By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The old is making way for the new at Fort Hays State University with construction of five new academic and residential buildings either currently under way or in the planning stages for completion over the next four years.

With a new 406-bed residential facility opening this fall, the second-largest residential hall on campus — Wiest Hall — is coming down. Asbestos abatement in Wiest was scheduled to begin this month, followed by demolition this fall.

However, a piece of Wiest history will be preserved through digital photography. Murals of 10 U.S. presidents line the hallways of the sixth-floor north wing.

Because the murals were painted directly onto the cinder block walls, they are virtually impossible to save intact.

But the memories will be preserved. Digital images of the murals are available by contacting the office of University Relations and Marketing at (785) 628-4206.

The seven-story addition to the original Wiest Hall building was just five years old when Tom Moorhous came to school at Fort Hays State in 1976. Little did anyone know, the budding artist would become a part of FHSU history.

A transfer from Colby Community College, Moorhous was pursuing a bachelor of fine arts degree and was assigned a room in Wiest.

It was long before the rage of video games. Moorhous and his roommate only had a small black and white television in their room, one that picked up only a couple of channels.

One day while leaving room 604, Moorhous looked out his door at the plain hallway and decided it could use some character.

“It was out of boredom actually,” he said. “That’s how it all got started. I had plenty of time on my hands, and the walls became my canvases.”

Moorhous successfully sought approval from the housing director to begin painting a mural on the wall, and thus a 32-year project was born.

While Gerald Ford was president at the time, Moorhous was a lover of history. So he started painting a caricature of John F. Kennedy, who Moorhous truly admired.

“They must have liked JFK, so much that they asked me to do more,” Moorhous said.

“So,” he added, “I just kept painting.”

Moorhous decided to stick to the timeline and moved on to Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, then Ford.

By the time Jimmy Carter became USA’s 39th president in 1976, Moorhous’ paintings were the talk of Wiest — and the word soon spread around campus as well.

“One thing led to another, and I did Gerald Ford and started Jimmy Carter after he was elected in 1976,” Moorhous said.

Moorhous graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1978 and taught high school art for one year before deciding to return to FHSU to work on a master’s degree in political science.

As a resident assistant, Moorhous was assigned a room on the second floor of Wiest. But he frequently found his way back up to sixth floor and continued working on the paintings. After graduating with his master’s in 1981, he took a teaching job at Barton County Community College in Great Bend.

“But every four or eight years, I’d come back to paint a new president,” he said.

He also had to move to a wall across from the original paintings. Ronald Reagan went up in 1983, followed by George Bush in 1989 and Bill Clinton in 1994.

Once again, Moorhous returned to FHSU — and Wiest Hall — in the late 1990s, to work on a master’s in history. He moved south across a doorway to paint George W. Bush in 2002 before painting his last president, Barack Obama, in 2008.

Each painting depicted something specific to each president, ranging from Kennedy’s familiar pose behind a lectern giving a speech, to Carter, a peanut farmer, standing in a pile of peanuts. Clinton is shown jogging in a sweatshirt with the McDonald’s Restaurant arches imprinted on it; he once ran into a McDonald’s for a drink while out jogging.

Obama, the first African-American president, is holding a sign with the word “CHANGE” written in large letters across the top.

While a lot of students didn’t even know the paintings existed back in the ’70s and beyond, several who lived in Wiest looked at them as a shrine and still remember them today.

One of those is Dan Schmidt, who lived on the seventh floor of Wiest during Moorhous’ first stint in Wiest.

“Oh, yes, I remember him painting those,” said Schmidt, who graduated from FHSU and went on to optometry school in Tennessee. He then returned to Hays to open his practice, which he still operates today.

“I thought it was interesting that he was doing all that,” Schmidt added, “and I’d come down to watch him paint.”

Schmidt was particularly drawn to the painting of Carter, since 1976 was the first election in which he could vote.

“I’ve always kind of wondered if they painted over those murals,” Schmidt said. “I’m glad to hear that they left them alone — and that they are being preserved in some way.”

Tom Kuhn from Hays agreed.

“Those murals were real popular, and it’s amazing how much respect they got,” said Kuhn, who lived in Wiest as a student and as a residence hall director for eight years during the ’70s.

