March 16, 2018
Friday
Ark City
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Stitzel offers thoughts on proper technique during clinic By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com Nationally known jazz musician and Arkansas City High School graduate Rick Stitzel spent time in his hometown this week. He and the ACHS Jazz Band performed several of his compositions Tuesday night at the high school, in front of more than 300 people. However, the day started with a jazz seminar of sorts, with Stitzel leading the band in rehearsal. The 8 a.m. class was held on the stage of the ACHS auditorium, in preparation for the concert.
more I worked at it.” Playing correctly During the rehearsal, Stitzel cautioned the young musicians to take care that they play their instruments correctly. Early in his career, he said he struggled to “hit the high notes,” a skill that is not necessarily easy to attain. One person he learned from used a glass medicine dropper to stop most of the airflow through his trumpet, creating a higher-pitched note. “A friend noticed that when I was playing, my neck extended out past my ears,” Stitzel said. He didn’t immediately seek any medical help, but instead continued playing. “My neck herniated,” he said, choking back emotion. But he was able to begin playing again in 1990.
who played a “big band” style. “He’s not a household name, but jazz musicians all know him,” he said of Jones. Jazz appeals to Stitzel, who thinks it allows for a musician to play in a greater range of styles.
No limitations “I know a lot of Ark City people have taken up careers in music,” Stitzel said. Once a couple of them made it, it became a sort of a tradition, he said. However, Stitzel said it often takes much more than simply being a musician. “It’s difficult to make a living playing music,” he said. Stitzel foundation “Make sure you get a certi“My dad gave me my first fication to teach. If you don’t trumpet,” Stitzel said in an make it as a player, you alinterview Tuesday afternoon. ways have something (else) His father was an architect you can do.” by trade, but an amateur “I teach, and I compose and trumpet player by hobby. I play, and it takes all three In fact, he was the architect to make a good living,” he who designed the layout of Silver lining added. Arkansas City Middle School. Stitzel credits his “unforTo the young adults starting “I helped dig the (ACMS) tunate” injury with his beto figure out what they want foundation,” Stitzel said. coming such a well-rounded to do with their lives, Stitzel “(I) must have done a good musician. offered these words: “There job, because it’s still standBecause of his neck injury, aren’t any limitations.” ing,” he joked. he was unable to play for sevJust because someone starts It was at his father’s urging eral years. life in a small town in Kansas, that Stitzel pursued his career During that time, he focused it doesn’t mean that their desas a musician. on composing. tiny is to remain in that town. “The better I got at it, the Stitzel’s composition style “I think sometimes people more I enjoyed it,” he said. was influenced heavily by put limitations on them“The more I enjoyed it, the Thad Jones, a jazz trumpeter selves,” he said.
Truelove reflects on past as his future as ACHS principal beckons By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com Arkansas City High School Assistant Principal Jeremy Truelove recently was named as the next principal of the school. He will succeed David Zumwalt, who is retiring after this school year. Truelove is an Arkansas City transplant who has spent his entire 10-year educational career at ACHS. “I was born and raised in Joplin,” he said in an interview Wednesday. “I didn’t even know where Ark City was on a map. “It’s funny now, because all I wear is purple.” In his time at ACHS, Truelove has become attached to the community as a whole. “I love it here,” he said. “I really feel like it’s a welcoming community. I never felt like an outcast.” Military upbringing Truelove’s own high school experience helped to shape
how he connects with students. “I decided that I wanted to live with my dad,” he said. “At the time, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.” Truelove flew to Japan himself, including a connecting flight in a plane referred to as a “puddle jumper.” “I got to learn a lot about culture,” he said. He was able to stand on the same ground the U.S. military stood on during World War II. “I went to school with other military kids,” he said. Coping with transition ACHS has a high transitory rate. Some of this is due to migrant workers and some of it is because the foster system uses Ark City regularly. Truelove’s own learning experience was not entirely stable, either, because military personnel travel so much. “My dad put in (for) an extension so that I could graduate in Japan,” Truelove said. That was not true of other
students who attended his high school. “You were never sure what the next year would look like,” Truelove said. “I think what I went through will really help here.” While Truelove has a passion for freshmen — particularly because ninth grade is a transitional year — those students who process in and out of ACHS experience that same sort of transition that he is familiar with from his own experiences. Work and education Truelove’s education came in two phases. During the first phase, he wanted to major in history. “I got into retail, but I was never happy doing that,” he said. Nevertheless, Truelove dropped school when he became a manager for a national shoe store. During the time he spent away from school, he ran a store near Chicago.
