WEEKLY
A BALDWIN CITY NEWSPAPER
ONE YEAR LATER: WHERE THE SPRING CREEK LAKE PROJECT STANDS
A year after a surge of community support brought renewed attention to Baldwin City’s Spring Creek Lake, those working to preserve it say the effort is still alive — but facing new challenges.
What began as a grassroots movement in 2025, sparked by a damaged spillway and fears the lake could be sold, quickly grew into a formal City Lake Committee backed by strong public interest. Hundreds attended meetings, more than 1,000 signatures were collected, and city officials responded by forming a committee to explore solutions.
Today, that same group continues to meet — but progress has slowed.
“We’ve been working on it for a couple of years now,” said Becky McMillen, one of the leading voices behind the effort. “We meet about once a month before city council meetings, just trying to figure everything out.”
Setbacks and shifting expectations
One of the biggest recent setbacks came in the form of a denied grant application. The committee had applied for funding through the Douglas County Cultural Heritage Grant program, hoping to secure financial support for spillway repairs.
“We were just so sure,” McMillen said. “We had such high hopes.”
Instead, the request was denied.
According to McMillen, concerns raised during the review process included questions about why repairs had not been addressed sooner, uncertainty about long-term city plans for the lake, and whether grant funding would ultimately support a city-owned asset without broader commitment.
Despite the disappointment, the group is continuing to pursue other funding options, including additional
grant applications at the federal and private levels.
A more realistic path forward
While early estimates once suggested repairs could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, more recent local assessments have dramatically changed that outlook.
“We finally got some bids from local contractors — about $35,000,” McMillen said. “That’s a huge difference. It’s doable.”
The issue, she emphasized, is limited to the spillway itself — not the dam or the lake as a whole.
“The dam is in perfect condition,” she said. “It’s only the spillway.”
That distinction has helped shift community perception, making the project feel more attainable than originally believed.
Grassroots work continues
Even without major funding secured, volunteers have continued making improvements to the property.
Committee members and local supporters have worked to clear overgrown trails, remove debris, and restore access to areas that had been largely unusable.
“We’ve cut trees, opened up the paths again, and even built a bridge,” McMillen said. “We’ve just been paying for things ourselves.”
In the process, volunteers uncovered a piece of Baldwin City history — a set of stone steps believed to date back to the 1930s Works Progress Administration era. Once buried under mud and vegetation, the steps have become a renewed point of interest for residents.
“When we uncovered them, people just loved it,” she said. “There’s a lot of history out there.”
Community support — and questions
As work has continued, community members have taken notice. Some have even begun contributing money informally to support the effort.
That prompted organizers to establish a dedicated account at a local bank to safely hold donations.
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“People just started handing me money, and I didn’t feel comfortable keeping it,” McMillen said. “Now we have a place to put it.”
Donors are encouraged to keep records, she added, with the understanding that funds would be returned if the project does not move forward.
A resource still in use
Despite the uncertainty, the lake continues to draw visitors.
On any given day, residents can be found walking trails, playing frisbee, or simply enjoying the natural setting. For many, the lake remains a quiet, underutilized asset with significant potential.
“It’s a hidden gem,” McMillen said. “People are out there all the time.”
Recent rainfall has also highlighted both the beauty and the urgency of the situation. When water levels rise, the lake briefly returns to its full state — only to drain again through the damaged spillway.
“It was beautiful when it was full,” she said. “And then it’s gone again.”
Looking ahead
While momentum may not match the intensity of last year’s initial push, those involved say the effort is far from over.
Additional funding opportunities are being explored, and organizers are considering more structured fundraising efforts to help bridge the gap.
For McMillen, the motivation remains simple.
“We want to keep this lake,” she said. “It’s too valuable to lose.”
WANT TO HELP SAVE THE LAKE?
Donations can be made at: Baldwin State Bank
Account Name: Save the Baldwin City LakeSpring
Organizers say funds will go toward ongoing restoration efforts, including repairs to the lake’s damaged spillway.
FRIENDLY REMINDER: BALDWIN CITY
STORM SHELTER LOCATION
As we head into spring and severe weather season, Baldwin City residents are reminded that the PAC (400 Eisenhower Street) serves as the community’s designated tornado shelter. If tornado sirens sound, you can access the shelter through the white doors on the north side of the PAC.
If the doors do not unlock while sirens are active, please call 785-594-5542 for assistance.
For safety reasons, please do not use the glass doors located between the gym and the PAC.
