Connections Hometown
Farm Fresh
Pratt’s Farmers’ Market is growing
Rural Connections
BY SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–THE RURAL BROADBAND ASSOCIATION
A Grateful Goodbye
This column is different than the others I’ve written over the years, because it’s my last as CEO of NTCA. When I began working at NTCA nearly 40 years ago, “broadband” wasn’t a household word. “Universal service,” while a longtime national goal, was a concept more than a mission. And “rural America” was too often an afterthought in conversations about connectivity.
Over the course of my career, I have watched the industry transform and a movement grow, powered by NTCA’s small, community-based providers. These providers are determined to bring advanced broadband to the communities they call home, even in places where the maps say it couldn’t be done and the economics didn’t work. Every day they do the extraordinary, proving what is possible when community comes first.
I’ve been honored to witness that perseverance firsthand. I’ve seen providers work through the night after storms so families could reconnect with loved ones. Thanks to their hard work building Smart Rural Communities, students in small towns can access educational opportunities far beyond their county lines. Farmers, small businesses and entrepreneurs use their fiber connections to grow, compete and thrive—without leaving the places they love.
Broadband is about more than technology. It’s access to health care, education, safety and economic opportunities. It’s the ability to stay rooted while reaching outward. And at its core, it’s about people, the NTCA members who make connectivity possible and the customers they proudly serve.
When I reflect on my many years with NTCA, I think about all of the people who shaped not only my journey, but the story of rural America itself. The CEOs who started out on construction crews or at finance desks, the family-owned companies now in their fourth generations, co-op boards that hold community meetings in gymnasiums, NTCA staff who pour every ounce of passion into serving members and the federal partners who understand what makes rural broadband so special.
As I step into my next chapter, I do so with deep gratitude, for the providers who serve with heart, communities that refuse to settle for “just good enough” and Americans who know that high-quality connectivity is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Thank you for reminding me every day why this work matters.
ADVANCING BROADBAND IN RURAL AMERICA
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association works to build a better broadband future for rural America, representing about 850 independent, family-owned and community-based telecommunications companies. The tenure of Shirley Bloomfield, named CEO in 2010, highlights a time of significant industry achievement.
Shirley Bloomfield joins NTCA
1986
Congress passes the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, investing over $7 billion to expand high-speed internet access.
2009
USDA creates the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program.
2018
Congress passes the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, investing $65 billion into broadband.
Congress passes the Telecommunications Act of 1996, codifying “universal service.”
NTCA ramps up advocacy efforts as the Federal Communications Commission unveils its National Broadband Plan.
2010 2020
2021 1996
NTCA members join the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to ensure Americans retain connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court rules the Universal Service Fund is constitutional, following lengthy defense by the FCC, NTCA and others.
2025
Spring Cleaning
Practical advice for broadband success
Spring cleaning might include neatening up the garage, preparing for a garden or straightening out a cluttered closet. It often takes some strategic planning and at least a little elbow grease. But there’s another type of annual cleanup that can make life easier, and it doesn’t even need much, if any, physical effort.
CARLA SHEARER Chief Executive Officer
Over the past few years, how we use the internet has changed, expanding in ways that may seem surprising. The rise of artificial intelligence is a prominent example. So, the internet services that once supported email and basic web browsing now handle schoolwork, video calls, online shopping, security systems, streaming media and, yes, even AI-driven tools and resources.
This is the world SCTelcom’s service was designed to serve— robust, reliable and scalable. We have the infrastructure to grow with your changing needs. But if you want to get the most out of your internet connection, you can help too. This is where a little digital spring cleanup comes in. And it’s easy.
Start with a practical step. Take stock of the number of connected devices you have. Include phones, tablets, smart televisions and security systems. Even look in places like the kitchen because a surprising number of appliances connect to Wi-Fi. Generally, when idle none of these devices stress your high-quality internet service. You have plenty of capacity.
But when everyone is home and those devices are in heavy use, you may notice a slowdown. Imagine a couple of kids gaming in one room, someone else streaming a high-definition movie down the hall and a student busy with homework on her laptop in another room.
