By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

As Mike Huskey opens the doors to a new family business Tuesday, Union Station Coffee and Roastery, 1007 Vine, he makes it clear he will not be serving up the average cup of coffee.

“You can get coffee anywhere but not like this,” Huskey said as he enthusiastically described Union Station’s coffee as “artisan and handcrafted coffee,”  common in big cities like Huskey’s hometown of St. Louis.

“My hope is (Union Station) is a very immersive experience … that people can just come together and have a relaxed and calm morning. I want people to get away from their and cellphones and TVs … the drive-throughs,” he said, adding they do serve grab-and-go coffee, but the business is based around “slowing down and letting us craft-pour your coffee for you.”

“Coffee, when it is experienced right, it is something you can’t help but to be excited about,” Huskey said. “My goal honestly is just for people to come in and just enjoy a better cup of coffee.”

The “better cup of coffee” begins with using only seasonal and handpicked beans imported by countries such as Ethiopia and Columbia and roasted in Union Station’s own roastery.

The roasting process is complex and Huskey and roastmaster Mitchell Rupp have spent months logging different blends at different temperatures until the perfect roasting process for a specific bean is deemed perfect with a “nailed it” written on the roasting recipe.

“It’s almost like a microbrewery for coffee,” Rupp said. “There is a lot of finesse and technique when it come to roasting our coffee beans.”

The artisan coffee beans are then ground and would “never be put in a coffee pot,” explained Huskey.

Instead the grounds are used in a very precise and perfectly timed natural “pour-over Chem-ex process” to bring out the “notes and profiles” in the coffee, such as the Ethiopian Sidoma, a coffee with “earthy, barky undertones and a sweet and buttery finish.”

Huskey has experience proving doubters wrong.

He also owns Sake2me Sushi Rolls, 700 Main.

“Everyone told me (sushi) would never go over here, ” he smiled, adding his goal is not to make a lot of money but to offer Hays a different way to enjoy coffee.

Sake2me is thriving and won the 2014 Certificate of Excellence from the national ranking website, TripAdvisor.com.

Union Station Coffee and Roastery will also serve breakfast items such as cinnamon rolls and panini sandwiches for lunch.

The hours are Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will occasionally stay open later in the evenings when live music is featured.

FHSU University Relations

Fifty-seven Fort Hays State University students have been accepted into the 2015 “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”

The program recognizes some of the most outstanding students in more than a thousand universities and colleges across the country. Faculty members from higher level learning institutions across the nation submit the names of students and are then evaluated based on their GPA, participation and leadership in school and extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

Students are listed alphabetically by city.