Trustees approve $500K commercial kitchen for Sumner, debate taxes By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com The Cowley College Board of Trustees voted Monday to proceed with adding an industrial kitchen and dining hall to the Sumner County campus, but left the funding mechanism slightly unclear. The funding discussion eventually led to a larger debate about the fairness of Cowley County property taxes going to fund the new campus, with two trustees questioning the practice. “Is this to be paid for by our Cowley College or Sumner (County)?” asked trustee Brian Sanderholm. “What I’m asking for from
the trustees is to fund the construction of the (kitchen) and, if there are any funds remaining in the revenues that we receive by way of sales tax funds, that we would reimburse the college those as they come in,” said Gloria Walker, vice president of finance and administration. She indicated the sales tax being collected in Sumner County has been accruing faster than anticipated and the new amount should be funded easily by that tax during the course of the 10 years it will be in place. “So basically, if their sales tax covers it, we’ll be paid back?” Sanderholm asked. “Yes,” Walker replied.
“Why was this not included on the original proposal so that we wouldn’t have to take funds from here for this new facility?” asked trustee Gary Wilson. “At the time the facility was designed, I don’t think we had the wherewithal as to what the kitchen would bring,” Walker said. She said the benefit of providing the kitchen was an opportunity they saw after the initial design was completed. The funding for the $500,000 addition, which was approved in a unanimous vote, will be supplemented by money from Great Western Dining.
Blood drive planned for Tuesday at Presbyterian Manor Staff Report Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor will be host to an American Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Potential blood donors must be at least 17 years old — or 16 with parental consent — and weigh at least 110 pounds. They also must be in good health and feel-
ing well at the time of donation. Donors must provide two forms of identification before donating. To prepare for a blood donation, be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of the donation. Wear something comfortable to the appointment and make sure the sleeves of
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your clothing can be rolled up easily above the elbow. If possible, include iron-rich foods in your diet in the weeks prior to a donation. Remember to hydrate before and after giving blood. Bring a list of the medications you are taking — some prescriptions might disqualify you from giv-
ing blood — as well as your donor card and driver’s license to the appointment. Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor is located at 1711 N. Fourth St. There currently is a critical shortage of blood, partially due to illnesses this season. To make an appointment to give, call (800) 733-2767.
USD 470 school board honors state championship team By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com The USD 470 Board of Education took time during its meeting Monday night to publicly congratulate the Arkansas City High School wrestling team on winning another state championship. The wrestling team has had a longstanding pattern of excellence, which added another chapter when the team took the Class 4A wrestling championship late last month. “We had a police escort when we came into town,” said ACHS wrestling coach Greg Buckbee. “It was awesome to see all those people there.”
Many of the wrestlers ranked highly, including four state champions. Three of them were repeat winners and one, Marcus Robinson, became just the fourth ACHS wrestler ever to win four state titles in his high school career. As a result, Arkansas City High School brought home its 21st overall state championship in wrestling. “Congratulations, coach,” said USD 470 Superintendent Ron Ballard. In other business, the school board: • approved the agenda. • approved the resignations of Sarah Fischer as a teacher at C-4 Elementary
School and Joseph Thornburg as ACHS assistant principal. • approved the hiring of Julie Gonzalez as ESOL Support at ACHS, Sairis Helson as ESOL Support at Frances Willard Elementary School, Josie Reilly as agriculture educator at ACHS, Lauren Rosales as assistant principal at ACHS and Braden Smith as principal at Jefferson Elementary School. • accepted a gift of $250 in personal hygiene products for ACHS from Soroptimist International. • voted to adjust textbook fees for the 2018-19 school year.
Trinity Episcopal Church offers quartet of special services Staff Report Easter season services will start very soon at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 224 North A St. in Arkansas City. There are four separate services scheduled, beginning with Palm Sunday. Beginning at 11:05 a.m. March 25, the Palm and Passion Sunday at Trinity will examine the “triumphant entry into Jerusalem for Jesus almost (2,000) years ago,” according
to the church’s Facebook page. This service will begin in the parish hall with the blessing of the palm fronds. The congregation then will parade outside and then back into the church as they sing Hosannas. The next service will begin at 12:10 p.m. March 29. Maundy Thursday at Trinity commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus. “Come to be present
with a community of faith as we seek the grace and change that came through that event,” the Facebook page states. The next service offered by the church will begin at 12:10 p.m. March 30. Trinity’s Good Friday worship is a quiet, contemplative service that is set aside to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Finally, Easter service at Trinity will begin at 11 a.m. April 1.
“Whether you believe, doubt or are just curious, come see what is at the heart of our Christian tradition,” the church’s Facebook page states. “Come see our beautiful liturgy from the ancient church. Come see what being part of a community of love looks like.” Kids are welcome in worship and there will be a “whisper table” with quiet activities for those who need more movement.