MANHATTAN — Kansas State University is partnering with the Flint Hills Discovery Center to bring the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse to the front door of the Manhattan community.

Students and community members are invited to a group experience traveling to witness the eclipse Aug. 21 when the moon will completely cover the sun and be visible in portions of the U.S., including northeastern Kansas. The university and the Discovery Center combined efforts to organize charter buses to take participants to Highland to view the eclipse.

Buses will depart from campus and the Discovery Center at 8 a.m. and return at approximately 4 p.m. Those attending also will enjoy activities and events including food vendors, a beer garden, live music and walking tours. Additionally, Chris Sorensen, Cortelyou-Rust distinguished professor of physics at Kansas State University, will offer two astronomy viewing nights and a lecture at the Discovery Center regarding the eclipse. Details about the events are available at k-state.edu/eclipse/.

“We flip around terms like ‘awesome’ for not particularly awe-inspiring things, but this truly is awesome in the grandest sense,” Sorensen said. “When the sun sets, we typically see the boundary between light and dark as the dark comes in from the east, but in this case, we will see sunlight in every direction. This is perhaps the epitome of beauty in nature.”

This will be the first total eclipse of the sun visible in the U.S. since 1979, and the first in Kansas in nearly a century. The sun’s corona is not visible to the naked eye except during an eclipse, and especially bright stars also will be on display.

Stephen Bridenstine, public program coordinator for the Flint Hills Discovery Center, said the center is excited to partner with Kansas State University to bring this experience to the community.

“In Manhattan, folks will see most of the sun covered by the moon, but we only get the full effect of the total eclipse in the path of totality,” he said. “Everything will fall quiet as the wind drops and participants see only darkness and an up-close view of the amazing corona of light surrounding the moon.”

Tickets for the trip are $25 for students and $35 for community members. Purchase tickets, or contact Tony Ballard, tballard@k-state.edu, with Kansas State University Global Campus for more information.

The Junction City – Geary County United Way is planning a fundraiser at Marco’s Pizza at 211 West 6th Street in Junction City on Saturday, May 20th.

Nichole Mader, Executive Director of United Way, noted it will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

 

Abilene, KS – Great Plains Theatre Academy announces their summer camp production, Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. Jr. Designed for grades 5th thru 12th, this production engages campers not only as actors, but as co-creators of the production. They will participate in every aspect of the show; direction, choreography, costumes, sets etc. This camp empowers the actors to build the show themselves under the mentoring of GPT’s Education Director, Margaret Clair and Artistic Director, Randy West.

The shorter, simplified version of The Pirates of Penzance was chosen so that campers can easily learn the music and lines and have time for training in the production elements such as costumes, makeup, sets, dance, etc.

The Pirates of Penzance has been an audience favorite since 1879, enjoying popularity akin to shows like Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. It soared to popularity again with Joseph Papp’s fun and physical production for the New York Shakespeare Festival in the 80’s. The show then went on to Broadway and received seven Tony nominations, winning three including Outstanding Revival. In the movie version Linda Ronstadt played Mabel, the female ingénue lead, Rex Smith,(recorded “Everlasting Love” and “You Take My Breath Away”) played Frederick, and Kevin Kline was the swashbuckling Pirate King.

The cast of zany characters includes assorted Pirates, including the swashbuckling Pirate King, and Frederick, who was apprenticed in error to a pirate instead of a ‘pilot’ due to poor enunciation of the word. A bevy of young maidens. A regiment of dancing English police, think Keystone Cops, and Major-General Stanley, who delivers rapid-fire patter (think old-time rap that’s really fast).

The Pirates of Penzance falls into the category of “operetta”; the subject matter is light and comedic, but legitimate singing is required. This is an opportunity for our local young performers to experience a genre of musical that requires good vocal technique and formal movement. Each camper will received individualized vocal training and group dance training.

Pirates Camp will mostly rehearse at Great Plains Theatre and runs Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for three weeks, July 10 – July 28 and perform twice on July 28 on the mainstage at Great Plains Theatre. The cost for Pirates Camp is $250. Scholarships are available on a need basis.

For more information about GPT’s Academy programs and classes, please contact Margaret Clair, margaret@greatplainstheatre.com.

