinson said, and essential these days.

Roughly three years since taking the EDO reigns in Salina, he is enjoying middle America with wife Debbi (senior recruiter with Schwan’s) and family, and is excited to welcome more projects to the community.

Locals were impressed with the addition of LifeSave Transport, air ambulance service, and 1 Vision to theairportindustrial center neighborhood this past fall.

The new tenants have piqued interested in other development opportunities, said Tim Rogers, executive director of the SalinaAirportAuthority.

“Those projects have built momentum, and have re-energized workforce recruitment, training, and retention efforts,” he said.&nbsp;

Hired in December 2016, Robinson “has become and effective representative of the community and a big contributor to economic development,” Rogers said. “Mitch has my trust and confidence to handle all the details from the simplest to more complex project. He has definitely earned his spurs.”

Robinson represents the community on a state and national level. He was just elected second vice president of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance.

Eco deco, as it’s referred to in short, is not an exact science, Rogers said. “The time and effort is what is hard for folks to realize.”

Ditto that, said Kent Buer, president and CEO of First Bank Kansas, and chairman of the SalinaAirportAuthority board.

“There has always been criticisms with economic development in Salina. A lot of people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes,” he said. “Mitch is not a cheerleader. He has been an asset to this community.”

Robinson is a professional and economic development veteran, Buer said.

“He knows how to go about it, who to contact, and what resources are available from a regional and a state level,” the banker said. “He’s ran with some things that our other entities didn’t have time to run with, or it wasn’t in their wheelhouse.”

The economic development team is working hard, said Bob Vidricksen, chairman of the Saline County commission.

“The perception is the organization isn’t doing much, but they are doing a lot, dealing with a lot of people,” he said. “All of a sudden, it happens, and boom, it’s ‘Great job Mitch.’”

Workers are often told “to work visibly and let your bosses see what you’re doing,” Vidricksen said, but that can’t always happen in the economic development process.

“They can’t reveal what’s going on until the hammer drops,” he said.

Another trait of this EDO leader is being “a really good team player,” Buer said. “Mitch is a professional. He’s not flashy, and I don’t think we need flashy, not in our community. We just want results.”

That happened in bunches this past fall.&nbsp;

Sponder of 1Vision has praise for Robinson and Salina. After a few months of pondering an expansion, the company opened for business in early September, starting with 50 employees. Today’s roster contains over 80 names, and is still on track to grow and attract business, reaching the 450-employee goal by 2023.

“Everybody involved was working hard to get me here, so that impressed me a whole lot,” Sponder said. “They were always asking what they needed to do to help me come this direction, and without even asking they took it upon themselves to figure out how the hangar needed to be upgraded. It made me want to come here even more.”

Robinson and the EDO, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce,airportauthority, city, county, business community and other Salina/Saline County groups, promised, then delivered.

Now, 1 Vision’s business in Big Bertha is “booming,” Sponder said, with eight regional jets in the hangar for scheduled maintenance repairs and overhaul.

“There are no regrets,” Sponder said. “It continues to grow.”

Having a company repairing aircraft just walking distance from Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, helps in more than one way, said Andrew Smith, professor and co-coordinator of the school’s aviation maintenance management program.

Enrollment is growing, and several of K-State Poly students work at 1 Vision Aviation part-time.

“It helps solidify their education with hands-on, real-world experience,” Smith said. “I think we’ll see continued growth. It’s a good relationship for us.”

The 1 Vision recruitment story is worth recalling. It began with a phone call, but the real process started when Sponder paid Salina and theairportindustrial center a visit.

“Tim (Rogers) and I went over and showed Jimmy and his team —six of them— toured the hangar. They all flew in,” Robinson said. “That’s game time. There has got to be answers to all the questions. You’re amped up. It’s like playing in the Super Bowl.”

The group toured Big Bertha, reviewed information and then gathered at a Salina restaurant.

“Everybody sat in a circle. That was the first time we realized that Jimmy brought two of his bankers with him. He was serious, and Big Bertha was interesting to him,” Robinson said. “After that, we spent several weeks providing additional information.”

