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.

The Wetland Explorer - In Search of Research at KWEC

By Curtis Wolf - KWEC site manager Many visitors that have come to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center recently have noticed some new construction. Currently two new buildings have been brought in and placed on foundations just east of the Center. These new additions to the KWEC grounds involve a project in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism to increase the possibility for scientific research at Cheyenne Bottoms and the surrounding ...

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 ...

He who controls the data plan has the teen’s world in his hands

As our college boys conclude their perpetual Christmas break (What's it been? Two months?), I offer 10 sure things with college kids and their phones.

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. ...