After listing the number of devices on your network, consider if your internet service meets that demand. We’re happy to help. Contact SCTelcom, and we’ll match the most affordable services to your needs. In many households, it can make a big difference.
Once that is complete, there’s a second task. Consider the location of your Wi-Fi router, which works best when centrally located and with few obstructions. Think of Wi-Fi as a radio signal, rich with data transmitting throughout your location. Thick walls, devices like microwaves with disruptive signals of their own and simply the distance between the router and devices can make a significant difference in performance. Again, we’re happy to offer advice and support. There are solutions for any space.
And that’s it. Two steps to a broadband spring cleaning. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, and the gains can be profound. The goal is an internet service that fits seamlessly into the background. Students can focus on learning instead of waiting on screens to load. Families can easily stay connected with loved ones and access services. You’re even prepared if work comes home with you.
Enjoy the spring. Please let us know how we can help you make the most of our service. And thank you for being part of the SCTelcom family.
Hometown Connections is a quarterly magazine published by SCTelcom, © 2026.
It is distributed at no charge to all SCTelcom customers.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Brent Garvie Burlington/Byron Exchanges
Justin Koblitz Hazelton Exchange
Jesse Blasi Iuka Exchange
Joel Forester Kiowa Exchange
Josh Buck Lake City/Sun City Exchanges
Dan Hrencher Sharon Exchange
Mike VanCampen Turon Exchange
215 S. Iliff St. P.O. Box B Medicine Lodge, KS 67104
877-723-6875
sctelcom.net
for SCTelcom by:
SPRING 2026 VOL. 2, NO. 1
On the Cover:
The Pratt Farmers’ Market hosts a variety of vendors, including vegetable farmers and artisians. See story Page 8. Produced
Photo courtesy of Amanda Plucker
SmartTown
Hits a Home Run
SCTelcom provides streaming support at local ballparks
Story by JOHN CLAYTON
Aday at the ballpark now is more than hot dogs, Cracker Jacks and the old ball game. That’s where SCTelcom’s SmartTown comes into play.
Community members can automatically connect to SmartTown Wi-fi at schools, parks and ball fields.
“We’ve put up access points and all the equipment needed at various public locations, and that includes places like our baseball fields, our parks and downtown areas,” says Wendy Crenner, SCTelcom’s director of marketing and brand awareness. “Throughout all of our communities, people have access to free, secure public Wi-Fi.”
IN THE DUGOUT
Coaches say the arrival of SmartTown helps them adopt new ways of doing things. Not so long ago, keeping the meticulous statistics involved a scorebook and a pencil. The joy of the 6-4-3 double play and the pain of the swinging strikeout identified by a backwards letter K were recorded among handwritten letters, numbers and symbols that could be mistaken for hieroglyphs or military codes.
But apps and websites such as GameChanger, MaxPreps and others now help coaches keep up with individual and team statistics and in-game scoring.
“At the beginning of last season, I was approached before the first home game by the softball coach, and she wanted to make sure she knew how to connect to SmartTown because they run GameChanger,” Wendy says.
According to GameChanger’s media materials, the app enables coaches to devote more time on the field. “GameChanger’s tools can now act as your own support staff, using data to help make lineup decisions,” the material reads. “The key idea is empowerment. Coaches can analyze data in profound ways impossible just a few years ago to make more informed team decisions.”
The app creates box scores and associated stats and has streaming functions for video and graphics for live scoring that allows anyone following the team on the app to keep up with the game in real time.
“I know the parents really enjoy it because if they’re not able to make it to a game, they can track the game,” says Medicine Lodge head baseball coach Joe Dohrmann. “It gives a play-byplay on the app. A lot of parents want to see their kids’ stats and things like that.”
While Medicine Lodge and Chaparral don’t currently stream their games on apps or websites, it is a possibility in the future, especially with SmartTown available.
