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- Dan

We spent yesterday at Mercy Regional Health Center having some tests done. While there, I considered the impression MRHC makes on clients, from the time they first walk in the door to the time they leave.

The hospital has undergone a transformation in the past few years. Facilities have been updated and modernized.

Staff were friendly and helpful when we had questions. Most of our questions were asking for directions from one place to another. I guess most hospitals are like that, but folks seemed to go out of their way to make sure they were helpful.

The only glitch we had was that some of the tests took longer than expected. I was surprised at how sincerely apologetic the staff were that we had to be there for so long.

Oh, and you know the reputation of hospital food? Forget about that stereotype when at MRHC. I sure wasn’t expecting to find what I found… We stepped from the sanitized hospital hallway into the serving area of the cafeteria and I felt like I’d just walked onto the set of some HGTV show. The serving area was clean with dark woodwork and stone accents. My words here do not do justice… The eating area felt like a nice, spacious restaurant.

All in all, if you need to go to the hospital, MRHC is the place to go. It’s top-notch.

Have you had similar good experiences at MRHC?

- Dan

Realizing that this is a bit after-the-fact, I needed to share some of the things that took place in the surrounding area over Easter weekend.

Of course, there were the requisite Easter egg hunts and appearances of the Easter Bunny. I was in Manhattan Town Center (The Mall) on Saturday morning. The Easter Bunny had not showed up yet, but there was a long line of parents and small children waiting for pictures with the E.B.

Although probably not tied directly to Easter, I did see at least two groups of people walking along highways picking up litter.

Kids soccer games were in full swing on Saturday.

But, the highlight of the Easter weekend for me was attending the Easter cantata at Grace Baptist Church. It was entitled The Sacrifice. The message of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was told through vocal and instrumental music.

So, with Easter passed, I guess that we can officially take the position that Spring is Here!

- Dan

Sometimes they come with monstrous thunderstorms. Sometimes they are gully-washers (or frog-stranglers) Sometimes they come with little thunder and lightening. Sometimes the rain comes down much slower and soaks in.

Last night was one of those slower, less-violent rains. The rain gauge at my house showed about 1″. Folks down in the southeast part of the state had the more severe weather.

All of the tell-tale signs of a spring rain were evident this morning…

• Normally dry creeks had water flowing.
• Buds from the trees were stuck to my pickup.
• The air had a fresh smell.
• Water was standing in ditches.
• The yard looked much greener this morning than it did yesterday.

But, the spring rain is only a warning of potential for dangerous weather, including large hail or even tornadoes.

I guess now would be a good time to purchase a weather radio!

- Dan

Let me tell you why…

1. The community is growing.
2. There is a selection of good churches.
3. The Flint Hills.
4. Manhattan Christian College basketball.
5. It’s easy to get to work.
6. Kansas State University.
7. Quality public schools.
8. Clean air, except during Spring burning.
9. K-State football.
10. Slow-paced during the summer.

I’m sure that you have your own set of reasons why you enjoy living in Riley County. Why don’t you share them?

- Dan