In relation to other projects that can take years, he said, the 1 Vision deal came to fruition rather quickly.

“When we got word that Tim had a signed lease in hand, that’s when the celebrations began,” Robinson said.

Others weighed in on Robinson and the recent economic development success:

I have worked with Mitch as he has recruited prospects or responded to requests for proposals from prospects, their consultants or the State of Kansas, and he is very good at what he does,” wrote Mike Schrage, Salina city manager in a written statement.

“He understands the ins and outs of the economic development process as well as the various decision factors related to site selection and project development and he does a terrific job of seamlessly working with countless parties to put the best foot forward for our community,” Schrage said.

“Mitch brings years of experience in working with prospective companies looking to expand to the Midwest. He has made a career of helping small markets attract good solid companies that provide security, good wages and benefits to our community,” wrote John Gunn, EDO board president. “Mitch has a great work ethic and has an easy going, likable personality.”

He pointed to the teamwork of Robinson and Robin VanAtta, EDO administrative assistant,&nbsp;“Mitch and Robin respond to all type of requests, big and small.&nbsp;One day it is working on a 1 Vision, 400- plus job opportunity and the next it is trying to find funding for a startup,” Gunn wrote. “We are lucky to have found someone with the experience and personality of Mitch Robinson.”

EDO efforts have been “positive” since Robinson arrived, while the organization was starting&nbsp;“from the ground up,” and building viability, wrote Eric Brown, chamber president and CEO.