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University Alumni Center, 12:30 -1:30 pm
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City Library, 12:30-2:00 pm
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University Alumni Center 12:30-1:30 pm
COMMUNITY
FAMILIAR FESTIVAL, NEW SEASON: SUMMER EVENT BRINGS FRESH
Baldwin City may be getting a “new” event this summer — but for many, it will feel pleasantly familiar.
The community’s former Beer, Wine & Spirit Festival appears to be reimagined as Sips on the Square, shifting away from its traditional late October timing and into early summer. While the event itself isn’t new, the change in season — and name — brings a fresh opportunity to experience it in a different way.
For years, the festival has been part of a busy fall lineup, often overlapping with other major events surrounding Maple Leaf season. Moving it to June allows the event to stand on its own, creating space for a more relaxed, summer-focused experience in the heart of downtown.
Organizers with the Baldwin City Recreation Commission, who are hosting the event, are leaning into that shift with an updated concept.
“Let the good times be-GIN” at the inaugural Sips on the Square Festival — an afternoon dedicated to locally crafted beer, wine and spirits in a lively, open-air setting. Set for Saturday, June 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Sullivan Square (710 High Street), the event will feature a curated tasting experience with more than 10 vendors from across the region. Attendees will have the chance to sample selections from local breweries, wineries and distilleries while enjoying live music and light appetizers.
The event is designed to appeal to a wide audience — from craft beer enthusiasts and wine lovers to those simply looking for a fun afternoon out in the community.
Tickets are priced at $30 in advance or $35 the day of the event, and the festival is open to guests 21 and older, with valid ID required. The event will be held rain or shine.
SCHOOL CALENDAR SHIFT
Baldwin City USD 348 families will see a slight change to the final week of school after the Board of Education approved revisions to the end-of-year calendar on April 20.
The adjustment comes after the district used only one inclement weather day this school year, allowing officials to modify the schedule and return time to students and staff.
Under the updated calendar:
May 18 Full PreK–12 school day and the last day for PreK students
May 19 The last day of school for K–12 students, with a half-day dismissal at 11:15 a.m. followed by a staff workday in the afternoon
May 20 Morning staff workday
May 21 No school day
Along with the updated school calendar, a few end-of-year events are also adjusting their schedules. The Last Day of School Ice Cream Social will now be held on Tuesday, May 19, following the district’s revised final day for K–12 students.
The event will take place at Sullivan Square from 3:30-5:30 p.m., continuing the tradition of giving families a chance to gather and celebrate the start of summer together.
District officials thanked families and staff for their flexibility as these schedule updates are put into place, noting that the changes help better align the final week of school for both students and staff.
The move to a summer setting not only changes the atmosphere but also helps fill a gap in Baldwin City’s event calendar. While fall has long been packed with activities, June offers an opportunity to build a new seasonal tradition.
Even with the rebrand, the goal remains the same: bringing people together.
Whether it’s longtime attendees returning in a new season or first-time visitors discovering the event, Sips on the Square is poised to blend familiar community spirit with a fresh summer feel.
More information about the event, including tickets and updates, can be found at www.baldwinrec.org.
In a town known for its strong lineup of events, this updated take on a local favorite could quickly become a new staple of Baldwin City summers.
Vendor fees for those who are not BC Chamber members are:
$45 per market
$130 for all four dates
$25 for non-profits and businesses with information only booths
Vendor fees for those who are BC Chamber members are: $35 per market
$100 for all four dates
$0 for non-profits and businesses with information only booths
Please contact the chamber for a
or registration link.
To pay with cash or check, contact the Chamber or stop by the office.
USD 348
PLAYER TO COACH BALDWIN CHOIRS HIT HIGH NOTES WITH STRONG STATE PERFORMANCES
Story by Emma Bailey, BHS Journalism
BHS alum and 2x All-State player Josie Boyle has returned to help coach the Bulldog girls soccer team. She has helped coach the team to be the best of themselves.
“My favorite part is pushing players past what they think their limits are and seeing that moment when everything clicks,” Boyle said.
Charlee Crites is a freshman and plays soccer. She feels that Boyle is able to coach soccer while also making it fun.
“Coach Josie has impacted my first year of soccer at Baldwin because she can understand how you feel and will not dismiss your feelings,” Crites said. “She also can make practices fun but also on task.”
During Boyle’s high school and college years she played many sports. Soccer seemed to stick the most.
“I competed in cross country, basketball, soccer, and track in high school, and I played soccer in college,” Boyle said.
When growing up Boyle’s parents
coached sports. She feels that this inspired her to become one also.