Chaparral head baseball coach Tyler Clubine says grandparents and family members who have trouble getting to Roadrunners games follow along on GameChanger from home, “which they wouldn’t be able to do if we didn’t have any sort of Wi-Fi at the ballpark.”
It also helps some parents multitask. “There are parents who will be at one field on GameChanger on their phone, so they know when their kid who’s playing softball across the way on the other field is about to go up to the plate, and they can go back and forth and not miss an at-bat,” Tyler says.
The same goes for Medicine Lodge fans. “We have multiple families that have their aunts, uncles and grandparents all following along,” Joe says. “So, it’s really nice to have.”
ON THE FIELD
Medicine Lodge is just one season removed from winning the KSHSAA Class 2A-1A State Baseball championship with an 8-0 victory over Mission Lodge.
Then a sophomore, Jake Schreiner pitched a one-hit gem in the shutout, and he is set to return for his senior season in 2026. The Indians hope to rebound from last season’s 9-11 overall record, 7-10 in the Central Plains Conference, and put together another deep playoff run. Their playoff hopes ended last season with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Valley Falls.
“We lost one senior last year, so we have pretty much everybody returning,” Joe says. “We’re pretty excited about this upcoming season.”
Chaparral was 12-10 overall and 6-9 in conference play last season, finishing sixth in the league standings and just missing the playoffs despite finishing two games over .500 for the season.
Kale Greve led the Roadrunners, batting .418, while Daxton Hostetler hit .410 and drove in 20 runs. Both players are to return for their senior seasons. Carter Hostetler is the team’s top returning pitcher as a junior. He was 3-1 with one save and a 2.10 ERA last season.
ABOVE: The Medicine Lodge Lady Indians softball players watch a teammate’s at-bat. BELOW: Medicine Lodge baseball players meet at the mound to discuss strategy.
BEYOND THE BALLGAME
There are a number of websites and apps for high school sports fans to follow, including a few specific to baseball.
• Maxpreps.com
• Hudl.com
• GameChanger
• FloSports.tv
• BallerTV.com
• NFHSnetwork.com
SCTelcom’s SmartTown is now available in Attica, Anthony, Burlington, Byron, Cunningham, Harper, Kiowa, Lake City, Iuka, Medicine Lodge, Sharon, Sun City and Turon.
Photos courtesy of Becki Clouse
Photography
A Clearer Connection
SCTelcom fiber helps Pratt couple make the most of retirement
Bruce and Sue Givens understand the power of connection. Whether it was with students during their careers in education, with voters during Bruce’s term as a state senator or blazing the trail for new technology, every accomplishment for their community started with clear lines of communication.
As far back as 1978, Sue was already learning how to use cutting-edge technology in the classroom in just her second year as a teacher.
“I was teaching in Topeka and had the daughter of the math specialist for the district in my class. So, he came to me one day and said, ‘How would you like to pilot a computer in your classroom?’” she says.
“It was an old tape-driven Bell & Howell computer. Those were the first computers we had in Topeka Public Schools.”
Over a decade later, as assistant superintendent in Pratt, Sue oversaw the district’s first internet connection. “We only had one place you could access the internet for a while, and that was in the Pratt High School library,” Sue says.
The couple spent 17 years in Pratt, with Bruce serving as director for the South Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative. In 2007, they relocated to El Dorado, where Sue took a job as superintendent of public schools, and Bruce worked as director for Derby schools and later for the Butler County Special Education Interlocal.
Bruce eventually got permission to work part time, clearing the way for a term in the state Senate from 2017-2021.
“It was very humbling to win, and it’s humbling to lose, too,” he says. “But while I was there, we got our state out of debt, supported education and a lot of things we believed were necessary for Kansans.”
They both retired after Bruce left the Senate, and they agreed there was only one place they wanted to settle down.
“We knew we wanted to come back to Pratt,” says Sue. “It felt like home to us. We had friends we’d raised our daughter with, our church, a lot of involvement with the Miss Kansas pageant. So that’s what we did, and we’ve been here since 2022.”
