Protect children by storing poisons safely

In a few short months our youngest granddaughter will be mobile and that means we will need to child proof certain areas of our home. Children should be curious, but curiosity can turn dangerous if kids are getting under the kitchen sink or into the medicine cabinet where hazardous chemicals and adult medicines are kept. In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, I want to use my column space today to remind you about storing hazardous materials out of a child's reach.

Miss Kansas Teen USA 2012

On Dec. 11, 2011 Katie Taylor, Miss Southern Johnson County Teen, was crowned Miss Kansas Teen USA 2012 in Wichita at the Historic Scottish Rite Temple. Katie was born in Shawnee Mission, and has been raised in Olathe by her parents Daniel and Stacey (Brown) Taylor. She is a Senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. Her grandparents are Charles and Jan Brown of Great Bend and Marvin Taylor of Hoxie and the late Kathleen Taylor.

Medicaid changes for in-home care

ElderCare has entered the first phase of Kansas Medicaid reform by implementing the KS AuthentiCare program.

Shape Up Your Plate

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Shape up your plate." What a great time for you and your family to focus on a few healthy eating habits! The new healthy eating icon, a plate and cup with the food groups shown by colors, is starting to look familiar. MyPlate replaced the pyramid last June and so far the audiences I have shared it with consider it a positive change.

RSVP News

I would like to personally thank the Barton County Commission for their invaluable support of the RSVP Medical Transportation Program. This program provides transportation to necessary medical appointments both within Barton County and out of our area for any Barton County resident with no other way to go. The transportation is provided by volunteers who use personal vehicles to provide this important service; RSVP reimburses the volunteers for the fuel used to provide the trip. ...

The Wetlands Explorer

Green Money Written by Eric Giesing Let's be honest. Times are tough. Prices of goods seem to be rising and jobs are becoming a hot commodity these days. Who knows, maybe yourself or someone you know is out of work and struggles day by day to pay the energy bills and put food on the table. During times like these, the last thing on our minds is recycling, doing things to conserve energy and resources, ...

Ask an Attorney

The advice of a good attorney can be expensive but an attorney's knowledge can be priceless. Do you have a question about a legal matter? Go to NewspaperAttorney.com and ask a licensed Kansas attorney your question free of charge. Your question may just end up getting answered in the newspaper! Remember the Law Office of Brandan Davies LLC does not represent you in any matter until a formal representation agreement has been executed. The following ...

American Legion King and Queen

Wichita Lineman, Barton County and a baby grand piano

My mom graduated from KU with a degree in music education. Her major was piano and she imparted her love of music to her five children. And when dad bought her a baby grand, he placed it in our living room, adjacent to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking our picturesque backyard. Many days I would come home from St. Pat's to hear her playing away on the Yamaha. She was active in our town's Parnassus club, and ...

Make This a Walk Kansas Year

The Walk Kansas program is in its 11th year. It has become a signature program for K-State Research and Extension with nearly 20,000 individuals participating last year. Locally, our Walk KS committee is promoting this years' campaign and I am pleased with the interest and enthusiasm of several key individuals and groups.

RSVP news

The Ellinwood Heritage Center and the Commission on Aging are long time partners of RSVP. The Ellinwood Heritage Senior Center was first conceived in 1981 by a group of concerned citizens of Ellinwood. Around that same time, the Bosse family decided they had no use for the building at 103 Main Street and donated the building for this use. Community donations of cash, building materials, and lots of hard work ensured a complete renovation of ...

Bernie has a birthday and I have a crisis

Matt Keenan I read once where the ideal age for a boy to own a dog is between 45 and 50. I'm just outside that window a bit, turning 53 this week. Still, whoever offered that insight clearly understood how quickly a house turns quiet when the children become young adults. College soon follows and bedrooms become ghost towns. Yet one family member wouldn't dare consider leaving home for a girls gone wild party at ...

Weaver has touched many lives

Friday, Feb. 3, was a special day for a special lady. Long-time Barton County Extension home economist Mae Weaver celebrated her 90th birthday. Thousands of county residents have been touched by this lady at some point in their lives. As an advisor to the Homemaker Units, Mae brought a wide variety of educational programs to help families improve their quality of life. Mae especially liked researching topics related to history or cultural arts and then ...

“Does Your Money Have Wings?”

So many news stories these days are centered on the difficulty families across the country are having making ends meet. From home foreclosures to longer than usual lines waiting for public assistance, it is easy to see that the effects of economic problems are everywhere you turn. The good news is K-State Research and Extension has many publications that can guide people through some hard times.

USS Maddox Reunion

The USS Maddox Destroyer Association (DD731, DD622 and DD168) will hold a reunion on Aug. 16 - Aug. 19. For more information contact Dennis Stokhaug, 571 W. 14562 Hidden Creek Ct., Muskego, Wi., 53150, phone 262-679-9409, or email maddox64@aol.com.

Leave it to a mother to connect the dots, and in record time

Last week's Wall Street Journal featured a story about over-sharing - asking, "What triggers people to reveal too much?"

Hekele graduates from basic training

Army Reserve Spec. Tiffany J. Hekele has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

4-H shooters place 2nd at state

The Barton County team of Ryan Kohman, Parker Smith, Katelyn Reh and Lake Lyman placed 2nd in the state at the recent State 4-H Air Rifle Competition. The 4-H Shooting Sports Program uses the skills and disciplines of shooting to assist young people and their leaders to attain knowledge and develop essential life skills.

Timothy and Amy Frieb give back to local community through Fontanelle Hybrids FOCUS Grant

Timothy and Amy Frieb recently presented the Hoisington Boy Scout/Cub Scout Troop 7130 with a $2,500 FOCUS grant through Fontanelle Hybrids.

Lots to Celebrate in May

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there! The month of May has arrived and that means a frenzy of activity for families who are celebrating Mother's day today and graduations now or in the weeks ahead. I am truly blessed to have my mother-in-law, daughter, and granddaughters close by. It is a joy to spend time together at a moment's notice. Hopefully your weekend plans include some good family time with plenty of hugs.

“Celebrate Wheat” Quilt Block Challenge announced

The theme for the 2013 Barton County Fair quilt block challenge is "Celebrate Wheat." Coordinated by members of the Central Kansas Thread Benders quilt guild, the contest is open to anyone who sews. Kits are available for pick up for $3 at the Barton County Extension Office, 1800 12th Street in Great Bend. Each kit contains two fat eighths of fabric. Each of these fabrics must be used in the final block as well as ...