“We can’t always control what happens in our lives – things will go well, things will go poorly – but what we can control is our response to those events.” – Ken Blanchard.

Last week we learned about a rural Kansas community that was devastated by tornado strikes which, amazingly, came on the same day, three years in a row. Now we’ll learn how the community is seeking to recognize this disaster today, in a way that honors its ancestors and the spirit of the community.

Last week we learned the story of Codell, Kansas which was hit by a tornado on May 20 in 1916, 1917, and 1918. Joel Russell shared the story of this incredible fluke of weather.

Joel grew up at Codell. After college at Wichita State, he became a supervisor with Union Pacific Railroad. His job allowed him to move back to Codell, while his work took him around the western U.S. He met and married Amanda who is from Hays. Amanda works at Plainville High School. She and Joel have four children.

Joel grew up hearing the stories of the three tornado strikes. He and other local residents recognized that 2018 would be the 100th anniversary of the third and final tornado that hit in 1918. Roger Hrabe, the Rooks County economic development director, called with an idea. “He wondered if we could make a sculpture or memorial to recognize this event,” Joel said.

At the time, Rooks and other northwest Kansas counties were going through a strategic doing process with support from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan. As county residents thought about projects to benefit their communities, the memorial in Codell caught on.

Joel Russell and other citizens came together to work on the project. They contracted with two Fort Hays State faculty artists to design and build the memorial. Danielle Robinson and Tobias Flores are the contemporary sculptors who have designed and built the metal sculpture. To raise funds, donor names are being stamped onto the steel strips which are used to construct it.

The sculpture itself is a striking, 12-foot-tall representation of a funnel cloud. On May 20, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the final tornado, the Codell Cyclone Day Memorial will be dedicated.

“We have two local people who actually lived through the tornado,” Joel said. “Ellen Hockett is 105 and her brother Lee Smith is 103, and we think they’ll attend.” Many families are lending artifacts which will be displayed at the dedication.

The story of this incredible weather event has attracted national attention. Sculptor Tobias Flores has even been contacted by Good Morning America.

“A meteorologist from Seattle told me that every meteorologist in the country knows Codell, Kansas,” Joel said. “It’s in the books they have to study.”

“I’ve had articles (about Codell) sent to me from all over the country,” Joel said. “One guy was at a bar in Boston and saw the story about Codell posted on the wall.” That’s impressive because Codell today is a rural community of about 50 people. Now, that’s rural.

“We’re the keepers of this history,” Joel said. “We feel a responsibility to honor the history of these events. That’s our heritage too.”

Not only did Joel Russell’s ancestors survive the tornadoes, his and Amanda’s residence has a direct connection to that time. “The main portion of our house was built from lumber that was strewn around from the lumberyard when it was hit,” Joel said.

After this natural disaster took place, families, friends, and neighboring communities rallied around to help the people of Codell. Now all of that history will be honored, 100 years later.

“We can’t always control what happens in our lives – things will go well, things will go poorly – but what we can control is our response to those events,” said author Ken Blanchard. We commend Joel and Amanda Russell and all the people of Codell who are making a difference by commemorating this history. I think it is an excellent response.

Spring is already here and with the renewal of the trees and plants, and in keeping up with the rhythm of the seasons, I found it the perfect time to update citizens on fresh news in the Treasury.

On April 9 I did a presentation to the County Commissioners at their regular Monday meeting to provide an update on Ellis County’s finances. Since taking office in October, one of the new practices I have implemented is consistent investment of “idle funds,” (money not currently being tapped for county expenses). My goal was to increase interest income on those funds.

In the 1st quarter of 2018, which includes Dec, Jan, and Feb, the Treasury earned over $78,000.00 in Interest Income. Meaning, the income earned this year has already exceeded the annual totals for each year of the prior seven years. Based on the 1st quarter’s earnings and my purposeful investment strategy, I estimate Ellis County will earn over a quarter of a million dollars in “Interest Income” alone in 2018.