Story by DREW WOOLLEY
Bruce and Sue Givens returned to Pratt after they retired.
Connection
LOCAL RELIABILITY
Retirement has hardly slowed the Givenses down, though. Bruce continues to work with educators on the Pratt School Foundation and the Kansas Kiwanis Foundation, while Sue serves as vice chair at the Vernon Filley Art Museum. Both are on the Pratt Presbyterian Church Administrative Board.
corner by our house again. It is out there all the time, and it was when we had them because we were down all the time,” Sue says. “We have never once experienced an outage with SCTelcom that lasted more than a few minutes.”
With so much work still to do, they knew they would need a reliable internet connection. “The internet is extremely important to our volunteer work,” Bruce says. “We both need it for our work with the church, and Sue sometimes spends hours designing training courses for others at the Filley.”
After returning to Pratt, they signed up for internet service from a nationwide provider and quickly discovered the quality was not what they expected. The Givenses switched to SCTelcom as soon as it was available in their area a year ago.
“When I left for a meeting today, I saw that the other guy’s truck was on the
That connection also helps them stay in close touch with their daughter’s family, who now lives in Colorado. Not only can they rely on weekly Zoom calls, but they can enjoy more frequent visits since their daughter can work remotely from Kansas.
“If we didn’t have that kind of access, they wouldn’t be able to come near as often,” Bruce says.
Both Bruce and Sue are confident their neighbors will appreciate the same reliability and quality of local service that they have. Which makes their message to anyone thinking of switching a simple one. “We’d tell them the same thing we did when we went to the meeting about SCTelcom coming to Pratt: ‘You guys need to do this. We all need to get on,’ Sue says. “And they all did.”
Better Service
Is on the Way
As a local internet provider for many of the areas surrounding Pratt, expanding service into the city has long been a goal for SCTelcom. Last October, construction officially got underway on the Pratt expansion.
The cooperative partnered with RVW, a specialist in telecommunications engineering, for construction on the main fiber lines. As members sign up for service, SCTelcom will then make the final connection to their homes or businesses.
Construction on the first phase of the expansion is already complete, with more to come throughout the year. To find out if service is available in your area, visit sctelcom.net and choose “Fiber Internet” under the “Residential” tab.
ABOVE: Sue and Bruce celebrate her putt with a high-five. LEFT: Bruce likes to start his day by reading on his laptop in the kitchen.
Photos courtesy of Becki Clouse Photography
ABOVE: A sampling of the products that are available for sale at Pratt Farmers’ Market.
RIGHT: The market hosts a variety of vendors from vegetable farmers to artisans.
Harvest on Main
Communities connect at Pratt Farmers’ Market
Story by LAZ DENES
On Saturday mornings from the beginning of June until the end of October, Merchant Park in Pratt wakes up. Pickup tailgates drop open. Pop-up tents unfold. Coolers thud gently onto the grass. And as the clock nears 9 a.m., the Pratt Farmers’ Market comes to life.
It’s a ritual that transforms the corner of 4th and South Main streets into a crossroads where rural and urban producers meet with neighbors looking for something fresh, local, handcrafted or simply meaningful.
“It ranges, but we usually have seven to nine regular vendors, and then more folks come when they have something ready to sell. It just builds. Every weekend is a little different,” says
Amanda Plucker, the market’s social media coordinator, board member and a vendor herself.
VENDORS WHO CARE
Amanda has been part of the market for more than five years, long enough to become the unofficial information desk. “If people have questions, they come to me,” she says. “I take pictures every Saturday and post what’s available. But really, we all pitch in. When it’s hot or raining, vendors help each other set up and tear down. We try to take care of each other.”
The market connects local growers and makers directly with consumers. Without the added costs of shipping, storage
Photo courtesy of Amanda Plucker
Photo courtesy of Amanda Plucker
and distribution, small producers keep more of their earnings and build stronger customer relationships.
For Amanda, those relationships extend to her own business, A&J’s Homestead, where she sells natural skincare products made with herb-infused essential oils. When her family garden comes in, she also brings produce and farmfresh eggs.
