DEADLINES FOR JUNE 12TH
If a class is full PLEASE put your name on the waiting list. We always do our best to accommodate everyone so if you are not on the waiting list and we add an additional class you will miss out!

SWIM LESSONS
Private Swim Lessons
The HRC will offer private swim lessons this summer. All private lesson times will be arranged by you and an instructor. Lessons need to be finished by August 4.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: 5 half-hour lessons: $45.00
Held on: June and July
Times: 8:00am – 12:00pm Monday – Saturday or by special arrangement
Ages: All Ages

BABY TAS (2-5 YEAR OLDS)
Messy Hands (outside)
Put your swimming suit on and enjoy of messy hand activities outside. Jump into a pool of shaving cream and a bucket of slime or just paint the sidewalk with beautiful cools. After you’re done playing wash off with the garden hose or run through the sprinkler. This will be a picture taking day so don’t forget your camera.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: Friday, June 21
Time: 9:30 – 10:15am
Ages: 12 – 24 months w/an adult
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15

TINY TAS (2-5 YEAR OLDS)
Bring a Grandchild to Lunch
Grandparents bring your child for a day of crafts, lunch, prize bingo, and ice cream sundaes. The party starts at 11am with crafts, games, then lunch at noon, bingo with prizes and end with an ice cream social.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $7.00 a couple
Held on: Monday, June 17
Time: 11:00 – 1:00pm
Ages: 2 & older w/ 55 older adult
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15

Lunch Bunch
If you enjoy moms morning out then your child will enjoy this class. There will be plenty of art, music and literature to round things out. We will also plan outside play and a picnic. Your child will enjoy learning and having lunch with his/her friends.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $5.00
Held on: Friday, June 14
Times: 9:00 – 11:30am
Ages: 3 – 5
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 10

Messy Hands (outside)
Put your swimming suit on and enjoy of messy hand activities outside. Jump into a pool of shaving cream and a bucket of slime or just paint the sidewalk with beautiful cools. After you’re done playing wash off with the garden hose or run through the sprinkler. This will be a picture taking day so don’t forget your camera.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $3.00
Held on: Monday, June 17
Time: 9:30 – 10:15am
Ages: 3-5 w/an adult
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15

Splish Splash
Kids and parents join us at the Hays Aquatic Park for a morning of pool safety tips. We will start with a book, craft, and a summertime snack. We will have a pool safety lesson from a lifeguard and end with some water games.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $5.00
Held on: Thursday, June 13
Times: 10:00 – 11:00am
Ages: 3 & older w/an adult
Location: Hays Aquatic Park
Limitation: Min. 5 Max. 20

Wee Wigglers
Wee Wigglers is a fun way to develop gross motor skills and social interaction in young boys and girls. In this fun filled class, children will utilize parachutes, foam balls, bean bags, scooters and more at the HRC gym in fun and exciting ways.
Entry Deadline: Session 2: June 12
Entry Fee: $10.00
Held on: Session 2: Wednesday’s – June 19 – July 17
Times/Ages: Time A: 10:15 – 11:00am
Time B: 11:15am – 12:00pm
Ages: Time A: 3
Time B: 4 & 5
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 12

TWEEN TAS (5 & OLDER)
CSI: Hays
You’ve watched it on TV, now’s your chance to try out your detective skills! Register now for a 2-day crime scene investigation. New this year… interview interrogation techniques, crime scene photography, and much more! Meet real life responders, officers and detectives and learn about their real life experiences. Then put your skills to work in solving a crime! This session is taught by Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Ellis County Rural Fire Department, Ellis County Emergency Management, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Ellis Co. 4-H Youth Development .Please send a sack lunch both days.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $25.00 includes t-shirt, snacks & workshop supplies-participants will need to bring a sack lunch both days
Held on: Monday & Tuesday – July 1 & 2
Times: Day 1: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Grades: Entering 7th, 8th, & 9th grades
Location: Ellis County Fairgrounds
Limitations: Min. 6 Max. 24

