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Month: March 2017

BEECH: Devastating fires are a reminder to be prepared

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Linda Beech
Linda Beech

Wind-whipped prairie fires devastated much of Kansas earlier this week. A number of Kansans were forced to evacuate their homes to escape the advancing flames.

Would you be prepared for a situation like this? If you had to evacuate your home in the face of oncoming fire, what would you take with you? Would you have the important information needed to recover if your home was destroyed?

The devastating fires are a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared. Disasters do happen in Kansas– anywhere in the state, any time of year. Experts say it is “when” you need to be prepared for emergency, rather than “if.”

Here are some reminders from K-State Research and Extension’s Prepare Kansas program to help protect your family’s financial situation now and be able to recover and rebuild after a disaster:

1. Review your insurance coverage periodically. Make sure you are covered for replacement costs to your house and contents and adjust as values increase.

2. Take inventory. You’ll need good records of your belongings after a disaster, both for insurance claims and to prove losses on your tax return. To get started, photograph or videotape every wall of every room of your home. Don’t forget the basement, attic, garage, outbuildings, etc. (It takes less time than you think– I photographed my entire house and garage in about an hour and a half.) Open doors and drawers to photograph the contents of dressers, cabinets and closets.

List large appliances, electronics, antiques, guns, jewelry and other valuables with model or serial numbers, purchase price, appraisals, receipts or other records to prove the value of these items.
Update your home inventory annually and store the images and records on a flash drive, in a safe deposit box, on the internet cloud, or other safe location away from your home.

3. Make a grab-and-go kit. Assemble a set of your important papers in something you can quickly grab and take to the basement in case of a storm or take with you if you have to leave your home. Use a durable, sealed waterproof box, bag, backpack or briefcase. Put in copies of important papers that can help your family manage without access to your home for a long period of time. (Note: keep this information carefully secured and protected against unauthorized access.)

Things to add to your grab-and-go kit might include:

* identification and other key documents that may be needed to prove identity and restore records, including copies of your driver’s license, social security cards, passports or naturalization papers.
* copies of important legal papers such as birth certificates, deeds, mortgage documents, powers of attorney, wills and other papers which might be required after a disaster.
* copies of medical prescriptions, including eyeglasses, contacts and hearing aids.
* copies of children’s immunization records.
* copies of insurance cards and policies, including phone number of insurance agents.
* account information and phone numbers for all financial accounts.
* list of important telephone numbers (family members, medical providers, attorney, religious advisor, etc.)
* a copy of your home inventory– written and/or photos.
* safe deposit box key.
* list of electronic access user ID’s and passwords.
* list of monthly bills, contact information and when they are due.
* pocket notebook and pen or pencil for keeping records after a disaster.

I hope you are never forced to evacuate your home due to an emergency. But this week’s fires emphasize the importance of being prepared. Taking time now to make sure your financial documents are up-to-date, accessible and ready to “grab and go” can save a lot of time and frustration in the event of a fire, storm, flood or other emergency.

Want to learn more? Contact me at the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-628-9430, to schedule a disaster preparedness program for your Ellis County group.

For Prepare Kansas information via social media, follow us on Facebook at “K-State Research and Extension- Ellis County.”

More information on creating a grab and go kit is available in the K-State Research and Extension publication“Get Financially Prepared: Take Steps Ahead of Disaster” MF3055. Use the search function at www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu or contact the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main in Hays.

Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Bernice (Pfeifer) Rhea

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rhea-picBernice (Pfeifer) Rhea, daughter of Frank and Mary (Seib) Pfeifer was born in Ellis County on February
10, 1929 and she went home to be with God on March 11, 2017.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard “Dick” of the home, daughters Rhonda Haislip and
Chet Morris of Kingman Arizona, Donna and Gary Haislip of Wallace, Kansas, Amie and Jay Sharp of
Sharon Springs, Kansas and son, Kurt and Cheri Rhea of Litchfield Park, Arizona. 10 Grandchildren: Lorie
and Pat Reed, Salina, Kansas, Justin and Michele Haislip, Sharon Springs, Kansas, Travis Haislip and
Jennifer Lacount, San Diego California, Jodi and Daran Chaput , Olathe, Kansas, Casey and Megan Rhea,
Litchfield Park Arizona, Keith and Ashlee Rhea, Windsor, Colorado, Breanna Sharp, Hays Kansas and Tyler Sharp of Hays Kansas, Step‐grandchildren AJ Ita, Omaha, Nebraska, and Marti Ita, Lawrence, Kansas. 15 Great‐Grandchildren: Cody Reed of Gardner, Kansas, Trey Haislip and Carli Haislip, Sharon Springs, Josh Reed, Salina Kansas, Dawson and Dustin Haislip , San Diego, California, Morgan, Malin and Grant of Olathe Kansas, Lexi, Kendall and Cadence Rhea, Litchfield Park, Arizona, Kaylee and Braxton Rhea, Windsor, Colorado and Jaelyn Ita, Wallace Kansas; 2 brothers George Pfeifer, Omaha, Nebraska and Lefty and Carol Pfeifer, Salina Kansas and 1 sister in law Lilly Pfeifer Hays Kansas, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, 1 sister, Velma Dreiling, 4 brothers Jr, Eugene, Bob and Al,
granddaughter and grandson‐in‐law Tricia and Thad Ita and step‐grandson, Jake Ita.

She attended school in Hays, Kansas and graduated from Wallace County High School in Sharon Springs,
Kansas. She married Richard “Dick” Rhea on December 28, 1949 in Sharon Springs. She enjoyed
traveling with her husband as he participated in the sports of car racing and horse racing. She truly
loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great‐grandchildren. She was always there for
her children and grandchildren at their school activities and sporting events. Her happiest times were at
family gatherings.

She was a member of the Mothers Club, Pinochle Club and the Holy Ghost Altar Society. She spent time
as a CCD teacher and helped with Boy Scouts and she always wanted to be an Eucharistic Minister, but
by the time the church allowed women, she said she was getting too old.

Her beautiful life was full of fun and family and she leaves all of us so many precious memories that we
all will cherish forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Sharon Springs with Father Norbert Dlabal officiating. Burial will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery, Sharon Springs, KS.

A Vigil and Rosary Service will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 6:30 PM MT at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Sharon Springs with Father Kyle Berens officiating.

Memorials may be designated to the Holy Ghost Catholic Church and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Sharon Springs, KS.

Betty Jo Engel

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betty-jo-engel-001Betty Jo Engel, 82, Hays, died Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born September 20, 1934 in Hays the daughter of A.F. and Ruby (McIntosh) Debes. She graduated from Hays High School and on September 9, 1952 she was united in marriage to Ernest K. Engel at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. She was her husband’s right hand on the farm and was a very accomplished pianist, playing at numerous events throughout her lifetime. With her husband, she loved to travel and they would ride their Harley Davidson to the west coast and up the coast and into Canada. She enjoyed her first jet airplane flight during a trip to Alaska last fall, and loved to cook, tend to her beautiful flower beds, and play pinochle and drink coffee with her friends and family.

Survivors include her husband Ernest, of the home, a daughter Debbie Engel of Hays, three grandchildren; Shannon Deitering and husband Chris of Phenix City, Alabama, Chad Burgardt of Hays, and Misti Burgardt of Hays, two great grandchildren; Ryan and Aaron Deitering of Phenix City, Alabama, and two sisters; Virginia Alanis of Hays and Carol Karlin of Stockton.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Betty Jo’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Gerald Jack Thouvenelle

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Gerald Jack Thouvenelle, 94, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and fomerly of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, March 10, 2017, in Mount Pleasant.

A celebration of Gerald’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Chapel in Russell, Kansas. A private burial will take place at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas. Viewing will be available from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. Tuesday evening.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Keith Edwin Neal

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screen-shot-2017-03-12-at-8-11-25-pmKeith Edwin Neal, 85, of Russell, Kansas, died on Thursday, March 09, 2017, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Keith was born on January 19, 1932, in Manning, Kansas, one of twin boys born to Frank and Grace (See) Neal. Following his mother’s death in early 1933, Keith and his twin brother Ken were cared for and raised by their father’s parents, William and Amelia (Worley)Neal. The grandparents moved to Scott City when it was time for the twins to start school. Keith and his brother graduated from Scott City High School in the class of 1949. Keith and Ken joined the United States Air Force in 1951, and served four years together during the Korean war era. It was during that time Keith met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Amy Cross. They were married on June 21, 1952, at the Grant Avenue Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado. From this union they were blessed with 3 boys William Douglas, Kenneth Thomas and John Alan.

