Archive By Section - Local Life
The fragile beauty of homecoming
It's high school football season once again. Ah, yes, the return of fall foliage, brisk north winds, shorter days and fog. No, not what Mother Nature sends us - Axe. The stuff teenagers use to fumigate bathrooms, hallways and entire schools while the rest of us gasp for air. And without question, the most important event is not the cross-town rivalry on the gridiron. It's homecoming. Boys finding elaborate, and in some cases outrageous, schemes ...
RSVP Reflections
Medicare Part D is a public/private partnership. Medicare contracts with private insurance companies to provide this coverage. These contracts can be amended yearly and this is why everyone who has a Part D insurance policy should plan to review their coverage during the open enrollment period each year. The coverage that you have in 2011 could be subject to change in 2012. Now I want to be perfectly clear. Your plan may not change at ...
Celebrate Family Day Tomorrow
"Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children" is a national movement launched in 2001 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University to encourage more parent-to-child communication as a means of substance abuse prevention. It is celebrated the 4th Monday of each September, which is tomorrow.
Kansas State Fair news
Barton County 4-H was well represented at the Kansas State Fair. In the State Fashion Revue, Julie Bitter was a contestant in the Buymanship division, received a purple rating and was considered for champion. Kenzie Unruh and Kyle Blakeslee were also in the buymanship fashion revue and received blue ratings. The 4-H Photography division is the largest at the state fair with nearly 2000 exhibits. Hannah Mauler and Athena VanderMeer had photos selected for use ...
Annual square dance lessons
Annual square dance lessons will start at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Great Bend Recreation Center, Burnside Room, 1214 Stone Street. The eight week class end on Nov. 18. Cost is $22 per person.
The Wetland Explorer
I would like to invite you to "be a kid" again and/or bring your kids, and attend the Kansas Wetlands Education Center's "Mad About Monarchs" event from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 24.
Cook It Safe when preparing convenience foods
September is designated as Food Safety month, so it is a perfect time to share information about a new campaign. The "Cook It Safe" campaign encourages consumers to read and follow all cooking instructions printed on food packages before preparation. Consumers of all ages need to improve their safe food handling practices. With only 61 percent of Americans following all package cooking instructions, and even less using a food thermometer (19 percent), this is a ...
The world is falling apart: one theory why
A long time ago, "do it yourself" wasn't a marketing mantra for big box hardware stores. It was a way of life. People were adept at fixing things, making things, doing things.
Brening 50th
Mr. and Mrs. Don Brening will celebrate their 50th anniversary on Sept. 4. The couple celebrated their anniversary recently with their children in Kansas City for a weekend and an anniversary dinner. Attending were Kim Solomon and fiancée Ken Wilson, of Kansas City, Kevin and Pat Brening, of Hutchinson, Kelli and Brent Hirneisen, of Goodyear, Ariz.; and six of their nine grandchildren.
RSVP Column
The Community Food Bank of Barton County located in Great Bend is one of RSVP's 65 partners in Barton County. While the Community Food Bank of Barton County operates as a ministry of the Barton County Association of Churches, it was organized as a separate entity in 1984 with its own board of directors and tax-exempt status from the IRS; it is designed to distribute food in a temporary emergency or crisis situation to persons ...
FOCB hold Wetlands Day
In our last edition, Kansas Wetlands Education Center Manager Curtis Wolf discussed "Nature Deficit Disorder" and the importance of getting children outside. I am lucky enough to get the opportunity to interact with an eclectic array of people through our outreach events and school programs. I have an activity in one of my programs where I ask participants to reflect on their favorite childhood memories and draw a setting or activity that comes to ...
Learning Opportunities for People of All Ages
Three year old granddaughter, Calyn, starts next week as a peer model at Helping Hands Pre-school. It does not feel like sixteen years have passed since our son Matt was a peer model in the same program. I would say the "Helping Hands" program has stood the test of time and shown how successful learning can occur when matching children with special needs along side a few peer models.
AN END OF AN ERA
When the Unified School District 428 School Board Monday voted to sell Shady Grove School, there was one nay vote. Casting that vote was Kevin Mauler.
Jump Start Your Day with Breakfast
As I begin my twenty-third year in adult education through my job as an Extension Agent I feel blessed to enjoy the variety of each day. While most of my programming is directed toward adults, I also enjoy contact with children of all ages. Nothing pleases me more than sharing nutrition information with a young person and then meeting up with them again and have them say, "Hey, I remember you; you told us to ...
RSVP Column
Barton County has a valuable asset that may not be immediately apparent. I'm referring, of course, to the 415 dedicated volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. RSVP has served Barton County since 1977, almost 35 years. In 2010 alone, 401 volunteers donated 59,000 hours of service to the residents of Barton County. Using the minimum wage of $7.25, those hours translate into almost $4.3 million contributed to non-profits, community agencies and programs, schools, ...
Articles by Section - Local Life
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 ...
Volunteers in Action News
The "Check Out Hunger" food drive for the Community Food Bank of Barton County was a huge success. RSVP volunteers partnered with 6th grade students from Holy Family School, a local Brownie troop, and Barton County Youth Care manned tables at Dillon's on 10th Street and Walmart on Saturday, April 6th. Persons entering the stores received a handout about the Community Food Bank with a grocery list of needed items. The volunteers collected 1,749 lbs ...
Wisconsin cheese in another form ... where have you been?
When our son Connor moved to Madison two years ago I was prepared for an introduction to all things Wisconsin. This was not entirely a blank slate - I was schooled on Fez and Red Forman from "That '70s Show," heard a little bit about their governor and some yelling that went on up there. But I didn't appreciate a food delicacy that has awakened taste buds left for dead long ago.
Is Planting a Garden in Your Future?
With temperatures dipping down into the 20's and snow and sleet falling from the sky less than two weeks ago, it is hard to believe the date on the calendar. For those who like to play in the dirt and plant a garden, you know that it is time to be planting certain vegetables or the heat of the summer will create another problem. Many peoples' past includes spending time working in the family garden. ...
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