News bites: March
Remembering a hero + Elsewhere Fest and Artist Access Grants
Remembering Claudia Peebler, a fierce advocate for readers
Last summer, Melissa Reed shared a personal essay during a local writers' program that moved me to tears. It was about "the great first grade book war of 1979," a struggle between the librarian at Swaney Elementary School in Derby, Kansas, and Melissa's beloved teacher Mrs. Claudia Peebler. The beautifully written piece conveyed the impact of taking a stand against banal authoritarianism. At the conclusion of her essay, Melissa announced that Mrs. Peebler, then 84 years old, was in attendance, and the conference room at the Advanced Learning Library broke into spontaneous applause.
A larger audience learned about Mrs. Peebler's heroics when we published the essay on the first day of Banned Book Week last September. We're sharing it again now in honor of Claudia Peebler, who passed away recently. "She was such a fierce lady, and such a tough fighter that it took two different types of blood cancer plus a broken hip to bring her down," Melissa told me in an email.
I hope Mrs. Peebler's memory inspires you to read a "dangerous" book or stand up to petty tyranny. — Emily Christensen
Melissa Reed
In the news
- The lineup for the 2025 Somewhere Fest (formerly Elsewhere Fest) has been announced. Featuring Kim Gordon, Suki Waterhouse, Deadmau5 and others, the festival-slash-conference is scheduled for June 13 and 14.
- The City of Wichita announced the recipients of this year's Artist Access Grants (click on "Artist Access Grants" to see the full list). Over $14,000 was awarded to 22 local artists to pursue professional development opportunities.
Support Kansas arts writing
The SHOUT is a Wichita-based independent newsroom focused on artists living and working in Kansas. We're partly supported by the generosity of our readers, and every dollar we receive goes directly into the pocket of a contributing writer, editor, or photographer. Click here to support our work with a tax-deductible donation.
❋ Derby man has the kind of voice that turns heads — and chairs
❋ Socializing while sober: how some Wichitans are cultivating alcohol-free communities
❋ As a small creative business closes, the owner mourns
❋ Painting through it: Autumn Noire on 20 years of making art
❋ How a guy from Wichita resurrected 'Dawn of the Dead'
❋ Bygone Friends University museum housed curious collections
