April 23, 2014
Story by Brandon Steinert  |  Photo by Todd Mobray

Legitimate excuses are in abundant supply for Stephanie Hoover, but one would be hard-pressed to get her to use one.

Hoover has three daughters, Albi, 3 months; Hailey, 4 and Marley, 5. In addition to parental duties, she has taken on the huge responsibility of providing their educations by homeschooling them.

This endeavor is the motivation fueling her pursuit of an online associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Barton Community College’s online learning platform, BARTonline.org.

April 16, 2014
Story by Brandon Steinert

The Barton Community College Planetarium is getting a “re-boot,” as the staff is calling it.

During the re-boot, the 1960s technology previously in use will be on display, then lowered into its housing to make way for a high-definition projector, using a series of precisely curved mirrors to proportionally project the image onto the Planetarium's 365-degree dome.

The Barton Theatre Department will hold its last performance of the school year at the Thespian Showcase at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 1 in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

Barton Theatre students will perform monologues, scenes, musical theatre, improvisation and original work. The Barton Theatre Department will hand out year-end acting and technical awards. Admission is free and complimentary refreshments will be provided at a reception following the performances and ceremony.

April 12, 2014
Story by Joe Vinduska

The Barton Community College Camp Aldrich Conference Center dining hall caught fire early Saturday morning.  The building was not in use at the time and no one was injured. The fire department was called by camp personnel and they were able to contain the fire.   The cause is yet to be determined and it is unknown at this time if the building will be salvageable.  

The Barton Community College Library is a resource available to the community and area residents are invited to an open house from 1-3 p.m. April 14.

Attendees will have an opportunity to meet library staff and learn about library resources, services and recent additions.  There will be a prize drawing and free refreshments.

For more information, contact Barton Library Director ReGina Casper at casperr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9362.

The Barton Community College Library will hold an art contest beginning April 10 to determine the artwork for ten Cohen Center for Kansas History (CCKH) trivia pamphlets.  Submissions must be done in pencil or colored pencil and must be received by April 23.  Contest is open to all students, Barton employees, and community members.  Multiple entries are accepted. 

The Barton Community College Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 in the Shafer Art Gallery.

The 24-piece orchestra is comprised of high school, college and adult members of the Barton and Pawnee county area.  The string orchestra will be playing selections by Haydn, Bach and Beethoven.  The strings will be joined by the woodwinds and percussions sections for the first movement of the Haydn “London” Symphony and a new composition, “Warrior Legacy.”

The concert will also feature the Great Bend High School String Quartet.

Barton Community College History Instructor Linda McCaffery will present “Mary Elizabeth Lease: Why I am a Populist,” at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10 in the Library.  Catered refreshments will be served.

“I will portray Mary Elizabeth Lease (Wichita) campaigning for presidential candidate, James Weaver, of the Populist Party,” McCaffery said of her presentation.  “What is extraordinary is that women in 1892 could not vote and were not involved in politics.  She even spoke at the national convention in Omaha.” 

March 25, 2014
Story by Joe Vinduska

Up and coming thespians can hone their craft this summer by attending “Broadway @ Barton,” a residential summer high school musical theatre program from June 15-27.

March 18, 2014
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Brandon Steinert

The Barton Foundation will host its Seventh Annual Clay Shoot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at Camp Aldrich, 884 NE 110 Ave. in Claflin.  It is sponsored by Mossberg Sanitation Inc., Innovative Livestock Services, Murphy Family Enterprises, Hammeke Electric, Inc., Great Plains Inspection and Smith Supply, LLC.