Other booths showcase the variety of goods produced around Pratt County. Some weekends, The Whittler’s Wife from St. John displays hand-carved spoons, bowls and wooden trinkets surrounded by the aroma of fresh-baked goods from local dessert makers. Last year a new vendor offered “freshies,” wax-based, air fresheners to hang from a vehicle’s rearview mirror.
And then there is the produce. Sweet corn, onions, watermelons, cucumbers, herbs, tomatoes and more are piled high on shaded tables.
Among those selling fruits and vegetables is Savannah Smith, a longtime vendor who draws crowds with her watermelons early in the season, transitioning to gourds and pumpkins she sells straight off her trailer in the fall.
NEW ENERGY ARRIVES
This past year brought an added burst of energy from Meg Laasko Kauffman, owner of PrairieSky Farm, a small but intensively managed organic garden near Attica.
On a recently purchased 80-acre property, Meg, her husband and adult children grow fruits and vegetables. They’re transitioning to organic certification, using no synthetic chemicals and choosing varieties that thrive in Kansas’ often-harsh growing climate.
Meg’s tables at the market overflow with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and lettuce varieties, some from French, Italian and even soon-to-be-incorporated Israeli lines selected for heat
tolerance and taste. “The romaine from Israel is a big hit,” she says. “It’s bred for really hot environments, so it does wonderfully here.”
Meg’s philosophy is grow intensively, grow sustainably and grow food that makes people excited to cook.
Meg quickly found the Pratt market is more than a place to sell. “It’s incredibly social,” she says. “Families come together. Kids run around. Vendors check on each other. Every week I’d go buy something from the others, like pies and cookies, because the quality is so good.”
The customer base includes both regulars and newcomers, often drawn by word of mouth or the photos Amanda posts on the market’s Facebook page. Some arrive with specific requests. One woman needed pickling cucumbers of a particular size every week. “So, I told her, ‘OK, I’ll grow them exactly how you need,’” Meg says. “That’s the beauty of a small market. We can customize. We want people to get what they came for.”
COMMUNITY IN MOTION
While vendors manage their own booths, the market functions as a community effort. If a tent needs anchoring on a windy morning, someone steps in. If a vendor arrives late, others help unload. If the temperature spikes, vendors share their coolers and water bottles.
That sense of camaraderie carries into how organizers approach new vendors. “We are always looking for more vendors,” Amanda says. “Anybody interested can message us on Facebook. We love when new folks join.”
In a time when many small towns work to hold on to local identity, the Pratt Farmers’ Market offers something simple but powerful—a chance to gather, support neighbors and share the best of what rural Kansas can produce.
“It’s just a really family-friendly place,” Meg says. “People come, they talk, they connect. And I think that’s what keeps all of us coming back every Saturday.”
Pratt Farmers’ Market
Newvendorsarewelcome.
Merchant Park at 4th and South Main streets in downtown Pratt
Open 9 a.m. to noon, starting the first Saturday in June until the last Saturday in October.
Follow the market on Facebook @PrattFarmersMarket.
Photo courtesy of Savannah Smith
LEFT: Vendors line the walkways of Merchant Park in downtown Pratt.
Spring Cleaning for the Digital Age
As winter fades and the first warm winds sweep across the prairie, many of us feel that familiar urge to open the windows, clear out the clutter and start fresh. It turns out our digital lives need that same kind of spring cleaning. Just like a well-kept home or office, a tidy and well-maintained network helps things run smoothly and keeps trouble from sneaking in.
I’m Chase Weber, director of information technology and managed services at SCTelcom.
I grew up in Wellington. I earned my computer engineering degree with a minor in mathematics from Wichita State University and later spent several years in Colorado working in the defense industry, where cybersecurity was part of daily life.
When our daughter was born, my wife and I knew it was time to come home. We moved back to Kansas to be closer to family.
