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Thursday, August 20, 2020
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Area farmer featured on DNC roll call By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
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Kansas protest response criticized PAGE A2
Putin foe in coma after poisoning PAGE A3
Kamala Harris makes history PAGE A6
Tuesday night, Woodson County farmer Mark Pringle had the honor of representing the state of Kansas during the Democratic National Convention roll call. Pringle delivered remarks from his farm in southern Woodson County, with a sprawling prairie scene featured in the background. “It’s really, really hard to do a 30-second video,” he noted. Pringle also said “we weren’t operating under the best of conditions, because it was a hot day, but we made it work.” The clip was aired on national television and streamed around the country. Pringle said he has since been inundated with positive feedback and statements of support. DURING the roll call clip, Pringle stated “I’m a fourth-generation family farmer, but I worry about the next generation.”
In this television screenshot, Mark Pringle represents the state of Kansas during the Democratic National Convention roll call. “Many of our young folk end up moving from rural communities to find jobs.” “Joe Biden has a plan to help new farmers get a good start, and by funding schools and health care, he’ll make
sure rural communities remain great places to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.” Pringle then cast the state of Kansas’ votes to nominate Joe Biden as the Democratic
Party Presidential candidate. BEING selected to represent the entire state came as a surprise, Pringle said, as it’s See PRINGLE | Page A5
The shows will go on at ACC By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Theater tells a story. It might be a fun story that allows someone to escape into a frolicking adventure. It might inspire someone to think about an issue that is socially relevant or provocative. It might prompt someone to reconsider preconceived notions about a group of people or a situation. Allen Community College’s new theater director and instructor, Trevor Belt, wants his students to appreciate the variety of stories told through the theater. “Storytelling is how we get our history. We learn life lessons and how to view the world from movies, television, books and, of course, theater,” he said. “There’s a power there. Art should make people think about things in a different way. That’s always been intriguing to me.” The impact of storytelling drew Belt to the theater. He grew up in Macon, Mo., in a family of singers, and appreciated musicals and those types of performances. As a teenager, he was hired for his first professional acting job. He’s been a professional actor and director ever since. “I’ve been getting paid to do what I love since I was 16,” Belt said. “I say I’m a generalist. I do everything. And that’s true. But I feel like my best skill is as an acting teacher.” Belt attended State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., and earned a bachelor’s degree from the UniVol. 122, No. 207 Iola, KS 75 Cents
Free school supplies available By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Trevor Belt is Allen Community College’s new theater director and instructor. He has been a professional actor since he was 16, as well as a director, producer and educator. He is pictured in the ACC Theatre, which will follow social distancing for performances. At left is Belt, on the left, in a performance in previous years.
versity of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, on a theater scholarship. He earned a master’s degree in fine arts and directing from Minnesota State University this past spring. He also established his own theater company in Kansas City, producing socially relevant works. Again, that’s why the unique power of storytelling is so important. “We should use our art for good,” he said. “Doing
theater that reflects social issues might enlighten someone, help them view things in a different way, change their opinions or make them more accepting of someone or something that is different from them. It leads to us becoming better humans.” IN TAKING over as ACC’s theater instructor, Belt knows he’s stepping into an iconic role. Theater instructor Tony Piazza retired this spring, his 20th season cut short by the coronavirus. Piazza developed and grew ACC’s program, recruiting some of the region’s brightest young
talent. His legacy included a summer theater program and the theater complex. Piazza shared his knowledge and resources with Belt this summer. Belt said he plans to follow a similar playbook. However, it is a new era and Belt plans to leave his own mark on the ACC stage. “I don’t think the kids will be disappointed. The high quality will remain the same. I will probably do some things differently from Tony, but I think I am equal to his passion and his commitment to the community. I can promise people that I am See THEATER | Page A3
Need help getting back to school supplies? Head on down to the Allen County Farmers Market today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the east side of the Iola square. Up for grabs — and totally free — are the following items: — Earbuds — Highlighters — Hand sanitizer — Pencils — Pens — Crayons — Color pencils — Expo markers — Glue sticks and more Students from any of the three Allen County school districts are welcome, including Iola, Humboldt and Marmaton Valley. The give-away was made possible by the Iola Elks and the Allen County Sheriff ’s Department, who donated funds to purchase supplies. Members of Hope Unlimited and the Iola Walmart helped to gather up items and See SUPPLIES | Page A5