Hanging Stars
Decorate the ceiling of your bedroom with this five pointed star. Each star can be decorated with buttons, gems, paint or stickers. When you’re finished slide the two stars together, punch a hole at the top, and thread ribbon through the hole for hanging. After you finish your project enjoy some gym time.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $3.00
Held on: Wednesday, June 19th
Times: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages: 6 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 20

Knitting
Learn the basic stitches of knitting during this class. You will learn how to make a dishcloth. As part of the fee each participant will receive a pair of knitting needle and yarn.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $25.00
Held on: Tuesday’s – June 18 & 25
Times: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Ages: 10 – 15
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 3 Max. 6
Instructor: Deanna Newberry

School’s Out Wet & Wild
Come on out for a day of fun. Each day we have a full schedule of games, trips, crafts, cooking and trips to Centennial Lanes, Mini golf, Area Parks and Hays Aquatic Park. Space is limited so stop by the Hays Recreation to reserve your spot.
Entry Deadline: Wed. before each session
Entry Fee: $10.00 per session
Held on: Wednesday’s – Session 3: June 19 Wet/Wild
Session 4: June 26 Stars /Stripes
Session5: July 10 Sticky Fingers
Session 6: July 17 Upside down/ inside out
Session 7: July 24 It’s game time
Session 8: July 31 Master the Art
Session 9: August 7 Beat the Heat
Times: 1:00 – 5:00pm
Ages: 6 – 12
Location: Recreation Center
Limitation: Min. 5 Max.24

Golf Lessons
Do you want your son or daughter to learn a great lifetime sport this summer? If so, get them registered for youth golf lessons. Participants will need to bring their own clubs. Due to skill levels and numbers some participants may be moved into a different time slot. All participants will receive a t-shirt.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $45.00
Held on: Monday – Thursday, June 17 – 20
Times: Session 1: 8:30 – 10:00am
Session 2: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Ages: Session 1: 6 – 10
Session 2: 11 – 17
Location: Precision Valley Golf Center, 1500 W. 27th
Limitation: Min. 3 Max. 15

ADULT LEISURE
Knitting
Learn the basic stitches of knitting during this class. You will learn how to make a dishcloth. As a part of the fee each participant will receive a pair of knitting needle and yarn.
Entry Deadline: June 12
Entry Fee: $25.00
Held on: Tuesday’s – June 18 & 25
Times: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Ages: 16 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 3 Max. 6
Instructor: Deanna Newberry

SPECIAL POPS
Adapted Day Camp
Campers in the Adapted Day Camp will participate in many activities such as movies, bowling, crafts, miniature golf and many other summer time activities.
The camps are open to USD-489 Special Education COOP students ages 7 – 21 only!
This Adapted Day Camp is not associated with USD 489. Please direct questions to Gail Wickham, Program Director and Instructor for the camp at Hays Recreation Commission 623-2650.
The Hays Recreation Commission does not provide services of a personal nature including assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing in any of its programs or activities. Persons who need services of a personal nature and who are participating in any programs or activities sponsored by the Hays Recreation Commission must provide his or her own personal assistant.
Entry Deadline: Session 2: June 12
Session 3: July 3
Session 4: July 17
Session 5: July 31
Entry Fee: $5.00
Held on: Session 2: June 20 – Stars & Stripes
Session 3: July 11 – Sticky Fingers
Session 4: July 25 – Master the Art
Session 5: August 8 – Beat the Heat
Times: 12:00 – 3:00pm – Lunch will be provided
Ages: 7 – 13 year olds
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max 15

SP Pottery Works
Come spend a relaxing afternoon painting at Pottery Works! In each session we’ll be painting different pottery; whether that’s mugs, bowls, figurines, etc. Instruction and assistance will be provided for everyone, so come ready to learn! Don’t miss out on a fun way to relax and CREATE!
Entry Deadline: Session 1: June 12
Session 2: July 17
Session 3: August 14
Entry Fee: $10.00 per session
Held on: Session 1: June 13
Session 2: July 18
Session 3: August 15
Times: 4:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Location: Pottery Works – 126 West 9th
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 30