After serving his country, Keith graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduated with a bachelor degree in Biological Science and a masters degree in Education. He was a science teacher, coached basketball, football and baseball at Highland High School in Ault Colorado. He was also the principal at Highland High School and worked in education for 17 years. He was a member of and actively involved with the Lions Club in Ault. After retiring, Keith was involved in a number of businesses as well as a home-based business which he and Amy operated for several years.

Keith and Amy resided in Castle Rock, Colorado for a number of years, where they belonged to Castle Pines/Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. In 2006, they moved to Russell, Kansas where they have resided for the last 11 years. Keith was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell and had made many friends in Russell. They have been active also in the Russell Senior Center. He enjoyed traveling, playing golf and was a huge sports nut who enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado State University, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and grandson.

Surviving family include his wife of 64 years Amy Neal of the home, son Kenneth Thomas Neal of Aurora, Colorado and John Alan Neal and wife MaLaura Deeter of Topeka, Kansas; brother Kenneth F. Neal and wife Sandra of Thornton, Colorado and grandson Ty Alan Deeter-Neal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son William Douglas Neal; brothers Troy and Don; sisters Della, Beulah and Barbara.

A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Services will conclude at the church. Viewing will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Monday, March 13, 2017, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday night. Memorials may be given to the Otterbein United Methodist Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

HINEMAN: Fallout from Kansas wildfires

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Rep. Don Hineman, R-Dighton, 118th Dist.
Rep. Don Hineman, R-Dighton, 118th Dist.

Kansas Scorched by Wildfires

Legislative events took a backseat this week as our focus was on the tragedy unfolding out west. Wildfires spread across many areas of central and western Kansas, destroying homes, property, and livestock. Dry conditions combined with powerful, frequently-shifting winds turned the fires into the largest in Kansas history. Through Friday morning, 711,950 acres had burned. That equals 1148 square miles. Put another way, 1.4% of the land area of the entire state has now been consumed by the fires. There are no estimates yet on the loss of livestock and property. Clark County and the city of Ashland, Kansas were hit the hardest, with 85% of the county’s landmass having been burned.

Through community, state, and federal efforts most of the fires have been contained. In Clark County, the fires are still the most active, but are calculated to be 70% contained. The fires in Reno, Ellis, and Rooks counties are all over 95% contained.

Many Kansans have friends who have lost their homes and in some cases much more. My sympathies go out all affected by the fire, including my friends the McLean family in Ransom, Prose and Shroller families in Lane County, and Gardiner and Giles families in Clark County. Though recovery will be slow, the dedication of numerous volunteer firemen and countless offers of help have been overwhelming. This is Kansas at its worst and at its best – neighbors helping neighbors in times of difficulty.

Resources for information and assistance for those affected by the fire:

Education/Gannon Ruling

Article 6 of the Kansas Constitution outlines the state’s role in guaranteeing the fulfillment of each citizen’s right to public education. It is notable that the framers of our state constitution believed that public education was of such importance that its establishment comes directly after the organization of our system of government in Articles 1 through 5, which established the three branches of government, elections and suffrage. In Article 6, Section 6, Subsection (b) the constitution states “The legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.”

On March 2nd, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled on Gannon v. State of Kansas which dealt with public K-12 school finances. In 2015, Governor Brownback and the legislature repealed the K-12 school funding formula with the intention of developing a new system within 2 years. For the interim, they passed the CLASS Act, more commonly known as the block-grant funding bill. In their decision, the KS Supreme Court held that CLASS fails to meet the constitutional requirement of adequacy in terms of both funding and educational outcomes. The court proceeded to give the legislature until June 30th to come up with a new formula which would meet that requirement, the same deadline the legislature had already self-imposed.

To meet that objective, Speaker Ryckman and I formed the K-12 Education Budget Committee to which we gave the responsibility to craft a new, constitutionally-viable funding formula. The members of that committee began their work in early January, and have already held hearings on 5 different plans, and taken informed testimony from a variety of stakeholders. They are now turning their attention to developing a new formula based on the information they have accumulated. It is expected that they will have the final product ready for consideration by the full House before the end of the month.

Nearly all observers believe that the new finance plan and the court ruling will require additional funding for K-12 public education. Estimates of the amount vary widely, but are primarily based upon the old formula, which was discarded in 2015. In fact, no one can give a reliable estimate of exactly what will be required until a new formula has been passed and signed into law.

