Felly and Nelda enjoy refreshments;  Danny, Deb Kirmer, Felly, Rozanne Stringer, Lynn Dawson, Nelda Mayse, Connie Dawson and Melissa Warren stand in front of the new garden shed celebrating the garden and volunteers! Special thanks to our garden donor!  Craig taking care of weeds; Frank and Billie catch up in the garden; 5) Nelda and Lynn sharing smiles; Linda clearing the path

In late September, Audio-Reader held a Garden Gathering. Melissa Warren and Danny Mantyla, our garden leaders, welcomed several volunteers joining the gardening team for the first time. Marsha Heeb, Lynn Dawson and Nelda Mayse, all have family reading for our listeners (three cheers for Paul, Connie, and Max)- and they wanted to get in on the fun by supporting A-R with their green thumbs.

Rozanne Stringer has been reading the Regional Kansas Newspapers for years and decided to help out in the garden too. Deb Kirmer is a Master Gardner in Topeka and also reads Ads and Newspapers for Telephone Reader listeners too! Like Deb, Linda Aikins has been reading for Telephone Reader and she has been our trusted tender of the paths! She comes and makes clear the way for visitors and especially caring for the bricks that honor the lives and celebratory events of many in our community.  Linda laughs and says she, "Reads 'em and sweeps."  Frank Male, our Head Gardener Emeritus, stopped by too; he and Billie Archer had a chance to connect, and all wished Frank a belated Happy Birthday.  Billie, a former reader and staff member, visits us each month to facilitate our A-R Book Club.  Craig Sweets, another long-time volunteer, took time to clear weeds for the end of the season. The garden season will begin again March 1, 2026. Our thanks to all our volunteers for another successful garden season.

Audio-Reader's new offering: The Arts Accessibility Forum, a series of convenings and trainings for arts professionals, artists and presenting organizations led by Audio-Reader in partnership with the Lawrence Arts Center.  The project aims to elevate the availability, administration, and implementation of audio description as a key tool in access to arts experiences for individuals with disabilities.

Friends and volunteers of Audio-Reader came together to celebrate 54 years on the air serving listeners in Kansas and Western Missouri with limited access to the printed word. Visitors enjoyed the garden, a game of catch with BEEP Ball and conversations on A-R services and low vision awareness including Accessibility via Adaptive Sports, Audio Description, and Etiquette. And of course, there was lots of cake- red velvet and cupcakes too!

Images include 1) a picture of a bright blue layer cake with "Happy 54th Audio-Reader!" in red icing letters; 2) Jim, Trish, Felly and the Carswell kids, cut the cake! 3) Elaine Kautsch and Clair Keizer read BTT on Fridays and wished A-R a happy 54th year!  4) Nick, Jerry Guffey, Bev Wilson and Trish ready to celebrate above the coffee bar of treats! 5) Basket of Beep Balls and Ring Pickle Balls, Adaptive Sports empower our community; 6) The Carswell family demonstrate Beep Ball with Jerry Guffey & Jim Huber; 7) Penny Riley and Trish celebrate with cookie cakes! Yum!! 8) Attendees take a walk in the garden.

November 19, Lions Club + 

Topic Suggestions for 2026

November is the final VCB for 2025; we do not have a meeting in December.   

Join the chat during the monthly, 1-hour VCB! This month we will learn about the partnership with Lions Clubs and discuss new topics for 2026.     

Do you have a Volunteer Broadcaster topic you wish you knew more?                    Or want to learn more about accessibility or reading and voice skills, tech?

Let us know; we will add it to our topics.  

Check out the VCB in October with conversations on Etiquette with readers and listener Robert Phillips. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://kansas.zoom.us/j/91499262397

Meeting ID: 914 9926 2397
Passcode: 4600

We have the poster and the phrase up around our studios, “We are the EYES and not the BRAIN.” This reminds that whatever the content, we are reading and offering the audio version.  We keep our readings free of  our comments, opinions or views. We work to keep our tone neutral, so that while the listeners hear the kind and friendly voice – they do not hear what the reader thinks about the piece.  This is true of our selections, omissions and abbreviations of content.

When time requires, a reader may need to omit content or even abbreviate. We edit for time or priority, not personal preference. Priority is Local content and time sensitive information. This varies by type of assignment and instructions provide specifics. We guide the listener through the read including an opening and a closing to each show; we offer transitions within the read and give the headline and byline to each article at the beginning and the end of each article. Plus, if an abbreviation or an omission is made, we let the listener know, “This article continues for several paragraphs, but we’ll leave it there, as we are out of time." … or "There are three more articles in this section; we won’t get to today, please reach out to Audio-Reader for more information.”

Our friends at AfterSight, the reading service in Colorado, provided some perspective on WHY this is important to listeners. Check out the video below. 

5 min video, the first 3 min most relevant; other content specific to the Colorado

This fall, we are excited to add audio described movies to our schedule. Audio description is more and more prevalent and popular with streaming platforms for movies, and we thought we should get in the mix! This is a new program provided for our listeners to enjoy every Friday night starting Oct 31st with the classic spooky thriller, Halloween! And continuing with seasonal movies through the end of the year including Planes, Trains & Automobiles for Thanksgiving weekend and some seasonal fun with Miracle on 34th St, Elf, Home Alone, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Donna Riehm shared her voice as our Children’s Hour reader for over 40 years; after her retirement several readers helped out including her son-in-law and her daughter, Steve and Jodi Meyer. This fall we welcome new Children’s Hour readers. Michael Gier and Betty Kline will share the weekly program, alternating weekly. As retired teachers, both Betty and Michael have years of experience bringing learning and fun to young ones as former teachers. Betty will share stories by William Shakespeare, JRR Tolkien and Shel Silverstein (to name a few); trees, giant cockroaches, best trivia for budding brainiacs and stories about pets we have loved and more. Michael will share articles highlighting science from periodicals such as Science News Explores, National Geographic Kids, OYLA! (it’s a Kazakh word meaning “Think!”), and other sources of scientific interest.

