HASKELL COUNTY – The Haskell County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue an endangered persons advisory for a missing woman and her two daughters from Haskell County. The whereabouts of 23-year-old Martha Unger, and her daughters Madilynn Grace Unger, 2, and Haylie Faith Unger, 1, are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate them. They were reported missing from their home in rural Haskell County today just before 7 p.m. It is believed Martha is driving a 2015 white Ford Explorer bearing Kansas tag 301RJY. Martha is a white female, approximately 5 foot...
Southwest Medical Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Peter Phan, M.D., F.A.C.S., has joined our outstanding team of medical professionals. Dr. Phan brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to serving the community, and we are thrilled to have him on board. Dr. Phan’s journey into medicine was inspired by a calling he felt as a high school student in Washington State. Reflecting on his path, he shared, “For years, I wanted to serve God but didn’t know exactly which career would fit. Then one day in Sunday school, I heard about missionary doctors and it suddenly...
EDWARDSVILLE – Governor Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed today announced that $8.6 million will be awarded to 14 transportation construction projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program for spring 2024. “These new Cost Share projects will repair and modernize transportation infrastructure in communities across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Collaboration on these selected projects address short-term challenges to bring long-term solutions to the places Kansans call home.” With today’s announcement, more than $260 million has been invested to support the 179 projects selected in the Cost Share Program since it began in the fall of...
Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine — and that’s what Michele Van Hessen, theater instructor at Seward County Community College, is counting on as she looks ahead to the college’s fall play.
“Novio Boy,” a bilingual, bicultural comedy by Gary Soto, tells the story of a young man’s first date. A whole community becomes involved in helping Rudy in his pursuit of the beautiful, older — and taller — Patricia.
Van Hessen hopes the lighthearted, slice-of-life play will do much more than bring back memories of first love.
“I wanted to find a bilingual play that would serve to heal our community’s emotional struggles with the events surrounding the present immigration protocol,” she said. “But I wasn’t sure where to start. When I was young and lived in Europe, I spoke other languages, but I don’t speak Spanish. So, I did what I do best — network.”
Van Hessen reached out to California friends in the theater community.
“They asked me, ‘Do you know Gary Soto?’ I had not, but I found out he lived in Berkeley and I called him up anyway. I told him our college was bilingual, and I was not, but I would like to find a cute, funny play our students would identify with. He told me he had the perfect play, and he sent me six copies, immediately. As soon as I read it, I called him and said, ‘You’re right. This is our play.’”
A Mexican-American novelist, playwright and poet born in 1952 in Fresno, Calif., Soto’s work portrays the lives of Mexican-Americans with realism and affection. Having grown up in the San Joaquin valley where his family chopped beets and picked grapes, Soto returns to his heritage for subject material.
“He loves writing using Spanish and English,” Van Hessen said, describing the result as “rich and melodic manipulation of language and feeling.” That said, “Novio Boy” is accessible to both English- and Spanish-speakers.
“It’s so well-written, no actor should be afraid if they can’t speak Spanish,” she said. Nor should lack of theater experience deter those who are interested in auditioning.
“There is absolutely no need to think you ever had to take an acting class to try out for this play,” Van Hessen said. “I will take care of that for you. If you’ve never been on stage before, come on out for auditions on Sept. 7 and 8.”
“I hope all the students that embrace their bicultural heritage will come to the audition. And all community members and students of any nationality, too,” she said. “The play offers a universal theme of friendship and love. There’s some pride, some laughter, some romance, I chose it because I thought it would lift the spirits of our Hispanic community and bring back the fact that we’re all one.”
The engaging characters and short scenes will appeal to all audience members, no matter their ethnic background. Auditions in the SCCC Showcase Theater are set for 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7, and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.
For more information, contact Van Hessen at 620-417-1460, or by email at [email protected].