HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It could only be described as a big success for the Hutchinson Community Foundation who invited locals who care about Hutchinson to revisit the past and imagine the future Thursday night at the Fox Theater.

The lower level was nearly full with the program that started at 6:30 p.m. with an oral and pictorial history of Hutchinson going back to 1872 with Nation Meyer, Senior Chairman of the Board, First National Bank of Hutchinson.

He joked as he warned the crowd that if they were expecting high definition photos, they might as well leave. But, with most of the photos, you were able to get a sense of what Hutchinson was like and some of the great buildings that have long been torn down and others that have changed, including his bank, First National.

The program continued with visions of the future by Mimi Mathers Meredith and Morgan Payton Starkweather, who told the crowd that she and her family made a choice to live in Hutchinson. David Sotelo represented the younger generation and told the crowd that adults need to invest in their future, then pointed out that the youth today are the future of Hutchinson. He talked about how adults can invest their time and listen to the youth of today and what they want to see in this community.

Also involved in the event last night were Allen Magnet School students.

There was also an idea exchange before and after the program which allowed participants who wanted a voice and a chance to express themselves.

Again, a great crowd at the event at the Fox Theater in Downtown Hutchinson.