ANOTHER SHINING STAR — After the paper came out last week I quickly learned that the Jewish community had not one but TWO Jewish students who were invited to speak at their high school’s commencement ceremonies. Mollie Chesis, the daughter of Paul and Julie Chesis and a member of Congregation Beth Torah, spoke at Blue Valley High School’s graduation. A Chronicle Salute to Youth honoree in June 2011, she spoke about taking chances and relying on and trusting one’s self to move forward. Mollie collected numerous awards this year including the Superintendent’s Award and the state ACT award, received cord recognition in eight areas and was “senior of the year” in three academic departments. In addition she was one of the top four students in her school for amassing community service hours. During the school year she also assisted Linda Sweenie with the music during the Weiner Religious School’s weekly family worship and to top it off coordinated the NFTY regional Spring Havurah hosted by Beth Torah this past April. Mazel tov to Mollie and all the other scholars in our Jewish community!
THEATRE IN THE PARK — I’m told many members of the Jewish community are taking part in a variety of productions in this the 43rd summer season of Johnson County’s Theatre in the Park. A program of Johnson County Park and Recreation District, it is the largest outdoor community theater in the country. TTIP provides high-quality live theatrical entertainment, including Broadway-style musicals and a host of special events. Open auditions are held each year to cast the shows. This season will include six shows never seen before at TTIP. All shows begin at 8:30 p.m.; gates open to the amphitheater at 7:20 p.m. The first production, “Sweeney Todd,” runs June 8-10 and June 14-17. It is directed by the Jewish Community Center’s Director of Theatre Mark Swezey (and rated R). Ruth Bigus has a role in “Urinetown,” July 20-22 and July 26-29. For a complete list of shows and ticket information, visit www.theatreinthepark.org.
ASNER HALL OF FAME INFO — As we’ve already told you, Ed Asner will be inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame along with Gov. Alfred M. Landon, Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, founder Cyrus K. Holliday, The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Professor George Washington Carver and publisher William Allen White. The Great Overland Station in Topeka, 701 N. Kansas Avenue, is hosting an exhibit of Hall of Famer memorabilia. You can see Asner’s 1971 Emmy Award along with the desk and an original script from the Mary Tyler Moore Show. You can even see Asner’s baby shoes! Also on display are original letters written by George Washington Carver and Cyrus K. Holliday, a photo album and cane that belonged to Alf Landon and a huge whistle from a Santa Fe steam locomotive. The exhibit will be on display through July 15 during regular museum hours. For more information about exhibit hours and tickets, visit www.greatoverlandstation.com. Don’t forget Asner will star in the one-man show FDR on July 17 at the White Theatre. It is a fundraiser for Friends of Sheffield.