Update on Budget and Tax

On February 22 Governor Brownback vetoed the income tax bill, HB 2178, which was passed by the House in mid-February and subsequently approved by the Senate. The House then successfully over-rode the governor’s veto but the senate fell three votes short of enough to over-ride. Now it is back to the drawing board for both chambers, with broad consensus that the current fiscal imbalance in state government cannot be solved responsibly via budget cuts and one-time infusion of funds from other sources. Additional revenue will be required, and both chambers are in active discussions as they work toward the most acceptable plan.

Appearance on WIBW radio

On Thursday, March 16 I will be on WIBW radio at 6:00 a.m. with my friend and colleague, Larry Hibbard (R – Toronto). We again discuss the current legislative session. You can listen live to WIBW Radio 580 on:

FirstStreaming.com (https://tinyurl.com/z7uo9p6)

TunedIn Radio (https://tinyurl.com/8xqgzus)

Or, on your mobile device with the TunedIn Radio App.

Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Leoti CARE center

Cowboy Logic

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance,

Quote of the day

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.“

Sermon in a sentence

It is important to remember the past, but not live in it.

K-State earns NCAA bid, to face Wake Forest in First Four

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MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State was rewarded for a successful season on Sunday, as the Wildcats earned their 29th overall bid to the NCAA Tournament, including the third in five seasons under Bruce Weber.

K-State (20-13, 8-10 Big 12) was selected as a No. 11 seed in the South Regional and will travel to Dayton, Ohio, to play in the First Four to play fellow No. 11 seed Wake Forest (19-13, 9-9 ACC) on Tuesday, March 14 at the University of Dayton Arena. The winner will advance to play No. 6 seed Cincinnati (29-4, 16-2 AAC) on Friday, March 17 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

The Wildcats will be joined at the venue by fellow No. 11 seeds Providence and USC and No. 16 seeds Mount St. Mary’s and New Orleans of the East Regional and No. 16 seeds North Carolina Central and UC Davis of the East Regional. The top seeds in the South Regional are No. 1 seed North Carolina, No. 2 seed Kentucky, No. 3 seed UCLA, No. 4 seed Butler and No. 5 seed Minnesota.

K-State and Wake Forest will tip off at 8:10 p.m. CT or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game of the evening session between No. 16 seeds Mount Saint Mary’s and New Orleans on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast nationally on TruTV with Brian Anderson, Clark Kellogg and Lewis Johnson.

Kansas State Sports Information

No. 1 seed Kansas earns NCAA-record 28th consecutive tournament appearance

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship bracket revealed during today’s Selection Sunday Show on CBS.

The Jayhawks (28-4, 16-2 Big 12) now hold an NCAA-record of 28-straight appearances in the NCAA tourney after finishing the regular season with its 13th-straight Big 12 Conference regular-season title and a 5-0 record against top-10 teams.

KU will face the winner of a First Four matchup between North Carolina Central (25-8) and UC Davis (22-12) on Friday at the Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Should Kansas advance to the second round, the Jayhawks will face No. 8 seed Miami (21-11) or No. 9 seed Michigan State (19-14) on Sunday.

The winner of the Midwest Region’s First and Second Rounds in Tulsa will advance to play at Sprint Center in Kansas City, March 23 and 25, where the Jayhawks have already played four times this season.

The Final Four will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on April 1 and 3.

Kansas has been a No. 1 seed seven times under head coach Bill Self. The Jayhawks average a 1.9 seed in 14 seasons with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Finalist on the sidelines.

KU is the overall No. 2 seed behind Villanova, in a complete list of 68 seeds that the NCAA Selection Committee released after the bracket had been announced.

The Jayhawks are making their 46th NCAA Tournament all-time appearance. KU is 100-44 in NCAA postseason games, including 31 Sweet Sixteen appearances and 14 trips to the Final Four.

Kansas is one of six Big 12 Conference teams to earn an NCAA bid, joined by Baylor, West Virginia, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Kansas has a 10-1 record against the seven NCAA Tournament teams it has faced this season.

Kansas Sports Information

Kansas National Guard wraps up aerial battle of wild fires

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Spc. Orin Meyer, a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief with 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment-courtesy Kan. Army National Guard

TOPEKA -As the wildfires across Kansas near full containment, the Kansas National Guard reported Sunday their aerial fire suppression mission is finished.

Fifty-five Kansas Army National Guard Soldiers were deployed and dropped an estimated 482 buckets totaling approximately 289,200 gallons of water from seven UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, according to a social media report.