I joined SCTelcom in 2025 and have been working to build new service offerings that support the operations of businesses across our region. Outside of work, my family life looks a lot like many of yours—a house full of kids, a yard full of chickens and a loving dog.
NICE AND TIDY
Just like cleaning out a garage or sorting last year’s receipts, cyber hygiene doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Start with the basics. Make sure your passwords are strong and unique. If you’re still using the same one for multiple accounts, think of it like using the same key for your house, your truck and your shop. A key in the wrong hands would unlock them all.
Password managers create unique passwords for each account, making it simple and safe.
Check for software updates on all devices. Updates may feel like a nuisance, but they work like seasonal maintenance, keeping everything running efficiently and sealing up the weak spots that can allow cyberthreats to sneak in.
CHASE WEBER Director of IT and Managed Services
Backups are another important cornerstone. Imagine losing every family photo or every business invoice in one unexpected moment. Regular backups, cloud-based or to an external device, give you a safety net that you hope you’ll never need, but will be grateful for if the day comes.
Finally, take a moment to look at who has access to what. Over the course of a year, employees come and go, accounts pile up and old permissions linger. A quick “access cleanup” ensures former staff members or unused devices are no longer holding onto digital keys.
At SCTelcom, we believe technology should support your life and your livelihood, not complicate it. We’re your neighbors, your partners and your behind-the-scenes caretakers who help keep the digital dust out of your way. Whether you run a business or manage a busy household, a little cyber spring cleaning goes a long way toward keeping your world protected and running strong.
High Performance in the Digital Fast Lane Speed,
Fast, reliable internet plays a bigger role than ever, connecting you to work, school, loved ones, entertainment, health care and more. And much like driving on a well-designed highway, a quality connection ensures a seamless trip.
SCTelcom’s fiber internet fuels your home’s Wi-Fi, giving every room the green light for uninterrupted browsing and streaming. From tech-savvy families using multiple devices at once to retirees looking for an affordable, dependable option, SCTelcom offers a package to match everyone’s needs.
Our service is anchored by three performance pillars—speed, bandwidth and Wi-Fi—working together like horsepower, passing lanes and smooth pavement to keep you moving.
SPEED
More speed means everything online works better. It’s particularly
bandwidth and Wi-Fi
critical when using applications requiring seamless, buffer-free performance. Do you stream high-quality videos or make video calls? Is someone in your household a gamer, for whom a tiny delay can be the difference between victory and defeat? Do you work with video or online editing tools?
Speed makes all the difference.
BANDWIDTH
Think of bandwidth like a highway. A higher number of lanes means more vehicles can travel at the same time. Fewer lanes, particularly at rush hour, create bottlenecks and slowdowns. How does this relate to your home? Every device you connect to your network—smartphones, TVs, computers, appliances, security system and more— adds traffic.
So, the more devices you have, the more bandwidth you need.
WI-FI
Wi-Fi makes internet service available to a wide range of devices without the need for physical connections. However, it’s important to remember that the strength and quality of your signal can be influenced by several factors, including the distance between the router and your device. A computer in a second-floor bedroom, for example, may have a weaker connection than a computer on the first floor where the router is located. The number of devices sharing your Wi-Fi connection can also affect the signal’s strength and quality.
SCTELCOM’S MANAGED WI-FI 7 ROUTER
• Eliminate dead spots in your home.
• No more lag.
• Built for modern demands to support more than 100 devices.
Know What’s Below
The arrival of spring brings longer days and more outdoor chores. Some of those backyard tasks involve a shovel and a call to Kansas’ 811 program.
State law requires homeowners and contractors to call 811 before digging. Starting a digging project haphazardly can damage expensive infrastructure and put lives at risk. Kansas 811 notifies all utilities based on the address, allowing those stakeholders to safeguard their facilities.
HERE ARE THE FIVE STEPS TO DIG SAFELY:
• Call 811 for your lines to be marked.
• Wait the required amount of time— three full business days for normal requests, not counting the day of the call.
• Call 811 or 800-344-7233 to confirm all lines have been marked.
