December 10, 2015
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

Every day is a new chance to turn it all around. Ellinwood resident James “Jimmy” Kinsey is living proof. After many years of battling drug addiction and being in and out of prison, he is finally headed toward a better life by pursuing a welding career through Barton Community College.

Kinsey dropped out of high school in 10^th grade and spent most of his adult life addicted to drugs, and he knew it was time to do something about the path his life was on.

 
December 4, 2015
Story by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College’s Shafer Art Gallery will host a juried art show titled “Exposure Time 3” in January and is encouraging photographers to enter. Awards of $100 will be given to winners in three categories and there one $200 “Juror’s Award.” There is no entry fee.  A total of three works can be submitted. The deadline to enter is Jan. 8.

 
December 2, 2015
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Brandon Steinert

In conjunction with the Shafer Gallery’s “Holiday Open House,” the Barton Planetarium will show a holiday and winter-inspired full-dome movie every hour from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. 

The movie will begin at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. and there will be live light shows in between each showing starting at 1:40 and 2:40.

 
December 1, 2015
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Brandon Steinert

Area residents are invited to kick up their heels at the Barton Community College Jingle Bell Swing big-band dance from 8–10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Great Bend American Legion, 1011 Kansas Ave. The evening will feature a live 16-piece big band and the Hilltop Singers will also provide a special presentation during the evening.

 
December 1, 2015
Story and photos by Joe Vinduska

All ages can get a dose of the holiday spirit at The Shafer Art Gallery’s “Holiday Open House” reception from 1-4 p.m.  Sunday, Dec. 6, which will feature a free puppet show from Kansas City’s Clement McCrae Puppet Shows at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Admission is free. 

The event is packed with the following attractions:

 
November 24, 2015
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees gathered Tuesday evening for its regular meeting and discussed one of its nine overarching goals, known as ENDs, one of which is “Regional Workforce Needs.”

This END states, “The College’s Workforce Training & Community Education Division utilizes a variety of external resources to respond to regional workforce needs.”

 
November 23, 2015
Story by Joe Vinduska

Editors Jamie Oss and Teresa Johnson of Barton Community College’s annual literary publication, Prairie Ink, have begun accepting entries for its seventh edition. 

The aim of the publication is to provide a venue for local authors to showcase their creative writing talents.

 
November 23, 2015
Story by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College will present a student recital of instrumental and vocal performances at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel, located in the Fine Arts Building, F-157.  The recital is free.

Story and photo by Brandon Steinert

Barton Automotive Technology student Ashley Revel knows full well the tremendous benefits derived from the Barton Foundation. As a scholarship recipient for the 2015-16 school year, her dream to make a living as a certified mechanic is being realized.

 
November 18, 2015
Story by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College will be closed for Thanksgiving break Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Friday, Nov. 27. The college will resume its regular schedule on Monday, Nov. 30.