The first segment of the program reviews the sequence of events that took place in the forty-eight-hour period following Nichols' appearance at the Herington Police Department. Police Chief Dale Kuhn explains what happen ed as Nichols entered the police s tation and federal agents arrived to question him. Larry Byers, the editor of the local newspaper, describes what transpired as the investigation proceeded and journalists flooded in to the community.
In the next segment, Herington Times correspondent Susan Mueller reports on the manner in which local residents responded to the tragedy in Oklahoma City. She also conveys how townspeople react when members of the media re fer to Herington as Nichols' hometown. Previously stationed at nearby Fort Riley, Nichols had just recently purchased a house and moved to Herington.
The enduring impact of the extensive media coverage provides the main focus of the last segment of this program. Jim Roberts, an officer in the volunteer fire department, acknowledges local concern over the possible negative impact of such publicity. As t he community adjusts to the notoriety it has acquired, it appears that there are reasons to remain optimistic about the future.
The first segment of the program reviews the life of Kansas native Walter Chrysler. Loren Pennington, retired professor of history at Emporia State University, explores how Chrysler's small-town upbringing molded his character and helped to determine hi s future as a leader of the auto industry. Born in Wamego and raised in Ellis, Chrysler promoted an industry that, ironically, has contributed to the decline of the small town.
Next, Jennie Chinn, folklorist at the Kansas State Historical Society, explains how the popularization of automobiles has helped to diminish regional culture. Looking at the built environment, she investigates how the automobile influenced trends in architecture that have served to homogenize the visual landscape.
The last part of this program investigates a phenomenon directly related to our mobile society -- urban sprawl. Eric Strauss, professor of urban planning at the University of Kansas, lays out the basic concepts of land-use planning as it relates to urban sprawl. Using the history of Topeka as an example, Washburn University history professor Bill Wagnon discusses the role of public agencies in land-use planning.
The first part of this week's program investigates how older adults can maintain a positive frame of mind. Maxwell Berry, a retired physician from Shawnee Mission, and Gladys Johnson of Herington relate their thoughts on the subject. Gerontologist David Ekerdt from the KU Medical Center affirms the importance of independence to older adults while noting the interrelationship between age and attitude.
Next, Marge Rightmeier, director of the Kansas Senior Olympics, talks about the goals of the games, which are open to anyone age 50 and older. Contestants Paul Heitzman from Eudora and Lavina and Jack Haefele from McPherson County attest to the benefits of exercise and friendly competition in later life. The Kansas Senior Olympics are sponsored annually by Parks and Recreation of Topeka.
In the final segment this week, Edward McGlone, dean of continuing education at Emporia State University, remarks on the variety of educational opportunities offered through Elderhostel programs. Week-long, non-credit, college-level courses, Elderhostel programs aim to provide challenging educational experiences for senior adults.
Next, Ken Brunson of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) tells us how students are learning about local flora and fauna at Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites (OWLS). Administered by KDWP, the OWLS program helps schools fund and plan these outdoor learning labs. We will visit two OWLS sites and hear about the impact they have on both the students' educational experience and on the local wildlife.
The final story this week joins a group of teachers on a field trip to the Konza Prairie. The field trip was part of an institute conducted on the K-State campus last summer to familiarize these teachers with environmental history and to help them integrate the subject into their school's curricula. Jim Sherow, history professor at K-State and director of the institute, explains why the interaction between humans and their environment is an integral part of history.
Next, KU history professor Bill Tuttle talks about the impact the war had on the children of that era, which is the subject of his recent book, Daddy's Gone to War. Tuttle drew his information from letters written by numerous Americans who were children during the war years.
The final story this week visits a 50th anniversary celebration marking the closing of a German prisoner of war camp near Concordia. Pat O'Brien, history professor at Emporia State University, describes the impact Camp Concordia had on the local community. We will also meet former Camp Concordia guard, Everett Tenpenny, and former POW, Willi Lelle, who returned for the the reunion.
The horses at a riding school in Overland Park are involved in a different working relationship with humans. Patti Kortcamp, director of Heartland's School of Riding, explains how contact with horses can be beneficial to students with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities. Instructor Donn Taylor relates how the horses react to this kind of work and how human participants benefit from therapeutic riding.
Once a necessity for transportation, today a saddle horse is often a luxury and usually expensive to maintain. In the last part of this week's program, Randy Raub of Kansas State University describes what is required for proper maintenance of a horse. Bud Newell, President of the Kansas Horse Council, talks about the development of the council, which was created to protect the interests of Kansas horse owners.