WELLNESS
Hell Creek on Heels Trail Race 15K & 5K
Join Hays Recreation in conjunction with Sara Kay Carrell of Wild Within You for the Third annual trail running series, Hell Creek on Heels! Once again, the full series of 10, 15, 25, and 30k+ trail runs will be offered. The 5k’s were such a success in 2012 that we will offer them again! Want to see what trail running is all about? Come out and test your skills with a 5k! Seasoned trail runner? Join us and test your will power and endurance! The Switchgrass Trail at Wilson State Park will NOT leave you disappointed! All trail runs will begin at the trail head for Switchgrass Trail, which is located in the Switchgrass Campground of Wilson State Park. All events are fully supported with aid stations. Come on out and give your Wild a try! There is great camping at the park! Camping located right near the trail head! Make it a weekend adventure! Run distances are approximate due to the nature of trail running. Be prepared for the event to be a tad bit longer! Check for most current trail conditions at Facebook Switchgrass Trail!
Entry Deadline: Session 2: June 12 – Trail 15k & 5k
Session 3: June 26 – Off-road Duathlon
Session 4: July 24 – Trail 25k & 5k
Session 5: August 7 – Trail 10k & 5k
Session 6: Sept 18 – Trail 30K & 5k
Entry Fee: $20 for each event, $5.00 late fee after the deadline
Held on: Trail 15k and 5k – Sunday, June 16
Duathlon (bike/run/bike) – Sunday, June 30
Trail 25k and 5k – Sunday, July 28
Trail 10k and 5k – Sunday, August 11
Trail 30k and 5k – Sunday, Sept 22
Time: race register at 7:00am, with a 8:00am start
Location: Wilson State Park – 5 mi. N. of I-70 – Exit 206 on K232

BICKLE-SCHMIDT SPORTS COMPLEX
NBC Baseball Featured Points Tournament
NBC boys baseball 9-14U open class tournament. 4 Game Guarantee.
Entry Deadline: June 14
Entry Fee: $225.00
Held on: June 22 – 23
Location: Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex

UPCOMING DEADLINES
June 19
Beaded Suncatchers
Breakfast Bingo
Mystery Trip
Rustic Fruit Tarts
School’s Out Stars and Strips
Ultrathlon
SP Putt Putt
ASA Summer Sizzler Fast Pitch Tournament

 

Friday , June 7

All you need to know about Kansas politics: $777 million and $66 million

Last Sunday morning, the Kansas Legislature adjourned for the 2013 session and left a path of destruction in their wake.

While Governor Brownback and the Kansas GOP committed multiple transgressions against Kansas and its people, two broken promises stood out above the rest: $777 million in new taxes and $66 million in cuts to Kansas schools.

Staring at a looming $802 million projected deficit, Gov. Sam Brownback and Kansas Republicans spent the past few weeks arguing about how best to raise taxes on working Kansans.

In the end, Kansas Republican broke their campaign promises and voted to raise taxes $777 million by permanently raising Kansans’ sales tax rate to 6.15% from 5.7%, reducing income tax deductions like the home mortgage interest deduction, and cutting the standard deduction for married couples and heads of households.

The most shocking aspect of the Republican’s tax plan: it manages to raise the taxes of working and middle-class Kansans while cutting taxes for the rich.

The top 1% of Kansas wage earners will see their taxes cut on average $4,335 thanks to this legislature’s new tax plan. That will be balanced out by increases in income taxes on the poorest Kansans and increased sales taxes on all Kansans.

But Kansas Republicans didn’t stop there. In addition to making Kansas tax policy even more regressive, GOP lawmakers slashed $66 million in funding for Kansas universities. At a time when middle-class Kansans are struggling to afford college tuition, this short-sighted cut guarantees to only make matters worse.

In response, all Kansas universities are proposing raising tuition.

Fort Hays State: 3%
University of Kansas: 4.4%
Emporia State: 6.5%
Kansas State University: 6.7%
Pittsburg State University: 7.5%
Wichita State University: 8.1%
The proposed tuition hikes are a direct result of Kansas Republicans’ budget cuts and guarantee that fewer and fewer Kansas children will have the chance to achieve the American Dream. Maybe that’s why the Kansas Board of Regents described the Kansas GOP’s education budget as: short-sighted, vindictive, hypocritical, and irresponsible.

