Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

“Wild Within You” will be hosting a series of trail runs for recreationalists of all skill levels, including a 5k, 30k, and 50k (with team relay option), at Wilson State Park on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Day-of registration will open at 8 a.m., followed by a brief racer meeting at 8:45 a.m. The race will kick off at 9 a.m. Runners who preregister by Sunday, Oct. 11, may participate for $25. The cost to participate will increase to $30 beginning Oct. 12.

Runners will be met by aid stations along the trail offering water and assorted energy-packed snacks. After the event, preregistered runners can enjoy some free race goodies, as well as enter in several drawings for prizes.

Register online at www.active.com, in person at the Hays Recreation Commission, 1105 Canterbury Dr., Hays, or by mailing an entry form to Wild Within You, 101 W. 3rd, Liebenthal, KS 67553. Cash or check payments are accepted and race fees are non-refundable.

For more information, including 50k team relay rules, visit ww.wildwithinyou.com/HellCreekOnHeels.html.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Three graduates from Fort Hays State University will speak about innovation and startup businesses at the Entrepreneur Direct speaker series from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Robbins Center Eagle Communication Hall.

“Entrepreneur Direct is a speaker series that features successful entrepreneurs in an informal setting accessible to students, faculty and the public. The program is intended to connect students with successful entrepreneurs who have stories and advice to share. A panel asks questions about entrepreneurship and encourages questions and interaction with the audience,” said Mark Bannister dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Tonja Vallin, a 2000 graduate, is the co-owner of Working Girls Design, a national firm that creates and sells cards, books and gifts. Annual sales exceed $8 million. Products are found in boutique shops and larger retail stores like SteinMart and Walmart. Previously, Vallin worked in Las Vegas real estate and also was FHSU’s first director of academic marking.

Jeremy Horn, a 2004 graduate, is the co-founder of Wichita Brewing Co. & Pizzeria, the vice president of investments at American Underwriters Life Insurance Co., managing partner of WEB Investment Group LLC, and a managing member of Horn and Herris Holdings LLC.

Paul Kraus, a 1996 graduate, is a managing partner and founder of Saltbox Studio in Boulder, Colo. Saltbox designs software applications that optimize client technological experience with platforms like SalesForce.com and Oracle Cloud. Kraus has experience working with other startups including Datu Health, Appirio and Wall Street on Demand. After graduating from FHSU, Kraus worked for a Leo Burnett Company, Giant Step.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–If pleasant weather, time spent with family and friends, and the great outdoors sound like the perfect Saturday to you, consider checking out one of many Kansas state park events on Sept. 26. In addition to the events listed below, all parks around the state will also be participating in a GeoCache hunt. Participants who visit at least one park will be entered to win one of two Outdoor Store items, and participants who visit and find the caches at two parks will be eligible for a free night stay at a cabin of their choice in the park region visited.

HIGH PLAINS REGION

Cedar Bluff– “Healthy Grilling and Camp Snacks” class from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gather ideas for healthy grilled meals, while kids participate in “build your own” healthy snacks. The park office will be open 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Meade– Come visit Meade for an annual car and bike show. The park office will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prairie Dog­– Youth can enjoy a guided nature trail hike incorporating the Story Walk on the nature trail.

Lake Scott– Participate in a nature hike. Plan on starting from the office parking lot and hiking to a point south of Circle Drive campground. Total length approximately five miles. The park office will be open from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Webster– Youth are invited to come build a birdhouse at 10 a.m. Also, check out the pickle ball demonstration on the new pickle ball court at 1 p.m. The office will be open from 8 a.m. – to 4 p.m.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Tammy McClellan joined the Fort Hays State University Foundation — the fundraising arm of the university — on Sept. 1. McClellan was hired as director of development and will serve as the Foundation contact for FHSU’s newly proposed college of sciences and mathematics.

Prior to joining the FHSU Foundation, McClellan founded, owned and managed Simply Charmed, a retail store located in downtown Hays. She later served as executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to meet and get to know Fort Hays State University alumni and donors in the near future,” said McClellan. “The generosity of our donors has a positive impact on the quality and affordability of educating FHSU students for decades to come.”

To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit http://foundation.fhsu.edu/ or contact its office at (785) 628-5620 or [email protected].

The Importance of Play

At approximately 1 p.m. Sept. 30, the Fly Kansas Air Tour will make a stop in Hays at the Hays Regional Airport and overnighting in Hays.

The Hays tour stop will be the last stop of the day on the second day of the Air Tour. The pilots will be based at the Hays Regional Airport, visit the Chestnut Street District, and visit Rans Aircraft Design Factory. Fort Hays State University Athletics will provide transportation for the event. JViation will provide dinner to the pilots at Gella’s.

This event will give participants an opportunity to learn more about Hays. The Air Tour will have several stops throughout the event, including Colby, Dodge City, Newton and other airports throughout the state.

Hays Regional Airport Manager Nathan Marcucci said he would like to see more pilots visit Hay, noting the airport is a gateway to the city and an avenue to visit and do business in the region.

Marcucci recognized “the efforts of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Hays Development Corp. and the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and everyone else for all of the work they do to make our community great.”

The Hays Regional Airport connects northwest Kansas to the world via Denver. Denver has multiple non-stop connections to North and South America, Europe and Asia. Flight time is approximately 40 minutes to Denver with several convenient connections to other airlines. The airport also has a flight training school, a commercial aircraft paint booth, the Kansas Highway Patrol, daily mail delivery and Emergency MedEvac services.