The stories | talk20hutch

12th Edition

July 26, 2019

"The Reluctant Apprentice"

As a child, Robynn Sims always thought her father's work as a chimney sweep was unique but for men only. After years of higher education and traveling, she came back to Kansas to join him in the family business. Only after partnering with her father did she begin to see the reasons for choosing this unique vocation, as she now discusses in “The Reluctant Apprentice.”

"How my Grandmothers Got Here"

At the age of 14, Heidi Unruh’s mother's grandmother made it from Russia to New York City all by herself. Heidi’s father’s mother fled the Nazi occupation on one of the last boats out of Hungary and made a new life in the Midwest. These stories of her foremothers’ courage and adaptability have always thrilled her imagination as well as shaped her identity.

"From a Barnyard to Bollywood"

When he was growing up on a small farm in Kansas, Justin Nisly never saw a movie from Bollywood -- the Indian film industry based in the massive city formerly known as Bombay. But even though Hollywood has bigger budgets, Bollywood sells a lot more tickets: each year, a billion more people around the globe watch a Bollywood movie than watch a Hollywood movie. This is how a Kansas farmboy ended up acting in Bollywood movies, and what he's learned about the place that produces more movies than anywhere else in the world.

11th Edition

January 25, 2019

"Buying Local: A Personal Challenge"

In June of 2017, Kelsi Depew began a challenge to buy everything locally, from milk and toilet paper to office supplies and gifts. She committed to defining what local meant for her, and to following her rules until the end of the summer. Now she shares what she learned and tips for being a consumer that cultivates community in “Buying Local: A Personal Challenge.”

Hutch in Harmony

"Hutch Against Hate and Other Stories"

Rebekah and Miriam of Hutch in Harmony believe their combination of privileges and experience is only an open call and opportunity to center and lift up the transformative beauty and strength of voices oft-overlooked and silenced in the community. They have been honored to listen to, amplify, and learn from wisdom that continues to guide and propel their efforts as accidental community organizers and seekers of justice.

"A Year of Learning"

Samantha Neill is the 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year. She is currently teaching English Language Arts at Buhler High School, USD 313 - which has been her home for 16 years. She is a wife to Bob and a mom to three boys - her biggest supporters. Her year of service provided many adventures and opportunities; however, it was the unexpected learning along the way that taught her the biggest lessons of all.

10th Edition

July 27, 2018

“Radio Stories and a Few Other Things"

Lucky has been on the radio in Hutchinson for 19 years and was broadcast into Hutchinson for several years before that. He shares some of his more interesting experiences, including his “other” high altitude experience, and some Hutchinson radio trivia. He also answers the question he gets asked more than any other—the answer isn’t as exotic as you might think.

Rebekah Blakley

“Setting the Stage"

Ted and Rebekah Blakley's eldest daughter Emma can’t remember a time in her life when she didn’t want to be a professional ballet dancer. But once she turned 13, it got serious. A ballet instructor told Emma that to “make it,” she needed to begin her training with a pre-professional ballet program by age 16. So Ted and Rebekah began parenting on overdrive to make the next three years count. This is the story of the lessons they taught, the preparations they made, and the values they imparted. And this is Emma’s story of growing, learning, and whole-hearted devotion to ballet.

Abbey Pemberton

“Stand Up and Speak Out"

We all have something we are passionate about, whether it be embracing your green thumb, keeping up on the latest car trends, or a passion for fashion. For Abbey, she is passionate about making sure her voice is heard to make a difference in the community. Since her freshman year of high school, she has helped pass seven city ordinances across Reno County and has hosted many different community awareness campaigns locally. During her talk, she shares how to turn your passion into a positive change in the community and why it is important to do so.