Kuhn returned to his alma mater to work for 13 years before retiring in 2012 and spent part of his time in Wiest while Picken Hall was being renovated.

“Practically everything was fair game when it came to vandalism back in the ’70s, but those paintings were pretty much left alone,” Kuhn said. “I am so glad that they are being preserved now.”

Shortly after earning his second master’s degree, Moorhous began teaching at Colby Community College, and after at 16-year stint there, he is semi-retired and living in his hometown of Oakley.

He has enjoyed reminiscing about the paintings.

“I was a decent amateur artist back then, and I really enjoyed painting,” Moorhous said. “Art is only a minor hobby now. I don’t have any reason to paint anymore, but I am glad I did back then.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It’s not unusual for State Representative Eber Phelps of Hays to update his constituents on the activity of the Kansas legislature.

He did so Thursday at the Hays Kiwanis Club meeting. What was unusual was what Phelps brought with him.

A Democrat, Phelps represents the 111th District covering Hays and Victoria.

He presented an official certificate from the Kansas House of Representatives offering “sincere commendations to Hays Kiwanis Club International in recognition for truly making Hays an American Flag City through the Hays Kiwanis Club Flag Project.”

The recognition by the House was requested by Phelps.

Jerry Ubert, co-chairman of the flag project, accepted the honor on behalf of the club.

The flag project is a fundraiser for Kiwanis. Currently, 1,116 Hays businesses and individuals are signed up to have the club members place the U.S. flag on their property five times a year.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Several water slides in Kansas are closed, including those in Russell, after a new state law became effective July 1. The Hays city attorney has been reviewing whether the Hays Aquatic Park is affected.

Water slides at least 15 feet in height that use water to propel the patron through the ride are considered an amusement ride, as defined in the new law. They now require inspections and a state operator’s permit from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL).

“Our slide is not affected by it for various reasons,” John Bird told city commissioners Thursday night. “The law is not intended to outlaw our kind of slide. Just to be safe, I’m going to recommend we go through the inspection process, but we don’t need to shut it down or anything like that,” Bird said.

Water slides are required to meet ASTM standards and receive written certification by a qualified inspector, acknowledged by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) or other nationally recognized third party training organizations, prior to applying for a KDOL permit to operate the slide.

On June 23, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill delaying a provision that creates criminal penalties for operating a ride without a license until Jan. 1, 2018, and prohibits the Department of Labor from enforcing penalties until new rules are published. The department had been concerned some parks wouldn’t be able to comply with the new tougher standards by July 1.

The law is in response to the death of state representative Scott Schwab’s 10-year-old son, Caleb, last summer at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

RUSSELL — The Ad Astra Music Festival in Russell bills itself as a selection of new classic music mixed with professionally rendered performances of favorite historical pieces.

Alex Underwood, co-artistic director, said the music is easily digestible for both the new listener of classical music and the long-time lover of the genre.

Performances will include classical, opera, jazz with hints of bluegrass.

“We like to think each performance of the festival is slightly different — a different shade of music. I think we are able to produce music at a relatively high level,” Underwood said.

“I think that is what ties it all together. It is not just your everyday jazz. It is really, really great jazz, and it’s not just your community opera program. It is a really wonderful professional program. The same with the string quartet. We have such really strong musicians that we’re able to attract to the festival. I think that unites it.”

Tickets are now on sale for the concert series that goes through the end of July. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.adastramusicfestival.org/tickets/, at the Russell Economic Development Office or at the door. Tickets are $10 per performance or $50 for the series.

For a complete schedule, click here.

The opening performance of the series is Friday, July 14.

Friday night’s a capella choral concert titled “Metamorphosis” features the world premiere of a work by composer Moira Smiley.

The title for the performance came from the text from a Renaissance piece to be performed that night by William Byrd.

“It is all about transformation,” Underwood said. “In this case in a religious setting, it is the wheat becoming bread, becoming the body of Christ and grapes becoming wine becoming the blood of Christ.”

The transformation theme was carried to the Smiley piece, which details the transformation of Russell.

The commissioned work is made possible through grants from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Russell County Area Community Foundation.

The performance will feature the Ad Astra Chamber Choir, joined by Kansas bluegrass duo Scenic Roots. Start time is 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

For a totally different listening experience, patrons have the opportunity to enjoy Jazz at the Barn at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at Granny Mae’s Barn.

