October 2022

At a crossroads in my life, I became a substitute teacher in Kansas

Last month, I left my communications position working for a statewide elected official. Experiencing the stress of a “big job” during an election year, I was actually learning what the Kansas teacher shortage means. I didn’t realize it at the time, though, and I still had much more to learn. Emotionally understanding and empathizing with teachers and administrators was even further away.

Read MoreAt a crossroads in my life, I became a substitute teacher in Kansas

From volunteer to resident, custodian rebuilds life at New Hope

Bill Cartmell has worked for Newton USD 373 for about five years as a custodian, at Newton High School and Santa Fe 5/6 Center. He has done his job to the best of his ability, and become a recognizable face to students at Santa Fe the past couple of years. But there are a couple of things students may not about Cartmell, a hidden talent and a backstory about the man who is cleaning buildings and setting up rooms.

Read MoreFrom volunteer to resident, custodian rebuilds life at New Hope

An eye on the environment leads Ediger to create new art form

The work now on display in Bethel College’s Regier Art Gallery represents what is very likely a new genre. Glen Ediger’s exhibit “Environmental Exposure” opened in the gallery Sept. 30. The artist reception will be Oct. 7 as part of Bethel’s Fall Festival. Reception hours are 6-8 p.m. at the gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center, and there will be extended gallery hours during the day Saturday, Oct. 8. Regular hours are Mon.Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 2-4 p.m.

Read MoreAn eye on the environment leads Ediger to create new art form

Should You Even Vote? Not Necessarily

As I write this, we’re 47 days away from the November 8 general election -- voters will elect candidates to all 435 US House seats, 35 US Senate seats, and other offices that vary from state to state. As close as that sounds, in some places it’s even closer. “Early voting” begins 46 days before Election Day in Minnesota and South Dakota, 45 days early in Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming, 40 days early in Illinois and Michigan, and with shorter windows in most states. It’s time to start making some decisions. Not just on which candidates to vote for, but on whether to vote at all.

Read MoreShould You Even Vote? Not Necessarily

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Support for renaming Lindley Hall I wholeheartedly support Anthony Cueller’s letter to the editor regarding Lindley Hall. Our community’s values require us to be clear with our students, our families and beyond, that we will not continue to promote our racist past.

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