There was more to the 2013 session than just taxes and education. But no other issues will have as long-lasting and damaging impact as these two.

And no other issues better highlight what today’s Kansas Republican Party is all about. Kansas Republicans raised taxes on working Kansans $777 million and cut $66 million in higher education funding to protect tax breaks for the wealthiest Kansans.

The Kansas GOP: reward those who achieve the American Dream, but refuse to lend a hand to help you make it there.

Stacy Campbell
K-State Research and Extension
May 30, 2013

Controlling Yucca & Woody Plants in Pastures

Yucca plants, which are also called soapweed by many people, have nearly
over ran some rangelands.

Across much of western and central Kansas, several years of drought plus grazing weakened many rangeland plants. A plant that stands out throughout the area, though, is yucca, which has nearly taken over some pastures. While able to produce attractive flowers, dense stands of yucca can devastate grass production.

Yucca plants develop rapidly once established on drier rangeland sites. They produce a deep taproot that competes aggressively for the limited water in these soils. Since cattle rarely eat it during summer, grass production decreases while yucca thrives.

Herbicides like Remedy Ultra, PastureGard HL, Pathfinder II, and Velpar L or Pronone Power Pellet Herbicides are all labeled in Kansas for control of yucca. General spraying of whole pastures for any type of weed control is cost prohibitive, although small patches or larger areas of yucca can and should be controlled before they expand.

In the past Velpar L or Pronone Power Pellet Herbicide which has the same active ingredient as Velpar L (Hexazinone) probably were used the most for individual soil applied treatment of yucca plants with pretty good results. Velpar L is in a liquid form and has to be applied with an exact delivery hand-gun applicator, 4 ml of product/inch of stem diameter which was a hassle, or the more convenient Pronone Pellets. Using either of these products you could expect to see some grass damage where the product was applied around the plants.

In the past few years some other herbicides Remedy Ultra, Pathfinder II and PastureGard HL have been applied as a growing point and leaf base (crown) treatment with better results on yucca at the same price or maybe even less than Velpar L or the power pellets. Pathfinder II is the same product as Remedy Ultra it is a ready-to-use product and therefore will probably be more expensive than Remedy Ultra. In yucca control trials conducted by K-State Research & Extension results of a spray solution of 2% Remedy Ultra or 1% PastureGard HL in diesel fuel has resulted in roughly 80% or greater control, with less damage to the surrounding grass since the product is sprayed in the center of the plant. Any of these products should be applied from April through June when the plants are actively growing.

If you are going to spray many yucca plants throughout a pasture a spray dye would help you to know which plants you have sprayed.

These same products Remedy Ultra , PastureGard HL and Pathfinder II can also be used as a basal bark application on controlling many woody plants including Osage orange (hedge), and locust trees. Basal bark application is simply thoroughly spraying the entire basal parts of brush generally to a height of 15 to 20 inches. Some products may have a limitation of 6-inch basal diameter for effectiveness. With this method there is a wide window of application Pathfinder II and PastureGard HL can be applied any time, except when snow or water prevent spraying to the ground line.

Most woody plants are susceptible to properly applied herbicides. Herbicides effectiveness depends upon using the proper chemical at the correct time and rate. Each species has a period when it is most susceptible. Environment factors such as precipitation, temperature, and wind also affect herbicide activity. For herbicide control of woody plant species there are basically five application methods foliar, dormant stem, soil applied, basal bark and cut stump or frill application.

Which method to use depends on the plant species, size of invasion, topography, economics, adjacent land use, and management objectives. Combinations of methods often are less costly and more effective than a single method, particularly with mixed brush species. Prescribed burning followed by herbicide applications on the re-growth improves control of persistent species. Because successful brush control normally requires follow-up treatments, applying herbicides to prevent sprouting is more efficient than repeatedly killing re-growth. As always read and follow the label directions and if you want more information on controlling yucca or woody species in rangeland contact your local County Extension Office or go to www.oznet.ksu.edu