Abilene: Joseph R. Aker, a senior majoring in agricultural business.
Atchison: Rachel Christine Schmidt, a senior majoring in physics.
Beloit: Brenna Renee Johnson, a senior majoring in organizational leadership.
Brenda L. Spangler, a senior majoring in elementary education.
Carbondale: Sarah Ann Conklin, a senior majoring in general studies.
Chapman: Erin E. Bundy, a senior majoring in music education.
Cheyenne Wells, Colo.: Olivia Evelyn Stutz, a senior majoring in finance.
Colby: Abigail Alyssa Rohr, a senior majoring in speech-language pathology.
Colorado Springs, Colo.: Laura Nicole Regnier, a senior majoring in marketing.
Derby: Margaret Mae Wilson, a senior majoring in speech-language pathology.
Dodge City: Garrit Joseph Flax, a senior majoring in biology.
Edgar, Neb.: Keriann Dawn Shaw, a senior majoring in biology (pre-physical therapy).
Ellinwood: Michelle Lynn Klepper, a senior majoring in management.
Evergreen, Colo.: Hailey A. Davey, a senior majoring in mathematics.
Garden City: Bethanee Mae Ochs, a senior majoring in speech-language pathology.
Greensburg: Brandon S. Taylor, a senior majoring in management.
Gypsum: Dakota Jacob Reese, a senior majoring in justice studies.
Halstead: Gentry T. Heimerman, a senior majoring in health and human performance.
Hanston: Kileigh Lynn Cure, a graduate student majoring in education adminstration.
Hays: Marlowe Raye Basgall, a senior majoring in sociology.
Kelsey Dawn Bieker, a senior majoring in biology.
Michael Scott Kyllonen, a senior majoring in geology.
Alexis Evonn Mesmer, a senior majoring in radiologic technology.
Karassa Susanne Prochaska, a senior majoring in biology (pre-physical therapy).
Jamie Danielle Sproul, a senior majoring in communication.
Jessa Marie Stramel is majoring in elementary education.
Kaytlin Mae Sutherland, a senior majoring in elementary education.
Kearney, Neb.: Bailey K. Adair, a senior majoring in radiologic technology.
Kingman: Kirstin May Robinson, a senior majoring in radiologic technology.
Lancaster, Texas: Laura Estefana Calvillo-Martinez, a senior majoring in communication.
Lansing: Logan Tyler Vick, a senior majoring in information networking .
Lawrence: Laine Marie Collier, a  majoring in sociology.
Cameron Stephen Shoemaker, a senior majoring in music (music technology).
Leavenworth: Nichole Marie Enloe, a senior majoring in general studies.
Elizabeth McDowell, a senior majoring in art.
Liberal: Marieka Rose Ford, a senior majoring in general studies (criminal justice).
Marysville: Selia Roxann Anthony, a senior majoring in justice studies.
McPherson: Teresa Marie Blea, a senior majoring in elementary education.
Ness City: Amanda Jane Miller, a senior majoring in justice studies.
Newton: Sarah Amber Cashon, a senior majoring in justice studies.
North Platte, Neb.: Patrick Scott Adamson, a senior majoring in management information.
Onaga: Korby Matthew Boswell, a graduate student majoring in communication.
Ottawa: Haley Anderson is majoring in organizational leader.
Park City: Lindsey Louise Fry, a senior majoring in tourism and hospitality management.
Steven Frank Nelson, a senior majoring in management.
Plainville: Amanda Catherine Casey, a senior majoring in health and human performance.
Prairieton, Ind.: Cathy A. Roads, a senior majoring in sociology.
Salina: Shelby Ariel Werner, is majoring in psychology.
Sedan: Lauren Nicole Miller, is majoring in justice studies.
Solomon: Sarah Andrea Werling, a senior majoring in general studies (theater).
Sterling, Va.: Mahima Pant, a senior majoring in general studies.
Sublette: Gabriela Trejo, a graduate student majoring in business administration.
Topeka: Kerri D. Cushing, a senior majoring in education.
Valley Center: Cynthia Marie Curry, a senior majoring in elementary education.
Wellington: Kristi Elaine Whaley, a senior majoring in elementary education.
Wichita: Ethan R. Cooper, a senior majoring in information networking and telecommunications.
Wichita: Tonya Sue Girard, a senior majoring in management information systems.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT ­– Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism fisheries staff will be launching a new program to increase the amount of fish-attracting structures in Kansas lakes, including Cedar Bluff and Wilson.

Traditionally, biologists have used cut trees to create brush piles to attract and hold fish, providing angling hotspots. However, attaching concrete blocks to trees can be labor intensive and time consuming and the trees don’t last very long once submerged in the water.

The new specially-designed PVC structures are in the shape of a cubes three feet tall, four feet wide, and four feet deep. Cost-effective, easy to place and proven in other states, the new structures not only last more than three times longer than natural brush piles, but they also have been shown to hold as many fish as the natural counterpart without affecting water quality. Anglers can expect to see the implementation of these structures as soon as early February.

“Our goal is to produce 150-300 of these PVC cubes each year,” said Bryan Sowards, KDWPT fisheries programs specialist. “For 2015, structures will go in Milford, Wilson, Melvern, El Dorado, and Cedar Bluff, as well as a variety of other community and state fishing.” Sowards added the structures will immediately attract fish for angler harvest, but the overall goal is to accumulate enough structures to improve fish populations.

