FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Hays Symphony will present the free Halloween Spooktacular Family Concert featuring the children’s classic “Peter and the Wolf” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, in Fort Hays State University’s Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Joining the symphony on stage will be Brenda Meder, director of the Hays Arts Council, as the narrator. Costumed young actors from the Hays Community Theater, under the direction of Raymond Brent, will dramatize the story. A series of pre-concert activities for kids will also be offered, starting at 1 p.m.

Free tickets are available at the door or may be reserved in advance by contacting the symphony at [email protected].

“We are so pleased to be working with the Arts Council and the Hays Community Theater for a fully interactive performance,” said Cathy Drabkin, Hays Symphony’s publicity committee chair. “Music, story and drama are all brought together in an event that’s fun and educational.”

Both the music and story of Peter and the Wolf were composed by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev in 1936. The folk tale describes the adventure of Peter and his animal friends who, against Grandfather’s orders, venture into the meadow and capture The Wolf. In the music, each character is represented by a particular instrument. The work is Prokofiev’s most famous, and serves as a great children’s introduction to music and the instruments of the orchestra.

“I really enjoy working with young actors,” said Brent. “They bring to the table new ideas, they see things in a new light, a different perspective, that they’re not even aware they have.”

Brent said the challenge of acting without dialog is to relate the story through actions alone. “To paraphrase John Wayne,” he said, “it’s not the dialogue or the action that’s important, but the re-action to what another character is doing. How do I respond to what has just happened?”

Character actors from the Hays Community Theater will be Conner Hilger as Peter, Brent as Grandfather, Addy Brull as The Bird, Jessica Leiker as The Duck, Madelyn Seiler as The Cat, Skyler Pricket as The Wolf, and Jerrett Leiker and Everett Robert as The Hunters.

“The symphony has also organized a variety of pre-concert family activities for kids that focus on music, art, literature, and fun,” said Drabkin. Activities offered will include an instrument petting zoo where children can experiment with real instruments, a wolf-puppet craft project, a Russian folktale story time, a drumming circle and photo opportunities with The Wolf and friends.

Record or near Record high temperatures are expected Today. Our average highs for this time of year are around 66 degrees. Highs today look to be around 20 degrees above average. Along with these very warm temps, the Fire Weather Risk is Elevated. Outdoor burning is discouraged.

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South southwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 9 to 15 mph.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 7 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 45. North northeast wind 8 to 13 mph.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North northeast wind 7 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 54.

MondayMostly sunny, with a high near 84.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays Mayor Shaun Musil declared it one of his “favorite city commission meetings every year.”

Twenty-two city of Hays employees were recognized for their service and hard work by city commissioners and City Manager Toby Dougherty at the beginning of tonight’s meeting.

Their names and job descriptions were read by Director of Finance Kim Rupp as each employee was called up to the front of the city commission chambers to shake hands with the commissioners and Dougherty and to pose for a picture with Mayor Musil.

An official group photo was also taken with friends and family in the audience getting in on the picture-taking.

Following are the city of Hays 2016 Employee Service Awards:

5‐Year Awards
Ciarra Rupp – Ciarra started with the City of Hays as a Part Time Receptionist in the City Manager’s Office in 2011.  Ciarra was promoted in 2012 to the Police Department Administrative Assistant.
Brent Barnett – Brent has been a Part Time Police Officer with the City of Hays since 2010.
Colin Roe – Colin joined the City of Hays in 2011 as a Communications Officer.  In 2013, Colin became a Police Officer for the Hays Police Department.
Brandon Woods – Brandon began with the Hays Fire Department as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in 2011 and was hired as a Career Fire Fighter that same year.
Travis Johannes – Travis joined the City as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in 2011.  One month later, he took on the role of a Career Fire Fighter.
Bronson Scott – Bronson began in 2011 as a Recycling Collector for the City and still serves in that capacity.

10‐Year Awards
David Younger – David joined the City as a Parks Maintenance worker in 2005.  He advanced to a Maintenance Worker II in 2010.  David was recently promoted in 2016 to a Parks Technician.
Kerry Tiernan ‐ Kerry began with the City of Hays as the Golf Course Foreman in 2006.  He still holds this position today.

15‐Year Awards
Chad Ruder – Chad started with the City in 2000 as a Information Systems Technician.  In 2004, he became the IT Director and continues to serve in that role.
Brandon Wright – Brandon joined the City of Hays as a Police Officer in 2001.  In 2005, he was promoted to Police Sergeant, and six years later he was promoted to Police Lieutenant.
Kirk Klein – Kirk began with the City in 2001 as a Fire Fighter.  In 2007 he became a Fire Lieutenant and was promoted once more in 2014 to a Fire Captain.
Tom Roy – Fire Fighter Tom Roy has been a Fire Fighter with the City of Hays Fire Department since 2001.
Mike Bachar – Mike started as a Parks Maintenance Worker with the City in 2001.  In 2010 he advanced to a Maintenance Worker II.  Mike was promoted this year to a Parks Technician.
Chris Rhoades – Chris joined the City in 2001 as a Parks Maintenance Worker.  In 2002, he was promoted to Parks Technician and in 2010 he was promoted to his current position, Parks Supervisor.
Mark Pfeifer – Mark started with the City in 2001 as a Water Plant Trainee.  He became a Water Plant Operator I in 2002 and was promoted in 2004 to Plant Operator II.

20‐Year Awards
Mitch Berens – Mitch became a Hays Police Officer in 1995.  In 2007 he was promoted to Police Sergeant and still holds this position today.
Tim Hickert – Tim joined the City of Hays in 1995 as a Service Mechanic for the Public Works Department.  He was promoted in 2015 to Shop Foreman.
Curtis Weber – Curtis started with the City in 1996. He has held the positions of Refuse Collector, Maintenance Worker, Equipment Operator and, his current position, Inspector during his 20 year tenure with the City.

25‐Year Awards
Mark Windholz – Mark became a Maintenance Worker I with the Service department in 1991.  In 1998 he took on the role of Service Equipment Operator and was promoted to his current position, Service Division Foreman, in 2008.
Steve Barnes – Steve joined the City as a Refuse Collector in 1991.  He then took on the role of Cemetery Caretaker in 1992 and has been serving in that position since.

30‐Year Awards
Don Stejskal – Don joined the City in 1986. He has been promoted several times during his 30 years serving as a Maintenance Worker, Equipment Operator, Field Foreman, Water and Sewer Supervisor, Service Supervisor, and his current position as the Service Superintendent.
Dan Roberts – Dan started as a Service Utility Worker II in 1985.  Dan has worked his way up in the City since 1985 holding positions of Refuse Packer Operator, Truck Driver for both Service and Solid Waste Divisions, Equipment Operator, Equipment Driver, and most recently, Solid Waste Foreman.