• Respect the marks and call for a re-marking if needed.
• Dig carefully around the painted lines and flags.
Find out more at kansas811.com.
When Juliana Whisman and her family were consid-
ering a move to Harper County 12 years ago, the lack of a designated art teacher for the local elementary schools was almost a dealbreaker. The arts had been a meaningful part of Juliana’s life from grade school to marching in the University of Kansas band, and she wanted her own kids to have the same opportunities.
“Some of it is about creativity and stretching those muscles,” she says. “But it’s also been the place where I’ve found connections and met people and made friends.”
Light Finding Their
club for middle schoolers in the area, visited some preschool classrooms and organized a few paint-and-sip events for local women.
Creativity shines at The Arts Center
Juliana met with two other local women who had similarly strong feelings about providing arts education for their kids. As they brainstormed small meetups in their homes, they began to wonder how many other families might want better access to these opportunities. So, in 2015, they officially launched The Arts Center in Anthony.
The scope of the project started out small. They formed an after-school art
“It grew from tiny little seeds of classes, then we started visiting classrooms and had a contract with local schools to do art classes,” Juliana says. “But we always had a five-year goal that we wanted to start community theater.”
Today, The Arts Center puts on two community theater productions each year—one focused on kids and one for adults—along with a full calendar of traveling art classes for elementary schools in the area, field trips and local events for all ages.
“One of our values is that we believe art is for everyone. So, we’re always
thinking about how we can make art more accessible,” Juliana says. “Public art means it’s literally available for everyone. And it makes our community a nicer place to live.”
CATCHING THE BUG
Kasey Waldschmidt first heard of The Arts Center when her children took part in one of Juliana’s art classes at Anthony Elementary. She remembers being pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastic they were to share what they had learned.
“I remember when our daughter came home the first time and was telling me about oil pastels. I didn’t even know what an oil pastel was, but she had to tell me
LEFT: Zach McDermott takes the stage for the first time in 2020, playing Pongo alongside Avry Carothers’ Perdita in “101 Dalmatians KIDS.” RIGHT: The production team, including, from left, Ami DeLacerda, Andi Penwell, Alison White and Juliana Whisman, prepares for auditions.
Photo courtesy of Don Holt of Wheatland Photography
Photo courtesy of The Arts Center of Anthony
Story by DREW WOOLLEY
about it and how they used it,” Kasey says. “I think it’s always pretty exciting when our kids come home that excited about something they learned at school. Because ... it’s school.”
As more schools got involved and the workload became too much for Juliana alone, Kasey and others began volunteering. Juliana taught the volunteers about an artist they would be highlighting during the quarter and provided the materials for a related activity. But it is the community theater productions that have really captivated Kasey’s family.
“All of my children have been affected in some way by the performing arts piece. They have all either been a cast member or helped on the tech side with lighting and sound,” Kasey says. “Even my husband will admit that, at first, he wasn’t sure this was a need in our community. But the more he’s been around it and got to be a part of it, he got bit by the performing arts bug and has really enjoyed it.”
Currently, Kasey serves as president of the center’s board. While she sometimes misses her more hands-on role as a volunteer, she is also proud to support the organization’s fundraising efforts and practical needs that keep the arts alive in her area.
“We just recently had the South Kansas Symphony come and perform for us. So, if we’re not able to create it, we’re finding it and bringing it here,” she says. “I think it’s a good thing for our community to be exposed to those things without having to go to the big city. And we might not have access to them if The Arts Center had not brought them.”
NEW PATHS
As The Arts Center grew, that same sentiment spread throughout the community. Alison White grew up in Harper County but moved away for several years before returning in 2021. When she saw the chance to get involved with the theater productions as a director, she jumped at the opportunity to forge new kinds of connections.
“Theater has a unique way of bringing people together who might not otherwise cross paths,” she says. “I’ve seen individuals from all walks of life gain confidence, find their voices and form genuine connections through the shared experience of creating art.”