“The learning curve can be steep and establishing yourself with the community can be daunting,” the statement reads. “Economic development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes partnerships across the community to recruit and retain businesses, and Mitch has done a great job of making himself available, and making connections that will allow his organization to flourish.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581781708359.jpeg" alt="Mitch Robinson. Photo courtesy the Salina Airport Authority" />
 <figcaption>Mitch Robinson. Photo courtesy the Salina Airport Authority</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM UNRUH Salina Airport AuthorityAfter learning by phone last summer of 1 Vision Aviation’s expansion plans to Salina, Mitch Robinson may have uttered a ceremonial “yippee” in his downtown office.He’s not sure.Weeks later, when Jimmy Sponder — owner, president and CEO of the Sioux City, Iowa-based aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul company — made it official with a signed contract, principal figures in the Salina recruiting effort celebrated with some handshakes and high fives.But there was no chest beating, or cartwheels from Robinson, executive director of the Salina Community Economic Development Organization.The Kentucky native played a major role in bringing new jobs and payroll — to the Big Bertha hangar at the Salina RegionalAirportand Industrial Center.The subdued response from Robinson (58 at the time) was by design, and he admits to being a bit long in the tooth for cartwheels.Snaring the spotlight is just not his style.“It was definitely a feeling of satisfaction,” Robinson said, immediately shoveling credit to the rest of the community team.“You can’t be in this business and not be excited when you bag one,” he said. “There was some relief as well.”Economic development is “a long process,” Robinson said, and essential these days.Roughly three years since taking the EDO reigns in Salina, he is enjoying middle America with wife Debbi (senior recruiter with Schwan’s) and family, and is excited to welcome more projects to the community.Locals were impressed with the addition of LifeSave Transport, air ambulance service, and 1 Vision to theairportindustrial center neighborhood this past fall.The new tenants have piqued interested in other development opportunities, said Tim Rogers, executive director of the SalinaAirportAuthority.“Those projects have built momentum, and have re-energized workforce recruitment, training, and retention efforts,” he said.&nbsp;Hired in December 2016, Robinson “has become and effective representative of the community and a big contributor to economic development,” Rogers said. “Mitch has my trust and confidence to handle all the details from the simplest to more complex project. He has definitely earned his spurs.”Robinson represents the community on a state and national level. He was just elected second vice president of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance.Eco deco, as it’s referred to in short, is not an exact science, Rogers said. “The time and effort is what is hard for folks to realize.”Ditto that, said Kent Buer, president and CEO of First Bank Kansas, and chairman of the SalinaAirportAuthority board.“There has always been criticisms with economic development in Salina. A lot of people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes,” he said. “Mitch is not a cheerleader. He has been an asset to this community.”Robinson is a professional and economic development veteran, Buer said.“He knows how to go about it, who to contact, and what resources are available from a regional and a state level,” the banker said. “He’s ran with some things that our other entities didn’t have time to run with, or it wasn’t in their wheelhouse.”The economic development team is working hard, said Bob Vidricksen, chairman of the Saline County commission.“The perception is the organization isn’t doing much, but they are doing a lot, dealing with a lot of people,” he said. “All of a sudden, it happens, and boom, it’s ‘Great job Mitch.’”Workers are often told “to work visibly and let your bosses see what you’re doing,” Vidricksen said, but that can’t always happen in the economic development process.“They can’t reveal what’s going on until the hammer drops,” he said.Another trait of this EDO leader is being “a really good team player,” Buer said. “Mitch is a professional. He’s not flashy, and I don’t think we need flashy, not in our community. We just want results.”That happened in bunches this past fall.&nbsp;Sponder of 1Vision has praise for Robinson and Salina. After a few months of pondering an expansion, the company opened for business in early September, starting with 50 employees. Today’s roster contains over 80 names, and is still on track to grow and attract business, reaching the 450-employee goal by 2023.“Everybody involved was working hard to get me here, so that impressed me a whole lot,” Sponder said. “They were always asking what they needed to do to help me come this direction, and without even asking they took it upon themselves to figure out how the hangar needed to be upgraded. It made me want to come here even more.”Robinson and the EDO, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce,airportauthority, city, county, business community and other Salina/Saline County groups, promised, then delivered.Now, 1 Vision’s business in Big Bertha is “booming,” Sponder said, with eight regional jets in the hangar for scheduled maintenance repairs and overhaul.“There are no regrets,” Sponder said. “It continues to grow.”Having a company repairing aircraft just walking distance from Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, helps in more than one way, said Andrew Smith, professor and co-coordinator of the school’s aviation maintenance management program.Enrollment is growing, and several of K-State Poly students work at 1 Vision Aviation part-time.“It helps solidify their education with hands-on, real-world experience,” Smith said. “I think we’ll see continued growth. It’s a good relationship for us.”The 1 Vision recruitment story is worth recalling. It began with a phone call, but the real process started when Sponder paid Salina and theairportindustrial center a visit.“Tim (Rogers) and I went over and showed Jimmy and his team —six of them— toured the hangar. They all flew in,” Robinson said. “That’s game time. There has got to be answers to all the questions. You’re amped up. It’s like playing in the Super Bowl.”The group toured Big Bertha, reviewed information and then gathered at a Salina restaurant.“Everybody sat in a circle. That was the first time we realized that Jimmy brought two of his bankers with him. He was serious, and Big Bertha was interesting to him,” Robinson said. “After that, we spent several weeks providing additional information.”In relation to other projects that can take years, he said, the 1 Vision deal came to fruition rather quickly.