Known as “Georgia Cubes,” the structures were originally designed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Stacking more than 50 feet of corrugated pipe on the PVC frame, Georgia DNR staff have been able to create optimum surface area to attract fish while still maintaining an open design. They have also found that the structures quickly accumulate periphyton, a complex mix of algae, fungi, and bacteria, which further attracts insects and fish – an ideal result for both fisheries staff and anglers.

Thanks to the involvement and commitment of Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation (KBN) clubs, KDWPT staff will have assistance in constructing and placing these cubes in select Kansas waters.

“These cubes will not only provide habitat for adult fish of all species, but also provide critical nursery habitat.” said Jeff Nolte, Conservation Director for KBN. “We at KBN are very excited and encouraged by the fisheries staff’s commitment to improving Kansas fisheries in general. We have had a great relationship with KDWPT in the past and this cooperative effort bodes well for a continued relationship that will benefit all fisheries, not just bass.”

FHSU University Relations

In an effort to support study abroad programs, the Department of Political Science at Fort Hays State University announced that it will provide U.S. passports for Political Science majors to study abroad.

The new Study Abroad Passport Scholarship will cover the cost of a passport, provided the student is a political science major who has been accepted to a credit-bearing or FHSU-sponsored long- or short-term study abroad experience.

If a student doesn’t yet have a passport, they can use the scholarship money to purchase one. If a student already has a passport, they will receive the equivalent amount, about $160, and use the money for other travel-associated expenses.

“We awarded the first scholarship to Stephany Gress, Topeka senior, in November. She already had a passport, so we awarded her $160 in scholarship dollars,” said Shala Mills, chair of Political Science.

The department has a history of sending students on study abroad trips. In recent years Political Science majors have participated in the Go Global Learning Community, joined various short-term study abroad trips, studied abroad under the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and participated in exchanges to China.

“We want to facilitate study abroad opportunities by making sure that the cost of a passport isn’t a barrier for any student who might have an interest in taking advantage of ISEP or the many FHSU study abroad experiences available,” said Mills.

City of Hays firefighters are conducting hands-on hose team training this week. This training is focused on the teamwork needed to advance a pressurized fire attack hose into and through a building on fire.

Firefighters in teams of two and three will practice the skills needed to advance a hoseline into a building, properly supported with the necessary tools, and quickly maneuver the hose around furniture, through doorways and similar obstructions to get to the seat of a fire in a building.

The training is being conducted at the vacant restaurant building slated for demolition at the intersection of Vine and 33rd. On Tuesday the training will be conducted from 9 AM until noon. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., City of Hays firefighters will be joined by firefighters from the Ellis County Rural Fire Department for joint training.

The public is invited to observe this training.

The City of Hays Fire Department extends its appreciation to The Mall management and Dial Properties for their cooperation in this training.

Several American Red Cross blood drives are scheduled in northwest Kansas during the month of February.

A severe winter storm has impacted blood and platelet donations in the northeast United States, contributing to more than 6,000 canceled donations this month.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS or go online at redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome.

NORTHWEST KANSAS FEBRUARY 2015 MOBILE BLOOD DRIVES

Wednesday, Feb. 11
Hill City Community
Sponsored by Hill City High School
1 Ringneck Dr.
8:30a.m.-2 p.m.
Goal-46 donations

Thursday, Feb. 12
Plainville Community
Knights of Columbus
204 N. Irving
11a.m.-5 p.m.
Goal-50 donations

Tuesday, Feb. 24
Hoxie Community
Sherman Co. 4-H Building
North Highway 23
12p.m.-5p.m.
Goal 52 donations

Wednesday, Feb. 25
Atwood Community
Knights of Columbus
Lake Road
12p.m.-6p.m.
Goal-40 donations

Thursday, Feb. 26
St. Francis Community
Peace Lutheran Church
202 North College
9a.m.-2p.m.
Goal-41 donations