Abigail Reeves, who participated as an actor in several student shows and now takes part in the adult performances, agrees. While she has come to love the experience of learning to understand
characters in more mature productions, like 2025’s “Steel Magnolias,” her most lasting memories are of mentoring younger performers.
“They all look up to the high schoolers, and I had so many special moments with them,” she says. “I think it’s important for those kids to be recognized for how much courage it takes to be on stage. Theater teaches you a lot, especially at an early age like that.”
Juliana hopes to start producing a third show each year, taking place during the summer and focused on those younger actors. After all, some of Juliana’s favorite moments come when young artists find their voices, like one sixth grade girl who didn’t like how her art project was turning out.
“I told her, ‘I feel that way sometimes, too, when I’m in the middle of something. But hang tight. We haven’t added any color yet. We haven’t started painting. Let’s just see,’” she says. “She ended up loving her piece and feeling really proud of what she had created. That’s the most important part. Seeing people come alive with creating something.”
LEFT: Robin Ybarra, left, and Abigail perform together in “Steel Magnolias.” ABOVE: Board President Kasey Waldschmidt wears many hats at The Arts Center, including helping with stage makeup for young cast members. Here she applies Aria Bauer’s makeup for “The Lion King JR.”
ABOVE: The Arts Center staged “The Jungle Book KIDS” in 2022, with a large cast, including, from left, Natalie Graves, Timmy Adams and Abigail Reeves.
Photo courtesy of Don Holt of Wheatland Photography
Photo courtesy of The Arts Center of Anthony
Photo courtesy of The Arts Center of Anthony
BREAKING THE BANK Treat
Yourself
Rich desserts shouldn’t cost a fortune WITHOUT
For many Americans, going to the grocery store can be stressful since prices don’t seem to be coming down. But we still want to have our cake and eat it too. So, it’s nice—and entirely possible—to treat ourselves to something sweet at the end of the meal without breaking the bank. There are some tricks to keep in mind to help you stay on budget while still satisfying your sweet tooth. For example, if a recipe calls for pecans, walnuts, a less expensive alternative, can be substituted. And use store brands whenever possible—a cost-saving practice that always saves pennies.
Food Editor Anne P. Braly is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
CHOCOLATE BANANA BARS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups mashed banana
1 1/2 cups flour
Preheat oven to 350 F.
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
1 cup chocolate chips
Mix the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and banana. Then add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Put half of the mixture into a separate bowl and add the cocoa powder.
Grease the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan and pour in the cocoa mixture. The mixture will be thick, just try and spread a thin layer across the bottom. It will rise and make a beautiful, thin bar. Use a smaller pan if you want a thicker bar, however, it will need to bake longer to get the middle done.
Spread the rest of the batter on top of the cocoa mixture. Sprinkle the top with as many or as few chocolate chips as you like.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is browned and a toothpick comes out clean.
Photography by Mark Gilliland
Food Styling by Rhonda Gilliland
BLUEBERRY COFFEECAKE
2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 10 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9-inch Bundt pan. Beat sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream and vanilla extract. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into butter mixture until just blended. Fold in blueberries.
Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Combine brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle half of the mixture over the batter in the pan.
Spoon remaining batter on top, then sprinkle on remaining pecan mixture. Use a knife or thin spatula to swirl the mixture into the cake.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting. Invert carefully onto a serving plate. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
TROPICAL TWISTER
2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
4 ounces pineapple juice
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a bit more pineapple juice. Scoop into bowls and, if desired, garnish with additional chopped pineapple and a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately. Makes 3 servings.
STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM PIE
1 prepared 9-inch pie shell, graham cracker or pastry crust, baked and cooled
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup whipped topping, thawed
4 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and halved 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
Bake crust at 350 F for 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is fluffy. Gradually add the sugar and almond extract, beating until fully combined. Gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the cooled pie crust. Arrange the strawberry halves, cut side down or pointed side up, over the filling.
In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the strawberries and cream filling.
Refrigerate the pie for at least 1-2 hours or until it is set and chilled before serving.