Baldwin High School’s choir program is closing out the season on a high note, earning top honors at both regional and state levels.
Nine Baldwin students were recently selected for the KCDA Honor Choir, a competitive distinction awarded through a rigorous audition process. Students selected include Annette Perez (Soprano 1), Petra Morris (Soprano 2), Lilli Crites (Alto 1), Norah Perry (Alto 1), Isabel Walker (Alto 1), Maddi Cooper (Alto 2), Morgan Widener (Alto 2), Hunter Harding (Bass 1), and Oliver Meade (Bass 1).
In addition to the honor choir selections, the BHS Silver Choir made a strong showing at the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Solo/Small Ensemble State Festival — marking the group’s first
appearance at the event in several years.
The Silver Choir earned a “1” (Superior) rating, the highest possible score, highlighting the group’s preparation and performance quality.
Baldwin also sent eight soloists to the state competition, with five receiving “1” ratings. Students earning superior marks included Annette Perez, Ali Taylor, Irelyn Kennedy, Sami Pittman, and Lydia Herron.
Additional performers Gavin Bruns, Shelby Judy, and Elliet Morton received “2” (Excellent) ratings, rounding out a strong overall showing for the program.
The results reflect a successful season for Baldwin’s vocal music students, showcasing both individual talent and ensemble strength as the program continues to build momentum.
IN KANSAS, GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL IS NOW AN OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT: ‘THEY DESERVE THE RECOGNITION’
Story by Jodi Fortino, Kansas News Service
The Kansas State High School Activities Association voted to sanction girls flag football as an official sport, giving teams more opportunities for competitions, funding — and recognition.
There are a lot of ways flag football differs from tackle football, including field size, first downs and even the number of players in a game.
But in Kansas, there’s now one more similarity between the two sports. The Kansas State High School Activities Association voted on Thursday to sanction girls flag football as an official sport, making it easier for teams to participate in statewide competitions and secure equipment and funding.
Sheila Sickau, the Kansas City Chiefs’ director of football development, said it also gives the sport as much validity as tackle football. She said people automatically think of homecoming “powderpuff” games when they think of flag football.
But that’s not the case. The NCAA added it as an emerging sport for women and the NFL is launching men’s and women’s professional flag football leagues. The sport also will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
Sickau said sanctioning the sport is one of the first steps for Kansas to support athletes representing them at that level.
“Now we’ve created a path for you to make it all the way professional, Olympic, get a college scholarship, and just trying to make that same pathway that men have access to to play tackle football,” Sickau said.
Olathe East High School started its girls flag football team two years ago and hosted the state end-of-season tournament in fall 2024.
The association said on social media that Kansas is the 18th state to sanction the sport. Girls will be able to compete for a KSHSAA state championship in flag football starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Nearly 11,000 people signed a petition as part of the Chiefs’ “Let Her Play” campaign to get girls flag football sanctioned in Kansas. But Sickau said the effort has been a few years in the making.
The Chiefs have helped launch pilot programs in schools across Kansas over the past three years, providing equipment, jerseys and funding to girls flag football teams. Just three high schools in Kansas and four in Missouri competed during the program’s first year, but it’s been quickly gaining traction.
Sickau said last fall there were 29 girls flag football teams in Kansas, exceeding the state association’s threshold of 24 teams to sanction the sport. In Missouri, there are 55 high schools with teams, but the state follows a different process to sanction high schools sports.
The state got one step closer last year after the Missouri State High School
Activities Association voted to make flag football an “emerging sport.”
It’s Blake Iles’ first year coaching at Olathe East High School and the school’s second year of having a girls flag football team. He said sanctioning the sport recognizes how hard his team works and how good they are.
“It’s not just an activity … it is a sport because they are competing at a very high level,” Iles said. “They deserve the recognition and they deserve the platform that the other sports get.”
The high school originally held girls flag football practices as an evening activity for students to play after other sports practices. But the school decided to move it after school to get more girls involved.
Iles said the time change worked — about 60 girls came out for the team, allowing the school to create varsity, junior varsity and third-string teams. He said some girls had played flag football in local clubs, but a lot of the students had never participated in a team before.
And some girls grew up going to Olathe East football games, Iles said.
“They’ve grown up with it, so they wanted to get to be a part of it and kind of show girls can do it, too, and they’re pretty darn athletic, and they’re pretty talented as well,” Iles said.
Girls flag football was a new high school activity in Wichita and Maize this fall as part of a growing statewide trend.