 

The Guard partnered with U.S. Army Reserve and civilian aviation assets along with ground crews to fight the fires that burned an 711,950 acres, according to estimates released on Friday.

Royals catcher Perez set for test on knee injured in WBC

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SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez is set to have another test on his left knee after getting injured in a collision with Royals backup catcher Drew Butera in the World Baseball Classic.

Perez is returning to the Royals’ spring training camp on Monday and will have an MRI. The four-time All-Star and 2015 World Series MVP was hurt Saturday in Mexico while playing for Venezuela and is out of the tournament.

The original diagnosis was inflammation but no structural damage.

Distracted driving blamed for increase in Kan. traffic deaths

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October 2016 fatal crash in Chase County- photo courtesy Jeff Petrel

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas recorded a 22 percent increase in traffic fatalities in 2016 compared with the previous year, and one state trooper says distracted driving is the main reason.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says 432 people died in traffic accidents in 2016.

The National Safety Council says traffic fatalities increased 6 percent nationwide in 2016.

Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Chad Crittenden says distracted driving is the key reason for the increase. He says he recently watched 14 drivers while he was stopped at a busy Wichita intersection — and 11 of the drivers went through the intersection either talking or texting on their phones.

Others say lower gas prices also are a factor, because more drivers are on the roads.

Evidence from former Kan. man’s trial moves to bombing museum

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Taylor spoke at the museum on Thursday

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Evidence from Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols’ state murder trial will not be housed at the museum and memorial that honor those killed in the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in the U.S.

Nichols was at home in Kansas at the time of the bombing.

The Oklahoman reports 32 filing cabinets and numerous computer towers, photos, maps and diagrams were moved last week to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum’s climate-controlled archives. The collection eventually will be incorporated into exhibits.

Former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven W. Taylor oversaw the trial and said the files are sacred. Taylor said Nichols hated the government, but that same government gave him a fair trial.

Nichols is in a federal prison in Colorado serving life terms without the possibility of release.

Bomber Timothy McVeigh was executed in 2001. The 1995 attack killed 168 people.

HHS senior highly dedicated to Girl Scouts

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Senior Rachelle Lumpkins continues to sell Girl Scout cookies.
Senior Rachelle Lumpkins continues to sell Girl Scout cookies.
By JORDYN DAKE
HHS Guidon

When senior Rachelle Lumpkins joined the Girl Scouts in first grade, she was upholding a family tradition.

“My mom really made me get involved,” Lumpkins said. “My brother was in Boy Scouts and she was in Girl Scouts when she was younger.”

Lumpkins has stuck with the club ever since and has been able to experience making new friends and selling the famous girl scout cookies every spring.

“Two years ago I sold over 500 boxes of cookies,” Lumpkins said. “Last year, I sold over 1,000 boxes.”

Last year, Lumpkins said she was the oldest Girl Scout to sell 1,000 boxes of cookies.

“I was all by myself,” Lumpkins said. “I was always expected to help the younger girls sell and I didn’t really like that.”

There are statistics that she always keeps in mind when sharing her passion for selling.

“Statistically, half the girls in Girl Scouts will drop out by sixth grade,” Lumpkins said. “Three-fourths of the remaining girls will drop out by ninth grade.”

Lumpkins said the reasoning for the large drop-out number is because there isn’t much for the girls to do after they reach the sixth grade.

“When you reach sixth grade, you are supposed to start helping out the younger girls,” Lumpkins said. “I want to help the younger generation of girls and show them that there is a purpose in Girl Scouts and that they should stick with it.”

Even though she was a lot older than most of the older girls involved with Girl Scouts, Lumpkins decided that she wanted to keep up her own goal of selling as many cookies as she possibly could.

“I want to show these younger girls that if they have a dream, they should stick with it,” Lumpkins said. “I really think they can achieve it.”

Lumpkin’s dream for this year in Girl Scouts is to sell 3,000 boxes of cookies before the deadline on March 20.

“So far I have sold around 1,000 boxes,” Lumpkins said. “I sold 546 boxes by the fifth day of selling.”

Lumpkins said she wants to show girls that through Girl Scouts and hard work, they can achieve their goals.

“You shouldn’t give up just yet,” Lumpkins said.

In addition to her inspiring words, Lumpkins added that sales for cookies will only last about another month.

“Buy cookies,” Lumpkins said. “Sales end on March 20 and boxes only cost $4.”

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