1420 Radio Auction

Thursday, May 18^th, 8am-11am

To bid live call 785-762-5525

 

8:00-8:15

Courtyard by Marriott Junction City– A one night’s stay (10) (Value $99 each)  Start: $50, bid by $10

RS MMA & Fitness– A 3 month membership (1) ($357 value) Start: $175, bid by $10

Papa Murphy’s– Pack of 5 large one topping pizzas- (4)($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Flint Hills Veterinary Hospital– gift certificates for services- (20) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

8:15-8:30

Champions Car Wash– Detail basket/ gift card (1) ($200 value) Start: $100/ bid by $10

Peterson Monuments– Duty First Big Red 1 Rock (1) ($30 value) Start: $15/ bid by $5

Hays House, Council Grove– $50 gift certificates (5) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Mary’s Floral– $40 gift certificate (5) ($40 value) Start: $20/ bid by $5

Baskin Robins– ½ sheet decorated cake & 1/3 sheet decorated cake (1) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

8:30-8:45

Vernon’s Custom Jewelry– gift certificate (1) (value $400) Start: $200/ bid by $10

Certified Home Inspection Services– Radon Test (1) ($125 value) Start: $60/ bid by $10

Dorothy’s Pet Shop– $50 gift certificates (19) (value $50) Start: $25/ bid by $5

La Fiesta– $50 gift certificate (4) (value $50) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

8:45-9:00

Peterson Monuments– Handcrafted Walnut Urn (1) ($210 value) Start: $105/ bid by $10

City Cycle Sales– Harley Davidson Watch (1) ($225 value) Start: $110/ bid by $10

Komphluments Boutique– A gift certificate for styling (3) ($45 value)   Start: $20/ bid by $5

Pizza Hut, Abilene– $60 pizza pack (2 personal pans, 2 buffets, 2 large pizzas, 2 bread stick orders) (4) ($60 value)  Start: $30/ bid by $5

 

9:00-9:15

Jack & Dicks– Mossberg MVP 5.56 caliber rifle w/ 30 round clip (1) ($500 value) Start: $250/ bid by $10

Creative Floor & Design– 12ft x 20ft roll of carpet (1) (value $375) Start: $185/ bid by $10

Precision Tint & Auto Accessories– scorpion spray on truck bed liner (1) (value $250) Start: $125/ bid by $10

Peterson Monuments– Washburn Rock (1) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Xclusive Nutrition– $50 gift certificate (9) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

9:15-9:30

Mattress Clearance Center– gift certificate (1) ($975 value) Start: $485/ bid by $10

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce– Annual membership (1) (value $275) Start: $135/ bid by $10

Munson Angus Farms, Munson’s Prime– $250 gift card (1) Start: $125/ bid by $10

Garden Gate Antiques– spring basket (1) (value $80) Start: $40/ bid by $5

Thomas Taste of Chicago– $50 gift certificate (4) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

9:30-9:45

Pioneer Farm & Ranch Supply, Abilene– Champion Delta truck tool box (1) ($240 value) Start: $120/ bid by $5

CL Hoover Opera House– $100 room rental gift certificate (2)($100 vlaue) Start: $50/ bid by $5

The Mane Thing– 3 one hour massages (1) (value $180) Start: $90/ bid by $10

Date Night, dinner and a movie– $25 to B&B Theater and $50 to Coaches (1) Start: $35/ bid by $5

Stacy’s Restaurant– $50 gift certificate (4)($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

9:45-10:00

Certified Home Inspection Services– Full Home Inspection (1) ($300 value) Start: $150/ bid by $10

Eyewear Junction– $150 gift certificate (4) Start: $75/ bid by $5

Peterson Monuments– KU Rock (1) ($70 value) Start: $35/ bid by $5

Cracker Barrel– gift certificates (2) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Fattoad– party room for 2-hours (2) ($300 value) Start: $150/ bid by $10

 

10:00-10:15

Performance Audio– remote start (1) ($200 value) Start: $100/ bid by $10

Papa Johns– Package of 4 large one topping pizzas (5)($50 value)  Start: $25/ bid by $5

Screen Machine Sports– $50 gift certificate (4) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Tyme Out Lounge– $50 gift certificates (2) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

10:15-10:30

Sears– weed trimmer (1) (value $160) Start: $80/ bid by $10

Foxhole Paintball & Airsoft– 2 people, one round each on the course (5) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Baskin Robins– 3 polar pizzas (1) ($50 value) Start: $25/ bid by $5

El Tapatio- Junction City– $50 gift certificate (6) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

10:30-10:45

The Mane Thing– Silver Package (1) (value $95) Start: $50/ bid by $10

Peterson Monuments– Support Our Troops Rock (1) ($30 value) Start: $15/ bid by $5

Magnolia’s Boutique– $50 gift certificate (2) Start: $25/ bid by $5

Coaches Bar & Grill– $50 gift certificates (2) Start: $25/ bid by $5

 

*Items may be paid for and picked up at the radio station, 1030 Southwind Ct., Junction City, KS starting at 1:30pm Thursday, May 18^th.  Items must be paid for and picked up by Wednesday, May 31^th at 5pm unless prior arrangements have been made.  The office is closed during the noon hour.