This is the second year for this event, which will feature Fort Hays State University jazz professor Brad Dawson on trumpet with his ensemble of Matt Otto, saxophone, Roger Wilder, piano, Gerald Spaits, bass and Todd Strail, drums. Cocktails and bar snacks will be served.

“Second Nature,” a contemporary opera in one act, which debuted in 2015 at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, will be the feature of Sunday afternoon’s performance. The opera is performed in English.

Read a synopsis of the opera by clicking here.

“Hopefully it is super digestible,” Underwood said. “It is an hour-long. It is not like we are going to the opera for five hours to listen to Wagner in German telling this epic ‘Lord-of the-Rings’-style tale.”

The work will feature local singers Calder Craig and Michael Davidson as well as other vocalists who have sung in prior years with the festival, including Aani Bourassa, Janie Brokenicky, Katelyn Mattson-Levy, and Dan Moore.

Returning conductor Max Holman will direct the performance with Mary Box at the piano, Kristin Pisano guest clarinetist, and Allison Lint, violinist. Pisano is a clarinet professor at FHSU. Lint also teaches in Hays.

The work, unlike most operas, is advertised with a performance time of one hour at the Deines Cultural Center beginning at 2 p.m.

The festival will conclude this year with a performance of Handel’s “Samson” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29. The libretto tells the Biblical tale of Samson after Dalila cuts his hair, robbing him of his strength. Samson struggles with his existence while in prison.

James Reece, a Yale graduate student is playing Samson. Megan Pachecano, who just sang at the Metropolitan Opera, returns to the festival this year to portray Dalila. Tim Parsons, tenor, portrays Micah. Parson sings at Trinity Wall Street in New York. Dan Moore, a Yale graduate who performs at St. Thomas Fifth Avenue in New York, will sing baritone.

The festival was founded in summer 2014, employing one full-time musician and 20 part-time musicians. This year’s festival employs 17 full-time and 32 part-time musicians in addition to more than 50 volunteers.

Beginning Monday, Circle C Paving, a contractor for the city of Hays, will be doing street seal coating on various streets throughout the city. The seal coat treatment is a spray applied application in two coats so the streets will be temporarily closed during this time. Property owners will be notified by the contractor prior to sealing of the streets. The repairs are estimated to be completed within one week, weather permitting.

Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. The traveling public should use caution and avoid driving in the wet oil. The construction is in relation to 2017 street maintenance projects.

Click on the image for a map of the project area.

SUBMITTED

On Saturday, July 8, 2017, from 9-11 a.m. during two come-and-go events, McDonald’s of NorthHays, 3406 Vine St., will host a “Coffee with a Cop” event plus a “Bike Safety” event in conjunction with the city of Hays Police Department.

Children are encouraged to bring their bicycle to McDonald’s during the same time period for free inspection and to have some fun on an obstacle course set up in the back parking lot. Police officers will also inspect their bike helmet for proper fitting and children can register for a prize giveaway.

This “Coffee with a Cop” event brings police officers and the community members they serve together over coffee to discuss community issues, learn more about each other and build relationships in an informal, neutral environment. All Coffee with a Cop attendees will receive a free small cup of McCafẻ® courtesy of your local McDonald’s.

“We invite kids to bring their bikes for inspection by the officers and enjoy the obstacle course that is part of the bike safety event,” said Gail Kuehl, Owner/Operator, McDonald’s of Hays, Russell and WaKeeney.

For more information contact:
Deana Rupp, McDonald’s, 785-625-4144, [email protected]
Chief Don Scheibler, City of Hays Police Dept., 785-625-1030, [email protected]
Asst. Chief Brian Dawson, City of Hays Police Dept., 785-625-1030, [email protected]

HPL

On Tuesday, July 11, at 6 PM, Sierra Sandison will be speaking at the library. Sierra was Miss Idaho 2014 and the first Miss America contestant to walk the stage with a visible medical device. She has type one diabetes and made the news when she wore her insulin pump on her bikini during the swimsuit competition. An NPR article written about her was the most viral NPR story of the year and helped create the #showmeyourpump movement. The press catapulted her to the final 10 in Miss America and earned her the People’s Choice award. She wrote Sugar Linings, a book about her experience from diagnosis to crowning and tours the country speaking at schools, conferences, and keynoting events. She talks about accepting yourself as you are and loving what makes you unique.