“When we got word that Tim had a signed lease in hand, that’s when the celebrations began,” Robinson said.Others weighed in on Robinson and the recent economic development success:I have worked with Mitch as he has recruited prospects or responded to requests for proposals from prospects, their consultants or the State of Kansas, and he is very good at what he does,” wrote Mike Schrage, Salina city manager in a written statement.“He understands the ins and outs of the economic development process as well as the various decision factors related to site selection and project development and he does a terrific job of seamlessly working with countless parties to put the best foot forward for our community,” Schrage said.“Mitch brings years of experience in working with prospective companies looking to expand to the Midwest. He has made a career of helping small markets attract good solid companies that provide security, good wages and benefits to our community,” wrote John Gunn, EDO board president. “Mitch has a great work ethic and has an easy going, likable personality.”He pointed to the teamwork of Robinson and Robin VanAtta, EDO administrative assistant,&nbsp;“Mitch and Robin respond to all type of requests, big and small.&nbsp;One day it is working on a 1 Vision, 400- plus job opportunity and the next it is trying to find funding for a startup,” Gunn wrote. “We are lucky to have found someone with the experience and personality of Mitch Robinson.”EDO efforts have been “positive” since Robinson arrived, while the organization was starting&nbsp;“from the ground up,” and building viability, wrote Eric Brown, chamber president and CEO.“The learning curve can be steep and establishing yourself with the community can be daunting,” the statement reads. “Economic development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes partnerships across the community to recruit and retain businesses, and Mitch has done a great job of making himself available, and making connections that will allow his organization to flourish.”Having a strong economy and gross domestic product historically translates to profitability in the business sector, Brown added.“In terms of economic development, companies at that time place greater value on investing in their growth,” he wrote. “That is where the SCEDO has also done very well in understanding both those growth patterns and targeting those companies and industries that Salina would be a tremendous match for, based on our assets.”Robinson is always aimed at filling needs and sparking growth.“Everybody understands the importance of having good quality jobs for the community,” he said. “They generate sales of new cars, groceries, people being able to buy their first home or pay their rent. I totally get it.”“But on the other side we’re in a very competitive environment with 3 percent unemployment and less than 2 percent in some small counties, which is basically full employment.”Early in the EDO’s fourth year, the team is celebrating the development of relationships, Robinson said, connecting with “people in Topeka, Kansas City, utility companies, people outside of our day-to-day operation that we work with very closely to get projects completed, as well as developing new leads,” he said. “I like working with good people, and there hasn’t been anybody I’ve worked with from a company standpoint that I wouldn’t mind having in my house, sharing the evening with.”And that especially includes the local team that is making things happen in Salina and Saline County, he said, mentioning so many.“It’s not just me,” Robinson said. “Everybody has a role to play. There’s no way around that.”Once again, he can’t provide details, but Robinson and others sense there is momentum in Salina and Saline County’s favor. Other projects are in the works.“You can get on a roll of positive things sometimes,” he said. “A lot of that is from people saying ‘Something’s going on in that community. Things are happening, and we need to be looking at Salina.’ We feel like there are many positive things going on with the downtown, and the recent improvements made within the school district is another critical upgrade made within the community.”It might just entice local college graduates to take a look back home. They’re often called “boomerangers.”&nbsp;“It’s a morale issue,” Robinson said. “People can definitely feel good or feel bad about their community, based on things going on, and I think, overall, there are a lot of positive things going on that help promote good will.”Others are first timers, such as Jim Sponder of 1 Vision, who liked Salina so much that he relocated his family here.Current prospects “are well outside the normal information flow,” he added. “They’re not reading the local newspaper, but through online activity, people know more about you now than they did before.”Towns and regions may pursue economic development in different ways, such as creating focus groups, raising money and offering incentives. Robinson mentioned Topeka and Tulsa, Okla., offering bonuses for people to move there.What about Salina?“I’ll never say never, but at this point, we haven’t gone that direction,” he said. “But relocation efforts that the chamber is doing through their Image Salina campaign is making it easier to find out about new employment opportunities.”The EDO is pushing to spread the news to younger persons through social media, mentioning that assistant Robin VanAtta, “is very adept at that.”Companies have the ability to locate manufacturing plants wherever they want, and “communities are willing to give land, utilities and other amenities.Robinson feels a trend for this state.“They’re coming to Kansas for a reason. Maybe it’s raw materials or distribution purposes,” he said. “Maybe their family is from Kansas. Maybe they want to buy power that is wind generated."“Look at transportation. We’re sitting on two interstates, with rail and aviation improvements. It’s a huge difference.”While Salina is on the cusp of achieving metropolitan status (reaching 50,000 population, Robinson added that “not everybody wants to be in a big city, whether it’s Wichita, Dallas, Oklahoma City; we’ve got a lot of things to offer.”The EDO aims at pursuing projects that meld with niches here, among them aviation and a runway more than two miles long, and unmanned aerial systems.“We’ve got one out the best schools in the country (K-State Poly, probably in the world, working on that, making policy recommendations with the state and nation,” Robinson said. “And agriculture still pays the bills.”Activity is very strong right now, he said, and that’s a good thing.“The rest of the world is catching on,” Robinson said. “We’ve got some very good projects.”

Republished with permission from the Salina Airport Authority.