Try as she might- Martha has not yet been able to be in two places at once!  Outreach Events sometimes fall on the same day and that is when volunteers provide a much-needed extra hand. Outreach Volunteers set a table with materials and share the mission of Audio-Reader with potential listeners and professionals that connect with potential listeners, like Eye Care Professionals, Public Health Professionals, and Senior Resource Professionals.  

Jim Huber, Connie Rodriguez and Kim Morrow have been stellar Outreach Volunteers, and they can tell you how much fun it is to meet folks with similar investments in the community and accessibility.  Kim and Connie are pictured sitting at a display table with BINGO prizes! Reach out to Trish or Martha and we can let you know about upcoming events. Help our mission reach further.  

Shout out to our Sales Volunteers for all the work that went into the recent event, SoundWaves, Lessons from Industry Experts! On November 6, over 50 audio enthusiasts attended our first ticketed sale event, enjoying a presentation from David Penrod and taking part in the silent and live auction of curated specialty items. This new event highlights the skills, hard work, and creativity of our Audio Elves: Ed Hawkins, Gordon Fitch, Douglas May; with expert equipment support from Dave Dunford and vinyl pricing from Wake Mitchell.  Our regular Tuesday volunteer Doug Keslar help sort and organize; our AAI and DG volunteers chipped in too!  Maceli's made the event special with their delicious spread and gorgeous space.  A huge and heart-felt thank you to our anonymous event sponsor!

Our A-R community of volunteers support each other by filling in when needed.  Subs help us keep the news flowing!  Thanks for your help filling in and bridging the gaps.  That is especially true during holidays when the studios are closed!  

If you can help by being a sub, use the link below to sign up via TeamUp.  

Questions or just to sign-up via a human - give Trish a call or email her. 

We are excited to introduce our new student interns. If you see them around Audio-Reader, please say hello. Interns connect Audio-Reader to our KU student community, building valuable, long-lasting relationships, while providing substantial learning opportunities and support to staff. 

Hi everyone! My name is Olivia Goodwin, and I am the Outreach & Communications Intern here at Audio-Reader! I am a freshman at KU majoring in Journalism with a concentration in Digital Marketing, Public Relations, and Mass Communications. I am from a small town in Southeast Kansas called Buffalo. In the future, I hope to become a communications and media liaison! I chose to work at Audio-Reader not only because the position aligned well with my interests, but also because of what a good cause Audio-Reader is. 

Hey! I’m Evan, one of the student admin assistants at KPR/Audio-Reader. I’m originally from Stuart, Florida. I’m now a senior at KU, studying creative writing and music enterprise. Music is my hobby, interest, everything! Concerts are where you’ll see me the most; this year I’ve seen Gigi Perez, Hozier, Kesha, and many more. Audio-Reader does so much for not just Lawrence but for communities all around Kansas. Being a part of Audio-Reader and helping in any way I can- it is so fulfilling, knowing that I’m working to give back to a community I love.

My name is Jacob Morton! I am a journalism major, with a minor in psychology. I am from Shawnee, Kansas (suburb of Kansas City). I am a sophomore; I hope to work in sports media. I like watching football and other sports in my free time.

Hi! My name is Ally Richards. I am a sophomore here at KU studying international business and marketing. I am from Prior Lake, Minnesota and a fun fact about me is I love the cold weather in MN. I intend to go abroad and travel in my future. Something that drew me to Audio-Reader was their love and excitement for helping people!

My name is Neilaksh Sharma. I am a sophomore studying aerospace engineering. I’m originally from India. I aspire to pursue a career in aerospace design and manufacturing as I have always been fascinated by how things are built and how engineering innovations shape the world around us. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing golf and soccer. I was drawn to Audio- Reader because it offers a meaningful way to be part of a community that helps others through communication and connection.

A group of Audio-Reader listeners gather each December to carol at various nursing and assisted living facilities around the Kansas City Metro area. They are seeking some spirited elves to assist them Thursday and Friday, December 11 and 12 to provide transportation and support. December 11, the need is in the evening to help participants attend practice. December 12 will be an all-day event with a final round of practice in the morning, caroling all afternoon, then a celebration in the Overland Park area Friday night. 

The group also needs a new keyboardist to tickle the electronic ivory, providing accompaniment for the chorus of joyful voices.

Interested? Please contact Trish or Martha and we will get you more information. 

Watch this video to learn more about the Stone Soup Singers.

Image above shows festive symbols: plus the text below. 

Audio-Reader will provide appetizers & punch. If you'd like, bring one of your favorite holiday goodies to share. We will have some fun with our Door Decoration Contest and (for the bakers) a Cookie Exchange. Vote for BEST Decorated Door! If you enjoy baking, we have our Cookie Exchange; bring a dozen of your own cookies and take home a selection of another baker’s cookies!   Or just come-- the holidays are a busy time; we most hope to share company and celebrate community!

RSVP so we know how many will be joining us, and sign up if you are participating in the cookie exchange.  Here is the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../4090A4AA9A622A4F49...

Keep an eye out for the Audio-reader Annual Report to be published soon. Here is a peak at listener numbers and don't forget- volunteers make these services possible!  Over 18,000 hours! 

Thank you for your dedication in bringing quality services to our listeners!  And yes, they are listening.  Your care and effort make a difference.