“I’ve been following Sierra since the first article about her was written in NPR” said Vera Haynes, Young Adult Librarian, “I actually participated in #showmeyourpump before I met her. I wanted to bring her to Hays because I love the message of her story. Sierra was diagnosed with a life changing illness while she was a teenager. It could have become a burden in her life. Instead, she decided to become the second woman with diabetes to walk the miss America stage and the first person to walk it with a visible medical device. She loves everything about herself that makes her different, and encourages others to do the same – not just diabetics.”

This summer, Sierra joined Bike Beyond, where she is part of a team of 21 type one diabetics biking from New York to San Francisco to raise money and awareness of type one diabetes. She’s taking a day off biking just to come speak at our library while her team bikes from Beloit to Stockton.

You can find out more about this and other library programs by visiting the library’s online calendar at hayspublib.org or by calling 785-625-9014.

Hays-area garage sales

Made possible by our sponsors: Coldwell Banker Executive Realty, Midwest Energy, Nex-Tech Wireless, Northwestern Printers and RE/MAX Pro.

Scroll to the bottom for a map of garage sale locations. Hays Post offers FREE garage sale listings weekly. Having a sale next weekend? Click HERE for details.

Address: 3902 Country Lane, Hays
Items for sale: Teen clothing, maternity clothes, shoes, new sinks, faucet, ceramic tiles, glider with ottoman, books, DVDs, candle making supplies, toys, games and lots of miscellaneous.

Friday 4-7 pm, Saturday 7 am to noon

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Address: 2230 Southview Drive, Hays
Items for sale: 2230 Southview Drive, Hays (Directions are at the end of the ad.)
The 3-car garage is full! All items are from pet-free/non-smoking homes. Cash only, please.
*Two Britax Frontier 85 car seats with 3-point harnesses (A child can remain in the 3-point harness until he/she reaches 85 pounds and 57 inches in height. The seats can then be converted to booster seats for children weighing up to 120 pounds and 65 inches in height.)
*Girls’ Clothing sizes 6-12 (summer and winter; Gymboree, Children’s Place, Crazy 8, Justice, Xersion). Many items are new with tags or gently worn in excellent condition. Most are $1, or less.
*Girls’ Shoes sizes 13-4 (summer and winter; most are new or in excellent condition)
*11’ utility trailer
*Teaching materials, classroom supplies, and educational games (Preschool through grade 6)
*Two HO train sets
*Home décor and household items (6’x9’ new rug, kitchen, bedding, etc.)
*Antique wooden 4-drawer filing cabinet
*Vintage wooden typewriter desk
*Vintage wooden ironing board
*New and gently worn women’s shoes and women’s clothing (Dress Barn, Ann Taylor, Miss Me)
*Children’s picture books and young adult chapter books in excellent condition for Preschool-middle school. Most are 50 cents. Also, like new book sets with multiple copies.
*Sony DCR-DVD 308 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder in excellent condition: Includes camcorder, battery charger, car charger, 2 batteries, remote control, manual, heavy-duty Samsung case, all necessary cords, and 7 new 1.4 GB disks
*Toys, arts/crafts, games
*18” Kingsford kettle grill
*Miter saw stand
*Solid wood TV cart with doors

**Directions to 2230 Southview Drive: Go south on Canterbury, past the railroad tracks and Highway 40. Continue south past El Charro and the RV Center until you arrive at Reservation Road (the dirt road going east and west). Turn left (east) and go past Josephine and Big Creek Drive. Turn left (north) at the next corner. If the wind cooperates, we will have a garage sale sign at this corner. Continue north for about a block. 2230 is a green house on the corner.

Friday, July 7th 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, July 8th 8 a.m.-noon

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Address: 2203 Pine, Hays
Items for sale: Couch, 2013 Toyota Tundra seat covers brand new, Garmin, toys, wreaths, misc

7/8 from 8am to noon

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SUBMIT your free garage sale listing where it will be SEEN! Deadline is noon each Wednesday, but, hey, we’re flexible here at Hays Post. Click HERE to submit your weekend garage sale.