Next, learn how one community is responding to signs of hate. Father Bob Layne of St. David's Episcopal Church in Topeka discusses how members of his church have responded to harassment by a group of anti-homosexual picketers. Bill Rich, law professor at Washburn University, explains why tolerance of such hate groups helps to ensure everyone's First Amendment rights.
The last part of this program looks at the debate regarding federal funding for the arts, the humanities, and public broadcasting. Political science professor at KU, Burdett Loomis discusses the implications such public funding has on freedom of expression. Eric Hayashi, executive director of the Kansas Arts Commission, and Terry Glasscock, vice chair of the Kansas Humanities Council, explain why they think these programs are important to our society.
Next, meet an Arkansas City native who has become a successful director of movies for CBS. A 1962 graduate of Arkansas City High School, Mike Robe talks about the evolution of his career and the films he has written and directed. Robe recently received recognition as a distinguished Kansan for his achievements in film.
The final story this week visits Uniontown, near Ft. Scott, where high school students are using modern technology to produce video programs on historical topics. History teacher Norman Conard explains how the production process has helped to bring historical characters and events to life for his students. The students have produced several winning videos for the Kansas Film Festival and History Day events.
Next, learn what life was really like in the Kansas cattle towns in the late 1800s. Author and historian C. Robert Haywood focuses on Dodge City, Wichita, and Caldwell as he dispels the myth of the predominantly violent and ungoverned Kansas cattle towns.
In the final story this week, visit some of the old Chisholm Trail stops in Clearwater, Wichita, Newton, Goessel and Abilene as we learn how some Kansas communities are preparing to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the trail in 1997. Mark Adams of the Kansas State Historical Society, Jeff Sheets from the Dickinson County Historical Society, Jacque Wedel of Newton Tourism, and Gene Countryman of Wichita Tourism talk about plans for the upcoming celebration.
First, learn what some archival documents reveal about the circumstances surrounding the historical novel Sod and Stubble. Von Rothenberger, a history major at Emporia State University, discusses the findings of his research on the novel, which was originally published in 1936. Historian Leo Oliva relates the value of preserving such documents.
Next, learn why archivists are collaborating to preserve our state's recorded heritage. Darrell Garwood of the Kansas State Historical Society, Michael Piper of the Kansas Library Network, and Mary Burchill from the University of Kansas Law Library discuss the need for preservation measures to safeguard the future of Kansas' historical publications and recordings.
In the final story this week, Lynn Nelson, history professor at the University of Kansas, explains how Kansans are becoming involved with the construction of new sites on the World Wide Web. Sue Van Sickle, manager of training at Washburn University's Academic Computing Center describes how to navigate through the vast information resources on the "web."
Next, see the final stages of construction of Farpoint Observatory, built by The Northeast Kansas Amateur Astronomers' League on the grounds of Mission Valley High School southwest of Topeka. Brenda Culbertson and Gary Hug, active members of NEKAAL, describe the role of amateur astronomers and the mission of the new observatory.
The final story this week visits the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. Max Ary and Helen Unruh of the Cosmosphere talk about the expansion of the space museum to include new exhibits and programs. Professor of history and science at the University of Kansas, Henry Lewis McKinney discusses the history of our fascination with outer space and how we benefit from the space program.
Next, Karren Weichert, executive director of Midland Hospice in Topeka, relays the philosophy behind hospice care for the terminally ill patient. Duane Friesen, professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College, explains how this personalized care can help both the patient and their loved ones as they come to terms with the dying process.
In the final story this week, Beverly Barbo of Lindsborg shares a mother's tale about losing her son. In her book, The Walking Wounded, which was published by her husband, Dave, Beverly recounts the difficulties endured by her son and his family and friends as he lost the battle with the AIDS virus.
Next, learn how one Filipino woman has adjusted to American culture. Ascension "Toots" Schultz of Lawrence moved from the Philippines to the United States more than 20 years ago. In the second story this week, she and her anthropologist husband, Jerry, talk about the differences they have both noticed betwee n Filipino and American culture.
The final story this week investigates cultural diversity in Kansas schools. James Boyer, professor of education at Kansas State University, and Barbara Cole, president of K-NEA, acquaint us with the role of multicultural education in our pluralistic society.
For more information, contact: Claire Waring, (913) 231-1111 KTWU/Channel 11, Topeka, KS 66621 e-mail: zzwaring@ktwu.washburn.edu