(Suzanne Perez / KMUW)
There’s been some hesitation for schools to create their own team, including concerns that it could take student athletes away from other sports — but Sickau said she’s trying to change that narrative.
She said it’s a small percentage of girls who may leave a sports team like volleyball to play flag football.
“For these larger schools, you just opened up a spot on the volleyball team for a girl that got cut to move that spot up and then have a position over here,” Sickau said. “So it’s about creating opportunities, not taking anything away.”
Sickau said girls flag football may be a smaller undertaking than schools anticipate because field sizes are smaller and games are shorter, making it easier for teams to hold multiple games in one night.
Iles said starting something new is always a challenge, but the benefits of starting a girls flag football team greatly outweighed the challenges. He said that includes the smiles on students’ faces when they’ve accomplished something they’ve never done before.
“Many girls have never scored a touchdown before,” Iles said. “Many girls have never caught a pass before, so just seeing those small victories week in and week out and practice far exceeded any of the struggles that went along with it.”
BE WELL HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL HEALTH EXPERTS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Baldwin City’s month-long Be Well Baldwin City initiative wrapped up in April, bringing together local providers, organizations and residents for a community-wide focus on health and wellness.
The initiative, organized by the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce and its Be Well partners, ran throughout the month with themed weeks — Move Well, Think Well, Live Well and Grow Well — all leading up to the Capstone Event on April 25 at Collins Gym.
The Capstone Event served as both a celebration and a connection point, highlighting the many health and wellness resources available locally. The day began with a community walk from 9 to 10 a.m., giving participants two route options and an opportunity for all ages and activity levels to take part.
Inside Collins Gym, the event featured a wide range of local vendors and health resources, along with free health screenings and interactive opportunities like a wellness “Bingo” game. Firstcome, first-served t-shirts were also available, and families filled the space as kids moved from one activity to the next — from SNAG golf and soccer to parachutes, cup stacking and more.
While the activities drew crowds, a central focus of the event remained on education and access.
A series of mini health and wellness seminars gave residents the chance to hear directly from local experts — reinforcing the idea that high-quality care is available right here in Baldwin City.
Dr. Jeremy Rodrock of Amplify Life Center kicked off the seminars with a presentation on shockwave therapy, explaining how the treatment works to address pain and promote healing at its source.
TWO COMMUNITY LEADERS TO BE HONORED AT 40TH PIONEER CELEBRATION 04
Each year, the Bert Nash Center’s Pioneer Celebration honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on mental health in Douglas County. At the 40th annual event on April 30, the organization will present the Pioneer Award to David Johnson and the Lyn Smith Distinguished Service Award to Don Grosdidier.
Johnson, the second CEO of Bert Nash Center, led the organization for 17 years, expanding access to mental health services and helping build a more comprehensive, community-based crisis response system. He was also an early advocate for mental health education, becoming one of the first Mental
Dr. Paige Bowman of i360MD followed with a presentation titled “Stuck in Midlife?”, focusing on the science behind weight gain and energy disruption, and offering insight into how individuals can better understand and reset their metabolism.
Dr. Adam Madl of Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine spoke about low back pain, one of the most common concerns among patients, and outlined treatment options available locally to help manage and alleviate chronic discomfort.
Echo Endecott of the Baldwin City Recreation Commission rounded out the presentations with an interactive session on kid-friendly snack swaps, providing families with simple, realistic ways to make healthier choices at home — complete with free samples.
Together, the presentations highlighted a growing strength within the community: accessible, local expertise across a wide range of health needs.
From primary care and chiropractic services to pain management and community recreation programming, Baldwin City continues to expand its network of providers dedicated to improving quality of life for residents of all ages.
The Capstone Event, sponsored by Amplify Life Center and Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine, not only celebrated those resources but helped strengthen the connection between providers and the people they serve.
As Be Well Baldwin City continues to grow, organizers say the goal remains simple — to make it easier for residents to prioritize their health, right here at home.
COMMUNITY
WHAT IS TRUST?
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
By Jeanine Ross
According to the dictionary, trust means a firm, confident belief in the reliability or character of a person or thing. But what is trust? I believe trust is our recognition of our need to connect and rely on something or someone that looks just like us. All of humanity needs it. Animals need it. Insects need it. Trust is a vital part of life, and without it, our world is unsettled and frightening. We all know that, but can we honestly say we give trust the reverence and recognition it deserves?
for our own lack of character or destructive tendencies. We use phrases like, “I didn’t mean it like that,” or “I don’t know why you’re so upset,” or “You’re too sensitive.” All because we have now awakened to the fact that trust is the foundation of everything we all desire so much. It is the foundation for love, for happiness, for companionship, for vulnerability, for intimacy (not sex, though it’s much better with trust), for everything our lonely hearts desire. Isn’t it time we give trust the respect it deserves? Isn’t it time we make it a priority in a world that seems to be devoid of even the slightest understanding of why it’s so crucial to us as humans?