It is important to note interest rates on our accounts. For the past five years, they have been stagnant, ranging from .02-.05 percent. That is not 5% or 2%, but .02 and .05%. I have secured interest income for the county because, and only because, I have taken the initiative to make investments at every possible moment, not leaving any funds “un-invested.” The competition generated by soliciting bids from local banking institutions since I took office got them competing to the tune of 1-1.4%, versus if I would have simply accepted the standard .02-.05%. First quarter interest earnings for Ellis County illustrate the value of proactive account management, and I look forward to producing even greater return on our investments in the future.

In other news, in January 2018 I solicited proposals and gathered information from banks upon examining Ellis County’s investment potential. Due to comparing the County’s banking fees with other Treasuries across Kansas, I made this a top priority. Two objectives I set forth with the new banking proposal were to increase interest income and decrease monthly banking fees; the process was successful on both fronts. I sent out banking requests for proposals (RFPs) this winter, and have since been grateful to have met and worked with the banking executives in Ellis County. On May 1, I awarded Astra Bank the opportunity to be the banking institution that handles the County’s main operating accounts. (These are the active accounts, and different from idle fund investment accounts). I was drawn to the adaptability of Astra’s qualified staff and various services to meet the county’s required banking needs at the best cost-value to the county.

I am happy and grateful to work for Ellis County citizens, and I enjoy the challenges that come with the responsibilities of being your Treasurer. Make it a good spring, and be glad you are part of such a great County and Country as ours.

Community food drives provide an important source of food for families trying to make ends meet. They also give neighbors the chance to help neighbors and instill the values of sharing and caring in children.

The Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive will be held on Saturday, May 12. This food drive, held annually on the second Saturday of May by the National Association of Letter Carriers, is our nation’s largest single-day food drive. Last year, the drive collected 75 million pounds of non-perishable food across the country.

The timing is important, too, with food banks, pantries and shelters running low on donations from the fall and winter holidays, and with summer looming, when most school meal programs are suspended.

“In the summer when children are home and no school meals are available, our food requests increase,” said Laurie Mortinger, director of the Community Assistance Center in Hays, who reports that the Letter Carriers food drive is their second-largest food collection of the year.

Hunger affects about 50 million people around the country, including millions of children, senior citizens and veterans. Donating to the national food drive this Saturday can help provide food for those in need in our communities.

However, don’t just clean out your cupboard and donate foods you can no longer use. Donate safe and healthful foods to help pantries avoid waste and keep their customers healthy.

Don’t donate opened or repackaged food, food in damaged containers or severely dented cans, home canned products, expired food or perishable foods that are starting to spoil or mold. Check with your local food bank to find out if it can accept fresh fruits and vegetables, baked products, and refrigerated or frozen foods.

While food pantries and the people they serve are grateful for any and all donations, you can give the gift of better health by providing safe and nutritious non-perishable food items to food drives in your community.
Before you give to your local food drive, think about filling a healthy plate. Use the food groups of the MyPlate as a guide for food drive donations with a healthier twist:

Fruit group: a variety of colorful fruits canned in juice or light syrup, 100 percent fruit juice, raisins or other dried fruit.

Vegetable group: Low sodium canned vegetables– especially dark green and deep orange varieties– tomatoes and tomato sauces, low sodium canned soups, dry potato products.

Grain group: whole-grain unsweetened breakfast cereal, whole-grain pasta and crackers, oatmeal, brown rice, popcorn, cornmeal, whole wheat flour.

Dairy group: nonfat dry milk, evaporated canned milk, shelf-stable milk boxes.

Protein group: canned or dried beans, water-packed canned tuna and salmon, canned chicken, unsalted nuts and nut butters.

For individuals with limited kitchen access, consider single-serve canned pull-tab foods such as fruits, vegetables, pastas, stews, chicken and noodles, etc. and single-serve items such as granola bars, packs of nuts or dried fruit, and individual juice packs or boxes.

Contact your local food pantry to find out what other items are needed such as infant formula, baby food, low-salt, sugar-free or gluten-free items, or other foods for special dietary concerns.

When donating food for a food drive, choose foods that provide maximum nutrition from each food group of MyPlate. Your neighbors will eat healthier when you contribute safe and nutritious foods.

Linda K. Beech is Cottonwood District Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.