Health First Aid instructors in the country and promoting training for public safety officials.
Grosdidier, former superintendent of Eudora Schools, is being recognized for his leadership in integrating mental health support into schools and strengthening partnerships with Bert Nash. During his time on the governing board, he helped increase access to services and worked to reduce stigma surrounding mental health.
Both men will be honored April 30 at Theatre Lawrence during a free, public event featuring a performance by the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble.
When we come into this world, we come with an openness and a belief that we will be cared for and loved and sheltered. We believe that the people in charge of us want only what is best for us and that they will do everything in their power to provide it for us. Then somewhere along the way, that belief is shattered. Not because our parents were bad people necessarily, but somewhere along the way, their belief was shattered too, and they unconsciously pass that on to us. That will continue until someone in our ancestral line wakes up and realizes that trust is the foundation of happiness! Trust, and trust alone, is the first building block to mental health and physical health, and love and successful relationships, and should be developed, cherished, and protected!
We as humans tend to be careless with trust. We call ourselves trustworthy, but we steal from the boss or lie to our spouses (and children), or gossip about our friends and family or a host of other things that destroy trust. And we do it without regard to how damaging it is. We do it without accepting responsibility
At one point in our history, trust and integrity were the calling cards of a reliable and trustworthy human being. A politician couldn’t get elected without those qualities, much less have a convicted felon living in the white house who has no concept of honesty. A doctor lived with integrity and caring in their hearts to such an extent that pushing drugs for money would never even enter their minds. The sole reason for marriage was to build a life together that contributed something substantial to society. I fear those days are gone, and it breaks my heart, but I refuse to surrender to the dark side.
I am awake and becoming more so every day with every discovery of what it truly means to be free. Trust, honor, integrity, honesty, and genuine love for all of mankind are the only paths to peace on this earth, and I invite you to join me in building those qualities in yourself, your family, and our community. Be the example of what trust looks like. Be the light! So, if you really want your life to change for the better, it begins by “Thinking Outside the Box.”
COMMUNITY
OBITUARY
FREDERICK “FRED” EARL MCCREARY
April 25, 1943-March 4, 2026
Frederick “Fred” Earl McCreary, Jr., 82, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. A celebration of his life were held on April 11, 2026, at New Life Assembly in Baldwin City, KS. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with services following at 11:00 a.m.
A graveside service was held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2026 at Norton City Cemetery in Norton, Kansas.
Fred was born on April 25, 1943, in Norton, Kansas, to Frederick Earl McCreary, Sr. and Ivalee (Miller) McCreary. A lifelong student, he graduated from Kansas State University, earned his teaching certificate from Kansas Wesleyan University, and completed several military NCO schools.
In May 1966, Fred answered the call to serve his country by joining the National Guard. He served honorably for more than 24 years. During his final six years, he worked full-time as a retention sergeant with the National Guard in Ottawa, KS, retiring in December 1990 with the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). Fred also served his community as “Education’s Sixth Man,” enjoying his years as a substitute
teacher in the Lawrence, Gardner, and Baldwin school districts.
On May 23, 1969, Fred married the love of his life, Mary Seusy, in Salina, Kansas. They shared more than 56 years of marriage. Fred and Mary made music together with local choirs, participated in melodramas, community plays and musicals. Together they danced with the Ottawa Promenaders. He also enjoyed supporting local sports teams, woodworking, traveling, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He remained an active member of American Legion Post 228 in Baldwin City.
Fred is survived by his wife, Mary Seusy; three children: son Bryce McCreary, his wife, Julie, and their children Alec, Emma, and Maya of Lakeland, Tennessee; daughter Sarah McCune and her children Grady and Marley of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter Ruthanne Smith, her husband, Chad, and their son Bryce of Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law Noelle Schechter, her husband, Orvis, and their children Brent Schechter, Suzanne Schechter, Joshua Schecter, and Bonnie Longnecker of Joshua, Texas; sister-in-law Karen McCrearyAlderman, her husband, Kent, and their children David and Andrew of Salt Lake City, Utah; and brother William McCreary of Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Abba House or New Life Assembly.
